Vanishing Arrows E6

Joann describes a transitional turning point. “At first, I was scared and wondered why he kept comin’ to hurt me. After gettin’ used to it, I told him to stop but wasn’t resistin’. When he slowed down and I stopped resistin’—I’m hopin’ I get no damnation fer sayin’ it—I couldn’t tap my spoon no more and had to convince myself it was bad.

Mattie clarifies, “So was ya enjoyin’ gettin’ pregnant?”

“I love the baby he gave me. Them times was previews of when a husband pleasures his wife. I miss that feelin’,” Joann admits. “Maybe ya can’t understand it, Bettye.”

“It’s true that I was left out,” Bettye replies. “But I was in the same room while it was happenin’. I could tell ya liked somethin’ ’bout it. Watchin’ and listenin’ made me wanna be older. I kept checkin’ fer the signs of being a woman.” Exposing her breasts, she continues, “Now, I ain’t shamed to show ya I got 'em! So them feelin’s fer a man are strong.”

“We know ya ain’t got no shame, ’cause ya flaunt yerself whenever we bathin’. What ’bout ya, Mattie?” Joann asks.

“I was mainly afraid of taking mother’s man. Then she told me she wasn’t jealous or angry ’bout us feelin’ pleasure. After that, I tried my best to enjoy it. Them feelin’s is so strong, ya want ’em even if it’s wrong. That’s why y’all satisfyin’ yerself when the lamp goes out.”

”Our good looks and wombs won’t last forever. We fugitives wit’ family secrets that no husband wants. We may live the rest of our days right on this farm together.”

“Ya got me roused but ain’t cheerin’ me up.” Bettye asks, “Will I never have no chil’ren?”

“So what we gonna do ’bout our feelin’s?” Joann urgently inquires. “Oh, Lord! Is ya gonna suggest we start satisfyin’ each other?

Mattie builds more suspense. “We all have the same desires and want the same things. With an open mind, we can all be satisfied.”

Bettye interrupts, “I think yer right, Joann. She’s gonna suggest it!”

“Why y’all keep askin’ ’bout that. Does ya really want to satisfy each other?”

Joann replies, “I been resistin’ the idea. I ain’t answerin’ bout that unless Bettye and ya agree first.”

Bettye admits, “I wanna get some satisfyin’ from somebody.”

“On this farm, is there a man wit’ our same secrets that can satisfy our desires?” Mattie asks.

“A man? Oh no. Is ya talkin’ ’bout Leland? He’s our brotha! Why should he be satisfyin’ us like a husband? Is we gonna tie him down and have our way wit’ him? Haven’t we have already broke enough Commandments?” Joann reasons, “He can’t marry none of us and we can’t ask him to treat us like father did.”

With disappointment, Bettye replies, “I rather have Mattie satisfy me.”

“Stop talkin’ silly. I can’t give y’all no babies. We only got two options. Wait fer one of our boys to grow up or enjoy Leland now. I don’t think y’all wanna sleep wit’ yer boys like stray cats do. Bettye, considerin’ the options, if he was willin’, would ya consider sharin’ yerself wit’ Leland?” Mattie asks.

“Both y’all already have chil’ren from father. Forgive me, Lord. If Leland is willin’ to give me one, I might not resist,” Bettye admits. “Why is ya makin’ me tell ya things I shouldn’t say out loud?”

“Cause we all can’t help wonderin’ if we is ever gonna have a man. Now, I have a confession to make. Leland has been satisfyin’ my desires… and I’m pregnant.”

Reactions

“Ooh, Mattie Shoemaker, ya been makin’ a baby behind our backs!”

Joann is confused and envious. “It sounds like ya already made up yer mind and boastin’ ’bout it. Does ya expect us to congratulate ya? How’d it start? Did he pick ya ’cause yer the oldest?”

“This wasn’t his idea. I kept showin’ more of myself and gettin’ closer till he couldn’t resist no more. I roused him to where he’s eager as me and then learnt him what to do. Leland is kind, gentle, and we kissin’ too. Does y’all wanna share the only man we got or let me keep him fer myself?”

👥 Within the United States, the highest rate of incest is in Florida, followed by Alaska. First cousins can legally marry in Alaska and California; Arizona permits it only if both parties are 65 or older, or one is infertile. Inbreeding is most popular in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Maine.

Joann reacts, “Wait! Yer gettin’ all that satisfaction and expect us to take yer man?”

“Y’all ain’t takin’ him from me! We sharin’,” Mattie stresses.

Bettye, now 16 years old, responds, “Wow, that’s a lotta news ’bout feelin’s and babies and stuff! So… we left our father to come here… and do the same thing?”

More eager to adopt the plan, Joann chimes in, “Didn’t ya hear what Mattie said? It’s not the same. He ain’t married to nobody and ain’t forcin’ nobody. She says he’s real satisfyin’ and a full grown man. Just listenin’ to her describe it got me roused! Mattie’s made it easy fer us womenfolk to get what we want.”

Noticing how Mattie describes the interactions, Bettye asks her, “Is ya in love wit’ him? I mean, is ya just askin’ if we wanna share to be polite, but jealous if we do?”

“It don’t matter how much I love him. I love y’all too. So nobody can be jealous.”

Joann has made up her mind. “Bettye, maybe in a few more years, it’ll make sense to ya. But fer me, right now, I don’t see why Mattie should be the only one gettin’ the benefits of the only man.”

Bettye tries to reason, “This seems wrong. Mattie says she ain’t gonna stop doin’ it…. But y’all sayin’ Leland is the only way for me to get my own chil’ren…. Can I watch Joann before my first time?”

“Ya just throwin’ out words, but makin’ no sense, Bettye. Yer body is fully developed but yer young brain is scrambled. So ya complicatin’ things. Besides, Mattie ain’t even gave ya the sex talk. That’s why I think ya should wait. Does ya wanna babysit Bettye while gettin’ yerself satisfied, Mattie?”

“Leland and me been enjoyin’ privacy fer months. I agree wit’ Joann. Maybe… Bettye is too young to get it.”

Becoming more assertive, Bettye objects, “I’m more grown than y’all was when y’all started. So don’t leave me out just ’cause I’m askin’ questions.”

“Okay, I won’t complicate nothin’. If Leland is willin’, just say, we all agree to the same thing. Please don’t leave me out this time!”

“Okay, Bettye, ya ’bout to become a real woman.”

Bettye focuses on fairness. “We should take turns. What if Joann wants him durin’ my time? Or what if he wants somebody else? How we gonna keep from fightin’ over him?”

“I love y’all. Don’t let sharin’ cause us to fight.” Mattie advises, “Yer body language will signal that yer ready. Let him know that yer there fer his pleasure. Then let him choose. He might even want more than one of us at the same time.”

Joann breaks it down for Bettye, “So what she’s sayin’ is that ya need to show him some skin. Unbutton yer shirt a little and tie it ‘round yer waist. Bathe good, brush yer hair, and softly stroke his hand. Let him know whatcha have in mind. It’s like fishin’. Dangle a lure and reel him in when he bites.”

“Okay, Joann offers good advice. That’s how I lured him in. Let Joann go first. If ya don’t feel right ’cause he’s yer brotha, let me know now. Leland knows I’m askin’ ya. After I tell him yer willin’, ya can’t back out when he comes fer ya. What’s y’all’s final decision?”

Decision time…

“This is the most excitin’ thing happenin’ since we got on this farm! Yeah, of course, I want ’em fer at least two whole nights to start!” Joann shouts. “If he don’t want us all, yer gonna hafta forgive me, Mattie, ’cause I’m goin’ fishin’ and ain’t coming come back without no trout!”

“Yeah, I wanna turn,”Bettye says, “Sounds like Joann is hoggin’ him already. Can I go second?”

“Well, there’s no way he can turn down all yer eagerness. Joann, let yer sista have a go after yer first two nights. I’ll wait a few days fer ya to get yer passions satisfied before gettin’ back into it,” Mattie responds. “Just in case he asks, would either of y’all say no if he wants more than one at the same time?”

Bettye speaks up, “I wanted to watch and learn anyway. Since Joann is being mean, I rather share wit’ ya, Mattie.”

Joann replies, “I already said my first choice is alone. But I’ll go along wit’ whatever gives me the most chances.”

Leland offers no resistance to compelling offers from his sisters. Bettye sneaks peeks through the door when Joann and Leland are together. She also observes actions that raise questions. After her first night, Bettye seeks advice.

Bound by their past and present secrets, the siblings agree that their best prospects are to remain together as a clan throughout their lives. This justifies their actions in their minds. On the Jackson farm, Leland and his three sisters become recluses, each raising a pair of children. All the kids call Leland papa—even the two fathered by Gerald.

Sacrifice

Joann sacrifices herself for children…

Joann’s first daughter, Sue Ellen, develops breasts and pubic hair at only 8 years old. This is at least 5 years too early. The condition, unknown to them at the time, is called precocious puberty. It worries the mother enough to beg Leland to spare her child. “Ya have much as ya want of three grown women. Ain’t no need in wanderin’ yer eyes at no chil’ren.”

Manifesting feelings of grandiosity and entitlement, Leland reasons, “Does it matter what’s right and wrong any more? All we can expect is eternal damnation fer our willful sins. Let me see her and decide what’s best.”

“Us parents has got damnation fer breakin’ Commandments. But the chil’ren is innocent. They don’t deserve no abusin’. They can decide if they wanna go to church blameless.”

“I hear ya. But, if family desires is so bad, why’d y’all come to me beggin’ fer satisfyin’? Ya coulda left me and Mattie alone. As the kids’ papa, I have a right to see whatcha talkin’ ’bout ’cause I ain’t never known no girl her age to be a woman. Ya stay in the room, but show her to me,” Leland demands.

Tearfully, Joann says, “My sistas and me love ya and gives ourselves to ya ’cause ya ain’t like father. Please don’t trick me into handin’ over my daughter fer ya to have yer way wit’ her like him.”

He complies and then she invites her daughter into the bedroom. “Sue Ellen, I love ya. Yer papa needs to see whatcha showed me. Don’t be afraid. Ya didn’t do nothin’ wrong. Put yer clothes on the bed.”

Leland is surprised and studies at length. “Parts are developin’ early…. Her body is still so small…. Where’d she get this fancy bra? Lower it down fer papa.”

“Mamma gave me one of hers,” the child replies.

Leland then directs her, “Now, sit now and let yer papa see yer other parts good.”

“Mamma, is it ’bout to happen?” Sue Ellen asks.

“Naw, sweetheart. Ain’t nothin’ happenin’. Just obey yer papa,” Joann tells her daughter. After five minutes of Leland’s examination, Joann gets too uncomfortable and interrupts, “That’s long enough, Leland. Please stop lookin’ so closely….”

Redirecting words to her daughter, Joann says, “Ya done good, Sue Ellen. Get dressed and ya best be leavin’ so I can talk to yer papa.”

Leland holds out his arms before she gets dressed and says, “Give papa a hug and a kiss before ya go….”

After Sue Ellen exits, Joann is crying from fear. “Leland, please don’t look at her like that no more. She can’t help that she’ maturin’ before her time…. She and me would hate ya fer it. I wants to keep lovin’ ya.”

“How ya know what she hate?” Leland asks. “If ya ain’t around, she might be willin’ as ya. Besides, it ain’t like she’s my real daughter. She’s one father gave ya.”

“Ya don’t need to be lookin’ nowhere else. It’s not yer fault to feel so much lust. Yer sistas roused them desires. I’m willin’ to love ya more. As a vow, I swear to satisfy yer extra desires any time ya have feelin’s fer any of our chil’ren.”

Leland replies, “So I don’t hafta confess who or why. I just tell ya to meet me in my room?”

“That’s right,” Joann answers.

“Leland replies, I accept yer vow. But if ever ya say no to me, the deal is off,” Leland warns. I seen that sexy bra before. I want ya to put it on when ya come back tonight. Ya gonna do stuff that ain’t normal and ya gotta like it.”

“Whatever it is, I won’t say no,” Joann confirms.

Defects

Seeing the resulting health issues, with a bad example, the women urge their kids not to continue the cycle through another generation. Whenever Joann is not with Leland, she sleeps with Sue Ellen in her bed for protection during the next few months.

As was the case during their childhood, the parents do their best to homeschool the children, despite personal limitations and learning disabilities.

The kids frequently question whereabouts of their relatives. Leland, Mattie, Joann, and Bettye all relate the tragic fire that consumed the grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

There are also tough questions about their papa and his three sisters. Without a normal frame if reference, Leland, Mattie, Joann, and Bettye explain to the children that they are the last generation where such families are okay.

They fabricate the notion that the little kids are part of an exciting new generation that gets to marry beautiful outsiders when they grow up. It’s a fantasy that may never materialize.