Chapter 9: Journey to Ithaca

Okay, I will admit even I am a little nervous about our upcoming trip to Ithaca, New York. We leave in the morning and not only will I be meeting my mother for the first time, but I'm going there to tell her that my girlfriend and I are in love with both of her sons. Oh, and did I mention that they live on a hippie commune? This is all a little strange even by my liberal standards. I've been hounding the boys all week with non-stop questions.

"So what is the town like? Are there people running around naked everywhere?" I am sitting with Jonathan having a late night snack in the kitchen before we head up to bed. Izzy and Jace have already turned in for the night. He snickers at me before answering.

"Well, not too much in town, although we will definitely take you to Potter's Falls. Overall, Ithaca's a really laid back and relaxing type of town and you can even get a massage at the grocery store. We are also the home to the largest ever human peace symbol. Oh and we'll have to take you ladies to Viva Cantina because you haven't had Mexican food if you haven't had it from there. As far as the actual commune itself, we'll have to rent bikes in town to get out there but once we do, Jocelyn has an old Volkswagen van we can use to come back into town when we want to." Jonathan seems genuinely excited to be taking us home. It's awfully cute I must say.

"Well it sounds awesome. Now, if you're done with your soy ice cream Sir, I'd like to get to bed now. It'll be a long day tomorrow and I need my beauty rest, okay?" I take our bowls to the sink and take him by the hand as we head off to my room where we're spending the night.

"When you say 'get to bed' do you mean 'get to sleep' or do we have time for any other activities?" He asks as we head into my room and lock the door behind us.

"Well, when you put it like that how can I resist? In fact, how could ever resist you Jonathan? I love you so much." I pull him over to my bed and begin undressing him slowly. He reciprocates and soon we are both gazing at one another's naked form. I reach out my hands and rest them on his chest casually. I slide them up his muscular body and twine them around his neck and in his hair.

"Oh Clarissa, your touch drives me absolutely wild, my sister." I swallow and take deep breaths to steady myself. He makes me weak in the knees, especially the way he says 'my sister' as if it were a prayer. It shouldn't be such a turn on, but it is, oh it is.

"Oh Jonathan, kiss me, won't you?" I beg because I want him so much. He's been trying to be such the gentleman that I've nearly had to initiate everything, but I don't mind. I know it thrills him when I tell him how much I want him. I understand now why he wouldn't start anything with me during the Isabelle fiasco. He didn't just want my body, he needed me to love him. Now that I do, he's so much more receptive to my numerous advances.

His kiss is long and lingering and as we collapse onto the bed and give ourselves over to our passion, I know what it means to be the object of my brother's affection. I know what it means to have his love. See that's the wonderful thing about my 'little harem' as we jokingly call it, they're each so different. Isabelle is cool fire, like tempered steel. She's strong and capable and kind and good. Her love is a beacon, a light in the darkness. Jace is like white hot light, he's intense and passionate but lighthearted and funny. His love is like being wrapped in wings and lifted up high above the world where the air is pure and clear and sweet. And Jonathan, oh my Jonathan, he is like the beauty of the night sky. He is depth and an edgy darkness, paired with silver moonlight. His love is a gift, freely given. Something you willingly plunge into, not caring if you fall because you know that sooner or later he'll catch you.


"Okay, Izzy and I are packed and ready. What time do we have to be at the bus station?" We're sitting down to breakfast before we depart. Maryse has gone all out. I think she's afraid we'll starve when we get around all of that hippie food so she aims to feed us enough this morning to fuel us for the whole week.

"The bus comes at eight, so we should be there by 7:45 just to be safe. Did you girls remember to pack sturdy boots? We're not staying at the Ritz and she'll probably have us mucking out stalls, so you both need more than stilettos or sneakers okay?" Jace pleads batting his eyelashes at us.

"We know, you told us like three times, Baby. I'm starting to think that maybe you've missed the horses what with being in the city for so long?" I caress his cheek and kiss him softly. "Don't worry, we're ready. We followed your packing list to a T."

"Yes, although I noticed you forgot a few important things on that list, like, make up?" Isabelle pokes him in the chest pretending to be irritated. "Your priorities need work, Jacey Baby. How are we supposed to be expected to keep up our stunning appearances if we don't have the proper tools, hmm?"

"Oh boy. Clay, you didn't tell her?" Jonathan looks at me imploringly. Right, crap! I knew there was something I forgot.

I take Isabelle by the shoulders and gently turn her to face me. "Izzy Baby, we don't need to bring make up, because we are going somewhere that most people won't be wearing it. And any women that are will have special cosmetics made from natural ingredients that are safe for the environment. We've all seen your beautiful face first thing in the morning and trust me honey, you look sensational enough without it, okay?" I kiss her tenderly, asking her with my eyes to be okay with this. After what seems like eons, she sighs and gives in.

"Ugh, fine! But I don't have to like it." She hustles off to take her colossal sized makeup bag out of her backpack and haul it back to her room, thankfully.

We say our goodbyes to Dad, Maryse and Max and gather up our last minute items before heading out. Max begs and pleads with them to let him come with us but he's only ten so no dice. He watches us all pile into our cab for the station and waves, yelling at us to bring him back a souvenir.

When we arrive at the station, it's only 7:40 so we each buy a coffee and settle in to wait. That's when it happens to us for the very first time, discrimination. Apparently 20 minutes is enough time for anyone watching us to get the idea that we're poly-amorous and so some middle aged woman takes it upon herself to come over and tell us that we're setting a bad example for her children? I fight the urge to say something not so very nice to her and instead I ask her if it sets a better example to go around passing judgement on others. She doesn't have a clever retort to that and so goes back to her seat.

"Father warned us." I say and give them each a look. "Anyone who wants to back out on me I'll understand. It can only get worse from here. That woman didn't even know we're related."

"Together forever, whatever the weather, together is better, whatever shall be." Jonathan says. "I was thinking it could be like our mantra. There are four of us and four parts to the rhyme so we could each take turns saying a part and put our hands in a pile like they do on sports teams. Is that too tacky?"

"No, I like it." Isabelle laughs.

"Yeah, it's catchy." Jace grins

"Can I do the first part, but phrased as a question? Like I say 'Together forever?' and then you each say your parts as a reply? It's just, I sort of got us into this and sometimes I feel guilty that you'll all be dragged through the mud with me." I sigh. Sometimes doing what feels right isn't easy. Sometimes it's easier just to give up. We aren't quitters though and regardless of what other people might think, it would be cowardly to quit on an epic love, just because it might not be socially acceptable.

"Yes honey, you can do the first part, as long as you promise to stop berating yourself all the time. Because the three of us, are exactly where we want to be. And that is right here with you, okay?" Isabelle always has the right thing to say. The boys nod in agreement and we converge in a group hug.

"Okay. Thanks guys. And I think our bus is here!"