Harem House Chapter 34 Part 3

Mindy had pulled her pigtails nearly often enough to pluck them off her scalp. She tapped her foot under the table as Deb, George, Umma, and Appa sat to a five-course meal her father threw together in the restaurant kitchen downstairs while his assistant took on the Tuesday dinner hour. Something Appa never let him do, even on a Tuesday. 

She wasn’t sure what was more embarrassing, her mother’s critical glare at Deb as the woman complimented their home and apartment or her father showing off and potentially flirting with Deb? Mindy had never seen him laugh so hard at such simple jokes or blush so quickly at the mention of Deb being able to kick over her head. 

Mister Clarke seemed friendly enough, as usual. Deb, for her part, was lovely as always. George wore a casual suit that reminded Mindy of Arthur. Deb wore a surprisingly tight but elegant dress that looked great on her. Her dangling silver-chain earrings and matching necklace weren’t expensive but looked lovely on her. 

“So…” Deb said, glancing at Mindy as her father put the main entree of Bossam on the table before returning her attention to Mindy’s mother. “I take it you’re aware that our children know each other?” 

Mindy stared at her plate. 

Appa laughed. “Mindy was just telling me.” He said as if it hadn’t caused any problems. 

“And you’re okay with them living together?” Mindy’s mom asked though it sounded more like an accusation than a question to Mindy’s ears. 

If Deb recognized the tone as anything other than inquiry, she didn’t comment on it. “Of course! They’re all adults and fully capable of making responsible decisions.” 

“Barely adults.” Umma said. “In Mindy’s case.” 

“She’s still an adult.” Deb said. 

“I don’t know…” Appa said, not disagreeing with Deb, which surprised the hell out of Mindy and angered Umma. “Remember how we were at that age?” 

Deb smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Chang-Hoon. I was the picture of maturity at Mindy’s age.” 

George snorted, then looked apologetic when Deb looked at him with amusement. 

“Arthur’s age, then.” She amended her statement. 

George and Appa laughed as Deb smiled. 

“If you two went to the same college, why is Arthur so much older than Mindy? Was he a surprise?” Umma asked, making Mindy want to kick her under the table. If Mindy had asked that question to an adult, she’d have been grounded as soon as the company was gone. No one was there to ground Umma. 

Deb laughed. “My, no. George and I tried for children for years as soon as we were married. I always wanted a large family since I was an only child…” 

George squeezed Deb’s hand. 

“But we were blessed with Arthur.” Deb said. “And that was enough for us.” 

“He’s a little younger than your oldest, I think. You had him shortly after coming back to the States, right?” George asked. 

Umma nodded. The dark blush beneath her eyes was enough to tell Mindy she was ashamed of herself. Mindy got the feeling that Umma had understood something from their answer that she missed. 

Appa nodded. “Oh, did we tell you? Jun-Ho got married last year. He’s a police officer now, working on becoming a detective. His wife’s a police officer, too. That’s how they met.” 

“Oh wow.” Deb said, laughing. “Just think, you could be grandparents soon! When did we get so old?” 

“I never feel old until I try to listen to Mindy’s music.” Appa laughed, and Deb and George laughed with him. 

Mindy didn’t mind them laughing at her taste in anything so long as they were in a good mood. 

“You should be very proud of Mindy.” Deb said. “From everything I’ve seen, she’s a very joyful, mature, and wonderful young woman.” 

“And how do you know Mindy so well?” Umma asked. 

“Oh, we met a few weeks ago.” Deb said. “I met her with Arthur briefly on a double date, then again at homecoming, and then at brunch this last Sunday to view the house.” 

“About that…” George said, glancing at Deb, then at Appa. “If the money’s too much–” 

Mindy winced. The money wasn’t too much. She’d presented the numbers to her parents already, and room and board at the house was cheaper than room and board at the school. Student loans and scholarships didn’t pay for any of it, but it was affordable. Mister Clarke meant well, no doubt, but Mindy knew how sensitive her parents were about their income, and the Clarkes had the kind of money Mindy knew her parents would never see. 

“Forgive my husband.” Deb said, interrupting George. “You know how accountants are. He’s always thinking of money.” She rolled her eyes as if Umma knew what a task it was to keep Appa on track. “What he meant to say was that Mindy mentioned you might have some objections to her moving into the house?” 

George nodded. “Yes, uh… that’s what I meant.” 

Umma and Appa shared a glance between each other. 

“It’s not the money.” Appa insisted. “If anything, I think you’re charging too little for rent with the way rates are nowadays.” 

Deb smiled. “Well, it is just a room and a share of the house, or a shared room, if Mindy and–” She cut herself at a panicked look from Mindy. “If Mindy takes a roommate.”

“We don’t think Mindy should be moving in with Rani.” Umma said, not mincing her words or being subtle at all. 

Mindy sighed. “Umma…” 

Deb’s soft smile remained, nodding as if she understood. “She can absolutely have a private room in the house. That’s not a problem.” 

“No. You don’t understand.” Umma said. “Mindy shouldn’t be moving in with people she is dating. Whether it’s the Indian woman or your son. She shouldn’t be living in the same house they are without chaperones.” 

“Ah.” Deb said, glancing at Mindy. “I…”

“I tried to explain Polyamory to her.” Mindy spoke up, interjecting. “But I don’t think I did an outstanding job.” 

Deb nodded.

“You did fine.” Umma said. “You’re dating their son, and you’re dating Rani, the Indian woman–” 

“You can just say, Rani, Umma!” Mindy snapped. 

Umma rolled her eyes. “And you’re dating Rani. But you know the rules, Ji-Min! You mustn’t act on temptations!” 

“If that’s how you feel about it, we understand, of course.” Deb said. “I know you’re more religious now than you used to be, Chang-Hoon, and I understand wanting to encourage our children to be responsible.” 

“Do you?” Umma snapped. 

“Sun-Hee.” Appa said, his tone reproving. A tone Mindy hadn’t ever heard him use at her mother. That tone was usually reserved for Jun-Ho when he did something bad as a kid. 

Umma glared at him. “Well, I don’t think it’s very responsible to encourage Rani and Arthur to live together either. That’s even worse. Arthur could make Rani pregnant or Mindy. At least with Mindy dating the Indian woman, there’s no baby.” 

Deb’s soft and polite smile remained, to Mindy’s surprise. George appeared a little ruffled but was distracted by the excellent food. His plan here seemed to be the same as Mindy’s: let Deb do the talking. 

“We raised Arthur to be a responsible young man, and I couldn’t be prouder of the man he turned out to be. Do you think an irresponsible young man could have won your daughter’s heart?” Deb asked, turning the question around on Umma, who didn’t have an answer. 

“Ji-Min is young, and–” 

“Inexperienced.” Deb concluded. “We all were, at one point or another. If you met Arthur, I think you’d feel more comfortable with the idea of him looking out for her.” 

“He already does.” Mindy said. “Sanjay left us alone after he tried to jump Arthur in the parking lot.” 

That caught George’s attention, who looked at Deb. Deb didn’t seem disturbed by the description. George seemed to decide that if Deb wasn’t worried, he shouldn’t be either. 

“Besides all the drama from other people, I know Arthur looks out for everyone’s best interests.” Deb said, speaking directly to Umma. “He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Mindy, nor would he get in the way of her studies or allow anyone else to. If anything, I’d wager Mindy’s grades and schoolwork will improve if she moves into the house. The young women renting from us are like a sorority. I’ve seen the way they are with each other, constantly supporting and helping one another.” 

“But will they… fraternize?” Umma asked. 

George and Deb looked confused. 

“She means will we–” 

“They know what I mean, Ji-Min!” Her mother interrupted her. 

Deb laughed. “Oh. I’m afraid they’ll do that no matter what we say or do or where they live.” She nudged George. “It’s the cookie problem all over again.” 

George laughed. 

“Cookie problem?” Umma asked, not sure what Deb meant. 

“When Arty was young, I think… six? Maybe?” Deb looked at George for confirmation, but with a mouthful of pork, he simply nodded and gave her a thumbs up. “He grew tall enough to reach the cookie jar on the counter.” Deb explained. “Cookies that were, of course, forbidden to him as a six-year-old who didn’t need the extra sugar.” 

Umma and Appa shared a look, and Mindy could see them equating the story to Jun-Ho and herself. 

“So, as responsible parents, we did what any parent would do. We reminded him they were forbidden and moved the cookie jar.” Deb explained. 

“And do you know what that rascal did?” George asked between bites. 

Umma and Appa waited for them to continue. 

“He accepted the challenge!” George laughed. “No matter where we hid the cookie jar, what we locked it in, or how high up it was–I think I actually locked it in the safe in my office at one point–that rascal had it out again and ate all the cookies between him and his friend Lynn.” 

“Lynn was the ringleader if I recall, but Arthur wasn’t innocent.” Deb said. 

“This is the same Lynn who will live there too? The one who was here today?” Umma asked. 

Mindy’s frown deepened. 

“Lynn was here today?” Deb asked, confused. 

“She–” Mindy started. 

“Don’t interrupt!” Appa barked. “Continue.” He said to Deb. “How did you solve your cookie problem?” 

“We put the cookie jar back on the counter and made a rule. Two cookies every Friday afternoon for good behavior.” Deb said. Umma and Appa looked confused. 

“We lifted the ban.” George explained. 

“By removing the taboo, we made sure Arthur could enjoy the cookies responsibly.” Deb said. “That way, he learned to ration them, rather than binge eating them and ruining his dinner every time he managed to track them down.” 

“That’s actually really smart.” Mindy said, surprising herself with her interjection. 

“But did you not see that as permitting him to get away with it?” Umma asked. 

“Get away with what? Eating two cookies once a week if he behaved?” Deb asked. “Granted, he lost interest after a month or two altogether, but we never had a problem after that, and he learned how to regulate responsibly.” 

“Hell, I’d pay good money to see him empty a cookie jar now.” George said. “The kid eats like one of those health nuts. Always working out and talking about gluten, calories, and exercises. On and on about exercises.” 

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think someone asked him to mention a few good exercise ideas to you…” Deb said, looking away and feigning her innocence so loudly that Umma erupted into laughter, which prompted Deb to laugh as well. 

Mindy was confused, but whatever had happened – she was pretty sure Deb had just won Umma over somehow. Forget Mister Clarke and his business acumen; Mindy needed to learn everything she could from Deb and pronto. 

~~~

“Calm down, Arthur.” Rani said. “It’s okay. Your mom? She’s awesome. And she knows what to keep quiet about with Mindy’s parents. I think.” 

Rani had texted Mindy, just in case, but hadn’t gotten an answer either. 

“What about food?” Thalia asked, scanning her phone. “There are a lot of bar and grill places. A pizza place and a smoked pig barbeque restaurant within delivery distance.” 

“Any vegetarian options besides the pizza place?” Rani asked. 

“There’s Indian food.” Arthur said. “It might take a little longer since they’re closer to the city, but it looks like we’re within delivery range.” He had half a mind to drive to the Garden Wok right now, but he might only make things worse without knowing what the situation was. He looked up food to distract himself. 

“I was planning on eating Indian tonight anyway.” Thalia said, eyeing Rani as she said it. “That works for me.” 

“Oh, girl, I love you already.” Rani said, laughing. “But that tongue ain’t coming anywhere near me after you eat my kinda food.” 

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Arthur said, almost laughing at the distraction. “Okay. The pizza place has salads. It looks like they’re more of an Italian restaurant.” 

“Okay.” Rani said. “That works for me.” 

“Me too.” Arthur said. 

“Okay.” Thalia said. “I will have whatever she has.” She thumbed her hand at Rani, who looked surprised when Arthur passed her his phone but dutifully put in her order and passed it back to him. 

“Your battery percentage is stressing me out.” Rani said. “You should plug in for sure.” 

Arthur nodded. “I didn’t bring a charger. I’ll have to charge it on the way home.” 

Rani shook her head and walked over to her bags of equipment. She rifled through her backpack and produced a charger. Arthur ordered, and she plugged his phone in for him, leaving it on the mantle above the fireplace before she walked between them again and sat between Arthur’s feet with her back to him, her bare ass on the soft carpet. 

“So… what should we do until the food arrives?” Rani asked, looking back at Arthur. “Any ideas?” 

Arthur laughed. “You two really want to…” He gestured between them. Thalia and Rani nodded. “Okay. How about a game of truth or dare?” 

“Starting out strong.” Rani said, smiling. “I’m down.” She looked at Thalia. “You remember the safewords?” 

“How kinky are these dares?” Thalia asked, not alarmed but curious. 

Rani smiled. 

“It’s best to have one even if we don’t do anything kinky.” Arthur said. “If anything makes you uncomfortable, you say your word, and we slow down, check-in, or stop. It’s a way out if the game gets out of hand or… for whatever. A quick, guiltless method of withdrawing consent if necessary.” 

Thalia looked at Arthur like he had two heads. 

“Did that make sense?” Arthur asked. He knew there might be a language barrier, but he thought he’d explained it well. 

“It makes sense.” Thalia said, nodding. “I just was not expecting a man, with two gorgeous women so clearly wanting to fuck, to think about consent.” 

“Arthur’s biggest kink is consent.” Rani said, reaching behind her to pat his knee. “We love him for it.” 

“Red light works for me.” Thalia said. “I like the streetlamp colors. Green for go. Red for stop. Yellow for faster, harder.” 

Arthur laughed. “Yellow usually means slow down.” 

“You must not drive often.” Thalia said. 

Rani laughed. “We’ll use it for slow down.” 

Thalia rolled her eyes as she chuckled. “Okay. Let us begin?” 

Arthur nodded. “Okay… so, Rani, truth or dare?” 

“Truth.” Rani said, laughing. She was always brutally honest, so it was an easy pick for her, but it meant Arthur had to think of a question worth being asked. 

“Am I a good model?” Arthur asked. 

Rani laughed and patted his shoulder. “No, but this was your first time modeling, and you were helping me out. You looked more natural by the end of it. Plus, you’re incredibly hot, so the photos will look good.” 

Thalia winced. 

Arthur nodded. He’d expected as much, but verification was always appreciated. Thalia seemed concerned he’d take the criticism badly but was happy that Rani had been honest with him. 

“Thalia, truth or dare?” Rani asked, taking her turn. 

“Dare.” Thalia answered. 

“I dare you to answer the door naked when the food arrives.” Rani said. 

“Easily done.” Thalia said, not hesitating for a second. “Arthur. Truth? Or Dare?” 

“Hm…” Arthur glanced at Rani. “Dare.” 

“Oh, a brave man.” Thalia said, smiling. “I dare you to…” She tapped her finger on her chin as she tried to think of something. “To lick Rani’s asshole.” 

“Woah.” Rani said, laughing. “From zero to one hundred.” 

Arthur smirked. “You prepped?” He asked Rani. 

Rani nodded. “Of course I did. I knew there was a chance we’d fuck, and you know I like anal. Lube’s in the camera bag.” 

Thalia laughed, then realized Rani wasn’t joking. 

Arthur tapped her on her head, and she stood up. They switched places, sort of. Rani knelt on the chair and put her chest against the top of it. She reached behind her and spread her massive dark-brown cheeks. 

Arthur knelt and faced her, put his hands on her cheeks, and ran his tongue from the bottom to the top of her crack, eliciting an “Oooo” from Rani. 

Thalia raised an eyebrow. “Okay, I see I have to up my game.” 

Arthur licked Rani’s ass cheek next, then kissed it. He stood up, but Rani stayed where she was, even after Arthur slapped her gently on her ass. “Okay, Thalia, truth or dare?” 

“Dare.” Thalia answered immediately. 

“I dare you to lick Rani’s pussy.” Arthur said. “While she’s in this position.” He slapped her ass again, causing it to shake momentarily. 

“Just one lick?” Thalia asked. “I do not know if I will stop.” 

“One lick.” Arthur said. 

“Let her eat.” Rani said, smirking at Arthur. “The poor girl’s hungry.” 

“Don’t make me spank you while she does it.” Arthur said, warning her. 

“Oh, my King, if I’ve displeased you, you must spank me. That’s the rule in our harem.” Rani said. She was teasing him, but Arthur couldn’t say she was lying. 

Thalia seemed to take it entirely too literally. She crawled forward, then spun, facing away from Rani. She leaned back, limboing on her knees until her face was beneath Rani, her lips below Rani’s lower lips. This kept her head out of the way so Arthur could still spank Rani’s ass while she ate her out. 

“Are you ready?” Thalia asked. 

In answer, Rani lowered her hips, pressing herself against Thalia’s face.

Thalia grabbed Rani’s thighs, then licked and kissed her from below. Arthur couldn’t see exactly what she was doing, but he knew it was good from Rani's reaction. She moaned long and low, making a guttural noise as she inhaled. 

“Oh, fuck.” Rani said. She released her cheeks and moved her hands to the arms of the chair to brace herself as Thalia ate her out. Arthur saw his opportunity and landed a smack across Rani’s ass. “FUCK!” Rani cried, not angrily, but in pleasant surprise. 

Arthur grabbed her hair, pulling it into a makeshift ponytail and keeping it taut. 

“Mmm…” Rani moaned. “She could teach Slut a thing or two.” 

Thalia licked her one more time, then slid out from under Rani, wiping her mouth as she stood. “Who is Slut?” She asked. 

“Our girlfriend, Selene.” Rani said, catching her breath as Thalia caught hers. “It’s what we call her, what she likes Arthur to call her.” 

“And what is Kelly?” Thalia asked, curious. 

“She’s Mistress or Wifey.” Rani said, sitting in Arthur’s chair. 

“She dommes you?” Thalia asked, curious. “I never pictured her as a top.” 

“There’s a power structure in our polycule.” Rani said. “A hierarchy. It goes Arthur.” She put her hand above her head to indicate the top tier. She lowered her hand. “Kelly.” She lowered her hand again. “Me, I think.” She lowered her hand again. “The rest.” 

“Well, the idea was that everyone was equal.” Arthur interrupted. “Remember?” 

“Except you.” Rani pointed out. “And Kelly and I have more dominant tendencies with the others.” 

“So Kelly is a domme?” Thalia asked. 

“Eh.” Rani shrugged. “She’s a switch. So am I, but I’m less sexist about it.” 

“What?” Arthur asked, unable to help himself. 

“You haven’t noticed?” Rani asked. “Kelly’s dominant with women, submissive to men. Specifically to you. Depending on my mood, I’m a bottom or a top, but in our group, I’m kinda always submissive to you and Kelly, which is not a complaint.” She interjected before Arthur could. “It’s fuckin’ awesome.” 

Thalia laughed. 

“Right…” Arthur said, thinking things through. “Who’s turn is it?” 

“It was mine.” Thalia said. “But I think that should count for at least one truth from Rani, so now it is Rani’s turn.” 

“Arthur.” Rani said. “Truth or dare?” 

“Truth.” Arthur said, feeling brave. 

“Do you love me?” Rani asked. 

“Woah.” Thalia said, her eyes wide. 

“I…” Arthur considered how to answer. 

“It’s okay if your answer is no.” Rani said. “Or if you’re not ready to say ‘I love you,’ I just wanted to ask and get an unfiltered answer.” 

“Unfiltered?” Arthur asked. 

“Unfiltered.” Rani confirmed. 

“Then, yes. I do.” Arthur said. “I–” 

“You don’t have to explain.” Rani cut him off. “Don’t ruin it.” She smiled. 

“Okay.” Arthur looked confused but turned toward Thalia. “Thalia. Truth or Dare?” Arthur asked. 

“Truth.” Thalia answered. 

“You mentioned never having been with a man before. Is that true?” Arthur asked. 

Thalia shrugged. “I’ve known I was a lesbian for a long time. My parents were not very supportive at first, so I tried pretending. I dated one man, Christos. We kissed and touched, but we did not fuck. He wanted to, but I did not have those feelings for him. I had them for his sister Alexandra.” She spoke the name fondly. “We were… discovered. My parents were more unhappy about the lying than the sex. They were upset that I felt I could not trust them.” 

Rani sighed. “Damn. I wish Mindy were here.” 

Arthur understood she meant for more than the usual reason but didn’t press. He rechecked his phone. The only text he had was from the food delivery service. He knew Mindy wasn’t out to her family. He respected it was her choice. They would have to figure out a way to tell them about the Polycule eventually, but there were bigger fish to fry right now. 

The doorbell rang. Arthur moved to answer the door, but Rani stopped him with her hand on his wrist. “Thalia’s dare was to answer the door, remember?” 

Arthur nodded. “Okay, but I still want to be nearby, just in case.” 

Thalia appeared touched by the sentiment, though nothing about her body suggested she might be weak. She stopped behind the door and looked through the peephole. She gave Arthur a thumbs up. He stood in the archway between the foyer and the sitting room, ready. Rani knelt on the chair facing them. 

“I paid and tipped already online.” Arthur whispered. 

Thalia nodded and opened the door. 

The delivery man on the landing below her looked up, his eyes darting between her breasts and her open legs. He was a man in his thirties with a backward baseball cap, a plaid collared shirt open over a baggy gray T-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and work boots. The bag of food in his hands froze partway in his offering to Thalia. 

“Uh…” The man stuttered. His eyes lingered on every curve of Thalia’s impressive stature, feminine muscles, and curves. “Wow.” 

Thalia smiled. “Food, yes?”

Arthur thought her accent seemed thicker, her words more stilted as she tilted her head and brushed her hair behind her shoulder. 

“Fuck me…” The man gasped as Thalia’s bright smile widened. “Uh… I mean, food, yes. Here.” The man said. “All paid for.” 

“Thank you.” Thalia said, taking the bag from him. “I gave you the tip already, yes?” 

“Uh…” The man swallowed. “I think so, yeah, but–” 

“Then goodbye.” Thalia said and closed the door in the man’s face. 

Rani cackled, falling out of her chair as Thalia joined her in laughing. She carried the food toward the sitting room, but Arthur shook his head and took it from her, carrying it into the kitchen. 

Thalia and Rani followed him, still laughing and holding onto each other as they walked. Arthur pulled plates and silverware and put them and the food on the kitchen table. 

“His face.” Thalia said. “His face was so funny.” 

Rani giggled. “Oh, I wish I’d seen it.” 

“Next time, you answer the door.” Thalia said, bumping Rani with her hip. 

“Yeah.” Rani said, sitting at the table as Arthur plated their salads. 

Arthur didn’t laugh as much. It was funny and amusing, but he had empathy for the guy. He wouldn’t have enjoyed the joke on the other side of it, but in the end, it was a harmless prank. Probably one of the least harmful ones people might pull. Plus, the guy had gotten a long look at a completely nude Thalia. He’d remember that for a while. 

“Next time we order from them, I’ll bet that guy gets here twice as fast.” Arthur said, which made Rani and Thalia lose their composure again and double over laughing. 

He shook his head and ate, hungrier than he realized once his stomach got working. He poured water for them from the fridge and drank more than he expected. The water was life in his veins, flushing into him as soon as it passed his throat. 

~~~

After dinner, Deb, George, Umma, and Appa sat at the table while Mindy cleared the dishes and busied herself in the kitchen. The adults drank sujeonggwa, a sugary ginger punch, from a pitcher Appa prepared in teacups. The dessert drink was one of Mindy’s favorites, but she was trying to stay out of sight while she listened to the conversation. 

“I don’t want Ji-Min sleeping with her friends.” Umma said. “She should resist the temptation; the easiest way to do that is not to put her in that situation.” 

“I understand.” Deb said, not disagreeing with her Umma, to Mindy’s disappointment. “I had a difficult time adjusting to the idea of Arthur being sexually active when he went to college.” 

“That’s different.” Umma said. “He’s a man. He’s supposed to have… urges and things.” 

Deb laughed. 

Mindy went pale and kept her eyes on the sink full of dishes she was washing. 

“Men don’t have a monopoly on libido.” Deb said. “Right, Chang-hoon?” 

“Oh, well… I uh… I wouldn’t know.” Appa said. 

Deb laughed again. 

“Arthur was always mature for his age, which made it easy to think of him as this… little adult.” Deb said as if changing the subject. “I thought he’d be fending off girls with a stick when he was old enough, but the opposite happened. He expressed no interest in girls or guys and refused to talk about it. I worried he was going to be alone for the rest of his life, and then I met his ex-girlfriend, Lori.” 

Mindy perked up at that. 

“She was the perfect match for him.” Deb said, which made Mindy’s face burn with annoyance. “She really brought him out of his shell and helped him open up to people again, which was amazing to see. It was night and day from the broody young man he was in high school, right George?” 

“Hm?” George asked. “Oh, yes. Yeah. Night and day.” He said, then slurped some of the punch. “This is really good, by the way. I keep expecting it to be spicy, but it’s delicious, fruity, and sweet.” 

“Indonesian cinnamon.” Appa said, sipping his own cup and repouring for George and himself. “It’s more mellow and doesn’t have as much of a kick, but still adds the flavor.” 

“Anyway…” Deb continued. “Lori really helped Arthur, which made it easy to love her, but more than that, she rubbed off on him. Arthur has always been my little helper and wanted to help people, but when he loves somebody like Mindy, he goes out of his way to help them become the best possible version of themselves. I know he’ll be a good influence on your daughter, and she’ll be a good influence on him.” 

“Hmph.” Umma didn’t sound as certain. 

“Sun-Hee.” Appa said, his voice much softer. “You know she can’t be our little girl forever. She’s growing up!” 

“Are you saying you think she should move into this… this… bordello?” Umma asked. 

Mindy sighed. 

“We’re not running a brothel.” Deb said, clearing her throat and straightening her spine. “The girls who live there are all responsible adults in loving, committed relationships. Unconventional relationships, I’ll grant you, but relationships.” 

“She shouldn’t be in a relationship!” Umma argued. “She should be focused on her studies!” 

“I can’t make that decision for her any more than you can.” Deb said. “She’s an adult, and you can withdraw your support over her decisions if you want to; that’s your right, I suppose, but I can’t say I’d advise it. My parents tried to control me, and it broke my relationship with them.” Deb sounded sad when she said it but plowed through. “I promised myself I wouldn’t do that to Arthur, and I like to think I haven’t. He has my support no matter what. Him and Lynn, really.” 

“Lynn?” Umma asked. 

“She and Arty grew up together. She’s practically a surrogate daughter.” Deb explained. “Even if she doesn’t always make the best decisions. But I can tell you that I’ve met the other girls and seen who they are with one another. They’re very mature and responsible adults with bright futures ahead of them. I’m almost jealous of the idea of them having each other to look out for each other and help each other through their studies and early adult lives. It’s not that uncommon for freshmen to get apartments off campus after a semester. And… as far as the religious aspects or temptations go…” 

Mindy strained to listen. 

“I think the only love lives we have any say over are our own.” Deb said. “I tried for years to push Arthur to date Lynn, but I think it only drove him to dislike her more. Recently, I learned my lesson not to try to interfere. Trying to restrict or direct their love only leads to resentment. After all, they’re adults! It would be like if you told George and I to stop sleeping together.” Deb said. “Or if we told you.” She giggled. “Fat chance.” 

Appa and George laughed. Umma didn’t. Maybe that meant she was thinking about it? Considering Deb’s words? 

“We will consider and discuss it.” Umma said. 

In Mindy’s experience, that meant no. Whenever she said that she and Appa would discuss whatever they were talking about, and then Appa would come and reinforce Umma’s original opinion. That was how their parenting worked, even when it was clear Appa only agreed with her because he wanted to keep her happy. 

“Oh, by all means.” Deb said. “Don’t make your decision tonight. Maybe consider how to prevent your fears from coming true. You could always impose a grade stipulation? If you tell Mindy she has to keep a three-point-oh or pay for rent herself?” 

“Ji-Min should get a four-point-oh.” Umma said. “She’s a smart girl.” 

“True.” Deb said. “I was just giving an allowance to factor in for professors who might not like her, that kind of thing.” 

“Everyone loves Ji-Min.” Umma said. “That is part of the problem.” 

Deb laughed, and to Mindy’s surprise, Umma laughed too. Had Umma just made a joke? Did Appa slip alcohol in the sujeonggwa?

“Consider it.” Deb said. “We won’t penalize her for moving out between semesters if she doesn’t keep her grades up.” 

“We’d want that in writing.” Umma said. 

“It’s already there.” Deb said. Mindy could hear the smile in Deb’s voice as she said it. “The leases are for the semester terms, with caveats for summer or those moving in ahead of schedule. Lynn is already in the house’s in-law suite. Arthur is moving in, and Selene and Kat should be moved in by the end of the month. I think Kelly and Katelyn plan to move in over the Thanksgiving break or after finals? And Mindy would be free to move in after finals, of course.” 

“We’ll see.” Umma said, sipping her sujeonggwa. 

The conversation appeared to be over, so Mindy emerged from the kitchen. 

“Ah, Ji-Min.” Umma said. “Come, sit.” She directed Mindy to the chair nearest her, and Mindy sat. 

“Would you like some sujeonggwa?” Appa asked, already pouring George another cup. The cups were small, as were the doses of the drink, but it was so delicious it was easy to drink a pitcher of it two sips at a time. 

“Yes, please.” Mindy said. “Thank you.” She said when she took her glass. 

Deb gave her a warm smile. “Well, we don’t want to monopolize your time…” Deb glanced at George, who was sipping his sujeonggwa and looked over the rim of the teacup at her. 

“Oh, don’t be silly!” Appa insisted. “This is my first night off in a long time, and I intend to enjoy it! Who have you seen recently from class, and what are they doing now?” 

“Oh, I’m sure Mindy doesn’t want to hear us go on and on about the good ol’ days.” Deb said, rolling her eyes. “You have homework, don’t you, Mindy?” 

Mindy got the distinct impression she was being kicked out, but she wasn’t sure whether to be angry about it or to thank Deb for the excuse. 

“You run on, dear. Tell Rani I said hello and that I’m happy she was able to use the house for her school photography project tonight. I can’t wait to see Arty as a model.” Deb laughed. 

Mindy smiled a bit awkwardly. It wasn’t that late in the evening. Was Deb trying to tell her to go see Arty and Rani at the house? It wasn’t a bad idea. 

“Will do!” Mindy said, downing her sujeonggwa in a gulp and standing to leave. She nodded to her parents, half-bowing in a formal sign of respect usually reserved for church functions or when company was over. Her mother waved her over and shocked her with a hug. Appa hugged her, too, and she bade farewell to George and Deb. 

She couldn’t drive to the house fast enough. 

~~~

After dinner, Arthur, Thalia, and Rani returned to the sitting room. Still naked, they spent some time reviewing the photos as Rani went through them on her laptop. She sat on one of the armchairs by the fireplace while Arthur and Thalia flanked her and looked over her shoulder at the screen. 

“So we have done a lot.” Thalia said as Rani came to the end. “The photoshoot, the truth and dare. What is next?” 

“Well, what are you into?” Rani asked. 

“I am into you.” Thalia said. “I like Indian women. They are beautiful and exotic.” 

Rani glanced at Arthur. “Race play. Okay. We can try some of that.” She closed her laptop, and Arthur and Thalia moved around her chair to face her. 

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?” 

“Safewords still apply, obviously.” Rani said. “But… I don’t know. It’s come up a lot recently, and I wouldn’t mind trying it out. Talking up about me being Desi.” 

“A…” Arthur hesitated to repeat the word, worried it might be some kind of slur. 

“It’s not a slur.” Rani said, assuring him. “Well, I guess it could be if you say it in a slur way. Like, if you use it in place of bitch or cunt or something.” 

Thalia seemed surprised by Rani’s casual use of language, but she let it go. 

“We do a little of it anyway.” Rani said. “With my exotic jewelry. Well, exotic to you, just normal, pretty, and sexy to me.” 

“So what’s sexual about your culture is normal for you to sexualize and fetish to others?” Arthur asked. 

“More or less.” Rani said. “Like, for me, wearing a saree makes me feel pretty and kinda sexy, but it’s supposed to be pretty and sexy, like a dress. It’d be like… if you think wearing a kilt makes you feel sexy and powerful versus me wanting you to wear a kilt because I think kilts themselves are sexy.” 

Arthur wasn’t sure he saw a massive difference in that other than the two perspectives being the person wearing the kilt and the person looking at them, but he didn’t argue. He understood what Rani was getting at. Her sarees, cultural jewelry, and even makeup might fall into the category from time to time. 

“To be clear, when I say I like your jewelry, it’s not because you're Indian, and I think Indian women look hot in Indian jewelry. It’s because it’s pretty jewelry, and you, as a person, look amazing in it.” Arthur said, feeling slightly defensive. 

“I think Indian women look hot in Indian jewelry.” Thalia said. “I like the nose piercings with the little chains. They are hot.” 

Rani smiled. “Relax, Arthur. Acknowledging my race and our cultural differences isn’t racist. You’ve always treated me and anything about my culture with the utmost respect, and I love that. The whole concubine thing isn’t really about my ethnicity anyway. It’s more to do with my love of sword and sorcery.” 

Thalia looked confused, but she let the two of them talk. 

“So what would this race play involve?” Arthur asked. 

“Me talking about your big white cock. You engaging with whatever bullshit Thalia says as you want to… and that’s pretty much it. We can take it slow.” Rani suggested. 

“I…” Arthur sighed. “I need to do some research.” 

“Oh, research.” Thalia put the word in air quotes. “Okay. You watch porn. I will fuck this jungle beauty.” 

“Yeah, like that.” Rani said, pointing at Thalia. “Not an okay thing to say normally, but in the context of fucking, so long as it’s complimentary, it might be fun to play around with.” 

“Jungle beauty?” Arthur asked. “Please. Rani is a palace beauty. She doesn’t fuck with wildernesses.” 

Rani gasped and put her hand over her heart, not covering her pierced nipples as she did so. “It’s like you know me.” 

Arthur laughed. “Do we want to do this here?” Arthur asked. “Or should we go back to my place?” 

“You do not live here?” Thalia asked. “Whose house is this?” 

“Seriously, whose house is this?” Arthur responded in a dramatic sing-song fashion. 

Rani and Thalia blinked and looked at him. 

“If you tell me you haven’t seen Mean Girls, we’re stopping everything and watching it in the family room.” Arthur gestured toward the hallway. 

“You would stop sex for this movie?” Thalia asked, surprised. 

“No, but he’d stop it for a musical.” Rani sighed and rolled her eyes. “I got the reference, I was just surprised. I wasn’t expecting it. I should have. That’s on me.” She took another bite, finishing her salad. “Now… let’s go upstairs and fuck.” 

Arthur laughed. “You don’t want to play more truth or dare?” 

“Okay.” Rani sighed. “Arthur. Truth or dare?” 

“Dare.” Arthur decided. 

Rani rolled her eyes. “I dare you to go upstairs and wait for me and Thalia on the bed in the Master Suite.” 

“Okay.” Arthur nodded. “I just need to do one thing first.” 

“Go ahead.” Rani said. She put her things away and cleaned up. 

Arthur returned to the kitchen, took a chair from the table, and carried it out of the kitchen with him. He propped it under the door handle of the basement door in the foyer and was checking the front door’s lock when he heard a car approach. He glanced through the window but let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t Lynn’s car, but Mindy’s.