Gary's first time was with Stuart

Gary took a deep breath. "Actually my first time was the night before Stuart took off for his trip," he said. "Stuart and I got high, and I was pretty far gone and well, he did it to me and I came when he was in me.
I mean, later I could tell I had. Everything felt real spacey when he was actually doing me, I wasn't really sure."

Hank and Veevee looked at each other, smiled and shrugged.

"There's a time and a place for everything," Hank said. "And like they say, that's college."

Veevee burst out laughing. "Hon," she said to Hank.

"Well, it was true for us," Hank said.

"Your dad is showing his chivalry," Veevee told Gary. "If he was being fair, he'd said that it was me that did everything."

"You're my everything girl," Hank said. "And I did you."

"Oh Hank," Veevee said, giving him a poke in the side.

Gary relaxed. Mom and Dad seemed in a better mood than usual, actually.

"So, anyway, son," Veevee said. "Do what you like. You don't need to hide it. Just don't be careless or cruel. With anyone else, but especially with yourself."

"Thanks, Mom," Gary said.

Hank shrugged. "I didn't raise you to be stupid, and I don't think you've been," he said. "But don't ever be careless with your lady's heart." He nodded to Bernie, then looked back at Gary. "She may be fine with you playing dicks out with her cousin, but don't take her for granted." He looked back at Bernie. "Out of all your girlfriends, Miss Bernstein looks most like a keeper to me."

Bernie smiled.

"So your mom and I are tired," Hank continued. "We're headed up to bed. Don't set anything on fire or mess up the furniture." The long day caught up with him, and he stifled a yawn. "I'll just take the suitcases up. Good night, kids. Have fun."

Hank picked up the large rolling cases from their cruise that had been cut short, and carried them up the stairs to the master bedroom.

Veevee watched her husband go up the stairs. She turned back to the younger folk and gave them a big grin.

"Well now," she said. "Since I've run into all of you partying without pants, I feel this is the right time to share something about our cruise." She paused, making sure she had everyone's attention.

Veevee held her hands up to the sides of her mouth, pretending to whisper. She said out loud, "It was a sex party cruise."

"Mom?" Lil said. "But the Walkers were there. And Peter and Sandy? I mean? With Peter's mom and dad there?"

Veevee laughed. She winked at Lil. "Maybe you'll have to come on the next cruise and find out," she said.

Veevee collected hugs and cheek kisses from Lil and Gary, nodded to Ben, and smiled at Bernie. "Good night kids," she said. "Otherwise what your father said."

The four younger people watched Veevee go up the stairs and into the master bedroom.

"So," Lil said. "We can do what we want if we keep it down?"

Gary nodded and shrugged. "Seems like it," he said. The movie was still playing in the corner of the living room. "Join you for the movie?"

Lil exaggerated a pinch on her nose. "Go wash up first," she said.

Gary and Ben went off to the downstairs bathroom to wash up. Lil and Bernie paused the movie, rolled it back to where it had been when they were surprised by Hank and Veevee, and did some emergency tidying up in the kitchen.

The four of them tucked themselves together onto the couch to watch the rest of the movie and see if there was anything else left of the evening.