Being Open

“Jay! Long time no see!”

Celeste excitedly shouts out to you as she sees you waving a makeshift sign with her name on it. She gives you a hug which you happily return, and you offer to carry her bag which she accepts. You make your way out of the arrival area and walk back towards the airport entrance, catching up with your cousin as you do.

“How’s Jesse?” you ask Celeste about her son with her ex-husband Walt.

“He’s doing good. Introduced me to a girl the other day. First time too. At least he’s not obsessed with Stella anymore.” Celeste replies, reminding you how awkward Jesse was around Stella the last time you guys got together back home. At the time, you and Celeste joked it was probably because he had a crush on Stella.

In hindsight, you can’t really blame the kid for finding your daughter attractive.

“What about Stella? How’s she?” she asks back.

“Just got back from her first year at college. I’d like to think she’s doing good.” You reply back.

“I’m sorry about that by the way. Aunty didn’t tell me that Diane cheated on you! I just assumed Stella would be staying with Diane when my mom only said you got divorced.” Celeste explains. “When I invited you out to dinner I didn’t mean she wasn’t invited too.” Celeste adds, but you assure her it’s no big deal.

Before Celeste could say something else, you’ve made your way back near the entrance of the airport where your girlfriends were waiting for you, and you proceed to introduce them. “Celeste, these are my girlfriends Cassie and Tanya.”

“Hi. I’m Tanya. It’s nice to meet you.” Tanya greets Celeste, and Celeste goes immediately for a hug.

“Hi Ms. Celeste, I’m Cassie.” Cassie tells Celeste after her and Tanya’s hug is over, and Celeste goes for a hug with her too.

“It’s nice to meet you guys too.” Celeste tells them.

“Honestly, when my cousin over here texted me asking if it was okay to have dinner at his apartment with his girlfriendssss instead of going out, I thought it was a typo.” Celeste says with a laugh.

“We’re still getting used to the idea ourselves.” Tanya assures Celeste that even they know how unorthodox it is.

“Oh? How long have you guys been together?” Celeste asks.

“Almost a week.” Cassie answers.

“I guess I would consider this morning as when we became official.” Tanya adds, before holding your hand.

“What? I have a million questions!” Celeste reacts, but she does so with a laugh. “I’ll table it for now since we can save it for later. Still, I’m amazed you managed to convince them to have this open relationship.” Celeste tells you, punching you in the arm.

“Stella and I convinced him to do it actually.” Cassie points out.

“You’re blowing my mind.” Celeste tells Cassie, surprised that it wasn’t the recently divorced man who would suggest such a set-up.

“Speaking of, where’s Stella by the way?” Celeste asks.

“She’s back at the apartment, working her way out of debt.” You inform Celeste. Celeste just raises an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Stella and I went out last night with Jay’s credit card, and she went over the limit Jay set.” Cassie informs her, Celeste can’t help but laugh.

“Let me guess, she thought the big city’s charging **** at college bar prices?” Celeste asks.

Cassie glances at you before giving a chuckle. “Yeah, something like that.” Cassie replies.

“Well, anyway, even if I have a million questions to ask, best not to do it in an airport lobby. Plus, I can’t wait to see what you cooked up. I’m good to go if you guys are.” Celeste says, and you all make your way back to the car.

“Is that Nana’s roast I’m smelling?”

Celeste asks you, as all four of you enter your apartment.

“As close to an approximation as I could get. Hopefully, it lives up to the legacy.” You answer her, trying to be humble.

“Oh please, I bet it’s delicious.” She brushes off your attempt at humility.

“I don’t know, this is the first time I’m serving this to an actual food critic. Might not pass your elite standards.” You answer her, buttering her up but also teasing her a bit.

Before you can continue your banter with Celeste, Stella greets your cousin with a hug. “Aunt Celeste! It’s good to finally have you visit.” Stella says as she breaks the hug with your cousin.

“Hey, Stella! I know! Finally schmoozed my way into getting an assignment here. I have to say, you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” Celeste tells her.

Stella thanks her for the compliment before she goes to you and kisses you sweetly on the lips, one hand on your cheek. Definitely not the kind of cheek kisses that Celeste is used to seeing Stella give you, nor an acceptable father-daughter kiss in regular society. It makes Celeste’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t make a comment about it, thinking maybe it was an accident.

“Your dad made it sound like he was the one cooking, apparently he left all the heavy lifting to you.” Celeste flatters Stella, brushing off her confusion regarding the kiss.

“If you consider ‘watching the stove’ heavy lifting.” You tease Stella.

“I did literal heavy lifting! Of groceries! While those two went back to sleep all day.” Stella defends herself.

“We weren’t the ones who went over her dad’s credit card limit last night.” Cassie teases Stella.

“You were supposed to do the math for me!” was the best retort Stella could come up with, and even she sounded defeated saying it.

“Oh, are you both living with Jay?” Celeste asks Cassie and Tanya.

“I’m staying over for the summer, before Stella and I go back to college.” Cassie answers Celeste.

“I’m his neighbor across the hall, but I think Stella is referring to me staying over today and recovering from my hangover here.” Tanya answers Celeste, a bit embarrassed that she got drunk last night too.

“Oh, of course. All three of you went out last night! What was it like hanging out with your dad’s two girlfriends, Stella?” Celeste asks Stella, and you realize how little information you’ve provided Celeste in this complicated relationship of yours.

“You didn’t tell her?” Stella looks at you, asking you with an eyebrow raised and her arms crossed.

“I didn’t get the chance. Cassie and Tanya mostly asked for stories of what it was like babysitting me as a kid during the drive home.” you answer Stella.

“Wait, what didn’t you tell me?” Celeste asks for some clarification.

“I’m one of his girlfriends too.”