5 comments/ 14647 views/ 2 favorites Change is Mandatory By: thornapple Philip Johnson Prologue Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I mention that right off; that and the fact that it's January, so you can get a mental picture of a cold, brown and depressing place and time of year. Once spring arrived I'd brag about being from Harrisburg, but right then I'd have given anything to be someplace warm and green. Let's narrow it down a little now. I live on Fortuna Lane on the north side of one of the loops of Yellow Breeches. That could be river or creek depending on what you read and where you read it. It is a premier trout fishing stream I'm told, but since I don't fish I'll have to take their word for it. Oh, and I'm just west of the Susquehanna River in case you care. Okay, first of all we all grew up in Harrisburg and thanks to PTA moms us kids knew each other from early child hood on. Some moved away, but that still left the four of us in our little group. I'm Jay Kenton, one of four in that tight little group. There's Tony Manchester, the second male in our mix. Tony is sandy haired bordering on red and his hair is always a mess. Not because he doesn't care, but rather his hair doesn't care, so it goes in all directions. His most recent solution is to keep it cut very short. He's pretty laid back outwardly but his mind never stops working. Nikki Orson is...well how can I describe her? She's vivacious is what comes to mind. Full of energy and about one step outside of mischief much of the time. She can be impulsive, but not out of control and that just adds to her charm as far as I'm concerned. Small framed with beautiful brown hair in a bouncy ponytail that I would frequently find excuses to touch. The fourth member of our little pack is Margo Fields. Margo is a little taller than Nikki and a little like Tony in that she's on the quieter side. But her gray blue eyes always seem to be dancing and her dirty blond hair is usually about shoulder length and I love to watch it shift and shimmer when she moves. Our group of four is important to us for many reasons, but almost certainly the main reason is we never judge each other and we never hit on or try to date each other. Yes we're all single. Either always have been or have been for some time. When we're together we can all really relax and be ourselves. We've all seen each other in bad moods or sad moods, but mostly in good spirits. We've seen each other sick and hung over or drunk, but we never fail to be there if one of us needs our support. Chapter One Jay was in his combination guest room and office and was installing a new router in his computer system. He had his ear pressed against his phone as he leaned over to reach a dropped data line. Of course it chose right then to ring right into his left ear. He jumped back and grabbed his ear as he tossed out a few choice expletives before grabbing the phone and answered. "What?" "Okay then, maybe I'll just call back another time or another day." "Oh...sorry Nikki I...well I'll explain later. What's up?" "I just wanted to tell you that I'll be a little late tonight. Say about fifteen minutes." "Oh, okay." "Just don't let anybody say or do anything important until I get there." "Right, like we have so many important things going on in our lives. Okay then no problem. You are okay aren't you?" "I'm fine, I just have to stop off at the courthouse and pay a fine." "Oops." "Yeah, thirty five in a twenty five. See you tonight love, bye." After he hung up he smiled and thought that between the two women in their little group she was his favorite. Of course it was just last week when he had the same thoughts about Margo. He could understand why bigamy still existed. For the upcoming gathering, Jay made a bowl of bacon wrapped sausages and floated them in a light barbeque sauce, put some diet Cokes and a dozen Miller Lites in the fridge and called it good. The others would bring more food so they wouldn't starve as they sat around wasting their Saturday night. He unlocked his front door about five thirty, and not much later Tony came in calling out, "I'm here so bring out the naked women." "Wrong night and wrong house I'm afraid," He called from the kitchen. "If you know where we should be you better be telling me all about it." He found Jay putting out the paper plates and glasses and said, "I was just fantasizing. You gotta admit it is a good thought." "Top shelf in fact." "Need any help?" "Nah, I'm about set. This group is pretty low maintenance." "I think it's cool how we all just make ourselves at home no matter whose house we use." "We could almost all live in the same one in fact." "I don't think I'd go quite that far." "Nikki will be a few minutes late by the way." It was only minutes later when Margo came in saying, "Damn I hate the winter time. It's so utterly depressing." "The wintertime blues," Tony offered. "You can call it anything you want, but it's still depressing and seems to go on forever." "At least it isn't snowing." "I'd welcome snow right now just for a change of scenery." "You gonna be cranky tonight?" "Of course not. In fact I feel better just from bitching about it. Hey, where's Nikki, she's always here ahead of me." Jay told her, "She had to stop and pay a fine before she could go home and change." "Fine? Fine for what?" "I'll let her tell you the story." "Oh, did you get your new bedspread and curtains and stuff?" "I did, go check it out and see what you think." She came back a minute later and told him, "Nice. You did good in fact...it's just too bad it's so masculine." "You mean you've never noticed I'm a guy?" "Well of course but...I just thought you'd go a little more neutral you know? Kind of in between." "Sorry. Guess that means you can't sleep with me now." "Like that was ever in the cards." "Hey you almost did that night after Gil and Wendy's reception." "I sure was drunk that night. I still don't know how you got me home." "I don't either because I don't remember much about any of that." Nikki finally arrived saying, "I need a cold beer to drown my sorrows." As she joined the group, Jay handed her a cold beer and waited for her to take a long taste. "Just for the record, the basic speeding ticket will set you back a hundred and twenty bucks. More if you're ticket is for exceeding the ten miles over the posted limit. I won't be eating out or anything else for a month now." The four of them filled their plates and made their way to the living room, and chose places to sit where there was an end table for their drinks. Tony looked around and smiled before he said, "It looks like we're all mad at each other. Jay, you and Nikki are at opposite ends of the couch and Margo and I are the same way on this love seat." They talked as they ate and Nikki explained about where and how she got her ticket and she and Margo talked about being stopped by good looking officers...while Tony and Jay stayed out of it. With their plates empty, Jay put a bowl of salty snacks on the coffee table and they all got a beer before returning to the living room. The next half an hour or so was spent on reviewing their lives since their last gathering a couple of weeks ago, but then Jay said, "I have an idea. Something to get our minds off of work and the lousy weather or whatever." "What's that," Nikki asked him. "One of us picks a time in their past that, for whatever reason, was very important to them or was a pivotal point in their lives. Then share that with the rest of us." Tony asked, "Any time in our lives?" "Yeah, as a kid or a teenager or whenever. It can be funny or sad or risqué or scary." "Damn, I'd have to think about that one." "I would too," Nikki said. "So what about you Jay? This is your idea so do you have something in mind for your story?" "Yeah I do. Well a couple I guess, but one of them came to mind right away." Tony jumped up and said, "I'll get more beers." Then Margo added, "Okay, let's all sit on the floor in a circle for Jay's story. Um...Jay this is a story that's...are you going to try to embarrass Nikki and me?" "Nope, but that's all I'm going to tell you in advance." As soon as the coffee table was moved out of the way they sat in their little circle and Jay added, "I just have one thing to say before I start. None of us can judge the one telling the story. If one of us does something...well never mind I think you all know what I mean. We're going to be talking about the past after all." Nikki was smiling as she said, "We get your point, now tell us your story. In detail." "We'll see about the detail part. I just want to say that what happened impressed me on so many levels. Because of this experience I grew up almost over night, at least in some ways. It really did have a profound effect on me. Okay this goes back to when I had just turned twenty one. I was still living at home and finishing some makeup credits so I could finally get my BA. I had run into a friend named Haley Summers and had asked her out to dinner. Well beer and burgers actually. Anyway she said yes. This whole memory making event started when I rang the doorbell at her house." * * * * * * * * "Oh hi Jay, come in," Mia Summers said. "Hi Mrs. Summers, Haley was going to go with me for a burger and a beer is she ready?" "Are you sure it was for tonight?" "Yeah, I saw her at the Mall earlier today." "Oh no." "Why, is something wrong?" "Jay...she isn't here. She...some guy named Brad came over and they left together with Haley saying she wouldn't be home until quite late." "Oh." "I'm so sorry Jay. This is a little awkward but all I can do is apologize." "It isn't for you to apologize Mrs. Summers, Haley's twenty one and it's for her to apologize, not you." "I don't know why...can I get you something to drink, a Coke maybe?" "Sure, thanks." * * * * * * * * * * Jay looked at the others at that point and said, "I didn't know what to think or do right then. I felt sorry for her because Haley had let her down and embarrassed her. Tony looked at him and smiling asked, "What did this Mrs. Summers look like Jay?" "A lot like Haley actually. Pretty attractive in a more mature sort of way with medium length dark hair, almost brown in fact. Really, in some ways I thought she was better looking than her daughter." "And how old was she?" "At that point I could only guess at late thirties, but she could have been older or younger." Jay drank part of his beer and continued his story. * * * * * * * * * "Jay, call me Mia would you?" "Thanks, I will." "Jay this isn't the first time she's pulled this stunt I'm sorry to say. I didn't raise her to treat people that way and it's going to come back to haunt her and we both know that, even though she doesn't see that yet." "I don't want to spoil your evening Mia so I won't stay." "Don't worry about me, it's good to see you again. So what have you been up to other than college?" "That's about it and work for Dad as his plumbing assistant." "It just occurred to me that you must be twenty one now." "I am. Plus three months in fact." "Would you like something in your Coke Jay? I mean like a taste of J.D.?" "Yes, that would be nice. No wait I have a better idea. Grab your purse and you and I can go find that burger and a beer or whatever." "Are you sure you want to waste your evening with me?" "Well let's get this straight, I don't see spending the evening with you as a waste at all." Mia smiled and studied this young man next to her until she smiled and said, "I accept your offer and thank you." Chapter Three Jay scooted back until he could lean back against the couch and before he could continue with his story, Nikki did the same and asked him, "Is this going where I think it's going?" "You'll just have to wait and see love." "Is this a long story?" "You'll just have to wait and see." She stuck her tongue out at him, leaned back against the couch next to him and tasted her beer in silence as he continued to tell his tale. * * * * * * * * As we went out I even put her arm through mine and asked her, 'Where would you like to go?' "I'd like to go to Connelly's." I gave her a quick look and she smiled and said, "Relax Jay I'm buying." "No, that wouldn't be right." "It would be perfect and once we are there I'll explain to you why it will be perfect." "Isn't that place a little fancy for the way we're dressed?" "We're fine, but if it will make you feel better we can sit in the bar area." "I'd be more comfortable with that." She turned in her seat slightly and watched me as I drove. "Jay, I can't understand why Haley would pull such a stunt. You're a very nice guy, quite handsome and charming too." "Thank you Mia. I have to admit I'm not all that sorry she disappeared on me now." "Now I know you're just trying to be gallant." "Not at all." We found a corner table in the bar and after the waiter had checked my ID, we were soon sipping our first drinks as we studied the menu. Mia ordered the scallops and vegetable with a salad and I chose the osso bucco. As soon as the waitress was gone I smiled and asked Mia, "Okay so explain how this is perfect." "It's quite simple really. You see, her father sends me money to cover her college expenses, and whatever is left over she can spend however she wants. It only seems fair to me that she pay for our evening." "I'm sure she won't be the least bit happy about that." "That's what makes it so perfect. If she complains to her father I'll explain the whole thing to him and he won't be very pleased with her either." "So you and your ex husband still get along?" "We've learned to adjust and be civil and we even agree on how Haley should be cared for and treated. Apparently we made a few mistakes in that area." "You did your best. Kids don't always respond to good parenting anyway." "That sounds pretty wise for someone who has never raised children." "I just observe and learn from it, or at least try to." Mia smiled and said, "Let's see how observant you are. Tell me about our waitress." "Nice looking and her short skirt is meant to catch the eye." "Then you did notice her." "Of course I did, I'm young and single. But I'm already with a good looking woman that certainly deserves my attention." "Oh Jay, you are just too smooth, thank you." We finished our first drink and started on a second one before dinner arrived. We ate and talked and ended up talking over a third drink. I raised my glass and said, "To Haley for paying for this wonderful evening and for arranging for us to have this time together." "Yes, we do owe her that much." She paused smiled and then said, "I'll bet you've wondered how old I am." She paused yet again and added, "Yes I can see from your smile that you have, but you're too much of a gentleman to ask so I'll tell you. I'm forty one." "And you must know that you don't look it. You don't look old enough to be Haley's mother. Had you told me you got pregnant when you were fifteen I wouldn't have questioned it." "Oh Jay we do have to make this evening last." "I hope we do. Shall we go back to your place while I'm still able to get us there safely?" "Yes, that might be a good idea." * * * * * * * * * Nikki said, "Wait Jay, I want to get rid of this beer and switch to water or something. I want to be wide awake to hear the rest of this story." Margo jumped up and joining Nikki said, "Me too Nikki. I have a feeling we won't want to miss this." Then Nikki stopped halfway to the kitchen and turned toward Jay. "Of course that all depends on how detailed he gets with his story." "There is that because he is a guy after all." Chapter Four The women came back and Margo resumed her place on the floor and leaned back against the side chair, and Nikki sat on the floor next to Jay again, but this time she turned and lay on her back and put her head on his thigh. "To what do I owe this honor," Jay asked her. "I want to be able to see your face as you tell the rest of this story." "If you think you're going to rattle me guess again." "Oh I don't want to rattle you sweetie. In fact I don't want to miss anything. Please continue." "Okay then." Mia and I made it safely back to her place and I followed her inside. * * * * * * * * "Jay," she said, "If you'll excuse me for a minute I'd like to get out of these clothes and get comfortable." "Of course Mia, take your time." "There's some scotch in the little bar," she said as she walked toward the stairs. "Thanks, but I think I've had my quota for tonight." I found the guest bathroom and took care of business, washed my hands and glanced at myself in the mirror. Hair more or less still okay and shirt tucked in so I was good to go, and returned to the living room and dropped onto the sofa. It was about ten minutes later when I heard her coming down the open stairs. I got up and moved until I could see her and just smiled as I watched her descend. She came toward me then and I made no effort to not stare at her. "You look fantastic," I told her. She was wearing a silk lounging outfit with a light short silk cover over it. Not so short as to look obvious or sleazy, but what I could see of her legs I really liked, and I could see quite a bit of them. "Very nice Mia and you do indeed look comfortable." "I'm glad you approve Jay. I hope you don't mind, this way I can just drop into bed later and not have to bother with changing." "I'm your devoted slave now Mia." She kissed my cheek and told me, "As I said earlier, I think Haley is crazy for standing you up. Come sit next to me." I really was her willing slave and we sat close to each other on that long sofa. I don't remember much of what we talked about after that. I remember doing my best to make eye contact with her and I think I did okay, but I got a fair share of glances at her legs too. We slowly leaned back until I had my stocking feet stretched out under her coffee table and she had her feet tucked up under her butt. With her turned toward me slightly and with her robe pulled open a little at the bottom I had a pretty good view of a lot more of her legs." * * * * * * * * Tony stopped Jay asking, "How is it I've never heard this story before?" "It's one of those things that just never came up I guess. I mean I'll never forget it, but over time I've tucked it away in my mind." "So you got to see up...well most of her legs." "Yeah I did." Jay's hand and arm was draped over Nikki's midriff as she continued to study him and he didn't even notice that as Margo asked, "So okay, what happened next stud?" "I wish I could remember all of the little details at that point. I know we talked a little more and my hand ended up on her thigh about half way up from her knee. It was right about then that I kissed her for the first time and she returned my kiss very willingly. * * * * * * * * After that kiss, Mia and I looked into each other's eyes and she told me, "I knew I'd like the way you kiss Jay." I didn't say anything, but I did pull her toward me and we shared a much deeper and longer kiss. "Oh god Jay you are so dangerous." "I can't possibly be as dangerous as you are. You are so sexy and desirable Mia." We went into another kiss and little by little I ended up on my back with her on top of me and my hands went exploring as we kissed. Her slippery silk robe had moved up until my hands felt nothing but her warm butt and a thin wisp of panties. One of my hands moved up under her robe and as it turned out, under her top until I was exploring where there should have been a bra of some kind...but of course there wasn't." * * * * * * * * Jay looked down at Nikki and said, "Okay, that's all the detail I'll get into." Change is Mandatory "No wait," Tony begged, "Don't stop there, damn." Margo didn't say anything but she was studying Jay pretty hard. Nikki finally said, "I can't decide if I want you to stop or keep going." "It's up to you and Margo, but I think stopping would be good." "But what happened? I mean...you know eventually or whatever? "Of course we made love. I made love to an older woman." "And?" "Well, and it was great. No it was really great." Tell us about...I don't know, more about the emotions without taking about the actual...you know the act." "She was passionate and responsive and we stayed in her bed for quite awhile. For that period of time I forgot that she was almost twice my age. * * * * * * * * * Mia said, "Oh god Jay I wish we could make love until dawn." Then we heard the front door downstairs and she said, "Haley's home." "Oh shit," I said, "Now what?" "Now we just stay here like we are." "She won't come in here?" "No. She'll walk past the door and maybe hesitate and then go on to her room when she sees I'm not moving and assumes I'm asleep." Mia pulled the sheet up over us and moved even closer against me and lay her head on my arm as Haley ascended the stairs. I couldn't see Haley, but I could sense her presence for a few seconds and then Mia said, "She's gone to her room now." "Maybe I better get out of here." "Don't go just yet Jay. Will I see you again." "Would you like to?" "I'd like it very much. Jay I'm old enough to know what we're doing can't last, but I'd like to see you one more time at least. Correction, "I'd like to see you and make love to you one more time at least."' "Mia you are such an amazing and attractive woman I can't believe that you're still single." "It's my choice. After the divorce I just didn't want to get into all of that again. But now look at me. I have you in my bed and I just want more and more of you." "Perhaps a sentinel point in your life." "It just might be, but only time will tell. Can I call you in a few days Jay?" "Of course." We stayed together for a little while longer, but I couldn't stay the night. I dressed and she walked me to the door where we shared another long and powerful kiss before I left. The next time I was with my buddy Deke, I told him my story about the older woman and describe how hot she was and so forth. I told him how I was having trouble believing that I'd screwed an older woman. He tried to sound wise as he told me, "You gotta learn to be more selective man. More like me." I cracked up at that one and told him that his idea of being selective was his woman had to have most of their teeth and bathe at least once a week...at least in the summertime. * * * * * * * * * Jay looked down at Nikki then and asked her, "Well did I shock you?" "You certainly did surprise me. At least she wasn't a married woman." "No we were both very legal." Margo asked him, "Didn't it feel strange being in bed with her while her daughter was just down the hall?" "It felt really weird, but not so much so that I was eager to run off." "I take it you were with her again then." "About ten days later and again it was great, but that was the last time." His hand was still on Nikki's belly and she put her hand on his when she asked him, "So that experience really affected you." "It really did. I doubt that I could ever explain why though. It was like...had she been my age I would have stuck with my college verbiage. You know, slang or some of the 'in' words and maybe tried to act cool. It's like being with her made me feel older so I acted older. I liked feeling more like a grown man instead of a scatterbrained school kid. I felt worldly and yet I felt like a student with her because I learned so much from her. Patience for example. I give up, I can't begin to explain it." "Oh I think I understand perfectly. Did it ever occur to you that you really did rock her world? I mean for several reasons I'm sure, but things like you made her feel young and desirable and vital. You reminded her what it's like to be a woman still in full bloom rather than a bitter divorcee. I'd say you two were good for each other." "Maybe so. I hope so anyway." Tony asked, "Have you seen her since then?" "No. I've thought about her different times of course, but I've never gone back there. She probably doesn't even live there anymore." "What about Haley?" "I don't have a clue. I sure didn't have any feelings for her. I just didn't care." They got their last round of beers and discussed relationships in general and then Margo put her arms around Jay saying, "Thanks for being so delicate stud." "You're welcome love." Then Tony said, "Well I for one would have liked to hear at least a little more detail. So you and Mia did get together later. How did that go?" "A lot like the first time really, except Haley didn't even come up in conversation. I learned some months later that she had moved into her own apartment though." Then he looked at Margo and Nikki and asked, "Well do any of you have a story to share or do you need more time?" "I have a short one," Nikki said. "Great, let's get comfortable again." Chapter Five This time Nikki sat on the floor across from Jay and closer to Tony, and Margo sat close to Jay, but on the couch rather than on the floor. "Okay," Nikki said, "This happened when I was seventeen. It's nothing like Jay's, but it has always stayed in my mind as a sweet time nestled in my memories of those turbulent teen years. We lived on the south side of town and Mom and Dad were going through a rough time. It looked like they were headed for divorce, but they kept trying. Anyway that kept my world in turmoil as you can imagine and on top of that, my boyfriend Roger started acting a little strange. Then I found out from a friend that he was seeing Judy Fredricks. She wasn't exactly a friend, but we did know each other. So not surprisingly, Roger and I had an argument and then broke up. So now I had the parent issue to deal with along with Roger being such a jerk. To me at that time, my life really sucked. Mom and Dad decided they needed to get away for a few days and work on their issues and to my surprise, they said I was old enough to stay home alone. Of course they left a short list of things that were forbidden. You know, no parties, no drinking or smoking and so forth. Well the last thing I needed in my life was to have them ticked off at me so I planned on just sunning in the backyard and staying out of trouble. I wasn't in the mood for more anyway." Next door to us lived the Carlson's. They had two kids, Annie who was off to college somewhere and there was Drew who was about my age. I never thought his name fit him for some reason and I didn't really like it, but he always seemed nice enough. We'd run into each other and, you know, talk. But for whatever reason we never really got into each other. Well that all changed the Saturday that Mom and Dad headed for wherever they escaped to. It was about mid morning and I was sitting on the back porch when Drew called to me from his driveway. * * * * * * * * * "Hey Nikki, how's it going?" "Hi Drew. Oh you know quiet, nothing much going on. What's up with you?" "Oh about the same I guess. Mom and Dad are out doing whatever the hell they do on weekends." "They go a lot don't they." "Yeah." "Got time for a Coke or something?" "Sure, I've got all day in fact." I got him his drink and we sat out there in the shade of our little back porch and talked. "Drew, don't you and what's his name...Gary, usually hang out together?" "He got a job last week so he's working all weekend." "How's it going working with your dad?" "Okay I guess. It's no big deal, but I make a few bucks. You just hanging out this weekend?" "Mom and Dad are gone and I'm under strict orders to behave myself, you know, the list of rules." "Yeah I know what you mean. Hey I heard about your boyfriend. Sorry things turned to shit for you." "Thanks, I can't believe he did that." "Yeah and with Judy Fredricks. What the hell was he thinking? I mean he had you as his girlfriend. Judy isn't even in your class." "Wow, thanks Drew. That was nice because I've been feeling pretty ugly and boring." "Well I don't need any special skills to see that you're good looking. Wanna hang out together for the day?" "Sure, I was just going to lay out in the sun for awhile if you'd like to join me." "Cool I'd like that, I'll go change. "Meet you back here." * * * * * * * * * Nikki shifted her position and said, "Drew seemed like a regular guy you know? I don't know what I expected him to be like, but he was okay. Pretty good looking I guess with a pretty good body and all, but as I look back, I think it was the way he handled himself. Like he really was just being himself. You know, not trying to impress me or be something he wasn't I just felt comfortable with him. Like maybe we could be good friends after all. Margo asked her, "How was he at eye contact? That's big with me." "He was pretty good at it. I just had on a simple pull over thing but the neckline was pretty low and showed enough, but his eyes only flicked there a few times and I was pretty well developed by then." "I like where this is going." "So do I," Jay added as he smiled. "Well anyway, he came back over in his swimsuit and we went out to the backyard where I'd put an old blanket on the grass. Oh and I was in my bikini now. I think it was my ugly lime green and pink one that wasn't very revealing. * * * * * * * * "Nikki I'll say this now and I'm sure again soon. You look hot. I mean really hot. Roger has to be totally out of his mind." "Thanks Drew. I sure don't feel very special right now thanks to that jerk." "Okay, let's talk about happier things than former boyfriends." "Who are you seeing now Drew?" "Nobody special. You know, run into somebody I know and end up doing something together kind of thing. Right now I'm chronically broke anyway. I borrowed money from Dad and have to pay it back of course. That was one of my stupid moves. One of many probably." "That sounds like you don't like yourself very much." He turned on his side to face me and I told him, "You're not going to tan very well in that position." "I need to sun on my side too or I'll end up looking like an Oreo cookie." That was the first I'd laughed hard in weeks. Thinking back, I'm sure I laughed harder than the joke deserved. "Nikki have you ever felt like your life is going nowhere?" "Yeah sometimes I guess. I know I have college coming up so that will take care of my time for quite awhile." "You going away to school?" "No, I'll have to be a stay at home student I'm afraid. You?" "Nope. Like you, stay at home student. No money to spare." We lay there talking and changing positions every little while for that perfect all around tan. When I was on my belly he moved a little closer and told me, "Damn you have a cute shape Nikki." I turned my head to face him and as I rested there I smiled and told him thanks. "Want another Coke or something?" He asked me. "I have some at home." "Yeah, but get them from our fridge." He was back a minute later and lay down a little closer to me. Then he put one of those ice cold cans of Coke on my back and I sort of screamed and turned on my side quickly. He was looking down at me with the cutest most devilish smile I'd ever seen. "Damn you Drew." I tried to act like I was mad but what did I do? I smiled at him. "You'll pay for that one," and I quickly poured some of my icy drink on him before he could retreat. He said something I don't remember and rolled out of my reach but I shook my can and sprayed him. Of course he did the same and a minute later we were both covered in sticky soda and our cans were empty, but we were laughing and having a blast together. I looked down at myself and said, "Drew we better rinse off before this turns sticky and before we can even go inside." He saw the hose and without a word he turned it on and gently bathed me. God my head was swimming with conflicting feelings. We really didn't know each other all that well and here I was allowing his hand to touch me all over as he rinsed me off. He had a...his boxer style suit had a tent and...I finally stopped him and said, "We...we better go in and towel down or something." * * * * * * * * We didn't make it. He dropped the hose and our arms went around each other and we fell into a kiss that I can still remember." Margo was motionless as she waited for Nikki to say more but she had stopped. "Damn Nikki, don't stop there, what happened?" "We almost made love right there on the blanket. I mean right there in my backyard where we could be seen. I don't remember now how we managed to keep from going farther, but we did stop. It's a good thing too because I wasn't on the pill or anything and of course he wasn't prepared either. We really did get into each other and he didn't go home until almost midnight. We'd talk or watch a movie or whatever and then end up in each other's arms again, but by about ten or so both of us had settled down some. We spent all of Sunday together and I even cooked for him." Nikki smiled and her eyes looked like she was far away as she added, "I made some terrible meals, but we both ate what I fixed and he never complained." "Is he still in the area?" "No. We were together a few times after that, but he got a chance to go to Ohio State and then we moved so I don't have any idea where he is today. But I'll bet he's married and has three kids by now." "So what about you Tony? Got a story to share with us," Nikki asked. "As a matter of fact I do have, but let's save it until the next time. I'd like to tell it before I've had three beers." "And you Margo?" "Same answer, next time." Chapter Six The Friday after their gathering, Margo called Jay and told him, "I just wanted to thank you for sharing your sweet story. I thought about that a lot afterward, and it isn't hard to understand why it had such an impact on you." "You know, at the time, it really was mostly about the sex for me. I mean at that moment anyway. But...afterward it was so much more, especially as time passed and I looked back at it from a more mature perspective." "I'm sure. You do realize don't you that Mia, your Mrs. Robinson, seduced you." "Of course. As the evening progressed it was in my mind to seduce her, but I was an amateur and moved far too slow." "I think that just added to the experience that Mia was hoping for. Intentional or not, you handled yourself great. You both brought something to the evening that the other wanted and needed. I have no doubt that you changed her life that night." "I just hope she didn't have regrets afterward." Margo laughed and said, "Her only regret would have been because she stopped seeing you after the second time." "I'm glad you and Nikki weren't disappointed in me, or at least I hope you weren't." "Are you kidding? I loved your story and just watching Nikki looking up at you, I could tell that she felt the same way." "I feel better knowing that. What do you suppose Tony will tell us the next time?" "I can't imagine, but don't be surprised if he is a little more graphic if it involves sex." "I certainly don't mind, so it will be up to you and Nikki to keep him under control." Margo laughed told him, "I'm not too worried. Have you heard from him?" "Yeah, he called and wanted to hear more of the juicy details." "I figured he would, did you share them with him?" "Yeah, or at least a few of them. You know, how she looked and how it felt to touch her and respond to me." "Poor Tony, I'll bet he was drooling. How did she look by the way?" "Margo, you didn't want to hear any of that. Have you been hiding just a touch of pervert from the rest of us?" There was a light lilt to her voice as she smiled into the phone. "No, of course not, I mean was she wrinkled?" "Not at all, she wasn't that old, just older than me by twenty years. Her skin was smooth and soft and fair, and she liked to have me...sorry, I'm getting carried away." "Now you're teasing me." "Just trying to behave myself love." "No you're not, you're teasing me. Baiting me in to asking you for more details and more questions." "You don't want to hear the details about our coupling I'm sure." "Of course not, but as I listened to you tell your story last Saturday night, I could almost feel the sexual tension in the room when she came down the stairs." "I still can, and like I said, she moved fast enough that I didn't have time to worry about what I should or shouldn't do. It was all so intense and fast and...and over far too soon." "Jay, I'm seeing a part of you that I've never seen before. I think your story was so sweet and so...so significant. And like you said, on so many levels. You two were so good for each other. I'm happy for you that you have those memories." "Thanks Margo. I can't wait to hear your story...or stories." "They will be tame compared to yours, so don't expect a lot. It's so hard for me to share memories and convey the same impact that the situation had on me at the time." "I know exactly what you mean." "What did you think of Nikki's story?" "She was at a very unstable part of her life right then and Drew came to her at just the right time. She needed him, or someone like him so much right then. I'm surprised that they lost contact so soon." "I am too, but you know...the emotions of a teenaged girl and all." "I don't know, but I'm sure it was an important time for her. I'll bet she did look hot that day in her ugly bikini." "I'm sure she did, especially to Drew." Then she changed the subject and asked, "Jay, were you aware that you were caressing Nikki's belly?" "I was what?" "When you were telling your story and she had her head on your leg. Your hand was across her belly." "Oh, yeah I remember that, but I wasn't caressing her. She would have slapped me I'm sure." "I don't mean you were putting moves on her. More like in your mind you were seeing Mia and as you talked your hand would move over Nikki's belly or your thumb would slowly move back and forth." "Guess I didn't realize. Did Nikki say something to you later?" "Not a word, so I guess it was no big deal. I was just curious." Jay's reminiscing about Mia had put her in his thoughts again. He thought about what he had told the others and hoped he was able to convey the significance of that time in his life. He also found himself driving past her house late that Saturday afternoon. Chapter Seven He saw her when he was still two houses from her. She was bending over a small bush and nipping at it with little shears. She was in brown shorts and his eyes went straight to her sweet butt and legs. He slowly drove past her and told himself not to stop. He told himself that again as he was turning around at the corner. She was still there when he pulled up to the curb in front of her house. She didn't look up until she heard him close his car door. She straightened up and looked for a second before she dropped her nippers and almost ran to him as he walked toward her. Their arms went around each other as she said, "Jay, I can't believe it's you." "It's me and I have to say, you look as fantastic as before; just as I remember you." "Oh my god, my hair is a mess and I'm grubby from working in the yard." "You look great Mia, it's good to see you again." "Please come in and...please stay long enough so we can talk." "I'd like that if you have time." "I do." She took his hand in hers and she led the way around the house to the backdoor saying, "I'm too dirty to go in the front so I hope you'll forgive me." Change is Mandatory "Of course, It's you I came to see. You've been in my thoughts a lot lately." She stopped and turned to look at him as she smiled. "Have you really thought about me?" "Of course, many, many times, but more so lately for some reason." "I think of us quite often too, Jay." She led him in through the mud room and to the kitchen saying, "Go on in and I'll go wash up. Can I get you anything first?" "No, I'm fine until you join me." As he waited in the living room, he looked around and smiled. She had a new sofa, but it was in the same place, and the open staircase was just the same. He didn't even sit down right away. He just smiled inside as he quickly relived their first tryst. That time when he was so consumed by her charm and beauty and allure. When she came down the stairs this time she was wearing short red shorts and a modest halter top. He smiled at her and as she neared him he said, "I have to say again, I don't know how you do it, but you look as good as you did the last time I saw you." She put her arms around him and told him, "I'm so glad you stopped Jay." "I drove by once telling myself not to stop, but as you can see that didn't work." "Why wouldn't you stop?" "I wasn't sure how...I don't know I guess. Fear maybe. Fear that you wouldn't want to see me again." "Of course I want to see you again." "Mia, I still remember you coming down those stairs in that red filmy outfit of yours and I remember how I was overwhelmed by you." She led him to the sofa and sat down pulling him down next to her. She was sitting on the edge of the cushion and half turned toward him as she held his hand and asked him, "How have you been? Are you married?" "I've been fine and I'm not married." He made a point of looking at her left hand and added, "And I see that you aren't either." "Almost, but we both pulled back. I still see him...or rather we still see each other. Now how is it that you're still single?" "Like you, almost one time, but it wasn't right. She went her way and I went mine." She leaned toward him and they shared a light and tender kiss before she asked him, "Not even a significant other?" "No." They talked on, and Haley's name was never mentioned. Then Jay told her, "I have three very close friends and we get together every couple of weeks." Then he told her about him telling them about their time together. Mia looked at him seriously as she said, "Oh god, what did they say? I'll bet those guys had names for me." "One other guy and two women. They said that my story was so nice and they were happy that I could have those great memories. They said you and I had been good for each other. That you and I needed each other at that time." "I think I like your friends, and they were right of course. Maybe it wasn't so much need as want. When we went out to eat that Friday night, I knew that I wanted us to make love. I didn't think it would happen and in fact I considered that thought ludicrous, but that's what I wanted. I told myself again and again that I was too old to be having those thoughts, but that didn't help." "I wanted you too Mia, and no you were not too old to have those thoughts or desires. You're still not too old for that, or even close to it." "Thank you. What did you tell them? I mean, how much did you tell them?" "I told them how beautiful you were and are. I told them about you descending the stairs as I stared at your legs and willingly became your slave. I told them about us kissing and exploring and I told them that we made love in your bed and then made love again. I told them that I would never forget our times together." Their eyes were locked onto each other as he told her his story and then asked her, "Did you make the right decision when you said no more after the second time?" "I'm not sure. No, of course it was the right decision, but I wanted so much to keep seeing you. It was my fault for ever flirting with you in the first place. I should have never invited you in when Haley abandoned you, but I felt sorry for you. That had to hurt so much and it was so unnecessary." "I don't remember hurting and I owe that to you. You came to my rescue and I'm still glad that she ran off with that other guy that night." He leaned toward her and kissed her again and said, "It's like there was no gap in time between the last time I was here and now. You look so great and I still love to kiss you." "You're more mature and if possible more handsome." The little kisses and touches were happening with increasing frequency. They wanted each other so much they hurt, but they were trying to control themselves. "Jay are you sure you don't want something?" "Yes there is Mia, I want you. Please don't tell me no. I want to feel us together again." Chapter Eight Mia's heart was jumping because she knew she had to have him again. As soon as he had said he wanted her, her battle was lost. "I want you too Jay." When they stood up, he undressed her and left her clothes scattered on the sofa and floor. She led him to the stairs and he followed close behind as he watched her naked ass move in front of him. His hands went to her hips as he stopped her on the stairs while he knelt and started to shower her ass with kisses. "Oh god Jay...," and then the went up the rest of the way. At the top of the stairs he turned her around and pulled her into him as his hands explored her for a second. His first time with her, he was so overwhelmed that he just went along following her lead for the most part. But this time he knew what was coming and his impatience was showing. "Damn it Mia, I want you so much." They finally made it to her bedroom where he undressed and they made love. This time they managed to explore and kiss and use their hands. They made love, rested and then teased again. He loved to feel her under his hands, her small soft breasts and her nearly shaved mound. She gloried in his youth and stamina. His eagerness to please her and the warm gossamer veil of flattery that he laid over her. Mia didn't have his stamina, but then if she got too tired, all she had to do was lie there and let him come to her. It was some time before they pulled themselves out of bed, but to them it seemed that it was over in minutes. "Damn you," Mia said as she smiled. "I told myself no and that we couldn't get into lovemaking again, but I couldn't stop myself. I think I should meet your friends and tell them that everything was your fault. That you're just too irresistible." "They know me, so they wouldn't believe you. I'm just another guy to them." "Then they need help." "Would you like to meet them?" "What? No...that would be pretty awkward, I mean knowing that they know we made love." "So? I'm sure all of us have made love to somebody. Look at a woman carrying a baby. Nobody looks at her and her man and says, "Wow, those two screwed for sure." "That's different though." "Okay, but if you'd like to meet them we could have dinner someplace. Connelly's maybe." "Very funny." "I'm serious." "I'll think about it. I mean I'd like to meet them, but I'm not sure I could deal with it." "I'll ask the others, would that help?" "Maybe it would." They made their way downstairs, but rather than dress, Mia walked him to the door where they shared more kisses before he left promising to call her soon. Jay didn't want to wait, so Sunday afternoon he called Nikki. He'd wanted to talk to her after their story telling anyway. "Hi, busy?" "I was, but I'm not now, what are you up to?" "Well for one thing I wanted to see if you had decided you hate me after hearing my story." "Of course I don't hate you. Okay, meet me at Kelly's for coffee." "On my way," and he closed his phone and headed for the restaurant. He was there just ahead of her and smiled as she walked up to him. He kissed her cheek and they went inside, ordered coffee and they talked. "Why," Nikki asked him, "Are you so concerned that I'll think badly of you for bedding this Mia?" "I just wanted to be sure." "Well rest easy okay?" "Listen, Margo told me that I was caressing your belly that night, is that right?" "More or less, yes you were. I put my hand on yours and you stopped, but if I moved my hand you'd start again." "Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to..." "It's fine, did Margo say it wasn't?" "No...no she just asked me if I was aware that I was doing that." "It was kind of nice actually. You were so into your story and every minute or so you'd look down at me and smile. The whole experience was one of caring and perfect peace. You told your story so nicely that in a way I could feel what you had experienced. Well and were experiencing as you told us. I couldn't have been happier or more comfortable. I even wished the story wasn't over when it was, but unlike Tony, I really didn't want to hear the fine juicy details either," and she smiled at him. "Nikki...I drove by Mia's house yesterday." She smiled and said, "I'm not surprised really. I mean you had just revisited those memories. Did it look as you remembered it?" "Pretty much. I drove by slowly just out of curiosity and she was in the front picking at a bush." Again Nikki smiled and said, "And you stared at her as you eased past her." "Actually, I was so surprised that she even lived there that I went to the next street and turned around and came back. I wasn't going to stop. It was nice to see her and to know that she was okay, but I told myself to keep going." "Jay you stopped didn't you." He looked at his coffee and then back to her as he said, "Yes, I stopped." He didn't get the smile of understanding from Nikki that he was hoping for. "Like I said, she was out there in her shorts working on that bush and didn't even see me." "So you could have moved on and she wouldn't have known the difference." "Yeah." "Jay, tell me the rest." Their coffee was ignored as he began the story. He looked like a big kid confessing his sins, except for one thing. He didn't confess. He lied to his friend. "When she saw me," he continued, "We shared a long embrace and she led me inside." "Jay you didn't. Tell me you didn't make love to her again." "A minute ago, you thought that whole thing was sweet and understandable." "You were young and innocent then. It was one of those things that just happened. This time it was like you were looking for it and that's not the same. She must be close to fifty by now." Her reaction really caught him off guard. "I'm not sure I see that there's a lot of difference. I didn't expect to see her so again it was spontaneous. And she's forty four." "That's totally different Jay. Did you make love to her?" "No." There was his lie. Quick and a little assertive and he didn't like himself very much right then, and mostly because he'd lied to Nikki. "No, but of course it came to my mind." She seemed to relax a little as she said, "Well of course it would come to your mind. So how was it to see her again?" "She really hasn't changed a lot. We talked for quite awhile." "And embraced...and what else. Now be honest Jay." "We kissed a few times and...well I guess that's it. We hugged and kissed and talked." The words raced from his mouth as he tried to avoid the bitter taste of his verbal sin. "I told her about the four of us and about me telling you three about her." "So she knows that we now know about you two making love?" "Yes." "I'll bet she didn't appreciate that at all." "Not at first, but we talked about it. Nikki, people make love all the time. Married or not, young old or in between. You've made love. It's part of life." "But Jay, she'd have to be a little uncomfortable simply because of the big age difference between you two. To know that your friends have had a peek into her intimate life had to be a little upsetting for her." Jay wasn't handling himself very well. "I told her that I'd like you three to meet her and have her meet you three." "My god, I can't believe you. I thought you were more sensitive than that." He shrugged his shoulders like a kid, avoided eye contact with her and said, "Well I told her that, and so I'm asking you if the five of us could meet for dinner or something one day soon." She allowed a smile as she said, "Well we both know that Tony would love to meet her. And it isn't that I wouldn't want to meet her, it's just a little awkward. Oh hi Mia, you're the older woman that seduced Jay a few years ago." "Three years ago just for the record, and you're overreacting. You're dramatizing the whole thing." "I am not. Ask Margo and see if she doesn't feel the same way. Don't bother with Tony though, because he'd be singing your praises." "I'm sorry that I disappointed you Nikki, but once I saw her I just had to stop and see her." "And that's fine and I can understand that. You had me thinking you two made love again and that bothered me a little. Okay, I'll agree to meet her and so forth." She leaned back a little and said, "And okay I'll even admit to being curious about her. If Margo says yes, let's have dinner with her." "At Connelly's." She looked at him again. "That's where you and she had dinner that night that you made love for the first time." "Yes, it's a nice place." "I know, I've been there before too. Nice touch there lover. Okay, Connelly's or wherever, but assuming Margo agrees, let's make it soon so we...rather, so you can move on okay?" "I'm good with that. Thanks for being so understanding and I'll be ready to move on. I'd just like to keep in touch with her because I do see her as a friend." Nikki smiled and said, "Well we both know not in the same way you see me as your friend." He smiled and said, "True enough." As they left the restaurant, Nikki took his hand in hers and said, "Sorry I got a little testy with you." "That's okay, sorry I rattled you. By the way, why would it have bothered you had I made love to her?" "I don't know. The first times were...had a sweet and innocent quality to them. You were almost to manhood, but still pretty naïve. I don't know, I can't explain it I guess, it just bothered me. When will you tell Tony about what you did?" "I guess I'll call him when I get home. I'll tell him about the dinner too of course. I'll call Margo too." "Next weekend for the dinner?" "If that works for you." "It will. Oh wait, no that's when we're going to hear Margo's and Tony's stories." "That's right. Okay Friday night then." She just smiled at him and said, "Perfect. Then we can talk about her Saturday night." When they reached her car ,he put his hands on her shoulders and after kissing her very lightly on the lips said, "Thanks for listening to me and giving me the chance to explain myself." "You're welcome. It's just that I have you on such a pedestal. You're a cool guy with just the right amount of macho in you. Not enough to keep you from being sensitive and caring, but enough to tell the world, hey, I'm a guy and proud of it. Then you did that stunt with Mia and it rattled me. I thought that was all behind you. We grew up together, so we're a little closer than a lot of friends. All four of us are and that means we think about each other a little differently than the average friend." "Again, I'm sorry. Just so you'll know, you are my perfect friend. Feminine to the max and yet a little feisty, good looking and caring." She smiled as she showed just a hint of surprise before she said, "I better go before we get carried away with sweet words." He was several feet toward his car when he turned and told her, "Hey...I liked having your head in my lap that night," and he smiled and waved as he turned away as she watched him so. She didn't know what to think about what he had just told her. Chapter Nine Jay called Margo from his cell phone while he sat at a stop light. As the light turned green she answered and he said, "Hey, it's me, got a minute?" "I have a lot of minutes I hope, assuming I don't get killed by this idiot in front of me." "Where are you?" "On Greenfield, about three miles from your place." "If you have time, stop by because I want to ask you something." "I don't know where you are, but I'll be there in ten minutes." "I'll be right behind you." Jay left his car in the driveway and he and Margo went up the front walk together. "So, what is your question Jay?" "When we get inside okay? Actually I have two questions for you." "Okay." "Something to drink?" he asked her. "No thanks." They sat next to each other on the loveseat as she said, "Okay, hit me with the first question." He told her about going to see Mia first and as with Nikki, he lied about making love to his forty four year old friend. "Okay Jay, tell me the rest." "So you're not mad at me." "Not so far anyway, so keep going," and he did. "Okay, so you two were on the...what, couch?" "Yeah." "And you held hands, talked kissed and talked some more." "Yeah." "Jay..." "What?" "You're playing with fire. Okay, I'll assume you're being truthful and you two didn't make love, but you had to be close to it and both of you thought about it without a doubt." "Sure I did, a lot. I just wanted to see if you thought that I was acting crazy." "Of course you were. Okay, but I also understand. Talking about her brought back those memories enough that you wanted to see her again. You're a big boy and are free to make your own decisions. Of course that doesn't mean that you'll always make good ones. I said I understood, but I'll also say that I think you should have left the past where it was...in the past." "Okay, so how would you have reacted had I said Mia and I made love?" "About the same I guess, except I would have been more verbose about how bad your thinking was and how you were playing with Mia's life." "Mia's?" "Of course. God, a woman her age having a young guy make over her and want to make love to her is pretty heavy. Let's say she has or one day soon has a man her age come into her life. She's going to compare him to you. Is he as virile as you? Does he move as fast and have your stamina? Even if those answers were yes, she'll still know that she attracted a twenty four year old guy into her bed and it was you that came to her, not the other way around." "So that would be a big disservice to her." "That's my thought, but then I'm not a forty four year old with you in my bed." "You don't know how I'd be in bed." She smiled and said, "Oh, so now we're going to start talking dirty? You and I made mud pies together remember? Back behind the neighbors garage?" "Yes I remember that and I remember you were topless most of the time." "Very funny, I was maybe eight years old." "Yeah, but still..." Look lothario, I'm past mud pies and going topless." "I'll bet you're not past going topless. It all depends on where you are and who you're with." "Mia has had an effect on you that's for sure. Listen, I better tell you that Nikki called me right after you left her at the restaurant to warn me that you'd be calling and why." "That's not fair, that's like having two against one." "Don't look now, but that's it exactly. Neither of us think you made a smart move." "I suppose she told you that I'd like Mia to join the four of us for dinner at Conner's." "What? No, she didn't tell me that part. Tell me more." "Well, Mia's a friend and I'd like her to meet my best friends, that's all. Oh, and she knows that all of you know about she and I making love." "This is getting weird. And to think this all started when you told us that sweet and about half innocent story about you and Mia." She took his hand in hers and said, "Okay, I'd like to meet this woman that makes you do and say stupid things."