0 comments/ 47344 views/ 0 favorites Urban Life Circa 1976 By: Wryter47 Ned parked found a parking spot a block or so away from Cynthia’s apartment building, on a side street that would conceal its presence unless someone were looking for it. He didn’t want to park in front of the building because his wife sometimes came home from work that way and if she saw the car she’d wonder what he was doing and then figure he was visiting Cynthia. He was visiting Cynthia, to whom he had been introduced by a guy who knew her from Madison, where Ned’s father had lived for many years. Cynthia knew Ned’s family name right away and also had met his older half-siblings along the way while growing up there. She had moved to Washington about a year ago, after the breakup of a brief marriage, and was working as a medical researcher at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. Ned knew she got home around 4:30 because she started work at 7 in the morning. He crossed the lobby of her stylish building and waited for the elevator. On it, he checked his hair and straightened his belt in his khaki pants. His loafers needed a shine. Ringing the bell at her apartment door, he waited. “Who is it?” she called. Ned told her. The door opened. Cynthia stood there wrapped in a bath towel, with another around her head holding her wet hair. “Good timing, pal,” she said. “How do you manage it? I thought you weren’t coming until six.” “Couldn’t wait,” Ned said. “I’ll just watch you get dressed.” “Come on in the bedroom and talk to me.” He followed her across the carpeted floor into her bedroom as she shook off the towel on her head and sat at her dressing table aiming a hair dryer at her long, dark brown mass of hair. The machine went on just as Ned was about to speak. “What’d you say?” she said loudly over the noise. Ned mumbled something and smiled at her. “What?” she said, even louder. He moved his lips again and she finally turned off the dryer, looking slightly exasperated. “I couldn’t hear you.” “I asked if you would hurry up with your hair so we could fuck.” “You did not,” she said, laughing her throaty laugh. “I would have recognized that word on your lips. It’s very distinctive.” “Well, it’s what I was thinking, anyway. Hurry up.” “Just make yourself comfortable. I’ll be there in a minute.” The machine went back on and she continued to draw her brush through her hair. Ned took off his clothes, putting them neatly on a chair. He went up behind Cynthia and touched her neck and shoulder with the head of his erection, which could be seen in the mirror. He made the slit in the end of his erection open and close and leaned down to Cynthia’s ear. “You know what he’s saying?” She smiled at him. “You little rascal,” she said. “No, that’s not what he was saying.” “I know,” she said, “what was he saying?” “Hurry up and let’s fuck.” “Pretty original,” she said. “He must have learned it from you.” Ned turned and went to the bed and pulled down the covers, propping two pillows against the headboard so he could prop himself up and watch Cynthia. Her dark hair was getting drier and fluffier and had a nice sheen to it. Cynthia was a pretty woman, a little overweight but in a way that made her voluptuous and sexy. His wife was very slender and although she had large breasts she didn’t turn him on the way Cynthia did. Cynthia also liked to dress to kill, which she did in what Ned thought was a sophisticated way – not slutty, but if you knew what to look for, the signs were there. And unlike Marty, Cynthia just loved to fuck. They had flirted at a party over the holidays. While talking, he suddenly and uncharacteristically said he wanted to fuck her brains out and she called his bluff, daring him to go into the hall bathroom with her right then and prove it. He looked around, couldn’t see Marty, and headed straight for the door. She followed him. Inside, door locked, they clenched. He was kissing her and she said, “If we’re going to do this, we better move fast.” He pulled back and said, “How do you want…” “This way for now,” she said, and pulled her skirt up and her pantyhose and panties down around her ankles. She turned and leaned over the low counter next to the lavatory and said, “Go for it.” He dropped his pants and underwear he rubbed his erection up and down. She was wet and he just slid in. She felt wet and hot and he loved the feel of her chubby ass against his thighs. “Uhhhh,” she said. “That’s… nice.” He was looking at her reflection in the mirror over the lavatory. She had her head on her forearms and was pushing back against him. He took hold of his cock at the bottom and moved it up and down and to the sides to get a feel for her cunt. He slipped easily around inside her. “Your cunt is huge,” he said. “Yeah. Do you like it?” “Absolutely,” he said. “I like it so much I think I’m going to shoot in about five seconds.” “Give it to be a little longer than that, will you? We just got started.” He concentrated on thrusting into her and felt her hand move to massage her clitoris. He noticed her warm anus pushing against him and thought about it. “Do you like it in the ass,” he said. “Yeah, but not this time… just do it like this.” And there they were, humping away, Ned watching his tie bob up and down in the mirror and Cynthia turning her head back and forth as she manipulated herself while they fucked. Soon he was rising and she could tell and she touched him as he was sliding in her and then he came, gushing out as he pushed hard into her. “Don’t move,” she moaned, and continued her touching herself. Then she was coming, too, and he felt her contract nicely on his cock as it was buried in her. They began to separate, Ned feeling a bit weak in the knees, and he grabbed some toilet paper to wipe himself and gave some to Cynthia. He moved to the side and Cynthia backed up and sat down on the toilet. “Mmmm,” she said looking up at him. “Lots of nice come in there.” “Really,” he said. Then she started to pee and in another minute she was put back together and had fluffed her hair and put on lipstick. He turned out the light and opened the door and saw the way clear so he motioned her to leave. Then he closed the door and relieved himself, flushed, washed his hands and opened the door. In the hall were two couples leaning against the wall and chatting and as far as he could tell were oblivious to the fact that another person had come out of the bathroom only a short time before. He wandered back towards the living room and the bar. So began their liaison, and now it was early Spring and they were still at it and even getting a bit smug. They usually met up when she got home from work and occasionally at other times – Saturdays during the day when he would be out running errands or riding his motorcycle, sometimes in early evenings if his wife had a late night at work or a meeting. She turned off the hair dryer and stood up, turning to him with a Vaudevillian wave of her hands and said, “Ta-ta!” Then she walked to the bed and climbed up on it and nestled her face and hair in his neck as she reached for his extended cock. “You know what I want,” he murmured. “No, really,” she said, and lowered her mouth onto it. He lay back and stroked her hair and shoulders and closed his eyes. Cynthia’s tongue and mouth were busy and he knew he wouldn’t last long, but that was all right since they had some time. “Um, okay, you fat slut,” he said, looking down at her head moving on his cock. “I’m gonna shoot.” “Mmmmmm,” she hummed, and he started. She caught it all in her mouth and swallowed it and licked him off, looking up to him. “We’re fast today.” “I think it was watching you dry your hair. Move around here.” He moved down on the bed and put one of the pillows under her chubby hips and rear. When she was settled he lowered his face to her and began licking. She was already wet and began to squirm under him. He held her full thighs and bored in, making circles around her clitoris and then sucking on it and her lips, feeling her soft pubic hair on his cheeks. “Good boy,” she said as he continued on her, and then she was writhing under him and he continued as he put a finger on her rear and pushed in. That put her over the top and she moaned, holding his head into her cunt and sliding up and down on his face. He loved it. When she had relaxed a bit he pulled the pillow out and propped himself next to her at the headboard. “Now that we’ve got the preliminaries out of the way,” he said, “we can see what else might happen.” “Mmmmm,” she said, again cuddling next to him. “You sure know how to zero in on a girl.” “I’m glad you find it enjoyable,” he said. “You taste just great, you know.” “Mmmm,” she said again. Lying there, he recalled that once a former boyfriend of hers had come to town and she had forgotten to tell him, and it was like the guy was invading Ned’s turf. Cynthia was amused that he was jealous, but she told Ned all about their minor escapades during his visit and made him very excited as they were together the first time after the man had left. She also told him the old boyfriend wasn’t as good in bed as Ned, which Ned knew was probably more a political comment on her part than anything to do with the truth. But he didn’t really care in the end and actually got her to tell him more about her previous sexual experiences as they were fucking. Cynthia had managed a remarkably active sex life, in the style of the 70s, and Ned, who thought he was pretty well experienced in that regard, found himself a bit in awe of her lack of inhibition. A conversation led to the idea of having sex with other people, something he had never done but she once had alluded to, and they began to whisper to each other during their lovemaking about how they would go about it and what it would be like. He wasn’t sure such things occurred in the Washington area, but he knew he was probably a bit naïve about it. “It occurs among friends,” she told him one afternoon after they were spent and lying on her bed with late afternoon sun streaming in and a big elm tree outside her fourth-floor apartment swaying in a warm breeze. She lighted a cigarette and sat up straighter on the bed as he caressed the inside of her thick thigh. “Do tell,” he said. “How do these friends meet.” “They just do, I guess. I think there are some groups going on at work I could find out about if you wanted. We’d have to be careful, though.” “I don’t think I or we have much connection to that world,” he said. “Other than you, I don’t know anyone who works there, or ever has.” “Well, if you want, I can see.” “I don’t care, but do you want to.” She poked him in the stomach. “You lying little shit,” she said with a laugh. “You’d fuck my 70-year-old neighbor down the hall if she offered it to you.” “Well, it’s not nice to turn a lady down. And somehow I don’t think you’re very opposed to it yourself, madam.” He touched her with his fingers where she was still wet. She went on to describe colleagues of hers she believed were involved. They sounded to Ned like nothing more than a bunch of randy doctors, nurses, and spouses. He knew a lot went on in most medical schools. They didn’t say anything about that for the next few times they met, and then in one of their afterglow sessions she brought it up. “I’ve found out about one of the groups at work you might be interested in.” “One of `those’ groups?” “Exactly. They meet on Fridays at the Navy officers’ club at NIH and then go on to someone’s home for the evening.” “Sounds interesting.” “That way you can see who’s there and whether you want to go out with them that night.” “Sounds very sophisticated.” “So do you want to try it.” “We’d have to see which Friday it was so I could figure out a way to be out.” “Well, you do that and let me know. It could be a bust, you know. Not every Friday is primo couples time.” “I understand.” Then he began fingering her again and before they knew it they were locked in copulation. He whispered in her ear. “It would be so hot to watch you fuck someone else while I played with myself.” “Me, too,” she said. “I’d like to watch you. Or maybe both of us getting it and holding hands.” “You’re a great fuck, you know that,” he said. “I guess so,” she said, “I certainly do it enough to have gained some experience.” “Who do you fuck at work.” She began telling him of a few of her encounters at NIH. “Any females,” he asked. “Only once, the wife of a guy I was fucking. She caught us at it but didn’t care and just took off her clothes and got in bed with us and started sucking my tits.” “While you were fucking.” “Yep.” “That must have been pleasant.” “I think it shocked the guy more than me.” “I can see that.” On his way out the door he said he would let her know about Friday night. The next day he learned his wife was planning to get together with some of her colleagues from work to mark the end of a long project they had been working on for months. He asked if she would mind if he went out himself. She said of course not. Friday afternoon came and Ned called Cynthia to make sure things were still on. She told him where to meet her and where to park at NIH to be near the Officers Club, and an hour later he was in his car going bumper-to-bumper out Wisconsin Avenue to the NIH complex. About 5:15 he finally found a parking place and walked inside the club, where he told the Navy enlisted man he was a guest of Cynthia’s and he found Ned’s name on the list. “I think Dr. Nelson and the others are in the main bar,” the man said. Ned followed the noise and found himself in a large lounge with sofas, Scots carpeting and pictures and trophies around the walls. At the other end of the area was a large island bar surrounded by men and women in uniform and civilian clothes, and as he walked towards it he saw the top of Cynthia’s head at the far end. He made his way through the crowd and came up to her. “Traffic,” he said. “I know, silly. You should have left earlier. We’ve been here since 4:15.” “I guess I’d better try to catch up. You look luscious, by the way.” “Why, thank you. I kind of like this outfit myself.” She was wearing a loose silk blouse and a shapely dark skirt with moderately high heels, and her usual collection of gold jewelry. He was able to order a drink and had his arm around Cynthia as she was talking to a man about their age introduced to him as Charles, a colleague in the research labs. Nearby were other men and women, mostly 30 and up, all apparently familiar with each other and enjoying themselves. Ned whispered in her ear. “Seems like a nice bunch of people. This would be an appropriate group, I assume.” “They are, actually,” she said, “and, yes, although some are nicer than others.” “Sort of like life.” He felt a hand at his crotch. “Now, Cynthia.” “Hey, I’m getting horny standing so close to you,” she said. “You get horny standing next to anything with a cock.” “Are you up for this? I think there’s going to be some action pretty soon.” “Sure. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it.” “That Captain over there’s wife is out of town for the weekend and I think he’s going to invite everyone to his house. It’s not far away.” “You’ve been there before.” “Sure. He has parties all the time. Nice guy, too, but he’s getting transferred to San Diego next month and everyone is going to miss him.” “Well, here we go then,” Ned said. “Looks that way,” she said, looking up at him and kissing him on the cheek. Her lips were warm. He squeezed her slightly ample midriff and pulled her to him. “I’m almost hot enough for a bathroom event before we leave,” he said. “Me, too, but it will be more fun if we wait. We can play in the car.” “Should we take both cars.” “I came out on the Metro today so you can drive me.” “Great,” he said, “always thinking.” “That’s what research investigators are paid for,” she said. “You know, I think you’re right.” Cynthia turned to Charles, who had just got another drink. “So will you be coming,” she said. “I guess so, if the Captain’s offering.” “I give it another five minutes before he invites us. He’s just finishing his third martini.” “Is that the clue.” “Yep,” she said, and poked him in the ribs. He jumped. “Hey, what was that for.” “Like you didn’t know,” she said. Charles smiled. “I think I need to check on Sarah to see if she’ll go.” He turned and moved away. “So how many times have you fucked that guy,” Ned said. “Whatever do you mean. I only have eyes for you,” she said, touching him under the chin. “I know, but how many times.” “Just a few, I think,” she said. “He’s very nice but he’s not terribly exciting in bed. Certainly not like you.” “Poor Charles.” “He does all right. Sarah is his secretary and they’re both married and they fuck all the time.” “Ah, the medical research biz. What a life.” “You have to do something to keep it interesting,” she said. Soon there was a quieting of the group at their end of the bar and they looked over to see the Captain, in his summer white uniform with short-sleeved shirt and epaulettes with four gold stripes, holding up his glass. “Well, folks, drink up,” he said. “Next stop is the Captain’s quarters.” It seemed a ritual to Ned, so he said, “Hear, hear.” The Captain smiled at him and tilted his martini glass and drank. Not long after, Cynthia signed the bill and they were in his car moving along with other cars to get back on Wisconsin Avenue. He felt a hand on his thigh. “Now you’ll see what will happen,” she said. “Sometimes it starts right away and sometimes it takes awhile.” “I hope I won’t be seen as an inhibitor.” “If you are, I’ll just start sucking your dick in front of everyone. That usually loosens things up.” “I would imagine so.” “There’s a woman I work with, Linda, who likes to get naked and get off really fast with some guy, and then walk around with a drink getting tanked and watching other people. Sometimes she leans in and kisses the man or the woman or both. I saw her one time licking a guy’s cock as he was fucking a woman.” “Wow,” said Ned. “Didn’t spill a drop of her drink, either.” “A real pro.” “I’ve given it some observation.” “I’ll bet. Is there anything you haven’t done.” “I’m sure there is, but I can’t think what it might be right now.” “You’re such a warm and friendly person.” “You better believe it. That’s what those cold Wisconsin winters do to you.” “And the University of Wisconsin.” “You’re just jealous.” “You’re right,” he said. They were moving a little faster in the traffic and came to a major intersection, where they turned and followed along until it became one of the winding roads in the palisades above the Potomac north of Washington. Finally there was a smaller street and they turned in and found a place to park. There were already several cars in evidence. “Pretty nice area for a Navy officer,” Ned said. “I think his wife has some money. He’s been stationed here forever so they probably bought a long time ago.” They were out of the car into the warmth and walked towards the house, which was a good-sized Tudor in a slightly irregular shape with what looked like a pool in back and large old trees everywhere. “This is nice,” he said. “Reminds me a bit of Madison, in fact. Including the humidity.” “Will there be swimming.” “Probably after it gets darker. And there’s a hot tub.” “Oh, goody,” he said. They rang the bell and a young Navy officer opened. “Hi, Dr. Nelson, come on in. The Captain’s changing out of his uniform.” “Really, Sam, are you trying to impress my friend Ned here?” Urban Life Circa 1976 “Well, you know how us Navy boys are. When in doubt, use titles.” Ned and Sam shook hands as they entered. “You in the research biz too, Sam,” Ned asked. “Support function to all the brilliant researchers like Cynthia. Once in awhile they let me look through a microscope or something.” “Sam, you’re gonna get it, you know?” Cynthia said, poking him. “Hey, just trying to be polite and get promoted,” Sam said. They walked through an entrance hall and then through a large living room that led onto a patio. Younger guests were assembling glasses and buckets of ice and bottles on a large sideboard next to the back wall of the house. “Bar’s almost open,” Sam said. “What may I get for you.” At this Cynthia rushed to him and flung her arms around him and whispered in his ear. “You can get me that big cock of yours and ram it up my ass.” Ned saw Sam blush red and imagined Cynthia had said something risqué. “Aw, it’s not time for that yet,” the young officer said. “It’s always time for me, honey,” Cynthia answered, rubbing her hand on the front of his white uniform trousers. “I want to see you later.” Sam looked at Ned and put his palms up in the air with a quizzical look and Ned smiled at him. “I’ve known her quite awhile, Sam. Not to worry.” “We don’t have many women like Cynthia in Oklahoma,” Sam said with a grin. “I can imagine,” Ned said. Then Cynthia came back and told him what she’d said. “I figured it was something like that. You really are incorrigible.” “Never. Never.” They went to the bar and Ned got them some vodka and tonic. When he gave Cynthia hers, he realized the man she was talking to was the Captain, whom she introduced. “Russell, this is my old friend, Ned.” They shook hands. “I understand you’re being moved out West,” Ned said. “Finally,” Russell said. “I think 11 years in Washington is about my limit. We’ve got a place out there and I’m looking forward to getting back to less humidity and less stress.” “San Diego?” “Yeah, Naval Medical Center. A little more relaxed pace.” Russell had on a pair of khakis and a polo shirt with the tail out and an old pair of topsiders. “Take off your jacket and tie,” Russell said. “Put them up in the hall closet.” “Thanks,” Ned said. “Excuse me.” He went back in the house, pulling off his tie and stuffing it in his jacket pocket and put the jacket on a hanger in the big hall closet. As he was doing so he noticed a woman coming out from a bathroom under the staircase. She looked about his age and was blonde and looked just a little wobbly. “Bad day at work,” Ned asked, smiling at her. “Nah, work was fine. It was those martinis that Russell poured into me at the club. I forgot to have lunch.” “Can you get something to eat.” “Just on the way to raid the fridge. Who are you.” “Ned. I’m a friend of Cynthia’s from long ago.” “Navy.” “Nope, just personal.” “She’s a great gal. A little nuts, but great.” “Don’t I know it,” he smiled. “And you?” “You what.” “What do they call you.” She laughed. “Oh. Linda.” “Right. Nice to meet you.” “You, too. See you in a minute.” She tottered off towards the kitchen and Ned went back out through the living room to the patio where Cynthia was leaning against the low fence to the pool and stirring her drink with a finger as a huge man with a shock of red hair and ruddy complexion was saying something close to her ear. Ned approached and stood at a polite distance looking over the rest of the crowd of perhaps twenty people assembled on the patio. When the man finished, Cynthia burst out laughing and slapped him on the arm. “George, where do you hear these things. Everyone in your department knows the best jokes.” “It’s Ramón, the Filipino chemistry techie – he brings us new ones every day. It’s like it’s part of his job description or something.” Ned smiled and Cynthia motioned towards George and introduced them. “Tell me you’re a brain surgeon,” Ned said to George, looking at his huge hands. “Nah, didn’t have the interest in it,” he said. “I do dermo – plastic surgery.” Ned laughed, knowing that required as delicate an approach as any surgery there was. “Let me know when you get into private practice and you can fix my wrinkles later on,” Ned said. George put a thumb up under Ned’s eye. “I dunno,” he said, “might be coming before then.” They laughed and Ned listened to some more office gossip and chatter around him. He realized he was probably the only outsider in the group, but he didn’t feel out of place. He hadn’t know much about the people of the life of science or medicine, and only a bit about military life from his time in the Air Force, but the Air Force was much more casual about things than the Navy, which retained more old-time tradition than the other services. The sun was beginning to go down and it cooled just a bit. Ned felt relaxed in his slacks and shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and he noticed Cynthia had perspired a bit around the arms but otherwise looked unbothered by the warmth. He went to get himself another drink and she touched his arm with her hand and glass and he took it as well. A young man was behind the bar but Ned didn’t think he was a bartender. “Nah, I’m just replenishing the supplies,” he said, moving the tablecloth covering the bar and coming up with another half-gallon of vodka. “Ah ha, there you are.” He opened it and put it on the bar. “The very thing I was looking for,” said Ned. “You’re here with Dr. Nelson – I mean, Cynthia,” the young man said. “Yeah, we’re friends.” “She’s really something.” “So people tell me, and I think I have some understanding of that.” “Have you seen her when she gets, uh, gets going.” “Several times, in fact,” Ned said. “Pretty remarkable, huh.” “Boy, I’ll say. Talk about uninhibited.” He paused. “But you know, she never loses her dignity somehow. It’s interesting.” “I know what you mean. I watched her tickle a waiter’s wienie through his pants at the dinner table one time.” “I can believe it.” “Got us a nicer bottle of wine, as I recall.” “What a gal.” Ned took the drinks and walked through the chattering crowd back to where Cynthia was. On the way he noticed Linda looking a bit less tipsy and talking to another attractive woman. He stopped. “Find something, then,” he said. “Yes, thanks,” the woman said, “saved my life. Or at least my career.” They laughed and Ned put out his hand to the other woman. “Ned.” “Sally,” the woman said. “Linda said you were with our lovely Cynthia.” “Well, we’re old friends, that’s for sure.” “From college days.” “Just after. Met here in Washington at a party given by a guy who turned out to be a mutual friend.” “She was married then, wasn’t she.” “Just about. Guy named Jim Something. It didn’t seem to last long.” “I know. She told me they went on their honeymoon with his parents on their yacht somewhere in Florida and were put in separate staterooms.” “You know, you’re right. I’d forgotten that. Poor Jim.” “Did she tell you anything else about that trip.” “Only that her then-father tried to seduce her.” “That’s it,” Sally said. “Amazing.” “I guess if I’d been married to Jim’s mom, I would have felt similarly.” “And what do you do when you’re not hanging around with Cynthia.” She gave him a look. “I’m a business writer.” “For a publication.” “Mostly freelance,” he said. “Between here and New York.” “Sounds great.” “When they pay me on time, it can be,” he said. “How about you.” “I am one of the great unwashed at Bethesda Naval who assists the great washed in accomplishing their remarkable feats of research.” “You’re a secretary.” Linda interrupted. “This is where I came in. I’m going to find more interesting women to talk to.” The three of them laughed and Linda wandered off. Ned noticed that Sally took the opportunity to turn a bit closer to him. “Hi,” he said. She looked at him warmly. “You’re married, aren’t you.” “Aren’t we all. Except Cynthia.” “Yes, I guess so. But that doesn’t seem to stop many around here.” “So I understand.” He paused. “When does the fun begin.” She looked at him. “I think it already has.” “Really.” He looked back at her and saw her big eyes. She moved the tiniest bit closer to him. “Has Cynthia told you about any of us.” “Not in any specifics, and certainly not by name,” he said. “That’s so like her.” “Meaning…” “She doesn’t betray confidences even with her friends, or, old friends, I should say.” “Not a bad policy, I think.” She looked at him. “Do you want to come with me for a minute.” “Where.” “Just inside. Believe me, she won’t notice.” Ned looked over at Cynthia and she was surrounded by four men who were obviously lusting after her. She was enjoying it. He noticed that more people had stopped by and that there must be upwards of 30 or more, nearly filling the patio space. He turned back to Sally. “Sure,” he smiled. She smiled back and calmly took his hand and they walked to the door to the living room. Inside, she walked to the fireplace and stood looking at a portrait of a man in a Navy dress uniform standing behind a formal chair in which a woman was sitting. “Don’t they make a pair,” Sally said. “Indeed,” Ned said. “There’s something about military tradition and formality that is actually very appealing, at least to me.” “Me, too,” she said. “I’ve been a big part of it for a long time. Father and grandfather, brother, an uncle, cousins. . .” “Husband.” “Yes, of course. It seemed so natural. It still does, somehow.” “And you’re still together.” “You could call it that. He’s overseas with a special missions group. Has been for 18 months. And before that in the West on another project.” “Navy wife. Absentee husband. I think I’ve seen that movie.” “It gets a little old after awhile.” “I can imagine. So you compensate.” She laughed and looked at him. “From time to time. In fact, I have the feeling this is one of those times.” “You do.” He could feel the heat building. “Do you think Cynthia would mind.” “I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so, do you.” “No. Have you been seeing her long.” “Perhaps six months now. It sort of just happened, as they say.” “In the movies.” “Yeah,” he said. “Like that.” “You enjoy it.” “I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t,” Ned said. “No use denying it. Cynthia and I seem to get along well in the physical sense.” “I’ll bet you do,” Sally said with a smile. “Well, gosh,” he said, obviously blushing. “Does she know your wife.” “In fact, they’re pretty close friends. They’ve traveled together a couple of times on vacations when I couldn’t get away. Yeah, they’re good friends.” “That must be interesting. Does your wife suspect.” “I wouldn’t be able to tell if she did,” he said. “She’s the consummate dissembler. Not in a bad sense; I just can seldom tell what she’s thinking. Total mystery guest.” “Has she had friends on the side.” “You know, I really don’t think I’d know,” he said. “There certainly haven’t been any of the normal signs of such a thing. But I probably wouldn’t be able to tell anyway.” “Why.” “I’m one of those guys, like my father, who’s oblivious to those kinds of things. My wife will tell me about someone who’s sleeping around or who has a lover and I’m always incredulous, and she’ll say something like ‘you mean you couldn’t tell?’ and I always say no, I couldn’t. Don’t know why that is. My mother said my father’s first wife was practically shacked up with their family lawyer for years and my father didn’t have a clue and was totally surprised when she wanted a divorce.” “Interesting,” Sally said. “True. So maybe my wife knows where I am this very minute. I wouldn’t have any way of knowing.” “You’re a nice man.” “I don’t know about that, either,” he said, looking at her. She came close and put her arm up around his neck and pulled him down and kissed him. The kiss got a bit long and he turned and put his glass on the mantle and put arms around her. Then they were kissing in earnest. When they came up for air, she spoke. “Nice.” “You, too,” he said. “Where did you learn to kiss like that.” “Navy training, I guess.” They stood there and Ned look at her tired blue eyes. “You look like you’ve been stressed out for awhile.” “I know it,” she said. “I can’t seem to get enough sleep.” “I know about that,” he said. “I wonder how I could help.” “Maybe you could come over some night and tuck me in.” “I’d be glad to.” “What shall we do now,” he said. “I know what I want to do,” she said. “Me, too. Should we. Now.” “I guess not,” she said. “Let’s see if anything happens later. And you can always give me a rain check.” “Twenty rain checks.” “Only twenty.” “To start. You might not like me, you know.” “Yeah, right. I have the feeling I’ll like you very much.” “Good,” she said. Just as they spoke, Ned saw Cynthia headed their way. She was looking perky and laughing. “There you are, you cheating little rascal, you,” she said with a big smile. “I turn my back for two minutes and here you are hitting on my best friend. Don’t you have any manners.” “Not any I can recall where good-looking women are concerned,” he said, putting his arm around her waist and kissing her ear. “Oh, you flatterer,” she said. “Isn’t he the worst,” she said to Sally. “I wouldn’t say the worst. Definitely not the worst,” she said with a smile. “You look exhausted, honey,” Cynthia said to Sally. “I know, Ned just told me that, too. I haven’t been sleeping worth a damn.” “That’s cause you’re horny and sleeping alone.” “That could be part of it, I guess,”she said. “What happened to your boyfriend.” “He’s history,” Sally said, looking at Ned. “I’ve got to find another one, but the ones I like all seem to be taken.” “You can have Ned on loan if you want,” Cynthia said. “He’s a good fuck if nothing else.” Ned looked at her and smiled back. “We were sort of discussing that as well,” he said. “I knew it, you bad boy,” she said, poking him in the ribs. “Well, a damsel in distress and all that,” he said. “Distress my ass. She could have any man at this party if she just crooked her little finger.” “Oh, Cynthia, I’m really tired of these old Navy horndogs hitting on me all the time,” Sally said. “They’re all really so limited – medicine and the Navy, the Navy and medicine. I get so tired of it.” “I know what you mean,” Cynthia said. “That’s why I’m so glad Ned and I got together. He’s like a breath of fresh air around here.” “And more than that, I imagine,” Sally said. “Well, that, too.“ She paused and put her hand on Ned’s arm. “What do you say we have a little threesome with Sally later on.” “Really,” he said. “Oh, Cynthia,” said Sally, blushing. “Oh, look at you blush! Hey, lady, I haven’t got a jealous bone in my body, as you well know. You’re free to fuck Ned anytime you want. I’d even like to watch. I bet you’re a ferocious fuck.” Sally reddened. “I haven’t had much practice lately,” she said. “Well, honey, there’s a living remedy for that standing right in front of you. Right, Ned?” “If it would be helpful,” he said with a helpless grin. “Can you believe this guy,” Cynthia said to Sally. “Have dick, will fuck.” Sally laughed. “This conversation is certainly getting a little ribald,” Ned said. “You’re going to make me blush in a minute.” “Goody,” said Cynthia. “You look so cute when you blush.” “Do you know what Mark Twain said about blushing,” he asked. “No, but I know you’ll tell us.” “He said human beings were the only animals on the planet that blush – or need to.” “That’s funny,” said Sally. “And true, I guess,” he said. They heard noises from the patio. “Uh-oh, here we go,” said Cynthia. The three of them moved to the French doors and looked out. Ned had his arm around Cynthia and put his other around Sally, who moved closer to him. “What’s that,” said Ned. “It looks like the Captain is about to unleash the sailors.” Their host could be seen in his Bermuda shorts and polo shirt, his back to them, holding a glass in the air as if about to pour it into someone’s mouth. “Ready,” they heard him say, and then the contents of the glass drained out. A second later a spray erupted accompanied by laughter and then they saw a young woman coughing with her hand over her mouth as the Captain moved to one side. “His famous shooters,” Sally said. “Really,” said Ned. “They’re not that bad, it’s just that he insists on draining them from a glass into your mouth. You have to keep your tongue alert.” “Where have I heard that before,” Ned said. Expectedly, Cynthia again jabbed his ribs, causing him to push more into Sally. “Ah, life,” Ned said, suddenly feeling good with his arms around two attractive women. He pulled them both close. “Maybe we should take Cynthia up on her suggestion.” Sally looked at Cynthia with arched eyebrows. “How about a compromise solution,” Cynthia said. “What would that be,” said Ned. “There’s one young fellow here I’ve had my eye on…” “Oh, my God, Cynthia,” Sally laughed. “No, now listen… what I have in mind won’t delay us much. Why don’t the two of you go bill and coo in the guest room or something and I’ll knock on the door when I’m ready to leave.” Ned and Sally looked at each other. “Well,” he said, “perhaps we’ll do that, or perhaps we’ll just hang out here for awhile. Why don’t you look back here before you come knocking.” “Fine. Sally, you have your car,” Cynthia said. “Yes.” “Do you want to leave it here and I’ll drop you off here on the way to work in the morning.” “If the Captain wouldn’t mind, that would probably be okay,” she said. “He doesn’t. I’ve done it before. Just put it to the side of the garage.” “That’s where it is. Are you blocking anyone.” “I don’t think so.” “Such a logistics person,” Ned said. “Okay, kids, I’m off,” Cynthia said. “Where are you taking him,” said Sally. “That’s a secret. I’ll tell you later if it works.” “Have fun,” said Ned. “If I don’t, you’re both going to have to pay and pay.” “Oh, my,” said Ned. “A threat. Do you think we can answer it, Sally.” “We can certainly try,” she said, squeezing him. “Bye.” Cynthia was off. “Who’s the lucky guy.” “I think it’s a young doc who just transferred in not long ago,” Sally said. “Cynthia’s been eyeing him for a couple of weeks and I think he’s ready.” Ned laughed. “So what shall we do,” he asked. “Why don’t we get another drink and see who else is here – unless you had something more pressing you wanted to attend to.” He turned to face her and pressed his erection up against her. She could feel it through his khakis and pushed back. “Actually, now that we’re, what shall we say, sort of set, I’m finding it fine to just hang out here for awhile. If we’re overcome by lust we can always run upstairs.” “Deal,” she said. “But just come back over here for a second,” he said, leading her away from the doors and putting his arms around her. “Maybe just a little hello.” He moved his head down and she rose to meet him and they kissed, tongues exploring a bit and hands moving, After awhile they moved apart. “Mmmm,” said Ned. “Whew,” said Sally. “That must be extra-strong vodka.” “Something like that, I guess,” he smiled at her. “Now straighten your lipstick and I’ll try to get rid of my hard-on and we can go try to act like normal people.” “I’ll be right back.” She went across the room towards the hallway and bathroom. Ned went back to the doors looking out on the group of people. He could see Cynthia chatting up a good-looking younger guy with thick dark hair and a good tan. He was smiling at her with what Ned could only interpret as a slightly incredulous look. Ned knew that look. Urban Life Circa 1976 He thought when Sally came out they would have to go look at her. Or perhaps not. There were other women there, most of whom he had only noticed in a peripheral manner, who now seemed vaguely interesting as well. He felt a friendly hand on his arm. “Like what you see,” Sally said. “Oh, my dear, you must be right – it’s strong vodka. Or something.” “But you’ve seen her in action before.” “Actually, I wasn’t, uh, looking quite at her.” “Oh, you mean all those other women.” “Did I say that,” he said. “No, but I know. And of course I know all of them. Do you want to meet them.” “Not really.” “Oh, you silly boy, with your dick getting hard,” as she touched him there, “you are so obvious.” “Hey, I’m not a veteran of these gatherings.” “Well, you are now. I’m taking you to meet the gang.” “Does that mean…” “It means our eventual connection might be a bit delayed.” “Have you ever felt this way.” “Yes. That’s why I come here from time to time.” “It’s really quite something, do you think,” he said. “I do, but, then again, I don’t. But I don’t want to spoil it for you. But it does seem to meet a need from time to time.” “I can imagine,” he said. He thought for a bit, trying to think of the right thing to say, although he somehow knew Sally would understand whatever he said. “Oh, shit. You’ve got it wired.” “Not at all,” she said. “Sometimes it’s very different from what I expected.” “What do you expect tonight.” “Actually, I think it will be sensible but wild, if that’s any help. There are a couple of girls here who know Cynthia so they’re interested in you, and there are a couple of guys here who know I’m here, so…” “Ah, a plot evolves.” “Oh, nothing quite so dramatic,” she said, putting her arm back around him and pulling him towards her. He responded. “You’re right. Can we go hide in the cellar or someplace.” “We just have to go out there. Don’t worry. If I feel I’m getting out of control, I’ll signal you, and if you want to rescue me, do it. If you’re in the same situation and you signal me, the same.” “Whew. You know all this.” “I do, but I don’t particularly care.” “Why.” “Because I’m married. If I get out there and get turned on by some guy, or you and I get together and I get really concerned about that, or whatever, I’ll be in a jam. If I can just have a couple of good fucks and think it’s silly, I’ll be pretty much okay.” “Is that why you look so tired.” “If I knew why that is, I’d tell you.” He grabbed her around the waist and held her and made her look at him, eyes to eyes. “I want you,” he said. “For some reason I don’t think you can make my wrinkles go away.” “No, but I can sure kiss them a lot.” “Oh, God…” “Let’s go outside,” he said, and they did. The patio was humming with conversation and laughter. Ned tried to imagine that most of these people had had sex with each other, some for a long time. He wondered how that played out over the long haul, especially the effect on marriages and on office relationships. Then he decided he didn’t care, at least not now. That was an analysis he could undertake later when he had more data upon which to reflect. He noticed men looking at her appreciatively and imagined her having sex with them. He began to feel a bit of an erection. “I’m beginning to get a hard-on thinking about you having sex with all these guys,” he said in her ear. She blushed slightly. “It must seem strange to you,” she said. “It’s not as much strange as it is provocative. I haven’t had the chance very often to watch people -- in person.” “Do you like that idea.” “Of course. Is there anyone who doesn’t.” She laughed. “You may have a point,” she said. “I’m getting a fairly good-sized point right now.” “You naughty boy.” (To be continued; comments welcome)