CHAPTER 31 32
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“ It’ s none of their business,” Nicole was shocked by the inquiry that answered her own question.“ Is Sam pregnant?” The question was almost whispered.“ Possibly, but it is too soon to tell and I want the baby as much as Sam,” Tanya confessed.“ What about Justin and me?”“ I hope any child brought into our home would be considered family and loved by their older brother and sister. Which I shall point out would be the case since you would have the same father.”
The next discussion involved how to break the news to Justin. Nicole offered and Tanya said“ No” but did not put up much of a battle. She wanted to climb into bed and sleep. This day was exhausting.“ Mom you look beat. Thank you for being honest with me and I am really sorry for getting upset. It’ s just...” Nicole searched for the right words.“ A lot of changes,” Tanya said. Nicole promised to return the photograph after speaking with her brother and gave her mom a hug.
Knocking on his bedroom door a few minutes later, Nicole stepped into Justin’ s room. She took the seat at the desk while he sat on the bed.“ What’ s up?” he asked. Nicole began to search his computer for the cars Sam had given. She found the Cobra first. Justin could see the screen and recognized the car immediately. He stood and looked over her shoulder. His eyes grew wide when she showed him the prices being asked. Nicole was surprised also.“ Why would Sam give Daddy a car like that? Why would she give us all those expensive cars?” Do you think Dad would trade us for one of those cars?” she asked. Justin was clueless and wanted to see what his car was worth but the last question struck home.“ Not for ten of those cars,” Justin answered.“ Sam wants a child. Mom wants Daddy to give her what she wants.” Justin stood with his mouth hanging open.“ Sit down,” she said. He sat on the edge of the bed.“ The reason Mom let’ s Sam act the way she does around Daddy is because all three of them are sharing one bed.” Nicole put the picture in focus.“ How did Dad get so damned lucky?” Justin asked.“ I don’ t think it is going to be that simple. Mom loves Sam,” Nicole stated.
Nicole and Rich broke up because she tried to juggle two boyfriends. She had to choose because it became impossible.“ Is Mom gay?” Justin asked.“ The correct term is lesbian and the answer is no. She likes men also.”“ When did Mom become bisexual?”“ She found out because of Ms. Jorgensen. The teacher that kicked your ass.”“ I saw her at the catfish festival. She was pregnant.”“ The baby’ s name is Daniella. She is our sister,” Nicole handed him the photograph.“ Dad?” Justin’ s eyes were wide open.“ That’ s how that works.”“ Let’ s see if I have this right. We get four of the coolest cars in the world, live in a mansion and drive race cars as often as we want because Dad agreed to stick it to Mom’ s girlfriend.”“ You are so crude,” Nicole said with disgust, but started to laugh.
Seeing the situation through her brother’ s eyes gave Nicole an idea. She ran the days events quickly as she found Justin’ s car. She was a little jealous but realized her car was pretty rare also. She still thought the Delorean looked better than the 1969 COPO Yenko Camaro. Being able to drive the car her senior year, on occasion, could be a real highlight. Especially if she could say“ Oh yes. This is my other car.” Nicole wondered if her mom would let her drive the Jaguar. Nicole asked what he and Sam had really been talking about while Mom and Dad had their backs to the pool. Nicole saw them talking and Sam almost disappear for a moment behind the waterfall. Her silhouette was all that was visible behind the changing, colorful flow. Justin filled in the blanks, Nicole explained the“ Mermaid” comment and the swimsuit that was almost non- existent.“ They had to think she was strolling the beach naked,” Nicole said.“ Sam isn’ t shy.”