Southern Comfort

Lola, as depicted by the artist JermJerm

[The mini-series, “Mount Bliss,” continues from “Asses Up” with a story of reuniting lovers.]

There we were, the six of us, finally, all together. Lo and Lily, naked as water nymphs wading in the blue lake. Collin, a seeming avuncular benefactor to his young niece and her attractive friend. Suzanne, sitting bemused by her husband’s masochistic tendencies. Oh, and the two dogs, Shadow and Bandit, lounging in the warm sun, too lazy to bark at Jim and me as we approached the backyard, they merely lifted their heads and looked over with expressions of mild curiosity mixed with ennui.

After Lola had greeted me and Lily greeted Jim, the two of them had made proper introductions of me to Suzanne since, as of yet, I had never met her. I could see a spark of interest in her eye as I shook her hand politely and Lo showed me off like a prize on a game show. I didn’t want to be Suzanne’s prize. I just wanted to be unwrapped by Lo.

I greeted “Uncle Collin” with an external warmth and “manly” handshake that masked my deep-seated antipathy toward him. Collin and Suzanne were hospitable, offering us lunch, cold drinks, and to change clothes if we wished to enjoy the lake.

I didn’t know how to say, “Can you all please just allow Lola and me some private time to ourselves before we join you?” So I didn’t say that. Not to mention, Lo seemed quite content…