Harem House Chapter 30 - Deleted Scenes

((These are some deleted scenes from Chapter 30, here for your enjoyment, following the girls’ afternoon after Arthur and Rani departed. There’s not much in the way of smut here, but some character development. I hope you enjoy it!)). 

Deb found what she was looking for in one of the cabinets in the office. Taking a small disc from a clear, plastic case, she walked to the family room with it on her finger. 

Kelly, Mindy, Selene, Katelyn, and Kat sat on the sofa, each on their phones, laptops, or textbooks as the pregame show played between commercials. 

“Mindy, do you mind if I put something else on the TV?” Deb asked, holding up the small disc. 

“Oh, I guess not.” Mindy said, drawing her legs under her on the overstuffed sofa. “We’ve got time before the game.”

Deb smiled. “I think you’ll want to watch this too, but it should be over before kickoff.” 

“What is it?” Mindy asked, cocking her head. The others were interested, too. Katelyn, Kat, and Selene glanced between each other, then at the disc. 

“It’s Peter Pan!” Deb squealed. 

The girls’ confused faces turned toward each other as Mindy tried to determine the cause of Deb's excitement. She occasionally enjoyed a good Disney movie, but Peter Pan didn’t age well. At least, not as well as some others. 

“Starring one Arthur Clarke.” Kelly said, explaining Deb’s excitement in an instant and spreading it through the others. 

Mindy clapped, and the girls squealed. They sat up straight and huddled close together on the sofa. The interior square was still forward, leaving the rest in a U shape. Kelly sat on Mindy’s left, with Katelyn on Kelly’s left. Selene sat on Mindy’s right, with Kat on Selene’s right. Deb was on Katelyn’s left, nearest to the television. She put the disc into the player beneath the monstrous screen. The old camcorder video flickered to life. 

The stage was an unfamiliar living room with a sky-blue bed sheet hung between two floor lamps. Behind it, two small voices argued whether a human girl or a flashlight should play Tinkerbell. 

“We’re ready!” Deb’s voice called over the video. 

And the play began. Ten-year-old Arthur played the role of Peter Pan in full costume, while ten-year-old Lynn played Wendy, a mermaid, Mrs. Darling, and the voice of Tinkerbell. To everyone’s delight, Captain Hook was performed by Arthur’s father, George. His pirate voice and coat hanger hook lent the production even more campy humor. 

“One of them would play a single role, and the other would play the other parts, with stuffed animals or parents filling in other roles when necessary.” Deb gestured to the screen, where the Lost Boys were played by stuffed toys of various woodland creatures, voiced by Arthur and Lynn in turns. 

“Oh, my god.” Mindy said, squealing into her hands. 

“This is my new favorite movie.” Kat said, watching Arthur give Lynn a kite. 

“Can I get a copy?” Selene asked. 

Deb shook her head. “I don’t think Arthur would appreciate that. I had to beg, promise, and swindle him to get him to agree to let you watch one of these.” 

The girls smiled, enthralled by the performances on the screen. Occasionally, one of the adults behind the camera would comment or whisper to another. Deb, Gabe, and Mari were happy to see their children’s performance, amused and impressed by their creativity. 

“Did he memorize these lines?” Katelyn asked, impressed. 

“He wrote and memorized the entire thing. If you listen, you can hear him feeding George his lines in a scene or two.” Deb said, her hand covering her heart. 

“He’s good at memorizing.” Selene said, looking at the screen when Deb looked her way. 

“Why isn’t he a theater major?” Mindy asked. 

Deb shrugged. “I think he wants to run a theater one day, but otherwise, I guess he sees it as a hobby.” 

Mindy nodded. It made sense. Her parents discouraged thinking of the arts as a valid career path. Her family, friends, and even strangers always complimented her drawings, sketches, and paintings. Yet, when deciding on her college major, she'd chosen Business. 

Business Majors made good money after college. Art majors made good art, but there was no money in it. Being an English major, Kat had to know that, too, right? Making a living as a writer or an artist was winning the lottery. Sure, it could be done, but for every success story, hundreds of artists struggled and starved. 

Her parents would never let her change her major. She had to be practical, they said. 

Mindy sighed, and Kelly and Selene cuddled into her from either side. The squish was a firm hug, and she couldn’t restrain her smile. Especially as little Arthur on the screen drew his sword and crowed like a rooster. That little actor was somewhere inside the businessman she knew. 

~~~

“That was amazing.” Mindy said, clapping with the girls as the video ended. 

Deb bowed gracefully as she pulled the disc from the player. “On behalf of Arthur, thank you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that you enjoyed it.” 

The girls laughed. Kelly, Katelyn, Kat, Selene, and Mindy were relaxed on the sofa and spread out. The sheer size of the family room lent comfort to the space and helped Mindy relax. 

“Now, I’m afraid this is the only one I still have here.” Deb said, holding up the disc. “However, I do have several family albums in the office if you’d like to see some childhood photos.” 

“Yes, please!” Mindy hopped from the sofa with a bounce that made the others giggle. Selene also rose to her feet, and one by one, the girls followed Deb from the family room to the office. She took a large leather binder from the shelf and opened it flat on the desk. 

The first picture was of a much younger Deb holding a newborn infant in a hospital bed. 

“Oh my god, look at him!” Mindy squealed. “He was so cute!” 

Deb laughed. “I thought so.” 

She turned the page, and the tour through Arthur’s childhood began. 

She and George stood in front of a Christmas tree. Bundled in his mother’s arms, Arthur was only a few months old at his first Christmas. Too young to appreciate the sheer volume of toys under the bright tree. 

An old woman held the bundled infant in a wooden rocking chair on a porch no one but Deb recognized. “My mother.” Deb explained. “She passed away shortly after.” 

“I’m sorry.” Kelly said. 

Deb smiled softly. “At least she got to meet him.” She said and continued turning the pages. 

The girls watched as stilled moments from Arthur’s life turned before them. They watched him grow in frozen moments from a bundle in his mother’s arms to a crawling baby, a waddling toddler, to a young child playing tag with a dark-haired girl at a city playground. 

“Is that-?” Kat asked and looked at Deb. 

“That’s Lynn.” Deb said. “She’s in most of these, actually. Those two were inseparable.” 

The children continued to grow as the photographs progressed. The camera captured moments of joyful play and smiling gatherings at every birthday, vacation, and holiday. Arthur’s Halloween costumes progressed in quality as he grew, and his gifts beneath the Christmas tree dwindled in number as they became more expensive individually. The moments between were a smattering of performances like the one they watched or candid shots that held no historical significance other than Deb’s personal favoritism. All the while, Lynn was there, smiling beside Arthur, until they reached the book's last section. 

A pudgy, dark-haired, brooding young man glared awkwardly at the camera from the other side of a rectangular ice cream cake. The fourteen-year-old Arthur didn’t look as happy as he should have, but the greasy face was half-hidden behind the long, unkempt hair. Then, the photos ended, and Deb closed the book. 

“Do you have any more?” Mindy asked. 

“I have albums of specific trips.” Deb said, gesturing to the shelf. “And some of his shows from high school, but he’s not really in them much. He didn’t like having his picture taken once he started high school. You know how teenagers are.” She laughed as if she were speaking to a group of women who were much farther removed from their youth. 

Mindy frowned. She’d known Arthur wasn’t always as handsome and put together as he was now, but the stark contrast between the two figures was unsettling. She knew, intellectually, that the brooding young man was Arthur. Yet, there was no similarity between the two men in her head. Sure, the weight and hygiene were different, but so were the posture and the light behind his eyes. 

The Arthur she knew was bright-eyed and caring, overflowing with life and vitality that invited personal connection. The high-school Arthur in the photographs was dead inside, beaten, so far removed from both the ten-year-old Arthur in the video and the college Arthur she knew. 

The handsome, superhero-looking Arthur bore a face and body she’d memorized over the semester. She’d dreamed of him almost every night. She’d fantasized about him every day. In none of those fantasies had she imagined him as anything other than the strong, confident, and happy young man she knew. He wore sharp suits and tight shirts, not baggy jeans and hoodies. 

The other Arthur in the photographs spurred her pity. Mindy wanted to hug him, to tell him everything would be okay and he’d get through his awkward phase one day. She knew it was silly, but she also saw the same expression on the other’s faces. 

The mood in the room had grown more somber as the pics progressed. They all knew something had happened between that awkward-looking teenager and the Arthur they knew to prompt his change and hatred of Lynn. Only Kelly knew what it was, but she wasn’t sharing the information. Mindy understood why. It was Arthur’s secret and his story to tell, not hers. Still, it grated on Mindy, knowing that Kelly knew while everyone else was in the dark. 

“Sorry, there were so many pictures of Lynn.” Deb said, misinterpreting the cause of Mindy’s frown. 

“It’s okay.” Selene said, but her tone couldn’t support the lie. 

“Let’s get back to the family room.” Deb suggested. “I think the game’s about to start. I’ll make some popcorn and join you girls in a minute, okay?” 

“Can I help?” Kelly asked. 

“Oh, that’s sweet.” Deb said. “Thank you for offering, but it really is a one-woman job. We’ve got a stove-top popper with a crank, and it’s not like we can both crank it!” 

Kelly smiled. “Well, can I help clean up anyway?” She asked. “I can do the dishes while you make the popcorn?” 

“I know it goes against my duties as a host, but I’m not about to turn down help with my least favorite chore.” Deb said, smiling slightly. 

She led the way out of the office, and most of the girls turned into the kitchen. They refilled their coffee mugs from earlier and sat around the island. Deb gathered the popcorn, butter, and popper, standing by the stove as she threw it together. Kelly stood by the sink, enjoying herself by rinsing the dishes with the detachable faucet and loading the dishwasher. 

“So, how do you girls think you’ll divvy up the chores once you move in?” Deb asked as she tossed a slice of butter into the pan. 

“I hadn’t really thought about that.” Mindy admitted. “I guess we’ll each do our own dishes, food, and laundry, right?” 

“And the housekeeping service can take care of vacuuming and dusting the common areas.” Deb said. 

“We’ll have a housekeeping service?” Katelyn asked. 

“I can’t expect you to dust the chandeliers.” Deb said, smiling. “They usually come on Wednesday mornings.” 

“Oh, cool.” Katelyn said, nodding. “I guess that makes the chore wheel a lot easier.” 

“We'll have to work out a schedule for common chores like cooking, laundry, and those kinds of things.” Kelly said. “We should probably start a shared calendar.”

“That’s a great idea.” Deb said, smiling at Kelly's suggestion. 

“I can do it!” Mindy volunteered. “Send me your class and work schedules, and I'll try to map out our chore availability.” 

“And schedule some boyfriend availability while you're at it.” Kat said. “I don't even know when my next date with him is. I haven’t even gotten a lesson plan.” 

“A lesson plan?” Deb asked, confused. 

“Oh, uh…” Kat stalled. “It’s what I call it when Arthur makes plans for our dates.” She said, obviously lying to anyone who knew her. “He usually lets me know the plan ahead of time.” 

“He’s very conscientious.” Kelly added, distracting from the panic on Kat’s face. 

Selene smiled, almost amused at Kat’s distress. “You can have my spot in his schedule if you want.”

“Are you mad at Arthur for something?” Deb asked, concerned. 

Selene spun to face her, holding her hands out and shaking her head. “No, no, no. I didn't mean it like that. I definitely want my one-on-one time, but I also hang out with him all the time. Plus, I know Kat prefers to hang out with just the two of them, and I don't mind hanging out in a group.”

“Well, that's very nice of you.” Deb said, smiling. 

Selene blushed and looked away, stepping behind Kat. “I'm gonna go use the bathroom. I'll be right back.”

“I'll come with you.” Katelyn said, slipping from her stool to follow. 

“You know where they are.” Deb said, gesturing to the doorway. 

Selene led the way, and she and Katelyn walked in silence for a moment. 

~~~

“Everything okay?” Katelyn asked. 

“Yeah, I just wanted the focus off me for a second, and I had a thought earlier that I wanted to verify about the bears.” Selene said. She finished speaking as they reached the top of the stairs, and she went directly to the bedroom where they’d left the bears. 

“What about the bears?” Katelyn asked. 

“Just… bear with me.” Selene said, smiling as she said it. 

Katelyn groaned. “That pun hurt worse than my shoulder.” 

Selene chuckled. “I have ibuprofen if you need it.” 

“No, I’m good. I do actually have to use the bathroom.” Katelyn said, gesturing to the open bathroom door across the hall. “But… I just wanted to say thank you.” 

Selene looked confused, raising her eyebrows to show it as Katelyn gave her a one-arm hug. 

“For Friday night and last night, for forgiving me and welcoming me when you would have been in your rights to treat me as hostile as you guys treat Lynn.” Katelyn explained. “I know it wasn’t just you, but it wouldn’t have happened without you. And I’m more your sister’s friend, but I hope you and I can grow to be friends, too, with or without kink.” 

Selene smiled softly. “Of course.” She said. “We’re gonna be housemates after all, and I enjoy watching Arthur fuck you.” She winked, and Katelyn blushed. 

Katelyn tried to laugh off the awkward compliment, but neither was insincere. They pulled away from each other, and Katelyn went to the restroom. Selene returned her attention to the bears. 

She entered the former craft room and found the box cutter she was looking for. She slid its razor open and sliced the head off the bear she took from Lynn. She pulled the stuffing out of its head and stomach and dug through, emptying its innards onto the floor as if she were gutting a fish. 

White cotton fluff tore in chunks of teddy bear viscera as its body deflated with every tuft removed until the skin was a hollow cloth with beads for eyes. Selene frowned. She’d expected to find something, but there was nothing inside the bear besides fluff. She went after the next one and then the next one, cutting them open one by one and sitting on the bed she’d gathered them to. 

“What the hell?” Katelyn asked when she returned to see Selene sitting in the center of a mattress overflowing with fluffy white tufts of teddy bear gore. 

“I thought for sure they were nanny cams.” Selene said. 

“Did you find any?” Katelyn asked. 

“No.” Selene said, frowning. 

“Maybe they really were gifts?” Katelyn suggested. “I mean, now that you say it, nanny cams would make sense if she was trying to get dirt on you guys, but you were pretty open about everything.” 

Selene frowned. “Something Master said last night bothered me. Don’t take poison apples from witches.” 

“The witch, in this case, being Lynn?” Katelyn asked. 

Selene nodded. “She keeps trying to give us things. And she said something that makes me think she tried to call the cops on us last night for underage drinking.”

“She what?” Katelyn asked.

“Nicki must have handled it.” Selene said. “But she leaves the beer, then calls the cops on us for having it? Master was right. Don't take poison apples.”

“It’s good advice.” Katelyn gestured to the fluff on the mattress. “You need help cleaning this stuff up?” 

“Where’s the bear she had for Master?” Selene asked. 

“What?” Katelyn asked. 

“The bear Lynn had for Master. She said she put one aside for him.” Selene said. 

“In the basement, I guess? I think the box is on the kitchen table, but I’m pretty sure it was empty before we came upstairs.” Katelyn said, gesturing behind her to the stairs. 

“Come on.” Selene said, and she led the way downstairs, box cutter still in hand. 

Katelyn followed dutifully behind her, glancing back only once. “We should clean that up so Deb doesn’t have to.” 

“Fair point.” Selene said, descending the stairs. “After I gut the last bear.” 

Katelyn didn’t answer but followed her to the bottom of the stairs, the hallway, and the locked basement door.

Selene jiggled the handle. “Fuck. It’s locked.” 

“Makes sense.” Katelyn said. “If it’s an in-law suite.” 

Selene sighed and looked over her shoulder. Voices trailed down the hallway, letting her know that most girls had returned to the family room. Humming came from the kitchen, letting Katelyn know Kelly was still doing the dishes. 

Selene flipped the box cutter in her hand, taking the dull edge and sliding it between the door and frame from above the latch. 

“What are you doing?” Katelyn asked. 

“Something Kelly would yell at me for.” Selene said. “So shh.” 

Katelyn glanced toward the kitchen but remained silent as Selene worked her witchcraft on the latch. 

The door popped open with a click, and Selene pulled it open slowly, cautious of any creaks. 

Selene gestured for Katelyn to follow her, but Katelyn stopped her by putting her hand on her shoulder just as Kelly exited the kitchen. 

“What are you doing?” Kelly asked, staring open-mouthed at Selene, whose hand was on the knob.

Selene lifted her finger to her lips and glanced down the hallway toward the family room. “Checking on a hunch.” Selene whispered. “You coming?”

Kelly looked toward the family room, then the open basement door. She looked as though she were considering it. Then, she sighed. “No. And if you do… I'll have to tell Arthur.”

“What?” Selene asked, pausing.

“Arthur has told us, repeatedly, to stay away from Lynn. And this… this would be the second time you've broken his trust over it.” Kelly said. “You told him you wouldn't prank her, you promised him, but you did. And you didn't let me stop you. Now you're… you're doing it again, and I'm telling you no.”

“But–” 

“No buts!” Kelly whispered. “You either respect me as Mistress, as team captain, or whatever you want to call it, or you don't, but I know you respect Arthur. So either listen to me or deal with the consequences the next time we see Arthur.” 

Katelyn giggled. 

Kelly and Selene turned to look at her. 

Katelyn raised her index finger at Selene and wagged it. “You wait till your father gets home, young lady! Ooo, you’re gonna get such a spanking!” She broke into laughter. 

Kelly frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. 

Selene sagged, releasing the door so it closed with a soft click. “I'm sorry, Mistress.” Selene said. “You're right. Master wouldn't want me snooping or going through Lynn's things. But I swear, I only had his interests at heart. I'm confident. Like, bet you money confident that Lynn has some kind of spy cam in the bear she held back for him.”

A dark cloud crossed Kelly’s face. “Did the other bears have cameras?” 

“No.” Selene said. “But I think they might have been red hearings. Decoys.”

Kelly frowned. “Maybe. But there's no way Arthur accepts a gift from her. We're fine. We'll wait until she gives it, then expose her. Okay?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Selene said, sagging more. She glanced toward the basement door and sighed. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. Or disobey Master.” 

“He's really the one you should apologize to.” Kelly said. 

“No.” Selene said. “You were right. I disobeyed you at the hotel. You tried to tell me, and I didn't listen to you. I was a bad slave. I'm sorry.” 

“It’s okay.” Kelly said out of reflex. “I know you and I don't have quite the same level of trust and friendship. I'm not your Master, after all, he is.”

“True.” Selene said. “But… you're Wifey. You're my Mistress, and I agreed to follow your lead, especially when Master isn't around. I didn't. So, I'm sorry. And I should be held accountable for that.”

Kelly looked confused, but she followed the logic well enough that she understood Selene apologized. She nodded again and hugged Selene, holding the petite ballerina against her. 

Selene slid her arms around Kelly's middle, holding her. 

Katelyn joined the hug, her slung arm pressing against Kelly and her right arm wrapping behind Selene.

“Do you want to spank me now or later?” Selene asked.

Kelly looked at her. Katelyn laughed as she left the hug. Selene blinked up at Kelly, smiling shyly. “I deserve a spanking, right? So…” 

Kelly almost laughed, but she saw the severe expression in Selene's eyes.

“Do you want to spank me, Mistress?” Selene asked. 

“But…” Kelly hesitated, looking at the family room. “Arthur isn't here. Shouldn't he do that?”

“That's not my decision.” Selene said. “As Mistress, it's up to you.”

Kelly looked at Katelyn for help, but Katelyn was no help. Her cute little cheeks blushed pink, and she refused to look Kelly in the eye. 

“Deb is right there.” Kelly pointed to the family room. “We're guests here. This isn't the time or the place.” 

“I think I saw a wooden spoon in the kitchen. Want me to get it for you?” Katelyn asked. 

Kelly blushed at the mention of a wooden spoon. “What? Did you know–” 

Katelyn nodded. “I noticed it was missing, then heard you guys…” 

Selene looked back and forth at them. “Was this today? Did I miss something?” 

“No, back at our place.” Katelyn said. “Listening to Arthur spank Kelly with a wooden spoon got me kind of worked up, honestly. I’d hoped I’d enjoy spanking way more than I did.” 

“Well, you can always try it again with Master or Kelly instead of Kat.” Selene said, shrugging. “I’m sure it’s different depending on who it is.” 

Kelly blushed and looked away at that. 

“Well, not here and now, anyway.” Katelyn said, smiling at Selene and nodding toward the kitchen. 

“We can go upstairs! I have to clean up the teddy bear viscera anyway.” Selene suggested. 

“The–” Kelly let the phrase die on her tongue. It was self-explanatory. Selene had done something to the teddy bears, and she had a box cutter in her hand. “There are trash bags in the kitchen. Under the sink.” 

“Yes, Mistress.” Selene said, skipping past her. Kelly took a swat at her butt when Selene shook it at her, but she giggled and continued on her way. 

~~~

Kelly shook her head at Selene’s antics and waved for Katelyn to follow her into the family room. The others were all on the sofa, with their books, computers, snacks, and drinks. Mindy was watching the game on the big screen and having the time of her life. Deb scrolled on her phone. 

Selene joined them half a quarter later and knelt behind the sofa, her arms around Kat, who turned her head to see her. Selene nommed her arm as Kat reached for her. Kat laughed and stuck her tongue out at Selene, who returned the expression. 

“Stop being feral and sit down.” Kat said. “Everybody’s doing homework. Don’t you have some to do?” 

Selene rolled her eyes. 

“Do I need to tell Arthur you’re falling behind?” Kat asked. “I’m sure he’ll set you on a proper homework path.” 

Deb smiled at that. 

Selene stuck her tongue out again at Kat but retrieved her bag and started reading her homework with the game on in the background. 

“You really put a lot of stock in Arthur’s leadership, don’t you?” Deb asked. 

The girls looked up and at each other. Embarrassment colored some of their faces. Without Rani, there was no one to step up without shame, but Kat did her best since Deb was looking at her when she said it. 

“I mean, yeah. We’ve all agreed to follow his lead.” Kat said. “And we respect him. We care about him, but more than that, we know he cares about us. Right?” She looked to the others for support as Deb’s smile grew, and the weight of her gaze became too much for Kat to bear alone. 

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Kelly said, smiling. 

“We love him.” Selene said softly. “And he loves us.” 

Deb nodded. “Well, I’m glad for that. That’ll help when things get tough.” 

“Tough?” Mindy asked, confused. 

“Well, yeah. When there are arguments and disagreements? Love might cover a multitude of sins, but they still add up after a while.” Deb said, almost laughing at her own joke. A blanket might cover a messy floor full of Arthur's legos, but that didn't make it safe to step on. “I’m sure he’ll snore or get on your nerves eventually. Leave his socks where he shouldn’t, or listen to his music too loud. Love will help.” 

“Yeah.” Kat said. “I get that. Like, it’s a good thing I love Selene, or I would have murdered her years ago. She’s a terrible roommate.” 

Katelyn giggled, covering her mouth. 

Kelly smiled and shook her head. The others laughed when Kat and Selene stuck their tongues out at each other. 

Deb settled in her happiness, enjoying the atmosphere with the girls and their banter and comradery. 

“I always wanted a large family.” Deb said. “You girls remind me of my sorority sisters from my college years.” 

“You were in a sorority?” Mindy asked. 

“Sure!” Deb said. “Of course, the organization wasn’t so wild back then. We did a lot more than party; it was a very studious environment.” 

“Oh.” Mindy said, nodding. That made sense, of course. 

Deb laughed. “I’m just kidding. I was quite wild back in my day. You know how it is.” She winked. 

Mindy giggled. 

“I think I have some photos from then…” Deb said, tapping her chin. “Would you girls like to see some photos from the good ol’ college days? I might have some. Mindy, your father might even be in some!” 

Mindy nodded immediately. “Yes, please!” 

“I’ll go see if I can find the albums.” Deb said and disappeared. 

“This is fun.” Katelyn said, looking around. “I can see the appeal of a sorority or a sisterhood like yours.” 

“Ours.” Selene corrected. 

“Well, yeah, but I’m not really a full member of the sex cult.” Katelyn said, teasing. 

“Yet.” Kat said. “But you might as well be. You rode him, right? That makes us dick sisters.” 

“Dicksters!” Mindy said, bouncing in her seat.  

The girls erupted into laughter and were still laughing when Deb reappeared with a yearbook and a binder in her arms. 

“What did I miss?” Deb asked, confused. 

“Just a joke Mindy made.” Kelly said, smiling. “Nothing much.” 

“Aw.” Deb said, stepping over to sit between Mindy and Selene on the sofa, who crowded close to her. The others gathered around her, sitting beside or standing behind her as she opened the photo album. 

“Freshman Year, 1991.” Deb said, opening the album to show a photo of two gorgeous women hugging each other in a 4x5 photograph that was clearly developed on film. 

“Wow.” Mindy said, examining the two women. One looked like she could be Deb’s daughter, but it was obviously Deb. The gray strands of her hair were auburn, and her hair had more curl to it. Her skin was tighter and less lined. Her body was different too, her hips smaller, her breasts smaller, and her waist narrower. She wore denim shorts, a horizontally striped shirt, and a denim jacket, hugging a woman dressed very similarly. 

“My college roommate.” Deb explained. “Molly. She was great. We were maids of honors at each other’s weddings, to everyone’s surprise.” 

“Surprise?” Kelly asked. 

“Different times.” Deb said, somewhat bashfully. “At the time, it was like we had to choose between being career women and being wives and mothers. So we made a pact: No men. No matter what happened, we wouldn’t get involved with any guys at college. We would study, work hard, graduate with honors, and take over the corporate world.” 

“So what happened?” Kat asked. 

“There were a lot of hot guys in college.” Deb said, laughing at herself, and the girls laughed with her. “We lasted part of a semester. Then Molly met Walter, and they’re still together. They live in Virginia now, I think, and have four kids.”

“Wow.” Mindy said. “What about you and George?” 

“Oh, well, I didn’t meet George until Junior year, but there were… there were guys.” Deb giggled. 

“Way to go, Missus Clarke.” Katelyn said, offering her a high five. Deb took it. 

“We can never let Rani see this album.” Kat said, almost mumbling to herself as Deb continued turning the pages to reveal a photo of her and a group of other college kids at a pool party. Her bikini was something out of a swimsuit issue, and although the hair and fashions were laughable now, there was no denying the people in the photos were hot. 

“Oh, look!” Deb said, jamming her finger onto the photograph. “There’s Chang!” 

Mindy’s eyes snapped to the photo, searching for her father’s face. She didn’t see him until Deb moved her finger, revealing a young, somewhat muscled Korean man in a speedo so tiny it did more than suggest the shape and size of his bulge. 

Mindy gagged, planting her hand over the offending picture and shaking her head. “Gross!” 

Deb laughed. “Your dad was a hottie. All the girls liked him. Tae Kwon Do was really popular at the time, and he was the school champion. He was very popular.” 

“My Appa?” Mindy asked, shocked. 

Deb turned the page, and Mindy seemed to relax a little. 

“If that means father, then yes.” Deb said, laughing as the others giggled at Mindy’s reaction. 

“Now it’s a really good thing Rani’s not here. She’d definitely try and fuck your dad.” Kat said, more amused than serious. 

Mindy gagged again as if coughing up a hairball. “That is the grossest thing I’ve ever heard. No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!” 

The girls giggled, more at Mindy’s reaction than at the thought of Rani trying to seduce a parent. They didn’t think she seriously would, but they didn’t mind teasing her or each other about the possibility. She’d started it, after all, by hitting on Deb. 

“What about your mom?” Katelyn asked Mindy. “Is your mom in any of these?” 

“I don’t think so.” Deb said, turning the page. “They didn’t meet until Chang-Hoon went to culinary school in Europe. France, I think.” 

“What?” Mindy asked. “I thought Appa graduated from Pendleton.” 

“Oh, he did.” Deb said. “But only because his father taught there. Your dad got his Bachelor’s in Linguistics to appease his father, then went to Europe to study to become a chef.” 

Mindy blinked at Deb. “My Appa?”

“Has your dad never told you any of this?” Deb asked, surprised. 

“No!” She said. “I mean, I’ve heard how my parents met and stories… but they never mentioned it was in France! I thought he lived here his whole life!” 

Deb shook her head. “No. From what I remember, Chang-Hoon was always ready to leave and never come back. He didn't return until his dad got sick. Look, there he is again.” 

This time, the picture showed Chang-Hoon in a black dobok, teaching Deb and a few other people some martial arts. 

“I remember this! He taught the self-defense seminar that year. I used to be able to kick over my head.” Deb said as if fondly remembering the ability. 

Mindy stared at the picture, still not convinced it was her father. There had to be some misunderstanding. It looked like it could be him if you stripped away years of food and life. But this guy? This guy sounded and looked cool. His hair was styled, and his clothes were silly now but fashionable then. He looked like he belonged in the movies and the way Deb talked about him? He didn’t sound anything like the dull, work-obsessed, religious, slightly overprotective father she knew. Maybe Deb was confused, and this was a different person. 

“I think we broke Mindy.” Selene said, putting her hand on Mindy’s shoulder. 

Deb laughed. “Sorry.” She said. “I didn’t mean to disillusion you about your father, but he had a whole life before you came along!” 

Mindy was still shocked and missed the next couple of pages. 

The girls enjoyed the glimpses into the past. Crystalized moments that showed their school from a different era. The colors were different, but many of the buildings were the same. The fashions were definitely odd, but they got a kick out of them. 

“Okay, I swear Doctor Andersen is a vampire. Look at him. He looks the exact same.” Katelyn said, pressing her finger to a photograph of a professor smiling with a friend of Deb’s. 

“The exact same.” Kelly agreed. “So either he was already old way back then, or he has some kind of magic.” 

Kat giggled. “Oh my god, look at Professor Wilkins.” She pointed to a buff, hot young professor in a suit shirt that looked like he stepped out of GQ magazine. 

“Wow.” Selene gasped. “He has not aged well.” 

And so it continued until they made it to the album's end, and Deb left them to return it and the yearbook to the shelves she’d taken them from. The game continued, and the afternoon went on. 

~~~

“I wonder what Rani and Arthur are up to.” Selene said. “Do you think they’re fucking yet?” 

The girls sitting on the sofa shrugged. 

“Probably.” Kelly said, looking up from her homework. 

“If Rani initiated it.” Kat said, rolling her eyes. “Sometimes that man can be too thick for his own good.” 

“He’s definitely too thick.” Katelyn said. “But in, like, the best way.” 

The others looked at her, confusion plain on their faces. 

“Oh, you meant his brain.” Katelyn said. “Never mind.” 

The girls erupted into laughter just as Deb returned from the bathroom, and she sighed and rolled her eyes. 

“What did I miss this time?” She asked. “I demand you tell me the joke!” 

This, for reasons unknown to Deb, made the girls absolutely lose their shit. Even Kelly had to wipe her eyes from tears of laughter as she shook her head. “Deb, I promise you, you don’t want to know.” 

“I want to–” 

“It was a sex joke.” Kelly said. “About Arthur.” 

“Oh.” Deb said, surprised. “I hope he’s… doing well in that arena? If that’s not weird to say.” 

Kelly blushed, but Katelyn took that one. 

“He’s doing well in that arena.” Katelyn said. “Too well, considering there’s only one of him to go around.” She gestured between herself and the other girls with a circling finger. 

“Good.” Deb said, nodding. “Well…” She looked at the game. It was almost over. “Should we get dinner?” 

“Sure.” Kelly said. “Or I could cook something?” She did a quick headcount but was unsure of what she could cook. 

“Well… there’s practically no food here since we’re in the process of moving. Let’s order something. I’ll fetch the menus.” Deb left for the kitchen again, and Kelly’s phone rang.

She had difficulty fishing it out of her purse, but once she had it clear and checked the caller ID, she answered in a panic. 

“Hey, what’s wrong? What happened?” Kelly asked. 

“No, nothing’s wrong. I just had a quick favor to ask!” Rani’s voice shot into the ceiling.

“Are you okay? What was that?” Kelly asked. 

“No, I’m still okay.” Rani said to Kelly through gritted teeth. “Master just thinks it’s funny to spike the vibrator while I’m trying to talk to you.”

Kelly sagged with relief, her smile returning to her face. The remote control vibrators seemed to be Arthur's favorite. “I’m jealous. I wouldn’t mind having one of those right now. Tell him I want one for myself.” Kelly said. 

“Yes, Mistress. I’ll tell him.” Rani said. “Mistress wants you to know she’s jealous and wants one of these for herself.” Rani sounded like she was talking away from the phone, but Kelly heard her anyway. She heard Arthur’s response as well. 

“Tell her I’ll consider it.” Arthur said. “But for now, be a good girl and behave.” 

“He says he’ll consider it, but he needs you to be a good girl and behave.” 

Kelly groaned. “Did you call just to tease me?” She rolled her eyes and looked at the girls. They were all staring at her with curious expressions. She mouthed “Rani” to them, and they understood. 

“No, we didn’t call to tease you, sorry.” Rani said. “I wanted to ask a favor.” She hesitated. “I have a life photography midterm project and need a female model. I wanted to do something contrasting the masculine with the feminine. It’d be nude, and you’d need to sign a release, but is that something you’d be willing to do?” 

Kelly stopped, considering Rani’s words and forming them into sentences in her head. Was that something she’d be willing to do? 

“Nude?” Kelly asked. She frowned. “I don’t know. It’s one thing to be naked in front of you girls, but pictures for a school project are different. Can I think about it?” 

“Oh.” Rani said. “No, it’s okay, I understand. No pressure. I can ask someone else. You’re just the first person I considered. You’d be perfect.” 

“I’m not saying no.” Kelly said quickly. 

“No, Kelly, listen to me.” Rani paused. “Anything short of an enthusiastic yes is a no, and that’s okay. Your consent matters and your comfort matters to me. I can find another model.”

“I appreciate that, but—” Kelly said, but Rani cut her off. 

“Of course. Don’t worry about it.” Rani said. 

“I want to help you out, but I need to think about it first.” Kelly finished her sentence. 

“It’s my fault for not asking sooner.” Rani said. “You can take time if you’d like, but the deadline is soon. I’ll look for another model while you think it over, okay?” 

“Okay.” Kelly said, sounding defeated. She tried to think of anyone else she knew who would do it. Only one person sprang to mind.

“What is she asking for? Pictures?” Selene asked. “She wants you to model nude?” 

Kelly nodded. 

“I’ll do it!” Selene said. 

“Okay.” Rani said. “No worries. Take your time; if it’s a no, that’s one-thousand percent okay. If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to do it.” 

“Selene said she’d be willing.” Kelly said. “Could we talk about it at the harem meeting on Wednesday?” 

Rani was quiet. “Yeah, we could do that.” Rani said. “While I’m considering backups, do you know anyone with your level of fitness that might be willing? I appreciate Selene’s willingness, but I was hoping to use a female model with muscles.” 

“Maybe.” Kelly said. “I think my friend Thalia has done some modeling.” 

“Perfect. Text me her number, and I’ll send her a message. Thank you, Mistress.” Rani said. 

“Sure.” Kelly said. “You’re–” She was about to say ‘you’re welcome’ but Rani had already ended the call. She hoped Rani wasn’t angry with her for not jumping at the chance, but she knew Rani wasn’t like that. She took a deep breath and texted her friend. 

Kelly: Hey, are you still doing that nude modeling sometimes? I have a friend who needs a subject for a photography class. I’m not sure what it pays, but if you’re interested, I can give her your number? 

Thalia didn’t answer immediately, and Kelly tucked her phone away. She had no idea if Rani planned on paying a model, but she could chip in. That would help assuage her guilt over saying maybe instead of yes. 

Her phone dinged after Deb returned with the menus, and she checked it. 

Thalia: Sure. I work cheap. How have you been doing, anyway? Haven’t heard from you in a while. 

Kelly: Thank you so much! 

Kelly: And I’ve been good. Crazy busy. You? 

Thalia: Same. We should hang soon. I hear you’re dating your gym husband now? 

Kelly: Arthur, yeah. 

Thalia: You still into girls, too? 

Kelly glanced at Selene, Mindy, and the others. She bit her lip and smiled. 

Kelly: Yeah. 

Thalia: Nice. We should chat soon. Smoothie date? 

Kelly: That sounds great. Friday after the gym? 

Thalia: Perfect. I like you all hot and sweaty. [winky-face]. 

Kelly: lol. See you then. I’ll pass the photographer your number. Her name is Rani. She’s great. A little forward, and uh… says what’s on her mind. 

Thalia: Can’t wait. Should be a fun shoot then. [winky-face]. 

Kelly didn’t respond but texted Rani her number and left the rest in her hands. 

~~~

With the food ordered and the game nearly over, Deb and the girls were mostly reading or homeworking, except for Mindy and Kelly. The game had sucked them in, and they jumped to their feet half the time, cheering on their team or yelling at the other team for having the audacity to score. 

“That ref is blind! The forward momentum was stopped at the five-yard line! This should not be the first down! It should be the fourth!” Mindy said, squeezing Kelly’s arm. 

“Yeah!” Kelly agreed with her. “You said it, Whore!” 

Deb looked surprised. 

“Oh, uh… she didn’t mean it like that.” Katelyn stepped in. “It’s a term of endearment for Mindy that they use. I… never asked why. I think it’s an inside joke?” 

“Please don’t tell my dad.” Mindy said, desperate but distracted. 

“Oh, I won’t tell your father.” Deb said, shaking her head. “My friends and I used to call each other names like that all the time. All in good fun.” 

Mindy nodded and returned her attention to the game. 

Selene smiled, shaking her head as she pulled out her phone. Rani texted her, so she sent a message back. 

Queenie: Hey, when do you think you’ll be home? I was hoping you and I could show Arthur that video we made tonight. Brat’s welcome to join us if she wants. Might be hot to make her watch Arthur and I spit-roasting you to our porn playing in the background.

Slut: I’m in. We can be home in forty minutes if we Uber. 

Queenie: No rush. We’re eating dinner soon, then digesting. 

Slut: Okay. We’ll eat dinner here then and be there as soon as we can. I’ll keep you updated. 

Selene leaned to her right, showing Kat the phone and the conversation. 

“Hot.” Kat said, in what was supposed to be an imitation of Rani, but fell flat with the group. 

Katelyn patted Kat on her shoulder and shook her head no. 

“I'll work on it.” Kat rolled her eyes, huffed, and went back to reading. 

“What are you looking at?” Deb asked. “What’s hot?” 

“Oh, just a conversation with Rani. She says ‘hot’ sometimes to be funny, that’s all. Sort of an inside joke.” Selene explained. 

“Oh, okay.” Deb said, nodding. 

Slut: I showed Brat your text. She said “Hot” in what I think was supposed to be an impression of you. 

Queenie: Was it any good? 

Slut: It sounded more like Eeyore than you, but she says she’ll work on it. 

Queenie: lol. See you soon, slut. Tell Brat I said [stuck-out tongue emoji]. 

Selene sent a wink emoji, a fire emoji, two eggplant emojis, and a sweating emoji. 

Rani sent a 100 emoji. 

“How’s her date going with Arthur?” Kelly asked. “She sounded like everything was good when she called.” 

“So far so good, I think. She’s trying to plan something special for him, so that’s probably a good sign.” Selene said, nodding. 

“What’s she planning?” Kelly asked. 

“Oh uh…” Selene glanced at Deb, and Kelly took her meaning. So did Deb. 

“Well, I’m sure he’ll enjoy it! Rani is a lovely young woman.” Deb said. “But isn’t it weird to think about her… being with Arthur when the rest of you aren’t?” 

Selene shrugged. “Not really? It’s… normal for us?” 

“It’s a little weird.” Katelyn said. “But, I guess they get used to it?” 

“I just focus on the fact that I know my turn is coming. Sure, tonight might be Rani’s turn, but I'll get him all to myself soon. We all do.” Kat said. “That’s how I get past it.” 

Deb nodded, having no experience with their way of life but accepting their answers. 

“And we’re happy for her.” Selene said. “She’s our friend and gets to spend a nice romantic evening with her boyfriend. Same for Arthur, really. We’re happy for them and know they’re having fun.” 

“Yeah, it’s not like an evening with Rani would be a cry fest or anything.” Kat scoffed. “I don’t think that girl has a serious bone in her body.” 

“Unless Arthur puts it there.” Mindy said, still distracted by the game. 

The girls chuckled, and even Deb joined in, laughing at the innuendo and Mindy’s lack of focus on anything but the very close game. 

“Besides, they might be having fun, but we are too.” Kelly said, squeezing Selene's hand when Selene reached over to her. “If anything, I feel bad that Rani missed Peter Pan.” 

“And hanging out with us.” Katelyn added. “We're awesome.”

The girls chuckled, and Deb smiled, content with their responses. She turned her attention to the game with the rest of them. 

The teams on the screen had kept the score close during the game, falling behind and surpassing as they traded touchdowns and field goals. Whenever they came close to scoring, Mindy would reach for Kelly’s hand and squeeze it in her squealing excitement, amusing the others. 

Dinner arrived, and Deb distributed plates, pizza, and boneless wings with Kelly’s help. Selene stuck to the pizza, and Kelly added some leftovers from brunch. For Mindy, the food was entirely secondary to the game, and she was sitting on the edge of the sofa in anticipation as the final quarter neared its end with their team two points behind. 

The others watched while they ate but weren’t nearly as invested. Mindy’s enthusiasm amused rather than infected them, but they were all having a good time. 

“Looks like homecoming got you hooked on a new obsession.” Kelly said, rubbing Mindy’s back. “You know it’s okay if they don’t win this game, right? There’s plenty of games left in the season.” 

“Yeah, I know.” Mindy said. “But they’re so close! They can still– INTERCEPTION!!!!” Mindy screamed, jumping to her feet and causing Kelly to flinch before she turned her eyes to the screen and joined Mindy. 

The two girls jumped up and down beside each other, cheering as the interceptor broke through the offensive line and made a mad dash, running yard after yard until the opposing team was a distant memory. He crossed into the touchdown zone, and Mindy and Kelly clutched each other and jumped up and down. 

“TOUCHDOWN!!!!” Mindy squealed. 

She and Kelly looked at each other. The taller, hourglass-shaped Kelly smiled at the dark-eyed beauty in her arms, and before she knew it, Mindy was kissing her. She moved to her toes, and her soft lips opened against Kelly’s. They kissed, venting the excitement and passion from the game as the momentum knocked Kelly to the sofa. She wrapped her arms around Mindy, holding her close as they fell with a squeal, but not breaking their kiss. 

Kelly would have laughed, but Mindy’s passion was contagious, and she didn’t let the fall stop her from tasting Mindy’s tongue. They made out, oblivious in their rapture, until Kelly heard Deb’s voice. 

“Oh my.” Deb said. 

Kelly blushed, and Mindy giggled. “Sorry, Mistress. I just got really excited.” 

Deb raised her eyebrows. 

“It’s okay.” Kelly said, patting Mindy’s back. “I didn’t mind. You just took me by surprise.” 

Mindy kissed her again, but much more chaste this time. 

“Sorry, Missus Clarke.” Mindy said, sitting up and removing herself from Kelly, who remained on her back. 

“Oh, don’t apologize to me.” Deb said. “And call me Deb. I know it’s one thing to know that you’re… involved with each other. Another to see it.” She said. “I guess that helps with the jealousy, too. That you have each other.” 

“Are you okay that I kissed you? After last night, it seems like… we’ve all done so much together… is it okay?” Mindy asked. 

“It’s fine. It was… nice.” Kelly said, licking her lips as she sat up. “I like your chapstick.” 

“Thanks!” Mindy said. “I like your face.” 

Kelly chuckled. “I like your face too.” 

“Mindy’s a great kisser.” Selene said, nodding knowingly. 

Kat rolled her eyes. 

“Do you all uh…” Deb started pointing between them but shook her hands and changed her mind. “Never mind, it’s not my business. I’m happy for all of you. And I apologize in advance if you do that in front of my husband, he will probably stare and maybe have a heart attack.” 

Mindy giggled. “Mister Clarke is nice. I wouldn’t want to cause him any heart problems.” 

“Oh, you’re definitely his favorite.” Deb said, smiling. “He loves talking business. I was worried he’d talk your ears off at homecoming.” 

“Oh, no. I didn’t mind.” Mindy said, settling in and having some pizza. “It was nice to get a more experienced perspective on things. I’m still learning about business and the corporate world, and he was super helpful.” 

“Well, if he ever gets annoying and you need an out, just wave me down. I’ll rescue you.” Deb said, smiling. “I love my husband, but he can drone on. If you can survive his lecturing, you'll do just fine in the corporate world.” 

“Deal.” Mindy smiled. She enjoyed her pizza, and Kelly enjoyed hers. Mindy’s leg draped over Kelly’s, and the girls enjoyed a nice dinner. 

~~~

Before they knew it, dinner was done, and it was time to leave. They packed up and hugged Deb farewell one by one. 

They’d stayed later than they meant to, but they’d had a lot of fun and enjoyed getting to know Arthur’s mom better. Her insights on Arthur were informative, and her support for their unusual relationship was refreshing and wonderful. 

Kelly smiled the entire drive home, kissing Mindy goodnight when they dropped her off at the dorm. Then she drove Selene and Kat to their apartment, dropped them off, and took Katelyn home to her and Katelyn’s apartment. 

It was wonderful to sleep in her own bed, but she fell asleep thinking over everything that happened that weekend. She would never forget this weekend, even when she was old and gray. Arthur and the girls were fantastic. Better than her dreams.