Gary and Bernie talk about summer jobs at Jim's company.

"Yeah," Gary told Bernie as they lay nude side by side on her bed, propped up on their elbows with their palms under their chins. "Not only did I answer it by mistake, it was the video app, and my dick was center stage."

Bernie raised her eyebrows. "Well, you seem pretty calm about it," she said.

"Mom and Dad were amazingly chill when I called back later," Gary said. "Though Mom couldn't resist teasing me about the sounds going on in the background."

"Yeah, Mom, Lil, and I were all mid-orgasm," Bernie said. Her lips quirked sideways.

"Yeah, me too. I jizzed on the phone with Mom and Dad watching."

Bernie laughed. "Guess your mom and dad are amazingly chill," she said.

"Well, they might be saving it till they get back. Which is tomorrow," Gary said.

"Tomorrow? But..." Bernie said.

"Yeah," Gary said. "The cruise ship had some kind of accident, I don't know. They cut it short and sent everyone home. Mom and Dad, Jim and Sally Walker. Peter and Sandy."

Bernie moved her hand over to cover Gary's. "I thought I was going to have you all to myself for a little longer."

"Till tomorrow anyway," Gary said. "You can come and sleep over with me if you want. Won't be the first time."

"Maybe I will," she said.

Gary said, "Dad also mentioned that with Jim back, you know that apartment and job stuff downtown?"

"Yeah," Bernie said.

"Yeah. That I could start next week," Gary said.

"Right, and he said that Lil and I, that he had some places for us too," Bernie said.

"Yeah. Dad said he thought Lil would be happier out of retail, that I could use something more regular," Gary said.

Bernie rubbed her hand over Gary's. "And since we're together every day, he'd better ask Jim to find a place for me."

Gary laughed. "I dunno, but he thought you'd be good in catalog and inventory."

"Sure," she said. "Has Lil seen the apartment?"

"Nope. But Jim says he pretty much doesn't care what we do with it as long as we don't damage its livability," Gary said.

Bernie laughed. "Yeah, it is kind of a dump," she said.

"A penthouse dump!" Gary said.

Bernie giggled. "On top of a disused warehouse, with a view to a salvage yard. I bet you're so hot on that place because you get to walk behind me up the stairs for three floors," she said.

Gary said, "Well, we promised to tell the truth, so all I can say is: yeah."