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Chapter Twenty-seven

Sunday
December 7, 1958

Kitty woke with a headache, not as bad as some, not bad enough. She listened to the room's ductwork; the central heating was on. It must have gotten cold last night.

She opened her eyes and saw Greg in the other bed watching her.

"Howdy," she said. She didn't hear Mark, she guessed he was still asleep.

"Howdy," Greg said. "You snore real pretty."

She sat in her bed. "I don't."

"Do," he said. "I need help to use the bathroom. Sorry."

She gave a nod. Well, here goes, she thought. She rolled Greg's wheelchair next to the bed.

"Lock's on?" he asked.

She checked, it wasn't. She locked the chair. "How do I do this?"

"Call for help if I fall on the floor." He pushed himself into a sitting position then flopped awkwardly into the chair. "Made it." He rolled the chair in the bathroom and she followed after.

He sat on the toilet stool. "Thanks. I can do the rest myself. At least I can wipe my butt. That's better than some who were in the hospital with me."

Kitty left he bathroom and leaned against the wall. She wondered if there was any aspirin around. She wondered about other things but figured aspirin was as far as she should go.

She heard the toilet flush and went to help him off the toilet into his chair. He was obviously embarrassed. He looked up at her. "Breakfast soon?"

"As soon as Mark's awake."

"He's awake. He's pretending he's asleep."

Poor Mark, she thought. She stepped to the cot and knelt.

"Mark," she said.

He opened his eyes. "Mom."

"Ready for breakfast?"

He smiled at her. "Can we go to the beach?"

She turned to Greg. "Up to it?"

"Sure."

"Need help getting dressed?" She remembered last night.

"Thank you, mam. Mark, you see the view from the window yet?"

Mark shook his head.

"Go on," Kitty said. "It's a nice view."

Mark got out of bed. He looked cute in his baggy underwear and mussed hair. He stood beside Greg's wheelchair and both of them looked out onto the Gulf. She didn't know how many floors up they were. It was high.

Kitty opened her bag and checked the clothes Eve had packed. Eve had done pretty well. More dresses than she liked, but that was okay. In the side pockets she found a bottle of aspirin along with her hairbrush. She took her clothes into the bathroom. She took a quick shower, she was still a mess from last night. Johnny's jacket was somewhere in the room, she'd need to put that aside for him.

She dried her hair and left the bathroom. Greg was dressed. She raised her eyebrows; he pointed at Mark who was almost finished dressing.

They took the elevator to the ground floor and went the short distance to the restaurant. There weren't many people this close to Christmas.

"We set things up in the room, Kitty, I shouldn't be too much of a burden." Greg laid his menu down.

"You're no burden; is he, Mark?"

Mark shook his head, he studied the menu and looked up at them, eyeing one and then the other. "Is Greg your boyfriend, mom?"

Kitty smiled at Mark. "Yes, he is." She glanced sideways at Greg.

"Do you still like Johnny?"

"Of course. Johnny and Maeve just think I should have other boyfriends, that's all. We're not going to get married."

Greg said to Mark. "I'm not the marrying kind, Mark. I like your mom a lot but I'm not sure anyone could put up with me for that long. I'm pretty set in my ways."

"He cracks his knuckles, Mark." She winked at her son. "And you know I can't abide knuckle cracking."

Mark turned to Greg. "Do you burp at the table, too? She hates that."

"I'm trying my best to be polite. It isn't easy."

"Loud ones?"

"I'll show you later when your mom's not around." Greg put the napkin on his lap. "I'm looking forward to this vacation."

"Me, too," Mark said. "Mary and Fancy were driving me crazy." He rolled his eyes.

Greg laughed. "I wonder where he gets that from?" He grinned at Kitty. "Thanks."

She gave a quick nod and returned to her menu.

Maeve and Eve had been playing, not done yet, just resting, in the garage when the doorbell rang.

"Stay here," Maeve said. She walked to the table by the refrigerator and put on her bathrobe.

She went into the house, wondered how early it was. Maybe noon, she thought. Oh well. She opened the door with a smile. Charles and his wife, Elizabeth, were there. Charles wasn't smiling, he looked determined. Maeve smiled at them again. "Come in." She patted the robe over her stomach. "We've just gotten up."

Charles and Elizabeth waited inside.

"Would you like some coffee? I'll get a pot started and Johnny and I will be out in a minute. Make yourself at home." She pointed to the living room. "It won't take a minute."

She started the coffee in the kitchen and went back to the bedroom. Johnny was already dressing.

"Charles and Elizabeth are here with faces of doom."

Johnny nodded; he decided not to wear a tie. "I'll go out. Coffee started?"

"It's started."

Johnny left them.

"You look contented," Maeve said to Gladys. Gladys just nodded. "Don't get any ideas. He's already taken."

Gladys sat up. "I don't think I could bear more than just now and again."

"That's a lie and you know it." Maeve buttoned her dress. "How's my hair?"

"Better brush it." Gladys stood and stretched.

Maeve came back from the bathroom. "Don't make me jealous." She brushed her hair.

"Should I sneak out the sliding glass door?"

"Get dressed and join us. The more the merrier."

Maeve put the brush down and left the bedroom.

Johnny placed the coffee on a tray and carried it into the living room. He went back for cups, poured coffee and handed them to Charles and his wife. He poured himself a cup and set it on the table by the wingbacked chair. He held a plate with cut slices of danish to them; only Elizabeth took a piece. Johnny took a piece and carried it to the chair. He sat and said to them, "Maeve will be here in a minute." He heard the door to the garage open behind them and shut his eyes.

"Oh. Sorry," Eve said. She shut the door.

Johnny opened his eyes and grinned. "Just a minute and she can join us." He stood and went to the bedroom. He met Maeve at the family room. "I need to get a bathrobe for Eve."

"I told her . . ."

"It's okay. Pour yourself some coffee. Gladys joining us?"

Maeve gave a nod as she walked past.

Johnny picked up Maeve's robe and winked at Gladys. "For Eve."

Gladys smiled at him.

Johnny gave a smile to Charles and Elizabeth as he passed them. He went in the garage and saw Eve sitting naked with a glass of milk at the small table by the fridge. She watched him, a slight smile on her lips. She had a thin line of white on her top lip.

"Join us," Johnny said. He held out the robe.

She stood.

"Bring your milk."

She picked up the glass and walked to him. She held out the glass to him as she dressed.

He watched her put on the robe; she did it as a dance. She didn't tie the cloth belt and he didn't press her. He handed her the milk and they went to the living room.

"Hi, Charles," Eve said.

"This is Charles' wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is Eve."

Elizabeth watched Charles for a moment. "Eve was man's fall, wasn't she?" She looked at Johnny as he sat.

Eve sat on the floor next to Maeve. Her robe was mostly open. Johnny grinned at her, turned to Elizabeth. "How much did Charles tell you?"

Gladys sat on the floor next to his chair.

"Not nearly enough," Elizabeth said. "How old are you, Eve?"

"Twenty-five." Eve gave an impish smile and took a sip of her milk.

"We didn't believe her either at first," Johnny said. "She is twenty-five, Maeve's twenty-one, Gladys is twenty-eight. You met Gladys at the wedding didn't you?"

Elizabeth gave a nod. She let out a breath. "So he, Charles, has been . . ."

"It's my fault," Johnny said.

"Not his?"

Johnny shook his head. "I threw temptation his way."

Elizabeth tipped her head at Eve and glanced at Johnny.

"Maeve."

She studied Maeve for a minute. "Your wife?"

"We weren't married then."

"That makes it better?" Elizabeth held up a finger to stop him. "I love Charles, I don't want to lose him. I think he still loves me, doesn't want to lose me."

Charles nodded as he watched her.

"But he's never home until late. He's gone most of the weekend. He's . . ." She shook her head.

Charles looked sharply at Johnny.

Johnny took a sip of coffee. "What did he tell you?"

Elizabeth turned to Maeve. "That you let him . . ."

Maeve gave a nod. "Eve, why don't you help me make more coffee."

Eve stood. "Do I have to keep wearing this?"

Maeve smiled at Johnny, then at Eve. "What do you think?"

Eve let the robe drop from her shoulders and followed Maeve into the kitchen.

Gladys stood. "I'll help them."

Johnny looked at Charles.

Elizabeth stared at Johnny. "Why don't you help," she turned to Charles, "your girlfriends."

Charles was standing as the front door opened and Penny stepped in.

"Hi, Charles. A new one, Johnny?"

Johnny grinned at Elizabeth. "Sorry." He turned to Penny. "Elizabeth is Charles' wife."

Penny walked to her and held out her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't recognize you from the wedding. My name is Penny."

Elizabeth stared at Penny's hand then took it. "Penny."

Johnny stood. "Go on, Charles. Penny, I have an errand I need you to do." He took out his money roll and peeled off a few bills. "Two hundred for Greg and two hundred for Kitty. If they need more, let me know. They're to enjoy themselves. They're in room six nineteen in the Viking in Sarasota."

"The new hotel, right? Six nineteen," Penny said.

"You need to take Mark somewhere. Give Greg and Kitty a couple of hours alone. Mark will let you know what he wants to do. Then come back here and check in. I hope to have the schedule ready sometime this afternoon." He paused. "Everything okay at Kitty's?"

"Winifred did fine. Neva is with her now."

Johnny nodded, he looked at Elizabeth. "Want a tour?"

She studied him. "Should I want a tour?"

"I think so, then make up your mind about what you want to do."

"What I want to do?" She stood.

"You could have laid down the law. We'd never see you or Charles again. Instead, you came here."

She let out a breath. "He's not going to fuck them while we do a tour, is he?"

"I don't think so. Should I make sure?"

She shook her head.

Johnny stepped back. "First you should see the garage, I think."

"Eve's room?"

"Eve doesn't live here. She was just spending the night." Johnny held the door open, closed it after them as she stepped down.

Elizabeth walked around the room. Alex's light for his photo shoots were set up. The cement block wall was covered with a large sheet of white paper hanging from a roll suspended from a rafter. The picnic table was against the other wall. A couch and several upholstered chairs were next to it. Along the metal garage door were shelves holding boxes with numbers on them. Alex's 16mm movie camera sat on a special table with other equipment.

Johnny walked to the shelves and opened one of the boxes and took out a small photograph. He carried it to where Elizabeth stood by the bed.

Elizabeth turned her head and saw the photograph.

"Go ahead, take it," Johnny said.

She held the photo closer, studied it. It was a black and white print of Penny sitting on a couch. Penny wore heels and black stockings. One foot was on the couch, the other on the floor. Penny held her breasts, was grinning at the viewer. Elizabeth handed the picture to Johnny. "She's beautiful."

"There are more in the boxes on the shelves. Take a look, if you want."

"I've seen enough."

"There's more."

She gave a nod and followed him back to the living room.

"Let me get car keys. I'll be right back." He began to walk away.

"Johnny?"

He turned.

"Has he been with Penny, too?"

Johnny gave a nod.

"And Eve and Gladys?"

"Yes."

"And there's more?"

"Let me get my car keys." When he came back she was sitting on the couch staring at her hands. "Ready?" he asked.

She looked up at him.

"We'll go to Kitty's first."

Elizabeth was quiet next to him in Maeve's Thunderbird after visiting Kitty's.

"Mark, Kitty's son is with her in Sarasota. There are the girls, Winifred, Fancy and Mary. Walter is Gladys' son. We took in two more girls last week, Hetty and Patty. We had to set up the garage for them. The girls were all prostitutes. We take them in; no one else wants them. At least as little girls living regular lives. Gladys normally stays there with Kitty. Greg helps during the day. Things got crazy, so it's just Neva and Winifred right now."

Elizabeth looked out the car window. "The girls don't . . ."

"The girls don't, just like Mark and Walter don't. They're just kids." Johnny parked in a church parking lot. "Did Charles tell you about them?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

Johnny turned to her. "We all make a living from the photographs. That's new to us. Some of my girls work in several of the downtown hotels. Gladys operates the phone and manages my girls who are on call. We have parties from time to time. And we have a house. Eve lives there. Ever been in a brothel before?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

"Is this what you expected?"

She shook her head.

"Most of my girls earn more than two hundred a week. They can leave any time they want."

"Ten thousand a year." Elizabeth turned to him.

"Yes. Neva works here. She has a daughter who's just started college up north. Penny usually does a hotel several days a week. Sometimes she stops by here or is on call. My girls like what they do. They enjoy it. Not all do. Gladys isn't big on it. She's done it since she was twelve. Talk to her about it if you want. Maeve since she was fourteen. Gladys and Maeve ran away from home. The other girls have their stories. Want to go in?"

"It's all right to park here?"

"We helped with the church's new roof. Never on Sunday, we'll turn people away, tell them to come back later, so the lot isn't filled. We're not monsters."

Elizabeth got out of the car and waited for Johnny.

Johnny led her to the door of the white two-story wood frame house. "Go on, it's open."

She turned the knob and walked in.

Blonde, short and beautiful Billy was reading the paper on one of the two couches. Johnny could see the funnies on the floor by her feet; she was reading the sports page. She looked up at them. "Hi, Johnny. New girl?"

"Charles' wife."

Billy stood. "I didn't know he was married. Shoot." Billy held out her hand. "How do you do?"

"Elizabeth." She shook Billy's hand.

"Everyone calls me Billy, Elizabeth." Billy smiled. "You should see what Michael and Shirley are doing now. It's a hoot."

"Why don't you get them? Is Alex around?"

"He and Sue went to do some darkroom work. Ha ha." She grinned at Elizabeth. "Alex does all the photo stuff. He's an artist. A screwball but he shoots great pictures." She left them.

"Some of the women live here, some have homes of their own. If they have kids they can drop them off at Kitty's while they work." Johnny pointed to the couch. "Go ahead, sit." He joined her. "We could go upstairs if you want."

She shook her head. "Her, too?"

"I'm not sure. We've grown a lot the past month. I can't keep track of everything."

They heard high-pitched barking then Michael walked in the room followed by Shirley on the leash. She was the one barking. Billy trailed them laughing. She tossed the papers onto the floor and sat on the couch.

"Heel," Michael said.

Shirley fell to her knees, with her hands on her legs. Shirley wore a red leather bustier. No stockings or panties. Johnny saw that she was shaved now like Maeve. Shirley gave him a smile and then lowered her head.

Michael stared at Elizabeth. "Aren't you?"

"Charles' wife," Elizabeth said watching Shirley on the leash.

"Shirley can do tricks, can't she, Michael?" Billy said.

"Not now, Billy," Michael said. He glanced at Johnny. "Is everything all right?"

Elizabeth sat back on the couch. "Everything is all right. What tricks can she do?"

"Roll over Shirley," Billy said.

Shirley didn't move.

Michael looked closely at Johnny then said, "Roll over."

Shirley turned to them and smiled. She rolled onto her back. Her legs stuck straight in the air, her arms were on the floor straight out.

Michael glanced at Elizabeth. "Play dead, Shirley."

Shirley rolled onto her stomach with her ass in the air, her arms stretched out in front of her.

"Good girl," Elizabeth said.

"Ain't that a hoot?" Billy said.

Elizabeth gave a nod and looked at Johnny.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Charles has fucked your wife, I think you should fuck his." She watched him.

Johnny looked at Michael. "Can I borrow Shirley for a few hours?"

Michael nodded. "Fetch your coat," he said to her.

Shirley rose to her hands and knees, gave a bark, and crawled out of the room.

"I want to talk to Shirley, Michael."

"I'll tell her."

Johnny rose to his feet and held out his hand. Elizabeth stood and took it.

Shirley came back into the room dragging the coat with her mouth.

"Shirley," Michael said. He knelt by her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Johnny wants to talk with you. You're not a dog any more."

She turned to Michael. "Are you mad with me?"

"I'm not mad with you, hon. Put your coat on and be good to Johnny. He likes you, hon, as much as I do."

Shirley stood, put on the coat and looked at Johnny then said to Michael, "A kiss?"

Michael grimaced. "A goddamn sissy." He shut his eyes and puckered his lips.

Shirley wrapped herself around him and kissed him. Michael looked over her shoulder and winked at Johnny. Shirley took a step back. "You'll save yourself for me?"

Michael shrugged at Johnny. "I'm pussywhipped." He said to Shirley, "I'll save myself for you, hon."

Billy picked up the newspapers. "I heard that, Michael."

Michael rolled his eyes.

"I'll bring her back safe and sound."

They went out to the Thunderbird, a two-seater. Johnny smiled to himself. "One of you will have to sit in the other's lap, or one of you will have to ride in the trunk. You choose." He held the door for them. In the end Shirley sat on Elizabeth's lap.

He started the car and pulled out of the church parking lot. "Are you sure you want to do this, Elizabeth?"

"Beth."

"Are you sure, Beth?"

"No, but let's do it anyway."

"Watching Michael and Shirley didn't scare you?" He glanced at her then returned to his driving.

"A little. Are all your girls this beautiful?"

"I can't explain it. I've been a pimp for three months."

"That's when it started with Charles."

"I've been a pimp for three months and it's been a constant ride, trying to hold on. We're going to a motel."

"All right."

"Shirley."

"Yes." She turned to him.

"Michael been treating you well?"

"I love Michael."

"He hasn't done anything he shouldn't, has he?"

"He fucked Lori and Connie yesterday, I hardly got any."

"I'll talk to him about it, okay."

"Thanks, Johnny. He doesn't hit me, he's nice to me."

"He's having a hard time, Shirley." Johnny glanced at Beth. "His wife kicked him out, you can guess why." Johnny stopped at the light. "Michael is having a hard time, Shirley. Sometimes men will do things they shouldn't. You won't let him, okay?"

"The girls already told him that." She leaned against Beth. "That feels good."

Beth blushed.

"Keep your coat on until we're in the room, okay?"

"Okay."

Johnny parked at the motel office. "Back in a minute."

He parked next to a cabin, got out then opened their door. Shirley got out and stretched. Johnny handed her the key. "Go on, you're half out of it already." He held out his hand to Beth and led her to the open cabin door.

"Sure about this, still?"

"What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing's wrong with her. She finds it easiest to live in the world this way. She hardly even talked a month ago. She and Michael hit it off; they share her room. Don't underestimate her."

They walked into the cabin. Shirley knelt naked, head bowed by the bed. The handle for the leash rested on the pillow.

Johnny took off his jacket, tossed it onto the chair. "Shirley's side of the bed is yours, Beth." He saw Shirley turn her head and smile at him, then face the floor.

He watched Beth undress as he unbuttoned his shirt. "Does being with a woman bother you?"

Beth shook her head, then gave a nod. She watched her feet as she tried to unfasten the clasp at her neck.

"I'll get that." Johnny walked to her back, brushed her hair from her neck. He touched the back of her neck lightly. "Charles is a lucky man."

"Maeve is a lucky woman."

"I drive her crazy sometimes." He unclasped her dress, unzipped it, and then slipped his hand between the fabric and her skin. His other hand stroked her neck. He kissed her neck and stood back.

"I can see that," Beth said. "Why?"

"Ask Maeve to tell you how I became a pimp." Johnny unbuckled his pants. "Charles and Alex were the first men I sold her to." His pants fell on the floor. "I can't promise anything spectacular, what with all my," he drew out the word, "obligations." His shorts fell on the floor. "You're beautiful."

Beth glanced at him angrily. "She's beautiful, Johnny." Beth waved her hand at Shirley. "She's young and beautiful. I'm forty. Why do you think Charles was . . . Let's not argue about it." She climbed onto the bed and stroked Shirley's shoulder.

Johnny joined her. "Do you want me first or her first?"

"You talk too much, Johnny."

Johnny kissed her. She was tense then she relaxed. "Join us on the bed, Shirley. Beth wants us both at the same time."

Kitty felt Greg's cock fill her pussy. It seemed to get even stiffer as she fucked him. He lay under her, his eyes shut, his hands on her breasts, the hand with three fingers missing felt different. Not wrong, just different. She took that hand and held it against her pussy, directing him to her clit. He didn't understand but it felt nice anyway. He shut his eyes again and his mouth did that thing men did; it always looked strange.

She leaned back; he didn't have legs to support her hands, nothing below a certain point. She moved more quickly, arching her back as she pounded him. She heard him whistle, not a whistle; it was like all his air left him. She slowed and then stopped.

She bent over Greg, settled onto his chest and kissed him. "That was nice."

He held her tightly against him, not talking.

Kitty kissed his nose. "You ever eat pussy?"

He gave a nod; she could feel it against her ear.

"Good. When you're rested I have something to show you." Kitty raised her head and looked at the clock. "We have another hour, plenty of time."

"Okay."

"Enjoying your vacation? I am, too." She rested against him, saw a vein pulse in his neck. This felt good.

Johnny sat in a chair and watched Shirley and Beth. Shirley had removed her collar and put it on Beth's neck. She'd used the leash to tie Beth's hands to her neck. Pretend tie, Beth held the end of the leash in her fingers. Beth's legs were opened wide. Shirley's head was buried in Beth's pussy; her pussy was inches from Beth's reaching tongue.

Johnny checked his watch, about another hour, he had things to do today. He stood and stepped to the bed. He thought he could do it one more time. It was worth a try. He touched Shirley's shoulder. Her head stopped moving. "Get me hard, Shirley, then get the bitch ready for fucking."

Shirley crawled to him, took his cock in her mouth.

Beth rolled onto her side, then rose to her knees. She walked across the bed toward them, her hands still at her neck. She has nice breasts, he thought as he watched her. She bent to him and Shirley held his cock for her. Shirley looked up at him and smiled as she held his cock for Beth to suck.

He held Beth's head to him, felt her tongue on his cock. Shirley let go of him, Beth's mouth was pressed to him, he let up.

Shirley released Beth's hands from her neck and took the leash handle. Shirley stood on the bed holding the leash. She gave a slight jerk. "Roll over."

Beth stopped sucking him, backed off and lay on the bed. She lay on her back, his cock above her face. She peered up at him and smiled.

"Spread your legs," Shirley said.

Beth opened her legs, keeping her feet pointed to the ceiling.

"Good dog," Shirley said. She handed the leash to Johnny as she got off the bed.

Johnny climbed between Beth's legs, entered her pussy and began fucking. He could feel her body tremble. He took her hand with the hand that held the leash and they clasped it together. He kissed her, felt her tongue press into his mouth, insistent, a small cock.

She pushed away from him, turned her face away and shut her eyes. He could feel her pubic bone as he fucked. She shuddered and then her body shook. She gasped for air, her chest heaving, her hands open and flopping on the bed. She stared at him as she gasped, then her mouth shut and she held him, the handle of the leash hitting his back. She violently rocked her pelvis from side to side grinding herself into him. She came again.

He came, buried himself in her, and felt her rock him from side to side. She squeezed his back until it hurt, then her hands fell from him and she began to cry.

He rested a moment, kissed her, then climbed off. Her knees were still in the air, trembling. He lowered them. "Good girl," he said. Shirley sat on the corner of the bed watching them with a smile on her face. "Good girl. Shirley, clean her and tell her what a good girl she is."

Johnny stood, had to sit he was so unsteady. He watched Shirley clean Beth, heard Shirley tell her how good she was. He stood again and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

When he came out Shirley was dressing in Elizabeth's clothes. Elizabeth sat on the bed in Shirley's bustier. She still wore the collar; the leash handle was in her right hand. He helped Shirley, but he could only zip the dress part way up.

"Heel," Shirley said.

Beth got on her knees and bowed her head.

"Beth is living with me now."

"Michael?"

"Him, too. But Beth is my dog."

Johnny sat on the bed and touched Beth's shoulder.

"Talk," Shirley said.

Elizabeth looked at Johnny. Her lower lip trembled.

"Are you sure?" Johnny asked.

She nodded. Shirley took the leash from Beth's hand and stood beside them.

"Okay? What about Charles?"

"He can visit," Shirley said.

Beth nodded. "Would you try me for a week?"

"In The House? Are you sure?"

Her smile trembled while she gave a nod.

He let out a breath. "Okay. The girls will work out your schedule, but I want you to work each day with Winifred at Kitty's. Days or nights, you all can decide. Okay?"

She gave a quick nod.

"Fifty a week for working with Winifred. No more than one fifty a week to start at the house; that's thirty men, Elizabeth. No choice, what walks in the door you have to do. Are you sure?"

Elizabeth nodded quickly. "Try me, Johnny."

He glanced at Shirley who smiled at him. "She's a good dog, isn't she?" Shirley asked.

"She's a good girl." He stood. "You'll have to ride in the trunk, Elizabeth. Are you sure?"

Elizabeth gave a soft bark, a louder one, then smiled happily at him.

"Michael's not to touch her, he can't be in the room when Charles comes to visit."

Shirley gave the leash a jerk. "Michael is for me only."

Elizabeth stood. Johnny got the coat and handed it to her. Elizabeth turned to Shirley.

"When you are outside of The House you'll be covered. Inside, no more than that, hon." Shirley held the leash up as Beth put on the coat.

Johnny left the key on the dresser, checked the room. They'd left nothing behind. When he went out, Beth stood by the back of the car; Shirley was already seated in the passenger seat. Johnny opened the trunk. He saw her look in.

"It's not bad," he said. "I've done it."

Beth glanced at him. "Thank you, Johnny."

They kissed and she climbed into the trunk. He winked at her as he shut the lid.

Johnny sat in the driver's seat and exhaled. "Charles and Maeve are going to kill me."

"This way he gets to keep her." Shirley smiled, facing the front of the car.

"Maeve said no new girls." He started the car.

"Post coital depression isn't that uncommon for males, Johnny."

"Thanks." He headed back to The House. "I think I liked it better when you barked, Shirley."

She laughed and laughed.

If she didn't look like she was having so much fun he'd be worried about her.

Maeve set Charles and Gladys to working out the receipts from last night and each girl's share. It was all mixed up; it was easiest to figure they all worked the same. If it took a drunken screaming fit to get a vacation in Sarasota she was willing to try it. She'd talk to Johnny. There was no reason for her, or him, to be at the next party. They could let the others take care of themselves. They'd do all right. Everything would get screwed up, but it did anyway, so what was the worry?

Of course cute little Eve wanted to borrow Charles for an hour or two. Maeve still wasn't sure if Eve understood the reason why that might not be a good idea. Maeve knew her innocence was an act, a good one, one she'd never been able to do, but it was hard deciding how much of it was an act and how much of it was Eve.

Eve and she had gone back to the garage to resume their activities. During a lull, Eve reassured her that Johnny hadn't screwed anyone else (anyone else!) last night because Eve could tell by the taste. All told with the cutest face possible. Maeve guessed that she was reassured. Kitty and Greg get a week off at a nice hotel in Sarasota. Johnny only screws Eve how many times, Eve was a bit unclear about this, comes home, falls into bed and passes out without giving his wife any. If that's the way Charles was, no wonder Elizabeth was pissed.

Then this morning he's banging away at the secretary. Gladys' screams were what woke her up and Gladys had been smiling that I've been well-fucked smile all day. She still hadn't had a chance at her husband and it was what, three?

Of course, Johnny wasn't entirely at fault. When Eve brought coffee and toast, the dear, her efforts couldn't go entirely unappreciated, could they?

Eve kissed her lips, her breast, then licked a line to her pussy. Sweet innocent, indeed.

Johnny parked Maeve's Thunderbird in the drive to his home. Michael had accepted the new arrangement without saying a word. Shirley and Beth went off, Shirley wanted to shave Beth's pussy, while Michael and he talked. Beth looked nice on all fours trotting behind, but Shirley already knew she had her hands full with Michael.

Johnny went in, heard voices in the dining room and found Gladys and Charles talking at the table. Seven white envelopes were on the corner of the table; Maeve's was on top. Johnny sat and drew the envelope to him. Kitty's was next; he put the envelope aside. He looked at the others.

"Where's Gladys'?" he asked.

"We did her just like the others: Al, Scot, Greg and Michael," Charles said.

"She worked as a girl last night; the girls get paid more." Johnny opened Kitty's envelope, counted out half and passed it to Gladys. "Okay?"

"You don't need to, Johnny. It was only a couple of hours," Gladys said. She laid the money on the table.

"Was it a bad couple of hours or a good couple of hours?" Johnny gave her a grin.

She smiled back at him.

"Still happy with phone work?"

She gave a brief nod. "Now and again like last night is okay, Johnny."

"Good. You'd be hard to replace. You know that, don't you?"

"I don't think you're supposed to tell me that." She put the money in her purse on the table. "Happy now?"

He gave a nod and turned to Charles. "You haven't asked."

Charles let out a long breath. "Okay, Johnny. What happened?"

"I took your wife on a tour. Kitty's, then The House. Told her everything. Michael and Shirley did their act. Shirley was a dog who barked in a cute enough fashion, could roll over, heel and play dead. She fetched in a fetching manner. Did you know she's shaved like Maeve? You probably already knew."

Johnny stood. "Anyone went a beer?" He paused. "Just me. Okay." He sat down and with an opened bottle from the fridge. "After the act, Shirley, Elizabeth and I went to a motel room and you probably don't want to hear any particulars, do you?"

Charles shook his head. "I have a good imagination, Johnny."

"I know you do." Johnny took a drink. "Things became muddled somehow. Shirley wore her collar, leash and corset thing going in the motel room. Two hours later Beth wore them going out. Shirley wore Elizabeth's clothes. Poor Michael is going to be confused for a few days, I'm afraid. Beth is quite happy barking and walking on all fours. When I left them, Shirley was shaving Beth's pussy. Beth is moving in with Shirley. She's working at The House on a trial basis this week and helping to take care of the kids. Shirley won't let Michael touch Beth; Beth is her dog."

Johnny raised his eyes to Charles'. "You got off lucky, I think. You might not feel that way."

Charles nodded. "Okay."

"It's a little different when the shoe is on the other foot, isn't it?"

Charles relaxed a little, gave a nod.

"You get to be with her once a day this week. I'd make the most of it if I were you." Johnny smiled. "You are a lucky man, Charles." He took a drink of beer. "Anyway, you'll drive her back and forth to Kitty's. Tomorrow, after Kitty's bring her here. Alex will take some pictures."

Johnny set the beer aside. "I need to write the schedule. I hope you two can help me copy it. You," Johnny eyed Charles, "can take them to the house. You'll learn her schedule for the next week then. Maybe you'll see her, but don't press it. I'll take copies to Kitty's and check in on Winifred if Penny isn't back yet." Johnny stood to get paper and pens. "Charles, I know it's tempting to take someone home with you tonight but I wouldn't. Be good for the next couple of days." He gave Charles a wink. "It won't be easy."

Kitty and Mark stood by Greg's wheelchair as they watched the sunset over the Gulf. It was cooler; they all wore jackets Penny found for them. Penny joined them for dinner, had just left a few minutes ago.

Kitty thought Penny was extraordinarily beautiful, as beautiful as Maeve. Leaner, slightly more angular in her beauty, Penny had a way of moving that drew the eye. Maeve's motion drew a person's eye to her whole body. Penny used a smile, a hand, and a toss of her hair to accentuate her body, make it seem alive and thrilling, a cascade of wonders.

Greg paid attention to Penny when she talked but he didn't sit and stare, not like Kitty had done. Greg and Mark had carried on a conversation about Egypt, of all places. Mark had just learned about mummies and wanted to know everything.

She hadn't had a drop all day and it was killing her. Well it wasn't that bad, so she wasn't going to throw a fit with Mark around. Penny and Greg drank ginger ale with their meal, straight. Kitty stayed with water, Mark had his chocolate milk. She wondered when he'd started that.

The sound of the waves on the beach was nice. It was nearly dark. Mark had stood still for a whole half an hour. She figured they'd watch TV tonight. Tomorrow she wondered if they couldn't go to St. Armand's and find a bookstore and a newspaper. Maybe they could see a film.

She tried not to think about what Greg had said this afternoon about lying wounded in the snow, seeing it turn red, lying wounded for hours waiting. When they were ready she pushed the wheelchair up the walk to the hotel. Mark got to push the elevator buttons and hold the door. He was a help. She hoped she was doing okay, too. Greg had been at her house for weeks and she'd never really thought a thing about it. What his needs were. What Mark's were for that matter. And they still liked her. She didn't quite believe it was true. There must be a catch somewhere.

Johnny folded the schedule and put it in the envelope for Gloria. He addressed it and put on a stamp. He licked the flap and sealed the envelope, holding it closed for a moment. He could hear Maeve in the garage. She and Eve had been at it for hours, he guessed. Penny had joined them for a bit before going to Kitty's house for the night.

They were down three and it was hurting them. Gloria and Darlene, he never thought he'd really miss Darlene but he did, left a month ago. Now Kitty and Greg. Greg was good with the kids; they liked him. Kitty was good with everyone. He was going to move up some from The House. Eve was spending the night. If she'd agree to wear clothes now and again it'd be okay; everyone loved her. She wouldn't, which wasn't really a problem. Lori and Neva, Neva was already at Kitty's full time, he guessed, for the next few days. Lori could work the hotel downtown.

He stood and went to the door. Shirley had her hands full with Michael and Beth. Sue and Alex looked like maybe they were sweet on each other. She was the only one he knew who really liked all of Alex's quirks.

Johnny dropped the letter in the mailbox on the wall outside, shut the door and turned off the porch light. He wondered what they were doing in the garage. He wondered at their energy. He was tired and ready for bed. Eve here tonight, maybe Loreli tomorrow, maybe both of them.

He opened the door to the garage. Maeve lay on the bed with her arms and legs outstretched. Johnny stepped down and shut the door behind him. Eve stood on the bed, one foot held over Maeve's face, toes in Maeve's mouth. Johnny could see a large dildo in Maeve's pussy. He walked toward them. When he reached the foot of the bed, he could see Eve's eyes were closed. She had a rapt expression on her face. Johnny leaned across the bed and gave the dildo a push.

He looked up and saw Eve smiling at him. "She's been keeping it warm for me." Eve removed her foot and set it beside Maeve's head. She slowly squatted.

Maeve asked, "Done with business, Johnny?"

"All done," he said.

"You and I are going back to our bed tonight. Eve will stay here," Maeve smiled as she sat, "keeping the dildo warm."

"Tomorrow morning," Eve said, getting off the bed, "we'll switch until I need to go to work at noon. Just you and me, Johnny." Eve reached for the dildo. "May I?"

Maeve's eyes watched Johnny as Eve pulled the dildo out. Eve pushed it into her pussy and sauntered across the room to the fridge. She poured herself a glass of milk and walked back to the bed.

Johnny looked at Maeve. "That's all?"

"You've been working entirely too much. We're taking Saturday night off, you and me, to hell with the schedule."

Johnny kissed Eve. "Night."

"Night."

Johnny stood and held out his hand to Maeve. She took it and stood. They walked to the door to the house.

"No argument, Johnny?" Maeve asked.

"I agree, wholeheartedly, dear."

Maeve stopped. "You're up to something."

"I want you here when Beth comes by for the photo session with Alex."

"You've thought up one of your sordid little scenarios."

"I may not even be here."

Maeve turned to Eve. "Goodnight, dear. If you become frightened, you know where we are."

"Ooooh."

"Give us a couple of hours, first."

"Okay."

They left the garage. "Why can't you be like that, Johnny?"

"Like what?" He turned lights out as they walked through the house.

"Agreeable."

"I agreed. Wholeheartedly."

"You're sneaky, Johnny. There's a catch somewhere."

"I'm hurt, Maeve, that you would think that."

"Hurry up, the sheets are cold. I'm not going to be the first in bed."

Johnny winked at her and began undressing. "Remember. Be here tomorrow when Beth comes."

"Will Shirley be with her?"

"Probably. Beth is her dog."

"That's not funny, Johnny."

Johnny took off his shoes and pants.

"You ever try to stick a goddamn leash on me and I'll divorce you."

"You bastard. You forgot that part." Johnny set his shirt, then his undershirt, on his pants.

"Just try me." Maeve sat on the bed.

Johnny took his shorts off. "Wouldn't think of it."

Maeve looked crestfallen. "Not even once?"

"Furthest from my mind."

"Goddamn girls have you pussywhipped."

"Not just whipped, but exhausted, Maeve. You never told me pimping was so much work, so little reward."

"See this, mister?" Maeve asked pointing to her pussy. "This is all the reward you deserve, you bastard."

"Just that?" Johnny stood looking at her.

"And my asshole, you bastard." She frowned at him.

"That's all?" He sat on the bed next to her.

"All right. I'll suck your cock, you bastard. I want you to come in my mouth, I want to taste your come." She made a face. "Sorry, but that's so gross."

"When Gloria says it, she's on her knees and she means it, dear."

"Fucking bastard," Maeve said. She got on her knees and smiled at him. "Better?"

"Better. All three or are you too tired?"

"You miss her, don't you?" Maeve held his cock.

"I miss her."

"I want you to come in my mouth, dear. I want to taste your come." She licked her lips and bent to lick his cock. It hardened. "Works every time." She took him in her mouth.

He watched her eyes looking at him as she sucked him. She looked like she had a smile on her face.

Gloria found it hard to go to sleep; the others, maybe not Tiger, but the others were asleep. She could tell by their breathing. She held Sylphie, her arms held the girl, while Darlene slept at her back, an arm over her.

Gloria couldn't see Tiger, who slept on the chair. Darlene brought her to the room one day several weeks ago. Darlene didn't say anything. Tiger never spoke except in grunts and cries and she hardly ever spoke in those.

Gloria called her Tiger because her eyes burned bright in the night. She didn't know the girl's name, and Darlene wouldn't say much about how she found her or where.

When they arrived in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, a week after Maeve and Johnny's wedding, Darlene and she had a little money, enough for a week or two, their clothes and not much more. They took a cab to a cheap rooming house. The landlady didn't ask questions, they didn't mention the dirt. Gloria was sure that in warmer weather more prolific vermin overran the room. Now they only had to deal with mice.

Gloria had cut Darlene's hair in the room, styled it so she looked like a boy. A very pretty boy, but boy nevertheless. Darlene had a new wardrobe from the secondhand store down the street to match the hair cut.

They did that the first day and it helped a little to have men less attentive to Darlene as a woman. Darlene had a new role to play. She was reluctant in the beginning, then warmed to the idea at the first bar where she was, he was, David was in charge of buying Gloria's and his drinks. Beers and they didn't drink them but it didn't matter.

Every morning they went their separate ways. Gloria was never sure if she'd see Darlene that evening, if she'd ever see her again. After a week, Gloria went to work. Her pimp, David, was an expert at finding places to hook, was expert at teaching Gloria what she needed to know.

Darlene stayed close, either down the street or in a bar with the other pimps. Once the men realized Gloria wasn't interested in leaving David they left her alone.

Philly, she hated that, Philadelphia, was a cold town. The whores were cold to her, the johns were cold to her, the street was cold to her, but she did all right. She didn't have to work too hard; her pimp didn't take her money for his habit or to wine and dine his girlfriends.

Then one week Darlene was gone during the day and when she came home to the room at night Gloria could smell that she'd been fucking. Neither of them said anything about it. Darlene washed herself, put on a flannel nightgown and joined her in bed. They held each other. Gloria thought about Johnny and Al, Maeve and Kitty; she never asked what Darlene thought about.

A few days later Darlene had a gun. They didn't talk about it; Gloria was sure Darlene didn't know she knew. It was obvious the way Darlene's jacket hung. It was obvious because of the shape in the pocket and the way the jacket sounded when Darlene bumped a chair or took the jacket off and set it on the floor. Darlene didn't seem to be fucking any more; not that Gloria could tell.

The house always shook when the train passed. They got used to it, she only noticed because she was awake. She'd gotten used to the trains, the hard pillow, the hole in the mattress they all fell into sometime during the night, the smell of the landlady's cooking, the sour smell of old sweat, the taste of come lingering.

Gloria moved to the docks, worked for several days in a bar, ended up doing three ships, the full extent of her nautical adventures this past month. She never thought sex could become tedious, but it was tedious, upstairs, above the bar. A constant stream. She hardly ever got to spend a few minutes talking to anyone, and some just wanted to talk, really. They were horny, and they screwed her, but she could tell they wanted more just to talk, to hear her laugh at something they said, or touch their hand and show concern at their problems. Everybody she knew had problems.

But the ships were great, all night for each one. They got to talk and she got to listen to their stories, once the initial burst of excitement was gone.

Gloria moved back to the street but to another spot. Not that the girls were any friendlier; they just looked a little less used up. Darlene spent the night in their room but sometimes they didn't see each other for days.

It was near her spot that she first ran into Romeo and Juliet, that's what she called them. Juliet called herself Nancy, was maybe fifteen, pretty and blonde and still a kid. Romeo was fifteen at the oldest. He called himself Bobby, had a spot near the fountain that the Negro hookers called their own. They were cute together. When Gloria first saw them they held hands, stood in an alley off the street, since blacks and whites weren't supposed to mix, and kissed sweetly.

Romeo and Juliet jumped a foot when Gloria first said hello. They relaxed only when she shared her candy bar with them. It was a cold November, especially after years of living in Florida. Chocolate seemed to help. She described Cherry to them, but neither knew her. Philadelphia was a big city. Cherry might not even be here anymore, she thought then. Maybe New York or D.C. Or by one of the military bases, it was hard to tell.

Gloria was home, it was a cold night and they didn't need the money, not that bad, when Darlene brought Tiger to stay. Darlene had a serious face; Tiger looked terrified. When Gloria asked a little later if she didn't want to go to bed, the child took off her clothes and lay on the covers waiting. Darlene dressed her, they sat together on the floor, Darlene holding and talking to her. Gloria wondered then, still wondered, if Tiger understood Darlene was a girl.

Tiger grew frantic the first time Darlene left her to use the toilet down the hall. Eventually, with time, she relaxed enough to be left alone. Darlene no longer carried the pistol; she hid it in the room, in a box under the bed. Gloria found it, but left it there. Tiger had migrated from the floor to the old stuffed chair where she slept and ate whatever Darlene brought her. She didn't think there'd be any problems with Tiger and the gun. Tiger saw only people and food.

Gloria and David now used The Wedge as their spot. Nights were expensive, but it was warm and the clients paid well. She and Darlene watched the shows with different eyes. She saw how the strippers moved, how they arranged their bodies in vignettes. Sex was the same way. Undressing, then screw, then dressing. She tried to make each vignette memorable.

Darlene saw the clothes, the colored lights, and the paraphernalia of the show. She studied the performance from the point of view of effect.

It was after leaving The Wedge, no client tonight, they ran into Sylphie on the street. They had just walked out the door, David tugged her hand. She turned and saw a white haired woman walk away from them. Darlene called her; the woman turned and Gloria saw her face for the first time. Darlene's, a little older, a black eye patch on her left eye and a red scar from forehead to her cheek. They stared at each other for just a moment, and then Sylphie turned to walk away. Darlene grabbed her. "I'm Darlene, sis," she said. Sylphie came home with them.

Darlene's last shot was tomorrow. They'd fly home in the afternoon. Reservations for six were made. Romeo and Juliet were coming, too, she hoped. They said they'd wait for her to pick them up, but they were kids and you never knew if they really understood. She'd worry about that tomorrow.

Gloria remembered Darlene's face when the doctor told her she was pregnant and had syphilis. Kitty had taken Darlene in Monday; there was a call on Wednesday, which meant bad news. Darlene got her first shot then; she didn't like it a bit but didn't bawl, which got her marks in Gloria's book. The nurse was nasty about it.

They went to the "clinic" for the abortion a few days after arriving in Philadelphia. Both waited in an empty waiting room, the nurse, of course, thought Gloria was the one, but didn't bat an eye when David stood and doffed his cap. Johnny had given her the address; goodness knows where he got it. She'd never worried for years about an abortion, didn't worry much now. She'd cross that river when she came to it. Darlene rested for a day but there was no bleeding.

She felt Darlene stir behind her. Darlene was going back as David, had coached them incessantly. Her big role. Pimp with three beautiful prostitutes and Romeo and Juliet. The Capulets and Montagues were on the warpath; swords were drawn. David, brother of beautiful Sylphie and her pimp besides, would duel to the death for their honor.

Darlene had her half talked into allowing Darlene to come along when Gloria went to Stoney to add three more names to the five already on her ass. She smiled to herself. They were good kids. She wasn't going to get any sleep tonight and it really didn't matter. They were all good kids.

Go to the next chapter of The Revolver.
Chapter Twenty-six | Chapter Twenty-seven | Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine | Chapter Thirty | Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two | Chapter Thirty-three | The Schedule

The first part of Switch: a novel is Switch.
The second part of Switch: a novel is The Babysitter.
The third part of Switch: a novel is Comes the Bride.
The fourth part of Switch: a novel is The Revolver.

Disclaimer: Some of the things the characters do in this story are seen as offensive or frightening (even terrifying) by some if not most people. Please don't surprise anyone. Always ask first. Have an agreed upon safe word even if you don't do BDSM.

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