5 comments/ 25253 views/ 3 favorites Custody of Evita By: Egmont Grigor CHAPTER 1 The little girl was crying, on the sidewalk outside Fitzherbert's Arcade. Acacia crouched in front of the child, ascertaining the tears welled from uncertainty rather than panic. Acacia, being the eldest in the family had helped raise the tailenders of her mother's six other children so knew how to read signs and how to react. "Oh my your dress is really pretty." The child looked a little apprehensive but then read Acacia with growing interest and said confidently, "It's my best dress." "Well your mommy did well in buying that dress," and looking around Acacia asked, "Where's mommy?" "Gone to heaven. Daddy says I'm not allowed to cry." "Well, um, no if that's what daddy said. Acacia's mind was reeling and she didn't know what to say next but fortunately a guy in jeans and a grubby T-shirt said, "Evita, I told you to wait outside the DVD rental." "Daddy it was just a little walk. This lady says my dress is pretty." Acacia, although shy of men, said, "Yes it is pretty. You did well buying it?" "Who the hell are you?" "A woman who cares who saw your daughter crying so attempted to comfort her." Acacia saw the signs of a guy about to blow his top, so she said, "I take it you are not an irresponsible father?" The dark hair guy showing at least two day's stubble looked as if she'd stopped him with an elephant gun. "Irresponsible? Me? You have no idea." "Please keep calm, I only said were you? Don't be so defensive." A bus pulled in alongside them with a squeal of brakes. "Your daughter could have kept wandering and been in front of that bus." "Oh god." "On the other hand she appears quite mature for her age. What is she, five." "Five and about three months." "About three months. Don't you know?" "Go to hell. Come on Evita." "Goodbye pretty lady." Mr Grumpy glanced back at Acacia waving to Evita and muttered, "Yes she is beautiful," leaving behind a slightly improved impression that perhaps he might have just being exhibiting guilt of having displayed faulty childcare. Acacia dawdled along the sidewalk in the direction they'd taken, window shopping like a person with time on her hands and turned into a fish shop where she selected salmon fillets for herself and her brother who was staying with her. She sighed thinking a week with Peter in the apartment was trying because his idea of conversation was answering questions and he was so untidy. But perhaps that was not uncommon for a nineteen-year old baby of the family. There was a 10-year age gap between them and he'd grown up being spoilt by three sisters and wow, hadn't self-survival at college been a shock to him. On that subject Peter had felt obliged to string together whole series of completed sentences to describe awakening in reality with a roommate who wanted everything his way. Although it was 10:50 he greeted her with a hi and asked, "What's for breakfast?" "And good morning to you Peter. Switch off TV and open the curtains and switch off the lights. God, every light in the apartment is on even my bedroom light. Why is that on?" "I went looking for you. I was hungry." Acacia sighed. "Have a shower and a shave in your preferred order and then come to the kitchen. It's lunchtime. I'll teach you how to make omelet." "Aw, do I have to?" "Not if you prefer to head back to college now, a day early. Peter couldn't believe he'd cooked his own omelet and sitting watching Acacia eat hers became almost a conversationalist. "Why aren't you married?" "Perhaps I'm the ugly duckling of the family." "No you're not. You are the most attractive female in our family and your personality is compelling." "Compelling?" "Irresistible. God you went to college. You must know what it means?" "Pardon me darling it was such a shock finding you knew the meaning of the word and used it in a novel manner." "Girls at college force you to talk like that to them otherwise there're off to find someone else." "Then why haven't you charmed me all week during the little time we've had together including this morning when I awoke you to see if you wanted to accompany me shopping your reply was 'Oh crap off'? "Sorry." "Please answer the question Peter." "Because it's a pain having to modify to relate to girls and tutors. It has been so cool being here with you and relaxing, being myself. Obviously you have a similar problem with men." "What?" "You don't relate to them like they expect. You are a bit of all right. I reckon all my pals would go around the block with you because you have all the assets and in good supply." "May we talk about something else?" "Sure and I'll repeat my unanswered question. Why hasn't a guy cut you out of the herd?" Panic ripped through Acacia. This oaf posing as a would-be attorney rehearsing in cross-examination mode had her pinned to the wall. She had to be dismissive. "Because men of my age are too busy carving out their careers. Now be a good boy and clear away. I'm off to tint my hair." But she may as well been talking to the door. "Men are never too busy when it's sex in the offing." "Offing – who taught you that word?" "You are diverting sis. Guys don't notice you because you act primly, speak primly and cover up primly. God you dress even more conservatively than mom." "Peter, for god's sake. You can't converse with me in this manner. You are delving into my persona uninvited and outlandishly." "Outlandishly. You have to be kidding. You accuse me of living in a cave. So I open up. And then what happens? You then attempt to boot me back into my intellectual conferment." "This is crazy, all too crazy for words. I'm off to do my hair." "I rest my case your honor. Miss Acacia Phelps, unmarried school teacher, is doomed to remain a spinster for the rest of her life." Acacia left the room before she was provoked enough to murder her accuser. Later, looking in the bathroom mirror with a plastic bag over her hair, she smiled and said, "Bah, who'd marry you Miss Spinster Phelps." That evening after clearing away the remains of a sensationally meal of baked crusted-top salmon that had left Peter raving Acacia said, "Come on, let's go to a bar." Peter reacted as if his sister had uttered her first-ever profanity. "It's only a bar, not a whorehouse that I want you to accompany me." He grinned and asked his sister had she ever been in a bar. Laughing Acacia said she'd been carried out of a few by her girlfriends when at college. "No I mean post-college." "I seem to recall two occasions. Birthday bashes but left early to avoid misbehavior." "Jesus." "It's how I live Peter. Go brush your teeth and grab a jacket." It was Saturday night so the bar was fairly crowded and obviously some patrons had been there for a very long time. Acacia slipped her brother a hundred bucks and said, "Just keep them coming partner." She knew that had been a mistake because he handed her a beer. "You'll like it," he said confidently. "Some of the chicks at college drink it. That beer is produced by a boutique brewery with a lightness and reduced alcohol content designed to appeal to women." Miss Know-all said she wouldn't like it but was pleasantly surprised. Next he produced a Martini. "I wanted something new. We had Martinis before dinner." He grinned and said shut-up and sip. "Wow," she gurgled, clutching at her throat. "What is this?" "A strong Vodka-based Martini. A little different to the flavored insipid ones you serve eh?" Big-eyed, Acacia said, "This is a power-drink." "Yeah. Tell a guy you'd like to learn how to make real Martinis and you'll hit a response cord. He'll look at you and think hey he didn't know you shared one of his interests. So he'll invite you round and make you a graduate of his Martini school and before you know it your legs will be over his shoulders and he'll be pumping and you'll be shouting 'Martinis forever'." "Peter, you can't talk to your sister like that." "I know, but I just did. Neat huh?" Well, what could she say? She knew anyway that Peter wouldn't be expecting an answer so said, "Tell me about the babes in here you'd think about attempting to pick up." "Like most guys I look at the blondes first but hope I'll end up with a brunette – solid campaigners say the real women are brunettes but expect exceptions. I'd look at that blonde to your right and I'd think, nah her eyes are too close together and her tits are too small." "What is wrong with small... um?" Peter smiled and told her to say it. "Tits." "Well sis, sex is playtime and bigger tits give a guy more to play with. It's as simple as that." "Um do you ever... with tits?" "I've learned to try it only by invitation. It can be such a waste of time. But if the babe invites you, suggesting it and pulls you on to her that way you can bet she believes she's pretty good at it. Then when a babe simply gives you a sweet smile and pulls out a little container and dribbles lube down into that valley it's really time to lick your lips and grin." "Um, moving on Peter there's an attractive brunette over there." "No way, see how laid-back she is. She talks with little animation and scarcely moves. The bet is she'll be like that in bed, lethargic." "What about that brunette with the big red ear-rings." "She'll be hot as hot. I've been looking at her. Her energy is obvious and her expressions and gestures say to me she is a honey pot waiting to explode. She knows it and the big guy with her knows it and they'll probably do it in the parking lot over the hood of his car." "The slut." "Possibly but then again if you a ready to explode you might seize the first opportunity to scream, "Take me tiger." "God, how primitive." "Sis, there are all shades of sex. You sit on that drink and your nightcap will be a whisky." "I don't like whisky." "Well you might like Mr Tom Collins." Acacia walked back to the apartment without need of assistance, although she did take Peter's arm. Inside she save him a rather wet and long kiss and he pushed her away and grinned, saying nothing. She colored, he winked and went over to find the day bed ready for him. "I didn't see you do that." "I did it while you were in the bathroom before we went out. Men are unaware of most things a woman does around the home. Good night Peter. You are becoming an interesting and lovely man." Now who was blushing? Acacia said goodbye to him on Monday morning, Peter having decided there was a bus he could take and arrive at college with half an hour to spare. "Don't forget to clean up before you leave." "Okay and don't you forget to regard finding a man is like a project requiring strategy, planning and implementation." They kissed warmly. Acacia arrived home late afternoon to find the apartment looking almost immaculate but with most of the lights on. She smiled a little wanly, missing Peter already. On Tuesday Acacia received a late call asking if she could fill in at ballet. Although not trained as a tutor she'd been a ballerina until midway through her freshman year at college so was on the emergency help list of her old ballet school. She arrived to find a guy having words with the director. "I wanted my daughter to have the best tuition available." "Well locally you have come to the right place. The problem, Mr Mitchell is Evita doesn't..." "Pretty lady!" called Evita. Already a little agitated and now seeing his daughter clutching the upper thigh of a stranger, Mr Mitchell scowled. "Come along darling," Acacia said, taking the child by the hand. "It's not true you don't like ballet, is it?" "I like you." "Oooh, that's a start. You can watch and join in when you're ready." Mike playing the big guy said, "If you instruct ballet I want my daughter on the floor with anyone else but you. I'm coming to keep an eye on you." "It is the policy of this school to allow parents to watch provided they remain passive and are not grumpy." The director Mrs Roberts looked surprised a new rule was being imposed whereas the normal rule was unconditional access for parents or guardians. Acacia eyed the guy, knowing she looked reasonably attractive and tidy although she'd come straight from teaching all day. "Well?" Mrs Roberts had never seen Acacia this aggressive and was wondering about intervening when Mr Mitchell's face darkened but he said, "Good, I'd expect to have proper control exerted." Just as Mrs Roberts began to relax Acacia said, "And that rule applies to you in particular Mr Mitchell." Mr Mitchell appeared to be counting to three and then said, "No problem." Watching them go into the classroom Mrs Roberts recalled that some men respond well when treated like errant teenagers, believing being they were conditioned to expect such treatment. Well, of any tutor around who could connect the child to ballet it would be, er, 'pretty lady'. Part of the problem was the child was over five whereas the class had mostly started when they were four, a few even younger. "Good afternoon class." "Good afternoon Miss Phelps." "This afternoon we have a newcomer to our class and her name is Evita. She is a dear friend of mine so I'd like you all to be lovely to you as she has just started ballet but has sat on the bench from what she'd told me. I'd like Evita to be out here with you young trainees. Is there someone who will be mother to Evita until she gains experience? Like some of you Evita has only one parent. She lives with her daddy." "Pick me Miss Phelps." Acacia had taken this class before and one of the five girls who's called out to volunteered was the one she'd hoped to pair Evita with because she already showed signs of being gentle and patient and yet was not at all shy. "Thank you Angela. Please come and take Evita back to your position." "I want to stay with you." "Evita please. Either you go with Angela who has a sister your age or you go and sit with daddy." "That's my daddy over there," Evita said proudly. Mr Mitchell was the only male in a group of mothers, day care helpers or grandmothers. The class clapped spontaneously pleasing Acacia but pleasing Evita as well because she held up her hand for Angela. Following all that on closed circuit TV in her office Mrs Roberts could only marvel. Occasionally the school had a difficult class and this was one of them, unruly. Two other tutors had worked with them besides Barbara Duff, all with mixed success. But with Acacia they acted liked lambs. Mrs Roberts knew why and watched to see Acacia virtually slay them where they stood. Acacia still went to yoga and Pilates classes so had not lost her suppleness. "Well class let's warm up together and then I demonstrate to remind you everything you have learned to date and that Mrs Young will play and I'll dance showing each one of those steps in my dance but then for the benefit of Evita I'll do a section of proper ballet from one of my favorites, Giselle. Mrs Roberts knew that especially the grandmothers would welcome this, expecting their granddaughters to be as good a dancer or perhaps better than Acacia which was unlikely. Mrs Roberts had tutored at the school and then purchased it and in twenty-two years had not had the pleasure of bringing on such a successful student as Acacia. The girl had professional ballerina written all over within three years of starting as a four-year-old but would later say no, she wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Although Mrs Roberts could see Acacia had on slippers she was in her work attire and Mr Mitchell was about to see a pair of beautiful legs up as far as legs went. She hoped Mr Mitchell would regard this display, er this display of ballet as a treat because that would mean a grumpy father being won over. It was likely he'd see his Evita as being Miss Phelps by the time she was fourteen. The class went through its routine and when she was concentrating Evita showed touches of promise and appeared athletic. Miss Phelps asked them to sit and went through their routine for them as a dance. Mike Mitchell watched Evita's lovely lady do the routine and thought not bad but it was scarcely demanding was it. Maria had been a professional dancer when they'd met but gave up her career when pregnant with Evita. Maria would have been all over this young woman. But there was a pause as Mrs Young switched to the grand piano and even as the introduction was being played Mike could see a chance come over Miss Phelps. Her facial expression seemed to reduce to just a soft smile and her entire statue seemed to soften. And then she danced. As the red skirt flew high he saw the most wonderful pair of legs he'd ever seen. Maria had great lower legs but had been heavy thighed. And the grace of Miss Phelps – although she must be out of training at her age as apparently she was a school teacher, Mike knew she was something. He could see Evita if she developed the interest being like Miss Phelps by the time she was fifteen, possibly being even better. After that all too short exhibition Mike was astonished to see the look of raptor on kids so young, including Evita. Oh god, Miss Phelps would now be her heroine, developing a mother fixation. Fortunately Miss Phelps only came in when Miss Duff wasn't available. Now Mrs Roberts was at his side. "Miss Phelps will report to me after this class ends whether she thinks Evita should start with this class or drop down to the four-year olds. It's not an easy decision to make and it will have to be ratified by Miss Duff next week but I would think she won't wish to overturn Miss Phelps decision because Miss Duff and Miss Phelps are longtime friends and competed against each other in their younger days. You may sit in the discussion with Evita if you wish." "Yes, thank you. But will Evita cope with such a discussion about her." "You obvious don't know Miss Phelps. She is the type of woman who might assist you Mr Mitchell, I mean as a friendly consultant. She will run rings about those tired and over-worked consultants from child welfare." "Can you be certain about that" Child welfare consultants are experts in their field." "I'm as sure about that as my name is Sarah Roberts. You may call me Sarah Mr Mitchell. I feel you won't be about to keep Evita away from here. Look at the bond she and Angela are displaying already." "Call me Mike. Sarah is it possible for Evita to receive one-on-one coaching?" "Yes. I suggest we wait till we hear from Miss Phelps." CHAPTER 2 Bouncing up and down inside her vehicle restraint, Evita chanted "I'm going to ballet, I'm going to ballet and Miss Phelps will teach me." Mike had been responding to the wish Maria had expressed before she finally was taken by cancer: ballet lessons for Evita. He smiled and wondered at the huge change in attitude Evita had for ballet in only eight days. Initially Evita had fought against staying at the school once she'd seen what was involved and noted the other students already knew what to do. But Acacia, as he'd been invited to call Miss Phelps before delivering her report, had been wonderful. Acacia said she believed Evita would make quicker and better progress if she stayed with her age group and recommended Evita take eight twice-weekly coaching lessons to get her up to speed.'' Mrs Roberts said vaguely she wondered who could perform the coaching. Mike suggested instantly, "Acacia. She already has wonderful rapport with my daughter." "Acacia?" "Well Mrs Roberts I would be pleased to assist, say on Wednesday at 3.45 and on Saturday mornings at 9:00 for the half-hour lessons. However I could adjust times to suit Mr Mitchell." "No those days are fine. I work from home as a consulting engineer so my time is flexible. Um, what about increasing the coaching lessons to an hour and then Evita would learn twice as fast." Custody of Evita Acacia reminded him, a little sharply he thought, that Evita was only five years and four months old. He'd worked it out – that was how old Evita was. That Acacia was very smart. Fancy her remembering Evita's age from that short exchange they'd had almost a month ago outside Fitzherbert's Arcade." Driving carefully, on the lookout as Maria had taught him, calling it defensive driving and being very different from what she'd called his ''maniacal driving style', he thought a little about Acacia as a sex object. Well who could blame him – she had an amazing body? She probably would have had to have a breast reduction if she'd gone on to be a profession ballerina. No way did he want her to have those two beauties reduced. For a moment Mike thought of sliding his dick between them and pulled his mind away from Miss Phelps, feeling an erection in the making. "Do you like Miss Phelps daddy?" "Yes, she's lovely." "Can I tell her that?" Mike, making a right hand turn in the face of an approaching truck said without thinking, of course she could. Now safely in the street of the ballet school, sited in a former church hall, the church now a residence on a 10-acre property near the river and beside the small horse riding school, he thought he should ask Evita not to say to Miss Phelps daddy said she was lovely but then decided it didn't matter. Well it didn't – shed have no interest in him, being under thirty she would regard him as 'used goods', even for a torrid little affair. A torrid little affair. He grinned and then pulled the SUV on to the correct side of the road. It wasn't as if he were desperate for sex. One of Maria's friends dropped around twice a month to check that he and Evita were getting along okay. The married mom with two children usually didn't leave until she'd placed Evita in the bath and then enterprisingly she'd usually offer Mike sex. He'd yet to refuse Carolyn's offer. At the end of the lesson that day Acacia invited Mike to stay for coffee. He accepted and when they are alone for a few minutes – Evita being at another table talking to Mrs Roberts who had her young niece with her – Acacia said, "Mike (she only called him Mr Mitchell when other people were near them) please allow me to say this without you becoming steamed up, but do you think it's a good thing telling Evita you are in love with me?" Mike wondered what the hell was she on about so said defensively, "What? On the way here my daughter asked me if I liked you and said yes, you were lovely. That's all I said, I swear that's all I said." "Oh Mike, please forgive me. When she said that with a cute little smile I simply believed her." "God, please forget this little incident – it must have left you half sick thinking a thirty-seven year old guy starting to go bald and being previously married taking a sexual interest in you." "Half sick? What are you talking about? I feel romantically attracted to you, largely because I see Evita needing a woman who cares for her like a mother but if you want to change romantic to sexual interest that's fine by me. It may interest you to know there hasn't been a guy in my life for months." "S-should we be talking like this?" "Of course we should. Let's take Evita out to lunch Sunday and we can talk more about it." "A-are you dating me?" "It appears that way Mike. One of us had to take the initiative. Here comes Evita with Rosemary, Mrs Robert's niece". When father and daughter left Acacia was astounded with herself for being so positively proactive in arranging that date. * * * Sunday, day of the first date between Acacia and the Mitchell family of two, was wet so Acacia abandoned her plan for a romantic picnic and booked a table at Riverside Restaurant. When they greeted Acacia kissed Evita and the child said "Kiss her daddy," so he did and would have known he was being kissed back. Evita had two dolls with her and when she was engrossed in them Mike said, stumbling a little over the three words, "Is it on?" and expelled a whoof of nervously held breath when she replied of course. His hazel and her blue eyes locked and they smiled. "When?" Acacia had rehearsed, expecting such a question. "It depends on Evita. I suggest when you are at home and she begins talking to you say to her should you invited me to dinner and should you ask me to sleep in mummy's bed." "Oh no, I couldn't phrase it like that?" "Why not? Children at her age are unbelievably uncomplicated and anyway I sense it's what she wants." Unable to meet Acacia's eyes Mike said, "What happens when you leave?" "Who said I'm itching to leave?" "Well it happens." "If it happens then Evita has learned one of life's experiences. Coddle her and she'll take another step learning the meaning of life." "The meaning of life?" Mike said, a little agitated. "How can you be so calm about it?" "Because I'm a calm person. My mother almost died when giving birth to my brother and I've had a grandfather and two uncles die." "Oh sorry. No one in my family had died within my memory, Maria being the first." Acacia said that must have been one of life's biggest experiences for him. "You must talk to me about, un Maria. That was the first time you mentioned her by name to me I think." "It may have been." "I don't mind if you bring her name and memories up from time to time." "Okay, that surprises me but it will not be within Evita's hearing." "Mike, I don't wish to appear a know-all dragon but I'm only interested in hearing about Maria when Evita is listening and I welcome interaction from her." "But..." "Mike, please try to understand. Maria is part of Evita and is the only mother she can ever had. She is also part of Evita's life history. It would be wrong to block that." Mike's head dropped. "I'm not managing well as a solo father, am I?" "I would think you are doing you best." "I bought a letter with me not knowing whether I should show it to you... but I need to be advised what to do." "The letter please Mike." He handed it across without a word and immediately Acacia understood his concern: 'Dear Mr Mitchell Our field officers have concern about your ability to cope with the rearing of your daughter Evita. We have received three complaints from neighbors about Evita being distressed, apparently left alone. You are requested to bring Evita in for a family conference on Tuesday next. You are invited to be accompanied by your attorney. Maureen O'Neill, Assistant Chief Supervisor Child Welfare Division' Acacia looked at her distressed companion and grinned. "Oh Mike, toughen up. This is simply an appraisal. They can't take Evita away from you without a court order. Answer this, have you ever left Evita at home alone?" "Good god, are you mad?" "Oh an excellent answer Mike. Please remember that at the conference and repeat it with the same vehemence you did just then. Have you arranged for your attorney to attend?" "I was hoping..." "Yes Mike, I would be honored to give you that support and believe me, my qualifications will count more to the people at social welfare than legal qualifications. I suggest we have sex before that meeting in case we there are questions about the depth of our relationship because I will be claiming I have entered into a close relationship with you as a result of our mutual interest in Evita who has really taken to me, suggesting she is substituting me for her mother." "Well I don't know about the mother substitute thing." Acacia sighed. "Mike, you think about it and focus on the objective which is to put the minds of child welfare authorities at rest. We have to present your strongest case and I have suggested how you should approach it. A half-win is not good enough Mike. To bury this threat you'll have to be totally convincing. Let me know..." "Let's do it your way. I had no strategy, just an outright appeal. I accept that might not be good enough; the panel will be looking for hard evidence, solid reassurance." "Good thinking Mike. I'll disappear for a few minutes. During that time you might like to suggest to Evita that you invite me to dinner tonight." "What about tomorrow night? That would suit me better." * * * Carolyn Boyd called on Sunday afternoon as she often did to check on Mike and Evita. Her relationship with Mike's late wife Maria had begun through contact at a women's book club and during a social outing the two women had sat together on the bus. Then both aged twenty-seven they were among the youngest women in the group, both also being in early stages of pregnancy. Their friendship expanded when Carolyn expressed a desire to speak Spanish that had been Maria's first language as she'd been born in Argentina and spent the first seventeen years of her life there before her parents emigrated. She'd met Mike at university. Mike liked Carolyn the best of Maria's friends and during a wild New Year's Party Carolyn was just coming out of the toilet and collided with Mike who'd been about to tap on the door before attempting to enter. They'd laughed a little drunkenly, Carolyn had reached up and kissed him and he groped and as soon as Mike had been to the toilet he dragged the half-willing Carolyn to the bedroom. Casual sex had resumed after Maria died. On this occasion father and daughter had been home less than two hours after lunching with Acacia who Carolyn had known was coaching Evita at the ballet school. But now Evita's news was all about lunching with daddy and her ballet tutor. Carolyn smiled at Mike and said, "This sounds very promising for you?" Mike squirmed as he preferred people not being too direct and that was one big problem he had with Acacia although felt he was beginning to adapt. "Um, yeah." "Like the possibility of an affair?" Mike took that head-on. "More than a possibility. She's ready but I felt the need to talk to you first." "Oh dear Mike, whatever for? I've happily encouraged you to have sex with me following Maria's death knowing her replacement would appear in time." "Well I don't see a relationship being that permanent but who knows?" "The impression I get from Evita is this Acacia sounds like a very sweet young woman, just what Evita needs. If you and Acacia gel it's probable real romance will develop." "You mean like the relationship that grew on Maria and me... I don't think so." "Mike you would be one of the last persons around capable of making that prediction with any degree of accuracy. My advice is just hang in there and wait for things to happen. I'll run Evita's bath now and then we can have our last fuck, or I'll just jerk you off or we just sit and talk." "Um, I was worried..." "Mike darling, I get more than enough sex at home to keep me going." "You have been very good for me and a hugely warm and loveable person in helping Evita through her period of stress over out great loss. I... I would not like to see this break our relationship with you." Carolyn asked what did he have in mind. "I've been thinking about it and suggest we continue social contact as you have a special link with Evita and me for that matter and I would like contact, er no sex contact, to continue." "Well Tony knows I come here to see you and Evita, but doesn't know about what else you get from me. It should be easy to develop that. I could get him to come to school functions and then perhaps we could have a picnic. You know if he has no suspicion about you and me sexually, suspicion could arise if I were to cut my visits here totally." "Yes I agree." "I could also have someone invite Acacia to join our book club. I'm sure Tony and you could become good friends Mike and through book club contact friendship could develop between Acacia and me." "Yes right. You have a special bond with Evita and me and I'd not wish to see that broken. You know, Acacia is encouraging me to talk to Evita about Maria and I've been astonished just how well Evita and I have slipped into that routine. She did cry at first, like saying her mommy would never kiss her again. Oh boy, that was a big one. But as Acacia says Maria is part of Evita's history and Evita ought not be denied access to that." "Oh what a wonderful way to describe that," Carolyn sniffed. Twenty minutes later as Carolyn climaxed with a succession of soft groans and Mike filled the end of the condom they fell into their final very wet and passionate kiss. In perfect timing came the call from the bathroom, "Who wants to lift me out?" "You do it," Mike smiled, dabbing at Carolyn's tears with a towel. "I truly believe Maria would approve this great arrangement you and I have had going – and involving Evita being bathed by her mom's best friend." Next morning Mike worried about how to tell Acacia about 'the other woman'. He accepted from the outset he must tell her. The worry was the internal debate of how much to tell her. He decided to tell her everything apart from naming Carolyn. He was so relieved at finalizing that he poured himself a glass of wine although it was only 11:00. He collected Evita from school and all she talked about was Miss Phelps coming to dinner and would Miss Phelps bath her or should daddy bath her before Miss Phelps arrived and what should she wear. "You choose what you'd like to wear but I suggest your best dress." "I was thinking that but was also thinking my blue playsuit." "You decide." "What are we eating?" "Steak." "Miss Phelps might only like fish." Mike felt a little edgy and though they better stop and buy fish. "Or chicken." He groaned. "What's the matter daddy?" "I'm being slowly tortured," Mike managed to say lightly. Fortunately Evita let that one by. "Will Miss Phelps drink milk?" God, did they have enough milk. Mike stopped at a convenience store and stocked up on a pack of frozen chicken, a pack of frozen fish, milk and bottled water and at Evita's final suggestion, 'Pretty paper napkins'. "We have two kinds of those." "But not this pretty." "Right, grab a pack." Miss Phelps arrived at 6:00 and kissed the Mitchell family. She was handed a strong Martini and commented, "Oooh, aiming to get me drunk earlier." Hugely embarrassed Mike attempted to take the drink and replace it with bottled water but she laughed and said to relax, she'd only been joking. CHAPTER 3 Studying her body in the mirror after trimming her light bush, Acacia thought he should like her body, particularly her legs and breasts. She wondered about her breasts and began to worry and during the lunch break at school called her brother Peter. "Hi, what are you doing?" "Sitting with a couple of pals watching the girls go by." "Something's come up. Could you walk away from them so we can talk privately." "Yeah." There was a brief pause and then, "Sounds like you have guy trouble." "Not trouble but he wants to sleep with me." Peter said lucky girl. Was she nervous and she said she'd been with guys before. So he said did this one appear to be Mr Right. "Yes. I'm going to his home tonight to have dinner with him and... um... his five-year old daughter." "A daughter eh. Well you won't need to bother with sex. Just enjoy his manhood conversationally and as company." "P-e-t-e-r!" "Sorry. So you want to encourage him? Well, if he serves steak you know he's aiming to build up your energy so you two can fuck all night." "Oh, what about other meats?" "A steak pie is okay but other things leave the subject open but beware of fish." "You mean he may over cook it, leaving it dry." "No chances are he's gay but then that's just me kidding. So you have called to find out how to start his motor?" "Yes and please, no kidding." "Well I don't think you are the type of girl willing to dip your fingers and give him a smell of cunt juice...." Acacia squealed and said he couldn't talk to her like that; she was his sister. Peter replied meaning? She said she didn't know how to answer that. "Well just casually and very gently rub your hand over his crotch. Don't worry if his piece is flaccid." "Okay, I understand. That means he knows to proceed with his seduction." "Well perhaps. But first there are three possibilities." "You mean the butt. What is the other one? She could hear Peter braying like a donkey. "No you fool," he coughed and spluttered. "He may snort 'Get away from me your fucking slut'. Or he may be horrified you have mistaken him as being your sexy boyfriend or he may do what most guys like me would do and that is to yank out your tits and murmur in a sexy voice, I don't need a condom do I? But tell me, what does this guy do?" "He's approaching forty and is a consulting engineer. He told me he's involved as an independent consultant in infrastructure checking the design work of project engineers, whatever that means." "Well in that case you have no worries. After you stroke over his cock, gently and just the once he'll kiss you deeply and say something like, 'Show me your breasts'." "Is that all?" "Darling when you flash those beauties at him, believe me, his motor will be purring and he'll know what to do." "Oooh, that sounds very promising." "Yeah, I'd like being there myself." "Peter!" "Er sorry." "Please stop being a bad boy. Now what about encouraging him to go between my breasts?" "Easy. Buy a spray container of water-soluble lube – someone told me it's sold in the supermarket these days. Spray it between your tits when he's gone down on you..." "Peter..." "And if he decides to shaft you between those beauties you're all ready for him. Just grab a handful on each side and press inwards, gently, just to increase the friction. That works on the head of his dick and..." "Thank you Peter. I indicated I'm not a virgin." "Yeah you did. Look I've developed a boner just thinking of sliding between your tits. I've gotta go and let it subside before walking back to the boys. Just have fun and relax. It's going to happen if he serves steak anyway, even if you faint at first sight of his gigantic..." "Thanks darling Peter, bye," Acacia screamed, cutting the call. She was panting. * * * The evening went perfectly. As Acacia arrived Evita ran to her screaming and took her by the hand to show her bedroom and her playroom but first instructed, "You better kiss daddy." It was a chaste kiss, without body press, because Evita continued to hold Acacia's hand to possibly save her father from being devoured but more likely to remain in friendly contact. The three of them had a drink and when Evita yawned Mike said he must serve dinner. "Um, I became confused about what to serve so purchased rabbit pie. I can do you steak or chicken or fish if you don't eat rabbit." "Rabbit is fine. I've had it severed by friends of my parents." "I eat rabbit, just a little bit, because rabbits are friendly." "Do you darling. A little bit of meat is good for you." After Acacia put Evita to bed the child called, "Daddy, my goodnight kiss." He arrived and performed beautifully. "Now you two stand back. More. A little bit more. That's good now kiss her daddy like you used to kiss mommy standing there." Mike, trembling, placed his arms around Acacia. "I'm sorry about this." "No, it's fine. Just kiss me with a happy heart." They broke apart and Evita said, "You and mommy kissed much longer than that." "Well your mommy was special Evita. Goodnight darling," Acacia said. Acacia took Mike's arm as they returned to the dinning room and asked gently, "Are you okay?" "Yeah. Evita still manages to shock me. I can't believe she remembers that." "She does now. Well it was not so long ago so would have seen that little ritual. But it will fade, perhaps quite rapidly. What I'm pleased about is her thoughts like that don't upset her. We expect young children to be open and uncomplicated with wonderful acceptance but it's not always like that. I'm telling you Evita is a beautifully adjusted sweet young girl. Now show my photographs of her mother." Custody of Evita "What?" "Photographs are..." Acacia smiled. Mike shrugged. "I can't believe this." "And then this will be even harder to take Mike and no way am I sorry for doing this. Why has the lingering presence of Maria gone from Evita's bedroom, this room, the kitchen and the lounge?" "I... I thought it best. Evita knows there is a photo, a big photo, of Evita in my bedroom." "And was there one in Evita's bedroom?" "Yes, the one she called from an early age The Dancing Lady. You're not going to suggest..." "What I suggest Mike is you think about showing that photo to Evita and then react to her comments." "She won't want it back in her bedroom." "Are you sure about that? There is one way of finding out." "Why are you doing this to me?" "I'll be as gentle as I can Mike. Maria was part of your life and I know you loved here because your hurt is still with you. But you may find that will fade in time. But in Evita's case while the memory may fade the reality of her having Maria's blood line in her will remain for the rest of his life." "Oh god, how can I argue against that?" "How can anyone really argue against reality Mike?" "Well I'll tell you this Acacia. I can see you have Evita's interests at heart and I can see you are teaching me something about myself." "But the decisions remain with you." "Yes, I have not lost sight of that. I also think you are good for me and very good for Evita. There is something I must tell you. Since the funeral there has been an occasional woman, a married woman..." "I don't find that a surprise Mike. My guess is she would have been a friend of Maria's and you." "Yes and I'm not surprised hearing that from you. She was strongly Maria's friend." "And would be doing this for Maria in her mind although wishing also to comfort you. I'd like to met here if our relationship develops." "Oh yes, our relationship. Don't you see my inadequacies?" "Now don't pull that hound-dog expression on me Michael Mitchell. You are coping very well and probably have surprised yourself." "You are too kind." "Well if you must know I believe it. Maria prepared herself for motherhood and home management... you have been dropped into it. See the difference. I'll go now. This evening has been a little traumatic for you. I'll return for dinner tomorrow evening – perhaps you might like to serve steak. I'll stay the night and be gone before dawn because I don't wish to lie to the child welfare authorities as being in a relationship with you without having done it." "Do you really want to do that?" "Yes Mike and I expect to be pinned to the mattress by you thinking of no one and nothing else but fucking me near legless." "Christ Acacia, is that you speaking?" They laughed and kiss leisurely before she left, very happy at the way things were progressing. Acacia knew she could love them both. Next evening Acacia found her steak a little underdone for her taste. Mike caught her tentative dig at it with her fork and whipped it away and put it under the grill. Anita said hers was good, that she liked it red like daddy. Earlier when Acacia arrived Evita was waiting to be taken off to be bathed. "Come and see what daddy has given me," she said, after watching Acacia being kissed. As soon as Acacia entered the bedroom she saw The Dancing Lady and another portrait photo of Maria on the wall. Mother Maria had been beautiful with what Acacia thought was 'a passionate face'. But Evita made no mention of the new pictures on the wall. She turned on a new lamp that revolved and projected colored blobs of light on to the ceiling. "Oh that's really beautiful Evita." "Yes and daddy is not a good shopper. Mommy said that." "Well he'd done fine this time." "I told him that." * * * Acacia came nervously from the bathroom, carrying a towel. What if he didn't like her compact body? Mike lay on the bed holding an erection that looked much too big. He eyed her and said, "Ohmigod and complete with denuded pussy." "I-I thought you might like it shaved." "I do," Mike grinned and held out his arms and she ran to him. By the time Mike had finished with the preliminaries Acacia was aroused and leaking and was eager for a cock of any size. Mike grunted a bit and was patient and finally it was all in. As they built up rhythm it seemed to become a lovely fit and Acacia had a great time tonguing and playing with Mike's chest whenever he stopped sucking her nipples. His wandering fingers went under her butt and when a finger touched her anus she exploded, attempting to muffle her screams of exaltation. He was not far behind her, gasping and turning very red. "God, that was our first one and yet it was magnificent," he puffed. "Clamping me like that tells me you really know how to fuck." Acacia had no idea she'd – what did he call it? Clamped him. Had she done that with her knees? All she knew was she'd tried to be as physically active as he was and the thought of his fat cock up her sent her mind into obscene thoughts and she imagined being covered with snowy white sperm until she half drowned. They went at it again and when her beside alarm went pre-dawn Mike awoke and hit on her. So she gave him what he wanted because she wanted it as well. * * * The interview over Evita's welfare was over in fifteen minutes and Mike was told there was no threat over his custody of Evita, that their duty had required them to have the interviews after receiving three complaints, all from the one person, over Evita being distressed. It would have impressed the assessors that Evita sat on Acacia's knee during the interview and when asked was that a new dress Evita said, "Yes and it's very pretty. Acacia and I picked it out." "Do you call Miss Phelps mommy?" "No mommy is mommy. She asked me to call her Acacia. That's her real name you see." "Do you like Miss Phelps or Acacia as you call her?" "Oh yes. Lots. And daddy really likes her. He smiles a lot since Acacia found us." Acacia had taken the day off for the morning interview and after it was over, Mike said, the stress falling off him by the bucket load, said he'd take them to lunch. It was a restaurant that catered for children and after a drink and grabbing a handful of chips off her plate Evita wandered off to the playground. Mike said, "Thanks. You did brilliantly." "Thank you. Without doubt it helped having me there. But Evita simply being Evita was the star act." "That's very generous of you." "It's the truth Mike and you know it." "Ah well, will you marry me?" "What." "I think I used rather simple language and... " "I heard what you said. Mike, a little restraint is called for. Let's slow down. We are having lunch with Carolyn and her family on Sunday. I advise you to listen to what she says to you after that visit. I suggest if she reports to your favorably you invite me to move in with you and Evita and see how we go." The advice was taken but it was virtually decided during the Sunday lunch. Acacia was walking past the kitchen window with Evita and Carolyn's two children to the swings and sandpit when she heard Carolyn say, "Oh Mike, get off your ass and seize her. She is sweet, competent and Evita adores her. You are unlikely to ever again find a young women to fill the gap left by Maria." A warm feeling raced through Acacia. Mike only had to say the words and her answer would be an emphatic yes. And she knew who her matron of honor would be. THE END