Two phone calls, too late

"You're housing someone? That's great," I said, reclining on his back patio. I had a cell phone in one hand and a beer in the other, lounging and chatting with my sister… And admiring my wife's fantastic rear end as she swam laps in the pool. "Good for you, Misty."

"Yeah, I guess," my sister replied. Even then, I could hear something off in her voice. At the time, I thought she was nervous… But now, I think it was disguised, barely-controlled excitement. "Kevin isn't exactly thrilled--Especially with Brittany in the house. I mean, she's only just turned eighteen, so we're allowed to qualify for CUCI, but…"

"Mmm, mhm." I took a sip from my beer, barely paying attention to the conversation. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Well, I think so too," she said, sounding a little relieved at my approval. "In fact, it could be a great opportunity for Brittany--Teaching her about diversity, showing her that everyone deserves a second chance…"

"That's the spirit. Listen, I've gotta go--But let me know how it goes, huh?"

"Sure, Dar. It'll be…" She took a deep breath. "...It's gonna be fun…"

A week passed, and I didn't hear from my sister again--Or from our mother Kelly, either. But I didn't notice the unusually-long gap between our family chats: my attention was focused on the house next door. More and more, it felt like something strange was going on.

First of all, the wife is a huge gardener… But that week, she didn't pluck a single weed or water a single flower. In fact, I saw a few plants wilting in real time.

Usually the teenage daughters would be coming and going at all hours, but they were nowhere to be seen. At first I thought it might be midterm season, or something like that… But then again, there was a ton of loud music, and I often heard them laughing or yelling, with the occasional slammed door. Not exactly a great study environment.

As for the husband… I ran into him once or twice, as he left for work and came back in the evening. He seemed subdued… I tried making small talk, and he just insisted everything was fine. When I asked about his new CUCI roommates, he cringed before giving the same answer: "...Fine, fine… They're doing well, and we're, uh… Fine…"

And it wasn't just the one house: I began paying more attention to the other CUCI neighbors, and saw a lot of the same behavior: everyone staying inside, with the few appearances showing a marked difference between the men and the women. The former were beaten-down, while the latter were downright bubbly.

But even as I witnessed all that strangeness, I didn't think much of it. Not at the time. I was too busy with a new project at work: it took me eight days to realize that this wasn't normal--And that I hadn't heard from my mom or sister at all.

And so, one quiet evening… I decided to give my sis another call.

Misty's phone rang and rang… But she didn't pick up. Probably taking one of those three-hour baths, I thought, rolling my eyes and dialing up my brother-in-law. Kevin's a nice enough guy, and far better at answering his phone than my sister.

"H-hello?" His voice was quiet--Almost whispering.

"Hey, Kev--I can barely hear you."

"...Ah, sorry… Hey…" He raised his voice just a fraction, but he was still mumbling. "What's up, Darrel?"

"You at home?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh, speaking of home, uh… How's that whole prisoner thing going? Everything okay with the new roommate?"

"Um…" Kevin paused for several seconds before responding. "...Yeah."

"Not a big deal, right? I've heard most of them are very polite--"

"Mhm. Yeah. Really polite. How's work?"

"Uh, yeah, work's fine." The abrupt change of topic took me off-guard: Kevin was usually a pretty smooth small-talker, and happy to gab about his own life. "I've been busy, but I can't complain… So, uh, listen: I haven't been able to get through to Misty. She at home?"

Another pause. "...Yep, she's here. Busy."

"...Oh yeah?"

"Mm. She's… She's busy with Brittany. Out in the yard." He made an uncomfortable grunt. "...Sorry. I'll… I'll tell her you called."

Kevin ended the call pretty quickly after that--I barely had time to say goodbye before he hung up. Needless to say, the experience didn't fill me with confidence.

Feeling more worried and confused than ever, I wandered through the kitchen--And spotted my wife in the backyard, tanning by the pool in her favorite bikini. She smiled when she noticed me, beckoning me outside.

"Hey hon," I mumbled, stepping out onto the patio.

"Heya handsome." Amanda crossed her legs, making room on the lounge chair--And showing off her thick ass. "Join me?"

Wringing my hands, I sat down beside her. "Listen, I was trying to call Misty, and--Hey, uh, have you heard from her this week? Or my mom?"

"Sorry… But that's okay, right?" She put a hand on my thigh, stroking up and down. "More time for us…"

"Yeah…" I wasn't really listening, even as her hand drifted towards my crotch. "...I think I should check on them. I talked to Kevin, but he sounded… I dunno. I'd feel better if I just swung by, and… Yeah."

My wife sighed. "Okay, hon. But don't keep me waiting too long, alright? No inviting your mother over for dinner, or anything like that--I want you to come back soon, ready to… Spend time with me." Leaning in, she planted a kiss on my cheek… Then another on my neck, then…

"Thanks for understanding, baby," I replied, springing to my feet. "I'll be right back."

As I headed inside, something thwap'd against my back--My wife's bikini bottoms.

"Hurry, gorgeous," she purred, spreading her legs and rubbing her pussy. "I'll be waiting."

"I… Yeah, I will." With that I was gone, dashing out to the car to begin the half-hour drive to my sister's place.