Laura and Malcolm have the house directly across from us. She is about two inches taller than I and has about a ten pound advantage - most of it in the bosom while he is shorter than my Jack but his broader build puts him at about the same weight. A quiet man, Malcolm has a delightful manner of smiling with his eyes as if sharing an amusing secret with you.

Three houses up the street are the Whites - about ten years our seniors but the life of any party. Edgar has a slight paunch and a receding hair line. I have never seen him without a martini glass in his hand yet I have never seen him drunk - or maybe I've just never seen him sober - but he has a ready wit, a steady gaze and a sharp mind so what does it matter? Ethyl is a buxom bleached blonde who dominates any room she enters. I sometimes hear her booming laughter reaching all the way to our house..

Across the street from the Whites, Ted Trimble once held aspirations to be linebacker for the Eagles but settled to be manager of the three family hardware stores. His wife Elise is a tiny woman whose large dark eyes would be gorgeous if only she would do something with her long black hair.

It was Laura who first mentioned the fish bowl. One morning during our usual coffee break I happened to mention that I still didn't feel completely part of the community.

"How's that?" She enquired.

"Well, we're invited to cocktail parties and barbeques and we enjoy going out to dinner with you and Malcolm. Jack plays poker twice a month with Malcolm and Edgar and that bunch of fellows and we've been to some real fun parties; but about every third Friday we hear party noises somewhere in the area and we're not invited."

Laura sighed. "Well, jeannie, you're still something of an enigma. You can laugh at a naughty joke but you never tell one. There's a pretty wild side to the partying group and nobody's been able to figure out just how broad minded you are."

"I've never considered myself to be narrow minded." I pouted

"Well, as you may have noticed, you don't see the same people at every weekend party."

"Yes, I've noticed that," I admitted. "I'll meet someone at one party and she'll invite us to another where there'll be an almost completely different crowd. I'd like to throw a bash myself but I owe about thirty invitations and I couldn't possibly entertain that many in this small house."

Laura laughed. "Actually, there are presently about twenty couples in our social whirl, which is more than any one of us could handle so we divide into three groups for our weekend parties and try to change the mix every weekend so we don't break up into cliques."

"That's a very sensible idea. " I commented.

"Yes, but cliques do form and by unspoken agreement, every third Friday it's 'close friends'."

"I see." I nodded. "And narrow minded people might not approve of the behavior of close friends. Well, Jack and I wouldn't be interested in attending any orgies - not that we'd condemn anyone who enjoys a little swing but it's just not our thing."

"Oh, the third Friday night parties are not exactly orgies. Malcolm and I usually go. Everybody keeps their clothes on but our group does play this fish bowl game which can present some very tempting opportunities. It's not a game I'd like to explain to my aunt Matilda."

"So I'm not your aunt Matilda and I can keep a secret. Explain it to me."

Laura helped herself to another cup of coffee and sat down.

"They say the game began in the married student quarters of some mid-west university among the returning GIs of war two and their war brides. Personally, I think it flourished long before that. The basic idea is to hold a normal fun party - dancing, cocktails, gossip etc and the hostess provides an empty fish bowl and some envelopes...."

"I get the idea already: a key club. I've heard about that" I interrupted with more eagerness than I might have wished to display. "Tell me more. Do all three groups play 'fish bowl'?"

"No, that's our particular group's thing." Laura paused a moment. "Another group is a bit older and made up of foursomes." She added; and when I didn't flinch continued, "The third group is not strictly hetero'."

"That last does not appeal to me but to each his own. Tell me more about your group."

Laura took a sip of her coffee. "To continue; on arriving at a fish bowl party, each man formally presents his lady with their house key. That symbolizes her release from all responsibility to him. All present cheer and applaud as she holds it up to proclaim her independence. Later, at a time of her choice during the evening she takes the key to the fish bowl where she writes her address on a card. She places a mark known to her husband on an envelope, inserts the card and deposits it in the fish bowl.

"Up to this point, it is all is just suggestive but here she may choose whether or not to continue to the next stage. The exciting part is; she doesn't have to reveal whether or not she included the key - will she or won't she?"

I could just live the thought. "Ooh, what an exquisite moment. Let me guess. She can slip the key in the with the card or secretly palm it and later put it back in her husband's pocket."

"You've got it." Laura laughed. "Participation is not mandatory so if you like to party but don't choose to play, you can back out gracefully without admitting you're chicken."

"And there's a discrete out for a lady who might be indisposed." I commented.

"That too; there's usually one or two who are not on-line. And that's why parties are every third week - they won't be out of order next time."

"Tell me, do you sometimes put the key in the envelope?" I asked.

"Rule number one is 'don't ask - don't tell'. I'd say that only about half our group does play for real but just having the fish bowl on display sets a great party mood."

"I'll bet it does. What happens when all the envelopes are in the bowl?"

"At the end of the party, each man goes to the fish bowl in turn and draws an envelope. If he recognizes his mark or draws an empty envelope, he may return it and draw another. Of course if his own key is back in his pocket, he keeps an empty envelope and nobody knows the difference."

"What if the last man is left with his own key?"

"That possibility has been discussed. A buddy system has been suggested where every man arranges with a friend to swap envelopes if the situation should occur."

"Sound reasonable. I suppose each man then sees his lady home and proceeds on to the address in the envelope. Any other rules?"

"Husbands not expected home before ten thirty next morning, otherwise lady sets her own rules. If presented with a condom, the man must wear it. - Incidentally, I've been elected to sound you out."

I didn't hesitate. "Count us in. Where's the next party?"

Laura looked around the room. "Right here.. I'll get out the invitations. You go buy a fish bowl. This Friday OK for you?"

"Thanks for checking. Don't expect to find our key in the bowl the first time out but it wouldn't do to have the hostess on the 'can't play' list would it?" I laughed. " Yes, I'm not due until next week anyway. Friday's fine."

That very afternoon I went down town and bought a three gallon fish bowl and a dozen greeting-cards with envelopes.

For the rest of the week I got into a state of excitement every time I looked at the glass globe on my dining room table. Was it really an instrument to bring naked bodies together in acts of adultery or were we all just fantasizing? Was I guilty of contributing to delinquency? Could I ever dare place the key to my house in it so that some faceless man could creep into my bedroom in the middle of the night. Would I recognize him or would I keep my eyes averted as he .... I had to go pee.

Friday evening, Laura came over early to help me set up the bar. I'd spent a fortune on the best scotch, bourbon, vodka - champagne for the ladies - canapes, cake, finger sandwiches, cheeses...

Laura had sent out six invitations and I'd received six acceptances.

Before the guests arrived, I had argued with Laura that I hadn't met half the men who would be present and I still doubted I would actually play the game in any event. She agreed that she too would hold back her key to keep me company.

"That's not to mean that I will in the future." She said with a coquettish smirk as we marked two empty envelopes and deposited them in the bowl.

Ethyl and Edgar arrived together with Frank and Jane Sullivan, all in a festive mood and a third pair entered as Ethyl accepted the house key from her husband and held it up for all to see as she flounced into the dining room and made great show of writing her address on a card. She kissed the envelope and raised it high before dropping it into the bowl so we could hear the clink proving it did indeed hold a key.

Elise and Ted had arrived by then and we all cheered the performance.

Laura busied herself serving drinks and by the time the last two couples showed up, the party was well under way.

I began to understand Laura's comment about the fish bowl setting the mood to the party. It sat there on the dining room table all to itself, dominating the evening like a fat high priestess, its bulging belly symbolic of the womb, the colorful envelopes laying haphazardly within;- deposited sperm awaiting acceptance. It's presence as a totem to sex was felt throughout the house. Sex was not a major subject of discussion but it's presence was unescapable.

Elise, the petite brunette was drawn to it. Every few minutes she would walk by the entrance to the room and she would glance in. The rest of the time her eyes would dart from one male to the next. "Will it be he? Maybe that one..." Her eyes flashed with excitement as she accepted a fresh glass from Jack and touched his hand..

Ethyl would occasionally stroll in and place her hand on the bowl as a woman might pat the extended belly of a pregnant friend.

I felt myself engulfed in it's aura. As I stopped to talk with the each of the men in turn, I could imagine each one with all clothing removed; what's more I began to feel as if I were totally nude too. Amazingly, I felt quite comfortable with that. I found myself standing much closer to my companion of the moment than I usually do.

I topped up Edgar's martini glass and made some inane witticism. He laughed loudly and his wide tongue appeared over his lower teeth. I was fascinated and just knew he could bring me to climax several times before entering me.

Ted, the linebacker touched my shoulder to get my attention and I sensed a warm moistness in my groin. I turned toward him and visualized the long relaxed tool hanging down his pant leg, ready to spring to action and fill the gap.

Every man at the party I stripped naked in my mind and I wanted them all.

At one point as I was talking to Edgar, Malcolm moved up behind me and placed his arms around me, his two hands cupping my breasts. Without thinking, I slid my hand behind my back between us and ran it the full length of the bulge he was pressing into my lower back. He gave a little hug and moved on. I was delighted with myself for not being appalled by my behavior.

I was on a high far above anything attributable to the three glasses of wine I had drunk. My breasts ached to be kissed and fondled and from there down I was all pussy.

I trapped Lorna in a corner. "Can I get my envelope back and put my key in it?" I pleaded.

"No." She laughed. "That's a rule we've all agreed on. It wouldn't do to have a first-timer seduced by the mood of the party. It is an aphrodisiac isn't it? You'll have three weeks before the next party to think it over."

At one o'clock Ethyl pounced on her husband. "Come on, honey, time to go. We've got a long night ahead of us." She laughed loudly at the innuendo.

The rest of us laughed too as we drifted into the dining room.

Edgar drew the first envelope after testing several for weight. He lifted the flap and peeked inside then quickly looked at each of us assembled women in turn.

Elise impatiently pushed Ted toward the bowl as soon as Edgar stepped away. He went through the same charade of peeking into the envelope and then the rascal looked directly at me and grinned.

Four more of the men drew envelopes. Two were obviously empty but I couldn't be sure about the other two. Then Malcolm stepped up and drew an envelope. He opened the flap, inserted two fingers and drew out a key. I felt a shock wave of anger hit me. Then Jack did the same with the last envelope and I realized they were teasing me with sleight of hand. I took the two envelopes from them and noted that one of them had the mark that Laura and I had used but the other did not. At least one other woman from the party would be sleeping with her own husband tonight.

Elise looked back hopefully at Jack and Malcolm as her husband herded her down the front steps. Laura and Malcolm remained talking with us on the porch until the last car left the curb and then came back in for a nightcap.

"Damn you." I gave Malcolm a shove. "I thought for a moment there that you had deserted me."

He defended himself by putting his arms around me and lifting me off my feet.

"I believe she's more jealous of you than of me." Jack laughed.

"You're damn right I am." I sniffled. "I'm a better lay than any of those broads here tonight and you know it but if I ever decide to join this game, I want Malcolm around so I can prove it to him too."

Laura looked around at the array of empty glasses, bottles, plates and paper napkins. "Don't touch a thing. I'll come over after breakfast and help you clean up this mess."

She calmly took Jack by the hand and led him out the front door.

I stood with my mouth open for a full minute and then I turned to Malcolm and gave him my biggest smile. "Give me five minutes and come on up."

******

I sat naked and nervous at my dressing table - redid my lipstick - a drop of White Diamond on my throat - a wisp if Jasmine cologne on my tummy - another on the inside of my thigh. I squeezed a goodly charge of KY inside my pussy and with two fingers, drew some out to anoint the lips, swollen with excitement..

I left the light on in the bathroom and the door open to allow enough light to dimly make out the bed. I put on my pink teddy but changed my mind as I turned down the sheet. I got into bed totally naked and looked up to see Malcolm standing in the doorway.

He entered without a word and I tensed as he got into the bed. He made no attempt to touch me until I relaxed and turned toward him. He raised his hip off the mattress and I slid a leg under him and pressed my breast against his chest. I held no wish for foreplay. The whole evening had been foreplay. Face to face we lay on our sides as without a word he smoothly slid into me. I buried my face in his throat as he clasped me to him.

For a long moment we lay without movement and then he commenced the long slow strokes.

My reservations and doubts faded with each thrust until I cried out in joy and pushed him over on his back. I raised myself on my knees until only the tip of Malcolm's rigid tool remained inside me. I looked down to relish the sight of the shining rod connecting him to me and then sat down on it until my mound ground down on his arch. I leaned back until he cried out in alarm. I rose and fell again and again until he grasped me by the waist and rolled me over.

"Ahh, Do it - do it." I cried, "Oh nice, nice." and thrust up against his attack. The whole universe and all the reasons for its existence were in that beautifully ugly cock inside me and when I felt it explode and flood me with its essence, I hugged my new lover to my bosom and whimpered with pleasure.

The sun was shining through the curtains when I awoke and looked into the open eyes of Malcolm. He placed his hand on my cheek and for the first time kissed me fully on the lips. His erection pressed against my leg.

"No. " I said as he slid a hand between my thighs. "I'm confused. I can't believe what I did - what we did last night."

"Regrets?" He whispered.

"No, not regrets. It was perfect - too perfect. I'm afraid if we do it again we'll just be fucking." I giggled. "Now there's a word I've never used before."

He kissed me on the forehead. "It's a perfectly good word but it pleases me that you don't associate it with what happened last night. There is a little magic between us, isn't there?"

"I could never have taken this first step without you." I confessed. "I hope it will always be special for us."

He held me closer. "It will be and it makes me very happy to hear you wish it."

We lay quietly, just holding each other for several minutes. He brushed the hair from my face and spread it out over the pillow.

"Fucking has it's place too." He said. "It can be a lot of fun."

I looked up at him and grinned. "Well, maybe a little quickie."

******

By the time I had showered and dressed, Malcolm was gone and Jack was in the kitchen breaking eggs into the frying pan. I put my arms around him from behind and gave him a big hug.

He turned around and kissed me on the forehead. "A pleasant evening?"

I held him close. "Very pleasant - exceptionally pleasant."

"No second thoughts?"

"It's a little late for second thoughts." I kissed him on the lips. "Are you happy?"

"Yes, I'm happy and I love you more than ever." We clung together for a long time, just standing in the middle of the kitchen.

"And I'm really happy to hear that." He added as he turned and served out the scrambled eggs onto the cold toast. "I would have been devastated if you'd said you wish it hadn't happened."

We ate in silence.

"I suppose we should decide on what we do about the fish bowl group." Jack remarked as he put down his fork.

"I'm not sure about that." I picked up the dishes and took them to the sink before continuing. "I've just discovered that a little tender sex with close and loving friends can be a rejuvenating experience but I'm not ready to decide if I'd enjoy sex with no emotional involvement. Yet on the other hand, an exclusive menage with Laura and Malcolm somehow seems improper. That's not very logical, is it?"

"Improper?" Jack was amused by my choice of the word. "Two weeks ago you would have thought it 'improper' to entertain another man in your own bed under any condition."

"Or in any bed." I acknowledged. "And would you believe two days ago, not two weeks. But last night was not improper. I was ready for Malcolm. I wanted him but I wasn't about to do anything about it because we couldn't share him. You read me clearly, as you always do, and saw how to make it possible. You handed me the key, as it were, by leaving with Laura."

"Don't give me too much credit for being unselfish." Jack protested. "I had an erection before she took my hand and I thoroughly enjoyed her taking care of it."

I ignored the interruption. "But continued intimacies with Laura and Malcolm might be improper if it develops into an exclusive commitment."

"I think I see what you mean." He finally responded. "If we're going to accept sex as a social activity, we should make it an open social activity. We can be selective but not exclusive."

"I'm not sure what I mean." I hedged.

"Are you afraid that I might fall in love with Laura - or you with Malcolm?"

"Oh no, I am in love with Malcolm - not exactly in love; I don't crave to have him always near me, as with you, but I hope I don't have to wait for him to draw my key from a fish bowl to get him back in my bed."

"I don't think you'll have any trouble arranging that." Jack chuckled."But you're saying you need the occasional romp with a random partner to prove your lack of commitment to any particular one."

"You make it sound rather tacky." I pouted. "But yes, that is what I mean."

"Well we don't have to make up our minds today."

**********