After taking a swallow of his beer, the Bishop told them that he just wanted to stop by and meet them – particularly Marilyn, who was embarrassed to be the focus of such high-powered attention. He told them about the charity drives that the diocese had started, and whose idea it had been – getting me looks of awed appreciation from both of them. He went on to tell them that they were both welcome to attend any Mass or other services that they wanted – and that if they needed a ride to get to the church, he would make sure they had it. Both were almost overwhelmed that a Bishop would take such steps to help them, and thanked him profusely. He waved it off, telling them that it was his pleasure. He went on to ask both of them if they would have any objections if he made mention of the fact that Marilyn was one of the children from the orphanages, so that the membership could see what kind of people they were helping. Marilyn was embarrassed at the idea – not because of having been in the orphanage, but simply because of the attention; but both of them agreed, if he thought it would help. He assured them it would.
With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Bishop Ferguson turned to me and asked 'Dan, have you told them how we came to know each other?'
Kelly grinned to see me on the spot, knowing what was coming. I just told him 'No, it didn't seem pertinent, really.'
He laughed, and said 'I'll bet' before turning back to start telling them about how I'd threatened to sue the Church. I got the appropriate dirty looks at the right points in the story, while Marlyn and Marilyn looked at Kelly in something akin to awe to learn she'd been Valedictorian of her class. As he got to the end of the story, and how I'd gone on to help the Church, I was granted provisional forgiveness.
By the time he finished, they'd apparently upgraded me to full absolution, judging by the expressions on their faces – I could see on Marlyn's that she understood that I had actually helped the Bishop, despite the rough start to our obvious friendliness. That he could tell it the way he did, joking during the story, did a lot to help.
He chatted with them for a little while longer, telling them when different Masses were held, asking them questions about the Philippines and the orphanage, and so on. It didn't take him long to get both of them relaxed at being in his presence.
When he'd finished his beer, the Bishop got up in preparation to leave.
Marlyn looked at him and asked 'Your Grace?'
He looked at her, and in response to her unspoken question, nodded. She and Marilyn both quickly moved to kneel on the floor, where he made the Sign of the Cross over them, and spoke a blessing for them. Both looked very happy with what he'd done when they stood up again.
I got up to show him out, and when I returned, both of them were in animated conversation with Kelly who was explaining to them that neither she nor I were actually Catholic – that we'd come to know the Bishop only by way of her attendance at a Catholic school. That seemed to amaze them even more than the simple fact that we knew him.
Sunday morning, Marlyn and Marilyn were both surprised and overwhelmed when it was Bishop Ferguson that came to give them a ride to Mass. He assured them that it wasn't a problem, and that he just wanted to be sure they knew they were welcome to attend any one of the churches in the area. Marilyn was embarrassed by all the attention she received, but stuck it out for the sake of the other children still in the orphanages.
They were a little late getting home because so many of the membership wanted to welcome them to the U.S., and chat with them – by the time they made their escape, neither one doubted that they were welcome guests.
Monday morning, we started a pattern that was to last the rest of Marlyn's visit: I took her to my client's office, and one of the employees would bring her home at the end of the day. In between, any one of the eligible young men in the company was more than happy to take her to lunch, or even bring something back for her if she was busy – as she often was. The person she went out with for lunch the most was Ted; with the two of them going to be working together in the Philippines, it made perfect sense.
At home, any one of Kelly, I, Jan, Susan, Sandra, or Robyn would spend at least a few hours a day with Marilyn. Her particular favorites were the other four, but she was perfectly happy with the time and attention that Kelly and I showed her, as well. I got her started on one of my computers, showing her the Internet and all the things she could do on it. Between that, all the books Kelly and I had, our stereo system, and cable TV, she didn't mind spending a little time by herself, either. Her favorite thing, though, seemed to be reading – particularly with Cat on her lap. When Jan found out about that, she took Marilyn book shopping – coming home with about fifty pounds of assorted books that Marilyn had chosen. To everyone's surprise, they covered everything from trashy romance novels to literature to science; there didn't seem to be anything Marilyn didn't have an interest in. Marlyn worried about all the books; she didn't want to have to tell Marilyn she had to leave them behind, but couldn't see how to get them back to the Philippines. I did some checking on the Net, and found a relatively local place that handled what were called balikbayan boxes – essentially, the customer could fill the box with whatever they wanted, and the box would be sent along with a lot of other balikbayan boxes to make up a bulk shipment that would travel by surface freighter. As long as the box didn't contain anything perishable, it seemed to be a pretty good system. Using the boxes, Marlyn was able to send all the books when Marilyn finished them – as well as a number of other things that she knew would be difficult or expensive to get in the Philippines.
After they had been with us couple of weeks, Kelly took a call one evening from Candice. She was calling to let us know that she'd handled the assignments her editor had given her, and was on her way home – and wanting to know if she could spend a couple nights with us a week later.
Of course, Kelly assured her she was more than welcome; but that introduced a different problem: when Marlyn heard that we were having another overnight guest, she was ready to double up on the sleeping arrangements, sharing her bed with Marilyn so that Candice would have a place to sleep. Kelly and I talked it over, and finally settled on letting Kelly tell Marlyn what the situation was – and if Marlyn wanted, explaining it to Marilyn, as well. I was just as glad that it was a conversation that*I* wasn't going to have to be a part of.
Kelly made arrangements for Jan and Sandra to take Marilyn out for a movie, so that she would have both the time and opportunity to have her talk with Marlyn.
I stayed in the den while Marlyn and Kelly had their talk – which lasted well over an hour. When it was over, I saw Marlyn give me a Look as she headed back to her bedroom, while Kelly rejoined me in the den.
'So, how did it go?' I asked.
Kelly made a face, and answered 'Better than it could have, I suppose.
She's not real happy about the idea of Candice sharing our bed – she didn't say it, but I just got the impression she doesn't think as much of us, now. Once I got started, there really wasn't any way around telling her that it wasn't just you, but me and Candice, Sandra, Jan, Susan, and Robyn, too. Of course, she was worried about Marilyn – again, she didn't come out and say it, but I think she's worried that one of us is going to 'do' something to her. I could almost see her thinking it, and I tried to reassure her about it without actually having to talk about it; she's really uncomfortable about the idea of two women together. She wasn't as bad about you being with Candice, for some reason.'
I sighed, and told her 'It's something in their culture – it's not uncommon for a married man to have a mistress. That idea is something she's familiar with, so even though she doesn't much like it, she can understand it after a fashion. Two women, that's something else – even though male homosexuality over there is pretty much accepted. Shucks, there are even annual 'bakla' – or Benny Boy, as we called them in the Navy – parades. They draw pretty good crowd, too!'
Kelly tried to smile at that, but her heart wasn't in it at the moment.
After a moment, she went on to tell me 'Anyway, she knows why she and Marilyn won't have to double-up in her bed. I also told her that she was welcome to talk to you, or any one of the others about it, too. She's going to think about it, and let me know if she wants my help explaining it to Marilyn before Candice gets here.'
I could only nod, and reply 'You did what you could. I love both of them, but not at the expense of losing our love and friendship with the others. If it gets to be a problem, or she decides she isn't comfortable here, then we can find her another place to stay – and hope that we don't lose the friendship. She's a trained nurse, so I know she's got intelligence – we can only hope that her innate good sense kicks in before things get too bad for her. All we can really do is treat her as we always have – with respect and affection.'
Kelly released her own sigh before telling me 'Well, I suppose I'd better call Candice and let her know that the reception she gets from Marlyn might be a little on the cool side.'
'That's probably a good idea – I'm sure she'd appreciate the warning.' I answered.
