Blood Is Thicker Than Wine

by Liz Eagle

  But in truth Jacqueline did not care. She already spent every minute of every day thinking about Phillip. She reminisced about their long, passionate kiss in the cupola, their kiss on the stoop and the sailboat ride. He was such a nice guy she had begun to think she could actually fall in love again, something she never thought would happen again, especially not so soon. Then the thoughts came back. If his parents are off having sex parties, what is he up to? The apple never falls far from the tree, this she knew. It shook her to the bone, making her feel almost sick. What if Phillip was involved too? No...he couldn’t be.

  Now she had to decide whether to keep this to herself, tell her dad, or just sit on it until her next visit to Warsaw, whenever that might be. With her head reeling from this entire ordeal, Jacqueline returned to her apartment, sat in a chair and stared out the window at the busy city below, wondering what she had gotten herself into. She didn’t know what to make of it, but the more she dwelled on it, the more it consumed her. It was just too strange; she needed advice, she needed some help. She decided to call her dad and discuss it with him. Uncomfortable a topic as it was, her dad worked for the government, and had seen and heard much worse. And he always knew what to do and was always there for her.

  “Hi dad. Sorry to bother you. Um, do you have a minute or two?” She asked, her voice shaking slightly. She and Gus were close but discussing something of this nature with him didn’t come naturally.

  “Of course. What is on your mind?” She hardly ever called, and this made him very curious.

  “Well, I overheard something that Max said at the table one time. I am not sure you caught it and we had been drinking copious amounts of wine. But, he made a toast the very first night we were there and said, ‘here’s to how’s your father nights.’ I thought I had too much to drink and misheard what he said, but then I overheard it again on our next trip there….”

  Gus did remember the comment but had to admit that it had not struck him as very important at the time. “Go on, I am listening…” he said.

  “You know I read a lot, and I had read somewhere that it was a British code phrase for sex. I know how this sounds...but I think that Max and Gynnie may were talking about having “sex nights” ...and I swear I heard the names ‘Milton’ and ‘Louise’ but I can’t be sure. It is just bothering me so much…I don’t know what it means!” She could feel her face getting hot. “Oh my, it is hard to talk to you about this! Do you think Phillip’s parents are involved?” Jacqueline asked, desperately wanting her father to confirm that there was no way on this earth that Phillip’s parents were involved in such a thing. She nearly burst into tears. She liked Phillip.

  Gus did not know how to quickly respond. He took his time to carefully think of a reply. He wanted to keep his cover in front of his daughter. The McDougals were already on his radar for the wine and the Chandlers were now there as well after talking to Harvey. And now his daughter was presenting the distinct possibility that these people were hiding a very dirty family secret. Yes, this was a definite possibility; it was just the motive he had been searching for. Someone finds out about their secret, they have to go. These powerful families had a lot at stake, particularly Milton. After listening to his daughter, he believed they could easily be intimately connected. He trusted what she had shared with him. She was unaware of the nature of his investigation and had no reason to be dishonest. She was simply shaken and unnerved, as she was young and had never come across anything like this before. Not to mention she was romantically interested in someone of the same family. He could tell from her voice that she was uncomfortable sharing this with him, as anyone would be. “Listen, I know how difficult that was for you to share with me. I am not really sure what to say. I am so sorry you had to overhear such vulgar talk, that is something that should be kept to themselves. It is quite a surprise for me to hear as well.” He thought carefully about what to advise her. “Maybe, if you feel comfortable enough, of course, you should bring it up to Phillip somehow, in a subtle kind of way. He’s bound to know something, and it might feel good for you to...open up about how you’re feeling and settle it once and for all.” Gus didn’t like using Jacqueline to get information, but now was the perfect opportunity to learn more. If anyone would have the knowledge and be willing to share it, it would be Phillip, at least Gus hoped so. Even if it was not his parents that were involved, he might know who else in that town was all-too-familiar with the McDougals.

  “This is very strange, but since I heard the McDougals mention it twice, I just know I am not imagining things, even though I had some wine. I am just not sure about what might or might not be going on in that family,” she stated. “I am supposed to meet Phillip’s parents soon and I just don’t know what to think. But, you’re right, I just have to find out for sure, one way or another, to put my mind at ease. I know when something doesn’t feel quite right, and this whole business makes me squirm.”

  “Of course, dear, it is a rather unsettling development in the c-” he paused, catching himself, “I mean, in general. Something about the McDougals has been giving me a strange feeling, I must say. Just say what feels right to you and take your time. Remember, you could upset him. It is a sensitive subject, and this family has roots that run very deep.” Gus made a note of the conversation and put it in his briefcase with the rest of his investigation. How thankful he was to have Jacqueline along with him, this was perhaps the most important development thus far, and had come just at the perfect time.

  It never was his practice to draw his daughter into any of his cases, especially when it involved murder, but he had no choice this time. She was a perfect cover for his investigation, but he dearly hoped she would not get hurt. He decided he might have to find a way to keep her away from Milton Chandler’s son, Phillip, after he was no longer of use. If the case involved that family to the extent which he expected it might, Jacqueline could be in grave danger. Gus’ experience with the FBI had taught him that prominent families, or any family for that matter, would go to great lengths to protect their reputation, especially in a small town.

  Chapter 13

  1945 Warsaw, New York

  Gynnie pulled herself up from the davenport in the living room and reached up to smooth her messy hair. Her long hair had come out of the braid, and it was all over her face, stuck in some places with sweat. They all had just had the best sex they had ever experienced. They had drunk a lot of wine and were totally spent. This was another grand “how’s your father?” night.

  “Oh, Max, darling, that was wonderful,” she said shyly. “Now let’s watch them. They know we are watching and that will make them climax sooner,” her voice was just above a whisper, she knew full well they would hear her. Gynnie smiled, she was right. Not only had they heard her, they looked over with sweat dripping down their faces. Screaming in delight, they laughed, rolled out onto the carpet and laid sprawled out on the floor. They lit cigarettes, drank more wine, and laughed at their antics.

  This was their secret time together that they affectionately called “how’s your father?” It was a British phrase that Max thought up to conceal their secret from family and friends who might overhear. He was initially reluctant to engage in this when Gynnie first brought it up to him, but after several glasses of their special blackberry brandy and some really good sex, he soon realized it was a great way to keep both couples interested in love-making despite being married for so many years. Lack of sex will make the spouse look to someone else for it, or so he had heard. There was no chance of that happening to them, or to Gynnie’s brother and sister-in-law.

  Earlier that day, Gynnie had called Louise, Phillip’s mother. They were chatting about the usual family issues and town gossip when Gynnie said, “Why don’t we get together tonight for ‘how’s your father’ night?” Louise volunteered their home since Phillip was away at school and Max and Gynnie had guests.

  Louise knew exactly what Gynnie meant and responded, “T
hat sounds wonderful. I will check with Milton when he comes home from the office. He is putting the final touches on the office he is preparing for Phillip, but it has been a few weeks since we have gotten together, and I think we are all well overdue.”

  Since Phillip had gone off to college and law school, the two couples didn’t have to sneak around so much. When he was still in high school, they would have to go over to the lake or use Gynnie and Max’s house. They even did it in the cupola while young Phillip was playing with his friends in the front room. But now they could freely go to either of their homes for their fun evenings of homemade brandy and sex.

  Louise wondered if Phillip had seen them once when he came home from school unexpectedly. On that one occasion, Gynnie and Max took too long coming to a climax and they were just putting their clothes back on when he walked in the back door. She dismissed her worry and her thoughts moved to hoping that her husband would be as excited about it as she was feeling right now.

  Louise rationalized that there was nothing wrong with having sex in front of relatives. They were with their own partners for heaven’s sake. She thought it was probably common practice among all the wealthy folk of Warsaw. It was a small town, and there was not much excitement or entertainment. They made their own, she surmised. Louise allowed her thoughts to drift to images of the owner of the bank and his wife doing it, probably with the surgeon and his wife, though she knew the surgeon and his wife were always at odds with each other and that he had had many affairs. Rumor has it that nearly all of the affairs were with some not-so-reputable women who stayed at the local hotel or nurses at the hospital. Nevertheless, as she fantasized in her mind images of all the professional people in town having sex, she got hotter and hornier.

  At the end of the evening, Phillip’s parents said goodbye. Gynnie and Max got in their car and drove home just across town. It was no different than saying goodbye after they had enjoyed a wonderful dinner or playing cards. That is what the neighbors would say if they had seen them leave. No one suspected their dirty little secret, and no one would ever know.

  Chapter 14

  1945 Warsaw, New York

  Phillip rolled off a co-ed he had just seduced and laid. She was certainly not as pretty as Jacqueline, but she would do to satisfy his urges for now. He pushed her aside, got dressed and left her room. He had timed it just right and left to go pick up Jacqueline in the city straight after, having made plans to introduce her to his parents this weekend.

  As he drove toward the city, Phillip thought about how to introduce Jacqueline to his parents. He hoped they would not walk in on them when they were screwing around with his aunt and uncle. If Jacqueline saw that she would be gone forever. He vividly remembered one of the times he had caught them, and they had no idea how many times he had seen his parents and aunt and uncle screwing since then. Phillip knew to stay away from them when they mentioned anything about breaking out the special blackberry brandy or began to talk like someone from England.

  One time, he had come home early from college, pulled into the driveway and noticed the car belonging to his Uncle Max and Aunt Gynnie parked out front. Phillip quietly entered through the back door and heard all of them moaning and groaning. He recognized those sounds having made them himself plenty of times. Waiting patiently in the kitchen, Phillip watched from behind the swinging kitchen door as Max and Gynnie finished having sex. What he did not want to see was his parents doing it. There are some things that you just cannot un-see. But unfortunately, they were right there, banging each other with such passion and excitement that he almost became aroused himself.

  Waiting quietly in the kitchen until he thought they were finished, Phillip opened and closed the back door as if he was entering the house for the first time. He shouted out a hello and busied himself in the kitchen and allowed them time to put their clothes back on. Then, Phillip pretended to be tired from school studies and the drive home, he kept his head down so as not to see, said goodnight without looking at them and went straight up the stairs to his room. He did not want to know how often they did that and preferred not to know. He just let it go as part of his strange family. He had wondered a time or two if anyone else in Warsaw was ever involved.

  The next morning, as he was admiring his handsome jawline in the mirror, he noticed a small piece of notebook paper taped to the edge. Never speak of what you saw, ever, it read. “Never” and “ever” were underlined in an eerily harsh manner. Whoever wrote this for him was not fooling around. Phillip had no idea that someone knew what he had seen, but the message was received loud and clear. He would have to take that family secret to the grave, or he might wind up there prematurely.

  Phillip decided to take Jacqueline on the long route back to Warsaw and drove through the Adirondack Mountains. “I want to camp in these mountains one day,” he told her. “The scenery is beautiful, and the water is fantastic for boating and fishing,” Phillip told Jacqueline, continuing to point out places of interest along the road.

  “Camping? Really?” she asked. “I have only just gotten used to using your parents’ outhouse.” They both laughed. “I have never camped – ever – in my entire life, unless you call sleeping in a penthouse before any of the new furniture was delivered camping.” They laughed again, but she was quite serious.

  Jacqueline still had some reservations about this life Phillip was describing. The thought of giving up city life, her career, and access to current fashion trends, not to mention using outhouses, made her very uncomfortable. Suffice to say, she was not totally sold on the idea just yet, but she would see how this weekend went and make a decision. Besides, she had plenty of time, she thought, she should take it slow. She was also trying to work up the courage to ask Phillip about his Uncle Max and Aunt Gynnie, and get to the bottom of how’s your father? once and for all.

  How should she do it? Should she mention the British phrase? Should she just ask about Max and Gynnie’s card game nights and see if that got anywhere? She finally started to utter the words when Phillip pulled the car into the driveway at his parents’ home. He put it in park and turned off the engine. Then he realized his wasn’t the only car sharing his parents’ driveway. Why did it have to be now, of all times? Phillip knew he could not bring Jacqueline inside. He had to think of something and play it as cool as possible.

  “Oh! It looks like Uncle Max and Aunt Gynnie are here,” Phillip interrupted, trying to hide his worry as much as possible. His mind was frantically wondering what he could do to pass some time. “Perhaps we should come back later, this might not be the best time…” He did not want to introduce Jacqueline to that, not right now. If they walked in on them having sex, she would run away so fast it would make his head spin. “Hey, I have an idea,” Phillip said. “Why don’t we just drive through town for a few minutes? I wanted to show you the new dress shop on Main Street anyway. I think you will like their fashions, and I would like to buy you something really special to wear for dinner tonight.” He was pleased with himself for being so smooth.

  “That is not necessary,” Jacqueline said. “I brought dresses to wear.” She opened the car door and began walking up to the house. “I’m sure they won’t mind if we join them,” she said playfully, “Your aunt and uncle are so friendly!” She knew he was hiding something, she had to find out what. Phillip tried to grab her arm but missed. He could not let this happen.

  “Jacqueline, sweetie, really, let’s go!” He got out and tried to remain calm, walking quickly towards her. “The shop closes at five, we might not make it in time if we don’t leave now. Just come on, let me do this for you.” She got closer to the door. He grabbed her shoulder and pulled.

  “Let go!” she said sharply. How dare he touch her like that! She began to knock on the front door. It was just dinner. What on Earth would be the matter if they were just going to chat, have nice conversation, and then have dinner? She was his girl, after all, she had a right to meet his family.
Unless there was more to the story.

  “Jacqueline, stop! I’m serious. We cannot be here.” He grabbed her with full force and stomped back with her in tow. She was weeping, and Phillip wanted so badly for this to be over, when, loud and clear, a moan of pleasure drifted out through the slightly open kitchen window.

  “Oh, Max, yes! They’re watching...ohh…yes….”

  Never speak of this to anyone was ringing through Phillip’s disturbed mind, but, nonetheless, he had some explaining to do.

  Chapter 15

  1945 Warsaw, New York

  The drive back to Main Street seemed to last forever. Neither one of them knew how to begin after what had happened. Phillip put the car in park and gently took Jacqueline’s hand. “I am sorry for my behavior back there. It was inexcusable. But, when my family gets together...well, it is complicated. I am not sure I want to discuss this with you just yet. Can you forgive me?”

  She looked at him sternly but kept her hand in his. “Phillip, what exactly is going on? I need to know. How you were acting back at the house was not normal at all, in fact, it was quite unsettling.”

  Jacqueline was clearly upset at his behavior, but Phillip did not want to bring his parents’ sexual shenanigans into their relationship; it was too much, and too soon. But her eyes, those big blue eyes! How could he lie to them? Never speak of this to anyone… He sighed, and lowered his voice, knowing they were far away from the house but taking every precaution he could think of. Nothing scared him more than his own father.

  “Okay, okay.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “My parents. They are...a bit eccentric in the bedroom, if you know what I mean. And so are my aunt and uncle.” He could see she was listening for more, he would have to continue. “They get together once a week: sometimes they play card games, and sometimes they play other games like after a few jars of blackberry brandy…” He hoped this was enough. Even saying that made him wince.