Telling the Family

“You’re fucking with me.” That was about the reaction I’d been expecting from Paige when I finally got around to telling my family about my change in relationship status. She eyed me suspiciously. “So you finally get that V-card punched?”

“Paige, language,” Dad warned. I think it was automatic at this point because he didn’t give it a second thought as he reached out to squeeze my shoulder. “I’m happy for you, son. I know you’ve wanted something more for a long time now. You two are going to make a great couple.”

I couldn’t stop grinning. “Thanks, Dad.”

Of everything, what really surprised me was Mom. I expected her to start gushing about how great it was I was finally making progress with the opposite sex. Instead, I found a face full of worry.

“You have sex yet?”

“Mom!” Even for her, was that really the first thing she was going to ask me?

“Amber,” Dad said, giving her a look he normally reserved for Paige.

She ignored him completely, her entire focus on me. “You used protection, right?”

Paige looked at Mom like she’d never seen the woman before. “Protection? You mean a condom?” She laughed. “Who the hell needs…” Her voice trailed off as she sensed something was off. Now she was looking at me with an expression I don’t think I’d ever seen on her before. Concern. “What’s going on here?” she asked quietly.

“Scott,” Mom pressed when I didn’t answer fast enough.

“No, Mom,” I said. Just before she exploded, I rushed to finish. “I didn’t need to because it wasn’t necessary. Nothing happened. We just talked.” By now, Dad had walked up beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. For me, I was a bit angry. Of all people, Mom should have been happy for me. “I thought you’d be happy. Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Of course I’m happy,” she said, visibly relaxing. “You have no idea how happy I am. Kaylee is a wonderful girl, but that doesn’t mean I’m not terrified. One mistake—”

“I know, Mom.”

“Honey, it’s okay. We both know how careful Scott is.” He reached over to grab her hand, squeezing it.

“Uh, can someone tell me what the fu—hell is going on?” Paige said.

Both our parents looked at her, then at each other. “She’s old enough to know,” Dad said. Mom nodded in agreement.

“Okay, why am I getting creepy cult vibes right now? Is this some weird thing with your, ‘group’ Dad?” I knew she was talking about the small group of monogamists our dad was a part of. Paige called it a cult, but it was more of a support group. I’d been to a few meet-ups before and all people did was talk about how things were going in their chosen lifestyle.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I wish. Why don’t we go to the living room? I think we all need to sit down and have a chat together.”

Paige still didn’t look convinced, looking at us like we were about to gang up on her. “About what?”

Dad looked from her to me. “About your brother. Well, him and me both and about how our family is a little different than most.”

Man, this was going to suck.