"Hey, so, uh...thanks for this," Ann said. She passed Trent the pipe.

"Thank you," he replied, taking a pull on it. "That sex was amazing."

"Mmm-hmm," Mae agreed dreamily, accepting the pipe when he passed it to her.

All three of them were laying naked and freshly cleaned on the bed after a shower. Mae had managed to get him going again with less time than he'd thought it would take, and Ann had watched them fuck, and they'd all been pretty happy with the experience.

"No, like...seriously. This is kind of a big deal for me. This feels like...a win. I've needed a win for a long time now. My life has really sucked hard. I try not to dwell on it too much, but like, man. It was really bad. I-" She hesitated, then shifted in the bed.

"You can talk about it if you want," Trent said.

"Yeah, we'll listen, Selmers. You're a really good friend. You were nice to me, and you helped take care of me when like a lot of other people treated me like shit," Mae said.

"I feel the same way about you, honestly. Coming by the house almost every day, listening to my dumb poetry…"

"It's not dumb! It's cool!"

"I'm glad you like it. But it meant a lot." She frowned, staring at the pipe in her hand for a second, seeming to watch the smoke drift lazily up out of the end. "I met a guy named Dennis when I was nineteen. We started dating. He seemed cool, he was hot enough, in great shape. Liked to lift weights a lot. At first it was good. I've never been very good-looking, and I didn't really see it changing anytime soon. So I thought I got lucky. We got married two years later and after awhile we moved up to a place called Briddle. I got...stupid."

"Stupid how?" Trent asked.

Ann sighed heavily and took another pull on the pipe. "Got in a car accident. Broke my arm. Got prescribed oxy for the pain. It was good. Too good. I got hooked. I thought I had it under control, guess I did for awhile, but that's the problem with addiction. It creeps up on you. You think you got it under control, but then suddenly you realize you've been breaking whatever rules you set for yourself for weeks now...or months. And you can't remember the last time you didn't take one. And you make excuses. It gets all 'well why shouldn't I take one?', you know? You take a pill when you have a bad day to deal with it, you take a pill when you're in a good mood to celebrate, you take a pill when you're bored so it'll feel good…"

"That sounds really scary," Mae murmured.

"Yeah. It was. I started taking some courses for pharmacology at the local community college when Dennis got a job as a security guard at the prison up there. It was good money. I told myself it was a career, but the truth came out later. Dennis met some girl at the gas station near our apartment. She was young and hot, some red-furred fox. Slim, nice big tits. Really, really pretty eyes. Bitch," she muttered.

"Did he, uh…" Trent began to ask, then thought better of it.

"I don't know," Ann replied. "I think maybe, but I can't know for sure. Probably, though. I know he started going to that gas station a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if he did cheat, but he asked for a divorce about two years ago. And I mean, what could I do? I said yeah, we did it fast as we could, my mom came to get me. I moved back here. I wanted more oxy really bad by then. I went to the Ham Panther as soon as it opened, applied for a job in the pharmacy. I hadn't finished all my classes, but I guess it was enough for them, because I got the job. I wish I hadn't."

Trent looked over at her, fearing what was to come next. This already sucked enough. He thought she might be headed towards crying, but she didn't look like that at all.

She just looked tired.

"I worked there for a few months, and I started stealing oxy. It was so stupid, but addicts are stupid. I mean, I was smart enough to get away with it for awhile, but I got caught. They went easy on me, but I still got nine months in jail." Trent was surprised. She seemed so...mild-mannered, so reserved, so nice, for having been to jail. She looked over and let out a bitter little laugh. "Yep, you fucked an ex-con...maybe I shoulda mentioned it before we had sex. Sorry, man."

"No, I don't care," he replied, reaching out and laying a hand on her arm, "it doesn't bother me, Ann. I just-I'm surprised, is all. I'm not mad. I'm just sorry it happened to you."

She smiled sadly. "You're kind...after that, it was kind of just a lot of nothing. Got out. I'd had an apartment before, from the money that Ham Panther was paying, but that was off the table. No one wanted to hire me. Everyone knows now. Prison wasn't so bad, honestly. I guess I look kinda scary, so people pretty much left me alone. Food sucked. I went through rehab after, and like, that helped. And the program they put me on helped. I haven't touched oxy since I went to prison. Not once. And I don't drink. I've toked off and on since I was like seventeen and it's always been something I'm just, I dunno, cool with. It isn't addictive for me in the same way. It helps. Helps me calm down, helps with the depression, helps me sleep. I don't even do it that often, really. I admit, it's been more recently, but still, I'm not worried. And believe me, I was worried. I was real worried I was gonna be addicted forever. That's what it felt like."

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Yeah, that all really sucks, Selmers," Mae said. "I don't think bad of you, if it helps."

"It helps, Mae. You've been my friend, when kind of no one else would. I mean it's not like the whole town shunned me or anything, and my mom and I get along well enough. Although she's kinda...off. But she's always been a little weird. She's just my mom. She's a saint, honestly, for helping me out like this. I love her." Ann sighed, then took one more pull on the pipe, then passed it over to Trent. "Anyway, that's the whole sad tale. Married a neglectful jerk, got divorced and probably cheated on, got addicted to drugs, ruined most prospects of getting a job, went to jail, lives in my mom's basement, broke, no car, no nothing...hell, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be a downer. I'm actually in a great mood. Like I said, it's been forever since I've been laid. And not just laid, either. Like, I said I experimented a bit in high school, and it was always kinda weird.

"Like it was fun, but it was sorta uncomfortable. Awkward. But it wasn't like that with you two. It just...you made me feel chill, and safe. Also, like, you actually made me feel like you're into me. And not just a horny guy desperate to get laid," she said.

"I mean, it's true. I really am into you," Trent replied.

"I believe you. And that comes through. The sex was really good. Like really awesome. And tonight was fun."

"Even though I started crying?" Mae asked.

"Even though you started crying. Friends take care of their friends, Mae," Ann replied. "Even when they cry. Especially when they cry."

"I still can't believe you two are my friends already," Trent said. He hesitated. "Like...are we friends?"

"We just had awesome sex and got high together and I like you a lot already, I'd say we're friends," she replied.

"Okay, cool. Well...I'm sorry all that shit happened to you."

"Yeah," Mae murmured. She yawned.

"Me too, but well, it happened. Nothing I can do about it now," Ann replied. She grinned. "Getting tired, Mae?"

"Yeah, all the fucking and weed made me tired," she murmured, yawning again.

"Same, actually," Trent said.

"So I've got a question. I feel less awkward asking it now that we've had sex, but still kinda awkward…"

"What is it?" Trent replied.

"Can I spend the night?"

"Oh. Yeah. Sure."

"Sleep in here with us," Mae said quietly, crawling beneath the blankets. "Bed's big enough."

"You cool with that?" Ann asked.

"Cool with sleeping between two naked hot women? Yes," Trent replied.

She laughed. "Okay, sweet. I'll just text my mom. I told her I was probably going to spend the night with Mae and she'll want to know just so she doesn't worry."

"K. I'm going to go make sure the heat's up and the doors are locked," Trent said.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Mae said, sounding more awake suddenly.

"Mmm, yeah. I been hearing weird stuff past few weeks," Ann agreed as she got up and went looking for her phone.

"What kind of things?" Trent asked.

"People missing. They buried a bunch of bodies up at the church graveyard recently...uh, wait, was that your great-uncle?" she asked. "Do you know what, like, happened? Because I feel like something happened but know one actually knows what."

"They won't tell me anything," Trent replied. He looked at Mae, who looked away, an oddly guilty look on her face. Ann followed his gaze.

"...do you know anything about this, Mae?" she asked curiously.

"...I don't wanna talk about it," Mae replied, looking down.

"Did something happen? Are you okay?" Ann asked.

"I-it's...I just don't want to talk about it. It's really complicated. I'm okay. Mostly." She looked up at Trent suddenly. "I will talk about it. I promise. You deserve to know, if we're dating. It's just...really big and scary. You'll think I'm crazy but Bea and Angus and Gregg were there too! So...later. Okay? I'll tell you but I'm tired and it was just really, really big and crazy and weird and I don't know how to process it all and I'm...tired."

"Okay," he replied. "I get it. We'll figure it out later."

"Thank you," she murmured and then leaned over and kissed him and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm really tired."

"I know. Get some sleep, Mae. We'll see your friends tomorrow and have fun," he said.

"Thanks." She squeezed him, then yawned and laid back down. Before he could even get up and get his boxers back on, she was asleep. Ann sat down on the bed, texting. She finished up and put the phone on the nightstand, then got back up.

"I have to pee, then I'll go to bed, I'm pretty tired, too," she said.

"Okay, I'm gonna go make sure the doors are locked and stuff," Trent replied, pulling his boxers on.

Five minutes later, he'd finished checking everything and taken a quick leak, and found himself laying in between Ann and Mae, both of whom were naked. Mae was out. Ann laid up against him. He felt her hand slide down his chest, then down to his boxers.

"You're still clothed," she murmured, tugging on the waistband.

"Is that a problem?" he replied.

"Mmm...just, you know, what if I want to have sex again in the middle of the night?" she asked demurely.

"That's a good point," he replied. He'd been considering how to ask if this was a one-time thing but apparently didn't need to. He took off his boxers and tossed them aside.

"Just so you know, you've got nothing to worry about," Ann said quietly as they settled back down. He was on his back and she was laying partially on him. She wrapped her fingers around his shaft, which was partially erect again.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you've got nothing to worry about for size. You're fine. And if a girl gives you shit about it, then she just isn't for you and she's saving you the trouble. Every guy I've ever run into is worried about their size but honestly it doesn't matter. You've got killer tongue game, man, and you're good with your fingers. That matters way more than size. Just keep it up and you'll honestly be fine once you get into bed," she murmured, slowly massaging his cock.

"I appreciate that, although I doubt it'll be happening with anyone else," he replied.

"I dunno, dude. Mae really seemed to enjoy watching you have sex with me. Like she might get a little addicted to it. I imagine she's got a few other people in mind she'd like to watch you have sex with. And she's got...a way about her. She's oddly persuasive. She's endearing. She's hot, even though she doesn't think so. You're definitely hot...cute...enticing, whatever. You make a good couple. I wouldn't be surprised." She yawned. "I'm sleepy."

"Same. That weed really took it out of me," he agreed.

"Same. It's really nice." She kissed him. "Goodnight, Trent."

"Goodnight, Ann." He paused. "Goodnight, Mae."

Nothing. She was out like a light.

Ann laughed. "Goodnight, Mae."

Trent woke up sometime the next day to someone banging on the door downstairs.

For what felt like a long time, he just laid there and tried to figure out what in the hell was going on, because his brain felt like a car trying to start and just not doing it. For a few seconds he laid there under the blankets, something on him, something beside a blanket, something heavy. He wasn't even sure if he was awake.

Then the knocking came again, louder, more insistent.

"Shit," he muttered, and tried to move, but he couldn't.

It took him a few more seconds, but then he realized why he couldn't move: he was beneath two sleeping, naked women.

One of them was stirring, the other might as well have been a log.

With a soft grunt, he rolled Mae off his left shoulder, pushing her onto her back, where she didn't wake up at all. Actually, if she wasn't breathing regularly and he knew for a fact she hadn't drunk anything the night before, he'd actually be worried about her. She looked out cold. Ann slowly sat up, rubbing one eye.

"Shit," she muttered. "Uh...someone here?"

"Yeah...lemme check," he replied, then coughed. "Holy crap I'm outta it. What the fuck?"

"Sometimes that weed hits extra hard, I guess I got a batch of the good stuff," Ann replied. "Man I gotta pee bad."

She and Trent slowly got to their feet. Trent headed for the stairs and almost made it halfway down before realizing he was stark naked.

"Come on, man! It's raining!"

"Coming!" he called. The voice was familiar, but he was so out of it. That helped wake him up though. He hurried back upstairs, as much as he could in his present state, as Ann shut the bathroom door. He tracked down and pulled on his boxers, thought about getting more, then the person hammered on the door again.

"Seriously dude, it's fucking freezing out here!"

"Fuck it," he muttered and hurried back downstairs. He almost fell but managed to reach the door. Who was it? He knew someone was coming over and he recognized the voice, but his brain was fuzzy right now, lost in a fog of weed haze. He opened the door and stepped back as Bea stalked in, dripping wet. It was indeed raining outside, a bitterly cold drizzle falling from slate gray skies. He shivered as a brisk wind hit him, helping him wake up a bit more, and closed the door.

"Wow, dude," Bea said, taking off her coat and hanging it up. "Uh, you get wasted last night? You look awful."

"No," he replied, then shook his head, rubbed his eyes. "I mean, stoned."

She snorted. "Wow. Two days in Possum Springs and you're already getting hooked up." She paused. "Wait, did Mae get stoned?"

"Yeah, she's asleeping right now."

"Asleeping?" Bea asked, grinning despite her irritation.

"Sleeping," he said, then yawned. "She's out."

Upstairs, a toilet flushed.

"You liar," she said, rolling her eyes, and started heading upstairs.

"Wait!" he said, but she was already halfway up it. He hurried after her and then they both froze as the door opened and Ann walked out into the little upstairs hallway.

She was still completely naked.

"Bea," she said, stopping and staring. "Hi."

"Selma, oh my God, shit," Bea replied, looking down. "I'm really sorry. Why didn't you tell me she was up here!?"

"I-I don't-I'm still out of it! You ran up the damn stairs!" he stammered.

"It's fine, Bea. I'll put some clothes on," Ann replied mildly, though she had a little grin on her face.

"Um, okay." Ann began to head back to the bedroom. "Uh, Selma?"

"Yeah, Bea?" she replied, pausing again.

"You, um, you look awesome naked," she said.

Ann laughed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She walked into the bedroom and mostly closed the door. Bea huffed out a sigh of frustration, turned, and sat down on the stairs. She glared at Trent. "You didn't mention that you had Selma over here naked!?" she whispered harshly.

"I'm still a little stoned," Trent replied. "You basically rushed into my house. Not my fault."

She bared her teeth at him, then she sighed and looked away. "Fine, fair enough. I guess I did. I've been stoned a few times. Recently, too. But...why is Selma here? I mean I guess the answer's obvious, but like...you two hooked up...with Selma? Does this have anything to do with how Mae was trying to get you to touch my boobs?"

"Kinda?" he replied with a shrug. "I-Mae's weird."

"Preaching to the choir there. Is it-should I just go? Is it going to be weird?"

"No, don't go. Ann's really cool."

"Ann?"

"That's what she asked me to call her when we were-well, you know."

"Wow. So you actually, like, fucked her? Was it a threesome?"

"No, Mae watched...I feel like I should be more conservative with what I'm telling you, but Mae said I can trust you…"

"You should be, but you can trust me, yeah," Bea replied. "Don't worry, I've got Mae's best interests at heart, which means I've tangentially got yours there too, I suppose. If you're seriously her boyfriend."

"Yeah, I am. We're together."

"I'd say you two make a weird fucking couple but Mae's a weird fucking person...I wanna see her," Bea said, standing up.

"She's naked. And out cold," he replied, standing as well.

"Well, make sure she's covered up. I wanna talk to her at least a little," Bea replied.

He nodded and headed upstairs. Ann emerged a moment later. "Can I use your toothbrush?"

"Yeah," he replied.

"Thanks."

She disappeared into the bathroom and Trent went into the bedroom. He covered Mae up, as she was still on her back, passed completely out, her big breasts bare to the world. "Okay, Bea!" he called and started putting his clothes on.

"I'm coming in," Bea said, stepping into the room. "Mae?" She walked over to the far side of the bed and sat down on its edge. "Mae?"

"Ann said the weed was strong, and Mae says she sleeps a lot...like it's a medical condition or something?" Trent said as he zipped up his jeans and then got his socks on.

"Wait, it is? She never told me that. Mae? Come on, wake up," Bea murmured, poking her. "Is she okay?"

"I mean I think so," Trent replied. He got his shirt on and then came closer. He saw the worried look on Bea's face, and then hesitated as she cast a suspicious glance his way. Oh crap, she thought he did something to Mae, didn't she? Or worse, that both he and Ann did.

He prepared to defend himself, but then Bea leaned in closer and ran a hand over Mae's hair. "Mayday, can you hear me?"

"...BeeBee," Mae murmured, smiling. "Whuz you doin' hur?"

Bea laughed. "I'm coming over today, remember Mae? Are you okay? Come on, look at me."

"I told you to let me sleep," she grumped, losing her sleepy happiness, opening her eyes and glaring up at Bea. "Just show him your boobs and let me sleep." She rolled over. "I'm so fucking tired, oh my fucking God."

"Yeah, you're fine, Mae," Bea said, laughing and standing back up. "I just wanted to be sure."

"What, you thought he drugged me?" Mae murmured. "Bea! I told you he's nice!" She yawned and pulled the blankets more tightly about herself. "I'm naked under here," she murmured.

"I saw Selma naked, and Trent almost naked," Bea said awkwardly.

Mae giggled. "Selmers looks really good naked. She looks amazing sucking dick."

"Oh my God, Mae," Bea said, blushing intensely.

"Trent looks super good eating pussy, too. You gotta watch people doing it…" she paused, yawned. "...Bea! Like in real life, not in porn, it's so much better!"

"Okay, Mae. I'll take your word for it," Bea replied.

"No! You gotta see it! It's amazing...ah, shit, I'm so tired…"

"Go back to sleep, Mae."

"Okay. Don't wake me up again...mmm...tell you now...you have my permission...boobs, Trent, touch, you know…" She let out a snore.

"Wow," Bea said. "She's something else. Okay, let's uh, go downstairs? Talk about this furniture thing?"

"Yeah," Trent said.

They headed downstairs.