Page 65 of Taking Turns

“Hmm,” Chella says. “I don’t think that word fits him at all.”

“Why not?” I’m actually fascinated to hear what she thinks of Smith. I know he’s playing some kind of game with her that doesn’t involve Quin and me. But what it is, I’m not sure yet.

“Well, philanthropy implies a love for humanity that involves caring about people and nurturing them as a group. And maybe I don’t know him well, but he comes across as crass and egomaniacal. Not someone concerned with the welfare of the human race as a whole.”

“He actually does a lot of good with his money. This organization isn’t even one of his top ten beneficiaries and he gave them twenty million dollars last year. He gives mostly to humanist endeavors, and mostly to organizations overseas. So you’ll never go to one of those parties. Unless of course, you marry him or something.” I laugh. “And he gets you all to himself for weeks at a time. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.”

She smiles weakly, but gets my meaning. Smith is off limits to everyone, even her.

“We shouldn’t waste our time talking about Smith. He’s a lost cause. Besides, I’m curious to know what you’re thinking.”

“About?” Chella counters. She knows what about, but I’m happy to spell it out.

“About the last rule.”

“The gang bang?”

I laugh so hard people start staring at us.

“Quiet,” Chella says, looking around nervously.

“I’m sorry. I just… didn’t expect you to characterize it that way.”

“That’s what it is though, right? The three of you taking turns with me. At the same time. I’m a realist, Bric. I like to call things like they are. I don’t need pretty words or false promises to understand the darkness.”

I stop dancing and look down at her. She’s not short, but I’m tall, so her eyes only come up to my neck. “It’s not a gang bang, Marcella. It’s a ménage, just like Quin said. It’s a relationship. Not a one-time group fuck.”

My words are a proper chastising and they make her shrink a little. “Sorry,” she says. “I’m just having a hard time understanding what the three of you have going. What do you get out of it?”

“Aside from you?” I ask, one eyebrow raised.

“But that’s the thing. You don’t really get me. You get to share me. Why would you want to share me when you can each have whomever want all to yourselves?”

“Maybe we want that with each other?”

“So you’re all gay?”

“No.” I laugh. “No, we’re not gay.”

“Do you fuck them?”

“Chella—”

“I’m serious. I need to know. I just need to understand and I need to put a label on this.”

“No, I don’t fuck them.”

“Have you ever kissed Quin or Smith? Or touched them erotically during one of these… ménage episodes?”

“Ménage episodes,” I say. “Well, I’ve heard it all now.”

“I’m serious, Bric. It’s an honest question.”

And just looking at her, I realize it is an honest question. She is calm, and serious, and curious. “I’m sure I have. But it’s not a memory I hold on to and think about later.”

“So let’s say you’re having sex with one of your… toys in the game of Taking Turns.”

“OK,” I say.