The intensity of my second explosion left me dizzy and almost without strength in my limbs. I pumped my seed all over her thighs while distantly reali...ing mother was thrashing beneath me while making some pretty intense noises of her own.We lay intertwined for a good long while before she stood to leave. I followed and she smiled over her shoulder as I followed her to her small room, smaller even than my own. I sat on the edge of her bed and watched her strip down her wrinkled soiled clothing. "She scooted aside, and Sister climbed onto the altar. They kissed lightly as she moved past. It took some bumping and maneuvering, but at last she lay east-west on the marble slab, head and feet at the ends. The altar was set with a white cotton runner that kept out the cold of the stone. The cloth was fringed with lace and set through with eyelets that were reinforced with thread, that she scratched her back against. It would make a good blotter."How?" Kristen asked."Stand up. No, here. Face. We filled two bags with olives and crusty French bread, pasta salads and fruit and a bottle of California wine.The backyard at my place is enough of a clearing in the forest that the sun can cut through and warm things up. With just enough of a breeze from the trees to keep the temperature comfortable, it's the perfect spot for lazing and sunbathing. While I set up our grazing lunch, Raquel went inside to freshen up.She came out in a red leather string bikini that made it obvious the years had. I swallowed hard. “The day after tomorrow.”“Do you want the girls to go?”I nodded. “I think so. I think it’s ... important.”She nodded and laid her head against my chest again, seeking comfort in the certainty of my body. “I’ll miss her.”“Me too,” I said, my voice raspy with pent-up emotion.My chest was tight and I felt a growing knot in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t want to believe it. A car accident. Just some random thing.Random hurts.Some time later, I don’t know how long, the phone rang..