Christmas Secrets

Christmas in Iowa is beautiful, fresh fallen snow, lights and decorations, going to church and attending holiday gatherings. This is a story about a family tree, rooted in the practices of Johnathon and Bethel Nailor, both born in 1929 branching out into it's fourth generation.

The Nailors are not a typical family. Handed down through the generations they have money, they have status, they own a small community and they have secrets...many, many secrets.

In this story Donnie Nailor, 18, is coming home for Christmas after the 1st semester of his freshman year at Iowa. He hasn't seen his cousin "Franki", 19, in 10 years, back when they were inseparable tykes playing on family visits. Franki would take Donnie on hikes through Grandpa and GamGam's woods, play house, hide-n-seek with neighbors, and bake cookies under GamGam's supervision.

Abruptly Franki, Aunt Mary Ann and Uncle Jesse moved across the pond to Europe and Donnie lost touch...until Instagram.

They reunite this Christmas uncovering personal thoughts they had always harbored and secrets behind the outward persona of an "upstanding" family.

Enjoy this disturbingly quaint story about love in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons.

Everyone hooking up in this story are 18 or older.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter One - Cousins don't shake hands...

(As told by Donnie)

I was giddy to see her, I didn't know why.

I turned 18 the spring of my senior year, had always been popular with the girls at my high school. Having had several encounters my freshmen year, losing my virginity in a sorority with a fifth year senior; banging in the woods at a concert; going home with two girls in their dorm fulfilling their wish for a threesome (not that I minded at all).

Church and my parents made me pledge my virginity until marriage, though I flirted, dated and messed around with quite a few during my high school years. I had always been sought after, though leaving them high and dry without completing their desires.

I stared at the images from Facebook and Instagram, masturbated to them when alone, is that what stirred the wanton feeling deep in my stomach when Mom told me "Franki" was coming to Christmas this year? Why?

Because Adaline "Franki" Nailor was fucking hot. Cousin or not.

Growing up thoughts of her were always there and it's biological to check out every female, even if it's someone's Mom, your relatives, siblings, especially your cousins. Sitting around ranking people you'd "shag", there was always the cousin that would admit someone was hot.

It felt normal, I mean we all had the usual interactions, dynamics and thoughts. On gatherings we shared make out stories around the campfire after the adults went to bed.

Franki missed out having been younger when moving overseas. I had even heard of friends who were "kissing cousins" with their relatives, but not us...that wouldn't be proper and at the time we were too young to entertain such thoughts.

Now I thought about it, seeing pictures on Instagram, I ranked them, what ifed them and dare I say masturbated to the images and possibilities. It was just fantasy, quick get offs on nights without real contact.

The snow pack crunched under my tires as I approached my grandparents house. It sat on a hill overlooking Maple Grove, a small un-incorporated town that my great grandparents founded. The large, craftsman style home, with several additions, sat on a hill just outside a small forest of trees with a creek out back was handed down to David and Helen Nailor from their parents (my great great grandparents) "GGrandpa" Johnathon and "GGam" Bethel Nailor.

Norman Rockwell's art had nothing on the beauty of Maple Grove covered in snow. Flurries were being made by the breeze through the trees covered in six inches that fell the day before.

I looked forward to the usual rituals of Christmas, everyone coming to Maple Grove, Grandpa and GamGam's house able to fit almost 30 of us Christmas morning, a good 20 which would stay overnight Christmas Eve.

To think, Franki and Aunt Mary Ann who I had been internet stalking for a few years in the same house!

Drinking and eating to excess was a must, so leave your diets at the door and dive into homemade pies, candy; mix your favorite drink from Grandpa's bourbon and rye collection; play pool, or darts until sunrise in the game room. It was a great time every year and why everyone would return every year of my life growing up.

GGrandpa founded Nailor Grain, the central entity of Maple Grove, a company that delivered seed to the farmers close by and then expanded to serve most of Eastern Iowa, 27 of the states 99 counties. There was a gas station, bar and a small restaurant. The gas station, now a convenience store, that had some groceries and an assortment of been and alcohol. We even had a post office.

My folks lived about 20 minutes away in Jeffersonville, but I went straight to where we'd be staying that night. It was Christmas Eve and I was getting there mid-afternoon ahead of most driving the 40 minutes from Iowa City to help ready the place.

I had taken the back way, driving on partially snow-covered county roads stretching along fields that produced corn and soybeans. I bypassed the bigger towns north, south, and west of Maple Grove on my way and looked forward to getting an early start on the winter amenities the farm provided pulling into the driveway by the large garage.

I was nervous about my finals, my grades not where my parents wanted them and I was planning to tell my parents of my performance before Dad insisted on "full disclosure".

I arrived just after my sister Cari.

"Do you think they're going freak out Donnie?" my sister eight years older than me and expecting their first child asked.

"What do you think?"

I had four older siblings, James, Cari, Kinsly and Josh born within six years of each other. I was born four years later and my brother Kyler three years after that, younger than I and still in high school. Gene and Diane Nailor, my parents, were both working professionals outside the grain industry, distancing themselves from the family business.

"Did you hear who's coming?" I asked, changing the subject from my grades.

"The usual suspects from Dubuque," she said referring to an bigger city an hour northeast, where I was born. We were talking in expansive parking area to the right of the large house, snow shimmering, decorations out and coated in snow.

"The usual suspects..." I said to myself, then I threw it out there. "Did you hear Franki, Uncle Jesse and Aunt Mary Ann were coming?"

"Yeah, something about that," Cari said, giving me a look. During the summer at the lake house she had asked me about my infatuation with Franki online. I brushed it off with the comment 'she's not hard to look at' after getting caught scrolling her pictures, getting a disgusted look from my sister.

Cari went inside to the kitchen and I looked around to be Grandfather's side kick outdoors mainly. Cari cursed our parents or not being available until later, showing off her large stomach

"It's not like I'm pregnant or something." She said gruffly.

"Yeah, how did that happen?..." I made a "punny" a family tradition, getting a eye roll then a devious smile.

My sister was hot, and that devious smile was noticeable. I can see why her husband Devon Kotter a successful real estate man, would fall for her smile, body and eyes. My friends used to come over and watch her lay out in the back yard, and I can't say that I didn't look with them.

"Damn alien that has invaded my body is going to ruin me," she said.

"You two are a sight for sore eyes," Grandpa bellowed as we approached the house giving us hugs. "Let's see the next Nailor in the family."

"Kotter Grandpa," Cari said, opening her coat for his inspection, he rubbed her belly then stepped towards me.

"Whatever...Son come with me," He said, grabbing me even before I greeted GamGam inside.

Grandpa David Nailor was a hearty 71 years old, loved the outdoors and often cleared paths for cross country skiing, hiking and morning runs. We would be gone for at least a couple hours with path clearing and wood to chop on our to do list.

"Grandpa, you'll be skinned alive if Donnie doesn't greet GamGam right away," Cari reminded him.

"Oh yeah. Boy! Trying to get me in trouble again?"

I shook my head and my Grandpa and sister walking toward the house.

Entering Helen Nailor's (GamGam) kitchen (nickname from my younger brother's lisp) was amazing. There were soups, meats and desserts ready to devour before we got into our routine of Christmas Eve church, food then caroling.

"You two come here!" she said, arms open wide, having not seen us in eight months or so. We lived close enough to visit almost monthly, this year being crazy with a lot of our own things going on. "My God Donnie, you're turning so handsome and Cari!!! How much longer?"

"February GamGam..."

"Valentine's baby?"

"More like Lake house baby" I said smiling referring to the conception time.

"Oh you!" GamGam said at my randiness towards my sister.

Cari had long blonde hair, slender figure with curves to match, just one more with the baby. She was the sister that took the car without permission, having my Dad call the police and report it stolen, letting her sit in the small town jail for several hours. Cari smoked pot in high school and barely made it through college, though she earned her "Mrs" degree as Dad would say meeting her husband.

"When's Devon coming?" GamGam asked.

"He has to work through Christmas, there is a new promotion that is accelerating sales," Cari said. "He'll be here sometime on Christmas day."

"Gotta make that money," I quipped.

GamGam rarely snarled, but I swear there was a 'harumph" in response to Devon working instead of being here. Our traditions were sacred.

"It's going to be the end of you two.." GamGam said, then quickly switched subjects. "Donnie are you looking forward to seeing Franki?"

"Hadn't really thought..."

"Aw, come on you two were inseparable in lower elementary," Cari said with a sarcastic tone, getting back at me for inciting GamGam. "He stalks her on IG...Instagram GamGam."

"I what? Insta pot?"

"Social Media," Cari said frustrated.

"She's beautiful like her mother," GamGam said.

Mary Ann was beautiful and to say I crushed on my aunt as an elementary student was an understatement. I was always underfoot at gatherings, helping her with Franki. You notice things like bra lines, cleavage and kindness and Aunt Mary Ann had all three things.

"You forgot something earlier!" Grandpa said bursting back into the house, the rush of cold air coming in from the garage. "Come here!"

We were a family of huggers, we both went into his slender arms, getting a long embrace. Grandpa still ran every morning and all of his kids were lanky and athletic. We had our mom's families thickness and her cooking put pounds on me in high school, especially after the older four left and she still made large meals.

"You're feeling fit my man," he said to me, pinching my bicep. He used to call me his "little man" but I grew three inches my senior year into this semester. "Let's go get the trail worked out."

"I was expecting it," I said with my winter gear in my arms ready to go to work. "I hear Uncle Jesse and his family coming this year."

"If flights come together," He said, winking, sensing my excitement.

"Cari, can you help me with this soup?" GamGam asked, the smell of the chicken for the chicken noodle wafting out of the oven opening the door.

"Yes indeed GamGam" Cari said, and I got into Carhartts, boots gloves and in a flash Grandpa and I headed out to the woods.

***************************************************************

ReUnited...

Dec. 24th, 11 a.m.

We focused on the trail and then firewood. We were returning from chopping up the dead, downed trees, the smell of cut wood still in the air and on our clothes. We came back pulling a hand wagon full of pine 50 yards through the forest.

Grandpa asked about college, girls, and relationships and then offered his usual advice on "being careful".

"Nailors are quite the catch!"

He and GamGam were two individuals who acted as one unit. I never saw one without the other, unless it was an important business out, even then she tended to accompanying him.

"When you do meet someone, pour yourself into her, don't let all the things get in the way and share all, and I mean all, of your interests." he concluded before looking up. "Helen and I became one on our wedding day in more ways than just those words."

I smiled, having heard their story each year and would expect the booze inspired speech would come again this Christmas.

The rev of a rental car rolled up the hill, and I got nervous, no reason to be, knowing it was Mary Ann and Franki. I kept peeking a glance while were stacking wood by the barn, the hot breath from my mouth into the air doubling in rate..

"Just in time," Grandpa said, whacking me in the arm, giving me a slightly disturbing wink and nod.

Setting rows of wood on top of each other, still skeptical that all our cousins would make back over the big pond. Franki's folks had five kids in seven years, and we joked about how "busy" they were a decade ago but Mary Ann and Jesse looked a youthful 45 and 43.

My uncle and aunt hopped out quickly.

My God Mary Ann looked amazing, a form hugging coat, muted red, open in the front, her shoulders and chest showing skin in the cool air. Form fitting snow pants showing off muscular legs, frilly boots that matched her coat, a dark stocking cap, her hair spilling out of the sides.

Marcus, 25 was next and Cari rushed over from the house to give him a hug, they were the same age and went to MS together before they moved. He was 6'2" and athletic, hugging her and then looking at her pregnancy belly. He was one the girls used to ogle about when ranking cousins.

Uncle Jesse and Aunt Mary Ann swung around to the trunk, saw us and waved. I began to head over to greet them when Franki emerged from the back seat.

My heart leapt.

Franki's tall frame emerged seemingly in slow motion. Long athletic legs in yoga pants begging to be leered at, wearing a snow white winter coat down to mid-thigh, curves up top and below, light purple hat, her long blonde hair flowing out of the cap, red lips.

I'd seen so many pictures of her on the beach, in London, even skiing in the Alps, it was like a movie come to life.

IG Franki couldn't do real life Franki justice.

I froze in my place.

She moved gracefully, checking her phone for a moment saw me and the biggest smile came across her face.

"Munchkin!" she exclaimed, bounding to me and wrapping her arms around my neck, giving me a prolonged hug. I felt her maturity under her coat pressing into my lower chest, her hands ran over my coat and arms. "You've filled out."

We broke the embrace, looked at her other for a moment and Franki went to get her things.

She was grade younger than I, but older, 19, a senior in high school in England, had been held back in the US. As a kid you never really thought about those things, you just played and had fun. She may have mentioned it, but I was a grade ahead and she was a grade behind.

I went to help with luggage when Mary Ann appeared from the house, walking quickly to embrace me, filling my nostrils with her perfume, conjuring images of a tight older woman's body in a bikini at the family lake house.

"Where's the rest of the family?" I asked her awkwardly searching for something to say. They had three other children - Jet (23), Tailya (22), and Dirk (20).

"Still at the University," Mary Ann's sweet voice said, now having a touch of British accent. "They're coming a couple days after Christmas."

A strong handshake from Jesse that melted into a "Bro" hug bringing the bags to the house. They all poured in to see GamGam, except us two cousins.

I turned to Franki, locking eyes we stopped the world and existed together for a moment.

"You're going to have to find a different nickname," I said demanding another embrace.

"Never Munchkin!"

My heart warmed, we laughed, her hand on my arm, rubbing up to my shoulder as walked towards the house.

"How's your senior year going?" I asked, we carefully traversed the packed snow on the gravel going to the house.

"The usual. Parties, boys, sex," she said.

My mouth dropped.

"Just kidding Munchin!" she said, giggling then paused. "I don't like parties."

We laughed while I opened the door for her. How did we both know we were attracted to each other, a forbidden societal moray, yet questioned.

Jesse and Mary Ann were catching up with GamGam and Grandpa. Cari pulled Marcus to the basement game room and stood and watched Franki take her coat off, seeing a tight fitting Christmas sweater showing off a full bust line.

She grinned noticing my eyes wide and watching.

I had forgotten, no discounted, that she was my cousin the minute she got out of the car.

What a day! I had sized up my sister earlier so it seemed wholesome to be ogling my cousin in comparison. Our eyes met and I looked away as she started towards me.

I gulped thinking of something to say.

"Remember when we played house?" Franki reminded me mischievously, moving past me, brushing against my frame with her full breasts going towards the fridge on the deck. "Beer?"

"You're in high school!" I bellowed, somewhat stimulated by her boldness and my awkwardness. "Yes I'll take a beer and yes I remember you running the kitchen and I was on the workbench. Oh, and you had us marry in front of our stuffed animals."

"I wrote our wedding vows and planned our wedding ceremony Munchkin," laughing from the porch, walking back in and handing me my beer. "Marcus was the officiant and we and made our siblings sit through made up vows with those stuffed animals. Do you remember them?"

"Something about love and hate," I said, the moment still in my head clearly, not so much the words that came out of my mouth.

"I know them only because the next year after we moved, at my primary school, I entered them into a contest and won."

"Let's hear it then," We went out in the mudroom, sensing some along time would be nice. We twisted off the top of our beers at the same time, took a drink and hopped up on each side by side. GamGam's favorite decoration, Santa and his reindeers, chaperoned us drinking and listened along to Franki's reciting of our marriage vows.

"Till Death do us part? I must say yes. In sickness and in health? We must be fit. We love, we hate, and babies will make our family great."

"Sounds like a great poem for an eight year old."

"You said it too," she elbowed me.

"What was I supposed to do, leave you at the altar."

"To many domestic cans of watery crap in the fridge. Let's go beer shopping. Bring your wallet and ID."

"Fake ID".

She laughed and we headed out the door, giggling at our younger selves, wondering how much we were each thinking about each other in that moment.

Eye contact was heavy, my head turning from the road to her, tipping the water crap back, not saying a word still giggling at the marriage vows. We were thinking the same things.

Wondering...

"Who are you shagging?!" Franki quipped finally when the car stopped, the snow falling from outside as we stepped out.

She was wide eyed, studying my face and body for a reaction, sizing my body up, I left without a coat. My daily workout routine pushing hard muscle against my t-shirt, the developed torso and arms were on full display.

"Right..." I said, not wanting to seem like a player, but not wanting to appear like a Saint. "No one really."