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Coppernicous

By: SonofCallicious



It was Katarina's fault. Had it not been for her I would have continued living a basically monastic life as I had done since the death of my wife, in an auto accident, three years ago. 

Katarina Florentina Magdelana Corianna . . . , or Kat, as I call her, is my youngest daughter, who graduated from our local university last year. For reasons of anonymity and to protect her privacy I'll not say which university. It would not be difficult to determine who we are, and I don't wish to cause her, or any of her older siblings any angst.

Kat lived at home with me the last three years of her college career following her mother's death. She had attended a major state university on a volleyball scholarship, but felt it was more important to return home and to look after me while she finished her education. I'll not say I was unhappy to have her at home. Kat is seven years younger than her youngest brother, and has always been the one with whom I was the closest of my kids. She has a loving, gentle disposition away from the volleyball court, and I know she will make an excellent nurse if she ever gives up coaching. Her gentle way of caring for people has always been a hallmark of her persona. 

Ignatz is my name, but when my parents brought me to this country as a young lad I didn't like the way Americans mispronounced it, and I hated being called Iggy. My parents left a repressive regime in Eastern Europe to find freedom in America, and I am so happy they did, because it allowed me to pursue my dreams of science. As a teen I made a discovery in high school physics class involving space exploration that ended up with a full-ride scholarship and an internship with NASA each summer of my college career, and in turn the opportunity to form my own company upon graduation. It also was the genesis of my nickname, Coppernicous, a bastardization both of the early mathematician and of my family's name, which, although similar, are not the same names. 

***********

My wife, Marja, retired after twenty-five years of teaching school, and we purchased a large farmhouse on several acres of land. Her dream always was to have a bed and breakfast establishment. We built on to the original farmhouse, adding an extra eight bedrooms to the four original ones, built a pond with a sand beach for swimming and a sand volleyball area, and added a lot of other amenities. Marja was killed in the crash one week prior to our grand opening. Needless to say, running a bed and breakfast was the last thing on my mind. I couldn't even bear to run my own business any longer, and I sold out to my managers and chief scientists and settled back to live out the rest of my days as a recluse in my now way out-sized home. Money was no issue. I could never spend all I had left, and I had nothing worth living for that I wanted to spend it on. 

Although it was only four weeks before the start of the fall term, Katarina had no problem transferring to our local university, and the school was ecstatic at the opportunity to offer her a scholarship to play on their volleyball team. Kat was indeed a world-class athlete, and a candidate for the US Olympic Team if she decided to go that route. Schools all over the country had pursued her. The new volleyball team is where everything in this story began.

**********

Because of the last minute transfer, Kat was unable to get an exemption from the NCAA in time to play for the team her first year, but she was able to practice, and she worked closely with the freshman team coach, helping the new athletes, and she quickly adjusted to the school and made friends. 

One week before Thanksgiving, Kat called me from school:

"Dad? Look, I need a really big favor. Coach Thorson and her boyfriend broke up last night, and she has no place to go. I told her she could stay with us until she has time to get her feet on the ground. You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

What could I say? Of course, I didn't have a problem with it on the face of things, but I didn't want it to look like I was trying to make a move, either. "I guess she could stay in Jenny's old room for a while. How long do you think it will be?"

"Thanks, Dad. You're the best! I knew you would come through for me. You'll like her, I know."

"Now, wait a minute! You aren't trying to set me up, here, are you? I'm not interested."

"No, Daddy, I'm not trying to set you up." Her exasperation fairly dripped out of my phone. "She's just a nice lady, and I know you will like her as a person was all I was saying."

I sighed and apologized. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to jump on you that way. I'm just a little sensitive right now."

"I know, Daddy. Love you. We'll see you later. I've got to go with her to get her stuff right after practice. We're meeting the Sheriff at her place, then we'll be home." A click and a hiss in my ear told me she had hung up.

**********

I did a quick check of Jenny's room, and ran a dust rag over the furniture and ran the vacuum over the carpet. I don't think the door had even been opened in the last six months, and even though Jenny has been married now for four years, there were still a lot of her things on the walls and dressers. It looked a lot more like a teen/college student's room than a college volleyball coach's, but for short term it would have to do. The price was certainly right. I thought about using one of the rooms we had set up for the B&B, but decided she would probably like to be closer to Kat, so I left Jenny's door open for her.

I wasn't prepared, though, when Kat's car was followed into the drive by half a dozen others! A laughing, chattering, mob of girls burst through the front door behind Kat and a slightly older lady that I surmised was the coach.

"Hey, Daddy! I want you to meet Coach Thorson, and the rest of my team. They all wanted to help bring her stuff over, what we could of it." She reached an arm out to a tall, lissome, blonde, and said, "Stephanie's boyfriend Brad is bringing some of her furniture over in his pickup. I told Coach Thorson we could store it in the garage for her for a while."

All I could do is nod, then I stepped forward and put out a hand toward Coach Thorson. "It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Thorson. I wish the circumstances were better, but you are most welcome."

A demure, "Please, it's Darlene, and I thank you very much," was murmured. "Kat said you have a large place, but I really had no idea."

My throat tightened so that I couldn't get a word out. A nod had to suffice. Kat understood and led the way down toward Jenny's room, with the gaggle of excited girls following. As they walked away I thought how happy I was Darlene was not much older than the girls. She was much too young for someone to try to match her up with me. The scabs had not yet peeled off of my heart from the loss of my wife, and another woman was the last thing I wanted to think about. Seeing the cute asses of the girls bouncing down the hallway did stir my juices, but I tried valiantly to put them out of my mind.

**********

Two weeks went by with Darlene staying with us. 

Darlene looked at me with tears in her eyes when we finished dinner that evening. "Toomas," (It's my middle name.) "I don't know what to do. I can't find any place in town I can afford by myself. I make just too much to get subsidized housing, and I can't live in student housing. I've been mooching off of you for too long already. Do you have any ideas?"

"Darlene, you have not been 'mooching' as you call it. Katarina invited you to stay, and we are in no hurry to put you out. Something will open up for you. Just take your time."

"I can't keep sponging off of you forever, though. It isn't right. Damn Phil anyway! I don't know what I ever saw in him."

"I'll tell you what. Sometimes after semester ends places open up. Give it until then and see what happens."

"Are you sure? I hate to put you out. Can I at least pay you some rent for the time I'm here?"

I shook my head "No." "I don't need the money. You just make yourself at home. When something opens up, take it. Until then, you are more than welcome."

Kat just sat there silently all through our conversation, but after dinner as she was clearing the table she stopped and gave me a hug. "Thank you, Daddy. Coach has been all torn up over this for two weeks. She thinks she's in our way. I think you are really sweet!" 

I grunted. Sweet, I didn't think so. I just try to do for others what I would want someone to do for me or for my kids. Besides, she helped keep Katarina and me from being alone and thinking of my Marja.

The next night, Darlene fixed a special dinner for us in thanks for what we were doing for her. It was the first time I really ate since Marja was killed, and it was good. As far as I was concerned, all debts for her staying with us were paid.

*********

A week later and Christmas break came. Darlene left for her parent's home when all of the students did. She would be gone for the next three weeks. Kat mentioned her as we ate dinner together.

"Thank you so much for letting Coach stay with us, Daddy. I've really enjoyed having someone else to talk with around the house. You and I kind of rattle around here like b-b's in a boxcar."

"No problem, Kitten." Kitten was a nick-name I gave Kat when she was just a little girl, and I hardly ever called her that any more. "I've enjoyed having her here, too. She helps keep things lively and keeps me from brooding."

"Do you like her, Daddy?"

"Yes, I like her, but if you are asking, 'Do I like, like her,' the answer is 'No. She's a very nice young lady, but I'm not looking for anyone else. I loved your mother, and there is no one who can take her place."

Things were quiet around the house for the three weeks of Christmas break. I found myself missing Darlene's presence and her cheerful attitude. No, I did not miss her romantically, just personally. It would be nice to have her back, if nothing else, just to give us another b-b to rattle around in the house.

**********

Spring brought with it the beginning of the sand volleyball season, and Kat was participating for the first time. Her former school did not field any participants in the sport, so it was new to her. As with everything she did, Kat threw herself into it whole-heartedly, and we often had three or four other girls hanging around the house, hitting the ball around on our court. Darlene often got involved in the games as well, and I must say, seeing the girls bouncing around in their little skimpy bikinis was interesting, at the least. 

The girls seemed to gravitate to the swimming pond, too, and often were laying out working on tans when not either swimming or playing volleyball. I asked Kat about it one day.

"They like coming out here, Dad, because you don't creep them out, and you aren't constantly hitting on them like the guys at school do. Some of those guys are just pigs! They hang around ogling us and making comments. One of them even tried to rape one of the girls a while back, but the university didn't think it was a big deal and just gave him a warning."

"They are most welcome of course. I was just curious."

Kat gave me a hug. "Daddy, you're the best."

**********

Spring Break found the team staying around the university because of a tournament. Of course, most of the time they all spent out at our place. I even opened up some of the B&B rooms so they didn't have to return to the university at night. I got all manner of hugs and thanks for this. I have to say I felt a stirring in my loins I had not felt in some time.

The day before spring break ended turned things around for us in a major way. I woke up to the smell of smoke and jumped from my bed to look. I breathed more easily though when I looked out the front window of the house and saw smoke was coming from the town. That the fire was a large one was obvious. I clicked on the local news station in time to hear the tail end of a blurb about a large fire in a dormitory at the university. Nothing more was said pending further reporting from the site. Shortly thereafter, word came across the radio that the athletics dormitory was totally involved in the fire. It was an older building that did not have some of the fire-resistant building features of newer buildings, and the fire was not able to be localized and limited. Before all was said and done, the entire building was a total loss, leaving the university scrambling to find housing for all of their athletes. Only a limited number of them could be absorbed in the other dormitories.

Needless to say, all of the girls were worried about what they were going to do, and not much else. A lot of hugging and crying between them went on as they moved from one cluster to another and started the process over again. I caught Darlene's attention and waved her over to a quiet spot where we could talk without the others overhearing. "What would you think about moving the volleyball team out here? I've got the room. I don't know if it would be doable or not, but if it would help, we can at least be certain the girls have a place to stay through the end of the year."

Darlene gave a squeal of delight and threw her arms around my neck. "You would really do that for us? Thank you so much, Toomas! We couldn't let them freeload off of you, like I have been, though. Let me call the athletic director and pass along your offer. I know the girls will love it! They have all been talking this week about how much fun it has been to be out here."

Five minutes later, and an excited Darlene came running from the house. "Thank you, so much, Toomas! Dr. Cook is so grateful! She asked if she could give you a call in a day or so, once things settle down a little bit for her, and you two can work out the details."

"Certainly. You can go ahead and tell the girls if you like. Take the worry off of their minds, at least." 

Darlene put two fingers in her mouth and let out a shrill whistle, then waved the girls over in a cluster around us. "Girls, you can set your minds at ease about where you will live. Toomas has offered to allow the volleyball team to live here, at least through the end of the school year." She tried to say I would be meeting with the athletic director, but she was drowned out by the excited yelling of all of the girls, who surrounded me and all tried to hug me at once. I even got several kisses on the cheeks, and felt quite a number of tears as well.

It was later that Kat caught me alone and gave me a big hug. "Thank you, Daddy. That was sweet." I didn't need any more praise than that. 

It was not until Wednesday of the following week before I met with Dr. Cook, who came out to the house. "I met with Coach Thorson and Kat on yesterday. I was more than satisfied with their descriptions of your place, but our legal counsel required I come out and check it out for myself. I hope you will pardon me for doing so."

"It is no problem at all. I'm glad to have you. Is there anything in particular you would like to see?"

Dr. Cook shook her head. "I can see all I need to from here. It is obvious you have excellent facilities for the girls." She stopped and looked down at the table and shuffled some papers around nervously. "Please don't misunderstand my question, Toomas, but I must ask it. Understand I mean nothing derogatory by it, but what is your relationship with Ms. Thorson? I understand she has been living here with you for some time now?"

I had expected something of the sort. "Darlene needed a place to go when she and her boyfriend split up. Kat, that is Katarina came to me and said she needed a place to stay until she could find another, and she asked if we could put her up for a while." Dr. Cook nodded. "When she was unable to find suitable lodgings that she could afford I told her she was welcome to stay on. Katarina has been working with her and the freshman team, and she has become very fond of the coach, as have I. She's just a year older than my eldest daughter, so it is like having another daughter staying in the home with us. With the unfortunate passing of my wife she has done a lot to keep us from being maudlin, but beyond that, there is nothing going on."

"I was certain that was the case. I did a little background checking on you, and everyone I've spoken with has given you the highest recommendations as far as character. 

"The university is giving her the added responsibility of acting as dormitory supervisor, as it were, being responsible for the girls beyond just coaching. Now, I understand you have not been charging her any rent?"

I nodded. "I don't really need the money, and she doesn't cost me much. She does help out with the groceries and all."

"Well, the university will be, as part of her additional remuneration for her added responsibilities, paying you a fair rental for her room, and we will also be paying you the amount we would charge the girls for room and board if they weren't on scholarship. You've been very gracious to allow them to stay, but we can't impinge on you any further." 

Dr. Cook slid a contract over in front of me, and I was amazed at the numbers on there. I don't really need the money, but since they were willing to pay me, I'd find something to do with it. I pulled a pen from my pocket and with just a cursory glance at the paperwork was prepared to sign it.

"Aren't you even going to read the contract? You may feel free to have your attorney look it over first if you would like."

"Thank you. Normally, I would do that, but I see nothing that will be a problem to me. I really don't need the money, so I'm not going to quibble over little things." I signed my name and dated it, then slipped the papers back over to Dr. Cook.

"One other thing, if you will," she said as she put the document into her attache case. "I don't know that we will be able to rebuild the dormitory in time for next fall's school opening. Would you be willing to work with us on housing the girls next year as well?"

"We'll have to take a look at it as the spring progresses, but based on what I've seen of them over the last couple of weeks I don't believe it would be a problem."

So that's the way it all got started.

**********

In retrospect, having the girls move into the property is the best thing that could have happened to me at the time. They kept me from brooding and looking back at the past. We only had a couple of instances where the girls pushed the envelope a bit on the rules, and Coach Thorson was on them quickly. We did have to make a few adjustments because of the number of girls involved. For spring break they had been willing to double up in some of the queen size beds, but I knew that was not going to be a long term solution. I used a chunk of the moneys from the university to go out and purchase twin beds and bunk beds, and the necessary linens to fit out enough rooms to take care of the freshmen and sophomores. It worked out so that we were then able to house the teams, with seniors getting twin bed rooms, and the lower classes had two sets of bunk beds per room. Everyone was happy with that arrangement, especially since even those with double bunks had more room than in the old dorms, plus they had private bathrooms. The older girls found they had more space than they knew what to do with.

Of course, minor maintenance issues came up all of the time. That many girls with long hair kept me busy with clogged drains. I got embarrassed more than once when I would go to one of the girl's rooms to fix a problem and find her to be less than fully dressed, only to get a smile and a wink before she covered herself up. No, I didn't take any liberties. I'm not that kind of a guy, but they did keep my right hand busy many nights. 

I also found I was eating better than I had before. Coach Thorson was careful of her girls' diet, and since they prepared many of their meals in the house and ate there, I ate with them. Occasionally, I would be called on for some light tutoring in the sciences when one of the girls had trouble understanding, which gave me something to do, and I found I enjoyed it very much. Perhaps I should have been a teacher. 


Coppernicous Pt. 02



Only once in the next few days did either of us get dressed, and that was just to go back to Johnnie Walker's office to sign the contract for Deidra's future bed and breakfast. Well, Deidra did put on an apron when she was cooking so she wouldn't spatter herself and get burned, but even that was so sexy, with her bare ass showing out the back.

We weren't sexually active all of that time. After all, I am older than her parents, and I couldn't keep it going, but we enjoyed the sight of each other's bodies, and a lot of touching went on. I held her hand whenever we walked someplace or put my arm about her, holding her body close to mine. 

We also spent hours just sitting and talking, often with me sitting on one of the dining room chairs and Deidra on my lap, straddling my legs, with her breasts against my chest and her pussy pressed against my cock. 

We talked about her plans for the bed and breakfast, her psychological counselling, and how best to incorporate it into the B&B scenario. The girl is really sharp! Once she grabbed hold of the idea she ran with it, and it wasn't but two days and she had the plan laid out in her notes in the manner in which she would make it work. She also did a lot of grief counselling for me. I had gone to a shrink shortly after Marja's death, but didn't get any real value from the visits. Deidra on the other hand, sitting on my lap and holding me close to her, was able to break through in ways the shrink couldn't. It wasn't because she was naked and sitting on my lap, either. She just has such a gentle way of talking, but mostly the way she listened, with a question thrown in here and there to guide my thinking, is what did it. 

More than once I broke down and sobbed on her shoulder. Deidra held me close and let me cry myself dry, and then loved me back to feeling better. Not once was sex a part of this time together, but thinking back on it, I know this time is what cemented our relationship and made it what it became.

************

Sunday rolled around, and was I ever sorry to see the week end! Deidra did a fruit bowl made up of all sorts of melons and tropical fruits, and we fed each other with toothpicks while she straddled my lap. Just as we were finishing, a piece of mango broke off of my toothpick and dropped between her breasts, leaving a moist trail across her taut belly before landing in her little bit of a landing strip.

"Oh, dear! I made a mess! I'd better clean that up before it stains, or something." I reached between us for the errant piece and squashed it into her short pubic hair with my thumb before pressing it downward into her slit. Then I lifted her up onto the table to remove the offending fruit with my tongue while looking up into Deidra's eyes. Seeing the smile on her face made my heart flutter, but I followed the trail of juice up across her belly and between her breasts until I reached the spot where the mango hit in the first place. I marked the spot with a kiss, and then began to kiss my way back down, covering the trail with gentle kisses that had her squirming before I even got to her belly button. 

I will admit I got distracted there, and I stopped to thoroughly lick and tickle it with my tongue, driving her wild, but she couldn't get away from my grip holding her on the table. Finally, while she gasped for breath I continued south, kissing her all the while until I reached her landing strip, where I pinched the closely trimmed hairs between my lips and sucked off any remnants of the juice, taking little nibbles and continuing further down oh so slowly. 

Deidra's legs were trembling and the musky smell of her arousal was growing stronger by the moment until I just bumped her love nubbin with my lip. Instantly, her legs snapped together, holding my head tightly in place and her hands flew to the back of my head and began pressing my face into her pussy as she had not done all week. 

"Ohhh, Toomas. . . ." A gasp for breath, and a tighter squeeze, mashing my nose flat against her pubis. "Ohhh, please, don't tease me any more!" It was a moan, hardly intelligible, with a panting cry to go along with it. 

I looked up her trembling body at her face, distorted by passion, eyes wide, and the tendons of her neck drawn tight. I placed a kiss on her nubbin and then sucked it in between my lips and stroked it lightly with my tongue. She jerked like I had connected a 220 wire and quivered and wailed my name before lying back across the table, eyes closed and still. Her chest heaved, drawing in breath after breath, but no response did I get from her. 

Marja used to be prone to La Petite Mort, but never to the extent to which Deidra did this time. I sat there, gently stroking her hand while I waited for her to come back to consciousness and admired the beauty of the young woman who had become such a boon to me.

It took only a couple of minutes for Deidra's breath to settle down to a soft, slow pattern. To my amusement, she started a soft, whiffling, snore, and she slept there for about five minutes before awaking with a wide-eyed, unseeing, gaze that finally focused in on my face.

"What did you do to me, Toomas? I have never had anyone do that to me before." She tried to sit, and I slipped an arm behind her to help her up. She wrapped her arms loosely around my neck and leaned against my chest for support while she tried to get her body functioning again.

Two drops of moisture trickled down my chest, and then I heard a sniffle.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"I don't want this week to end, but the girls are going to be coming in any time now, and we won't be able to do this anymore."

I gave her a gentle hug and bent down to kiss the top of her head. "I know, Sweetheart, but it was a wonderful week. I'm so glad you came back early."

Deidra scooted herself off of the edge of the table and tried to stand on wobbly legs and giggled. "I don't know what you did to me, you evil man, you, but you can try to do it again any time you want to!" She drew in a shaky breath and gave me a tremulous smile. "I had better go get some clothes on before we get caught this way. Kat would understand, but I don't think any of the other girls would."

"Kat?"

Deidra hugged me and giggled again. "You don't really think she had to find an apartment this weekend, did you? She knew." Deidra had that mischievous smile again and she winked at me, but then the smile disappeared and she sighed. "We'd better get dressed, and then we need to talk while we are still alone. Meet me here in the kitchen in ten minutes?"

I nodded. I didn't think I could trust my voice at the moment.

***************

When I walked back into the kitchen, just ten minutes later I found Deidra making coffee. She had on that lovely fuschia sweater again, and those little white shorts. After all, why not? She hadn't worn them long enough for them to be soiled, and she knew I liked them. I mean, what's not to like?

She waved me over to the table and poured two cups of coffee before she sat down around the corner from me. I had so much I wanted to say to her, but she forestalled me with a hand on mine. 

"Thank you so much for such a wonderful week, Toomas." She placed a finger on my lips as I started to speak. "Let me finish before I can't." Her eyes were luminous from tears pooling in them. "I love you, Toomas, and not just for what you have done for me, but for who you are. I don't know that I am 'in love' with you, but I love you very much, and that is going to cause problems next semester for the team if we aren't careful."

Her head dropped and she studied her fingers as they played with the handle of her coffee cup. "I would love to share your bed with you, but I can't. It would cause problems with the team, and I won't do that. After the last several days I don't know how I'll live without your loving, but we have to do it."

I reached over for her hands and clasped them in mine.

"Sweetheart, I already knew that. I had it in mind to tell you that earlier today. After you graduate in May you will move into the house since you won't be on the team any more, but until then we'll have to go back to what it has been."

"I love you, too. You have brought back the capacity to love another person, and I'll be forever grateful to you for that. You are much too young for me to be building air castles over, anyhow. You'll be meeting some young man your age one day, and I would never want to be one to get in the way of your future happiness by trying to tie you down to an old man such as myself."

Deidra started to protest, but I in turn stopped her with a fingertip to her lips. I would have much rather stopped her with a kiss, but now was not the time, nor place.

"I don't think it would be wise for us to discuss our business arrangement with any of the others, either. I'll speak with Kat about it, of course, but let's leave the others out of the loop at least for the rest of the year. In fact, while you are still in school it doesn't matter to them. Afterward, you won't be on the team, and you will need a place to live. I have room, and I've offered it to you. That's all they need to know."

Deidra jumped up from her chair and wrapped her arms around my neck again. How I knew I would miss this after today! She pushed my chair back far enough to sit in my lap, crossways this time, and gave me a gentle kiss. "Thank you, Toomas. You have no idea how lonely my little bed will be now, but it has to be." She gave me her mischievous grin again. "You never know what may happen, anyway." With another peck on the lips, and then another embrace in which she managed to try to smother me by burying my face between her breasts, she stood and bent over, with her sweater gapping open enough for me to almost see her nipples, and she stroked Little Toomas. "Goodbye for now, Little Toomas. It was wonderful getting to know you." Then the little minx bent down and placed a kiss through my pants on his head. 

I heard a car in the drive as she stood back up, and I stood to go see who it was arriving. Deidra stopped me for one more hug, though, and nestled her head on my shoulder and sighed. "I'm going to miss you, Toomas. We'll both be right here, but I'll miss you." She turned and ran out the door and down to her room as I with a suddenly heavy heart went to the door to greet Kat.

***********

Over the next three hours Coach Thorson and all of the rest of the team returned. I was surprised by a hug and kiss on the cheek from each of them, some of the hugs extended ones, with the girls telling me I had been missed. They had been gone only three weeks, but it seemed something had changed. 

Thinking back on it, what had changed was me. While I had always had a good relationship with the girls, I had always been reserved and almost standoffish, still struggling with my grief. I had so much to be grateful to Deidra for.

Late in the afternoon I was in my office working on some paperwork when Kat came in with a big grin on her face. She pushed the door shut behind her before walking around behind my chair to wrap her arms around me and nestle her chin on my shoulder like she liked to do.

"Did you have a good time while I was gone, Daddy?"

"Yeah, sure. I just putzed around and got some maintenance things done since no one was around."

"You and Deidra got along OK, didn't you?"

"Oh, of course. Say, that girl can cook!"

"Umm-hmm. That's not what I meant, and you know it, Daddy. By the way, I'm happy for you. I really thought she would be good for you." She squeezed me tightly and then stood and walked around in front of the desk to sit down on a couch. Her grin told me she knew a lot more about what went on than I wanted her to know.

"Why? What did Deidra say?"

"Oh, she didn't say anything, but she's got this smile on her face that wasn't there when she left, and every time your name comes up she gets this dreamy look on her face." She held up a hand to stop me. "Don't worry, I don't think the others have caught on, and I certainly wouldn't tell. I think it's good for both of you." Her Cheshire cat grin was all over her face, but I didn't think she was the one I wanted to talk with about my sex life and all we had done.

"Daddy, I know how much you and Mom loved each other, and knowing that means an awful lot to me, but I'm glad to see you happy again. By the way, you get almost the same look on your face when I mention Deidra's name." She giggled. "I don't want to know what happened. I just want you to know I'm happy that it did. Now, do you want to know about my week?"

I took a deep breath and a little sigh of relief to be on safer ground and nodded before saying.

"In just a moment. Deidra and I talked a lot about your mother, and she helped me a great deal with my grief. I'm most grateful to her for this. She is a very perceptive young lady. Has she talked with you about what her dreams are?"

"I know she wants to have a bed and breakfast really badly, but her father wants her to go into psychology practice with him. I know she doesn't want to do it, though. She's pretty upset about it."

"OK, this is between us two, and nobody else. Understand?"

"Sure. What's up, Daddy?"

"I suggested she open a B&B and use is for a counselling center, and she was ecstatic about the idea. She even managed to sell the idea to her dad. This is the part you are not to talk about. She and I went down to talk with Johnnie Walker, and we signed a contract. I'm going to put her through two years of culinary arts and fund a B&B for her, fifty/fifty. I'm going to let her live here at the house during that time. Do you have any problems with the idea?"

Kat sat and thought for a minute or two before giving me a big smile. "I think it's a great idea, Daddy. If Greta or Margarite say anything I'll tell them to leave you alone. You know their first reaction will be that she's a gold-digger, but I'll work on that. I know Jenny will understand, and I'll tell her, so you don't have to worry about her."

I sighed with relief. My daughters tend to be overprotective of me at times. "Thanks, Kat. Knowing you understand means a lot to me. I don't think I'll have a problem with the others, but you know Deidra, and they don't." 

Kat came around the desk again and hugged my neck. "I'm so happy to see you with something to live for again, Daddy. I really think this is a great opportunity for both of you. I always thought Deidra would be good for you if you got past the age thing."

"Whoa, now! Don't be building air castles, Kat! I'm older than her father, and she needs someone her own age. Not that I'm not fond of her, but I'm not a cradle-snatcher."

"If I know Deidra as I think I do, I don't think it's a matter of cradle snatching nearly so much as she's trying to climb out of it. I know whose lap she'd like to crawl into, too." She gave me a smirk and a kiss on the cheek. All I could do is shake my head.

"Now, tell me about your week, and why you want to go away and leave your daddy."

****************

I put a little bug in the cook's ear about Deidra and her cooking ability and interest, and she was most happy to have Deidra come in and work in the kitchen with her when Deidra had time. She even allowed Deidra to take over a meal on occasion and worked with her, assisting, instead of the other way around. Our cook was good, and an excellent dietician, but she didn't have the flair for cooking Deidra had.

Deidra managed to get a chance to take over on my birthday, and she planned a veritable feast without letting on the reason for it. Kat, of course, knew what was going on, and she got involved and helped. Deidra put out the word it was a "formal" evening, and between her and Kat they got the girls all interested in participating, including inviting boyfriends. That generated a lot of interest from most of the girls and before I knew it, my house had been taken over, and was being decorated to the nines. There was not enough room in the dining room to hold everyone, so a couple of the boyfriends stopped by during the day when they didn't have classes and moved all of the furniture from the living room and stored it in the garage. Darlene pitched in and arranged for some round tables and some chairs from the university to be brought out and set up. She even got nice table linens and small candelabras for each table.

I was pretty much banished from the house, although I did make one stop in the kitchen to corner Deidra and be certain she hadn't said anything about it being my day, but she said she hadn't, that no one knew. She gave me a wink and a little hug when no one was watching and then, shooed me out the door.

I don't know what all she did to it, but the standing rib roast she prepared was so tender it could be cut with a fork and nearly melted in your mouth when you ate it. She did fresh whole green beans with rosemary, like she had when she fixed salmon for me before, except she had baby potatoes and pearl onions mixed in with the beans. She also reprised her cake with anisette cream filling.

The cook took over with a couple of servers she had called in so that Deidra could enjoy the dinner with us, and I made sure she was seated next to me with Kat on the other side. Darlene was across the table from us.

I felt a little foolish sitting there in my own house wearing a tux to eat dinner, but with all of the young ladies wearing formal gowns, and the guys either wearing a tux or a suit I have to say everyone looked nice. When dinner was over, Kat took over the stereo, and tables were moved out of the way in the living room for dancing. Before the night was over, I danced with nearly every girl on the team at least once, and I noticed Kat always managed to pick a slow number whenever I danced with Deidra, and on a couple of occasions with other seniors who were not dating anyone. Of course, Little Toomas stood up and paid attention as the girls pressed themselves closely against me, and I got more than one sexy smile from the girls when they felt him. Almost every girl also gave me a kiss at the end of each dance, except for a few who were in a serious relationship with a guy. Deidra, though, slipped me a little tongue each time.

It was at the last dance I whispered in her ear and asked, "What's going on here? Are you sure you didn't say anything?"

"No. Not at all, and I don't think anyone knows it's your birthday except for Kat and me. We haven't told. The girls just like you, and they like to tease. This has just been a fun evening for us to celebrate the season and being back together. Just enjoy yourself, and don't worry about what happens." She leaned back and gave me a big grin. "Enjoy yourself. I promise you, the girls are. You don't know what all they say about you when you aren't around. I'm just the lucky one who has gotten to have you, but they don't need to know that." She pressed her breasts against me tightly right then as the song ended. "I don't know of a one, who isn't committed to some guy, who wouldn't jump in bed with you if they had half a chance."

All I could do was look at her in amazement. "Why me? I'm older than most of their fathers."

"Because you treat them with respect, even when they flaunt themselves at you like some of them do. You don't take advantage, and you don't look down on them. Like I said, you treat us all with respect. You don't think they all need help with their math or science, do you?" A little smirk, and then she leaned in for a kiss as the song ended. As for me, I had to take a break for a song to let Little Toomas subside before I embarrassed myself with another coed.

Darlene took over the stereo for Kat so she could dance with me once. "Having fun, Daddy? Happy birthday!"

Yes, I was having fun. The most fun I'd had since I lost Marja. "Yes, Kitten, I am. You and Deidra have made this a special night. Thanks for keeping it quiet, too. By the way, who's paying for all of this? Nobody has asked me for anything."




Coppernicous Pt. 02



"We had a little left in the travel budget from the tournament, and Coach Thorson said we could use it for a celebration. Deidra and I thought this would be a good way to do it."

"Well, my dear, you did well."

***************

The next day was Saturday, so none of the girls had classes, but Darlene was not about to let them all off for the day. It had now been four weeks since the last game, and sand volleyball season was approaching. She had set a ten o'clock practice, and had asked if I could help out setting up the courts. Of course I readily agreed. I mean, why not? The little bikinis the girls wore for sand volleyball weren't something I tired of seeing, and besides, I enjoyed being with the girls. Darlene didn't ask for much, and having her living in the house had, as I mentioned earlier, done a lot to fill the quiet house with life again. I was always happy to do anything for her.

It was an exceptionally warm day, even for our climate. Those of us who lived down here thought fifty degrees as cold, so we weren't as likely to be interested in swimming, even when it was in the low eighty's like today, but the girls from the north were a different matter. They kept the swimming pond going year around. Darlene ran a few drills on the sand courts, and recognized the lack of conditioning created by four weeks of no coordinated conditioning. Sure, most of the girls had done some running while off, but not enough to keep their conditioning to a high level enough to suit Coach Thorson. She blew a blast on the whistle and gathered the girls around as I finished tightening the last net.

"All right, girls. I know it was Christmas break, but you have let yourselves go. We can't compete in this condition. Here's what we are going to do: It's a hot day today, so I think we will use the pond for some aerobic conditioning. When I blow the whistle you are to run to your rooms and get your bathing suits on, and you are to run back down here. I said run! Not jog. Ten minutes max." She blew the whistle and the girls broke into a run for their rooms.

"No knots!" I heard from one of the girls as they ran, but I had no idea what she meant.

"You look like you could use some exercise, too, Toomas. You may as well join us."

I shrugged and started for the house to change, but I didn't run. Coach Thorson had planned this ahead of time, and she had her bikini with her, so she just stepped into the little bathhouse we had down there and changed.

When I walked back out of the house a few minutes later I heard Coach Thorson's whistle and I saw a group of girls dive into the water and swim across the pond to the other side, turn and swim back to tag another girl, who then dove in and repeated the process. When the second girl swam back she tagged the original girl, who dove in and swam across. Each girl did five laps before Coach Thorson blew her whistle again and the girls all got out of the water. By now I had gotten down to the beach. Seeing all of the girls in their bikinis, with chests heaving from the swim was quite a sight to see. 

While the girls caught their breath I dove into the water and began swimming leisurely back and forth, enjoying the water, but I only had a few minutes before Coach Thorson called out to me. "Toomas, could you set up the water volleyball net for us, please?"

I was only too happy to oblige her, and in just a few minutes I had the net strung across between two buoys we set up in the pond for that purpose. The water in that area was about chest deep, and I knew from experience, trying to play volleyball in that water was very exhausting, but I had not accounted for what Coach Thorson had in mind. She split the group into two teams, but instead of using one ball she threw out two of them. I set myself on one side of the court to catch errant balls and Coach Thorson was on the other.

"Now, girls, here is the deal. On my whistle each side will serve a ball. Normal volleyball rules as far as numbers of hits will apply, but points will be awarded whenever a ball hits the water whether for the serving team or the other. We will play to twenty-one, and the loser will run to the house and back. Ready?" Her whistle blew, and two balls were served. Seeing the girls lunging about in the water trying to reach balls, jumping from the water trying to spike over the net, even though jumping in water is extremely difficult had the girls all gasping for breath in short order. Comic relief came soon when Tatiana's top came untied, much to her embarrassment. The girls all laughed good-naturedly, teasing her about trying to flash me. Of course, I turned my head, but in the moment before I did I enjoyed what I saw.

A few minutes later, it was Shannon who had hers come loose, Shannon is the girl with the largest breasts in the group, and of course, she got a lot of cat-calls and teasing, especially when one of the other girls grabbed her loose string and pulled her top totally off. Shannon was unfazed, and didn't even hurry about covering herself up, nor did she turn her back. If rumors are true about large breasts, Shannon has no fear of drowning! It was then I figured out what the call "No knots," was all about when the girls were going to change.

Two games were played before Coach Thorson called a halt and sent both teams for a run to the house and back, as each had won one game. "Well, that got interesting for a bit, didn't it?" Darlene gave me a big grin, which surprised me, for never before had she ever said anything of a sexual or suggestive nature around me. 

"A little bit more than I bargained for." I blushed a little bit, thinking of breasts coming out.

Darlene giggled. "Those girls enjoy teasing you, Toomas, in case you haven't noticed."

Oh, I had noticed all right! "They are crazy! I'm older than some of their fathers."

"Um-hmm, but also in better shape than most of their fathers, and you don't creep them out like a lot of guys do. They like the way you get involved with them, take part in their games out here and swim with them without constantly perving. They all think you are kind of special," she looked down at her feet for a minute, "and I do, too." It was almost a whisper, but when I looked over at her I noticed her nipples were poking in her bikini bra, but they hadn't been just a few minutes before. Just what was going on here?

***********

Saturday evening I built a fire in the firepit, although it was far from cold enough to need one. The girls had requested a wiener roast, and to make S'mores. I had been down by the fire for a bit getting the wood burned down to coals for roasting the hot dogs when the girls started filtering down. Tatiana was first, and Shannon right behind her. When I glance up at them I saw their tee-shirts moving suggestively, and each with two points leading the way. They each gave me a hug, which was not an unusual greeting anymore, but they each held it just a little bit too long. Tatiana gave me a kiss on the cheek that was closer to the neck than the cheek, and giggled when she pulled away. Several of the freshmen and sophomores were close behind them. They weren't quite as ebullient in their hugs as had been the other two, but then they hadn't lived there on the place as long. The seniors, who had been there since the fire in their dormitory were a lot closer to me, although the juniors had been around long enough that they were rivaling the seniors in the way they treated me. 

I did notice, how could I not, that none of the second group was wearing a bra, either. If this was going to keep up all night I was going to be in trouble! I stirred the fire, which really didn't need it, but I needed the distraction, but it was short-lived as another group of the girls came bouncing up, chattering excitedly. Lynn, the shortest senior on the team, and their best setter, had on a tee shirt that was just short of being see-through, and like all of the others, was bra-less. She mashed her boobs against me enthusiastically with her hug, and again, held it longer than the norm before giving me a sloppy kiss on the cheek and a giggle. Instead of wearing shorts like the other girls had been, she had on bikini bottoms that were hardly there. Fortunately for me, her shirt was long enough to hide them most of the time, but then it looked like a very short dress, leading to lascivious thoughts I tried hard to put down.

Deidra and Meghan, another senior, were the last two to make their way down to the fire pit, but they were laden with the hot dogs and other supplies. They set them down on a picnic table before coming over for the by now de rigueur hugs. My eyes widened when I saw Deidra's shirt. What had been a lightweight spaghetti strap top had been altered to make it form fitting. Meghan stepped around the fire to give me a big hug and kiss on the cheek, and once again, she held the hug just that little bit longer than is normal, pressing her breasts into me and pulling my crotch against her body. I know she could feel my cock growing from about half-erect, for she leaned back far enough to look me in the eyes while still pressing her boobs against me, but bringing our lower bodies into tighter contact.

"I wish that was for me, Toomas," she whispered, and leaned back in again to give me another kiss on the cheek, but this time it was a sloppy kiss. She whispered into my ear, "Any time you say, Toomas," before she let me go. From the corner of my eye I could see Deidra grinning, and she gave me a conspiratorial wink.

Deidra stepped into my arms as soon as Meghan vacated them, and she mashed those delectable mounds of hers against me and pressed herself tightly against Little Toomas while giving me a kiss on the mouth, and I felt her tongue tickling my lips. A bunch of the girls started giving her grief for her kiss, but she grinned at me really big before diving in to kiss me again. She hugged me with her face up against mine so she could whisper into my ear. "See, I told you all of the girls want you, but I got you first! Have fun, and don't worry, I'll not be jealous. I know you love me." With that she broke away and moved around the fire to find an open spot where she could roast a hot dog.

I looked around the group before asking, "Where's Coach Thorson? And what about Kat?" I was a little puzzled that none of the girls had a date on a Saturday night.

Meghan spoke up. "Kat has a date tonight, and Coach was on the phone with her Dad. She said she'd be down in a little bit." I wished she would hurry up and come down to the fire. I had no idea how to handle everything that was going on. Try as I might, I couldn't get Little Toomas to go down, and my eyes kept straying across the fire to Deidra and her magnificent breasts. 

"Have fun, and don't worry. I won't be jealous. I know you love me," rang in my ears over and over. This was every eighteen-year-old guy's wet dream come true, but I was a long ways from eighteen years old, and I had no idea how to handle it.

One of the girls cranked up an MP3 player and some of the girls started dancing around the fire while others had wieners roasting. Firelight on unfettered bouncing boobs did nothing to solve my problem with Little Toomas, especially when Deidra pulled me to my feet and she and Shannon sandwiched me while bouncing to the music. It wasn't long before other girls pushed their way into the mix before I finally called a halt to it so I could roast a wiener for myself. Really, I wanted to give Little Toomas a break. 

I was spreading some baked beans on my hot dog when I saw Coach Thorson walking slowly down the path, eyes downcast. I started to go see what was the matter, but Deidra saw her, too, and quickly broke away from the group and walked out to meet her. I saw Deidra slip an arm around her shoulders and give her a hug, and then they talked a while longer before making their way down to the fire. I kept roasting and eating hot dogs while the girls continued dancing so that I wouldn't be the hot dog in the middle for a little bit, and I ate more than I normally would, until Coach Thorson and Deidra got there. 

Immediately, I heard Shannon call out to the Coach. "Hey Coach, didn't you get the memo?"

"What memo was that?"

"No bra Saturdays."

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate."

"The team all voted for it." Shannon was almost drowned out by others on the team.

Coach Thorson was blushing fiercely, being the center of attention this way, and look at me out of the corner of her eye as I turned my head away from her. I didn't want to be the cause of her embarrassment, although I know the girls were enjoying it immensely. "Go, Coach. Go, Coach," was started, while she shook her head "No." Tatiana called out, "Toomas would probably help you if you asked him!" which made both of us blush even more, although the team all thought it was funny.

Finally, Coach Thorson turned her back to everyone and slipped her bra off under her shirt to all of the girl's cheers. She turned around, red-faced. "Happy now?" The girls all cheered. I looked. After all, I may be old, but I'm still male, and they looked mighty nice. A bit more than a handful each, and they stood out nicely.

I offered the coach the hot dog I had just roasted, before asking if everything was OK. She shook her head "no" and quickly downed a bottle of water as she sat down. She patted the seat next to her, and I sat down, too. 

"First off, Phil called, just to rub salt in the wound and tell me he's getting married to the girl I thought was my best friend all through college. All he was trying to do is hurt me more. I thought I was over him, but it still hurt. Then before I could even get out here, my phone rang again, and it was my Dad wanting to know when I was going to give up volleyball and get married like a girl is supposed to do, and give him some grandchildren." She sighed again, and a tear trickled down her cheek. "I'd like to get married and have some kids, but I can't seem to find a guy who is interested in anything more than just getting into my panties, and I'm just not interested in that."

Tears were streaming down her face, so I pulled her head over onto my shoulder and held her.

Her voice was somewhat muffled as she mumbled, "That bastard Phil sent them a wedding invitation." With that, she turned to me and wrapped both arms around my neck and sobbed on my shoulder for fair.

I bless Deidra and her sensitivity. She shooed all of the girls around to the other side of the fire, and turned down the music. 

After a few minutes Darlene heaved a big sigh and raised her head. I handed her a napkin to wipe her eyes, which she did and then wiped her nose. She carefully folded the napkin before setting it down onto her plate and then she put her arms about me again and rested her head back onto my shoulder. Without even thinking about it, I wrapped my arms about her and just held her close.

"This is nice, Toomas. Thank you for being here, and for being you," was the murmur I heard in my ear. I thought it felt pretty nice, myself, but that was not the purpose of the moment. Little Toomas didn't seem to understand, though, even though I did nothing to make the embrace sexual. Have you ever noticed that sometimes the most asexual situations are the most emotionally stimulating?

I heard a soft sigh, and felt a gentle squeeze, and a soft kiss on the neck before Darlene lifted her head and looked at me. "Thank you, Toomas. You are pretty special, you know."

I blushed and looked down. I didn't feel very special at the moment. Here I had been holding a crying girl, who was crying over the loss of what she thought was love, but I let her soft breasts against my chest stimulate me in a manner I had no business being stimulated. Darlene glanced down at just that moment, and then looked back into my face with a wide smile.

"Did I do that to you, Toomas? I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm the one who is sorry. You don't need me reacting to you this way at a time like this."

Darlene giggled, and then she tipped her head back and laughed and laughed. Her breasts jiggled delightfully as she shook, and Little Toomas jumped, much to my chagrin. "Poor Toomas." Darlene hugged me again, but this time it was a happy hug, and she rubbed her breasts against me purposely this time. "The girls have been teasing you all night, haven't they, and then you have to feel me rubbing against you while you are trying to comfort me. Not to mention them teasing me to take off my bra. All of this has to be hard on you, doesn't it."

She leaned in again, but this time she gave me a little peck on the cheek. "You are such a nice man, too. You never stare at any of the girls, or do or say anything, but you always try to be the gentleman. That's why the girls like to tease you so much." A giggle, and a hug of my arm, with the softness of her breast pressed against it. "We really don't care if you look, in fact some of them really get off on it." She looked down at Little Toomas trying to force his way out of my shorts and giggled again. "Besides, we like to look, too, and I like what I see there." She hugged my arm again and rubbed her breast across it before murmuring in my ear again, "Thank you for being here for me tonight. I really appreciate it."

We stood, and she stepped into a full-on hug and pressed herself up against me. "Ummh. Thank you. This tells me I'm desirable."

When we broke apart I walked over to the cooler to get a bottle of water, not so much for need of a drink, but for need of space to calm myself down a bit and to clear my mind.

The party carried on for another hour or so before Coach Thorson called a halt to things. She called all of the girls together. "All right, it has been a fun evening, but don't forget training starts in earnest Monday, with practice out here at six before you have to go to classes. Tomorrow, you each owe me ten laps of the pond. I also expect ten minutes on 'The Board'."

The girls all groaned. "The Board," was a wall Coach Thorson had me build shortly after the volleyball team moved to the house. It had a net painted on the face, with the idea being the girls had to jump in the sand and hit a ball against the wall above the net without letting it fall to the ground. It was extremely tiring on the legs, because of the sand, but when the girls were on a regular court they found they were able to elevate much better than any of the other teams that only did their practicing on hard floors. 

Coach Thorson turned to face me before saying, "Thanks, Toomas for the fire tonight." I knew why she turned to face me as she did, and yes, I did look, and yes, I liked what I saw. A little grin played at the corner of her lips. She turned back to the team. "Run for the house. Hit the books tonight, girls. Start this semester strong. I don't want to lose anyone to ineligibility this semester."

"Hey, Toomas, can I get some help with physics tonight?" I heard from the back of the group. I wasn't sure who asked, but I said, "Sure."

The girls all took off for the house at a run, but I stayed to be certain the fire was out and everything put away properly. I will say this for the girls. I never had to pick up their trash. They kept the place neat and clean.

I was startled by a soft voice. "I know now why Deidra is in love with you, Toomas. You don't talk when you need to be quiet, and when you look at a girl you make her feel valued, rather than cheap." She stepped closer to me and slipped her arms around my waist, pulling me into her, but letting her breasts just graze my chest as she looked into my eyes. A gentle peck on my lips and then she went on. "Thank you so much for listening and then holding me." She blushed and looked down for a moment. "Even then, though you were obviously excited, you didn't make it about you or try to take advantage, and you could have, so easily." Her eyes were luminous as she looked up the few inches to my eyes. Her lips found mine again, but this time it was a full kiss and she pressed her body tightly against mine. A gentle moan from her caressed my lips, and then she was gone, and I was left to finish putting out the fire, but hard as a statue.




Coppernicous Pt. 02



It was a good fifteen minutes before I was able to go back to the house, and by then my erection had subsided enough that I would not be embarrassed to be seen by the girls, even though I knew they wanted to see me hard, either that or make me hard. Probably a little bit of both.

A figure stepped out from the shadows when I approached the kitchen door. Deidra pressed her breasts against me and kissed my cheek before whispering in my ear, "Thanks for being there for Coach tonight. She needs you." Another kiss on the cheek, and a whispered, "Until next time," and she was gone back to her room. 

Penny, one of the sophomores was waiting for me at a table in the dining room, with her physics book open before her and her laptop and a notebook. "Thanks, Toomas. I just don't get this stuff. I got a 98 in physics in high school, but when Dr. Johnson starts lecturing I get lost right away. I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

"Give me just a minute, Penny, and I'll be with you." I had been outside for quite a while and I had to make a bathroom stop before I could even consider helping her. I stopped and grabbed a Coke on the way back. "Want one, Penny?"

"Thanks, but no. I'll stick to water. I'm trying to watch my weight. I gained a few pounds over Christmas break."

If she gained any weight, I certainly couldn't see it, but far be it from me to try to tell her any different. If she did, she must have put it on in her breasts, because they were certainly not lacking, and the A/C in the house after being outside in the heat and humidity had her nipples perked up and standing out at attention through her light tee shirt. I don't know about her being able to pay attention in Physics class, but if she wore that tee-shirt into class that way, there would be no way Dr. Johnson would be able to keep his train of thought!

I cleared my throat and tried mightily to keep my eyes on hers as I asked what area she was struggling in. My eyes kept drifting, and I caught a little grin from her a time or two when I glanced down. It really didn't take much to set her on the right path once we started discussing her homework. It was more of a matter of her adjusting to Dr. Johnson's style of lecture than knowledge of physics. She had a firm grasp on the subject, but had been confused by the difference in presentation. She gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek, and I saw her glance down to see the bulge the half-awakened Little Toomas made in my shorts. She winked at me as she made her way out the door and gave me a little pinky wave to say "Thank you."

I turned lights out behind me as I made my way toward my room. I was in serious need of some relief, and I couldn't wait to get to my shower, and then head for bed. The day had been exhausting. Before I could get there, though, I was met at her bedroom door by Darlene, who had her hair down and was wearing a long night-shirt loose and light enough that it settled into the valley between her breasts outlining them for me, and showing the nipples half-poking.

"Toomas," she stepped in to embrace me, molding her body to mine. "Thank you for listening to me and letting me cry on your shoulder tonight."

"I was happy to, my dear. It was no problem at all."

"It meant a lot to me. Even my own daddy wouldn't listen to me last night." She snuggled her head on my shoulder and nuzzled my neck. "I haven't had anybody since Phil and I broke up, and his call talking about getting married made me realize how badly I need it. Could I sleep with you tonight?"

Little Toomas had already awakened when she snuggled herself up against me, and he was all in favor, but my other head tried to reason. "Would that be wise, Darlene? Not that you aren't very desirable. You are, but what about your team? What would they think?"

Darlene lifted her head and nibbled at the lobe of my ear and whispered, "They would think I was so lucky, and would wish they were me." She pressed her belly against Little Toomas and rocked up and down on him. When she pulled her head back to look into my face with her tear-filled eyes I couldn't say "no."

Darlene slid around to my side so we could walk to my room, but she kept her arms around me, and one delectable breast pressed up against me until we got to my door. When we entered I started to pull my shirt off, but Darlene stopped me.

"Please, Toomas. Let me?" Her eyes were wide and luminous, looking up into mine, and she slipped her hands gently under my shirt to slide it upward while her fingers caressed my skin. She moaned and stopped to press the side of her face against my chest when the shirt was high enough, then she kissed me softly on the sternum before continuing upward until she had the shirt off.

Darlene dropped to her knees, looking up into my face, and unbuckled and unzipped my shorts and let them drop to my feet. Little Toomas had leaked, leaving a large wet spot on my briefs, which brought a smile to Darlene's lips. She held my eyes while she leaned in and kissed Little Toomas on the head, and then she pulled the waistband out and over, and then down, and slid her hands down my legs, pushing the briefs to the floor. When she bent over to help me get my clothes off of my feet her cheek brushed Little Toomas, which set him to jumping and bobbing.

I reached a hand to Darlene and helped her to her feet. "May I?" I asked, lifting at the hem of her night-shirt. At her nod I slowly slid it upward, reveling in the softness of her skin as my hands stroked lovingly up her sides, across her hips and dipping into the curves of her abdomen, and then back out again over her ribcage and the sides of her breasts to lift the gown over her arms and head.

"Beautiful," I whispered and gathered her in my arms, feeling her soft skin against mine for the first time, and caressing her smooth back and buttocks, then sliding my hands outward to stroke up and down her curves.

Darlene pulled me tightly against herself and moaned in my ear, "Please, Toomas, I need you in me now. No more, no more." Almost frantically she tore back the covers and top sheet and crawled in to lie on her back while beckoning me to follow. I knelt on the bed, bending to take her right nipple in my mouth, which made her moan, but she almost cried, "Please, Toomas. Now. I need you now." 

Her hands were almost frantic as the grabbed at Little Toomas, pulling me to herself. I moved between her legs and she pressed the head into her waiting vagina and tugged on me with her legs, wanting me fully inside. "Oh, Toomas, you feel so good!" She began rocking her hips while pulling me with her legs, trying to get me deeper, all the while crying out my name and squeezing me around the chest with her arms, smashing her wonderful breasts up against me.

I had wanted to give her some attention before actually entering her, for I knew with all of the stimulation I had had all day I would not be able to last very long at all, but she was so needy and wouldn't let me. I had hardly even entered her before I felt my testicles boiling and drawing up. "I'm sorry, Darlene, but I'm not going to last," I panted. "I want to wait for you."

"Don't try to wait for me," was the urgent whisper in my ear, and then she nibbled on the earlobe, sending goosebumps all down my arm and leg. "I can't come from sex anyway. I never have been able to. I just need you!" I knew I had to show her differently, but it wouldn't be this time!

I tried. I really tried, but I couldn't hold on much longer before with a huge groan I came deep inside her, Little Toomas doing all he could to climb all the way in. Darlene's legs pressed me even closer, if that was possible, and her pelvis rocked forward insistently, trying to get as much of me as she could get, while I shuddered and thrust against her until there was just no more to give.

"Thank you, Toomas. You have no idea how long I have waited for you to do that, but you've been too much of a gentleman to make a move." Darlene kissed me lightly, and I realized it was the first kiss between us. I promptly kissed her back.

"I'll admit I've wanted to do this more times than you can imagine, but I didn't think it would be right."

"I'm glad you changed your mind tonight. I like being in your arms, and I love having you in me."

By now Little Toomas was starting to live up to his name, and I had to scramble for some tissues off of my night table before we made a real mess in my bed.

"I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you. That was selfish of me."

Darlene kissed me to silence. "Don't even think of it. I got what I wanted. Besides, I never come from having sex. The only way I orgasm is when I do it to myself."

"Nonsense. You just haven't been with anyone who cared enough to take care of you properly."

"Oh, Phil used to try, but it just never happened for me. It's OK." She snuggled her breasts up against my chest again and giggled when Little Toomas twitched. "I loved the feeling of you inside of me, the feeling you really cared about me, that I'm not just another piece to add to your collection. You make me—have always made me feel special and cared for." Her arms went around my neck, and she nuzzled my nose with hers, which caused her breasts to flatten against me, and Little Toomas twitched again. "Ummh, I think someone likes this."

She pulled her head back enough to look me in the eyes, but kept her breasts pressed against me. "I know you never tried anything with me before because you really do care about me, Toomas. When I first moved in here I was afraid I would have to worry about you thinking I owed you, or that you would try peeking in on me or something, but you never did. I started wishing you would do something, but you always treated me like a lady. I couldn't help falling for you a little bit. When you allowed the team to live here and you have treated all of the girls with respect," she grinned mischievously, "even though they, for the most part, have teased you mercilessly. Your restraint is more than admirable."

I gave her a wry grin. "I'll admit I've had to take care of myself more than once in the last couple of years. But then, I've been grieving my wife, too. Deidra was a big help to me last week."

"I thought she might be. I'm glad for your sake."

My hands had not been idle during this time, but I had been stroking her soft skin without being overtly sexual, but I could tell it was having an effect on Darlene. She was starting to wiggle around, especially when my hands stroked across her ass or down her legs and up across her hips.

"You have nice hands, Toomas. That feels really nice. Ooooh, especially when you touch me right there."

My hand had just dropped off of her ass cheek after giving it a gentle squeeze, and my fingers dipped into the junction of her thighs and down to the inside of her leg. "You mean right here?" and I slipped my hand back up, reversing the process.

Her breath hissed between her teeth. "Ummmm, yessss. How are you doing that? You are sending tingles all through me when you do that."

I cupped her ass cheek in my hand with my fingers at the junction of her leg and I let one finger stray down between her legs and back up. Her head came up and her pelvis rocked down onto Little Toomas. Suddenly she scooted upward enough that I could take one of her nipples in my mouth, which I was delighted to do while I continued stroking her ass and the top of her leg. Darlene began quivering in my arms and I saw her eyes were tearing up.

"What is it, my dear? What's wrong?" I pulled off of her nipple long enough to whisper.

"Ohhh, don't stop. Please, Toomas, don't stop. I don't know how to handle this. I've never had anyone treat me like this, like you really love me, not that I'm just a body to please and have."

"Maybe it's because I do. You have just never had anyone make love to you before. You've only had sex, and there is a real difference." Darlene's eyes asked the question. "I can make love to you and never have sex, my dear, but I can also have sex with you and never make love, but when we do both it makes all of the difference. Personally, I'd rather make love to you."

Darlene's legs had begun to spread a bit, giving me a little deeper access between them as I stroked her ass and leg, and with a gasp she begged me to suck on her nipple again. I was only too happy to do so, and I gently sucked it into my mouth and hummed softly while caressing the tip of her nipple with the flat of my tongue.

She reached down for my other hand and pulled it up, placing my palm over her other breast, and she gasped when my hand squeezed it and I kneaded the soft flesh with my fingers while I also slid my palm back and forth teasing the end of her nipple.

Her legs were now spread apart allowing my hand to caress her ass cheek and then down her thigh, as far as I could reach toward her knee, and then stroke back slowly up the inside of her thigh up to her sex, which was swollen and very wet.

Her breathing was becoming ragged, especially when I drew my fingers in to pinch and pull on her nipple while I sucked harder on, and licked firmly the other nipple. My humming had become more of a guttural growl, giving her vibrations that seemed to go all the way to her core.

Suddenly, with a wail she reached between us and grabbed Little Toomas and put him into the entry of her vagina and she pushed down all the way with a shudder and she began clenching and nearly convulsing, wailing "Toooooomaaaaaas" over and over again. For once in my life I was really happy Kat had not come home after a date!

It was only a couple of minutes that it lasted, but then I had a weeping Darlene lying on me shuddering, crying happy tears on my shoulder. All I could do was hold her to me, with Little Toomas still buried deep inside, but I held still giving her time to recover. Finally, with eyes glazed Darlene lifted her head. "Toomas, you wonderful man, you. How did you do that? And you didn't even touch my pussy! I've never come from having sex before, and I've never come like that!" She dove into me and laid a kiss on me like I don't remember ever getting before.

"Sweetheart, it was because I didn't have sex with you. I made love to you, and that is the difference."

"Ummmh. You can do that with me any time you want." She laid her head back on my shoulder with her nose nuzzled against my neck. "You feel so good in me. We have to do . . ." Her voice had trailed off into a soft snore, and I felt complete.

*****

Please give constructive comments. Emails with a return address will be replied. I'm interested in your feedback. Thanks for reading my tale.



Coppernicous Pt. 03



This is part 3 of a multi-part story, and is better understood and enjoyed if you have read parts 1 and 2 first. It is a transitional piece between part 2 and part 4, and is rather short. I apologize for the length. After posting part 2 my characters kept saying there was more to the story that needed to be told, but that there needs to be a break between this and the next part.

I appreciate very much the excellent feedback I have received on the other two sections, and I hope you will feel free to give constructive comments on this one as well. All emails that contain a return address will be replied unless you ask me not to. As I try to learn fiction writing as opposed to technical writing I recognize there are things I don't know. Your constructive comments are much appreciated!

I am also most appreciative to GrandTeton for his assistance in editing this work. He added much needed polish.

*****

I woke up at 2:35 in the morning feeling like my chest was caving in. No complaints on my end, to be sure. Darlene's breath was almost a purr in my ear, and her soft hair tickled the eyelashes of my right eye. I tried to shift slightly to relieve some of the worst pressure, but I woke Darlene, much as I had tried not to.

At first her eyes widened, not knowing where she was, and then in the dim light of my alarm clock I saw a smile curl her lips. "I'm sorry, Toomas. I seem to have fallen asleep on you."

Darlene lifted herself slightly with her arms, which did two things for me. First, it lessened some of the pressure on my chest, even better, it exposed those luscious breasts to my eyes. Little Toomas had softened, but had not fallen completely out, and he made the slightest little twitch at the sight.

I saw her smile grow in the dim light. "Are you really still in me?" She gave me a little squeeze with her vaginal muscles and nearly pushed me out. Even though I was almost totally soft I didn't want to pull out. The connection, the bond between us, was just too great to break.

"I went to sleep on you, didn't I? I'm sorry. Did you come?"

I shook my head "No," and quickly put a hand to her lips as she started to apologize. "I didn't need to, my dear. This was about you, not about me. I wanted to show you the difference between having sex and making love."

I nearly got the wind knocked out of me when Darlene let go with her arms. She dropped back down onto my chest. Her arms snaked around my neck and she squeezed me tightly and then kissed my lips passionately and with fervor. I felt her hips start rocking, even though Little Toomas was hardly more than head deep inside her. I thought she was going to push him the rest of the way out, but she pressed herself down against me time and again, trying valiantly to get him in further. 

It didn't take much of this before I felt a little swelling and I heard her coo with pleasure. Darlene lifted a little and gasped, "Please, Toomas, suck on my nipple."

Of course, I wasn't going to refuse that! I suckled her right nipple and hummed, while stroking her ass with gentle caresses like she had responded to earlier. That earned me another gasp and a moan. "Toomas, I don't know what you are doing to me. I've never felt it like this before. Everything is tingling down there, almost like it's on fire, but it feels so gooood." Her breathing was beginning to labor, while I rapidly hardened in response to her stimulus.

Darlene's movements strengthened as I hardened and then became almost frantic. I flattened my tongue and stroked it across the end of her nipple roughly and continued stroking her ass, particularly in the crease between her ass cheeks and her legs, and I tried to match her rhythm as I pushed up into her. Her speech disintegrated into a babble I couldn't keep up with, but I didn't need to. A flush spread across her chest, highlighted in a sheen of sweat, and her hair draped down over my face and her head swayed and jerked in the throes of passion until suddenly with a deep "Ohhhhhhhhhh!" Darlene stiffened and went rigid, her face contorted almost as if in pain, while her pussy clamped down on Little Toomas and pulsed. 

I stopped my movements and just held her tightly to me, knowing what was happening and what she would need. All was still for at least a minute, with me saying nothing and Darlene not even moving, rigid in my arms. Finally, she started to tremble as her muscles relaxed.

"What did you do to me?" was the soft panting whisper I felt in my ear when Darlene's head collapsed down onto my shoulder. "I thought I was going to die, it felt so good."

"Shhh. Just relax and enjoy it." With one hand I gently stroked her back and side, while with the other I nestled her head onto my shoulder and up against my cheek. Her trembling was slowing, but her pussy twitched and spasmed as aftershocks of her orgasm hit her, bringing small moans of pleasure and a flexing of hips trying to bring us closer together. Gradually her breathing came back under control and she lifted her head and gazed at me in wonderment.

"Toomas, you are amazing! I didn't think I could have an orgasm from sex, but you have given me two mind-blowing ones. How did you do that?"

"It's as I told you earlier, I made love to you." I gave her a big grin and added, "This time, though, was a little different."

"I'll say! I couldn't even move!"

I chuckled and pressed into her when I felt another weak spasm in her pussy. "This last one was more powerful because of the contact we had together for so long. Marja and I used to try to stay together with me inside her and neither of us moving for as long as we could stand it. The longer we were able to stay still, the stronger our orgasms would be. Once I was on top, and her legs flew up in the air and she couldn't put them back down for a few minutes. I told her she looked like a dead cockroach!" Darlene slapped me on the shoulder, and I realized I was able to talk about Marja and remember the joy, but without the pain. I had to find Deidra in the morning and thank her.

"Oh, we laughed about it, and we tried to recreate it with limited success other times."

Darlene pulled her head back so she could look me in the eyes and whispered, "Would you try again, but with me?"

I pulled her down to me in an embrace and whispered into her ear, "I'd be delighted to, my dear." Little Toomas twitched at the thought.

"Oh! You haven't come yet! How selfish of me!"

"I'll get my turn. This was about you, tonight."

Darlene rolled to the side, pulling me with her. "It's your turn now. I want you on top, and I want you to give me all you've got, Toomas. Give me everything!" It was a plea.

I was happy to roll on top, but she wasn't done yet. Once I got on top I pulled out, to an accompanying wail, but I ignored it. After lifting her legs over my shoulders I buried my face in her pussy. I doubted I could bring her to another orgasm just from straight sex after the last one, but I wanted her to have at least one more, just so that she would know what she was capable of, and what to expect from a proper lover. 

At first she tried to push my head away and to get me to give her Little Toomas, but it didn't take long before she was pulling my head closer instead and rocking her hips to allow me better access. Her legs started trembling and her back arched, thrusting her beautiful breasts into the air. "Now, Toomas! No more! Give it to me now!" and she pulled upward on my ears. I quickly moved forward to enter her and I found her hands frantically grasping for Little Toomas, pulling him to her pussy. I thrust in all the way the first thrust, to hear her wail, "Yessss!" 

Her legs clamped about me, pulling me into her fully. I only thrust a couple of times before she came again. Her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow as I continued to thrust, pressing against her each time until very shortly I came. I thrust as deeply as I could, went rigid, and saw red that faded to black.

**********

I saw Marja. My beautiful, lovely, Marja. She smiled and waved, then she blew me a kiss and faded from my sight. I opened my eyes to see daylight, and I saw Darlene lying next to me gazing into my eyes with a gentle, loving, smile.

"Thank you, Toomas." She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. Just like Marja used to do after a night of lovemaking.



Coppernicous Pt. 04



 If you are looking for a quick jerk, please continue looking. This is a longer story with development of characters. I debated between first time and romance, for there are elements of both here, and decided first time was the better choice. This can be a stand-alone story, but it will be more enjoyable if you read parts 1-3 first. I hope you enjoy. Comments and emails are welcomed. I strive to respond to all emails that have a return address.

 Special thanks to Grand Teton for editing and making this tale readable.





 With school back in full swing and volleyball practice and the upcoming sand volleyball season at hand a lot of the teasing settled down. Saturdays were still "no bra" days around the house, and the "no knot" rule on the bikinis still held, but the girls didn't have the time or energy to tease as much. 

Because Katharina had signed a contract to coach next year she was ineligible for the sand volleyball season, much to Coach Thorson's disappointment. For the first time in her life, Kat was not upset about being out of competition. Sand volleyball, while fun, was not her forte. Coach Thorson had been able to keep her scholarship for the spring semester for her though and made her an assistant coach. Coach Jan Wembley, one of her assistants, had taken maternity leave, since her baby was due the first week of the sand volleyball season, and Kat was an excellent replacement.

I became something of an unofficial trainer slash manager slash gofer for the team. It was an unpaid position, of course, but when Darlene asked for my help, how could I say no?" 

The girls whispered about Darlene and me for a while, because of the way Darlene's eyes followed me around, and the look she got whenever my name was mentioned. Diedra thought it funny, and she gave me all kinds of grief. "You're nothing but a cradle robber, Toomas, going after someone as young as Coach Thorson. Why, she's the same age as your oldest daughter." She would giggle and grin at me, even when I countered about spending the week with her. "Oh, but I'm mature," she would say. All I could do was shake my head. The rest of the girls may have slowed down the teasing a little bit, but Deidra did not in the least.

Katharina had met a young man during the Thanksgiving break when she volunteered at a food pantry. I was impressed when she brought Jimmy Newnan around to meet me. He was completing work for a Masters in Business Administration, focusing on non-profit functionality with a view toward consulting with small to mid-sized non-profits to develop cost-effective methods of attracting volunteers, raising and managing funds, and most of all protecting themselves from litigation. Two more opposite people cannot be imagined, but there was an obvious spark between them, and I was most happy for her. It had gotten to the point that though they had not moved in together it seemed any time Kat was not on the volleyball court or working with the team in some capacity she and Jimmy were together. I started asking her for a date to have dinner with her every week or two, or else I wouldn't even see her except at practice.

It was funny, but it seemed the rest of the team hardly dated. There was no prohibition of dating from Coach Thorson by any means, but her drive for a winning team was contagious, and the girls all seemed to have volleyball and school first and foremost in their thoughts. I spent most evenings tutoring one girl or another in physics, math, or chemistry, and often more than one. I didn't mind in the least. In fact, I enjoyed it very much. 

Since my week with Deidra and dealing with my grief issue, followed by the night with Darlene, I found I was able to remember my Marja with pleasure instead of pain. Oh, I missed her desperately, but I recognized she was gone, never to return, so I returned to living my life. I did not pursue any of the girls, but I was now mentally able to more freely enjoy the teases, the hugs, and the kisses I received from nearly all of them. 

Breasts were nearly always unfettered whenever I tutored the girls, and I no longer hid, or tried to hide, my enjoyment. Darlene felt her position required a bit more decorum though, which was a bit of a disappointment, but she did participate in "no bra Saturdays" to my delight and her semi-embarrassment. 

After the first year the team moved to the house, Coach Thorson instituted a policy of no guys in the girls' rooms. They were welcome in the living room and den, dining room, and even in the game room/arcade I set up in the basement, but Coach was adamant about no boys going beyond that point other than for special functions, such as a bonfire and party at the swimming pond. Those functions had strict time limits, though, were alcohol free, and always ended at a reasonable hour.

Of course, the girls would occasionally stay off-site with a boyfriend, and Coach had no problem with it as long as it wasn't a time that conflicted with something with the team. Her driving force was winning volleyball games. She didn't want anything going on at the house that would distract from the main purpose.

My office was open to the girls, too, if they needed to talk. They all liked to think they were mature, grown-up young women who could handle anything, but you would be surprised at the number of times I would have a young lady sitting with me on my couch in the office, crying her eyes out, needing some "Daddy" time. 

More than one of them, particularly the younger ones, came to me looking for help with planning their futures. Classes might not be going well for them, or they would find the area of study they pursued to be of less interest than they had at first thought. I never told them what they ought to do, but I would ask questions until they came up with their own answers. 

All in all I found life to be fuller and more enjoyable than it ever had been while running my own company, constantly striving for the next dollar. 

It was the fourth week of the new semester when Lynn, the senior setter on the regular volleyball team, knocked on my office door on Thursday evening. I knew instantly something was wrong when I looked up from some paperwork I was doing and saw she was wearing a button-up shirt buttoned all the way except for the top button. I could also tell she had on a bra, which ever since the bonfire and the institution of "no-bra Saturdays" she had never worn one around the house.

"Come on in, Lynn. You don't have to knock. What's wrong?"

Lynn sat down on the edge of my couch and wrung her hands in her lap nervously. "Can I ask your advice, Toomas? I can't go to my Dad with this, but I don't know what to do."

I got up from my desk chair and walked around to the couch. I noted the way she was seated up against the far arm of the couch, so I sat against the other arm, leaving as much space between us as I could, and turned toward her to see what I could do for her.

"I . . . I don't, uh, I don't know how to ask this, Toomas, but I don't know where to turn, and you've always been here for us." Tears started to spill over from her eyes, so I stepped over to the desk and picked up a box of tissues I kept ready for such an exigency. I set the whole box down on the cushion next to her.

"Thanks." She sniffed as she pulled out a couple of tissues to blot at her eyes. "I've been seeing this guy, and . . ." She blushed deeply, which I found surprising, for she was not in the least reserved around me normally, and was one of the bigger teases. "Well, anyway, Shawn has been pushing me to do things I don't, I don't want to do with him." Her voice was muffled by the tissues she had buried her face in. "I tried to tell him 'No,' but he wouldn't take 'No' for an answer. He even . . . he, he, . . ." Tears were flowing again and she hiccoughed when she tried to continue.

"You don't have to say, Lynn. It's OK. What can I help you with? I'll do anything for you that I can. You know that."

Sniff, "I know. That's why I'm here. I couldn't . . . I couldn't talk to my own Dad. I tried! I really tried! But he wouldn't listen to me. I'm supposed to go to Shawn's frat mixer tomorrow night. He told me his roommate was going out of town, and I was going to spend the night in his room with him. I said 'No,' but he said I owed him. After . . . after he ripped the buttons off of my shirt last night trying to get to my, to my . . ." Again she broke down in sobs.

I sat there seething in rage, but I kept my voice quiet and calm. "It's OK. You don't have to say what he did. I understand, Lynn." I wanted to reach out to her to comfort her, but I wasn't sure how she would react to being touched by a man at this point, so I kept to my end of the couch.

"I told him, I told him I wasn't going to go with him tomorrow, but he said I had to. That he had told his frat brothers about me, and that I was going to be there. He's coming to get me, and he told me I'd better be here and ready if I knew what was good for me."

For the first time, Lynn looked up at me, with her mascara running down her cheeks and her other makeup smeared on her face from the tissues. "What do I do, Toomas?" It was a wail, and she threw herself from her end of the couch down to mine and into my arms.

All I could do was hold her as she sobbed and sobbed. Gently I rubbed her back with one hand while I cradled her head against my shoulder with the other. "He's got a gun," she half-whispered, "and he said he would shoot me if I didn't go with him." My hand stopped in mid-stroke on her back. This was something else.

"Don't worry, my dear. You are in my home, and no one is going to take you from my home if you don't want to go." I tipped her head back so I could look her in the eyes. I needed to know I was getting through to her. "Do you understand me, Lynn? No one means 'No one.' I don't care if he has a gun or not."

Lynn's arms tightened about me and the sobs started up again, but this time they were more of relief, I think. Who can tell with a girl crying on your shoulder, but they sounded different to me. 

"He said nobody could do anything to him, 'cause his father is a big man in the mob in Miami, that he owns the cops."

"That's OK, my dear. We aren't in Miami. He doesn't own the cops here, and he doesn't own me. Would you like me to call campus security so you can press charges for what he already did to you? I don't believe you could do anything about him threatening you, but you could mention it."

She shuddered and shook her head. "I don't dare. You don't know how mean he can be."

I waited until she had settled down somewhat before asking, "Why then are you going out with him?"

"He didn't act like that at first. He drives a really nice car, and he's got money, so when he asked me out the first time I thought it might be fun. He was nice to me the first couple of dates, but then he started being demanding. Then last time he got rough." A shudder ran through her, but by now she was cried out, and having passed her burden along to me she seemed to strengthen. "Thank you, Toomas. I knew you would be here for me." She leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek, then stood and walked unsteadily out the door.

I waited until Lynn had gone through the house toward her room and then I went upstairs and knocked on Coach Thorson's door. I had forgotten she had gone home for the weekend because her father was having bypass surgery on the morrow. The situation was all in my lap, now.

***************

Friday afternoon Lynn got home from her one o'clock class and she came to me crying. 

"I told him today I was not going out with him tonight, and not to come by here. He told me he was going to come for me, that I was going, or else. I'm scared, Toomas!"

While we talked her cell phone rang with a text message. "It's from him. He said he's coming at six o'clock, that I'm to be ready or he'll cut me up so that nobody else will ever want me."

"Don't erase that. He's a real piece of work, isn't he? Really knows how to woo a woman." I pulled her into a hug, knowing she needed the support and encouragement. "Come in the office with me. I'm going to call my lawyer and see what we can do." I led a shaking Lynn into the office with me and then pushed the door shut behind us. I normally wouldn't have the door closed with one of the young ladies in there alone with me, but I didn't think in this case we needed anyone else hearing what was going on.

"Johnny? What are you doing answering your own phone? Don't tell me Phyllis went out and got a real job?"

"Very funny, Toomas. Actually, she is off this afternoon seeing her doctor. She's expecting and had to go in for a sonogram."

"That's wonderful news! Tell her I said congratulations. I'll try to drop by and tell her myself in a few days."

"She would appreciate it, I'm sure. Now, I just started the timer. What can I do for you?"

"I'm sure you did, you old pirate. Look, I've got a young lady here who has been threatened by a former boyfriend. What do we have to do to get an order of protection?" I heard a deep sigh on the other end of the phone.

"You'd better let me talk with her, and I'll get things started. How serious is this threat?"

"I think it's real. He said he's coming to get her this afternoon. I saw the text."

"Stupid one, isn't he? Toomas, the problem is, even if I had the paperwork filled out right now it would have to go before a judge, which will take at least two weeks. Is she there? I can take a statement from her and get it started, but you'd better do something on your end. We can't even call the cops, most likely, because he hasn't done anything yet. I'll try to pull some favors and see if I can get squeezed in sooner, but you know how that goes."

"Thanks, my friend. Here's Lynn." 

I handed the phone to Lynn and told her I would be right back, then I left and went to my room to prepare for what I hoped would not happen.

*************

Fifteen minutes later, I made my way back to the office to find a teary-eyed, and very scared young lady hanging up the phone.

"Thanks, Toomas. He's really nice, and he said some nice things about you, too."

I shook my head. "If he said nice things about me, he must have been hitting the sauce without Phyllis there to make him behave." I grinned to let her know I wasn't serious, and then continued. "I want you to go on out to practice. Don't let on to anyone there is any problem. OK? Under no circumstances do I want you to answer the door if the bell rings tonight. Are we clear on that?" 

Lynn nodded her head.

"Good. I want you to stay out of sight. Please tell Kat I need to see her as soon as practice is over, but don't say why. OK? Don't make it sound like there's a problem. Just tell her. Now, you scoot on out of here. Things will be fine. Trust me, OK?"

Lynn got up from my desk chair and walked over to me in the doorway. She hugged me straight on, pressing fully against me. "Why, Toomas? Why do you care about us like you do?"

"Why not? Don't try to make me out to be some kind of a saint or something, but you all live under my roof, and besides, I kind of like you." I grinned down at her, conscious of stirring. "Now you get on out there and practice. Don't worry yourself about things. OK?"

Lynn pulled my face down and gave me a kiss on the lips. "You know, I think a girl wouldn't have much trouble falling in love with someone like you. Your wife was a lucky woman." Another kiss and she started to break away to go to practice. "Wait a minute. You changed clothes? Why are you all dressed up?" She fingered my sports coat and looked down at my dress slacks.

"Why? Can't a guy look decent once in a while without it being a federal case?" I grinned, but would say no more. I gave her cute little ass a swat and pushed her out the door for practice.

***************

Kat came to see me shortly after practice ended. "What's up, Daddy? Lynn said you needed to see me?"

I nodded. I had been thinking how to approach matters with her about the threat, but I didn't feel I could or should tell her about Lynn's situation. Some things are just better left private.

"I would like you to kind of keep the girls out of the living room area this evening. I can't really say why, but I think it would be best. Would you do that for me?"

Kat looked at me curiously, but she knew I wouldn't say more than that.

"Say, what are you all dressed up for? Going out on a date or something?"

I just smiled. "You never know until you know."

"Well, if you are going on a date, you should have shaved first. Scruffy looks good on some guys, but not when there's more grey than brown."

My hand flew to feel my face, which was not scruffy. Just a little five o'clock shadow. I could hear her giggle from the hallway as she went to take a shower before dinner.

**************

Dinner was even more raucous than usual as the girls all pestered me about who was my date that I was all dressed up for. I grinned and went along with it, not saying anything more, letting them have their fun. Before long they were guessing different teachers and professors, trying to pair me up with someone they knew. I saw Deidra looking at me questioningly, but I didn't respond to her either. 

Just before dinner broke up I called for everyone's attention and asked if Kat had said anything about avoiding the living room area. There was a chorus of assent, along with a firestorm of questions. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I should say any more at this time. Just do me a favor for this one evening, OK? Also, I'll answer the door if the doorbell rings."

Someone called out, "If you are wanting to keep her secret from us, you ought to go somewhere else, Toomas. If you have her come here, we'll find out. Maybe we'll sneak in to watch you make out. You know, so we can learn how it's supposed to be done." That got a good laugh. I joined in, though laughing was not the emotion I felt at the moment.

**************

Six-thirty rolled around, and my stomach was tied up in knots. Shawn still had not shown up. I didn't expect anything to really happen, but the uncertainty was getting to me. I sat at my desk, going over the same page of figures again and again, forgetting the numbers I had entered in my computer well before I got to the bottom of the page, so I had to try again. With all of the girls avoiding the living room it was so deathly quiet I could actually hear the clock on the wall, and a fly buzzed around the room irritating me to no end. 

I reached for my shirt pocket to pull out a cigarette, but then shook my head in disgust. I had quit smoking fifteen years ago! It's amazing what stress can do to a person.

Six-thirty-five, and the doorbell rang. My heart lurched as I pushed my chair back and walked out of the office to get the door. My hands were sweating, but when I looked at them to check, they weren't shaking. At least that was good.

I looked out the peephole, but didn't see anyone, which wasn't unusual. My house has a double front door, so if someone rings the bell and then steps over in front of the other door they often don't show when one peeps out.

I turned the knob and pulled the door in, to see a tall, thin, black young man in the doorway.

"Hi, Mr. K! I haven't seen you around in a while!" He stuck out a big hand to shake. "I'm here to pick up Tamique. Is she around?"

"Well 'Hi,' yourself, Rudy. It has been some time! Come on in the house, and I'll get Tamique for you." I walked down the hallway with my heart pounding in my throat. I hadn't thought about other guys coming by to pick up one of the girls. I told Tamique that Rudy was there for her and made my way back to the living room. Rudy was sprawled across one of the couches. He lifted a hand as I came back into the room.

"Say, Mr. K., I wanted to say 'thank you, so much,' for the great recommendation you gave me. Mr. Johnson already had the hiring paperwork filled out when I went in for what I thought was an interview."




Coppernicous Pt. 04



"No thanks are needed, Rudy. All I told him was if I still owned the company I'd get you under a contract as soon as possible before someone else grabbed you. You will be a good fit over there, and I know they need someone strong in chemistry to take over the lab in a couple of years. Johannes Martin is planning to retire in two years, which will be just about enough time for you to get your feet wet and be ready to take it over. Remember, now. You call on me any time if you have problems. I'm not going to get involved in the business, but if you have issues in the lab that I can help you with I'll be happy to do it."

"Gee, thanks, again, Mr. K. I don't know what I've done to deserve it, but I really appreciate your confidence."

Tamique came around the corner just then and I used her as an excuse. "Really, all I wanted to do was keep Tamique around here." I gave her a big grin at her questioning look. "You kids have a good time tonight. Don't forget to send me a wedding invitation."

"Invitation, hell. You're going to be standing up with me, Mr. K. You can count on it!"

Rudy interned with me the summer I lost Marja, and even through that tough time I recognized what potential he had. I encouraged him to pursue his masters in chemical engineering, and told him to come see me when he was ready for a job. Of course, I sold the business to my management team while he was in his first year of master's study, but I put in a good word with Tom Johnson for him. 

************

I settled back down in my office and tried running those numbers again, but I gave up in disgust when I couldn't even remember where they were supposed to go when I got done crunching them. I pulled up Solitaire and it beat me three games in a row. My mind just was not on the present.

Again the doorbell rang, and I got up and made my way into the foyer. Another sigh of relief when I recognized Micah Gentry. He's not the kind of guy I would want dating Kat, but I guess everyone has their own tastes. He's not a bad guy, just not one I would choose. 

"Come on in, Micah. I'll get Sheryl for you."

Micah just nodded and half lifted a hand. He wasn't much for talking, but I guess I wouldn't be either if I had a chain running from my lower lip to my nostril. I shook my head in wonderment, as I always did, when I went to find Sheryl. "To each his own," I thought. Then another thought crossed my mind. "I wonder how he kisses her with that thing in the way?"

**************

Ten minutes to seven, and I finally started to relax. Some guys are all talk, and it looked like maybe Shawn was one of them. He told Lynn he was coming by at 6:00, and it was fifty minutes later than that. I started to take off my coat and get more comfortable, but a nagging sixth-sense wouldn't let me. 

I actually started getting some work done balancing my checking account, with the numbers sticking around in my mind long enough to put them down on paper. I'm old fashioned, that way. If I can't read it on paper it isn't real to me. I like using the computer well enough, but a paper record fits me. My chair creaked as I leaned back and let out a big sigh, only to have it interrupted by the doorbell. 

With a different kind of sigh I padded my way quietly to the door. Again, nobody in sight when I checked the peephole. I decided right then I had to make a change in that. I started to open the door, only to have it shoved into my face, and an angry guy pushed through. 

"Get out of my way, old man. I'm here to get Lynn." He started for the back hallway, but I stepped in front of him, blocking his progress.

"I don't believe she wants to see you," I said. "She told me so herself."

"That bitch doesn't know what she wants, and it doesn't matter. I already told her she is going. Now get the hell out of my way before you get hurt, old man. Who do you think you are, anyway? You're not her old man." Again he started to push by me, and again I blocked his progress.

"It's house rules: No men beyond the living room area. I'll let her know you are here."

From the look in his eyes I knew he was high on something, and he was not rational by a long shot. I wanted to keep things peaceful if I possibly could, but there was no way he was going to be reasonable.

"I said, get out of my way, you son of a bitch. She's my woman, and nobody tells me what I can or can't do."

His hand went under his jacket, and I reached around behind my back. His hand came out, holding a .40 caliber Glock, and he fired, but he didn't take the time to line up his shot properly, shooting like a street punk, sideways. He hit me in the upper thigh as I pulled my hand from behind my back and I returned fire with my 1911 Colt .45 ACP pistol. I took the split-second to line up my shot, and he dropped at my feet like a rag doll as my shot went through his chest.

My leg gave way, and I crashed into the wall, to slide down to the floor. I felt nothing yet, but I knew it was coming.

Screams sounded from the back of the house, and I saw Kat burst around the corner, her .40 cal Glock in hand.

"Daddy!" she screamed and ran to me. "Are you badly hurt?" She dropped down on the floor and put pressure on my bleeding thigh. "Call 911," she yelled down the hallway. "I need an ambulance, right now!"

The next thing I knew, Deidra rushed around the corner. She took control of the situation immediately. "Get his pants off him, now!" She turned back toward the back hall and yelled, "Keep Lynn back there! Somebody bring me the first aid kit!" Without even hesitating for a moment she whipped her tee-shirt over her head and used it to stanch the bloodflow as much as possible. "I think he may have nicked your artery, Toomas. You're bleeding pretty badly. 

Next, she stripped my belt out of the loops of my pants and wrapped it around my leg just above the wound and cinched it tight, then began twisting it round and round, fashioning a tourniquet.

Kat sat and sobbed, but Deidra took charge of her, too. "Kat. I need you to put pressure on the wound. We've got to stop the bleeding, or we'll lose him." Things were starting to get a little fuzzy looking to me about that time, and I felt like I was in a well listening to people talking above me. In the distance I could hear sirens, and the last thing I remember seeing was Deidra's bare breasts hanging above me as she twisted tighter on the belt.

*************

Of course, I don't remember any of this, being unconscious on the floor, but Kat told me about it later. Deidra kept pressure on the tourniquet while Kat put pressure on the wound. Deidra yelled for one of the other girls to come open the door for the EMTs.

When they came through the door carrying the gurney, Deidra snapped at them, "Forget about the gurney! I've got a bleeder here. It looks arterial!"

The first guy dropped his end of the gurney and hurried over to take a look at me, but paused when he saw Deidra's bare breasts.

"What's the matter? Never seen boobs before? Forget them and take care of Toomas right now! You're going to need some blood expanders. He's nearly bled out."

The medic averted his eyes from Deidra and started working on me. He checked my blood pressure and pulse, which was thready. "I need two units of Dextran, STAT," he ordered, and checked my tourniquet.

"You did a good job on this tourniquet, Miss. If you hadn't, he wouldn't have made it. With any good luck at all he'll be OK."

With that he took Deidra's blood sodden shirt from Kat and checked the wounds before putting a proper pressure dressing on them. "It looks like the bullet went cleanly all the way through. There shouldn't be a problem with infection, hopefully. I'm not going to give morphine since he is already unconscious. I'll leave that for the emergency room, later. I presume this is your shirt? More good thinking, and I apologize for staring at you when I came in. It's just not often I see a beautiful topless girl caring for my patients."

Deidra, with everything under control, became self-conscious about her condition and crossed her arms over her chest.

"My name is Pete. Pete Honeycutt. Could I call you later and take you to dinner or something?"

"Why? Because you saw my boobs and you think you might get another look?" Deidra was irate, Kat told me.

"Actually, no, although they are nice. It's because you have the good sense to know what to do in a trauma situation. That and your good looks give me all the reason I need to want to get to know you better." He had me stabilized, and his partner was holding a unit of Dextran overhead, running it into me as fast as it was possible to do. Pete took my blood pressure one more time and then reached into his pocket for his cards. He gave one to Deidra and then asked her for her number, which he wrote on the back of another and put it into his pocket. 

More sirens could be heard in the background. 

"Unless you want to make an impression on a whole bunch of cops, you might want to go and get a different shirt." Pete grinned up at her. "Of course, if you don't want to, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. I know I wouldn't."

Deidra quickly fled from the room, although the smile she gave Pete showed interest.

************* 

It was several hours later when I awoke, disoriented, with my arm tied down and tubes running into it. I had a tube running to my nose that irritated me to no end. 

I struggled to free my arm, and to brush the tube from my nose, to no avail, but the attempt quickly brought a nurse to hover over me and try to calm me.

"You are OK, Mr. Kz . . ." She was obviously struggling with my name. 

"Toomas," I rasped through a dry throat. "I don't go by Mr."

I got a relieved smile. I don't know why, but people have trouble with my name. "Thanks, Toomas. You are in the ICU at St. Albans. Do you remember why you came here?"

I tried to remember, but nothing came. There was no reason I wanted to go to St. Albans. I had work to do around the house. My brow furrowed as I tried to think, but my brain was not cooperating at the moment. I shook my head.

"That's all right. It will come back. I buzzed for the surgeon when I saw you stirring. He should be here momentarily to speak with you. I'll call your daughter to come in, too." She started to step away, but I detained her.

"Please. Water?"

The nurse nodded and picked up a cup with one of those bending straws that I hate and held it to my mouth. "Just a sip, now. Enough to wet your mouth and no more."

I took a deep pull on the straw and swallowed, and she pulled the cup back away from me before I could get any more.

"No more, just now. I need for you to awaken fully first."

A knock at the door, and it popped open to admit a doctor in surgical scrubs. He nodded at me curtly and the nurse scurried out the door to return moments later with a dark-eyed, scared-looking Kat in tow. Meanwhile the doctor examined my chart carefully, glancing up at me from time to time until the nurse returned.

"Well, Mr. Kz . . ."

"Toomas," I broke in.

He nodded, brusquely. "You gave us quite a fright there for a little bit. Do you recall why you are here?"

I shook my head, "No."

"That is OK. Your memory will come back in time." He paused and looked down at my chart before continuing. "You very nearly bled out. Had it not been for your daughter here and the other young lady putting a tourniquet on your leg when they did we would not be having this conversation. You are very fortunate the femoral artery was not damaged, or they could not have saved you. On the other hand, one of the branch arteries was severed, which was almost as bad, but with the tourniquet and immediate infusion of dextran by the paramedics you were stabilized until I could operate."

He took a deep breath before continuing, and Kat stepped up to the bed and she squeezed my fingers gently. Things were starting to come back to me now.

"We were fortunate in that I did not have to harvest any of your vein tissue, but I was able to stretch the artery enough to graft it back together. Now, you will remain in ICU for two to three days until we are certain the surgery was a success, and then you will be moved to another room for a few days. You will wear this cast for about three weeks to prevent movement of the thigh, and to allow the artery to properly knit without being pulled apart. There is a chance of a hematoma of the femoral artery due to bruising, but the cast should prevent this. We will monitor you very closely, which is why you will remain in ICU. Do you have any questions?"

I shook my head slightly. "Not at this time, doctor. Thank you." My voice was a croak, and Kat, after looking at the doctor for permission, held the straw to my lips.

"Just a couple of sips, now. Hold it in your mouth for a couple of minutes to allow the tissues to absorb the moisture." The doctor held up his hand after I got a couple of swallows, and Kat pulled the straw away.

"You may have five minutes with your daughter, and then I think it would be better if you rested for a while, Toomas. You are a very fortunate man that you had someone who knew what to do or you wouldn't have made it. I don't understand why you people have to settle your differences with guns." The disgust on his face was palpable.

Kat jumped to my defense immediately. "Wait a minute, doctor! My father didn't go looking for a gun-fight, but if he hadn't been there when he was, one of my friends would have been killed, and possibly more of us! Sometimes guns are necessary to prevent evil, and I'm so glad Daddy was there."

"Nevertheless, I think guns are evil things and ought to be outlawed. Five minutes, and no more, understand? Nurse, call me immediately if anything changes." With that the doctor stormed out the door.

Kat leaned over the bedrails and kissed me on the forehead, and I felt a couple of teardrops. "You scared me so badly, Daddy. Deidra, too. The poor girl wanted so badly to come in, but they would only let in family. I don't think Lynn has quit crying since then. In fact, the whole team is out in the waiting room. They all wanted to donate blood for you."

"Thanks, Kitten. By the way, what were you doing coming in there like the Angel of Death with your pistol?"

"I knew something was going on when I saw you wearing your sport coat, and when I saw the little bulge from your gun when you bent over I thought I ought to have mine handy. If you thought you needed to have yours . . . well, I thought you might need backup."

I nodded my understanding and felt an unutterable weariness settling over me, and my eyes drooped. "I'll see you a little later," Kat whispered, and she left the room.

**************

I don't know how long I slept, but when I woke I found Kat sitting by the bed next to Greta, my eldest daughter. When they saw me open my eyes Greta jumped up to try to hug me, but all of the tubes, wires, and the bed rail got in the way. She managed to rest her cheek against my forehead, and she broke down and sobbed.

"Easy, now girl. You're not through with me yet." I was frustrated with both hands restrained so that I couldn't even reach up to comfort her.

"Why, Daddy? Why?" Greta pulled back a little bit, also frustrated at my inaccessibility. "You could have been killed."

"You would have done the same, had you been in my place. You should have seen Kat burst into the room like the cavalry coming to the rescue. It wasn't just me."

"But it was all over when I got there." Kat didn't want her sister's attention drawn to her. "What was going on, anyway?"

I sighed, knowing this was coming. "I don't know how much I really should say, and it doesn't go beyond this room. How about giving me me a drink first, please?"

Kat put the straw up to my lips and I got a couple of swallows before she pulled it back. "The nurse said not to let you have but a swallow or two at a time. Now, no more stalling."

"Lynn came to me and told me the guy she was dating was being abusive, and he threatened to kill her when he picked her up for a party. She said his father was a big-wig in the mob in Miami, so I thought it would be a good idea to have a gun, just in case. I really didn't think it would come down to that, but the guy was high on something, and there was no reasoning with him. He pulled out his gun and shot first, but he didn't know what he was doing. He was lucky to hit me at all."

"Johnny Walker has been by to talk with me a couple of times. You are going to have to talk with the police as soon as you get out of ICU, but Johnny says you don't have anything to worry about."

"It was self-defense. I had no choice. If I hadn't stopped him, he would have killed Lynn, and maybe more."

The nurse came in just then and told the girls they had to leave, that they had been in the room more than the allotted time already. Both of them kissed me on the forehead and said goodbye and I closed my eyes to sleep. I was that tired!

**************

Mid-day the next day, after the surgeon came in for a final visit, the nurse started unplugging some of the wires and unstrapped my arms so that I could finally move about some. You have no idea how good a good stretch can feel! I had been bored out of my gourd with nothing to do except watch TV, which I hate with a passion. I did sleep a good bit, but you can only do so much of that. When they rolled me down the hallway to the elevator and down to the next floor and into a private room I felt like I had just been pardoned from prison!

It took a little while to get settled in, but then my girls were all in the room with me, and I finally got a chance to reassure them I was going to be OK. Greta was the one most upset by the policeman standing guard outside in the corridor.

"Are you sure you aren't under arrest, Daddy?"

"Gretchen," my nickname for her as a little girl, "I'm not under arrest. Sure, I have to talk with the police about what happened, but it was self-defense, and I'll be OK. I don't know why he is there, but I know I'm not under arrest."

As it turned out, we didn't have to wait long to find out, either. Johnny Walker knocked on the door and came in. He shook my hand softly, as if afraid I was breakable in my condition. "Toomas, my friend. I don't like seeing you here."

"I don't like being here either, you old pirate. What brings you around, anyway? Not that I'm not glad to see you, but every time I see you it seems it costs me money." I gave him a grin to soften my jab, and he took it that way.

"I'm just a poor ambulance chaser who got wind you might need representation in just a few minutes, or my little bird at the police department doesn't know what he's talking about." 

He sat down gently on the end of the bed and grew somber. "Look, I know you had to do what you had to do, but in a case like this I thought it better to be pro-active, and be here for you rather than have to have you refuse to talk until you have me here. It just works better all around. Lieutenant Halvorson from the homicide department will be here in about fifteen minutes. He's already been to the house and interviewed Kat." She nodded in agreement. "He also talked with your partner and the deceased man's girlfriend. . . ."

"She was not his girlfriend!" Kat broke in just before I could. "She didn't want to see him, and told him so."

"OK, OK. She told me that, too. It is just the way it is being reported in the news, and stuff. They had been dating, right?"

"They went out a couple of times," I agreed. "But there was nothing there, and the guy was threatening her. You know that. You started the paperwork for the protection order, remember?"

Johnny waved a hand in agreement. "I know. I know. I'm just laying it out the way the police will, and the way the media has been. There has been a lot of pressure being applied by the kid's father, and he has some powerful connections here in town. That's why there's a cop in the hallway, for your protection. I really don't think you are in danger, but the police department didn't want to take a chance."




Coppernicous Pt. 04



Just then there was a knock on the door and it swung open to reveal Lieutenant Halvorson. I waved for him to come in. "Hi, Bill," I called out. "Or since you are here on business, should I call you Lieutenant?"

"Hey there, Toomas. Bill is fine. Yes, I'm here on business, though I don't think there is much business to be done. I just need a statement from you about what happened out at your house. I'm glad you have your watchdog here," he nodded at Johnny. "I'm not even going to read you your rights, because unless you tell me something really absurd, I already know it was self-defense. Set your mind at ease. How about walking me through it for my records."

I looked at him, surprised. The police never rule anything out before they have everything covered.

"I know, it's unusual, but there is more to this case than you know. It's cut and dried the way it came together for us. I just have to have your statement to finalize things. Do you mind if I record this for later transcription? I'll have someone bring it by for your signature tomorrow sometime."

At my nod of agreement he pulled out a small recorder and spoke into it briefly, setting up the details of our meeting, and for the next fifteen minutes he walked me through everything that transpired.

*************

My daughters sat quietly and listened as I went through the whole ordeal. I had wished they would be asked to leave, but when they weren't I decided they could learn about what happened all at once rather than me having to answer questions interminably.

I love my daughters, don't get me wrong, and I'm glad they cared enough to race home when Kat called them to say I'd been shot, but they can be overly concerned at times. (I shall be charitable here.) I knew they were concerned about my deal with Deidra, too, although Kat talked to Jenny and had her on-board with the idea. The other two, well, let's just say they were dubious. I wasn't up to fighting that battle right now, though, so after the Lieutenant left and Margarite broached the subject I pled exhaustion. 

Johnny had stepped out into the hallway with the Lieutenant, and he stepped back into the room just as I was begging off on the question. He picked up on it quickly, and I was glad he did.

"You were asking about the young lady your dad is going into business with? That is the smartest thing I've seen him do, and I've been his attorney for how many years? That young lady is going places, and your dad was smart enough to understand it. Don't worry about her getting into his pockets, 'cause I can assure you, she will be putting more into his pockets than she ever takes out." 

I left it to them to talk it out for a few minutes, and I closed my eyes to rest. The murmur of their conversation was enough to lull me into a light sleep. 

My little nap lasted no more than a few minutes. An imperious knock on the door startled me awake, and the door swung open without an invitation to admit a scrawny little pipsqueak of a man wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. His arrogant attitude was obvious in the way he looked down his nose at me while he marched the short distance to the bed.

"Mr. Kze . . ."

"It's Toomas. I don't go by mister, especially from someone who can't pronounce it. Who are you, and what do you need?" 

Have you ever met someone you automatically didn't like? This twerp was such for me.

"I'm John Squires, attorney for the university, and I'm here to tell you your contract with the university is suspended immediately. The women's volleyball team will be moved to other facilities by the end of the week. You have violated the school's no gun policy in any of its facilities, plus you have caused the death of one of the students. Your actions, sir, are reprehensible and inexcusable. This is also notice to you of intent to sue for damages for the harm you have brought to the good name of the university. I have been in contact with the victim's family, and they are bringing a wrongful death lawsuit against you, and the university will participate in their suit."

Behind him I could see Johnny start to stand. His face was red, and the veins were bulging in his neck, but I raised a hand and stopped him before he could speak.

"Are you here on behalf of Dr. Anderson, the president, and have you conversed with Dr. Cook in the athletics department about this?"

"No, I have not. As legal counsel for the school I had no need to consult with them. You have violated school firearms policies, killed a student, and brought ill-repute on the university. We don't need your kind. I went by the property, and you don't even have any of the signs on your doors that say guns are not allowed, in contravention of regulations."

"Might I suggest you go back to your office and read my contract with the university? My home does not belong to the university, nor does any of the property. It is my home, and I do not fall under any of your foolish gun rules. No, I don't have any signs on my doors proclaiming my home as a target-rich environment, as all of the school buildings do. It is my home. I have leased rooms for young ladies on the volleyball teams, and I have also made the grounds available for their training, but it is my property, not the school's, and you have no business here today. Had I not been prepared for the perpetrator's attempt on the life of one of the young ladies who lives in my home it would be she who is dead today, and possibly others along with her. Is that what you prefer?"

"I hope you will bring a lawsuit against me, for I will counter-sue you personally for overstepping your bounds and for unprofessional conduct, as witnessed by Mr. Johnny Walker, my attorney, and the president of the local bar association. I suggest, sir, that you walk out that door with a lot less arrogance than when you walked in it, and you don't let it hit you in the ass when you close it. I shall call Dr. Anderson and discuss our conversation with her. I would suggest you might want to dust off your resume, because you will not be needed by the university any longer once Dr. Anderson hears of your hubris in coming here as you did. Now get out of here, you pompous ass, before I have security throw you out!"

I reached for the phone on the bedside table as a no longer arrogant lawyer slunk out the door.

*************

Greta, Margarite, and Jenny spent most of the day with me, and it helped pass the time, but to say I was bored was beyond question. Kat couldn't stay because of classes, to her disgust. She wanted to cut the classes, but I put my foot down. The other foot, that is. 

I had a cast on my thigh to protect the wound, so I couldn't get up and around. I thought it was overkill, but the nurse told me it was because of the arterial damage, and because they were concerned the femoral artery might let go. If that happened I'd bleed out in minutes, so I had no choice. They weren't going to take it off of me anyway.

Coach Thorson called off practice the first afternoon I was allowed to have visitors, and the whole team piled into my room, with the exception of Lynn. They had to get approval for all of them to be in the room at one time, and Kat went a long way to get it approved. The head nurse got a little huffy when she asked Coach Thorson what their relationship with me was, and Darlene said we all lived together.

The only one not there was Lynn. Darlene told me she was at the house in bed, under sedation. She didn't think I would want to see her, anyway, and she said she was going to drop out of school and go home. I pointed over at Greta and said, "Go get her. Tell her I want to see her, now, and don't take 'No' for an answer." 

Kat started to get up to go with her, but I waved her back into her seat. "No, Kat. If you go she won't take you seriously." Margarite and Jenny both jumped up to go along, and went out the door behind Greta at my nod of approval.

I spent the next half hour telling the girls what happened, and answering their questions as best I could, careful to leave Lynn's involvement out of the situation as much as I could. The last thing she needed was anyone from the team putting a guilt trip on her.

It was a groggy Lynn that came through the door, with Greta holding her by the arm reassuringly. Lynn had her head down, and tears in her eyes. I could hear her arguing with Greta in a stage-whisper. "He doesn't really want to see me. I almost got him killed, and it was my fault."

"Lynn," I called across the room. "Come here, sweetheart. Yes, I do want to see you. It was not your fault, and I'm glad I was there." I patted the side of the bed, hoping she would take me up on the offer and not be stand-offish. 

For a moment Lynn hesitated in the doorway, then shuffled over by the side of my bed, eyes downcast. She wouldn't meet my gaze, but stood and sniffled as tears coursed down both cheeks. "I'm so sorry I got you into this, Toomas. I'm so, so sorry. I wish I was dead." It was a whisper, followed by a sob, and Lynn collapsed on the floor. 

With my leg in the cast the way it was, and the ubiquitous IV in the arm on the other side of the bed there was no way I could reach her, but Kat and Greta both knelt next to Lynn on the floor and embraced her, whispering in her ear.

"Lynn, honey, it was not your fault, and I am glad you aren't dead. Look at me, sweetheart," I said softly. Coach Thorson quietly shooed the rest of the girls from the room, and I gave her a silent nod of thanks. "Lynn, if you had not told me about Shawn you would be dead, and possibly some others of the girls would have been hurt, if not killed. Would that have been better?"

Lynn shuddered where she knelt on the floor and sobbed even more. I grabbed the box of tissues from the bedside table and handed them off to Kat, then I looked over at the door, where my charge nurse stood with a concerned look on her face. I waved at her and held my finger to my lips before motioning for her to leave and close the door. "Later," I mimed to her with a "Please?" She looked doubtful, but after a quick glance at Jenny, she relented and backed out of the doorway and pulled it closed gently.

"Lynn," I said softly, trying to break through the grief. "Please, sweetheart, look at me for a minute." I remained silent for a few moments to allow my calmness to communicate with her. "Sweetheart, if I'm not sorry this happened to me, why should you be? Hmmm?" 

Surprised, she looked up at me with wide eyes for a moment before looking back down at the floor. "You can't mean that," she mumbled. "You're just trying to be nice and make me feel better, but you can't."

Kat broke in. "Lynn, do you think my daddy would have sent my sisters to get you if he didn't mean it? I know Daddy better than that. If he didn't want you here he would have said to keep you away, not to send for you. He's going to be OK, and so will you, but you have to stop blaming yourself for something that isn't your fault." Kat gently wiped the tears from Lynn's face and then whispered, "Talk to him. He's never lied to me yet, nor to anyone else I've ever known. He's not going to lie to you, either. He really does care about you."

Lynn lifted trembling eyes up toward me and I gave her a gentle smile and patted the bed again. "Please, sweetheart, I don't like talking down to you. Sit up here by me for a minute, OK?"

"Are . . . are you sure?"

I nodded and patted the bed again.

"But, . . . but, after that awful man from the university came by the house today I didn't think you would want to see me."

I cocked an eyebrow questioningly. "Man from the university? Little arrogant man? Attorney?"

She sniffled again, and more tears welled up. Kat handed her another tissue. "He said I was going to be kicked out of the university, and the team was going to have to move away from your house, and that your contract was being revoked." 

I had to listen carefully to understand what she was saying, her voice was so broken with sobs.

I patted the bed again, and Lynn finally sat gingerly on the edge. I put my hand over hers and said, "He was by here and threatened me, too, but he didn't tell me he had accosted you. Now I'm really getting PO'ed at him. I kicked him out of this room, and Johnny Walker was here to witness it. Now I know I'm going to bring charges against him for unprofessional conduct."

My voice softened, and I continued, "the biggest thing is you, and how are you doing? I don't want to hear any more of this junk that this was your fault, because it wasn't. I am the one who made the choice to meet him at the door, not you, and I'd do it again. People like that are not fit to have in society."

"But it's not fair for you to get shot for me. I'm responsible." Lynn dabbed rather ineffectively at tears that flowed down her cheeks and dripped onto her shirt. Kat handed her a couple of dry tissues and took the wet ones from her hand. "I have to live with that. You could have died."

Perhaps it was poor amateur psychology on my part, but I decided the soft approach wasn't going to work with Lynn. I gave her hand a squeeze and a little tug to get her attention fully on me, and made her look up into my eyes. "Now listen here, young lady, and listen good." My voice was firm, yet still soft. "I'm the one who chose to be there, not you. You didn't tell me to meet him at the door. I chose to do that. You didn't choose to put the gun in his hand. He did. Could I have died? Yeah, I could've, and I almost did. If I had, I'd have died happy, taking that piece of refuse out with me, but Kat and Deidra were there to take care of me, and that made the difference. Don't be giving me any more of your 'It's my fault' junk. You hear me? By the way, did you know Kat had her gun out when she came running in there?"

Lynn's head snapped up and she turned to Kat, who nodded.

"Kat figured out something was going on because I had on my sport coat so no one could see my gun, and she got hers. Kat thinks you are worth defending, too."

Lynn suddenly leaned upward on the bed to wrap her arms around me and sob on my shoulder, but the tears and sobs were different now, and I knew she was going to be OK. Finally as she paused to catch her breath she gasped out, "I just didn't know. They wouldn't let me out of my room, and I just didn't know what was going on until the policeman came back to talk to me. I should have been out there with you."

My hand stroked her back comfortingly, and with a sigh she nestled her head back down on my shoulder like a little girl. 

My daughters had remained silent the whole time, but now they sensed things had turned the corner, and they gathered around the bed, and next I knew I was in the middle of a group hug. I know that for the longest time they had reserves in their mind about my "harem" as Kat jokingly called it in private with me, but now it seemed they were at peace with the situation.

***************** 

I had been in the hospital room for three long, tedious, days and was in the process of saying goodbye to Jenny, Greta, and Margarite, when the doctor came into the room.

"Toomas, I have some good news for you, and some bad news. We are releasing you from the hospital tomorrow, but we have to find a nursing facility for you. You obviously cannot be up and about on your own, and you have no one at home to care for you. Is there any particular nursing home you would prefer? If so, we'll try to find a bed there for you."

My spirits sank. A nursing home is the last place I ever wanted to go. I remember when my father had to be in one the last year of his life, and how he called it the penitentiary. I know, I know, they are necessary, and most of them take good care of their patients, but I don't like to be at the mercy of anybody else. I like to be able to care for myself.

Greta, my blessed Greta, spoke up. "What sort of care does he need, Doctor? He doesn't really need a nurse, does he?"

"Well, technically, no, but he will need someone qualified to care for a bed-bound patient. He's not going to be up and about until the cast is removed, and he needs someone who can tend to his bathing and other personal needs. I'd be a lot more comfortable if it were someone who knew enough about medicine to be on the lookout for any complications with his wound. It is covered, but if there were problems, it would be better if someone was able to recognize them."

Greta turned to her sisters, ignoring me completely, as she took charge of my situation. "What do you think about Lynn? She told me she has worked as a CNA in a nursing home for the last two summers." She turned to the doctor. "Would a CNA be sufficient, Doctor?"

He nodded. "Yes, if she is available enough. He really needs someone available around the clock, though."

"I think it would be good for Lynn. It will give her a chance to give something back, and I think it will help her self-respect a lot. What do you girls think?" Again, Greta left me out of the conversation. I tried to interject, but Greta shushed me. "Daddy, we'll make sure you are taken care of properly. Just leave it to us, OK?"

Well, it really wasn't OK, but it was obvious I had no say in the matter at all, and thinking about it, it would be nicer to be at home. I wasn't sure about having one of my girls responsible for bathing me and caring for my bodily functions, though.

"Doctor, how soon do we have to have an answer on where he is going? Would tomorrow be too late?" Margarite was obviously going along with her sister.

Jenny settled the issue for us all by calling Kat on her cell and getting Lynn's number. A quick text to Lynn to confirm she was not in class and a group call on speaker to Lynn, and it was all settled. 

"Doctor, we'll get him set up at home. Is there anything we need to have set up for him?" Jenny, the organizer took over this function.

"Well, it would be best to have him in a hospital bed, and you will need a wheelchair for getting him to and fro. You will want to arrange for an ambulance to get him home. There is no way he can be moved in a passenger car with that cast on his leg. After the cast is removed in two and a half weeks he will be able to get around on crutches, but I would be a lot more comfortable if the young lady is able to continue to provide care, at least for another week. She is a student at the university, no?"

"Yes, Doctor."

"Could other of the students living there at the home be available in case of need while this young lady is in class or elsewhere?"

Jenny smirked at the doctor. "From what I've seen around the house, I think they will be lining up to take turns. If I didn't know my father as well as I do, I'd think he had something going on out there." She and her sisters got a good laugh as I tried to protest. "Oh, hush, Daddy. You will enjoy it, and you know it. We can still find a cheap nursing home for you if you want."

I surrendered, but I had some serious misgivings about putting myself in the care of all of the girls, as helpless as I was. I could only imagine the teasing I would get now!

*************

It turned out to be late afternoon before I was able to make the transition home. The medical supply place my daughters called was late in delivering and setting up the hospital bed. Jenny and Margarite both had to leave the previous night, but Greta was able to arrange to stay another day, so she was there to handle the transfer to the house. I had no more than gotten settled in the bed in my office, where Greta had it set up so stairs would not be an issue, when Lynn came rushing in from school. The first thing she did was to give me a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I'm so glad to have you home, Toomas! Thank you for letting me help care for you. I felt so helpless with you gone."

My location left us with one problem. We didn't have a call button system like they have in the hospital or a nursing home. How was I to be able to call Lynn, or one of the other girls, if I needed her? 




Coppernicous Pt. 04



I think Lynn read my thoughts, for she said, "I'm going to sleep on your couch, so I'll be right there close if you need me, Toomas. All you have to do is call my name. We girls have worked out a schedule so that one of us will be on duty here 24/7. You are getting the best care in the world, and you deserve it for what you did for me."

"Now don't be starting any hero stuff, Lynn. I'm not having it."

"You are my hero," she said softly, and she took my hand and squeezed it gently. "You will always be my hero."

I knew better. I'm no hero, but how do you explain that to a woman? All I did was what any man ought to do for someone under his care. I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it gently. "I'm no hero, but I'm glad you are here. I'll try not to be a bother. Remember, your school comes first, and volleyball comes second. Those are your priorities. I'll get along fine."

Lynn shook her head "No. I sat down with Coach Thorson and Dr. Cook, and I left the volleyball team for the spring season when I found out you were coming home. I'm too small to be very good in the sand, so I wasn't going to be playing all that much anyway. Dr. Cook said it would be OK to keep my scholarship since I'm going to be caring for you."

Greta stepped up by the bed and gave me a little kiss on the cheek and half a hug. "Goodbye, Daddy. I've got to go, or Kat won't be able to get me to the airport on time. I love you. We'll be back to check on you in a couple of weeks, OK?"

I pulled her down so I could kiss her cheeks, then I took her hands in mine and squeezed them. "I love you girls, too. Thank you so much for coming. Tell Brian I said thank you for letting you come."

"Silly man. You know you always come first, Daddy. Brian knows it, too." She squeezed my hands back and stepped away, wiping an eye as she did so. "You do what you are supposed to do, and don't you give Lynn any grief, do you hear me? I don't want to hear you caused a problem with your arteries." She gave Lynn a quick hug. "Thank you, Lynn. Now you have my number. You call me if this becomes too much, and one of us will get back down here and help out somehow. You have to keep your grades up."

Lynn agreed, and Greta hustled out the door, for she was behind schedule and the plane wouldn't wait.

************

The girls all came into my office/bedroom to welcome me home as they got out of class, before they went out to volleyball practice. Deidra stopped in to see if there was anything special she could fix me for me first evening home, but I told her I didn't need anything special. Darlene was the last one to stop in, just before she went down to the volleyball courts for practice. 

"I've been in a meeting with Dr. Cook and Dr. Anderson for most of the afternoon, Toomas. They both wanted to know if it would be OK for them to call on you in the morning. They want to express their thanks for what you did."

"No thanks are needed, Coach Thorson." Lynn was in the room with me, so I didn't feel right about being personal. "They are more than welcome to stop by anytime, though. I'd be most happy to see them, and I have a couple of matters I need to discuss with Dr. Anderson."

"I know. That is one of the major items on today's meeting agenda." Darlene took a deep breath. "They both are concerned you won't want to have the team stay here next year after what the school attorney did."

"Please set their minds at ease. You have become almost like family to me, and you did a lot to bring me out of a deep funk. Having you around has been good for me."

"Good. That takes a lot off of our minds. I've got to get out to practice now, or we'll fall even further behind."

"You tell those girls I expect them to get busy. Tell them not to worry about me, unless they don't play to their best ability. If they slack off I'll be very upset. I might have to paddle them if they did that."

I got a laugh out of the coach at that. "I'm not going to tell them that! There are a couple that might find it enjoyable!" She gave me a grin and winked at Lynn, who had a matching grin on her face. She made her way out the door, and I turned my head toward Lynn.

"Well, Lynn, I guess this is what you signed up for, but I need to use the 'duck.'" I know my face was flaming with embarrassment, especially when Lynn started to reach under the sheet with the portable urinal. "I can take care of it myself, thank you." I swear Lynn looked disappointed as I did my duty and then handed it over to her. "This is where having someone I don't know doing this would be so much easier. I hate having to make you do this stuff."

"I'm glad it's me! I owe you a lot more than this. Be right back, Toomas. I'm gonna change into my scrubs. Do you need anything else before I go?"

**************

My doorbell rang, and I started to get up to answer it without even thinking. I heard footsteps down the stairs, and voices at the door, and then I was surprised to see Lieutenant Halvorson stick his head in the doorway.

"Toomas, may I intrude on you for a minute?"

"Certainly, Bill. What's up?"

"I was hoping to see Lynn, too. Is she around?"

"She should be momentarily. She just left to change clothes. She drew the short straw and has to care for me."

"I did not!" came from the doorway behind the Lieutenant. "I wanted to, and you know it!"

I had to grin at her as she stood there with her hands on her hips, looking ever so fierce in her burgundy scrubs. 

"Is something wrong, Officer? Why do you need to see me?" In spite of her bravado, there was a little tremor in her voice, and fear was in her eyes.

"Actually, I came around here to say 'thank you,' to you two. You have broken up a pretty substantial cocaine ring."

"Grab a chair, Bill, and sit down. Now, how did we break up a drug ring?"

Lynn pushed my desk chair over to the Lieutenant, and he sat down. I patted the edge of my mattress, and Lynn settled uneasily on the edge after looking uncertainly at me.

"We towed that punk kid's car in to the impound lot to hold until his family could come up to claim it, and after we did our usual processing, it sat there overnight. Johnny Hanrahan, one of our K9 officers was training his dog in there the next day. We hide samples of drugs in various vehicles we are holding and use them to train our dogs. Johnny was leading Roscoe, the new pup into the area, and all of a sudden the dog sat, right by the punk's car. Johnny knew we didn't have anything hidden in there, so he tried to get Roscoe to move on to one of the target cars, but the dog wouldn't move." 

"Johnny called one of the evidence techs out and they tossed the car. There were two hidden compartments built in, and we pulled out two kilos of pure cocaine out of one and fifteen thousand dollars in cash from the other one. After doing a little checking on the kid and some of his associates we were able to crack a pretty good size ring. We got lucky, I'll admit it, because when we picked up the one guy his cell kept ringing and we kept answering."

"Young lady, you are very lucky you had the good sense to talk with Toomas. We also found out the kid was part of a sex-trafficking ring. He would go out with a girl a couple of times and have sex with her, then would coerce her into prostitution and he would use her as a mule to move his drugs around. We were able to free six girls, all because you had good sense, and someone you could turn to for help. They didn't have that."

Lieutenant Halvorson stood to leave. "Toomas, if you were an officer, you would be getting an award and a commendation. We can't do that for you as a civilian, but I want you to know you have our thanks. I'm sure you will be getting a letter from the chief in the next few days saying so, but I wanted to tell you personally." He stepped over and gently shook Lynn's hand, then mine before turning to leave.

At the door he paused. "Oh, by the way, if you see a patrol car out on the road a little more frequently than you are used to, it isn't an accident. We don't think they will do anything, but we are stepping up coverage of this area for a while, just in case the kid's family wants to try something." He waved his hand at his forehead in a mock salute, then turned and made his way out the door.

**************

By the time Bill left, I was pretty tired. I left Lynn to fuss about the room a little bit and closed my eyes to rest. There was a lot going on, and it was going to take me a few days to get back into the swing of things as far as the house went. Of course, Darlene was handling the girls well enough, but I had to make some arrangements as far as maintenance and such while I was laid up. I mulled over who I knew that I could call in. Several companies came to mind, but I just wasn't satisfied with any of them. Next thing I knew, I was dreaming. 

I really don't know how long I was out, but a recurring dream cycled through my head over and over. I tried to interview maintenance companies, people I knew well, but they kept changing, morphing from one person to the other. I was frustrated, then I would feel a soft kiss on my forehead from above me, and a whisper in my ear, "Toomas, I love you." What that had to do with maintenance I couldn't understand.

**************

My nap ended when practice ended. All of the girls on the team trouped into my room, wearing those little bikinis they wear for beach volleyball, and I got a hug and kiss on the cheek from each of them, just like usual. The thing was, I didn't normally get this treatment after volleyball practice. Sure, sometimes I'd get a hug and kiss on the cheek from them when out at the swimming pond, but normally when it was everybody they were dressed normally. Of course, Little Toomas noticed all of the skin when I hugged them back one-armed. I wasn't wearing anything under the sheet, because it was too difficult to try to use the "duck" or the bedpan if I had underwear or pajamas on. More than one of the girls giggled as a little tent formed, and a couple of them made their hugs a little extra nice.

Deidra, as usual, kissed me on the lips, to the enjoyment of the others. Nobody knew what was going on between the two of us, but they marked it up as her just being cheeky, I think. "Can I take care of that for you?" she whispered in my ear, before pulling away with a Cheshire cat grin and a wink.

Lynn hovered about, protectively, the whole time, and I noticed her eyeing the sheet and a couple of times she licked her lips or sucked the lower lip between her teeth. After the team all left the room, Lynn was talking to me and dropped her pen on the floor. She looked up at me before bending to pick up the pen, but she fumbled it a time or two before she picked it up. Her Vee-neck top sagged down, allowing me a clear view down between her bra-less breasts all the way down. I didn't see the nipples, but almost could. I know it was intentional, for her face was a bit flushed, and there were two small bumps from her nipples that hadn't been there before. I noticed she also looked over at my sheet out of the corner of her eye before turning away and muttering something about needing to do some homework.

Meantime, I lay there trying to think of anything to keep from getting totally hard. Being bed-bound like this was going to cause some problems I hadn't foreseen. Maybe I would have been better off going to a rehab facility. The way these girls teased me, I was going to embarrass myself completely, because there was no way I could rub one out to give myself relief with Lynn hovering over me in the room all of the time. It was a quandary, indeed.

***************

After dinner things settled down to almost normal. I tried to do a little work on my laptop on the bed-table while Lynn studied over on the couch. More than once I heard a frustrated sigh as she was working on a particular problem. "What's the matter, Lynn? Can I help?"

"I just don't get this equation. It doesn't make sense!"

"Bring it over here and let me see what you are struggling with."

She got up from the couch and walked across the room to my bed, but just as she got there she dropped her notebook with all of her loose papers all over the floor. She let out an exasperated sigh, set her book onto my table, and bent over to pick up her papers. 

I really don't think it was intentional this time, but as she bent over from the waist to pick them up, again, her top ballooned open and I was treated to another view. I did not look intentionally. I was looking at her papers frustrated I couldn't help pick them up for her, when I saw down her top. This time as she moved back and forth picking up all of the stray papers her breasts wiggled enticingly within the shirt, teasing me that a nip would appear. I tried to look away, but I was mesmerized by those luscious looking swells. 

I think she realized the show she was giving me when she had about half of her papers gathered, for she glanced upward and then seemed to fumble more with them than she had been. This time, unlike the time she dropped the pen, she got a smile on her face when she looked over at the bulge lifting the sheet, and there were prominent pokies in her top. 

Nothing was said by either of us. I was embarrassed to no end that I had looked as I had. The flush on her face indicated embarrassment on her part, but along with it, there seemed to be arousal, and she repeatedly licked her lips self-consciously while I explained where she was going wrong on her equation. I noticed, too, that she leaned over the bed a little more than was totally necessary to see the work, and in so doing her left breast nestled against my arm.

I couldn't focus my thoughts on what I was working on after all of this, so I closed the computer and just lay back on my pillow and dozed.

******************

It was just before I was ready to turn in for the night that I had to use the bedpan for the first time. Because of the cast situation, I was not able to properly clean myself afterwards, and I had to submit myself to Lynn's ministrations. I know I was as red as I've ever been, to Lynn's amusement. "Toomas, yours is not the first ass I've wiped. Everybody has one, you know."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like having you do it. It's degrading for me to make you do something like that."

She finished cleaning me with a moist cloth, and then just for fun she pinched one cheek lightly. "I always wanted to do that in the nursing home, but they wouldn't let me, and then, too, I didn't have such a cute little tushie to pinch!" She carried the bedpan into my ensuite bath, laughing at me the whole way.

"I ought to pull you across my lap and spank you for that, young lady! If I only could, I would!"

A gale of laughter wafted out of the bathroom over the flush of the toilet. She stuck her head around the door and laughed, "You'd better be careful about that. I might like it, and then where would you be?" She stuck out her tongue and then ducked back into the bath to finish cleaning up.

She still had a big grin on her face when she stepped back into the room. "Are you about ready to call it a night? You look tired." 

I admitted to being exhausted.

"I can imagine. You've had quite a day, today. I should have put you to bed a while ago, but I knew you needed a little more time to get your mind settled at being home." She placed a hand on my forehead, experimentally. "You don't feel feverish, but I think I'll do your vitals anyway."

Lynn stuck a thermometer in my mouth and then wrapped a blood pressure cuff around my arm and checked my pressure and pulse.

"You have a little over ninety-nine on your temp, but with all that's been going on, I'm not surprised. BP's pretty good. I'd like to see your pulse a little stronger, but it's not bad. I may check you a time or two during the night, just to be sure."

Lynn turned on a small lamp behind my head so she could continue to study and then turned out the overhead light. "Now, don't you hesitate to call me if you need anything, do you hear me? If I find out you needed something and didn't want to wake me I'll be pissed, and I'm not kidding." She leaned in and kissed me on the forehead. That soft kiss was on my mind as I drifted off to sleep. Somehow, it felt familiar, and I liked it.

****************

The worst part of having that cast on was having to stay on my back. I couldn't roll over on the cast, and if I tried to lie on my other side it was too heavy on my good leg and it would hurt. I certainly couldn't sleep on my stomach, which is my favorite position.

I don't know how many times I awakened during the night, but one time when I did I glanced over at the couch, where Lynn was sleeping. She was on her side, with her back toward me. I saw she had changed into a long sleepshirt for the night, but she had kicked the sheet down, and the shirt had ridden up, exposing her little pink panties and thighs in the soft light of the lamp. I had to tear my eyes away, and I chastised myself for looking. It wasn't right for me to be perving a young lady who was there to care for me. I turned my head and tried to go back to sleep, but the vision remained in my mind and dreams for the rest of the night.

It was six o'clock when Lynn woke me to start the day. I know she was not normally up that early, but in order to have me ready for the day and get herself off to a nine o'clock class we had agreed it would be best. I was surprised to see her dressed in that same sleepshirt that had stirred dreams during the night, but at least this time it did extend to mid-thigh. Two nipples made their presence known, although they were not poking out with excitement. 

I had a bit of morning wood and needed to relieve myself pretty badly. I had to avert my eyes from Lynn when she gave me the duck, though, or I'd never have been able to piss. Fortunately, she went into the bathroom to draw water for my sponge-bath and my morning wood subsided enough that it wouldn't embarrass me when I handed off the duck.

Lynn told me to take off my shirt while she emptied the urinal. To say I felt vulnerable is a monumental understatement. I sat there naked with just a thin sheet over my lower body while a young lady prepared to bathe me. 

Lynn started on my back, letting the head of the bed down while I sat up with difficulty. I must say, the soft cloth, warm with soapy water did feel soothing after hours of lying there, sweating into the sheets. Next, she raised the bed back up part-way and had me lie back while she gently washed my face and neck and then my chest and abdomen. I protested that I could do all of that, but she just hushed me and said to relax and enjoy it. I did put my foot down, figuratively, at her washing the private areas, though. I wasn't ready for that much humiliation. 

She caught me by surprise then, and lowered the head of the bed again and rolled me up onto my side carefully and flipped the sheet off so she could get to my backside, which she washed thoroughly, including my ball sack, much to my protest, but all I got out of her was a giggle. She washed my legs well, even from that vantage point, leaving me with a raging erection that ached before she dried me off carefully, and then lowered me back onto the bed.

"I'll leave you to take care of the rest, then, since you insist. At least it is standing up where you can get at it well enough." She laughed until tears ran down her face at my expression. "I'll just go and get my shower while you take care of that part. Too bad you can't come and wash my back." With a wink she whisked into the bathroom, and I heard the water start. She didn't bother closing the door. After all, I couldn't even get out of the bed, and the sound of the water splashing as she did her ablutions and her humming nearly drove me wild.

I quickly washed myself, and although I wanted dearly to give myself some relief I wasn't sure that I had the time, and besides I had nothing to catch my seed with. 




Coppernicous Pt. 04



Lynn came from the bathroom a few minutes later, already dressed and brushing out her damp hair. "I hope you don't mind if I bring some shampoo and conditioner and bodywash down here, Toomas. Your shower looks like a bachelor's." Her face paled as she realized what she said and I felt a stab in the heart. I took a deep breath and let the pain slide away. I knew what she was saying, and I guess in a sense, I was a bachelor of sorts.

"You can bring anything you need, Lynn. Personally, I don't need any of that stuff, but you are welcome."

"We need to get your bed changed quickly before I have to go, and you need a shirt before your company arrives."

I would have thought the shirt was first on the priority list, but not to Lynn. She started stripping the bottom sheet loose and then started putting a clean one underneath it somehow before rolling me sufficiently to get them both to the other side of the bed. Meanwhile, I was holding the top sheet over myself desperately to maintain what little shred of dignity and decency I had left.

"Relax, Toomas. Yours wouldn't be the first one I've ever seen, although I'm not trying to see it." She did pause, holding back her thoughts for a moment before giving me a cheeky grin and saying, "Although, I must say most of the men I've cared for in the nursing homes didn't have one that stood up nearly so nicely as yours does!" She giggled delightedly as she saw my face flame red.

It was only moments and she tucked in and threw a fresh top sheet over me and then pulled the soiled one out from under the new sheet. I was puzzled when she took a light blanket and tucked it in the foot of the bed before spreading it up and over me. 

"Why the blanket today?"

"Because you've got some bigwigs from the university coming to see you at ten o'clock, and I didn't think it would go over well with them if you are tenting the sheets at them like you have been at all of us girls."

"So why didn't you give me the blanket yesterday when all of the team was around?"

She cocked one eye at me. "Really? You don't think we enjoy it? Why do you think some of the girls tease you so much? We like to look, too, you know, and you are safe. We know you wouldn't hurt us." Lynn's eyes pooled for a moment, then she dropped her head and stepped toward the bed. She grabbed my hand in both of hers and brought it up to her cheek. "I'm sorry if I took it too far, Toomas. We all love you. I don't want to hurt you." 

Lynn dropped my hand and dropped her head to my chest, reached around me with both arms, hugged me as best she could, and began crying. I did the only thing I knew to do with a crying girl. I took her into my arms and held her there, my mind racing with wonder.

"P-part of it is that I want to pay you back for what you did for me. I owe you . . . I owe you my life." She lifted teary eyes to look up at me. "I owe you everything, and you can have anything you want from me. Anything." She was hiccoughing from her tears as she said it.

"Lynn, sweetheart, listen to me," I said softly to her. Feeling her body pressing against mine after all of the other stimulation was doing me no good for what I needed to say, and I didn't want to give the wrong impression. "You owe me nothing. What I did I would have done for any of you, or for any other woman as far as that goes. I'm glad I was able to protect you, but I want nothing from you for what I did."

"But maybe I want it . . ."

There was a knock on the door, and Lynn quickly stood and wiped the tears from her eyes before calling, "Come in."

***************

Deidra opened the door, carrying a breakfast tray. I could smell bacon, and my stomach growled, bringing a giggle from Lynn.

"Thanks, Deidra. I should be back a little after eleven, but I'll have my phone on if you need me for something." She leaned over the bed and kissed my cheek. "I'll see you in a little bit, Toomas. I showed Deidra what she needs to do if you need the bedpan or urinal. I'll be here for lunch." With that she pinky-waved at me and hurried out the door to make class on time.

"How did you sleep last night, Toomas? Are you in pain?" Deidra set the breakfast tray on my bed table and rolled it over in front of me.

"I slept well, considering. I can't wait to get this blooming cast off my leg so I can roll over. Other than that I slept well, and I don't hurt much."

"Would you like something for pain, or would you rather wait until after you eat?"

"Nothing, thank you. It's not bad." 

I picked up the coffee cup first of all. I was amazed that I had been civil with Lynn while being bathed and the bed changed. Normally I'm on the grouchy order until I get my first cup of coffee.

When I uncovered my breakfast plate I was surprised to see a steak and three strips of bacon to go with what looked like half a dozen scrambled eggs and hashed browns.

"I'm supposed to eat all of this? Are you trying to fatten me for slaughter or something?"

Deidra snickered. "Your meals are going to be heavy on protein for a bit, Toomas. We have to build your blood supply back up. Eat what you can. If it is too much, just leave it. You've lost weight, and you need to gain some of it back, too."

"Did you fix this?"

A little bit of a blush and a nod.

"Thank you." I cut into the steak, and found it just as I like it. Marja used to say if it had a little Mercurichrome and a Band-Aid it would have a good chance of surviving, but I liked it juicy. This one didn't even need any steak sauce.

"This is excellent! What did you do to it? I taste a little something, but I can't tell what."

Deidra smiled the way I only saw her smile when her food was mentioned. "I just did a little marinade of my own making, but I only let it sit in it for about half-an-hour instead of overnight like people normally do. It's just enough to give a hint of flavor without hiding the beef. I'm glad you like it."

"What's in it?"

"I can't say. I may be patenting it later if it is successful in the B and B."

I cocked an eyebrow at her, only to get a cheeky grin in return. "I'll fix it for you anytime you like, but I'm not telling."

I dove in and started eating as if I had not eaten for weeks, but then, I can't really call hospital food, "eating". Before I knew it, the plate was empty, as was my second cup of coffee. Then it hit me. She said she had marinaded the steak for half-an-hour. That meant she had to have gotten up early to do all of this.

"What time did you get up to do this, Deidra? Not that I'm complaining, but this wasn't necessary."

She gave me that smile again as she removed the tray from the bed table. "I didn't do it because it was necessary. I did it because I wanted to." She bent down and gave me a gentle kiss. "When one loves someone, one does what one can to make the other happy." She picked up the tray and made her way out the door, and I couldn't help noticing the sway in her hips, and the wink she gave me let me know she knew I was watching.

***************

I tried working on my laptop while waiting for Drs. Cook and Anderson to arrive, but I kept getting distracted by Deidra's legs where they were stretched out on the couch. I don't think she caught me looking at her, but knowing her, I'm certain that even though she was reading for a class she was intentionally giving me a show. She had on a short skirt, and was lying so that I couldn't see up it, but could just see her legs extending. She had music on her mind, though, because one leg kept bouncing with the beat. I did my best to keep my mind on what I was doing, but it was difficult. I was actually relieved when I heard the doorbell. Deidra swung around on the couch to stand up, and flashed me before giving me a wink and a grin. I knew then the whole charade had been for my benefit. 

I was starting to get a royal case of blue-balls from all of the teasing, and had no way of relieving myself. With round the clock care like I had I couldn't rub one out, and the girls were dead set on teasing me without mercy. I know Lynn would like to take care of it for me, thinking she owed me, and for that reason, above all others, I couldn't allow her to do it. No way was I going to take advantage of her vulnerability and feelings of guilt. Sure, she was as cute as a button, but I'm not that kind of a guy. 

I straightened the blanket and lifted a knee when I heard the front door open and Deidra speaking with Dr. Cook. It was only a minute or two later when Deidra led them in the door of my office slash bedroom. Of course, I knew Dr. Cook well, but I had not had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Anderson before. Both ladies wore business suits, with skirts near the knee. "Toomas, I'll just be in the kitchen; if you need anything, Dr. Cook can call me." With that Deidra ducked back out the door.

"Toomas, Dr. Anderson tells me you two have not met. Please allow me to introduce you."

"That's not necessary, Helen." Dr. Anderson stepped to the side of the bed and shook my hand. "I'm Alma Anderson, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Toomas. I cannot thank you enough for what you did for Lynn." Her hand was soft in mine, and I noted she seemed in no hurry to let mine go. "If it had not been for you, who knows what could have happened." Her shoulders shuddered, and she slowly slipped her hand free.

"Dr. Anderson, please. I'm no hero. I just did what had to be done, what I would have done for my own daughter. Lynn is a member of my household, and I could not do less for her."

"Res ipsa loquitor," murmured Dr. Anderson. "Please, Toomas, it's Alma." At the quizzical look on my face, Dr. Anderson said, "Latin. 'The facts speak for themselves'." The ladies seated themselves on the couch, just as Deidra stuck her head back in the door.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't think to ask if you would like coffee or a soft drink. What can I get you?"

The ladies said coffee would be fine, and I just lifted my cup. Deidra ducked back out the door, returning moments later with a tray laden with a coffee silver coffee set I had forgotten I had. 

"I made a strudel. I hope you will enjoy it." Deidra poured coffee for each of us, and then served us a healthy serving of her warm strudel. I had no doubt as to whether or not I would enjoy it. The more I saw of Deidra the more impressed I was with her. If her grace and aplomb in serving the ladies was a harbinger of what was to come with her bed and breakfast I knew I was sitting on a gold mine.

"Umm. This is delicious! Don't tell me she cooks for you as well as going to school and playing volleyball!"

"Not as often as we would like, Alma. She will be staying on for a couple more years working on a second degree in business and culinary arts. To be honest, I think she will be able to teach the teachers."

"I could believe it!" Dr. Anderson paused and cleared her throat and sipped at her coffee before continuing. "We in the university owe you a huge apology, Toomas, for the actions of our attorney. Please believe me that we had no knowledge of his actions until after the fact." She had shifted forward to the edge of the couch, which forced her skirt to slide upward a good three inches on her thighs. It was nothing improper, but she does have nice legs. "If I had known of his plans I would have stopped him long before he did anything."

"Please set your mind at ease. He said as much when he came to the hospital and barged in my room. I appreciate your concern, but you have no need." The look of relief on Dr. Anderson's face left no doubt of her concerns. "My attorney, Johnny Walker, was in the room with me when he interrupted our conversation, so he was a witness as well. Johnny's the president of the local bar association, and he is in agreement with me a complaint should be filed against Squires, but Johnny doesn't know about what the twerp did to Lynn before he came to the hospital."

The blood drained from Dr. Anderson's face and Dr. Cook joined her on the edge of the couch.

"What did he do to Lynn?" almost whispered Dr. Cook. "I didn't know anything about that."

"He came out here to the house while a crew was trying to clean up the damage. That's why you had to walk around those tarps on the floor out there. They will have to replace the flooring and repair the wall where I fell against it, but that is a different matter. Your attorney, Squires, wasn't it?"

"Former attorney," Dr. Anderson said softly.

"As I was saying, he came out to the house and barged in unannounced and uninvited and told Lynn she was going to be expelled from the university, that our contract was being revoked, and that the girls would all be relocated by the end of the week. He also accosted my daughter, Katarina, and called her a blood-thirsty gun nut for coming in to back me up. He said he was going to press charges against her for having a gun in a gun-free zone. Generally, he made an ass of himself. I might have overlooked what he did at the hospital, but I cannot, and I will not overlook what he did here at the house. Johnny is pressing charges against him as we speak, and I will sue him for damages."

Dr. Anderson's face was blanched, and sweat had beaded on her forehead.

"Surely, you don't hold the university responsible, do you, Toomas? I assure you, there is no action being taken against Lynn for any reason, nor against Katarina. Your contract is in no way endangered, and I'm in hopes we will be able to have a good relationship between us for many years to come."

I held up a hand to quiet her. "Be at ease. I know the university had nothing to do with him. I got a call from Johnny last night, and this doesn't leave this room, please. The reason Squires did what he did was he has also been representing Shawn's family interests here in town. There is a very good likelihood we will be able to tie him to illegal activities with them as well as conflict of interest. 

"As for our contract, I'm more than comfortable with it, and I have enjoyed the last three years, too. What that misbegotten spailp did has no bearing on our relationship."

Dr. Anderson gave a big sigh of relief and patted her forehead dry with a tissue before shrugging out of her suit jacket. All I can say is, whoever made the sweater she had under it had her in mind, for when she pulled her jacket off her back she had to push her chest out, which tested the sweater to the max, and it was now I who had sweat beading his forehead.

Dr. Cook broke into the conversation. "What can we do for you, Toomas? I know the girls love living at your place, and they can't say enough good things about you. Is there anything we can do for you while you are laid up? Do you need help with the grounds or anything of the sort?"

"If you would care to do something about the grounds and any light maintenance for the next few weeks it would be much appreciated. I had planned to make some calls tomorrow to find someone to care for the grounds until I can get back on my feet."

"Consider it done. The athletic department will be most happy to care for that for you. We should have been doing it all along, anyway."

"You said the flooring had to be replaced, Toomas?" Dr. Anderson took charge again.

"The way I understand it is blood cannot just be cleaned up from hardwood flooring, so it has to be taken up and replaced. My insurance is taking care of that for me, and the rest of the damage repair."

"I want you to send all bills, medical bills, too, that insurance doesn't cover to the university. It is the least we can do. Anything we can do to help, we want to. I will also be wanting to speak with Lynn and extend the university's apologies to her for our former attorney's actions. I assure you, we will not only cooperate with you in your actions against him, we would like to join them, if you will allow us."

I nodded my agreement, and then with our business done, we got acquainted and had a good time talking together for the next hour. I was really sorry to see them go when they left.

Alma gave me her card, after scribbling her cell number on the back, when she left. "Call me anytime I can be of service, Toomas."

"Perhaps I could give you a call and invite you to dinner once I'm on my feet again?"

"I'd be delighted."

**************

Lynn bustled in the door as soon as she got back from class to find Deidra back in the same position on the couch she had been teasing me from before Drs. Anderson and Cook visited. Deidra had also managed to lose her bra once they were gone. 

Lynn kissed me hello, but this time, to my surprise, it was a peck on the lips instead of on the cheek. "Give me just a couple minutes to change into my scrubs and I'll be back in to care for you, Toomas. Is there anything you need me to bring back for you?"

"I think I'm doing OK, Lynn. Thank you. You don't have to hurry. I'll be fine for a while."

Deidra sat up on the couch and swung her legs around, making sure I noticed them, and then walked to the other side of the bed and leaned down to hug me and give me a big kiss before she left. "You don't know how hard it is to study in here with you, wishing I was in that bed, too." Her whisper was faint in my ear, and her breath tickled, causing Little Toomas to twitch.

"He's done all right while you were gone, Lynn. I offered him a sponge bath after the bigwigs left, but he said you had already given him one. Lucky you!" She gave me a wink and watched Lynn's face get red.

"Nothing went on when I bathed him. He did all of the private stuff himself!"

Deidra laughed merrily. "You lose. You just call me anytime you need it done right, Toomas, and I'll take care of you." My face was flaming by this time. Lynn's was turning dark, but not with embarrassment this time, and she started sputtering.

"Hey, I'm only kidding, Lynn. Take it easy. I know he's your patient." Lynn started to calm, but I don't think she took the teasing very well. She certainly didn't waste any time going to her room, changing into scrubs and getting back.

*****************

I had no worries about my care. The girls practically fought over who got to be there for me whenever Lynn had to be in class. The only problem I had was with Lynn. She seemed to be more and more agitated with each day that she had to leave me in another girl's care. She knew full well how much they were teasing me while she was gone, and I do believe she was jealous. 

She never wore a bra, but then, neither did any of the others. It seemed she was constantly dropping things so I'd have an opportunity for a good view when she bent to pick them up, but there was no spark to it. She acted like she thought she had to do it in competition with the other girls, but she was getting no joy from her actions. Meanwhile, I had a severe case of blueballs.

Finally, I decided I had to do something. I couldn't let Lynn go on this way. I was going to try some amateur psychology. I had no idea what I was doing, but I really couldn't pull Deidra in on this one, and I didn't know who else Lynn could talk with. Most of the team was gone Thursday and Friday for a tourney, so I had a better chance to get Lynn alone. 

I waited until after dinner on Thursday evening, when everyone else was studying, and, fortunately, I had no requests for tutoring. "Lynn, would you shut the door for me, please?" 

She looked surprised, for unless she was bathing me or something of the sort I had an open door policy whenever I had one of the girls in the room. I waited until the door was closed and then patted the bed next to me. "Could you come here for a couple of minutes? I'd like to talk with you about something."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Not that I know of. I just want to talk, and I don't want to be interrupted." I patted the bed again down by my waist, and I waited until she sat down gingerly on the edge. I reached for her hand and held it, stroking it gently. "Lynn, sweetheart, tell me what is wrong. What has you upset? Have I done something to offend you?"




Coppernicous Pt. 04



Lynn wouldn't look at me, but hunched over, looking at her feet. "No, you haven't done anything, Toomas."

"Then what is the problem, sweetheart? Are you upset because I shot Shawn?"

Her head snapped up and she looked me in the eyes. "Not for a moment! I'm glad you did! I owe you my life, and I don't have any way to repay you, other than to care for you, and that isn't enough."

"Is that the problem? Having to care for me?"

She shook her downcast head, tears dripping from her cheeks. "I want to. I love being with you and caring for you, Toomas." She lifted her tear-streaked eyes and looked at me. "I want to quit school so I can care for you all the time instead of going to classes, but I have to let the other girls in here instead, and I know how they tease you, and they are all prettier and sexier than me, and you hardly know I'm even here."

Her chin dropped to her chest and tears flowed in earnest. I reached out and took her chin in my fingers and turned her face toward me. "Do you really think that? You think they are prettier and sexier than you, and that I don't notice you?" A gulping sob, a sniffle, and nod of her head was my answer.

"You haven't looked in a mirror in a while, have you?" Again, I pulled her chin around toward me. "Lynn, you are a lovely young lady. You have caught my eye every time you've been around since you first moved here. You're cute as can be, and you don't have to worry about anybody else being more attractive."

"You're just saying that." 

I shook my head, and was surprised to have Lynn launch herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, sobbing on my shoulder. All I could do is put my arm around her and hold her to me. That was no sacrifice at any time, though I felt a little guilty about enjoying the embrace under the circumstances.

It was only a few minutes before the sobbing settled to a few heavy sighs, with Lynn burying her face into my neck and snuggling closer, or at least trying, and she didn't release the death grip she held on my neck. A last sigh, and then the breathing became slow and rhythmic. She had cried herself to sleep. All I could do was hold her carefully, keeping my hand in a safe place so she wouldn't waken and think I was trying to take advantage. Little Toomas didn't pay attention to where my hand was, though. All he noticed was a cute young lady in my arms, snuggling her breasts against my chest, her breath tickling my neck, giving me goosebumps . . . and some lascivious thoughts. It took only a few minutes and Little Toomas was standing at attention and my poor aching balls were complaining.

****************

Something awakened me from a sweet dream, leaving me disoriented, not knowing where I was or what was happening until I realized a warm, moist feeling of movement on my penis. In the near dark it took me a moment to discern what was happening, then I groaned and tried to push Lynn's head away, but she was not about to let me. In the darkness, I could just see her eyes looking up at me, and I heard her moan, although I felt it much more than I heard it. Her tongue was stroking beneath the crown, and her fingernails very lightly scraped at my tender balls drawn up tightly against my body. I could feel the impending release and gasped out a warning just before I erupted in the most wonderful, yet painful, ejaculation I have ever experienced. 

So much teasing in the last few days, and no opportunity to get release, had me in a painful state that could only be remedied one way. I pulsed and pulsed, overflowing Lynn's mouth, though she valiantly tried to swallow everything. 

When I finally finished, Lynn pulled off her top and used it to wipe up the overflow before kissing the head of Little Toomas lightly. Then she dropped her top to the floor and crawled back up to snuggle her face against my neck again with a sigh of contentment. "Feel better, now, Toomas? Thank you, for letting me do that for you. I love you." Then she snuggled her bare breasts against me and settled down to go back to sleep. Dumbfounded, I was right behind her, but this time my hand was on her breast—where she put it.

*************

Lynn's alarm went off at six o'clock the same as every other morning, and I woke up with her in the same position in which we had gone to sleep. The little minx murmured something into my neck and then kissed it tenderly, sending goosebumps down my arm. I disengaged my hand from her breast guiltily, but couldn't keep myself from looking as she reluctantly disengaged.

"Don't go anyplace."

Lynn slipped off the bed and turned off her alarm, then turned to face me unashamed. "Thank you, Toomas. That's the best sleep I've had since you got shot." She glanced down at her soiled top lying on the floor and giggled. "You sure had a lot built up in there, didn't you?" Then she covered her breasts lightly with her hands. "I should feel embarrassed to have you see me like this, but I'm not. Nobody has ever seen them before." She slipped her hands under her breasts and lifted them, as if offering them to me.

She knew she had my full attention, especially when her hands slid down across her flat belly to her waistband, then down further, taking the pants with them, letting them drop to her feet. She never took her eyes off of mine while she kicked them and her panties to lie with her top. One quick step and she was back beside the bed, throwing back my sheet. 

"Now, we're not going to have any more arguments about me giving you a proper bath, are we?"

I knew I should have said something, should have stopped her somehow, but I was mesmerized by her actions and it seemed I had no voice. Especially when she climbed back onto the bed and straddled me. There was no foreplay. She grabbed hold of Little Toomas and settled herself down over him slowly until she had settled against my pelvis.

"Toomas, you have no idea how I've dreamed of doing this for so long." Her breasts came down to cuddle on my chest, and her arms went about my neck. "I'm glad I don't have a class until eleven, today," was what I heard whispered in my ear, just before she nibbled on the lobe. "I'd a lot rather do this than go to class."

I finally found my voice, and my guilty feelings took over. "Lynn, we shouldn't be doing this. Isn't this against your Hippocritic Oath, or something? You shouldn't be doing this with your patient, should you?"

Lynn giggled, and the feeling on Little Toomas was exquisite. "You silly man, you. Doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, not CNA's. Are you unhappy with your treatment?" She sat up on me to look me in the eye, leaving me looking at her luscious breasts instead. "I suppose you can fire me if you don't like the way I'm caring for you, and your daughters can find a nice cheap nursing home for you."

She giggled again and began slowly slipping up and down on little Toomas. "My vibrator isn't nearly as big as you are! I had no idea how good this could feel."

My hips tried to respond to her movements, but with that heavy cast where it was, I couldn't move much, and what movement there was, was uneven and lopsided. I'm sure the cast had to have chafed Lynn's leg, but she didn't complain. Her hand flew to her clitoris and she gasped, "Please, Toomas. Play with my boobs. Pinch my nipples."

Guilty though I felt at doing so, I gladly complied, fondling both delectable breasts, tweaking her nipples between thumbs and fingers. I knew I wasn't going to last long, though I tried as best I could to give her opportunity. It didn't work. I gave out a big grunt and tried to drive myself through her, nearly tipping us over, as I came, spewing a huge load.

When Lynn felt my first shot of come, she drove herself down onto me, while trying to stay on top as we twisted. Her finger, trapped between our pubes, pressed onto her clitoris tightly enough to push her over the edge, too, and she collapsed on me, whispering my name over and over, but this time, the tears I felt on my neck were happy tears.



Coppernicous



I also found myself being dragged to the pond to swim and I spent many hours on the sand volleyball court. Kat enlisted Coach Thorson in an effort to get me exercising and working out. By the end of the year I was back down to the weight I carried when in college, and my doctor was more than pleased. I hadn't been all that heavy, but I had let myself go after Marja died. 

Needless to say, when it came time to decide if the girls would stay with me again the next year I was more than happy to oblige. Dr. Cook and I came to a more than satisfactory agreement. She offered to purchase my property for the volleyball program, but I demurred, offering instead to give her an extended lease of the property with a right of first refusal if I ever decided to sell. 

That first summer I upgraded the kitchen, even more than my wife had, so that I had a fully professional facility for their food prep. I even went so far as to hire a full-time cook to prepare all of the meals, which took a great load off of Coach Thorson. I thought it was the least I could do for them for the money the university paid me. I still made out like a bandit!

Coach Thorson and I continued to get along very well. She continued to use the Jenny's old room, but had redone it to her own liking and taste. A few of the girls sniggered a little at first, but between Darlene and me, we managed to get that stopped right away. Around any of the students she was always Coach Thorson. It was only on the rare occasions the two of us were alone that I addressed her as Darlene. In the beginning she tried to make the girls call me Mr., but I put the kibosh on that promptly! It was either Toomas or Coppernicus. The latter was used in jest, as it had been at work, and I took it as such, but most of the time it was Toomas, which suited me fine. Often the girls looked to me as a surrogate father figure, and more than once I had a crying girl in my arms when I helped them deal with a breakup or with other issues they didn't know how to handle on their own. 

There were a couple of the girls who tended to tease me more than did the others. Kat always got a kick out of them and would josh me almost unmercifully about them when she caught me in the house alone. Of course, she kept her own room, so she was not out with the others, but there didn't seem to be any ill feelings from it. She certainly received no favoritism from Coach Thorson when it came to discipline.

**********

Kat's senior year was a great one for the team. In the NCAA tourney they were the Cinderella team, making it all the way to the final four, the best they had ever accomplished, and Kat, to my pride, was one of the sparkplugs on the team. She made All-America that year, and was named MVP of the tourney, in spite of the team being beaten badly by the team that ended up winning the championship. They had to settle for third. 

I normally did not travel with the team to away games. Sure, I could afford to, but I'm not much of one for crowds, especially when away from my home turf. The team insisted that year, though, so once they made it to the sweet sixteen I traveled with them and got to see Kat play in her final collegiate games. It was bittersweet flying home with them after the loss, but what a thrill it was to see Kat shine. My only thought was how disappointed I was Marja could not be there with me. 

Darlene was very sensitive to my feelings on the plane. She came up by my seat and kicked Kat out of hers for a few minutes and she sat down next to me. She looked in my eyes and said, "You are thinking of Marja, no?"

I nodded, and tears filled my eyes.

"I know she would be proud, as I know you are. What is more, she would be proud of what you have done with your daughter. She is more than just a great volleyball player. She is a great person, and it is to your credit. Marja can rest in peace knowing what a wonderful daughter you two have. Don't mourn, but be joyful for what you have and what you have accomplished." Darlene leaned in and gently kissed my cheek. "I think you have been a wonderful dad, and you have been one for the rest of the team as well. I've even heard some of the girls call you 'Poppa' when they talk about you. You've made quite a difference to this team, and I thank you." With a quick squeeze of my hand she stood and made her way back to her own seat and Kat came back and sat back down by me. I'm not by nature a demonstrative person, but I put my arm around Kat and hugged her to me while the tears dripped down my cheeks.

**********

Christmas break began the day after we returned from the tourney, and Darlene and the girls all scattered to their homes. Kat and I were alone in the house for the first time in quite a while. My other children came home Christmas eve, with their families, and we had a fun Christmas together, and that had the house noisy again, but when they all left the day after Christmas it got really quiet again. Kat and I tried to enjoy the peace and quiet, but the place felt like a tomb.

The next day, Kat decided to brave the shopping mall, so I took a call for her on the house line while she was gone. Amanda Harris, who had been the freshman volleyball coach Kat assisted during her year of ineligibility had been offered a head coaching position at another school in the state, and she wanted to know if Kat would be interested in becoming her assistant.

Kat, of course, was ecstatic at the opportunity, and she took off upstate for a three-day trip to interview and look over the other school right after New Year's, leaving me all alone in the house. I could have gone with her, but I decided to enjoy some peace and quiet around the place. There was some maintenance that needed doing that would be a lot easier to do with the girls gone. The quiet and solitude was short-lived, though, because I had no more than pulled a troublesome drain-line from one of the girl's lavatories just before noon and my phone rang. I sat up quickly to get the phone from my back pocket and smacked my head on the base of the sink.

Rubbing my head with one hand, I fumbled the phone from my pocket with the other and grumbled a curt "hello" without bothering to check to see who it was. 

"Toomas?"

"This is he."

"I'm sorry. I didn't recognize your voice." It was Deidra, one of the other seniors on the team.

"My fault. I hit my head on the bottom of a sink trying to get my phone out of my pocket. I apologize. I wasn't very polite answering."

"Ouch! I'm so sorry for interrupting you, but I tried Kat and didn't reach her twice, so I called you."

"Kat is driving, so I'm sure she isn't taking calls. Is something the matter?"

I heard a sigh on the phone. "It's just the usual. Mom and Dad are fighting again, and I couldn't stand to be in the house any longer, so I headed back down there. I thought maybe Kat and I could hang out or something. Is it OK if I come back early?"

"Deidra, you are welcome anytime. Kat won't be home for a couple of days, so it would just be you and me here, but come on if you'd like."

"Thank you. You're cool, and I like to be around you anyway. I'll be there in about an hour. Thanks, Toomas."

I was connecting the drain pipe when I heard Deidra's voice calling me. Without crawling out from under the sink I just called out to her and focused on tightening the nut at the base of the sink. A set of long tanned legs came toward me and stopped right by the sink. I leaned my head out just a little to say "hello", and the angle I was looking up from showed those long legs all the way up inside her loose shorts, and from there, my view was directly up her cut off tee-shirt that tented out over two luscious boobs and up her cleavage. I don't recall ever seeing a girl's cleavage from quite that angle before, and I must say it was a sight to behold. Of course, Little Toomas started to stand up and pay attention, best as he could.

"Hi, there, Deidra. Welcome back," I croaked. "I'll be out in just a minute. I've got just one more nut to tighten down and then check for leaks, and I'll be done."

"Oh, that's fine. I don't really need anything. I just wanted to say, 'Hi.' Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Sure, if you would like to, you can turn the water on when I get this nut tightened. It will save me having to crawl out and then back under here." I thought under my breath, "Please stay there where you are." Though I tried hard to not be a perv around the girls and to treat them with respect, I am still a man, and I enjoy looking as much as any. I knew that image would be in my mind when I stroked off in the shower later.

Have you ever tried to fit a wrench on a sink drain nut while your eyes are looking up a girl's shorts? The wrench slipped off of the nut and smashed my knuckle for fair, and I bit my tongue to not say what was on my mind.

"Are you OK?" Deidra's head showed under the edge of the sink as she bent down to check on me. When she did, her shirt slid upward a little and bellied out, leaving her left nipple exposed.

Little Toomas jumped in my shorts as I managed to try to look her in the eye as I said, "I'm OK. I just didn't get the wrench on the nut right, and it slipped."

I had tried to look Deidra in the eye, but she saw where my eyes had gone first, and she gave me a little smile and stood slowly back up, making no attempt to cover herself in the process. I finally got the nut tightened and slid out enough to not have any leaks hit me in the face, but also got myself back into position to see up her shirt again, although she couldn't see my eyes.

"OK, please try the water now."

I'm pretty sure she knew where I was looking, because she leaned forward just a little bit, causing her shirt to belly out just enough for me to see part of her nipples when she turned on the taps. I sucked in my breath. It had been so long since I actually saw a woman's tits in the flesh. Of course, I see them in videos and pictures, but they are just not the same. So badly I wanted to reach up and caress them, to pull one in my mouth and suckle on it for a while. I tore my eyes away long enough to check the drain, which wasn't leaking and with a shaky voice I told her she could shut off the water. One last peek up her shirt, and I had to turn my head away before I made a fool of myself and created an incident that could destroy everything I had going with the university. 

I gathered together the tools I had with me in the vanity, and then I scooted out onto the bathroom floor before trying to stand. Deidra gave me a big smile, and a little glance down at the bulge Little Toomas was making in my shorts. It wouldn't have been so bad, but with Kat gone, and knowing what I planned to work on, I hadn't bothered with underwear, and I was wearing an old pair of gym shorts. There was no way I could hide the bulge I was sporting. I know my face was red with embarrassment, both from being caught looking, and then for my body's reaction, but Deidra was unfazed. Instead of shaking my hand, as I had expected, she stepped in to give me a tight hug, and it wasn't a short one, either.

She pressed her breasts tightly against me and held them there, and although I tried to pull back she pressed herself against my rapidly growing to full size cock and almost cooed. "I missed you, Toomas, and it appears you are happy to see me, too."

Deidra pulled her head back, while maintaining her embrace. She gave a big grin at my obvious discomfort. "Don't worry. I don't care if you look, and I think I've been approved." With a giggle she leaned in and kissed my cheek. "And I'll not tell anyone anything as long as you don't. Not even if we think up something that would be worth telling." Her impudent grin gave me reason for concern as she released me and turned to walk away.

I continued working on my list of repairs for the rest of the afternoon, but I'll be honest, my attention kept wandering and I didn't get nearly all of what I had planned finished. Finally I quit for the day and headed toward the kitchen to see what I could fix for Deidra and me to eat. I had given the cook time off as there was no need for her to be there to cook for just Kat and me, so I knew it would be up to me to find something. I was surprised to walk in the main house to smell a delicious fragrance. Deidra popped her head around the corner. 

"Oh, good. I was trying to think how to find you without dinner being ruined. If you hurry, you will have time to grab a shower while I finish things up."

"I didn't expect you to have to cook dinner."

"I know. I did it because I wanted to. I love to cook, and I hope someday to have my own restaurant with me as chef. Hurry on, now. I don't want dinner to be spoiled."

I hurried, conscious that Little Toomas was stirring as I talked with Deidra. I recognized I had a problem, and not just a temporary one. How was I going to be able to handle things when all of the girls came back? I couldn't go to sporting wood every time I got around Deidra and remembered this afternoon. Of course, with all of the girls around, and as I mentioned earlier, sometimes one of them would not be fully dressed when I went to their rooms when something needed to be fixed. I frequently had to take matters in hand later in the evening, as it were, but this was different. There had never been any physical contact with any of the other girls like there had been with Deidra today. I stepped under cold water in the shower and tried to quickly wash up, but with only a few strokes on my cock I exploded all over the wall of my shower.

My knees buckled, and I ended up on the floor, cold water pouring over my head, and I gasped for breath. I had a problem!

**********

I walked down the hall to see soft light coming from the dining room. I had expected we would eat in the kitchen, but Deidra surprised me again. I found the dining room table set with my wife's good china and silver, and there was a candle burning in one of the silver candlesticks. The stereo was on, with classical music, no less. Was I being set up?

Deidra swept in from the kitchen carrying a tray with two plates. She had somehow found the time to change clothes and brush out her hair. Normally, she wore it in a long pony tail, but tonight she had it brushed out and over her shoulders where her almost white-blond hair contrasted with a black silk shirt. To say she was a vision would be a cliché. OK, flunk me for a cliché! She was indeed a vision. Based on what I saw of the table and the music playing I half expected her to be wearing something short and sexy, but instead, she had on a long skirt, but the effect was if anything more pronounced than if she was trying to be sexy. I was pleased to see her shirt was buttoned low enough to look attractive, but not overtly so. Until I saw the way she was dressed I was almost ready to run for it.

"Excellent timing, Toomas. If you would be good enough to pour the wine, I'll grab just a couple more things and we'll be ready to eat." After seeing her earlier that comment hit me like a blow to the chest.

"Wine?"

"Sure. I'm twenty-two, and it's just us here. Why not?"

I shrugged. I'm not much of a drinker, but I enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner. With all of the underage girls around the house, though, I hadn't had a glass of wine in a couple of months. I don't like to have it out when underage girls are around. Sure, I know they probably drank at parties and stuff, but it isn't going to be in my house.

"Dinner smells wonderful, Deidra. What's the occasion?"

"No occasion. I told you I like to cook, and someday I hope to have my own restaurant. I'm practicing." Deidra smiled up at me as I seated her at the table. "I never have a chance during the school year, so I thought, 'Why not tonight?' and I grabbed a few things on the way down here. I didn't know I was going to get to have such an intimate dinner, though." She giggled and glanced at me through lowered lashes as I sat down. "I really thought Kat was going to be here, but I'm not sorry."

I took a quick sip of my wine.

"Please, don't misunderstand Toomas. I'm not up to anything, except maybe a 'thank you' for taking us in. This is so much nicer than any of the dorms at the school, and you have been so much fun to be around." She reached across and gently squeezed my hand. "Now, the food is going to get cold. Eat up!"

I took my first bite of grilled salmon with some sort of sauce that I didn't recognize, and it melted in my mouth. I'm not a big fish lover, but this was the best I ever had. Fresh whole green beans with rosemary and twice-baked potatoes stuffed with sour cream, chives, and green onions quickly disappeared from my plate, with hardly any conversation at all. I caught Deidra glancing at me, smiling as I relished the best meal I had eaten in a long time. I realized I hadn't even taken a sip of the wine since the one when I sat down, so entranced had I been with the meal. With the last bite of baked potato carefully wiping up all of the sauce I could find on the plate I sighed and leaned back in my chair.

"I'm sorry. That wasn't very polite of me at all."

Deidra giggled. "I took it as a compliment, Toomas. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner. There is no greater compliment to a chef than to captivate a diner's attention with food."

"Aye, well, you captivated my attention, for sure. I can't recall ever having better."

Deidra looked down at her hands clasped on the table and actually blushed. "Thank you," she whispered.

Her reaction surprised me, but I had no chance to say anything more as she pushed back her chair and flipped her hair over her shoulders. "Stay right there. I'll be right back with dessert." Her hips captured my attention as she walked to the kitchen. Deidra didn't have to try to walk sexily. She did it without even being aware of what she was doing, and her waist-length hair, loose for the occasion swung back and forth as she walked, catching my eyes.

I felt a stir deep within myself and tried to tear my eyes away, but it was no use. When Deidra came back into the dining room she had pulled her hair over one shoulder, draping it down across one breast, which only accented the other, which from the movement I knew was braless. I tried to focus on the two dessert plates she carried, but it was difficult.

Deidra set one plate containing a cream-filled cake with a single lit candle in the center. A light fragrance of Jasmine caught my nose, leaving me with a desire to search for its source. I'm not much of one for perfumes, for most women think they have to bathe in it to get their point across. Deidra on the other hand had on just enough to make one wonder if he really smelled it or not. That always got my attention.

"What is the candle for?"

Again, a slight blush from Deidra. "I called Kat after I got here and I found out she wasn't going to be here. I wanted to be sure she thought it would be OK for me to cook for you, and she told me your birthday is next week. She said you will never allow her to say anything about it, that you don't like a big fuss over it publicly, so I thought I'd celebrate it with you tonight." She blushed again. "I promise I won't say anything when the rest of the girls are here."

Totally on impulse, and I have no reason why I did such a thing, I reached for her hand and brought it to my lips for a gentle kiss. "Thank you. This has been a wonderful dinner, and you will one day have your own restaurant. You are totally spoiling an old man."

I blew out the candle and then took my first bite of her creation. It was marvelous. The cake moist, yet crumbly, and the cream filling was almost divine.

"I've never had a cream filling like this, Deidra. What is it?"

"I made it with anisette, a liquer made from anis. Do you like?"

"It's wonderful!"

Deidra let out a happy sigh. "I'm so glad. I was experimenting on you with it. I created that recipe myself, and I never let anyone else taste it before."




Coppernicous



Again, I reached across the table to squeeze her hand. "You may feel free to experiment on me any time you wish. This has been a wonderful meal, and thank you for thinking of my birthday."

Deidra glanced down at my hand, which was still holding hers. "I have a bit of a confession to make. I kind of snooped around in the house today." She looked up at me quickly, concerned. "I didn't go in your room or anything. Just around the living room and the den. I peeked in your office, too."

I shrugged and finished off my glass of wine.

"I saw a lot of pictures of you and your family, and several of you and your wife. She was a lovely woman. Tell me about her. What was she like?"

I sighed, deeply. "I'm sorry, but I don't talk about her much. I still miss her very much."

This time it was Deidra who reached across the table and captured my hand. "I understand, Toomis. It's obvious how much you love her. We all see it. The way you care for the house and grounds has Marja's imprint on it. If you don't talk about your feelings they will turn to bitterness over time rather than pleasure. Remember, I'm a clinical psychology major." She smiled up at me. "I'm not trying to analyze you, but I've been around you now for months, and it shows."

I sighed again and picked up the wine bottle. If I was going to talk about my Marja it was going to take a little help. "Marja and I were best friends in the old country, before my parents brought me to the United States, and I cried myself to sleep many a night in this country for missing her, even as a little child. We were the closest of friends. Her parents were not able to leave when my parents did because they were Jewish, and the government would not let them leave, but finally they escaped somehow and came to the States. My father got her father a job and they moved in with us until they could afford a place of their own. I was twelve at the time, and for me to be reunited with my friend made all of the difference in the world to me. I taught her to speak English and we were inseparable."

"When we graduated high school we ran away and got married, because her parents would not allow us to marry. We had to fight to stay together, but finally they softened and accepted our marriage for what it was. She was wonderful, putting up with my crazy hours working and going to University, always encouraging me. When I got discouraged, she would hold me and whisper, 'I know you can do it Ignatz. You will show them,' and I did. When I filed for my first patent it was her name I put on the form."

"She was always there for me, encouraging me when I started my own company, even though she had given up her opportunity to go to University. She never held it against me that she had to go to night school to get her teacher's degree because she had to work during the day."

"She was a beautiful woman, Toomis."

"Aye, that she was. She used to turn heads wherever we went, women's as well as men's, but she was never proud or stuck up. She would talk with anyone, no matter what their social status."

"I see that in Kat."

Deidra stood and picked up the wine bottle and her glass. "Why don't we move to the den where we can be more comfortable?" I started to clear the dishes, but she stopped me. "I'll care for those later. Come on," and she led the way into the den, where she sat on one end of a couch. I sat down at the other end, a comfortable distance between us.

Deidra topped off my wine glass and then set the bottle on a coaster on the end table. "Tell me more," she urged, leaning in toward me attentively.

"You really want to know all this stuff?"

"I really do. She was such a part of who you are, and I want to know what I need to be to draw the kind of man you are."

I had refused to talk about Marja ever since her death, locking those memories deep within my heart, but now I found myself wanting to talk about her. Was it the wine? Maybe, but I don't think so. I think it was Deidra. I found I couldn't resist her and once I started talking I couldn't stop. For several hours, and the rest of the bottle of wine, I continued, realizing suddenly that Deidra had slid down the couch until she was sitting next to me with my hand in both of hers. Tears that had trickled down my cheeks as we talked suddenly burst out in a torrent and I broke down and wept as I had not wept since I got the news of Marja's accident. Deep, shuddering, sobs wracked my body until Deidra pulled me to herself, holding me in my grief until I was spent. Still she held me, silent, until I finally lifted my head weakly, only then realizing where it had been. The breasts I had found so titillating earlier in the day I now found comforting. I leaned back into the corner of the couch, exhausted by the ordeal, and dozed off.

**********

I awoke an hour or so later and stumbled from the couch to find Deidra. I needed to say "Thank you," not only for the wonderful dinner, but for taking the time to hear me out and to give me the release I so desperately had needed. I felt like a load was lifted, but also an unutterable loneliness.

I found Deidra in the kitchen, wiping dry the last pot from dinner. Without words I walked across the room and embraced her tightly to myself. It was not a sexual embrace, although I was very conscious of her breast pressing against me. She, with wisdom far beyond her years, remained silent, but hugged me back, holding me tightly against herself and placed a light kiss against the side of my neck, where her face was. For the first time in nearly three years my soul felt at peace.

"Thank you," I whispered in her ear. "I've never been able to talk about Marja with anyone else."

"I'm glad I could help. You needed to get it out."

I started to harden and released Deidra reluctantly. I didn't want to mess up the feelings I had, nor make her feel like I was using her. Deidra leaned in, though, and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek as she pulled away.

"Thank you, too, for a wonderful dinner. Some day we have to sit down and you need to tell me what your dreams and goals are."

"I would love to." 

My phone rang. "Daddy? Amanda wanted to know if I could stay over a couple of extra days so we can make some plans for next year. Is that OK with you?

"Sure, honey. That's fine. Everything going well?"

"You wouldn't believe it! I'm really going to enjoy working with Amanda, and I like the program she is setting up. I think we'll be able to give Darlene a run for it next year."

"That sounds good. You have a good time up there. Do you need any money or anything?"

"Thanks, Dad, but I'm OK. The school is putting me up. I'm going to check on starting a Master's tomorrow, and then I'm going to look at apartments. Day after tomorrow, Amanda and I have a meeting with the athletic director, and with some of the personnel we will be working with. We'll be rebuilding next year, but I still think we will have a good team to work with. I could come home if you need me, but I'd really like to stay. By the way, did Deidra cook for you tonight?"

"Did she ever! That's the best meal I've had in a long, long time."

"Good. She's awesome, and I think she will be good for you, and vice versa."

"Now Kat! I'm not looking for anyone, and she's much too young if I was."

Kat giggled in the phone. "I know, Daddy. That's not what I meant. She just has a lot of depth to her that most don't see on the surface. I think her upbeat personality will be good for you, too. I find her to be good at helping me think things through sometimes, too. Just don't push her away."

"Hey, now. I'm not pushing anyone anywhere."

I turned out the lights and made my way to my room to go to bed, but when I walked in the door the room felt so lonely, sterile, and cold. I had never noticed it to this point before. Of course, it was lonely without Marja, and had been, but tonight, for some reason more than just the empty room, it was I that felt empty and alone.

I turned and walked back to the living room, my eyes pooling. A quiet, "Are you OK, Toomis?" came from the corner. I hadn't even noticed Deidra sitting there when I went down the hall to my room.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there, Deidra. Did you need something?"

"Actually, I thought you might need something. I was here when you went down to your room. Are you OK?"

I sat down heavily on the sofa, not paying the darkness any mind. I think not being able to actually see Deidra helped me formulate my answer. I heaved a heavy sigh before half-whispering, "I'm lonely. Tonight made me realize just how alone I am, and when I went down to my room I couldn't handle it."

Really, I was surprised I was not weeping, but that time had passed. Now it was a matter of processing my thoughts and feelings, two things I had managed to bottle up for over two years. I heard a slight rustle from the other side of the room and sensed the presence of Deidra before me. "May I join you, Toomas?"

"Please."

Deidra sat next to me and found my hand in the dark. She cradled it in her two hands and leaned her shoulder in to come into contact with mine. Nothing was said, but the communication needed no talking. We sat there for I know not how long, just sitting in the dark. At last, Deidra raised my hand to her lips and kissed it, then lifted my arm around her shoulders and nestled even more closely to me. I don't believe she intended it to, but my hand dropped to land on her soft breast. I started to pull it away quickly, but she stayed my hand with her own and cupped my hand back around her breast. "It's OK, Toomas. I think it feels nice."

Sexual contact with Deidra, or any of the girls for that matter, was something I had been careful to avoid, but here Deidra was initiating that very contact. Sex was the last thing I wanted that night, but on the other hand, there was something very comforting about that most intimate of contacts. Something that had been denied me for nearly three years was mine, albeit temporarily. I realized suddenly a real love for this young woman who was giving of herself, not out of pity, but because she genuinely cared about me. Again, we sat there in a companionable silence. I was careful not to move my hand, but the warmth and softness was indelibly printed in my brain.

Some time passed before I felt Deidra stir as she looked up toward my face. I know she couldn't see me, but it's habit to look at someone when speaking to them. "Toomas, would you like me to sleep with you tonight? I'm not talking sex. I just don't want you to be alone tonight."

A weight lifted from my chest at the thought. "I couldn't ask such a thing of you. It wouldn't be right."

"I don't know why not. You are lonely, and you need someone tonight. We aren't talking about sex, just sleeping." She gently squeezed my hand on her breast and then stood, holding on to my hand still. "Come. You need sleep. It has been an emotional and trying evening for you." 

As if leading a somewhat backward five-year-old, Deidra tugged on my hand and led me to my own bedroom. Once there she let go of my hand long enough to find and light one of the bedside lamps before turning and giving me a gentle smile. Looking back on it now I recognize it was one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. She reached behind her back and I heard a zipper, and then her skirt dropped to the floor. "I didn't plan on this, so I don't have any sleepwear with me, so if it's all right with you, I'll just sleep in my panties."

My heart was in my throat, and I found it difficult to speak, but finally croaked, "Please, you can wear something of my wife's. They are in the top drawer over there. I couldn't bear to get rid of them."

"Are you sure?"

"Please. I'm afraid of what I would do if you didn't."

Deidra gave me a soft smile. "I'm not sure I would mind, Toomas, but tonight is not the night for that. Tonight you need your rest." She turned and opened the drawer, rummaged through it quickly, and smiled at me as she showed me a nearly sheer gown. "I don't think this one would be appropriate, either, although it could be fun."

I blushed a deep crimson, generating a cheeky grin, before Deidra pulled out a long cotton nightgown. Without concern she slipped her top over her head, exposing her wonderful breasts to my eyes before pulling the gown over her head.

I had not moved from where she left me when we entered the room. She stepped across the room to stand close in front of me. "Are you OK, Toomas? Would you like me to leave?"

Dumbly, I shook my head "No," with tears again pooling in my eyes. I didn't know what I had done to deserve such a thing as Deidra offered me.

She reached up and unbuttoned my top button. "Shall I help you?" I was numb as she unbuttoned my shirt and pulled it loose from my trousers. When she reached for my belt buckle I stopped her.

"I don't know what I'm doing. I normally don't wear anything to bed. I don't own any pajamas."

"That's OK. Just wear your boxers." With that she tugged my belt loose, but I pushed her hands away before she could unfasten my trousers themselves. That would be taking it too far, I thought. I was a little hesitant, too, because Little Toomas did not take into account the situation, and though it was not a sexual situation, he had had more than a little stimulation this evening. I was far from hard, but I wasn't soft, either. I unhooked and unzipped my trousers and let them fall to the floor before stepping out of them and out of the loafers I'd been wearing.

Deidra took my hand gently, then let it go to step in to a hug. She turned her face up just a little bit to plant a soft kiss on my lips. "Come to bed with me, now."

I couldn't resist returning the hug, again feeling her soft breasts pressed against my chest, and she pressed her pelvis tightly against me before breaking away and getting into the bed. I stepped around the bed to crawl in my side, and then I slid over to snuggle closely against Deidra. For the first time in almost three years I had someone in the bed with me, and it felt so right. 

"Deidra, thank you so much for this evening, for listening to me, and now for this. I could not have asked any of it of you, but I'm so grateful. Please don't take this wrong, but I love you. I'm not 'in love' with you, but I realized I really love you, and I'll never forget what you've done for me tonight."

I thought I saw the glint of tears in her eyes before she turned out the light and rolled into my arms. "I love you, too, Toomis, and I have for quite some time now." With that she nestled her head close on my shoulder, and the next thing I knew, it was light outside, and I had had the best night's sleep since my wife's passing.

**********

I was disappointed to find the bed empty when I awoke, but I could smell coffee, so I got out of bed. I thought about just going down to the kitchen in my boxers, but decided it would be more polite to throw on some shorts and a tee shirt. Even if I had slept with Deidra in my boxers a bit of decorum was in order.

My heart jumped into my throat when I turned the corner into the kitchen to see Deidra bent over pulling a pan from the oven. She was still wore my wife's nightgown that she had worn to bed, and for a moment I thought she was Marja. When Deidra turned around and saw me she gave me a bright smile before setting the pan on a cooling rack. Then she stepped quickly around the island and stepped into my arms for a big hug.

"Good morning, Toomas. I was just getting ready to wake you. Feel better?"

You know, I really did! I had not thought about it, but my mind was fresh and clear. The shock of seeing Deidra in Marja's nightgown, while it brought sadness, had not brought about grief like it would have just yesterday.

"Thank you. I really do, and it is all because of you making me talk last night. Then holding you while I slept really helped. I owe you a lot."

Deidra reached up and put a finger on my lips. "Hush. You don't owe me a thing, and I didn't do a thing I didn't want to do. Marja was a wonderful woman, and a big part of your life. I'm honored you would share her with me." She stepped away from me and poured out a cup of coffee.

"I'm glad I shared her nightgown with you, too. You look good in it." 

Deidra blushed and looked down at the floor. "I felt a little guilty wearing it last night."

"Don't. You wearing that really helped bridge the idea of someone else in her bed."

Another blush, a little deeper one this time, and Deidra looked up at me through her lashes. "I would be happy to share your bed with you anytime."

I thought my heart would stop when she said that. I mean, after all, I had thoughts of the sort, but for her to come out and say it was surprising to me. "But I'm way too old for you. Surely you want someone more your own age."

"Unh-uh. I've tried them. None of them know what it is to treat me like a lady, and as much as I've tried to tease you, you have never reacted. Well, Little Toomas stood up and paid attention a few times." She giggled at my confusion, then slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me into her. "You have always been the gentleman, though, and I want you to know that is one of the biggest things that has drawn me to you, well, all of us, for that matter."

Little Toomas was swelling as I looked down the couple of inches into her eyes. "All of us?"

She gave me a little impish grin and pressed up more tightly against my cock. "Umm-hmm. I don't know of anyone on the team that wouldn't love it. All you would have to do is hint, but I got you first. Not that I'm going to tell anyone!" She saw the look of horror on my face. Then she giggled, pressed her breasts against me, and then pulled away to grab plates from the cabinet.

"I fixed us an egg and hashbrown casserole. It should be cooled enough now. Are you ready to eat?"

I realized I was famished, which surprised me after the way I had eaten the night before. We sat and Deidra dished the casserole. "You'll have to settle for 'at home' cooking this morning, instead of gourmet. It's not fancy, and the presentation is somewhat lacking."

"I never thought one could eat presentation, so that doesn't bother me. It smells wonderful." Then I took a bite. Wonderful didn't touch it. "What did you do to this? I've never had eggs this good before!"

"Oh, nothing much. It's a recipe I got from my mother. I just tweaked it a little bit with some shallots instead of regular onions, and I added some finely diced portabella mushrooms and I used extra sharp cheddar, instead of mild."

I took another bite and then put down my fork. "OK, young lady. It's your turn, now. It's time for you to tell me your dreams and plans. I know you would like to have your own restaurant with you as chef, but what are your goals?"

Deidra took a deep breath and looked down at the tabletop, to where her fingers were wrapping and unwrapping a napkin. I saw a tear drop onto the nightgown, and I heard a sniffle. I reached across the table and lifted her chin, then gently wiped away another tear before it could finish its trek down her cheek. "You don't need to cry, honey. What's the matter?"

Deidra pulled her face away and buried it in her hands and sobbed. I slid my chair back from the table and then pulled hers around to me. She continued to sob, so I slipped a hand beneath her legs and my other arm around her shoulders and lifted her into my lap, where I embraced and cuddled her to me. Obviously there was a lot more at issue here than just opening a restaurant.

Deidra's arms went round my neck and squeezed and she sobbed as if her heart had been broken in two. All I could do was to hold her tightly and let her know I cared. I didn't say a word, but just let her get it out of her system.

After a few minutes the firestorm of weeping subsided enough for me to offer a napkin, with which Deidra wiped her eyes and daintily blew her nose. With a sigh she leaned back in to me and nuzzled my neck. A light shudder ran throughout her body.




Coppernicous



"What is it," I whispered. "It can't be that bad, that it can't be overcome. Talk to me. You'll feel better, I know." A gentle squeeze and a soft murmur in response. "Go ahead. I'll not judge you or put you down. It has to be important for you to be so burdened."

I felt a solitary tear trickle down my neck, and Deidra drew in a shuddering breath, then softly, so softly I had to really listen to hear her voice, said, "I want to have my own bed and breakfast with a gourmet restaurant where I'm the chef."

"OK. So why not? What is the problem with that?"

"M . . . my father insists I go into psychology like him." A sniffle and half-sob before she could continue. That's really why I came back early. He and . . . he and my mother were fighting over me, and I couldn't stand it anymore, so I came back here. When he found out last year I was taking some culinary arts courses as electives he threatened to cut off my allowance if I took any more, so I don't have the training I need, or the business know-how. I just can't do it."

"I'm not one to go against parent's wishes generally, but it seems to me you are an adult, you obviously have the talent you need to follow your dream, and for you to abandon your dream and go into something you don't love would be wrong. Do you know what you will need to get set up in business? Have you pursued a business plan?"

Deidra lifted her head and looked me in the eyes, "I quit figuring everything when Daddy told me I couldn't take any more culinary arts classes. I have my numbers from back then."

Holding Deidra in my lap was having the normal effect on Little Toomas, and although I could spend all day holding that girl I thought I ought to get her off of me before I insinuated something I didn't really want. Well, I did want, but knew I shouldn't have. "Why don't you go get them, and let's sit down and see what we can come up with? Mind, I'm not promising anything, but let's see if there's a possibility to make something happen sometime down the road?"

Deidra squealed and wrapped both arms around my neck again and squeezed. Her breasts smooshed against me again, and when she kissed my cheek Little Toomas moved, and Deidra giggled. "I think someone likes me sitting here like this." With another giggle she slowly slid off of my lap, taking care to brush her breasts across me as she slid. Trying to get my mind focused where it ought to be I picked up my coffee cup, but it was cold.

**********

My phone rang as I was watching Deidra's ass going out the door to go to her room. Glad for the distraction, I answered without bothering to see who it was.

"Daddy? Look, would it be a problem if I stayed up here through the weekend and got home Sunday night? I know the others aren't getting back before then. Do you think you and Deidra can get along without me there? I really hate not being there for her, when I know she needs me, but I've got . . ."

I broke in, "Kitten, take a breath. For goodness sakes, ease up. Of course we can get along, that is if I can stand her cooking that long! She's going to have me as fat as a boar hog if she keeps this up."

Kat giggled. "OK, thanks, Daddy. You know I worry about you if I'm not there to take care of you."

"I'm OK, sweetheart. We'll be fine and . . . hang on. Deidra just walked in and wants to talk to you."

I handed her the phone. "Hey there, Kat. Cool news about the job offer! Don't worry about your dad. I'm going take very good care of him for you." She gave me a lascivious smile and wink. I couldn't hear what Kat said on the other end. All I could think of is that nightgown, which wasn't even a sexy nightgown, sure looked good on her. "Oh, I just made an egg casserole for breakfast this morning. You would think he never ate before. I'm going to have to chase him down to the pond for a little skinny-dipping or something to work it off."

I heard Kat's laugh from across the table, but from the raised-eyebrow look I got from Deidra I wasn't sure just how much of a joke it was supposed to be. They chatted for just a couple of minutes more before Deidra handed me the phone again.

"Hey, Kitten."

"I just wanted to say 'I love you,' Daddy. I miss you, but this is just too good of an opportunity, and if I stay the weekend I can get everything lined out for moving up here." 

Did she say "moving up here?" That hit me right square in the gut. Of course, I knew it was going to happen, but just saying so made it seem final and permanent. 

"That's OK. You get done what you need to get done. Deidra and I will get along fine until you get back." I heard a little snicker on her end.

"Have fun, Daddy. I'll see you Sunday night." Across the table I could see a laughing Deidra.

"I've got you worried now, don't I, Toomas?" She blew me a kiss and then slid a folder across the tabletop.

When I flipped open the folder I got a real surprise. Deidra had page after page of lists of materials, equipment, and supplies she would need to open up a B&B. To say I was impressed with how thorough her work was would be like saying a Great Dane is a big dog. She had lists of prices, funds needed for advertising, number of guests needed to break even, even down to proposed menus.

"How long have you been working on this, Deidra? Just on the surface it looks like you have a very good handle on what you need."

Deidra colored a little bit. "I got the idea when I saw this place and Kat told me about your wife's dream. I have always wanted to be a chef. As a kid, I was experimenting in the kitchen when I was just able to see above the countertops, and I created several dishes when I was in junior high and high school. Mom always encouraged me, but Dad wouldn't hear of it. He wants me to join his practice and take over for him when he retires. I know I'm good at psych, but I don't want to sit around and listen to people's problems all day long. I like to cook." 

"When Kat and I talked about what your wife wanted to do it all just clicked for me. This is what I want, a place just like this, where people can enjoy gourmet cooking and relax away from everything for a few days. Nothing snobby! I hate that. I want something anyone can be comfortable in."

I leaned my chair back on two legs and pinched my lips between my finger and thumb as I looked at Deidra. Everything was quiet for several minutes. That was another thing that impressed me about Deidra. She knew when to remain silent. Most people hear a lull in conversation and think it has to be filled, but she could wait while another person thought. With a thud I let my chair drop to the floor and I stood to my feet. 

"I don't know where this is going for sure, but here's what I want you to do: Go grab a shower and get changed into something business casual. I've got someone I want you to see."

"What? You don't like this?" Her grin was just a little beyond cheeky.

"Oh, but I do." My voice was husky. "However, where I'm taking you I don't want to share."

"OK. Do I need to put up my hair?"

"I don't think so. I think it looks fine as it is. Don't wear anything formal, just something sharp. May I keep this for a while?" I held up her folder.

"Certainly. I have another copy."

I nodded my head and turned to go grab a shower of my own. I also had a phone call to make.

***********

When I came from my room I found a freshly dressed Deidra clearing the table. I was stunned by her beauty and attire. I had said "business casual," but this exceeded "casual" but didn't go overboard. She wore a gray pencil skirt that ended about two inches above the knee, but it was the sweater that really set her attire off. It was a dark fuschia, a color many girls can't wear, but with her almost-white blond hair and pale blue eyes it was exquisite. She heard me suck in my breath when I entered the kitchen and turned with a smile.

"Is this all right? Do you think it's appropriate?"

"Only if you don't care if I get shot down in the street and someone tries to take you away from me!"

That got a laugh and a smile. That girl has to quit smiling. It's bad for my heart!

"Old Johnnie's eyes are going to pop when you walk into his office. It'll be good for the guy. Let that stuff be. I'll help you with it when we get back. Johnnie's expecting us in half an hour."

"Who?"

"Johnnie." Another thing I really liked about her. She didn't continuously question. She recognized I didn't want to say any more, and she accepted it. 

I opened her car door for her and then got in on my side. As I put the key in the ignition I noticed her skirt had slid up a good three inches on her thighs. It still wasn't overly short, but knowing it was higher than it had been got my juices started again.

"Are you sure I look OK, Toomas?"

I knew she wasn't just fishing for a compliment, but not knowing where we were going she was concerned about appropriateness.

"Oh, you are fine. You make me look pretty drab, but I'll settle for being the thorn to your rose, today." I had worn a nice pair of slacks and a sport coat over an open collared shirt. I was for sure outclassed.

I parked near a large office building and hurried around to open her door for her. As she slid out, her skirt slipped upward a couple of inches more, and from the puckish smirk on her face, I knew it was for my benefit. Deidra tugged it down into place before stepping out and taking my arm. From the corner of my eye I could see heads turning as we walked past, and I know they weren't looking at me. Still, I couldn't help feeling pride that I was escorting such a beautiful young lady.

We took the elevator to the tenth and top floor and stepped out into the vestibule of Walker, Collins, Thomas, and Howe, my law firm. The receptionist stood when we entered. "Good morning, Toomas. Mr. Walker is on a conference call, but he said he would be short. May I get you some coffee?"

"That would be excellent, Phyllis. Thank you. Deidra?"

"Please."

It took just a minute for Phyllis to return with two fancy mugs and the condiments on a tray. "It's Jamaican Blue Mountain, Toomas. Mr. Walker said give you the good stuff, because if you needed to see him so badly on such short notice there must be a couple of bodies involved and he's already counting the billable hours."

I laughed heartily as Deidra looked at me puzzled. "Ignore her, Deidra. I overlook it as much as I can. As you can see, they are having hard times. They haven't been able to afford to mow the carpet this week."

Deidra looked down at the deep pile carpet and smiled. The toes of her high heels sank into the carpet. 

"Phyllis is an old and dear friend. She and Sophia, my eldest daughter are good friends, and I think she spent as much time in our home as she did in her own when she was a teen." Just then, a door opened down the hall and a distinguished looking grey-haired gentleman stepped out.

"Johnnie, I'm glad to see you. I hope you heard him. Toomas is harassing me again. He said I'm 'old,' and I want to file suit.

"Sorry, my dear, but I can't represent you. You wouldn't have a leg to stand on." I couldn't help but laugh at the look on Deidra's face. 

"Deidra, may I present Johnnie Walker? It used to be Johnnie Walker Black before it became Johnnie Walker Grey."

"Phyllis, I may reconsider, if you don't mind making it a class action suit!" Johnnie stepped forward with a hand extended for a shake that evolved into a hug. "And who is this lovely young lady, Toomas?" as he extended her his hand.

"She's a very good friend of Kat's, and one of the girls from the volleyball team who is living out at the house."

"I'm indeed honored, young lady. I'm sorry you don't have better taste in companions, but come on in the office. Toomas said this is important." Deidra looked at me puzzled, but I just waved her forward without saying anything.

Once we were seated in Johnnie's private office I opened my briefcase and extracted the folder Deidra gave me. "Go ahead and start your clock, you old pirate. This is going to be profitable for you, I'm sure." I took a deep breath before saying, "This young lady has cooked me two of the finest meals I have ever eaten, last night, and this morning. Her dream is to open a bed and breakfast where she will serve as chef and provide gourmet meals. However, her father wants her to go into psychology, which would be a waste of her talents. I want you to take a quick look at this, which she drew up last year as a junior at the university, and give me your evaluation." I handed the folder across the desk to him.

Deidra gave me a deer in the headlights look when Johnnie opened the folder and began to read quickly. I gave her a little smile and nod before turning back to watch Johnnie. He skimmed through everything quickly and then turned back to the front to read it more slowly. When he finished he closed the folder and placed it on his desk thoughtfully.

"OK, Toomas, what are you wanting from me?"

"An evaluation."

Johnnie looked at Deidra. "Did you do this work yourself, young lady, or did you have it done for you?"

"All of it is my own work, sir. Although, to be honest, I had the advantage of being able to evaluate Toomas' house and draw up much of the needs based on what I saw there."

"Um-hmm. Tell me, how much experience do you have with such an establishment?"

Deidra colored and looked downward. "None, sir. I took two culinary arts classes last year before my father told me I couldn't take any more." She glanced up. "I've experimented with cooking, though, since I was a little girl, but nothing beyond that."

Johnnie looked back at me. "Toomas, what do you need from me?"

"I wanted your evaluation, which I take it to be is good?" At his affirmative nod I went on. "Then this. I'm going to make this young lady an offer, and if she is amenable I want you to draw up a contract and the attendant paperwork necessary for a corporation."

I turned to Diedra. "Deidra, if you are interested, I propose to fully fund a bed and breakfast . . ." I held up my hand as she started to respond, "after you successfully complete a second major in culinary arts and hospitality." Her eyes were wide and starting to tear. 

"You will stay at the house, and I will fully fund your classwork. For this I want fifty percent of the business, but you will have control as managing partner. What do you say?"

For the first time, her façade cracked and she launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and she whispered, "Yes, oh, yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" 

I disentangled myself far enough to look over at a smiling Johnnie and say, "Write it up, Johnnie." I stood and offered a hand to Deidra, helping her to her feet, then I reached into my inner coat pocket to pull out a handkerchief and handed it to Deidra. "I had an idea you might need that."

Johnnie handed me the folder and shook my hand, and then Deidra's before we walked out. Deidra's hand sought out my arm when we crossed the reception area with a wave for Phyllis. It was a silent Deidra on the ride down the elevator, although she hugged my arm tightly to herself and laid her head on my shoulder. With a sigh she straightened up when the car stopped and said just two words, but they were two of the most meaningful words possible, when the door opened. "Thank you." Not another word was said all the way back to the car, and it was a warm smile that looked up at me as I held her door.

Again, when I put the key in the ignition I noticed her skirt was hiked a little higher. Again, not much, but enough. I felt a flutter inside. Once I maneuvered out of the parking space and had the car moving well toward home Deidra's hand sought out mine and held it. She lifted my hand and placed a kiss on my knuckles. "Thank you," I heard softly whispered, and nothing else was said the rest of the way home. It was a companionable silence with nothing needing to be said.

**********

When we got back to the house, Deidra went to her room to change, and I went to mine to do the same. I threw on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, thinking I was going to do some more maintenance since the girls were all gone, but when I walked back into the kitchen I found Deidra wearing a pair of short white shorts, but the same fuschia sweater. When she walked across the kitchen and gave me a big hug I noted a big difference, though. She wore no bra, and her nipples poked slightly through the soft fabric.

"Why, Toomas? Why did you do that?"

"Because I thought it was a good idea. I've eaten your cooking, and your planning impressed me. Then, too, what you did for me last night made me think I should do a little something to pay you back."

"You don't owe me anything for last night. I didn't do anything I didn't want to do."

"Yes, but it meant a lot to me. You are the first one who has ever been able to get me to talk about Marja, and I got a lot off of my chest. Then, when you kept me company I realized how much I owe you. I told you I love you, and I do, but that in the end is not why. In the end, it is a good investment for me, and if I can do something to help you along the way that is an added benefit."

"I love you, too, Toomas." She reached up and place a light kiss on my lips and then laid her head on my shoulder and sighed a contented sigh. "In a little while I'm going to have to call my dad and tell him I'm staying in school, but I'm not going into psychology. That may get a little rough. Can you be there for me when I call?"

"Certainly. Let's go in the den and sit down. I have a couple of ideas that might help you sway your father in your direction." I really didn't want to let her out of my arms, but Little Toomas was rearing his head, and I didn't want to give the wrong idea about our deal.

Deidra preceded me into the den, and I'll admit I enjoyed watching her ass move in those little shorts. Her long tan legs weren't hard on the eyes, either. She looked back over her shoulder and gave me a smirk when she saw where I was looking and she wiggled her ass at me and giggled before she plopped down on the couch. I started to sit in an easy chair across from her, but she patted the cushion next to her. "Come sit by me?"

I wasn't sure it was wise, but I moved over to the couch and sat down. Deidra promptly scooted herself over close and lifted my arm around her shoulders. "What can I ever say to Daddy that he won't get mad about running a bed and breakfast and being a chef?"

"What if you were to combine running a bed and breakfast and psychology?"

"How could I ever do that?"

I looked down at her, which I should never have done if I wanted to keep my train of thought from derailing. She had one leg folded under her, pulling her shorts tightly into the hinge of her hip. Seeing her soft, smooth leg all the way up to where it disappeared at the very top, and her shorts pulled tightly over her womanhood made my breath catch. I tore my eyes away reluctantly and willed Little Toomas to go to sleep, but that was a waste of time. I took a deep breath and tried to still my heart before I answered.

"Have you ever considered using the bed and breakfast as a retreat for those who need some psychological counselling away from their normal situation? Perhaps some addiction counselling, or even marital counselling? There are a number of areas I could think of, where counselling away from a sterile office setting could be very beneficial. Combining it with the ambiance of a B&B, combined with your culinary skills would, I think, be therapeutic. There's a very good likelihood you could even get insurance to pay for it for some patients. You wouldn't have to do counselling all of the time, either. You could maybe alternate weeks or weekends of regular clients with counselling opportunities."

Once again, I found myself with Deidra's arms wrapped around my neck and her breasts pressed up against my chest. I could get used to this!




Coppernicous



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was late morning, but I got started on my "to-do" list while Deidra went to her room to call her father and tell him what she had in mind. "There's no point in beating around the bush or waiting. I might as well get it over with," is what she said to me. 

I was replacing a bad outlet in one of the girl's rooms when Deidra came bouncing in, all excited. I had a live wire in my hand, so I had to wave her to stop before she hugged me. I know, I know, you are supposed to turn off the power before doing electrical work, but I've done enough that I usually cheat when doing outlets. I've been bitten a couple of times, but so far I've been OK doing it that way.

As soon as I had the outlet wired and back in the wall, and before I could even stand I was enveloped in a very enthusiastic hug that knocked me to the floor, with Deidra landing atop me. She laid a toe-curling kiss on my lips while squeezing for all she was worth. When she finally came up for air she started babbling, "Toomas, you wonderful man, you. You did it! You did it! I love you, I love you, I love you, you wonderful man, you!"

With that she dove back in for another kiss, pressing her body tightly against mine. Of course, my hands had to go somewhere, so they went around her back, where they felt the same soft fabric of the sweater that encased her soft breasts on the front side, the breasts she was trying so valiantly to implant into my chest. She pulled away from the kiss just long enough to exclaim again, "I love you, I love you, I love you!" and then she started with rapid kisses like a woodpecker chasing a particularly tasty bug on a pine tree. Meanwhile, her body was writhing and squirming on mine as I held on for dear life. 

I had no idea what was behind all of this, but whatever it was, I liked it. My reserve and attempts to keep a proper distance and decorum with a young lady the age of my youngest daughter was long gone. Who can fault me? I mean, after all, when such a gorgeous creature as Deidra is all over you like she was on me there is only so much reserve you can reserve!

Finally, she quit kissing me and went in for a neck squeeze that had me seeing red for a few moments as she whispered in my ear, "Thank you, oh, thank you. I love you, Toomas."

With that she pulled her head back and looked me in the face. "I just talked with my dad, and he is in favor of your idea! He didn't give me any argument at all!" She dove in for another kiss, and as she did, her body squirmed around on mine, and then she sat up, legs straddling me, and she sat right on Little Toomas, who was as hard and full as he could be while trapped in my shorts. Suddenly, realizing where she was, her eyes widened and a delighted smile crossed her face.

"Ooooh," she cooed. "Is this for me?"

With that she slid down my legs and without asking quickly pulled my shorts open and down my legs, and she dove for my cock and sucked it into her mouth. She moaned deep in her throat and looked up into my startled eyes and smiled the biggest smile around Little Toomas, then started going up and down, giving me a very enthusiastic blow job. There was nothing artistic or gentle about it. She just attacked me with all the fervor of her kisses and hugs, and it wasn't long before I felt the churning in my balls. I gasped that I was coming, only to have her pull up to just hold the head in her mouth and tickle the frenulum with her tongue, while she smiled at me. I groaned and let it go, and felt a release that was almost painful in its intensity.

How she did it, I don't know, but she caught it all and swallowed, before pulling off with a pop and giving me the biggest smile. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that!" She leaned forward, rubbing those wonderful breasts on the way up and tried to kiss me on the cheek, but I wouldn't let her. I pulled her lips to mine and gave her a fervent kiss to match her own. Sure, I tasted myself, but if she could, why shouldn't I?

I rolled her over on the carpet, and deciding if she was going to give me a blow job I could at last feel those delightful breasts that have tempted me for so long. I squeezed them through the sweater, luxuriating in their softness, thumbing her nipples that were now threatening to poke holes, before she pushed my hands away.

"No, Toomas. Not like that!" She grasped the hem of her sweater and tugged it upward, showing me those luscious globes once again. "Now, Toomas. Now you can play with them right."

I leaned in and took one of her nipples in my mouth, finally sucking and licking what had fueled fantasies I had thought out of reach for months now. To be honest, I felt a pang of guilt, but as Deidra moaned my name those pangs disappeared. It was only a couple of minutes of me switching from nipple to nipple and caressing her soft breasts before Diedra pushed me aside and shoved down her shorts, kicking them frantically away, and then pulling me back on top of her. Little Toomas was hard again and she pulled on him to get him lined up with her pussy, which was wet and swollen. I slid inside slowly and began the horizontal dance that requires no music. Deidra was writhing and rocking her hips in time with my thrusts, although her thrusts quickly became frantically sporadic. Because of her enthusiastic blow job I was able to last for a while, but not for long, and I felt the pressure building rapidly. Deidra thrust her hips upward and moaned my name, and I felt her pussy pulsating on me before she lay back on the carpet and burst into tears. 

I immediately stopped thrusting, thinking I had hurt her somehow, but her legs snaked around my ass and drew me into her. "Don't quit, Toomas. Don't quit!" Her arms pulled me down tightly onto her, and once again I felt those delightful breasts pressed against my chest, but this time there was nothing between us to mute the feeling and I promptly lost control and shot my load deeply into her pussy.

As I gasped for breath and struggled to keep from crushing her with my weight I heard a tear-filled voice in my ear whispering over and over, "Thank you, Toomas. I love you." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

It was not until much later, when we sat together in the kitchen, still naked, drinking coffee that I got the whole story. I still couldn't get over her beauty and I'm afraid I stared. Deidra would catch my eye once in a while and give me a smirk and a wink. She is one of the rare beauties who is totally unfazed by her own good looks, and she's as down to earth as anyone I've ever known.

"I really did come back down here because Mom and Dad were fighting about me, not to try to trap you." She reached for my hand and squeezed it and smiled at me. "Of course, wanting to see you was the main reason I decided to come back early, but I really thought I would be hanging out with Kat. I had planned on cooking, but just because I love to, and I wanted to do something special for you. Then when we started talking and you opened up to me about Marja I knew the love I had growing for you was real, and it wasn't just a schoolgirl crush. I knew you were hurting and lonely. That has been obvious for months. Everyplace you looked you were looking for something to fill that void, and you needed to talk about your pain. Yes, your memories were pain, because you thought you had to keep them bottled up inside. No one will ever take Marja's place in your life, but because of that pain you were walling everyone else out."

"When you went to go to bed the hurt and loneliness radiated from you, so I slipped back into the living room to be sure you would be OK. I really didn't know if you wanted a physical release, so I made myself available."

When she saw my eyes narrow Deidra knew I had misunderstood what she meant. "Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that. I WANTED you to want me. I've wanted that for a long time now, but you were always so proper. When I let you see my boobs and you offered your wife's nightgown I knew for sure just how special you are. Did you know you cried in your sleep and you called for Marja?"

I didn't.

"Even when I cuddled you to me then, and I held your head to my breasts, you somehow knew I wasn't Marja, and you held me close, but you did nothing. You were so proper that on the one hand I was upset, wanting you, but on the other, I appreciated the kind of man you are."

I started to speak, but Deidra held up a finger to hush me. "I've told you that I love you, and that is so true. I do love you, Toomas, far more than I realized I could possibly love another. And no, it is not because of what you are doing for me to fulfill my dream. That is just a demonstration of the kind of man you are." She looked into my eyes and smiled a gentle, contented, smile. "You see, I know you love me, too. I don't know where that love can take us. You are worried about our age difference and that I'm Kat's age. Kat knows too, and that's why she's taking an extra two days this weekend."

That surprised me, but it shouldn't. Kat is a perceptive young lady, and she knows me well. I don't know where this is going to go either, but for the moment I'm going to take it one day at a time, and I'm going to return the love of a special young lady with all I have. 

You know, it's funny how women are when they are in love, or when they sense love in another woman. They can't help themselves. They gang up on a guy!