2 comments/ 45754 views/ 5 favorites An Uncommon Love Ch. 01 By: PolyLvr Chapter One Carielle Sal Vitre had started getting close with the Rafferties several months after they moved in next door, while she was in her freshman year in college. She started helping them, doing odd jobs for MayBelle for pay. As she got to know Tom and May better she found herself being drawn to them. Their relationship was so loving, and they didn't put up fronts for people. Mr. Tom Rafferty was a retired gardener whose property adjoined her parents. Her Dad was somewhat miffed that Tom lived in the neighborhood. He was very status conscious and being a middle management drone, he felt he was well above a gardener. Plus the fact that Tom was black, but Lew would never be so tacky as to admit that. Prudent investing had allowed Tom to acquire his property, and send his kids to university, after which they had all started out on successful careers. Cari had met the Rafferties after they moved in, their kids already long gone from the family home. Mr. Rafferty had engaged her services part time to assist his wife around the house, shortly after Cari started college. Cari had met the children and both women and the one man were certainly their parent's children. Smart, dignified, and attractive. Another son hadn't done well in school, had fallen in with unscrupulous characters, and been shot dead in a drug deal gone bad. When Cari finished high school she did two years at the local community college towards a book-keeping certificate. MayBelle was diagnosed with lung and liver cancer and refused treatment because she had no chance to pull through and she didn't want the resources wasted on her. By this time Cari was spending a great deal of time with MayBelle, and no longer charged for her services although they paid her a modest fee for appearances sake. Clifford and Ariel, two of the Rafferty children, had offered to sponsor her education at the university because of her help with their parents. Consequently she took nursing, with extra courses in cancer therapies. By the time she was done her first year she thought of MayBelle and Tom as her best friends. She was sure her parents were upset by this, but their constant judgmental gossiping about others was insulting to her and she realized it, and as a private act of rebellion reveled in their discomfort. As Maybelle slipped deeper into her illness, Cari spent a lot of time at her bedside. It was there she found out May's eldest son had been the result of a sexual assault when she was younger, and Tom had taken him on as his own boy after meeting MayBelle. He died before the others were out of high school and his death had helped inspire them to make better of themselves. Cari also learned that MayBelle was over a decade older than Tom, and she was concerned about his well being after she passed on. Cari jokingly assured MayBelle that she would continue to care for him. She cooked, cleaned, and did laundry now anyways. Cari had also spent many hours talking with Clifford, Ariel, and Mary, MayBelle's youngest girl. They were all very appreciative of her help and Cari at 22, and Mary at 25, became especially close. Mary used to joke about Cari being her second mom, and Maybelle had been quite upset by that. But MayBelle saw how the rest of her family were smitten with Cari, and she began to consider that Cari could help her husband, for a while, after she'd gone. When she first suggested it to her husband he was outraged. "God Damnit, MayBelle." he bellowed. "Don't even joke about that. She's younger than my kids. She's white, for Christ's sake. If her parents even suspected, they shoot me themselves." MayBelle flinched under the vehemence of his rebuttal, but after thinking about it a while, she realized something. Cari had almost taken her place already. When the family came over for Sunday dinner, Cari was the one that planned and started it cooking. Ariel and Mary finished it when they got there. There was only one way that Cari hadn't stood in for her and May thought a lot about that. Under the pretence of wanting to change her room around, she had the two easy chairs taken out and a love seat put in, with a TV stand. She had her queen size bed replaced by a double, to make it less comfortable for two. At first she would watch movies with Cari on the love seat and with Tom beside her on the bed. But she started asking Tom to sit on the love seat because his pressure and movement on the bed were causing her pain. At first Tom and Cari would take pains to make sure they never touched on the love seat. As they got more relaxed, MayBelle started complaining of being cold, so the turned the heat up in her room. Cari, thinking nothing of it, started wearing lighter clothing to keep cool, 'til eventually Tom looked down one day and noticed Cari's creamy, muscular thighs, bare almost up to her crotch. She was braless, her nipples tiny points of hardness as she watched some dancing movie with MayBelle. Tom looked sharply over at MayBelle, who was watching him out of the corner of her eye. She licked her lips and nodded her head down at Cari. Tom was flabbergasted, for he knew what she was intimating, and he couldn't believe she was actually trying to orchestrate it. He looked down at Cari again, then looking at MayBelle he mumbled something about getting beverages and hurried off to the bathroom, feeling something he hadn't expected to feel, ever again. Lust. He'd never particularly found white girls attractive, never lusted after them as so many of his contemporaries had. Forbidden fruit and all that. But he realized he had feelings for Cari, and the myriad images he subconsciously stored in his mind over the years came tumbling out. He dropped his pants as soon as he entered the bathroom and grabbed his already hard cock. First a vision of her smiling face, replacing it with her ass in her track pants or pyjamas, then her crotch in the shorts she was wearing today. When he tried to imagine what her young pussy looked like, he didn't last long. He stifled a moan as his legs quivered and his cum splashed across the bathroom floor. He immediately felt shame for his thoughts and cleaned up his mess. He stumbled back into the bedroom and sat beside Cari, sitting as far away as he could. "Did you forget something?" MayBelle smiled at him. "Oh, yeah. Be right back." and he got up again to get drinks for them all. MayBelle laughed, loudly for a change. "Men!" she exclaimed. "What was that about?" asked Cari, smiling. "I think Tom had to take care of something." MayBelle grinned. Her face suddenly looked sad though. "What's the matter, May?" Cari asked getting up. "I feel bad for Tom. To be blunt, we haven't had sex in 3 years, and not often before that. I've been too sick. No desire, and no ability to even help him out. He's left to his own resources, and I feel bad that I can't help him." Cari was suddenly embarrassed. She had a certain admiration for Tom, and she admitted he looked good, for his age. But neither Tom, nor MayBelle had ever spoke of sex in her presence. "I'm sure he doesn't even think of those things right now, MayBelle. He loves you, and he's worried about you." MayBelle laughed again, "I'm certain he does, and he is. But he's still a man, with needs, and I'm sure he stopped off to take care of those needs. Still, it's not the same as being with a woman." MayBelle looked back to the TV, "Oh well. Could you rewind that a bit, dear. I think we missed something." Cari rewound it and played it again, but when Tom came back with the drinks, she couldn't help look at his crotch as he sat down. Damn, his pants were too loose to notice anything. MayBelle grinned, to herself this time, as she saw where Cari's eyes went. When the movie was over Cari excused herself and went next door, to her home. Tom slept in the small bedroom these days, so he gave MayBelle a kiss goodnight before he retired. When he bent down to kiss her MayBelle said, "I want to taste it." "Huh?" Tom said, quite eloquently. Masturbation wasn't a sin, or a secret. But the circumstances made it uncomfortable for him to admit it. "She made you randy, so you went and jerked off. I want to taste it." "I'm sorry." Tom said. "I didn't think you had any interest any more." "Honestly, I'm not interested, often. I think of it, sometimes. I just don't have the urges. I just want to taste you." "OK." Tom undid his belt and dropped his trousers. MayBelle admired the look of his thick cock. "Bring it here, baby, so I can taste it." Tom shuffled forwards and MayBelle took his cock into her mouth. "Mmm, I can taste your seed, Tom." "Were you thinking of that little white morsel sitting in here, while you did that?" Tom didn't want to admit it, but he knew MayBelle had set it up. "Yes, I was baby. Her cute ass, and those smooth legs. And her small boobs. She looks almost like you when we got married. Except you had a darker tan." They both laughed. "Goodnight, my love." MayBelle said, as she gave Tom a final lick. She couldn't exert herself too long, and at the end of the day, she was spent. When Cari got home she quietly crept up to her room and as she went by the bathroom she thought she heard something. She put her head to the door and heard a rhythmic sound that she couldn't place, but she intuited that it was her Dad jerking off. Suddenly she seemed to be hyper aware of sexual inferences around her. Her Mom always went to bed before her Dad, and her Dad seemed to spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Cari suddenly had a different perspective on the reasons for those things. She went on into her room and prepared for bed. Her mind kept flashing on Tom and what he had probably done in the bathroom. Cari wasn't a virgin due to her rape, but except for one quick, innocent romance in her freshman year at the local community college, she had never gone steady with a guy. She didn't really trust them, because they were always only interested in one thing. She trusted her Dad, because he was her Dad and would never do those things. She trusted Clifford because he was, well, almost like a brother to her. Sure she'd noticed him looking at her appreciatively, but he'd never behaved in any way other than respectful. But Tom, she trusted him for sure. But now she was thinking about him in other ways. Seeing his sleek muscles as he worked in the yard beside her, teaching her how to tend to flowers and shrubs. And now, she was thinking of that other muscle. As she lay down on her back she ran her hands over her sleek stomach. She knew she was good looking, even if some thought she was too thin, with small breasts. She lay there and thought of Tom's hands. Rough and gnarly, she could imagine them teasing an orgasm from her as easily as he could tease roots from a cutting. Her hands slid over her hip bones and the fleeting thought, that she was too skinny, rippled through her mind. Then she thought of the way Tom looked at her and she reconsidered, as her fingers passed over her mons. She never was a slave to fashion, so she didn't denude herself completely, but she did trim the hair around her vulva, to keep it neat and to keep the odor down. She was surprised at how wet she was and she fingered herself to a massive orgasm. She was amazed at the sloshing sounds coming from her sopping pussy as her fingers ignited her dormant libido. As she was coming down, she thought about Tom when he came back to the bedroom last night. His cock was probably covered in his juice, and now Cari was disappointed that she'd missed a chance to maybe smell him. She went to sleep after setting her alarm, thinking about Tom's friendly face. The next morning Cari got up when her alarm went off. She almost didn't, but then she remembered why she set it so early. It was early in the year, and it was still pretty chilly, so she took a cardigan outside with her. She stood in her yard, listening, wondering if her efforts were in vain. Through the fog she heard a cough, so she went over to the fence gate. She tapped on the fence and opened it slightly, "Tom!" she hissed. "Tom, is that you?" "Well, Miss Carielle. Whatever are you doin out here at this time?" "I woke up with a headache, so I took some pills and decided to stay up for a minute. I remembered you said how peaceful it was out here in the early morning." "It is that. It's foggy and chilly. Do you want my jacket?" "No thanks, my cardigan's fine. Could I borrow your arm though?" They stood together, looking out over the valley with his arm around her shoulder. It was still dark with a hint of light in the eastern sky. "Sometimes I see deer." Tom said. "Back along the tree line there." He pointed with his free arm, off to the right. Cari shivered but not from the cold. She could smell his scent. Partly sweat and partly old spice cologne. "Are you cold? Lets sit on the bench, I'll get a blanket from the deck box." "OK." Cari said. She was suddenly nervous, wondering what she was doing there. They sat silently for a few minutes. Cari shivered again, under the blanket, and Tom put his arm around her again. Cari was very aware of his fingertips, only centimeters away from her unrestrained breasts. The very fingertips she had imagined pleasuring her last night. She changed position as she commented, "Oh, this seat's hard, and cold." She tucked her feet up under her and leaned into Tom more. This resulted in his hand coming to rest on the top curve of her breast. Tom was getting uncomfortable. "Cari, you should probably go now. If your parents get up, they'll be concerned." "No they won't. I left a note saying I was going out for a walk." She raised her hand and held Tom's hand in place. Tom was really uncomfortable when she didn't remove her hand. "I dreamt about you last night." Cari said. Tom was surprised. "Really?" he said, looking at her. He realized how pretty she was. Her lips were thin, but they had a curvy shape that was very alluring when she smiled, or was deep in thought. "Yeah. Uhh, we were married and we were stuck in a barn somewhere. Our car was broken down, in a storm." "Interesting." Tom didn't know what to say. Taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, Cari just blurted it out. "Yeah. All I can remember is how good you made me feel with your hands." "Cari...." Tom sputtered helplessly. "Oh God! I'm sorry." Cari dropped her face into her cupped hands. "I shouldn't have said anything. I thought... I mean I, MayBelle... I mean, I thought that you'd like hearing about that." "Cari, I'm flattered, really. But I'm over twice your age. You're my wife's best friend. I shouldn't be hearing about this sort of thing." "Tom. Where did you go when you left the bedroom last night?" "What do you mean, Cari? I went to get drinks, you know that." Tom shifted uncomfortably. "Tom, you know what I meant. When you forgot the drinks." Cari could feel herself moisten as the conversation moved on. "Carielle, please." Tom pleaded. "Tom, what were you doing? Were you thinking of me?" After a long moment Tom replied, "I was." Tom's voice was choked as he spoke. "This is wrong in so many ways." "Why is that, Tom?" "Well, Because I'm old enough to be your father, for one." "You don't look it. What else?" "Well, I don't think your family would be too pleased if you were intimate with a black man." "Fuck 'em! They need to expand their horizons." "Carielle, your language, please. They are your parents." "I'm sorry Tom. But they are so stifling. Stifled. They do need to experience more than their little clique. So, I don't care about their opinion." "I'm also paying you for unspecified services. It makes this look kind of seedy." "That excites me, Tom." "It does?" "Mm, yeah. It does. I think I'm getting wet." Her heart was beating a mile a minute. If this foray of hers was fruitless, it could damage a good friendship. Tom felt her shift and her leg lift. After a second he felt Cari's body hitch and she gave a small grunt. "Oh, yes. I'm very wet." She pulled her hand out from under the blanket and held it under Tom's nose. "Oh, God, Cari. I can't." "You don't mind if I do, do you?" She slipped her hand into her panties and started stroking her pussy. Tom didn't say a word as she leaned back against him. They both looked out over the valley, and Tom felt every tremor as her young body came alive. At first she stroked the sides of her whole pussy, coaxing out the juices that were hiding inside. As her fingers dipped inside and spread the juices around, she enjoyed the liquid sensation. The cool air, the quiet atmosphere, the strong arms of a man around her. It all combined to heighten her sense of destiny. Like this was meant to be. Cari gathered her sexy liquid and used it to lubricate her fingers as she slithered them around her labia. She stroked her fingers up and down the edges of her pussy, not quite entering her hole, not touching her clit. Her fever was rising, and she knew she was going to want to cum soon. Finally she allowed a finger to poke inside. "Oh!" she exclaimed softly, going back to just stroking, again she dipped, then stroked, each time announcing her passion. Taking her index and second finger she brought pressure to bear on either side of her clit, only stroking that area. She didn't touch it directly, because she knew if she did, she'd cum right away. She went back to stroking, and alternated dipping, two fingers this time, with massaging her clit hood. "Oh, Tom." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Tom, I'm going to cum. Do you want me to cum, Tom? I'll stop if you want." "No, child. Don't stop." She put her fingers directly on her clit, flicking rapidly back and forth. Cari cried out, "Oh! God! I'm cumming, Tom! Nnnggaaahhh!" Tom held an arm around her, one hand cupped on her breast as her orgasm ripped through her. She suddenly remembered where she was and gritted her teeth, keeping further exclamations muted. Her body rocked for almost a minute, and was beset by aftershocks for several minutes afterwards. She relied on Tom to hold her up, and she turned to snuggle against his chest. "Thank you, Tom. For being with me." She looked up and kissed his mouth. He didn't participate, or reciprocate. "What's the matter Tom?" He didn't seem at all receptive to her attentions. "Cari, I think you should go now." "I suppose I should. You don't want to kiss me?" Her hand slid down his chest to feel the bulge in his pants. "I think something here says you do." "Cari! Please! My wife is up there in the house! I can't just... do this." "OK, I understand Tom. But, I'm not going away. When you decide you can do this, I will definitely be willing." Cari brushed her finger under Tom's nose, Gave him a light kiss on the lips, then walked back to the gate. "I'll see you later, Tom." Then she was gone. Tom sat there, his chest heaving. He had feelings for the girl, which is maybe why he didn't want to touch her. He didn't want to blemish what they had. But it had been the first time he'd been with a woman having an orgasm in several years, and he was rock hard as a result. And he was ashamed that he'd considered touching this girl, younger than his daughter. He was particularly ashamed that he'd sat there as an accomplice to her lewd act. When he'd calmed down he went inside to check on MayBelle. She was just rousing, so he went and prepared what he though she might like for breakfast, if she ate. He took it in to her and sat with her while she ate/pushed things around on her plate. After a half hour of desultory conversation, May had had enough. "What's wrong, Tom?" May asked. "Huh? Oh nothing new. Just worried about you, dear." "Pshaaw. There is something. I think I know what it is, too." "What's that, dear?" An Uncommon Love Ch. 01 "That young Cari." Tom almost had a stroke. He thought he hid his reaction, but MayBelle saw him start, just a bit. "I think she fancies you, Tom." May spoke in the direct way that people who's days are running out are wont to do. "I'm so sorry, May." Tom broke down. He never was much good at keeping secrets. "I was out in the garden this morning when she came out. I did some things I shouldn't have done." "What did you do, Tom?" May asked pointedly. "Did you molest that girl?" Tom looked at her flabbergasted, "Good God, no! No, I most certainly did not!" "Well, it sounded to me like she was enjoying herself." Tom blanched. "You heard her?" "Hard to miss this time of the morning. Everything so quiet, and if a girl can't sleep, you can hear a lot. Did you enjoy yourself? "I'll have you know, I didn't touch her. Well, except to put an arm around her from the chill." "Shame. She looks like she'd be fun." "MayBelle!" Tom was outraged. "How could you believe I'd do something like that. "Thomas Rafferty! Don't you be getting all high and mighty on me. Was a time you'd plunder my bones every chance you get. Now a leopard doesn't change it's spots, and she's a sweet girl, and I know you're fond of each other. There's nothing wrong with two adults having fun, if no one gets hurt." It hit him. "You put her up to this!" "I didn't." MayBelle said. "I did put an idea in her head, though. She had to take the initiative" "MayBelle. What on earth for?" Tom protested "I don't want anyone else." "Tom, I saw what happened last night. You may not want anyone else, but you need someone, for certain things that I can't provide any more." "I don't" "You do, Thomas! If we continue this way, when I'm gone you'll fall for the first strumpet to spread her legs. Cari is someone who cares about you, deeply. And you care for her, we all do. She's an adult, sometimes I think more adult than our own children." "Yeah, but MayBelle." Tom protested. He really couldn't argue with her, but he didn't want to agree with her. "Did she take care of you this morning. Tom?" "No! I wouldn't let her." "Next time, you do let her!" "Now get your ass up here and show me how hard you are. I know you want that skinny, white girl. Show me what you've got for her, and fill my mouth with it." Tom groaned and stood beside the bed. He dropped his pants and started stroking his hard cock. MayBelle put her hand out, to touch it and Tom stopped and moved his cock into her hand. MayBelle grabbed it and Tom thrust back and forth. "Oh, Tom. Cari's gonna love this as much as I did. Did you touch her Tom? Did you feel her nice smooth skin? Mmm, so creamy white." "No. She just played with herself. We sat on the bench and I had my arm around her while she did herself. I did touch her titty with my arm around her shoulder." "Did it feel good, Tom? They look delicious." "It felt good, May." Tom wasn't gonna last long, remembering his morning. His hips were jerking erratically now. "Did you smell her Tom? Did you smell her young puss? Did you taste her juice? Did you lick her fingers, Tom?" "No taste. She put... she put her f... fingers under my, ah! Under my nose! Uunghghaaah!" And with that Tom shot his load, the first assisted orgasm in 3 years. The first wild shot went into May's hair. May pulled him forward before the second shot and took him in her mouth. He filled her completely staring down at her as she held his gaze. When he was done shooting, she made a point of opening her mouth to show him his seed, then swallowed it. Tom watched her and suddenly he felt the enormity of what was happening. He fell to his knees beside the bed and pleaded. "Oh, baby. Please don't go. Don't leave me here alone." His body was wracked with sobs, where minutes ago he was the epitome of masculinity. "You won't be alone Thomas. The children are all close by." "But they're not you. We have so much together, you're my life. How can I live it if you're not here?" "Baby, your song isn't over. You have other people to lift up, as you lifted me up. When I'm gone our family, and friends, and neighbours will all help you." "Oh, babe." Tom wailed. "I don't know if I can do it." Together they lay there, weeping, remembering. As noon approached, MayBelle had Tom give her the phone as he went to prepare lunch. She called Cari's house and left a message with her mother, that Cari wouldn't be needed today. "And tell her, Mrs. Sal Vitre. There's nothing to worry about. We're just a little overwhelmed today, and we look forward to her help tomorrow." "OK, Mrs. Rafferty." Annette Sal Vitre agreed. "I'll make sure she gets the message. You take care. I know Cari thinks the world of you two. Please, call if you need anything. Anything at all." "Thank you, I will. As a matter of fact, sometimes my care takes a little out of Thomas. His being elderly, and all. Would it be OK if Cari stays over if the need arises? I do sleep awful fitfully. I mean, if it won't interfere with her schooling, or family. "I don't know, Mrs. Rafferty. She does tend to put aside other things when it comes to you. I'm afraid she can't be objective." "Well, what if we call you, and ask you, before we ask her? If the need arises. "We can try that Mrs. Rafferty. But if it does become a problem, we'll have to stop." "I understand, Mrs. Sal Vitre. Thank you for your understanding." "Please, call me Annette. You're welcome Mrs. Rafferty." "MayBelle. Please call me MayBelle. "OK. Have a good day, MayBelle." "You too Mrs., umm, Annette." Thomas brought lunch in for the both of them and May told him she had cancelled Cari for the day. They spent the rest of the day, between MayBelle's naps, looking through old photos and remembering the high points in their lives. Tom called his kids home for dinner and MayBelle explained to them they were going to give Cari a key and the use of her car, which she never used anymore. She also told them Cari was going to be helping out a lot more. "Now I know you guys are busy, and there's no sense you being here all the time. But we need some help, Cari's close, and we pay her for the chores she does, which helps her too. I hope none of you guys are going to have a problem with that?" "Not at all, mom." Mary asserted. "I wish I could be here more often, but we're really busy at work, and my night courses are keeping me busy too. I'm fine with it. Cari's a good kid." "Nope, I think it's a good idea." Ariel agreed. "It's good to have someone nearby, invested in your well being." Clifford agreed too, though he kind of wanted his mother's car for himself. He needed another one, and his wife was pushing him to find her one, cheap. Later that night, Tom kissed MayBelle goodnight. "Now Tom, when you go out for air in the morning, say hi to Cari for me. And enjoy yourself." "I'll say hi. I don't know if I can enjoy Cari that way though." "My love." May replied. "By the way you were this morning, I dare say it's a matter of when, not if, you 'enjoy' that girl. Now good night my love. The medication is making me sleepy." "Good night, Querida." Thomas kissed her again and left to have his evening tea. He took a melatonin tablet, to help him sleep easier. The next morning Tom got up and had a shower. He still wasn't sure what he might do, but he wanted to be prepared. He had been in the habit for years, of going to bed early, and getting up early. He loved standing in his back yard and listening to the birds chattering, listening to the city come awake. Well, now it was a small town at the edge of the city, but still. He gathered his courage and went out into the yard. Strange, a man of his age needing courage. But he was feeling a sense of what he had felt when first wooing MayBelle. He walked down the short path to the park bench May liked to sit in. There was a lightening in the Eastern sky, but as yet it was still dark. He stood there a few minutes, gathering his thoughts, when he heard the latch on the garden door. He daren't look around, afraid he'd run, or appear foolish. Cari walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Tom?" "Good morning, Cari. Sleep well?" Tom's calm voice belied the fact that he was as nervous as a schoolboy. "Not very, Tom. I was worried. Worried I'd ruined our friendship. I'd like... intimacy. But I want our friendship more. Can we go back? Forget about yesterday?" Tom chuckled, "I don't think so, Cari. I feel alive in a way I haven't in a long time. You've made me think of things I haven't in along time." Tom hesitated for a minute. "May heard you." "Aaaahh! No!" She stepped back and put her face in her hands. Tom turned around to comfort her. Cari was moaning in distress when Tom wrapped his arms around her. "Ssshhhh. It's OK. She said she wants me to... enjoy myself. I'm not sure I can. But. Well. You didn't damage our friendship. You just showed us what a wonderful, passionate person you are." Cari looked up at him, his strong hands on either side of her waist. Her eyes where moist when he locked his eyes with her. Slowly he lowered his lips, her eyes widening as she realized what Tom was doing. She barely had time to break into a grin before their lips touched. Cari closed her eyes for a second, focusing on the moment, then reopened them, wanting to remember everything. His lips, so different from any others she'd ever kissed. From the chaste kisses of her myriad relatives, to the fumbling kisses of the boys she'd dated, none of them were as blatantly sensual as Tom's. The texture of his skin around his eyes, slightly wrinkled, but not as much as they should be for forty seven years old. His eyes, so dark. Darker than his skin, even. The tight curly hair, kept short and slightly graying around the temples. And his lips. So thick and strong...and tender. Cari broke the kiss and threw her arms around him. "Whatever you're comfortable with, Tom. I don't have a boyfriend, I don't want a boyfriend. Just... whatever we are." "OK, Cari. That's good for me too." "Would you like to sit down again, Tom." Tom led her to the bench and they sat down. They didn't say anything, just looked out over the yard. Tom got up and got a blanket and covered them while they sat. Cari leaned into him, facing him. They kissed, hugged, and watched the sky lighten. She ran her hands lightly up and down his body. "You really look and feel great, no matter what your age, Tom. How old are you, anyways." "Mmm." Tom was nuzzling her neck. "I can't remember anything right now." "No matter, you sexy old man." Her hands wandered down to his pants. She felt the bulge in front with a mixture of eager anticipation and trepidation. The truth was, she was almost a virgin. Except for her rapist, and her fingers, she'd never had anything in her vagina. She had given a few boys blow jobs, since high school, but otherwise didn't have a lot of experience. She struggled to unzip his fly and when she finally got it down she went back to kissing him. She reached her hand inside his pants and felt him through his underwear. He groaned as she gripped his hardness and stroked him, causing her to feel a rush of... she wasn't sure what. She'd never felt this much anticipation before, not just for 'it', but to please 'him'. This particular 'him' had more meaning for her than any other ever had. While Cari was anticipating her experience, Tom was relishing the feel of her tight young skin. So smooth and taut. His hand was working it's way up her T-shirt caressing as it went, warming her up. He gasped when he felt her breast, so small, just filling his hand. She moaned aloud too, feeling his tenderness. The boys that she was used to, just grabbed and groped, almost hurting her. But Tom's softness was firing her up. Her skin tingled and the sensation in her nipples was almost unknown, almost an ache. They both groaned together when Tom's fingers lightly pinched her nipples at the same time her hand clasped his bare penis. Tom stood up in front of Cari and she reached for his cock. "Oh, Tom. It's so hard." Honestly she was surprised at how hard he was. She'd always heard older guys had erection problems, so she wasn't expecting that. She pulled it through the hole in his underwear and stroked it for a minute while looking closely at it and she noticed a small bead of moisture at the tip. Looking up at Tom, she leaned forwards and licked the bead off, eliciting a moan from him. She licked all around the head, then slowly took his cock as deep as she could in her mouth. Cari loved the texture, hard as steel underneath, but soft as silk on the surface. She could feel it twitch and bob in her mouth as she caressed the underside with her tongue. The musky man smell made her feel weak, almost light headed. When she brought her hands up to fondle his balls and clench his shaft Tom shuddered. Pulling himself away, he whispered, "I'm so close. Not yet." Tom kneeled down and pulled the blanket away from Cari's legs. First he ran his hands up and down her legs, outside her pyjama bottoms. The material was so light he could feel the definition in her muscles, smaller ones in her calves and the larger ones of her quadriceps and hamstrings. He pulled her forwards on the seat, then tried to work her pants down. She understood and lifted her pert bottom, allowing him access. Tom also pulled a corner of the blanket under her to protect her bum from the wooden bench seat, before seating her and removing one leg from her pants and panties. Tom liked the fact that she was wearing panties and not a thong. He thought thongs were too crass for every day use. Being a man who appreciates the outdoors, Tom really enjoyed the scent that assailed him under the blanket. Fresh earth from the dewy ground, woody scents from the shrubs and bench, and the light, but unmistakable odour of a female in heat. As he slid his hands up between her thighs, lingering, stroking, he pressed outwards, spreading her legs. His tongue followed his hands, licking her soft flesh. He could feel her muscular thighs under the skin, and even feel the downy hairs on her legs. She tasted of soap, and sweat, and innocence. He couldn't see anything, but the pungent smell led his nose right where his tongue wanted to be. Yessss, right there. Cari let out a grunt when she felt his nose touch her pussy, but a second later it was a deep guttural moan because, for the first time in her life, someone's tongue was on her pussy. The boys she'd sucked in college were eager for her services, but somehow never thought of reciprocating. She could feel Tom's tongue prying her inner labia away from the outer, where they had been pasted back by the secretions of her night time dreams and her morning activities. She pulled one leg up to rest her foot on the bench, giving Tom easier access. She gasped out loud when his tongue licked her from bottom to top. Tom took her legs and held them apart, allowing him to concentrate on swabbing her with his tongue. He wasn't very subtle, knowing that she wouldn't need much to get her off. He was right. Within minutes her moaning increased to an alarming level. "Ohhh! Oh, Tom!" Cari hissed. "That feels so good! No one's, unnghh. No one's ever, ugh, licked me there before. It feels, oh! Don't stop, ohh! Ahhhh, cumming, ohhhhh, fuuuuuck." Cari felt her hips hunching, shuddering of their own volition, then her legs and abdomen joined in the party by spasming uncontrollably. Her leg and ass muscles were clenched so tight it felt like they were getting stuck with pins and needles. Tom held her legs open with his elbows and held her pussy open with his fingers while his tongue worried her clit and the front edge of her G-spot. Cari was looking around and getting scared. It felt like her head was attached to someone else's body, and she had no control over it, but she could feel it. Finally it all culminated in a series of convulsions that caused her foot to fall of the bench, forcing Tom away from her sweet cunny. Tom crawled out from under the blankets and sat beside her, holding her as her trembling subsided. As soon as she felt able, Cari slipped to her knees too. Ignoring the blanket she lay her upper body in Tom's lap and dove on his tumescent organ. She took it in both hands and slathered it completely with her saliva. She dropped her mouth right over him and took it as deep as she could. She rapidly bobbed her head up and down. Grasping his prick in her right hand, she started stroking him in a contrapuntal rhythm with her mouth until she could feel him get harder and swell a bit more. She pulled away and hissed at him, "Yesss, cum in my mouth." She took a few more strokes with her mouth and pulled away to say, "I want you to be the first guy I swallow." That was enough, and Tom erupted with a slight cry, prompting Cari to plant her lips over the purple crown, filling her mouth with his seed. Cari savoured the musky juice pumping into her mouth. She felt a certain symbolism, binding her to this man. She made a show, as he looked down at her, of licking all the excess juice off his cock. When she was done she stood up and looked around to see if anyone was privy to their little romp, and it appeared they were alone. She turned away from Tom, so he could watch her ass, and put on her panties first, then her pyjamas, giving him a good look at her. She sat herself beside him and hugged him tightly, savouring the experience. They didn't speak for a while until Cari said, "Thank you Tom. That was wonderful. What you did to me, and what you gave to me." "Honey, I should thank you. That was exquisite. That's the best I've felt in years." "I've got you beat." She gave him a squeeze. "That's the first I've ever felt like that." Tom looked down at her in surprise. "You've never had an orgasm before? At your age?" "Well, yeah. I have. A girlfriend taught me to masturbate years ago. And she did me a couple of times. But no one's ever gone down on me before. I never knew it would feel so good. I'm still trembling from it." "Well, any time you want, say the word. There's nothing more I like than eating pussy." "Hmmm, I'll take you up on that, quite often. Right now, though, I better get going." It was time for her Dad to get up, so she wanted to be in bed when he did. They shared another kiss, this one less passionate, but somehow more intimate. "We'll see you later, then?" "May called and wants me to take the day off. I'll see you tomorrow morning and after school, I'll be over." "OK, see you then." Cari got up and walked away, without a backward glance. The next day Cari met Tom in the garden again. This time they just sat and talked, sometimes holding hands, sometimes cuddling. That afternoon Cari went home and did a few chores around her house. She helped her mother get supper ready, then went next door. She knocked on the door, and when there was no answer after several knocks she let herself in. "Tom? MayBelle? It's Cari!" Cari called out. She started to worry as she looked over the ground floor of the house. Everything was quiet, so she crept up the stairs, afraid of what she might see. When she got to May's bedroom, the master bedroom, she was relieved to see them both there. May was sleeping, her heart rate monitor keeping time. Tom was sleeping also, sitting in the chair which he'd pulled up to the bed, his head resting on the bed. Cari pulled the door almost shut and went back downstairs. After putting a load of laundry in, she started supper for the three of them. When the supper was almost ready she prepared Tom's Earl Grey tea the way he liked it. A dollop of honey, with a splash of lemon juice. She took the tea and a fresh carafe of ice water up to the bedroom, tapping lightly on the door before she went in. An Uncommon Love Ch. 01 May was awake, watching Tom sleep, and she put a finger to her lips to indicate silence as Cari came in. Cari smiled at her and set Tom's tea down on the side table, poured May a glass of fresh, cool water, then helped her drink. When May was done, Cari lay beside her on the bed so she could speak quietly with her. "How was your day, May?" Cari asked. "It was a good day, child. I'm still here." She giggled, warming Cari's heart. "How was your test?" "I did OK, I think. Chemistry is tough." Cari shrugged. "Cari, Tom told me about yesterday morning" May said in a gentle voice. "I'm sorry, May. I needed him, and I think he needed me too." "That's OK, Cari. What I hate is that I can't do anything. And Tom is such a virile man. He'll be good for you, and I think you'll be good for him." May was already getting tired from talking, her voice getting hoarse, and weak. "He's a sweet man, May. And you are a very special woman. If you ever have any discomfort from the situation, tell me. We'll stop." "Rest now, and I'll come back with supper in a few minutes." Cari got up and woke Tom, gently. "Supper in 5 minutes, Tom." "Hmm, yeah. OK." Tom muttered. He got up to check on May, who smiled dreamily at him. The pain meds were doing their job. After she woke up and took her medication there was a window of about 20 minutes before the meds kicked in. She handled the pain with an uncommon stoicism, but she could only handle so much. "I'll be up with dinner in a few minutes, Love." When Tom got downstairs, Cari was making up two bed trays with dinner. He walked up behind Cari and gave her a hug from behind, kissing her neck. She cocked her head appreciatively and let him nuzzle her neck for a minute before moving away. She finished the trays then turned around and put her arms around his neck. She looked into his eyes for a second, then closed her eyes and moved in close. Tom enjoyed the alluring vision of a pretty woman waiting for her kiss, then granted her boon, softly touching their lips together. He felt her respond, opening her mouth to accept his tongue. She moaned softly and pressed her body against his. Tom could feel her hard nipples on his chest, certain she could feel his erection against her lower belly. He found out she could as she ground softly against him. She stopped the kiss and rested her forehead against his shoulder for a minute before pushing herself away. Cari gave him a push, "Go. Have dinner. I'll see you after." She helped Tom take the meals upstairs, then left to do more housework. After eating her own dinner she did another load of laundry, cleaned the downstairs bathroom, and dusted the rec room, she was done for the day. Tom found her downstairs, preparing his and May's lunches for tomorrow. He walked up behind her again and kissed her neck. "I can't thank you enough, Cari. You do so much more than simply help out around here." His hands wrapped around her and held her stomach, pulling her to him. Cari stopped what she was doing and clasped her hands over his, leaning back against him. "Tom, I care deeply for you and MayBelle. You are more like family to me than my own family is sometimes. I just want to make things easier for you two, so you don't have to deal with the daily, mundane shit." Tom's hands lowered to her hips, pulling her back to him. "I'm really starting to look at you differently though, Cari." Tom could feel Cari's bottom against his erection. "Mmm, and I'm thinking the same way, Tom." Cari admitted. "Sit down and have another tea while I finish this." She ground her ass against his hardness, feeling a thrill go through herself. "We can go sit in the rec room after." Tom poured himself another cup from the pot and they talked about May's day. When Cari was finished cleaning up she took Tom's teacup and dumped it out. With a kiss she took his hands and led him into the rec room, sitting him down in the La-Z-Boy. She put some music on the radio, a satellite station with 80's rock, and started swaying in front of Tom. As she danced she caressed herself, running her hands up and down her body. After a few minutes of that she slowly removed her top and showed Tom the lacey bra she had put on. She danced over to him and bent over him. "Do you like these, Tom?" "I sure do," Tom asserted. "They are quite lovely." Cari bent over and rubbed her breasts in his face, softly. She felt his tongue reach out and lick underneath the boundary of her bra. "Tom." Cari's voice sounded strained. "Lick my boobies. Please?" Tom pulled one cup down and laved her breast, slowly zeroing in on her nipple. He could hear her breathing get deeper the closer he got and when he closed his lips over her little nub and sucked, she moaned. Cari stood back up and resumed her dancing. Her eyes were smoldering as she spun around and swiveled her hips in a figure eight pattern, all the while undoing her bra. She pulled the bra off and threw it over her shoulder, back at Tom. Tom caught the bra and brought it to his nose, inhaling Cari's scent, still staring at her backside. He let his eyes roam up and admired the muscles rippling under Cari's skin. She turned around abruptly and squeezed her breasts together to make her cleavage appear larger, then she leaned forward to give Tom access again. Tom's lips closed on a nipple and sucked while his hand reached for her other breast to stroke it. He stroked, pinched, tugged, and squeezed, then switched breasts. She was going wild. Cari stood back up and stared in Tom's eyes as she slowly shimmied her hips and lowered her tight jeans. She could feel the cooler air on the wetness of her panties, and she reveled in the thought of showing Tom how excited she was. With her pants around her ankles she ran a finger up her slit, pressing the cotton into herself, then brought her fingers to her lips to lick them dry. She repeated the action, moaning softly, except she brought her finger to Tom's lips. When he avidly sucked her finger clean, almost fellating it, she dropped to her knees in front of him. She groaned impatiently trying to get his pants undone without much success. "Fuck, I need more practice at this." Cari said as she sat back, Tom quickly finishing her task for her. She grabbed his pants and underwear, so when he lifted up she pulled them both straight down to his knees. She almost growled when she saw his cock, rigid and tall. She pushed Tom over so he was laying on his side, and she gazed at his cock. She'd never seen anything so beautiful. It was about 5 ½ inches long, with a slight upward curve near the base. Dark brown with a purplish head, veins running up the sides, it seemed to be pulsing with his heartbeat. She took it in her hand and marveled at the contrast. Her delicate white hand grasping this rampant, dark symbol of masculinity. She stroked it up and down a little, feeling the hardness within. She was fascinated, the way the sheath of his skin moved with her hand over the granite core. She could see him leaking from the tip so she leaned over and stuck her tongue out. Tom was enthralled the way her tiny pink tongue looked, the tip reaching out to his dark member. She lapped up the glistening liquid and swirled her tongue around the head, as if trying to tease more out. It was cute, the way she was playing with him. It was almost like this was he first time she'd ever explored a man thoroughly. She sucked the head into her mouth, causing Tom to hiss. "Ohhh yes, baby. That's it. Feels good." Tom praised her efforts. She looked into his eyes as she slowly lowered her mouth down his shaft. Tom reached out and tenderly stroked her jaw line and cheek as she sucked him, her head slowly bobbing up and down. She applied more lip tension on the upstroke and she could feel him approaching his critical point. She relaxed her mouth and slowed down, relieving his tension a bit. "You like?" Cari asked him, smiling as she slowly stroked him. "I do. You are a natural at this." "I wanna try something else." she continued. "Whatever you desire, little one." Cari stood up and resumed dancing. She turned around as she swayed back and forth, hooked her fingers into her panties, and slowly worked them over her hips. When she got her panties below her butt she bent at the waist and pushed her panties down her legs. She heard Tom groan and when she looked back at him through her spread legs she was just in time to see him on his knees as his hands grabbed her ass cheeks. Cari put a hand on the floor to steady herself, because the feeling of his tongue probing her butt hole was almost enough to knock her over. She moaned as his tongue speared into her puckered orifice then licked over it from top to bottom. Tom continued his oral assault by licking her pussy too. It put his neck at an awkward angle, but he was able to reach his tongue into her hole and savour her juices. He switched back to her anus and licked that for a few minutes while probing her pussy with his fingers. "Tom?" he heard her quavering voice. "Mmhmm?" "Can you...ohhh. Can you put it in?" "Put what in, dear one?" "Oh, God Tom! I want your cock in me. Please?" Her voice had turned into a whine, and her ass was pushing back at him insistently. "Do you have a condom?" Tom stood up and rubbed his cock along her slit, getting the head wet. "I'm on the pill, and you're my first. Just.... just do it!" "OK, are you ready, sweetness?" He poised his cock at her entrance, the plum coloured head probing her wetness. In response, Cari pushed backwards taking Tom's rigid cock about an inch into her slithy snatch. "Oh, Tom!" she cried out. "It feels so good. Oh!" Tom took hold of her hips, sliding his hands over her sexy back first. He pulled out and rubbed his dick up and down her pussy, gathering more moisture for the assault. Expecting resistance he went slow, but he encountered none. The only thing he felt was the amazing feeling of her tight pussy clutching his dick, the tightness being trumped by her slick juices. Finally he looked down and saw the curves of her ass tight up against his abdomen. Those same curves framed his dick as he withdrew, her glistening juices coating the shaft. "Oh, fuck! Cumming!" Tom exclaimed, slamming his cock in and unloading his sperm inside Cari. His body shook with the sensation as he clutched her to him, feeling her pussy milking him. Cari shook with pleasure. True, a lot of it was emotional, feeling a man she cared deeply about losing control and depositing his seed inside her. But the physical was gratifying too, the way his cock jumped and bucked with it's release. The feeling of his hands clawing at her hips desperately. "God, Cari. I'm so sorry. I couldn't help..." Her finger on his lips silenced him. She stayed bent over for a second, enjoying the feeling of fullness, then she stood and wrapped her arms around him. "Tom. It's OK. I understand. That was the most beautiful feeling in my life. The fact that I could cause that response in you made me feel so beautiful." She laid her head on his shoulder and hugged him tight. "Thank you." she whispered. "Thank you, my little one. You made an old man feel young again." Cari leaned back and looked in his face. "You are NOT an old man." She emphasized. "And judging by what I feel poking between my legs, you might be able to prove it to me again." Cari's face grew somber for a minute. "You know, Tom." She reached up and stroked his face. "I wasn't exactly truthful when I said I was a virgin." "That's OK, honey. I wouldn't expect you to be." "No. I've never willingly had a man inside me. When I was a high school senior I was raped, by a man from church. Until you, I've never been really close to any man. Never trusted anyone to get this close." Cari was teary eyed as she stroked Tom's face, peering deeply into his eyes. "Thank you, my prince, for showing me how great it can be." Tom struggled to control his emotions. He was furious for the wrong that was done to her, yet thankful that he'd had the opportunity to be with Cari. He bent over and kissed her deeply as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He could feel his suddenly resurgent erection teasing at Cari's cleft, and when his hips flexed of their own accord and she felt his dick, she raised one leg and put it behind Tom, drawing him towards her again. "Dad! You there?" Cari and Tom looked at each other in shock. What was Ariel doing here at this time of night? Cari dropped her leg. "Go! Fruit cellar!" Cari hissed. Tom scooped up his clothes and rushed through his workshop to the fruit cellar. He closed the door behind him and stood, buck naked, ass against the rough timber of the door. Cari had pulled her panties and top on and was unfurling the blanket when Ariel came down the steps. She faced Ariel and held the blanket up to her chest. Seizing the bull by the horns she asked hesitantly. "Are you alone?" "Yes, I'm alone. Where's Dad? What are you doing?" "Good. I was afraid your boyfriend was with you." She dropped the blanket and started arranging it on the couch, seeming oblivious to the fact she was just wearing her panties down below. Ariel gaped at her astounded. "Umm, I dropped him, tonight actually. We had a huge fight in a restaurant. Big asshole. Huge." Ariel twirled a hair with her fingers, nervously. "Umm, why are you standing in Dad's rec room just wearing your panties? Where's Dad?" She looked around as if to bring him out of hiding. "He's not here. C'mon, sit down." Cari patted the chair beside the couch she was on. "That's why I'm sleeping over. I sleep nude, at home. I figured I'd leave my panties and shirt on, here." She laughed disarmingly. Ariel still looked a little skeptical, but she came into the room and dropped her oversize purse on the end table and took off her jacket. "Your Dad's gone out, just for a beer and some darts. Some guy named Bill, Biff, something." Cari got up and went to the beer fridge. "You want something?" she asked Ariel, nodding at the fridge. "Yeah. That fucker pissed me off so much." She took a swig of the cooler Cari handed her. "He wanted me to set up a threesome with my girlfriend, Amy." "You didn't want to?" "I might have." Ariel admitted. "But he went on and on about her tits. OK, I get it. Mine aren't that big. But he actually said hers are better than mine. I mean, what the fuck is that?" She took another swig and looked at her suddenly empty bottle. "And it's not the first time he's said something deprecatory about my body." Cari got up to get her another cooler, but when she bent over at the fridge she could suddenly feel the cool air on her wet panties. She looked back between her legs and saw Ariel looking at her wetness. "Shit." She said as she sat down. "Not even gonna ask, girl." Ariel put her hand up as if to stop Cari's explanation. "No!" Cari said. "It's not what you think." "I don't know what to think, Cari." Ariel looked at her suspiciously. "I had a hook up before I came here. Friends with benefits kind of thing, and I was just sitting here daydreaming about him when you started down the stairs." Cari looked down embarrassed. "Hah! That's OK, girl. I flicked my bean many times on that couch. With our bedrooms so close together in our last house I had no privacy, so I'd go down to the rec room after everyone was asleep and do myself. Sometimes I do that here when I stayed over." Cari looked up in amazement at Ariel's admission. They'd been very friendly, but never really close. "In fact," Ariel looked around. "Would you like to do it, here?" Cari almost fell over. "You mean have sex with you? Here?" "Well, no. Not sex, just, you know jill-off. Masturbate." "I don't know, Ariel. We don't really know each other that well. What if your Dad..." "He won't be home for ages. When he goes out for darts, he tends to lose track of time." Ariel stood up and removed her sweater. Her breasts where encased in a lacey royal blue bra with red trim. She slowly eased her slacks down while watching Cari's face. Cari was transfixed. What was it with this family, that they seemed to want to have sex around her? And Ariel was beautiful, to boot. Her skin wasn't as dark as her Dad's, but she was just as well built. Clean limbed with fine facial features, her beauty was almost ethereal. Cari couldn't help herself as her vision was drawn to the royal blue, high cut panties Ariel was wearing. There was a dark spot at her crotch and Cari felt a tingle of arousal knowing she was going to see another girls delicates for the first time in years. Ariel took her bra off, massaging the ache of confinement out of them. She wasn't large, maybe a B cup, but they looked plenty big on her athletic body. She let out a moan as she walked over to the couch and sat on the end, her back against the armrest facing Cari. "Well?" Ariel asked. "I hope you're going to join me or I'm really gonna feel like an ass." She started stroking the outer edges of her breasts, soft, long strokes with just her finger tips. "I'm not sure about this, Ariel." Despite her protestations Cari removed her top. "Mmm, you look beautiful. You're so cute. I can see why Dad likes having you around. I think he has a crush on you." Ariel's hands separated, one focusing on her breasts, cupping them and teasing the nipples. Her other hand meandered down to her panties, feather light touches on her bare skin. Cari was trying to resist but her hands, which had been gripping her legs, started moving of their own accord. Soft caresses as she watched the beautiful black girl sitting across from her. Cari moved so she was mirroring Ariel's position with one leg along the bottom of the seat back and the other foot on the floor. She stroked a thigh with one hand while her other squeezed her nipples, hard. She might have declined Ariel's advances if she hadn't been so aroused from her intercourse, and then near repeat, with Tom. "Do you like my boobs?" Ariel asked in a husky voice. "They're almost like yours." Ariel had been stroking herself outside the panties. She moved her hand to the hollow between her thigh and her groin, stroking it with her finger nail. She pinched her nipple with her other hand, eliciting a groan. "Do you like them, Cari?" "Ohh, yes. They're beautiful." "So are yours." Ariel slipped a finger under the leg elastic of her panties. She tensed as her finger came in contact with her pussy lips. Stroking her pussy up and down, she asked, "Would you... would you like to touch them Cari." A hiss escaped her lips as a finger dipped inside herself. She pulled her finger out and licked the wetness she'd gathered. Now it was Cari's turn to groan as she imagined tasting Ariel's finger. "Umm, what?" "I asked," Ariel flicked her nipples and moaned again. "if you'd like to touch my nipples." Cari's heart hammered in her chest. Her erstwhile lover was hiding in a cold room while his daughter was making a move on her. But she was consumed by lust, a fire kindled by the aforementioned lover, then stoked by the vixen in front of her. She got up on her knees and leaned forward, reaching for Ariel's chocolate colored mounds, caressing them softly. Cari watched the response in Ariel's eyes, her sudden squint then her sharp breath. In return Ariel pulled her finger from her pussy and held it under Cari's nose. She gasped again as Cari enveloped that finger with her mouth and sucked the juice off. Ariel felt her pussy clench in response. Cari leaned over, bringing her face closer and closer to Ariel's, waiting to see if Ariel would flinch. With their eyes locked Cari touched her lips to Ariel's. She could taste the alcohol on her breath, along with a hint of Caesar salad. Cari flicked her tongue out and caressed Ariel's lip, feeling the shape and texture. Almost like her dad's. An Uncommon Love Ch. 02 Carielle got up and went to the bathroom. It was 04:30 and everyone else in the house was still asleep. She wore only her panties, getting a thrill out of walking almost nude in the house where her parents Lew and Annette Sal Vitre held court for the neighbourhood, with their strict moral code. The same distorted moral code that kept them from reporting a rapist when she was in her senior year in high school, because Lew and Annette had been convinced Carielle had led the guy on. Cari, as everyone except her father called her, grabbed a cigarette from her mother's purse and stepped outside onto the patio. Not many were up this early in the morning, except a few birds and furry animals. And Mr. Rafferty, next door. She walked toward the gate in the stone fence. It connected with Mr. Rafferty's yard. "Good morning, Tom." She called out. She didn't really call out. She talked in dulcet tones, but the still air allowed her voice to travel. "Good morning, Miss Cari. Sleep well?" She opened the gate and moved through. "I did indeed, Tom I seem to be sleeping rather well since you retired." Tom was a good influence on her. Despite his rather lowly stature as a simple gardener, he was highly self educated. He always spoke well, with dignity and grace, even when he was perturbed. He'd admonished her slightly, several times, and was trying to emphasize the benefits of ladylike behaviour when in public. "How is Mrs. Rafferty this morning?" Cari asked. Tom was taking care of his wife who was invalided. She wasn't awake a lot of the time, and when she was she was in a lot of pain. "She had a restless night. When she was awake she was more concerned with how I'll manage after she's gone." "Did you tell her?" Cari asked as she reached his side, where he was staring out over the valley behind their houses. His arm slipped round her waist, his coal black skin startling against her pale white. Her arms slipped around his hips, hugging herself to him. "I did. She's... skeptical." "I don't blame her. I would be too. I won't abandon you after she's gone." She sighed deeply as his hand stroked her skin, and rose up to touch the underside of her breast. "We should hurry. I want to get back to Maybelle." "Of course, Tom." Cari smiled, anticipating her pleasure. "I've been waiting all night." With no further pleasantries, she leaned over the garden bench and Tom pulled her panties to the side and used a finger to gauge her readiness. She hissed as she felt his finger enter her and hung her head down. Tom lined his uncircumcised penis up and stroked it in slowly, gaining half an inch each stroke.. She could feel him staring at her pert ass, panties askew, as he steadily plunged in and out. He wasn't long, as the urban legends said he should be, but he was more than adequate, and thick too. Cari urged him on knowing he wanted to go back to his wife. "Hurry Tom, fill me. I came on my fingers this morning, thinking of you. All I need is your seed." Tom quickened his pace and Cari could feel him getting close. His strong legs were trembling against her thighs as his climax approached. "Oh! Oh, Cari!" Cari pushed him back and turned around to face him. She put one foot up on the seat back as he stepped between her thighs. Looking into is eyes she groaned loudly as he took her again. "I.... .I know you don't, ungh, like me to, unh, ah, say it. Ooohh, but I love you Tom." She stroked his cheek as he unloaded his sperm inside her. Tom kissed her passionately, after which he stepped back and rearranged his clothing. Cari simply adjusted her panties and said, "Give my love to Maybelle." "I will. You'll be over to visit her later?" "Yes. After church." "OK, and Cari?" She turned to face him after somewhat indelicately rearranging her panties. "I love you, too." She gave him a quick, bright, smile and hurried back to her yard. In truth she hadn't cum yet, so she wanted to get back to bed to finish the task, and maybe get some sleep before the family woke up. "How are you today, MayBelle." Cari asked as she fluffed May's bed clothes. "Mmm, OK, I guess." MayBelle was rapidly going downhill. She wasn't lucid much anymore. "Can I get you anything?" "Water." "OK, dear. Be right back." Cari came back a few minutes later. "Here you go, May." "Bless you, child." May croaked. Her voice was hoarse from dryness. "Is everything OK with Tom?" "He's fine, May." Cari positioned herself, gently holding May's hand, the one with an I.V. tube in it. A nurse came in once a day to check on her, and make notes or equipment adjustments. "Don't make me talk, girl. I want more than that." "OK." Cari sighed. She thought for a minute. "Tom's upset. He's gonna miss you terribly. I think he loves me, and I think he feels guilty about it, with you in your condition. Then my Dad had words with him the other night, about Tom taking advantage of me. I was so afraid they were gonna fight." "I think you should invite your Mom over here, for tea. That way she can see the three of us, together." "Good idea, May. When would you like? I think tomorrow, in the morning. It's a Saturday." "That's good, dear." May was just squeaking the words out, now. "Do you think it's a good idea if I have Mary over, to help?" May looked at her sharply. Mary had cooled off quite a bit with Cari when Cari's relationship with her father came out. Ariel knew about the relationship, but acted as if she were indifferent. In fact she thought it wasn't a bad thing. Clifford didn't know. May had tried to mediate, but Mary thought May was being delusional. Mary and Cari were friendly, but not friends any more. May thought for a minute, then nodded. "OK, May. You rest now." She put a button in May's hand. "If you need anything, you call, OK?" Cari put a load of laundry in the wash, then sat at the desk in the spare bedroom, staring at the phone. She knew Mary would be home, because her summer class didn't start 'til after lunch. She picked up the phone and dialed, hesitating before pushing the last number. "Hello?" Cari heard Mary's anxious voice. As had become custom, Cari's response was quick and automatic. "Everything's fine, Mary." People tended to expect the worst when getting calls from the house. Cari heard Mary exhale. "Good. I always worry." "I know. I do need a favour though. It's kind of a touchy subject." "There seems to be a few of those around. What can I do for you." "Well..." Cari wasn't sure how receptive Mary would be. "I was talking to your Mom about... the problem with our Dad's." "What problem, Cari? I've no idea what you mean." She wasn't gonna make this easy. "Well, you know. My Dad thinks your Dad is taking advantage of me. And your Dad has feelings for me, so he feels he should defend me. They almost got into a fight the other day." "Oh, that problem. The one where you're sleeping with a man older than your Dad. A married man. In his wife's house. And his children won't talk to you?" "Umm, yeah." Cari didn't think it would be helpful to point out that only Mary had a problem, aside from Clifford's ignorance.. "Well, what did Mom say?" "She, umm suggested that I have my mom come over for tea, tomorrow. She suggested I ask you for help." "She did? Mom wants me there?" Married sounded a little surprised at that. Cari flared at that, "Jesus, Mary. Just because she's mad at you doesn't mean she doesn't want you around. She misses you." "OK. What do you want?" "OK, your mom gets up at 10 or so. She's gonna want to look nice, so she'll want a sponge bath, her hair washed and combed, you know. But I'm not sure exactly what time, and she's not awake for long anymore. I figured I'd have my mom come early and we could, you know, chill, then when your mom wakes, you could get her ready. Actually, I'll give her a bath around 6, when she first gets up. Then you just have to make her up." "Do you want me to help, in the morning?" Cari could hear the need in her voice. "Mary, you can if you want. But I'm not sure you want to see your Mom like this. She's pretty sick, and not like you remember her." Mary hesitated. "OK. I'll be there at 5:30. The next day at 8:30 Mary and Cari were sitting there drinking tea when Tom walked in, wearing a bathrobe. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise." he said, bending down to kiss Mary's cheek. Then he gave Cari a kiss on the lips and sat down. "So what brings you here so early, Mary? Not that I'm not glad to see you. I am." "I'm here to help Mom get ready for tea with Mrs. Sal Vitre." "Hmm, I see." Tom asked Mary, "How is Mom this morning?" Mary blanched. "She's rough, Dad. I never imagined." "I know sweetheart. I don't even see her first thing any more. Cari won't let me see her until she gets her up in the morning. I take it she's asleep already?" "Yeah. The bath exhausted her." Mary acknowledged. "Dad, I still think it's a bit weird. You know, you and Cari. But I saw the way Cari and Mom were together this morning and I know Cari has nothing but love for her. So... You guys do... be... whatever. I'll just have to get used to it." Tom just nodded at her. They all sat for a minute without saying anything, then Cari got up. "Well, I'm going for a shower. Mom'll be here in a while." She leaned over and kissed Tom again, and fondly touched Mary's shoulder as she left. "So Dad," Mary continued after Cari left. "Mom's still OK with this?" Tom looked at his hands for a minute. "She's fine with it. I'm having problems though." Mary was confused, now. "What's the problem. You guys seem... close." "Well, I'm doubting. I believe we love each other. But I'm an old fool and she was available, and now I'm not sure. Plus I feel guilty you know, because of Mom." "Dad, stop. I can't believe I'm sitting here defending this." Mary shook her head ruefully. "Dad, I saw the way she was with Mom. She's smart, she's sweet, and she treats Mom with love and respect. And Mom knows what's going on. In her own house." "Actually, not in the house." Tom asserted. "We both thought it would be wrong. Sometimes we sleep together, but we don't get intimate here, except for our first time." "I'm surprised, Dad. Good for you. So, she any good? I heard she's quite, ummm, experienced." "I don't know who told you that, but they were wrong. She was innocent, until I was with her." "Oh, really? I don't think it matters, but that's not what I heard." "From whom? If she wasn't innocent she's the best actress I've ever seen." "Tracy Banks. They were friends years ago and according to Tracy, Cari seduced her Dad." "Hmm, I doubt it. But I'm not certain. We can discuss it later." Mary and Tom continued talking, catching up, until Cari walked back in shortly after nine. She gave Tom a kiss again and he returned it with a little tongue. Surprised Cari sat down looking warily at Mary, who just smiled. "Cari, Mary was telling me she ran into an old friend of yours." Smiling, Cari asked Mary, "Who was it?" "Tracy Banks." Mary said. "She's in my summer class." "She was a friend." Cari replied, stonily. Her face and demeanor quickly assumed an uncharacteristic stiffness. "What happened?" Mary asked. "You know." Cari said, talking to Tom. She crossed her arms around her waist. Tom looked at her, getting it now. "Him?" "Yes" Cari said, tersely. Wordlessly she grabbed a smoke off the counter and went outside. Mary looked at her Dad and his rage was unmistakable. "Well, she wasn't quite innocent." He said to Mary. "When she was younger she was assaulted. I guess he was the one. She already told me about it." "Oh my God, Dad! I had no idea!" "That's OK. Can you go calm her down before her mother gets here. She's been going to therapy to deal with it. But it's a struggle." Mary rushed out to the patio. "I'm so sorry, Cari." Mary stepped onto the back deck. Cari was facing away, but gave a perfunctory wave of her hand. "I had to believe Tracy, Cari." "Oh really? And why is that?" Cari turned on Mary. "'Cause you think I'm gonna steal your Dad's money?" "No, Cari! Well, maybe at first. But, Tracy's my girlfriend." "So. We were friends, but you wouldn't believe me." "Tracy's my girlfriend, girlfriend. You know?" Cari looked at Mary, astounded. She had no idea? "Does your Dad know?" "Are you kidding? He'd freak." Cari looked at her and chuckled, "You'd be surprised. He's seriously banging a skinny white chick, younger than his daughters, with his wife's permission, and you don't think he's open minded?" "OK, maybe. I just didn't want to burden him and Mom about it." "I won't say anything." Cari said, smiling before her face resumed it's tormented visage. She was quiet for a minute, looking at Mary as if trying to decide something. "Mr. Banks, Tracy's dad." Cari began. "Yes?" Mary stepped closer and stroked Cari's arms, as if she could ease her pain as she talked "He raped me. Raped me! And he blamed me when we got caught. Said I seduced him. Forced him. He said I threatened to tell everyone we had sex if he didn't fuck me." Cari shuddered as she continued. Her voice more strident than usual. "And ten years later I'm still paying for something he did. And nobody believed me!" Mary stood there, her hands on Cari's shoulder. After several minutes Cari calmed down enough to talk again. "That's the first time I've actually said it out loud, what happened. I've talked to Tom, your dad and a therapist in a roundabout way. But I've never said what all happened, since then. God did that hurt." Cari went on to explain the details of what had happened and how it had been dealt with, and ignored. Annette Sal Vitre inadvertently picked that moment to walk through the garden gate. She walked up to the girls, "Mary." She nodded, "Carrielle. How are you? "We're fine, Annette." Mary's voice was dripping with poison, no sign of respect. "We were just discussing Mr. Banks. You remember him?" Annette looked like she'd been slapped. "Why don't you come in?" Mary continued. "Is that OK, Cari?" Mary asked, clearly deferring to her. "Yeah, mom." Cari gestured "Come inside." Mary continued, "I'll go check on Mom." Cari and Annette sat in the rec room while Mary went to check on her mother. May wasn't awake yet, but she was awakened by Mary's entrance. Mary gave her a hug and started fixing her hair and touching up her makeup. May didn't talk much, saving her energy and her voice. May's room was the master bedroom, with all the regular furniture removed. The double bed had been replaced with a hospital bed, a cabinet with medical supplies, and a small coffee table between some chairs for visitors. The love seat had been replaced by a day bed where Tom still slept on occasion. Tom joined Annette and Cari in the rec room. He sat with Cari on the couch with his hand on her knee, clearly stating he wasn't hiding anything. Cari drew comfort and strength from his hand, and caressed it softly. Annette was struck by how familiar their gestures were, like an old married couple. She couldn't help but notice the juxtaposition of their hands, the markedly different age and skin colour. They chatted about various things and Cari served coffee, tea, and biscuits. Half an hour later Mary came down to collect them. They all trooped up to the bedroom where Tom sat on the bed with MayBelle while Mary and Cari sat on the daybed. Annette sat in a chair facing May, directly. "Hello Annette, how're you doin?" asked May, hoarsely. "I'm fine, May. I wish you were doing better." "It is what it is." she sighed. "And how's your family? I understand Mr. Sal Vitre is under a lot of stress." "He is, May. Please excuse him. He's having a hard time accepting the situation. Because it's his daughter, and because of Tom's age, and because Tom's married, please forgive me, to a dying woman." "Those are all understandable reasons, Annette. But Cari is an adult. She's been such a help to us that we have all become really close. I think because of that, I felt comfortable encouraging Tom and Cari in developing a relationship." "But May! He's your husband. What about that?" "Please Annette, let me finish. I don't have much energy any more." May gathered her thoughts for a minute. "Tom is my husband. And, not that it's anyone else's business, but we haven't been able to be intimate for over three years. A man has needs, beyond the simple release. I couldn't meet those needs, we both adore Cari, and I like to think she adores us. Things come simpler to me, as a dying person. I see things in black and white, excuse the pun. To me, it made sense. " "OK, May." Annette responded, "I see your points. But, I'll tell you my concerns, mine and Law's. Cari is only 22." Cari made a move to protest but Tom restrained her. With a conciliatory glance at Cari, Annette continued, "And we're concerned she doesn't have the experience to make a decision like this. On one hand we're afraid she may be subconsciously taking advantage of Tom, because of his grief. And on the other hand, we're afraid Tom may be doing the same to her, because of his grief. And honestly, we're worried for her because of the racial issue." This time Mary started to protest, but Tom stopped her. "Sit down, girl. Let Annette finish." Again Annette continued, "We can't even begin to know what you have to deal with. If Cari gets really involved with Tom, she'll be subjected to that and more. And we don't want to see her go through that for something that may be transient." This time Cari spoke. "Mom, there is no 'Tom and I'. We are special friends, helping each other out. If something even more special develops well, I've certainly seen enough of people's reactions to know what I'm getting into. And if not, it has been a wonderful experience that I'll cherish forever. And, just to set the record straight with Mary and the others, I have no designs on your Dad's property, his money, or his time with you guys. All I want is his friendship." Then she giggled. "Well, that's not all I want." "Carielle!" Annette said. "Look mom. I'm a good girl. I don't do drugs, I do well in school. I was almost a virgin until a few months ago. You know I'm not prone to being promiscuous. Can't you just accept this for what it is? Two adults in a loving relationship." "Oh Cari." Annette sighed. "All I want is for you to be happy. Understand, your Dad and I are just worried." "OK, Mom, apology accepted. Does that mean I can visit at home now?" "It does, Sweetie. I'll deal with your father." Annette faced Tom and May. "What can I say? I'm sorry, truly sorry. Thank you for having me over to reassure me." Annette said her goodbyes and Mary and Carielle walked her to the door. After she left Mary and Cari sat down in the kitchen, leaving Tom to stay with May as long as she was awake. "I'm sorry for asking this, Cari. But isn't it weird having sex with a guy as old as my Dad?" Cari laughed. "I meant what I said up there. I was a virgin until I was with your Dad. Well, not technically, since I was raped when I was eighteen, but I'd never had anyone make love to me, or treat me as nice as your Dad." "Another question? I'm curious. Was it because he's black?" Cari looked at her wordlessly for a minute. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Mary was clearly embarrassed. "No, that's OK." Cari reassured her with a hand on her forearm. "I have thought about it. I don't think so. I haven't known many black people, but I've never been near as close with anybody as I am with your family. So it was... different for me when I first started helping your parents. But by the time your Dad and I hooked up, he was just a guy that I cared deeply for. Not a black guy. Not an older guy." An Uncommon Love Ch. 02 Mary grasped Cari's hand, "Where did you first do it?" she asked. "We've only done anything sexual in the backyard, on the bench. Never in my parents house and, well, we did do it once in here, but not since the beginning." Cari responded. She was starting to feel a little strange at Mary's touch. Cari continued, "The first time we did it, was down in your basement. But since then, never in here. "It sounds so romantic, exciting. Weren't you afraid of anybody seeing you?" "You know how your Dad likes to get up in the morning and watch the sun come up?" "Yeah!" "Well, I'd meet him out there and we'd talk, most mornings. But some mornings we'd fool around." "So you fucked, right out in the open? That's hot! I'd love to see that." "Mary!" Cari exclaimed. "What? I used to watch my parents all the time, when I was young. That's how I learned everything I know." Mary's hand was brushing Cari's arm now, from her wrist to her elbow. "How much could you know, Carpet Muncher?" Cari laughed. "Well, before I turned to the dark side, I had some boyfriends. I suck a mean dick, that I know." "So what made you change teams?" "One too many jerks, maybe? I've had girl crushes all my life though, then when I split from my last boyfriend I decided I'd had enough of men, for a while. I met Tracy, my girlfriend, and we've been exclusive for 8 months now." "Wow. Good for you. I guess I shouldn't hold it against Tracy. But she spread the word at school, about me supposedly screwing her Dad. I guess I was lucky to find your Dad. He's a gem." "Yeah, he is." Agreed Mary. "That's another reason I quit men. It sounds hokey, but I kept comparing all the guys to Dad, and they fell short." "That's not really fair, Mary." Cari was getting a little disconcerted with Mary's stroking. Those stroking fingertips were turning her on and Cari was looking at Mary in a way she never had before. Her smooth complexion, the rich milk chocolaty colour of her skin. Her thick, shapely lips. So like her Dad's, but feminized. "You know, Cari. I see what Dad sees in you. You're an angel. Helping people, thinking the best all the time, looking for the bright side. Plus you are sexy as hell. Your clear skin. Your beautiful, honest face. If Dad wasn't dating you..." Cari blushed. She was getting nervous under Mary's intense gaze, and she wasn't sure why. Mary took her hand, massaging Cari's fingers. Mary could feel her body responding to Mary. Flustered, she pulled her hand back. "Umm, Just a second. I have to go check something." Cari quickly got up and left. She walked out the back door and into the yard, unsure of what she was doing, so she walked around taking deep breaths. When she looked up and saw Mary watching her she went into the driving shed, as if to get something. She just stood there, looking out the rear window, her arms crossed on her belly again, deep in thought. She felt soft arms slide under hers and a soft pair of lips touch her ear just as two soft breasts touched her back. "I'm sorry if I've disturbed you, Cari. But all of a sudden I find you so damn sexy." Mary nibbled on Cari's ear as she spoke. "Any time you want, I'd be willing to school you in women." Mary brought her hands down and caressed the front of Cari's hips, stroking her lightly from her groin to waist. Cari responded by leaning back against Mary for support and moaning. Gathering herself, Cari spun around and kissed Mary lightly on the lips and licked a bit with her tongue. Looking deep into Mary's eyes she said, "If I ever decide to try that, you will be first on my list." Then she left, fleeing back into the house. Mary stood there with a grin on her face, licking her lips in wonderment. She followed Cari back to the house where Cari had started making lunch. Sharing only glances, the two girls got lunch ready. Cari said, "I'll go get your Dad." and went up to the master bedroom. Tom was sitting there reading out loud to May, but when Cari went in she could tell May was asleep. "Honey, she's sleeping." Cari bent down to give her lover a lick on the ear. "Do you want us to bring lunch up, or are you gonna come down?" "I'll come down." He stood up and sighed heavily. "I'm worried, Cari. I know she's leaving us. And every day she gets a little bit worse." Tom broke down a bit, weeping in his despair. Cari put her arms around him, letting him relieve some stress, without saying anything. His episode was brief, so he gave her a kiss as he stood up. He look closer, into her eyes, and gave her another deeper kiss. "Thank you, for being here with us. With me." "You're welcome, Tom. And thank you for allowing me to be near. I owe you both so much and I love you both." Cari and Tom went downstairs to join Mary for lunch. Cari was quiet throughout lunch, so Mary offered to take her shopping. Afterwards Mary waited in her car for Cari and Tom sat on the bed watching her change to go out. "You take it easy this afternoon." Tom said. "Have fun." "I think I will. I should be watching out for you guys, and here you are taking care of me." Tom stood and took her in his arms. "That's how it is in this family, Cari. We all take care of each other." Cari looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I love you Tom." Tom smiled at her, "I love you too, Cari. Watch out for Mary when you're out. I think she's got a little thing for you." "What do you mean, a thing for me?" Cari asked, hiding her astonishment. She didn't think Tom had had a clue about Mary's persuasion. Tom laughed. "I think she has a thing for you, like I have a thing for you. Except hers is an innie." "Tom!" Cari slapped his shoulder, laughing. "What makes you say that?" "Well, sugar. I think she was more pissed at you because she couldn't have you, than she was because we're together. Now, you can do whatever you want. I mean it. I just wanted to give you a heads up." "OK. I'll keep my eyes open." Cari went out and hopped into Mary's Mazda3. Mary peeled out and headed to the local mall. As they walked through the main door, Mary took Cari's arm and directed her into a lingerie store. "Let me buy you a little somethin, girl. You've been so nice to us all, so helpful. Mom and Dad are so... peaceful because of you. And I wanna apologize for being a bitch before." "No, Mary. I get as much from you guys as I give. Maybe more. And I don't blame you for not trusting me, especially after what Tracy told you." "Hmm, I'll have a talk with her when I get home." Mary's voice was grim. "/See what she really remembers, or just think she remembers." Mary stopped and held Cari's shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Let me buy you something. Just a little thing." "OK. But not a lot." Cari was embarrassed by Mary's attention. They went Into the store and started flipping through racks. "What would you like, Cari?" "I don't know. Maybe a nice bra and panty set. What colour do you think I should get?" "I'm partial to brilliant colours, but you may want to stick to darks, or pastels. Say, foam green, dark green, red, black, pink. Stuff like that." Mary and Cari walked around the store picking out some outfits, then Cari went back to the change room. Mary sat outside waiting for her. After Cari had decided on her favourites, she stuck her head out. "Psst! Mary!" she hissed. When Mary looked up she continued, "I need help deciding." Then she ducked her head back in. Cari knew she was playing with fire, but she was really enjoying the feeling of power Tom had awakened, knowing people want her. Mary tapped on the door and when Cari opened it she looked around quickly, then darted in. Mary stood looking at Cari in her red boy shorts and matching lacy bra. "I don't know if this is a good idea, Cari." "Why not?" Cari looked at her with a little grin. "You're paying, so you should decide." "Because... I." Then it hit Mary. Cari was teasing her. "OK." Mary assumed the role of a critic. "I like these." She walked around Cari, admiring the view. She traced a finger under the lace at each of Cari's tight buttocks. "But you're much too light skinned. Try something else." Mary sat on the bench while Cari changed. The change room was large enough for two people, but not overly large. Cari looked into Mary's face while she removed the bra and watched Mary struggle to keep her eyes locked. She faced away from Mary when she lowered the boy shorts, allowing Mary's eyes to wander where they may. The panties she had underneath stuck to the shorts and came down under her ass cheeks when she dropped the shorts. She bent over at the waist allowing Mary a glimpse at her dewy pussy lips. Cari quickly stood back up when she heard Mary gasp, then nonchalantly pulled on another outfit. This time it was a pair of high cut panties in a pastel orange with a matching bra and a thin band of lace trim on it. When Cari turned around, Mary burst out laughing, muffling the sound with a hand in front of her mouth. "What?" Cari asked, giggling, with her hands on her cocked hips. She knew the cause; the high cut orange panties, along with her plain white regular panties underneath and her own pale skin made her look silly. "You look like an orange creamsicle." Mary fell over trying to stifle her giggling. After a minute, she regained control and stood to walk around Cari. Again she tucked a finger under an edge, this time of the bra, flicking a nipple by the tiniest amount. "Yeah," Mary intoned. "The cut's OK, but the colour's off. What else ya got?" she sat down again, awaiting the costume change. Again, Cari faced Mary and removed her bra. She rubbed her hands over her breasts, "Ohh, I had that one too tight. Feels good to get that bra off." Again, Cari's panties came down with the ones she just tried on. This time she kicked her own off. She grabbed a pair off the hangers, this time a light pink colour, regular cut panties. She turned around and faced Mary. Instead of bending over this time, she stood there and lifted one foot high to slide into the panty. She knew her moist pussy lips would spread and be visible, should Mary look. Which Mary did. Cari did the same with the other leg, making a production of adjusting and pulling to get it to sit right. She put the bra on then stood awaiting Mary's assessment. Mary stood up and traced her fingers over Cari's nipples. "You're right, Cari. This ones a keeper. I'm concerned whether it has enough room in the front, though." Mary ran her fingers lightly over Cari's Mound of Venus. Cari gulped, audibly. "Mmm, why's that, Mary?" Mary slipped her hand into the front of Cari's panties. "Well, suppose Dad wants to do this, with your pretty pussy. Would his big, strong, manly fingers have enough room? For this?" Mary slipped her hand lower over Cari's mons and curled 2 fingers into Cari's sopping pussy, causing Cari to cry out. Mary stroked her fingers in and out, then pulled them out. She brought the fingers up to her lips and licked, then put her hand back down and pressed the silk into Cari's cleft. She squatted down in front of Cari and put her mouth on the panties, wetting them with her mouth, even more than Cari's juices had. "Oh, dear." Mary said. "I think you're gonna have to buy these, for sure. I got my lipstick on them." Cari shuddered. "I have another set to try on, too. You wanna see?" Mary stood up and nodded, then sat on the bench again. This time, Cari put on a bright yellow pair of boy shorts with a matching bra. There was lace trim on the bra, but not as much on the panties. Cari pulled it on, without the usual fanfare, but rubbed it in to her breasts and pussy. Mary looked at her skeptically. "Girl, you know that doesn't look good on you. It's too pale." "No?" Cari asked innocently. "I guess not. And I have to buy it now. You know what, though? I think it would look great on you." Cari started stripping. "You try it on." Mary looked at her then laughed. "OK, I'll try it." Cari stepped back and watched Mary pull off her tight blue jeans. Cari ran a fingernail across Mary's butt cheek. Mary giggled and quickly pulled off her t-shirt, bra, and panties. Cari was having flashbacks of Ariel and recalled she had really enjoyed her escapade with Mary's sister. She leaned forward and cupped Mary's buttock, letting a finger drift underneath to graze her labia. Mary moaned, closed her eyes, and pushed her ass back for more contact but the touch was suddenly gone. She opened her eyes and looked behind her to see Cari holding her new bra for her. Mary took it and hooked her arms into it but before she could bring it together in the front Cari leaned over and sucked a nipple into her mouth. Mary hissed in response, then whimpered when Cari removed her lips. Cari gestured for her to fasten the bra, then leaned down to hold the panties for Mary to step into. When Mary had done that, Cari pulled them up her legs, adjusting the fit around her crotch and ass. When it was fitted she slid her hand down inside Mary's panties until her fingers touched Mary's wet pussy. Mary's pussy hair was long but very tightly curled. Cari gathered some of the moisture seeping out and attacked her clit, suddenly rubbing very fast. "Oh!" Mary shrieked. "Oh fuck!" She shuddered, clinging onto Cari's shoulders as Cari worked her pussy. The only sound for several minutes was Mary's heavy breathing and the moist sound of Cari's fingers working her clit. Mary's crisis hit, and she screeched again before Cari muffled her with her lips. Cari supported Mary through her explosive orgasm, afraid she would fall down on her shaky legs. After a minute Cari relented and pulled her hand out, then pressed the front of Mary's panties against her still throbbing pussy. "Is everything alright in there?" The clerk's voice broke their reverie. "Umm, yes. We're fine." Cari called out. She was still supporting Mary, so they didn't move yet. "Miss, you really shouldn't be in there with a man." The clerk was sounding annoyed. "We'll be out in a minute." Cari called again. When the clerk moved away Mary looked at Cari and gave her a light kiss. "I was supposed to seduce you and here you turn the tables on me. I owe you one." They pulled their clothes on and went out to pay. The clerk was flabbergasted when she saw them together, she looked back at the change room for a man. She knew she had heard a woman being pleasured. "I'm paying for hers," Cari said, with a smile. "and she's paying for mine." The clerk looked at them, not seeing a set for Mary. "I'm wearing mine." Mary said, smiling. "And I'm wearing one of mine." Cari said, handing the girl the tags. When the clerk went to bag Cari's other suit, she automatically inspected it and was about to say something. Then she realized the moisture she felt in the suit was from Cari trying it on. She put two and two together and stared dumbly at the two girls as they finished their debit transaction and left. "Well, anyplace else you want to go?" Mary asked. "Noo, I guess I should get back." Cari said, reluctantly. "I have a paper due on Monday." "Well, I don't live far from here. Why don't we just go have a coffee before I take you home?" "Sure. We could do that." They threw the bags in the car and hopped in, tearing out to Mary's place. As they walked through the door at Mary's apartment, Cari had a sudden thought. "Mary, uh, your girlfriend, Tracy? She won't come in while I'm here, will she?" "No. She has a key, but she's at work. She won't be home for, oh, an hour and a half. I do have to start supper though." Mary went into the kitchen and started getting things out of the fridge. "So, Cari. That was quite the stunt you worked on me in the store. I thought you were completely innocent." "Welll," Cari started explaining. "I did fool around with a friend in high school, masturbating and stuff." Cari took a deep breath. "And I did have a night with a girl a few months back." "Oohh, do tell." "I can't. If I do, and you run into her, you'll know who it is." "Hmmph. OK." Mary acquiesced. She started chopping some boneless skinless chicken to brown in a skillet. "So why did you do that today. You didn't exactly make it hard for me. And you are with dad, so to speak." "I probably wouldn't have, but your dad said I should if I wanted to." Mary dropped the knife and looked at Cari. "Dad said you should?" Cari giggled. "Yeah, he was warning me about you, just a heads up. And he said I could do whatever I want." She tipped her beer at Mary. "And here we are." Mary walked over to Cari's stool and gave her a kiss. "Yes. Here we are." She put her arms around Cari's neck. "Where do we go from here?" Cari looked away for a minute. "I don't know, Mary. I love your dad, and we are together, in a way. But we've made no claim on each other. I guess it depends on what happens after your Mom passes. And on you. You and Tracy live together." Mary pulled away and sighed. "Yeah. I do love Tracy, but what I found out today really doesn't gibe with the Tracy I know." They looked at each other for a minute. "We'll just take it as it comes, Mary." Cari said, softly touching her cheek. "OK." Mary agreed. "Now, you get cooking for your bitch. I have to go. I'll flag a cab." "Seeya ya girl." Mary said, fondly. An hour later Tracy Banks walked into the apartment she shared with her girlfriend, Mary Rafferty. Tracy was 2 inches taller than Mary, at 5'10", with a full figure. One of the things that had attracted Mary to her in the first place was her broad hips and pendulous breasts. "Hi, lover." Tracy enthused. She sauntered over to Mary who was just finishing up the salad. Tracy's hands traced Mary's waist and hips. "I missed you girl." Tracy kissed the back of Mary's neck, nuzzling. Mary turned around and looked at her with an odd expression on her face. She wrapped her arms around Tracy and held her close. "I love you, Tracy." "I love you too, Mary." Tracy could sense there was something on Mary's mind. "What's the matter honey?" "Supper's ready." Mary turned away. "Let's talk while we eat." "OK, let me get changed first." Tracy left to get changed while Mary finished the salad, and set the table. Tracy returned wearing just a camisole and cotton shorts, and sat with Mary. They ate in silence for several minutes while Mary steeled herself. "Mary. I went over to dad's today." "Mmhmm?" "I talked with dad, about Carielle Salvatore." Tracy's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me she's fucking him around, too? I told you she'd be trouble." Mary looked at Tracy with tears in her eyes. This was going to be a difficult conversation. "I'm so sorry, Mary. I knew she would do..." Mary held up her hand to stop her. "Tracy, did you," Mary took another deep breath, hesitating. "see her and your dad together?" "Well, no. But mom and dad both said she seduced him by threatening to say he touched her. I mean he was a Deacon at church. He stood to lose a lot if she said anything... Mom believed him. And he told me and Bill what she tried to do." Bill was her brother, senior by 6 years. "Trace. I talked to dad, and he never felt any pressure from her. It was a mutual thing. Then I talked to her..." Mary let that sink in. Tracy slammed her fork down. "I can't believe you believed that bitch. That little slut tried to destroy my family." "Are you going to let me talk? You know I love you, and I believed you. But what my dad said and what she said don't fit with what your parents told you." "What did she say?" Mary thought for a minute. "I'm only telling you this, to give you a better understanding, so I would appreciate it if it goes no further." "Mary. You know me. I wouldn't talk." "Yes, Tracy. I know you. You despise Cari, so you wouldn't feel any compunction at revealing her secrets." An Uncommon Love Ch. 02 "OK, you're right." Tracy thought for a minute, staring at Mary. "I'll keep quiet." "Tracy, the first man she had intercourse with, since your dad, is my father. He told me how difficult it was for her. She couldn't date, she didn't trust boys. She's almost 22 and she's only given 3 blowjobs, before dad." "But her parents believed my dad. Her parents!" "Yeah, Trace. But you know how image conscious they are. Wouldn't you agree, her actions are more in line with a rape victim, rather than a slut?" "But... but guys at school said they'd slept with her too!" "Tracy, she was your best friend. You believed those guys over her? Did she seem like a slut, before this happened?" "Well, no, but..." "Trace, she's been in therapy for eight years. Eight years, Tracy." Mary got up and put her arms around Tracy. Tracy just shrugged her off and got up. "I wanted to hate her too, Tracy. For what she's doing with my dad. And to my mom. But I've seen her around them. She cares. She loves them both. She's such a sweet girl." Tracy whimpered. "But mom said she did. Mom wouldn't lie about that, would she?" "Maybe your mom believed him, just like you did." Tracy got up and found her purse. She tore through it, looking for her phone, and threw the purse down when she found it. She flipped it open and speed dialed a number. "Mom. It's Mary. Carielle Sal Vitre. Tell me the truth. Did dad rape her? Mom? Mom! No, no, no, no, moom. How could you? After what dad did, you let her suffer all those years? No no, don't you 'honey' me. You disgust me. She was raped. A little girl was raped and you blamed it on her." Tracy fell to the floor in the middle of the living room. Mary had gone to her when she started talking, but now she sat down beside her and held her. Tears were falling down both girls' faces and Tracy was wracked by giant sobs. "Oh, Mary. Oh, what I did to her." Mary started wailing. "I told everyone she was a slut. They all believed me and she had no friends. She had to change schools. That poor girl suffered because of me. How she must hate us." Tracy descended into a pit of despair. She sobbed for many minutes before her tears ran dry, and still she sobbed some more. Mary just held her and comforted her. As Tracy succumbed to the strain and emotional fatigue she started drifting off to sleep. Mary helped her into the bedroom, where she put her to bed, then she went out to clean up the dinner remains. Emotionally drained herself, she called her parents place and asked for Cari. "Sorry, Mary. She went home for the night." "You mean she went back to her parents place. Your place is home. Anyways, I'll talk to you tomorrow, dad. Love you." "I love you too, sweetheart." Mary hung up and Tom was left looking at the phone, as if it could answer the questions in his mind. Mary called the Sal Vitre residence and got Lew, Cari's dad. "Hi Mr. Sal Vitre. It's Mary Rafferty. Could I talk to Cari." ""Yeah." Lew responded desultorily. "Just a minute." Mary waited for several minutes. She heard voices raised in the background, but couldn't make out what they were saying. Presently she heard a door slam, and Cari's agitated voice answered. "Hello?" "Cari! Is everything OK?" "Yeah, dad's being an ass, still." "Forget it. Go home. He's not worth it." "I am home, Mary." Cari sounded puzzled. "No you're not. Home is where people love you, and are happy to see you. That would be my dad. And mom." "I don't know, Mary. I figured they could use a break." "Cari? When they need a break, they need you." Mary's words lifted Cari. "Anyways, I did call for a reason, Cari." "Yeah?" "Cari, I spoke to Tracy." "God-damn it Mary!" Cari exclaimed. "I didn't want to dredge this whole thing up again!" "I know Cari. And I am sorry. But I couldn't let it lie, with her. She was pissed at me for bringing it up. But nothing like what happened when she called and confronted her mom. She had a melt-down." "Sorry, but am I supposed to feel bad?" Cari was getting angry. "No, Cari. I just thought I should let you know, because her mom confirmed it." Now Mary wasn't sure why she had called. "OK, good. Now they can go on with their lives and I can keep going to therapy. Mary, they ruined my life. Ruined it. I didn't have all the experiences girls have going to school. Dating. Dances. Sleepovers. Making out with guys." Very quietly Mary said, "Yeah, but you ended up with dad." The line went silent for a minute. "Yeah. There is that. Listen, Mary. I gotta go. Call me tomorrow?" "OK, talk to you then. Bye." "Bye, bye." Cari turned around and walked into the room where her mother was talking to her dad. He still wasn't comfortable with Cari's actions. "OK, here it is dad. I just had a nice talk with Mary Rafferty. Do you know who her roommate is? It's Tracy Banks. You remember Tracy Banks? The one who's father I seduced?" "Don't start that again, Cari. It has nothing to do with this." "No. It doesn't. But here's the thing. Tracy called her mother, and Mrs. Banks admitted her father raped me, and she knew about it." Cari was crying now, but she was working into a very long over-due rant. "Why didn't you believe me daddy! He raped me. He stuck his forty year old dick into a young girl! Your daughter! And you wouldn't believe me when I said I didn't do it." Cari's mother got up to put her arm around Cari, but she would have none of it. She shrugged her arm off. "You're just as bad, mom. You didn't stick up for me. You guys cared more about your appearance in the church, than what was happening under your nose." Facing both her parents she proclaimed, "So, here's the thing. You either learn to accept me. My life. Or you will never see me in your house again. When I have children, your grandchildren, you will never play with them. I'm leaving. Let me know next time you see me, whatever you decide." Cari got up and stormed out, tears falling down her face. Cari let herself in to Tom and MayBelle's house. Tom appeared to have gone to bed, so Cari went to check on May. A nightlight was always kept on in her room, and she had a remote for the TV, which was on. Cari went in to see if May wanted anything but she really wanted some company, herself. "Goodness, Cari. What are you doing up at this hour?" "It's not that late yet, May." Cari busied herself fluffing May's pillows and refreshing her water carafe. She also helped May change position in the bed. Cari had learned in school the dangers of bed sores. She didn't want May to have to deal with that. Finished, she lay in the bed beside May, stroking her hair and talking softly. "I'm so mad at my parents right now." "Why's that, dear? I thought everything was sorted out?" "Well, dad's still being irrational. Did Tom tell you what happened when I was young?" "Yes, sweetheart, and I'm sorry it happened." "Well, mom and dad didn't believe me. They said I made it up. The guy's daughter was my best friend, Tracy. Turns out the she's Mary's roommate. She told Mary the story that I seduced her dad. I was eighteen! Mary and I talked about it, then Mary went back to Tracy and told her she was sure I was innocent. Tracy called her mom, and her mom confirmed it." Cari started crying. "My own parents didn't believe me. They thought they would look bad at church, for some reason." May took Cari's hand and stroked it. "Well, there's no accounting for what people think, that's for sure. We never thought that." "Wait." Cari said, still sobbing. "What do you mean, you never thought that?" "Cari, dear. When we first moved into the neighbourhood. Before I got sick. Certain neighbours where quick to inform us of your reputation. I considered that it was gossip and we formed our own opinion. And I'm so glad we did." Cari wailed anew. "See what I mean." "I know dear. And I grieve for your lost innocence. But there are people who love you, and don't care about the gossips." "Thank you, May. You are so sweet. I love you. I'm going to miss you terribly." "That's kind of you to say, Cari. I love you too." The two ladies lay there until they both fell asleep, each dreaming about the past. What was. What might have been. When Cari awoke it was still dark. She realized a hand was gently shaking her and she looked up and saw Tom with his finger to his lips. Cari gently released May's hand and Tom helped her sit up. She rubbed her eyes and Tom helped her up and they left the room. Cari noted the clock on the desk said quarter to three. "How are you doing, sugar?" asked Tom, after he closed May's door behind them. "OK." Cari answered groggily. Tom steered her past his bedroom, where she made to go in. "What's wrong." Tom stopped her outside the kitchen. "Darling, you must have had a busy night." Cari was still dopey. "What? Why? What do you mean?" With a bit of a grin Tom replied, "Well, the phone has been ringing non-stop since about 1 A.M." Concern in her voice, Cari asked, "Well who was it? Is everything OK?" "Well, first it was your parents, looking for you. I said I didn't know where you were. Then It was Mary, looking for you, 'cause your parents called there. Then it was Mary again, because she was upset and needed to talk to you." "Well, what did they want?" Cari still hadn't fully awakened. "You might as well ask them, because they are all sitting in the basement." Tom handed her a glass with whiskey in it. "You may need this. Slug it back." "Jesus, Tom." Cari looked at him, realizing what was coming. "Stay with me? I need you." "I'm here, babe." Cari steeled herself and followed Tom into the basement. Her parents were sitting on the couch where she had had sex with Ariel a few months before. Mary was sitting on the matching chair across from them. Mary stood up and walked over to Cari. "I'm so sorry for doing this, Cari. She was inconsolable, and I'm afraid for her. She's not a bad person you know. She was lied to." "What? Who?" Cari was bewildered. "Tracy. She's my girl. And nothing would do, but she had to come over to talk to you." Cari looked around, not seeing anyone. "Huh?" "She's in the bathroom. She's afraid, but she wants to apologize." "OK. Whatever." Cari sighed. She really didn't feel like dealing with this right now. Mary went to the bathroom, and opened the door and brought Tracy out, holding her hand. Tracy stood in front of Cari, looking down, unable to speak. She looked at Mary in a panic and Mary nodded, putting her arm around her. "Cari..." She broke down sobbing and turned into Mary's shoulder. Mary patted her back as great shuddering sobs wracked her body. Mary whispered into her ear to calm her and Tracy turned back to Cari, still crying. "Cari. I'm so, so, sorry." Tracy stated, interspersed with sobs, "For everything I said. Everything I did. You were my friend and I should have known better." Cari stared at her impassively. She felt sorry for her on one level, because the girl was obviously in pain. But what was that pain compared to what Cari had endured? "But Cari, my mom lied to me. She had told me dad didn't do it on purpose. That it was your fault. Then today, yesterday, she admitted the truth to me. I'm sorry I can't give you your life back. I wish I could give you mine." Cari reacted to that like she was slapped in the face. She looked around at her parents, sitting with their heads down. At Mary, looking at her with a pleading expression on her tear streaked face. At Tom, staring impassively at the fireplace, obviously struggling with his emotions. No-one would fault her for rejecting Tracy, out-of-hand. But Cari realized what some one had mentioned to her. Her life path had led her here, to this moment, with people who loved her. She found her voice. "You were one mean cunt, you know that? You made my life fucking hell. But it was my life, and it's worked out just fine, so far. So I guess I have to thank you, at least a little bit, for me being here." Tracy was looking down at the floor, weeping. Cari stepped up to her and Mary. She reached her hand out and caressed Tracy's hair. Cari looked at Mary and whispered, "Take her home. I'll talk to you guys later." Mary nodded, and gave Cari an intimate peck on the lips. "Thank you." She whispered and guided a still sobbing Tracy upstairs. Cari turned to Tom, "I need another drink, Tom. Please?" Tom nodded and went to the bar. Cari went over and sat in front of her parents. She was so numb after the last day that she was almost completely emotionless with them. They both looked up at her with tears in their eyes. "We're so sorry, Cari. We lost sight of what God's love really should be. Can you forgive us?" Cari took the finger of whiskey that Tom offered and slugged it back. She waited a moment before responding. "No. I can't. You were my parents and you let a man get away with raping me. I may be able to forgive you one day. But not now. Go home. I'm going to bed with the man I love with someone who loves me and believes in me. Good night." Cari walked away without another word. Tom rejoined her 10 minutes later, after he had ushered Lew and Annette Sal Vitre out. As soon as he got in bed Cari attacked him. His head had barely hit the pillow when her lips were mashed on his. Her hands roamed over his torso caressing his muscles. He started to reciprocate but she pushed him back. "No, baby. Let me." Cari moaned. She kissed his lips again, then started working her way down his body. She couldn't seem to get enough, her lips were in constant contact with his skin, her hands, feeling his muscles, palpating as if to test for sturdiness. She sucked on each nipple, circled each with her tongue before nipping with her teeth. Cari was moaning, reveling in playing with this manly body before her, even as she was making him moan. She made her way down to his groin, kissing the trail of hair from his belly to his pubis. She loved the smell, getting stronger as she strayed towards his protruding manhood. She picked with her lips at the hairs, lightly as she went until she had to stop to remove his underwear. She just tugged and he lifted his butt so she could pull them down. She giggled when his dick slapped back against his belly from the waistband pulling it back. Cari moaned when she held his cock and looked at it. Suddenly thinking about their 'rule' she had to ask. "Baby? Is this OK? Here, I mean?" "OK? Doll, if you don't continue, I'll flip you over and do you myself." Tom's voice was strained as he reveled in her wildness. As Cari grinned at him he shooed her back to work with his hand. She took his cock in her hand, and looked up at him in the dim light and lowered her mouth onto his cock. Then she closed her eyes and went to work, sucking and licking, salivating. She pumped her hand and mouth on his dick, in synchronicity up and down. His flavour was becoming stronger as his juice started leaking. "Fuck, baby. I love your cock." Cari moaned to him between sucks. She continued sucking him fervently for several minutes until she could tell he was getting close to exploding. When his cock started to swell in her mouth, she stopped abruptly and pinched the base to delay his orgasm. As quickly as she sucked his cock, she rose up on her knees and shuffled forward. Poised over him, she asked, "Do you want it, sugar? Do you want my young, white pussy on your big, hard cock?" Cari took hold of his cock and swabbed the head over her pussy. She could feel the rubbery tip sliding down up and down her labia and bumping against her clit. She smacked it against herself, moaning at the jolt that went through her pussy each time her clit was impacted. Again and again she repeated the process until finally Tom had had enough. Tom grabbed her hips and she steadied herself, lining him up at her seeping hole. When Tom could tell she had the tip situated he pulled down on her hips. Cari squealed and Tom grunted at the sudden feeling. It felt like being inside a warm sodden glove, two sizes too small, and when she started to levitate her hips he fucked back at her on her down stroke. Cari stopped for a minute and got up on her feet, squatting over his organ. This time when she started bouncing up and down, the only contact was her hands on his chest and the pussy gripping his dick. "Oh, fuck, baby. That feels sooo good." Tom moaned. "Do you like the way my dick fills your pretty little pussy? Hmmm? "Yes!" Cari gasped. "Do you like giving me your pretty pussy to enjoy." "Oh, God! Yes!" Carrie whined. Her voice was showing her need. "Do you like sucking the cum out of my cock? Feeling it! Fill! You! Up! Tom finished with a shout as his cum exploded in Cari's hot pussy. Her own orgasm started and he could feel her muscles milking his cock of it's essence. "Fuck, yes! Tom, I'm cumming! Oh, God, fill my pussy." She slumped over on him but continued to buck her hips in orgasm, pounding their flesh together. "Oh, Tom. I love you! God, how I love you.!" Finally she stopped moving, but little tremors continued to race through her for several minutes, while his hands roamed over her back and ass, pulling her down onto his cock. As their breathing returned to normal, Cari kissed Tom passionately. Tom held her head and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I love you too, Carrielle Sal Vitre." Chapter Three Tom closed the door behind Cari as they walked into the house. Neither one had any words. They were the first ones there after the funeral and Cari flipped on the coffee urn. They'd rented an urn from the local grocery store so there'd be enough coffee for everyone. There was an old style washtub on the floor in the sunroom that Lew Sal Vitre had filled with ice while they were away. They took beer and coolers out of the fridge and stocked the tub. The story everyone was given was that Cari was MayBelle's nurse and a close friend of Mary. When everything was ready they just stood and held each other in the middle of the room. Many of the friends coming where more May's, so Tom likely wouldn't see much of them in the future. They would likely not see that the baby she wasn't showing yet was Tom's. Ariel, Clifford and Mary all knew the truth about Cari, of course. But no one knew of the baby, except Tom. There had been hell to pay with Clifford, although Ariel and Mary accepted the situation. Maybe because they are their mother's children. The only way Clifford had been placated was with MayBelle's sheer force of will imparting her wishes and belief on her oldest child. He had come around, like Mary, by seeing Cari with May and Tom, although he was still uncomfortable. Later on, after the crowd cleared out, the only people left where Tom, Cari, Ariel, and Mary. Clifford had gone home to be with his wife and child and the girls wanted to stay with their dad. Ariel was still single, and Mary's girlfriend understood her need to be with her dad. They drank slowly, reminiscing, filling Cari in on May's life before Cari. When it was time for bed Tom elected to sleep alone. "I can't sleep with you tonight, Cari. After all is said and done, this doesn't feel right. "I understand Tom. You take all the time you need. I'll be right next door, if you need me." Tom was going to sleep in May's bed, so Cari was going to sleep in their room, the guest room. "Why don't you sleep downstairs with the girls, Cari. I think they need you more than I do, right now. Let them talk." "Of course, Tom. Go to bed. I love you." "I love you too, babe. Good night." Cari kissed him tenderly, then let him go. "Good night." She turned and went downstairs. "OK, girls. I'm back!" Cari said, going down the steps. She saw Mary and Ariel in their underwear, getting the fold-out bed ready.