Straight After the Bend

by S M Mala

  ‘Thing is Mylo, how do I explain your situation with Kayden to my father. You know daddy can be a right...’ She faltered on her words. ‘Mummy used to say he had such a closed mind on all things. He likes things as they should be, in the order he thinks is traditional. Now us telling him you were with a man; there’s a child and you’re marrying his only child, a woman, he’s going to kick up a stink.’

  ‘I’ll work on your father later but let me work on you first.’

  He started kissing her face and then removed his towel. Sure enough he stroked her skin and kissed her face, then planted a long smouldering one on her lips.

  ‘Lie back down, I need to do a good job on you to prove I’m all man.’ He pushed her back and worked on the other leg. ‘I want you relaxed.’

  ‘I know you’re all man. Why do you keep saying I need to relax? I’m fine. I’m trying to get my head around it but you have to admit, if you’d found out that my last partner was a woman you’d be a little confused.’

  ‘I’d be excited.’

  The smile said it all.

  ‘A typical man imagining me having sex with another woman.’ She shook her head sadly, trying not to smile. ‘And you’d be there doing what? Joining in?’

  ‘Only with you.’

  ‘Cute answer.’

  ‘And imagining me with another man?’ he asked, looking suspiciously at her. ‘Does that turn you on?’

  She lay back down and looked at the ceiling, not knowing what to say.

  Bea did know exactly what her answer was going to be but decided not to admit the idea didn’t do anything for her, other than make her worry.

  ‘Women need strap on penises to perform sex acts. You have another orifice to allow for a fake vagina.’

  ‘What did you say?’ He started to laugh out loudly. ‘A fake vagina? God, you really have no idea.’

  ‘Okay, not a vagina because gay men don’t want that but somewhere to get the simulation.’ Then she looked at him smiling at her. ‘And you stuck it up someone’s arse so you should know better than me.’

  ‘I’ve done that to women and one man.’

  The answer was too shocking, she nearly fell off the table but was steadied by him.

  ‘Women?’

  ‘You did ask,’ continued Mylo. ‘And I want to be honest.’

  ‘I’ve never had anal sex, like I said, and I’m not going to so forget it.’

  ‘Oh Bea, I love you, I truly do.’

  He kissed her lips, sliding his tongue in her mouth before placing small kisses all over her body. It seemed Mylo was enjoying what he was doing, as well as working his fingers gently over her skin.

  Within seconds Mylo had pulled her down the massage table, with the help of the towel underneath and buried his head between her legs, all the time massaging her buttocks.

  Her man was on a mission.

  His tongue flickered as he then pulled at her thighs, making them taut while his strong tongue licked her nub, pressurising it with each movement.

  The tingling in her crotch and the excitement building up in her body was too much. She knew she was going to come but wanted more, bending her knees in anticipation

  Then he put his finger inside and glided in and out, in a slow movement, licking away.

  Her hips buckled as she felt as if she was going to pass out.

  The orgasm was strong and hit her like electric shocks, making her jolt and pant. Then she yelled, unable to hold it in which ended her whimpering the rest of her breath out.

  Opening her eyes, Mylo was stood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and holding onto his rigid cock. He smiled before pushing it in.

  One fluid movement that shocked her body.

  He leaned forward and held onto her breasts while pumping between her legs and looked sexy as he did it.

  If anything was worth getting married to Mylo for, it was that.

  His unconventional life might take a little longer for her to get her head around.

  That’s if she ever could.

  ‘He’s livid.’

  Belinda, Bertha and Babs were sat around the table of the usual hotel they frequented for afternoon tea. Bea had taken time off on a school day to see her aunts, mainly because they demanded to meet.

  ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with Bernie,’ Bertha continued, sipping her glass of champagne. ‘But he’s not happy at all!’ Then she burst out laughing. ‘I think it’s hysterical!’

  ‘As your oldest aunt and someone who wishes to guide you in the absence of your mother, are you making the right decision?’ Belinda looked on at her seriously as Bertha rolled her eyes. Babs touched Bea’s arm knowing what the older sibling was going to say. ‘You can’t rush into these things and you have been known to do that before.’

  ‘She’s a grown woman, let her be,’ huffed Bertha, popping a whole slice of cake into her mouth. ‘Frankly, if you meet someone and fall in love, that’s wonderful. And Bea’s getting on, you know.’

  ‘Leave her be,’ sighed Babs, shaking her head at the pair of them. ‘If she has fallen in love and wants to get married, nothing should stop her. Not even Bernard.’ She let out a little laugh. ‘Though he will find a way.’

  ‘That’s what I’m worried about.’ Bea knocked back her drink and frowned. ‘Why is he unreasonable?’

  ‘Born that way, I guess,’ shrugged Bertha.

  ‘Bernard is being careful over his one and only child,’ said Belinda and looked at Bertha. ‘Something we should all do.’

  ‘Are you implying I’m not careful over Denise and Debs?’

  ‘I’m just saying we all have different standards.’

  ‘And mine are what?’ she asked challengingly to Belinda. ‘Not as high as yours. I’ve given my girls freedom, not the excuse to think they’re better than other people, which is exactly what your Carmel thinks she is.’

  ‘How dare-.’

  ‘Please,’ Babs said, immediately putting her hand in the air. ‘We’re here for Bea, not for an internal grilling about our daughters. She is the first one to get married and we need to support her.’

  Bea took a scone and smothered it in cream before dolloping jam on it. As she bit in, she noticed all three were looking at her.

  ‘No, I’m not pregnant either,’ she replied, seeing the universal sigh of relief. ‘Do you think daddy would let me get married if I was? He’d say the deed was done and I would have to live with him for the rest of his life.’ Bea started to smile. ‘Plus he’d buy me a chastity belt.’

  ‘How old is Mylo?’

  ‘Thirty-seven.’

  ‘Bernard says he’s well off with his own business. And he says he’s rather handsome and well mannered.’ Belinda frowned. ‘And he wants to marry you?’

  ‘What does that mean?’ snapped Bertha, now shoving two macarons into her mouth. ‘Isn’t Bea good enough?’

  ‘He isn’t exactly young.’

  ‘And neither are any of our children!’ laughed out Babs. ‘Bea is the youngest at thirty-five. We should be happy someone wants to marry one of the girls.’

  ‘What that supposed to mean?’ asked Belinda, looking deeply offended. ‘Are you saying the others aren’t good enough?’

  ‘I’m saying that Bea hasn’t got her mummy here and we need to support her.’

  Biting her lip, Bea held onto the constricting pain in her chest and wished she had her mother by her side. Sitting with the three aunts was pleasant enough but she needed to confide in her mum, which she couldn’t do with anyone else.

  Still her mind buzzed on why Mylo was rushing everything.

  And there were little grains of doubts as to his reasons why.

  Even the conversation she had with him the night before played heavily on her mind. His inability to answer most things and then his honesty which did take her by surprise.

  Looking at all the three pretty faces, resembling her father, she wondered what they would say should they find out.

  There was a large probabili
ty they would one day.

  A sinking feeling hit her chest as she closed her eyes.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ whispered Babs as she heard Belinda and Bertha start to squabble. ‘You look upset.’

  ‘I wish mummy were here, that’s all,’ she lied instantly, looking at her favourite aunt. ‘There are so many things I need to ask her.’

  ‘You can ask me.’

  ‘It’s not the same.’

  ‘Give it a try.’

  ‘I love him and I know he is the right one but I’m worried about making another mistake. With Jerry and Simeon, I don’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t even fancy them at first but grew to care. With Mylo, it was completely different.’

  ‘Why’s that?’ asked Belinda, eavesdropping their conversation.

  ‘Because I didn’t think someone like that would notice someone like me,’ she honestly replied, letting out a sigh. ‘I didn’t think he was interested then I realised he was scared about asking me out.’

  ‘What’s wrong with you?’ huffed Bertha, leaning closer. ‘You don’t think you’re good enough for him? You’re more than good enough. No man is too good for any of our girls.’

  ‘But he’s different. He’s kind and caring.’

  ‘Are you in love with him?’ asked Belinda, in her serious tone.

  ‘Desperately.’

  ‘And he loves you?’ whispered Babs, smiling gently at her.

  ‘So he says.’

  ‘Do you believe him?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then there you go,’ she sighed, sipping her tea. ‘You have nothing to worry about.’

  ‘Unless Bernie wants to wear a wedding dress to the ceremony!’ laughed out Bertha. ‘He’ll show us all up with his stick legs!’

  ‘Really Bertha, will you stop it!’ said Belinda shaking her head and turning to Bea. ‘Bernard will have to see what sort of man you are marrying for him to be happy, that’s all.’

  And in a nutshell, that was Bea’s problem.

  ‘Who are they?’

  Walking out from school a week before the end of term, Bea noticed Chloe with two suspicious looking boys. One was dark skinned, the other with bright ginger hair. They weren’t from their school and she could tell they looked up to no good.

  Bea had seen these boys around and knew they were involved in selling drugs to some of the kids, hence they were barred from coming anywhere near the school. And she was sure they were the boys caught hanging around with Chloe in her last foray with the police.

  Chloe was talking to them sheepishly and Bea could see she was being chatted up, or chatting them up. She wasn’t too sure.

  It was when Chloe noticed her, she moved away and whispered something before smiling at Bea.

  ‘Friends,’ replied Chloe.

  ‘I thought you were supposed to be spending the summer holidays with your dad in France.’

  ‘Oh, that’s next week,’ she said brightly.

  ‘What have you been up to? I’ve missed our daily meetings.’

  ‘This and that.’ She then flicked her hair before looking defiantly at Bea. ‘Anyway, I’ve officially left school until I decide whether to come back so you can’t really tell me what to do’

  ‘I see.’ Bea noticed the boys looking over. ‘You legally have to stay in school until you’re eighteen, which I’ve constantly told you. And cut the attitude because you’re right. You’re not in school and I’m not on duty when it comes to you. I thought being friends might be a good idea but I see you’ve got some. You better go.’

  She noticed the panic on Chloe’s face.

  ‘No, I didn’t mean to be rude,’ she guiltily replied. ‘I was just saying, that’s all.’

  ‘I’m going to get a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Would you like to join me or aren’t you allowed?’ Bea flicked a dirty look over to the boys who seemed unperturbed. ‘I mean, with your new friends.’

  ‘No, that’s fine. I’ll come. You’re buying.’

  Nodding to the lads, Chloe walked with Bea down the road until they got to the café. The pair sat at a small table on the pavement and waited to be served. Bea noticed the girl looked a little pale, considering the weather was warm and sunny.

  ‘Who’s looking after you?’ she asked, watching Chloe frown.

  ‘My grandparents. When dad gets back home we’re going to spend the rest of summer together.’ Even when she said it, Bea noticed Chloe didn’t look too convinced. ‘But my grandparents are cool about things and don’t pressurise me.’

  ‘This is your dad’s parents?’

  ‘My mum’s. My other grandparents are off trekking somewhere in Nepal.’ Then she hesitated. ‘I think my mum said she’s going to island hop in the Balearics with her toy boy.’

  ‘So your mum’s away?’

  ‘Like always.’ Sitting up, Chloe noticed the waitress coming towards them and sat tight lipped as Bea ordered. ‘I wonder why she doesn’t just hand me over to my dad and be done with it.’

  Bea had often wondered the same thing and looked at the painful expression of the girl, hoping she could say something to help.

  The only words coming into Bea’s head were that her mother was a selfish bitch who wanted to recapture a bit of her youth, therefore banging some twenty something on the search for it.

  ‘Has your dad’s contract finished?’ Bea asked, seeing Chloe rub her forehead hard. ‘Have you spoken to him about how unhappy you are?’

  ‘He says my mum loves me and doesn’t want me to live with him. He says that he has to make sure that I have both my parents, not just one. I told him she barely takes any notice of me when I’m around, or she’s just goggle eyed about her boyfriend. And his paintings are like that of a six year old. I think some of the little ones in kindergarten are more talented than him!’ Then she took a deep breath. ‘I might as well not be there. If I was dead she’d be happier!’

  ‘Don’t say that!’ barked Bea, shocked by the statement. ‘Chloe, they love you but your mum is going through some strange phase, a bit like my dad has been since losing my mum. Your dad doesn’t know what to do. His work takes him around the world so he can’t move you in.’ Then she shook her head. ‘Your life is precious and so is your brain. Don’t get mixed up with bad boys because you think they like you. They rarely do.’

  ‘I’m not that stupid. I know the score.’ Chloe sat pursed lipped and looked angrily at Bea. ‘They’re nice to you because they think they’ll get a screw. I know.’

  Grimacing at the comment, Bea touched Chloe’s hand and noticed the sullen expression.

  She looked lost.

  Pretty much the same as Bea had felt since her mother died.

  ‘I need some help at school during the holidays,’ she said, seeing Chloe’s eyes dart towards her. ‘I have some paperwork to sort out and it’s going to take me forever. Would you like to come in to help? I’ll pay you so it’s all above board.’

  Then Chloe’s eyes widened in excitement as she smiled brightly before returning to her miserable expression.

  ‘You feel sorry for me, don’t you?’ she asked Bea, shaking her head. ‘I hate the fact you pity me.’

  ‘I certainly don’t pity you. I like you and hate the idea that you’re having a hard time. If I could wave a magic wand and help you I would. But I need help and want to make sure everything is tied up so I don’t have to think about work over summer.’ She grimaced and looked at her. ‘I have some news. I’m getting married in October.’

  ‘Married?’ Chloe looked alarmed then burst out laughing. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really. And I’d like you to come. I know it won’t go down well at school but I think of you as a friend.’

  ‘Yes!’ she said with pure delight, hugging Bea and smiling.

  This was the Chloe people rarely saw.

  A fresh faced, beautiful young woman, radiating happiness.

  This was the Chloe Bea wanted to come to the surface.

  ‘Is that ‘yes’ to working with me as wel
l as coming to the wedding?’

  ‘Yes to both!’

  Bea hugged her back and for the first time since the wedding news, she felt genuinely happy about her forthcoming nuptials.

  Then she saw Bruno walking down the road and pushed Chloe away.

  ‘Your friend is coming.’ Bea watched Bruno, pretending that he hadn’t been spotted. ‘Is he still gay this week?’

  Chloe’s bright smile completely disappeared and she looked sullen once more.

  ‘I don’t care,’ whispered the girl. ‘It doesn’t matter whether he is straight or gay, he just didn’t like me.’ Biting her lip, Chloe turned her head so as not to see him. ‘I hear he was using me to get his ex slut jealous.’

  ‘And how do you know this?’

  ‘Some of the girls told me the last day of exams. Thought it was best I knew.’

  ‘I bet they did. These are the same girls who have been exceptionally nasty you.’

  ‘I don’t care because I have no friends there. In the brief five minutes my mother spared me when I saw her a few weeks ago, she said that if he is gay, then leave well alone. He has come to a realisation about his sexuality and nothing will change that.’

  ‘Is that what she thinks?’ Bea looked at Chloe, knowing that piece of information was over her head. ‘You decide what you want and stick with it?’

  ‘And if he is straight and not interested, then walk away with my pride intact. That’s rich coming from her considering she’s shagging someone near my age.’

  ‘How old is he really?’

  ‘About twenty seven.’

  ‘And your mum is?’

  ‘Bloody old!’

  Bea grinned then thought for a moment.

  ‘Do you think, like me, these girls are trying to influence Bruno’s choice and don’t want him to hook up with you?’ Bea noticed Chloe’s confused expression. ‘People can be devious.’

  Sitting there and immediately thinking about Mylo, Bea wondered if Mylo’s homosexuality could have laid dormant for years and Cole had found it.

  Then Bea had rediscovered his heterosexuality, thus this is what he wanted now.

  ‘I know a few guys who have slept with men and women,’ whispered Bea as Chloe immediately turned to look at her. ‘They have told me it was and is, the attraction of the person, that’s what they went for. I still think, I know it sounds ancient, that you go for one or the other. Could be I’m not that open minded.’