Darkness Falls (Book 1): Rise of the Fallen by Martin W. Francis Page A

extremely surprised to see all the work we had done.
    Loading everyone up into the limousine except for Jerod who drove the hearse. At the graveyard we lowered the casket into the hole before everyone gathered around. Several of us had words to share about Michael. We played the music David had picked out himself for the funeral which made the women begin to cry. David comforted Starlette. Amy and Jessie both sought me for a shoulder to cry on. There was a glance or two from the others as they noticed this fact. Starlette asked if someone would say a prayer to which Jerod did his best to oblige her wish. We each dropped roses onto the casket saying our goodbyes. This was followed by giving condolences to Michael’s sister and best friend. We then headed back to my cabin for the social endeavor.
    After it was over I walked Jessie and Amy home rather than drive. On the way they occasionally whispered to each other having a conversation that I could not hear. On arriving at their home they asked me to come inside to discuss something with me. Inside having a seat in a chair across from them I waited patiently while they finished having their whispered conversation.
    “Rye, we don’t want to pressure you into answering right away for what I’m about to ask you. Honestly we want you to have time to think about it before giving us a truthful answer. Just to be clear whatever your answer is we will respect your choice.” I nodded my head listening carefully and acknowledging that I understood what she had said so far. “You have always been there for both of us in so many ways since the first day we met you. We both know that if something ever happened to either of us that you would look after whichever of us was still alive. Neither of us have said it because we were not sure how you would respond, but we both love you very much. All that being said what we were both wondering is if you would consider being in a serious relationship? Perhaps even moving in together?”
    I was definitely caught off guard. Not sure exactly what I was expecting the question to be. Being with them on occasion was without a doubt a light in a much darkened world. In truth I did love each of them very much for different reasons. I quietly wondered to myself if a relationship with two women at the same time could actually work. Before the United States had fallen gay marriage was a huge topic. It had finally been legalized by the Supreme Court. Other forms of marriage such as polygamy were barely being brought forward to challenge their legality. Most were afraid that coming forward would cause them their jobs, homes, and freedoms. This was definitely something I never thought I would ever have to make a choice about. I was sort of worried how the rest of the community would react.
    “I’ll give it some serious thought as you suggested before answering. To be fair I haven’t told either of you that I love you because I thought it might cause problems between the two of you. Now that the topic has been opened I do want you both to know that I love you each very deeply. It’s nice to know that you feel the same way. Give me until the end of the day to make a decision.”
    I kissed each of them goodbye before leaving. I walked around the neighborhood for a while by myself thinking. It felt like it was almost yesterday my wife had died even though it’s been more than half a year. How could I so easily love someone else? For that matter two other women? I found myself suddenly confused. Obviously I shouldn’t give a damn what others thought since they had no right to decide who someone should or shouldn’t be in love with. Wouldn’t three people have a greater chance of obtaining their hopes, dreams, and goals in life than two people? Wouldn’t it be less problematic when someone in the relationship required emotional support, attention, or needed help? I had never considered all these things until now. Of course it would take three people of