Jenn led. They started with "Allison's" room and Ma liked it. She liked that we had two and a half baths. She looked at Allison and said, "Do you know why they put a half bath in homes?"
"In case three people have to go at the same time?"
"No! It's so visitors can't look at all your medicines while they are in the bathroom."
We laughed and Ma thought she had surprised us. She's been telling that same line for thirty years.
When she had seen the whole house she went back to the living room and sat back down in the chair. We sat where we had been before dinner.
"Nick, how long have you had Allison living with you?"
"A couple of months."
"I've been to your condo. There is one bedroom. Three in a bed is very cozy."
"Now we have two bedrooms." I said. It sounded weak.
"Sadie, where did you sleep last night? At home?"
"No. I shared the bed with Allison." She pointed towards the bedroom.
"Allison, can I trust you?"
"Yes."
Revelations
"Did you give my daughter sex last night?"
It was quiet in the room for a very long moment and then Allison smiled and said, "No. She took it from me and she gave it right back!"
For two seconds I thought my world would end. Then, for the first time in many years, Ma surprised me. "I welcome you into the family. You told me the truth that Sadie has tried to hide from me for over ten years. Thank you."
Ma stood up and helped Sadie stand. They hugged and Ma said, "I don't care who you love, but love somebody! No one should go through life hiding who they are. We should all love."
They stayed close and after a time Sadie said, "I love Jennifer too."
Momma looked her in the eyes and said, "I know. I also know about the man in your life."
Sadie drew back and Ma said, "Mother's know these things. It's time things were more open in our family. The truth needs to be told." She let Sadie go and turned to Allison.
"You make me brave. You told the truth." She went back to her chair and sat. "Many years ago, after Les and I were married three years, Sadie was born. Les' brother and his wife had tried for years to make a baby and bupkis (nothing). Then she got cancer and died within a year. Abe was lost. He almost lost his job and every time he saw Sadie he cried. It was horrible. He lived on the same floor of the apartment building we lived in. One night, Les and I were in bed and he asked if I wanted to have another baby. I said, "No, it would kill Abe." He was quiet a long time and said, "Not if the baby was his." He never said another word about it. He rolled to his side and went to sleep. Eleven months later Shlomo was born. Abe was the best and happiest uncle ever. He took care of both of you. He was happy again and two years later he married."
"You mean Sadie is Les' daughter and I'm Abe's son?" I asked.
Momma nodded. "The three of us were lovers until Abe remarried."
"Ma..." Sadie said.
"I know. I know. You love your brother. You love Allison and Jenn too but not like you love your brother." Sadie had tears running down her cheeks and both Jenn and Allison had their arms around her.
Ma stood up and said, "Son, take your old momma home. Then come back and do the best you can do to keep these three women happy for the rest of their lives. I approve."
She hugged all three women and grabbed my hand as she headed for the door. I waved and closed the door behind me. In the car she said, "Did I shock you?"
"Yes! You knew you would."
"I have had to wait years for the two of you to finally get together. I am now happy. My children are where they belong."
At her house she kissed me on the cheek, patted my butt and said, "Drive carefully. Crazy people use this road. They think it's a racetrack."
I drove home in a fog. Ma kept a secret all our lives and Allison freed her to tell. I could live and love all three women and have all of us live together.
When I walked in Jenn was sitting on the couch. "I need to talk to you."
I sat next to her. "Talk."
"Sadie doesn't want to go home. She loves us."
I raised my voice and called out, "Sadie! Bring Allison and come in here!" I sounded stern. They slowly walked in and I stood up, pointing to either side of Jenn.
"As the man of the family I want to tell all three of you how life is going to be from now on. Once I tell you, I realize that forever more I will be outvoted. One, we will move Sadie into the house as soon as we can. Sadie's stuff can share the room we have been calling Allison's. Two, we will include Sadie in the commitment ceremony whenever you all pick a date. Three, I never want to sleep alone again, unless I'm sick. Four, I don't want to live in a frilly house." I sat in the office chair.
In a soft voice Sadie asked, "What do I call you? Little brother doesn't work anymore."
"Call him what we do. Honey, Sweetheart, Lover, Stud, and the new one, mensch."
"Ok. Stud, could I get you to take me to bed and give me the fucking I deserve?"
"Oh, the way you talk! I'm convinced. Which bed would you like to use?"
"Use the big one!" Jenn said. "We want to help and play too."