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Unexpected Change Ch. 01

By: Scorpio44a



 [This story will be at least four parts. It could be in Loving Wives, First Times, Incest/Taboo or a couple of other categories. I apologize right up front for any misrepresentation of the Shoshone peoples. My intention was to honor them and their culture. Naturally, you are encouraged to vote and leave feedback. Especially leave feedback that is intended to assist me in improving as an author.]

*

On the first Monday of June the year I was a senior my Dad picked me up after school. By itself that wasn't too big a deal. What happened after we left school was. Mom and my older sister Maureen had left L.A. the Friday before. Mom was taking Maureen to Chicago to visit some friends. At least that's what Mom said. Maureen told me Mom had a boy-friend in Chicago and they were going so Mom could be with him. Mom also was trying to get Maureen into Northwestern so she'd have a ready excuse for visiting Chicago on a frequent basis.

I came out of school and saw my Dad standing beside a car that wasn't his. He was wearing casual clothes. Both were out of character. I got close and asked, "What's up?"

He said, "An adventure. Get in, please." I got in. My Dad owns a one-year-old Caddy. The car I got in was a new Chevy Tahoe. As I got in I saw three suitcases in the far back area.

"Going somewhere?"

"Not yet. We're going to have a talk before anyone goes anywhere. I don't want the conversation at home or in my car. Please let me have your backpack."

I gave it to him. From the back seat he brought another bag that looked sort of like a backpack and stuffed my backpack in it. He sealed it up and put it in the back seat. He got another bag and handed it to me. As I opened it he started driving.

"Inside that bag you'll find new clothes. They were purchased today. As we drive I want to you put them on. Take the clothes you're wearing off and put them in the bag the new clothes come out of. Please don't talk, yet." I was worried Dad was going to tell me that all these years he'd been a spy or something. Instead, I just did as he asked.

My ryen spooner shirt and Dockers came off. I looked in the bag and saw new underwear on top. He meant change everything. I got out of the Calvin Kline shorts I had on and completely redressed. I ended up in Levis, a Wrangler shirt and wearing a new pair of the hiking boots I had at home. I bagged my old clothes and as I did I got my wallet out of the Dockers.

Dad said, "Leave everything you had in the bag. You can have it all back in a couple hours." I dropped the wallet in the bag. He bagged all my stuff in another weird looking bag and they went into the back seat.

He said, "Not long ago I found a bugging device in my briefcase and on my phone. Bagging your things is a precaution." He paused as we merged onto the freeway then he said, "Son, I fucked up!" I'd never heard him use that word.

"Twenty years ago I let my pecker overrule my brain and I married your mother. She was pregnant at the time and I believed the baby was mine. I did the right thing and married her. Maureen was born seven months after we were married. Eighteen months later you were born. Maureen was born in Idaho, but you know that. I left the farm and came to California to support my family. Your mother had never liked my family and over the years, to keep the peace, our contact dwindled to almost nothing. For the last ten years it's been so strong that when Nadine wants to see her family she has them come and visit us here. You haven't been in Idaho since you were eight."

"I've wondered why we never go visit."

"They, meaning your mother and her whole clan, want nothing to do with the Peterson side of the family."

"You mean there is a Peterson side of the family?" I was shocked. Mom had said they all died around the time I was eight.

"Yes. All that's left are my Aunt Buzz, my brother Walt, your Aunt Sue and their three kids; Don, Steve and Kay. Kay's just about the same age as you. But I'm getting away from what I need to tell you. Your mother wants you to go away to college in Atlanta. You know that?"

"Yeah. She started in about me going there over a year ago."

"She's enrolling Maureen at Northwestern this weekend for the same reason she wants you to go to the University of Atlanta. There's a man there she likes to have sex with."

"You know?" I knew about the man in Chicago but hadn't said anything. I didn't want to live through a divorce like most of my friends.

"I've known she was screwing around for a long time, but I couldn't prove it. I knew if I filed for divorce I'd never see you or Maureen again. I love you both, although I think I've lost any chance I had with your sister. Last time they went to Chicago the man your mother screws had Maureen and Nadine in his bed for most of the weekend."

"Dad! I can't believe you! Maureen wouldn't!"

"Open the glove box. There's an envelope in there with pictures of the three of them in bed. They are copies. My lawyer has the certified originals."

I opened the glove box and opened the envelope. Five pictures, in color, five by seven prints showing my mom astride a man while my naked sister was astride his face, him feeding his cock into Maureen's pussy, him with his cock in my Mom doggy style and the final shot of the man fucking Mom in the ass and with his three fingers in Maureen's ass.

"Believe me now?"

It took me a while to answer. "So, what's next?" I asked.

"If I file for divorce now she may still be able to control my access to you and she'll take me for millions. I love you. She might claim in court that I have no parental rights to you, because you aren't my son. If she did that things in court would get ugly. I don't want things to get ugly. I don't care about your DNA. I know I may not be your father, but I am your Dad."

"I don't care about DNA either. Love is more important."

He smiled and patted my arm. We parked by the ocean, opened the windows and kept talking. "The divorce will most likely be ugly if I file now or I file the day after you turn eighteen. My thinking now is to do my best to leave her with nothing. However, she is your mother. I'm conflicted. On the one hand she gave me you and Maureen. On the other she's used me as her own personal cash cow and cuckold for all our lives together. I will wait as long as I can to file if you ask me to."

"She can claim I'm not your child?"

"Easily. Look at yourself. You're six foot tall and have blond curly hair. I'm five-seven and my hair is coal black and straight. Genetics tell us that black hair is dominant. How'd you get blond? Well, I had the DNA testing done. Nadine is your Mom and your father is related to her. I'm not your Dad."

"Yes, you are! Dad!"

He was quiet for a while and I thought.

I turned to him and asked, "What's in the suitcases?"

"One of them has clothes like the clothes you have on for you. The other two are mine. I'm not going home. If you want to go home I'll take you."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to Taiwan to open a new manufacturing facility. Everyone here at the company knows to tell Nadine I am available only by email. My plan is to come back the day after you turn eighteen and have her served that day."

"Where am I going?"

"Nadine will be told you went with me. You will actually go to Idaho and stay with my brother and his family."

"Won't the Evans' notice me and tell mom?"

"Before you go to the airport we get your hair cut, really short. Until you turn eighteen you don't go to town."

"How does your brother feel about this plan?"

"He's looking forward to your arrival. You fly to Salt Lake and take a bus from there to Pocatello. He'll meet you there." He got a packet of tickets and maps from the door pocket and sat them on the seat between us.

"When is my flight?"

"Tonight at ten-fifty-five. You should be in Pocatello before one tomorrow afternoon."

"Can I call Beth? I asked. Beth was my girl-friend. Actually, she said she was my girl-friend. I said she was the girl I dated. I knew all along that after high school she was going to France to go to school. I wasn't.

"Yeah, good idea. Do you mind telling her you're going with me to Taiwan?"

"Good idea. I'm sure either mom or Maureen will call Beth. Can I give her an email address that looks like it's in Taiwan?"

"When I get to Taiwan I'll set up two email accounts. I'll email Walt both addresses and you can send Beth the one I set up for you. I'll set it up so all the mail coming to that account gets forwarded to you at Walt's and all the mail you send through that account looks like it originated in Taiwan."

"Then lets get my hair cut and get dinner." We did exactly that. I flew out on Southwest and Dad turned in his rental and flew out from the international terminal.

In the terminal at LAX I looked out of place, dressed as I was. In Salt Lake and Pocatello I blended right in. Dad said I'd know Uncle Walt when I saw him. Said he looked like Charlie Weaver. He also said not to change shirts because he was going to tell Walt what I was wearing.

When I got off the bus in Pocatello I looked around and didn't see Uncle Walt. I got my bag and had a seat inside the station. Dad said he'd be there so I knew Walt would be along. I drifted off in my own thinking about being on a farm after years of city life. Someone sat next to me. She was pretty and had red hair.

She sat quietly for a minute and then softly asked, "How soon will you be done watching people?"

Without turning to face her I said, "I'm just waiting for my uncle to pick me up."

"Oh. Will you know him when you see him?"

"Not really." I was amazed that a girl would just start talking to a stranger.

"Is his name Walt?" She asked.

I looked at her, then. Her smile was so big I thought she'd start laughing any second.

She said, "If your Dad hadn't sent us a picture I wouldn't have known you. I'm Kay. Walt's youngest."

"Ben. Nice to meet you." I stood and she led the way out of the bus station. She led us to a three or four year old Ford F-350 with dual rear wheels. I tossed my suitcase in the back. I said, "You're not what I expected. You look extremely healthy!" 

"Good food, hard work and lots of Idaho dirt. We can get damned near anything to grow."

"Where's Uncle Walt?"

"Didn't come. Too much work to waste a day coming to Pocatello. He sent me. At first I was insulted, but then I figured it was a blessing. I get to drive his truck all by myself. I get to have lunch with Aunt Buzz and then we drive back home. So, ready to go?"

"Sure." Kay started the truck, and we were off. She asked lots of questions about California and laughed at the stories I told her. We got to Aunt Buzz' house and she was waiting for us on her big front porch. I'd never known I had an Aunt Buzz or why she was called Buzz. I found out she was the Principal of a high school in Pocatello and a very powerful woman, even though she was small, like most of the women in the family. She stood maybe five foot one, wearing heels. She might have weighed a hundred pounds if she carried a big purse.

Kay and I towered over her. She hugged us both, made some joke about us spending too much time standing in manure barefoot and led us inside for lunch. In California I'd never known how farm people eat. Aunt Buzz was a Principal who also had fifteen acres she farmed. Buzz called it a garden. She had grown up on a farm near Uncle Walt's. Our lunch was the kind you feed people who will spend the rest of the day with a hoe in their hands or tossing hay bales.

My Mom had adopted California thinking and was always telling me to eat less. When Aunt Buzz put milk on the table for Kay and me she put an ice-cold quart bottle in front of each of us. I drank it all, ate three sandwiches, some potato salad and a big peach.

Buzz gave us a box to give to Uncle Walt and sent us on down the road. It suddenly hit me as we drove that Kay might not be old enough to have a license. In California I got a learner's permit at fifteen and a half and a real license at sixteen. I asked, "Kay, do you have a license?"

"For what?"

"Driving?"

"No. Daddy does. Momma does. I started driving when I was nine." Kay said with a little attitude attached.

"And now you're old. You must be all of fifteen."

"And how old are you? Fourteen?"

"Nope. In August, I'll be eighteen."

"I'm seventeen too. Eighteen in September."

I looked over at her often. Wherever she had been standing when puberty had blessed her it had been kind and generous. Her shirt had bumps in it. The shirt was stretched pretty tight between the bumps and every time I looked I felt a reaction in my jeans. Uncle Walt's truck didn't have air conditioning so we rode all the way with the windows down and the wind blowing.

It took us an hour and a half to get to the farm. Kay pulled to the side of the two-lane road and said, "See the dust?" She pointed and I saw the dust plume from a tractor about half a mile away. I nodded.

"Hike on over there. Daddy's expecting you. I'll take your stuff home."

I didn't move. She reached over and gave my shoulder a shove. "You're burning daylight! Get a move on!" I climbed out of the truck and before I could even close the door she put it in gear and was gone! I worked my way across the ditch and climbed the fence. I headed for the plume. The entire trip was stepping over potato plants. Not walking along the rows, but stepping over row after row of plants. When I got close I saw Uncle Walt wave to me and motion for me to get up on the tractor with him.

He had to stop. He showed me how to get on the tractor and I got on. He welcomed me to a summer of work. The rest of that day he taught me to use that tractor, had me do it and coached me. It was about eight when he showed me how to unhitch the implements and leave them where I would start the next day. As we headed for the barns he explained that sun up was at about six, so we would get up at five. At about one Kay or someone would bring us lunch. At eight we'd stop work, go home and tend to the machinery and animals. Dinner was at nine.

As we approached the barns I saw another tractor coming towards the barns from the south. I assumed it was either my cousin Steve or Don driving. He stood up and waved. I waved back. I asked, "Are you Steve or Don?"

"Don's at football camp. He's going to be the quarterback this year, so we're getting him ready." Steve said.

Uncle Walt said, "Steve plays guard and tackle for the local college. Working for me is all the football camp he needs."

I followed Walt towards the house and Steve met us near the back porch. Stacked on the steps were three piles; jeans, a shirt, socks, underwear and a towel in each pile. Steve and Walt started undressing. I did too. Ten feet from the back porch was an outdoor shower above a concrete pad. There were bottles of shampoo and bars of soap on a shelf. We scrubbed and got clean from the day. When we were almost done Walt called out, "Sue, Ben's burnt." I had been aware that my skin was tender but had been looking at how muscled Steve and Uncle Walt were. Steve was four or five inches taller than Walt and weighed about two-fifty or maybe more. Standing near him I looked like the pictures I'd seen of people liberated for concentration camps. Aunt Sue came out the back door carrying a bottle of something. Neither Steve or Walt tried to cover up so I tried to behave like it didn't bother me that my Aunt was slathering something on all the burnt places on my body. When she was done she patted me on the butt and said, "Don't dress for a couple minutes. Let that soak in first." Then she went back inside the house.

My head swam with the idea that a woman I'd never met before had slathered lotion on me while I was naked!

I was pulling on my fresh jeans when Kay opened the back door. She had a big bowl in her hands. "Steve, please take this to the table." She said. He took it and Walt went to the back door. Aunt Sue gave him a platter of meat. I pulled on my boots and met Kay at the door. She gave me a bowl of mixed vegetables. Sue and Kay followed me down the steps and to the table.

We ate at a big table outside the house. It was positioned so it got the evening shade first. That first day on a farm it was about ninety degrees at dinner time. I was out there in the sun from about three-thirty until eight-thirty. Whatever Aunt Sue slathered on me took away the sting of the sun.

I was given a choice of sleeping spots, the summer porch, which I would share with Steve and Don when he came back from camp or the loft of one of the barns. I picked the loft. I also picked the equipment barn. I knew there would be fewer flies and things around the tractors than around the hogs, cows and horses.

By nine-forty-five I had made a bed and was in it. Aunt Sue gave me an alarm clock. It was set for five in the morning. She said, "When it rings, get up. It'll still be mostly dark. Come for breakfast. I'm glad your Dad let you come." Up until that moment I thought the three months of farm labor was just a place to hide and the labor was how I paid my room and board. I had some more thinking to do.

When the alarm sounded I sat right up and wondered where I was. I got the alarm shut off and heard laughter coming from the house. I dressed in the dark and went to the house. Breakfast was in the kitchen. Kay and Aunt Sue were serving eggs, bacon, pancakes and fruit. Aunt Sue encouraged me to eat more. When we were fed, stuffed in my case, she gave me gloves, some more of the lotion and a wide brimmed hat. It was six-ten when I started the tractor. Uncle Walt told me what to do and said he'd come see how I was doing later.

Kay said she'd bring my lunch to me. I had some trouble getting set up, hooked up and working so it was almost seven when I actually got working. At about eleven Walt rode up on his big Belgian mare. He rode her bareback. She walked alongside the tractor and me easily. Walt said I was doing well but could go about a hundred rpm faster. As I figured out how to have that happen he rode off. When I got to the end of a row and turned south I could see the plume from Steve. Each pass took me almost half an hour.

I was pulling a cultivator that worked the ground between five rows of plants. I saw lots of birds flying over the farm and two planes. The constant drone of the tractor meant I heard nothing else.

At the end of one run I was turning around and saw a horse and rider coming. It wasn't the big Belgian so I figured it was either Aunt Sue or Kay bringing lunch. As she got closer I saw her red hair. Aunt Sue was a blond.

She waved and I waved back. She unbuttoned her shirt and opened it. She was too far away for me to see clearly but I did know she was not wearing a bra! I'd never seen the breasts of someone about my age before, except my sister Maureen. Down in California I was very shy around any female within five or six years of my sister, who loved to fluster me by showing me her tits often. Even at two hundred yards the sight provoked a reaction. She let go of the shirt and rode closer. The fabric fluttered in the breeze and gave me glimpses of her pale skin and breasts.

"Hungry?" She yelled when she was twenty yards away.

"Do I stop the tractor?" I yelled back.

"If you want dessert, stop." I stopped. She dismounted and brought the lunch over to the tractor. She had not done anything to button up or cover herself. I was so hard I thought I'd cum from just looking.

She handed me a sandwich and a bottle of cool water. She perched on one huge tire and I sat on the other one. We ate and she asked, "Like being a farmer?"

"Better than I thought I would. I never had lunch delivered like this before."

"I looked."

"Huh?"

"Last night when Daddy, Steve and you were in the shower. I looked."



Unexpected Change Ch. 01



I blushed. She added, "So I thought since I saw you, you should see me."

"That's very considerate of you."

"But, I can't show you for long. Redheads burn easily."

"And you never tan. I know. My sister is a redhead, too."

"I'd forgotten! Maureen. How old is she?"

"Twenty. She stood in something, but I'm sure it wasn't manure."

Kay pulled off her shirt and said, "These are almost ten years old. I like them."

"They're beautiful." I heard the awe in my own voice. She heard it too and smiled.

"You sure you're family?" As soon as she asked I wondered how much she and Uncle Walt knew.

"What does that mean? Of course I'm family. My Dad and your Dad are brothers. They grew up in the house you live in."

"What do you know about us?" 

I figured ignorance was the best path for me. "That sometime a long time ago there was a falling out. I was never told what it was about. When Dad told me I was coming here for the summer I thought I was being sent away, punished. Why else would he send me here?"

"I can tell you, if you want to know." She buttoned her shirt and put her hat back on. I nodded.

"Your Dad loves you and misses family. He realized you were becoming a city boy and missing out on the childhood he and Daddy had here. He sent you to us for your education."

"And you showing me your chest is part of my education?"

"Not really. I just found it hard to believe that your Dad would let your Mom stifle such an important part of growing up. Your reaction to me shows he did. He's doing his best to set things right. We're going to help."

She gathered the remains of our lunch and mounted her horse. "Come home half an hour early. Momma says." Her heels nudged her horse and away they flew. I sat in the seat of the tractor and thought as I went back to work. At two I took off my shirt and again applied the lotion all over my skin above the waist. Then I put the shirt back on. I watched my line and drove carefully. What did Kim mean about helping to educate me? About what? Farming? Sex?"

At almost four Uncle Walt rode up. He got off the mare and climbed up on the tractor so we could talk. "Did Kim tell you to quit half an hour early?"

I nodded and said, "Yes, Sir."

"Do you know the story about my parents?"

"Yes. It's the same story as the story about my Dad's parents."

He shook his head. "Do I look like your Dad?"

"Not really."

"Your Dad and I are brothers, but not the biological kind. Two years after he was born I was born. I was born to our Momma's sister. She died two days later. They never kept her a secret from us. Kay is named after my Mother, not my Momma. You understand?"

"Kay was your biological mother's name. She was the sister of the woman who raised you and was my Dad's biological mother as well as his Momma."

"Yes. My grandparents were from Denmark. Somehow they lived through the start of World War Two and came to America. They came from a time in Denmark where things were really tough and you held tightly to your friends. When they got to America they got separated from their best friends. They came to Idaho and worked hard to buy land, piece by piece. They had us. They never stopped looking for their friends, Hans and Inga.

When your Dad and I were five or six, around there, they found us. They came here one winter and we went there one winter. Our parents changed after that. The shower at the back of the house was built by Grandpa when we were about six. From then on unless it was snowing we cleaned up there. All of us. When Hans and Inga visited they joined us in the shower."

"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked.

"We thought your Dad would have taught you about the family ways. Yesterday was a test. Not the kind of test you can fail, but the kind that tells us where we have to start teaching."

"I do pretty well in school."

"And a huge part of becoming a man has been neglected. It's June. When does school start again in California?"

"Right after Labor Day."

He smiled. "You're on a farm, City boy. Every day is labor day!"

"The first week of September."

"Not much time, if you're going back." Walt said.

"Ok. What's next?"

"I want you to know we discussed you a lot before you got here and last night after you went to bed. What happens today when you get back to the house has been discussed and the family approves. Steve really likes you. Hell, we all do. Go with the flow. Ok?"

"Ok. I guess." He clapped me on the back, jumped to the mare and rode off.

I almost drove into the fence at the end of the pass, but I didn't. I got turned around and lined up for the next pass. When the crisis was over I started thinking. I had new information but instead of the new information giving me answers it created more questions. Why wasn't I told about my Danish ancestors? Why did Dad and Walt stop being close? Was my Mom in the middle of all this?

At seven I stopped. I unhitched the equipment and drove back to the barns. I could see Steve's plume. He hadn't stopped work. When I drove into the barn Aunt Sue was waiting for me. She was wearing hiking boots, socks and a cotton dress. She helped me take care of the tractor and then we walked together towards the house.

We sat on the back steps. The fresh clothes for after our showers were already set out. She sat on a step one higher than me, putting us at just about eye level. While we cared for the tractor and walked we had talked about the tractor and the work. When we sat she said, "If it's Ok with you we're going to change topics."

"Ok, Aunt Sue."

"Kay told me your reaction to her at lunch." My blood pressure went up. I blushed and I thought I was being sent home. I realized I didn't want to go home. She didn't wait long enough for me to say anything. "It's Ok. I suspected. Your Dad wants us to teach you to be a man. The kind your Uncle Walt is. Not the kind they have in California, or if they're there they are as hidden as they are here."

I nodded. I didn't understand, but nodded anyway.

"Do you want to be a man?"

"Yes!"

"You're eighteen. How many girls have you kissed because you really wanted to kiss them?"

I was hurt that she would even ask such a personal question. Even more embarrassed because the answer was one. She knew it.

"Who taught you how to kiss a woman? No one teaches young people to be lovers. They get taught which fork to use but not how to kiss! It's a damn shame. What if you knew you were one of the very best kissers in all of California? Would you still be afraid?"

"No. I'd have confidence."

Aunt Sue stood and moved between my legs. My knees pressed against her hips and her face was right in front of mine.

"Did Walt tell you we had discussed this?"

I nodded.

" We are beginning lesson number one in kissing. Hold my face in your hands and kiss me, please."

My hands came up and I stopped. I still had on my gloves. I got them off as quickly as I could then I grasped her cheeks and moved forward.

"Stop." I froze.

"My face is made of tissue paper, especially in a first kiss. Hold it, but hold it very gently." I lightened my touch.

"Much better." She moved forward as I did and our lips touched. I thought of tissue paper and didn't press. She backed away from the kiss.

"Promising. In your loft you'll find a book. Take it with you tomorrow. Read it when you can. Part of that book talks about how to kiss. What did you think about when our lips touched?"

"I thought about tissue paper. I thought about being gentle."

"I want you to kiss me again. Do you know what a mantra is?"

"Something you repeat over and over until you believe it?"

"Or until you make it so." Sue said.

"Here is your mantra: I am kissing God."

"God?"

"I am kissing the Goddess. Close your eyes and visualize the Goddess. Visualize her. Is she beautiful?"

My eyes were closed. She was beautiful. Mists swirled around her and she had red hair. Sue said, "Kiss her. Tell her with your kiss how beautiful she is, how honored you are to kiss her."

I kissed and the lips were soft and warm. Her energy surrounded me and I kept repeating, 'I am kissing the Goddess.'

Suddenly I was aware that the kiss had ended. Her lips were gone. I opened my eyes.

I whispered, "Thank you." There was nothing else to say. Aunt Sue stepped back and said, "Take off your clothes, please. We need to shower."

I was hard and embarrassed that I was hard.

Sue stepped close again and grasped my erection through my jeans. "Your erection is proof that kissing the Goddess is good. Now get undressed." 

I pulled the t-shirt off myself and bent to unlace my hiking boots. When I looked up Aunt Sue was naked. The cotton dress was hanging on a hook and her boots were on a step with her socks draped over the edge of the step. In the two second look I did my best to memorize everything I saw. Her arms were darker than the rest of her body, but not too much darker. Her breasts were bigger and looked heavier than Kay's. She had a patch of dark blond hair where her legs met but it didn't cover her the way I expected it would. It was a patch above her slit with no hair on either side, just above.

"Come on! You'll get plenty of time to look."

I refocused and got out of my clothes. My penis stood at attention and I didn't stand up straight.

Aunt Sue took my hand and led me to the shower. She turned on the water and we got under the spray. She grabbed a bar of soap and handed me one. As she washed herself she talked, "Hans and Inga taught the family about how we lived in Denmark. Even there we were different. When Walt, your Dad and family visited their farm they learned some things. One of those things was about modesty. Do you know what modesty is?"

"Not showing more than is appropriate?"

"That's good. So here we are buck naked in the shower. Is that modest?"

I thought for a minute. "Yeah! In the shower it's appropriate to be naked. I never thought of it that way."

"It would no longer be modest if I did something sexual in front of you, without your permission. Right?"

"No, it wouldn't be modest." My head was trying to think of what she might do.

"When I had you kiss me, you knew I was doing it as a part of your education, not as an old lady making a pass at her nephew?"

"I knew that."

"Modest or not?"

"Modest."

"From the time Walt and your Dad were about six the family showered together, worked in the garden naked, slept naked and taught their kids how to be lovers. When Walt and I met in high school I had been raised in a conservative family. I'd never seen either of my parents naked in my life. Walt kissed me the first time as he walked me home from school. He'd walked me home every day for a year. He held my face tenderly in his hands and when he kissed me I thought I'd die. I didn't know his Mom and Inga had taught him how to kiss. Months later, when he brought me home to meet the family, Inga, Betsy and Amanda took me for a long walk. They did something no one had ever done to me. They treated me like I had a brain, like I could and should be expected to think. I was sixteen and they treated me like a woman. The women in my family still called me "Baby"!"

"What happened when Dad brought my Mom home?" I asked.

She gave me a towel and she used one and we got dry. We sat at the table where we had dinner every night. Aunt Sue spread a towel where we sat. Our fresh clothes were stacked on the steps.

"I'll get to that. There is a tradition in the family, started by Nick, Betsy and Amanda. The first night they slept and joined they did it right up there in the loft." She pointed and I looked. "Inga, Amanda and Betsy told me about the tradition on the first walk we took. Inga asked me to promise that when I was ready to have sex with Walt I would ask him to take me to the loft."

"Did that freak you out?"

"Everything about that walk freaked me out! In my own mind I was a girl, not a woman. I took a big step into womanhood that day. When the walk ended we made dinner and ate as a family, right here at this table. The men treated me with respect and involved me in the conversation as if I belonged here."

"I'm blown away. Right from the beginning they treated you like you belonged."

She held my hands and said, "Your Dad sent you here to save your life. He gave your mother power right at the beginning of their being together. I was here when Nick brought her home. I went on the walk with Inga, Betsy, Amanda and Nadine. When Betsy talked about waiting to be intimate until they could do it in the loft she laughed! She said her first night with any man would be in a high class hotel, not a hay loft!"

She leaned forward and kissed me. I wondered why. The kiss ended and before I could ask. She continued. "She didn't stay for dinner. Over the next six weeks Nick started pulling back from the family. He was twenty when he left the farm. He went to San Francisco and got a job. A year later he and Nadine were married and moved to Los Angeles. None of us were invited. Have you ever seen pictures of the wedding and reception? None of us were there. Nadine wanted control. She has kept you and your sister away from us all your lives."

"What does Dad expect to happen here?"

Aunt Sue went to the back porch and pulled a letter from under her clothes. She handed it to me. It was addressed to me at the rural route for the farm. It was postmarked Los Angeles and was unopened.

"Dear Son,

I've done what I think was or is best. I apologize for the last seventeen plus years of your life. I've made some horrendous mistakes in my life, the worst was marrying Nadine, your mother. I apologize. You and your sister are the best things about that marriage.

I sent you to my brother Walt because he and his family are the only ones I believe can set you on the path to a great life. Whatever they introduce you to, trust them, believe them and do your best to let go all the rules and games you've been taught by Nadine and her family."

The letter detailed what he wanted me to learn, memories he had of life before Nadine and that Maureen and I were why he stayed. As I read I wanted to walk away, go home and start over, but I also knew that would be a disaster. He told me not to take any blame for him staying. He said the time he spent with Maureen and I was the best time of his marriage.

He ended the letter with these words, "No matter what you find out about family or your mother and I, know this: I have never been unfaithful to my vows and I have loved you since I found out she was pregnant. Those things will not change."

I heard the tractors pull into the barn. I heard the shower come on and I heard the noises of the rest of the family getting ready for dinner. Aunt Sue said, "Help me carry dinner to the table, please."

I tucked the letter under my clothes as we passed Walt, Steve and Kay in the shower. We put dinner on the table and sat for dinner. I started the prayer that the family said every night. I said, "Thank you." Everyone else said it too.

Food was passed and as we ate Uncle Walt asked, "What are five of the things you thought of when you said, Thank you?"

I looked at him and said, "Just five? I'm thankful Dad had someone like all of you to send me to. I'm thankful he wrote the letter and we got to talk before we left California, that Aunt Sue talked to me today and I'm thankful I got to see Kay naked."

Everyone at the table laughed. The serious mood was broken. Conversation wandered to a discussion about football camp, a nest of fire ants near the creek, and Saturday. Saturday Don would be back from football camp. Steve wondered if Don had plans for a party or anything for the night of his return.

Uncle Walt got out his phone and called Don. At the end of the call we knew that most of his football team would be at the farm when he got back and they would be talking football until late. Steve whispered to me that Don didn't know anything about me being on the farm.

After the call Uncle Walt said, "Steve, you need to be here for your brother. Kay, I know you'd like the attention but I want you to take Ben and spend Saturday night with Aunt Buzz. As soon as the two of you are up on Saturday stash Ben's stuff so no one sees it and then take the truck and go." He gave Kay two hundred dollars and said, "Take Buzz out for dinner and be sure you bring back a new skirt, blouse or something for yourself and something for your Momma too." Kay smiled and took the money inside the house. She had no pockets.

Every day that week I had conversations with each member of the family. Each talked with me about different aspects of being a man. Steve talked to me about socializing with young women. Kay and Aunt Sue talked about the roles of men and women, not just in town, but in our world. We talked a lot about how the culture you grow up in changes the way you see things. Every lesson with Aunt Sue began with kissing. Lots of the lessons were done with both of us nude. 

Friday night I rearranged some hay bales in the loft and stashed my things in a void. There were plenty of bales in front of and above the void that I knew no one would find my stuff. I had a blanket tossed on loose hay to sleep on that night so I was ready. After supper I headed for the barn and Aunt Sue called me back. She said, "You got an email from your Dad."

Uncle Walt hadn't opened it. I clicked on it and read, "Son, the reports I'm reading tell me you're doing well. Two days after I arrived here in Taiwan I got a call from Nadine. I was in the office so when the call came in I took it. I told her that for the rest of my stay I would not be in Taipei. We'd be out in the field and in a cell dead zone for months.

She yelled at me for taking you out of the country without her permission. I told her that the next time we were in Taipei I'd have you call her. Do NOT call her. She informed me that she and Maureen were going to Atlanta to look at colleges. We both know what that means.

I love you and I'm proud of you.

Dad"

I hit reply and typed. "Dad- I love our family. They have welcomed me and are teaching me to be a man of honor and values. Thirteen more days! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help with the divorce. Your son, Ben"

I sent it off and checked the new email address Dad had given me. I left California the first week of June. I spoke to Beth that night from the airport. I had emailed her my new email address three days later and had written her six emails since. It was the last week of July when I got an email from her.

"Ben, I knew our love was not destined to last a lifetime, but the suddenness with which you ran away was devastating! I cried for two weeks! I was angry with you for breaking up with me and leaving before graduation and all the parties we could have gone to together.

When I went to the parties people were really surprised that you were in China! They wanted to know when you'd be back. Especially Kathy Cramer. Be careful of her when you get back. I think she wants to get her claws into you. Your sister called me because she didn't know where you went. She had trouble believing you went to China.

When are you coming back to the U.S.? I'm leaving for France next week. I already have an apartment to share with three other students!

I'm not mad at you any more. You missed lots of great parties but since you weren't here to take me I went to most of them with Brad Johnson. Brad is a lot of fun and treats me like I like being treated. He has a Toyota pick up, remember? Anyway, I'll always love you, Beth"

I read into her email that what she was angry about was that I left her and not the other way around. I hit reply: "Beth, I've been so busy here I'm so glad you wrote me. Otherwise I might never have written again. Taiwan is incredible. The Taiwanese people are incredible too, especially the women. Most of the women/girls I'd ever known who were about our age acted much more like girls than women. The Taiwanese women I've met treat me like a man and expect to be treated as women, not girls.




Unexpected Change Ch. 01



Many of them started working as soon as the graduated from the Taiwanese equivalent of high school, at sixteen. They work, live on their own, go to college and know what they want from life.

My work is hard and very rewarding. I start work at six in the morning and usually quit after dark. I have two days off a week but not two days in a row. Last week I was off Tuesday and Friday. Almost all my living expenses are paid for by the company so my pay of $65 per hour goes into my bank account. I usually see my Dad about once a week. He's at one site and I'm over a hundred clicks away at another site.

I hope you enjoyed Brad. If he's the same Brad I remember he has filed grooves in the tailgate rim of his truck for each girl he scored with in the back of that truck. Last I knew he had eight grooves filed into the top rim of the tailgate, but maybe I'm thinking of a different Brad.

Enjoy France. Ben" I hit send and went to bed.

I carried the alarm and my suitcase to the truck as I went to breakfast. Aunt Sue waited until Walt and the Steve were out in the barn and then she said, "While you're gone I want Ben to practice kissing. I talked with Buzz last night and she will be your coach. I also want her to talk to both of you about money and about setting goals. Ok?"

We agreed. We both got kissed and the kiss Aunt Sue gave me was much more intimate than any kiss she'd given me before. When she kissed Kay I was amazed about how sensual it was.

The sky was starting to get light as we left the farm. It was almost eight o'clock when we got to Aunt Buzz'. She was in a light cotton shift and was barefoot. Kay asked, "Are we gardening?" 

Buzz said, "Walt sent me free labor. I'd be nuts to pass that up."

Kay and I sat on the back porch and took off our boots. Buzz said, "It'll be overcast all day. Slather some lotion on and let's not dirty our clothes today." She gave me a bottle of the same lotion I used on the farm. I started to slather it on my arms and Kay said, "Stop that. Proper etiquette has us slather each other. It's more fun."

We piled our clothes on the porch and Kay slathered me and I got to slather lotion all over her. I didn't know it then but Buzz watched us closely. I was used to seeing her and the rest of the family naked. I had even washed backs of everyone except Don, but slathering lotion on Kay's front was a new step.

She did me first. When she got to my penis she squirted a squirt of lotion in her hand, rubbed her hands together and cupped my nuts. Quickly and thoroughly she spread lotion all over my nuts and shaft, making sure she covered the head with lotion as well.

I lotioned her back completely and then she faced me and I started at her shoulders. I worked quickly and made doubly sure her pale breasts got a good coating of lotion. When I got to her pussy she said, "I'll do that part." I finished her legs and noticed a new fragrance as I knelt to do her lower legs. It wasn't lotion I smelled.

I was given a hoe. Kay and Aunt Buzz went to an area where there were peppers, onions and garlic growing. Their hands moved like machines. The picked off bugs and damaged leaves as they talked. Aunt Buzz came and looked at my work a few times, coached me on how to improve and told me what a good job I was doing. A buzzer was heard and Buzz said, "Time for more lotion. This time I need some too."

We went to the porch and Buzz picked up the bottle. She handed it to Kay and said, "Kiss me, I am the Goddess."

Kay filled her hands with lotion, reached around Aunt Buzz and as their mouths met her hands spread the lotion from Buzz' neck to the crease where her butt became thighs. Her hands moved in a sensual manner. I could easily see that this was much more than spreading lotion.

The kiss ended and Buzz turned and faced away from Kay. Kay loaded her hands again and began kissing the back of Buzz' neck. Her slow hands spread the lotion all over Buzz' torso. I watched and Kay's fingertips spread lotion on Buzz' areola and nipples, slowly and with just the tips of her fingers.

Kay loaded Buzz' hands and then her own. Buzz did the front of her legs while Kay did the backs. Buzz also spread lotion all over her mound.

They embraced and kissed again. Buzz thanked Kay and Kay thanked Buzz. 



Unexpected Change Ch. 02



[This story will be at least four parts. It could be in Loving Wives, First Times, Incest/Taboo or a couple of other categories. I apologize right up front for any misrepresentation of the Shoshone peoples. My intention was to honor them and their culture. Naturally, you are encouraged to vote and leave feedback. Especially leave feedback that is intended to assist me in improving as an author.]

*

Buzz tossed me the lotion bottle and said, "Kay is the Goddess. You job today is to love her, protect her and honor her. You protect her by making sure she doesn't burn. When you kiss her love her completely, unconditionally, thoroughly."

She added, "Kay, accept his love. It is a gift freely given. Accept his protection. The lotion will not protect you; Ben's love will protect you. You honor him as a man when you accept his gift."

I lathered my hands and began loving Kay, the Goddess. I used long slow strokes on her back as I kissed her mouth. Her breasts and chest pressed against my chest. I kept repeating the mantra Aunt Sue taught me, 'I am kissing the Goddess.' When it was time to do her front I realized my mantra had changed to, ' I am loving my Goddess,'

As I did her legs I noticed the fragrance was stronger and I encountered wetness on her inner thighs. I asked myself, 'Is she turned on?' I was.

Buzz gave Kay a slightly different coaching. She said, "Ben is your God. Your job today is to love him, protect him and honor him. You protect him by making sure he doesn't burn today. When you kiss him, love him completely, unconditionally, thoroughly."

"Ben, accept her love. It is a gift freely given. Accept her protection. The lotion will not protect you; Kay's love will protect you. You honor her as a woman and your Goddess when you accept her gift."

When I lotioned Kay she held her arms slightly away from her body. As she started on me my arms went out ninety degrees from my torso. I didn't think about it at all. Kay stood behind me. She carefully lotioned me to my waist and stopped. A few inches farther down was my erection.

Aunt Buzz said, "Love him, protect him, and honor him. He is God."

Kay's hands grasped my erection and spread lotion all over. She stopped kissing the back of my neck and walked around to face me. Her hands didn't start at my shoulders. Both hands went to my erection and my nuts. She stroked me slowly and completely. After five or so strokes she increased the pace and in just a few more strokes I exploded and covered her belly and hand with my cum.

I wasn't embarrassed. I told myself she was loving me. She was doing just what Aunt Buzz asked her to do. She was protecting me and honoring me as a man and as God.

What she did next blew my mind. She lifted her hand to her mouth and licked my cum from her hand. She slowly finished applying lotion to my body and stood to embrace me when she was done. We kissed and embraced. 

When the kiss eventually ended Aunt Buzz took us by our hands and led us to a shady place near the garden. She had us sit on the bench there. As we sat I noticed tears on Aunt Buzz' cheeks.

She said, "Speak to me about what just happened."

Kay looked at me for a long time, and then closed her eyes. I said, "It's hard to put into words." I took a breath, " No, it isn't. I started listening to the instructions like this was a mind game I was being asked to play. It would help me be a better kisser. The instant we kissed it was no longer a game. Kay is a Goddess. I do love her, will protect her and honor her for the rest of her life."

Buzz smiled and asked, "What happens if I stand in front of you and ask you to love me, protect me and honor me?"

I smiled back at her and said, "You may do that if you'd like, but you already know I love, protect and honor you. I'm pretty sure Aunt Sue knows I mean it for her as well, but I'm happy to tell her myself. Each of you is a Goddess in my life and Kay is... Kay is my Goddess."

Aunt Buzz touched Kay on the knee. Her eyes opened and Buzz said, "Say it."

"I have participated in that ceremony many times since I was a little girl. Today, I kissed God. I kissed my God, my man, my husband. I love him. I will protect him, nurture him, bare his children and honor him for the rest of my life. I am at peace."

Tears ran down her cheeks. I stood without thinking and lifted her to me. We embraced and kissed again. Buzz said, "Kissing is enough for now. Please, go get dressed and meet me on the front porch. You may hold each other and continue to kiss. I must call Walt."

She hurried into her house. Kay and I walked to the porch and dressed. We walked around the house and sat on the front porch. We hadn't said anything. I leaned to her and kissed her again. The same experience of kissing the Goddess washed over me. We were of one spirit.

The kiss ended and Kay asked, "Are you ever going to say anything?"

"Ok. I love you. For the rest of my life I am yours, body, mind, spirit and whatever else that connects us. If you'll have me, I am your husband from this day. I heard what you said an I echo the connection."

We kissed again. The screen door opened and Buzz came to the porch. She was fully dressed. She said, "Walt knew. He's always been more in touch than most men."

"Knew what?" I asked.

"Knew the two of you were linked. Some spirits are linked. I don't know much about it. I've only known two couples that were linked like you. Walt and Sue are one and Kay, your grandfather was linked to both Betsy and Amanda."

"My Dad's namesake Nick was linked to Betsy and Amanda?"

"Yes, and the Shoshone chief married the three of them in a special ceremony."

"The chief has contacted Walt and said he wants to meet both of you on the fifth of September on the reservation. I don't ask how the chief knew, but he called Walt half an hour before I did."

"We created a disturbance in the Force." I said, only half joking. Aunt Buzz nodded.

Kay said, "Aunt Buzz, would it be ok if I made our supper tonight?"

A tear fell from Aunt Buzz' face. She choked and said, "There are tribes that require the woman to cook for her man before she is considered married."

"Mom and I have cooked for Daddy, Steve and Don forever."

"Tell me how this dinner will be different?" Buzz asked. Kay thought about her answer as Buzz and I watched.

"I'm cooking for my husband, my man, my God. I've never done that before."

"Exactly. I know you will want to join together tonight and every night from tonight on. You must wait until Kay's birthday. You must! I ask you to promise me you'll wait." Buzz pleaded.

Kay started to speak. I squeezed her thigh just a little and she stayed quiet. "May we do other things as long as we don't have coitus?" I asked.

"You must not put your penis in her vagina or allow your cum in her vagina."

"We promise." We said it in unison.

We went in the house and they went to the kitchen. Kay came to me and asked if I would rather have lasagna or a steak. I said lasagna. She smiled and said, "Do you like steak?"

"I might order a steak twice in a year. Mom always said steak is barbaric." Kay smiled and went back to the kitchen. Aunt Buzz came to me, took my hand and led me back out to the garden bench.

We talked about the responsibility I was taking on. We talked about money, education and plans for the future. Kay stuck her head out the back door and said, "Supper will be on the table in fifteen minutes. I love you both!"

The screen slammed shut and I said, "I know why we can't have sex until her birthday. The first time we have sex she's going to get pregnant."

Buzz nodded. "The first time Walt and Sue went to the loft all the animals in the barn went nuts. Nine months later Don was born."

"Maybe if we do it somewhere else?"

"Nope. Shoshone medicine told us, the first time linked people do it, she gets pregnant. I believe them."

We went inside and I ate the most wonderful lasagna I'd ever tasted. I noticed Kay made two. She served me from one casserole and Aunt Buzz and herself from the other one. She said, "This one is just for you. The recipe is the same but this one is for my husband. It will nourish you, protect you and honor you." It was spoken like the whole meal was sacred. As I chewed the first bite I got that it was... sacred. She made this meal as a love offering to me.

I retreated into my head and questioned how I could possibly be ready to be a husband. I wouldn't even turn eighteen for another week! I wasn't ready. I didn't know how to be a man. I didn't even have a job!

Aunt Buzz talked to us as our coach. Again she talked about money, planning, education and raising the child we were about to start. It struck me that most people have sex knowing a baby is a possibility and have to wait weeks to find out if they started something. We knew we would start a baby. I thought Aunt Buzz knew if we would start a boy or a girl. 

I leaned to Kay and we kissed. Whatever special something that now existed between us had that kiss reach every part of me.

We finished supper. Kay and I cleaned up. Buzz left us alone for quite a while. We went into the living room and found Buzz reading. She had a recliner, but she was on her couch. I asked, "Can we use the recliner, please." She nodded.

I sat and Kay sat in my lap. An hour's worth of kissing later, Kay said she needed to pee. As she got up Aunt Buzz asked, "Kay, in all the years since Walt kissed Sue I have wanted to kiss a linked man. I have never been able to ask Walt or Sue."

Kay said, "Crawl into his lap. He will kiss you with all his love." She took another step and said, "Be prepared to flood yourself."

Buzz said, "I'm an old woman." She sat in my lap and asked, "Would you kiss an old woman?"

My arms went around her and drew her to me. She turned her face to me and closed her eyes. Our lips touched. Before they touched I had been wondering how old Aunt Buzz might be. The instant our lips touched I stopped thinking. The kiss lasted until Kay came back in the room. Our faces came apart and Buzz relaxed against my chest. My eyes opened and Kay was standing next to us. She touched Buzz and her eyes opened.

After a minute Aunt Buzz slowly got off my lap and stood, using Kay for balance. She whispered and said, "Thank you Kay. Thank you, Ben. I'm going to bed now." As she walked towards her bed the phone rang. Kay said, "Go, Aunt Buzz. It's my Dad." 

She answered the phone. "Buzz Peterson's phone." "She's gone to bed." "Emotionally wiped out, we're guessing." "No, we promised." "Stay until Monday and then come home?" "We both love all of you." "Daddy, when you kiss momma do you light up inside, too?" "Good night. Tell everyone we love them." "Yes, I noticed. I love you. We love you." She hung up the phone.

She joined me in the recliner. I asked, "Willing to tell me the other side of that conversation? Please."

Kay smiled and said, "You don't know about my memory. Ok, I'll tell you the other side of the conversation.I need to speak to Buzz." "She was there when you linked! Now she's tired?" "You haven't joined yet?" "Good. Don't. Come home Monday, not before." "Yes, Monday. Leave Buzz' after breakfast and be here by about noon." "How do you feel?" "Yes. Every time. We'll talk more when you get home. I need to go to bed. Momma and I love you." "Kay, you didn't say "I" once in this conversation."

"Word for word?" I asked. She nodded. "That thing about not saying I, what's that about?"

"Momma almost never says "I". She's linked to Daddy so strongly that it's like they are a we more than they are individuals. I never understood that until Aunt Buzz had us do the ceremony. We are linked. When we mate in the loft we will be pregnant."

"Honey, I know it's true and I want it to happen and part of me is scared to death! We're not even eighteen yet! I don't have a job! How am I going to support us and our baby? Buzz talked about education. I need to work. I won't be able to go to college!"

She smiled and I shut up. She leaned her face to mine and kissed me. It would all work out. The kiss ended and Kay said, "Husband, are we sleeping here in the recliner or in bed?"

I hadn't thought about that night! My thoughts of sleeping with Kay had been focused on the loft. We could share a bed for the first time right then! I said, "Your place or mine?"

Instead of answering she got out of the recliner and took my hand, leading me to her bed. Fresh sheets, and extra pillow, a scented candle burning and no lights on welcomed us. Kay's hands set about undressing me as my hands unbuttoned her shirt. I have no idea how long we took getting undressed, but it wasn't hurried. Back in California Beth and I had kissed and petted a few times but I had never kissed her naked breasts or felt her pussy directly. As I undressed Kay I knew she wanted my touches, my kisses. When we were both down to our underwear Kay said, "I want you to be inside me. I know we promised and I know we won't, I just want you to know I want to."

My cock made a distinct bulge and I said, "I think my want is evident. My head is still spinning with a million thoughts, but my body only has two: love you and start a baby with you."

"Momma talked with me about you. She wasn't going to start teaching you about being a lover until after your birthday. I guess I get to start now and she can give us both the graduate course over the next couple of months." She guided me onto the bed. She still wore her pink panties and I still wore my green briefs.

We kissed and explored our bodies for a very long time. Kay told me she didn't trust herself to be nude, but if I wanted to reach inside her panties it was Ok with her. I hesitated for ten seconds and she said, "If you don't touch my pussy I'm going to scream!"

It didn't feel like I thought it would. I'd seen her in the shower each evening and saw her hair and the occasional glimpse of the slit hidden in her fiery forest. As my hand slid inside her panties I encountered a well-trimmed patch of short hair leading me to her slit. As my finger slid along the crease I felt a slipperiness I didn't expect. I'd read that women lubricated just before sex but I didn't imagine it would be so slippery or so much!

Kay moaned softly. She whispered, "Do that again." She took a breath. "Again."

I felt like I was in a trace, repeating everything that got Kay to moan, wiggle or lift her hips. The candle shuddered and I saw her lower belly shudder, too. She whispered, "Oh Ben, I'm so close! Slide your finger inside me."

I did and her back arched. I pulled back so I could slide back in and I touched a hard nub above her opening. Her hands grabbed my wrist; her hips lifted up off the bed and a low, deep groan started inside her somewhere. I moved the tip of my finger across the nub and the groan changed to a scream. I felt the muscles in and around her pussy spasm. She continued to hold my hand in place for almost a minute.

Her eyes opened and she lifted my hand from her pussy to her mouth. She kissed my fingertips and sucked the finger that had stroked her nub. I bent to her chest and kissed her breast. She pulled my face to hers and said, "I love you. Thank you."

I couldn't resist. I deepened my voice and asked, "What are five things you were thinking of when you said Thank you?" She giggled at my imitation of Uncle Walt and answered, "I'm thankful that the Great Spirit picked us, I'm thankful that you came to live with us, I'm thankful we aren't biologically related, I'm thankful that we are linked and I'm thankful that those were only the first orgasms of our life together."

"Me too."

We did sleep that night, between explorations and orgasms. Kay never lowered or removed her panties. My briefs never came off. I was a little embarrassed that in the morning I found three hickies on Kay. She was torn between being embarrassed about them and wanting to show Aunt Buzz what we did. We showered and dressed before breakfast. 

Aunt Buzz said she was thankful she had earplugs. Kay and I blushed. Buzz handed Kay a small bottle. She said, "Take a drop and rub it on each hickie. They won't hurt as much and they go away faster."

After breakfast Aunt Buzz told us she needed to leave us for a few hours. She kissed Kay on the cheek and came to me. She stood in front of me for a long time and finally said, "I want to kiss you, really kiss you. If I do I'll have to change clothes again, so give me your cheek, please." I did. 

She pecked me quickly and on her way to the door she said, "Kay, drink plenty of water. You've been dripping since yesterday." She laughed as she went out the door.

We cleaned up breakfast, took off all our clothes and went out to the garden. We worked three hours with a few minutes at the beginning for slathering lotion on us and a few minutes at the end for a shower. There is something magical about being linked and sharing work as well as play.

Kay got a blanket and spread it in the shade of Aunt Buzz' peach tree. We spread ourselves on that blanket and Kay asked, "You've never kissed a pussy have you?"

"Your breasts are the first I've ever touched or kissed. Last night was the first time I ever touched a pussy. No, I've never done that."

"Come look." She opened her legs so the sun illuminated her lips and wetness. I got a lesson in female anatomy. I'd read about the parts she was showing me, but I knew sex education class at school didn't include a demonstration like this! She had me lick her, touching each sensitive area with my fingers and then my tongue. 

I think the lesson was a success. Kay came three times. At the end of the lesson Kay sucked my cock and I came twice! We napped in the shade and were found there asleep when Aunt Buzz returned.

To wake us she stood near the blanket and said, "This whole area smells like sex!"

When we woke I didn't feel embarrassed about her remark or our being naked. In my mind Kay had stopped being my cousin, stopped being a girl I was interested in and had become my wife. It was ok that we smelled like sex. We were married. We got up and went to the shower. Aunt Buzz joined us and we all got clean. When we got out of the shower Aunt Buzz told us not to dry off, we had another ceremony to complete first.

She produced the bundles of white sage. She lit a candle and used the candle to light all three bundles. She told us the smoke of the sage was to purify our thought processes, and balance the energy of the area where the smoke touched. We put the flame out and let the sage smolder. She showed us how to smudge the area by waving the bundle just enough that the smoke touched everywhere we wanted touched. We walked the rows of her garden making sure every plant was touched by the smoke from the ground to the top of each plant. When the garden was done she sent Kay and I into the house to smudge every room. She dressed and walked around her house smudging the entire house. 

When we were done she met us in the living room and we smudged each other. I loved the smell. Until I came to Idaho I never remembered smelling sage before. When we were done she showed us how to put the fire, the embers, out and how to care for the bundle so it could be used many times.

We dressed and went out to dinner. Uncle Walt had made us promise to take Buzz to dinner. Buzz told us we could forget about buying her a present; being with us when we linked was present enough.

She took us to her favorite restaurant in Pocatello. It was crowded and a large percentage of the people inside were Shoshone. The noise level said lots of people were there and having a good time. We walked in and I noticed the noise level dropped and continued to get softer. Aunt Buzz spoke to the hostess, "Peterson, party of three." The hostess' eyes locked on me and for many seconds she didn't respond to Buzz. Buzz moved and stood in front of her. She shook herself and said, "I'm sorry." She turned and led us to a table.




Unexpected Change Ch. 02



The room was filled with couples and families. I got the feeling they were all looking at us. I held the chairs for Kay and Aunt Buzz. I sat after they did. A waitress brought us water and menus. I read the menu while I wondered what we did to get the attention of all the people.

I looked up and saw a Shoshone man standing beside us. He asked, "May I give you a gift?" He held out a pouch of tobacco. I knew from things I'd read about Native Americans that the gift of tobacco was an honor and he would lose face if I declined. I stood and accepted the gift and shook his hand.

I said, "You honor me. Thank you. May I know your name?"

"I am Michael "Tall Antelope" Browning. We are Yellow-Calf."

I thought introducing him to Kay and Aunt Buzz was appropriate so I did. I pointed to Kay and said, "This is Kay Peterson, my wife and this is our Aunt Buzz Peterson."

Buzz stood and faced Michael saying, "Michael, it is good to see you." She hugged him. When the hug ended she said, "Michael was a student at my school."

Michael said, "I am sorry Mrs. Peterson. I was so focused on them I didn't see you."

"I understand. They only linked yesterday."

"Wonderful. May I have my family meet you all?" He asked me, not Aunt Buzz. I nodded. He signaled and a woman and two children came to his side. We met them all and the kids were afraid of us. I bent to one knee and spoke with them, a boy and a girl, and told them not to be afraid, what they saw was love and love is a good thing."

The boy said, "They smell of sage. I like sage."

They went back to their table and we sat back down. We ordered and were interrupted again. We met every Shoshone family in the restaurant. The last were an older couple that came to us at the end of our meal. As they approached I stood.

I said, "Grandfather, I am honored that you came to our table." The tobacco pouch I was given by Michael "Tall Antelope" Browning I had put in my back pocket. I took it from my pocket and held it out to this old man. He smiled and accepted it. He spoke in Shoshone. His wife translated, "I know who you are. You have not been given your name, you have not sweat with the men of your tribe. You will sweat. Your name is Pale Eagle." The restaurant was deadly quiet as Grandfather and his wife spoke. When he was done he shook my hand and the two of them left. I sat back down and waited a long time before I spoke.

I looked at Kay and asked, "Do you understand all this?"

"I understand enough to know they see you as someone important. Spirit names are not given to everyone. There are quests, training, and trials before a man gets a name. You just met a chief. The right way to address him is Grandfather. You did it. I am blown away, proud and so happy to be your wife."

The next time a waitress came by I stopped her and said, "We'd like our bill now, please."

She said, "Your bill is paid. Come anytime. Your bill is paid." She smiled at us and walked away. Aunt Buzz said, "Don't shame them by paying a bill. Just leave a nice tip."

We got up and I left twenty dollars on the table.

As we drove back to Aunt Buzz' I said, "Please tell me how they knew anything about us."

Buzz laughed. "You are not normal. I can see it and so did they. Both of you glow. Some people see auras and can describe them. Individuals have auras. You each had one when you came to me. Now you have one. You sat three feet apart and the color flowed around both of you. They saw it. Michael has a strong aura. So does his wife, but they are not always joined. If you drive home tomorrow and leave Kay here her aura will be connected to you. They honor that strength of love. When you shook Michael's hand he felt it. Your combined aura flowed into him."

"This is a lot to let in."

"You never have to deal with anything alone. You have Kay. She has your extra arms to help carry the burdens of life. She has a mouth to help you laugh, eyes to help you see, a heart to help you love. You also have your Dad, Uncle Walt, Sue and Kay's brothers and me."

Kay said, "You also have the entire Shoshone tribe. We won't know who paid for dinner tonight. The men who gave you tobacco feel honored to give it. Their families feel blessed to have shared a meal with us."

I said, "But I didn't do anything. Don't I need to do something?"

Aunt Buzz said, "You are doing something. You're loving at a level of energy that they love being near. It's like you are a light shining in front of them. All you ever need to do is love and they will feel it. You'll see."

Kay said, "I think you'll get a lot of peaches this year."

Aunt Buzz looked at me and saw the look on my face that said what I was thinking, "Where did that come from?" She laughed. "Didn't the two of you love each other under that tree for hours? All that energy translates into the love expression of the tree: peaches. The sweat and energy the two of you gave to my garden will show up in the food that grows. You may not know it, but one of the most successful farms in Oneida County belongs to a linked couple: Walt and Sue."

"Oh." I said. 

We got home and got ready for bed and packed to go home. Kay looked at me as we packed and said, "I'm having trouble understanding and I understand more now than ever before."

"How's that?"

"All my life it's been like Momma knows what Daddy is thinking. I can remember many times coming home from school and asking Momma what we were making for dinner. She'd tell me, we'd make it and when Daddy came home I'd ask him what he wanted for dinner. He always knew! I didn't understand how they did it. Now I get it! I get it because they are linked. I think he knows if Momma stubs her toe while he's miles away on a tractor."

"So, you understand how they do it? It's a function of being linked."

"I understand that. What I don't understand is how we got picked to be linked. How linking actually happens. The how and why we are who we are now. Three days ago I was seventeen years old and now I'm married and anxious to get into the loft with you! I don't understand that. Any of it!"

"Maybe we won't." I said. I saw something flash across her face and then she was calm again.

"You meant maybe we won't ever understand, not maybe we won't go to the loft."

I nodded. I said, "You just did something we may never understand. Somehow you looked inside me and got what I meant. My words weren't clear, but you got me anyway."

I reached for her and quickly we were down to panties and briefs and in bed. We held each other and kissed a few times, then we slept. Early Monday morning Aunt Buzz made breakfast. Kay woke me with kisses and we dressed. We ate the wonderful breakfast and by eight we were ready to get on the road. Kay kissed Aunt Buzz and I felt energy pulse from both of them. I stepped close and turned Buzz in Kay's embrace so I could be included.

We kissed her together. When the kiss ended I said, "Don't walk us to the truck. I don't want you to fall. We'll call you often and invite you down to the farm soon."

Buzz stayed in the living room and we left her.

We filled the truck with gas and headed south. Kay put her hand on my leg and we let the wind blow us all the way. We didn't talk. I didn't feel the need.

When we got to the fence where Kay had kicked me out before I could see two plumes in the distance. "The left one is Daddy." Kay said.

"Stop. I need to be with him. Ok?"

"I know. I understand." She stopped the truck and we kissed. As I stepped out of the truck Kay said, "Daddy stopped the tractor. He knows you're on your way." I closed the door and Kay drove on.

Uncle Walt was sitting on the tractor when I got to him. He said, "I can tell you this now, when the two of you kiss I feel it and Sue gets wet. Thanks."

I climbed on the tractor and we resumed work. I told him all about our trip to Aunt Buzz'. He explained things for me and I felt older, more grown up. He gave me information I didn't have before. 

There was a big dance in town this coming weekend. "The family will be going." He said.

"Everyone but me." I said. "I'll be four days short of eighteen."

It's Ok. Your Dad is coming from Taiwan for the dance. He wants to be here. The chief will meet with you on Thursday along with the tribal elders. By Saturday you will be Shoshone and your mother has no standing in the tribe. Your grandfather was adopted Shoshone. I was adopted, too. Now you. Don and Steve aren't ready, but they aren't linked. When we are done with work today, you'll meet Don and have dinner with us. After dinner someone from the tribe will come and get you. I haven't asked, can you ride a horse?"

"Yes. I love riding."

"Western saddle or eastern?"

"If I have to use a saddle I like western."

Uncle Walt smiled. When they take you, do whatever they ask of you. You'll be Ok, mostly. You've seen the scars on me?" I nodded. "You'll have a few when you come back."

"When will I be back?"

"That's not up to me or any man I know. The chief would say it's up to the Great Spirit." 

"Oh." I realized Kay had been told by Aunt Sue, so I didn't need to ask.

It happened as he said. As we carried the remains of supper to the house a man rode up riding a paint and bringing a paint with him. The man was wearing leather pants and moccasins. He motioned to me. Kay rushed out the back door and the man raised his hand. She stopped. I jumped on the paint, he handed me the reins and we were off. That was Monday evening.

I cannot say what happened for the next eighty-two hours. At six Friday morning I was back and owned the paint I had ridden away on. When I looked in a mirror I did not look like the seventeen year old who rode away. I was sure that I could have stood in front of my high school and no one there would have know it was me. I saw my reflection in the glass of the back door. Kay was standing on the other side of that glass. She had changed too. My hair was no longer blond, but dark brown going black. I was not burnt from the sun, but brown. My clothes fit differently.

I opened the door and she kissed me. When the kiss ended she spoke in Shoshone and said, "My place of love welcomes you." I answered her in kind. We went the rest of the way into the kitchen and everyone was at the table. Hugs were exchanged and I met Don. We sat and ate. No one asked what I did. They knew I could not tell. Walt asked, "Are you Pale Eagle?"

"Yes." Tears came to my eyes when he said the name.

Kay leaned to my ear and whispered, "I have a spirit name too."

I turned to her ear and whispered, "Pale Feather, I love you. We are one."

Steve said, "You even whisper with strength. What did you do with the skinny boy who came here from California?"

"Maybe Aunt Buzz is right. Stand in manure long enough, you'll grow." We all laughed. As breakfast ended I asked, "Uncle Walt, what can I do today?"

"First, tend your horse. He'll have the stall farthest from my mares. Then spend the day with your wife. We'll be stopping work early so we all can get ready for the dance."

He, Don and Steve took their plates to the sink and kissed Aunt Sue good-bye. The phone rang. Kay said, "It's Nick." Aunt Sue answered. Uncle Walt looked at me and said, "When she was my daughter I kissed her. Now, she's your wife."

"Of course you will always be her Daddy. Kissing is what we do in this family. Why should that stop?"

"I agree, it needn't. Kay?"

She stepped to him and they kissed. I watched and had the feeling I was in that kiss. What Kay felt transferred to me. The kiss ended and Uncle Walt left for the day. 

Sue handed me the phone and I answered. "Son, I need to talk seriously to you."

"And we need to talk seriously with you as well. You first."

"Our plan was that as soon as you turn eighteen I'll file for divorce. I can still do that, but some things have come to light I want us to consider." He told me about the choices he faced, what mom would get, what he'd be left with and what would happen to his company if he had to split it in half with Nadine. 

When he was done I realized he had spoken to me man-to-man more than father-to-son. I told him I needed some time to think it through and talk with family. He agreed, reminding me that I needed to stay hidden.

I said, "Dad, I don't need to hide anymore. Hide my name, yes, but my face? I don't think so. Last time you saw me I was a tall, blond, skinny boy. I'm not him anymore. My hair is naturally darker, I stand a little taller and I'm up more than a few pounds. My first day here I sunburned. For the last three days I've been out in the sun with no sunscreen and I'm brown. I could walk up to mom on the street and she wouldn't know me."

"What are you telling me?"

"Dad, you know that Uncle Walt and Aunt Sue are linked, right?"

"Yeah. It changed both of them."

"Kay and I are linked. I just came back from a few days with the Shoshone. I'm different."

"So if I ask you to wait before telling your mom where you are, it won't matter?"

"I'll miss her and I miss you. There's nothing that will be helped by confronting anyone that I can see. We'll talk it over and if we need to talk I'll send you an email."

"Wait!" He almost yelled. "If you and Kay are linked, you're married!"

"No, not yet. The medicine man and the chief had us promise to wait until Kay is eighteen. Then we will be married and pregnant. Kay's birthday is early in September. Any chance you could be here?"

"I'm sorry, no. But I'm scheduling a month off in May, when the baby will be due. Is that Ok?" It was. I told Aunt Sue and Kay about the call. They agreed that no one would recognize me at the dance. We could still go.

I put my arm around Kay and we went out to my horse. We worked together and got his stall ready and him pampered, fed and watered. Kay brushed one side and I did the other.

That done we took a blanket and went for a walk. We didn't go far. We walked into the family garden, stripped and went to work. As we worked Kay shared with me about her time with the women of the tribe. She had been learning how to live as a linked wife.

I shared about much of what I had done. My mentor had told me that the only person I could share everything with was Kay, "Pale Feather."

We worked in the sun all day. I no longer needed the lotion. I had come from California with a little tan. On the day I rode back to the ranch I was darker and no longer burned easily. Pale feather was still pale and covered with freckles, but she no longer burnt either. At about five we stopped work in the garden and went to the shower. Aunt Sue joined us.

Under the water we washed each other, mostly in silence. Aunt Sue washed my new healing scars and kissed them. Kay washed my new healing scars and kissed them. Finally Aunt Sue said, "I watched the two of you. When Walt and I first linked we did what I watched you do. You work as one, without talking. You are linked so that the communication is sometimes effortless. I saw Ben reach and you put what he was after in his hand. It happens often between Walt and I too."

I said, "I didn't notice we weren't talking. We were together."

Kay asked, "Are we going to the dance? I don't want to dance with anyone except Ben."

I added, "We could do that here."

"Since you linked there is a noise in the community. Everyone knows, feels, the disturbance you caused. Even those who don't believe. They need to know who you are and since you are now members of the tribe your mother cannot do anything to you. We want you to go. Show the people who you are and what you are about without using your old names."

"Ok. What do we wear?" We asked together.

We went in the house and dressed. Kay had opened the void I made in the loft and cleaned all my clothes. They hung in her closet. When we were dressed Uncle Walt, Don and Steve came home. As they got clean the three of us got supper ready. I carried the salad out onto the back porch and said, "Steve, please take this to the table." 

He looked up at me and said, "You sure have changed." He took the salad and went to the table. Kay gave the veggies to Don. The meat Sue gave to Walt. I carried two pitchers of iced tea. We sat and Walt pointed at Sue. She looked at each of us and said, "Thank you."

I looked up and said, "Do you know a lawyer?"

Walt smiled. "I do. What do you have in mind?"

"I want you to offer me a job, a paying job and let me pay rent on the loft. I want the lawyer to file papers to have me emancipated. He'll know how to block Mom from interfering before I turn eighteen. Then we can drop the petition."

Aunt Sue asked, "How long a work contract do you want?"

"If it's up to me, a year." Walt and Sue nodded. Walt asked, "You don't trust that becoming part of the tribe will stand against your mother in court?"

"I want the lawyer stuff as insurance." I said. Walt nodded.

Sue asked, "Will you go to college?"

I nodded and said, "Yes, but I won't play football!"

Steve said, "We could have used you as a goal post, but not any more."

Walt got his cell phone out and made a call. He told whoever the outline of what was up and then handed me the phone. He pointed out that I'd never get a hearing before I turned eighteen. I asked if we could ask that I stay in the county until the hearing.

He laughed and said he'd get the petition filed that evening with his brother, the judge.

I hung up. Walt was smiling. He said, "You've still got a lot to learn. You just hired a lawyer without discussing money."

Steve said, "He might have to work for the family forever!"

"I'll help him pay the bill." Kay said. I looked at her and she winked. I blushed.

At eight we were all dressed up and headed for the dance. All dressed up in Idaho isn't the same as all dressed up in Southern California. As Walt parked I heard his cell ring. We all sat still and he answered. He handed me the phone.

The lawyer said, "You're emancipated. Walt owes you a thousand a month, minus rent and food." He was laughing as he hung up.

I said, "I'm emancipated. Can I use your phone, Uncle Walt?" He nodded and got out of the truck. Aunt Sue kissed me and got out. Steve leaned over as if to kiss me and laughed. Don saw a lady he was interested in and was off on his adventure. Kay slid next to me, hooked my arm and stayed quiet. I started punching buttons on Walt's phone.

Kay asked, "Who?" I said, "Dad."

I hit the button and we both could hear. Dad answered, "Nick Peterson."

I said, "Thank you."

I heard a sob. I said, "I'm emancipated. Mom has no power over me anymore. I have a job as a farmer and a family I love. Kay and I are about to go to a dance. I love you! We're here for you. Got it?"

"I've got it. Thank you."

We got out of the truck and went inside the dance. Quite a few heads turned as we entered. I looked for Uncle Walt and handed him his cell phone. Kay was attached to my arm. Walt said, softly, "You are Pale Eagle. You look good together."

Kay touched her Dad and we moved onto the dance floor. The music was a two-step and fortunately it had been taught in the dance class I took in eighth grade. As I expected we fit together perfectly and danced effortlessly. We had a great time. Pale Feather mostly danced with me, with a couple of dances with her Dad. I danced with Aunt Sue when Walt danced with his daughter.

In one of those dances Aunt Sue said, "Have you noticed we're the only ones who dance with you?"

"I had noticed. Why?"

"They're afraid. Most of these people have only known Walt and I. Now there are two new linked people. They aren't sure what will happen if they touch you."

"What will happen?"

"They will be changed. Their energy will be happier, more harmonious, less anxious."

"Then I think the four of us should spread a little love in the room." I said. The song ended and the four of us gathered in the middle of the dance floor. Uncle Walt and Kay didn't need a conversation. They knew what was up.




Unexpected Change Ch. 02



Kay said, "Over there is a girl in a brown dress, long black hair, no jewelry. She almost never gets danced with. She has a slight limp from falling off a horse when she was ten."

"Her name?" I asked.

"Carol."

The four of us moved in four different directions. I walked to Carol and said, "Carol, would you please dance with me?"

She had watched me walk directly to her and had become more afraid as I got closer. I didn't wait for her answer. The music started and I took her in my arms. Dancing with her was uncomfortable for fifteen seconds and then I said, "Breathe." She took a breath and relaxed.

When the dance ended I said, "Thank you. You are wonderful." I started to walk her back to where I found her but another young man intercepted us and took her from me. I closed my eyes for a second and when I opened them I knew Kay had aimed me at another woman.

I heard Walt's laugh a few times. I saw the dazzling smiles of Kay and Aunt Sue a few hundred times as well. One young woman waited until the song we danced to was half over and then asked, "I don't even know your name, but you danced with my sister so it must be Ok. What's your name?"

"Pale Eagle." I said, softly.

She pulled back a little. "Are you Shoshone?"

"Adopted."

She relaxed. I asked, "Isn't it Ok to be Shoshone?"

"My Dad doesn't like them."

"I'm not so bad."

"I know." Her hand moved on my back and she felt the scar by my shoulder. She moved her hand quickly and said, "I'm sorry."

I said, "Don't be. Those scars are reminders of growth experiences. Reminders of the pain and the growth of becoming an adult. I don't mind when they are touched." Her hand moved back to the scar and it stayed there until the song ended.

I found my way to Pale Feather and said, "Pale Feather, may we dance together?" We embraced and danced. I looked around and the floor was filled with people dancing, laughing and looking at each other with love. I said, "Lots of folk will be getting lucky tonight."

She kissed me and said, "I'm lucky all the time."

At a little before midnight we left. Steve and Don found their own ways home. I didn't expect them at breakfast. I was right.

On my birthday the alarm woke us at five. We got up and as we started getting dressed I stopped. My normal uniform for a day on a tractor was jeans, long sleeved shirt and boots. I didn't put them on. Hanging on the wall of the barn was the loincloth I had worn when I came back from my Spirit quest. I took it down and put it on. I looked out towards the house and saw Badger waiting for me. He faced the barn.

Kay came to me and kissed me. She said, "I know you need to go. I'll be right here. I love you."

I thought, 'Nine more days and we will be pregnant and married.' As took another look at Kay standing in the loft in just panties. I went down the ladder and to the other barn to get my horse. We rode up into the mountains.



Unexpected Change Ch. 03



 [This story will be at least four parts. It could be in Loving Wives, First Times, Incest/Taboo or a couple of other categories. I apologize right up front for any misrepresentation of the Shoshone peoples. My intention was to honor them and their culture. Naturally, you are encouraged to vote and leave feedback. Especially leave feedback that is intended to assist me in improving as an author.]

**

Not that I knew it at the time, but when Kay went to breakfast, Sue didn't have a place set for her at the table. Kay looked out the window and three women waited outside for her. She kissed Sue and went outside. The women stripped her of her clothes and gave her a dress. She rode behind one of the three and they rode away from the farm.

We were gone for eleven days. On the morning of the eleventh day I was awakened by Badger and pointed towards a grove of trees. I headed for my horse and Badger held the reins. I walked to the grove.

When I arrived I saw many people inside the grove. Almost all were Shoshone. A few people who didn't look Shoshone but dressed in traditional garb were mixed in. At the center I saw the chief, the medicine man and Pale Feather. At the edge of the clearing I saw a teepee. I smelled sage smoke and saw many smudging bundles.

The chief bound an arm of each of us together. Next to the leather thong that bound us together he cut both our arms with a knife and our blood ran together into the crease where our arms met. He spoke, the assembled people responded, back and forth for quite a while. Drums provided the sound of a united heartbeat and voices sang together. In the end we were led to the teepee. When we were inside the flap was lowered and we were alone. 

Kay didn't speak. She stood beside me. our arms bound. I untied the leather and removed it from our arms. I drank and used my mouth to clean her arm. She cleaned my arm with her mouth. We removed our clothes and began kissing. We heard the soft drumming from outside the teepee. It sounded like the drums surrounded the teepee.

My kisses covered Pale Feather and hers covered me. I positioned my cock against her opening and leaned to her mouth and kissed her as we joined. My eyes were closed but it felt as if a light filled the teepee. The drumming increased in tempo and volume. 

Our eyes opened and tears flowed from us. I could hear Pale Feather singing a song she had been taught to sing as we mated. I could hear the song even as our mouths crushed together. The song was inside us!

The drums got louder, the singing from outside the teepee got louder and our efforts got more frantic. I felt the rise of my seed and I felt Pale Feather lift her hips to welcome me.

As my climax and hers collided the drums suddenly stopped and the voices went silent. Our voices sounded in the silence, combined in joy, in love and in the creation of new life.

Kay shook for many seconds, dug her fingers into my arms and wrapped her legs around my hips.

We napped. The sounds outside the teepee went away. We woke and mated again, held each other and kissed again and again. When we finally opened the flap to the teepee we found it was dark outside and we found a bundle of food just outside.

We stayed the night in the teepee. I built a small fire and we stayed warm and together in that teepee. 

In the early morning I lifted the flap and discovered my paint standing near the teepee. We rode him back to the farm. Steve and Don were not in the house when we returned. Aunt Sue and Uncle Walt were waiting for us with breakfast.

At her first look at us Aunt Sue started to cry. Kay asked, "Tears?"

Walt pointed us towards a long mirror. We looked and were shocked. Both of us were very different, again. Kay was still a red head, only her hair was no longer carrot red, it was darker and streaked with dark hair, almost black. Her skin was still pale and freckled but not like before. She was heavier and her breasts were larger. She had been an "A" and now she was easily a "C". 

I had changed from a pole to a dark haired heavier tanned man. I was again heavier, taller, and my face had matured. I was close to Steve's size.

Walt said, "I didn't change as much as you did. Your parents would never recognize you, Ben."

"Do you recognize me?" Kay asked. She got hugs from both her parents.

Once every other week I got email from Dad. We sent pictures of Kay and me so Dad would be able to know it was me when he returned. I loved working the farm. Pale Feather and I moved into Kay's bedroom after the fourth month. Climbing the ladder was too much and it was winter. 

Don and Steve were busy with full-time college and football. I didn't enroll because I would have needed to give them my name and identification. Not something I was prepared to do.

In March we got an email from Dad. He had done what he needed to do and Oked the revelation of where I was to mom. Looking at how much I had changed I wasn't sure she'd believe me if I told her.

Using the email address Dad had given me that went through Taiwan I sent her an email.

Dear mom, I could make excuses for why I haven't stayed in contact. That would be of no value. I have stayed away because I didn't want or need the drama you tend to bring with you, especially into my life. I didn't want to go to Florida to college. I'm sure you had your reasons for wanting me in Florida and Maureen at Northwestern. I'm also sure they had nothing to do with what either of us wanted. Now that I'm ready I think it's time we got back together. I'd like to meet with you in Idaho. I can hear your voice asking "Why Idaho?" The answer is, because that's where I'll be the first week of April. Pick a day during the first week of April, between the fifth and the eleventh and I'll be sure to make myself available for an entire day for you. I'll answer every question you ask when we meet the day you pick. Please email me back so I set that day aside for you. I know Maureen will be on Spring Break that week so please bring her, too. If she isn't able to come, it'll be Ok. I'm sure she'll get the news soon after we meet. Ben

I hit send and it was gone. I sent another email to Dad and let him know I wasn't telling her anything until the first week of April when we would meet in Idaho. I copied the email to her to him.

Two hours later Pale Feather found me in the barn taking care of a sick sow. She said, "You have an email from Nadine." When I could leave the sow I went inside and read it. Pale Feather watched over my shoulder.

"Ben- I had almost given you up for dead! I'm so glad that you're coming back! You didn't have to go to Florida! It was just a suggestion. But, China!? You never said you wanted to go to China! What have you been doing there? Maureen and I tried to find you but your father has kept you hidden from us. I would like to know why you want to meet in Idaho. I think I've said it often enough that you know I don't like being around your father's family. However, if that's where I can see you, I'll come. My flight arrives in Salt Lake on the fifth at 5:28pm on Delta. I'll rent a car. Can we meet for breakfast on the sixth? At my parent's house? I love you Ben and we've both missed you. Mom

Pale feather said, "You know don't you that the delay in the divorce makes telling her all the more powerful. Everyone in town knows we are linked, that our son will be here in May and you are a man to be trusted. You have proven yourself to everyone in the county. Are you going to tell her publically?"

"The reality of her situation will be enough. She has lived a life of means for all the time she's been with Dad. When the divorce is final she'll have nothing. If she had cheated on Dad once that would be bad enough, but she cheated twice and with the same man. I do love her, because she's my mother, but I don't like her."

"So, you don't plan on humiliating her in public?"

I shook my head. "I can't think of a single reason to change my mind. No. Private will be good enough."

The plans were discussed at supper more than once. I hadn't accepted the invitation she offered to meet at her parent's home. I knew she wouldn't want to meet at Uncle Walt and Aunt Sue's. I picked the home of a Shoshone friend about halfway between the two homes. The living room was plenty large and the energy good.

On the thirteenth of March Don showed us a flier for a Spring Dance in town. Each of us had received four or five of them in the mail that day and the next. Some came with notes asking us to please come. The date for the dance, the third of April.

The discussion didn't last long. We were all going. Pale Feather might not dance every dance, but our energy was needed. I wrote Dad and told him everything. He wrote back saying he'd be at the dance and stay for the meeting with Nadine.

"Think your Uncle Walt would be willing to put me up for a couple weeks?" Dad asked.

"Pretty sure they plan on it. See you soon." I signed off the computer.

Time passed as it does on a farm. We fixed things and prepared for things every day. Pale Feather kept getting bigger and Doc stopped by often. We weren't sure if it was to check on the bun in the oven or to eat the great food from the family kitchen. In my eyes Pale Feather kept getting more beautiful. I rubbed her belly and legs often and held her every night.

On the night of the dance Sue and I surprised her with a new dress, made to look pretty and expand as needed to fit her changing dimensions. She cried a few tears and we all told her how nice she looked.

About five I felt an energy. I was in the barn looking after the horses when I felt it. In less than a minute Kay was beside me. She held my arm and our little one kicked both of us. A couple more minutes and Uncle Walt and Sue were with us in the barn.

Walt asked, "Know what it is?"

"Not a clue." I said.

Sue said, "Whatever it is, it's big."

"It's not the baby." Kay said, "He's happy."

I said, "Someone's in danger. They're coming to us to help them. We need to help."

They nodded. We went in the house and finished getting ready. Don and Steve took the other truck and we took the four-door dually. Nothing was said as we drove. 

We got out of the truck and went inside with Kay holding my arm. I looked for Uncle Walt. When I saw him he was working his way to the middle of the dance floor, Aunt Sue holding his hand. The music started and they danced. We followed and danced together. The energy in the room felt off, strange to us.

When the first song ended we split up and asked others to dance. Kay picked good strong men who were unattached. I picked single women, widows and divorced women. Between songs we conferred. 

Sue asked, "Figured it out yet?"

As she asked my eyes landed on a young woman standing in the shadows. I asked Kay and Sue, "Know her?"

"Yup. That's an Evans. "

"She's the one in danger." Walt and I said it together. "This will change everything."

"Wait here for me? I won't be gone long." I said.

"I'll be right here." Sue, Pale Feather and Walt said.

I walked to the young woman, faced her asked, "Would you please dance with me?"

She looked like a deer in the headlights and then nodded. I asked, "What's you name?"

"Donna. Donna Evans."

"Is Nadine a relative?"

She nodded and said, "My aunt."

"Let's dance, cousin." I led her to the dance floor and took her in my arms. She was shaking. I asked, "Do you know who I am?"

"I think so. You live on the Peterson farm and you're linked to Kay."

"Know my name?"

"Pale Eagle."

"You are in danger. I want to help.

A hand tapped my shoulder. We stopped dancing and turned towards the hand. A man about forty said, "I'm cutting in."

I didn't let go of Donna. I said, "I think you need to ask Donna if she wants to dance with you. If she does, I'll step aside."

"I don't need to ask her! She's my niece!"

It was as if a voice yelled at me: "He's your biological father. He's also her biological father." There was no voice. I turned to face Donna and saw she was scared.

"Donna, do you want to dance with him?" Her eyes pleaded for me to save her. I knew if I didn't act she would say yes. So I said, "I'm pretty new in town. I know her name, what's yours?"

"My name doesn't matter. I want to cut in and dance with my niece!" The tune the band was playing ended. I let go of her hand and stepped back. I asked him his name again. He said, "If you must know it's Carl, Carl Evans."

"I've heard of you! I've waited my entire life to meet you!" I stuck my hand out for a handshake. He started to reach for my hand and hesitated. We had drawn a pretty good crowd. The band didn't start playing again.

Carl asked, "Why have you waited your whole life to meet me?"

"Because my mother has lied to me my whole life about who fathered me. I've waited my whole life to meet the man who got my mother pregnant and wouldn't marry her."

"Your young. I've been happily married for twenty-three years. I couldn't be your father."

"You fathered my sister first and then me. My mother wasn't married when you got her pregnant the first time but it must have been great sex for you to come back for seconds." I faced Donna, still in my arms to dance with and said, "Donna, pay close attention. You do not have to be like your family. They all know what this man did twenty years ago. Your Aunt Nadine is a whore. She bore two children to a man she wasn't married to. Your mother also bore a child to a man she wasn't married to. I'm afraid cheating may run in the family unless you are strong"

There were lots of people between the pay phones and Donna. A woman holding the phone screamed and said, "It's not true!"

I said, "Ask him. I've got the DNA to prove what I say. Go ahead, ask him."

He waved a fist at Donna and at me then stomped off towards the bar.

I turned and walked back to Kay, taking Donna with me. The music started again and I asked, "How do you feel about public displays of affection?"

"Like kissing?"

"Good place to start." She wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed everything else against me, including her lips. When I felt a hand on my shoulder the kiss ended. Walt said, "Sue wants me to ask if the two of you have plans for later." I knew that he only came over so he was my back up.

A voice came from behind Uncle Walt. It said, "Where's the piss ant who says my sister is a whore!" Walt smiled and turned. I put my hand on his side and guided him to the side. Inside my head I heard the voice of the Shoshone man who mentored me say, "Man up."

I said, "I said it. Do you dispute what I said?"

"My sister is not a whore!"

"Ok. What would you call a woman who marries a man and has two children and neither of the kids is his?" What would you call the woman?"

"A slut! But, not a whore." He smiled like calling my mother a slut is better than being a whore.

"What would you call the same woman if the man paid her to donate sperm to her?"

"Then she'd be a whore!" We had a pretty good crowd gathered. I noticed the man I'd already confronted, my father, watching and listening. Of all the men in the room he looked ready to run. I glanced at Walt and he gave me the smallest nod. He knew and now I knew for sure.

The old guy in front of me said, "But my daughter didn't do that! Her children are her husband's children"

"Wanna bet?" I asked.

"Bet?" He asked.

"Yes. Bet. You're sure your daughter had two children by her husband. I'm convinced she had them with a man in this room." Wanna make a bet or concede that your daughter cheated on her husband?"

"What's the bet?" The old guy was brave, standing up like he was.

"If I can pick one man and have his DNA compared with either of Nadine's children and it says he's the sperm donor who made either of them, you give me half of your farm. If I pick wrong I leave town and never come back."

"Half my farm? That's robbery!"

"No. It isn't." Walt said. "If you're sure Nadine didn't get pregnant by a man in this room, then you can't lose. If you're sure Pale Eagle can't pick out the one man, you win. But if you aren't so sure how many men have been inside her, then don't take the bet. Everyone in the county will know before she gets here tomorrow that you believe she's a whore or a slut." He winked at me.

Mr. Evans stood there so angry he was red in the face. His wife walked up to him and whispered in his ear. He started to turn and walk away. I said, "Excuse me Grandma. You told him not to make the bet, didn't you? You not only know she cuckolded Nick Peterson, you know who she did it with. Don't you?"

She turned and spoke through clenched teeth. "Yes, I know who she got to father her children and yes he is in this room right now. I told her to get an abortion but she wouldn't, she thought it would be more fun to spend her husband's money to support another man's kids!"

"Fun? She lost. Her husband is the man who raised me, not the man who can't control his pecker. I'd like to ask him how much he paid her to screw him. I'd like to know how many times he did her to start Maureen and me. I wonder if she was worth what he paid?"

The nervous man I'd been watching yelled, "I didn't pay her anything! She came to me and begged for it!"

Kay was standing behind me and whispered, "He's Nadine's uncle, James."

"Wow! Nadine didn't go far did she? I feel badly for Donna. She would have been branded by the things all of you did. I wonder, James, if your wife knows you are Donna's father too? Maybe Donna will need to leave Idaho to find a husband. All the stupid young men in the county will figure she's easy. Not her fault. Yours. Just as it's not her fault we're half brother and sister. James is my biological father and Donna's too!"

The woman who had been on the phone earlier screamed, "You fucking bastard! You promised me you'd stop fucking around after Ben was born! You promised."

My grandfather said, "Why don't you just leave? No one wants you around here!"

Kay said, "I do. I've thought of him as a cousin all my life. He's not. Not biologically. What we've learned since he got here last summer is that he works for my Dad and his uncle by marriage is my Dad's brother. I learned that the Great Spirit loves him and honors him as a man. I don't want him to go. I want him to stay. I carry his son and we are linked!"

Steve was standing twenty feet away. He said, "I don't want him to go. I'll call him my brother all the days of my life. I trust him with every life in my family."

Aunt Sue said, "I don't want him to go either. When he got here about ten months ago he was a boy. He has proven his Dad taught him well and now he's a man. I love him as if he were my own son and I proud to have him as my daughter's husband."

I looked at my grandfather and said, "I had no intention to say anything to any of you tonight. If I hadn't sensed what I did I would have waited to say anything until the sixth when my mother, Nadine, will be here. But protecting Donna was too important. James had every intention of having sex with her tonight. James has been having sex with most of the women and some of the girls in the family for years. Hell, Maureen is almost twenty!" I faced the crowd and said, "What you do about having a family like this around you is up to you. You might wonder has James kept it in the family of have other men's daughters and wives been used by him?"

A man in the crowd said, "Let's beat the shit out of him!"

I held up my hand. "Beating him won't repair the damage he's done. Won't save Donna. But if all the women and girls he's hurt come forward perhaps he can be put somewhere and we can keep the women of the county safe."

The sheriff came out of the crowd and cuffed James. Donna's mom came up to her and said, "I'm sorry. Let's go home." She put her arm around Donna and led her out the back door. I watched, knowing Donna still wasn't safe. Safe from James, but who knew about the rest.




Unexpected Change Ch. 03



Pale Feather hooked my arm and turned us towards the door. She said, "I've had enough dancing for one night. How about you?"

Steve, Walt and Sue followed us outside. Don had taken someone outside for fresh air and missed the excitement. Thirty or forty other people followed us. A man in a three piece suit walked up to us in the parking lot. He stuck out his hand. I took it and he said, "I'm the DA in this county. James has been arrested a number of times. If I can have a DNA sample I think James could be looking at back child support payments and maybe criminal charges. How old are you?"

"Eighteen last August."

"The law says the charges need to be filed before you turn eighteen."

"Donna looked to be fifteen." Pale Feather said.

He shook our hands and said, "I'll be in touch."

At the truck Steve said, "I thought being linked was all about loving."

I asked, "Isn't stopping abuse a loving thing to do? James didn't stop having sex after he promised his wife he would. She knew he was a rapist and a whoremonger and she let him do it. The most loving thing we could do was stop him. Loving to everyone in the community."

We got into the truck and Walt said, "Oops! Nick is on his way here. We can't go home."

Kay said, "Call him. Tell him to go home." Walt smiled and Steve asked, "How's Don going to get home?" At that moment Don opened the door and got in. I saw three different colors of lipstick on his face.

Walt said, "Brother, a firestorm has started in our hometown. Go to the house, not the dance. See you there." He hung up and started the truck.

We pulled out and drove home. Walt said, "Did you know how that would go?"

"No. I just trusted that I would know what to do. I have no idea what the aftershocks will be like, but now I know how I came to be and who my biological... who my sperm donor was."

"The whole town and over half the county know!" Steve said.

I said, "It had to be public. It's been a secret for seventeen years, no, nineteen years. That's too long."

Don spoke up. "I missed the confrontation in the room but from what I heard I think you shouldn't go to town by yourself for months. Either of you."

Aunt Sue asked, "What did you hear?"

Jack Evans was talking to Al Johnson and Mark Sloan out the back of the dance and I heard him say, "Slander like that can get your ass whipped!"

Steve said, "I didn't know Jack knew a big word like slander."

I said, "We won't be going to town alone any time soon. My sense is that Jack is not a threat if he's alone. Unless they are together, none of them are a threat. As a group they are a mortal danger to any of us." Kay hooked my arm and put her head against my shoulder.

The headlights of the truck passed over the yard as we approached the house. A rental car was parked and Dad was sitting on the third step of the back porch. The trunk was open. Uncle Walt stopped the truck and got out, headed for my Dad. Sue beat him to Dad, threw her arms around him and kissed him. Uncle Walt wrapped his powerful arms around both of them and they laughed. The rest of the family followed them into the house. Don and Steve carried his bags inside.

We gathered in the kitchen. Sue and Kay made a meal for Dad and the rest of us got beverages and sat at the table.

Dad said, "Ok, catch me up. A lot has happened."

Walt said, "I'll start and the rest of you can add pieces as we go forward. I sent Kay to Pocatello to get Ben. They spent some time with their Aunt Buzz and had Ben back in time to get in a few hours of tractor time.

Sue added, "We needed to know what you had taught him, so we knew where to start."

Dad said, "Start at ground zero."

"That's what we discovered. I don't think he'd ever seen a breast in the sunshine before." Sue said.

Kay smiled and said, "He has now." Steve and Don nodded.

Walt said, "He learns quick and will be a good farmer. He learns quickly and innovates too."

"Do the Evan's know he's here?" Dad asked.

Aunt Sue said, "At the dance tonight Ben danced with Donna Evans. She's fifteen. Her Uncle James tried to cut in on them. It didn't happen. Ben talked to James and knew somehow that James was his biological father, and Donna's too. James broke off the confrontation and a minute later Nadine's Dad asked who the piss ant was that called his daughter a whore."

Walt added, "I was standing between old man Evans and Ben. He gently moved me out of the way and took the old bastard on, face to face. Challenged him to a bet."

"A bet?" Dad asked.

Steve said, "Half his farm that Ben could pick out the man who cuckolded you from the men in the room against a promise that if he was wrong, Ben would leave and never come back."

Kay said, "We almost had a farm until his wife whispered to him that Ben was right."

"Ben was masterful. He said something and James took the bait and admitted he was the sperm donor for Maureen and Ben." Shortly after that we left. Their whole family has been shamed in front of the whole county.

Dad asked, "Ben how did you know it was James? I've looked for years to find out who."

"Now, we need to back up. There's a big thing we need to tell you before we can answer your questions about anything that happened at the dance." I said. We backed the story up to Don's return from camp and his party. Kay and I went back to visit Aunt Buzz so none of Don's teammates would discover him here on the farm. We told Dad that while we were there and she was teaching me about being a man, we did a ceremony inviting each of us to kiss believing the person we were kissing was the Goddess or the God."

Kay took it. "Aunt Buzz had me face Ben she gave us the instructions. I'd heard them before. Ben had never heard them before. When we kissed the world changed for both of us."

Dad asked, "You're linked?" He came partway out of his seat. Kay and I nodded. He looked at Walt and Sue and they nodded too.

Aunt Sue said, "Look at them. Does he look like an eighteen year old kid from California?"

"No. I assumed it was a few months in the sun and good Idaho food."

I said, "Dad, I am Shoshone. We have Spirit Names. In our hearts we are married. I have a job, a place to live and as of next month we'll have a baby."

Walt added, "Over the last months Ben and Kay have gone with the Shoshone to learn their ways. He came back this morning. Darker, scarred and stronger in every way. He knows things. He went on a vision quest and a spirit dance, I believe. He will not speak of these things now. But, we have seen the scars and I have seen the man. The boy Ben you sent us has become Pale Eagle and his bride is Pale Feather. He is a man. That is who confronted the Evans family in front of the town."

"Nadine is on her way here. She's too late. She lost face for her entire family. It wouldn't surprise me if their farm was for sale within a week." Walt said.

"Perfect. I'll call Marvin in the morning. If she's here she can be served here. After she's served we'll have Marvin wait until their farm goes up for sale and I'll buy it as a wedding gift. That is if you want to stay here."

Walt said, "That farm is eight hundred acres. He'll ask over a million."

Don said, "When it goes on the market we'll pass the word that we want to give it to Pale Eagle and Pale Feather. No one else will bid on it. Maybe you'll get it for half price." 

"How can you buy it?" Steve asked. "Nadine is about to tie up all your money."

Walt smiled. Sue smiled and Pale Feather smiled half a second before Ben did. Pale Feather said, "For years when I went to the post office there would be official looking letters from a bank in California. The letters came and the next trip to town a letter got dropped at the bank. Nick was skimming from himself and Daddy was depositing the money!"

Dad and Walt looked at me and said, "The money is in your name. As soon as you were eighteen you could walk into the bank and buy that farm or whatever with your own money. Imagine, owning an eight hundred acre farm without a mortgage!"

I sat stunned. Pale Feather put her hand on my shoulder and I calmed. She said, "We need to sleep. All of you should go to bed. Pale Eagle and I will stay up. The night isn't over for us." I knew she was right. I just didn't know why she was right. 

I was pretty sure Walt, Sue and the rest were in the dark, too. Kisses were shared and they went to bed. It was about eleven. We stayed in the kitchen. We kissed a few more times. I held her with my hands inside her clothes and then she said, "Go out to the barn and make a bed for us in the equipment barn. Make it big enough for three. Donna has run away after Jack beat her and raped her. She's on her bike and she's headed here."

I'll make the bed. You call the doctor and tell him to bring a rape kit, no sirens, no flashing red lights." Pale Feather nodded and went into action. Twenty minutes later Walt and Sue were in the kitchen. Pale Feather told them what was happening. As I walked from the barn to the back porch the doctor pulled in and I motioned for him to park in the barn, next to a tractor.

We sat in the dark and he asked, "Where's my patient?" 

"On a bicycle on her way here."

"Donna Evans?"

I nodded. Off in the distance we saw a wobbly light headed towards us. We knew it was Donna. He said, "Get a camera for me, please."

The screen door opened and Sue handed a digital camera to the doctor. The light turned and she rode right to us. Her right eye was swollen closed. Her face bruised and lip torn. We caught the bike and her. We helped her into the house and found the kitchen table covered with sheets. Water was hot on the stove and Sue was standing next to Kay. Walt took the bike into the barn.

The next thing the doctor said to Steve was, "Call the sheriff and tell him I said there's an emergency here. Tell him no light, no siren, and no radio. I know the Evans' listen to the police radio. The doctor shooed the men outside to stand guard. We armed ourselves and took up defensive positions in the dark. The sheriff came. He got out of his car cautiously. Walt stepped out of the shadows and told him the story. He went to the door.

Sue let him in. We went back into the shadows. The sheriff came out about half an hour later and said, to the darkness, "I'm on my way to arrest Jack for attempted murder and rape. Better stay on guard." He left in a hurry.

Donna stayed in the house with Kay and Sue. We slept in shifts. When it was light Walt and Dad went in and slept in beds for four hours. Don, Steve and I stayed hidden. I was up in the equipment loft and had binoculars. If someone came from the south we would know a mile before they arrived.

I saw two old Dodge pick-ups coming along the road from the south. I went to the door at the north end and used a shaft of sunlight reflected off a window on the house and reflected the light to alert Don and Steve.

Both trucks parked between the house and the barns. The three men got out carrying shotguns. They left the doors of the trucks open. My Grandpa yelled, "We've come for Donna. Give her back and there won't be any trouble."

Jack was with them. All three carried shotguns. I knew Don had a 30.06 and Steve had a .223 and a Colt 1911. I had a .270 deer rifle, clip fed. I had three extra clips.

Walt opened the back door and said, "You can't have her. Doc's here and the sheriff has seen and talked to her. Best thing for you to do is go home."

Grandpa raised his shotgun and aimed at the back door. I drew a bead on his leg and yelled, "No!" He spun around and pulled the trigger. His shot went wide and peppered the door near me. I took out his knee. He screamed and fell, dropping the shotgun. The other two shot at the barn door as well. I caught three or four shot in my leg and fired a round at each. One was hit in the shoulder and the other in the knee. They both screamed and fell. Steve and Don moved their weapons far enough away that they couldn't get to them.

Doc came out and bandaged their wounds and left them in the dirt. Sue called the sheriff and told him to take his time, the three were not going anywhere.

An hour passed, slower for the three men in the dirt of our yard than for the five of us watching them. Aunt Sue brought out our breakfast and we ate at the table. We left one of us sitting near the three, making sure they didn't wander off.

Just before the sheriff arrived doc got another call. Orville Kaller had been kicked by one of his cows and his wife was worried his leg was broken. He checked the three before he left and said, "These wounds are nothing. Attempted murder is something. Maybe, if you're nice the sheriff will let you stay in a cell with James."

They glared at him. He smiled and a minute later he drove away.

The youngest looked at me and asked, "I'm really thirsty. Could we have some water?"

I said, "You come to our home uninvited. You shoot at me and threaten my Uncle. Now you want water. Give me one good reason why I should? Just one good reason."

A full minute went by and Grandpa spoke, "Cause we're kin."

"We are kin. You're right! It's not Donna's fault she was born into a family that believes rape and incest are Ok. It's not her fault or mine that she's my half sister. It's yours Grandpa. You taught your children the values and morals they live by. You taught the whole clan that lying and not protecting children was the Evan's way. Donna will need lots of healing. Justice might be beating the hell out of you and raping your backside. Don't worry. None of us would touch you. What happens when the four of you get to prison... I won't even guess."

I went to the back door and asked for a glass. Kay opened the door and gave me a glass. It was a big glass. I filled it with water and took it to the youngest cousin. I said, "One glass for all three of you. You can drink it all or however much you want, but this is all you all get until you get to jail. All three of you."

He held the glass and sat half-way up. He drank half the glass. Grandpa yelled, "Leave some for us!"

He handed the glass back to me and I took it to my other cousin. He held the glass up towards his Grandfather and drank every drop! 

He gave the glass back to me. I asked, "Why not give him some?"

"I'm here in the dirt with a bullet in my leg because he made us come. I'm not mad at you! I'm ashamed of the family I'm in. I hope to Christ Donna never has to go back to our farm!"

"She won't." Uncle Walt said.

The sheriff pulled into the yard and got out of his car. He looked over the three. "Can they travel?"

"Sure. We can load them in, if you want." I said.

He asked, "Walt, can we load them in the back of your truck and take them in that way."

"Yup." Uncle Walt said. We helped load all three into the back of the truck. He asked what he should do with their trucks. I said we'd get them back to the Evan's farm. We loaded all three shotguns into Walt's pick up. My Dad drove Walt's truck. Steve and I drove the Evan's pick-ups. We dropped the prisoners at the jail then took the old Dodges back to Jack's house.

We parked the trucks between their house and their barns. I knocked on their back door. Grandma came to the door and I handed her the keys. She asked, "Why did you bring the trucks back?"

"Because the tree men who came to our farm went to jail, arrested for attempted murder. All three were shot."

"Shot! Who shot them?

"The men protecting Donna. She's safe now. So are the rest of you."

"We weren't in danger!"

"Donna needed stitches in her face, in her breast and she was raped. She was in danger. If you want to visit her you can come to our farm. I don't think she wants to come back here. She's not safe." I turned and walked to the truck. As Dad put it in Reverse he waved at his mother. She didn't wave back.

At home I found Pale Feather in bed with Donna beside her. I went to the barn and climbed to the loft. As I settled in I thought about how focused we had been on joining in the loft out first time. We didn't. Our first time was in a teepee with a hundred or more people with us.

It was after noon when I got up. Don and Steve were in the fields. There was work to be done. Dad and Walt were on the porch, talking. They were in jackets and there were still snow patches in the yard. I brought both of them coffee

Dad told me what had been done. While I had been hiding in plain sight Dad sold me almost all his company. As of April first Dad no longer had a company. He had been forced out of his own company. It was all done legally and done in such a way that he had been "forced" to mortgage his home to the hilt and liquidate all his stocks, bonds and other investments. He had left enough money in a personal account for Nadine that she had fifteen thousand dollars, on the first, then she was broke. He had paid Maureen's tuition, books, room and board until the end of June.



Unexpected Change Ch. 04



 [This story will be at least four parts. It could be in Loving Wives, First Times, Incest/Taboo or a couple of other categories. If you have read Ch. 1, 2 & 3 you know there have been sexual events, cheating, pay-back, justice, etc. I apologize right up front for any misrepresentation of the Shoshone peoples. My intention was to honor them and their culture. Naturally, you are encouraged to vote and leave feedback. Especially leave feedback that is intended to assist me in improving as an author.]

**

We checked and found that both Nadine and Maureen were on the flight into Salt Lake.

I borrowed Walt's truck and drove to Salt Lake. Ten minutes after they landed I called mom's cell. She answered. I told her that I had a friend in Salt Lake and he was coming back to town, if they needed a ride. If they would call me I could have them picked up in half an hour."

She called back in five minutes. "Uncle James was going to pick us up, but can't. How will we know your friend?" 

"He drives a Ford F-350 pick up. It's blue and has four doors. He told me he's wearing a green western shirt and jeans, has dark hair and very tanned skin. He's over six foot tall. His name is Pale Eagle."

"Ok we'll be at the curb. I'm wearing gray slacks and a gray sweater. Maureen is in black slacks and a pink sweater, a gray jacket over her sweater. It's cold here."

I stopped and had a soda and then drove into the airport. I pulled to the curb by them and rolled down the window. "Mrs. Peterson?" They both gave me a smile. I got out and loaded their expensive luggage into the bed of the truck. They both looked to see how dirty the bed was. I opened the back door and helped them into the cab. I got in and introduced myself.

"Hi- I'm Pale Eagle. I assume you are Ben's mother and sister. It is about a hundred ten miles to Uncle Walt's farm. I should have you there in a little less than two hours."

"That will be just fine. Thank you."

"Anything for the family." I put the truck in gear and away we went. My own mother and sister didn't recognize me. As we left the area of the airport I asked, "There are some fast food places, if you want anything. My treat."

They conferred and mom said, "Thank you. Maybe something to drink."

I pulled through the McD's and rolled down their window. They acted flustered. They ordered two diet Cokes. I ordered a bottle of water and an apple pie. I pulled to the next window and paid. The lady handed me the drinks and I recognized her. She had been at the ceremony when Pale Feather and I were married. She gave me three pies. She would not let me pay. She said, "Pale Eagle, you honor me. I will not let you pay."

I said, "Lean to me, sister." She did and I kissed her cheek. She went back inside and said, "Thank you!"

I handed the drinks back to mom and Maureen and we left. When we were on the highway I turned on some heat and asked them to let me know if it got too hot or too cold.

Maureen asked, "The woman at McD's. Are you related?"

"Same tribe. I don't remember her name."

"Oh."

A few miles down the road they forgot I was even there. They began talking as if I wasn't there. I listened.

"Do you think Nick will be in town too, or just Ben?" Maureen asked.

"Nick's email said he was coming back to the states just after the first. I'd guess they came back together and went to visit Nick's family."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to convince both of them I missed them more than anything. If I have to fuck Nick eight ways to Sunday he's going to treat me good! Then when I get him back to California I'll get him back in tow again."

"Tell me again why you stay married to him?"

"Because he pays the bills, he's easy to control and he's worth millions. If he's worth millions, so am I."

"So, you don't love him?"

"I did, once. I could still, if he were stronger. As it is I can go to Frank or Carl for strong and assertive. Nick is convenient and rich."

They rode in silence for thirty miles and then Maureen asked, "How soon can we leave? I want to get back to Frank... together."

"Oh, it won't be together! You'll get Frank for a few weeks to yourself. Remember, I have a job, to get your Daddy back in line."

"He's not my Daddy. Uncle James is my Daddy. Was he really so good that you let him father both of us?"

"Long and strong. Long and strong. He's never had a lot on the ball, but he can ball with the best! Maybe you'll get to find out."

When we were twenty minutes from home I picked up my cell and dialed Uncle Walt. He answered. I said, "Walt, this is Pale Eagle. I have the two women Ben asked me to pick up in Salt Lake. They want me to bring them to your place. It is quite dark here."

He chuckled and understood that mom and Maureen hadn't been tipped off and hadn't recognized me. They were in the dark. He answered, "They will be served shortly after they arrived. Smile."

The message was clear. Mom would be served soon after she arrived. Served with divorce papers.

I pulled onto the farm and asked, "Does it still look like it used to, Mrs. Peterson?"

"I don't remember. It's been about ten or eleven years since I was here."

As I got the bags out mom pointed out the concrete pad and shower. "Can you believe a whole family showers outside?" She asked. Maureen said, "Yuk!"

I said, "Go on in. I'll bring in your bags." They went in without a thought as to holding the door for me.

They were met by Walt, Sue and then Dad. They were met with hugs and kisses on cheeks. Steve, Don, Pale Feather and a man I didn't know were in the kitchen with Walt, Sue, mom and Maureen when I came in with their suitcases. Steve helped me take the suitcases upstairs. We checked on Donna while we were upsairs. She was in bed, asleep.

When we got back downstairs everyone was in the living room. Dad had not started. He saw us and asked, "Nadine, I have bad news and I have good news. Which would you like first?"

Mom said, "I want to see Ben first!" 

Dad smiled. "That's part of the good news. You've already seen Ben." He pointed at me. 

Mom laughed. "You must think I'm nuts. Ben is as skinny as a rail, blond and a California boy, not a farmer who looks a lot like an Indian."

"Does Ben have any scars or birthmarks?" Dad asked. 

Maureen said, "Yes. He has a small scar on his upper thigh where a spoke from his bike stabbed him when he was twelve."

Mom said, "He has a birthmark on his scalp just above his right ear."

Dad said, "Take a look." 

I stood and dropped my jeans. I showed the scar just where Maureen knew it was. I showed the birthmark too. Mom lost all the color in her face.

"Ben, what happened to you?" She asked.

"I grew up." I pulled my pants back up and sat down. We all waited.

Finally mom looked at Dad and asked, "Ok, what's the bad news?"

"I'm broke. I lost the company, our home and my job. As of the first of April the only money we have as a married couple is whatever you have. I don't have enough money to borrow Walt's truck and fill it with gas."

The man I didn't know stood up and asked, "Mrs. Nadine Peterson?" He held out an envelope. Mom took it. He said, "You've been served." He turned to me and asked, "Pale Eagle, may I stay?"

"Sorry, no. From now on it's a family matter. Leave it that way. Please." He shook my hand and left.

Mom asked, "Why did he ask you?"

"Dad doesn't have a dime. He can't hire a server. I did. As soon as the divorce is final I'm going to offer him a job, on my farm."

"How can you do this to us?" Maureen screamed at me.

"What did the two of you do to Dad?" I asked.

"Nothing! What are you talking about?" mom asked.

"How about infidelity? Cheating? Have you had affairs while you've been married to Dad?"

"No!"

"Then please explain why his DNA doesn't match with mine or with Maureen?"

"There must be a mistake! I love your Dad!"

"On Friday night here in town there was a county wide dance. Your Uncle James admitted he's my sperm donor and Maureen's. In the truck coming here you told Maureen how good he was in bed and if she was good she might get a shot at him while you're here. Well, she won't. He's in jail. Your Uncle Jack and my grandpa are in jail too, for raping your niece Friday night and attempting to kill all of us."

She was sobbing. Maureen was sobbing. Dad stood up and walked to mom. He asked nicely, "Hand me your purse, please."

She held it tightly. "No!"

"Easy way or hard way. Everything I owned was yours. You told me that a thousand times. The reverse is also true. Whatever's yours is mine."

She gave him the purse. He also got Maureen's. He put it in a plastic bag and said, "You can have it back in the morning after breakfast. Now, it's late. Let me show you where you two get to sleep." He got up and led them out the back door. I followed, with Pale Feather by my side. Half way to the barn Nadine said, "I wouldn't sleep in that damned loft twenty-years ago and I'm not sleeping there tonight." 

Dad asked me, "Did you make the loft into a comfortable bedroom?"

"Yes, sheets, pillows and two quilts."

"The keys to all the vehicles are in the house. The nearest farm is three miles away, in the dark. The warmest place you can sleep is up above all the animals, in the loft. It's supposed to get down into the thirties tonight. The choices are yours. The lights will go out in ten minutes and then it will be very dark." Dad said.

He walked past mom and Maureen and into the house. I said, "There are lots of people you can blame. You can blame James for screwing you before you married Dad, but you chose to do it again. You could have been honest with Dad about who was the father of your children. Your mother told the whole county last night she tried to get you to abort Maureen, but you thought it would be funny to cuckold Dad and make him pay for children that weren't his. You even stooped to having Maureen screw one or more of your lovers. I'll bet both of you wish Carl or Frank would come rescue you tonight. Yes, you can blame any number of people, but it all comes back to you."

"How can you do this to your own Mother?"

"Two reasons. First because you are my mother, but not my Mom. I honor my Dad not the man who donated sperm to you. Second, because you didn't stop it! There's a young girl up in Kay's bed right now that was beaten and raped by the men in your family. She is scarred. She's my half sister, because you wouldn't stop the incest! The rest of the women in your family didn't do anything to protect her either! I did, I was just late."

"Good night." As Pale Feather and I walked back to the house Maureen asked, "Whose baby is she carrying?" The tone of her voice asked the question with venom and insinuation.

"Mine. Pale Feather is my wife." Inside the house I locked the door for the first time in many years. Kay and I kissed and I sent her to bed with Donna. She told me again she was my woman and that she loved me.

I covered myself on the couch and slept there for a few hours.

At five Walt woke me. He and Dad were dressed and Dad said, "Rest today. I'm gonna start earning my keep."

I rubbed my eyes and asked, "By the way, how much money do we have?"

"I don't have any. You have almost thirty million." Dad said. He smiled and they left. I went to the barn and crawled up the ladder. Maureen and mom were under both quilts. Their expensive clothes were draped over hay bales. They were still asleep. Quietly, I climbed back down and met Donna, Pale Feather and Sue for breakfast.

I ate quietly. The three women respected the silence until I looked at them and asked, "Aunt Sue, is there any way we can house and feed Donna, Maureen and mom?"

"Well, it isn't a matter of money. Your Dad saw to that. Are they working or sitting?"

"Working. I'll pay them to work. Maybe they can actually become good women. Not you Donna, we know you're already a good woman."

She softly said, "No, I don't think so. I'm learning there wasn't a good woman to teach me at our farm." She paused and added, "But, I'm willing to learn and earn my keep."

Pale Feather said, "Did you look at them last night? They have nails three quarters of an inch long! I'll bet the only shoes they have are high-heels!"

I asked, "Remember when I got here? You had to test me to see where to start. Same here. Go look in their suitcases. We may need to buy them some clothes. Probably some shoes. Maybe they can work along side the rest of us, in skin."

Donna's eyes got big. I knew she'd never done it either.

Pale Feather and Donna went and looked. They came back laughing. I asked. Donna said, "There must me a thousand dollars worth of clothes in there, nothing worth putting on if you live on a farm."

"Can you get sizes and go to town? We need clothes and shoes today."

Sue drove. Donna stayed with me. I went out to the barn and woke both women. When they made noises I said, "Your breakfast will be on the table in twenty minutes. If you need a bathroom there's one near the kitchen."

They were in the house in fifteen minutes. They shared the bathroom and came to breakfast with scrubbed faces. Donna served eggs, sausage, toast and jam. They both drank two cups of coffee. Donna and I watched.

When they were done I sat with them and said, "You get to make choices. Dad says I can give you back your purses. You can use your phones to call anyone you want. They can come and get you or send someone to get you. If you leave we will never see either of you again. Or, you can stay and work. Sue, Kay and Donna have worked a farm their entire lives. You walk around like you're better than them. If you stay you will work as a part of this family. Whatever needs doing you will do, just like the rest of us. I will pay you each a thousand dollars a month, until you don't carry your part of the work. When that happens you get the money, in cash and you walk away."

"When do we start?" Maureen asked.

"You start by doing the dishes."' I helped Donna up and Pale Feather up and into the living room. Mom's voice asked, "When do we get the purses back?"

I answered, "When the dishes are done."

It took forty minutes to get the dishes washed, dried and put away. Mom came to me and said, "It's done. Can we have our purses?"

"Yes." I got them. I handed them over. They got them out and started calling people they knew. Their first call went to Carl. He said, "No way. I'm being sued for half a million by my wife. She has pictures of us, the three of us!" He hung up. Maureen called a professor at Northwestern. As soon as he recognized her voice he said, "You want me to help you? I'll be lucky to have a job tomorrow! I go before the discipline committee tomorrow for fucking a student in a classroom. The student was you! They have pictures!" The phone connection died.

Mom looked at me and said, "It doesn't matter who we call does it?"

"Unless you know someone Dad couldn't find. Do you know someone who might think you're worth the risk?"

"No."

"Ok. I can tell you both want a way out, a way off the farm and away from here. So here's your last other choice. I'll drive you back to Salt Lake. You both have half your tickets and I'll give you each five thousand dollars cash. Then we're done. No matter what happens after you get out of the truck in Salt Lake you cannot come back."

Maureen thought about it and asked, "My rent, food and classes are paid for until June, right?"

"Yes, but given the evidence against you, I'd think you've already been barred from campus. Maybe there are criminal charges pending in Illinois."

"I'll stay." Her voice said she gave up.

Mom looked at me and said, "How can you hate me so much?"

"I don't hate you. If I hated you I wouldn't have brought you here last night. I would never have offered you a job, food, and a place to live. I love you simply because you gave me life, gave me a Dad who loved me instead of an abortion. I appreciate all that. I don't like how you have treated my Dad or my sister. I don't like how you behave. I give you choices in hopes you can become a woman I can respect and maybe like, one day."

"I'll stay." No surrender in her voice. Postponement, but no surrender.

"When Sue and Pale Feather get back they'll have new clothes for you. Not Victoria's Secret but clothing farmwomen wear. She'll show you where you live, from now on. Then she and Pale Feather will give you work to do.

They sat on the couch. Donna asked, "When you got up this morning, did you clean up the loft? Someone may need to sleep there tonight."

They left the house and climbed into the loft. Donna and I checked the job they did on the dishes. We washed them again. Then had spent forty minutes on the job. We were done in ten. While they were in the loft Sue and Kay came back. They left the bags in the bed of the truck. Sue handed me the bill, two-hundred-thirty-six dollars. I called out to the loft. "Ladies, please get the bags out of the truck and come into the kitchen."

I was amazed again at how slow they were. They came in and Sue said, "One bag for each of you. These clothes will last. While we went to town to get them for you I thought about where the two of you will sleep. Donna can't sleep in the loft. She's healing from the rape and beating the Evans family gave her. Kay can't climb the ladder to the loft. Ben slept there for months. Steve and Don work damn hard every day. You get to sleep in the loft. How did you sleep last night?"

"The barn smells." Maureen said.

"You can sleep in either barn. One doesn't smell like animals. It smells like fuel, oil and tractors. Your choice."

"Can either of you cook?" Sue asked, knowing the answer before she asked. "No."

I left the house. Donna and Kay made lunches for the four men in the fields. I rode out and delivered. I got a certain about of harassment when I opened my shirt and showed my chest. They asked for a different delivery person. Dad asked about the scars on my chest. Walt explained about a Spirit Dance.

When I got back to the farmhouse I called my friend the banker. He let me know an Evans had asked him how much their farm might be worth. He told her under other conditions maybe a million or maybe two. Given that everyone knew the pressure they were under and the state of the economy, she might get three-hundred thousand. Before she got excited he reminded her that the bank held a note worth two hundred thousand against any sale.

I said, "Call her back. Tell her someone has made an offer. Half a million dollars with stipulations. Number one, none of the money can be used to get any Evan's out of jail or prison. Number two, James and Jack both plead guilty and tell the truth in court. And number three they all leave the county forever. That includes any one living in the house at the moment and any man not incarcerated named Evans."

"I have the feeling I'll be calling you back soon."

They get the money after the stipulations are met."

The phone rang before supper. They accepted.

Every day of the first month mom and Maureen cried. Every day they worked and broke nails. Every day they ate more and still lost weight. Dad talked to me and felt bad for mom. Sue noticed and Kay noticed mom suffered the most and loudest when Dad was around.

At supper one night Dad said he needed to go to town in the afternoon. Walt lent him a truck. I rode out on my paint just after dawn. At about eight I met Dad in town. He rode home on my paint and snuck into the house while Sue had the ladies hanging wash.

He listened by an open window. He heard Maureen tell her that sobbing to Nick didn't matter. That she needed to sob to Ben. Nadine said, "Nick will listen to me. I can still get to him. When I do, I'll be the queen again."

Maureen pointed out that Nick didn't have a dime.

Soon the sale of the Evans farm was complete. I invited all the family to drive to the farm. A new sign was already up over the gate. It said, "Pale Eagle's Nest".




Unexpected Change Ch. 04



The blue F-350 truck carried cleaning supplies and we were under the supervision of Pale Feather. This was her house. Plans were made, trash carried out and the furniture Pale Feather didn't want or like was burned in the yard. We thought about donating some of it, but when we got it outside in the sunlight we saw it was long past useful. Tears fell from Nadine. It had been the house she grew up in. Dad, Walt, Steve and Don went back home that night so they could work the next day. Sue went home with them and took care of them. I stayed in the house with Pale Feather, Donna, Nadine and Maureen. While we continued to clean up late in the day two queen-sized beds were delivered. Maureen and mom got them put together and made. Donna cooked supper with Maureen's help.

At ten I said it was bedtime. Maureen asked, "Where do we sleep?"

"The bed nearest the kitchen is ours." Pale Feather said. "The other one is yours."

I said, "For now, Donna sleeps with Pale Feather. She is still healing. Donna, we ordered you a bed too, but they didn't have three. Your bed should be here next week." She thanked me. I threw down a packing blanket on the clean living room floor and slept good.

Pale Feather made breakfast. Nadine cleaned up then joined Maureen, Donna and me in the barn. We spent the day cleaning. The barn was so dirty I couldn't believe it had ever been cleaned. During the day mom and Maureen threw up twice, each. I went to town and bought more cleaning supplies. 

The next day all of us went to town. Pale Feather picked paint for the whole house. I hired four men to come to the farm and paint. We loaded the paint and the supplies in the truck and were loading back into the truck when I said, "We deserve a treat." I stopped at the Dairy Queen and we each had an ice cream. I watched and Nadine, the sophisticated high class woman, licked drips off her hand and arm. She giggled. We all did.

The women helped the men paint the house. They moved drop cloths, swept up debris, held ladders, wiped up spills, stirred paint and made food for the workers. For the first time in my life I saw sweat on my mom. Two of the men worked outside with me, two others worked inside. On the third day instead of four men we had eight. They were Shoshone. I was sitting on the porch when they arrived. Each man walked up to me, told me his name, lineage and offered me a pouch of tobacco. I accepted all of it and them. I told them I wanted a fence built so our children would be safe in our yard and more because Pale Feather thought a fence was pretty. Three others got the job of tilling the garden. Pale Feather went to town and brought back food. She and Donna cooked for the men. Maureen and mom served them.

Each night each of us took turns washing in the claw foot tub in the house. Pale Feather first, then Donna, Maureen and then Nadine. I was last. After a week I hired a man to pour concrete and a plumber to install an outside shower. The men both asked why.

I said, "When you come home filthy do you want your woman happy or upset? If you shower outside you're clean, smelling good and you don't bring the outside in with you."

The concrete guy asked, "You gonna build a wall around it?"

I looked around. "Is there a danger someone will see us naked? Not likely."

They built it and it was ready for use in two days.

At the end of another hard day finishing up the painting, getting the starter garden closer to ready to plant by unloading two pick-up loads of manure and then working it into the soil. Our crew went home, being told that if they brought clean clothes they could clean up at the end of the workday and I'd drive them home.

After they were gone I talked to Pale Feather. We decided the house was far enough along to declare it ready to live in instead of a construction zone. We had a conversation with everyone who would be living with us. . 

"We are going to have a clean house. Every day when the day starts you put a towel and clean clothes on your shelf." Pale Feather showed them the shelves out by the shower. "At the end of the day you shower, dry and put on the clean clothes. Dirty boots and shoes don't go in the house. On days the weather is bad you put your shoes and boots in this cabinet. It will allow them to dry. This begins today."

"I suppose you want to watch us shower?" Maureen asked, looking at me.

"I suppose you think seeing you filthy will turn me on?" I answered.

Pale Feather added, "The purpose of the shower is to get clean. You can wash each other or do yourself. However you do it, please get clean. If you're the one with supper duty wash early so supper will be on time and cooked by a clean body. If it's warm and you want to come in the house bare, I won't object, just make sure you sit on a clean towel."

"Like that's going to happen." Maureen said.

Pale Feather looked at me and said, "Now I understand." She meant she understood about the attitude Nadine and Maureen had about nudity. All nudity was about sex in their world.

I kissed her and went to care for my paint. When I came back Pale Feather was struggling out of her clothes. I said, "Can you help?" Donna helped as she blushed. I peeled out of my clothes and Maureen asked, "What happened to your chest?"

"I did a Spirit Dance. Maybe someday you can ask someone what it is and why men do them. Not now and not me." I got soap and washed Pale Feather as she washed me. We enjoyed the washing. Our son enjoyed it too. Maureen and Donna both saw him moving. 

Mom said, "Pregnant women shouldn't be seen."

"Then you can wait until we're done to wash. You can voice an opinion like that when you have your own home. This is my home and my family. Voice another painful or hurtful opinion and you will sleep in the barn."

She looked at Pale Feather and said, "I apologize." Pale Feather nodded in acceptance.

Donna, Pale Feather and I finished washing, rinsed and dried. I shut off the water. I said, "Dinner will be ready soon. You cannot come in dirty."

Donna, Pale Feather and I went inside. We carried our clean clothes inside and they dressed. I went back out and cleaned Pale Feather's shoes and Donna's. I was still nude.

Maureen said, "Don't you believe in modesty?"

"Yes. I won't sit in church dressed like this. I will take all my clothes off to get clean. So will you." I got up and carried three sets of dirty clothes to the laundry room. I loaded the colors in and left the lid open. 

I heard the water come on. A few minutes later it shut off and a couple minutes later Mom and Maureen came in clean and in clean clothes. Donna said, "It's easier if you bring in your dirty clothes when you come in."

Maureen went out and brought in their dirty clothes. She started the laundry. We ate supper and soon were in bed.

Pale Feather and Donna went to bed. I lay on the floor in the living room. I was already asleep when a hand touched my shoulder. My eyes opened. Donna said, "Let me sleep here. Go be with your wife. She needs you."

She had less than a month to go. We snuggled, with me spooned behind her. She made all the right noises and then she said, "Can we have your mouth?"

She could. I moved slowly and quietly between her legs and took my time bringing her to an orgasm. It did not take long. Her body shook, our baby moved and my wife moaned and she stifled a scream. We fell asleep spooned. In the middle of the night she somehow turned and swallowed my cock. She worked until I was hard, and made the noises and motioned that prompted me to fill her mouth and then kiss her until we slept again.

Donna came in and woke us. She said, "I made breakfast. Come eat." She woke Maureen and Nadine. They didn't say anything about the smell of sex or the noises during the night. Donna had made French toast, bacon, eggs and oatmeal. Pale Feather looked out and said, "Inside work today. It's going to rain."

She was right. We worked in the house and in the barn with Pale Feather and Donna in the house. I wanted someone with Pale Feather at all times. We prepped some of the wood inside the barn so when the weather was dry we could paint. Nadine was getting good at cleaning the floor of the barn. I repaired the pigpen so we could have a couple hogs.

At the end of the day I stood in the barn and stripped down. Nadine had been faced away from me. She saw me and asked, "What's going on?" 

I said, "If I wear these clothes to the shower, they get muddy. If I carry them they get wet. Either way I get wet. See you at supper." I ran to the back of the house. I showered quickly, shaved and shampooed. I climbed the stairs and dried off. As I went into the house I saw Donna watching Nadine from the kitchen window. She smiled as Nadine ran to the shower. When she stepped inside she was still dressed. I said, "You need a shower. I'm sure you smell like the barn."

She stared at me for a long time, then stepped back outside.

Donna smiled and took off her clothes. She put them in the washer and walked out and started the shower. The rain was cold. Donna kept moving and very quickly got clean. She carried clean clothes and a towel inside and quickly dried herself. Five minutes later Nadine came in, clean and dressed.

A couple minutes later Maureen went out the door and when she came back she said it was the strangest shower she'd ever taken. She and Nadine stood by the stove for a while to get warm.

That night I went to bed on the floor. The rain had stopped. Donna's hand woke me again. She looked scared. "Her water broke!" 

"Get everyone up and dressed. We're going to the hospital."

I rushed into see her. She said, "Open the back door."

I went to the back door, opened it and four women came in. I smelled sage and other herbs a few minutes later. I reached for the phone and Aunt Sue, my Dad and Uncle Walt walked in.

They were almost too late. One hour after her water broke our son was born. Pale, long and blond with a streak of red in his hair. I heard mom say, from the edge of the room, "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen."

She was right. We had known for months that he was a boy. We knew he needed a name, but we couldn't pick one. We couldn't even talk about names we liked. Then Donna asked, "What is his name?"

Pale Feather looked at his face, then up at me and we all answered Donna's question, "David." Uncle Walt said it. Aunt Sue said it. My Dad said it. Kay said it. I said it, all of us in one voice.

"Oh." Donna Said. She looked at us like she wondered when we decided. We hadn't. I think he picked it. Maybe someday I'll ask him.

Donna took Nadine and Maureen into the kitchen and gave them tasks to do. The three of them made breakfast for everyone and they served it as a celebration. The midwife corps from the tribe stayed until nearly noon. They buried the placenta and afterbirth in our garden, a ceremony all the women except Pale Feather attended. Men were not present. The corps smudged the house and then they were gone.

For the next three days our home had many visitors. I think over half the tribe within thirty miles came. People from all over the county came to see our son. Aunt Sue told us how it was the same when each of their children were born. I must have been given a hundred pouches of tobacco and a few cartons of cigarettes. 

Work on the house, barn, garden and land continued. 

Other than the day David was born, Nadine hadn't seen Dad at all since we moved. They didn't talk that day. When she knew I'd been at Walt's she asked about him. I always answered, but didn't say anything to encourage her fantasies. He was re-learning how to be a Peterson and doing very well.

After their crop of sugar beets was growing, the family brought tractors to our farm and we tilled everything under, mixed in fertilizers and turned sheep into the fields for a time. Our next planting would be later in the year. The Evans' had almost killed the land and it needed a rest. 

The weather warmed and we spent more and more time outside. Our garden grew and more and more time was spent caring for it and helping others. By the end of summer Dad came to me and we talked about the future, ours and his. He had regained his balance about being a Peterson and wanted to have a small place of his own, maybe the size of Aunt Buzz' in Pocatello, fifteen or twenty acres. We rode around the eight hundred acres I had and picked a place where he could have his twenty acres, a house, a small barn and the garden he wanted. I sold it to him for a dollar. We called the bank and all the paperwork got handled.

We talked about mom and Maureen. He loved them both, knew what they got they both deserved and he wanted mom back. We created a plan to see if what he wanted was possible. He knew she tended towards being a bitch and he believed that all the evil influences of her family could be overcome. I wasn't as sure she was willing to change that far but felt the urge to give her and them every chance to make it work.

The next day Dad drove to Pocatello and visited Buzz. When he came back he brought four magazines full of house plans. He went through them and made a notebook of acceptable plans. He picked plans for single level homes with three bedrooms, two or three bathrooms, and big porches. When he was done he gave me the notebook. 

I took Pale Feather and David to town the next afternoon for some shopping and showed her the notebook. I told her the whole plan Dad had. She knew what Dad wanted. She had been working on mom for months, getting her mind to choose the farm rather than the high-heeled life she had before.

When we got home we called Nadine and Maureen into the kitchen and said, "We're thinking we should build you a separate house. You could live there and have more autonomy."

I was surprised at their reaction. They held hands and tears flowed. Nadine asked, "Why are we being punished? Haven't we done everything you wanted?"

"When you came here you were prepared to take Dad for everything you could get and live your lives high on the hog. For these past months you've adapted to your fate quite well, but I think you still want high heels, lace bras and other men. If I build you your own house you can get dressed up and go out with anyone who invites you. You can even bring them home and play if that's what you want."

Mom said, "I deserved everything I got... and worse. I played Nick for the fool. Over these months I've had lots of time to think. I can accept that there are good reasons for Maureen and I to live separate from you, but there's only one man I'd ever sleep with again. Unfortunately, he doesn't want me."

Kay put the notebook on the table. She said, "Please, look through these plans. Pick the one you both like. Let us know tomorrow which one you pick."

I gave them the rest of the day off to consider their options. Donna, Kay, David and I went to Uncle Walt's for dinner. We had fun and the family enjoyed playing with David. By ten we were home and in bed.

After breakfast Mom and Maureen picked. The house had three bedrooms, two baths and a full basement. The porch wrapped three sides of the house. Mom asked if she could have the front door face south. I said I didn't see that as a problem. All they had seen were floor plans. What Dad had picked were log homes that were prefab. The site prep would be done and then all the logs and things delivered. Five days later Dad could move into a nineteen-hundred square foot home, not counting the full basement. Total time start to move in was a month. Site prep was already in process.

After mom and Maureen went to the garden for the morning I called Dad. He was the foreman for the job. I wrote the checks. I rode paint out to the site the next day and a crew was digging the basement and getting the foundations ready to pour. We talked.

"Son, I want her back, but not the way she was. When we first got together she was grateful to be alive. She was fun to be with. When she and I had sex I fell under her spell. She fed my ego, told me what a great lover I was. I loved her even before she told me she was pregnant."

"If you want her, I'm pretty sure you can have her. She may pull some crap on you, but the odds are good she can't take all your money and run away."

He laughed and said, "You're right! I don't have any money!"

We talked about how to set things up so they lived well and didn't risk Mom or Maureen running away with much money. When I rode home we had things set.

At supper that night Maureen asked when construction would start on their house. I answered that it already had begun. Things had been ordered and crews of workers hired. She followed those questions with questions about how I had so much money. In her mind I was her younger brother and there was no way I could have money.

I didn't explain. I simply said there had been some wise investments made by Uncle Walt in my behalf.

On Friday I was in town and found out that the high school was having a dance and had invited the town. When I got home I told Mom and Maureen to take the afternoon off and use the time to get ready to go to the dance. Pale Feather and I would be going too.

Nadine said she'd stay home with David. I said she should go.

"Why? I'm old. No one will want to dance with me."

"Dad will." It was all I said. She got clothes out of her closet that had been in her suitcase when she arrived. She went out to the shower without caring who saw her and she scrubbed, shaved and primped herself getting ready to see her ex-husband, my Dad.

When we sat down for supper Mom, Maureen and Pale Feather were barely dressed. Bras, panties and a slip were seen at the table. They were all extra careful not to get any food on their skin or clothes.

I showered and dressed in less than half an hour. I held and played with David as I watched the ladies get ready. Donna wasn't going to the dance. It was her choice and she said the memories of the last dance were still too fresh, too painful.

Mom came out of her bedroom dressed and ready to go. She wasn't steady on her feet. I asked, "You Ok?"

She looked at me and said, "I haven't had heels on since April. I'm uncomfortable in them."

"Not a lot of need for heels in rural Idaho." I said.

"I'd forgotten how uncomfortable they can be."

"If I can ask, how much would a pair like those cost?"

"I think I paid three hundred for these." Mom said. 

"I paid less than that for your whole wardrobe including shoes and they're comfortable."

"Really?" She asked. She was twisting and looking at her nylon encased legs and the shiny black heels. The diva appeared to be back. Not a good sign.

Maureen came into the living room in the famous little-black-dress and three inch heeled sandals. She had no trouble walking in heels. They both looked good. Very good. Pale Feather came into the room and looked country-western incredible. Wonderful bare legs, shiny western boots and a dress meant for twirling. It hugged her from the waist up and looking at her lit a fire inside me. The men of Oneida County were unprepared for what I was bringing to the dance.

When the doors closed on the truck I was aware of the perfume someone was wearing. It was Mom. It was Dad's favorite, "China Rain." Before we got to the school I realized "China Rain" was the only fragrance I smelled. My connection to Pale Feather let me know she and Maureen were helping Mom by wearing "China Rain" too.

The dance was a success. Maureen came to me after half an hour and said, "I'm way over dressed for Idaho."

"Every man in the room watches your every move. Aren't you happy?"

"No. We've been here half a hour and you're the only one who has danced with me!"

""Be brave. Pick a target, walk to him and say, "Please dance with me." You'll dance the rest of the night."

She went across the room and stood in front of a man I barely knew. I knew he played football with Steve and Don. I knew he was a fullback. She said, he said, and then they danced. The music stopped and he didn't let go. The music started again and another football player cut in. I quit watching closely, she would dance as much as she wanted.




Unexpected Change Ch. 04



Pale Feather and I danced together. At the end of the song we kissed. She got a new partner and so did I. Walt and Sue danced, then split up and danced some more. Pale Feather and I only danced slow dances.

Pretty soon the only people sitting were tired. Every time I saw Mom she was dancing... with Dad. I asked myself a few times if it was a calculated plan of my Mom's to rope and tie Dad again.

The next time I held Pale Feather she said, "Relax. Your Dad has learned a lot over at my Momma's. He's not the old Nick Peterson."

"Ok." I focused on holding and loving her instead of worrying. She reminded me that if Nadine was really after Dad it had to be because of something other than money. She was right.

Just before the song ended she said, "If you want to worry, worry about Maureen. Kevin has her in his sights and has missile lock-on."

I looked and saw Kevin Jones dancing with Maureen. His energy was holding ten other men at bay. His size, six-four and three hundred pounds of muscle, helped keep the other men away.

The song ended and I said, "I'm going to check in with her, see how she's doing." I walked over and said, "Maureen, would you dance with your brother?" She smiled, nodded and the music started.

"Checking up on me?" She asked.

"In a way, yes. You Ok with Kevin holding all the others at arms length or would you like to spread your attentions around?"

"What will you do, beat him up for me?"

"Nope. Not my style. I'm just askin, at the moment."

"I like him. He's a gentleman, so far, and if that changes I'll let you, Steve, Don and everyone else know. Trust me."

As the song ended Kevin was close by and resumed Alpha dog position. Maureen seemed quite happy. When I stood next to Pale Feather she asked, "You remember telling me "I'm going to check in with her, see how she's doing?" I nodded.

She faced me and I looked at her face. It didn't move, "You didn't say it out loud." A few seconds later it hit me, her face hadn't moved. I heard her speak to me clearly without her saying anything! It also hit me that she heard me, too.

She smiled and said, "I really like this being linked. Try to keep a secret! Go ahead, try!" I heard Walt and Sue laughing from across the room. I looked and they were waving at us. I heard Aunt Sue's voice in my head. "Kay can't keep secrets either."

It was getting close to midnight, the end of the dance. Maureen left Kevin standing near the exit and came to us. She asked, "Can I find my own way home?"

"Aren't you an adult?" I asked.

"I used to think so, until my little brother grew up faster than me. I'm asking."

"I have one thing to say. Here it is: Don't screw this up." I could feel she got my communication loud and clear. She kissed Pale Feather on the cheek, me on the cheek and went back to Kevin. She hooked his arm and they walked out together.

Aunt Sue and Walt joined us and Walt asked, "Can we get a ride home from you? Seems Don and Steve took one truck and my brother took the other one." He was smiling. As we headed for the door I heard Walt's voice in my head, "His house will be done Tuesday. Then it's buy furniture and move in."

Out loud I said, "Amen."

Walt rode up front with me and we talked about my Dad and Mom. Aunt Sue and Kay rode in the back seat and I have no idea what they discussed. When we got them home we didn't go in. We were anxious to get home, see David and get into bed ourselves.

As I turned the truck and the lights panned across the front of our house we saw Dad and Mom on the front porch. They were kissing. Pale Feather said, "Relax. They can forgive and choose to love in a whole new way. You brought Maureen and Nadine into our home to help them change. Now, we need to let them change."

I parked the truck and gathered her into my arms. I asked, "How did you get so wise? You're just a Feather."

"I am an Eagle's Feather. I think our wisdom, if there is some, is combined. Linked." We kissed. I heard her soft voice in my head, 'Take me to bed please and fill me.'

We didn't say anything as we passed the couple on the porch. 

We found Donna sleeping on the floor next to the crib and David sleeping peacefully beside her. Pale Feather put David in the crib while I helped Donna to her bed. When I came back my wife was waiting nude beside our bed. I started undressing and she stopped me. She undressed me. Her gentle fingers and hands touched me with expertise, knowing how to light the fires within. When I reached for her she grabbed my hands, kissed them and would not let me touch her. When I was nude she guided me onto the bed, turning me and placing me just where she wanted me.

I was on my hands and knees with my knees spread. She crawled under me, swallowing my cock as it hung down. She put her hands on my butt and pressed, pushing me to penetrate her mouth. I thrust in as slowly as I could, backed out until only the tip of her tongue touched me and thrust back in. When she was ready she slipped out from under me and positioned herself for me to enter her from behind. 

Neither of us used hands to guide my shaft inside her. Things just lined up and it was nearly effortless to slide completely inside her. Nearly because she was still virgin tight. We kept two hand towels beside our bed and as we mated Kay put one on the bed to catch the juices that dripped from her. She told me that most women didn't drip like she did. I had once put a bowl beneath her and collected enough of her juices that I had a drink. I preferred it fresh from her pussy. We changed positions a few times that night and Kay used her pillow to keep from waking David, Donna and maybe Mom, if she made it home.. 

When I was ready to cum she twisted around and let me cum into her mouth. She swallowed and we collapsed on the bed, covered up and kissed. Kay said, "I wanted you in my mouth so there wouldn't be a wet spot."

"The night's not over."

We slept. Some time during the short night she invited my attention again and I'm sure we left a wet spot, on a towel.

At six I was up and looked out the window. Dad's borrowed truck was gone. I wandered to the kitchen and found Mom making coffee. She was wearing a light cotton nightgown that ended a few inches below her butt. She turned to me and asked, "Get any sleep?"

I nodded and asked, "You?"

She blushed and said, "More than I wanted."

As we poured the first cups of coffee a red Silverado pick-up pulled up in front of the house. Kevin popped out of the driver's door, ran to the passenger side and opened the door for Maureen. She got out, put her arms around his neck and kissed him. It appeared to me to be a promissory note written with lips and tongue. After the kiss ended and Maureen bounced up onto the porch Kevin looked up, saw me through the window and blushed. He waved and quickly drove off to start his day.

Maureen came into the kitchen, walked to Mom and took a sip from Mom's coffee. She then kissed Mom on the cheek and came to me. Her arms went around my neck and she kissed me. Not like she kissed Kevin, but still a full kiss. She said, "We didn't have sex! We talked. I think I could really have a relationship with him! Thanks!"

Pale Feather came into the kitchen and took a sip of Mom's coffee. She handed the mug back to Mom and poured her own mug full. I got kissed and Donna came in carrying David. They both got kissed by all of us and our day began. I spent most of the day at Uncle Walt's helping. Dad was at his new house. Maureen and Mom worked in the garden and the barn. Pale Feather and Donna took care of David and prepared food. All in all, a fairly normal day.

On my way home I stopped at the house site and saw the men loading their equipment and tools in their trucks. Dad stood on the porch holding the keys for me to see. I smiled. I was pretty sure I didn't know anyone who locked their doors. The keys were symbolic.

He gave me the tour. The workmen left the house spotlessly clean. As we took the tour I noticed the shower outside the back door. I asked if he wanted the tribe to come and bless his new home. He said yes. I asked when he was going to show the house to Mom and Maureen.

"You know, I've thought a lot about Nadine in the last few months." He said. "She treated me like shit for years. I realized she did that partially because that's how she was taught to treat men by her family. She did it because I let her. She never learned how to be a woman like Amanda, Betsy, Sue or Kay. But, since I went broke and divorced her, she's been changing."

He paused. I waited. As I waited I heard Kay's voice in my head, 'Chicken or hamburgers?' I thought, 'Hamburgers.'

Dad said, "I think I've grown up, too. I do love her. I think we can finally be the couple I wanted us to be so long ago."

"Are you going to invite her to the loft?" I asked.

"I am. I talked to Walt and Sue and they're Ok with it. After all, it is their barn."

I climbed on my paint and said, "So I'm losing a hand. Or will you take Maureen too?"

"I've got room for her, but I believe she's better staying with you and Kay. I'm sorry, with you and Pale Feather."

"She won't stay long with us, either. I believe Kevin Jones has set his sights on her."

"You think Maureen would be willing to be a farmer's wife?"

"I do. She used to look down her nose at farmers, but months of farm life and honest work may have changed her, too. Hanging out with Kay and Aunt Sue helped, too."

I waved and rode home. David and Donna were in a rocker on the porch. Donna called out to me, "We're having hamburgers in about fifteen minutes!"

"Let's get cleaned up!" I replied. She brought David and after I got paint into the barn, watered and fed I met them at the shower. Maureen was already under the spray rinsing when I got there. She dried off and took over cooking from Kay. The rest of us met under the spray. David loved the water and being lathered and passed around. All the attitude Mom came to the farm with about the shower and nudity was gone. She had cut a channel from the shower to the garden so the water flowed into the garden. More often than not she worked in the garden wearing only boots, gloves and a hat.

We ate hamburgers, a big salad and grilled fresh veggies from our garden. Maureen asked, "Have you thought about having some chickens?"

The discussion got us to decide to build a coop and a fenced area for some chickens. 

Donna said, "Can I change the subject?"

I nodded. Kay said, "Sure."

"Next Friday is my birthday. Ever since I've been here I haven't been to school or been away from you once."

The voice in my head said, 'She didn't like her family, but she misses them. She needs more attention.'

I asked, "Donna, what would you like for your birthday?"

I heard her voice in my head. If I hadn't been watching her face I would have thought she said it out loud. She thought, 'A horse.'

What she said out loud was, "Whenever Momma asked me that she gave me a price range. Last year she said, Within a hundred dollars what do you want?"

"Ok. Donna within a thousand dollars, what would you like?" I asked.

"A thousand dollars?"

"Yes. No, don't answer. Close your eyes and picture what you want."

She closed her eyes and I saw an appaloosa mare with a very speckled hind-quarters.

David let us know he was hungry. Kay took him and he latched onto her breast. Kay attended to him and the rest of us watched. Then Kay looked up and said, "Husband, I love my Spirit name and I think we use it too much. Daddy and Momma have Spirit names too, but they almost never use them outside Shoshone gatherings. I would like to be Kay again."

"Sounds like that's the right thing to do." I said.

Kay continued, "You started in this community as Pale Eagle. I'd bet most people don't know your given name. Don't change. Ben was the skinny kid from California. He's only a memory for a few people. Stay Pale Eagle."

We kissed and David chose that moment to slurp loudly. We all laughed.

Mom said, "I wish I had breast fed both of you."

Kay unlatched David and handed him to Mom. She got a few drops of her milk and dripped them on Mom's nipple. David latched on. Every few seconds Kay dripped more milk onto Mom's breast. David sucked and Mom got to experience breast feeding.

A few minutes later Maureen asked, "Can I?"

Kay moved to Maureen and dripped milk on her breast. Mom handed David to Maureen and David found what he was looking for. The look on Maureen's face was priceless.

She said, "Oh my God!" She watched David sucking at her breast. She forgot the rest of us were there and said, "Every time he sucks I can feel it clear down in my pussy." There was awe in her voice.

David fed from the milk dropped onto Maureen for a few minutes and then Donna asked, "Can I feel it too?"

Kay answered by moving over and squeezing her milk onto Donna's breast. Maureen gave her David and he played his part perfectly. I watched Donna's face. Every time David sucked her eyes closed and she gave into the feelings. I thought, 'She's going to cum.'

Kay nodded and thought, 'Me too.' Then they both shuddered. Kay took David back to her own breasts and finished feeding him. Kay sat and it was quiet at the table until David was asleep. His head tucked against Kay's breast and his left hand appeared to be holding her breast.

Donna asked, "What was that I felt while David sucked on me?"

Kay reached and put her hand on Donna's shoulder. "Many women can have orgasms when they breast feed. I think that may be what happened to you. It felt good, didn't it?"

Donna nodded. She asked, "I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

Kay shook her head and so did Mom. "No. Your reaction is normal and natural." Kay said.

Donna and I cleaned up supper. The phone rang and Maureen answered. She listened and then covered the phone and asked, "Badger wants to know if the blessing can happen tomorrow at noon? What blessing?"

I answered, "Tell him yes, noon will be fine." I looked at Maureen and she told Badger. Knowing Badger, he hung up without so much as a "Thank you" or a "Good-bye".

She asked again, "What blessing?"

"I'll answer that in a few minutes. First I need to make a call." She gave me the phone and I dialed Uncle Walt's. When he answered he said, "Let me get Nick."

"Did Badger call you?" Dad asked.

"Is tomorrow at noon Ok?" I asked. I heard Dad asking the family. Then he spoke to me, "Ok here. There?"

"Fine." I said.

He said, "I'll call back and ask Nadine if she can go out with me tomorrow."

"Fine." I said. Mom had a strange expression on her face, as did Maureen. I hung up. I walked towards the bathroom. Mom asked, "Well?"

"I'll talk when I get back." I said.

While I sat in the bathroom the phone rang. Maureen answered. She said, "Mom it's for you."

Mom answered and said, "Yes." Twenty seconds passed and she said, "Yes! Ok, eleven o'clock. I'll be ready!"

I flushed and came out of the bathroom. Mom said, "Nick just invited me to a blessing tomorrow at noon. Is that the blessing Badger called about?"

"Did Dad tell you anything?" I asked.

"Yes. He told me to be ready to go at eleven."

"Are the rest of us invited?" Maureen asked. Mom had not asked. I nodded. She asked, "Can I invite someone?"

"Nope. Not this time. You wanted to invite Kevin. It's too soon for something like this. Trust me, Ok?"

"Ok. Trusting you isn't the same as liking it, is it?"

"Nope."

Kay and I talked, inside. After she was caught up Maureen said, "I hate it when you do that."

Kay asked, "Do what?"

"Talk without talking! I know you do it! Pale Eagle needs something and you walk up and hand it to him. Nothing was said! You talk without even being next to each other."

"Don't all married couples do that?" I asked.

"No." Mom said. "Nick and I were married almost twenty years. It happened maybe twice. I think it happens often every day between you two."

"Oh." Kay said.

At eleven the next morning Dad parked a truck in front. Walt's dually parked near him. Walt wore jeans, boots and a western shirt. A necklace circled his neck. Sue wore a beaded dress and feathers in her hair. Kay and I wore outfits much like theirs. Donna wore a beaded dress Kay lent her. Maureen wore jeans and a western shirt and Mom wore a denim dress and boots. 

Kay, David, Donna and I got into Walt's truck. Mom and Maureen rode with Dad. We followed Dad.

When we turned toward the new house I saw about a hundred Shoshone gathered by the house. I wondered if Dad remembered tobacco. Walt said, "He has lots of tobacco."

We parked and followed Dad to the porch. He greeted the elders and gave them tobacco. Sage was lit and drumming began. Three elders sang as the sage was fanned and danced around and through the house. Two sage dancers fanned all the people with the sweet smoke. Dad spoke from the porch when the drumming stopped.

"Thank you for blessing my new home. Thank you for being my neighbors, my friends, my family. I want all of you to be my witnesses. I have an important question to ask a woman." He came off the porch and directly to Nadine. He said, "I ask that you share this home with me for all the rest of our days on this Earth. Live with me. Share life with me. Live beside me, not above me or behind me. Beside me, not below or in front of me. If you agree I invite you to participate with me in our clan's ritual. Spend tonight with me in the loft."

Mom had tears on her cheeks and said, "I am honored. Honored that I get a second chance to be your woman. I will go to the loft with you any time. I will be your wife for the rest of my life."

The drumming resumed and there were many yells, whoops and dancing feet. Not much later the only people still present were family. Dad said no one was going inside the house until the next morning. After the loft.

Mom walked around the house, looking in through the windows, but not opening any doors or windows. Dad answered questions. The rest of us watched them from a distance. When the tour ended Mom and Dad hugged all of us, got into the truck and drove away. 

Sue said, "I know you're worried Pale Eagle. Your Mom has a long history. She's close to all of us. Living so close to linked love and helping all of us farm will keep her focused. I'm not worried."

Maureen said, "I hate to admit this, but... I've spent most of my life ashamed that my family were farmers. Mom taught me to look down on all of you. The day we came here I was already planning my escape. In the months since that day I've had my eyes opened. The more I've learned about hard work and about harmony the more I love it."

"Has Mom talked with you about changes in her thinking?" I asked.

"Yes! When we came to the house where she grew up and we were the cleaning crew she came face to face with how her family taught her the attitudes she had. That barn had never been cleaned the way we cleaned it. We saw how you respected the animals, the buildings and even the dirt. By the time we had the house and barn livable Mom had changed. She cries sometimes now because she tried so hard to keep us out of the dirt. As soon as she can she'll be out in their new garden, naked, working. She's in love with the land, growing plants and Dad. I know it."

Kay asked, "What about Maureen?"

"As we cleaned the house and barn I learned a lot too. Mom talked to me about how she was raised, about the attitudes her family had about farming, work, the land and the animals. We could see the disrespect in the filth they left behind. Uncle Walt teaches respect for the land, the animals, even respect for keeping the house clean. I finally understand the outside shower. It's part of how the Peterson's love everything, including each other." She paused. "A year ago I wouldn't have looked twice at Kevin Jones. I would have looked once, to see what was blocking the sun! Now, I'm thinking about spending the rest of my life on a farm six miles from here. I'm thinking about having my own son at my breast. I'm thinking about never buying another pair of Jimmy Choo shoes."




Unexpected Change Ch. 04



"You could stay away from Frank and Carl?" I asked.

Her answer took a little thought. "I haven't thought of either of them in a while. I never thought of either of them as a possible relationship. They were sex. They were how I got Mom to see me as a woman."

Kay asked, "Is it time we invited Kevin for Sunday dinner?"

"That's a big step, isn't it?" Maureen asked.

"Maybe we should start with lunch." I said.

"Lunch is a good idea! Let's go into town and buy lunch." Walt said.

Sue hooked his arm and we all moved towards the trucks. As we drove into town we passed a pasture with a few horses in it. I hit the brakes and stopped. Off in the distance I saw the appaloosa Donna had pictured in her wish. I said, "That's Donna's horse! After lunch we'll get it for her."

I started the truck again and we went to lunch. Lunch in town was unusual for us. We turned it into a celebration. The only uncomfortable moment was when a couple of tourists gasped when Kay opened her dress and let David have his lunch. Maureen defused the uncomfortable energy by saying, "In the big city they'd have to pay a twenty dollar cover charge to see a bare breast."

I said, "Shall we invite them for supper? We have four women they could see naked!"

We all laughed.

On the way back home we stopped and bought the appaloosa mare. She was almost two years old and un saddle broken. The owner said he would deliver her the next day. As soon as we were home I went to work preparing a place for Donna's horse. She would have her horse to lavish affection on and nurture. I thought she chose wisely to want a horse.

We were within a month of school starting. Kay and I talked about a shopping trip to get Donna outfitted with school supplies and clothes. At breakfast the next morning we were talking with Donna about school when she saw a truck pulling a horse trailer drive up by our barn. She shot from her chair, out the door and to the trailer. The man stopped and moved slowly to the ramp/door of the trailer. When it was lowered we could see the spotted rump of the appaloosa and she squealed saying, "It's Cloud Dancer!" Donna had been visualizing this horse for a long time.

The man backed the mare out of the trailer and Donna hugged her neck. The man was afraid, this was an unbroken animal and in his eyes dangerous. Donna wasn't afraid and neither was her horse. She patted her all over, talking a mile a minute and Cloud Dancer stood still, moving only her head as Donna got to know her. The man took his check from me, shook my hand and drove away. Donna walked Cloud Dancer around for fifteen minutes or so as we looked on. Kay brought two apples from the kitchen and Donna broke them in half and fed her the pieces. I brought my paint out and they met. It was as if they already knew each other.

At almost noon two men from the reservation rode up. Both rode appaloosas. After conferring with me they spent the rest of the day with Donna and Cloud Dancer. The rest of us went back to our lives.

At lunch Maureen said, "Our parents are married again." I nodded. She added, "A year ago I wouldn't have believed I'd have a sister, my brother would be more Shoshone than white and that my Mom would be a farmer's wife."

"You would have believed you and she would be buying Jimmy Choo shoes and not ever working a day in your lives." Kay said. Maureen nodded.

Kay invited the men to stay for supper. They stayed. Maureen made supper and they lavished praise on her. When they left Donna went back out to the barn and spent another hour with Cloud Dancer. I called her in at bedtime.

In bed I thought, 'Now she can ride to school on a beautiful horse.' Kay smiled and said, "Being married to you is so great! You love helping people be happy."

'I'll bet she goes out and sleeps with Cloud Dancer.'

"She's already out in the barn, but she may not sleep."

When we got up breakfast was on the table. Donna was bubbling all over the house and had fed David. Maureen came to breakfast and said, "I thought I was making breakfast today."

Donna said, "I was already up, so I made it. You got an extra forty-five minutes sleep."

"Thank you." Maureen said.

Suddenly Donna became serious. "Pale Eagle, I want to ask a huge favor. I'll understand if you say no, but I need to ask."

Kay thought, 'Say yes.'

"I want to change my last name to Peterson." Donna said. "All the people I live with, all the people who really love me are named Peterson. I want to be one."

"Maybe we should have a family vote. Let all the Peterson's vote." I smiled. "Course that would mean we have to wait years. David can't talk."

"He doesn't need to vote, does he?" Donna cried.

"No, I guess not. After all he's suckled at your breast, I guess that counts as his voting yes. Maureen, how do you vote?"

"She's my sister. I vote yes."

"I vote yes!" Kay said.

"Do we need to ask Walt and Sue, Steve and Don, my Dad and Nadine?"

Maureen, Donna and Kay said, "No!" and laughed.

I said, "I'll call a lawyer today. You're in. Want a new first name too?"

"No. I already answer to Donna."

By the end of August she was Donna Peterson. On the first day of school I walked her into the office and signed her in. It's a small town. Everyone knew who Donna was and it was a simple paper change to change her records to show her as Donna Peterson. 

On the first day of school Donna was dressed, fed and on the back of her beautiful mare, Cloud Dancer, before dawn. She rode off as proud as a princess. She rode bareback.

The second weekend of September we were invited to Dad's for supper. They had asked us to wait until they had the house furnished and Mom was ready to entertain. We all got dressed up and arrived at almost eight o'clock. The house had four rocking chairs on the porch. The front door was open and a screen door closed.

As we climbed onto the porch we could see that all the furnishings were country comfortable. We sat and removed our shoes. Mom met us at the door and we each were kissed as she held the screen open for us.

The table was set and supper was ready. It was set with a traditional turkey dinner. As we entered the dining room Dad was carving the turkey. He hesitated long enough to kiss and hug everyone then he finished cutting up the bird.

We sat and Dad thanked us all for being there. Food was passed and the first bites were taken. Maureen asked, "Who made all this? Mom, you don't know how to cook."

Mom blushed and Dad said, "Everything we have tonight was made by Nadine. She took lessons and practiced on six turkeys, all of which I ate and liked. I am so proud of her!"

When the feasting was over we all helped with the clean up. We got the tour and saw every room of their house. We were all impressed. None of the furniture was fancy or ostentatious. It all reflected that we were in rural Idaho, Indian Country and on a farm. After the tour Mom led us out onto the porch and turned on some flood lights. We saw at least five acres of garden, bursting with food!

Dad said, "That's Nadine's garden. I'm the consultant and her assistant. All the veggies we had with supper are from that garden."

We walked to the garden and I was very impressed. It was beautiful. On our way back to the house I put my arm around Mom's shoulders and said, "I am unbelievably proud of you and proud to say you're my Mom."

She burst into tears and hugged me. In seconds the family was in the hug.

Kevin joined the hug a year later. As a joke Steve, Don and I added bracing to the loft before Maureen and Kevin climbed up there. He thanked us the next day. While they were on their Honeymoon Steve, Don and I added an outdoor shower to their farmhouse. 

Donna graduated from high school and went to live in Pocatello with Aunt Buzz while she went to college. She became a teacher and works in Pocatello while she lives with Aunt Buzz. She's bringing a guy home for Christmas this year. In our last conversation she asked me a question.

She asked, "Think Uncle Walt would let me borrow the loft for a night?"

My answer: "You better book now. I happen to know Steve and Don are each bringing someone home for Christmas this year."

I heard Walt's voice in my head, 'These changes are expected.'