“With the rest of the kids in the basement,” Dave said. “Kurt and Kathy are riding herd on them at the moment. Jesse didn’t want to go when he...saw Father Basil was here.”“I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that conversation, but I think it’s best if I stay away.”“Probably a good idea,” Julia said. “Where’s Elyse?”“I think she went up to lie down. She’s been totally beat these last few days. If that baby doesn’t come soon, she’s going to collapse from exhaustion.”“What was her actual due. Lifting her head finally she murmurs, “I don’t think she would. I think she would have hated him for what he did.”“Maybe been ashamed of him being her brother.”“Yes.”“But not of you.”“We talked about what happened to my mother. What happened that created me. Some still think of her as a whore because of it, even though she has never slept with a man since. She ... There’s a woman...”“I understand.”“She deserves to be loved.”“I’m glad you think that.”“I do. I see the richness of their friendship. One afternoon, Becky left early after one of our ‘fuck sessions’ and Father Daniel whispered in my ear: “Phyllis. I want to meet you away from church and spend more time, alone, just with you.” His words sent chills through me. Becky and I were best friends but also competitors for the priest’s attentions in some erotic way. We girls each wanted to be his favorite, I suppose. Daniel continued: “I know a motel in town. Why don’t we meet there…just you and me?” I nodded and cuddled in. I tried to pull her to her feet, but I was a little too weak. Lynn reached out her hand and then a smaller hand appeared as Blossom came into the shower. The two wives helped to dry us in silence, except for the occasional sniffle from my blonde wife. When we were dry, Blossom took Erin’s hand and led her to bed. Lynn held me back.“Paul, she has not grieved for a single moment until now. She has held everything in waiting for you to come home. She needs you, a lot. Don’t worry about Blossom or.