Double Team
PART XVI: IMMISERATION
Chapter 196
“If you live a long life and get to the end of it without ever once having felt crushingly depressed, then you probably haven’t been paying attention.”
—Duncan MacMillan, Every Brilliant Thing
I WOULD LIKE to have taken a break after graduation. You know, kick back on the porch and play my guitar. Drink a few beers. Make love to my girlfriends. Just not think of anything for a few weeks.
Not a chance.
I didn’t have girlfriends. I had wives. Eleven of them who wanted attention as we got ready to launch the ‘Grand Loop’ deputation tour through the Midwest and the South. We wouldn’t be inducted into National Service until July 18—after Cindy turned seventeen. But we’d be spending the entire month of June working for them.
After I got Livy and Remas off to the airport, Em and Rachel headed for Indianapolis to pick up the bus we’d be traveling in for our tour. I went to spend time with Mom and Dad. The construction was finally complete on the new house. Idiot contractors and insurance dinked around for fifteen months. This afternoon was the final inspection.
It was weird. The house was in the same location as the house we had lived in. It was about the same color. But it was nothing like our home. It had three bedrooms and two baths, a kitchen, dining room, and living room. About 1800 square feet. Equivalent of our previous home. And nothing like it. A real estate agent walked through the house with us and pointed out a couple of things that needed touchup. Aside from that, Mom and Dad signed off on the construction and sat down with the Realtor to list the house for sale. They didn’t intend to ever live in it.
In fact, they’d signed a contract to buy Nanette’s house, a slightly smaller bungalow that they’d been living in since the storm. Losing the house kind of forced downsizing on my parents and instead of getting something bigger and more luxurious, they were happy to have a more compact living space.
I sat down to a quiet dinner with them.
“Do you have any time off before service at all?” Mom asked. She was concerned that we were moving so aggressively into touring. It was sad because she was no longer my manager. That role had been taken over by the Office of Civilian Service—Rachel.
“We have this week to get our stuff in order, but we have to practice and go over all the details with Jo Wilson from the OCS. I guess she figures she’ll travel with us for a week or so before she’s content to let Donna and Emily take over. The first concert is in Chicago on Saturday and from then on, we’ve got a performance every couple of days. Sometimes two shows,” I said.
“It’s hard to believe you’ll be performing before so many people,” Dad said.
“I don’t know that it will be that many. From what Rachel said, some of the venues are pretty small. Some are in schools and others in places like legion halls or civic centers. Five hundred is probably the top seating capacity we’ll have in any venue. This is really a shakedown cruise to see how well we can hold up on a heavy schedule. In a way, we’re kind of taking our NSO training before we get our basic.”
“What about a place to live?” Mom asked. “Are you sure you need to move to DC?”
“When Cindy and I start the tour with Emily, Donna, Beca, and Joan, Rachel will head back to DC with Desi, Brittany, Sophie, and Nanette. We have an offer in on a house and they have signing authority for the pod. We’ll get to DC on the first and move straight into our new home. Then we have the concert on the mall with the Young America Orchestra on the Fourth. We’ll have two weeks to get oriented and settled in before we go into service.”
“It sounds so pressured,” Mom said. “I worry about you. All of you.”
“I know, Mom. We’re all feeling the pressure. It seemed so far away when we agreed to all this in April. If this bill ever gets passed, I don’t know what we’ll be doing. Everything until November is focused on electing candidates that favor reform. Jo says Simon’s audience development is still focused on teens about to enter service but the message is to get out and vote.”
“Son, if you need anything, call us. We seem to have extra time on our hands lately. We won’t interfere, but we’re here to help,” Dad said.
“Thanks, Dad. That’s a comfort to know.”
Rachel and Em got back from Indianapolis Tuesday with a massive motorhome and Jo Wilson. The motorhome belonged to the service, not to us. Jo was there to get the papers signed and follow us around for a week. The motorhome towed a matching trailer behind it because we had to carry everything we needed for a concert and to live for three weeks. Stowing instruments, recording equipment, costumes, props, and luggage in the trailer meant there would be living space in the motorhome for those of us traveling. And unlike the coach we had in California, there was a passenger seat up front so Emily didn’t have to drive isolated from everyone else.
The thing was thirty-six feet long and had a slide-out so when it was parked it opened up to about twelve feet wide. There was a king bed in the back, a sofa bed toward the front, and a fold down bunk. We were used to sharing intimate space with each other but living in this for three weeks with five to eight people was going to test our endurance. Traveling in the coach in California, we got out at night and went to hotel rooms. Traveling in the motorhome, we’d eat and sleep in it as well.
“Anyone want to spend our first night making love in the new motorhome?” Cindy giggled. Ever since Jo left to go to a hotel for the night, Cindy had been a little squirrely. Jo hadn’t gotten all the way down the driveway before Cindy was naked. Of course, none of us had any objections to naked Cindy and soon, we all joined her.
“You know, once we move into that monstrosity, there’s no telling when we’ll get back here. Maybe never. I think I’d like to create some last-minute memories here to take with us on the road,” I said. “I’m thinking a hot soak in Donna’s tub and then a hot soak in Donna.”
“I’ll try to be back from Desi’s bed by the time you get out of the tub,” Donna laughed. She leaned toward our buxom lover for a kiss.
“And your Latina wives want to fuck you silly,” Sophie said, plopping down on my lap. That svelte dancer’s body somehow molded to every curve of mine, even while Brittany was doing her best to put a nipple in my mouth as she hugged the two of us. “We will be off to DC Saturday and with luck will have a nice home ready for our mates when you finish your tour.”
“Here we are, scattered all over the country again,” Beca sighed. Joan held her tightly. At least she was home now. Livy was in Virginia. Remas was in DC. Rachel had to return to work in DC on Saturday, as well, leaving the beginning of our tour in the hands of Jo and Donna. Emily was chafing about Jo already. There were going to be some territory disputes between them.
Cindy was caught up by Rachel, Emily, and Nanette and promised an opportunity to scream at the top of her lungs as we all headed to different beds. I personally was thinking an orgasm in each of the five beds in the house would be a reasonable goal. That was a little more lascivious than necessary, but we still had four nights before we hit the road.
“Why are you all naked?” Jo demanded. “You can’t represent the National Service naked!”
“Jo, we’re in our home and this is the way we live,” I said. “When we’re in our private space, here or in the motorhome, we don’t intend to be presenting each other with an official National Service persona. You still have time to cancel the tour.”
“As if! This is very not like what I’m used to. You plan to be naked in the motorhome, too?” I nodded. “I intended to stay in the bunk when we’re on the road.”
“You’re welcome to,” Donna said. “You don’t have to be naked just because we are.” Please, don’t be. It will be bad enough just having you around. I wasn’t happy that Jo felt she could move into our home with us just because the government owned it. She was a little overbearing.
“Well, you’ll need clothes for your appointments,” she continued. “You need to have your hair cut and styled, Jacob. You look like a ragged hippie. And Cindy, you need a full makeup consultation. I want to see your wardrobe and then I need to talk to Emily about the routes she’s to take from venue to venue.”
“Jo, you’re overstepping,” Rachel said. “I know you are my manager, but I manage Jacob and Cindy. I manage Emily and after you have the venues set, logistics go to her. My onsite producer is Donna. Those are the lines we drew in the office months ago. You can’t just charge in here and micromanage everything.”
“We’re going to have to change some of the terms,” Jo said. “It is obvious you can’t manage the talent. You aren’t even wearing clothes yourself.”
“I think you should take that bus you’re so proud of and drive it back to DC,” I said. “We won’t be needing it since we won’t be touring in it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You can’t come in here and manage us. According to our meeting with Will, you are supposed to be putting the structure around an entire deputation program, not managing the teams. And this team doesn’t want your management. The closest you should ever be to direct contact with our team or any other is to book a venue and make sure our logistics manager has the details. If you think you’re going to manage our team, we’re out of here.”
“You can’t back out. You’re in National Service.”
“Not for six more weeks, they aren’t. By that time, we should be able to raise enough of a fuss to get you replaced,” Rachel said.
Jo and Rachel stared at each other. Neither was willing to back down from her position. I didn’t want to back down, either. We could have a miserable service if we let this get out of hand now.
I saw Cindy raise her flute and pulled my guitar to me. She played the opening trill from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly and I started tapping out the drum beats on my guitar. Desi’s voice floated over the top. Jo and Rachel both turned to stare at us. It was a tense moment as we endured the Mexican standoff.
I think Emily was the one who started laughing. Donna, Sophie, Brittany, Beca, and Joan joined in. Finally, Rachel and Jo cracked a smile and chuckled.
“Let’s face it, Jo: You don’t know anything about managing talent. I at least have a relationship we can build on. Let’s do things the way we planned,” Rachel said softly.
“I’m not happy about it. We’ll do it your way for now and reevaluate at the end of the tour in three weeks,” Jo said. “At least get him a haircut, please.”
It wasn’t the last of the conflicts. I was getting pretty damn tired of all the little niggling details there were to be argued over. And in nearly every instance it didn’t make a bit of difference what decision was reached. It only established who had the upper hand.
Thursday morning, I was back to my old routine: Up at 5:30 and on the road for a five-mile run. Nanette was with me. We took it easy but I really needed the chance to feel the pavement beneath my feet. We slowed to a walk when we came through the back woodlot and stopped to stretch.
“You need to keep up this routine every morning,” Nan said. “You shouldn’t be breathing this hard after a gentle run like that.”
“You’re right. I’ve only been running a couple times a week since we started our weekend tours in April. I’m getting out of shape,” I said.
“Oh, I think your shape is still pretty good,” Nan laughed. “In fact, how about pressing your shape up against my shape and seeing if the pieces still fit together.” It didn’t take long for us to have our shorts and T-shirts spread on the ground so we could make love in the woods. Feasting on Nan’s lips, stroking her sweaty skin, and sinking into her hot center were an antidote to anything. She rolled me to my back so she could ride at her own pace, reminding me that no matter how turned on she was, she wasn’t on as short a fuse as our younger wives. That was fine with me. I loved just petting her and kissing as she moved on me.
“I worry about you, Nanette. Are you sure you won’t just travel with us?”
“Not right now. We need to get the place in DC ready. The sellers accepted the offer and we’re closing next weekend. That will give us just two weeks to get the place ready for occupation. Brittany, Sophie, and Desi will be there to help but it will be a major task. Part of the reason we are getting such a good deal on the place is the work it needs.”
“What are you going to do when we join the service?”
“Oh, my lover. This gives me such a good opportunity to explore some new possibilities. As all of us move into one place, we’re going to need more coordination in how we manage the household.” She let her eyes drift closed and sped her movements as if the thought of her role was turning her on more. “I don’t plan to simply become the partnership housewife,” she sighed as she pressed down hard on me. It was a small climax and she kept moving. “But I’ll take my time looking around at the opportunities rather than rushing to a new job at a hospital. Maybe this fall, I will join you on the road, just to make sure your weary muscles are massaged each night and Cindy gets a good night’s sleep. PT. Private therapy, you know. Always complete with a happy ending.”
We both laughed and I felt my cock beginning to swell inside her. She pumped more energetically, leaning forward to kiss me as I played with her nipples. This time, when she rose to her peak, I was with her and filled her with my love. I was so glad she was part of our pod.
Friday night, our families gathered at the farm for a final dinner before we all scattered. The girls were all being fussed over by the moms. Betty Marvel was only slightly more hysterical than Jaimie Brown and Lupe Adams. It had been one thing to have Beca and Brittany move to the farm, but now we were leaving the state. Rachel’s parents had a little less difficulty because she’d been in service a year already and they were used to it. Livy’s parents doted on her as a substitute for Livy. The entire Adams family was crying over the impending departure of Sophie and Brittany. Even Joan’s mother seemed sad that her daughter had just come back home and was leaving again.
“I guess this is it, guys,” I said as I sat on the floor in the game room/guest room with Pod Two. “You’re really holding together. I’m proud of all of you.”
“Jacob, I know you don’t see us as much as we thought you would, but we love you and we love what you’ve helped us create,” Donnie said. He was the youngest of the seven but seemed to have matured faster than any of the others. Having Katie draped over his shoulder seemed to enhance the effect. I looked at the others. Richard and Barb were holding hands. Luke had an arm around both Lisa and Joyce. I knew he and Lisa had been fooling around and figured Joyce was involved. They might not be having sex yet, but I’d seen the three of them kiss with his hands under their shirts.
“I guess this is one of life’s lessons,” I said. “Our best intentions don’t always pan out.”
“You’ve been there when we needed you most,” Lisa said. “You and all of Octave have shown us how to make our pod work. Now you get to go off and change the service so when we get to have to serve, it will be better for us. Thank you.”
“There’s nothing that could make me more proud of you seven,” I said. “And understand this: I think Pey would be proud of you, too. I can see a little of her in each of you. I love you all.”
“We love you, Jacob.”
Dad placed a hand on my shoulder and pushed me toward the door and onto the porch. A few feet away, the rest of the dads were standing. Randall Dayton, Livy’s dad, handed me a glass of bourbon on the rocks. John Adams gave me a cigar. The flame was passed around and, in a couple of minutes, a blue haze of smoke hung over us as we watched the sunset and swatted at mosquitoes brave enough to endure the smoke. I was amazed. I didn’t think Mark ever smoked or drank.
“How are you holding up, Jacob?” Randall asked. “Has to be pretty intense.” I wasn’t sure if he was referring to our schedule or to me having eleven wives.
“Well, it isn’t too bad. A lot of sorting out the pecking order with the OCS at the moment. If all we had to do was show up and perform, it would be easy. Everyone wants a finger in the pie. Even Dr. D called this week to go over our arrangements and ‘make a couple suggestions’ for pieces we should consider performing. And she’s been as hands-off as she could be up till now.”
“I suppose they are all seeing the reality take shape as well,” Mark said. Cindy’s dad took a puff on his cigar and a sip of his drink before he continued, looking straight at me. “You’ll take care of her, won’t you, Jacob?”
“I made that promise long before she became part of our pod and even longer before she married us, Mark. I know how precious she is. And I know how much pressure she feels. None of us are getting a chance to just go out and explore life. It’s all delayed while we do our service and become famous. But I… all of us… will always take care of Cindy.”
“I’ve heard a lot of kids coming out of service are picking up on a ‘year off’ program. They’re spending a year traveling around the world after service instead of going straight to college or into a profession,” Bert said. Rachel’s dad contemplated his cigar. “Not a bad idea to take time to let the stress wash away.”
“I’d be happy to have a week off at the moment. When we first talked about all signing our service papers the third week of July, I thought we’d have a break from the end of school until then. So much for that dream.”
“The service is trying to show how agile it can be,” Ray said. “The OCS is coming up with ideas and implementing them before anyone can object. Since your message has been so clearly ‘reform the service,’ I think they want you officially in action before opposition can try to rein you in.”
My wives pushed me into Donna’s big shower as soon as the parents and sibs had all left, complaining I smelled like smoke. My clothes had gone straight into the washing machine. Then all ten who were home tried to crowd into the shower with me. It wasn’t that bad.
We cuddled together after the shower, hauling mattresses into the game room upstairs and piling on together. I wished Livy could be there. There was a lot of kissing and hugging and petting going on. And a little loving. Desi ‘needed’ one more dose from my cock to carry back to DC in the morning. Rachel wasn’t as adamant about receiving an injection as about simply lying connected together while we whispered to each other. I’m sure others had orgasms before we slept but mostly we just wanted to be near each other—to touch and hold our partners.
11 June 2022
Everything is closed up and we’re on our way. We rose early and had some additional loving with our partners before we got the house put back together. Sheets and towels went in the washing machine as we returned the mattresses to their beds and made sure nothing was left in the refrigerator. The moms swept through the cabinets before they left last night, stripping out everything. We decided not to move furniture and household goods to DC. We all hope we’ll return to the farm eventually. Donna isn’t putting it up for sale.
Jo showed up at eight and said she was going to drive ahead of us to Chicago to make sure everything was set with the venue. She invited Donna to ride with her so they could work out details on how venue coordination would work in the future. Donna accepted and the rest of us finished buttoning up the house. We took Rachel and Desi to the airport. Sophie, Nanette, and Brittany left for DC in Nan’s VW. Eventually, we’ll have to make arrangements to get more of our vehicles to our new home. That can wait until July.
Emily’s at the wheel and Beca is up keeping her company in the passenger seat. Joan is sitting on the sofa with her laptop, making code changes in our online store. We have new T-shirts for this tour. I’m sitting at the table writing. Cindy is stretched out naked on the bed in back. Hopeful, I think.
Maybe I should see if I can fulfill her fantasies for a while.
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