Eta Carinae Pt. 13

"Rough game!" I observed.

"Yeah, not as rough as league. Rugby League is best described as.....murder ball! A very liberal and loose interpretation of Union rules. I have some recorded games from Scotland."

"I'd like to see that!" I said handing him a piece of smoked salmon.

The TV was muted. I recorded this off a direct satellite feed and all the commercials are Aussie. There were a number of local businesses advertised with the same usual goofiness that all advertisers believe make sales. A news report with taped video was on.

"HOLY FUCK!" I rasped out.

Paige turned up the sound. It was a bush fire somewhere in New South Wales! A helicopter film crew caught the long 'wall' of smoke, dust, and fire.

"That's it! The cloud in the dream!" I said leaning back on the couch.

"I wonder what the hell this is all about? Bush fires in Australia? What the fuck!" I thought out loud.

"A message?" Paige offered.

"Maybe. I could have just seen something like this on TV and I just dreamed about it. I'm certain it's not some from 'yon high'!" I said, rolling my eyes.

"OK," Paige responded with that evil, impish grin. I gave her an odd look.

'I hope the hell she doesn't have something to do with this!' I thought.

It was one hell of a match! Both teams fought the good fight to the end! A number of 'train wreck' tackles took out players on both teams. Mauls were getting brutal! Tempers heated during the second half, with fists flying at one point! New Zealand pulled out the win in the last minutes! The closing of the match demonstrated great sportsmanship with everyone! We cleaned up and decided to hang out for the evening and catch a recorded movie. Mac wanted a cigar and we ended up on the balcony. Through the fog and late afternoon sun, we could just see the Golden Gate. Mac had the field glasses I keep by the doors. He spoke of how well-designed and built the bridge is. It withstood a dead load of around 800 thousand people, during the 50-year anniversary celebrations!

"Not bad! For chimps, I mean! Or was it gorillas under the supervision of chimps?" Elaine said flatly, with a quick side-eye.

This should be interesting!

Mac started to laugh! "I didn't say the 'Manimal' didn't have great moments! History is replete with man's talent! I believe we've been at war living together, with brief periods of peace." He countered.

"OK, just keeping you honest!" Elaine returned with a disarming smile.

"Well played sir!" I said, hoisting my beer. I have a feeling this 'match' between him and Elaine is far from over.

"I like the 'chimp-bonobo', but I believe that she and I are more of the wolf pack!" I said.

Mac and Paige seemed to deliberate the idea.

"Yes, I can see that!" Mac said with a nod.

"Yeah, he's making his way up to the alpha spot," Elaine added, looking at me.

Paige laughed. We the pack animals....I thought to myself.

We migrated back to the living room. Paige thumbed through all my 'fave' movies and selected '300'. We were watching the scene with the Persian ambassador. The ambassador blathers on and Gerard Butler gives him his response. Mac grabbed the remote and rewound. He restarted at the response to the ambassador.

"Here's a message for yer king: Tongue ma fart-box, ya fuckin' walloper! Then kick him into the pit!" He said in a Brogue. He winked and took a sip of beer. I couldn't help but snicker.

"No one can say 'fuck off' like the Scots. Well, maybe the Irish." He added.

The movie finished. The MacDonald's had planned to stay. They had some privacy now with the guest room I set up. We had one last drink. Elaine and I slipped into our bedroom.

Elaine and I lay in bed and talked. During a lull in the conversation, my ears perked up. It was Mac and Paige. I quietly walked to the door which was open a crack. Rob had Paige in a spoon, his mouth buried in the nape of her neck. His left hand full of her milky, freckled breast. She does have nice nipples! I waved Elle over. We watched for a few minutes, then quietly dropped to the floor and built a nest with pillows. We had a perfect angle, we could see without being seen.

"We are a couple of pervos, you know that?" She whispered as she dug in beside me.

"Mmmm. What scares me, I keep wanting to return the favor!" I grunted. She looked at me and smiled.

Mac had Paige pulled back to his chest. Her tits were arched out in all their glory! She has gorgeous, very full, pendulous tits. I became fixated on her nipples. Hers were long, brick red and stretched to 10 gauge. She had barbells in with a 'stirrup' attached. As the intensity built between them, his grip on her breasts became firmer. She was sitting with her back against his chest, with her arms behind her back. He kneaded and twisted her tits hard enough for me to see muscles flex in his arms! Paige was in an altered state with her mouth open, head pressed against his cheek. His fingers found the nipple stirrup. He hooked a thumb and pulled. She whimpered and winced, but offered no resistance.

"I like this side of the Pooge!" I said.

"More sides to her than a lump of coal!" Elaine replied under her breath.

Paige positioned herself on the floor and proceeded to give him one of the most erotic blow jobs I'd ever seen! They were in the corner of the sectional and we had a perfect sight line. She started by running her tongue around the glans, underneath the foreskin. She placed a great deal of attention on his frenulum. Mac had the same crossed-eyed, sensory-overload look Elaine has! All this was followed by long, slow thrusts of his cock into her mouth. Mac was bigger than average, 8 maybe 8 and a half inches. She swallowed every millimeter of his cock! She buried her face in his pubic hair. She would back off for air, then back down. Mac was getting close, his face contorting with ecstasy and agony. Paige withdrew and a fountain of cum met her face. Mac bent over and started kissing her.

Watching people fuck....meh. Watching people who are in love, a totally different story!

*****

The Ball Game

Sometime in July, we were at the MacDonald's place. Mac asked me to help him tighten up the backyard. Yard work and some clean-up turned the trick! The women had gone out to shop. We rearranged the patio and cleaned out the brick BBQ in the back. Paige and Elaine returned with a ton of stuff! Food, some household items, drink, etc.

After dinner, cleared the table and settled in for a nice summer evening. Mac had picked up a small 'grab and go' telescope. A 2" refractor, the traditional telescope looking telescope. It was mounted on a simple tripod. Venus was up. I was impressed with the optics! Venus was sharp and crisp in the eyepiece. We shifted view to the moon. It was a waxing first quarter. Much more light and the damn thing is impossible to look at, even with an eyepiece filter!

"I have the Sea of Tranquility dialed in, if anyone wants a look," I announced. There's always a 'wow' factor with the Sea of Tranquility. Mac broke out his Cuban cigars. He offered me a Upmann Double Corona. He had one a Belicoso. He had yet another brand of Scotch out. This was a Speyside. All I know it Speyside is famous for its great water. That's what I read!

"This is a bit lighter and 'different' than the Islay whiskeys." I offered.

"Different is the best adjective you have to offer?"

"I'll work on it. It's great whiskey! In fact, I've grown accustomed to whiskey and cigars." I said taking a nice pull.

"Don't get too used to it! It's than drugs and sex!" He laughed.

Mac and Elaine discussed the market, gold, money, and so on. Paige said that she was just about finished with her curating project at work. She worked with one of the library department chairs collecting letters from Earnest Lawrence, Oppenheimer, and Fermi when they were faculty at the university. She added that there might be a book in the deal!

Mac was talking about his trip to Alaska for the job interview. It sounded like a formality. He was hired with a nice comp package.

"So when's your official resignation?" Elaine asked.

"Middle of August. I'm taking terminal leave in July."

"You good with that? Any reservations?" I inquired.

"I'm ready. I miss some things, but it's time to move on. I want a home and a wife." He said. Paige was on-board with that!

"So, when do you start with the mining company?" Asked Elaine.

"I'm already on payroll! Have my first assignment too!" He grinned with a sip of beer.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Well, gold numbers aren't adding up from that Alaskan mine. There's a leak somewhere."

"Sounds like serious Inspector Gadget stuff!" I injected.

"Maybe more a Pinkerton Detective.".

"What's your approach?"

"I have a pile of paperwork to go through. I'm playing a 'What's wrong with this picture?' game. I will start with the process, then security and personnel. It's always something simple." He answered.

"Actually sounds sort of fun!" Elaine observed.

"Something a little different for a while. Until we figure out the next step.

The bugs were getting thick and we moved into the house. We figured we'd watch TV. Mac asked if we were up for something a little different. Sure, why not? He put in a Blu-Ray. The interactive screen loaded. It was homemade, but very well done! He chose the first track with a smooth fade to black and blending into the next screen. Marine helicopters came into focus. The camera was on another aircraft that was flying around the squadron. The opening of 'Thunderstruck' was undeniable and appropriate! A unit designation and operation filled the screen in block letters. The location was Queensland, Australia; in 2010.

A flight of Cobra attack helicopters made passes over the landing zone, firing rockets and the Gatling machine gun. The big Sea Stallion helicopters with cannons slung beneath set their load down and left. Other aircraft were discharging Marines and they immediately went to work building the emplacement for the guns. Vehicles arrived with ammo, radio trucks, etc. The crews were ready to fire in no time at all! Minutes later, all 6 guns fired a salvo.

"That was cool! Where were you?" He backed up the recording. He was on the fourth gun.

"He's kind of cute in his little uniform!" Elaine jabbed, pushing his shoulder. He just grinned his 'Mac' smile! That scene segued into another episode in the field, except this was in the Northern Territories.

"What did you think of Australia?" I asked, freshening his drink.

"Absolutely loved it! We're going back someday. Not sure how yet. It's strange, there's something about the land that 'takes hold'. Reminds me of Scotland and the Caucasus Mountains in that way. Something that speaks to the soul!"

"I've always found it a fascinating country! I've had an interest in the native peoples for years." I replied.

"Well, 2 of the main players of the mining consortium are both out of the Oz. I'm sure that will parlay into something."

We finished the Marine artillery and decided on the MST3000 channel. We all indulged in 'rapier sharp wit'. I have to admit, some of the crap Mac comes up with is hilarious! Paige put on one of her Celtic music mixes and disappeared into the kitchen. A few moments later, she returned with a plate of snacks.

"We have a small problem and we need your help," Elaine announced.

"Oh?" Replied Paige.

"My brother, Ed, has a party every summer, around the end of July. We have to attend. The problem is that David and I really cannot show up together....AGAIN! It looks weird and we all know it. It's a 'rhino in the living room!' of sorts. So, I spoke to Ed a few weeks ago and told him that David and I have both become 'involved'." She said with a flat smile.

I looked at her. A slight shrug from her.

"You two need beards!" He said smiling. Elaine and I both gave the 'what the fuck' look.

"It's a term gay women, especially in the military, used this term when they had a 'prop' boyfriend, for appearances."

Elaine and I looked at each other and shrugged in agreement.

"Yeah, that's pretty much it." We answered in unison.

"OH GROSS I'll have to get shots!" Paige exclaimed, poking her finger in her throat! "Have a plan?" She followed with a smile toward me.

I couldn't help but smile back.

"I can get tickets to a Giants game. I figured Ed, Jake, and us four could go to a game, and get to know each other." Elaine suggested.

"Baseball game, I don't know? Sounds like a good time." Mac said sarcastically.

"I think you're up for the challenge!" Elaine shot back.

"OK, this sounds good!" I reckoned.

A couple of weeks later, we were meeting for a Giants-Brewers match-up on a Wednesday afternoon. We hooked up with the Mac's at the Bart train station, then took the light rail to the park. It's amazing how much the bay side of the peninsula can differ! About 15 degrees today! Ed and Jake were easy to find. We did introductions and went into the park. Paige used her 'nom de Guerra', Cameron, her mom's name. Elaine got us seats 10 rows up off the first baseline! Expensive tickets! We had a row of 6 seats all to ourselves! It was sort of a large open box. I came with access to the better vendors on this tier.

Mac and Paige ended up with Ed in the middle. I was with Jake at the end. We figured by starting the 'grilling' early, would relieve tension. It took about 5 minutes until Ed and Mac detoured into Marine Speak! Jake and I were getting caught up. He's doing better than he has in a some time. The first 3 innings were slow. At the third inning break, I was ready for the Mario's famous Italian sausage sandwiches! I get one every game. Jake and Ed like the hot dogs that have been boiling since April. Me, it's the Italian grinder! With food and drink in hand, we found the seats again. After handing out the orders, I settled in and twisted off the top of a Sam Adams. Nothing like a beer in a plastic bottle!! It's a beer anyway! I had a bite of the sandwich and washed it down.

"Hey, you OK with beer? I wasn't thinking!" I asked in earnest.

"No worries cuz! It's all good! People are going to drink and use around me. I've accepted that."

I gave him a serious nod! I guess people can change.

The game picked up in the bottom of the fifth inning. Paige caught a pop fly with her bare hands, or paws in her case! Impressive, nonetheless. Ed, Mac, and Paige seemed to be meshing quite well! Knowing Ed the way I do, I realized the MacDonald's are inside the Gunny's circle of trust! Paige and Ed spoke for a long while. I was pretty sure all would go well, but there's always that surprise factor. The MacDonald's have their act down to a fine art!

The Giants won the game, which is always a bonus! It was just after four. We figured something more substantial for supper would be in order. We opted for some Thai. We bit the bullet and took a taxi. We were seated quickly and ordered. I turned to Jake while the others talked.

"How's your mom doing?" I asked.

"Meh. You know how she likes her wine coolers and QVC. She's my mom, I'll always be there, but right now, I'm all about Jacob!" I held my fist up for a knuckle bump.

"You heard from your pop?" He asked stuffing in a mouthful of Pad Thai.

"Nah. I really don't think about him much anymore. I've stopped letting him live rent-free in my head!"

"Amen to that!" He remarked with a smile.

We finished dinner and went our separate ways. Back at the apartment, Elle and I discussed our mutual read on the day and were quite satisfied! Part of me was bothered by the deception. The other voice says that I have a private life that is mine and who I choose to share it with. Whether it's 'OK' with the world at large, who the fuck knows! That's the way it's going to be!

*****

Ed's Party

Ed's 'summer party' was a family, friend, and business event. It was a standard outdoor party in California. Ed provided a large selection of burgers, steaks, sausages, sides, etc and the rest was a potluck. The MacDonald's met us at our place and we 'arrived' around noon. I knew for certain that Nona was going to pounce on Paige. I know Ed tried to 'smooth the waters' with her. Nona is Nona; and a package deal!

Ed cleaned up one side of the shop property he always uses. It has a roof over an open area with a large, 55-gallon barrel oven and smoker. My family was there as well as all the employees and their families. Manny, his wife Pilar, and two of his sons were talking with Ed and Josh. I walked around with Paige and introduced her. Barb, who always thought she was 'born below her station' started in with Paige. The usual snarky stuff to make people feel like shit. Fortunately, Paige was a black belt when it comes to verbal sparing! Paige is very smart, well-read, and doesn't put up with shit, as Barb found out!

Pilar had brought all the fixings for her street-style tacos. She and the daughters made about three dozen fresh corn tortillas for today. Manny was grilling the marinaded beef. Paige and I assembled some really decent tacos! The difference between fresh and store-bought tortillas is night and day! We sat down with Elaine, Mac, and Ed. Nona joined us. I got the major 'approval' vibe from her, which was quite nice! Ed's wife, Angie, was fairly inebriated on wine coolers. Seeing Jake upbeat and interactive was nice.

Nona spoke to Mac for a bit; she thinks he's top shelf! Maybe it's the Marine thing? That and the fact he is a pretty good guy won the day. Paige and I were trying to work out the 'pretend' lover thing! For this to come off we have to be physically affectionate. To some degree anyway! We had finished the tacos and we went back up to the tables for something else. She picked up a fresh paper plate and I followed in kind. We chose some prime goodies, then went to the 'bar' table. I poured her a glass of wine and I picked out a beer. As I poured her glass, my empty hand landed on the small of her back, as it has many times.

"You can touch my back and my arm! Anything else, I take your gall bladder out with a fork!" She announced in a hard whisper. I smiled, leaned over, and kissed her on the cheek. She tried to look exasperated but failed.

"God, I hate you sometimes!" She laughed.

"You're so sexy when you talk dirty!" I shot back.

We sat down and watched the Suarez boys play soccer. Elaine and Mac were getting on quite convincingly. I maneuvered close to Nona. It was time. She was drinking a wine cooler and getting a little 'rubbery'.

"Your friend Paige, she's a very nice girl! Intelligent, pretty, and wide hips! She could be a very good wife and mother!" She said with grandmotherly authority.

"I'll keep that in mind, Nona," I said with mock humility.

She smacked me on the arm. "Bruto bestia!" She looked at me and pulled on my ear. An old family thing.

Though she was a bit tipsy, she seemed very happy with the situation with all four of us. I made my way back to Paige. She was sitting across from Mac and Elaine. Ed placed himself on the end of the table. While the others were engrossed in small talk, Paige asked me for my cell phone. I unlocked it and handed it to her.

"David, you don't have any apps! Phone, messenger, browser, weather station, GPS mapping..........oh, weights, and measurement conversion utility. WOW! No music, financial stuff. What the fuck? You some kind of Luddite?".

"Well, third semester in school. There was a course in Digital Security. It's also known as your electronic life is open to the world! Enlightening, to say the least! I chose to be a bit more secure. As for music, I have an unbelievable sound system at home! I don't listen to music on a phone with those stupid earbuds that fall out! I don't do any social media. The damn thing is just a tool, not an extension of my consciousness!" I declared.