Storiesonline.net
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                             Johnny Pulaski
                                by Joe J

Copyright© 2006 by Joe J


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Description: A coming of age story about a young man who is not nearly as ordinary as he thinks he is.

Codes: mf mF ff harem humor rom teen cons
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Chapter 1


My name is Janus Paul Pulaski III, but everyone calls me Johnny. My grandfather uses Janus; my father is Paul. I am a high school senior, and I just turned seventeen. This story is a writing assignment for senior Honors English. The idea, according to Miss McElroy, is to write our life story 'stream of consciousness' then edit and rewrite it later.

"Let your recollections flow onto the paper without regard to content," she said.

Okay, Miss Mac, just remember, you asked for this.

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I couldn't possibly tell my story without telling you about my family first. Once you read about them, anything I tell you about myself will probably bore you. See, I'm a pretty ordinary guy compared to my extraordinary family.

My Grandfather, Janus Paul Pulaski, Senior, was born near Krakow, Poland in 1930. His father was a farmer tilling nine acres of beets, onions and carrots. Papa J remembers that his family was poor, close-knit and happy. All that changed in the autumn of 1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland from the west and Russia poured in from the east. The invading forces quickly routed the Polish Army and the conquerors partitioned the country. The Krakow region became part of the German protectorate under the rule of a despot named Hans Frank. My grandfather's family still farmed their land, relatively undisturbed until 1941, when Germany invaded Russia. Shortly after, drunken German soldiers raided the Pulaski farm in November of 1941; Janus believes they were after liquor and women. My grandfather, along with his older brother Viktor and his older sister Katrina managed to escape into the foothills as the farm was burned and his parents killed.

Janus, Viktor, and Katrina made their way further into the Carpathian Mountains where they eventually joined a Polish resistance unit of the Free Polish Army. At the age of twelve, my grandfather became a soldier. Sixteen-year-old Viktor was killed in a failed attack on a troop train in 1942; Katrina died of pneumonia in the harsh winter of 1943. My grandfather fought on.

In 1945, my grandfather's guerrilla band fled westward in front of the advancing Russians. Grandfather Janus ended up in a displaced persons camp in the American sector of Germany. My grandfather refused repatriation to a communist Poland. Instead, he traveled to France, where, in 1947, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. He was seventeen years old.

Janus Pulaski enlisted in the Legion under his own name and, ironically, served with some of the same former German soldiers he fought against in Poland. Grandfather spent six years in the Legion, serving with the 2nd and 5th Foreign Parachute Regiments in Indo-China and Algeria.

In 1953, Papa Janus immigrated to the United States. It took him a year to learn enough English to enlist in the US Army. Because of his years of prior military experience, and his ability to speak several foreign languages, he was chosen for Special Forces training and assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tolz, Germany. In 1964 he was medically retired because of wounds sustained during his second combat tour in Vietnam. He retired as a Sergeant First Class at the age of 34. All total he had spent over twenty years in someone's army.

My grandfather settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when he retired, lured to the city by its large and active Polish community. Trained as a combat engineer, he started working in the construction industry. It took him less than two years to become a construction superintendent supervising commercial building construction. In 1966 he met, fell in love with and married my grandmother, Nadia.

Nadia Kaminski was second generation, Polish-American. Descended from Polish Royalty, she could trace her family back to King Kazimierz, King of Poland from 1447-1492. Nadia was the perfect wife for Janus Pulaski; she polished up his rough edges and supported him in all his endeavors. Janus and Nadia had two sons, Viktor, born in 1967 and my father, Janus Paul, Junior, born in 1968.

My father grew up in a happy home, Nana Nadia made sure of that. My father and his brother, my Uncle Viktor, were complete opposites. Viktor was gregarious, outgoing and ambitious, my father was quiet, contemplative and happiest when working on something mechanical. Uncle Viktor was tall and slim, with aristocratic features. Victor seriously exploited the royal heritage passed down from my grandmother. He played it up in college as a means of connecting with the right crowd. After breezing through college, his growing list of connections landed him a job as a stock analyst in Chicago; within a year he married his first heiress.

My dad was tall as well, but he had the heavily muscled build of my grandfather. After high school, my father eschewed college in favor of a full time job as an auto mechanic. At eighteen he had already earned a following for the small shop my grandfather helped him open. One July day in 1985, Sonia Krupchek pulled into Pulaski's Auto Repair with a badly overheating engine. By the time my dad had finished replacing a split radiator hose on her Honda Accord, she had informed my grandfather that his son was going to be her husband and the father of her children. Janus Senior shook his head in wonder as the prim looking young woman left the garage. She seemed smart enough but with her dark blonde hair in a tight bun and her glasses perched on the tip of her nose, she seemed hardly the type to snag his son.

That was the last time my grandfather ever doubted anything my mother said. That afternoon at five, the Accord pulled back into the garage. He watched in wonder as the totally transformed woman took about five minutes to bewitch his son.

Sonia Krupchek was twenty-four years old when she met the Pulaskis. She was a graduate student at Marquette University, working towards a doctoral degree in physics. Yep, my mom is one smart woman.

My grandfather was more than pleased that Sonia was attending a Jesuit school, you see, my grandparents were very devout Roman Catholics. Heck, you'd have to go to the Vatican to find their equals. Why my mom zeroed in on my dad is family lore. Dad claims that it was because he was irresistible; Mom says it was because he didn't talk much. Whatever their reasons, they were meant for each other.

Anyway, Paul and Sofia were married in 1986; Mom finished her dissertation that summer and accepted a job with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She was pregnant with my sister, Katrina, when they made the move from Milwaukee To Florida. They decided to settle in Palmdale, a small town twenty-five miles north of the Kennedy Space Center. Janus Senior and Nadia sold everything they owned and moved down too. No way were they going to be separated from their grandchildren. Future grandchildren were also the reason they gave for subsidizing a four bedroom, three-bath house in a nice neighborhood for my parents. My grandparents purchased a smaller house about a mile away.

Katrina Maria Pulaski was born in June of 1987. From the minute she departed the womb everyone knew she was something special. I swear, Katrina was born with a plan for her entire life mapped out in her head. By the time I was born in November of 1989, Katrina was talking, walking and reading. My parental units must have used up all the good genetic material making Katrina because I didn't turn out nearly as well.

Hmm, as I read back over this I noticed I forgot a few family members. I also have maternal grandparents, Gustav and Sylvia Krupchek. The elder Krupcheks are both professors at The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Oh, and did I mention they were both hippies? Yep, card carrying throwbacks to the sixties they are. Right down to the orange and white Volkswagen microbus with about a hundred Grateful Dead stickers in the rear window. Gus and Syl (even Mom calls them that) bought a condo on the beach in a clothing optional building. They visit every summer for at least two months. On the surface, you'd think that Janus Senior and my mom's folks would be anathema to each other. After all, politically, Papa J is slightly to the right of Attila the Hun. But, it's not like that at all, mainly because my mother and father laid the law down to both sets of grandparents early on.

Now seems a good time to talk about my father. At first blush, Paul Pulaski seems as if he were the most ordinary guy in the family. Not so. Not so by a long shot. I'll tell you right now, flat out, my dad is my hero. Sure, he doesn't say much, but when he does talk, people listen. He has very little formal education, yet he is as smart as my mother in a lot of ways. Ask anyone who has ever met him and they'll all tell you, "Paul Pulaski is the most honest man I ever met". The longest speech I ever heard my father make was when I was twelve. I was in awe of how everyone looked up to him so I asked him why.

He said, "Don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal and don't ever quit. Treat everyone with respect until they stop deserving it. Never hit a woman or a child. Your integrity is the only thing that can't be taken away from you, to lose it you have to give it away."

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So, now that you've met my family, it's time for my story. Everything I'm about to tell you is true to the best of my recollection.

My life up until the start of the ninth grade was normal enough to bore you to tears. I have brown hair and hazel eyes, I'm not movie star handsome but at least my features fit my face. I was a happy kid, by and large, all through grade school and junior high. I earned good grades, had lots of friends and didn't have a care in the world. Man, oh man, did that ever change once I started high school. Ninth grade was my personal hell. The main reason my freshman year sucked so badly was because I hadn't started puberty yet. I was scrawny, hairless and had a dick the size of a Vienna sausage. Of course my plight was compounded because my sister was two grades ahead of me, effortlessly shattering every sports and academics record in the school. Katrina was six feet tall and a slim hundred and thirty-five pounds; I was a puny five foot six and one thirty. It was humiliating. My only refuge was my schoolwork.

After Christmas break, just as I was resigning myself to a life as a eunuch, I sprouted my first pube. Yes! I was as proud of that hair as one boy could ever be. By the end of February, I'd grown a nice little patch and had my first wet dream. Soon after that I discovered the joy of whacking off. For the next couple of months one of my hands was pretty much permanently attached to my dick. I became an expert wanker; so good I could change hands and gain a stroke. I was perpetually hard, regardless of how many times I choked that thing into submission.

It was not just my hormones and pubic hair growing either. All of the sudden my body hit a growth spurt and by March I was five-eight and one-fifty. Puberty that had eluded me for so long had arrived with a vengeance. Girls started to notice me about then but I was so shy around them I couldn't marshal a coherent sentence if my life depended on it. After gurgling and mumbling like an idiot in front of Marcie Winters, a junior varsity cheerleader that I adored, I decided to ask my dad for some advice.

That evening when Dad came in from work I buttonholed him in the garage. Dad heard me out then shook his head sadly.

"Johnny, I'm not the person you need helping you. Your mom is the only woman I ever seriously dated."

At my crestfallen look he put his big meaty hand on my shoulder.

"I think the person you need to talk to is your Uncle Vik. If anyone knows how to talk to women it's gotta be him."

Duh, Uncle Vik, of course! Viktor Pulaski could talk a hungry dog off of a meat truck. Vik was currently married to heiress number three, this one a billionaire thanks to breakfast foods and feminine hygiene products. Last we heard, Viktor and Alexandra were in Poland. Viktor had talked Alexandra into helping him regain my grandmother's legacy. It cost ten million Euros in bribes to reestablish the Kaminski title and another fifteen million more to purchase part of the original land holdings including a forty-four-room castle. The new Count and Countess were in the process of restoring the ancestral manor in preparation for my grandparents visiting there that upcoming summer.

I called Uncle Vik the next day right after school. After some chitchat about the family, I got to the point. Uncle Vik chuckled when I finished my lament.

"Johnny, I don't think I'll be able to help you much because the only advice I can give you is: dazzle them with brilliance or baffle them with bullshit. Basically that's all I do and, if you are anything like you father, that wont be your style. I think what you need is a female's prospective, maybe Katrina can help you out."

I mumbled my thanks, trying hard to mask my disappointment. Katrina is the absolute last person in the world I'd ask for help. I felt geeky enough without my sister adding her two cents worth. Besides, my sister was the object of some spectacular jerk-off sessions so it might be difficult for us to talk when all my blood would be south of the border.

Now wait a minute — just because I choked my chicken thinking about my sister naked doesn't make me a pervert. My sister, wet from the shower, with a too small towel wrapped around her tall lanky body would give a medical cadaver a woody. I use to position my self at my door nearly every morning for a glimpse of her as she strolled from the bathroom to her bedroom. Then I would jump in the shower and flog my log thinking about the towel dropping. You have to admit that as fantasies go, that one was pretty tame. It only occurred to me as I write this that she might have made those trips for my benefit. After all, I'm sure she owned a bathrobe, so it wasn't necessary for her to wear a towel just big enough to cover her butt cheeks every morning.

So anyway, back to my problem. Uncle Vik's suggestion had merit; all I needed was a potential confidant. I wracked my brain thinking of candidates; I went through Katrina's friends, the few girls I knew and family friends. None of them seemed to fit my requirements. Then, with epiphanous suddenness, it hit me, Mrs. Wentworth.

The Wentworths moved into the neighborhood when I was twelve. They lived on the next street over and a block north of my house. That meant they lived in my lawn mowing territory. Stan Hoffman, Buddy O'Neil, Richie Caldwell and I divided the subdivision up the year before so we wouldn't be competing for the same jobs. Of course I was the only one of us that actually looked for jobs. The others guys received fat allowances so mowing was a lark for them. I on the other hand was expected to work if I wanted more than the five spot I received each week for allowance. There were not any lazy Pulaskis.

So I introduced myself to the Wentworths on the day they moved in and gave them my sales pitch. I had to be creative to compete with the professional lawn services, especially in pricing.

Jesse Wentworth was a mean looking dude with a shaved head, bulging muscles and a cobra tattoo on his neck. He wasn't very tall and appeared to be in his early thirties, probably ten years older than his wife. Leah Wentworth was just the opposite of her husband. She was sweet and soft spoken, about five foot five and slightly over weight. Leah was one of those women just on the edge of being pretty. Oh, don't get me wrong; she wasn't a bowser or anything. It's just that her features sorta didn't go together; know what I mean? Her nose was a bit large for her face, her eyebrows were thick and bushy, she wore unstylish glasses, and her dirty blonde hair was chopped haphazardly short. Like I said, she was sweet though, and always seemed to enjoy talking to me. I learned a lot more about Leah as time passed, I'll share what I learned with you later.

Before the Wentworths moved into the house an older couple named Scofield lived there. The Scofields were snowbirds, spending the winter in Palmdale and the summer is Connecticut. The Scofields had been about my best customers. I was really sad when I found out they had been killed in a car wreck. Mrs. Wentworth gave me a cold soda when I collected for my first mowing. She sat on the porch with me chatting while I drank the soda. I found out that the Scofields had been her parents.

Jesse Wentworth was an asshole, plain and simple. Every other word out of his mouth was an 'F' bomb and he treated everyone like shit. A little over a year after they moved in, Jesse was busted running a methamphetamine lab in a mobile home he had rented. He was caught red-handed with the drugs, a big wad of cash and a sawed off shotgun. Nine months later Jesse received the mandatory fifteen-year maximum prison sentence, no time off for good behavior, no early release. I ended up with a nice little gig with Mrs. Wentworth mowing and keeping up with the little bit of outside maintenance her house needed.

Alrighty then, I had my candidate picked, now all I needed was enough courage to ask her to advise me. Surprisingly, the next Saturday that I went to mow her lawn, that little problem solved itself, sort of. I remember the day was warm and windy for March; I had worked up a pretty good sweat mowing. I rang Mrs. Wentworth's doorbell, looking forward to that frosty Coca-Cola. Mrs. Wentworth answered the door.

"Hey, Johnny, come on in, it's too windy to sit on the porch."

I followed her into the house; it was the first time I'd ever been inside. As we made our way to the kitchen I glanced into a room off to the side of the family room. The room had a universal weight machine, a bowflex and some free weights resting in wooden racks. I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Wow, Mrs. W, that's a nice setup."

She nodded, "Jesse was fanatical about working out. I guess he has plenty of time for it now."

She stopped talking for a few seconds and seemed to be thinking. Then her smile got bigger and she said, "I'll make a deal with you, Johnny. You can use this stuff anytime you want as long as you teach me how to use it and allow me to workout with you. I need to lose thirty pounds while I'm still young enough to do it."

"Gosh yes, Ms W you have a deal," I said sticking out my hand for her to shake.

She clasped both of my hands in both of hers, "we have a deal if you call me Leah." She amended.

Oh yeah, that'll work, I thought. Not only will we be together so I can ask her stuff, I get to use the weight equipment too. We walked into the kitchen and had a glass of iced tea while we developed a plan for our self-improvement. I was in charge of finding exercises for each of us on the Net, and for developing our routines. Leah was going to study up on diet and nutrition, low calorie for her, lots of protein for me. We agreed to meet again after school on Monday and get started.

Monday we started working out using Jesse's exercise equipment and a few pages of exercises I downloaded from the Internet. Leah had a portfolio of diet and nutrition information for each of us; she went way past me in the info-gathering department. It took us about thirty minutes to complete our workouts, then Leah gave me a short class on how I could build muscle without steroids. I have to say (and this is important for what happens later) that when Leah Wentworth decided to do something, she did it to the hilt. Leah taught me the difference between being involved in something as opposed to being committed to it.

"Think about the breakfast you had this morning, Johnny," she said. "The chicken that provided your eggs was involved, the pig that provided the bacon was committed."

By the end of our first week she had purged her house of anything containing sugar or fat, dieting with the discipline of a Franciscan monk.

Over the next few months Leah gradually opened up and told me about herself. Hers was an all to common story of marrying an abusive jerk then sticking by him. Her misshapen nose and chipped front teeth were presents from Jesse. Jesse had damaged her self-esteem even more than her face.

I was bench-pressing two hundred-fifty pounds for the tenth rep, when I felt her cool fingers slide into the leg opening of my shorts. My prick uncoiled from its slumber until it was a gleaming ivory monolith. Her eyes widen in surprise when I was fully erect. "I didn't know you were so big, Johnny," she said, "I've got to have you in me now."

Well, that's the way it was in my fantasies anyway. The reality was that Leah and I became good friends. We talked about every subject under the sun and encouraged each other during our workouts. Yes, she told me what she, as a woman, liked or disliked, although she added the caveat that she was a hopeless romantic. In return, I answered her questions about what type of female appealed to me, and why. By the end of May, Leah had lost twenty-five pounds and I was up to five-nine and one hundred sixty-five pounds. Heck, I even had a little six-pack action developing on my abs. Leah and I were congratulating each other after our weekly weigh in when Leah floored me by saying.

"Johnny, my breasts have shrunk to nothing. No matter how much I work out they'll never get any bigger." Jeez, she sounded sad.

Leah always wore sweat pants and a loose sweatshirt; the only change in her appearance I had noticed was that her face was slimmer. Where I pulled what I told her next from, I'll never know.

"Leah, you have the talent, money and ability to be or do anything you want. If you want bigger breasts, buy them. I think it's time you started doing things for you."

Leah looked at me oddly; her eyes slitted like a cat's. I knew that look by now; what I said was making her think. Well, dammit, it was true. Leah was very bright and she had a major trust fund from her parents that had been shielded from Jesse. I cracked up when she told me that while she was married to Jesse she only received an amount from the trust fund equal to what Jesse made in salary each month. Jesse had to work even though his wife was worth a few million dollars.

Two weeks after my little self-improvement speech, Leah picked up the conversation again.

'Johnny, I've been thinking about what you said a while ago, you know, about doing some things for me. I decided you were right. Then I had a bout of conscious about being greedy. I guess residual Jesse is still messing with my head."

When I nodded my understanding she rushed on, " So, I've applied for admission at UCF (University of Central Florida). I'm going to do the whole dorm experience and everything. Also, I'm leaving for a spa for a couple of months before classes start. I want it to be 'a new me' making a fresh start."

"I'm happy for you Leah, you deserve something good for a change."

"Yeah, well remember you said that because when you turn fifteen and can date, I want to be the first girl you take out, you owe me that Johnny, and you are the only man I trust."

Her declaration caught me by surprise, but on reflection it made sense to me. Taking out Leah would allow me a date with someone I was comfortable with, plus, hopefully she wouldn't laugh at my social ineptness. Of course for Leah, I was that safe date experience she probably needed before she actually sought any relationships with guys her own age. I stuck out my hand.

"Deal," I said.

Leah told me I could have the exercise equipment, which would have been great if I had somewhere to put it. I got my buds Stan Hoffman and Richie Caldwell to start working out with me and the equipment went into Stan's garage. Stan, Richie, Buddy O'Neill and I had been hanging together since the third grade. We swapped around being best friends but we always hung out together. Last year Buddy moved to Texas so we were down to three. My friendship with Stan and Richie was strained when they matured so much earlier than me. I had shied away from being around them because I was ashamed of my physical self. Not any more though, and my friends were glad to have me back.

I didn't go to Stan and Richie for advice about women because I'd been listening to their bull about sex for years. Both of them had tales of semi-conquests and fleeting liaisons that they were always eager to share. Stan had the added benefit of an older brother who told him the ropes. Both of my friends thought my sister was a goddess. Stan and Richie both had younger sisters.

You can't believe how happy I was that I grew so much. Heck even the Moose (my nickname for my sister, she called me Runt) commented on how I wasn't such a shrimp anymore.

So about here I need to put in a sidebar about my sister. I was as in awe of Katrina as everyone else. The woman was superhuman. She was a cinch for valedictorian, already had a perfect 1600 SAT score from her junior year, and was the captain of the volleyball and soccer teams. Yet, despite all her successes she was a nice, down-to-earth, pretty high school senior. During the summer between junior and senior year college recruiters courted her in droves even though she made it plain that she was going to the Air Force Academy if offered an appointment. It wasn't bad having her for a sister, although like I said, until I started growing I was the butt of some cruel ribbing. None of that was the Moose's fault though. She stuck up for me when she needed to and let me fall on my face when it was to my benefit.

We talked some, she and I, but we were never confidants. Katrina was a private person and like I said, so very focused on what she wanted from life. We didn't have much in common until I started playing high school sports. I don't think I'll ever rise to the level of maturity or whatever that I'll need in order to deal with Katrina as an equal.

Katrina had an active social life to go along with everything else. She dated a wide variety of guys from college grad students on down. She never went steady with one guy though. She told me once, right after I started dating, that she loved sex in any shape, form or fashion. She also said that, from a purely mechanical standpoint, she was the best she ever had. Incredible.

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Football tryouts started the first of August, ten days before school started. My ass was the second one in line at sign up. Coach Boyette took my application and did a double take at how I'd grown.

"Them balls finally dropped, huh Pulaski? Bout damned time."

The coach and I had a relationship from last year when I was riding the bench on the Junior Varsity. Because I was a quick study with a good memory, I became the coaches walking playbook. Since his personal playbook ran to 225 plays, I was in demand.

"Gimme something tricky that'll get a first down on the ground," he'd say.

"Fake 27 sweep, 32 dive," I'd regurgitate.

Coach Boyette was almost as tough as my grandfather. He believed that discipline and desire were as important as talent. Because I took my dad's never quit rule to heart, I was Boyette's kind of player. As a JV, I received the same instruction as guys who were much bigger and more talented. If a starter showed an attitude, coach would yank him from the game and put me in for a couple of plays. I played every position except quarterback that year, gamely flinging my puny body against opposing behemoths.

So anyway, I got signed up. I put down free safety and split end as my positions. Those were the only places where I figured brains and my slightly above average foot speed would work. I was almost five foot-ten by then and weighed a solid one-sixty-eight. Tryouts were actually enjoyable for me; it was a lot of fun using my new body. I made the team, firmly second string, but still on the team. I was the 'nickel back' on defense and the fifth eligible receiver on a few desperation pass plays. Best of all, though, I was on the special teams: kickoff, kickoff return and punting. I was the Palmdale Banzai.

School started the second week of August. The state kept moving the start date up because of anticipated hurricane related school closures. Before long I figured they would have us go all year around and end the charade. I quickly reentered the routine of high school life, much happier than I was the previous year. My new stature and deeper voice made me much more confident in myself even if my natural shyness prevented me from being the life of the party. In class I answered questions when called on but I seldom volunteered information. Socially in general, I guess I was the same way; I could hold up my end of a conversation okay as long as I didn't have to initiate it. With the guys, that was cool but with the girls it was a disaster. I tried to be more out going with girls but I just couldn't seem to focus. It was weird. And it sucked a big old pink doggy dick.

I'll tell you how bad it was. At my buddy Richie Caldwell's house one day, his little sister Jenny pulled me aside. Jenny had just turned fourteen and was a freshman. Somehow without me noticing, she had grown up a whole bunch.

She came right to the point, "Are you gay, Johnny?"

Oh shit, I could have died right then and there. I looked quickly around to make sure no one was in earshot.

"No," I hissed, "what gave you that idea?"

She gave me this seriously condescending look as she continued, "Cause if you are, it's no biggie, you know?"

"Jesus, Jen, will you stop saying that. I like girls — exclusively. Now what made you think I'm queer?"

"Michelle figured it out because you are the only one of our brothers' friends who don't check us out all the time. Michelle said she did everything but strip for you and you just ran off. That doesn't sound like any guy who likes girls to me."

The Michelle in the conversation was Michelle Hoffman, the younger sister of our third buddy, Stan Hoffman. Michelle and Jenny were best buds for life; you seldom saw one without the other. I remembered the incident Jenny mentioned. The memory made my dick twitch in my pants. Two weeks ago when we were all swimming at Stan's house I saw Michelle topless when I passed her room on the way to the upstairs bathroom. Michelle was right, I bolted like my ass was on fire, scared shitless she'd tell her folks and I'd be sent to prison as a peeping pervert or something.

"I liked what I saw," I said defensively, "but you don't go after your friend's sister."

Jenny looked at me incredulously. "Richie gets a hard on when your sister drives by here in her car. You better discuss that rule with him again, I think it got superseded after he saw her in a bikini last year."

"Okay, Jen, whatever you say. We cool now?"

Jen stood there for a second or two acting like she was thinking then gave me a bright smile.

"I don't know, Johnny, I think we need proof."

As I look back on that conversation I cringe in embarrassment at how easily this woman-child manipulated me. Instead of laughing off the whole thing as a misunderstanding, I did exactly what I later learned the fiendishly clever Michelle had plotted.

"What kind of proof?" I asked.

"If you went over to Michelle's and you two made out, then no one could say you were gay cause Michelle could swear you weren't."

Yes, it was a flimsy story in retrospect, but you have to remember that I was just getting over a traumatic freshman year. Even though I had absolutely nothing against anyone's lifestyle choice, I certainly didn't want even a hint of that attached to me. Michelle Hoffman, way to bright for her age, figured that out and used it to entrap me. Still I played for time.

"Umm, okay, I'll call her and arrange it," I stammered.

"No, I'll call her and tell her you are on your way and I'll cover for you here," she countered, "now go."

So off I trudged towards the Hoffman house. Convicts on death row were more motivated for their last trip than I was. I was about to be busted as a sexual slacker by the evil sisters of my two best friends. My grandfather would finally get his wish and I'd have to enroll in a Catholic school. I'd go on to Seminary, become a priest, and die a virgin; the secret of my shame expunged by the Vatican just like the dudes in 'The Da Vinci Code'.

Michelle answered my knock.

"Gee Johnny, don't act so happy to see me," she pouted.

"You called me a fag, Shelly, you're right, I should have brought you flowers."

I don't know where I found something flip to say, considering the circumstances. I guess I was just too angry to remember I was shy. Michelle must have noticed the same thing; she gave me a funny look and pulled me into the house to the family room. After we were sitting side-by-side on a love seat Michelle started talking.

"I don't really think you're gay, Johnny, that was just a way to get you to make out with me. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or make you mad. But you and Stan and Richie always call each other names like that anyway. Now you'll hate me forever."

Towards the end of her little speech her bottom lip started trembling and she unleashed the one weapon I was defenseless against; she cried. I awkwardly put my arm around her and tried to comfort her. She plastered herself against me, both arms snaking around my neck. Her new position made me acutely aware of her bigger than average breasts pillowed against my chest. The Hoffmans were of German descent, all of them blonde, blue-eyed and robustly Teutonic. Michelle would never be petite but she would forever be a nice handful. The tiny amount of will power I possessed crumbled to dust and mighty Kong started to stiffen. (Hey, it's my dick, I'll name it what I want.) In an embarrassed panic I tried to turn away from Michelle, she tightened her arms and turned with me, ending up on my lap. She felt my erection immediately and gave a little wriggle with her butt.

"Oooo Johnny," she cooed, "did I do that?"

Do you see a pattern emerging here, one where I am always on the defensive when it comes to dealing with women? I figured you could. Heck, Stevie Wonder could see it. I peeled Michelle off and sat her beside me.

"Yes you did that, Shelly, I told you I'm a normal guy and you're a pretty girl."

I must have said the right thing because Michelle kissed me right on the lips! She didn't use her tongue but she sure took her time; her lips were warm and moist. She finally pulled her head back and gave me a dreamy look.

"You are the first boy, I ever kissed like that, Johnny," she sighed.

Once I admitted to it being my first serious kiss also, things instantly got better between us. She was surprised at how little experience I had until I pointed out that like her, I had just reached puberty. By the time I left fifteen minutes later Michelle had conned me into a pact where we would keep each other updated on what we learned about sex and love and whatever else went with it. Seems Miss Smarty Pants Michelle was as bereft of experience as I was. Since I was within three weeks of being able to date, Michelle figured that I'd be doing most of the passing on. She said that was fine with her because she trusted me more than anyone she knew, including Jenny Caldwell. Oh, and we made out some too, just so we could say we did.

Edited by Bert



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Chapter 2


Before I know it, November was here. School and football were keeping me too busy to worry about anything else. I, unfortunately, had little to contribute to Michelle's pool of carnal knowledge. Our pact said we had to do it with someone else first; so reading Internet erotica for pointers wasn't going to cut it. I even had to cut back on my rigorous regime of self-abuse, as stimulation and energy were hard to come by.

A week before my birthday Leah called me. I hadn't heard from her in almost six weeks.

"Hi Johnny, miss me?"

Her voice sounded different, younger and more vibrant with a touch of a southern drawl.

"Of course I miss you, the only beautiful girl that would talk to me up and left."

Was I gallant or what? She actually giggled into the phone then, a tinkling, sweet as honeysuckle sound. My dick, dormant for days, inflated majestically. That was a first, old Kong had never even twitched around Leah before.

"I have a feeling that's a temporary problem, Honey. I changed my name back to Scofield, Johnny, and I'm using my middle name now as well."

She called me Honey! "Your middle name?"

"Yeah, Rachael. I'm officially Rachael Scofield now, a new me, a new name and a new life. I don't know how I can ever thank you enough Johnny."

"Heck Rachael, that's easy to do, all you have to do is be happy, that's thanks enough for me."

I thought I had said something wrong because the phone went silent for a second. Then her voice, softer now, came back on the line.

"You made me drop the phone, Johnny. You are so sweet and I know you don't lie to me, even to make me feel good."

We chatted for another fifteen minutes working out our first date arrangements. Rachael hit on the idea of picking me up outside the gym after next Friday night's home football game. When we rang off I went downstairs to talk to my parents. I'd briefly mentioned to them that I thought I had a date for my birthday but I had been skimpy on the details in case it fell through. Now it was time to clue them in. My parents knew about Leah Wentworth but had never met her. My grandfather had met her once when he dropped me off at her house. His endorsement of her character eliminated any doubts my parents might have had about her. I found my dad and grandfather sitting on the porch having a cold brewsky. Dad told me Mom was out shopping with Katrina and Nana Nadia.

I sat down on the porch swing and told my dad and Papa J all about my plan for my first date. They listened to me without comment until I wound down.

"Your friend sounds as if she's rediscovering herself. Good for her, but she is still going to be fragile for a while Johnny so be careful, okay?"

"No problem Dad, we're just friends," I said.

I started inside to finish my homework when my grandfather stopped me.

"You have protection, Johnny?"

I blushed hotly, "No Papa, it's just a first date between friends."

"Famous last words," he said.

Still beet red I bolted up the stairs as my father and his father clinked their beer bottles together and laughed.

My birthday, November 12, 2003, was on a Wednesday. The only present I wanted was my learner's permit. My grandfather volunteered to take me down to the Department of Motor Vehicles to test for it. I was nervously waiting outside the main entrance of the school when he drove up at ten sharp. I jumped into his crew cab pickup truck and off we went. As soon as I had my seatbelt on, Papa's dog, Jethro, stuck his head over my seat and gave me a big slobbery kiss. Lots of old folks have dogs; usually they get those small, cuddly, and easy to manage ones. Ah, but not Janus Pulaski, his dog is a huge tri-colored hound dog, bred for hunting deer. Jethro has a head the size a large watermelon with a tongue as big as a two-pound strip steak. Papa thinks Jethro is the reincarnation of Rin-Tin-Tin. Given that Jethro is pretty much a sweet natured doofus, the rest of the family is not so sure about that.

My grandfather, at the age of seventy-four, is probably more fit and healthy than most men in their forties. He and my grandmother are comfortable financially so they could be living that easy retiree life of golf and travel. But Papa is not wired like that. "I am a man," he says, "and a man works." So Papa has a woodworking shop where he custom makes furniture for people and he is in high demand for small home repairs. He hires me to work for him on some of his repair jobs.

So we arrived at the DMV at a quarter after for my ten-thirty appointment. Papa snagged a parking place close to the entrance and we left Jethro sprawled out across the rear seat snoring like a chain saw. I took the written test while my grandfather flirted with all the women in the DMV. Maybe I should have gone to him for help with women, because his rap even had the younger women giggling and blushing. I aced the written test and emerged from the DMV at eleven-thirty with my sparkly new permit. Oh Yes! Passage to manhood, part one, underway. We get back to the truck and Papa threw me the keys.

"You drive Johnny, take us to Mama's Diner for lunch."

The football game on Friday after my birthday was against a weak non-conference opponent. The game was well in hand by the middle of the second period so us subs got in for mop up duty early. I played free safety for the entire second half. I had a good game too, made a couple of open field tackles, and even intercepted a pass. Man I was on cloud nine. After a quick shower and some celebrating I exited the gym with a few of my teammates. I was barely through the door when a red headed hottie fell in beside me and slipped her arm through mine.

"You were awesome tonight, Johnny," she cooed.

The voice was the only thing about Rachael Scofield, nee Leah Wentworth, that I recognized. I stopped and turned to face her. I was speechless. Rachel's hair was down to her shoulders and colored the dark red I loved. Gone were the wire framed granny glasses, replaced with green tinted contact lenses. Her nose was straight now and fit her face perfectly. The shapeless clothes I had always seen her in had morphed into tight jeans and a soft gray sweater. Her clothes were stylishly molded to a body straight out of Playboy Magazine. She certainly had breasts now; perfect grapefruit sized orbs sitting high and proud on her chest.

"Say something Johnny," she said.

"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," I gasped.

When she smiled at my answer, I saw that her chipped front teeth had been capped. She took my arm again and led me to the parking lot.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked.

"Steak and Shake for a bite to eat then down to the beach. The football team is having a little get together to celebrate," I answered.

She squeezed my arm in agreement as we walked into the parking lot. She led me toward a bright red BMW. The car screamed coolness without being flashy.

"Wow, nice wheels."

"My trust fund made a lot of money while I couldn't get to it," she explained sheepishly.

She gave me the keys and I drove us to the Steak and Shake. We went inside and after a short wait commandeered a booth. People I knew from school stared at us in slack-jawed amazement as we sat side by side in the booth. Rachael was beyond terrific, laughing at my lame jokes as she snuggled happily against my side. The waitress had just left with our order when my sister strolled up to the table with her date.

"Hi Ru — er — Johnny, can we join you?"

I looked at Rachael and when she nodded, said, "Sure, Sis, have a seat."

Katrina slid into the booth and then so did Josh Turner. Joshua Turner was a serious big man on campus and about one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.

I made introductions all around and waved the waitress back over. Katrina knew nothing about Rachael, not because it was some big secret, it just never came up. My sister and I orbited the sun at different distances during the school year and seldom had opportunities to talk. I could tell Katrina was about to explode with curiosity. Finally she could hold it no longer.

"Rachael, I don't remember seeing you around school, did you just transfer in?"

Rachael made it into the best date ever hall of fame with her answer. She grabbed onto my arm and leaned towards Katrina and Josh.

"Goodness no, I don't go to school here, I'm a freshman at UCF. I met Johnny last summer when he did some work on my parent's house. I've been impatiently waiting for him to be able to start dating ever since."

Oh Dude, was it ever so sweet to watch my unflappable sister stunned speechless. Rachael smiled sweetly and kissed me on the cheek before she delivered the coup de grace.

"He is the sweetest, sexiest man I've ever met. I'm going to keep him."

Katrina recovered quickly and by the time our sodas arrived, the four of us were all chatting like old friends. We invited Katrina and Josh to the beach with us but they begged a previous engagement. When we left, I put my arm around Rachael and she snuggled close to me. Every eye in the place was on us as we walked out to the parking lot. If I had dropped dead at that exact moment I would have died content.

Once we were in the car Rachael asked me if she had done all right. I assured her that she had been perfect. That got me another smile and a kiss on the corner of my mouth. We motored over the causeway and down to the beach approach by the jetties. Most of the team and their dates were already there. A couple of the coaches were charring some dead mammal flesh while groups of players were sitting around bullshitting about the game. I introduced Rachael around and we joined in the conversation. Rachael fit in comfortably. She was friendly and funny, all the while making it obvious that she was happy to be there with me.

At eleven, she whispered to me that she'd like to go for a walk on the beach. We excused ourselves and walked down to the water holding hands.

"This is the best date I've ever had," she sighed.

"Me too," I replied.

She punched me in the arm, "It's the only date you've ever had."

"Yeah, you've ruined me for other women." I said it light and breezy but I meant every word.

"Does that mean you'll ask me out again?"

"Is tomorrow too soon?"

Rachael spun herself toward me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled my face down to hers. Awkwardly our lips met, then she took charge and kissed me. I tried to mimic what she was doing, letting my lips stay soft against hers. When her little tongue pried open my lips, I touched it with the tip of mine. I don't know how long that kiss lasted but it seemed to stretch on into infinity. When she pulled her head back I opened my eyes and looked down. Her face in the wan streaky light of the moon was all rapt wonderment and blissful smile. She blinked her eyes and bit her lip pensively.

"Johnny that was so good it was scary," she whispered, "do it again."

We kissed again with even more spectacular results. Then we turned and walked along the beach. We talked as we walked, both of us trying to grasp what was happening between us. Rachael said this was crazy; that things were going to fast, and life really wasn't like what we were feeling right then. I, of course, knew absolutely nothing about life and told her so. Then I reminded her that most of what she knew about life was from being with the wrong person. We never really figured anything out but agreed that we would talk about it more tomorrow.

Rachael delivered me to my doorstep at midnight on the dot. I floated into the house as she drove over to spend the night at her place. My parents were in the family room pretending to be interested in the television. I walked in and flopped down on the loveseat across from where they sat snuggled on the couch.

"I don't guess we have to ask how your evening went," my dad deadpanned.

"Tonight was the most perfect night that ever happened in the history of man, ' I gushed. " I invited her over to meet you tomorrow, is that okay?"

My parents laughingly agreed that it was indeed fine with them and sent me to bed.

I slept in the next morning, straggling down to the kitchen about nine. Dad, I knew, was down at his business until noon. Mom was sitting in the breakfast nook drinking coffee and reading the paper. I kissed her cheek and said good morning, made myself a huge bowl of raisin bran and joined her. Mom had a seriously important job with the space program. She traveled a lot between Cape Canaveral, Johnson Space Center in Houston and Washington. It was nice to sit and shoot the breeze with her. We talked about school and the game last night then Mom took off her glasses and gave me a sadly sweet look.

"You've grown up on me over night, Johnny. You're not my little boy any more. I look at you now and see your father in you more and more."

I reached over and took her hand, "I'm kinda proud that you think I'm becoming like Dad, there are a lot worst things a person could be."

I waited until ten to call Rachael. She picked up the phone on the second ring. She sounded happy and bubbly and quickly agreed to come over in half an hour. I rocketed upstairs for a quick shower and to brush my teeth. I couldn't wait to see her again.

Rachael was right on time. She looked freshly scrubbed, all-American cute in jeans and a black and gold UCF sweatshirt, her lustrous cayenne pepper hair in a ponytail. I introduced her to Mom and we sat down to get acquainted. At eleven my grandparents came over. I introduced Rachael, then Papa asked me if I would help him load and deliver a piece of furniture from his shop. I looked at Rachael, worried that she would feel trapped being there with my mom and Nana. She gave me a smile and said, "We'll be fine Johnny. While you're gone, your mom and Nana are going to tell me embarrassing stories about you."

When we returned an hour later the three women had moved into the family room. Rachael was sitting between Mom and Nana on the couch looking at old family photographs. I swear to God, the first girl I date, the first visit to my house, and my mom is showing my naked butt baby pictures. I was saved from further embarrassment when Dad came through the door. He joined us in the family room, gave my mom a big kiss and introduced himself to Rachael. She blushed crimson when he told her that I was one more Pulaski with a prettier girl than he deserved.

We did the lunch with family thing then went to the mall. Rachael wanted a couple of CD's from Music Town and she needed a few things for school. It was fun just hanging out with her. She had changed her physical appearance sure, but she was also more confident in herself now. We drove to her house from the mall so we could talk. Rachael led me to the living room when we arrived. I was surprised to see the room had been redecorated. The new furniture was all browns and tans; matching accents and painting pulled the room together. Rachael proudly told me she had picked everything herself, mostly from catalogs. She had an eye for design, which was her declared major at UCF. She sat me down at one end of the couch then sat herself at the other end.

"I told your mother I was going to have this talk with you," she said.

Uh-oh. I nodded.

"I told her I wanted to continue to date you if that's what you wanted. I also told her that I wasn't going to steal your youth. I want you to have friends, meet girls your own age, and go on other dates. But I want you in my life Johnny. You are my rock. Can you live with that?"

I told her I could and that I wanted to keep seeing her, too.

"I like being around you, Rachael. You make me feel good just by standing next to me."

Rachael scooted over next to me then and we cuddled and talked. She asked me about girls my age and how that was going. I told her about my run in with Michelle and Jenny and about my pact with Michelle. I told Rachael that if it bothered her, I'd forget about it. She laughed, said it was great for now and she was going to have to keep me in new things to teach young Miss Hoffman. Then she turned serious.

"Johnny, when you kiss me it makes me feel things I never did with Jesse. He's the only man I ever slept with, you know. I'm not at all experienced. Sex between us was strictly for his benefit, the worse he could make me feel the better he liked it. I don't know if I'll ever enjoy it, I don't know if we'll ever do it, so don't expect too much, okay?'

I felt a twinge of disappointment at what she was saying. The kisses last night had ignited my hormones and I had masturbated to visions of a naked Rachael riding me. Stronger than the disappointment though, was a wash of shame that I was so concerned with me when stuff was so hard for her. I vowed to myself that I would never do anything to make her feel bad.

"I won't try anything, honest. I just want to be with you," I said.

"Oh, I want you to try stuff Johnny, or how are we going to know if I'll like it? Just stop if I tell you to, Okay?"

"Oh yeah, I can live with that," I said happily.

Then to show her I understood, I pulled her against me and kissed her.

We went out to dinner and a movie that night then drove back down to the beach. We sat on a picnic table under the pavilion overlooking the beach and watched the high tide batter the seawall. We didn't talk much or even make out; the mood was just too perfect.

Rachael went to church with us the next morning. She wore a nice little print dress that went down to her knees and a pair of dressy two-inch heels. It dawned on me that I had never seen her legs before and that they were definitely worth looking at. I whispered as much to her when we took our seats. She chided me for hitting on her in church but her smile told me she really didn't mind my comment.

After Mass we all went to Denny's for lunch then I rode home with Rachael to help her pack. She had to get back to campus and do some homework. The main UCF campus was in Orlando, fifty miles from Palmdale. It was a little after three when she drove me to my house. She shut off the engine and turned in the seat to face me.

"Thank you, Johnny," she said, "that was the best weekend I can ever remember having. Now kiss me and tell me you'll call me before I start crying."

I did both then hopped out and waved as she motored away. She was right; it had been a great weekend. I trudged into the house, missing her already. I called Stan to see if he wanted to work out. I figured the exercise would take my mind off Rachael.

Monday after my dates with Rachael was amazing. Guys came up to me all day asking about the girl they saw me with. To top it off, girls were paying me more attention too. I could understand about the guys, a hot girlfriend with a cool car gave you instant stature. With the girls, though, what did it matter? Well it mattered for sure. Girls who had snubbed me for years were suddenly smiling and saying hello while some girls that I though of as friends were cool toward me. I ran my problem by my sister when I saw her at lunch.

"That's easy Runt, the girls being nice now see you as maybe worth having if someone as hot as Rachael likes you. The ones who already liked you are miffed because you found someone like Rachael. By the way, she is a terrific girl, Johnny but don't you think she's a little old for you?"

"We've been on two dates, Moose, I'm not ready to propose yet. Put yourself in my shoes, here is this absolutely gorgeous girl wanting to go out with me, the guy who couldn't hire someone to do that six months ago. Now I'm supposed to be choosey because she's older than me?"

At gym Stan and Richie pull me aside in the locker room.

"Spill it," Stan said.

I gave my buds a non-detailed synopsis of my dates. I explained I hadn't told them about Rachael because I didn't want to jinx it. They nodded wisely as if my weekend fit in with their own dating experiences.

"My sister is seriously pissed at you over this," Stan added.

"Why is she pissed? I told her and Jenny that I wasn't going to mess with my friends' sisters."

Both Stan and Richie looked sheepish. "Ummm, I told Michelle that we would forget that rule. I got to thinking that it wasn't fair for us to try to run our sisters' lives. I mean would it be fair if Richie and your sister wanted to go out but didn't because of you?"

I was speechless for a few seconds until it hit me.

"You like Jenny don't you?"

Stan shushed me and swore me to secrecy. Then he said, "So we are agreed, we can go out with each others sisters as long as we treat them with respect." Richie agreed and I nodded as well, I figured I didn't have much to worry about. I shouldn't have underestimated my friend Richie like that.

At football practice even Coach Boyette got in on the act by dogging me about being to tired to practice because of my hot new girlfriend. He broke everyone up when I slipped down running a pass route by braying from the sideline. "It's hard too stand on your feet all day if you've been standing on your dick all night, Pulaski!" Yep, Rachael Scofield was better for my reputation than hitting the lottery.

It was Thanksgiving week and we were out of school Thursday and Friday. I called Rachael Tuesday night to wish her well for the weekend. She had committed to flying up to Rhode Island to spend the holiday with her mother's parents. She sounded as sad as I felt that we wouldn't be together but insisted that I go out if I had the chance. "Don't mope around the house Johnny," she ordered. "Go out and have some fun or your parents will have second thoughts about us."

So that's how I ended up at the Hoffmans' house on Saturday night. Stan invited me over to hang out because his parents were out of town and his older brother had a date. He casually mentioned that Jenny was spending the night with Michelle. Richie was spending the weekend hunting with his grandfather and uncle. How convenient. The Hoffman's had a heated pool with a hot tub built in to it and a cool game room with a huge plasma television. The game room was strictly the turf of the teenaged Hoffmans, an inducement to keep them from finding other places to party.

I was on my good behavior as we sat around eating pizza and watching a Blockbuster copy of The Transporter. Michelle was sitting next to me trying to figure out how mad to be at me. When Stan and Jenny slipped out to sit by the pool, Michelle turned off the TV and turned to face me.

"I heard all about your new girl friend," she sniffed.

"We had two dates, Shelly, that hardly qualifies her as my girl friend."

"I heard that she's in college and is a model or something."

"Her name is Rachael and she goes to UCF, why are we talking about her when I'm here with you?'

"How can I compete with a hot college girl with a sports car, Johnny?"

"It's not a completion Shelly, last weekend I dated her, and tonight you're my date."

Her mood improved immediately. "Is this a date?"

"Sure it is, we are together eating pizzas and watching a movie. What else could it be?"

Michelle smiled and jumped up from the couch. "You're right, what else could it be." She hit the pause button on the DVD player and cranked the satellite receiver to a country music station. Walking to the sliding glass doors she announce that she was turning of the lights. When she rejoined me on the couch it was by the faint glow of the lights inside the pool. She sat close to me and draped my arm over her shoulder.

"So," she asked, "did you learn anything new?"

"I kissed Michelle like Rachael and I kissed thinking Michelle would be shocked. Instead, she took right to it and was surprisingly terrific at it in only a couple of tries. Rachael kissed passionately but I could always tell she was keeping herself in check. Not so with Michelle, she kissed with wild abandon. We had been kissing for about five minutes when Michelle fell back on the couch dragging me on top of her, she moaned into my mouth and ground herself against my leg. I stopped kissing and watched in bug-eyed wonder as her arms dropped limply from around my neck.

"You okay, Shelly?"

"Yeah," she said dreamily, "very okay. Now get down her and make that happen some more."

I had to laugh as I bent down to kiss her again. The little minx had an orgasm. Once again I wasn't leading anything, I was just along for the ride. I kissed her again and we squirmed around until I was between her legs. Michelle had on a button up blouse and shorts over her bikini. I had on jeans and a polo shirt over my bathing suit. Yet through all those layers of clothes my hard shaft and her eager little cleft found a way to rub against each other. The next time she started that little panting noise I decided to see if I could make it even better for her. I trailed kisses down her neck into the open collar of her blouse. When I kissed my way to the top of her cleavage her hips slammed up and ground against me holding us both up. Black dots danced in front of my eyes as I came about a gallon in my Baggies. I groaned as we collapsed on the couch.

"Did you too?" she asked.

"Oh yeah," I said.

"She smiled, "Good."

I think that Michelle's unrestrained sexuality took away all my embarrassment. Oh damn, did she love this stuff. I was amazed that she was still so unspoiled because she was so hot natured. We got up off the couch, my swim shorts starting to stick to my groin uncomfortably. Michelle understood my plight and suggested we get in the hot tub. We sat cuddled up in the tub for almost an hour talking and laughing. Michelle showed me how she used the pulsating jets of the Jacuzzi to get herself off. She was more open about her sexuality than anyone I'd ever met. When I commented on it, she told me that the only other people who knew about her were her mom and Jenny.

"From the first time we kissed, Johnny, I trusted you. I knew you'd accept me and not make fun or take advantage of me. I'm starting on the pill as soon as I have my next period. In six weeks or so I'll be able to have sex if I want. I swear when I'm around you my body is on fire and all I can think about is us making love."

Edited by Bert



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Chapter 3


Sunday afternoon I was back at the Hoffmans', this time it was Richie, Stan, and I lifting weights and talking in the garage.

"So Stan is hooked up with my sister, and Michelle is after Johnny. I guess that means I have to ask Katrina out," Richie said.

Stan and I gawked at him trying to figure out if he was serious. Richie was the Romeo of our little posse, an accomplished ladies man. But still, this was Katrina Pulaski he was talking about so nonchalantly. Katrina was about as far out of our league as Paris Hilton. I started to say something and Richie held up his hand.

"I won't break her heart, I promise," Richie said. "Now all we need is a plan."

You'll notice that Richie has no shortage of self-esteem. Richie had been like that from the time we were in third grade. I suppose it's genetic or hereditary because his entire family is that way. The Caldwells are part of the beautiful people country club set. Richie's (Richard Drake Caldwell's) father Jack is the general manager of TnT Ford, the largest Ford dealership in the nation. His Mother, Denise Drake, is a former University of Florida cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. She is now a local television personality who co-hosts the Palmdale Fox television affiliate's morning show. Richie is a handsome dude; he has perfect blonde hair, dazzlingly white teeth, dark blue eyes and a flawless complexion. If he had any faults it was that he wasn't very tall, he stood about five-eight. To make up for that slight Mother Nature whipped him up a taut, slimly muscular swimmers body and the grace of Mikhail Baryshnikov.

At the mention of a plan, both boys eyed me expectantly. I was the unofficial leader of the great triumvirate and it was to me they looked when a scheme was needed.

I sighed, "Are you sure about this Richie? The Moose is perfectly capable of twisting your head off if you piss her off."

Richie smiled and answered, "I know that, that's part of the allure; yes I'm positive."

What I said about my sister twisting his head off was literally true. Katrina has studied martial arts since she was nine. When other girls her age were taking dance or gymnastics, Katrina was working her way towards black belts in taekwondo and judo. Katrina started competing in tournaments at the age of eleven and at twelve was the US Amateur Athletic Union junior champion in judo. She had a relentlessly aggressive style and knew her stuff. I figured Katrina was as safe from Richie or any other male as she wanted to be.

"I'll work on it," I said, "but don't expect any miracles."

The semester was coming to an end and Christmas break was looming as we headed back to school after Thanksgiving. I was stuffing my head full of facts nightly preparing for mid terms. I did well in school and took all honors courses but I had to work at it. I called Rachael Monday night and we talked for an hour. She said she missed me a lot but couldn't come down the following weekend because of midterms. She was really applying herself and wanted the best grades she could get. I was disappointed and told her so, but I also told her that around my house school came first so I understood.

With a free weekend coming up I turned my attention to a plan to get Richie together with Katrina. I thought for a while and a glimmer of an idea came to me. I called Richie.

"Richie, do you guys still have the houseboat out on Lake Jessup?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well suppose you asked your parents about having a party on it this weekend, would they let you?"

"I guess."

"Further suppose you said you wouldn't need any parents there because my sister was chaperoning."

"I'm on it," he said excitedly.

I'd leave conning parents into the plan in Richie's capable hands; he could sling a load of crap bigger than a tugboat could pull. I had full faith in his ability to con his parents into about anything. I next called Stan and asked him if he thought his folks would go for Michelle and him going too. Stan thought that it would be no problem. All he had to do was to guarantee no drinking or drugs. As further camouflage, he said he would say the invitation included his older brother Evan and then make sure Evan begged off. The Evan angle was perfect, I told him to talk to Evan right now. By nine that evening Richie had the houseboat with even a catered lunch provided by the marina and Stan had secured all the permissions at his end. Now it was up to me to get Katrina to go for it.

I walked to her room and knocked on the door.

"Hey Moose, got a minute?"

She called me in and spun her desk chair around.

"What's up, Runt?"

I began the delicate task of telling Katrina the truth without telling her Richie's plan.

"Rachael has to study for midterms this weekend and can't come down. I have a chance for a date with another girl but I need your help."

Katrina jumped on the other girl thing, as I knew she would. She really was uncomfortable about my relationship with Rachael for some reason.

"Who is the other girl?"

"Michelle Hoffman."

She nodded in approval, "nice girl, cute and more your speed too."

"Yeah, well, if we can't get someone older to go with us it won't happen. Richie wants to spend Saturday on their houseboat with Stan, Jenny, Michelle, me, him and his date. His parents are okay with it as long as someone older is along. We are trying to eliminate having parents hovering around, Evan can't go because he's got something going for Saturday already. I was hoping you'd help us out. I know it will be boring for you but the boat is huge and we wont bother you."

Boy did I sound sincere and just the right touch desperate. (Please notice that every word I spoke was technically the truth. Aha, you say, the part about Richie having a date was a lie. Well Mr. Prosecutor, what do you think I was working on now? And as further evidence I submit that I named no names.) Katrina sat there for a minute looking at me, pondering her answer. I had put her on the spot, she had to either give up a Saturday or leave me more firmly in Rachael's clutches. Have you ever noticed that really smart young people sometimes over think a problem? I could see the wheels turning as she decided to sacrifice a day to 'rescue' me.

"Okay bro, I'll do it for you, but don't make me make you regret you asked."

"Thanks Katrina, I'll owe you big time."

I called Richie and told him my part was done; the rest was up to him. I had a momentary pang of conscience about tricking Katrina but all in all it was not a big thing. I figured the worst that could happen was she'd spend all day with her laptop working on some project she always had going. And who knows, she might actually have a good time.

Even though we were knee deep in midterms, football practice still happened. Friday night was our conference playoff game and coach was driving us hard. We had a good team but we were far from dominating. The playoffs were going to be an uphill battle. Our chances for advancing took a serious hit Wednesday when two of our linebackers got busted for joyriding in a stolen car. That afternoon as we were lining up for calisthenics, Coach Boyette pulled me aside.

"Practice with the linebackers today Pulaski, and you'd better be balls to the walls."

Wow, Palmdale was famous for producing linebackers, we were like the Penn State of Florida prep football. The coach was giving me a serious opportunity. I practiced exactly as he expected, hurtling myself all over the field with complete kamikaze abandon.

Friday night's game started on a wretchedly sour note when our middle linebacker went out on the second play from scrimmage. He dislocated his shoulder when he and a crossing tight end collided accidentally on a play going in the opposite direction. In our defensive scheme the middle line backer was defensive play caller and our best athlete; it was a devastating loss. Coach called a time out and revised our defensive line. He brought up one of our cornerbacks as a linebacker and put me in the other spot. We were now playing with four linebackers and only one safety. We held together pretty good in the first half with coach signaling the defensive alignments from the sidelines. We went into the locker room trailing 14-10. I was playing a solid game, nothing spectacular but I was holding my own.

In the second half the Daytona team exploited our makeshift defense by passing the ball on nearly every down. They ran us ragged and scored on a couple of long bombs. When we trudged off the field it was on the losing end of a 34-17 score. I was sore, beat up and dejected. Coach Boyette gave us a hold your head high speech and that was it for our season. I sure could have used Rachael's company that night.

The Saturday after our game dawned clear and warm, a late Indian Summer day that makes you glad you live in Florida. Richie told us to be ready by nine so Katrina and I were in the kitchen with our backpacks when the doorbell rang. When we hit the door Richie was waiting, with a sweeping gesture he pointed to a stretch Lincoln limousine waiting at the curb. Katrina's eyebrows worked up and down as Richie chivalrously took her backpack and led us away.

When I told Katrina the Caldwell's houseboat was big I wasn't kidding. It was a fiberglass two-story wonder, fifty feet long and twenty feet wide. It was moored at a fairly swank marina at the tee shaped end of a long dock. The boat was actually owned by the dealership that Richie's dad ran; it was a floating party barge for entertaining clients. Even Katrina was impressed. Richie was the perfect host, he showed us around the boat, pointing out the staterooms and telling us to throw our backpacks into one of them. Richie had explained his lack of a date on the ride over so when we were all out on the fan deck squeezing into wet suits to go jet skiing, he naturally paired up with Katrina.

We speed around the lake for an hour on the small two person jet boats that were tied to the stern of the houseboat. Katrina loved powering around the lake with a happy Richie snuggled up to her back. When we were back on the houseboat, Richie sent us to change while he cranked up the grill. You had to give it to the boy; he took my idea and ran with it. It was amazing that he was able to throw all this together in a week. Richie burned some burgers and dogs on the grill and pulled some salads out of the fridge. Katrina had loosened up and was talking and joking with us as we ate.

Richie and Katrina fueled up the jet skis and went riding again while the rest of us went into the boat's lounge and found the Florida football game on the big screen. Stan and Jenny slipped off after about twenty minutes leaving Michelle and me cuddled on the couch.

"Having a good time Shelly?" I asked.

Her eyes were sparking when she answered, "I'm having a wonderful time Johnny, this is sooo romantic."

"Jenny and your brother seem to be hitting it off, how's it going with them?"

"I think they are further along than us. Jenny is like thinking about going all the way very soon."

I hadn't expected that much information. "Hmmm'" was my lame response.

"Now tell me about Richie and your Sister."

"I have no idea what's going on other than they seem to be getting along okay."

"I've never seen your sister so relaxed and friendly, she is the most intense person I've ever met."

"She is a really nice person, Shelly, she's just so focused it seems like she never relaxes. I'm really glad she's having fun."

We made out a while on the couch but I kept it from getting too hot and heavy. Michelle was a little disappointed until I told her that we were just getting warmed up and I wanted to save the really good stuff for later. Just as the dusk was gathering over the lake Katrina and Richie roared up. We all went down and helped secure the water craft and square away the fantail then we went to change for dinner. Amazing Richie had made reservations for us at the marina. We had a nice meal and strolled back to the boat about seven. It was beautiful out there on the water as a big hunter's moon lanced a brilliant shaft of moonlight across the deck.

We were all standing at the railing looking at the moon when I noticed that Richie had his arm around Katrina and she was leaning against him. While I was staring in disbelief, Jenny slipped into the lounge and started some soft romantic music piping out onto the deck. It only seemed natural to pull Michelle to me and start to sway to the music. When I looked around the other two couples had the same idea. We were scattered around the large deck, each couple cocooned in a soft pool of darkness. Michelle turned her face up and we kissed as we danced. When she broke the kiss she pulled my head down and whispered in my ear.

"We are going to go inside in a while and find an empty room. Then I'm going to trust you to keep me from letting you do what I want you to do."

We danced for another ten minutes then slipped inside. I glanced at Katrina and Richie as we passed through the doors. She had her head on his shoulder and was molded tightly against him. His hands were resting on the flare of her sleek hips, his lips softly on her exposed neck.

I forgot all about my sister when Michelle snicked home the lock on the stateroom door. We fell on the bed in a tangle of arms, legs, and lips. I know I keep saying this but — the next hour and a half was the highlight of my life up to that point. Before it was over I had my hands and lips on every square inch of Shelly's delicious body. And her body was a work of art. She was well padded everywhere, yet you could feel firm muscles underneath. Her breasts were perky for their size and weigh, the firmness of youth defying gravity. Her little mound was covered with a neatly groomed thatch of silky blonde hair. Her ass was shapely and blemish free until I put a hickey on it at her insistence.

I lost count of the number of orgasms Shelly had that night. She had a bunch though and I enjoyed giving her every one of them. I was able to put my research into cunnilingus to practical application too. Like the saying goes, one lick and I was hooked. One lick and so was Shelly. The only thing about Michelle that was odd to me was how quiet she was as she came. She explained to me later that she always had to restrain herself at home to keep anyone from hearing her so she had lots of control that way. "One day when we are alone I'll let myself go and we'll both see what it's like," she promised.

She didn't neglect me either. She was as interested in seeing and playing with my equipment as I was hers. Hers was the first hand besides mine wrapped around my dick. "Oooh it's so big and hard," she said. I liked that, liked it a lot. Never mind that her experience in dicks was limited to the one in her hand. She shyly asked if she could take me in her mouth. "NO," I said firmly... yeah, right. It was both our first blowjob so I honestly don't know how good her technique was. I do know that, as far as Kong was concerned, it was the best in history. Shelly swallowed all of my cum that didn't escape her overflowing lips. She told me later that swallowing was okay but she was only going to do it for someone she thought really special in the future. We took a quick neck down shower and headed to the lounge at nine-thirty. We were both sated down to our toenails.

We arrived at the lounge at the same time as Stan and Jenny. Richie and Katrina were in the galley getting sodas. We helped Richie pick up and straighten up then we grabbed our bags and hoofed it to the waiting limo. When the limo arrived at our house I kissed Michelle goodnight and hopped out. Richie got out and walked us to the door carrying Katrina's backpack. I went in the door first and Katrina followed about three minutes later.

I never found out what happened between Richie and Katrina. Katrina thanked me for inviting her along though and said she had had a good time. Richie was closed mouth about it as well and I didn't try to pry any information out of him. They did go on a few dates after Richie got his driver's license in early December but by tacit agreement we never double dated. I know that at any function that required dancing, Richie was Katrina's date of choice. She was never bothered that he was four inches shorter than her. After he got his license we all saw less and less of Richie. He had a lot going on, including landing a few acting jobs down at Disney studios.

I plowed through midterms the following week. I was very comfortable with the tests and thought I had done pretty well. I talked to Rachael on the phone a couple of times but she was still distracted with her own midterms. Winter break started for us on the fifteenth of December and Rachael came down on the seventeenth for a week. She was flying out on the twenty-third to spend the holidays with her family in Rhode Island. Rachael told me that reconnecting with her family made her very happy. We spent most of the time she was home together. We Christmas shopped, hung out at my house and went out at night. Rachael was my date to three Christmas parties. One of the parties was a fancy to-do that my mom's work threw.

The NASA party was at the Officer's Club at Cape Canaveral. Rachael and I rode down to the party with Mom and Dad. Katrina didn't go to the party; instead she was at one being thrown by Josh Turner's aunt and uncle at their ranch. Josh had some seriously famous relatives; his uncle was Jake Turner, the former president, his mother Angela was the President and CEO of the Turner furniture and appliance empire.

I was wearing a new suit for the NASA shindig. I was five-ten by then and a solid one-seventy-five. I had outgrown my other two suits. Rachael was wearing a shimmery jade green cocktail dress that fit her like a second skin. She looked beyond fantastic. The party had a live band that was damned good. Rachael loved to dance so we spent most of the evening on the dance floor. The music and dancing really brought her to life; she literally glowed with happiness.

Rachael and my physical relationship moved forward during that week as I built on the experiences I had with Michelle. I went very slowly with Rachael, always aware of her fragility. I had noticed with Michelle, and now with Rachael, that I was very attuned to what they were feeling. I have always been sensitive to people and since I hit puberty that awareness seemed to be magnified. As I spent more intimate time with Rachael I was able to hone my sensitivity to the point where I instinctively knew how to keep her receptive to what I was doing.

On the day before she departed, Rachael said she just wanted to hang out with me at her house. I rode my bicycle over there with the presents I'd bought her for Christmas. Rachael greeted me at the door in a green plaid miniskirt topped by a red sweater. She liked it when I told her she looked cute and Christmassy. Rachael was really into the whole Christmas thing, so we were soon on the couch snuggled under a comforter watching Christmas DVDs she'd bought. I was lying behind her on the couch; her head was resting in the crook of one of my arms the other around her holding her to me. As the movie progressed I slipped my hand under her sweater palming her breast. Her breast fit my hand perfectly. Not surprising, I guess, when you consider that Rachael opted for the implants she had based on my description of the size I liked.

When the movie ended Rachael turned off the television. She stayed nestled in my arms, her hand lightly stroking the arm I had under her sweater.

"I love being in your arms Johnny. It's the place in the world I feel safest."

I murmured my agreement.

"Lets go to the bedroom so we can be more comfortable," she whispered shyly.

We were breaking new ground here because I'd never been in her bedroom. I untangled myself from her and helped her to her feet. Then, impulsively, I swept her into my arms and set off for her bedroom. She gave a startled gasp when I picked her up, then sighed and wrapped her arms around my neck. When we got to the bedroom I swept back the covers and deposited her in the center of her bed. Her arms remained firmly locked around my neck so I was leaning awkwardly over her.

"Johnny you keep doing things and doing things that make me feel so good. And every time I think I can't feel any better you do something else," she whispered fiercely.

I pried her arms loose and lay down next to her. She turned to face me and our lips came together in a kiss so achingly sweet it took our breath away. Rachael didn't make a peep when I pulled her sweater over her head and unfastened her bra. When I attached my lips to her nipple, her hand came up and she held the back of my head. Her nipples were as perfect as her breasts, small pink nubbins centered on quarter sized areola. Her nipples were sensitive and she gave a little moan as I moved from one to the other, my tongue trailing down into the valley between her breasts. I spent a long time gently worshiping her upper body. When I felt she was ready for more I moved my hand down and slowly ran it up her thigh.

Rachael clamped her thighs together but she didn't stop me from touching her. I moved up to kiss her again as I softly stroked her thighs. In time, I progressed up to where I was lightly stroking her mound through her panties. After a few minutes of gentle rubbing she groaned in surrender and her thighs fell apart. As I slipped my fingers under the leg band of her satin high cut panties I couldn't help but compare how much wetter she was than Michelle. Rachael was soaked and she gave off this intoxicating musky aroma.

I easily slid one finger into her wetness; she rolled her hips up eagerly taking more of my finger. I sawed my finger gently in and out of her and her moaning grew in volume. I upped the ante again and started tugging her panties down. She raised her hips to help. Off one leg then the other the silky panties came. Golly, were they cute little things, those panties. They were green satin and lace and matched her bra down to the little satin bows on the side. My girl liked green and the color was perfect for her. Her make over didn't extend to her pubic hair. It was nicely trimmed but was a dark blonde color.

With the barrier of her dainties dispensed with, I wasted no time in burying my face where that wonderful odor originated. Suddenly Rachael started frantically pushing my head away.

"Stop it Johnny, I'm all wet and nasty down there."

I looked up at her incredulously.

"You've got to be kidding, I love it that I make you wet, and you smell so good I want to taste you too."

She looked at me dubiously but her death grip on my hair relaxed a little. I went back to doing what I wanted, happily exploring what felt good to her. Again, unlike Michelle, she was vocal in her appreciation. Hot damn, I loved to hear her moan and babble my name! When she came she gave a squeal and went rigid, then started pumping her hips furiously against my face. Her gyrations caught me by surprise and she split my lip against my teeth. Rachael wasn't multi-orgasmic, she pushed my head away and curled up on her side. Not knowing what else to do, I pulled the sheet up over her, moved up on the bed, and held her. Can you imagine how surprised I was to feel her sobbing against me?

"What's the matter, Rachael?"

"That was so good and so sweet Johnny, it was the strongest climax I've ever had. I guess I'm just overwhelmed is all."

What guy doesn't like to hear that? She sniffled then giggled.

"You still have all your clothes on, get naked and get under these covers with me."

I jumped out of bed and stripped, conscious of her eyes on me. When I was buck assed I stood up and faced her. I wasn't real shy about my body like she was but I was a little apprehensive about what she'd think. After all, unlike Michelle, I wasn't the first guy she'd seen naked.

"You have a nice body and penis," she said. God, did she sound formal.

"Kong," I corrected.

"Kong?"

I pointed down to where my dick was waving in front of me.

"Him, his name is Kong."

Her eyebrows went up and down and she giggled.

"You named your penis?"

"Sure, he's a dick sometimes but he's my best friend. He's got a couple of other friends but they are both nuts."

She was laughing now as I hoped she would. She swept the covers back and patted the bed.

"You and Kong better get in here with me, we wouldn't want him to get a head cold."

We cuddled and kissed and fooled around until my balls ached from all the stimulation. Finally Rachael grabbed Kong and pulled me towards her.

"I want you in me Johnny, I want to make love."

"Let me get some protection," I said.

"No need for that unless you feel safer with a rubber. I'm still on the pill, it helps regulate my periods."

Then I had to swallow my nerve and fess up.

"Umm, this is my first time Rachael and I'm really, really horny. I'm not gonna last long."

She nodded solemnly. "I am honored to be your first. Now come on, lets get the first one out of the way so we can have fun."

As advertised, I came within a few strokes of entering her. But Kong, bless his heart, stayed hard and we could continue. Rachael was hot and wet and very slick, especially after I came in her. Intercourse was just as good as I ever dreamed it would be. Rachael didn't climax the first two times we did it but after a shower and a marathon round three she huffed and moaned and even screamed to a crashing orgasm. We stayed in bed all day playing around, I loved going down on her so I did that a lot.

We talked too. She told me why she was so amazed by our lovemaking. Jesse, her ex, had a big dick and some sick ideas about how to treat a woman. He made fun of how wet she got, calling her a slut and worse. He'd make her douche then he would cram himself into her when she was mostly dry. He liked the friction and got off on hurting her. I sincerely hoped that some big guy named Bubba was giving Jesse a taste of his own medicine up there at the penitentiary in Stark.

I went home in time for my midnight curfew. Rachael saw me out the door with a kiss. She was wearing a loosely belted black silk kimono that made me not want to leave. She told me how great the day had been and how much she loved the necklace I gave her for Christmas. She said she was going to miss me and she couldn't wait until we could be together again.

This is how much she missed me. Three days after Christmas she called me.

"Johnny, I don't think we should see each other any more," she said.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 4


Just like that, no how are you, no how was Christmas, just, "Johnny I don't think we should see each other any more."

I disagreed with that completely and told her so.

"We were getting too serious Johnny, and you are too young,. This is the way it has to be."

"What do you call what you are doing now if it's not ruining my life?" I argued.

She was crying now and I was too.

"I'm sorry Johnny, I really am."

Then she hung up.

Happy New Year Johnny Pulaski!

I think people have always thought I was mature for my age because I didn't talk much. I never talked much because, like my father, I was a basically a shy person. When I hit puberty I thought I could change that and it would help me with women. Well, those days were over. I withdrew into my room and spent the rest of the holidays seeing how miserable I could be. My folks tried to talk to me but my dad was helpless in his own shyness and my mom was ill equipped to deal with a heartbroken teenage boy. She was a relentlessly pragmatic problem solver, but the problems she excelled at didn't involve relationships. Even the Moose took a stab at it. But Katrina had thought all along that this is where my relationship with Rachael would end.

I was morosely studying calculus on the Wednesday after school restarted when my grandfather came into my bedroom.

"Come with me, Johnny."

"I have to study Papa," I protested.

He tossed me my jacket. "That wasn't a request, ' he said.

We went out and got in his truck and he drove us out to a state park about ten miles from the house. Once at the park he let Jethro out of the truck and put down the tailgate. He sat down and patted the metal. I sullenly flopped down beside him. For a minute all we did was watch Jethro tear around the park, running full bore in great looping circles. Jethro ran with joyful abandon, his huge ears streaming out behind him, his oversized tongue lolling out of his mouth. My grandfather fired up his pipe and started talking.

"I've lost a lot of people in my lifetime, Johnny, my parents, my brother, my sister and scores of brothers in arms. I think about them a lot. I mourned their passing then got on with my life. It was never easy but I cinched up my rucksack and moved out.

"It's time for you to do the same thing. Time to end your little pity party and rejoin the living. You are a Pulaski and that's what we do. Now talk to me."

So I told my grandfather the whole story, my voice breaking on occasion as I relived my hurt. He didn't say anything other than an occasional "go on" to keep me talking. When I finished my story he knocked his pipe out on the heel of his hand and repacked it with tobacco.

"I know that this is probably not what you want to hear, son, but that girl did a lot for you. And she did it when she was fragile and vulnerable. Don't judge her too harshly, she's carrying a bigger load than you can imagine."

I took my grandfather's words to heart and tried to get on with my life. I started working out again with Stan and Richie, although now that Richie had a license he was a frequent no-show. I talked to Michelle once in a while but I really had to force myself to do it. I was reverting to my old tongue tied self and couldn't seem to stop the skid. School was just a way to fill my days as I went mechanically through the motions of socializing and learning. Then things took a radical change in early February.

The cause of the change was a girl in my biology class. Her name was Caroline Hernandez. Caroline was smart and pretty and painfully shy. She was the oldest of seven children and her being in high school was an iffy proposition because her family was strapped financially. Caroline was already baby-sitting as many as five nights a week to help out her family. Caroline and I weren't friends but we were nodding acquaintances because we also had the same homeroom and study hall.

I was on my way to Social Studies when I remembered that I had left my book in my locker. I resigned myself to being late and veered down the corridor to pick up my book just as the bell rang. I turned the corner and almost ran into a very frightened Caroline trying to pull her arm out of the grasp of an older looking Latino guy. He was saying something to her in Spanish and she was violently shaking her head. I pulled up short.

"This guy bothering you Caroline?"

The guy spoke before she could. "Get lost Dude, this ain't none of your business," he said.

I looked the guy over; he was about my size and wore the typical gangster uniform. He had a cruelly handsome face with medium length thick black hair. His fists were clenched; L-O-V-E was tattooed on the knuckles of one hand, H-A-T-E on the other.

"Then let her go so it can keep being none of my business," I said.

"If I let her go it's gonna be so I can kick your ass," he snarled.

I hadn't been in a fight since a playground dust up in the sixth grade. My father and grandfather taught me how to defend myself; fights just didn't seem to happen to me.

"You don't want to throw down here in the hall or we'll both get suspended. You let her go and you can explain it to me in the park behind the church after school," I said.

He shoved Caroline away from him and barked something at her in Spanish. She scampered away in fright as he turned back to me.

"I'll be there," he said. "I'm gonna enjoy fucking up your pretty white boy face."

The confrontation happened between fourth and fifth periods so I only had two hours before I was out the front doors and walking toward the park. Caroline was waiting on the sidewalk for me, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Don't go over there Johnny," she pleaded, "Arturo is mean and he will hurt you."

I shrugged, "If I don't go he'll just find me somewhere else. Might as well get it over with now. You go on home and tell your folks about him."

She started to say something then spun around and left instead.

As I walked the two blocks to the park I thought about why I didn't do more to defuse the situation with Mr. Arturo. I could have I was sure. But I think the truth was that all the anger I felt at Rachael jilting me made me unconsciously spoiling for a fight.

When I got to the park there were at least fifty kids there with more arriving by the minute. Word of a fight spread like chicken pox. Arturo was standing with a couple of guys who could have been his clones when I walked up. I dropped my book bag and stood waiting for him. Arturo ambled over and took a boxers stance in front of me.

Arturo didn't waste any time as he flicked a jab at me and began circling to my left. It didn't take me long to figure out that I was way over my head as he snapped off a lightning fast two punch combo that rocked me on my heels. Then he threw a flurry that left me sitting on my ass with a bloody nose.

Here's where what Nana Nadia calls the Pulaski curse showed itself. I knew I didn't have a chance against this guy and he had already extracted his revenge. If I had stayed down no one would much blame me. Instead, I shook loose a few cobwebs, wiped my nose on my sleeve and jumped up. Arturo grinned evilly and started circling me again. On the next exchange I at least slipped in a solid left counter punch before he knocked me down again. When I got back on my feet Arturo had a small knot below and to the side of his right eye.

I stayed on my feet longer the third time as I anticipated Arturo's rhythm and blocked most of his punches and landed a couple of jabs myself. My success was short lived however as he switched tactics and hooked a hard right under my ribcage on my left side. My breath whooshed out of me and when I dropped my guard he plastered me in the nose again. I knew my nose was broken as I hit the ground. Jeez, it hurt like hell. It took me longer to get up this time. I vaguely heard a few people telling me to stay down. One of Arturo's hommies whispered something to him but Arturo pushed him away.

I was pretty damn tired of getting hit so as soon as I was on my feet I launched myself at Arturo and managed to hit him a couple of good licks before he leveled me again. I was on my hands and knees trying to get up when I heard my sister's voice.

"Stay down Johnny," she said sharply.

I looked up at her through the one eye I could still see out of. I had never seen her look as murderous as she did just then. She spun and faced Arturo.

"It's over, you won. Touch him again and I'll make a woman out of you in front of all your friends."

Arturo opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it. Every person in the park knew Katrina could do exactly what she threatened. When Arturo turned around and strutted off, Katrina put my book bag under my head and pulled my feet in until my knees were up in the air. The position she put me in made it easier to breath. The last thing I remember was her flipping open her cell phone.

I woke up to the acrid smell of ammonia. I tried to turn my head away from the vile smell but it followed me. I tried to open my eyes and managed to squint enough to see my grandfather kneeling beside me. It took about five minutes for Papa J, Katrina and Caroline to get me into Papa's truck. My grandfather drove me to the emergency room; Katrina and Caroline followed him in Katrina's three-year-old Toyota Camry. I was treated right away at the E.R. because I looked pretty bad I guess. Somehow I had bled a lot both from my nose and from a cut over my eye. The E.R. doctor called down a facial reconstructive surgeon who was making rounds on the surgical ward. The surgeon checked out my nose then while nonchalantly talking to me, twisted it twice and put it back in place. It hurt worse fixing it than it did getting it broken.

Nana Nadia steamed into the Emergency Room while I was getting two cracked ribs taped. My father was right behind her. I didn't feel much like talking so Katrina filled them in on the afternoon's festivities. While she was talking I learned that Caroline went and found Katrina instead of going home. That's how Katrina ended up in the park. Katrina had seen most of the fight and never interfered until I looked too beat to continue. When Katrina finished, my grandmother was ashen. She crossed herself and took my hand.

"I hoped it wouldn't happen to you too, Johnny. But here you are; stubborn, proud, and stupid, just like those two," she said jerking her head towards my father and his father.

The objects of her displeasure did not look at all as if what she said bothered them that much. The doctor ordered me to stay home from school for the rest of the week and gave me a stack of prescriptions and appointment slips. Katrina drove Caroline home and my dad took me to our house.

My mother was in Houston so Nana came over the next day to take care of me. Nana was thrilled for the opportunity. She hovered over me and if I asked for anything she was off like a shot to get it. There was not a place on my body that didn't hurt so I was pretty much confined to the bed. About three-thirty that afternoon I was surprised when Caroline knocked gently on my open door.

"I went around and saw all your teachers, Johnny. They gave me your assignments for the rest of the week."

"I appreciate that, Caroline. Come in and sit down."

Caroline was a very pretty girl as I said before, she was about five-six and slender. Her breasts were medium small and her hips slim but well defined. She had amazing long black hair that hung down to the small of her back in a single thick braid. Her brown eyes were large and expressive, her nose small and upturned, and her complexion dusky and smooth.

She slipped into the room and perched on the edge of my desk chair that Nana had moved beside the bed. She could not stop staring at my face as a big tear suddenly rolled down her cheek.

"I am so sorry that I caused you to get hurt so bad, Johnny," she sobbed.

I reached over and took her hand.

"It wasn't your fault, Sweetie, it was between me and Arturo. Now, how are you? Did you tell your parents that Arturo was bothering you? And by the way, why is Arturo bothering you?"

"I'm sixteen now and can date, Arturo wants me to be his girlfriend. He is a bad person Johnny, and I don't want anything to do with him. Yes, I told my parents. But they are scared to go to the police. We are having problems with the immigration people and my parents fear we will be sent back to Mexico if we cause trouble."

I glanced up when I saw movement in my doorway. Katrina was standing there leaning against the jamb a scowl on her face. Noise on the stairs caused Katrina to turn her head then her eyes widened.

"Hi Mom," she said.

My mom greeted her then hurried into my room. It was my turn to register surprise when I saw Mom was dressed in one of those sky blue NASA flight suits. Wow, I thought, she looks damn good in that thing. Mom took one look at me and her face crumbled.

"Johnny," she gasped as she rushed over to the bed and laid her hand gently on my head. "Oh, my poor baby."

Yeah, kinda chokes me up too, when I think back on it. My mom, who had such difficulty dealing with the emotional part of being a mother, was suddenly June Cleaver.

For the first time I noticed the man who followed my mom into my room. My eyes almost bugged out of my head when I saw who it was. I was a teenage boy and as such it was incumbent on me to be blasé about everything. But holy shit, it was freaking Buck Gomez the astronaut! Lieutenant-Colonel Buck Gomez was as close to a non-sports hero as America had. Gomez was NASA's chief shuttle pilot, and the handsome face of the space program. The media called the telegenic Gomez 'Captain America'.

"Colonel Gomez volunteered to fly me here in a NASA T-38 when I couldn't get a flight out," Mom said.

"Actually your mom flew, I just stole us a plane. Boy I'd hate to see the other guy," Gomez said.

My mom could fly a jet? Where was I when all this stuff was happening?

"His hands are a mess," I said, "from where I beat them with my face."

Gomez laughed, and stuck out his hand.

"Call me Buck. That was a good thing you did, Johnny."

I mumbled something self-effacing as Buck turned to the wide-eyed Caroline.

"Is this the young lady? If it is I see why you did what you did; she is beautiful."

Buck then engaged Caroline in a rapid-fire conversation in Spanish. I decided on the spot that I was switching from Latin to Spanish as my foreign language next year. Buck asked Caroline a few questions; Caroline answered hesitantly. Then Buck turned to face my mother.

"Boss, do you mind if I borrow your car and take Caroline home? I want to speak with her father for a minute."

Another revelation, my mom was Captain America's boss! It was as if my mother had some secret life that was just coming to light. Mom trotted off to get the keys to her Prius and Katrina reappeared in the doorway. Buck introduced himself and made small talk with us while we waited for Mom to return. It was almost comical watching Buck and the Moose size each other up. The mutual interest between them was palpable. Mom returned with her keys and Buck escorted Caroline out.

"Mom, Caroline's family is having some sort of problem with the INS. I called Josh Turner and he agreed to talk to his uncle to see what could be done," Katrina said.

"Based on what Colonel Gomez was saying to Caroline, I think he is going to get involved also," Mom replied.

Jeez, Mom spoke Spanish too. I was definitely going to have to ask my dad some serious questions about this woman.

Mom was fussing with my pillow when Nana came in and said two policemen were downstairs and wanted to talk to me. Mom looked at me and I just shrugged, I didn't have a clue. The policemen turned out to be Deputy Sheriffs on the gang suppression squad. In a nutshell they wanted me to press assault charges on Arturo.

"He didn't assault me, it was a fair fight," I told them.

The deputies gave me a litany of things Arturo Mendoza was involved in. He was an up and coming leader in the Latin Kings street gang. Mendoza was a particularly vexing hoodlum because he was highly intelligent. He had incorporated his chapter of the Latin Kings as a not for profit community service club. The Kings outwardly were involved in community outreach for the Hispanic residents of the east central county. He was also a serious school student who planned on going to college. Mendoza wanted to be able to manage the drug money his gang accumulated. Mendoza was a student of Che Guevara and had organized his gang into cells of four to six individuals for the conducting of their criminal activity. If a cell was arrested they couldn't compromise the gang at large. Damn, the guy was bad news. Still, as far as he and I were concerned, it was exactly as it appeared and I couldn't help them. I did tell them about Arturo's interest in Caroline Hernandez though, and why Mr. Hernandez was scared to ask for their help.

Three days later, on Friday, I was out of the house for the first time since the fight. I had an appointment with the plastic surgeon and a dental exam scheduled. Arturo was a skilled enough fighter that he avoided hitting me in the mouth and injuring his hands but some of the wallops I took to the jaw seemed to have loosened a few teeth. The plastic surgeon was going to fix my ear that was slightly pulled away at my earlobe and check my nose. He also wanted to make sure my eye socket wasn't damaged. I felt a lot better but I still pretty much looked like shit. I was a member of the raccoon club with vivid bruises around both eyes and a stiff plastic splint like contraption covered my nose. Part of my left eyebrow was shaved off and a trail of fine stitches caterpillared across my brow.

The doc checked me over and took some more x-rays. He pinned my ear back with a couple of stitches and said I wouldn't need any other surgery. My nose was going to have a small bump at the bridge and I'd have a scar on my forehead but other than that, no permanent damage. The dentist was likewise positive, no dead teeth, no chips or missing fillings. The doctor also said I could take a shower, something I sorely missed all week.

So by six that evening I was freshly showered and feeling almost human. I was propped up on my bed reading Lost Horizons when the doorbell bonged downstairs. A few seconds later my mom called me down. When I made it to the bottom of the stairs, Caroline and her folks were there. Caroline was dressed in a nice skirt and blouse, her thick hair loose and pulled back by mother of pearl combs. The girl had a lot of hair. She introduced her parents as Mom ushered everyone into the family room. When we were all seated Caroline's father began thanking us, first me for coming to Caroline's rescue then Mom and Katrina for helping with the INS.

The resolution to the immigration problem had been ridiculously simple. The obstacle to converting work visas into green cards was mainly the lawyer that Mr. Hernandez had hired. The shyster's greed and incompetence led him to string the Hernandezs' along, making them think that the situation was much worse than it was. When the Hernandez problem was fixed so were those of seven other families who had been paying the lawyer fifty dollars a week.

Dad asked Mr. Hernandez what he did for a living. Hernandez said that currently he was working for a landscape company but that he was a factory trained Ford repair technician. Dad's eyes lit up at that news and he and Mr. Hernandez started talking cars. By the end of the evening Dad offered him a job, provided that Hernandez enroll in an English as a second language course. Dad thought it was a good deal for him because he didn't have a Spanish-speaking mechanic at his shop but did have an increasing number of Hispanic customers.

While the adults were talking, I asked Caroline if she wanted to go for a walk. She asked her dad and at his nod of consent we took off. As we turned onto the sidewalk I took her hand in mine. She looked up at me in surprise, her large expressive eyes widening. I just smiled, squeezed her hand and kept walking. While we strolled I asked about Arturo Mendoza. She told me that he was keeping his distance from her. She thought he was laying low because of all the attention her family was receiving. I was dragging ass by the time we walked around the block because it was still difficult to breath with my cracked ribs. On the porch Caroline surprised me by kissing me quickly on the lips before we went inside.

I went back to school on Monday. I was a minor celebrity, the geek who fought the scary Arturo Mendoza. The guys thought I was crazy, but the girls thought I was Sir Lancelot. Oh man, it was almost worth the ass whipping just to bask in the adulation of girls who formerly wouldn't give me the time of day. I was eating this shit up; take that, Rachael Scofield, and fuck you very much!

Listen, I'd like to say I took the high road here and that I pooh-poohed off the praise with self-deprecating modesty, ala Buck Gomez. But the truth of the matter was that my ego, thanks to Rachael, was as battered as my mug. When Marcie Winters, the cheerleader on whom I had a major crush as a freshman, asked me to the Sadie Hawkins dance I quickly accepted.

Sadie Hawkins Day was an annual school event sponsored by the cheerleaders as a fundraiser. Sadie Hawkins day was based on an old newspaper comic strip named Lil Abner. Lil Abner lived in this town called Dog Patch, some place in the Ozarks. In the comic strip, Sadie Hawkins was this ugly chick who could never get a man. On Sadie Hawkins Day the girls reversed roles with the guys. They carried boy's books, opened doors for them and stuff like that, for the dance girls asked out the guys. For weeks before the dance the cheerleaders sold tickets off these big rolls like at the carnival. Everything at the dance, including admission, was paid for with tickets. Oh yeah, one more thing: you had to dress up like a hillbilly for the dance.

Like it was when I took out Rachael for the first time, my fame was fleeting. By Wednesday everyone had mostly moved on to the next topic that grabbed their attention. I was back to being just one of proletariat. One of the positive things that happened around then was that I reconnected with Michelle Hoffman. I don't mean that we fooled around again or anything, we just started talking at school and started having lunch together. It was nice being with Shelly; she was bright and had a wicked sense of humor. I also spent a fair amount of time with Caroline Hernandez. We sat together in the library for study hall and I wrangled it so she was my lab partner in biology.

So all of a sudden it's the first Friday in March, Sadie Hawkins Day at Palmdale Senior High. You should have seen Caroline's face when I handed her my books after homeroom. The pink on her cheeks looked fabulous over her tawny golden complexion. I played it to the hilt and Caroline was a good sport about it, even pulling out my chair for me at study hall. When she went into the stacks for a reference book I followed her and kissed her. She shocked the hell out of me by kissing me back hard. When I let her go the color was back in her cheeks but it was a flush, not a blush, and her eyes were a smoldering challenge. Hmmm, I thought about that kiss for the rest of the class. As Caroline lugged my books toward my locker I asked her to go to the movies with me the next evening.

"I'd like that Johnny," she said, "but you have to ask my father for permission before I can go.'

Wow, pretty old world, huh?

The Sadie Hawkins dance was fun. Marcie even picked me up in her car in keeping with the concept. I was wearing a pair of jeans at least four inches too short for me, and a red and white checked shirt. I had on a pair of old work boots of my grandfather's with a piece of rope for a belt. I had a straw hat that was Papa's also and had blacked out one of my front teeth with a Sharpie marker. Marcie looked pretty damned cute in bib overalls. She had her fine blond hair in pigtails and had drawn big freckles on her cheeks. She loved the missing tooth look so we blacked out one of hers as well.

Like I said, the dance was fun but being with Marcie wasn't. Marcie was as insubstantial as helium and the only subject she could expound on for any length was Marcie. I hung in there though, dancing and hanging with her and her vapid friends. One thing that helped make my evening better was the kiss for a ticket thing where a girl gives a guy a ticket and he kisses her. At the end of the evening the guy with the most tickets is crowned Mr. Dog Patch. I was amazed at the number of kisses I dispensed. I was also amazed at the boldness of some of them. For instance, Jenny Caldwell came up while her date was in the bathroom. She handed me a ticket then proceeded to perform a tonsillectomy on me using her tongue as a scalpel. Josh Turner was crowned Mr. Dog Patch but I was a respectable second.

When the dance broke up at eleven Marcie drove out to the shell pit, a notorious make out spot, and parked. We swapped a little slobber and she put my hand on her breast.

"No touching under the clothes," she said.

With Marcie, even making out was choreographed. After exactly fifteen minutes she broke our clench, started her car, and drove off. She took us to the Steak and Shake where she proceeded to ignore me and chatter with her friends. Marcie did add to my knowledge of women that night though. With Marcie I learned that I didn't pick up vibes from all girls. Marcie didn't radiate that something that told me what to do next. When I thought about it later I realized that I also felt nothing from Jenny Caldwell. By contrast, when I kissed Caroline I could feel an aura around her that resonated to my touch. Weird shit, huh?

The next morning I called Caroline and checked if her father was home. She said he was outside working on a neighbor's pickup truck. So I climbed on the old mountain bike and rode the three miles to her house. Caroline lived in an older section of Palmdale about three blocks off the inland waterway. The part of town she lived in was an eclectic blend of houses built in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. The house they lived in was a four-bedroom, wood-frame, two-story built in the fifties. The house was freshly painted and the yard was very well kept up.

I saw Mr. Hernandez standing with another man, their heads stuck under the hood of an ancient Chevy pickup. He was holding a timing light and gassing the engine. I stood by the truck waiting until he had the engine purring. When he looked up and noticed me, he smiled, wiped his hand on his jeans and stuck it out for me to shake.

'Hello Yonnie", he said.

I shook his hand and returned his greeting.

"Carolina is in the house doing laundry," he said.

"Uh, actually I came to see you, Mr. Hernandez," I said in a rush, "I'd like your permission to take Caroline to the movies tonight."

Mr. Hernandez turned to the other man who said something in Spanish. Mr. Hernandez's eyebrows went up and he looked at me.

"This is my friend Eduardo, he has better English."

Eduardo shook my hand then reached into a cooler and pulled out a couple of cans of Bud Light. He offered me one and I shook my head no. He shrugged and gave the can to Mr. Hernandez. Then the two men had a lengthy conversation, as I stood there uncomprehendingly. Finally they turned back to me. Mr. Hernandez casually took a big folding Buck Knife out of a sheath on his belt, snapped it open one handed and started cleaning his fingernails.

"Mr. Hernandez will allow you to date his daughter Caroline," Eduardo said formally. "But he desires you to know that he will cut off your cajones if you hurt her."

I blanched as I looked at the wicked looking knife; cajones was one of the few Spanish words I knew. Mr. Hernandez and his friend were looking at me as if they are deciding whether it would be safer to castrate me first.

I tried to say something reassuring but it's as if the shiny stainless steel blade of the knife hypnotized me. Then Hernandez and Old Eddie start laughing manically and Mr. Hernandez slaps me on the back.

"You are very funny, Yonnie," he said.

Mr. Hernandez led me up and into the house and called for Caroline. When she arrived he headed for the kitchen where his wife was standing at the sink. No doubt to regale her with his big joke.

Caroline took my hand and we walked back out to the porch.

"Did you ask?"

I nodded.

"What did he say?"

"He said okay and then threatened to cut off my you-know-whats."

Caroline covered her mouth to stifle her giggling.

"He says that to all the boys. He thinks he is a comedian."

"All the boys?" I asked.

"Yes, I have been dating since I was fourteen but usually the dates are with boys from church. You are the first Anglo I've dated."

How about that, shy little Caroline has been dating for two years already.

The Moose drove me over to pick up Caroline at half past six that evening. I knocked on the door and Mrs. Hernandez let me in. Mrs. Hernandez spoke better English than her husband. I sat in the living room chatting while Caroline finished getting ready. The furniture was not new but the house was clean as a whistle. Mr. Hernandez and I shook hands again. He was sitting in a recliner watching Boxeo on Univision. He said something to Mrs. Hernandez and she swatted him on the arm.

'My husband says you should maybe watch this station so you'll do better next time."

I looked over at him and he put up his fists and waved them around. Yep, Juan Hernandez was the next George Lopez all right; just ask him.

I met some of Caroline's siblings while I was waiting. She had a brother, Juan Junior, who was eighteen months years younger than her. Caroline had told me all about him during study hall. He was a bright and personable young man and the pride and joy of the family. Caroline said it was normal in her culture for the family's hopes to be pinned on the first-born son. I also met her thirteen-year-old sister Carla. Carla was bright-eyed and precociously on the cusp of becoming another Latin heartbreaker. I met two others, also, a set of nine-year-old twins, boy and girl. The two youngest, a four-year-old brother and a two-year-old sister were in the bathtub.

When Caroline flowed down the steps she made the wait insignificant. She was beautiful and I told her so as her parents beamed. She kissed both her parents and out the door we went. Katrina was reading as she waited for us, she turned off the dome light, fired up her Toyota and off to the mall we sailed. Katrina dropped us off at the entrance to the multiplex. We settled on a romantic comedy with J Lo in it and I bought us tickets.

I couldn't take my eyes off Caroline. She was wearing low-rider jeans and a tight t-shirt with a scooped neck. Her bra pushed her breasts deliciously upward. Her jeans were tight and molded to her perfect little ass. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but Latin girls wear jeans better than any one else. I think it has to do with attitude. I mean Brittany Spears looks good in jeans and all, but Shakira looks spectacular. And Caroline wore hers with panache. Caroline also had her thick hair unfettered and loose. It moved with her head as if it were a diamond studded black cloud. My fingers ached just to grab a big handful of it.

I told her again how beautiful she was while we watched the previews roll. She turned in her seat and kissed me.

"I wanted to look sexy for you Johnny so you'd forget about those two blondes that buzz around you like bees."

I kissed her back. "Mission accomplished," I said.

We watched the movie in companionable silence. My arm was around her; her head was on my shoulder. We kissed every time the actors did. Ours were so much better. After the movie I called my grandfather from my cell phone. He picked us up fifteen minutes later then drove us to his house for dessert. As soon as we walked into my grandparents' house, Jethro bounded over to us and stuck his nose in Caroline's crotch. I had forgotten to warn her about Jethro's unique way of saying hello. My grandfather grabbed Jethro by his collar and pulled him away as my grandmother muttered an apology. Jethro yawned, and ambled into the family room and plopped down, his work for the evening done.

We sat at the kitchen table and Nana served us freshly baked cherry pie with ice cream. We talked for about fifteen minutes then Papa asked Caroline when she had to be home. She said in about an hour.

"Good," said my grandfather, "would you two mind if me and Nadia take Jethro for a walk?"

Before I could say anything Caroline piped up.

"No, Mr. Pulaski, we wouldn't mind at all," she said sweetly.

Nana shooed us into the family room as she put away the dishes and pie. Then she and Papa grabbed their sweaters and Jethro and slipped out the door. Jethro was ecstatic over his unexpected good fortune; he practically dragged Papa out the door.

"See you in about thirty minutes," Papa called helpfully.

When the door closed I turned to Caroline.

"I swear I didn't put him up to that!"

She giggled, "Shut up and kiss me, we only have half an hour."

This side of Caroline flabbergasted me. In public she was so shy and sweet but alone with me she was something altogether different. Well, whatever, I tabled that line of thought as she gave me a smokin' kiss that had Kong harder than Superman's kneecap in five seconds flat. I could feel her desire like a physical presence in the room. It was stronger even than Michelle Hoffman's. I reflected it back to her as we kissed. When she pulled away from me her eyes were smoldering pools of passion.

"I will take you for my lover," she stated, matter of factly.

Oh Sweet Jesus, her accent was so cute. Actually, unless she was excited her English was nearly flawless, especially since she had only been in the United States five years. Having to learn English was why she was a year older than me, yet in the same grade.

"I accept," I said laughing.

She grabbed my face and forced me to look her in the eyes.

"I'm not joking, my Johnny. I am going to go to college and become a nurse, so I don't want or need a boyfriend. Yet, I am very sexual and you make me burn inside. And I trust you Johnny, I know you will keep me safe and not talk about me."

Shit! She was serious!

"Once again, I accept," I said, solemnly this time.

She smiled then, showing her small white teeth. Then she quickly swung herself astraddle my lap, one of her knees on each side of my hips. Once firmly seated, she reached down cross handed and whipped her t-shirt over her head. She shook her head sending her hair flying all over. She used her hands to brush her hair back over her shoulders the reached behind her and unfastened her lacy baby blue bra. She shrugged off the bra and tossed it next to her shirt. Finally, Caroline pulled her shoulders back making her apple-sized breasts thrust forward.

Wow, she had a terrific body! She didn't appear to have an ounce of fat on her. Her stomach was flat and slightly rippled with muscles. She had a small gold hoop in her belly button. Her smallish breasts fit her frame perfectly and were capped by brown, puffy, Hershey Kiss nipples. I leaned forward and slurped one of her puffies into my mouth. She hissed, pushed her chest towards me and ground her hard little ass on the Mighty Kong.

Caroline scooted her hips forward until I could feel the tented fly of my jeans pressing against her mons. She rode me like that for a couple of minutes making little back and forth slides. I had the handful of hair I craved all evening, both hands buried in sweet smelling ebony as I nibbled along her jaw. Caroline suddenly ground down on me hard then her whole body seemed to quiver. She let out a loud squeal then leaned forward and bit my neck as she shuddered and moaned.

I held her as she regained her breath, her little body quivering every so often. Finally she leaned back and smiled at me.

"I wish I could take off my jeans Johnny but they are so tight I'd never get them back on before your grandparents returned. But from now on I'll wear a dress or skirt for you."

"It's fine Caroline, we'll have other chances."

She nodded. "Yes," she said, "but in the meantime I'm not letting my lover go home suffering."

As she was saying that she was gracefully sliding off me. She knelt on the floor and pushed my legs apart. When she started fumbling with my zipper I rushed to help her. Soon enough, my pants were around my ankles and my dick was in her mouth. She laved my shaft with her saliva then wrapped her hand around my shaft. Keeping suction on the crown of my dick she started stroking me up and down. It only took her a couple of minutes to Hoover a prodigious load out of me. She gulped me down, not losing a drop. I was limp on the couch, a boneless blob, when she kissed Kong sweetly and tucked him in for the night.

We pulled our clothes back on and cuddled on the couch. I could smell us thick and pungent in the room. I was hoping that the Sharper Image ionizer thing my Nana swears by was silently whisking the smell of our little tete a tete out of the air. Caroline told me how our relationship as lovers was going to work.

"Find us a place and get some protection, Johnny, at least two kinds until I can go to Planned Parenthood and get on the pill. Next time you take me out, plan on making love to me for hours."

Damn, she's a take-charge woman! I nodded and told her how good she made me feel.

"You are not my first Johnny, I told you I'm highly sexed. But no one has ever made me feel as good as you do even when we are just kissing. I can't wait to have you in me making me scream."

To this day I am still in awe of Caroline's unabashed enthusiasm regarding sex and her ability to compartmentalize her feelings. At school you'd swear she was preparing for the convent but when we were alone she was pure unadulterated sexiness.

My grandparents drove us to drop of Caroline at eleven-twenty. I walked her to the door and got a chaste kiss on the lips. Before she went inside she whispered that her thong was so wet it wouldn't dry out for a week.

Back at school the following week it was business as usual. This time of year is always a slog for me, the long period between President's Day and spring break a relentless grind of study. One thing that did break the routine happened during lunch the Tuesday after my first date with Caroline.

I was walking to my usual table when Arturo Mendoza motioned me to join him at his table. I shrugged and veered over to where he sat with a couple of his homeboys. Mendoza made a gesture and we were suddenly sitting at the table alone.

"You healed up good, White Boy," he said.

"I'm Polish, I have a hard head and my name's Johnny not White Boy." I responded.

He gave me a shrewd look.

"You still ain't scared of me even after the beating I gave you."

I shrugged. "I have a healthy respect for your right hook, but, no, you don't scare me."

"It's good you mentioned respect, that's what I want to talk about. I hear the police visited you."

I nodded, "They wanted me to press assault charges against you. I told them it was a fair fight, not an assault."

"That's what I heard. I also heard about what your family did for the Hernandez. Both were good things. Then I heard you took out Caroline, which was not so good. I could consider that an insult."

I chose my words carefully. "Caroline doesn't have time for either one of us, Arturo. She has plans that don't include a boyfriend. She and I are just friends. Neither one of us need to make her life any harder than it already is. I know you are concerned about people in your community getting ahead. Why not give Caroline her chance?"

He seemed to think about what I said for a few seconds as he eyed me appraisingly. I returned his stare unblinkingly.

"You are a good dude, too bad you are not Latino, I could use you."

I laughed at that. "You mean you don't accept Poles in the Kings? That's rank discrimination."

"Yeah, so sue me," he laughed.

I stuck out my hand and he shook it

Caroline asked about my conversation with Arturo when we were in study hall. I gave her the Readers Digest version of our chat. When I finished her eyes were luminous. She looked around quickly then kissed me when the coast was clear.

"You are so going to get lucky for that," she said huskily.

That evening I asked Katrina about what constituted two forms of birth control. She was in her room studying. I couldn't help staring at her while she gave me the information I needed. She had on silky boxer shorts and a cropped top that barely covered her small breasts. Her nipples were clearly visible poking against the stretchy knit top. Her legs were toned, silky smooth and a mile long.

Katrina was a fount of information; I went back to my room, shopping list in hand. The next day after school I went to Walgreen's to stock up. I bought latex condoms and three kinds of spermicides: tablets, a foam spray and a sponge. Caroline was counting on me to take care of birth control until she was safely on the pill. I was not going to let her down. I also had a place for us to go because I still had a key to Rachael's house. Rachael never took back her offer of its use any time I wanted.

I told Caroline I was all set Thursday during biology. She said she was baby-sitting Friday and Saturday nights but was free Saturday during the day. We made a date for ten in the morning; she said she'd pick me up at my house.

Saturday morning she arrived a few minutes before ten. She was very excited and dragged Katrina and me outside. She was so excited because her father had bought her a car. It was an early nineties Geo Metro, dark red and very clean. The car was tiny and had a three cylinder engine that got about a million miles to the gallon. I opened her door for her, threw my backpack onto the back seat and jumped in. She cranked the miniscule engine to life and we puttered the two blocks to Rachael's place. True to her promise at my grandparents', she was wearing a miniskirt. I loved looking at her slim thighs as she studiously shifted gears.

I unlocked the door and checked the humidistat as I did every week. Everything was fine and the automatic thermostat had the temp at a comfy 70 degrees. I showed Caroline around the house, stopping at the kitchen and deposited the four Diet Cokes I brought in the fridge. I led Caroline down the hallway toward the master bedroom. I know, I know, it's petty for me to get revenge on Rachael this way but hey, it was my heart she ripped out, not yours.

Inside the bedroom Caroline made me forget all about Rachael as she stripped in front of me. Her body was slim all right, with just enough meat in the right places to let you know she was all woman. She looked up to make sure she had my undivided attention as she lowered the tiny red thong she wore. I sucked in my breath as the front panel of the thong cleared her vulva. Caroline was completely hairless below her eyebrows. Her poochy little pussy was a beautiful brownish pink color. Caroline looked at me coyly and gracefully fell back on the bed.

"Now you," she ordered.

I ripped my clothes off in record time and walk to the bed, Kong leading the way.

"Protection," she said sitting up.

I reached down, grabbed my backpack, and upended it on the bed.

She clapped her hands in delight as a rainbow assortment of condoms and spermicides tumbled onto the eiderdown duvet.

"My lover the Boy Scout," she giggled.

I blushed and shrugged. "You told me I was responsible for protecting you so I covered all the bases."

"You did good, Johnny. Now get up here and start using this stuff."

So I did. Caroline Hernandez was the most athletic and adventurous woman I've ever made love to. She was way more experienced than the other two women I'd been with, and way more agile. By two that afternoon I was exhausted and so were four of the dozen rubbers I'd bought. Caroline taught me a lot that day, starting when she put her legs over my shoulders during our first tryst. Caroline was snug but not super tight so we fit together nicely. I came in her the first time far quicker than I wanted so I pulled out and went down on her. She loved it and screamed her ass off when she came. Then she took me in her talented mouth and had me ready in record time. She flipped over onto her hands and knees and I had my first doggie style. I lasted longer this time and Caroline came with me, fingering her clit to help herself along.

And so it went. Caroline reveled in funky fun. She wasn't grossed out that we were sweaty, stinky and sticky. We hopped in the shower at two and washed each other, being careful not to get her hair too wet. Then we cleaned up the bedroom and removed the evidence. When she dropped me at home I could barely walk and she was chipper and fresh as a daisy.

The next day at mass she looked positively angelic in a yellow print knee length dress. I grew erect when she passed the row where I was sitting on her way to take communion. I know I'm going to burn in hell for what I was thinking as her saucy little ass swished by.

Edited by Bert



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Chapter 5


I love springtime in Florida. From about the middle of March until early June the weather is perfect. The humidity is low with temperatures rising to the mid eighties during the day, and dropping into the sixties at night. College spring break begins in late March, first for the Canadian then for the US schools. The college kids hit the beach about the same time that we locals start spending more time on them. If we wanted to check out the college talent we drove a dozen miles north to Daytona; if we wanted to enjoy the beach we stayed in Palmdale.

It was during Palmdale High's spring break that I found the next female that resonated with me. When I say I found her I meant that I discovered the link, I already knew her and had for seven years. Us finding each other was an exhilarating and yet highly vexing situation. You see, the woman in question was Denise Drake, Richie and Jen Caldwell's mother.

On the first day of spring break I was at loose ends so I grabbed my bathing suit and cruised over to Richie's house on my bike. Richie wasn't at home but his mom said I was welcome to use the pool. Mrs. Drake looked sort of unhappy so I asked her to join me in the pool.

"You don't want to be bothered by an old woman like me, ' she said sadly.

I put my hand on her arm to tell her that wasn't true when I felt the tingle that let me know I was with someone on my personal wavelength. I squeezed her arm slightly and amended what I was going to say.

"That's comical Ms D, cause you are the prettiest mom in town."

I radiated every iota of sincerity I could muster in my voice and touch. It worked. She gave me a tentative smile.

"Okay but just for a little while, you sweet talker you."

I went out to the pool while she went to get her suit. I was floating on my back when she knifed into the pool and came up beside me. Denise was a petite woman, probably less than five feet three. She couldn't weigh much more than a hundred pounds. Jen and Richie were both short like her. She had a nice figure, largish breasts compared to her small frame and womanly flaring hips in proportion to her size. She was wearing a black one-piece bathing suit, as was her conservative nature. She always dressed well but, I guess because she was on television, nothing too revealing.

We joked around and I got her to laugh a lot using the teasing banter I had learned with Rachael. She asked me how school was going and I told her that I was on the 'A' honor roll again this term. She congratulated me and said she should hire me to tutor her daughter Jennifer. I said I'd do that for her if she wanted. Tutoring was an easy ten dollars an hour and usually would include a nice bonus for improved grades. She said she'd think about it but with Jenny being a cute girl and she didn't know if I could stay focused. I touched her arm again.

"Ms Drake, Jenny is just a friend. I don't feel any attraction to her. No offense but she is a little immature for my tastes."

Denise regarded me seriously for a moment. "Yes, I heard all about your hot older girl friend from my daughter. She was quite put out that you were seeing her."

"I only dated Rachael a few times; without going into details, she squashed my heart."

This time she took my hand in hers. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. Are you dating anyone now?"

"Not really, I take a girl named Caroline Hernandez out once in a while but we are just friends."

We talked for a while longer then got out of the pool. I toweled off and put my shorts on over my suit. Denise put on a short terry robe and snagged us a couple of Diet Cokes. I listened sympathetically as she lamented about getting older. She was afraid her television station would replace her with a younger woman any day now. She said it wasn't fair; after all, she was only thirty-nine. I decided then and there I'd do what I could to restore her self-esteem.

When I left she stood on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek.

"Johnny," she said, "when we are alone call me Denise, okay?"

And that's the way it started. My relationship with Denise evolved into a long slow dance as we both wrestled with our consciences. I was torn because she was married and the mother of one of my best friends. Denise's only problem turned out to be that I was so young.

Look, I know I could have kept anything from happening by just staying away. But Denise was unhappy and I sensed it was from more than just her job. I really wasn't thinking about sex at first, heck I was getting that in spades from Caroline. But this connection thing I share with certain women makes me feel as if I need to make things right for them, if that makes any sense.

The television show Denise co-hosted, "Palmdale In The Morning", aired from seven to nine. She had to be at the studio at five-thirty but was home by ten. Her routine was to take a shower then a nap. It had always been a rule that Jen and Richie have no one over between ten and noon.

The local Fox affiliate, like the network in general, was decidedly politically conservative. Denise had the same political bent. She was a member of the Republican Women's Club and an active member of the Republican Party. She and my grandfather would get along great. I mention her conservatism because it spilled into her personal life and outlook. Denise firmly believed that problems were solved by self-reliance and hard work. When she started having all these doubts about herself, she bottled up her feelings and kept up her public face through her inner turmoil.

The day after our swim together I went back over to see her, Richie was home that day so our time alone was limited, but she was genuinely happy to see me. She went shopping soon after I arrived but did ask me to come over that evening to discuss tutoring Jenny. Stan came over to swim too, then the three of us went to Stan's to work out. When I had a chance I tactfully quizzed Richie about his mom.

"Richie, your mom seems kind of down lately. Is she okay?"

"I don't know man, but she and Dad argue all the time. My dad has some new job that keeps him on the road a lot."

"She is thinking about hiring me to tutor your sister. How come Jen isn't doing better in school?"

"Beats me, she has never been a good student though, too many other interests. Now that she's discovered boys it's even worse. She is also jealous about this Disney gig I have coming up. She will be a big pain in your ass if you take the job."

Denise had wrangled an audition for Richie for a part in a pilot for an after school show Disney was producing for ABC. Richie got the part, it wasn't the male lead, but it was a start for him. I was pretty sure that Richie's good looks and sparkling personality would take him a long way as an actor. I could see Jen being jealous; she was such a prima donna. Stan and Jen were no longer an item as both had moved on. Jen was a junior varsity cheerleader and, of course, she was dating the quarterback of the junior varsity football team.

That evening I showed up at Denise's at seven. Richie had a date and Jen was at a sleepover with one of her cheer teammates. Mr. Caldwell was who knows where. Denise got us a drink and we sat in the family room, me on the couch and her in a nearby wing-backed chair. She was wearing tan slacks and a cream-colored cashmere sweater. I noticed that her trademark short shag cut hair had been recently brushed and she was wearing make up.

"You look very nice this evening Denise, although I think you look better in a skirt."

She actually blushed! "I'm getting spider veins behind my knees, I'm afraid my skirt wearing days are over."

I shrugged, "So you wear stockings, yeah, thigh highs would do it."

She gave me a look as if I just landed from Mars.

"Maybe, but I don't know how appropriate it is for us to be talking about skirts and stockings."

I decided to try something different. I reached over and took her hand.

"Hey, I'm your friend; I was just thinking that maybe a little wardrobe change might make you feel better. Why don't you try it next time I'm over and see?"

She hesitated a second before saying maybe again. That was all I wanted, just to get her to think about it. It was obvious that Denise wasn't going to reinvent herself ala Rachael without a little nudging from me.

I changed the subject to tutoring. We agreed on two nights a week for an hour and a half. I though the twenty-five dollars she offered to pay for each session was outstanding. Business completed I asked Denise if she would mind sitting out by the pool with me, it was a nice night and I wanted to enjoy the fresh air. Denise refreshed her wine and my iced tea and we sat at the patio table next to the pool. It was fairly dark with only the muted glow of the pool lights denting the inky stillness. I moved my chair close to hers and encouraged her to talk. She was reticent at first but as I held her hand she started.

She told me that television was a fickle business, one that based a person's value on the latest marketing data. It didn't matter that you had dominated your time slot for years; two consecutive quarters with slipping numbers put management into a tizzy. Her show had suffered such a decline and rumors were flying that changes were imminent if the numbers slid again. The most persistent rumor had the station manager contemplating aiming for a younger demographic by totally revamping the show. The new version would be faster paced, with new sets and hip new hosts.

"What does Mr. Caldwell say about it?" I asked.

She snorted. "He says I don't need to work anyway and that I could find some other hobby. Can you believe it; he called my career a hobby. I think Jack is like our station manager, looking for a younger demographic. He has this incredibly beautiful young assistant that seems to travel with him a whole lot. Johnny, I just don't know what I am going to do if I'm washed up at forty."

She started crying then so I pulled her toward me. She resisted a little but finally slid into my lap and cried on my shoulder. I held her and let her get it all out. Finally she sniffled and sat up.

"Look at me, crying like a baby. That's not my style at all. Why do I feel so comfortable with you Johnny? I'm the adult yet I feel so protected and safe with you. And I've got mascara all over your shirt."

I laughed as she tried to rub the wet mascara off my collar.

"Don't worry about it, it'll wash out. You feel comfortable with me because we have a connection and you trust me. That's how it is with some people and me."

"I feel that, Johnny Pulaski, but I'm still making a spectacle out of myself crying all over you."

She made a move to get off my lap but I held her firmly in place.

"Stay where you are, I should get equal time to just hold you like this without you crying."

She gave me a little laugh and punched me in the arm.

"You are sooo bad," she said.

But she stayed right where she was, comfortably snuggled in my arms. Jeez, she was tiny. After about ten minutes I reluctantly let her up. It was after eight by now and I had to get home. She let me hold her hand as she walked me to the door. Before I left she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight.

"Thank you for listening to me Johnny. I'm sure you had better things to do."

"Not at all Sweetie," I said, "even at your worst you are the best company I could be keeping."

That got me a kiss on the lips. It wasn't a big kiss but it was a start.

The next day was Saturday and already Saturday was synonymous for Caroline. And Caroline was synonymous for hot monkey sex! She had to watch her younger brothers and sisters while her parents were at her oldest brother's soccer game; so she didn't get too my house until one. She came in and talked to Dad and Katrina while I finished mowing our lawn. I think Dad suspected about our Saturdays but Katrina knew for sure. The Moose took no pity on me when I came home dragging ass.

I had my backpack laden with supplies just like last week. In addition, I had purchased a tube of surgical lube. Last week on a whim I slipped a finger coated with our juices into Caroline's ass while I was munching muff for about the fifth time. When I did that she came unglued, she arched off the bed and warbled an air raid siren wail. The little trick was something I picked up studying erotica on the Internet. During my 'research' I learned that if the girl in the story liked a little finger wave she might also like a little Kong action back there. Who knows, maybe I could show my little sexpot something new for a change.

It was almost one-thirty by the time I put away the mower and took a shower. I apologized to Caroline for being late. She said no problem; she had enjoyed hanging out watching me sweat. Once we were at Rachael's I took charge and slowed my over anxious little Latina down. I undressed her myself this time, savoring every flawless dusky inch of golden skin I uncovered. When she was naked I asked her to do the same for me. She complied and stripped me. She looked at me questioningly when we both were naked. I motioned for her to lie down on the bed on her back.

When she was in position I crawled onto the bed and started kissing her. When I had kissed every square inch of her front I flipped her over and started on her back. I took notice of all the little places that felt good to her. This was all new to Caroline. I was amazed that none of her previous lovers had wanted to do this for her. She had such a succulent little body that seemed made for kissing. When I had her again on her back I dove down to taste her little quim. She was ready and came after only a few swipes of my tongue. She was still quivering with her orgasm when I slipped on a rubber and pushed into her. When her hips started to gyrate I pulled out and told her to slow down. She looked at me as if I was crazy but moved slower when I slid back into her.

I made slow and tender love to Caroline for almost thirty minutes, stopping often when one of us was ready to climax. When we did come it was together and it was gigantic. When we were close to breathing normally I carefully rolled us over until she was lying on top of me. She pushed herself up to a sitting position. She shook her hair off her face, her expression bewildered.

"That was the most incredible feeling, Johnny. No one has ever made me feel that good before. I don't think we can do that any more or I will end up falling in love with you."

"Honey, there has to be some love between us if I am going to keep doing this. I don't necessarily mean the boyfriend-girlfriend type but maybe friends who love each other or something. Just hopping in the sack with someone doesn't do it for me; I'd rather just masturbate."

She considered what I said for a few long moments, then tentatively agreed that if the results were like we just experienced I might have a point. I had stayed hard even after my first orgasm so I was able to hold on to the rubber as she dismounted. I stripped off the dead latex soldier and Caroline cleaned me slick as a whistle with her mouth. I started to reach for another condom when she stopped me.

"I just finished my period yesterday and started the pill today. I think I'm pretty safe. I wanna try it bareback."

I agreed provided we use the sponge spermi-thing, just in case. Boy it was good without the rubber between us! Oh yeah, and we got to use the KY lube I bought too. We both thought it was okay for a change of pace but didn't see it being a focal point of our love making. We had too much fun doing other stuff. I was tired when she took me home at five but not as dogged as the week before. I sure was satisfied though and judging from Caroline's smug little glow, so was she.

I didn't go to the Caldwell's that Saturday but Denise did surprise me by calling me about eight that night. My dad took the call and yelled up that some girl named Denise was on the phone. Denise got a kick out of him mistaking her for a teenager. We had a really nice chat on the telephone. I think Denise was surprised at how much I knew about politics and the current political landscape. I don't see why she would have been though, because we were in Florida, the world epicenter of fucked up politics. I keep up with politics mainly so I could argue with my grandfather. I loved to take the opposite side of the debate just to get a rise out of him. Politics weren't all she and I talked about though.

"I went shopping today," she said.

"Oh? What did you buy?" I asked.

"I bought a couple of short pleated skirts, not minis, but definitely above the knees. And I bought some stay up thigh highs, black ones and some smoky gray ones. I was surprise at how good they looked on me. Well, I guess you are going to have to decide that, though, aren't you?"

"Yes I will. Do you think I could see you in some of them Monday?"

"I think that could be arranged, if you dropped by at about four or so. Which would you prefer, red or navy?"

"Red," I said, "and black stockings, and maybe some short heels."

She gave me a throaty laugh. "You are incorrigible, but I'll see what I can do. Bye-bye Johnny Pulaski, I miss you."

She hung up before I could say anything else.

Sunday was family day for us as it was one of the rare occasions that Mom was home. Mom was Director of Shuttle Operations now and was struggling mightily to restore a seriously broken program to its former glory. One effect of her new job was that she was taking a greater interest in her appearance. Gone were the schoolmarm clothes, black-rimmed glasses and hair in a bun. Now she wore fashionable business suits, contacts and her hair was in a stylish pageboy. She looked professional and very good. Mom was there physically but you could tell she had a lot on her mind. Mom's parents, Gus and Syl, were down for a week also, taking spring break along with their students.

At three in the afternoon Papa Janus had about as much of Gus and Syl as he could stand. Mumbling that he had to go let Jethro out he grabbed me and booked. We took Jethro to the park so he could run. I brought a Frisbee thinking I'd toss it for Jethro like all the guys were doing with their Border Collies and Sheep Dogs. I tossed the Frisbee and Jethro took off after it like a shot. But unlike the other dogs, the Doofus picked it up and ran it the other direction. He got about fifty feet from us, lay down and began to eat the Frisbee. When he finished reducing the Whammo Deluxe to a small wad of shapeless plastic he stood up and looked around. As soon as he spotted another Frisbee in the air he rocketed after it. With a truly phenomenal leap, he intercepted the disk and hauled ass with it. Papa looked at me and shrugged.

"I think Jethro is too smart to play the game the normal way so he invented his own rules."

God love him, only my grandfather could use the words Jethro and smart in the same sentence. It took fifteen minutes to corral the big goofy hound as he proceeded to disrupt every activity occurring in the park that involved flying objects. Papa was so impressed by Jethro's athletic prowess he went to McDonalds and bought him two orders of Chicken McNuggets. Jethro daintily ate the nuggets, boxes and all. By the time we reached my grandparents house we were riding with the windows down as Jethro cut loose with some impressively prodigious farts.

Papa tied Jetro to his runner in the back yard and we headed back to my house for supper. Jethro had to be tied up because there wasn't a fence in town Jethro couldn't get over, including the six-foot privacy fence around my grandparents' back yard. And no one wanted Jethro on the loose. Jethro would run around the neighborhood chasing cats and playing with kids until someone called my grandfather or worse called Animal Control. To insure Jethro's safe return from one of his adventures his collar was fitted with this big engraved metal dog bone. The dog bone read: 'JETHRO PULASKI - POLISH WONDER DOG - 386-555-4271.

I worked for my grandfather Monday from seven until three in the afternoon. He was starting a kitchen remodel and needed my help with the demolition of the old kitchen. I enjoyed working with Papa and the money was damned good. Papa would always double what he promised me to keep me ahead on my father's fifty-fifty rule. I had to bank fifty percent of everything I earned working. I didn't really gripe too much about having to save because I had a nifty little five-figure balance before I even turned sixteen.

Once home, I showered off the layer of drywall dust I was coated in and put on a nice pair of slacks and a button down collar shirt. Then I splashed on some aftershave. I figured Denise would appreciate my efforts. At three-fifty I rode my bike over to the Caldwells', my swimsuit and a towel in my backpack.

I was ringing the doorbell at the Caldwells' at four sharp. Denise answered the door wearing slacks and a turtleneck knit shirt. Not quite what I expected. I guess I let my disappointment show because she smiled and hugged me.

"Jennifer is upstairs getting ready to go to the mall. Be patient, okay?"

"No problem Denise, you still look gorgeous. I'll just go over and see Stan for a few minutes."

Stan wasn't home either, but Michelle was. She was waiting for Jen to come over. Mrs. Hoffman was the one taking them to the mall. Michelle invited me in and led me to the rec room. We sat down on the sofa and caught up on each other's lives. Michelle was fifteen now and dating. She was going out with a junior named Wayne Collins. Girls my age dated older guys because they had cars and could really take them out. I teasingly asked Michelle if she was expanding on our pool of sexual knowledge.

"God, Johnny, doesn't it seem like years ago that we made that pact? I was so immature then. It's funny because I had to teach Wayne how to kiss me and make me feel good. I'm still a virgin, it just doesn't seem as important to get rid of my cherry now as it did last year. How about you Johnny? You getting any?"

I cracked up when she asked me that. It was her brother Stan's favorite saying. I wasn't about to tell Shelly about my love life. I never talked about the girls I had been intimate with, that would be disrespecting them.

"I might have a couple of things that I could show you," I said.

"Hmmm," she said, "I might take you up on that one day soon. After all, I promised that you would be my first."

"I'm not going to hold you to that, Shelly. You said it in the heat of passion. Maybe you want to save that for someone you fall in love with."

"Maybe," she allowed, "but I know in my heart that you are the one that can make my first time special. I just feel safe and cared for when I'm with you."

"Yeah, we have a bond Shelly and always will. If you still feel the same way when the time comes, I would be honored to be your first. After all, you were my first for most everything, too."

We didn't get to talk further because Jen came breezing in. Jen didn't have much to say to me, I wasn't one of her favorite people for some reason. It bothered me that she felt that way, it would make tutoring her difficult. I left Michelle's and took a leisurely ride around the block before going back to the Caldwells'.

This time when I rang the doorbell Denise called for me to come in. I opened the door and she was standing inside the foyer. She was wearing exactly what we had discussed, a short red pleated skirt, the nylons and shoes with heels about two inches tall. For a top she had on a scooped neck white silk shirt that was very daring for her. It was the first thing I'd ever seen her in anything that showed cleavage. The outfit was classy and sexy at the same time. She giggled at my 'Wow' and did a pirouette so I could see the back.

"What do you think?" She asked.

"I think you look even better than I imagined you would, and that's saying a lot. But what do you think? Is it a look that you can be comfortable with?"

"I think I look sexy in this but I don't know if I can wear it in public. I'm a little long in the tooth to be flaunting my body like that. With you it feels good but with anyone else it might not."

"You need to stop putting yourself down right now. I'm going to tell you one last time you are not that old. You are an attractive woman in her prime so start acting like it."

She gave me this strange look and I thought she shivered a little.

"I'll try, Johnny," She said meekly.

I was getting the idea that Denise liked it when I was forceful around her and told her what to do. Maybe she was tired of having to be in charge all the time and me telling her what to do made it easier. I didn't waste any time testing my theory.

"Good, now come here and hug me like you mean it."

She gave me a sweet smile and flew into my open arms. She giggled when I picked her up and twirled her around. I sat her back down and tilted up her face. When I kissed her she gave a little hum and kissed me back. I didn't try to french her but I held the kiss for a few seconds. When I broke it she stayed in my arms and laid her face on my chest.

"What are we doing Johnny?" she asked.

"Right now we are being friends; we'll worry about other stuff later."

Denise nodded against me and squeezed me before stepping back.

"Will you stay and have dinner with me?" she asked.

I agreed and followed her into the kitchen. I sat on a stool at the long counter top bar and we chatted about inconsequential stuff as she efficiently made us a light supper. We ate salads and sandwiches side by side out by the pool as the sun sank slowly behind us. I helped Denise carry the dishes and drinks back inside. She poured herself a glass of white wine and we went back out on the pool deck. When I sat down Denise looked at me shyly.

"Can I sit in you lap again, Johnny? I felt so good there last time. No one holds me and hugs me any more. Jack is always gone and when he's not, he and the kids pretty much ignore me."

I scooted back the chair and she slipped into my lap. She sighed and cuddled up against me.

"I don't know how safe you are sitting here, sweetie," I said resting my hand on her thigh. "I'm a guy and you are a sexy and pretty girl."

She raised her head off my shoulder and looked me in the eye.

"I'm as safe as I want to be," she said.

Then she surprised the crap out of me by giving me a scorching hot kiss, her little tongue forcing its way into my mouth. I kissed her back with enthusiasm. Her arms tightened around my neck and she moaned into my mouth. I moved my hand on her thigh in firm little circles as we kissed. When she finally broke the kiss she laid her head back against my chest and started talking, her voice low and husky.

"I haven't kissed anyone like that in years," she said. "I thought because I was getting older I'd lost the desire. Jack doesn't kiss me any more even when we sleep together. He just gets himself off as I lay there thinking about grocery lists and what I'm going to do the next day. For years now, my life has been all about comfort and aging gracefully. Now you come along and all of a sudden my blood sings in my veins."

Not much I could say to that but coupled with what she told me about her job it sure explained her unhappiness. I tilted her chin up and kissed her again. This time I was the aggressor, worming my tongue between her lips. She stiffened monetarily when I cupped her breast then sighed and relaxed. Her breasts were a really nice pliant handful. She didn't protest when I fished under her blouse and unhooked her bra. We were both breathing hard when we came up for air.

"I want to make love Johnny," she whispered into my ear.

"So do I Denise but we can't do it now. I want it to be perfect for you when we do. No rushing, no worries about someone coming home. You are too special to me for that."

She stared at me and her eyes got moist.

"That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Are you going to make me fall in love with you Johnny?"

I answered her by kissing her again. We made out for a while longer. I ended up getting her off with my fingers as she moaned and bit my neck. When she tried to do the same for me I stopped her.

"This is your evening Sweetie. Next time it will be our day."

I went home at eight so Denise could get to bed. She had to be up at four-thirty to get ready for work. I told her I would find a way for us to spend some special time together. She kissed me passionately at the door and told me it needed to be soon because I was responsible for waking up her sensuality. I left with a severe case of self-inflicted blue balls. I had to jerk off twice before Kong would let me sleep.

Tuesday morning I was up bright and early, I had slept great. I was dressed in jeans and my Red Wing work boots for another day of helping my grandfather. Dad was already up so he and I shot the shit for a while. Dad told me that he had a line on a used pickup truck for my birthday but wouldn't give me any details. My dad ran across good deals on vehicles all the time in his line of work. He was the one who turned Mr. Hernandez on to the Geo that Caroline drove. Cars really didn't interest me that much but I loved pickup trucks. I think it must be genetic with us Pulaski men because my dad and grandfather were the same way.

At seven my dad left and I turned on the tube while I waited for Papa J. The people whose kitchen he was remodeling were still living in the house so we couldn't start before eight. I clicked the remote over to channel sixteen to catch a peek at sweet little Denise. I could tell right away that Denise was in a good mood, she was vibrant and witty. She looked good too, wearing a skirt and blazer and the shoes she had worn last night. Under the blazer she was wearing a red silk shell that almost looked like a camisole. It was a daring ensemble for her.

Papa showed up at a quarter after. I hopped into his truck and he took us to breakfast at Mama's Café. Mama's was my grandfather's favorite hangout. He said it was for the food but I was betting it was the waitresses that kept him coming back. Mama's had two spectacularly built women serving the small restaurant. And my grandfather had big eyes for one of them. She was about forty-five and sharp as a tack. Watching her flirt with Papa was a treat.

We pulled up to the job at ten after eight. Papa held a brief conference with the homeowners before they left for work then we finished tearing out the old kitchen. We ripped out everything including the appliances. The range was a fairly new model glass topped GE that was in excellent condition so we loaded it onto his truck. Papa thought that Maria Hernandez, Caroline's mom, might want it. Being an immigrant himself he had a soft spot for the Hernandez family.

At nine thirty my cell phone vibrated and beeped letting me know I had a text message. I flipped my phone open and read the message. 'I miss you and can't wait to see you again, love Dee' it said. I showed the text to my nosey grandfather and he clapped me on the back.

"You're a true Pulaski," he said proudly.

We worked steadily and by noon were finished with the demolition and clean up. We took a break for lunch then spent the afternoon repairing dry wall. Papa called his drywall finishers to make sure they were set to prep the walls the next day then we headed home. My grandfather was a whiz at scheduling his subcontractors, that's why his jobs were completed so quickly. He had finishers scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday and painters on for Friday. Tile setters were coming in Monday to put down the slate floors.

I called Denise as soon as I got home. She was happy that I called, she practically purred on the phone. She asked me to come over after supper so we could sit down with Jennifer and talk about the tutoring. I said sure.

With my mom gone so much we ate a lot of meals at my grandparents. Nana was a great cook and loved feeding us. Usually it was just my dad and me for supper because Katrina was at her part time job at the library. What with work, school, sports and dating we saw about as much of the Moose as we did my mom. I couldn't help but notice our family fragmenting. But then I thought about the rock like presence of my dad and knew that somehow he'd make everything right. Even my grandfather felt that way; Paul Pulaski just inspired that kind of confidence in people.

I arrived at the Caldwells' at sevenish. Denise met me at the door with a quick kiss and a lingering hug.

"I can't believe how much I missed you and how happy I am to see you," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

"I missed you too, Dee, I even watched you on TV this morning. And by the way, you sparkled."

"You did?" she said, pleased as punch. "I felt so good this morning I just let it out on the air. The station got a lot of calls about it. My boss said whatever I was doing to keep it up. I'd love it if you called me Dee all the time, it can be your special name for me."

"You got it Dee-Dee, now let's go talk to my new student." I said as I spun her around and swatted her on her butt. She was wearing a snug calf length skirt and another one of those cashmere sweaters, both in a pale green. She was some classy woman.

Dee laughed gaily and wiggled her ass saucily as she led me to the family room. She told me to sit down then she went upstairs to get Jen. She returned in a couple of minutes with her daughter in tow. Jen plopped down on the couch next to me, curious about what was going on. Denise sat primly on the edge of an over-stuffed chair across the coffee table from us.

"Jennifer, I am hiring Johnny to help you with your schoolwork," Denise said without preamble.

Jen looked at me in surprise. "Really!?"

"Yes, really, I don't want you to fall behind and I want you to be able to keep up you extracurricular activities. I though a tutor would accomplish both things. What do you think?"

I could almost see the wheels turning in her conniving little brain as she though for a minute.

"I don't know but I guess we can try it. But I'm not stupid or anything you know."

I jumped in then.

"Jen, I've known you for years, I know you are anything but stupid. Sometimes though, it helps to have someone study with you to help you focus. I see that being the way we approach this."

Jen nodded and asked how it was going to work. I told her that I'd spend an hour and a half with her on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jen agreed to give it a try. We talked about details for a few minutes then Denise asked Jen to excuse us so we could work out financial arrangements. When Jen was out of sight up the stairs, Denise took her place on the couch.

"That went amazing well, Johnny, thank you."

"No problem Dee, she really is a smart girl you know. She's just unfocused and full of herself."

We talked about the tutoring for a few minutes and agreed that I would start at seven next Tuesday. Then Denise took my hand and led me thru the kitchen into the laundry room. She closed the door behind her and melted into my arms. I lifted her into the air and sat her on the washing machine then stepped between her legs and kissed her. We made out for a few minutes until we heard Jen calling for her mom. With a final kiss and a promise to call tomorrow, I slipped into the garage and out the side door.

That night I wracked my brain for a romantic spot to take Denise for our first time together. I didn't want to take her to Rachael's because someone might see us there. I finally hit on a plan that would protect Denise and still give her the experience I thought she deserved. I'd need a little help but knew exactly who to get that from. I fell into a contented sleep as soon as I took care of the Mighty Kong.

Next morning I was up early again, despite not having to work. I again had coffee with Dad, Mom had already left for the Cape and Katrina was out for her morning ten-kilometer run. As soon as Dad was out the door I turned on the tube and called my grandfather. I knew Papa was at loose ends today with nothing to do but check on his drywall finishers so I asked him if he could do me a huge favor. Since he and Nana lived to do stuff for Katrina and me, he jumped at the chance. I asked him to pick me up in an hour or so, hung up the phone, and turned my attention to the television.

My Honey was in rare form again and looked even better than yesterday. She was dressed a little sexier and her hair was done up subtly different. She looked at least ten years younger than she use to. The segment I was watching had a famous chef from one of the marquee Disney hotels as a guest. Denise was making him look good by feeding him compliments and questions. Her persiflage had the guy eating out of her hand by the time he pulled his spinach soufflé out of the oven. I shook my head in awe as I headed up to throw on some clothes and brush my teeth.

Papa picked me up at eight and insisted we go to Mama's for breakfast, even though I'd already eaten. Papa's favorite table at the diner was mysteriously available even though the place was packed. Tina, the waitress, came swishing over and parked her hip against Papa's shoulder. Papa snaked his hand around her and hugged her to him.

"Tina, when are you going to come to your senses and run off with me?' Papa asked.

"Jan, if I thought you meant it I'd do it in a heartbeat," she answered.

She was at least thirty years younger than him but I could tell she was dead serious. Papa laughed and patted her on her shapely butt. Anyone else would have gotten a right hook for that move; my grandfather got a smile and a coo.

While I worked on my second breakfast of the morning I told Papa what I wanted to do. I didn't mention names but he guessed it was the mysterious Dee from yesterday. Papa agreed to help, so as soon as we finished our breakfast we headed out to the western end of the county. We pulled in to Mermaid Springs State Park and went into the visitor's center. The park was the winter hangout for a large cluster of manatees because of the constant seventy-degree temperature of the spring's water. This late in the year though, the manatees were back in the ocean so on weekdays the park was nearly deserted. The park had a dozen small log cabins they rented as well as a full service campground. I was interested in a cabin. Cabins were available so Papa used his credit card and rented one for me for Thursday and Friday.

Papa drove me home and agreed to pick me up tomorrow at three. I had some things that I wanted to get to put in the cabin and he needed to sign for the keys after four. As soon as he drove off I sent a text to Denise's cell phone. 'Dee, don't make any plans for Friday, it's our day, Love JP3' was what I sent.

Denise must have gotten my message when she woke up from her nap because she called me shortly after noon. She was jubilant and full of questions. I told her that it was a surprise and that I would text her Friday morning with directions. She said she couldn't wait.

I didn't go to the Caldwells' that evening, instead I went to Stan's. We had a really good work out while he told me about the new girl he was dating. Stan had gotten his driver's license the week before spring break and Patricia was the first girl he was actually taking out on dates. He said I should ask Michelle out and we'd double date. I knew Patricia Miller by sight, she was a fox and I told him so. He asked me about my love life and I gave him a sanitized version of it. I told him I saw Caroline Hernandez every so often but we were just friends.

"That's a shame Dude," he said, "because I know of at least four girls that want to go out with you, most especially my sister."

I changed the subject and lamented that we saw so little of Richie any more. We talked about that for a few minutes. Stan said that according to what Jen told his sister, Richie was set to do the series if ABC picked up the pilot he was making. He said Richie might not even come back to school next year until shooting for the season was over. I told Stan that I hoped his new fame wouldn't change Richie too much. Stan said he didn't think it would because Richie was a genuinely good guy. Then he added, too bad you can't say the same for his sister. Stan was still smarting over the way Jen had dumped him. I could understand where he was coming from because of the cavalier way Rachael kicked me to the curb.

Thursday, Papa came through like a champ. He didn't bat an eye when I asked him to buy me a couple of bottles of good champagne. He waited patiently as I bought a dozen roses and a vase at the florist. Then he had the idea that we might need something to eat so he drove us to Albertson's and helped me pick out a picnic type lunch that would keep in the small fridge in the cabin. I picked up plastic champagne flutes, napkins and plastic flatware as well. He insisted that I also get some bubble bath. I wasn't about to argue with his sixty years of experience with women. Papa took my loot and me to the park and signed for the cabin key. Then he helped me set up my little love nest. He dropped me off at my house at six with the promise to pick me up at eight in the morning.

I stayed home that night knowing the anticipation would make tomorrow even more special. I did talk to Denise on the phone though. She tried hard to wheedle information out of me. I told her I had watched her show for a while Wednesday morning and was impressed with the way she handled the chef. She said it was my doings because I had given her a new outlook that spilled over into her job. She said she loved the idea of me watching her show and sometimes she did things just because she knew I'd like them.

I was up at six the next morning, too excited to stay in bed another minute. I came downstairs just as Mom was hurrying out the door on her way to another twelve-hour day. I impulsively hugged her at the door and told her I loved her. She seemed bemused by my actions but said she loved me too. I poured myself a cup of coffee and stared off into space thing about my mom. I knew she loved me but her work was really her life. Sonia Pulaski was an extraordinary scientist and manager but she struggled as a parent, especially as Katrina and I grew up and became more complex persons. For Katrina it was no big deal, she had set sail on her own course by the age of twelve. It wasn't that easy for me.

I had the ritual cup of coffee with my dad but passed on breakfast, my stomach was too nervous to contemplate raisin bran. The Moose stopped by and said hello on her way to run. She was even more fanatical about her fitness since she received word in January that her appointment to the Air Force Academy came through.

Katrina retuned from her run and hit the fridge for a glass of orange juice. The woman was a machine; she just clicked off a ten k run in about forty minutes and wasn't even breathing hard. She surprised me by sitting down at the table. Usually she went straight up to shower.

"So, who is she?" Katrina asked.

"She who," I said stupidly.

"The new girl you are seeing. Nana said her name was Dee."

Damn I hoped Papa was keeping the rest of my business a better secret.

"Uh, she's just a girl I met, you don't know her."

I think I was technically correct in that Katrina and Denise had never met to my knowledge. Of course Katrina, I was willing to bet, was very well acquainted with Denise's son Richie. I'd also bet the Moose would shit a brick if she found out.

"When are we going to meet her?" Katrina demanded. Geez, she was as relentless as a prosecutor.

"Probably never," I said.

"Why not?" she pressed.

This was getting dicey.

"There are complications, just let it go at that," I pleaded.

"No way," she said, 'you get in trouble too easy. What kind of complications?"

Here it was; she had pinned me down knowing I wouldn't lie.

"Er, the husband kind," I mumbled.

She looked at me incredulously.

"Jesus Christ, Johnny don't you ever learn! It was only four months ago when a grown woman broke your heart and five weeks since a guy kicked your ass over another woman. And now you are potentially rolling both things into one."

Before I could say anything else Katrina disgustedly jumped up and stomped up stairs. Even though I regretted making her mad, I still watched her legs as they made an ass out of themselves going up the stairs. I sure hoped there was at least one Amazon like her in my future.

After my sister left I turned on the television and watched my Honey at work. If she had been good the last few days, she was magnificent today. She radiated a subtle classy sexiness that was hard to miss. I glanced at the clock willing time to speed up.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 6


One thing about us Pulaski men, we were fanatics about being on time. I think it all stemmed from my grandfather's years in the military. Being at the appointed place at the designated time, Papa called it. So on my big day my grandfather honked his horn for me at seven fifty-nine. I grabbed my backpack and sprinted out to his truck. As we motored out of town Papa looked at me wistfully when we passed Mama's Diner.

"You can stop there on the way home, all you have to do is drop me off." I said.

"Yeah, but it's not as much fun going without you," he replied.

I told him we'd go for breakfast tomorrow morning and maybe even talk Dad into going with us. He thought that was a most excellent idea.

Papa dropped me off in front of the cabin at a quarter to nine. I thanked him profusely for all his help. Papa brushed off my thanks with an 'it was nothing' and wished me good luck. He roared off as I was unlocking the door. As soon as I set down my backpack, I took out my cell phone and texted Denise: 'Mermaid Springs cabin seven'. I fluffed up the roses in the vase then pulled a bottle of bubbly out of the mini-fridge and set it in the silver ice bucket I snuck out of our china cabinet. I set up my portable CD player and stuck in a CD titled 'Romancing the Classics'. I was pulling out all the stops for Denise. I was determined to make up for some of the romance she had been cheated out of. Lastly, I took my backpack across the room and made a few alterations to the rustic pine four-poster bed.

An hour later I heard a car crunching the gravel in front of the cabin. I opened the door just as Denise was exiting a shiny black Jag. She reached in and grabbed a small overnight bag and walked into my arms. I kicked the door shut and we kissed as if we hadn't seen each other for months.

"Nice wheels," I said when we came up for air.

"I borrowed it from my station manager," she explained. "He would have carried me here piggy back if I'd asked. The overnight Neilson's showed our veiwership up over fifteen percent, with me as the reason."

Most of what she said was over my head but I figured it must be good.

"Congratulations," I said.

She nodded. "Thanks, but you its your fault you know."

"Nah, all I did was help you remember how talented you really are. Now sit down and relax," I said.

She obediently sat down on the chair I indicated. I started the CD player and poured us both a glass of champagne. I handed her a glass then clinked it with mine.

"Here's to you Dee, you are a truly amazing woman, all beauty, brains and personality."

She blushed and took a sip.

"I want this so much Johnny, but I'm scared. I'm scared that I won't live up to your expectations. I'm scared you are going to be disappointed. I'm forty years old, Honey, and I have all the wear and tear that goes with that. I sag and I have stretch marks. And past that, I don't think I'm a very good lover if my husband's any indication."

She touched my heart with her little speech. I was appalled that she still had such a low opinion of herself. I stood up and pulled her to her feet. She came into my arms eagerly. I held her and stoked her hair.

"You've already exceeded all my expectations, Dee. I'm the luckiest guy in Palmdale just to get to hold you."

"You always know just what to say to me, Johnny. I can't believe you're only fifteen. Wait right here and I'll be back in a minute."

She picked up her small valise, grabbed her champagne and disappeared into the bathroom. I stripped off my clothes and climbed into the bed and under the covers. I propped myself up with some pillows against the headboard and waited for her. It was ten minutes by my Casio before the door opened and she stepped out. She stood there silhouetted in the doorway, unmoving, her arms akimbo and her expression hopeful. She was wearing a floor length white diaphanous gown that hid just enough.

She smiled shyly at my wow of approval.

"I bought this just for you Johnny, just for us, just for today. I know it's corny but I wanted white for our first time."

"It's beautiful, come here," I said, sweeping back the sheet and comforter.

She crawled into the bed and snuggled against me as I pulled the covers back over us. She was on her side and I was still lying on my back. She pulled her knee up and draped her leg over me.

"You're naked under here!" she exclaimed.

I laughed. "Yep and in a few minutes you are going to be too. That's the way it works."

She giggled and kissed me on the cheek.

I held her for a few minutes letting her get comfortable with our closeness. She started caressing my chest with her small, soft hand.

"I like that you are not all hairy," she said, her voice soft and intimate.

"It's a family trait, not a lot of body hair on us Pulaski men. But you should see the women, they are as hairy as a Yak."

She giggled again and pinched my nipple. "I love the way you can make me laugh, Johnny. It makes being with you fun."

"Ouch," I said as she gave my nipple another twist. She was laughing harder as I grabbed her and rolled her on top of me. I swatted her pretty hard on the butt through the covers, "stop abusing me, woman."

When I pulled her over onto me she ended up between my legs. When I smacked her ass she ohhed and ground against me, I was rock hard by then. Her eyes widened when she felt my erection.

"Is that all you I feel?"

Now listen, I'd love to be saying right now that she was rubbing up against ten inches of Pulaski Kielbasa but the truth is about three inches shorter. Name not withstanding, Kong was only slightly larger than what our Sex Ed book said was the norm. Yet, who was I to burst Dee-Dee's bubble?

"Yes ma'am, that's the Mighty Kong you are rubbing against."

"King Kong?"

I had her going now she was shaking with mirth.

"Nah, just Kong, the King thing sounds kinda pretentious. And he prefers dick to penis. I'll betcha you have some cute name for your vagina, don't you?"

She blushed and nodded. "It's Miss Coochie; that's what one of my teammates at UF called them. We were the Classy Coochie Sisters."

It was my turn to laugh. She gave me a grin and scooted up until we were eye to eye.

The grin left her face as she stared into my eyes. Damn, her gaze was hypnotic. Her eyes were china blue and seemed to sparkle with an inner light. Her expression was serious now as she held herself above me. Then she lowered her face and our lips met. It was the kiss that moved our relationship that final step as I could feel her surrendering herself with it. I reached down and started working the hem of her gown upward. She felt what I was doing, took a deep breath and then pulled the gown up and off. Her self-description had been way too harsh. Yes, her breasts sagged a little but they were still quite firm. She did have some barely noticeable stretch marks, but they were on a firm, flat tummy and still shapely hips. I forcefully rolled us over until I was now above her. I took both of her hands in one of mine and held them over her head. I wiggled my hips until my dick was rubbing against her fleecy soft hair.

"Do I need to use protection?"

She gave a wide-eyed little shake of her head.

"Then put me in you," I said firmly.

She reached down quickly and grabbed Kong in a gentle grip. She rubbed him up and down her slit; he was almost sloshing in the little minx's copious juice. She set him at her entrance and put her hands on my hips. I flexed my pelvis and sank about a third of the way into her. I pulled back and pushed in harder; it took three strokes to finally seat myself until our pubic hair was enmeshed. As soon as I bottomed out she came with a wail. I ground against her to prolong her orgasm, happy that we'd passed the first hurdle so quickly. When she finished cumming she looked up at me in awe.

"How did you do that? I never climax from intercourse."

I pulled out of her even though she gave a disappointed moan.

"Don't move," I ordered.

She looked confused as I grabbed her left hand and quickly secured it to the necktie I had tied to the bedpost earlier. I had hidden the ties behind the mattress. When I reached for her right hand she stretched it toward the bedpost without me saying a word. I secured her feet to the foot posts in the same manner then moved up beside her. She had a wild look in her eyes but it wasn't fear.

"You came so quickly Dee, because I am the master of your hot little body. And because it is a slave to my touch, understand?"

She nodded her head quickly. "How did you know? I've secretly dreamed of this since I was a teenager," she gasped.

"I told you we were connected Dee-Dee, somehow I know just what you need."

I spent the next thirty minutes proving what I said. Denise was as wrong about not enjoying sex as she was about her body. I got down between her legs and went straight for her clit with my tongue. It only took a minute before she yelled as she came strongly. Denise was multi-orgasmic and she was a screamer. I had to give her a pillow to bite and scream into so she wouldn't get us arrested. Denise's little 'Coochie' would contract as I ate her, expelling air noisily. Some time it would contract hard enough to expel some of the fluid she was secreting. After her third oral orgasm I shifted up the bed and kissed her. My face was slick with her juice. As I moved my face around her lips she got the idea and eagerly licked my face as I slipped Kong back into her.

Denise was such an incredible lover; I marveled that she had been doing without. She seemed to come no matter what I was doing to her. We were both ready for a break at the half hour mark so I untied her. When she was free she wrapped herself around me and rained kisses on my face.

"That was incredible Johnny. In our first time together you made every fantasy I ever had come true."

I went to the bathroom and got a towel to cover the large wet spot we made so we could cuddle. Denise was made for snuggling, her little body fit against me perfectly. As I held her I said aloud what I'd been thinking earlier about how I was surprised that she was so responsive. She told me she had been surprised too. She said she had never had an experience anything near as good as what I'd just done.

"I didn't do anything but help you find what was already there," I protested.

"Maybe," she allowed, "but you found it, so as far as I'm concerned it's yours now."

I left her propped up in bed while I pulled the fruit and cheese tray from Albertson's out of the fridge. I sat the tray on the bed between us and refilled our glasses with bubbly. I wouldn't let Denise do anything for herself as I fed her fruit dipped in caramel sauce and bites of cheese. When she wanted a drink I carefully held her glass as she sipped. After we ate I ran a bath for her, filling the old claw footed tub with bubbles. I carried her into the bathroom and when she was comfortably ensconced in the frothy water, I lovingly washed her sweet little body. When she was clean and drowsy I stood her up, dried her off, and carried her back to bed. She was asleep in my arms in minutes. I was asleep wrapped around her soon after.

I woke up to the incredible feeling of someone sucking on the Kongster. I looked down and saw my little Dee-Dee happily bobbing her head. I reached down and stroked her tousled hair. She looked up at me and disengaged her mouth with an audible pop.

"I can taste us both on you, Honey, we are delicious."

"So turn around so I can get a taste too."

She did just that, spinning her lithe little body around and straddling my head. I loved Denise's pussy. It was a work of art. Her vulva was shaved but she had a strip of blonde hair at the top of her mons that pointed toward the good stuff. Her lips were fat and she had the largest clit I'd seen so far. Her juices were tangy sweet and she pumped them out profusely. I had to prop my head up with a couple of pillows so we could stay connected, the only drawback so far from her being short. While I had her in this position I took a few swipes at her little pink rosebud. When she didn't protest I wet a finger and gently pushed the first digit into her ass before redoubling my assault on her clit. She came quickly, her scream muffled by the mouthful of dick she refused to relinquish.

After she came a couple of times, Denise asked if she could be on top. I was all for it so she climbed on. She sank down on me with a moan, taking me all in one continuous motion.

"Oh, My Baby, I am so full of you this way," she hissed. "Pinch my nipples, I like it when you squeeze them hard."

Man was it a great afternoon. Denise was insatiable; she said she was making up for lost time. I was her willing accomplice, her responsiveness to me and her complete submission to what I wanted was exhilarating. Finally about six in the evening we were both knackered. We were lying in bed covered with a sheet, kissing and cuddling when Denise said she was hungry. I told her I had more food in the refrigerator.

"Let's go somewhere instead Baby, I bought an outfit just for tonight."

I agreed of course, and told her how proud I'd be as her date. She liked it when I said date. We jumped in the shower then she shooed me out of the bathroom while she dried her hair and put on her make up. It took Denise only fifteen minutes to get prepped; I thought that might be some sort of world record. She came back into the room as I was putting on my shoes. She was wrapped in a towel, her overnight bag in her hand. She dropped the bag on the bed and opened it then dropped the towel on the floor. I loved watching her dress. She slipped on a little pair of red panties first, then a matching lacy bra. She made a production out of putting on her black thigh highs knowing I was watching intently. When she had smoothed the nylons to her satisfaction she dug out a black pleated skirt that fell into place about three inches above her knees. She topped the outfit with a red silk blouse and red heels.

She didn't look like a teenager; she looked at least ten years younger though. I looked her over and gave my approval with one caveat.

"No bra tonight, Dee-Dee."

"But Honey, my nipples are big and you keep me so excited they are always hard, everyone will know I'm braless," she protested.

"You'll have a jacket on, and besides, I love looking at them."

She started to say something then nodded and did that trick women have of removing their bra without taking off their shirt. She dropped the bra in the suitcase and turned around. Her nipples were pushing the silk out a good half-inch.

"Perfect," I said.

She shook her head and wagged her finger at me. "I haven't been out braless in almost twenty years, you are sooo bad, Johnny Pulaski."

"Yes, I am, don't you just love me?"

"God help me, yes, I love you to death."

She reached into the overnight bag one more time, grabbed a couple of items and disappeared back into the bathroom. When she stepped out two minutes later she had long black hair and was wearing black, narrow framed glasses. She looked as if she were a totally different person.

"This is my 'don't bother me in public disguise'. What do you think?"

She looked totally different! If she were carrying a briefcase she'd be a dead ringer for a twenty-something lawyer.

"You look hot, I am so going to nail you in that get up."

"Promises, promises," she giggled.

We went to a nice little Italian restaurant in the town bordering the park. We sat in a booth; both of us on the same side and replenished our depleted calories. I talked her into taking off her jacket even though her nipples pushed against the silk of her blouse like a pair of forty-five caliber bullets. She blushed when I told her to sit up with her shoulders back, but she did it. Denise had a healthy appetite for a small woman. When I teased her about it she said she worked off more calories today than a week at the health club. I amen'd her with a laugh. She tried to give me money for the meal but I refused and with a flourish, whipped out one of Papa's fifties. We received a lot of admiring looks as we left the restaurant, her jacket draped on her arm, her draped on mine.

She gave me the keys to the Jag and I drove us back to the cabin. On the way she told me her panties were soaked from showing off her nips. We packed up and straightened up then loaded the car. I started back towards Palmdale.

"I wish our day didn't have to end Johnny," she said wistfully.

"It doesn't if you don't have to be home. I have a midnight curfew and it's only nine."

"Jack is in Atlanta and I told the kids I'd be home when I got there, so goody."

"All righty then, I have a plan, but you have to give me your panties first."

This time I got no arguments; she just raised her ass and shimmied out of them. I held out my hand and she deposited the wispy red satin in my palm. She was right; the cotton panel in the crotch was saturated. I stuck the panties in my pocket and headed for the beach. I parked the Jag in the public parking lot on the last beach approach and jumped out of the car. When I opened Denise's door for her I told her to take off her shoes and stockings as I kicked off my deck shoes. I grabbed a blanket out of my pack, took her hand and walked us down to the beach.

As a fitting end to a glorious day, it was a perfect beach night. The temp was still in the seventies and only a light southerly breeze blew in off the ocean. The tide was out and the moon was a sliver high in the sky. Best of all, very few people were on the beach with us. Dee-Dee and I walked along the edge of the water, my arm around her shoulder, hers around my waist. We walked about a mile, all the way up to the national park. The park was the last section of unspoiled dunes between Palmdale and Vero Beach. I steered Denise up into the sea oaks and spread our blanket behind the crest of a tall dune. Sitting on the blanket we could see the ocean but were invisible to passers by.

"I didn't know this place was here. It is as if we are on our own deserted island," Denise said.

"I found this place two years ago when I was having problems. I use to pretend I was a castaway like Tom Hanks in that movie."

"I remember you back then. You were such a sad and quiet boy."

We flopped down on our backs on the blanket, picking out constellations in the cloudless heavens. Denise rolled toward me and propped her head on her hand.

"This has been the most romantic day and night of my life Johnny," she said.

I honestly told here it was the same for me.

"So where do we go from here, Johnny? I don't want this to have been just a one time thing."

"It won't be, Dee-Dee, I swear it. I'm going to continue to see other girls but what we have is too special to give up. If you can live with us not being exclusive I want to see you as much as I can."

"How can I ask you to not see anyone else given my situation? Of course I can live with it. But I'll tell you truly, Baby, I was already half in love with you and after today you have my heart in your hands."

I started to answer her but she put her fingers over my lips.

"You don't have to say anything. I can feel how you feel. I'm not going to ask you for any commitments, I'm just going to enjoy any time we get together for as long as it lasts. You've freed my soul, Johnny Pulaski, now I want you to make love to me here under the stars and send me home full of you."

What a woman, eh? We did make love right there in the dunes, it was sweet, gentle and perfect. We stayed cocooned in our own little world until the last minute. I tried to hand her panties back before we walked to the car but she told me to keep them. I still have those panties in my box of treasured memorabilia, they are as sacred to me as my Mickey Mantle autographed baseball.

Now after what I just described, you are probably going to think I am an asshole for keeping my weekly date with Caroline the next day. All I can tell you is: apples and oranges. Caroline didn't stop being my friend and lover just because Denise and I had such a romantic encounter. And besides, Caroline had made it clear often enough that she wanted nothing like what Dee and I had. So yes, after my dad, grandfather and I had breakfast I eagerly went with Caroline and tried to fuck her brains out. For three hours we went at it like deranged weasels.

The next day was Easter Sunday. We went to the early Mass and spent the afternoon at the church's Easter Bazaar. My grandfather used his pull and got me sprung from the CYO dunking booth and onto the Easter egg hunt crew with Caroline. We each helped one of her youngest siblings gather eggs. I'm proud to say that young George Hernandez and I found one of the golden eggs.

I didn't get to see Denise before school started Tuesday, although we talked on the phone some. Monday morning, the last day of freedom before school, I delivered flowers for Denise at the Channel Sixteen studio while she was on the air. I had my ever-willing Papa take me to the twenty-four hour Winn Dixie where I picked up two-dozen roses in assorted colors for only thirty dollars. I talked the lady in the floral department into making me a nice bouquet that I dropped at the station's reception desk along with a mushy card. My grandfather was dying of curiosity about Dee's identity but respected my decision to keep it to myself.

He and I were sitting at his table at Mama's enjoying a late breakfast when my cell phone vibrated. It was a text message from Denise. I read it and grinned. Papa gave me an inquisitive look so I passed him the phone. All the girls at the station are jealous. You are the sweetest man and best lover ever, Love DEE.'

It was a chore going back to school on Tuesday but the upside was that it was only seven weeks until summer vacation. In addition, next week baseball practice started. Now I'm okay at football, but baseball was really my sport. I freaking loved to play baseball and I was no slouch at it either. Baseball season had already started at the high school but the season was only six weeks long. I opted to play the last year I was eligible for my grandfather's American Legion Post. American Legion baseball in Valeria County was wildly popular and graduates from the fifteen and under league made up the core of Palmdale High's varsity team. Stan was one of those who made the move to the high school team. It was going to be a new experience not being on the same team with him. We had been teammates since we played little league.

Tuesday night was my first tutoring session with Jen Caldwell. I wasn't nearly as excited about the tutoring as I was about seeing Denise. I rang the Caldwells' doorbell at seven sharp and Denise answered it. Denise looked her usual stylish self but she had this happy sparkle in her eyes and she was bubbly and vivacious. She called Jen downstairs, set us up in the dining room and told us to call her if we needed anything. Jen looked pretty hot in a pair of tight shorts and an even tighter t-shirt. I idly wondered if she had inherited Denise's nipples. I quickly dropped that train of thought and remarked to Jen that her mom seemed in a good mood.

"Yeah, weird isn't it? Since Saturday she's been Mary freaking Poppins. But at least she and Dad aren't arguing all the time now. Dad will say something and Mom will be all 'yes dear' and float off to cook some gourmet meal. I think she must have bumped her head or started menopause or something."

I laughed at her assessment and we got down to business. We knocked out English quickly and moved on to Geometry. Jen admitted that she was lost in the course and couldn't seem to catch up. I taught her some tricks I'd learned last year and she eventually absorbed enough to figure out her homework. We were just finishing the last problem when Denise came in with a tray of milk and cookies. Jen rolled her eyes in embarrassment. Denise set the tray down and stood close to my chair on the side away from her daughter. She asked what we were doing and I explained where we were. As I talked I slipped my hand up the back of Denise's skirt. She glanced at Jen then shifted her feet apart a little more. I dropped my hand when Jen gave her mom an exasperated look and took a potty break.

As soon as Jen was out of the room I put my hand back where it was. I slid my hand up to her butt expecting to feel her panties; instead all I found was lush little naked cheeks. She giggled at my surprised expression, leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"Later," she said then she skipped out the door.

When Jen returned I was munching on a cookie willing Kong to get soft.

"Can you believe this shit?" Jen asked indignantly, pointing at the tray.

I just shrugged and stuffed another tollhouse into my mouth. We reviewed her history assignment and I gave her some hints on taking notes. She told me she had a paper due next week that she had started on her computer. I asked to see what she'd written so far. She said sure and went to tell her mom what we were doing.

Jen's room was nicely furnished and very tidy. Her furniture was all white and featured a full sized canopy bed. It was feminine without being frilly. I hardly noticed her shut the door as I was looking around. Her computer was a very nice large screen laptop set up on a desk in one corner. I sat beside Jen on the stool from her vanity while she occupied the desk chair. I read through what she had completed of her report. It wasn't bad so far so all I did was recommended some online research sources. When we were finished I started to stand up when Jen stopped me with a hand on my thigh.

"Johnny, are you dating anyone now?" she asked.

"Not really, why?"

"Just wondering. I figured you'd have a girlfriend by now is all."

"It's hard to date without wheels."

She nodded; lack of wheels was a major showstopper in her circle of snobby friends.

"If you had a license who do you think you would ask out?"

"I don't know, Shelly maybe, if she's available. Why, do you have some recommendations?"

"Not really, just asking. This tutoring is a lot better than I thought it would be. I can already see that it's gonna help. I thought I might do you a favor and find you a girl."

Her tone of voice made me laugh. She actually though that she would be doing me a favor by hooking my lame ass up. I ignored the date idea and addressed the tutoring.

"Thanks Jen, I appreciate you not being bent out of shape by your mom hiring me. By next year I'm sure you'll be able to manage much better."

"Don't change the subject, Johnny. You're a nice guy and you aren't ugly. I think if you hung out with a better crowd, once you got your license girls wouldn't think you were such a geek."

I just shook my head and told her we needed to go downstairs before her mom thought we were up to something. Jen snorted and said her mom knew I was safe and clueless about girls. Can you believe that crap? Even when she was trying to be nice, Jennifer Caldwell was a bitch. Her comment about who I chose as friends rankled. It was clearly a jab at Caroline Hernandez and some of my other buds. My friends were an eclectic group, some were jocks, some were geeks and some of them were even in the socially elite group Jen idolized. What's in a person's heart was more important to me than what was in their wallet. And let's face it, how many members of the in crowd do you know that are poor and ugly? For strength of character and basic goodness, no one in Jen's crowd was good enough to carry Caroline's tampons. Whoops, I'd better get down off this soapbox before I fall and bust my ass.

So where was I? Oh yeah, so anyway I went downstairs and helped Jen get organized for the next day then told her bye. She gave me a desultory wave and tramped her stuck up ass back upstairs. Geez, here I go again; I'm sorry, but I wouldn't fuck that snobbish wench with your dick. I wandered into the kitchen and told Denise I was leaving.

"I'll drive you home, let me grab my keys and purse," she said.

She waved off my protest and called up to Jen that she's driving me home then going to the Seven-Eleven for something. Jen yelled down "Whatever Mother" and shut her bedroom door. We cut through the kitchen and went into the garage. As soon as the door to the house closed behind us Dee leaned back against it.

"If you don't kiss me right now Baby, I think I will explode," she said.

I leaned down and we kissed hungrily. I broke the kiss and looked down at her.

"I missed you Dee-Dee," I said.

"And I missed you too Baby, I think about you a thousand times a day." She hit the garage door opener and pushed me away. "Go get your bike and we'll put it in my truck. I want to spend some alone time with you."

I ran out of the garage and rolled my bicycle back in. She had already opened the hatch of her humongous, politically incorrect, silver Lincoln Navigator. I hoisted the bike in and she lowered the hatch with a button on her key fob. Can anyone tell me why petite women love big SUVs? Hers was as big as a school bus. I opened the driver's door and held it for her; she stepped on the running board and slid gracefully into the seat, flashing me a peek of her bare butt in the process. I ran around and jumped in myself as she cranked the big V-8 to life. She giggled when I told her how much I liked her truck.

"Don't get to used to it," she said. "I'm trading it in on a bright yellow Hummer as soon as the dealership can get one delivered. Jack is going to have a cow when I pull up in a General Motors vehicle."

Denise drove us down to Walmart of all places. She pulled her truck into a parking space under a broken light at the end of the lot. The limousine tinted windows of the Navigator made us as invisible as we had been at the beach. Denise flipped up the center armrest and climbed into my lap facing me.

"Take Kong out baby so I can sit on him," she said breathlessly.

I hurried to do as she had asked, Kong manfully rising to the occasion. I held him by his base as Dee enveloped him in her steamy little channel; once impaled she sighed and hugged me tight.

"I think this might be where I really belong Baby. Right here joined to you. I thought I must have dreamed Friday it was so good."

She started rocking on me slowly mostly grinding us together. My reward for letting her set the tempo was our crashing simultaneous orgasm. I had to take off my shirt and sacrifice my t-shirt to clean us up. Dee said she'd wash the shirt for me and tossed it into the back seat. I fell asleep that night wondering at the contrast between Denise and her daughter Jennifer; in Jen's case the acorn fell a long way from the tree. I could not comprehend how Jen could idolize the people she hung out with when she had such a perfect role model at home.

I guess to make up for dragging during February and March; time accelerated for the rest of April and the first half of May. I was constantly busy with school, tutoring, and baseball. In addition I had to squeeze in time for Caroline and Denise. I took my finals during the last week in May and suddenly I was free of school and Jennifer Caldwell, I was most happy to say adios to both.

June, by contrast, was an excellent month. I was scorching the American Legion League as the right fielder for Palmdale Post 661, hitting a lofty three-seventy. I also had fifteen dingers and a healthy slugging percentage. My post puberty body and the weight training I had been doing gave me some serious power. I have played either right field or first base my entire baseball career because I'm left handed. I'm fast enough to cover a lot of ground out there in right, which allows our center fielder to cheat a few steps towards left field. It is surprising how many balls those three or four steps keep out of the gap in left-center. Our team was on top of the league standing by four games by mid June and we were pulling away from the second place team by at least a half a game a week.

What really put the icing on the baseball cake was the involvement of my father and grandfather. My father signed on as the major sponsor of our team, and he and Papa were serious supporters. Even Jethro got in on the act becoming our team mascot. The Doofus was always good for a few laughs during pre-game warm ups as he frenetically tore around the field chasing any ball that someone missed. By now Jethro had gotten the idea of fetch and would trot over to the dug out and spit any ball he managed to snag at Papa's feet. Caroline and Michelle Hoffman even managed to get to some of our games. I felt like King Shit when the two cuties yelled my name when I came to bat.

I am sure glad I had an enjoyable June because the rest of the summer went down hill like a runaway locomotive. Let me tell you why.



-------

Chapter 7


I promised to tell you how bad the rest of the summer of 2004 sucked and I'll get to that. But first I have to tell you that July started with a lot of promise. My baseball team was cruising, my social life was most excellent and my love life was extraordinary.

Caroline Hernandez had blossomed into a confident young woman right before my eyes. She had a job at Walgreen's now, making money for herself for a change. Her store manager loved her because of her work ethic and ability to speak two languages fluently. The manager gave Caroline her dream job, assigning her as a pharmacy technician. The stores pharmacists thought she was a Godsend and spent time teaching her pharmacology. Caroline took a computer course and became the youngest Certified Pharmacy Tech in the district. We had to switch our day from Saturday, but we still got together once a week.

Denise Drake took charge of her life and career in a big way. She fought for and gained more creative control of her show and ramped up her involvement in the Republican Party. Her name was seriously bandied about as a possible State Representative candidate. In her personal life she told Jack Caldwell he could sleep with whomever he wished, as long as it wasn't her. For all intents and purposes he had moved out of the house. She said he was playing house with his leggy young assistant in a condo on the beachside. Denise and I even went out on dates now, her in her Dee-Dee disguise. Any success I'll ever have with women for the rest of my life I owe to Dee. She nurtured the romantic in me and taught me the nuances of dealing with women.

On the sixth of July my sister Katrina departed for basic cadet training at the Air Force Academy. She was excited about her upcoming adventures yet seemed to be sad at the same time. I thought it was because she was leaving home. My parents flew out to Colorado Springs with her for an orientation program and open house the academy held for the parents of incoming plebes.

While my folks were away I was entrusted to stay home alone, tempered by the watchful eyes of Papa and Nana. Still, after a little talk with Papa Janus, I was able to spend my first full night with a woman. Yep, you guessed it; Dee-Dee Drake and cabin number seven at Mermaid State Park. I want to tell you that us sleeping in the same bed was the most natural thing in the world. Dee took a short three-day vacation and she and I spent every minute of it together. I'm afraid those three days probably spoiled me for life. I figured it was impossible for anyone ever again to be as deliriously happy as she and I were. To make it even more perfect Dee gave me her cherry ass on our second night. It was something she wanted to do just for me and I went along with it willingly.

Denise and I had a long talk Friday night. We talked about her political aspirations and how they would affect us. We agreed that we were going to have to suspend our relationship before we made a mistake and became public knowledge. It wasn't a sad split though, because we were not calling it quits. However events shook themselves out, we would find a way in the future to spend time together.

My parents flew back in Saturday afternoon. We had dinner at my grandparents and my mom and dad filled us in about the academy. Both my parents were subdued all evening. I thought it was because of the Moose. Stupid me.

When we were home my parents asked me to sit at the table with them. We all sat in our usual seats, my parents at the ends of the table, one on either side of me. I looked at my mother inquisitively.

"Your father and I are getting separated," she said in a flat emotionless voice. "I need to move to Houston for work and your father's family and business are here. It's a practical matter, Johnny, and nothing personal. You are almost grown, Katrina is gone and I have been offered the position of Deputy Director of NASA."

My eyes ponged back and forth between them, my mother all business, my father stoic and silent, as was his nature. I might be growing up but I was ill equipped to handle something like that.

I stood up and lashed out. "Sure Mom, no problem; have a nice life."

I started to stalk out of the kitchen when my father's huge meaty hand gently grabbed my wrist.

"Sit down, son, and remember the rule."

I sat my butt down and looked at him like he had suddenly grown horns. The rule in question was that there was absolutely no talking back to or disrespecting my mother. It was one of the few things in our house you could do to make my father angry. That he could invoke the rule in the face of what I saw as my mother's treason was mind-boggling.

"Sorry Mom," I mumbled.

"Johnny, your mother deserves this chance and she deserves our support. I know this seems strange to you, but we are going to be fine and Sonia will visit us as often as she can. It's not as if we'll never see her again."

I understood what my dad was saying, understood it with my head, anyway. My heart was another matter. I went to bed numb.

The next day was surreal. When I came downstairs Mom's bags were packed and sitting by the door, yet she and Dad were sitting at the table as if it was a normal Sunday. Dad and I loaded up Mom's new Ford Escape hybrid and stood awkwardly on the curb saying our good byes. I was damned if I was going to cry when she didn't. She seemed anxious to leave. She gave me a brief hug and said she loved me. I accepted her hug but didn't say anything. She knew I loved her but I wasn't at all sure how she really felt. Mom drove off without so much as a backwards glance. My dad sighed, put his arm around my shoulders, and turned me towards the house.

Thank God for my grandparents. I guess Dad called them as soon as we went into the house because they arrived fifteen minutes after Mom left. Nana collared Dad and Papa dragged me out to the park with him and Jethro again. As before, we sat on the tailgate of his truck. I told him exactly what happened and how I felt. As a bonus, I threw in that Dee and I had agreed not to see each other any more.

"That's probably a good thing for Ms Drake's political career," he said nonchalantly.

I stared at him, my mouth hung open.

He laughed and slapped me on the back.

"Close your mouth, Johnny, before something flies into it. You know I was in Special Forces for years, stationed in Germany. Part of my job was collecting intelligence in Berlin. I still have most of my skills. It took me one day to find out who she was after we took her the flowers. She is a woman worthy of a Pulaski."

"Then maybe we should hook her up with Dad."

"Don't give up on your mom, boy. She is an incredible woman."

Yeah, I thought, incredibly selfish.

Mom's moving away didn't change our life style very much; she had been pretty much an absentee for the last year or so. I think that her finally making it official was what bummed me out so. I threw myself into baseball to help me forget both Mom and Dee. I made the all-star team for the county and had a good tournament. Our team was runner up to the state champion and I was named to the all-state team, the fourth outfielder picked.

Football tryouts started on the second of August. I had grown a little in the last year, now I stood an even six feet tall and weighed one ninety. I was faster and stronger to boot. I signed up to try out for safety and tight end again. Coach Boyette took one look at me and wrote 'linebacker' down on my card also.

School started on August ninth. I had barely gotten my schedule memorized when Hurricane Charlie hit on Friday the thirteenth. Charlie came ashore on the west coast of Florida at four-thirty in the afternoon and cut diagonally cross the state. It hit Palmdale as a category two storm at nine-thirty that night. We rode out the storm at my grandparents' house; snug in the windowless safe room my grandfather had added. The storm was scary as hell even in the safe room, especially after the power went out. Jethro, always a big fraidycat anyway, lay with his head in my lap trembling.

We ended up staying at my grandparents' house for four days because the electricity took that long to restore. My ever-prepared grandfather had a twelve-kilowatt diesel generator in his shop that back fed through his circuit breaker panel. When the wind died down Papa turned off his principle main circuit breaker then all the individual breakers. He cranked up the generator and threw a switch in his garage that fed the power into his circuit breaker panel in the house. Then all he had to do was turn on selected circuits and we were in business. The system was great, powering everything but the clothes dryer and electric range. We even had air conditioning!

The next day, Saturday, my grandfather, Dad and I went over to check our house. We had a few ruffled shingles but no obvious damage. From our house Papa drove to the Hernandez's. I gave him a grin when he drove by Denise's place so I could see that it was okay. The house Caroline and her family lived in had been built in the fifties so we were all worried about how it weathered the storm. Turns out they built them pretty good back then.

We went back to school on the twentieth. Two weeks later, on the fourth of September, Hurricane Francis smacked us a glancing blow from the southeast. Francis was a huge, slow moving storm. The wind howled and the rain deluged for thirty hours. Power outages lasted longer this time as trees weakened by Charlie gave up the ghost for Francis. Another Cane, another week out of school.

Two weeks later Hurricane Jeanne plowed on to land in the same place Francis had. Jeanne took a more southerly path though, so all we received was a shit load of rain and some pretty stiff tropical storm force winds. Power was out for only a day this time. And we only missed two days of school. Palmdale's pristine white sand beaches took a beating from storm surge and battering waves though. For all intents and purposes the beach mostly disappeared. The ocean, even at low tide was now up to the sea wall in most places. The last two storms also removed more shingles from our house and we ended up with a huge FEMA tarp covering our roof. There wasn't a shingle available in the southeast let alone the 30 squares of them that we would need.

At school, in between hurricanes, things were even better for me than last year. I could talk to girls now thanks to Dee-Dee. I met another girl I resonated with. Her name was Amanda Pullman. We met because we were alphabetically assigned as lab partners in Honors Chemistry. Amanda was a tall girl at five nine and while she wasn't fat she was not petite either. It was hard to gauge her figure because she dressed to hide it, loose jeans, roomy tops and Doc Marten boots being her standard grunge outfit. She had nice features, big hazel eyes and short brown hair. We introduced ourselves and shook hands. I felt a seriously strong attraction between us and held her hand longer than was polite. She snatched her hand away.

"No way Romeo, " she said forcefully, "I play for the other team."

I sighed dramatically. "Story of my life, all the good ones are taken."

That made her laugh. "Looking at you I don't think the disappointment will last."

Amada and I quickly became friends and sparring partners. She had a sharp and quick wit that kept me in stitches. I treated Amada as I did all my friends, not put off in the slightest that she was gay. I had to wonder at the mutual attraction I felt with Amanda though, because if she was a lesbian why were she and I linked?

Football was a mess because of the hurricanes. We had two games to make up and had missed weeks of practice. We started out with two wins but were not well prepared for the third game when we finally played again. We got our asses handed to us by a non-conference team we should have beaten. I was the starting left outside linebacker and back up tight end. I even talked the coach into letting me keep my place on the special teams.

Caroline and I shared English and lunch this year. Amanda also had lunch the same period. I signed up for Spanish like I promised myself I would. I was pleasantly surprised that Michelle Hoffman was in the class also.

The first time Amanda joined Caroline and I for lunch was a hoot. I had a woman I was attuned to sitting on either side of me. It was obvious to me that Amanda was very interested in Caroline. After I introduced them Amanda casually asked if we were going together. Caroline looked at me and I shrugged. I didn't mind being open around Amanda, I trusted her already.

"No we aren't going together, although we do date occasionally." Caroline said then she leaned across me and whisper conspiratorially to Amanda, "Mainly Johnny is my lover, he takes care of me so I can concentrate on school. He is very much a man."

I didn't exactly mean for Caroline to put out that much information. I couldn't help blushing at her characterization of me. It sure shocked the bejesus out of Amanda. She drew back with an 'oh wow'. Caroline resumed eating but gave me a sly wink. We chitchatted for a few more minutes and cleared off our table at the first bell. Caroline headed off in the opposite direction and Amanda walked with me. Again, because of the alphabetical closeness of our last names, our lockers were close together.

"You surprise me Romeo. The way you look and dress made me think you were the type that went for blonde cheerleader Barbie wannabes (it's a word — look it up). But that girl is real as well as hot."

"Why do you think I hang around you, Mandy? I see real Barbie potential in you. All it would take is a miniskirt and some hair dye," I teased.

She slugged me in the arm, "In your dreams, Pulaski."

I rubbed my arm in mock injury. "How did you know about the dreams?"

She growled and stalked off but not before I saw the smile she was trying to suppress.

Caroline was very pleased with herself later in English class. She told me she was open with Amanda to help me if I was trying to date her. When I cracked up she gave me a confused look.

"Sweetie, Amanda is gay; it was you she was checking out, not me."

Caroline blushed that cute pink I loved. "Really!?" she said.

Amanda was fun to hang around with; I swear she was the queen of the one-liners. It became a habit to meet up with her at our lockers and head out to class together. We were standing at our lockers one day when these three guys stopped in front of us. They were your typical, alienated by choice, teenaged boys; they wore a lot of black and tried to look menacing. They might as well have had 'L's tattooed on their foreheads. The one in the front spoke to me.

"She told you she was a dyke, Man?"

"I wasn't until I saw your pencil dick," Amanda spat back.

Even loud mouth's two buddies snickered over that one. The guy Amanda insulted pulled his hand back as if to slap her. I clamped on his wrist before he could do anything. Now us Pulaski men are big boned and we have large hands. I couldn't compete with Dad or Papa, but my hands and wrists were strong for a teenager. My strong hands and forearms were a big part of my success at sports. I squeezed Mouthy's hand until he sagged.

"Apologize to the lady and if you come within fifty feet of her again I'll tear off your head and shit down your neck." (I heard my grandfather say that to a guy once, ever since I've been dying to use the line)

"Shit man let me go, she ain't worth all this."

I squeezed a little harder.

"Okay, okay," he whined, "I apologize Amanda, I'm sorry."

As they departed Amanda looked at me and grinned. "Damn, Romeo, I'm impressed even though I coulda kicked his sorry ass by myself."

I kept watching the three stooges as they walked away. When they were safely out of my reach the talkative one turned around and flipped me off.

"Who was that jerk?" I asked.

"Jamie Hauver, my last boyfriend, he was a big mistake."

"We all make em," I say nobly. "But someday I want to hear your story."

We were walking by then but she stopped and put her hand on my arm.

"Someday I'll tell you all about it Pulaski. God help me, but you are the first guy I've met in three years I really trust."

She did tell me all about it the next day in Chemistry Lab. We whizzed through our experiment and spent the rest of the period yakking. Amanda said that she had gone out with boys from the time she turned thirteen. She had a few crushes but never met a guy who really did it for her. Then last spring break the older sister of one of her friends seduced her. It was the first time sex had ever been enjoyable for her. She and Ricki got it on again over the summer and the sex was even better. The experiences convinced her that she was a lesbian. She was looking for another partner but didn't really know the life style. "I haven't developed gaydar yet," was how she put it.

"Mandy have you ever considered that you might be bi-sexual? I can see you are attracted to Caroline yet I can feel you are attracted to me too. Why label yourself one thing or another?"

She started to say something but her mouth slammed shut as she started thinking. "Pulaski, you are a big pain in my ass, just when I thought I had this all figured out and you throw something else at me."

Hey, what are friends for?" I asked with a grin.

Amanda turned the rescue tables on me the very next day. We were sitting in the lunchroom by ourselves (Caroline had a dentist's appointment) when I saw Marcie Winter sashaying towards our table.

"Uh-oh, here comes trouble," I said.

Amanda looked up and saw Marcie. "Barbie is coming for you," she teased.

"She's not smart enough to be Barbie," I replied.

Marcie arrived at the table and stood across from me.

"Johnny do you have a date for Homecoming yet?"

Before I could say I wasn't going Amanda grabbed my hand.

"Yes he does, he's taking me," Amanda said sweetly.

Marcie's nostrils flared but she recovered quickly. "Good," she said, "we cheerleaders were worried you wouldn't have a date." Marcie spun around and flounced off.

I turned to face Amanda; I was speechless.

"We're even now Pulaski," she said smugly.

I got it then, she was paying me back for chasing off her ex Jamie. Well, she opened the door so I dived through it.

"What color is your dress?" I asked.

Ah, now it was her turn at being speechless. "Jesus, Johnny, I just said that to get her off your ass, I didn't really mean it."

"Too late now," I said. "If I don't show up with you, I'll be a cheerleader lame joke."

She started to protest then shrugged. "Black," she said.

Now I had not even considered going to the Homecoming Dance what with all the turmoil from the last three months. Not to mention the fact that I didn't have a license yet. Now suddenly I had backed myself into a corner trying to goof on Amanda. I racked my brain trying to figure out how to make it work, finally coming up with a plan during World History. If Amanda had a license I just might pull it off.

Caroline solved the problem much more elegantly the next day. While we sitting at lunch I told Caroline what she had missed the day before.

"I want to go too," she pouted.

"So why don't you go with him then, I really don't want to go," Amanda said.

I jumped in, "Why don't the three of us go together, it'll blow Marcie's mind, and having two beautiful girls with me would be great for my rep."

Caroline gave a little squeal and hugged my neck. "That's a great idea."

The girls pretty much ignored me for the rest of lunch as they coordinated wardrobes and accessories. Me, I just sat there with this shit-eating grin on my face. It was good to be me, that's for sure.

When I told my family what was going on, Nana took charge of outfitting me while Papa J came up with the transportation arrangements. Nana Nadia took me to the Men's Warehouse and had one of George Zimmer's boys hook me up. She picked a sharp as hell charcoal gray suit with a white shirt and a killer tie in a maroon paisley print. I looked pretty dang sharp! Papa decided that Nana's two-year-old Lincoln Towncar was the way to go because we could all three fit in the front seat. Nana's high-end geezer mobile was a pretty classy ride. It was silver with a dove gray leather interior. I was gonna be stylin' and profilin'.

The Palmdale Panther football team was five and one when we played our homecoming game. Because of all the schedule changes we were playing a tough conference opponent instead of the non-conference patsy that was the usual Homecoming victim. I didn't care if we were playing the Florida Gators; I was jacked for the game. I had extra incentive in the form of Caroline and Amanda sitting in the bleachers. Both girls had little panther paws drawn on their cheeks with my number fifty-five inside it. In the ten days since we made our group date Mandy and Caroline had become the best of friends. I was pleased that they included me in their friendship.

So anyway, I was all over the Deltora team that night. By the middle of the first quarter, if they ran a play my way I had two blockers to fend off. The double team made it easier for our middle linebacker to close down the play. The final result was a solid twenty-one to seven victory for us. After the post game meeting and a quick shower, I met the girls in the parking lot. We all hopped into Caroline's Geo. Amanda had christened the little car Mini-Me. Mini-Me didn't have an air conditioner but it had a killer stereo her father had installed. We pulled up to the Steak and Shake bopping to some wild Mexican music Caroline identified as 'Corrido'. Caroline interpreted some of the lyrics for us. As best as I could understand, the Corridos were folk songs about the trials and tribulations of the Mexican people. They ranged in topics from love gone bad to banditos to bull fighting.

I want to tell you that when we made our entrance into the restaurant, me with an exotically beautiful girl on each arm, I was too cool for school. After we ate, Caroline drove Mandy home first. We both got out and walked her to the door. Amanda told us what a great time she had and how she was looking forward to the next night. Then she kissed me on the lips and did the same thing to an unresisting Caroline. Both kisses were closed lip; but still, it was the first time I'd seen two women kissing in real life - Whoa, was that ever hot!

So listen, here is the big deal about transportation to the dance. I was within a week of getting my drivers license so I couldn't take the chance of even making the short drive to Caroline's without a licensed driver in the car with me. The homecoming dance was on Saturday, November fifth, my birthday was on the following Friday. I had already secured my grandfather's promise to have me at the DMV when it opened. He was even going to let me use Nana's Lincoln to take the driving test. Getting a ticket for being an unlicensed driver would automatically hold up my license for six months. No way was I risking that.

On Saturday morning I rode my bike to my grandparents and detailed Nana's already clean car. Then Nana and I went to the florists to pick up the flowers for the girls. Since this wasn't the prom, I didn't get corsages; instead I bought flowers for Mrs. Hernandez and Amanda's mom. It was my grandmother's idea; yep, Nana was all class. I'd never met Amanda's mother and I was a little uncomfortable at the idea. Mrs. Pullman was a widow, Amanda's father had died of a sudden heart attach two years before. Amanda was the only child at home; she had an older brother in Atlanta. I figured Mrs. Pullman might be wary of her last child's potential suitors.

Nana took me back to my house with the flowers and put them in the fridge. She waved me toodles after promising to bring dinner over at five-thirty. It was a little after two now and I was as wound up as Michael Jackson at a cub scout meeting. I tried to watch a few football games on the tube but my attention span was about a nanosecond long. It helped when Dad came home. It helped even more when Dee-Dee called me at four.

"So, Baby, rumor has it that you were at the Steak and Shake last night with two girls hanging all over you."

"Yeah, it's gonna take at least two to replace you."

She laughed deep in her throat; it was a noise she only ever used with me. It sent shivers down my spine.

"I'm glad you still think of me sometimes Baby, because I miss you like crazy. My body misses you like crazy too. You had me so well trained and now it's going away. But enough of that, tell me about the girls."

I told her everything, of course, I trusted Dee with my life. Amanda's apparent bi-sexuality intrigued her. See actually told me that she and her roommate in college had fooled around some. It was nothing serious and didn't change her orientation but she admitted it had been very nice.

"Amanda is lucky she has you Johnny, this is a confusing time for her. I know you'll make things right for her as you did for me."

"I'll try my best Dee. Now what about us?"

"Be patient Baby, I don't see a future without you in it," she said.

That was enough for me.

At a quarter to seven my grandfather rode with me to the Hernandez's with my father following to drive him home. I sprang up the steps and rang the bell. Maria Hernandez let me in. In the foyer I whipped the flowers from behind my back and gave them to her. She gave me a misty eyed hug and dragged me into the living room so she could show Juan. Papa had squared away Juan; I reached into my pocket and pulled out a couple of primo cigars. Juan looked questioningly at the flowers then the cigars and finally at me.

"Because you have raised such a wonderful daughter," I said in explanation.

Maria went up to get Caroline and Juan motioned me to sit. His English was much improved after six months of ESL. We talked about boxing and cars until Caroline came down with her camera-toting mom. Caroline was wearing a modest white dress that was just above the knees and white heels. Her cascade of inky hair was swept off her face and held back with white mother of pearl combs. A white lace shawl casually draped across her shoulders completed her outfit. She was a dream. Caroline and I posed while Maria took a roll of pictures as Juan looked on beaming.

We finally got out of there at seven, right on time. Caroline gave me a kiss in the car for the flowers and cigars.

It took about fifteen minutes to get to Amanda's. I grabbed the roses and went to the door while Caroline waited in the car. Mrs. Pullman answered the door. I introduced my self and she stuck out her hand. As soon as our hands touched I got the strongest vibe I'd experienced to date. I knew Mrs. Pullman noticed it because her eyelids actually fluttered. I handed her the flowers, her hand still in mine. Jane, as Mrs. Pullman insisted I call her, was in her late thirties. She was tall and pretty with a Rubenesquely attractive shape. Her hair was longer and lighter than Amanda's and her eyes were blue instead of hazel. She was wearing a nice dress and high heels.

Telling me Amanda wasn't quite ready, she invited me into the kitchen while she put the flowers in a vase. I needn't have worried about Jane's reaction to me taking her daughter out, she let me know she was all for it. She had been worried about Amanda because of her stilted social life; she felt better now that her daughter was dating again. Jane led me to a formal living room and went to help her daughter. The Pullmans lived in a very nice place. Their house was a large one story with ceilings at least fourteen feet high.

It was a five-minute wait for me this time, sitting alone and trying not to fidget. I forgot all about the wait when Amanda came in to get me. Man oh man, had she been hiding a gorgeous body. She was wearing an LBD, little black dress, spaghetti strapped, which showed her body to perfection without being obvious about it. She had on short strappy heels and her short hair was styled to drape over her left eye. She blushed when I told her how fabulous she looked, her peaches and cream complexion turning bright red. Jane had a digital camera out and clicked off about a dozen pictures from all different angles. Amanda finally had to tell her we had to leave or we would still be there posing. Jane walked us to the door, bussed Mandy on the cheek and told us to have fun. Impulsively I took both of Jane's hands and kissed her on the corner of the mouth before we hurried out the door.

When we got to the car, Caroline insisted that Mandy sit in the front seat between us. As soon as I put the car in gear, Amanda hit me on the arm.

"I can't believe you kissed my mom Pulaski," she said.

"She looks so much like you I couldn't help myself," I replied.

We made it to the school gym at a quarter to eight, arriving with a crowd of other couples. We found seats with Stan and Michelle Hoffman and their dates. We had a great time. We all danced to the fast numbers and I alternated between them on the slow ones. Both girls were impressed that I could dance as well as I did. I sent Nana a mental thank you for insisting I take lessons when I was thirteen. Amanda was a good dancer also, but Caroline was way out of our league. How that girl could get her body to move as she did was beyond me. The dance was well chaperoned but I still managed to kiss both girls when we were slow dancing. Amanda fit up against me perfectly in her heels. Her large breasts pressed into my chest in just the right places. Caroline fit nicely too, although her head rested on my chest instead of my shoulder.

We stayed at the dance until it ended at ten-thirty. We had our pictures taken, me with each girl separately and then the three of us together. The girls didn't want to go out to eat so I called my dad and asked if we could hang out at the house. He said okay so I piloted us to my place. Dad was nowhere to be found when we got there so I got us some drinks and sat us in the family room. On a whim I loaded a CD of romantic dance music into the stereo and asked Amanda to dance. Before Amanda could answer me Caroline spoke up.

"That's not fair Johnny, you danced with her all night, and it's my turn."

I nodded and sat down. After an awkward moment of getting situated, they were dancing. Caroline had her arms around Amanda's neck and Mandy had hers around Caroline's waist. I got up and turned the lights down to a romantic glow then sat and watched. The girls danced slowly and sensuously, Caroline pressing herself close against her tall partner. I wasn't really surprised when Caroline started kissing Amanda's neck. Caroline had always been adventurous about sex. It was fun watching her work on Mandy. Caroline kissed her way up Amanda's jaw and captured her lips. They were just swaying to the music now, Caroline kissing and rubbing herself against Mandy. Amanda's eyes were closed as she gave in to Caroline's overwhelming sensuality.

When the song ended Caroline broke the kiss and motioned to me. We exchanged places as the next song started. Amanda put her arms around my neck and simply resumed kissing, her eyes never opening. We shared our first deep kiss as I wormed my tongue between her lips. As we kissed I ran my hands up and down her back then settled them on her ass. Amanda made the first sound since she started dancing them, voicing a small sigh as I pulled her groin against mine. All too soon the song ended and Caroline cut in. Caroline's dark eyes were smoky with lust as she wrapped herself around the bigger girl.

Half way through the song Caroline had one of the straps to Amanda's dress off her shoulder and was caressing the tops of her breasts. She maneuvered Amada backwards, sitting her on the couch next to me, never breaking the kiss they were locked in. When they came up for air Caroline slipped the other strap off Amanda's shoulder and pulled her dress down to her waist. Amanda never said a word, her eyes still closed.

"Undo her bra Johnny," Caroline ordered.

I did as directed, unclipping the industrial strength black strapless number's three hooks. When her breasts tumbled free Caroline and I were in awe. Amanda's breast were large, shapely and stood up proudly. Caroline pushed the unresisting girl up against the back of the couch and we each began kissing one of the large orbs. Every once in a while Caroline would kiss me or I would kiss her. The sexual feelings that I shared with each girl were more than doubled with the three of us together. Caroline noticed that also.

"Open your eyes Mandy," she said.

Amanda blinked open her beautiful gray eyes and looked at us rapturously. When Caroline saw she had Amanda's attention she continued.

"This feels so good to you because the connection we feel for Johnny we also feel for each other. I've never been with another woman, never had the desire too, but with you it's different. How do you feel about this?"

Amanda replied, "I don't know why but it feels natural and right for me too. I know I don't want either of you to stop what you are doing but I'm scared about how far I can go with Johnny."

Caroline smiled and kissed her and I did the same.

"We don't have time to do much but I think our man should show us how much he cares for us, don't you?"

Amanda nodded her affirmation tentatively. Caroline gave us that almost predatory grin of hers then stood up and shimmied out of her thong. Amanda gaped at Caroline's shaved little peach until she sat back on the couch and reached under Amanda's dress. Amanda compliantly lifted her hips as Caroline tugged off her pantyhose. Amanda had more pubic hair than I was accustomed too, although she had trimmed it some. Caroline positioned Amanda with her skirt rucked up and her legs spread.

She motioned toward me and I hurriedly removed my Jacket, tie, and shirt. I dropped to my knees and started kissing my way up Amanda's thighs as Caroline kissed her again. With me licking and sucking on Amanda's prominent clit and Caroline nibbling her nipples, it only took Amanda a couple of minutes to orgasm. She came hard but quietly. As soon as she calmed down a little Caroline slumped back against the couch and pulled up her dress.

"Now me Johnny, I am so fucking hot," she said.

I obediently moved between her thighs and gave her the same treatment I'd given Amanda. For the first time, Amanda took an aggressive role and kissed Caroline hard. Caroline came quickly also, her thighs clamped around my head and her scream muffled by Amanda's mouth.

When Caroline regained her composure she had me sit on the couch. She slipped to the floor between my knees and pulled Amanda down to join her. I quickly unzipped my trousers and Kong sprang out hard as rock maple. Caroline then proceeded to give Amanda lessons on how to give me head. Caroline would perform an action then Amanda would mimic her, it was absolutely incredible. In less than two minutes I blasted rope after scalding rope of cum into Caroline's avidly suctioning mouth. When I was sucked as dry and lifeless as a cornhusk, Caroline shared my semen with Amanda in a sensuous kiss. I think I'll remember that sight until my dying day. It will make a hell of a story at the nursing home when I'm ninety.

The girls and I straightened out our clothes and sat back down on the couch. We discussed how our new relationship was going to work. We agreed that for now we would be friends and lovers, although Caroline said Amanda and I should become a couple and keep her as a lover. Neither Amanda nor I were ready for that step yet but both of us were open to the possibility in the future.

We left my house at a quarter to midnight. I drove Amanda home first. Caroline kissed her in the car and I walked her to the door. When we were alone on the porch, Amanda asked me again about kissing her mom.

"I sorry if it upset you Mandy but I get the same vibes from Jane that you and I feel for each other. I won't do anything about it if it bothers you."

"I don't know that it bothers me Johnny, she sure needs something to motivate her to get on with her life. It's just kind of weird, you know, her being my mom and all. I'll think about it and talk to you later."

I drove Caroline home next. We talked about what happened on the way to her house. Caroline really liked Amanda as a friend and when we were all together she felt a strong sexual attraction to her. I had a hunch that for some reason my connection with both girls drew them towards each other when we were all together. I wondered if the same thing would happen to any two women to whom I was attuned.

Edited by Bert



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Chapter 8


After Mass, on the Sunday after the Homecoming dance, I had a message from Amanda on my cell phone to call her. When I returned her call she told me I was invited to dinner at her house that night. I got permission to go from my dad then accepted the invitation.

Amanda offered to come pick me up but I declined and rode my bike over instead; I hoped the trip would be the swan song of having to use a mountain bike as my primary mode of transportation. I pedaled the two miles to Amanda's. She and her mom lived in a nice subdivision surrounding two golf courses. The guard at the gate finally waved me through after thoroughly examining my ID. It was embarrassing to get hassled sitting on a bicycle as people driving by gawked at me. I guess me on a bicycle was a whole different matter than two girls and me in a Lincoln last night. I was on time even with the delay at the gate; when I rang the bell Jane answered the door.

Jane was as nicely dressed and impeccably groomed, as she had been last night. Now I don't know if it was my grandmother's influence, or whether it was from being with Dee-Dee, but I was becoming a big fan of women who made an effort in their appearance. I took both of Jane's hands in mine.

"You look more beautiful every time I see you," I said sincerely.

"You are too sweet, ' she replied, again with the sexy flutter in her eyelids.

I held on to one of her hands as she led me to the living room again.

"I'll go get Amanda," she said.

"What? No hug first?" I asked.

She hesitated only a second before stepping into my arms. She was a delightful armful. I again kissed her, this time more on the lips. She held the hug a few seconds and then went to fetch her daughter. Amanda came into the room by herself.

"Jeez, Pulaski, haven't you ever heard of being fashionably late?"

"If I had know you would be looking this good I'd have been here an hour ago," I replied.

I meant what I said, no grunge look for Mandy today. She was wearing a skirt and sweater that sure let me know she was a woman. She blushed and stepped into my open arms. It was no quick little kiss with Amanda, though, as she planted one on me that left me breathless. Amanda stayed in my arms after we broke the kiss.

"I'm very happy that you are here, Johnny, and Mom's been atwitter all day. I must be crazy but I trust you Johnny, so do what you think is right with her. One of these days we are going to sit down and discuss this attraction thing, though."

"Fair enough," I said.

Next to my mother and sister, Amanda Pullman was the smartest person I had ever met. I think if anyone could help me figure out these sensations I received from certain women, it would be her.

Dinner was excellent; Jane missed her calling not being a chef. We had a roast with potatoes and carrots and fresh baked dinner rolls. Everything, Amanda said proudly, was made from scratch. I think the amount of food I packed away proved to Jane that my praise of her cooking wasn't just flattery.

After dinner, Amanda and I helped Jane in the kitchen, ignoring her plea that she had it covered. After we had put the last plate in the dishwasher, Amanda excused herself to call Caroline. It was something to do with schoolwork, she told her mother. I sat at the table drinking coffee and chatting with Jane while waiting for Amanda. In about five minutes she came into the dining room wearing her jacket and carrying her car keys.

"I'm going to run a couple of books over to Caroline's. Johnny, stay here so you and Mom can get to know one another and I'll be right back."

Her mother looked a little put out by her leaving but Amanda kissed her on the cheek and told her it was important. The she kissed me on the lips, winked at me and left with a wave. Jane started to apologize but I shrugged her off.

"I think Amanda left so we could talk in private," I said.

Jane thought for a minute and smiled as she realized I was probably right.

"I guess we do need to talk, Johnny. I am so happy Amanda has finally started dating again. I am even happier she is dating you. I know your father very well; he banks at the branch I manage and also takes care of our cars. Your father is such a good man and I have a feeling you are a lot like him."

Small world wasn't it?

"Amanda is an amazing young woman, but then again, you are pretty amazing yourself."

Jane looked at me quizzically. "You don't have to butter me up or be overly friendly, Johnny. I told you I was all for you dating my daughter."

"It isn't that Jane, and I can prove it; here, give me your hand."

I laid my hand on the table palm up and she hesitated only a moment before taking it. I watched fascinated as the hair on her arms rose with goose bumps.

"Feel that?' I asked.

She gave a little nod.

"With some people I have a connection of some sort. For some reason, with you it is stronger than with anyone so far. I know from experience that you can feel a lot of what I feel when we are touching. Now close your eyes."

When she obediently closed her big baby blues I leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers. I made my lips soft and gently moved them over hers. When I pried her lips apart with my tongue she resisted only briefly. I gently broke the kiss.

"Keep your eyes closed and listen to me please. I kissed you like that because you are a beautiful woman and I'm attracted to you. I told Amanda that. Amanda doesn't mind because she said you needed to get on with your life and if I can help she's all for it. I don't know what's going to happen between you and me, or for that matter Amanda and me, but I like being around you both and hope I can do that. What do you think?"

Jane blinked a couple of times and regarded me with a steady calculating gaze.

"I felt ever word you said," she said softly, "every single word came across as a feeling of sincere honesty. I don't know how you do it, and I don't know why it doesn't scare the hell out of me. But here it is, I trust you to do what's right, and I'm going to leave everything up to you. Just don't hurt my daughter inadvertently, okay? It would kill me to be a party to that."

"It is easy to promise that, Jane, you both already mean a lot to me."

"Good," she said, "now what are your plans for me?"

I told her the truth, "I really don't have any; I just want to be around you."

She smiled at that. "Hmmm, well do you think another one of those kisses would fit in your 'non-plan'?"

I said I was hoping it might and pulled her up to her feet. I was really getting to like making out with these tall girls. Jane was a good kisser when she put her mind to it. She had me seeing stars in less than a minute. I slid my hands down and cupped her butt as we kissed heatedly. Jane definitely had a handful for me to grab.

"You have a fantastic body," I told her when we broke the kiss.

She laughed at that. "I'm a big girl Johnny, no question about it, but I work hard to keep in shape and I'm not ashamed of how I look. I hope you are trying to make Amanda feel the same way. I don't want her feeling bad because her new friend Caroline is such a tiny little waif."

"Not a problem," I said.

Talking with Jane was as much fun as talking with Amanda. It was obvious to me where Amanda got her slightly skewed sense of humor. We sat and gabbed for fifteen minutes until Amanda arrived home. Jane and I cracked up at her daughter's noisy entrance. She followed our laughter into the kitchen.

"Mom I haven't heard you laugh that hard in ages," Amanda sounded pleased.

"I haven't felt this good in ages," Jane admitted.

I hung out for another half hour then had to get home. At the door it was Jane who kissed me. It wasn't one of her specials, but it was sweet. Amanda walked out with me to see me off.

"It was wonderful to hear my mother laughing Johnny, thank you."

"My pleasure," I replied.

"It might be your pleasure real soon. I'm going to talk to Mom about getting on the pill tonight."

"Good luck with that," I said.

Man did the week drag as I impatiently waited for my birthday. I was even unfocused at football practice, doing stupid stuff that ended up causing me to run about a million of Coach Boyette's punishment laps. When Friday finally straggled around, I was up at the butt crack of dawn, even though the DMV didn't open until eight.

I caught half an hour of Denise's program while I waited for my grandfather. Denise was interviewing a county commissioner about the beach situation. I was impressed at how well prepared and knowledgeable Denise was as she questioned the guy about federal funds for replenishing the beaches. Papa interrupted my viewing shortly after seven-thirty. We cruised to the DMV in Nana's Lincoln arriving five minutes before they opened. I had the first appointment of the day and at eight forty-five walked out with my license.

Papa took me to Mama's to celebrate. I watched Tina and my grandfather closely as they interacted, trying to get a hint of their relationship. Tina seemed so familiarly comfortable around him, just like Dee-Dee and me. True, my grandfather was seventy-five years old but he was still a vigorous old coot. I wasn't difficult to imagine Papa popping a few of those little blue hardon pills and Pulaskifying buxom Tina. Papa proudly told Tina that I was sixteen today.

"You know Tina, a woman like you could make a man out of him," Papa teased.

Tina laughed as I blushed furiously. "If he's related to you Jan, I'm betting I would have to get in line."

Tina brought our coffee and served it from behind me. I blushed again as she purposely rested one of her big melons on my shoulder as she served us. I swear that when she walked off her nipples were pushing her sweater out a good inch. I watched in awe as her surprisingly trim hips swished toward the kitchen.

"Down boy," Papa said with a grin.

"That's a lot of woman," I gulped.

Papa sighed. "Almost too much," he said.

Papa dropped me off at school at ten. It was a good day for me, as Alice Cooper almost said, "I was sixteen and I liked it."

The football game that night was an away game down in Brevard County. We had a team meeting after school and bussed down at four-thirty for the game. It was a tough game dominated by two excellent defenses. We were lucky to eke out a ten to seven victory. I had a good game and actually set up the game winning field goal by forcing a fumble on the Titusville 30 yard line. I rode home with Darryl Pritchett, a big offensive lineman I'd made friends with. I was stoked that it would hopefully be the last ride I had to mooch.

My dad congratulated me on my game; he'd driven down to see it although I hadn't seen him there.

"Jane Pullman said to tell you good game, too. She and her daughter were there."

"Really? I didn't know they were coming."

"Jane spoke highly of you, Johnny, she said she was very pleased you and her daughter are dating. I trust you not to hurt her feelings. I know you are also seeing Caroline and that could lead to complications."

"It's cool Dad, Caroline and I are just friends and Mandy knows that."

"Hmmm, does she also know you slip off with your friend once a week?"

I looked Dad straight in the eye, "Yes," was all I said.

Dad shook his head in wonder, "You are a lot like Vik with the ladies. Good night son, and happy birthday."

He started for his bedroom, but then turned back toward me.

"Oh, I almost forgot, your birthday present needed new brake rotors that I had to order from the dealer, they'll be in Monday. Sorry about that, but you should have your truck by Tuesday for school."

I thanked him and went to bed myself. I resigned myself to waiting three more days for wheels, but after waiting sixteen years, I guessed I'd live."

It was funny but I didn't feel any older the next day as I did my chores. Without Mom and Katrina around, Dad and I split the housework between us. We were both neat anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Dad was an hour late getting home from work and by then I had the house looking spiffy. Dad and I hung out together all day. It was enjoyable. We pressure washed the deck and did some minor repairs around the house. Dad told me that we were going out to dinner at six with my grandparents.

I dressed in a nice shirt and Dockers for dinner because we were going with Nana. Papa and Nana drove up at five-thirty and took us to Olga's Steak House. Olga's was owned by Olga Swistak, a good friend of my grandmothers. Olga's was the best place to get a steak in Central Florida. In addition, Olga had some traditional Polish fare on her menu. You could get pierogis, golabki (stuffed cabbage), hunter's stew, and the best cheese blintzes you ever tasted. I was looking forward to Aunt Olie spoiling me rotten.

When we arrived at the restaurant Olga herself greeted us at the door. Olga had proclaimed herself my aunt when I was about three years old and she was just opening a small restaurant. In the years since then Olga had to find a bigger place then finally build the large restaurant we were at now. Aunt Olie was a large motherly woman whom everybody loved. Olga grabbed me and pulled my face down for a big buss on the cheek.

"Nadia, he is such a handsome young man!" she exclaimed to Nana.

Nana beamed in pride as Olie hugged Dad and Papa.

"I have a nice table for you in the small banquet room," Olie said, taking my arm.

When we walked through the archway into the room about fifty people yelled surprise and started blowing noisemakers. I was stunned. All the Hernandez family was there, sitting at three tables pushed together, Amanda and Jane Pullman were sitting with them. At another table sat Jen, Richie, Stan and Michelle with their dates. Denise Drake was sitting with them, looking gorgeous as usual. A bunch of guys from my football team were scattered around with their dates. Even Coach Boyette was there with his wife and children.

The biggest surprises were at a long table set up against one wall with all the chairs on one side. My Mother was standing behind a chair and Rachael Scofield was sitting beside her. My heart jumped around in my chest at the sight of Rachael. She was blonde now, her hair a little lighter than her natural color and she looked just as heartbreakingly beautiful as I remembered her. I walked around the table and hugged my Mom. She squeezed me tight and kissed my cheek, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"I've missed you so, Johnny," she said.

I didn't know how much I believed that but I remembered the rule and mumbled something polite to her. When she released me, I turned to Rachael. She stood up and gave me a shy smile.

"I missed you too, Johnny," she said softly.

I swear I wanted to say something biting and sarcastic, something like "you have a funny way of showing it". Instead I opened my arms. Her smile got bigger and she rushed into them. As soon as I touched her I knew she was telling the truth, the raw emotion of her feelings made me dizzy. I let her go when my grandfather started seating us. When we were all in our chairs Papa stood up and made a toast.

"Thank you all for coming tonight to help us celebrate Johnny's birthday. By Polish tradition my grandson is a man now. And I am proud to say that he is about the finest young man I've ever known. So lets eat and party and make his coming of age official."

I could have crawled under the table from his effusive praise. I was spared further embarrassment as the wait staff started bringing out the food. Olie had done it up right; fixing a feast she served family style. Platters of stuffed chicken breast and stuffed cabbage were placed on every table along with mounds of pierogis and loaves of fresh baked bread. I was hungry and dug in as conversations swirled around me. I took a break from stuffing my face and asked Dad about the party. He told me it was my grandparents' doing. He just got invited like everyone else. I looked over at Papa and caught his eye; he winked and reached for another pierogi.

As we were finishing dessert a kid I vaguely knew from school came out and walked behind a DJ setup I hadn't even noticed tucked into a corner of the room. He turned on his mike and gave a happy birthday speech then started playing music as the staff cleared the tables. I saw Nana's fingerprints all over the party when the lights dimmed and he started played a waltz. Nana grabbed my hand and tugged me out onto the empty side of the room in front of the DJ. I waltzed her around and thanked her for the party.

"You are the light of our lives Johnny. Your grandfather and I are so proud of you. Your are so tall and handsome, and you dance very well."

I blushed and spun her around the floor. Nana danced like one of those old time movie stars; at sixty she was still lithe and vivacious. She laughed gaily as my grandfather cut in on our dance.

"Get your own girl," he growled, "This pretty little thing is mine."

I moved back and watched them for a second, Jesus, was I ever some kind of lucky.

When I started off the dance floor Caroline grabbed me. As soon as we started dancing other couples joined us. The DJ was very good; he mixed up the music and kept everyone dancing. Being the birthday boy I got to dance with all the girls, it was a tough job but someone had to do it. I had interesting conversations with some of my partners. It started with Caroline.

"Amanda and I have a present for you. Do you still have your backpack full of goodies?"

When I told her I did she informed me that Jane was going out of town Wednesday and not to make any plans for that evening. I told her I wouldn't.

Michelle snagged me after the obligatory dance with my mother.

She snuggled right up to me even though her boyfriend was watching.

"My birthday is in a couple of months and I know exactly what you can give me," she whispered in my ear.

When I dragged Amanda on the floor she said, "Geez, Romeo, who is that blonde over there mooning over you. She looks like a lingerie model."

"Her name is Rachael Scofield, she goes to UCF. We dated a few times last year."

When I danced with Rachael I commented on her hair and that she was wearing regular contacts and not tinted ones.

"I changed them as soon as I came back from Christmas break last year. The other ones reminded me of you too much. We need to talk Johnny but I have something at school I can't miss tomorrow. Can I see you next weekend?"

Without an ounce of pride I eagerly agreed and we made a date for the following Saturday night.

And so it went right on down the line. Denise told me she missed me and loved being back in my arms even though we were dancing circumspectly. Jane asked me over for Sunday dinner again. The big surprise was Caroline's little sister Carla. She was fourteen now and quickly growing up. Her body was already showing signs of being as killer as her sister's. Carla was in the eighth grade and doing well in school. Her hair wasn't as thick or long as Caroline's. She was more fashion conscious than her sister.

"Johnny, do you think we could go on a date next year when I'm in high school?" she asked.

"Sure," I said, "as long as your sister and parents agree to it."

I figured it wouldn't be a big deal taking Carla out once because there was no connection between us.

At nine I opened presents. I got some really cool stuff, clothes, CDs, DVDs, and stuff like that. When I finished reading the last card my father nonchalantly handed me a set of keys.

"We finished your truck sooner than I thought, so I had it brought over here, ' he said.

I thanked him with a hug. I wanted to rush out and see it but good manners kept me inside with my guests. The DJ played one more set and called it a night at ten. The restaurant was closing so we all started leaving. I found Aunt Olie and thanked her for the wonderful dinner. She gave me a smothering hug and handed me a gift card for her restaurant.

"I saw all the girls looking at you Johnny. I think you will need this for some romantic dates."

When we got outside my father pointed out a bright red Ford pickup. My heart raced as I walked toward it. The truck was a teenaged boy's wet dream. It was a Lightning, Ford's tricked out, souped up, sports version of their venerable F-150 pickup. All my friends thought the truck was way cool and all the girls wanted rides. I said goodbye to everyone and collected some more hugs from all the women. I even got a little kiss from Carla Hernandez and Dee-Dee slipped a piece of folded paper into my hand. Pretty soon it was just my parents and me standing there. Mom was staying the night but had to be back in Houston for Monday.

Dad showed me how things worked on the truck and told me something about it. It was five years old but only had 48 thousand miles on it. Juan Hernandez had gone through it with a fine-toothed comb and pronounced it in excellent mechanical condition. Dad had the brakes replaced and had swapped out the short wide tires for some he said would ride and wear better. Dad popped open the hood and showed me the detailed engine compartment with its big Eaton super charger.

"Johnny this truck is faster than most sports cars, so drive it like you have good sense. Get used to how it handles before you try seeing what it can do."

I told him "yes sir" and gave him a hug. He patted my back and said my curfew was one AM now before leaving with Mom.

I climbed up into my new ride and unfolded the note from Dee.

I'm going to Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things. If you happened to be there when I'm finished I'd love to go for a ride.

I fired up the engine and cautiously pulled out of Olga's parking lot. One thing I did religiously was take my father's advice. He didn't give me a lot, but when he did, I knew from experience it was golden. Damn that truck was fine! I motored to the twenty-four hour Wally World and pulled in next to Dee's Hummer. It wasn't hard to find the big yellow beast in the half full lot. I was fiddling with the radio when I saw her approaching; she was pushing a cart full of groceries. I hopped out and helped her stash them in the back of her SUV then opened the passenger door of my truck for her.

I drove us down to the beach and parked in the public lot so we could watch the ocean. The water was rough tonight; cavitating against the sea wall in big swirling swooshes. Dee turned sideways in her seat so we could talk. I flipped up the armrest so nothing was between us.

"I saw you talking to that county guy this morning. When are they going to fix the beach?" I asked.

"FEMA supposedly is coming up with the money and the county is accepting proposals now, but it will probably be this time next year before the public beaches are restored. A plan is already under way to truck in sand for some of the bigger hotels. It sure was a bad idea to build over the top of the dunes. Down where we went that night the dunes actually grew."

"Another year, huh, that's gonna hurt the economy."

She nodded in agreement then changed the subject.

"That blonde sitting with you was Rachael, wasn't she?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Is she back in your life now?"

"I don't know; she wants to talk to me next weekend."

"She's a beautiful woman, Baby."

"Yes she is," I agreed. Then I added, "If she worked at it she could be almost as beautiful as you."

In the dim moon light Dee's smile lit up the cab of my truck. She scooted across the seat and kissed me. It was a way better kiss than the little cheek smack she gave me at the party.

"All evening I wanted to be in your arms, Johnny. The dancing was such a tease. I really dislike not seeing you. Maybe now that you are driving we can meet somewhere away from Palmdale."

"I'd love that Dee-Dee."

We talked some more. She asked about my parents and grandparents, I asked about her fledgling political career. She said that she was considering an offer to be a media consultant for the Governor. She was also laying the groundwork for a run for the State House of Representatives when redistricting gave our county another seat. She was excited about her chances of getting elected if they held an off year election in 2005 to fill the seat.

"Wow, I volunteer to be your page. I won't rat you out if you try to take advantage of me," I joked.

She laughed and told me the job was mine.

I felt really good when I drove her back to her Hummer. As I walked her to her door, she stopped and looked at my license plates.

"Those must be a gift from your Mom," she said.

I looked at them for the first time. They were commemorative vanity plates showing a space shuttle in flight. My tag number was JPP-III. Very cool.

Sunday afternoon I cruised up to the gate at the Pullmans' community as if I owned the place. This time the gate guard was much friendlier. I gave him the address and he waved me through. As soon as I was in the house and properly hugged, Amanda wanted a ride in my truck. I took her out to I-95 and gave the truck a little more gas than I'd been using around town. I almost peed my pants when the supercharger spooled up and we shot onto the highway already doing eighty-five. I eased back down to seventy once we merged and glanced at Amanda to apologize in case I scared her. Mandy's chest was heaving but she looked anything but scared. She turned her big eyes toward me.

"Jesus, Pulaski, I think I just came."

When I brought her back twenty minutes later Jane insisted on a ride too. I was a little more sedate driving Jane around. I liked the way she looked sitting there in my passenger seat, her long legs crossed and her breasts proudly prominent as she leaned back. I told her what I though and she smiled cutely.

"Then I guess you are going to have to find a way to get me in here more often," she said.

Yes indeedy, that sounded like a plan.

It was liberating to drive into the student parking lot Monday morning. The only down side was having to stop on the way at the Seven-Eleven to buy gas. Twenty of my birthday dollars went into the tank. I was going to have to drive sensibly or hit the lotto. My truck drew a crowd of motor heads as soon as I parked. I had to pop the hood so they could oh and ah over the engine. I took my registration and license to the office and got my student-parking sticker then hustled to homeroom.

Tuesday evening I had to go to Walgreen's to replenish my prophylactic supplies for the next night. I had some condoms left and some of the female stuff I bought for Caroline, but I didn't want to chance something passing its expiration date. It was way to soon to start planting little Pulaskis. I was in the birth control aisle when I saw Caroline behind the pharmacist's counter smirking smugly at me. Her laughing at my expense would never do so I marched up to the counter.

"Excuse me Miss but could you help me? I'm having trouble finding what I need."

She was blushing but maintained her professional demeanor. She gave a signal to the Pharmacist and stepped through the pharmacy door.

"Now how can I help you sir?"

I led a little way down the aisle to the female contraceptives section.

"Well you see Miss (I made a production of glancing down at her nametag) Hernandez, I have a date tomorrow with two beautiful girls. Unfortunately one of them is not on the pill so I need something to back up these condoms." I said in a low conversational voice.

I was having fun as Caroline was redder than I'd ever seen her before. She glanced around to make sure we were alone then reached for a package of the spermicidal sponges. The girl had game; she cleared her throat and fired back.

"Ahem, well Mr. Pulaski, I think the ladies in question would prefer this brand as it is odorless and when applied correctly, tasteless."

Touché.

Wednesday I worked furiously in study hall to get my homework done. I had to do that to insure I had the time tonight to go to Amanda's. Football practice on Wednesdays before a game was always tough. Coach Boyette worked our dicks into the dirt so Thursday could be for fine-tuning. I knew when I got home my father wouldn't let me go out if all of my assignments weren't done. I was a Pulaski and school came first. My father was proud that I did well in school but to him a 'C' average would have been acceptable if I was trying my hardest.

I zoomed into the house at five-fifteen and ripped through the work I didn't complete in study hall. I finished by six and ate dinner with Dad. He cooked tonight, meaning we had Chinese takeout from Mr. Poon's. My grandfather cracked me up once by idly asking if Mr. Poon's wife was Mrs. Tang. You know, PoonTang, yuck-yuck.

So anyway, I'm outta there at six-thirty like my ass was on fire and my hair was catching, the Mighty Kong slobbering in my skivvies in anticipation. My longhaired buddy, the rent-a-cop, waved me through the gate with one of those thumb and pinky finger wagging surfer salutes. I decided that I was gonna dedicate my first cum of the evening to him. Sorta like that Budweiser ad from last years Super Bowl, "So this ones for you Mr. Gate Guard Security Guy."

I pulled into the Pullman's driveway at a quarter till seven. I had to be home by ten so I had three hours to try to fuck myself into ill health. Amanda yanked the door open before I could ring the bell and dragged me into the house by my shirt.

"Get in here Pulaski we are about to explode waiting for you."

I put my backpack down and took a good look at Amanda. She was wearing a black teddy with little black panties. Her hair was casually tousled and her skin glowed. When I looked past her Caroline had on the same outfit in white, I guess this black and white thing was becoming their trademark. Caroline looked wound up already and Amanda was flushed, I figured they found a way to pass the time until I arrived.

The girls each grabbed an arm and led me through the dining room. I had never been this far in the Pullmans' house as we passed through a double set of doors and into a huge bedroom. The room was nicely decorated with a king sized bed centered on one wall. The view from the bed was out a wall of sliding glass doors overlooking a large pool.

"Nice," I commented.

"It's my Mom's room, her bed is bigger and I thought we might need the room," Amanda replied.

I watched Amanda carefully, trying to see if she was willing participating or being swept along by my aggressive little Latin love machine. Amanda appeared to be as gung-ho as Caroline was. I thought she might feel awkward hopping right into bed like this but if she was she kept it well hidden. Caroline started hastily undressing me and Amanda joined in enthusiastically. They had me buck ass naked in seconds. Caroline grabbed Kong and tugged me toward the bed. I followed her lead and dove into the bed. One of the girls sidled up on either side of me as Caroline finally said something.

"Johnny, this is going to be new to all of us so we are counting on you to make it special."

No pressure here folks.

I turned my head and kissed Caroline and did the same for Amanda. When I finished the two girls kissed each other over the top of me. Caroline might have said she was counting on me but she already had a plan in mind as she crawled across both Amanda and me while we kissed again. Amanda whined in my mouth as Caroline started nibbling on the back of her neck. Caroline and I double-teamed Amanda as if we'd done it a hundred times before. Caroline was as sexually assertive with Amanda as she was with me. It was hard to believe this was her first time with another girl. When we reached Amanda's hips Caroline assisted me in removing Amanda's wispy panties.

With her panties out of the way Amanda's enjoyment of our attention was evident. She was soaking wet down there and pungently aromatic. I licked up and down her slit a time or two as Caroline watched excitedly. When I raised my head questioningly, Caroline only hesitated a second before taking my place. Caroline flipped her long single braid over her shoulder and took a tentative lick at Amanda's fragrant quim. She stopped and processed the flavor, then with a moan dove back in.

Lying there with nothing to do, I noticed Caroline's little ass moving around as she munched muff. Well, I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box, but even I figured out what I could be doing instead of just watching. I got up and knee walked behind Caroline, Kong leading the way like the dragon on the prow of a Viking ship. I hooked my thumb into the string of her thong and pulled it aside. It took me a few seconds to get lined up as Caroline's ass was bobbing and weaving like a flyweight boxer during a title fight. When I was in position I sunk into her in one steady push.

When I hit bottom Caroline raised her head and moaned. Amanda reached up, grabbed her braid and pulled her back down. Caroline's usual loud appreciation of my efforts were muffled by Amanda's thighs clamped around her head. With Caroline immobilized I figured a little hanky-spanky was in order so I brought my hand down crisply on her golden little ass. Caroline squealed into Amanda's muff; her ass went into overdrive as she came.

Caroline was a trooper and never stopped working on Amanda as she shimmied in pleasure. Caroline's cum helped trigger Amanda. She came with a series of squeaky oh, oh, ohs, her hips beating a staccato tattoo against Caroline's voracious mouth. Seeing and hearing my lovers in ecstasy took me over the top. I came so hard I had to check to make sure my nuts were still attached.

When I was drained I fell to the side too knackered to move. Amanda was bushed as well but Caroline was just getting wound up. She disengaged from Amanda and slurped softening Kong into her mouth. Caroline spit shined my knob until Kong was rampant again. She released Kong with a last loving lick.

"Get a rubber Johnny, I'm dying to see you put that monster into Mandy," she whined.

It took us a few seconds to get me sheathed in the Trojan and fit Amanda with the sponge. When were all set I rolled between Amanda's thighs.

Caroline snatched a small plastic bottle off the nightstand and squeezed a dollop if thick liquid gel onto my rubber encased dick. When I looked at her inquisitively she grinned and said, "It's called Love Lotion, we found it in the nightstand with some other interesting stuff."

I had a fleeting thought about respecting Jane's privacy but with my dick sitting at the portals of paradise I lost my train of thought. When everything was ready I looked up into Amanda's smoky gray eyes. She was staring back at me pensively.

"Are you sure about this Mandy? We can skip this and just play if you want."

"I'm ready Johnny, but go slow okay? I don't have a hymen but nothing bigger than a tampon has ever been in there."

I nodded and rocked forward slightly. Kong's head popped in for a look around. It was slow going but in about a dozen strokes I was all the way in. Amanda was the tightest thing old Kong had ever been in and he liked it a lot. When I hit bottom, Amanda sighed and squirmed around a little getting comfortable. I held still to let her adjust. Caroline was a very interested observer but she didn't do anything but watch. I appreciated her letting this be just between Amanda and me.

When Amanda gave me a little nod, I pulled back and powered forward at half speed. I was rewarded with one of her cooing 'ohs'. Encouraged I did it again faster. Amanda tentatively rose up to meet me that stroke and soon we had established a nice rhythm. I wanted to feel those long legs wrapped around me so I lifted them over my shoulders one at a time. The change of angle was just the ticket for Amanda as my strokes were hitting new and interesting places. She was soon breathing hard and urging me to go faster. I was very happy when she climaxed. The girl left nothing on the table when she came; she bucked so hard she almost threw me off then went rigid and moaned loudly. While she was arched up I pounded out my own release. I held my weight off her as long as I could then slumped to the side.

When her breathing retuned to normal Amanda said, "Well Pulaski, I guess you proved that I'm not a total lesbo. That was wonderful."

"The pleasure was all mine," I said.

When I departed at quarter till ten I could barely get to my truck. Amanda said she would be walking like a cowgirl all week. Caroline was covered in Amanda's juices and my cum, but was still raring' to go. I had a feeling the Amanda wasn't going to get much sleep that night.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 9


I woke up feeling great Thursday morning after my threesome with Amanda and Caroline. And why the hell shouldn't I? I just lived every guy's dream and I had just turned sixteen. I was King Shit. Well, I was until I got to the bathroom to drain Kong anyway. Kong was a little sore when I shook him off but he was taking it like a man. I sidled from the john to the sink to brush my fangs. When I looked in the mirror I recoiled in horror. Recoiled because I had a zit on the end of my nose as big as Mount Vesuvius. I shit you not; it looked as if my nose was growing a nose. Even worse, the growth didn't even have a head so I could squeeze it. I brushed, showered and ate breakfast bummed out that I looked like Bozo the Clown.

When I got to my locker at school Amanda took one look at my nose and dug out her cell phone.

"Cin, this is Amanda, I've got an emergency, meet me in the bathroom by my locker," she said cryptically.

She flipped her phone shut and grabbed my arm.

Come with me," she ordered tugging me to the girl's restroom.

She parked me by the door and darted inside. Fifteen seconds later she came out and pushed me inside. A few girls were touching up their makeup in front of the sinks but no one seemed upset by my presence. I stood there embarrassed to death as the girls cycled in and out, my eyes looking anywhere except toward the stalls. Departees briefed arrivals about my presence. A few of the girls wandered over to check the growth on my nose and make suggestions. Finally after about two minutes this Goth chick pushes through the door and walks over to us.

"Pulaski, this is Cindi Frazier better known as Cin, her father owns Frazier's Funeral Home. Cin does the make up on the dead people. If anyone can fix your ugly face she can."

Cin had at least twenty studs in each ear, one in her nose and when she talked I saw she had a barbell through her tongue. Her hair was black, shaded towards purple and her black ensemble would have made Dracula envious. Her face was as pallid white as a Kabuki Dancer's while her lips were a painted black slash. Cin tilted my head down and said she'd seen worse. She fished around in a purse the size of a GI duffle bag and pulled out a plastic case.

"Theatrical make up," she lisped around the barbell.

I closed my eyes as she worked. I didn't really want to see what she was doing. Judging by her own make up, I figured I was in deep doo-doo. In less than a minute she swatted me on the ass to turn me toward the mirror.

"There you go pretty boy, good as new."

I squinted open my eyes and stared in amazement. Even staring into the mirror from a foot away my nose looked completely normal.

I thanked Cin profusely and told her I owed her one. She said she knew how to find me if she thought of anything. I thanked Amanda and gave her a kiss.

"I owe you too, Mandy."

She said she had a couple of ideas on how I could repay her already.

Football practice was easy on Thursdays. We practiced executing plays without pads and had a skull session watching game films of our next opponent. The game coming up the next night was our final game of the season. If we won we would be conference champions again and move on to the regional tournament.

I had just finished my homework and was watching CSI when Amanda called.

"Can you come over for a little while?" she asked.

"Sure Mandy, can't get enough huh?"

She made a funny sound then started coughing. "Jesus Pulaski, you made me choke on my soda. In your dreams I can't get enough, in real life I want to talk about this connection thing."

I had her hold on while I asked Dad; when he said yes, I told her I'd be right over. I went upstairs and brushed my teeth then cut through the kitchen and grabbed a Bud Light long neck out of the fridge. The beer wasn't for me; I didn't drink much and couldn't see myself ever developing the habit.

I cruised up to the gates of Palmdale Trails and stopped, even though my buddy the guard waved me on. He leaned out of the gatehouse curiously.

"Dude, s'up?" He asked.

His nametag read Al Jerdin. "Nada, Al, how bout you?"

"Same shit, different day," he said with a shrug.

"Here'" I said handing him the beer. "Maybe this will help."

"This is righteous Dude," he said quickly hiding the bottle. "I don't suppose you got a blunt in there too," he added hopefully.

I laughed and gave him a wave as I gunned my engine and took off.

Jane answered the door when I rang the bell. She was wearing a knee length charcoal skirt and an expensive looking high-necked white silk blouse. She had on nylons but was barefooted. The glass of wine she was holding didn't keep her from giving me a nice hug. Her large breasts felt good mashed against my chest. I gave her a kiss just serious enough not to be chaste. When she stepped back I saw Amanda over her shoulder. When our eyes me she gave me a wink.

"I just got in from the airport," Jane said, " I must look a fright.'

I laughed at that, "you always look beautiful, Jane, and you know it."

It was her turn to laugh.

Jane excused herself to unpack and Amanda told me to come with her. Amanda led me to her room and told me to sit. Amanda's room was large and surprisingly feminine, everything was pink or white. I sat down in a comfortable overstuffed chair next to a table stacked with books. Amanda sat at her computer in a high-backed leather office chair.

"I've been working on this connection thing you claim Johnny, and I have a few ideas," she said.

"What kind of ideas?" I asked.

"It came to me this morning when I saw Cin, don't weird out on me till I finish, okay?"

I nodded; my curiosity peaked.

"Okay, so here goes. In junior high, Cin and I were friends because we were both different than the other girls, Cin was already going Goth and I was a big gangly girl who towered over most of my classmates. Your bimbo cheerleader friends used to call me Lurch.

"Cin was into reading science fiction and fantasy so I started reading it too. I remember one series of books about a guy they called a 'projecting empath'. This guy sent out waves of good feeling that made everyone like and trust him. The writer of the books compared his character to people in real life from Hitler to Gandhi. I think that you are one of those people Johnny. And for that matter, so are your father and grandfather. Think about it for a minute. Everyone trusts your father, and listens to what he says. It's the same with Papa J. People are starting to be that way with you too.

"With people who have some of your talent, you end up with this connection thing. I'm betting that all the people you connect with have strong personalities. I know Caroline, Mom, and I do."

When she wound down, I nodded. "That makes sense, I guess. It explains a lot."

"There's more, Johnny. Your father, grandfather and you all do this thing unconsciously. And I'm willing to bet that your charisma is the strongest of all because you can make the connections you do with some people. I think that if you worked on your ability you could connect to anyone like you do with us. If you learned to control it, you could accomplish anything you wanted in life."

"Wow, Mandy, that's a lot to digest. I'm going to have to think about this some. Thanks."

"Yeah, well, this History paper isn't going to write itself. Get out of here; go practice on my Mom or something."

I gave her a kiss and walked back to the living room. I heard Jane rummaging around in the kitchen so I detoured toward the noise. I stood in the doorway leaning against the jamb as she decanted herself a glass of Chablis. Her back was to me so I could stare at her lush body. She was a full figured woman in the best old school tradition, broad shouldered, wasp waisted with womanly flaring hips. Her legs were sleek and long, her ankles trim and tidy. She caught my reflection in the microwave, turned around and gave me a smile.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi yourself. How about a Coke?" she replied.

I nodded affirmatively and she dug a Diet Coke out of the fridge. Jane had medium length blond hair cut to frame her face. She was a handsome woman with full lips and penetrating blue eyes. She leaned hip-shot against the counter twirling the stem of her wine glass and looking at me speculatively.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm trying to figure out why I'm not running like hell from you. I see the way you look at me and instead of being offended or scared it makes me feel good. It also makes me wonder when you will want to do more than just look."

I reached out and ran my hand up her bare arm. "Would you be offended or scared if that were to happen?"

She gave a little shiver at my touch. "Probably not, but I would feel bad because you are Amanda's boyfriend."

"Well then you have one less thing to feel bad about, because Amanda and I aren't going together, we discussed it but we decided we would do better as just friends."

"Really? I don't know if that makes me happy or not. Amanda seemed to be coming out of her shell since she met you. I was starting to worry about her orientation until the dance. I was even hoping you two might even get a little intimate. I know that's awful for a mother to say, but she's my world now, and I want her life to be as pain free as it can possibly be. Of course, I would accept it if she were gay, but her life would be so much harder."

I had to tread lightly here. "Jane what if Amanda wasn't gay but liked both sexes? That's not so unusual the last ten years or so."

"Oh my! That never occurred to me. Johnny, I just want her to be happy."

"Me too, and I want the same for you. So quit worrying and come here. I've been dying to kiss you since I walked in."

I was leaning back against the counter when I said that. Jane put her wine glass down and stepped between my legs. She put her hands on either side of my face and looked into my eyes. "I must be crazy," she mumbled. Then her lips locked on mine for a long sensuous kiss. Jesus, the woman was the best kisser I'd ever met. When she let me go we were both breathing erratically. I wanted more of those kisses but I had to get home.

"I gotta go, Jane but next time you aren't getting away so easily."

"I'll take my chances," she said huskily.

When I got home I scrubbed off the make up Cin had painted me up with. It took some doing as that stuff was made to stay on. My beak didn't look as bad that night; the zit had come to a head and the pink ring had shrunk to manageable proportions. I squeezed the thing gently then applied the Clearasil Amanda had loaned me.

The next morning the zit was almost gone, thank God. I showered, scrubbed my face twice and then reapplied a dab of zit goop. You could tell it was still there, but it least it wasn't the most prominent feature on my face. School was a breeze that Friday, we had a huge pep rally for the football team and the teachers were in the spirit of things so we coasted all day. I experimented with Amanda's theory some too, asserting myself on a couple of occasions where I would normally have just kept my mouth shut. I wasn't sure if people were agreeing with me because I had some gift, or if they were just agreeing. I also wasn't all that keen on the whole idea, anyway. I mean I was sixteen, I was just a kid, and life was pretty much going my way; why the hell did I need to influence people?

The football game was at home that night. We were playing a middle of the pack conference rival with a five and three record. Coach had been harping all week about not looking past Oak Bay thinking we were a lock for the play-offs. His exhortations worked because we came out on fire. We were ahead twenty-eight to zip at the half. So the second half I played tight end with the second string offense. Coach left the starting defense in for the third quarter so I played iron man for a while. I loved it. I also loved catching my first touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Coach wasn't trying to run up the score or anything, as a matter of fact he even talked to the Oak Bay coach at the half about it. He just wanted to tune up his reserves for the playoffs.

So anyway, I got a game ball for my efforts, the ball I caught for the touchdown as a matter of fact. I guess I must have been giddy with euphoria as I ran towards the locker room to do what I did next. As I passed by our cheerleaders, Shelia Cavanaugh, the head cheerleader and Homecoming Queen, told me nice game. I slammed on the brakes and turned towards her.

I took her hand in mine and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Good enough to go out with me some night?"

She pulled back and looked at me funny. "Maybe," she said sotto voce, "call me and find out. We're in the book, T. Cavanaugh."

I smiled, dropped her hand and sprinting toward the locker room just as Coach Boyette was about to crawl up my ass.

Now asking out Shelia Cavanaugh was way out of character for me, and her saying maybe was ten times as surprising. I'm telling you Shelia's pooh-pooh smelled like roses at Palmdale Senior High. She was a senior and Miss Everything in the yearbook. Her mother was Donna Murphy Cavanaugh, Jake Turner's first cousin, and a vice-president of Turner and Thornton holdings. Shelia was about as Irish as I was Polish; she was medium height and had this fabulous copper colored hair, that hung to her fabulous ass, that was held up by her fabulous legs... well, you get the picture.

Now I didn't feel a connection with Shelia but I had felt a little back current as I held her hand. It was as if after I held her hand and whispered to her I could feel a little response. I didn't know what kind of sense to make out of that. Nor did I know what the hell I was going to do about calling her. Sometimes when I was excited I let my alligator mouth override my hummingbird brain.

After the post game meeting and a quick shower, I was in street clothes headed for my truck. When I got to it Caroline, Amanda and Jane were standing there waiting for me. All three hugged me and congratulated me on my game. I offered to take everyone to Pizza Hut to celebrate. It took a little convincing but Jane agreed to go as well. Caroline hadn't been for a ride in my truck yet so she hopped in and we roared off. Amanda and her Mom were driving straight to the restaurant but Caroline insisted on going the long way. When we were on the road she turned in her seat to face me.

"Johnny, Amanda and I really get along great and sex with her is very exciting. It is also easier for me to see her because it looks normal for two pals to hang around together. We still want to spend time with you occasionally but we are going to spend time together too. Are you okay with that?"

"We are not exclusive, I told you that Caroline. What you two do is your own business. You just need to remember that Mandy is trying to come to grips with her sexuality. If she falls in love with you it could be bad for both of you."

Caroline nodded her understanding. "We talked about that and we talked about how we felt about you, I think that things only get emotionally sticky when you are in the equation. You are some kind of guy Johnny, even if you don't know it."

"I know I'm some kind of lucky guy because I have such a hot little lover as you," I replied.

"Yes your are," she agreed. "And I'll make you even luckier if you volunteer to take Mrs. Pullman home so Mandy and I can have some time together."

"For you, anything," I said magnanimously.

Wasn't this a fine turn of events. I sure hoped that Caroline knew what she was doing because I could very easily see Amanda falling in love with her. Well Caroline had sure made things plain to me, and I could only hope she'd do the same with Amanda. So at Pizza Hut I abetted their scheme and offered to drive Jane home so they could go to a party on the beach. Of course only the three of us knew it was a party of two.

It was a crisp fall evening and Jane was wearing jeans, a sweater and a brown tweed woman's suit coat. It was the first time I'd seen her in trousers, and as always she looked good. I especially liked the high-heeled boots she was wearing. They actually made her a little taller than me. I walked Jane out to my truck and opened the door for her. She swung gracefully up into the seat. I let myself in and flipped up the armrest. Jane looked at me and smiled that knowing smile of hers then slid over next to me. I fished out the center seat lap belt and buckled her in.

"Can't be too safe," I said, then added, "do you need to go straight home?"

"Not necessarily, is there somewhere you want to go?"

"Yeah, it just seems too nice a night to end it yet."

"You're driving Johnny, go where you want."

I drove her down to the old Boy Scout Camp out by Lake Owensby and parked under some trees by the public boat ramp. I helped Jane down from the truck and we walked out onto the short fishing pier. We sat on a bench at the end of the pier and listened to the sounds of nature around us.

"It's beautiful out here Johnny, I didn't even know this place existed."

It was beautiful, in that swampy Florida way that was so rapidly disappearing. Bullfrogs croaked in some weird rhythm all around us, as in the distance two barn owls hooted back and forth. There was just enough moonlight to let us make out the triangular heads of gators bobbing on the gentle windblown waves. I sat there with my arm around her, as content as the Dalai Lama. Jane broke me out of my reverie by cupping my chin and turning my head so we could kiss. She showed me the kiss we shared in her kitchen was not a fluke. As our tongues gently dueled I slipped my hand into her jacket and palmed one of her breasts on the outside of her sweater. It felt even larger than it looked, as even my big Pulaski hand couldn't cover it.

We left shortly after that, both of us in a comfortable sensuous mood. I drove her home and stopped at the gatehouse. I didn't recognize the guard but he seemed to know me. He told me to wait then ducked back into the gatehouse. When he returned he handed me a resident's window cling to affix to my windshield.

"Al said to give this to you if I saw you," he said.

I thanked him and drove on to Jane's house. I walked her to her door and we nuzzled in a dark spot on the porch. She unlocked the door and I started to leave. Her hand on my arm stopped me.

"You can come in if you want Johnny. I'm already seduced, all you have to do is finish what you started."

I kissed her hand and told her when we got together I wanted to make it special for her.

"Okay, Johnny, as long as you know how I feel, I'm too old to play the ingénue."

As tired as I was that night, I still laid in bed unable to sleep. My mind was a swirl of kaleidoscopic visions of first one woman then another. I was happy with myself that I had strong feeling for every woman I slept with, or planned to sleep with. Yet I wondered why I didn't just find one girl to go steady with like most of my contemporaries did. Then again, I was barely sixteen, how serious could I really get? Over and above all these thoughts was my looming date with Rachael tomorrow night. I fell asleep finally with a thousand questions and not a single answer.

I was up early Saturday morning despite my lack of sleep. I had a busy day mapped out starting with breakfast with my grandfather. I showered and was downstairs at seven; right on time, Papa pulled up and honked for me. Papa had plans for later that morning that include Jethro, so the big goofus was sitting in the back seat with his head hung out the window. I climbed into the cab and suffered one of Jetho's chin to forehead licks before we jetted towards Mama's.

The restaurant was filled with tradesmen this early on a Saturday morning but, as always, a table was magically available for us. Papa headed for the little boy's room as Tina glided over with coffee and menus for us. I kept having to revise my estimate of Tina's age downward. Today she didn't look a day over thirty-five. Tina stood across from me and placed the coffee and menus on the table. When she leaned across the table to put mine in place I had an unobstructed view down her shirt. You could park a semi in her cleavage. She looked at me as I tried manfully to tear my eyes away from her bosom. She looked down at her own breasts, smiled and gave me a wink.

"Sorry," I mumbled, red faced.

"If I minded you looking Johnny, I'd have worn a different shirt."

I learned how to treat people watching my father and grandfather, but it always amazed me to see them in action. Most of the men in the restaurant came over to our table to say hello to Papa. He greeted each of them by name and introduced me. If they called him Mr. Pulaski he used their last name with the appropriate honorific, if they called him by his first name, he did the same. Papa treated the grubbiest drywaller exactly the same as he treated men in suits.

Papa had ordered a sausage and egg sandwich to go for Jethro. When we got to his truck he tossed the sandwich into the back seat still wrapped in wax paper. Jethro ate the sandwich, paper and all, in two large gulps. Papa drove me home so I could do my chores, then he and Jethro headed for Home Depot. My dad must have thought he was a comedian that day, because my chores were written out and taped to the refrigerator. At the top of the page he had written 'honey-do list'. I sighed and broke out the cleaning supplies. Last night I was a football hero and lady's man; today I was a janitor, cleaning commodes.

I picked up Rachael for our date at six. The first thing she did was thank me for taking care of her house. I didn't mention that mostly all I had done was clean up after Caroline and me. Besides, she had Merry Maids in every two weeks to keep the place spiffy. I took her to this little Italian Restaurant for supper, with plans of a movie next. Rachael nixed the movie idea.

"Let's go somewhere we can talk," she said.

So fifteen minutes later we were sitting on the couch in her house, her at one end, and me at the other. Our conversation started off badly.

"You can't imagine how much I missed you, Johnny," she had the nerve to say.

"You have a funny way of showing it," I replied coolly.

"I don't blame you for being hurt and angry with me. But try to see it from my point of view. Us falling in love wouldn't be good for either of us and I saw that's where we were headed. I thought you needed to have all the experiences that come with your age and I needed to have the experiences I lost being married to Jesse. And I was mostly right Johnny. I've dated some guys my age and older and even slept with a couple of them and I know you've been bringing girls over here."

She had made some valid points, but regardless of her reasons, dropping me like she did was wrong, and it rankled.

"You might have been right in what you thought, and I certainly would never want to be the reason for you missing out on more of what life had to offer. Your way of telling me sucked thought. And why are you telling me all this in person now? You could have told me all this on the phone like last time."

I know, I know, I sounded like a petulant ten-year-old, but dammit, that's the way I felt.

"Because, Johnny, my life is better with you in it, plain and simple. And if you want, I'd like to have you in my life." She lowered her eyes and her voice. "It's the sex too. I thought that when we made love I had liberated myself sexually and that I would have even better experiences with older, more practiced men. But it wasn't that way at all. I even had a three-month affair with one of my professors. He was technically proficient and he could get me off, but he could never make me climax as intensely as you did the first time you ever tried it."

Jesus this relationship stuff was so far over my head! I wanted to tell her to eat shit and die; I wanted to throw her down and ravish her; I wanted to make tender love to her all night. So what did I do? I sat there like a bump on a log just looking at her.

"Say something Johnny."

"I don't know what to say, Rachael. But if you think that I'm gonna be your little fuck toy, forget it; I'm not wired that way, no matter how hot you are."

"Listen to what I said, Johnny, I want you in my life again, not just in my bed. Can't we have a relationship that isn't all or nothing?"

We talked for a while longer still sitting on opposite ends of the couch. I think Rachael was hoping that we could make up for lost time that evening but I wasn't about to just dive in the sack with her. Sure, my pride was a factor, but there were also practical considerations, mainly that she'd been sleeping with other guys. If we made love I'd be sleeping unprotected with all of them too. Rachael saw the reasonableness of my point and, although disappointed, she said she'd get tested for STDs and AIDs Monday. Out of fairness, I agreed to do the same. We kissed and cuddled on the coach some to seal the deal; I made sure nothing got out of hand.

I spoke with Shelia Cavanaugh outside Saint Gregory's after Mass on Sunday. She pouted and asked me why I hadn't called her yet. Go figure. Shelia looked awfully good in a coral pink dress and matching heels, but I gotta tell you that her Mom looked almost as good in baby blue. Shelia introduced me to her Mom, we shook hands, and a jolt ran up my arm. Her Mom and I dropped the handshake as if we had grabbed a hot pan. Shelia also introduced me to her father, Thomas Cavanaugh, and her twin sisters, Elaine and Ellen. I told Mr. Cavanaugh with complete honesty how lucky he was to get to spend all his time with four of the prettiest women I had ever seen. He laughed and clapped me on the back.

"You speak your mind just like your Old Man," he said.

I rustled up the nerve to call Shelia that night. I know this is going to sound prejudiced, but I was surprised at how easy she was to talk to. In all honesty, I was expecting to either be talking to a stuck up rich bitch or an empty headed stereotypical cheerleader. Instead we ended up talking for an hour about all kinds of stuff. Shelia said her Mom had given her the third degree about me and that her father had raved about my dad. We made an early evening date for next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. It would be a short evening because our first playoff game was on Saturday at one in the afternoon. Ours would be one of three playoff games that day at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

The short week before Thanksgiving was a breeze at school. Our little group at lunch grew as Cin and a couple of her Goth friends started sitting with us. I had never had much interaction with the Goth crowd; normally they eschewed the company of us regular folk. I don't know why I was surprised at the normalcy of their conversation, I should have known better by then. But just hearing them go on about the mundane topics of everyday teenage life surprise me. I guess my visions of them sitting around biting the heads off of chickens and waiting for alien spaceships was perhaps a little off the mark after all. I liked the hell out of Cin; she was down to earth, sharp as a tack and sweet as she could be. I think she might have been pretty too, somewhere under that garish make up.

Dad and I had Thanksgiving with the Hernandez family. Mom was locked into something and wouldn't be home until Saturday. It was a treat to eat with them. Maria whipped up a feast that included a decidedly Mexican slant to traditional turkey and stuffing. You'd think with seven kids, it would have been a raucous affair but Juan and Maria's kids were all well mannered and respectful. I fell in love with Maria's sweet cornbread with jalapenos and so did Dad. Maria proudly told us Caroline had made it. Caroline's sister Carla weaseled her way into sitting next to me. So I talked to her quite a bit. I like the way the Hernandez's worked to fit into American society but still keep their culture alive at home.

Friday night I drove up to the Cavanaughs', nervous as that guy who won Survivor at a tax audit. The Cavanaughs lived in a huge three story colonial mansion on a private road, ten miles west of town. They even had a gate with a call box next to it. I identified myself to the tinny voice echoing out of the speaker and drove through the gate when it swung open. I rang the doorbell when I arrived at the house, halfway expecting 'Jeeves' the butler to open the door. Instead, Mr. Cavanaugh did the honors. He greeted me warmly and told me Shelia was still getting ready. He steered me into a big family room where Mrs. Cavanaugh was sitting reading a magazine. I sat down where indicated and answered the usual questions I guessed parents asked on a first date. The grilling wasn't bad and I wasn't offended by the no drinking lecture.

Shelia saved me after five minutes. Man, I thought Shelia looked good in school, but in a denim min-skirt she was a wet dream. She kissed both her parents and I shook hands with them. Even expecting it, the surge from Mrs. Cavanaugh rocked me. I could tell it did the same to her. She eyed me speculatively as we dropped our hands; the look wasn't all that friendly. I opened the door of my pickup and handed Shelia up into the seat. I was betting the truck was a new experience for her; I had her figured for a Beamer and Benz kind of gal.

So of course to show just what kind of immature asshole I was, Shelia said, "I love your truck Johnny, it is way cool."

We hit the road and I hit CD three on my changer; Bon Jovi's Wanted Dead or Alive blasted out of the speakers. I was a serious classic rock guy, no new aging, hip hopping, rapping, or techno popping for me. I put on the CD without even asking Shelia what kind of music she liked. It was as if I was determined to ruin the date from Jump Street. So naturally, "Oh, Johnny, how did you know I love Jon Bon Jovi?"

Turns out she liked AC/DC and about everything else I liked too. I was having trouble not liking this girl. When we pulled up to Olga's to redeem my gift certificate we had to sit in the truck until Judas Priest finished wailing on their version of Johnny B. Goode. It was one song Shelia had never heard before. When it ended and I shut off my truck she asked me if that was my theme song. Her voice was all innocence but she had this devilish gleam in her big blue peepers.

"It is now," I said.

Aunt Olie was manning the hostess podium when we arrived; I got my usual big old mushy hug and kiss, and when I introduced Shelia, so did she.

"She is so pretty Johnny, and you are so handsome, I think a special table is in order."

Olie fixed us up with this primo table for two by the window over-looking a fountain with colored lights that spewed heavenward out of a small retention pond. I took the liberty of ordered for us both, asking if we could have a sampler plate of polish delicacies. Shelia was honest about what she liked and disliked. Her stock went up another notch.

From Olga's, we hit the Cinemaplex. I snagged us tickets to Oliver Stone's 'Alexander', a movie staring Colin Firth that had just come out. Now I'm no movie critic, I thought 'Austin Powers' was Oscar material, but if you didn't see this dog, save your money and forget about renting the DVD. Compare to 'Alexander', the turkey Maria Hernandez served yesterday was a barnyard pimp. But when Shelia took my hand shortly after the lights dimmed, I could have sat through a double screening of 'Gigli', smiling like Homer Simpson with a handful of doughnuts.

I had Shelia at her doorstep at ten-thirty. She told me she had had a wonderful time and asked me if we could go out again. I said most certainly and that I looked forward to seeing her at the game tomorrow. I was tired of standing there awkwardly so I just pulled her to me and laid one on her. She kissed me back with a gusto that weakened my knees. Then she slipped out of my arms with a giggle and darted into the house.

I was smitten.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 10

I was on autopilot driving home from my date with Shelia. I couldn't stop thinking about her, or reliving our evening. I was elated and scared witless, both at the same time. The reason I was scared was because Shelia was the first girl I had ever dated without the advantage of the connection thing. As the evening had progressed with Shelia I started to get a sense of how she felt but it wasn't the clear signal I was use to getting. I was also scared because Shelia soared with the socially elite eagles while I scratched with the more fun chickens.

I liked Shelia a whole lot, but I wasn't prepared to sacrifice my friendships over her. Nor was I comfortable taking her out of her element, as it might cause her problems with her friends and family. Her mother was already looking at me as if she'd found my picture on the sexual predator website. Oh yeah, and throw a healthy dose of fear of failure in there too. I was beginning to think that a second date wasn't such a hot idea after all. Better to cut my losses before I got into this any deeper, I decided.

The next morning we departed the high school at nine-thirty bound for the Citrus Bowl. I was pretty stoked at the chance of playing in a major football stadium. I purposely avoided the bus that Shelia and her teammates were on, and took my usual seat among the lineman and defensive backs. So there I sat feeling wretchedly noble as we convoyed to Orlando.

Once we were in the locker room at the stadium I was able to forget about Shelia and start concentrating on football. Our opponent for the game was Apopka High. Apopka was a perennial contender; state champions two of the last five years. We matched up well with Apopka, Both of us had strong defenses and solid, if uninspiring offenses. Apopka did have one halfback with speed and good moves, but we felt we could contain him by keeping him from running outside.

Our advantage was our kicking game. We had a place kicker that had future NFL player stamped on his forehead. His name was Jose Luna, but everyone called him Joe Moon. He was a soccer player Coach Boyette recruited early in the season and patiently trained. Joe Moon was only five-seven, and weighed about a buck-forty, but he could kick a football a mile. Joe was a little quirky and superstitious but he was a hell of a kicker.

I knew Joe from church; we actually took our confirmation classes together. Joe was mega-religious; he wore a crucifix large enough to hang in a church. He knelt on the sidelines and prayed before every kick then kissed the crucifix. Joe also had a schlong about the size of one of his arms. I swear it hung below his towel when he came out of the shower. Joe had to coil that monster like a rope to get it in a jockstrap. I figured Joe would need a two-quart transfusion to get enough blood to get fully hard.

So anyway, back to the game. We loss the toss and kicked off, then for thirty minutes we seesawed up and down the field. We got down to their twenty and Joe kicked a 35-yard field goal. They scored on a fumble recovery and runback late in the half. We went into the locker room trailing seven to three. The second half was more of the same, Joe kicked a field goal in the third quarter and we kept Apopka off the scoreboard. At the two-minute warning we had the ball on our forty-five yard line trailing seven to six. Coach put me in as the second tight end. We ran the ball up the middle five times, once on fourth down, to eke out twenty yards.

Coach called a time out and sent in our field goal unit with five seconds remaining in the game. When Joe got down on one knee to pray, Coach Boyette dropped down and joined him. Apopka was a suburb of Orlando so their supporters at the game out numbered ours by thousands. Every one of those supporters was on their feet screaming at Joe to miss. When he kicked the ball it flew towards the goal as straight as an arrow but didn't look as if it had enough leg to make it. Everyone in the stadium held their breath as the ball fell from the sky. The ball hit the crossbar and teetered for a second before falling into the end zone. The referee threw up his hands signaling good and we pig piled Joe Moon.

When we passed the cheerleaders as we headed to the locker room, Shelia yelled, "great game Johnny." I gave her a casual wave and kept running.

Joe Moon was suddenly a celebrity. The Sunday edition of the Palmdale Standard proclaimed, "Moon shines, Panthers win." Father Donavan even made reference to the game in his homily. Of course he cited Joe's devoutness as a reason for our success. I dodged Shelia after Mass and spent the day with my family.

I was on cruise control at school the first three days of the next week, classes, practice and homework pretty much filled my waking hours. I did get the blood tests on Monday afternoon; I checked myself out of school after lunch with a note from the nurse to get them. The nurse at the clinic said she'd probably have the results by Thursday and would call me.

I had been thinking about Shelia all week. I decided I owed it to her to tell her how I felt. I called her after dinner Wednesday evening. As happens about eighty percent of the time in my dealings with women, nothing went as I had planned or expected. After exchanging a few pleasantries I told Shelia I didn't think another date would be a good idea and then I told her why. I don't know what kind of reaction I was expecting but it sure wasn't the one I got.

"That is absolute fucking bullshit!" she shouted. "You don't even know me and you've already labeled me. You're the one that's a snob."

Oh yeah, and she also called me a jackass and an idiot before she slammed the phone down. Shelia's vehement reaction startled me. I was expecting some graceful socialite's cool reception to my idea. Instead, I had a snarling wild woman. Man, her temper was as Irish as her hair. I called Dee-Dee on her cell phone for some counsel. Dee-Dee listened to my story and told me that everything Shelia said was right. Then she made me feel lower than whale shit by reminding me how much Rachael hurt me by ditching me via the phone.

"So what do I do now?" I asked.

"You are going to have to meet with her somehow and make this right. Grovel if you need to. She sounds like a hell of a lot more woman than you thought."

That last sentence of Dee's was the understatement of the year. Jeez, what a jerk I was. As soon as I finished mentally kicking myself I picked up the phone. My father told me it was best to deal with something unpleasant as soon as possible, so I dialed the Cavanaughs' number. Mr. Cavanaugh answered the phone.

"Hello Johnny, hold on a sec and I'll get Shelia."

"Actually Mr. Cavanaugh I need to talk to you, sir," I said.

"Oh? What about?"

"Uh, I would rather tell you face to face, it's nothing bad about Shelia, though," I said.

"Well you certainly have my attention; sure, come on over."

I thanked him, told Dad where I was going and trudged out to my truck. I buzzed the call box at the Cavanaughs' gate just before eight, and the gate swung open. Mr. Cavanaugh opened the door for me again and led me into the big family room. Mrs. Cavanaugh was sitting on the couch, she did not look happy to see me.

I cleared my throat and told them why I was there. Then I asked for permission to see Shelia and apologize and explain things to her. Mr. Cavanaugh nodded his head and turned to his wife.

"Thomas will you give me a few minutes to talk to Mr. Pulaski before you get Shelia?"

Mr. Cavanaugh said sure and left the room. As soon as he was gone Shelia's mom rounded on me.

"I had you checked out Mr. Pulaski, and I'm not impressed by what I found out. I was especially unimpressed with the gang fight you were in over some girl."

"That doesn't surprise me, Mrs. Cavanaugh, you having me investigated, I mean. That sort of thing is one reason I felt that Shelia and I wouldn't work. And my name is Johnny; Mr. Pulaski belongs to my father and grandfather."

Her eyebrows arched up at my response.

"What do you mean that sort of thing? It is my responsibility to check out who my daughter dates."

"So how many of the other boy's that she's dated have you investigated?"

Her silence was my answer.

"I thought so. You didn't check out the other guys because they all probably revolved in your social circles. Because I don't, I was immediately suspect. I figure Shelia will start thinking the same way before long, that's why I don't think it's a good idea to see her again. So see? Things are going to work out your way. I am only apologetic that I hid behind the phone to tell her that."

Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she could think of something to say. I don't think she appreciated being called a rich snob.

"Not seeing my daughter won't hurt you much, Mr. Pulaski, I know you are going with at least two other girls and possibly an older woman."

I couldn't help it; I cracked up laughing.

"Mrs. Cavanaugh you sure need a more thorough investigator. You only have part of the facts."

As soon as I said that I looked up and saw Shelia standing there looking confused.

"What investigator Mom?" Shelia asked.

Mrs. Cavanaugh jerked around toward her daughter. "How long have you been standing there?"

"I just got here, Dad sent me down. What are you doing here Johnny, and what are you two talking about?"

Mrs. Cavanaugh looked at me beseechingly. So I explained things to Shelia.

"I came here to apologize in person for being such a jerk on the phone. You mother heard some things about me that were only partially true and I was about to give her the real story."

I turned and looked at Mrs. Cavanaugh. "I did get in a fight about a girl last year. Her name is Caroline Hernandez. I challenged this gang leader because it was the only way I could think of to get him to leave her alone. He was trying to force her into a relationship with him. The fight wasn't over her affection, I barely knew her. Afterwards she and I became friends and we even went on a few dates, but, bottom line, we are just friends. I have dated older women, I'm not ashamed to admit that, either."

Mrs. Cavanaugh started to say something but Shelia butted in.

"Mom everyone knows about that fight, it's a school legend and I know about the college girl he dated last year. You could have asked me instead of hiring a detective."

I jumped in on her mom's behalf saying I thought it was good that she checked on potential suitors. Then I asked Shelia if we could talk in private for a minute. She agreed and we went out on the porch. Out on the porch in the pale moonlight I raised groveling to an art form. I apologized again, I told her I liked her and that my call was motivated by a fear that she would reject me. Then, God help me, I asked her out for another date. I had no intention of doing that even five minutes ago.

"I'm too mad at you to accept a date now, Johnny, ask me again next week and we'll see."

It wasn't as good an answer as I'd hoped for but it was better than I feared. Know what else? I couldn't for the life of me figure out when it became so important that we went out again. I mean sure, she was beautiful and I'd had fun on our date but I had girls and women just as pretty. Women that also loved having sex with me, yet, I didn't moon over them. Weird stuff, huh?

I walked Shelia back into the house, apologized to her parents for taking up so much of their time, and then headed home. I felt better for what I'd done.

I managed to get through the rest of the week without stepping on my dick again, wonder of wonders. The clinic called. I verified my identity with the code number they gave me and got a clean bill of health.

We had our semi-final football game on Saturday; we played the late afternoon game in Tampa at the University of South Florida stadium. Our opponent was a regional powerhouse with a perfect ten — zero record for the year. We were leery of Tampa North High because they had beaten their first round opponent by thirty-five points.

Turns out we were worried for nothing. Tampa North self-destructed, starting with fumbling the opening kickoff. It was one of those days when everything they touched turned to crap. Their offense was a litany of dropped passes, missed blocks and poor ball handling. I also think they set a record for penalties. I was embarrassed for them. We advance to the championship game by winning twenty-one to nothing. If coach hadn't slowed us down it could have been a slaughter. I guess I could spice up the account of the game by describing my heroic play. So here goes. I held my ground and strung out blockers when Tampa's triple option came my way. I was in on three or four tackles. End of story.

The actual highlight of my game turned out to be giving a very surprised Shelia a rose as the team ran onto the field. Before we left the locker room I told coach what I was going to do. I told him it was a way of saying I was sorry for a misunderstanding between Shelia and me. Coach gave me his usual ration of shit. He called me a pussy hound in front of a few of my grinning teammates.

"If you worked as hard at playing football as you did getting laid Pulaski, you'd be a superstar," he lamented.

My teammates hooted a few comments, egging Coach on. I flipped a finger towards Coach's Greek Chorus and filed out of the locker room with as much dignity as I could muster. I paid dearly for the rose gesture as Coach Boyette, then my teammates, called me Lover Boy for the rest of the game.

On the first play we were on defense Coach yelled, "Watch for a sweep, Lover Boy." Coach Boyette's voice carried like a bullhorn, he sent the cheerleading squad into a giggling fit. Thank God it didn't catch on as a nickname.

Sunday at Mass Shelia thanked me for the rose. She said it was a sweet thing to do and she was sorry I got razzed about it. By contrast, her teammates on the cheerleading squad thought it was very romantic. I didn't ask her out, although I was dying to, because it hadn't been a week since my big fuck up. (You'll notice that I am not one for cussing much, never have been. But sometimes only one expression is appropriate to describe something, and fuck up was it for what I had done.) Shelia's mother treated me nicer too, and her father was his usual nice guy self. I really liked Mr. Cavanaugh and he seemed to like me. I'm guessing that I was a change from being surrounded by four women all the time.

Elaine and Ellen, Shelia's twin sisters, were unusual girls. They were so identical in looks and mannerisms even their parents had a hard time telling them apart. For thirteen year olds they were also very quiet. Shelia said they were some kind of geniuses and no one quite knew what to do with them. I guess that's why everyone was so surprised when one of them said, "We want Johnny to go to lunch with us and we want to ride with him."

Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh exchanged glances and Mrs. Cavanaugh shrugged and nodded. I found out later that the twins seldom asked for anything, but when they did want something, it was almost impossible for their parents, or anyone else, to say no. I told them I'd have to ask my father first about the lunch thing; if it was okay with him I would join them. Dad gave me the okay and the twins bracketed me as I walked to my truck. What followed was about the weirdest things I've ever encountered.

As soon as we were in the truck and I had started the engine the twin sitting in the middle touched my arm. I actually shivered at the strong connection we made. If that wasn't weird enough, as soon as she touched me I knew it was Ellen. Then the other girl touched me too and I had a moment of vertigo. I was thankful they weren't sending out sexual feeling, or I would have come in my pants. Just as quickly as they touched me they took their hands away. I put the truck in gear and carefully steered out of the parking lot.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Experiment," said Elaine, "We thought you might be like us, you are the only person besides Mom, our aunt, and each other that we ever tingled with."

"Yours is a lot stronger than Mom's," added Ellen.

"But not as strong as ours," finished Elaine.

The girls told me about themselves while we were driving. They were too damned smart for words. To top it off, they said they were reticent to show most people how smart and talented they really were. That's why they were quiet so much. With me they had found a kindred spirit of sorts, so they let it all hang out. By kindred spirit, I don't mean their intellectual equal; I wasn't even in the same ballpark that way. I mean the 'tingle' thing. They laughed when I asked how they came up with tingle to describe the connection. Ellen explained that they started calling it that when they were five and never gave it another name.

I wonder aloud why I could suddenly tell them apart. Ellen speculated that it must have something to do with the tingle because their mother and aunt were the only other people who could. She said they insisted on dressing and grooming themselves alike just to add to the confusion, they liked fooling everyone. I asked why their mother didn't like me even though we shared a connection, too.

"Mom thinks you are going to use the tingle to get into Shelia's panties," Elaine giggled.

I almost swerved off the road. "I couldn't do that even if I wanted to, I have to have a connection to the girl first."

The twins looked at each other then back at me.

"Have you even tried anything with a girl you didn't tingle with?" ask Ellen.

I stopped to think about it for a second and realized that I had not. Rachael was the weakest connection but even that built as we became more intimate. Hmmm, built as we became more intimate, why hadn't I seen that before? I told the twins that, no, I had at least a faint 'tingle' with every woman I'd ever been with.

"We could teach you how to get people to do things, Johnny, we do it all the time. Mom even does it to Dad."

"I don't know if I really want to do that, Ellen. I'm pretty happy the way things are for me already. I'm going to have to think about all this."

They both nodded then Elaine got this impish look. "Does that mean that when we're older you'll do things with us cause we tingle together?" she asked all innocent.

Now I'm not anywhere near as smart as them, but I knew when someone was yanking my chain.

"It sure does, in a year or two both of you will be my love slaves and part of my harem."

Instead of recoiling in horror, Elaine's eyes got all big and round, "Really? Both of us? That would be way cool."

I was saved from further torment as we pulled into the parking lot. Lunch was really brunch at the Palmdale Country Club. No Denny's or Mama's diner for the Cavanaughs. We were immediately seated at a round table. I tried to sit next to Shelia but Ellen aced me out of the chair so I ended up between her and Elaine. Mrs. Cavanaugh was not amused by Ellen's antics. Ellen just gave her Mom a beatifically innocent smile and went to serve herself at the buffet. When everyone else got up to get some chow, Shelia took Ellen's seat.

"Sorry about my little sisters," she said. "They are acting even stranger than normal. I don't know what they are up to but you better be careful."

I decided to tease Shelia a little. "They told me they want to get us together. They think I'm the perfect guy for you."

"They said what!"

"Yep, Ellen said we'd have beautiful babies," I said, trying desperately to keep a straight face.

Shelia's mouth opened and closed a couple of times as a burning red blush engulfed her face. I couldn't help it I burst out laughing. Her parents and sisters gave us a strange look when they returned to the sight of me laughing, and Shelia sputtering and pounding on my arm with her small fist.

I escorted Shelia up to get some food when we had both stopped laughing. I gotta tell you the food was a lot better than Mama's or Denny's. I loaded up a plate and walked Shelia back to the table. The twins were again sitting on either side of me. I noticed immediately that they had pulled the old switcherooski. I turned towards the twin between Shelia and I.

"Elaine, will you pass me the pepper please?"

"You can tell them apart?" Mr. Cavanaugh asked, incredulous.

"Sure," I drawled, "it's easy. Elaine's nose is bigger and Ellen's buck teeth stick out more."

I was pretty darned funny that day. My comment and the twins' indignant reaction had everyone in stitches. With the ice broken, we all had a nice time eating and talking. When I came back to the table with seconds all three sisters teased me about my appetite. I told them I was a growing boy and needed the nourishment.

I was talking to Mr. Cavanaugh about football when Ellen put her hand on my leg and tried to send me some sexual vibes. It was kinda cute how she did it. She obviously didn't have much experience about sexual feeling so she sent me this big mushily romantic glow. I waited until she was taking a drink of orange juice and returned the favor. I slipped my right hand off my lap and put it on Ellen's knee then shot her a bolt of sexual arousal. I might have overdone it, because she put her glass down with a kathunk, shivered and started coughing as the OJ went down the wrong pipe.

Mr. Cavanaugh invited me over for the afternoon to watch football with him but I had to beg off. My Dad and I already had plans for the afternoon. I offered to drive Shelia home and she accepted. Her sisters were a little miffed that I wasn't taking them but hid it from everyone but me. Shelia and I talked all the way to her house. I was euphoric when she agreed to a date as soon as Christmas break started.

The last full week before Christmas break was filled with reviews for midterm exams, the exams themselves and football practice. I had a full plate that left little time for my social life. My only break came Tuesday night when I went to Amanda's to study for our Chemistry exam. We sat down at her dining room table at six and for an hour and a half quizzed each other off the tests we'd taken during the semester. We were both confident we were ready when we closed our books at seven-thirty. I packed up my books and notes in preparation to leave when Amanda stopped me.

"Johnny, I need to run over to the library for an hour or so. Why don't you keep Mom company while I'm gone, she's missed you."

I told her no problem and got a kiss for my troubles. Amanda took me to the living room where Jane was curled up on the couch reading a book. One of the Brandenburg Concertos was playing at low volume on the stereo. When I had arrived at six Jane was dressed in her usual sharp looking work clothes, but now she was in a coffee colored silk bathrobe.

"Mom, I'm heading to the library; it closes at nine so I'll be home around nine-thirty, okay?"

"Sure Honey. Is Johnny going with you?"

"No Janie," I answered. "I thought I'd hang out with you for a while if that's okay."

"Sure, you can help me solve this weeks case on NCIS," she said.

Amanda kissed her mother on the cheek and departed. As soon as the door closed behind Amanda, Jane uncurled herself and stood up. She stepped up to me and pulled my head down for one of her searing kisses. She broke the kiss without a word, took my hand and led me to her bedroom. When we walked into the bedroom, only a few scented candles lighted it. Her fancy clock radio was tuned to the same classical music station as the stereo had been.

"Romantic enough for you?" she asked.

"Perfect," I replied.

Jane stepped between the bed and me and turned to face me. She untied her robe and shrugged it off her shoulders. Under the robe she was wearing a matching negligee that trailed to the floor. I could go on for a paragraph about how good she looked artfully posed in the flickering candlelight. When I started to get undressed she stepped forward and batted my hands away.

"Let me do that," she said huskily.

And that's the way it went all evening. Jane was a woman who loved taking care of her man. She denied me nothing and gave me everything. I wanted her naked so she stripped off the gown. I wanted to taste her, so she laid on the edge of the bed and let me kneel on the floor between her long legs. I took an exploratory lick of her neatly trimmed slit and tasted heaven. She rested her hands on my head and squirmed as I tongued her to a roaring climax. When she had calmed down some she scooted back onto the bed and I crawled up after her. I levered myself up into a pushup position and she reached down and seated me at her entrance. We were looking into each other's eyes as I slowly sank into her steaming depth.

Jane was built for comfort not for speed, so our lovemaking was unhurried and sweet. Jane loved to kiss and she loved me paying attention to her large breasts. Her breasts sagged to the side some but were amazingly firm for her age and their size. The second time I came Jane orgasmed with me. When I tried to get my weight off her she held me in place.

"Stay right there Johnny, you have no idea how good you feel to me and how much I've missed this."

We lay like that for a few minutes then Jane rolled me off and went into the bathroom. When she came back she had a warm washcloth she used to lovingly bathe Kong. Her tender loving touch caused him to twitch back to life. To speed his recovery up Jane took him gently into her mouth. As she ministered to my dick I tugged her hips a little. She let go of Kong and looked at me quizzically.

"Sixty-nine with me Janie."

She smiled, threw one of those impossibly long legs over my head and went back to work on my shaft. Once again, because of how tall she was, we fit together perfectly. Jane's had douched while she was in the bathroom, she smelled like strawberries and was clean as a whistle. I started to lick and kiss around her clit when I felt this indescribable feeling grip my cock. I glanced down my body just in time to see her lips reach my pubic hair, Kong wedged in her throat. What a woman!

Jane showed me out at nine-fifteen dressed in just the loosely belted, coffee colored robe. It took all my will power to leave. She gave me a sweet kiss at the door and gave me something to ponder on the trip home.

"Johnny, thank you for tonight, and thank you for being you. Before I met you my soul was a hard lump of coal. Now I see that it was too soon for me to be that way. I see now I can miss Walter and still have happiness for myself with out feeling guilty. I know you and I aren't anything permanent, and I'm not going to demand anything from you. But right now, you are my man, and I will do absolutely anything for you, that's my nature. Whatever, whenever, however and wherever, you tell me and I'll make it happen."

I thought about Jane's little speech until I feel asleep that night. My thoughts weren't all salacious either. I was happy that she had regained her passion for life. It would only be a matter of time before she found someone worthy of her, someone who would be around her all the time so she could dote on them. Whoever he was he was going to be one lucky S.O.B. Until she found Mr. Right I was going to let Jane practice her doting on me. Every girl or woman I met taught me something, some of the lessons were unpleasant, but in the main, I was a fortunate young man just for having had them in my life.

Amanda was waiting by my locker the next morning. As soon as I walked up she grabbed me in a bear hug and gave me a kiss that broke every Public Display of Affection rule in the school's code of conduct.

"Pulaski," she said, "thank you for giving me my mother back. When I came home last night she was acting just like she did before Dad died. I almost cried when I saw her with that contented little smile and her hair all mussed. We sat up and talked until midnight. She talked about you and she talked about getting on with her personal life. I could even open up to her about my feelings. It was wonderful Johnny."

Now that's the way to start a day. I was incredibly happy for Amanda and for Jane. It sure makes you feel good when you do something for someone else, doesn't it? I took my last midterm Friday morning; my trigonometry teacher let me take the exam in the library early so I could catch the team bus to Gainesville. All five divisional championship games were being held in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, home field of the Florida Gators, was affectionately known as the Swamp because only Gators thrived there. The Swamp was a huge stadium, seating almost ninety thousand.

We arrived in Gainesville at four in the afternoon. Coach had the bus take us directly to the stadium so we could walk around on the field. We all gaped in awe at the cavernous stadium then Coach Boyette held an impromptu team meeting on the fifty-yard line. We all knelt down as Coach stood in front of us in his Knute Rockne mode.

"Look around all you want today, boys, because tomorrow I want you to focus just on the playing field. It's nicer grass, and better maintained, but it is the same size and shape as what we practice and play on at home."

There was more, but you get the drift. Coach Boyette wanted us motivated for the game, not awed by the venue. We went directly from the stadium to the Best Western. The other busses with our band, cheerleaders and chaperones were already there. An assistant coach handed out room assignments; I was in room 214 with the defensive end that played on my side. His name was Creole Sipes. I was playing on Creole's side because he was the anchor of our defensive line and I was the less skilled of the outside linebackers.

Creole was six feet, seven inches tall and weighed around two-sixty. He was a quiet, introspective man and a student of the game. Next year he would be playing on this very field having already signed a letter of intent to play for the Gators. I liked the hell out of Creole and for some reason he had taken me under his wing. My play improved every week because of his guidance and advice. And by now he and I worked well enough that running plays were generally away from us. Creole and I sat together with a couple of other defensive players for a huge spaghetti dinner. After we stuffed ourselves to the gills we went back to our room.

I flipped on the television but I was to keyed up to watch it. Creole was as calm as an undertaker as he sat on his bed reading the Reed Arvin novel I had loaned him after I finished it. I grabbed the phone when it rang, happy having something to do. It was Shelia Cavanaugh asking if I wanted to join her and some other people sight-seeing. The motel was only a block from the university so we could walk and see some of the campus. I jumped at the chance. I asked Creole if he wanted to go.

"Naw, been there, done that," he drawled. Then the big man added, "Don't miss curfew Pulaski, I'm use to your smelly Polack butt behind me."

I told him I'd be back by ten, no sweat, then grabbed my jacket and bolted. Shelia was waiting in the lobby with two of her teammates and two of mine. The six of us set off, me smiling like a donkey because Shelia took my hand as we walked. Shelia's teammates were two other seniors, Heather Thorpe and Miranda something or other. My teammates were also seniors, Troy Vining, a halfback, and Chazz Reynolds our quarterback. (Have you ever noticed that rich kids all have cool names? I mean there is not a Homer or a Clyde amongst them.) As we walked and looked at buildings, everyone but me talked about their plans for college. It was all pre-law this and business management that. It sure was a conversation I couldn't participate in, I didn't even have plans for next week, let alone the rest of my life.

"So Pulaski, I'm guessing you are going to be a scientist or something geeky like that," Chazz said.

Shelia tried to come to my defense. 'There's nothing wrong with getting good grades Chazz, I do."

Chazz shrugged, "I guess not. Sorry Pulaski, no offense."

"None taken, Chazz." I said evenly. "If it wasn't for us nerds, nothing would work."

That remark drew a laugh from everyone. This was exactly the conversation I expected, hanging with Shelia's friends. I looked at Shelia and she dropped her eyes in embarrassment. I squeezed her hand and winked at her. Suffering Reynolds' condescending ignorance wasn't that big a price to pay for being with her. Chazz was one of those people my grandfather said weren't worth the effort to get mad at.

We made it back to the motel in plenty of time. Shelia and I went out by the pool and stood in an alcove out of the chilly breeze. She tried to apologize for Chazz's remarks but I wouldn't let her. I told her I considered the source and automatically dismissed anything he said.

"The only person who I care about liking me is you," I said.

She smiled at that and when I kissed her she kissed me back. As we kissed I tried to send her a little of the arousal I used on her sister. I didn't get any sensations from her but she upped the steaminess of the kiss. I sent her another little packet, this one stronger. She shivered and whimpered into my mouth as she rubbed her crotch against me. I broke the kiss and hugged her to me as I concentrated on sending her feelings of contentment and trust.

"Wow, Johnny, that's the best kiss I ever had," she said.

"You inspire me," I replied.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 11


I walked Shelia to her room before heading back to mine. When I opened the door to our room, Creole was just coming out of the bathroom. I stood in the doorway, mouth agape, as he strolled to his bed wearing maroon silk pajamas with a gold paisley design. He caught my look and did a pirouette.

"Nice, huh, my mama bought them for me. If I ever get a job as a bouncer in a bordello, I'm all set."

I swear I had to hold onto the door handle to keep from falling down. His looked as if he were a circus hippopotamus dressed up for a parade. Otis, the Mayberry town drunk, couldn't have hallucinated anything weirder. And the pirouette was killer as he stood on his tiptoes and spun around. I went into the bathroom to wash and brush then dived into bed in my boxer briefs. I politely declined Creole's offer to see if his mom could find a pair of the pajamas for me.

I stayed awake a few minutes thinking about Shelia and our kisses down by the pool. How was I to know if me sending her arousal was really responsible for her enjoying the kiss so much? If I had managed to heighten her arousal was I taking advantage of her, or was I just adding to her natural enjoyment? I was no closer to having an answer about relationships than I was a year and a half ago. But maybe that was the way it was supposed to be; maybe it was life's big mystery and we were just along for the ride.

The championship games at the Swamp started at ten in the morning. The first game was Division I and the last Division V. A game started every two hours and fifteen minutes; since we were Division III, our game started at two-thirty in the afternoon. We ate a light lunch at eleven-thirty and left for the stadium at noon. We sat in the stands and watched some of the Division II game before Coach rounded us up at one.

The sports complex at the university was called Florida Field. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was only a part of the first rate facility. We suited up in one of the auxiliary locker rooms and had a team meeting. At one-fifty we exited the locker room and ran onto the field from the south end zone. We stayed at the south end of the stadium as one of the assistant coaches led us in stretching and warm up calisthenics. After our normal fifteen-minute warm up routine, we moved to the sidelines and joined Coach Boyette.

We were the visiting team for our tournament pairing; our opponent was a team from Panama City. The Panama City team was a juggernaut ranked number seven in the nation. Their record was eleven and zero and they hadn't been severely tested in a game all year. Watching them across the field I decided they must grow them big up in the panhandle, their smallest lineman was Creole's size. We had to be giving up at least thirty pounds a player. Coach's game plan was to try to wear them down and hope we were in good enough physical condition to win the game in the fourth quarter. To that end we were going to play a more wide-open style of offense than we normally did.

Panama City played a pro set type offense; they had a good quarterback, a solid backfield and some fleet receivers. Coach said we'd be the toughest defense they had faced all year. We lost the coin toss and elected to kick with the wind. It was a nippy day with temps in the fifties; it was also breezy, with the winds kicking up between ten to twelve miles an hour.

Joe Moon kicked the ball deep into the Panama City end zone. The deep backs standing at the ten let the ball sail over their heads. The ball was brought out to the twenty and the game was on. Panama City's offense was as good as advertised; they marched relentlessly down the field and scored on the first drive. We didn't make it easy for them; the drive took twelve plays and five minutes to move the eighty yards. We got a nice run back on the ensuing kickoff. We ripped off a couple of first downs, but ended up settling for a twenty-yard field goal.

We managed to stop Panama City on their next possession at our forty-yard line, thanks mostly to Creole Sipes. The offensive tackle matched up to Creole was big and strong but Creole was much quicker. Creole beat his man on almost every play and spent a lot of time in their backfield. When they double-teamed him I was able to back him up and make the play. We exchanged punts and the quarter ended with us down seven-three. However, Panama City had the ball and was driving. They scored two minutes into the quarter. We answered back with our first touchdown and another field goal set up by a fumble Creole caused. They scored again right before the half ended. We went into the locker room trailing twenty-one to thirteen.

The second half started like the first. As soon as Panama City got the ball they marched down the field and scored. They out scored us by a touchdown in the quarter and it was thirty-five to twenty after three. Coach's plan bore fruit in the fourth quarter as their starters, not use to playing an entire game, started to flag. We held them scoreless and mounted a comeback. We fell disappointingly short, losing the game thirty-five to thirty.

All was not doom and gloom in the locker room after the game. We had played our asses off and lost to a superior opponent. We were disappointed at the outcome but not with our performance. Most of the team was returning next year so we really had something to look forward to.

We made it back to Palmdale at eight that night. When we pulled into the school parking lot it seemed as if the whole town was there to welcome us. It was a nice reception considering we had lost. Mr. Cavanaugh and the twins found me and we chatted about the game some. Mrs. Cavanaugh was not with them. Shelia spotted us and came over too. Before I left I accepted an invitation to their house for a little cookout the following afternoon after church.

Jane and Amanda also came over to talk to me. Both of them gave me big hugs and told me how sorry they were that we had lost. I told them next year would be a different story. And so it went, as friends and family all offered their congrats or sympathy. I was surprise to see my mom there with Dad and even more surprised that both had been at the game. Papa and Nana had been there also. Dee-Dee was there with Jen, Richie and the Hoffmans. I got nice hugs from all the women, even Jen.

The biggest surprise of the night though, was waiting by my truck in the form of Rachael Scofield. My heart did that little double clutch she always caused. I don't know why Rachael had that effect on me. Maybe it was because she was my first, or maybe I was in love with her.

"Hi Johnny, I'm sorry you lost."

I shrugged. "We'll get them next year."

"I had my tests Johnny and everything is okay, so what happens next?'

That was the sixty-four thousand dollar question, wasn't it?

"For starters you could come here and hug me," I said.

Rachael whooped and jumped into my arms wrapping her legs around my waist. With my hands under her butt I spun her around as she latched her lips onto mine. It was one of those chick flick, love scene moments. When we broke for air I asked her if she'd like to go somewhere with me.

She nodded. "My bed," she replied.

I followed her little red Beamer to her house calling my parents on the way. I got permission to stay out until one. When I followed Rachael into her house she headed straight to the bedroom.

"Wait here Johnny, I need a quick shower," she said.

"No you don't, you need a nice bath," I replied.

I kissed her again and helped her undress. She was still shy about her body. For the life of me I couldn't understand why. She was one of the few women I'd met who looked better naked than they did dressed. I grabbed her silk kimono off the back of the bathroom door and helped her slip it on. She sat on the toilet seat as I adjusted the water and found the Calgon bubble bath under the vanity. When the water was warm and bubbly I helped her up and took her robe. She gracefully slipped in to the bath and sighed as the hot water rose to her chin. I put a rolled up towel behind her head, found a washcloth and soap and gently washed her.

I had Rachael out of the tub and into the bed in fifteen minutes. Then for two hours I proceeded to try to make her forget any man existed except me. Rachael held nothing back that night, unlike our first time. I don't know if it was the experience I'd gained or if Rachael's dalliances had made her less up tight. She didn't protest a bit when I started kissing my way down her body, nor did she stop me after she came the first time that way. Her sweet nectar covered my face and she had squalled through three hard climaxes before I moved up and penetrated her.

By eleven thirty the bed was a mess and we were exhausted. We slipped under the sheet and cuddled, her head on my chest.

"Johnny, that was everything I ever dreamed making love could be."

I had to agree. Rachael told me that she was spending Christmas in Rhode Island again. She said this time there would be no bad phone calls. I told her I was dating some and could handle it.

"Don't wear yourself out, I'm only going to spend ten days up there this year. I want to see you as soon as I get back, okay?"

Yes it was okay; matter of fact, it was way more than okay.

So I was full of guilt and remorse next day when I saw Shelia, right? Nope, not a bit. Shelia and I had exactly one date so far, it was not as if I was cheating on her.

The cookout at the Cavanaughs' turned out to be an end of football season get together for the cheerleaders. Shelia was busy with her friends and teammates; I helped Mr. Cavanaugh on the grill while Mrs. Cavanaugh put out the rest of the spread. Mrs. Cavanaugh treated me much nicer now. After we burned a big batch of burgers and hotdogs Mr. Cavanaugh and I retired with our plates to what he called the 'media room'. The room had a couple of sectional couches and two recliners plus some high-end audio and video equipment. He and I watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on his sixty-inch plasma TV. At half time Mr. Cavanaugh went to check on the girls cavorting in the big heated pool. I had already snuck a few peeks at some fine bikini clad eye candy but was studiously trying to be a gentleman.

I was sitting on the couch channel surfing when Elaine came in and asked if she could talk to me for a minute. I said sure and patted the couch next to me. Elaine said that Ellen had told her about the little thing I had done at brunch last week. She said she really didn't think it was all Ellen claimed and wanted me to show her the same thing.

I smiled at her guileless eagerness and said, "I'll tell you what, since you asked so nice I'll do even better. Close your eyes and pucker up."

She blushed red enough to make her freckles disappear but did as I asked. I leaned forward, pressed my lips against hers, and shot her a blast of pure sex. I don't know whether it was because she was expecting it or what but it hit her much harder than it had her twin. She shuddered and fell back against the couch. When she stopped twitching she gave me this doe-eyed look.

"Wow, do you do that with Sissie?" she asked.

I assumed she meant Shelia so I told her no.

"I don't know if it would work with her. And besides, it wouldn't be right if I did that and she really didn't want it," I explained.

"Oh, it would work on her, no question, but you are a good guy for not doing it. I think she's crazy if she doesn't want it."

Elaine thanked me for the demonstration, kissed me on the cheek and scampered out of the room just before Mr. Cavanaugh returned. I went out by the pool midway through the third quarter of the game. Tampa Bay was not having a good day and were already losing by three touchdowns by then. The girls all started hooting when I came out, inviting me into the pool. I told them I didn't have a suit and had to get home anyway. Shelia climbed out of the pool and walked me around the house to my truck. She was wearing a modest black and silver two-piece that she filled nicely. She thanked me for helping and gave me a chaste kiss. It was a bummer that I didn't share a connection with her like I did with her kid sisters, cause I thought we could definitely make beautiful music together.

Monday and Tuesday passed like molasses, but finally the final bell rang Tuesday afternoon and I was free for seventeen days. I had big expectations for this holiday because I was staying at my grandparents starting Saturday. I was baby-sitting Jethro for two weeks while they went to Poland to visit Uncle Vik. Oh yeah! If things worked out like I hoped old Jethro was going to meet some nice ladies during those two weeks.

Wednesday I help Papa deliver a computer desk he built and spent the afternoon helping him tidy up his shop. Papa's shop was as professionally outfitted as any fine cabinetmaker's. He had all the toys: planers, joiners, a high end table saw, and anything else he could possibly use. All of his tools were carefully maintained and well cared for. Papa was a craftsman and the things he made showed the pride he took in his work. One of his creations wasn't cheap, but whoever bought it knew they had something of lasting value.

Wednesday night I took Jane Pullman out to dinner. It was a nice meal, mainly because of the company. Jane was sparking that night, and she looked very good in a long skirt slit up the side and a silk blouse. She also had on a pair of black high-heeled pumps, a big plus to my jaundiced eye. Amanda was out with Caroline so we went to her house and hung out. Believe it or not we watched television sitting on the couch, my head in her lap. It was comfortable and intimate. After the show we were watching was over she took off my shirt, laid me on the floor and gave me an incredible back rub.

After I was all relaxed, she went and got a comforter. We made love right there on the floor, the comforter sparing us rug burns. She made a teenage boy very happy by riding me to an orgasm wearing nothing but her garter belt and nylons. Afterwards we snuggled on the couch under that same comforter and talked. She told me she had accepted a date for Saturday night, her first one since her husband died. She also promised to spend the night with me at my grandparents' house one day next week.

Thursday my dad and I picked up Katrina at the airport. She had a two-week leave for Christmas. She was spending ten days at home then going back to Colorado for a few days of skiing. We met her out on the concourse, just in front of the security checkpoint. She gave us both hugs, something I couldn't remember her ever doing before. I guess she might have missed me. Katrina looked awesome in her cadet dress uniform. She looked like she had gained a few pounds, most of it in some interesting places.

Once we were home she went to shower and change and I went to my room to read. I was sitting at my computer reading my e-mails when she knocked on my open door. I turned around in my chair and told her to come in. She was wearing her favorite lounging attire, a pair of Joe Boxer silk shorts and a crop top t-shirt. Only both were much tighter on her now. She had a towel around her wet hair and her shirt was damp.

I couldn't help blurting out, "Wow, you've filled out some!"

She looked down then gave me a grin. "Yeah, I've finally grown breasts like the rest of the girls."

"Boy did you ever, they look good on you, too."

"Thanks. You've grown too. I certainly can't call you Runt now. So how have you been? I didn't get much information in our weekly telephone calls."

I brought her up to speed about school and told her about our football season. I told her about my truck and mentioned that Dad had made sure her Camry was all set for her stay.

"That's cool but I want to drive your truck once. What about your love life?"

I told her it was pretty excellent. I mentioned Caroline and Amanda. When I mentioned I had a second date with Shelia Cavanaugh I could tell she was impressed.

"Good for you, I remember Shelia from last year, she's a cutie. You didn't mention the married woman."

I told her that Dee and I still talked but had called a hiatus on our relationship. I couldn't resist mentioning that I was seeing another older woman but this one was a widow. Her eyebrows went up and down over that revelation.

"How about Rachael? Mom said she was at your birthday party."

Moose didn't look happy when I said I was seeing Rachael again, even though it was sporadically.

"I guess that it's your business Baby Bro. But I don't like the thought of you getting hurt again."

Then she looked at me funny and cocked her head in thought.

"You know Johnny, something has changed between us. You seem so much more grown up now and I feel closer to you. I am starting to see Dad and Papa in you more and more." She paused for a second as if gathering her thoughts. "This is going to sound weird but when I hugged you at the airport I had this feeling that I was safe in your arms. Like I was your little sister suddenly."

I though about what she said and it slowly dawned on me that she was saying basically what women I was connected to said. I hadn't felt any vibes from her when we hugged but that might have been because it was quick and our skin never touched. I walked over to the bed and sat next to her.

"Let me see your hands for a second," I requested.

She held out her hands and I took them in mine. Sure enough, I felt a little electric current pass between us. More important, so did she. Her eyes widen a little and she looked at me curiously. She kept holding my hands as I attempted to explain the connection thing. I told her what I knew for sure, namely that a few women and I shared this bond. I told her that it didn't happen with guys but that it seemed easier to deal with them now too. Finally, I told her about Amanda's theory. There was no question about telling her everything she wanted to know, not when we were now connected.

"No wonder you are having luck with the ladies; trust, and a feeling that we'll be protected is a big thing with us women."

I agreed. I hesitated a few seconds then told her there was more to it than just that.

"More as in what?" she asked.

"Well, there's a sexual component to it also," I said.

"A sexual component? How does that work?"

"Like this," I said and I sent her a small dose of arousal.

"Hmmm, that puts a sort of romantic glow on the feelings I get but it wasn't really sexual."

I laughed, "it might be context, after all you are my sister."

She chuckled too. "Maybe, but I am a woman first, shouldn't I have felt more?"

"Could be, but I held back because you are my sister, I didn't want you to think I was perving you."

"In the interest of scientific discovery, I'll let you slide.'

"Thanks Trina," I said.

As soon as I called her Trina she squeezed my hands. Trina was what I called her when we were little.

"You haven't called me that in ten years Johnny. I forgot how cute I thought it was that you had a special name for me. So okay, show me what the big girls get."

"All right, but this is just a demonstration. Close your eyes and think of something sexual you like."

I waited a second or two after she closed her eyes then I leaned forward and touched my lips to hers as I sent her my best shot. The lip touching seemed to work on Elaine, so I figured what the heck. The difference was that Elaine had no experience to put what she felt in context and Katrina did. So the backwash of raw sex I got back was staggering.

I pulled back quickly. And dropped her hands. Her eyes popped open and she eyed me speculatively.

"I have seriously underestimated you Bro. I felt that down to my toes. Do you do that to all the girls you meet and connect with?"

I looked down at her chest and her nipples were trying to bore a hole through the thin t-shirt. Katrina always had prominent nipples but they seemed even bigger now.

"I can see that you felt it at least partway to your toes," I teased.

She looked down then chuckled, "yeah, it's hard to keep a secret with those puppies giving me away."

I answered her question about how it worked with other women. I explained that usually it occurred naturally and we fed the feelings back and forth as we made love. I told her the big jolt of sex I sent her was a recent discovery. I said I had never tried it as a seduction tool and probably never would. I even told her about trying to send Shelia a cut down version of the feeling but didn't know if it worked because we weren't connected, and I didn't get that obvious feedback.

We talked about it for a while longer then Katrina said she was turning in but would give this thing some thought. Then she fired her parting shot.

"I'm going to get myself off for the first time in seven months alone in my room. Just think Baby Bro; it will be the first time you caused me to have to masuturbate after all the ones I gave you. Oh, and speaking of that, I'll be taking my shower at about seven tomorrow morning."

I was floored, she had been teasing me all those times, knowing exactly what I had been doing in the shower every morning.

I felt myself blushing as she swayed out the door giggling. I couldn't remember hearing her giggle since she was in grammar school. I was going to be in the hall when she came out of the bath, and I was going to ogle her blatantly to get even. I really enjoyed talking to my sister and I was very pleased with our new relationship. Anything sexual, more than a little teasing, was strictly off limits in my mind, but being closer to her was great. It made me think about when we were little. It was nice to have my Trina back.

At seven fifteen the next morning I was leaning against the wall next to her bedroom door as Katrina exited the bathroom. True to tradition, she was wrapped in a bath towel that was knotted between her breasts.

"Your growth spurt sure made it easier to hold up that towel," I remarked.

"It did but it also made it shorter," she replied turning around. "My butt almost hangs out."

You could see the barest hint of the bottom of her cheeks.

"Luckily you have the nicest ass on the planet so you won't get many complaints," I said sincerely.

"You really think so? Caroline has a gorgeous butt and although I'm loathe to admit it, so does Rachael."

What the hell was happening at that Air Force joint I wondered? Here was my totally self-assured sister fishing for compliments. Well, she was talking to the right guy because I was speaking with conviction. I laid my hand on her arm and answered her.

"Trina, both of them have great asses but yours is in a category all it's own," I said sincerely.

She looked at me and smiled, "I could feel that you really meant that Johnny, thank you."

I continued to watch her as she walked to her room, her hips swishing a little more than was natural. I almost fainted when the towel fell to the floor and I got a short glimpse of her naked butt before the door closed.

"Oops," she giggled.

I took my shower and, of course, I thumped on the Kongster. I dressed and headed downstairs. Katrina wanted to go see Papa and Nana so I went with her. She wanted to drive my truck so I tossed her the keys. Katrina immediately readjusted the seat, steering wheel and mirrors I had carefully set to perfection. When she was comfortable, she cranked the engine and backed out of the driveway. Katrina fell in love with my truck in less than a block. Instead of driving straight to our grandparents she took it out on the interstate. I didn't make a peep as she gunned it up to a hundred. I wasn't about to let my sister wimp me out. But my pucker factor was at its max when she passed one-twenty. I had a death grip on the armrest when I told her to slow down. I used the automatic fuel shut off as my excuse, even though it only kicked in at one-forty.

She eased it back to ninety and gave me a grin.

"Think Dad could find me one of these?" she asked.

My grandparents were on cloud nine seeing Katrina. Nana fussed over her and Papa couldn't quit telling her how proud he was of her. Papa asked about the academy and Katrina told him all about her training. She came across as if she were really happy there in Colorado Springs. Yet with my heightened awareness because of our connection, I could tell that she was hiding something. I resolved to find out what it was. You know the deal by now, the connection made her happiness extremely important to me. Add in the fact that she was my sister and it was even more imperative.

I didn't get to ask her that day though, because I had the long anticipated second date with Shelia. I think Katrina had other things on her mind also. My first clue was when she nonchalantly asked me if I thought Richie Caldwell was doing anything that night.

For my second date with Shelia I was pulling out all the stops. I asked Nana for advice and she came up with the idea of taking Shelia to a live performance of the Nutcracker by the Orlando Ballet Company. It cost me eighty dollars a ticket but I got primo seats that even included a back stage tour and a chance to meet some of the dancers. I didn't tell Shelia where we were going in advance, I just told her she needed to dress up. I told her I was wearing a suit to give her an idea of what to wear.

I pulled up to the Cavanaugh estate at six. Curtain time wasn't until eight but I had to get us all the way to downtown Orlando where the Performing Arts Center was located, in holiday traffic no less. I told Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh where I was taking Shelia while sitting in the family room waiting for her to finish getting ready. Mr. Cavanaugh said I was stealing his thunder because he had matinee tickets for the same production for Sunday. I apologized profusely and both he and Mrs. Cavanaugh said not to worry about it. He said that I would have to amuse Shelia Sunday while they were gone, thought. Had I known what that would involve, I'd have turned around right then and gone home.

Sheila walked in about then, wearing a little teal cocktail dress that screamed designer original. It probably cost ten dollars a square inch. It was money well spent, in my humble opinion, because she looked stunning. Shelia was one of those women whose individual features weren't that noteworthy, but the totality of her was unforgettable. I was trying to think of something to say as she glided into the room but all I could force out was a "WOW!"

"So Johnny is this appropriate for where you are taking me?" she asked guilelessly.

"Umm, I don't know, I was taking you to the ballet, but if you show up looking that beautiful I think the dancers might quit in jealousy."

Mr. Cavanaugh liked that one. "I swear Johnny, are you sure you are not Irish? I mean anyone who could utter that line must have kissed the Blarney Stone."

Mrs. Cavanaugh came to my aid, believe it or not. "You hush, Thomas, it wouldn't hurt for you to show a little of that sincere appreciation toward me."

We made it to the Performing Arts Center in plenty of time. Shelia loved the ballet and I — well I loved that she loved it. After the final curtain I had one last surprise for Shelia. We were in the lobby when I spotted an usher and flashed him our backstage passes. He motioned for us to follow him and led us backstage where the dancers and other VIP guests (other eighty dollar ticket holders) were grazing at a buffet. I grabbed us a flute of nonalcoholic sparkling grape juice (most of the dancers were too young to drink) and we mingled.

Wouldn't you know that the second dancer we met was visiting from the Warsaw Ballet. Her name was Paullina Franzik. She was a slight little thing with very muscular legs. When I shook her hand I grinned at the vibes we shared. She grinned when I spoke to her in passable Polish. Shelia and I nibbled off the same plate and mostly just people watched. I knew that her dad could have hired the entire ballet company for the evening if he had wanted to. Still, it was me that thought to bring Shelia here, and she was suitably impressed. She showed me how much in the cab of my truck as we were parked under the shadow of her house, out of sight of the front door.

I don't understand how the dancers cavorting and jumping around on the stage were arousing to her but I enjoyed the benefits anyway. Shelia was worked up but I kept the tempo down to, as the Brits say, some serious snogging. Well, I might have 'accidentally' copped a few feels, but in general I was a good boy. I drove home with balls bluer than Shelia's dress had been. At the same time, I was pretty darned proud of myself for being such a gentleman. Snogging, doncha just love that word? It sounds so much nastier than making out or sucking face.

I don't know if Katrina was home or not when I slipped in at ten till one. I do know that despite the late hour, Kong had no intentions of letting me sleep until he had been well and properly flogged. I guess you could say that Kong was okay with the snogging but happier with the flogging. Jeez, I crack me up!

So anyway I slept in the next morning and missed being at my post when Katrina came out of the shower. She actually pouted about it when I came down for coffee. I was really going to have to have a serious talk with my sister, something just wasn't right for her to need affirmation of her desirability like that. She went up to change and I did the same. We were going back over to see Nana and Papa again. Katrina was even going with me to take them to the airport that evening. Their flight left at eight and would arrive in London at seven the next morning. They were laying over in London for a two-day sightseeing trip then flying to Warsaw Wednesday.

I was in a clean pair of Levis and a sweatshirt when Katrina called me. I walked into her room just as she was hooking her bra, her back to me. She turned around and I got the full effect of her new rack as the bra she had on squeezed everything into the center and thrust it forward. She reached on the bed and threw me an Air Force academy Falcons sweatshirt in Air Force blue.

"I bought this for you Johnny, I thought you might want to wear it today. I'll swap with you."

I nodded and stripped my shirt over my head. Katrina openly admired my chest.

"I'm not the only one who has grown," she said. "How big are you now?"

I stood there for a minute and let her look, after all, fair is fair, and I was ogling her breasts in the lacy bra like crazy. I swear I could see all of her areola and nipple through the sheer fabric. Her breast looked even bigger than they actually were because her abs were so ripped. She was Bowflex model material.

'Six-two, two ten," I said.

"In case no one has told you yet, Bro, you are one hunky Polack."

"Back at you, Trina. You could be one of those Polish super models if you wanted. All lounging around on the beach in one of those Sports Illustrated swimsuit photos."

She slipped on my old sweatshirt and we took off again, she was driving, of course.

Katrina, Dad and I took my grandparents to the airport at four. We had to have them at the International Terminal three hours before their flight. We kissed and hugged them at the curb and Dad drove us back. He dropped Katrina and me off at Papa and Nana's house, my new digs for the next two weeks. I made sure Jethro was okay then I took Katrina out to supper. We were getting along well and I still wanted to talk to her about the way she was acting.

We had that talk at my grandparents' house sitting on the couch. I think she was just as eager to get it off her chest, as I was to help her. Her story left me shaking with frustrated anger. Here is what she told me.

Academically she was doing well at the academy; she was third in her class after the first semester. She was also not having any trouble with the physical fitness aspect of cadet life. The problem was an upperclassman in her company, a member of the football team. Her problems started when the creep tried to get her to have sex with him. She turned him down and when he became persistent, she dislocated his thumb.

The football player, ironically, his name was Borkowski, claimed he hurt his thumb at practice. Then he and his friends proceeded to make her life miserable. First they found ways to load her down with demerits so that she spent most evenings and weekends flanking a guard post, walking off the Ds. When that didn't make her quit they started a rumor that she was a testosterone laced lesbian and no female cadet was safe around her. Katrina was close to tears when she told me the only reason she was still there was because she was a Pulaski, and Pulaski's didn't quit.

She was disillusioned with the whole Academy and understood how the climate that led to the current rape scandal there was perpetuated. Yes, she could report Borkowski and a thorough investigation would be launched, but in the end it would boil down to he said, she said. Her hope was that if she stuck it out for the rest of the year he would graduate and the bad feelings would leave with him. The problem with that scenario was five more months of hell. She said she was clinging to me because as soon as we share that first touch that showed our connection she knew I loved her unconditionally. And she knew my only expectation was that she loved me back the same way.

When she finished her story she was crying and, I'm not too proud to admit, so was I. She sniffled and said she hoped that her teasing wasn't bothering me. I told her that, to the contrary, I enjoyed it. She said good, because she enjoyed being appreciated by a real man. Seeing a vulnerable side to my sister that day made me love her even more.

Katrina drove my truck home, promising to have it back in the morning in time for us to get to Mass. I had gained a sister but lost a truck. It was different sleeping in my grandparents' guest room. I didn't have to sleep alone as Jethro had climbed on the bed sometime during the night and was taking up the big half of the queen sized bed.

Katrina arrived at nine-thirty Sunday morning to take me to Mass. She was wearing a blue dress that hit just above her knees and low-heeled shoes. She had curled her usually straight blonde hair and left it down to frame her face. It was a nice change from her usual ponytail. I drove us to church and we sat with Mom and Dad; it was the first time we'd all been together in a long time. I was pretty content sitting there during the service. I took Katrina's hand and let my contentment flow towards her, she certainly needed it.

Shelia and I talked after Mass ended. I asked her if she would meet me at the park where Papa took Jethro. I had promised Papa I'd take the Doofus there so he could run around some. I told her I'd stop by Subway and hook us up with a picnic lunch. Katrina came over and I introduced her to the Cavanaughs. While Katrina was talking to Shelia, the twins each grabbed one of my hands and walked me to my truck.

"Shelia was all dreamy yesterday, Johnny." Ellen said.

"Yeah, all she talked about was how much fun she had at the ballet and how sweet you were," confirmed Elaine.

I told them I had a good time also. It was cool having her sisters on my side. We were almost at my truck when the twins looked at each other and in unison sent a wash of sexual energy toward me. They must have been practicing because it was a good one. Kong twitched to life in my Dockers. I stopped and looked at them in amazement. They giggled, dropped my hands and headed back to their parents.

I called Shelia at twelve-thirty and told her I was on my way to the park. She said her family just left so she'd see me there in fifteen minutes or so. The park we were going to was on the edge of town. It belonged to the Elks Club but was open to the public, unless the Elks were throwing a function. It was a good place to bring Jethro because he had lots of room to run. And that dog could run. I was willing to bet that he would give a greyhound a race for its money.

Jethro's style was to run around for a while, come back to the truck to make sure I was there, and take off again. When Shelia pulled up and parked her new Mustang convertible next to me, Jethro had to check out the new person. Shelia laughed when he gave her the nose in the crotch treatment and pushed him away. The she held up a rawhide dog bone and showed it to Jethro.

"I stopped by the Seven-Eleven and saw this. Can he have it?"

When I nodded yes she threw it and Jethro bounded on it. He lay down next to us and chewed away as we sat on the tailgate. I had a blanket spread out near the truck and was just starting to pull out the bag from subway when I heard a woman scream. I looked up quickly and saw a woman frantically trying to pull a small child out of the way as two snarling pitbulls slunk towards her.

"Call 911," I yelled to Shelia as I sprinted the thirty yards to where the woman and child were.

I was almost to them when one of the dogs lunged forward and snapped at the little girl. I arrived just as the second dog was about to do the same.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 12


I aimed a kick at the dog that had grabbed the little girls arm. My aim was good and I had some momentum when I connected with his ribs. The dog yelped as my hiking boot struck full force and he went flying. The little girl was dragged off her feet as the dog refused to relinquish its grip. Then, miraculously her jacket came off her arm, as all the dog had grabbed was sleeve. I quickly spun the girl around and pulled the other sleeve off her arm. My sudden appearance had caused the second dog to pause. Now he was advance toward the three of us growling low in his throat.

"Pick up the baby and start moving towards that red truck. Walk, don't run, and I'll stay between you and the dogs."

I didn't get a chance to see if she was complying because the first dog was on his feet now and both animals were advancing toward me. My brain flashed on this Animal Planet show about Jackals I'd seen as the two dogs separated and flanked me. The dog that I kicked was limping slightly. I tried to watch them both but I was more leery of the one I hadn't kicked. So, of course, it was the gimpy one who launched himself at me and snapped at my arm. I spun away from him and jerked my arm back just as he bit down. Pain raced up my forearm as he took a chomp but luckily his momentum and my arm moving back didn't let him get a good grip. Instead, he tore a couple of gashes in my arm about four inches below my elbow.

When the first dog was sailing away from me the second raced in and grabbed me by the calf. He had a good hold on me and was shaking his head violently. Jesus, that hurt like hell. I was trying to keep my balance and grab at the dog when help arrived from a most unexpected source. Eighty-five pounds of long eared hound barreled into the dog attached to my leg and sent us all three tumbling on the ground. As I got to my feet I saw that Shelia had backed my truck up and the woman and child were already in the cab. Both women were looking fearfully out the back window.

The pit bulls, almost genetically engineered for dog fighting, immediately ignored me and attacked Jethro. Jethro was big and game but was no match for the pit bulls. I waded in and tried kicking the dog I kicked before in the same place. I wasn't able to get the same force in my kicks as I did the first time but I at least loosened his grip enough to pull him off Jethro by his choke chain. The second dog had Jethro down on his back and his teeth fastened to the big hound's throat. I grabbed his choke chain as well but he hung on to Jethro tenaciously.

I was tugging furiously when I heard someone order, "Let him go son."

I turned and saw a Deputy Sheriff off to my right with a Taser in his hand.

I let go of the dog on Jethro and took a step or two back. I still had the other dog dancing on his back legs as I held him off the ground by his choke chain. The deputy fired the Taser and the darts stuck in Jethro's assailant near his neck. When the dog stiffened and howled I grabbed the loop on his choke chain and pulled him off Jethro. Jethro was covered in blood and was panting rapidly but the wide leather collar Papa had him outfitted with had kept his throat intact. The deputy quickly grabbed one of the dogs I was restraining and called for animal control. It only took a couple of minutes for the Animal Control Officer to arrive. Turns out she and the deputy both were in the vicinity of the park looking for these very dogs. The pair had killed some lady's poodle about three blocks from here an hour ago.

It took the paramedics about five minutes longer to get there. One medic checked out the little girl while the other worked on me. I had received a few more bites trying to get the dogs off Jethro. As I was being treated I gave the deputy my personal information and told him what happened. The one paramedic quickly determined the little girl was uninjured and he and the animal control lady tended to Jethro. I refused an ambulance, promising the paramedics I'd go straight to the ER as soon as I took care of my grandfather's dog. The animal control officer told me where the emergency vet was located and even called ahead for me. She helped me load Jethro onto the back of my truck. I sat and held him while Shelia drove us to the veterinarian's office.

Thankfully, Jethro Pulaski, Polish Wonder Hound, wasn't as badly injured as I thought. Oh, he needed some stitches and lost part of an ear, but it could have been much worse. I had called Katrina and Dad on the way to the vets; they arrived about fifteen minutes after we did. Katrina was livid that I was still at the vets and not at the emergency room. Dad shushed her but she was still fuming. Dad took charge of getting Jethro home and thirty minutes later Katrina, Shelia and I were at the ER. The adrenalin had worn off by then and my leg hurt like the dickens. The nurse at the ER desk parked me on a bench with some forms to fill out.

I had to wait an hour for my turn to be treated. A Nurse Practitioner took one look at my calf and zoomed out of the room in search of a doctor. It took seventy-five stitches, most of them in my calf, to get all my bites closed up. For good measure the doctor had administered a big shot of antibiotics right in my left butt cheek.

It was almost five when I was released from the ER. Katrina drove me to our grandparents' then took Shelia to the park to get her car. Katrina also took the two prescriptions the doctor had given me to get them filled. He had prescribed some heavy-duty antibiotics and five days worth of Percodan. Shelia kissed me tenderly before they left. I told her how impressed I was at how she handled herself under pressure. My dad asked me if I wanted him to stay and keep me company and I said that I was fine and to go on home.

I sat on the couch and put my left foot on the coffee table. I was feeling no pain because of whatever they gave me at the emergency room. Jethro limped over from his usual spot and gingerly lay down with his head on my foot. I couldn't believe that he wanted to be near me after the crap I'd gotten him into today. The Doofus had been under my care for less than twenty-four hours and I had almost killed him already. What the heck was I going to tell Papa?

My cell phone rang while I was sitting there watching the news.

"Hello, Mr. Pulaski?" a soft feminine voice asked.

"This is Johnny Pulaski," I acknowledged.

"Oh, hi, this is Kayla Thorpe, you saved my daughter and me in the park today. I got your name from the police and your father gave me your cell number. I hope you don't mind me calling. I don't know how I could ever th-th-thank you enough," she managed to say as she broke down in sobs.

"You just did," I said soothingly. "How's your little girl?"

She had regained her composure somewhat, "Emma's fine. It happened so quickly she didn't have much of a chance to get scared. I kept her from looking while you were being attacked."

"That's good, Mrs. Thorpe, I'm happy I could help."

"I would like to thank you in person, Mr. Pulaski. Maybe you could come over to dinner with us one day this week."

"Sure Mrs. Thorpe, but not unless you call me Johnny."

She laughed then, something about it sounded as if she didn't do it much. "Okay, Johnny, and it's Kayla to you."

We worked out the arrangements and agreed on Wednesday evening at six. She gave me her address and phone number before we rang off. I was happy the little girl seemed to be taking the incident so well; it was very smart of her mom to keep her from seeing anything else. The news mentioned the two dogs and their rampage. The attack in the park was covered but my name was not. They ran an interview with the heartbroken lady whose poodle was killed and related that the owner of the dogs had yet to be located.

Katrina came in at seven carrying three take-out pizzas and my prescriptions. She was also carrying her backpack. She took the pizzas to the kitchen and came and sat by me on the couch. Her face was a mask of concern. I think I liked it better when she was just angry with me. She pushed my hair back off my forehead with a touch so tender I involuntarily shivered.

"Are you doing okay Bro? I got here as quick as I could."

"I'm fine Trina. That pizza smells good though, and I'm starved."

She sprang off the couch. "Stay right there and I'll bring you some. I got you meat lovers with hot peppers, I hope you still like that. Oh, and I brought a meat lovers for Jethro, I figured he deserves it."

Hell yeah, he deserved it! Jethro ambled to his feet when Katrina put the open pizza box down in front of him. Jethro loved people food and getting it was a rare treat for him. Whatever damage the pit bulls had done to him didn't affect his appetite in the slightest as he shoved the pizza box across the hardwood floor to get every crumb. Katrina and I sat on the couch and ate pizza off the coffee table. She offered me a piece of hers and I almost gagged. Who in their right mind would cover a pizza in fruit and veggies? Geez, you could graze out on the lawn and get the same green ick. A pizza wasn't a pizza unless two or three mammals sacrificed their lives for it.

I ate with about as much gusto as Jethro; I had been famished because my carefully selected subs were still untouched in my truck. When I finished eating, Katrina took the plates and pizza boxes back to the kitchen. When she came back she sat down next to me again.

"Johnny, I'm sorry I got mad at you today. I just hate the idea of you being hurt and too stubborn to get treated. I'm also very proud of you, that was a very brave thing to do. It bothers me sometimes that all the best men are Pulaskis and off limits to me."

I hugged her to me and kissed her hair. "How do you think I feel having the smartest, sexiest woman in the world next to me right now and she's my sister?"

She liked that and snuggled up tighter against me. It was great sitting there with her, mindlessly watching the tube. At nine we watched 'Desperate Housewives', her favorite show. That Teri Hatcher was a hoot. When the show was over I asked her if she was headed home.

"Nope, I'm your nurse tonight."

"I appreciate the offer Trina but I can manage okay. Besides, I don't want to make you miss out on one of your few nights here."

"I want to be here, Dummy, so shut up about it. Anyway, I won't have to worry about doing it again tomorrow, because once the news gets out women will be fighting for a chance to take care of you."

I didn't want to argue with her over something she was obviously determined to do.

"Okay Nurse Ratchet, first order of business is figuring out how I'm going to take a shower without getting these bandages wet."

"You know the doctor said no shower until Tuesday, Baby Brother, so don't try to pull something on me. You can wash yourself in the sink and I'll wash your hair. How's that?"

I huffed a big sigh. "Darn, I was hoping you'd take a shower with me to insure I didn't fall or anything."

She laughed and punched my arm playfully. "Maybe next time. Can you walk or do I need to help you?"

We figured out a system where Katrina brought a chair into the bathroom and I bathed in the sink. I managed to get all the dried blood off me, as well as most of the betadine solution that they slopped on me. When I was finished scrubbing myself the best I could, I put on a clean pair of black boxer briefs and called Katrina in to try the shampoo thing. I gotta tell you that her strong fingers working the lather into my scalp felt terrific. When we exited the bathroom we hit a snag about sleeping arrangements. Neither of us was about to sleep in my grandparents' bed and the guest room was the only other room set up as a bedroom.

I said I'd sleep on the couch, and she said no, she would. After some back and forth, Katrina held up her hand.

"Listen, it's stupid for either of us to sleep on the couch. I'll just sleep here with you, that way I will already be here if you need anything."

"Okay, but no stealing the covers and keep those big, cold Polish feet off me."

She laughed and headed to take a shower, lucky girl, while I let Jethro out to do his business. I fixed Jethro up by bringing his doggie bed into the guest room and putting it at the foot of the bed. He plopped down, cranked out a huge yawn, and went to sleep. I was reading when Katrina came back to the bedroom. Her nightwear consisted of a tee shirt that barely covered her tush.

"I stole this shirt out of you dresser, guess I should have checked the size," she said sheepishly.

I guess she should have; it was an AC/DC concert shirt I got when I was fourteen and was about half the size I was now.

When she walked past me I could see her butt cheeks. "Ah Trina, I think you forgot your undies," I said.

She giggled and flipped up the back of her (my) shirt. "Nope, t-back, do you like it? I just started wearing these a few months ago under my dress uniform because they don't leave panty lines."

"Oh, good idea," I said intelligently.

She slipped under the covers and grabbed a magazine off the nightstand. She wiggled around a bunch then slid further under the covers. Next thing I know she whips the t-shirt out from under the covers and tosses it across the room.

"That's much better," she sighed, "I was losing circulation in that thing."

Since she was completely covered from the neck down I just grunted and kept reading. I was just getting towards the end Reed Arvin's 'Blood of Angels'. The part where the strange, sexy minister named Fiona Townes was about to jump the hero's bones. I liked Reed Arvin's work, although I thought he might, at least once in a while, let the hero keep the girl. By the time I finished the book, Katrina was sleeping soundly with her back to me. I turned off the bedside lamp and turned on my side away from her. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I woke up the next morning as Katrina was trying to quietly get out of bed. I rolled over and looked at her forgetting she was topless. She tried grabbing the covers but they were tucked under me. Finally she just shrugged and walked over to her backpack. I couldn't decide which view I liked better as she rooted around in the pack for a shirt. She found a shirt but turned towards me to put it on. When it dropped in place she put on a pair of her infamous silk boxers, this pair yellow, with a huge smiley face on the front. She looked at me with this evil leer.

"Okay now you get up," she said.

I tried to stammer out an excuse because I was sprouting major morning wood. Seeing Katrina that way made it one of those mornings when Kong was so hard, the neighbor's cat could have sharpened its claws on him. Katrina knew enough about men to know my condition. She just stood there.

"I'll stand here until you pee the bed," she said with a smirk.

Knowing she had me, I groaned and swung my legs out of bed. A tongue of fire raced up my leg from my calf as soon as I set my left foot down. I groaned but determinedly took a step. Katrina's face lost its smug grin as she jumped over and took my arm.

"It's okay Trina, I think I'm just stiff," I said.

She giggled and looked down where my shorts were tented. "I'll say," she quipped.

It was seven-thirty by the time we reached the kitchen. Jethro was standing at the back door impatiently waiting to water the flowers. The big goof looked surprisingly chipper considering the day he had yesterday. I took him out back and hooked him to his runner. My leg was feeling much better even though it twinged when I move too quickly. I felt good enough to avoid taking a Percodan. Katrina fixed us some breakfast then I drove her home. I parked in our drive way but stopped Katrina from getting out of the truck.

"Thanks, Trina, for taking care of me. You are the best sister I could have ever wished for."

Then I broached the subject we had both been avoiding.

"Mom is due in today; I wish I could feel the same way about her."

Katrina nodded and looked out the windshield. "I know what you mean. She and Dad told me she was moving to Houston right before they took me out to the Academy. She's been out to visit me a few times too. I still don't know what to think. I think her behavior is one reason I feel so much closer to you now. I decided that I don't ever want to become as focused on a career as she is. It's like an obsession with her."

I nodded my agreement. "Dad says that it's temporary but I don't know if I believe that. She seems to show up here every once in a while as if seeing us was an unpleasant duty she couldn't avoid."

Then I just had to say it, voicing the queasy thought that had been skittering around in the back of my head all these months.

"Trina, do you think Mom has found someone else? I mean all those macho astronauts like Buck Gomez are around her all the time. Dad is the greatest guy in the world but he certainly isn't the most exciting."

Katrina gave me this really shocked look. "No way! Only one man in the world impresses Mom, and that's Dad. If I had to guess, I'd say her problem was menopause coupled with an opportunity to do something she's always dreamed of. You know even I hear rumors at the Academy about her becoming the next head of NASA."

I drove off feeling a little better for our having talked about Mom. I sure hoped my sister was as right as she usually was.

Back at my grandparents' I gave Jethro his antibiotics and put some salve on his stitches. I was beyond happy that he was doing so well. He and I were playing tug of war with a piece of rope when my cell phone rang. It was Dee-Dee and she was upset.

"Jennifer just told me what happened. Are you okay, Baby?"

"I'm fine Dee-Dee, just a few scratches," I replied.

"Don't give me that macho bull, Johnny. I work at a television station remember? The dog attacks are a big story. I even did a commentary about how dangerous pit bulls are. According to our reporter you are a big hero. When I left the station she was at the Sheriff's Office getting a police report to find out your name for an interview. Where are you right now?"

"I'm at my grandparents' house."

"Stay there, I'll be right over."

Dee was at the front door five minutes after we hung up. When I let her in she just stood there looking at me, her lip quivering.

"See I'm fine Dee-Dee, now give me a hug."

She sagged against me, her head on my chest. "I was so scared for you Johnny; I had to come see for myself that you were really okay."

I gently stroked her hair as I held her. I was touched at her genuine concern. "I'm fine," I reiterated.

I led her into the living room and set her on the couch. She had a death grip on my good arm, as if she thought I'd disappear if she let go. She made me tell her the whole story. The number of stitches I had to get appalled her. I asked her how Jen knew what had happened. She said that Shelia Cavanaugh had called one of the other cheerleaders about it. Telling one of the team was tantamount to telling all of them.

My phone rang again while we were talking. It was Katrina this time.

"Johnny, some woman from Channel 16 was just here. She wanted to interview you about yesterday but I wouldn't tell her where you were."

I thanked her and told her she had done the right thing. I told Dee-Dee what Katrina said and asked her what I should do. Dee told me that I needed to give the reporter an interview but should make it somewhere besides my house. I agreed, so Dee beeped the reporter on her Nextel. The reporter was on her way to interview Kayla Thorpe. Dee arranged for me to meet the reporter at the park at one in the afternoon. While she was talking I started unbuttoning her blouse. She gave me a look but didn't push my hands away. She finished the call just as I started pulling her blouse out of her skirt.

"What are you doing, Johnny?"

"I'm getting ready to demonstrate how okay I really feel," I answered.

I showed her twice right there on Nana's couch. She kept admonishing me not to hurt myself but she was as needy as I was. We hadn't been together like this in months. Afterwards we talked as I stroked her sweet little body, catching up on each other's lives. I was surprised when she told me Mr. Caldwell was trying to reconcile with her. She had even allowed him to move back in the house. He told her he was through chasing skirts and had begged her forgiveness. She wasn't sleeping with him yet but admitted she probably would soon. She said he was crazy about the new vivacious her and admitted she teased him unmercifully. I was happy for her even though I knew we wouldn't be able to do what we were doing now if they got back together.

Dee helped me get cleaned up for the interview. She didn't have to work under the same restraints as Katrina, so she washed me, as I stood naked in the bathtub. Then she shampooed my hair over the sink. Her fingers were even more magical than my sisters. She made us lunch after insisting on helping me dress. We hugged and kissed before going out the door. She headed home and I loaded Jethro into my truck. I wasn't about to be interviewed unless Jethro got the credit he was due.

We got to the park at ten till; the reporter and her cameraman were already there. I pulled up next to the Channel 16 news van and hopped out. I went to the passenger door and let Jethro out as well. I had put Jethro on his leash for the interview so he wouldn't get into any mischief (I thought).

The interview did not go the way I, and certainly not the young blonde reporter, expected. I could have sold tickets to the thing and gotten rich. The reporter put us into position; Jethro sat down obediently at my side looking at us all curiously. When the cameraman said, "rolling" the reporter introduced herself and started to give her lead in. At about her second line Jethro's self-restraint crumbled, he leaned forward, stuck his head under her skirt, and shoved his nose into her butt. The reported screeched out a loud "Eek" and jumped forward.

I don't know what Jethro found under there that was so interesting (well, actually I do) but he sure liked whatever it was. The cameraman gleefully kept the camera rolling as Jethro pulled the slack out of his leash and dove back for seconds.

News Lady squealed again. "Turn off that camera Roland, damn you," she snarled as she tried pushing Jethro away.

She finally did her intro standing about ten feet in front of us. I got Jethro to sit, but he was aquiver as he looked doe eyed at the reporter. When she interviewed me she stood warily on the side of me opposite Jethro. Jethro sprouted a big pink erection while she was asking me a question. Roland the camera guy started cracking up as Jethro bent over and nonchalantly licked his dick. It took four tries for her to finally get through the interview. To show herself in a good light the reporter bent over and gave Jethro a pat on the head. He thanked her by reaching up and licking her face from chin to forehead. She turned a lovely greenish color when she remembered where that same tongue had been just minutes before.

She stomped off muttering after telling Roland to make sure I signed a release. When she was out of earshot, sitting in the van pouting, he gave me a grin.

"Damn that dog is the first person to ever get that witch's goat and I have it all on tape. Tell me where to send it and I'll mail you a copy."

I told him just to give it to Ms. Drake. She was a family friend, I explained, and would make sure I got it. I left as Roland was putting his gear in the van. I drove Jethro home then went to our house. Mom's plane from London was scheduled to arrive at one-fifteen. If the flight was on time, Dad should have her home by three.

I dialed Shelia's number as soon as I was in the house. One of the twins answered the phone. My ability to differentiate between them didn't extend to the phone. When I identified myself the twin yelled for her mother before I could ask for Shelia.

"Hi, Johnny, it's Ellen, Mom wants to talk to you before you talk to Shelia. You rock Johnny, that was so cool what you did. You are the only hero I ever kissed. Here comes Mom, see ya."

Mrs. Cavanaugh came on the phone, her voice flat and neutral.

"Mr. Pulaski, that was a noble thing you did yesterday but it was extremely foolish, too. Shelia says you kept her out of danger this time but I worry that you'll do something as precipitous again when she's with you. I don't want my daughter to get hurt inadvertently because you have to prove how manly you are."

I held the phone away from my ear in disbelief. What the hell was she talking about?

"Mrs. Cavanaugh, I only did what I thought was right. I'd like to think you'd do the same instead of letting a child be mauled. But maybe not, after all, it wasn't some blue blood's kid, so what would it matter to you?"

I slammed down the phone fuming. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't looking for her adulation. But, Christ, to accuse me of doing it to make myself look good - that blew.

My cell phone rang not five minutes later: the Cavanaughs' name and number popped up on my caller ID. I was in no mood to let Mrs. Cavanaugh finish her tirade so I rejected the call. I pretty much figured that Shelia and I had spent our last time together. Even if she was allowed to go out with me again, I wasn't about to put up with any more of her psycho mother. One dysfunctional mom was all I could handle at a time, and that one was on her way home from the airport.

Dad and Katrina drove up with Mom at three-thirty. Mom looked tired, but seemed happy to be home for once. She made a fuss over me, checking my bandages and asking me questions. It was kind of weird having her do that. I was so used to her being only peripherally involved in my life that her acting like a mother seemed odd and unnatural. I think Mom noticed my unconscious reaction because she looked sad when she went upstairs to freshen up.

We went to Olga's as a family for the first time in eight months. Aunt Olie made a huge to-do over Katrina. We got a nice table and had an enjoyable meal. For once Mom was fully engaged in the conversation, regaling us with stories from the conference she just attended. It was close to eight when we arrived home. Mom excused herself and said she was tired from the flight and time change. Dad gave an exaggerated yawn and said he was going to turn in also. As soon as they disappeared arm in arm down the hallway Katrina and I exchanged high fives.

I hung out with Katrina for a while, as she got ready to go out with a couple of her old friends. She said they were going to a dance club and could sneak me in if I wanted to go. I told her thanks but no thanks. Katrina told me I could probably score with one of her friends if I went; they both thought I was hunky. I just laughed and said, "Yeah, I'll bet." Katrina shrugged and slipped out of the dress she had been wearing. She took off her bra and tossed it on the bed as if I wasn't there and squirmed her way into some skintight jeans. I was fun watching her breasts cut arcs through the air as she tugged the jeans over her hips.

After she had the jeans fastened she pulled this satin bra out of her drawer and stuffed her breasts in it. The bra made her look like she had grown a cup size. Over the bra went a tight red shirt that exposed her navel. Man did she look some kind of hot.

"What do you think, Bro?" she asked coyly.

"I think I wish one of us was adopted," I answered.

I left when Katrina did, heading back to my grandparents. I had left my cell phone in my truck when we went to eat so I turned it on as I drove off. When the phone powered up it gave me the voice mail beep so I flipped it open. I was surprised I had nine voice mails. I sat my phone on the console; I couldn't drive and keep pressing the buttons to hear my mail at the same time. Once at Nana and Papa's, I laid my phone down and went out to get Jethro. The big galoot was sure happy to see me. I'll bet the five hours I had been gone was about the longest he'd ever been by himself. By the time I filled his bowls with food and fresh water it was almost nine. I plopped on the couch and finally checked my voicemail.

Two of the calls were from Shelia asking me to call her. One of the calls was from her dad asking me to do the same thing. Those calls I deleted and ignored, I had all the Cavanaugh conversation I could stand for one day. Dee called to make sure I was okay, but it was too late to call her back. The other calls were from Caroline, Amanda and Jane; all three had seen my interview on the news and wanted to talk to me. Since Jane had called twice I called her first.

"How are you Johnny? I saw the news and couldn't believe it. You just can't help saving every woman you see, can you?"

I laughed at her teasing tone. I loved Jane's voice; it was low pitched and velvety smooth.

"I guess not," I replied.

"I took tomorrow off, Sweetie, and I've packed a bag. Care for some company?"

"If it's you, heck yeah. But I have to warn you; I'm not very mobile. I've had a full day and took a Percodan as soon as I came in."

"No problem, I'll see you in fifteen minutes."

While I was waiting I called Amanda's cell phone. I told her I was fine, just a little gimpy. Caroline was with her as usual so I told them both I'd see them tomorrow. I called Katrina too, and told her I had a nurse lined up for the evening.

Jane showed up right on time and proceeded to pamper me as if I were the Sultan of Brunei. She changed into a red chemise as soon as she arrived. Then she bathed me, shampooed my hair (yep, best yet) and gently changed the dressing on my arm and calf. Seeing her breast move unfettered in the silky short red nightie was driving me crazy. I wanted to throw her down on the bed in the worst way. She wasn't buying my idea though.

"Wait a few minutes Honey and I'll make it worth your while," she said.

She laid me on my stomach on the bed and gave me a back rub that was indescribably good. When her tongue replaced her hands, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. She rolled me over and repeated the process on the front. By the time she slurped Kong into her rapacious mouth, he was hard enough to pole-vault with. I came in record time but she continued to nurse on me until I was hard again. We made love into the wee hours of the morning in that slow, sensuous, tantric method she loved.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 13


The next day was Tuesday, December 21st, 2004; I slept in until after nine. I was in bed alone when I woke up. I gingerly climbed out of bed and tested my leg. It held my weight with only the pulling sensation from the stitches. I brushed my teeth, threw on some shorts and headed toward the wonderful aroma of breakfast coming from the kitchen. When I got there Jane saw me and smiled.

"Good morning Sleepyhead. I was just about to come get you. Breakfast is ready."

I went over to where she stood by the stove still in the red chemise, covered by a loosely belted red silk robe. Here hair was perfectly in place and her light make up flawlessly applied. Jane had clearly been up a while. I kissed her thoroughly and sat down. She brought me a cup of coffee and the paper then I almost fell out of my chair when Jane whistled though her teeth and Jethro came trotting into the kitchen. She told him to sit, he plopped his big goofy ass right to the floor and she gave him a piece of bacon. He gobbled it down and she sent him out of the room with a word and a gesture. Now Jethro was as smart as he wanted to be, which most of the time wasn't very. So seeing him act as if he were Jane's trained poodle threw me. I asked her how she did it.

"Jethro and I came to an understanding this morning while I was making biscuits. He stuck his snout in my crotch so I whacked him on the nose with the wooden spoon I was using. Since then he's been an angel."

I nodded my head in understand. Damn this was one amazing woman. And I don't mean just about Jethro, I meant about the biscuits, too. When I finally settled down in about a hundred years, figure the odds of me finding a wife that would be making me scratch biscuits, while looking as if she just stepped out of Playboy.

So there I sat, stuffing my face, my hand high up on Jane's thigh. I was somewhere beyond hog heaven when the front door opens and my Mom breezes in.

"Johnny," she called, "Katrina and I are going shopping but I thought I'd check on you first. Whose car is that... ?"

She stopped mid sentence when she saw us sitting in the breakfast nook. I was scared shitless and started to jump up. Jane put her hand on my arm and gave it a little squeeze to keep me in place.

"Er, um, uh, hi Mom," I gurgled.

Mom was still staring at us open mouthed as Jane rose gracefully and extended her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Pulaski. Won't you join us for breakfast?" Jane sounded as cool and composed as if she done this a hundred times.

Mom, still speechless, mechanically stepped forward and allowed Jane to sit her at the table. Jane got Mom a cup of coffee, returned to her seat and took my hand again. It was surreal as Jane calmly talked to my mom.

"I'm sure this is a shock to you, Mrs. Pulaski, and I'm disappointed we met this way. But I'm not one to try to sneak around, so perhaps this is for the best. Your son is the finest young man I've ever met but you are in no danger of me trying to steal him. My husband died two years ago and I think I died inside. Johnny helped me regain my life and reconnected me with my daughter, I'll love him forever for that but it will be as a friend. Understand?"

Mom looked back and forth between Jane and me then cleared her throat.

"My son seems to be a lot more than I ever suspected. All these amazing things he does while practically raising himself. I can't judge you, Jane, or be upset with Johnny, I think I lost that right when I put my career before my family."

I stood up, pulled Mom out of her chair and hugged her tight.

"You are still my mom and I still love you."

Jane excused herself, so Mom and I sat and talked for a few minutes. We cleared the air between us. I told her how proud I was of her but how I had thought she had left for more reasons than just her work. She recoiled at that statement and vehemently denied any such thing. In the end we agreed that we both needed to let the other know just how much we loved each other every chance we got. When she left I felt great about our relationship and I think, so did she.

Jane came back into the kitchen right before Mom left. The two women hugged and Mom thanked Jane for taking care of me. Jane said it was her pleasure. Both women giggled at the double entendre.

Jane and I finished breakfast then I had her for dessert. She made another one of my little fantasies come true when she let me take her as she leaned over the countertop. With her long legs it was a nice experience as neither of us had to contort. We did the same trick two hours later, only this time Jane was dressed in a black skirt, garter belt, stockings and high heels. The second time was even better as the sight of her dressed up always made me hot. When we finished she pulled up her panties, cleaned me off and we went Christmas shopping. For Jane it was last minute stuff, mostly for coworkers and such. For me it was early shopping, as I usually waited until the twenty-third to really get motivated.

Jane dropped me off at two. She was as much fun shopping as she was anywhere else. Jane even took me with her to Victoria's Secret. It was a big turn on for me to pick something and have her model it. Jane loved red so I ended up buying her a red bustier and a matching pair of panties. I swear it was all I could do to keep from ravishing her. She rewarded my restraint right there in the mall parking lot with an exquisite blowjob.

I was sitting in the living room, Jethro sleeping on my feet when the doorbell rang. Jethro and I both went to answer it. When I pulled open the door I thought at first glance that it was Shelia Cavanaugh. Then I noticed that this was a grown woman.

"I didn't know Shelia had an older sister," I said.

The woman gave me a dazing smile. "She doesn't, I'm her aunt." She stuck out her hand, "you have to be Johnny. I'm Nina."

I shook her hand and invited her in; curious as to what in the world she could want. I offered her something to drink, she asked for a glass of water. When we were settled, her on the couch, me in Papa's recliner, I asked what I could do for her.

"Johnny, Shelia called me crying about what my sister did to you and how you wouldn't talk to her. I came here to talk to you; not at her request, but because she is my goddaughter and I'd do anything for her. I need to tell you about my sister Donna, so you'll know what you are dealing with. I also need to make you realize that Shelia is nothing like her mother."

"Okay," I replied.

"Good. Johnny you must not think our family is like my sister, because we aren't. My father was a cop in Boston until he retired. He and my mother had seven children and he was an honest cop, so we were not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. Things got better when we met my cousin Jacob. Dad retired and we moved down here. He took a job as chief of security for Turner-Thornton Holdings and for the first time we were financially well off. I was twelve then and Donna and her twin brother, David, were ten. For some unknown reason Donna grew up thinking that, because of the wealth of our extended family, she was royalty or something. It surprised no one in the family that she married the son of an Italian Count, the heir apparent to a vast fortune.

"They were married three years and she was in her element then he was tragically killed in a skiing accident. Donna came home a very young, very wealthy widow. A year and a half later she married Thomas, he was ten years her senior and also from a wealthy family. Donna is a good mother and wife, though, despite outward appearances."

"That's about what I expected to hear, Nina. I know that neither Shelia nor the twins want to be like their mom. I really like Shelia, but if I dated her it would cause friction between her and her mother. I'm not willing to put up with your sister's crap and I also don't want to come between Shelia and her."

Nina regarded me for a few seconds and shook her head.

"You are just as everyone describes you, Johnny."

I didn't know if that was good or bad but I had a couple of questions for her nonetheless.

"Nina, why do Sheila and the twins look like you and not so much like their mom?

She smiled again, "that is a simple question with a very complicated answer Johnny. In my family, including my extended family on my mother's side, the women are mostly all redheads with green eyes and the men have black hair and blue eyes. But in each generation at least one girl is born with the black hair and blue eyes. My cousin Jacob's mother was the one in her generation; Donna is the one in ours. My sister Claudia has a daughter that looks just like Donna. I think one reason Donna believes she is so special is because of the way she looks."

"I was always curious about that. Last question, can I touch you please?"

She looked at me as if she was reevaluating anything nice she might have said.

"I mean just touch your hand for a second," I explained blushing furiously.

She grinned at my discomfort and held out her hand. I took it in mine and felt that familiar connection that seemed to be special between most of the females in her family and me.

"Feel that? That happens very rarely with other women but I seem to feel it with all of your family except Shelia. Wonder why that is?"

Nina did not release my hand as a gamut of emotions flickered across her face. Intrigued I sent her just a little bit of arousal. Her eyes widen when I did that and she involuntarily moistened her lips. Then just as quickly she pulled her hand back.

"Sorry," I apologized, "I don't usually throw that last part in with married women. But the feelings I get from you are really strong and I couldn't help myself."

"I'm widowed, but don't do that again Johnny. I came here for my niece remember?"

"Yes ma'am, I remember just fine. I just don't think there is a future of any kind for Shelia and me. I don't think Mrs. Cavanaugh is going to have a sudden change of heart and I'm not going to wake up suddenly rich and famous."

Nina gave me another one of those looks. She sure spent a lot of time appraising me. As I gazed back at her I thought of one more question.

"Nina, what's the story on the twins? I've never met anyone like them in my life."

That got me a genuine laugh. "No one has. They stand out even in our family of unique women. Maybe someday I'll tell you all about us Buckley women, Johnny. I do know that the twins' IQ is off the charts and so is their talent to cause mischief. They probably have other talents we can't even imagine." She stopped talking as an idea hit her, and then resumed. "You know Johnny; they could be your allies in dealing with Donna. They seem to be about the only ones who can get her to do something she is set against."

I walked her all the way out to her silver Mercedes. I was holding the door open for her when she unexpectedly kissed me and shot me a jolt of sex so strong I reeled back from it. She gave me that sultry laugh again.

"I see that it works both ways, Johnny Pulaski, that's a good thing to know."

I took my first shower in three days at five. It felt great to be standing under the pelting spray. I was startled when the door to the shower opened and whooped when Katrina threw a glass of cold water on me. She laughed maniacally as she retreated to the bathroom door.

"You said you wanted me to help you when you finally got to shower," she giggled. "Now hurry up and get those cute buns out of there, Mom and I are taking you to supper."

"I am so going to even with you for this," I threatened her retreating back.

When I got to the bedroom Katrina was sitting on the bed waiting for me. She looked very pretty in a skirt, sweater and heels. I decided to extract a measure of revenge and dropped my towel. Instead of blushing Katrina took a long look. Then she started talking as if me being naked was perfectly normal.

"I told Mom I had to help you rebandage your calf and arm," she said as I was pulling on my underwear.

I pointed out where the new gauze squares were and went back to the bathroom for the ace bandages that held them in place. I laid face down on the bed as she first applied Neosporin then gently bandaged me up. She talked as she worked.

"Mom told me about her visit here this morning, I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall to witness that! She said you two had a good talk afterwards though. Mom said the woman was very attractive and seemed to think you were God's gift to women."

Katrina finished the bandages and swatted me hard on the ass.

"Okay stud, all done."

She jumped off the bed and ran from the room before I could grab her. That was two I owed her. I dressed and went out to the living room. Mom stood up when I came in and gave me a big hug. I kissed her cheek and told her she looked very pretty. She did too, in an outfit much like Katrina's. Katrina drove us to the El Cantina, a Mexican restaurant on the beachside. We had a really nice meal and an even more pleasant conversation. After the meal, Katrina dropped me off. She said she was going out again that night and would talk to me later. I took Jethro for a walk, fed him and then plopped down to watch the tube. By ten my eyes were drooping so I hit the hay.

I woke up around one when someone was crawling into the bed with me. I tuned over and saw it was Katrina. This was going to be a problem because I usually slept in the raw.

"I'm naked under here Sis," I said in warning.

"No problem," she said.

Then she whipped off the t-shirt she was wearing and climbed under the covers. Once under the covers she wiggled around some then handed me her panties.

"We're even now," she giggled.

I could smell alcohol on her breath. "You've been drinking, Trina," I said brightly.

"Yeah, Roxanne, Sarah and I went to a kegger. Sarah was the designated driver so I had a few. I almost had to kick Roxie's ass to keep her from taking my place as your nurse tonight. She and Sarah both want a piece of you after I told them about Mom catching you today."

"Sure Trina, whatever you say," I said sarcastically. Roxanne Fulmer was a knock out. She also won a soccer scholarship to Auburn. Girls like Roxanne wouldn't give a sixteen-year-old guy like me the time of day. And Sarah Gauthier was no slouch either. She was one of those bookish smart girls you just knew seethed with unreleased lust.

Katrina turned on her side to face me and put her hand on my face.

"You think I'm kidding don't you? They saw you on television Monday and couldn't believe how you had grown and matured. They'd jump you in a second if they weren't my friends."

"Well thanks for defending my virtue, Trina," I teased, "but if Sarah mentions it again I'd go out with her in a heartbeat."

"You can call her after I go back to Colorado if you have the nads, I'm not going to pimp my friends for you. Besides, if you took one of them out before I left I'd be jealous."

I laughed and hugged her to me forgetting we both we naked. To my utter astonishment she kissed me and stuck her tongue in my mouth. I loved it and it scared the shit out of me at the same time. Finally she broke the kiss and sighed heavily.

"You are forbidden fruit Johnny, I guess that's why this is so exciting. Now turn over and let me get dressed again or we are going to be in big trouble."

I was both relieved and disappointed as I did what she said. When she had her t-shirt and panties back on I got up and put on my underwear. When I fell back asleep she was softly snoring, snuggled up against my back. When I woke up the next morning she was right where she was when we fell asleep. I silently slipped out of bed and dressed in the bathroom.

When Katrina finally staggered into the kitchen moaning that her head was about to fall off, I handed her three aspirins and a glass of OJ. She sat down at the table and dispatched the pills then asked for a cup of coffee. I got it for her and offered to make her breakfast. She made a gagging noise and declined. Instead she took the mug of coffee and headed for the bathroom.

Katrina returned to the kitchen twenty minutes later. She was much more chipper this time. She made a couple of pieces of toast, refilled her coffee and cadged part of the newspaper from me. We had been sitting in companionable silence for a while when she cleared her throat.

"Johnny, I'm sorry about last night. I guess the beer lowered my inhibitions."

"It's okay Trina. I like the way we are now so don't get all prim on me just because you feel guilty. You did the right thing in the end, and as much as I hated to, so did I. And for what its worth, that was about the best kiss I ever remember getting."

"Jesus, Johnny, you're no help at all, now I'm even sorrier I stopped last night."

"Well as long as we are both dressed I sure wouldn't mind getting more of those kisses either."

Katrina zoomed off shortly after that. She gave me a chaste kiss on the check and laughed at the sad face I made.

It was a nice sunny day so I took Jethro to the park. He was miffed that I kept him on his leash but still seemed to enjoy his walk. I took him home then headed for Toys R Us. I wanted to buy a Christmas present to give little Emma Thorpe. I looked around and finally settled on this fatly stuffed panda bear that was almost as big as I remembered her being. The bear was wearing a red t-shirt that said 'hug me'. I liked it so much I bought three of the dang things. I hoped that my favorite twins would like them, too. When I paid for the bears I was shocked at how depleted my funds were.

My grandfather had given me five hundred dollars before they left and I had a little over a hundred of it left. Over two hundred of it went to the vet who treated Jethro, but, yikes, I still had major Christmas shopping to do. I cruised over to the bank and took five hundred out of my savings account. I sure hoped Papa had some work for me when he returned because my cash flow situation was starting to suck. While I was at the bank I had an idea about a present for my Mom. I called Dad and Katrina and ran it by them. They were enthusiastic so I went and made arrangements for the next day.

I had been home about an hour when Amanda and Caroline showed up. I got a chuckle out of their outfits, as Amanda was dressed pretty much like Caroline: tight jeans, belly shirt and all. It was a nice change from her grunge costume. We hung out and just talked like good friends. Caroline told me her father was very impressed by what I had done in the park. He said I was a son to make a father proud. Amanda told me that her mother was so much better it was amazing. She said Jane had a date Thursday night with this really nice guy she met at work. And speaking of date, the three of us made a play date for the Sunday after Christmas.

I took a shower and drove to the address Kayla Thorpe had given me. She lived in an old but still fairly nice apartment complex just off the causeway on the mainland side of town. My arms were full but I managed to ring her doorbell, I was a couple of minutes early. Kayla opened the door and showed me in: Emma was behind her peeking around her leg. I gave Kayla the bottle of wine I borrowed from Papa and Nana and the bouquet of flowers I'd snagged on the way over. Then I knelt down on my good leg and held the big panda out for Emma. The little girl was gaga over the bear; she carried him around all evening.

Kayla's face brighten at the flowers and Emma's gift, she had a beautiful smile. For the first time I got a really good look at her as she put the flowers in a vase she pulled from under the sink. Kayla Thorpe was a woman best described as cute. She was about five-six and well constructed. She had brown hair and wide spaced, intelligent brown eyes. I kept my inspection circumspect and asked where Mr. Thorpe was.

"Good question," she said, unable to hide the bitterness in her voice. "If I knew the answer to that I could maybe collect some of the ten months worth of child support he owes Emma."

I backpedaled and told her how good supper smelled.

She gave me an embarrassed grin at her little outburst and said, "Emma insisted we make you spaghetti and garlic bread, it's her favorite. It'll be ready in a few minutes, so have a seat with Emma while I finish the pasta."

Kayla's apartment was a small two bedroom with an open living area. The kitchen was a small galley that overlooked the dining and living room area. The apartment was sparsely furnished but decorated with some splashes of bold color. A small artificial tree with a few brightly wrapped presents under it was set up in the corner. I liked how comfortable I felt there. I sat down on the couch next to Emma as she watched television and she crawled up into my lap. Kayla gave me a surprised look from the kitchen.

"She never does that Johnny, she's always very shy around men."

I helped Emma get her panda situated on my lap as well before answering.

"Little kids like me for some reason. I don't get to hang around many but I like them too."

Kayla nodded and returned her attention to the boiling pasta. I asked Emma what she was going to name her bear. She didn't pause a heartbeat, "He already has a name, silly, it's on his shirt, his name is Huggy."

It was my turn to look at Kayla in surprise. Kayla was smiling proudly.

"She is learning to read in preschool, she's a very smart little girl," she added unnecessarily.

The spaghetti was as good as advertised. Emma sat on one side of me and Kayla sat on the other. Emma insisted that Huggy occupy the empty chair. Kayla had me open the wine and pour us both a glass. I enjoyed the meal and the company. After dinner I sat at the table as Kayla and Emma cleaned up after the meal. Kayla made a pot of coffee and we chatted in the kitchen as Emma watched the Disney Channel. I liked talking to Kayla, we had a lot of common interests and she was a bright woman. Before I knew it was eight o'clock. Emma insisted that I help tuck her in after her bath, then of course, I had to help tuck in Huggy.

Kayla seemed to enjoy talking to me as well. After we tucked Emma in we sat on the couch and continued the conversation. As the night progressed Kayla opened up to me about her life. It had been around eighteen months since her divorce. Her ex was pretty much a deadbeat dad so she was working and barely making ends meet. Kayla was unapologetic that she was a waitress at the 'Wing Thing' one if those 'Hooters' clones that popped up everywhere. The girls at the 'Wing Thing' wore tight purple shorts and even tighter tops. She worked three days a week then Friday and Saturday nights. She said that the tip income from those two nights was all that allowed her to keep Emma in the best daycare/preschool in town.

Her parents helped her when they could, but that mostly consisted of them watching Emma while she worked on the weekend. Her father was disabled and on SSI while her mother worked part time at K-Mart. Her in-laws were nearby in Orlando but she wouldn't take anything from them. Her mother-in-law had tried to get her ex custody of Emma, so she didn't want them to have even a hint that she couldn't support her daughter. At times like Christmas it was especially hard because she couldn't afford much for Santa to bring Emma.

I left Kayla's at ten-thirty with a healthy respect for her character. Even though I felt no connection to Kayla when we inadvertently touched, I still asked her out.

"Johnny, even if you were older I wouldn't go out with you. I have a horrible track record with men, and besides, I spend all my free time with Emma."

'Well, that's a good thing then, because Emma wouldn't have much fun at the zoo without you there. I can see how you could feel that way about men, given that your ex is an asshole. But there are some nice guys out there and I'd like to think I'm one of them. As for my age, think of it this way, at least I won't be down at your work drinking beer and talking trash."

She finally agreed, so we made a date for the next Tuesday. Kayla was actually excited about taking Emma to the zoo for the first time. I drove home thinking about Kayla and Emma and Santa Claus. Little Miss Emma was going to have a visit from Santa; I just had to recruit a few of his helpers. Santa was going to visit Mama Kayla, too. Anyone with her grit and goodness deserved it.

It was almost eleven when I pulled into Papa's drive way. Jethro was all over me when I went into the house. The Goofus had been lonely I guess. I made amends by taking him out for a late evening stroll. Jethro was in fine form as he peed every fifteen feet all the way around the block. Katrina's car was sitting behind my truck in the driveway when Jethro and I came home. I let us into the house but saw no sign of Katrina. I walked down the hall and heard the shower running because the bathroom door was standing wide open. I leaned against the doorjamb and admired Katrina's soapy silhouette through the slightly steamed up glass shower doors.

"I see you out there Johnny, so don't get any wise ideas," she admonished.

"The only wise idea I have is to stand here and finally see you get out of the shower," I replied.

She laughed and turned off the water. "Hand me a towel, will you?"

I grabbed a clean towel out of the linen closet and stood next to the shower door. When she slid the door open a crack and stuck her arm out, I dangled the towel just out of her reach. She poked her head out the opening where her arm had been and saw me standing there grinning.

"So that's the way it's going to be," she said.

"Yep, pay backs are a bitch, Sis," I replied.

She laughed and suddenly the door slid all the way open. Katrina stood there, Amazon Warrior proud, little beads of water sparkling on her flawless body.

"Okay, you've had your revenge, now give me that towel before I freeze to death."

I stared dumbly and stuck out the towel.

"Jesus, Trina, your body is perfect," I gasped.

"It's okay, but it would be better if my puppies were a cup size bigger," she said as she wrapped the towel around herself.

"If they had been I would have had a stroke," I said.

"I seem to remember you had a lot of strokes even when I was only an 'A' cup," she giggled.

I laughed and left the bathroom before my hard-on ripped through my zipper. I was lying in bed reading an old novel I found in my grandparents' bookcase when Katrina came traipsing in. Time And Time Again was the title. James Hilton, the guy who wrote Goodbye Mr. Chips, wrote it. It was about this English guy born around the turn of the twentieth century. If Hilton's description of the hero had any basis in real life, those upper class English dudes back then were some tight asses. The book was a slow read so I put it away when Katrina slipped under the covers.

I turned off the lights and we lay on our backs talking about our day. I told her all about my dinner with Kayla and Emma. I told her about the tough time Kayla was having, yet how good a person and mother she was, contrasting her with the evil (in my mind at least) Donna Cavanaugh. Finally I told her my idea for getting some money to Kayla so she could by presents for Emma. When I finished talking, Katrina rolled over on top of me and gave me a soul-searing kiss.

"What was that for?" I asked when she came up for air.

"It was because you did good, Baby Brother. You seem to be trying to save the world one woman at a time. I know you've already done wonders for me. I just wish I could figure out a way that would make it right for me to get some of the other benefits too," she said wistfully.

Katrina fell asleep on my arm, curled up against my side. Sleep eluded me though, as I kept wondering if I was messing Katrina up somehow. I mean our flirting was fun and I didn't take it really seriously. However, I was beginning to wonder about Katrina's take on things based on the comments she kept making. As I finally drifted off, I realized one thing I did know for sure; it was going to stink when I had to start sleeping alone again.

I woke up the next morning with Katrina's fine-spun blonde hair tickling my nose. She was laying partially on top of me her arm possessively across my chest. Who would have thought she was such a snuggle bunny? I tried to ease out of bed again but my movement woke her up.

"Good morning Trina."

"Umm, good morning, Johnny. I sleep so good in your arms. I'm going to smuggle you back to the academy."

I dragged my ass into the bathroom and emptied my bladder. Kong was not cooperating in losing his morning stiffie but I managed anyway. After I peed I hit the shower. While I was in the shower Katrina came in and did her morning thing as well. When I exited the shower she was gone from the bedroom. I caught up with her in the kitchen ten minutes later. She had already let Jethro out and was warming bagels in the oven.

After breakfast we drove over to our house so we could get dressed up for Mom's present. I had scheduled a family portrait at this new digital photo studio and our appointment was at ten. I had secured the photographer's guarantee that he would have a framed eleven by fourteen portrait ready by one the following afternoon, the day before Christmas. It was going to cost a few bucks but Dad thought it was such a good idea he volunteered to pay for everything.

I called Dee-Dee on her cell phone right after her show. I told her what I had in mind for Emma and Kayla and asked if she thought her station might help. She said she'd go see the station manager right away, but to consider it done. She also volunteered to deliver the check to Kayla personally on her way home. I was happy that Dee was confident that her station manager would fork out the five hundred bucks I wanted for Kayla. I was prepared to get the money out of the bank myself but I knew Kayla would never accept it from me.

We all cleaned up pretty well, even me. Katrina was wearing her dress blues, Mom had on a nice dress and Dad and I were in suits. We kept our destination from Mom until we pulled into the studio parking lot at nine fifty-five. It was worth getting into the monkey suit just to see my mother's joy as she picked out the picture she wanted enlarged from the digital display.

We were out of the photo studio by ten thirty and home fifteen minutes later. I changed into jeans and headed out to do my serious Christmas shopping. I learned my shopping technique from my grandfather; you made a list of your requirements, organized it by were the items could be purchased and had a backup for everything you needed. Of course Papa's system was mainly for building supplies but the concept was easily adapted for holiday shopping.

I was buzzing towards the mall, loins girded to face the crowds, when my cell phone rang. It was Kayla Thorpe.

"Johnny," she gushed, her voice excited, "Denise Drake from Channel 16 just walked up to my door and gave me a check for five hundred dollars. She said it was money left over from the station's Christmas fund and that I got it because of what happened at the park.

"She also asked me if I had met you yet. When I said I did she went on for five minutes about how wonderful you are. How do you know her?"

"Her son Richie is one of my best friends, and that's wonderful about the money, I guess Santa's is going to make it to your house after all."

"He is if I can find a baby setter, I am working a Christmas party tonight so I'm free this afternoon."

"What if I picked up Emma and took her Christmas shopping with me? That way you could do what you needed to do."

"You wouldn't mind? She likes you and after Ms Drake's testimonial I guess I can trust you."

So I changed course and went to Kayla's. Emma was excited about going shopping with me. Kayla sent us off with a kiss, pretty excited herself. I fitted Emma's booster seat into my truck, turned off the passenger side airbag and navigated to the mall.



-------

Chapter 14


Emma and I had fun at the mall. We buzzed into a few jewelry stores, picking up items from my list. Next it was Wilson's Leather for a briefcase for Katrina then we went to Victoria's secret and picked up a little something to put in that briefcase. I was carrying Emma after fifteen minutes. She was a game trooper but her little legs couldn't keep up.

We went to the Wal-Mart super center next. It was crowded and noisy but I managed to snag a new twenty-eight inch television for Kayla to replace the small unit in her apartment. Geez, televisions were cheap! I mean a stereo twenty-eight inch model was only one-fifty. I also bought Papa and Dad a fishing rig while we were there and, what the hell, one for me too. The fishing outfits were inexpensive Zebcos, but the real gift was the idea of the three of us hanging out together drowning worms.

Our last stop was at a photo studio I found that specialized in boudoir photography. I paid down on deluxe packages for Dee-Dee and Jane. I made an agreement with the lady who owned and operated the place to pay the balance right after Christmas. Both sets of grandparents gave me cash for Christmas so I figured I could cover it.

Shopping completed, Emma and I went to Mickey D's for a Happy Meal and the playground. I enjoyed sitting with a couple of young mothers as 'our' children romped. The mothers were curious about me, I could tell, wondering how old I was to be there with a four-year-old. I flirted shamelessly with this one woman when we determined that we were both single. She had three-year-old twin hellions who were out of control. Our little flirtation ended when Emma bopped one of the boys in his snot locker for something. The mother got all offended so I collected Emma and we left.

From McDonalds we went to Dairy Queen. I bought myself a small Oreo Blizzard and a chocolate cone for Emma. We ate sitting at a picnic table; Emma entertained me with a story about going to the fair and riding a pony. It took a dozen napkins to squeegee the chocolate off her face. She was wearing as much chocolate as she ate. But I swear I didn't mind cleaning her up a bit, it was a joy watching her eat and listening to her chatter. I called Kayla after we finished our DQ. She had a couple of more stops to make so I gave her directions to my house and took Emma there so she could help me wrap presents. What the hell, I figure she couldn't be any worse at wrapping than I was.

My Mom and Katrina fell in love with Emma as soon as they met her. Katrina decided to get in on the wrapping with us and brought her presents into my room. The two girls quickly dismissed me from wrapping duty after I mangled my first effort. I was relegated to filling out the gift tags and sticking on bows.

The highlight of our time in my room was fixing up the present I bought for Emma to give to her mother. I had bought a heart shaped locket on a gold chain for her. Katrina helped Emma fix her hair and I snapped digital pictures of the little angel until I finally took one that met with her critical approval. We uploaded the photo onto my computer and printed out a very small copy of it. Katrina carefully cut out the picture and put it in the locket. Emma proudly wrapped that gift all by herself and stuck a bow on it.

Kayla showed up a little after four. Emma tackled her as soon as she was in the door and handed her the carefully wrapped gift. Emma admonished her not to peek until Christmas then started talking a mile a minute about our shopping trip. Kayla quieted her down long enough for me to make introductions. Mom invited mother and daughter to have supper with us but Kayla begged off because she had to work. I carried Emma out to Kayla's Plymouth Neon and switched out the booster seat. I got a big hug and kiss from Emma and a smaller version from her mom.

We ate as a family at home that night, just like old times. Mom outdid herself; her homemade chicken and dumplings and sweet corn muffins were to die for. Katrina and I were cleaning up the kitchen after the meal.

"Johnny, what are you doing tonight?" Katrina asked.

"No plans, you want to do something?"

"Actually, I do. There is a new club in Orlando I heard about and I want you to take me."

"That sounds cool; if you wear a mini skirt, it's a date."

She laughed and said she had just the outfit. We finished the kitchen and told our folks where we were going then went upstairs to get ready. I was finished first, of course, so I went to the family room to put the touch on Dad for some scratch. He and Mom were snuggled up on the couch watching some movie on HBO.

"Say Dad, could loan me a few bucks? I'm tapped out with Christmas and all."

Now my dad is a great guy but he is so tight he squeaks. He frowned and I braced myself for the 'fool and his money lecture'. Before he could say anything, I swear to God, Mom put her hand way up on his thigh and said in this really sexy voice, "Just give them some money, Paul. Think of it as an investment in a really fun evening."

What the hell! That was information I didn't want to be hearing. Dad stood up quickly and dug out his wallet. He turned his back to me and opened it. I expected to see moths fly out of it, he took it out so seldom, but when he turned around he stuck out a couple of twenties. Since I needed gas for my truck, forty dollars wasn't gonna cut it. I stood there trying to figure out how to get at least another twenty when Mom came to my rescue.

"Did I mention it would be a really, really fun evening?" she asked.

Dad snorted and redid the turn around thing, this time he handed me a fifty.

I don't know what code 'really, really fun' was between my parents, but for the old man to give up almost a hundred dollars, it must be something spectacular. Again, thinking about that was leading down a road that didn't need traveling.

"Thanks Dad," I said and gave him a hug.

He mumbled something under his breath and sat back down. Mom giggled and kissed him. I sat in the love seat that was perpendicular to the couch they were on and tried to get into the movie. I heard some sniggering and glanced at the couch. Mom was almost in Dad's lap busily nibbling on his ear. I jumped up and excused myself.

"Geez, you two, get a room, before I need therapy," I complained as I bolted to the kitchen.

I heard Katrina on the stairs about ten minutes later. I called out that I was in the kitchen. She came into the nook where I was sitting reading a magazine. I was goggle-eyed when I saw her. She had on this very short green, tartan plaid miniskirt and a white button up blouse. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had on white Reeboks. She looked like a naughty Catholic School girl; I liked it, I liked it a lot.

"What are you doing sitting in here Bro?"

I told her about my conversation with Dad, and Mom's comments.

"Dad must think he's getting very lucky tonight," she grinned. Then she went, "you know", and made this obscene gesture with her fist moving back and forth near her mouth.

I groaned, "Not you too. I can't believe I was born into a family of perverts!"

I drove us to the club that was located in the eastern suburbs of Orlando. The trip took the better part of an hour. Katrina and I talked and joked around on the trip. I couldn't help looking at her long slender legs as I drove. I told her again how much I liked her outfit. She told me she hoped so because she had worn it especially for me.

"Really? Just for me?"

"Just for you, think about it, how many times have you seen me in a mini? You are the only guy I know that could get me in one."

I thought back and she was right. Katrina seldom wore skirts or dresses and when she did they tended to be just above her knees. What a pity, stems like hers were the reason minis were invented. It made me feel good that she would wear something just for me, it made me feel special. Still I couldn't resist a little tease.

"You know, with your legs, high heels and thigh high stockings would really complete the look," I said innocently.

She looked at me and broke out laughing. "I don't own any heels or stockings but if you buy them next time I'm home I'll wear them for you."

I smiled and agreed to her idea, all the while thinking about the outfit in her new briefcase.

The club in Orlando was all Katrina said it would be. It was an old converted two-story warehouse. The bottom floor was pretty much open admission; you paid ten dollars at the door, a bouncer looked you over, and then you walked through a metal detector and entered. Upstairs was the twenty-one and over club. You had to produce ID at the foot of the stairs before you could go up them. On the lower level, a long soda and juice bar was along the wall opposite from the DJ. Small tables, just barely big enough for four chairs, ringed a crowded dance floor. We passed by the bar and snagged a couple of sodas then we found a table with two empty chairs. The girls sitting there motioned for us to sit when Katrina asked if we could join them.

My ass never saw much of that chair as Katrina kept me out on the dance floor. Katrina was a good dancer, I should have figured as much given her athleticism. I was a joy to watch her gyrate in happy abandon. I didn't try to keep up with her because the stitches in my calf limited my mobility somewhat. But me just swaying was fine with Katrina as she danced around me. I had thought that we were just going to the club together so Katrina would have an escort. Turned out, she considered it a real date and politely turned down innumerable requests to dance from both guys and girls.

Things were peachy until about eleven-thirty when this big bruiser tapped me on the shoulder to cut in. The guy was even bigger than Creole Sipes. Katrina told the guy no thanks; we were just about to leave the dance floor. As we walked past him, the big idiot grabbed Katrina's left shoulder.

"Wait a minute Sugar Pants," he said.

She turned her head to her left and smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh please, tell me you are a football player," she said.

The guy preened. "Yep, names Jimbo Tyler, I play offensive guard for the 'Canes' down in Miami."

"Oh goody, I have this thing about big dumb football players touching me. If you don't move your hand it will be my pleasure to break it."

I could see old Jimbo didn't like that remark. I started to step in between them but Katrina told me to back off. I shrugged and stepped back a step. It wasn't as if she needed me to defend her anyway, hell if anything, Jimbo was the one in trouble. Katrina didn't give Mr. Tyler much time to make up his mind before she reached across her chest and grabbed his index finger.

"NO!" she yelled, "LET ME GO."

Jimbo's eyes got big as saucers just before she spun out of his grasp twisting his finger as she went. He yelped in pain as she pushed him backwards. When she let go of his finger it was bent at an odd angle. He managed to call her a bitch just before her size ten Reebok made sickening contact with his scrotum. Every guy witnessing the kick gave a sympathetic groan as Jimbo dropped to his knees and hurled up what looked like a sizeable taco dinner.

This all happened in the span of about ten seconds. By the time two big burly bouncers waded through the crowd Katrina was giving an Academy Awardâ performance as a scared young woman. The bouncers asked what happened and Katrina told him in this small shaking voice. Witnesses corroborated her story and Jimbo was unceremoniously tossed out the door. Us? We got an apology and two free passes to come back another time. Since dancing was interrupted for a few minutes while someone cleaned up Jimbo's mess, Katrina and I took a seat. I looked at her incredulously as we sat down.

"I really, really, really hate football players touching me," she said. "Except for you of course," she amended.

I was a little disturbed that Katrina used Jimbo to vent her anger at that Borkowski dude from her school, but, all in all, I guess Jimbo earned what he got. I was also impressed with Katrina's acting job. From start to finish she made herself come across as the victim.

We stayed at the club until the twenty and under portion closed at midnight. The DJ turned the house lights way down and played ten minutes of slow music to end the evening. Katrina wrapped her arms around my neck and held me tight as we danced. In another one of those moves that are bound to send me straight to hell, I slid my hands down and cupped her ass. Instead of giving me the same treatment Jimbo got, Katrina purred and nibbled my neck.

We stopped off at Denny's for a late night meal before we went home. We were having too much fun to call it a night. It was almost two when I let us into my grandparents' house. I brought Jethro in while Katrina headed for the bathroom. When I had the house secured and Jethro fed I went to turn in myself. Katrina was already under the covers with the lights out when I got to the bedroom. I stripped down to my shorts and crawled into bed with her. When she snuggled up onto my chest there was nothing between us but air.

"Are you naked again Trina?" I asked warily.

"Nope, I have on my panties. If you want me naked you'll have to take them off," she said sleepily.

I laughed and hugged her to me; I was asleep in seconds.

Katrina was up first the next morning: I found her in the kitchen making coffee. She was wearing the same skirt from last night and one of my dress shirts partially buttoned. She poured us both a cup of java and sat down next to me.

"Thank you for last night, Johnny. It was one the best dates I ever had," she said.

"I had fun too, Trina. You're good company when you're not kicking someone's ass."

She laughed and swatted my arm. Then she turned serious.

"I wish I hadn't agreed to go skiing. I think I'd much rather be here. I forgot how important family really is while I was feeling sorry for myself these last few months. When I go back I'll certainly remember, though, thanks to you. And I think Mom feels the same way. I expect you and Dad will see a lot more of her in the future."

Katrina borrowed my truck to go home and change. I toasted a couple of bagels for myself then took a shower and gave Kong some much needed attention. Kong didn't have any hang ups about Katrina being my sister; all he saw was a hot babe. Luckily, my big head did the thinking where Katrina was concerned. I liked that Katrina and I were getting so comfortable around each other that casual nudity didn't bother either one of us. Kong was just going to have to learn to live with it.

After a shower and a not really needed shave I threw on some jeans and called the Cavanaughs. One of the twins answered. I identified myself and Elaine did the same. I asked her if I'd be interrupting anything by coming over to drop off presents. She said hold on and fetched her father. Mr. Cavanaugh was his usual jovial nice guy self. I had to wonder how he ever hooked up with the mega-bitch he married. He told me how proud he was of me for what I did and said I was welcome at his house anytime. I had to smile when he emphasized the 'his house' part of the sentence.

I drove over to the Cavanaughs for lunch. I took the small gift I bought for Shelia in with me but left the twin's pandas in my truck. Shelia and her mother were out somewhere when I arrived. That didn't break my heart any. Lunch was enjoyable. Mr. Cavanaugh was an interesting guy. He asked me if my injuries were going to hurt my athletic career. It was the first thought I'd given to something like that. I told him I didn't think so.

The twins peppered me with questions about what happened. They were dressed up more than usual; when I commented how nice they looked they blushed and Mr. Cavanaugh gave me a wink.

"I think they have plans to steal you from their sister," he said.

"They already have," I replied.

After lunch Mr. Cavanaugh excused himself to finish some work in his study. He admonished the twins to behave themselves with another wink at me. He wouldn't have been winking if he knew what was on the little vixens minds.

When we were alone they moved around until one was sitting on either side of me.

"Aunt Nina said she went to see you and told you all about Mom. She said you were special and reminded her of Uncle Jake when he was your age," Ellen said.

"Yeah, and she said you tingled her," Elaine said with a giggle.

Ellen nodded. "She liked it too, we could tell. She was all blushing when she said it. Aunt Nina is like the coolest person in our family. Mom says she is scandalous but won't say why.

I told the twins about the conversation from my point of view; I even threw in what Nina said about them being my allies in dealing with their mother. I added that I didn't know that it was necessarily good, though. When Ellen asked why, I repeated what I said to Nina about causing conflict between Shelia and their mom.

"You are probably right about that. Shelia is way more under Mom's thumb than we are. Mom doesn't know what to do with us, so as long as we don't embarrass her, she leaves us alone. Johnny, you know by now we aren't like other girls our age. Not only are we more mature physically, we are way advanced mentally." Ellen said.

I said I could see that as I pretended to ogle her body.

She laughed and continued. "Well, our boobs aren't very big but they probably never will be, Mom is the only one in the family with big ones. What I am getting at is that we'll be fourteen in a couple of months but we are already as grown up as Shelia."

I said, "I understand, but why were they telling me all this?"

Elaine jumped in. "We aren't propositioning you or anything, we just wanted you to know more about us. I know we seem naive sometimes but that's only because we don't have much experience. Because we are smart we have been home schooled all our lives, but we have convinced our parents to let us start high school at Palmdale next year. You're not going to ignore us because we are younger are you?"

"Are you kidding me? I'd never pass up the chance to hang around two gorgeous women. If anything, you won't have time for me because all the boys will be after you. But finding out you are all grown up makes what I got you for Christmas inappropriate, guess I'll have to exchange them for something else."

"You got us presents?" they squealed in unison.

"Yeah, but you are probably going to be disappointed in them," I said.

"We'll be the judge of that," Elaine said.

They practically dragged me out to my truck. I opened the passenger door and gave each of them one of the big stuffed pandas. Mature for their age or not, they loved the bears. I was going to take off but they insisted I stay a while longer. They ran into Mr. Cavanaugh's study to show him the bears then took me up to their room so they could put them away. The twins shared a huge room. It must have been at least a thousand square feet. They told me that their mom had tried to get them into separate bedrooms a few years before but they didn't like it. So their dad had a few walls torn down to make a suite for them to share.

Next to its size, the most striking thing about the room was how austere it was. The furnishings were expensive and beautiful but there was nothing to personalize the space. I commented on that to the girls, they replied that their mom hated clutter. So to compensate they had a playroom, Ellen produced a key and showed me their inner sanctum. It was a living room sized space with a television and even a small kitchenette. It was decorated the way they wanted, with posters and pictures and funky knickknacks.

"No one's allowed in here except us. You are the first person we've ever showed it to," Elaine said.

They sat me on the couch and Ellen fetched us each a soda. Talking to them was a trip. They were way smarter than anyone had a right to be. I could see, however, that they were destined for hardship at school because they just didn't seem to know how to interact with kids their age. I thought maybe that was something I could help them with, so I broached the subject as tactfully as I could. They both thought it was a great idea and started telling me things they thought would help. I offered to take them places where teens hung out so they could get acclimated to the complicated culture of adolescence. They responded enthusiastically.

I don't know how I ended up making out with them there on the couch but soon I was twisting back and forth sharing kisses. It's not something I'll put on my Eagle Scout application, but I enjoyed the hell out of starting their lessons with French Kissing 101.

Listen, I know they were young; I know they were sheltered; but I'm telling you they had an agenda, and if it hadn't been me it could have been someone much worse. At least I had self-restraint and I honestly cared for them. I did the right thing and kept things from getting too far out of hand. It took a lot of self-restraint, too, as they were both sending me huge waves of their arousal.

I wondered aloud why they had never discovered this with each other; after all, they were perfectly in tune. They both thought the idea was gross. Ellen explained it by saying they were so much alike it would be as if they were doing it to themselves in front of a mirror. We fooled around on the couch for fifteen minutes. That was all I could stand and come out of there still a nice guy. The girls were disappointed because they wanted a lot more. I put them off with vague promises for after their birthday.

Kong was not happy with me as I drove away from the Cavanaughs'. He was especially miffed because I had to pull the twins' hands off him more than once. I adjusted myself with a sigh, and headed to the photo studio to pick up Mom's present. I was looking forward to a relaxing evening with my family. We were going to Midnight Mass at ten then we'd come home and exchange gifts. With us all feeling so close this year I had to believe it was the best holiday I could remember in years. Funny how things change as you get older. Gone were the days when I anxiously waited for Christmas for the presents I'd be getting. Now I was more than content to enjoy the gift of a loving family and good friends.

When I got home Mom and Katrina were busy making batches of Christmas cookies in the kitchen and Dad was in the garage. Both things made me smile. I loved that Katrina and Mom were laughing and joking around. And I was smiling because if Dad was in the garage it could only mean that we were going out in the Ghetto Cruiser that night. The Ghetto Cruiser was my father's pride and joy, a 1972 Cadillac Sedan De Ville he had spent two years lovingly restoring. The Caddy was huge. "Biggest production car ever built," Dad boasted. It was a minty green color with a dark green vinyl top and matching leather upholstery. Riding in the Caddy was like sitting on the couch in the living room. The Cruiser was the epitome of everything Detroit did wrong in the early seventies. It was too big, rode too soft, handed badly and guzzled gas like a 747. Still, sitting in the big comfortable interior was a dream.

We pulled carefully out onto the street in the humongous Caddy at about seven in the evening. Katrina and I were in the back seat and Mom was pasted against Dad in the front.

"Ah Geez, can you two tone it down up there? I'm still impressionable you know," I complained.

Mom turned her head and looked at me over the seat.

"Did you say something Johnny? I'm sorry but your dad and I were discussing how good that back seat would be to make you a baby brother."

I covered my ears in mock horror as even Dad started laughing.

"This won't seem so funny when you are paying a hundred dollars an hour for me to see a shrink," I groused.

We delivered cookies and visited friends all over town for the next two hours, and then we went to Mr. Poon's Chinese restaurant for a late supper. From Poon's we went straight to Mass. We arrived early to get seats. The Christmas Eve service was always heavily attended. When Father Donavan got to the part of the Mass where he said... and my peace I give you... I knew for a fact that he was talking to me. As we passed the sign of peace with those around us I hugged Mom and Dad and Katrina and told them all I loved them. Heck if you got right down to it, I loved everyone right then. My life that was in wind blown shambles a few months before, was the next thing to perfect now.

When we returned home we sat by the tree and opened gifts. I receive a new tonneau cover for my truck from Dad and a crap load of sharp new clothes from Mom. Katrina gave me a gold chain with a medallion on it. The medallion was in the shape of the shield on Superman's cape but instead of an 'S' in the middle it had a 'P'. Clever, heh?

Mom loved her portrait and hugged it to her chest misty-eyed; Dad was about the same way with his fishing rod when I told him it was one of three. Katrina loved her briefcase and started to open it. I shook my head no, and mouthed 'later' to her. She looked curious but set it aside. Katrina and I got big fat checks from Gus and Syl plus a grand each from Papa and Nana. It was after midnight when Katrina and I headed for my grandparents' house. We each drove our own vehicles as we were headed in different directions the next day.

I took care of Jethro as soon as I got there then went to the bedroom to see what Katrina was up to. I found her on the bed trying numbers on the combination locks that secured the latches on her briefcase. She looked up at me as I wandered through the door.

"Give me the combo Baby brother, I'm dying to see what's in here."

I laughed at her eagerness and gave her the digits. She spun them up, opened the case and stared at the contents.

"You can't be serious," she said holding up the wispy black teddy.

"Well I wasn't at first but you're the one who said 'if you buy it, I'll wear it'. Besides there are panties for it in there too."

She fished into the briefcase's top flap and pulled out the skimpy matching black thong.

"I have never worn anything like this in my life, but a deal is a deal," she said.

I was speechless when she walked into the bathroom with the little outfit. I had meant the whole thing as a practical joke, never dreaming she'd actually wear it for me. She stayed in the bathroom a long time so I figured she had chickened out. Oh well, it was a good goof anyway. I was reading under the covers when I heard her clear her throat. I looked up and almost had an aneurysm. She was leaning seductively against the doorframe one knee coyly raised hiding her center. Her hair was brushed out and shone like spun gold; her lips were a deep red color.

"I fixed my hair and had to do a little touch up on my bikini area. What do you think?"

"I think you are too pretty to describe," I answered truthfully.

She glided sensuously over to the bed but didn't get under the covers. Instead she tossed my book away and propped herself on top of me.

"I know what Rachael and those other women see in you now, Johnny. A week ago I was depressed and ready to chuck it all, now, thanks to you, I feel ten feet tall and bullet proof. I also see why Rachael ran away, because it's real easy to fall in love with you. Now close your eyes and pucker up."

I did as she asked and she planted a kiss on me that seared itself into my memory banks. When the kiss ended, a minute or an hour later, she climbed under the covers and reached across me to turn out the bedside lamp. That night she lay on her side away from me and pulled me up against her back, spoon fashion. I draped my arm across her and she held my hand. I was proud and happy that my Trina felt safe and comfortable in my arms.

I woke up Christmas morning with something tickling my nose. When I gained a measure of alertness I discovered it was Katrina's hair. We must have moved sometime during the night because this morning I was on my back and she was lying almost completely on top of me. I tenderly brushed her hair off my face and gently stroked her head. She made a little whimper in her sleep and burrowed closer against me. I stayed in bed holding her for another ten minutes before nature started calling too loudly to ignore.

When I returned from the bathroom she was just waking up. She sat up and stretched, giving me an eyeful of her impossibly perky breasts pushing against the teddy. She grinned when she saw where I was looking and struck a sexy pose.

"Don't move," I said as I dug my digital camera out of my backpack.

When I turned back around, camera in hand, she squeaked.

"Let me fix my hair at least," she said.

I snapped a picture as she had both hands up pushing her hair into place. She hammed it up for me as I snapped away. Katrina could really look sultry when she wanted to. I loved this new playful teasing side of my sister. For years I had been in awe of her because she was so focused and accomplished; now she seemed so much more human. I'd like to think that it was a good thing for her too, knowing she could be relaxed and carefree or even a little naughty around me. I think the last picture I took of her was perfect. She was standing in the bathroom doorway facing away from me; her arms were above her head and her limbs spread-eagled. She was looking back over her shoulder at me with a smoldering expression.

After her potty break Katrina went through the pictures. She deleted a few where her eyes were closed or she thought she looked stupid. Her semi nudity didn't embarrass her one bit. She liked the picture in the doorway also.

"Wow, I look sexy in that one, my ass doesn't look big or anything."

I had to laugh, "Your ass is perfect, I could stare at it all day."

She chuckled too, "Well you are in luck, Baby Brother, because you are the only man I even remotely want looking at it right now."

Yeah, I had to agree, I was a lucky dog.

We showered, dressed and ate some breakfast. Katrina helped me load the television for Kayla and Emma onto my truck and I snagged Papa's furniture dolly out of his shop. I grabbed my backpack and made sure the other gifts I was delivering were in it then headed out. Katrina gave me a little kiss and headed over to Roxie's house.

My first stop was the Pullmans' house; I had some earrings for Amanda and the photo gift certificate for Jane. My buddy, Al the Surfer Dude, was manning the gate so I braked to a stop.

"Merry Christmas Al, it sucks you have to work today."

"Felicitations Dude. No, it's cool working today, everyone through the gate gives me something. I've already collected sixty dollars and a couple of joints."

I laughed and handed him a pint of Jack Daniels, "That's good then; here, add this to your loot."

Al made the bottle disappear. "Oh Wow, Man! Black Jack. When I get off I'll spark up a Spliff and have a shot in your honor."

I laughed again, "Okay Al, enjoy."

Jane and Amanda were watching 'A Christmas Story' on the tube. I sat through the funny part when Darren McGavin was cursing the dogs that ate the turkey. Amanda got me a cup of eggnog and we all toasted the season. Amanda had me put on her necklace and cross; I'd guessed right; the cross ended up nestled between her large breasts. She said she loved it. Jane opened the envelope I gave her and smiled when she saw the colorful brochure. Amanda scoped out the brochure and prodded her mom.

"Gee Mom, now you'll have some pictures to give to Ralphie Baby."

"Amanda Louise! His name is Ralph, or better yet Mr. Dabney, to you. And we've had exactly two dates, so I doubt if he'll get any pictures like these from me."

"Yet." chided Amanda.

"Yet; maybe," grinned Jane.

"Yeah, Louise, a little respect for your elders," I chimed in.

They gave me this big box wrapped in fancy gift metallic paper. I tore off the paper and had to borrow a knife to cut through all the tape sealing the lid. Inside the box, under a sea of tissue paper was a brick with a tiny plastic trophy and an envelope taped to it. The trophy said 'World's Greatest Lover'. The envelope had half a dozen gift certificates for Jiffy Lube. I held up the trophy.

"I'm going to Velcro this to the dash of my truck."

I dropped off a Play Station II and three games to the Hernandez family, a gift for the kids from my parents and grandparents. I took Caroline outside and gave her a necklace and crucifix just like Amanda's. Mr. Hernandez gave me a computer chip for my truck that he said would give me forty more horsepower. He promised to install it at lunch one day next week. Caroline gave me a card she said not to open until later.

My last stop was at Kayla and Emma's apartment. I wrestled the television off my truck and rolled it to their door on the dolly. Kayla protested the gift vehemently but I just told her it was for Emma. Emma was happy to see me. She raced to the tree and brought me a package she had obviously wrapped herself. I carefully unwrapped it and oh-ed and ah-ed the red F150 model kit. I told her I wouldn't put it together until she was there to help me. Emma then proceeded to show me all that Santa had brought her. She was maxed out on Barbies and Barbie accessories. I unboxed the TV and set it up. While Emma was watching a 'Charlie Brown Christmas',  Kayla motioned me into the kitchen. I sat down in front of the cup of coffee she poured for me. Kayla was already sitting at the table, her fingers idly playing with the locket from Emma.

"This has been the best Christmas ever, and I'm pretty sure it is all because of you. It seems a strange coincidence that, the day after I tell you how desperate I was, all my problems are suddenly solved. I appreciate you doing all you did Johnny but the television is too much. And this locket! I don't think I'll ever take it off but I know you bought it too. My affection is not for sale, Johnny, guys lots richer than you have tried it and failed."

I regarded her for a moment willing myself not to get angry and to see her point of view. It wasn't hard to see where she was coming from; I'll bet that at work wealthy men propositioned her all the time.

"The money I spent on you was because I wanted your Christmas to be nice. You just said it was, so my money was well spent. I'm not trying to buy your affection; I couldn't afford to even try. I'm your friend Kayla, and Emma's too, and that's all. Now I've gotta go, but I'll see you Wednesday to take Emma to the zoo."

I don't know if I convinced Kayla of anything, but it didn't worry me what she thought anyway. I knew what the truth was and I was comfortable with my actions.

As I drove home I put Kayla and her suspicions out of my mind and thought about the card Caroline had given me. It was a Christmas card with no printing on the inside. Instead, written in gold calligraphy it said, 'good for a double trip around the world, bareback. Redeemable December 26th, Love C & A'.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 15


It was five in the afternoon when I pulled into our driveway. I had detoured by my grandparents' to look in on Jethro before going home. The doofus was happy to see me and blithely ignored me scolding him about digging up the yard. When left alone, Jethro found ways to amuse himself, usually by swiping anything not nailed down and burying it in the yard. I had to get the shovel, check that he hadn't buried anything vital and cover up the holes.

My sister pulled into the drive right behind me. She called me over and handed me a grocery bag from the 24/7 Winn-Dixie.

"We are cooking dinner for Mom and Dad tonight. We are going to make it romantic for them, and then disappear."

I was all for her plan, as much as I groused about it, I still liked seeing Mom and Dad all loving and frisky again. The only fallacy I saw to the plan was Katrina cooking. For all her accomplishments, Katrina was less than adroit in the kitchen. She used to make up all these weird recipes when she was younger; some of her concoctions would gag a maggot. She has always loved vegetables, so the nasty tasting green crap found it's way into everything. She once made Hamburger Helper by substituting broccoli for the hamburger. I told my parents if she committed another atrocity like that, I'd move in with Nana and Papa.

I should have known my sister, as usual, had a plan. She started pulling food from the bag when we were in the kitchen, cooked food from the Winn-Dixie deli. She smiled at me when I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Don't say it Bro, don't even think it."

Katrina had bought precooked Cornish game hens and all the fixings. She even bought premade salads. She carefully took everything out of its carton or box and put on serving dishes. She stuck the dishes in the oven and set the temp to low. We set the table while everything was warming up. Katrina even broke out candles and the wine bucket. She produced a bottle of chilled Chardonnay out of one of the bags and put it in the bucket. She also pulled a huge liter and a half bottle of Riunite part way out of the same bag. I gave her a questioning look.

"Roxie has a fake ID, this is for us later," she whispered conspiratorially.

With the table set we went back to the kitchen and sat in the nook, talking about trivial things while the food heated. Katrina said she was actually looking forward to going back to the academy now. She thought that once soccer practice started things would get even better. She told me that she would be home in a couple of months for spring break; if it was impossible for her to get away she made me promise to go out to Colorado instead.

At five-thirty or so we put the food on the table, opened the wine and lit the candles. When we went into the family room to get our parents, they looked almost too peaceful to disturb. Mom was sitting on the end of the couch reading some report; Dad was stretched out napping with his head in her lap. Mom was idly playing with his hair as she read. The folks were very pleased with Katrina's surprise; they gave us big hugs as we made our exit. I had to smile as I saw Dad's ears turn red at Katrina's parting comment.

"After you finish supper maybe you can christen the backseat of the Ghetto Cruiser," she teased.

I followed Katrina to our grandparents' house and again carried in a couple of grocery bags. Katrina put the Riunite in the freezer then pulled a huge t-bone steak and a package of chicken breasts out of the bag.

"I killed them and dragged them home, so you get to cook them," she said.

I nodded manfully; it would be my first solo attempt at charring flesh on Papa's gas grill. I did all the things I remembered Papa doing to the meat before I went outside. Katrina handed me this giant dog bone for Jethro before I went through the door. I fired up Papa's big Jen-Air grill and as it was heating up, I pulled the shrink-wrap off Jethro's treat. The bone had to have been half the thighbone of a very large cow. The bone was a mouthful, even for Jethro. When the grill was hot enough, I flung the steak and chicken breasts on it and wandered back into the house.

Katrina was standing at the counter making salads when I came in. She looked over her shoulder and shot me a smile when I wigwagged my eyebrows like Groucho Marx. She knew she was the cause of my reaction because she had shed her jeans and was wearing a super short miniskirt and her two-inch dress uniform heels. She wasn't wearing stockings but her bare legs looked damned good anyway. When she turned her head back around I stepped behind her and kissed the side of her slender neck. In the heels we were exactly the same height.

"Damn Trina, you have the longest, shapeliest legs I've ever seen."

"Thanks Bro, I borrowed the skirt from Roxie, it is short on her but on me it's scandalous. I figured you'd like it though."

What was not to like? She gave a little shiver when I kissed her neck again and said, "Thank you." I could have stayed there ogling her all evening but my stomach reminded me about the big slab of dead cow with my name on it, searing on the grill. Twenty minutes later we were sitting cozily in the nook chowing down.

"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Katrina asked.

"Uh, well, I have guests coming over," I said.

"Guests as in more than one girl?"

I nodded affirmatively. "Caroline and Amanda."

She repeated herself, "Two girls?"

I nodded again hoping she'd let the matter drop. She didn't; she badgered me until I gave her a heavily edited version of the two girls and me.

I dropped my fork when Katrina nodded and said, "Been there, done that."

"Really?" I squeaked.

"Yes, really," she chuckled, "it's not that uncommon nowadays. It has been a while since I have been with a woman, I'm definitely male oriented, but every so often I meet a woman that I'm attracted to. Being in the academy I don't act on any of them, though, because of Borkowski starting the lesbian rumor. That little Caroline is full of surprises, isn't she? She is as big a horndog as you are."

"She's not the only one full of surprises," I said.

After dinner we retired to the family room. Katrina broke open the Riunite and poured us a water glass full on ice. It was the first time I'd ever had the stuff and I had to admit it was pretty good. It tasted like slightly tart Seven-Up. Katrina and I (after the second glass, mostly Katrina) swilled the wine and talked about relationships. I told her about my difficulties with Shelia Cavanaugh. She shared with me the dilemma she had finding a guy she could relate to, feel comfortable with and still be sexually attracted to. She sat down her glass next to the almost empty bottle and turned more toward me.

"So far, Baby Brother, you are the only one who has met all three requirements. Isn't that a hoot?"

I figured it was the wine talking and disregarded most of what she said.

"What about Buck Gomez, he seems your type."

Katrina glanced at me sharply. "Buck comes close but he is like Mom, way too involved in his work. We decided that it was too risky trying to carry on something while I was a cadet. If we were found out it would end his career and I'd be out on my ass. He was only the second closest to you, though, the first was Richie Caldwell."

My ears perked up at that, but she didn't divulge any more information. I guess the wine has loosened my tongue as well.

"Must be genetic because I'm about half way in love with his mom."

Now it was Katrina's ears perking up. "Ms Drake, the lady on television?"

I nodded but didn't go in detail. "Of course I'm half way in love with Rachael, too. And probably more than half way in love with you.'

We went to bed about midnight; I had to help Katrina, as she was a little wobbly. My sister was pretty funny when she had had a few. She kept giggling about everything. I stripped down to my shorts as she fumbled with her clothes. Finally she gave up and flopped on the bed.

'You take them off, Johnny, ' she slurred, "they wont cooperate with me."

I managed to get her unclothed down to her thong and under the covers. She snuggled up to me, kissed me on the cheek, and was out like a light.

I thought Katrina would be hung over the next morning. Instead, she got up all motivated and went for a run. I was sitting in the kitchen with coffee and the newspaper when she came back. She gave me a sweaty little kiss on the cheek and did a few stretches. When she bent at the waist and wrapped her arms around her knees I was highly impressed. She was as limber as a contortionist. I commented on it.

"I've always been limber and the martial arts training helps. Wanna see something I learned watching Ms Fitness America on ESPN?"

When I said sure, she dropped to the floor in a push up position then scissored her left leg up over her left shoulder. She did a couple of push-ups that way then swapped legs and did a few more. I thought it was about the coolest thing I'd seen in a while. Being a horny teenage guy, I immediately though of some interesting sexual applications for a talent like that. I applauded her performance and she curtsied cutely.

"Thank you, now I'm going to take a nice hot shower," she said.

"Need someone to wash your back?" I asked hopefully.

She laughed and swatted my arm as she headed out of the kitchen.

"I'll be out in about fifteen minutes. Mom and I are going to hit the after Christmas sales today. Ask me nice and I might buy some stockings."

I skipped Mass and puttered around cleaning the house as I waited for Amanda and Caroline. They arrived at one; by one-fifteen we were all naked on the bed. I was a horny boy after going without for four days and having Katrina around me so much. Thankfully, Caroline and Amanda were in about the same state. Caroline, as usual, was orchestrating the festivities. Before you know it I was in Amanda for the first time without a rubber as she crouched above Caroline in a torrid sixty-nine. The feeling was so indescribably good that I didn't last long but Amanda was right with me, moaning her own climax as I gushed into her.

As soon as I pulled out of Amanda, Caroline rolled the bigger girl onto her back. "Watch this," Caroline said. I was bug-eyed as Caroline bunched up her fingers and started working them into Amanda sperm slippery snatch. When her fingers were in to the third knuckle, Caroline folded her thumb inside her fingers and rotated her slim hand until it sunk into Amanda. I was worried it might be hurting Amanda but she was actually humping up, moaning for more. Caroline used her other hand on Amanda's clit. The dual stimulation soon had Amanda screaming like a banshee and flopping all over the bed.

So okay, the sex was great and, yes, Amanda and I went around the world. For two hours we fucked and sucked and had wild monkey sex. Of special interest to me was the way Caroline completely dominated Amanda. It was as if Amanda had no will of her own when it came to dealing with Caroline and sex. I wasn't too sure how I felt about that. Sure, I knew it was Caroline's nature to be the aggressor when it came to sex. But the way she ordered Amanda around and the way Amanda slavishly complied was disconcerting. Amanda spent almost the entire afternoon with her face between Caroline's legs. I was going to have a private talk with each of them soon.

I was bushed when the girls left so I took a shower and a short power nap. I woke up at five and called Dee. I hadn't bothered her on Christmas day with her family, so I still had her gift certificate for the photographer out in my truck. It turned out that she was shopping at the mall also and had just run into my Mom and Katrina. We agreed to meet up Tuesday afternoon and exchange gifts. We couldn't get together tomorrow, Monday, because Katrina was flying out at noon. The thought of my sister leaving made me sad. It was fantastic having her around and I was going to miss the hell out of her.

At six that evening I went back to our house and we had a nice family dinner. The four of us joked and reminisced. Mom and Dad were a little subdued because Mom was flying out tomorrow too. Yet we were all happy because, as a family, we were even closer than before. Katrina and I hung out until ten, I kept Katrina company while she packed then we left to give our parents some privacy for their last night together.

We were both quiet as we prepared for bed. Katrina stripped while I was facing away removing my own clothes. When I slipped between the sheets she was already there. I lay on my back propped up against the headboard and she molded herself against my side.

"You changed the sheets," she said.

"Yeah, once a week whether they need it or not," I answered blithely.

"I see. So it didn't have anything to do with you rolling around in them with two other girls, huh?"

"Not a thing."

"Well, they feel and smell nice, thanks."

"Not a problem."

The conversation lagged at that point, even though we were both wide awake. I was thinking about how natural she felt in my arms and how lonely it would be not waking up next to her. Katrina must have been thinking something similar because she sighed and sniffed.

"Turn off the light and snuggle with me Johnny."

I flipped off the bedside lamp and burrowed under the covers. Katrina turned on her side facing me and tugged me until I was nose to nose with her. She bracketed my face with her hands and kissed me tenderly on my lips.

"I'm going to miss you Johnny. I feel closer to you than I have ever felt with anyone in my life."

I told her I felt almost exactly the same way. She smiled at that and kissed me gently again. We decided that we would stay in close touch from now on, more phone calls, more e-mails. We ended up sleeping as if we were intertwined snakes. She wrapped her long lean body around me and held me tight.

"This has got to last me until I see you again," she explained.

One thing about growing up, you learn stuff every day. In one short week I learned that my sister was not the invincible super woman I'd always thought. Neither was she some aloof, preoccupied brainiac ala our Mother. I didn't mind she had a vulnerable side, I was just glad I could be there for her.

The next morning we all said our goodbyes at our house at ten in the morning. Dad was driving Mom down to Patrick Air Force Base to catch the daily flight to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. I was taking Katrina to catch her one o'clock fight from Orlando. She had to change planes in Dallas but would still be in Colorado Springs before dark. I walked Katrina all the way to the security checkpoint. I was the envy of a lot of men as she clung to me there in the concourse. She kissed me fiercely and repeatedly and even cried a little. It must have been allergens in the air or something because my eyes were watery too. I'll spare you the details of how miserable my night was; but I will share with you that Katrina called me at midnight saying she couldn't sleep either.

It was a lonely feeling waking up in bed by myself Tuesday morning. I shook off feeling sorry for myself, though, and concentrated on straightening up the house and taking care of Jethro. Dee pulled up at ten in a car I'd never seem before. She was wearing her black wig, a long trench coat and big wrap-around sunglasses. Seeing her in disguise, it dawned on me that my grandparents' nosy neighbors must be salivating in anticipation of telling Nana and Papa about all the women I'd had here. Dee rang the doorbell and I let her in. She gave me a hug and kiss.

"Sorry about all the intrigue, but half the Republican party lives in this neighborhood. I figure I better be safe than sorry. How're your leg and arm?"

I showed her the almost completely healed wounds and told her my only complaint was that my calf itched a lot. I think the itching was from the Dermabond adhesive the doctor use to close the skin on my calf and arm. He said it would start releasing itself after seven or eight days. I hoped the itch wasn't from my body absorbing the dissolving sutures they used to close the wound under the skin layer because that was supposed to take up to six weeks.

Dee was wearing the outfit she had worn to work under the trench coat. She had on this burgundy colored, soft knit dress that covered her up, but subtly hugged her curvaceously compact body. We sat together on the couch catching up on each other's lives. I told her how great it had been having Katrina and Mom home and how sad I felt about them leaving. She was happy for me because my family seemed to have mysteriously reconnected. Things hadn't been so good for her. She said her husband, Jack, was still trying to reconcile. He was doing everything he could think of. The problem Dee had was that all the years of affairs, and the lies he'd told, had killed any feelings she had for him.

She blushingly admitted to having sex with him after she made him go get a blood test. She said she had even tried to enjoy it and with the aid of her fingers had a small orgasm. The problem was that without any feeling for him it was pretty much as if she was just masturbating with his dick. There were scores of reasons for them to stay together, she said, but love was not one of them. I listened to her without comment; I didn't really know what to say. To my way of thinking, she would be best served by getting rid of him, but who was I to tell her that? Nothing was cut and dried for her; everything had to be balanced by how it would affect her children, her career, and her political aspirations. I was sure in no hurry to grow up and have to make those kinds choices myself.

"The difference between my life now and a year ago is that you've made me stronger and more assured of myself, Johnny. I can accept what's happening and know it's not because of something I failed to do. I can live with the way we are now and even find some happiness in it because of the strength you've given me. Sometimes I'm really glad that you are so young, because if you were even ten years older, I'd chuck everything and run off with you in a heartbeat."

All I could think of in answer to her declaration was to kiss her. She came into my arms hungrily, her passion evident. It was a chore getting her out of her work clothes. She had a giggling fit while I was wrestling with her pantyhose. When I groused about them she said wore them under the dress so there wouldn't be any panty lines. She mollified me somewhat when she told me she was too anxious to see me to go home and change. Dee-Dee wanted a lot of love that day, it took my very best effort until she was finally sated. After a final climax she weakly pushed my head out of her muff. I crawled up the bed and held her as her breathing returned to normal. I covered us up and she fell asleep immediately.

I was wide awake however, my mind full of questions, and a good measure of self-doubt. What kept nagging my conscience was Dee's marriage. If Mr. Caldwell was doing the right things to keep his marriage together, how was I helping by sleeping with his wife? Yeah, yeah, I heard what Dee-Dee said about their love being dead, but if I was out of the picture maybe it could be resuscitated. Then again if their love was truly DOA, I would be denying Dee the only outlet for her feelings if I bowed out of her life. Overarching all of that was the fact that I was more than a little in love with her.

Admitting that opened a different door for my thoughts to go skittering through. Was it possible to love more than one woman at a time, or was I mistaking something else for love? Sure, I had feelings for all the women in my life, but for Dee, Rachael and Katrina I felt something stronger. Something that went beyond the bond we shared, something more emotional. Aw Geez, I was starting to get a headache from every question leading to two more. I took a couple of deep breaths and scooted my butt tighter against Dee. She sighed in her sleep and kissed my back. I decided that I wasn't going to figure any of that stuff out anytime soon and promptly fell asleep.

I woke up when Dee tried to slip out of bed. I tightened my hold on her so she couldn't move.

"You are not going anywhere," I growled.

"I'd love to stay right here, Baby, but I have to go potty."

"Really? So if instead of letting you up, I did this..."

I rolled her over and blew a raspberry on her stomach then started tickling her. She shrieked and tried to squirm away.

"Let me up or I'll pee the bed," she giggled breathlessly.

I relented and let her up. Still giggling, she dashed to the bathroom. I heard the seat go down and a loud sigh before the funny spishing noise women make started.

"I'm going to get you for that, Johnny Pulaski," she yelled.

We took a fast shower and got dressed. When we were dressed we went back to the family room and exchanged gifts. Dee loved the idea of getting boudoir photos taken. She said she'd get some sexy ones for me and some glamour shots for herself. She gave me a stainless steel and gold Seiko divers watch, it was very nice and I could tell, very expensive. I protested her spending so much money but she brushed it off.

"Johnny that thing isn't worth a tenth of what our time means to me. Just think of me when you wear it, Okay?"

Dee had to leave at three, her Hummer was at the dealership being serviced; the car she drove up in was a loaner. She didn't want to go, and I didn't want her too. We hugged and kissed at the door for a long time, unsure of when we'd get to see each other again.

After Dee left I had just enough time to get Jethro to the vets to get his stitches removed. Jethro was definitely a Pulaski; he healed up as quickly as I did. I was happy that the vet didn't shave him again to remove the stitches. The Doofus's hair was growing back on his ear, leg and neck; he looked almost good as new. Maybe Papa would only half murder me now.

I drove from the vet's office straight to my house to have dinner with my Dad. We called out for pizza and watched some fishing shows on the outdoor channel. I couldn't help but tell Dad how much happier I was that Mom and he seemed to be getting along so well. He said he felt the same way, not only about Mom and him, but also about Katrina and me. Dad hit the rack around ten because tomorrow was a workday. I snagged my laptop and Jethro then went to my grandparents'.

I hooked up my computer to Papa's house phone and checked my e-mails. I surfed the net for a while but nothing really caught my interest. At eleven I sent Katrina a text message through the Cingular web site. I asked her to call me when she got a chance. All our family's cell phones were on some sort of family plan so Katrina and I could talk all we wanted with each other for free. She surprised me by calling me back immediately. She told me about her adventures skiing. It took her only half a day of instruction on the bunny and beginners slopes before she was challenging the intermediate runs. She said she was having a good time but that she really missed me. I told her likewise. Before she hung up she whispered she missed me in bed most especially.

I was at Kayla's door the next morning at nine. It was a typical Florida early winter day. The temperature was hovering in the low sixties with a forecast high of seventy-five. In short, it was gorgeous. If you questioned me about it, I would have had to admit that I was excited about taking Emma to the zoo. Mother and daughter were both ready when I rang the doorbell, so we got off in good shape. I threw the backpack Kayla was carrying into the back of my truck and hooked Emma's booster seat in the center of my seat. It took us about forty-five minutes to get to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford. Emma was as excited about the zoo as I had hoped she would be. She told me every animal she knew and asked if there were any of them at the zoo.

The zoo was also everything I had expected. Emma walked between Kayla and me holding our hands, her brown eyes the size of saucers. Emma was amazed by everything but she was enthralled by the butterfly garden. We spent a good twenty minutes in the big greenhouse as clouds of brightly colored butterflies fluttered around us. I managed to snap the best photo I ever took just as a big yellow butterfly landed on Emma's outstretched finger. The look of wonder on her face still gives me goosebumps. We ate lunch at a picnic table away from the raucous birthday parties. We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Emma proudly said she helped make.

I was polishing off my second PB&J when my cell phone rang. It was Rachael telling me she just landed in Orlando and asking me to meet her at her house.

"I can't right now, I'm on a date at the zoo."

"Oh, so I have competition," she said lightly.

"Serious competition for sure. My date is the prettiest, sweetest girl I've ever been out with."

"Oh," Rachael said, not so breezily this time.

"Yep, too bad she's only four or I'd run off with her."

Rachael laughed and told me to bring my date by her house so she could see what she was up against. I asked her to meet us at Pizza Hut at six instead. Kayla pretended not to be eavesdropping but I knew she was dying of curiosity. I flipped my phone closed and turned towards her.

"Girlfriend?" Kayla asked.

"A girl I date occasionally. I hope I wasn't presuming too much by asking her to meet us, but I figured a big messy pizza would top off Emma's day perfectly."

Our next stop was the domestic animal feeding area, better known as the petting zoo. I bought a couple of bags of sliced carrots that Emma had a ball feeding to the goats and sheep. We were all alone at the petting zoo so the attendant brought out a big flop eared bunny for Emma to hold. There wasn't a parent in the place who came close to the number of pictures I took that day. Emma wasn't crazy about the herpetarium because of the snakes but she laughed like crazy at the monkey's antics in the primate center. We made one last stop at the petting zoo, this time Emma got to hold a small yellow chick. Emma held it tenderly to her chest and giggled when it peeped to her.

We left the zoo when it closed at five. Emma was asleep leaning against me before we were out of the parking lot. We made it to Pizza Hut at ten till six. Thankfully Emma was still in a happy mood when Kayla woke her up. We found an empty booth and had just gotten Emma situated with some crayons and a coloring menu when Rachael walked in. I was sitting opposite Kayla and Emma in the booth, my back to the door. Kayla spotted her when she came in looking around for me.

"Is that your girl at the door?"

I craned my neck around and waved. Rachael smiled hugely and walked over. She looked very good in a pair of black butt-huggers tucked into tan high-heeled boots. Her ash blonde hair hung down just past her shoulders and had a soft wave to it; it contrasted nicely with her red sweater. I stood up and we shared a small kiss before I introduced her to Emma and Kayla. Kayla and Rachael hit it off right away. In only minutes they were exchanging life stories. I tuned them out as Emma and I doodled on the menu. We ordered when the waitress came around; Kayla and Rachael both went yuck when I ordered my usual meat lovers pizza with Jalapenos.

Rachael sat close to me while we ate and held my hand a lot but she didn't act all possessive. I paid the check and we were out of there by seven. I walked Rachael to her car as Kayla led Emma to my truck. I asked Rachael if she would spend the night with me at my grandparents' house. She gave me an eager nod and a serious kiss for an answer. I walked back to my truck feeling even better than I had, if that were humanly possible. As soon as I drove out of the lot, Emma started nodding off and Kayla started talking softly.

"She's beautiful, Johnny, no wonder you aren't hitting on me. And she is crazy about you."

"I haven't hit on you because I am a gentleman. And for what it's worth, I think you are beautiful too. I like it that you two got along. I think you and Rachael could both use a good friend. That's in addition to me, not in place of me, I hope."

She chuckled. "I don't think Emma would let me not be your friend, you are her knight in shining armor. Besides, I kind of like having a guy around that isn't trying to get me in bed all the time."

"Yet," I amended.

She smacked me on the arm and called me an asshole. I was glad that she felt we were friends enough to do that. I carried Emma and her booster seat into the house. I guess the fifteen-minute nap had revived her because she jumped up on the couch with Huggie Bear and grabbed the television remote. She did tear her eyes off Jimmy Neutron long enough to give me a hug and goodbye kiss. Kayla walked me to the door and did the same.

"Thank you, Johnny, for making the day so special for Emma. I know it's all she's going to talk about for a week at least."

I told her with absolute sincerity that the pleasure had been mostly mine. I also told her that if she stumbled across something else Emma would enjoy, I would love to tag along.

I arrived at Papa and Nana's about seven-thirty and took care of Jethro. I debated leaving him outside because I was having company, but what the hell it was his house. Rachael arrived at eight carrying a medium sized overnight bag. I greeted her at the door and took the bag. I showed her the bedroom and bathroom, dropped her bag on the bed and went back to the family room. Jethro seemed smitten with Rachael; he was on his best behavior and followed her around like a puppy. He was even circumspect about sniffing her; it was most unusual behavior for him.

Rachael put her things away in the bathroom and joined me on the couch. I had the radio playing low as we snuggled up and told each other about our vacations so far. Kayla had told Rachael a little about the park incident and I filled in the blanks. Rachael was appalled at the extent of my injuries, insisting on looking at my calf and forearm. I truthfully told her that I was mostly healed and Emma was worth every stitch.

She told me about her Christmas in Rhode Island and about the goings on among the rich and infamous in Newport. Her grandparents had arranged for her to meet a slew of eligible young bachelors. She even went out with two of the men but they both were conceited and full of themselves. She said they had acted as if she was supposed to drop and spread her legs just because they were Vanderbilts or Rockefellers. Despite all that, she had a nice visit because her grandparents were sweethearts. She said she told them about me in general terms omitting that I was eight years younger than her. She laughed when she related that they were the most impressed because I was the nephew of Viktor Pulaski, the Count of Kaminski. It seems that Uncle Vic's wife Alexandra was the niece of Rachael's grandfather's business partner. Being related to royalty had elevated my stock considerably.

We moved from talking to making out on the couch. Rachael excused herself after a few minutes of tongue wrestling.

"I'm going to slip into something more comfortable," she said. "Come find me in ten minutes or so."

Man, that was a line out of my best stroke fantasy when I was thirteen! I waited exactly ten minutes and two seconds before heading to the bedroom. When I saw her lying on the bed, I begrudged myself those two seconds. My eyes almost popped out of my head at the sight of her posed so artfully. She was wearing a deep red opaque floor length negligee and her golden hair was spread on top of the pillow she reclined against like a halo. One knee was drawn up so that the silky crimson material draped across her thighs. Her hands were at her sides, palms down on the mattress and eyes were smoldering blue diamonds.

My hands shook as I shed my clothes down to my underwear. I crawled into the bed with her and spent the next hour trying to show her how beautiful and sexy she was. I know I'm tooting my own horn, but I think my lovemaking was inspired that night. I think that Rachael might even agree with me, especially since she came so hard once that she actually fainted for almost a minute. I never have figured out what made sex with Rachael so special. She certainly wasn't the best I ever had, or the most responsive or even the tightest. Maybe it was that I loved her and that she was my first; or maybe it was her vulnerability that made me try so hard to please her.

As if the lovemaking thing was enough for me to think about, I was also puzzled by how body shy she was. Oh she let me get her naked and feast my eyes on her when we were in the throes of passion but afterward she was right back in her negligee. For a woman who spent so much effort on having the best body I'd ever seen, she sure spent a lot of time hiding it. Rachael also wasn't a snuggler like Katrina or Dee-Dee but we did fall asleep holding hands.

When I woke up the next morning, Rachael was leaning against the headboard looking at me, her arms wrapped around her knees.

"Good morning," I said.

Her return greeting was nowhere near what I expected to hear. She looked at me solemnly for a few seconds before speaking.

"Johnny, last night was the most wonderful night I can remember having. You were so loving and romantic. No matter how I try to make it about something else, all I can think about with you is love. You are addicting, and I'm afraid that if I spend too much time with you I'll be hooked."

"Is that such a bad thing?" I asked.

"Right now, yes it is. I've explained this to you before, Honey, neither one of us are at a place in our lives where falling totally in love would work. If I allowed myself to fall for you I'd want you totally to myself and screw everyone and everything else."

"So what now, you dump me again?"

"No, I told you I needed you in my life, but right now it has to be in small doses. Can you understand that?"

I lay there and thought about it for a few minutes and strangely enough, I did understand. Rachael, for all her self-improvement, was still a troubled and fragile person. It might take years for her to overcome all that had happened to her at the hands of Jesse Wentworth, her asshole ex-husband. I also saw what my grandfather had been telling me when I was broken up when she trashed me a year ago. I decided that I would accept her terms and be happy with the time we spent together in the hopes that things would get better as time passed. I was going to have to learn that trick she had of turning her feelings on and off at will one day.

Rachael was pleased that I bought into her idea of rationing our time together. She said she understood that it was going to be tough for us both but I'd appreciate it in the long run. I had my doubts but gloomily accepted her reasoning. I didn't really want to add Rachael to my list of part time/some time lovers but what choice did I have?

Edited by Bert



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Chapter 16

I know you are wondering why I put up with all the drama that Rachael kept heaping on me. Well join the freakin' club, cause I didn't have a clue either. When she told me before Christmas break that she would be coming home early, I thought it was going to be to spend the rest of the holiday with me. So what happens? We spend one night together and she says she'll see me in a coupe of weeks and she splits for parts unknown. And the kicker was her reason, "Johnny it is just too good when we are together." Can you believe that shit? Hey, didn't I say the same thing about her last Christmas? Well at least this year I wasn't crying all over myself about her; this time she said she'd see me later.

My first instinct when she drove off was to call one of the other women in my life and fuck Rachael off my mind. I tabled that as a bad idea, though. It just wasn't my nature to use someone like that. So instead I drove down to Jiffy Lube and used one of my gift certificates for an oil change. That burnt up all of thirty minutes. Since the Jiffy Lube was right down from Mama's Diner, I stopped there for an early lunch. Mama's was mostly empty that day, so to my great pleasure, Tina sat down and gabbed with me.

"So Johnny, why the long face?" she asked.

I knew immediately that Tina was a perfect person to hear my tale of Rachael induced woe. Since I couldn't legally get into a bar, Tina was the closest thing to a bartender I knew.

"This girl I like told me she only wants to see me occasionally because she says she'll fall in love with me if she sees me more often. Then in the same breath, she says she needs me in her life. Oh yeah, and she wants me available for sex when the mood strikes her."

Tina grinned and shook her head as if in wonder. "And your complaint is what? Seems to me you have the opportunity to live every man's fantasy, a woman who wants to sleep with you for the sex only. What's the matter, are you holding out for a new bass boat?"

I chucked, you know that joke, right? It goes — This redneck guy gets a divorce so he takes out a personal ad in the paper: Wanted, new wife, must be a good cook, love sex, and own a bass boat. Send picture of boat.

Tina laughed too. "Seriously Johnny, you are only sixteen, what would you do if you two did fall in love? Let me tell you what happened to me. I fell in love at fifteen to a sweet talking guy two years older than me. Before I knew it, I was knocked up. So John Roy and I got married, we quit school and he got a job. He left me after two more babies, just left one day and never came back. I was a single mother with three kids at the age of twenty-one. Now I wouldn't trade my kids for anything in the world. My youngest is in college now and I'm about to be a grandmother by my oldest. Still, I missed out on a lot of life.

"To top it off, now I'm in a situation similar to yours. I love this man, but he has other obligations, so we don't get to spend much time together. So what I do is just enjoy every minute I get with him. Could be that would work for you, and who knows, maybe when you are older something will come of it. If not, you'll at least have had the pleasure of being with her some."

What Tina said made sense and sure gave me some insight into her life. I was as intrigued as hell about this man that she loved, but I kept my yap shut. I had a nice lunch that ended up being on the house and got a big hug from Tina. She wished me good luck and sent me back to Papa's feeling much better. My cell phone rang as I was driving. I flipped it open and said hello.

"Hello Johnny, this is Nina Murphy, remember me?"

"Yes ma'am, how could I forget anyone who kisses like you?"

"My brother-in-law wasn't exaggerating when he said you must have kissed the Blarney Stone," she said with a laugh.

"In Poland the stone like that is named the Pulaski Stone in honor of my family."

"I can well imagine. Johnny, if you don't have plans on New Years Eve, would you come to a party at my house?"

I didn't even have a hint of plans. "Gee, I don't know Nina, will I be your date?"

"You are much too glib to be only sixteen. No, I already have an escort, but I'm sure you'll meet someone there more your age."

"Hmmm, I smell a fix. That someone wouldn't be named Shelia, would it?"

She laughed again; she had an easy natural laugh. "Could be, although she didn't ask me to invite you. Actually the twin terrors talked me into it. I don't know if they are trying to help their sister or if they have designs on you themselves. So be warned. We'll start about eight, the dress is casual but not sloppy, okay?"

I told her it would be my pleasure to be there and asked for the address. She gave me her address and directions. I was pleased with the invitation if for no other reason than it got me out of the house. When you are sixteen there aren't a lot of venues for New Year's Eve parties. I didn't think Dad would have any strenuous objections to me going, either, simply because of whose party it was.

As soon as I hung up with Nina, my phone rang again. This time it was Stan Hoffman. The Hoffman's had been up in North Carolina visiting his grandparents and had just arrived back home. Jen Caldwell had already filled them in on the incident in the park so Stan was calling to make sure I was okay. Since I was only a few blocks from their house, I agreed to swing by for a few minutes. It was nice bull shitting around with Stan again. It was a pleasant change of pace from all the deep conversations I'd been having with women for the past week or so.

Stan was stoked about us both playing for the High School's baseball team this year. Try outs were going to be the week after we came back from break and practice would start the following week. The conference our school belonged to had approved a twenty-four game season for the upcoming year so we would play for twelve weeks instead of eight. The season would run from February through April with tournaments and playoffs scheduled for early May.

Michelle came into the game room while we were talking. She had been at the grocery store with her mom when I arrived. She was all over the thing at the park while Stan had hardly mentioned it. I even had to roll up my jeans and show her the fresh scars on my calf before she was satisfied I was okay.

"Saving that little girl was the kind of thing I expected from you, Johnny. That's why I feel so safe when I'm with you."

I shrugged off the compliment and motioned her to lean forward. When she did I whispered in her ear.

'I don't know how safe you should feel, looking as good as you do right now. I think if Stan wasn't here to protect you, I'd probably ravish you right here on the floor."

She shivered when I gave her ear a little lick to punctuate my comments. Then she whispered back.

"You can't rape the willing, Johnny."

I hung out at the Hoffmans' all evening, even cadging dinner off them. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman commented on my adventure in the park. Stan and Michelle had really cool parents. The adult Hoffmans set the rules, and as long as their kids abided by them, they stayed out of their business. Disobeying the rules, however, brought swift and severe punishment. Restriction for a Hoffman kid was the twenty-first century equivalent to that prison where Paul Newman was in the movie 'Cool Hand Luke'.

At eight we watched the Holiday Bowl on ESPN. Even though the Holiday Bowl wasn't a major bowl that would have an outcome on the Championship, it was a good game. The Red Raiders from Texas Tech beat up on some team from California. At half time Stan went up to his room to call his newest sweet thing leaving Michelle and me alone.

Michelle told me she wasn't dating anyone at the moment. She was all kinds of put out because the last guy she seriously dated, bragged about what good head she gave. As is the case with those things, his bragging got back to her in fewer than three days. Stan had a chat with the guy but the damage had been done. She didn't know whether any guy who asked her out was interested in her or just wanted a blowjob, so she was turning down everyone. I felt like kicking the guy's ass myself. Guy's like that poisoned the well for the rest of us. I liked Michelle a lot, she was one of the hottest girls in the school, and we had a history.

"So does the no dating thing include me?" I asked.

"Never," she replied.

"Then will you go out with me Saturday night, dinner and a movie or something?"

"Oh my God, yes!"

"Good, but I'm going to have to make sure it's alright with Stan, Okay?"

"Sure, Johnny," she gushed, "that won't be a problem at all."

Michelle went to secure permission from her parents; when he returned, I asked Stan if he minded if Michelle and I dated. He grinned and said he had been hinting for almost a year that I should take her out.

"Pulaski, I've known you most of my life, I trust you and so do my parents. Besides that, Shelly has had a crush on you forever. I know it's uncool to some people, but I care about my sister being happy. Just don't break her heart man."

I was touched by Stan's little speech, and I sure knew where he was coming from being concerned for his sister's happiness.

I stuck out my hand, "You have my word that I'll try real hard no to hurt her."

He shook my proffered hand then gave me another grin. "Alright, that's enough of that male bonding shit, shut up so I can watch the game will you?"

Michelle returned in about five minutes. Her big old grin told me her parents had said yes. She gave me the news verbally anyway, and told me she had a midnight curfew. Then she did something really cool, she told us good night and let us watch the ball game in peace. Score one for Michelle.

I was in bed asleep by eleven-thirty. The phone ringing at two AM woke me up instantly. Phones ringing late at night scare the hell out of me because it seems bad news always comes with those calls. I mumbled a sleepy hello into the receiver.

"Hi Johnny." It was Katrina.

"Hi Trina, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, sorry to call so late," she said with a boozy hiccup and giggle.

"That's okay, you know I'm always happy to hear your voice. How ya doing?"

"Okay, I got drunk and got laid tonight." She giggled again.

"Uh, that's nice," I said lamely.

'No, no it wasn't. Wanna know why?"

Hell no, not in a million years did I want to know anything about it. The thought of some guy having sex with my sister actually made me want to puke.

"Why, Trina?"

"Cause it wasn't any good. When he finally left I had to do myself to get off." Her voice dropped to a drunken conspiratorial whisper. "I thought about being naked in your arms while I played with myself and came like crazy. Now I'm laying here all warm and cozy, hugging a pillow, pretending it's you."

I was absolutely speechless. The whole conversation was so bizarre I couldn't wrap my brain around it. I decided that I was chalking this up to the liquor talking. She was going to be some kind of embarrassed in the morning if she remembered any of this. I steered the conversation onto a more innocuous subject.

"So how's the skiing?"

"It's great, I love the feeling of bombing down the slope as fast as I can go. You would love it too. One day maybe we can do it together." More giggles, "Skiing I mean."

We yakked about different things for another couple of minutes before we hung up. I was going to caution her about the drinking next time we talked.

Jethro got me up at eight. He wanted to go outside and he wasn't taking no for an answer. I took him out into the back yard and since it was private out there I peed in the bushes with him. I don't know which of us was more relieved. I ate some cereal and headed to my house to pick out some nicer clothes to wear to Nina's party. Casual but not sloppy I could do by myself, anything past that took the expert eye of Nana. I settled on a pair of dress pants, a nice knit sweater, and loafers; hell I even threw in a pair of black socks for the occasion.

With time to kill, I took out the shop vac and car wash stuff and detailed my truck. I was pretty sure I was going be the only one driving up in a pickup, so I wanted to make a good impression. It took me almost three hours to get my ride pimped to my satisfaction. I stood back and looked at my reflection in the shiny red paint. Damn, if I was a girl, I'd give me some just for a ride in the thing.

I ate supper with Dad; we chowed down on some of Mr. Poon's fried rice and boneless spare ribs. After supper, I showered, changed into my glad rags and jauntily bid the Old Man adieu. My father cracked up at my bad attempt at sophistication.

"Be home by two, Your Highness or I'll kick your royal ass," he said.

I pulled up to the address I'd been given at ten after eight; I had lollygagged down at the turn off from the highway so I wouldn't be the first person arriving. The joint Nina occupied was as big and opulent as the Cavanaughs' but instead of Colonial Revival it was Spanish in design. I eased up into the big circular drive trying to figure out where to park when who, but Al Jerdin, the gate guy from Jane's development, lopes over to my truck. Al had his hair in a ponytail and was wearing a white shirt, red vest and bowtie.

"Dude," he said, "valet parking."

"Hey Al, branching out?"

"No man, we are doubling as security too." He whipped a small aerosol can out of his vest and waved it around. "Check it out, Dude, pepper spray. If one of those rich geezers gets out of hand, watch out!"

"I feel much safer knowing you are on the job Al," I said straight faced. "Put my Baby here in a safe place that will allow me to make a early exit if I need to okay?"

"You got it JP," he said as he took my keys.

With more than a little trepidation I watched as Al carefully drove off in my truck. When he disappeared I turned and headed for the door. A crisply dressed Hispanic maid let me in the front door. She asked my name, consulted a typed list she held and welcomed me to the party.

"Miss Nina is in the great room; it's straight ahead, last room on the right," she said.

I thanked her and walked down the polished marbled entry hall, my footsteps echoing as if I were wearing taps on my shoes. I was more than a little nervous and way out of my element with the whole experience. I stopped at the entrance to the room the maid indicated and tried not to gawk; the room was huge, our house could have fit in it. Straight ahead at the other end of the room a gargantuan stone fireplace dominated the wall. On the right side a long expanse of floor to ceiling glass looked out onto a patio and lushly landscaped garden. Nina and a guy who looked fairly familiar were standing at a bar set up near the doorway; she saw me and motioned me over.

"Johnny, this is my Brother David, he is Donna's twin. David this is Johnny Pulaski, Shelia's friend."

David laughed and stuck out his hand. "So you are the scoundrel that has all the Cavanaugh women in an uproar."

I grinned ruefully as we shook hands. "I don't think your sister likes Polacks."

He laughed even louder this time. "My sister doesn't like anyone. My nieces all think highly of you, though, and that's a much better reference to me."

I tried not to blush and turned towards Nina. "You look beautiful tonight, Nina, I sure hope your date appreciates it as much as I do."

I was really keeping brother David amused tonight. He laughed again at my remark.

"I think Nina might be right about you, you are a silver tongued devil," David said. He saluted me with his glass and walked off.

I asked the bartender for a Diet Coke as Nina laid her hand on my arm.

"Thank you for the compliment Johnny. I hope he does too, if he even shows up that is."

The party was just getting started, only a few people were there and I didn't know any of them. Nina told me that there would be a separate party for the younger people in the family room with a hipper (her word) DJ and snacks I'd probably like better than pate and caviar. She did ask me to stay with her for a few minutes until David returned.

"Let this be a lesson for you Johnny. By not showing up on time my date has left me stuck doing all the greeting with my brother as if I were some old spinster. Men who embarrass their dates seldom get lucky at the end of the evening."

"I'll take that to heart because at my age I don't get that many chances anyway," I said with a chuckle.

"That not what I hear," she replied.

I was telling her not to believe everything she hears when David returned. I excused myself just as a group of people came in and went across the wide hall to the family room. The family room was smaller than the great room by about a third. It too had a glass wall with sliding glass doors. The view was of a large pool, though, and not a garden. I was the only one in the room except for the DJ setting up his equipment. He was the same kid from school that did my birthday party.

"Hey Curt, how's it hanging?"

He looked up myopically and pushed his glasses up onto his nose. "Hey Pulaski, it's hanging to my knees. I didn't expect to see you here, are you working this gig too?"

Curtis Farkas wasn't in any of my classes this year, but I saw him all the time pushing around some audio-video equipment at the school. He belonged to the AV Club and filmed all our football games. Curt was a hustler, always working.

"No Man, Mrs. Murphy invited me the day before yesterday. I think I'm here to balance out the seating chart," I said.

"Too bad, cause she pays real good and always gives me a tip. There should be some prime fluff here tonight, and these rich girls don't mind showing the merchandise after they've had a few. I've got my video camera just in case," he said hopefully.

We yakked for a few more minutes until he had to start playing music at eight-thirty. Since I was the only one there so far he agreed to play some classic rock for me. I asked for some Springsteen, so he started me off with 'The River'. Damn that song sent shivers up my spine. Bruce was just saying 'I'd lie awake and pull her close just to feel the breath she takes' when company arrived.

"Hey Fartass, this ain't no funeral, play something from this century."

I turned around, cringing when I heard the accent; only one person in the world was that loud, rude and obnoxious. When I completed my turn, sure enough there stood Tony Rochelli. Tony was better known as the Sperminator because he openly bragged about knocking two girls up. Tony was a transplant from New Jersey; his family was in the construction business and filthy rich. Tony was also the starting fullback on our football team. He was as handsome as he was obnoxious. So imagine my surprise when I took in that Shelia Cavanaugh was hanging on his arm as if he was the last chocolate in Forest Gump's box.

"Pulaski," boomed Tony, "you working with Farkas? Jesus, with a Polack in charge of the music it'll be playing backward all night."

Did I mention that Tony was obnoxious? Shelia went bug-eyed when she saw me.

"Johnny what are you doing here?"

"Your Aunt Nina invited me. But I can't stay, I was just leaving."

I was about to hurl Mr. Poon's pork fried rice on the floor if I didn't get out of there. If Tony Rochelli was the Cavanaughs' idea of a more appropriate date than me, I had to be really, really fucked up. I told Curt so long and bolted. I was almost at the front door when sixteen years of Nana's training kicked in. I did an about face and shuffled back to the great room. I spotted Nina, still dateless, greeting guests. I tried to be inconspicuous while I waited to get a moment alone with her. She saw me after a minute as I stood by the entry. She gave me a small, sad little smile and mouthed the word 'stay' to me. I nodded my understanding and leaned against the wall.

After the influx of guests had been received she motioned me over.

"I'm terribly sorry Johnny, I didn't know she would have a date. I have a sneaking suspicion that my sister set this up, Rochelli does a lot of building for us."

'Yeah well, if Tony Rochelli is her and Shelia's idea of the right kind of guy for her, I don't want to be near her anyway. I just came in here to thank you for inviting me, but I think I better go on home where I belong."

She looked at her watch and took my arm in hers.

"You are my guest Johnny and you belong here as much as anyone else I invited. I'll understand if you leave, but I would be grateful if you at least kept me company until Rolf gets here."

"Your date's name is Rolf? Yeah, I'll stay till he gets here; I never met anyone named Rolf. I'm betting his polo pony threw a shoe on the way here."

She laughed and squeezed my arm. "Thank you, you are probably better company anyway, Rolf has never intentionally made me laugh."

I had to admit Nina was a lot of fun to be around. She was so unlike her sister Donna it was as if they were from different planets. Nina had also never heard my shtick, so I had her cracking up. Old Rolf finally showed up about ten. He blithely acted as if nothing was wrong, no apology or anything. Miss Nina was not very happy as I made my exit. I was almost at the door when the Cavanaughs' arrived. Minding my manners I shook a surprised Mr. Cavanaugh's hand and nodded stiffly to his equally astonished wife. Before I could do more, each of the twins grabbed one of my arms. I smiled as I felt the flood of soothing feelings they were sending me. They turned me around and headed me back toward the family room.

"Come on Johnny, we want to introduce you to our cousins. Bye Mom, Bye Dad, see you later," Ellen said.

As soon as their parents turned into the great room, the girls reversed course and led me back towards the front door. When the maid greeting people at the front door had her back turned, Ellen ducked us into a small sitting room and Elaine closed and locked the door behind us. The girls had certainly dressed up for the party. They wore identical emerald green dresses, slightly low cut in the front, with matching shoes and small clutch purses. Their hair was hanging in thick and wavy cascades well below their shoulders.

"We didn't know anything about that guy bringing Shelia until he picked her up at the house. When we asked Dad about it he said Mom arranged the date and asked Shelia to take it as a favor to her. Dad wasn't real happy about it. No one knew you were coming here, we wanted it to be a surprise for Sissie," Ellen said.

Elaine nodded and added, "He is a big creep; he even tried to grab my boobie once at a pool party. I kneed him in his peanuts. He said it was an accident but I knew better. "

"Yeah, well he and your sister seemed awfully cozy so I think his peanuts are safe tonight. I was just headed home when you came in."

"You can't leave until we get our New Year's kiss," Ellen protested.

"I guess we could ring in the New Year a little early," I replied.

I kissed them both thoroughly and sat cuddled between them for a few minutes. I told them I liked them a lot and that I would be their friend no matter what. I said that I didn't think I'd get to see them much because of their mother but we could talk on the phone, e-mail one another and even Instant Message. I also made them promise to tell Shelia about Tony groping Elaine. We kissed again and walked back into the entry hall. The girls we not a bit happy about my leaving and were mad at their mother for her part in it. They walked me outside and kissed me again as we stood on the big colonnaded front porch. They were walking back in just as Al came strolling up.

"Young, but nice Dude, and a matched set." he observed of the departing twins. "You leaving already?"

"Yeah, not my type of crowd."

"Bummer. If I wasn't on duty we'd burn one. I got some Thai Stick that would make you feel a whole lot better."

We were BSing on the steps when the front door opened and Nina and Rolf came out. Although they were talking in lowered voices their words were sharp and ugly. I was about to clear my throat to let them know they weren't alone when Nina slapped Rolf across the face. Rolf loudly called her a cheap whore and slapped her back. I ran towards them but amazingly, Al got there first. He grabbed Rolf in a wristlock and neatly deposited him on his face on the cold slate porch. Al had Rolf's arm twisted up between his shoulder blades and was kneeling on his neck. Al looked up at Nina.

"Five-O?" he asked.

Nina looked at him in confusion.

"Do you want to call the police?" I interpreted.

She shook her head no.

"That's cool," Al said. Then he leaned a little harder on Rolf's neck. "Dude I'm gonna get up and go get your ride. If you move my friend here is gonna kick your stupid ass, got it?"

Rolf mumbled something and Al released him. Al pulled out his Nextel and called for someone to bring around the silver Jag. In less than two minutes Rolf was escorted to his car. I turned to Al in amazement.

"I'm impressed," I said.

He grinned, "Number one in my class at the police academy. If it wasn't for that pesky drug testing policy, I'd be a on the Beach Patrol."

Nina had stood by quietly through the few minutes it took to dispatch Rolf. I took her arm when I saw her shiver and led her back to the same parlor I'd just been in with the twins. I was the one sending calming feelings now as I held her to me. She composed herself quickly.

"I should get back to my guests," she said.

I nodded and we stood up. She gave me a hug and kissed me softly on the lips.

"I guess it's just not our night, is it," she giggled.

I had to agree.

I was back at my grandparents' by eleven. I let Jethro in, changed into jeans and a t-shirt and made us a bag of microwave popcorn. I turned on the TV and tuned it to Cinemax. I got Jethro to sit then I'd throw him a piece of popcorn, he'd catch it, gulp it down and wait for me to toss him another. We went through the bag of popcorn that way while I halfway watched a soft porn T&A movie. It was faintly amusing comparing the women in the movie to the women in my life. There were the usual suspects, the sexpot, the manipulative bitch, and the wholesome girl next door. I was bored out of my skull when my cell phone rang, it was eleven fifty-eight and Katrina was the caller.

"Happy New Year Trina."

"Happy New Year Johnny, I wish I was there to kiss you in person."

I heaved a mock sigh, "Me too, Trina, Jethro keeps looking at the clock and licking his lips, though, so it could be worse."

"Eww, that's gross," she squealed. "I thought you were going to some big party, though?"

I told her about my big misadventure. She told me she was sorry to hear my evening had gone so wrong. I asked her what she was doing because it was so quiet at her end of the phone. She told me it was only ten o'clock there (Duh) and the party was just getting cranked up. She had slipped outside to talk to me.

"I'm not getting hammered like I did last night. And I'm not planning on sleeping with anyone else either."

"Well the less drinking thing is good, but I can't speak on the other," I said.

Katrina laughed at that. We jabbered for a few more minutes and exchanged corny kisses through the phone. She said she'd save the real one for me until Spring Break. She didn't mention the phone call last night directly so neither did I. I felt much more relaxed after talking to her and soon fell asleep on the couch.

Jethro's bad breath and cold nose in my face woke me up most unpleasantly. I took him outside and we both watered the flowers again. Back inside I filled his water bowl and fed him some dry food that he sniffed disdainfully. Then I had one of my not very bright ideas. I decided that it was a New Year and Mr. Jethro Pulaski stunk so I'd start his year off with a bath. Papa took Jethro to the groomer for a bath every month so I figured the big doof was use to it. I also figured that I could kill two birds with one stone by just putting him in the shower with me. Stupid, stupid idea. Jethro wanted nothing whatsoever to do with bathing; he sat down on his ass and refused to cooperate in any fashion. I had to physically lift his heavy butt and move him to get the shampoo on then do it again to rinse him off.

When I open the shower door to get a towel to dry him off he bolted. I grabbed a towel and chased him through the house naked. He would stop and shake himself violently sending water spraying everywhere then dance out of my reach before I could catch him again. It took me an hour to clean up behind us. I kept him inside until he was dry then put him out on his runner. I was proud of myself despite the trouble.

I had just walked in the door from tying out the Doofus when I heard my cell phone ringing. It stopped before I got there so I returned the call to the number on my caller ID. Nina answered.

"Hello Johnny, I thought I missed you, I was just leaving you a voice mail."

"Nope, I was away from my phone. How are you today?"

She told me she was fine and that her party had been a success despite her sister and Rolf. Then she asked me if she could take me to lunch, she had a favor to ask of me, she said. I told her sure, and she said she'd be right over to get me as she was out and about anyway. Ten minutes later she was at the door.

I decided that today she could get a taste of my world so I took her to Mama's diner in my truck. I swear it was almost as if it was Shelia sitting there she looked so young. I had calculated that she had to be in her forties, yet she looked years younger than either Jane or Dee-Dee. She was dressed young too, in snug jeans and a sweater that emphasized her slim figure. If her long fiery hair was a dye job, it was a perfect one.

At Mama's Tina made a fuss over me and complimented me on my pretty date. Nina didn't correct her about it not being a date so neither did I. After we ordered, Nina slipped an envelope out of her purse and slid it across the table to me.

"Can you make sure your friend Mr. Jerdin gets this? It's just a little something for his quick thinking last night."

I told her I could do better than that. I was willing to bet that Al was sucking up the overtime by working the gate at Jane's subdivision. I would take her over there so she could give it to him herself. She agreed and commented on what a unique young man he was. I laughed in agreement, Al was chock full of surprises. We finished our lunch and I drove us to the entrance of the Trails. Sure enough, Al was manning the gate. I pulled up and rolled down my window.

"Dude," he gave me his standard greeting then he saw Nina. "Hello Red, been in anymore fights lately?"

It was apparent that Al was not one to be impressed by money or status. When he was working for her last night, he was all business and respectful, today it was as if she was some chick he surfed with. Nina actually giggled.

"No Mr. Jerdin, but the day is young. I have something for you for your help last night." she said handing the envelope out the window.

Al pocketed it without even glancing at the contents. "Cool, but I was just doing my job." Then Al did something I'd have never expected in a hundred years; he looked Nina up and down and said. "My name is Alan and you look pretty hot in those jeans, Red, wanna go surfing with me tomorrow?"

Nina laughed, took a business card out of her purse, and handed it to him. "Call me tomorrow Alan and we'll discuss it."

The card went in his pocket with the envelope. "Will do. But I have to warn you, no Ganga until we are out of the water."

Nina looked confused but said okay.

I was cracking up as I did a u-turn and drove off.

"Nina, Ganga is marijuana, I think you just agreed to get stoned with him."

Nina blushed bright red. "Oh my," she said.

I really liked Nina. We went back to Papa's and sat around yakking for another hour. She told me that contrary to his name and airs, Rolf was just a handsome, successful time-share salesman. They had been dating for a few months but it had been nothing serious. She knew he was a gold digger from the word go but he did have a certain charm.

"Johnny, my husband was a carpenter who started his own small contracting business. His name was Ben Murphy; I didn't even have to change my name when we were married. He was the finest man I ever met. You remind me of him the way you conduct yourself. He was older than me but healthy and vital. Then on day he had a heart attack and dropped dead. Just like that (she snapped her fingers) fifty years old and he was gone. It took me three years to get over that and I still think of him often. Anyway, that's the type of man I have always been attracted to, so you can see why my sister's attitude irks me so."

I mostly listened to her for the entire hour. Her conversation was captivating and it wasn't all about her either. She talked about her family, including the Turner side of it, and she talked about her almost mystical Irish roots. I thought that it was amazing that Nana could trace her family back five hundred years, so I was blown away that her family history went back three millennia. When she wound down we were sitting thigh to thigh, my arm on the back of the couch behind her, and her upper body leaning against me. It was only natural that we kissed. It was a sweet and very sexy kiss. When she pulled her head back she was flushed.

"Oops, no more of that right now Big Boy, or I'll get in trouble with my nieces for poaching their boyfriend."

I shook my head, "I don't see me ever being Shelia's boyfriend."

"Never say never, Johnny. Besides, I was talking about the twins. They called me this morning and went on forever about you. I think you can throw the relationship book away when you deal with those two because they march to the beat of their own drums."

She left at four; we promised to keep in touch.

My date with Michelle was most excellent. I took her to see Jlo in 'Maid in Manhattan'. It was your typical chick flick fare but Jlo's ass was in it so it did have some redeeming qualities. After the movie we went to Steak and Shake. It was my turn to be the perfect date as I was attentive and affectionate. I started being that way to help Michelle overcome the bad rep her ex stuck her with, but ended up doing it because I enjoyed her company so much. Michelle was a wonderful date too. She obviously liked me a lot and she wasn't shy about displaying her affection.

We left the restaurant at ten-thirty and went to my grandparents' house. I put on this CD of romantic eighties rock and we snuggled up on the couch. One thing I'd always appreciated about Michelle was that she preferred skirts and dresses to jeans and pants. She said it was because jeans made her ass look too big. I didn't think so but I wasn't going to argue the point. In fifteen minutes Michelle was naked on the couch, and I was working my way south, still fully dressed. I spent thirty minutes reacquainting myself with her lush body. Her breasts were even bigger than I remembered them and her fat little cleft, with its soft blonde hair, tasted heavenly. I gave her four good orgasms and took her home refusing to let her return the favor. Kong didn't like me being noble but I wanted tonight to be all about Michelle. I'd take care of him later.

When I walked her to the door I asked her out again. She plastered herself against me and said, "Yes, Yes, Yes!"

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 17


Sunday, January the second, 2005 was my last day of freedom. It was back to school the next day. I went home at nine that morning, changed clothes, and attended Mass with Dad. It sure wasn't the same as last Sunday without Mom and Katrina there. Of course the experience didn't get better seeing the Cavanaughs and Rochellis sitting three pews in front of us. Tony and Shelia were sitting side by side, of course. After Mass we shook hands with Father Donovan on the church steps and headed for the parking lot. Mr. Cavanaugh waved us down just as we were at Dad's truck.

"Good morning, Paul, Johnny," he said shaking our hands.

Dad and I returned his greetings then Mr. Cavanaugh turned toward me.

"Johnny, I want to apologize for what happened New Year's Eve. Nina told me about how the Rochelli boy treated you. I hope you realize that I don't condone anyone acting like that, especially someone dating my daughter. I am embarrassed that what you said that one night turns out to be the truth. Ellen and Elaine said you probably wouldn't come over to see them or me either because of my wife. Please don't do that, you are good for the twins, and I'll guarantee you will be welcomed in my house."

I told Mr. Cavanaugh that I believed him and I took his word for what he said. He nodded and shook our hands again. Dad never said a word the whole time. We were out of the church parking lot when he asked me to explain things to him. I did; it took most of the drive home. He didn't ask me any questions as I talked but he nodded once in a while indicating that he got my point. When we pulled into the driveway he turned off his truck and turned to face me.

"I don't know Mrs. Cavanaugh other than seeing her at church, but I was one of Tom's first clients. Now I'm his smallest, yet I get the same service that he gives billion dollar corporations. And all our business is on a service for service basis, I take care of his company's vehicles in exchange for his legal services. His word is good with me Johnny, good as gold."

Wow, coming from my father that was quite an endorsement. I mumbled something about how could he be married to such a shrew. Dad gave me one of his patented looks.

"Johnny, you only know how she feels about you, she might treat him like the King of Siam. Don't assume; and treat his wife with the respect you show him. That's what a man does and you are a man now."

I drove back to Papa and Nana's thinking about what my dad and Mr. Cavanaugh said. I decided that I wasn't going to let Mrs. Cavanaugh intimidate me from being friends with her husband or her daughters. I cleaned my grandparent's house from top to bottom because we were going to the airport to pick them up at five. I figured that if the house was clean Papa might give me a reduced sentence for getting his dog beat up. I hadn't called Papa to tell him about the incident on Dad's advice. Dad said the dog was fine and to let them enjoy their vacation.

Dad drove Nana's Lincoln to the airport. We met Papa and Nana as soon as they cleared customs and helped them with their suitcases. After we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes Papa asked how Jethro had behaved for me. I took a deep breath and told him the whole park story, emphasizing that Jethro was as good as new. Papa's reaction took me totally by surprise, first he and Nana wanted to know how I was doing and if the little girl was all right. Then Papa turned to Nana.

"See Nadia, I told you the day I picked him out at the Humane Society he was special. Now he has saved our Johnny," he said proudly.

Nana didn't have much to say to that other than she'd try to remember it next time he dug up her roses and only injure him as much as the pit bulls did. I was forevermore relieved, I'll tell you that.

Dad dropped us off and went on home. I went in with Papa and Nana to get my bags and tell Jethro goodbye. The big mutt kinda grew on me during the last couple of weeks. I remember the tape from the interview that Roland the camera guy had given to Dee-Dee and played it for my grandparents. Papa thought it was a hoot but Nana was mortified. She calmed down when the edited version of the interview that was broadcast came on. In the version that made it on the air, Jethro just sat there looking half way intelligent with his head cocked to the side.

I gave Nana and Papa their Christmas gifts, Nana's was a framed copy of the portrait we took; she was as happy with it as Mom had been. Papa was also thrilled with his rod and reel and the promise that it held of him, Dad and me going fishing together. I had already mostly spent their present to me, but Papa insisted on giving me five hundred dollars more because I'd spent all that money at the vet's. Nana showed me some picture of the renovated Castle Kaminski; it was an impressive place. She said Uncle Vik and Alexandra (I'm too young to be a teenager's auntie) wanted Katrina and I to go over there for a few weeks this coming summer. I also learned that, after my Dad, I was second in line to be the Viscount of Kaminski. Take that, Donna Cavanaugh!

I was home by eight and on the phone with Michelle by five after. I told her again what a great time I'd had on our date. She laughed and said from where she sat the pleasure was all hers. I asked her if I could drive her to school tomorrow and she readily agreed. We talked for an hour and neither of us wanted to hang up when we did.

The routine of school was a blessing of sorts after my frenetic Christmas vacation. I fell into a nice relaxing rhythm that was helped along by spending time with Michelle. We dated some and studied together at least three evenings a week. We sorta became a couple if you can believe that. We mutually agreed that we weren't going to go steady and both of us had a few dates with other people. But the fact was that we enjoyed each other's company the best.

Stan and I both made the baseball team. Stan was a returning starter at third base and I beat out a couple of other kids for the right fielder's job. We practiced three days a week, either in the gym, or if the weather was warm enough, out on the diamond. The baseball coach was our PE teacher, Mr. Neivers. Coach Neivers had played two years of single 'A' ball for the Cubs organization. When he realized that his potential for the bigs was limited, he quit the grind and went to college. Neivers was an excellent coach and really loved the game.

The only bump in the road of my contentment was that jerk, Tony Rochelli.

Rochelli, for some reason, started singling me out for his boastful derision. At first it was little things, calling me Polack or nerd boy. Then, thinking he was really clever, he started calling me Ox, short for Oxymoron; he told his friends knowing it would get back to me. Polish hero, he explained, was an oxymoron. He was talking about the incident in the park, of course, saying that it was probably the little girl who really saved me. I took Papa and Dad's advice about idiots and tried to ignore his taunting.

Harder to ignore was his relationship with Shelia Cavanaugh. They were the hot new gossip of the school. He made it well known that he stole her from me, intimating that I hadn't been man enough for Shelia. Most everyone knew that was bullshit, even the kids in his snobby clique. Shelia's behavior during all this was strange too. She hung all over Tony and openly made out with him in public. She didn't even seem to mind that his hands were always on her possessively.

It was about the middle of January when I had my first cause to be alarmed about Shelia. I was sitting alone in my truck one morning in the student parking lot. I was double-checking an assignment due that day when I saw Tony's silver Porsche pull in a row behind me, and to my left. I became curious as to why no one exited the car so I sat there looking at it in my side mirror. I saw a couple of heads move around every once in a while but couldn't really see into the car because the sun was reflecting off its windshield. Finally the doors opened and Tony and Shelia got out. Shelia looked like she was adjusting her bra as Tony stood there laughing. Then Tony said something and Shelia started wiping something white and powdery off her upper lip and nose. Wiping caused her to sneeze and Tony laughed even harder as she dug out a tissue.

The couple walked past me on the other side of the car to my left. They didn't have a clue I was there because of the heavily tinted windows of my truck. Tony had a handful of Shelia's ass as they threaded their way through the lot. It didn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that they had been sitting in the car snorting cocaine and fooling around. I wish I could say that the thought of Shelia Cavanaugh walking into school with a snoot full of nose candy absolutely blew my mind. But the cold truth was that it didn't. Shelia Cavanaugh was seventeen, rich and spoiled; cocaine was the Budweiser of that crowd. I waited until they were out of sight and followed them in.

I managed to bump into Shelia in the hallway between first and second period. We exchanged greetings and I surreptitiously studied her face. She appeared to be high all right, her eyes were a little glassy and she was more animated than usual. She dismissed me rather abruptly and continued talking to a couple of her friends. I went through the motions of being a student until lunch then checked myself out of school claiming illness. I needed time to think without any distractions. What the hell was I supposed to do with what I suspected? As I thought about it, I decided that first I needed more information and that secondly, I needed some help. I grinned when I thought of just the person to supply both. I got in my truck and headed to Palmdale Trails to see Al Jerdin.

Al wasn't on duty when I got to the gate so I turned around and took out my cell phone. I scrolled through my address book and hit dial when the cursor landed on Nina Murphy's number. Nina answered her cell on the third ring. We exchanged pleasantries for a minute then I asked her if she knew how to get in touch with Al Jerdin. She laughed and said just a second.

"Yo Dude, s'up?"

"Al?"

"Yeah Man, me and Red are at the beach, the waves are righteous today."

I'll just be damned!

"I need to talk to both of you, I need some help."

He said sure and told me where they were. I motored across the causeway and drove down to the beach approach closest to the jetties. About a half mile down the beach I found Al and Nina leaning on the hood of an ancient minivan with a couple of surfboards. It was a cool day and both of them were wearing full Rip Curl neoprene wetsuits and split toe booties. Nina looked cute as hell in the skintight suit. I jumped down from my truck and greeted them. After a few minutes of talk about surfing I told them what I had witnessed earlier in the parking lot.

Maybe I should have used a different approach to telling them because Nina went ape shit. It took us five minutes to settle her down enough to continue, even with me flooding her with calming feelings.

"What can I do, JP?" Al asked.

I explained my just blossoming plan to them. As I saw it, confronting Shelia about it wouldn't do much good and certainly wouldn't hurt Tony at all. By the same token, reporting Tony wouldn't do much either. What I thought we should do was engineer Tony getting busted buying coke, hopefully in a quantity large enough to cause him serious heartburn. With Tony dealt with; the family could decide what to do about Shelia. I had wrestled with my conscience about what to do about Rochelli. Was it vindictiveness that was driving me to setting up Tony? I decided that revenge probably had a little to do with it, but my main concern was to not see Shelia, or any other girl for that matter, continue to be taken advantage of by that slime ball.

"Al can you check around and see who might be selling to Tony? I'm figuring it has to be someone up scale, I can't see Tony scoring off a Latin King on the street corner. Also, just out of curiosity, see if he is into any other drugs, Ecstasy or something like that. I'm beginning to suspect that his success with the ladies isn't all because of his charm."

Nina reluctantly signed on with the plan but she insisted on getting her father, Sean Murphy, involved. Mr. Murphy was semi-retired as the head of Thornton-Turner security and had access to people and technology to help cook Tony's goose. Nina was all for Tony getting his nuts crushed in a vise. After some back and forth, she agreed to keep the Cavanaughs in the dark about everything until Rochelli was out of the picture.

I left Al and Nina to their waves and headed back to the mainland. I called my favorite twins as I drove. I wasn't going to get them involved but I wanted their take on how Shelia had been acting recently. They were glad to hear from me and invited me over to their house. Their mother was at a board meeting and wouldn't be home until late. I said I'd see them in a few.

The housekeeper let me in just as a distinguished looking older man was making his exit. He had college professor written all over him, down to the bowtie he was wearing. The girls were waiting for me and dragged me upstairs. Elaine unlocked their private room and we all sat on the couch. The twins were wearing identical shorts and Greenday t-shirts. The shorts were not quite Daisy Dukes and the black t-shirts were not quite skintight. I spoke first.

"What do you two think about your sister and Tony?"

The twins looked at each other startled.

"That was exactly what we were going to ask you!" Ellen exclaimed.

"I don't know what to think; they sure aren't keeping their relationship a secret at school," I said.

"He feels her up in front of us and laughs about it if she says anything. And we saw him with his wiener in her mouth down by the pool last weekend. She does what he wants like she was hypnotized or something. He asked us to show him our boobies so he could see if we really were identical, and she just giggled about it," huffed Elaine.

Wow, things were even worse that I thought. I decided to let the girls in on my theory because I wanted them to be wary of Tony lest he do something to them, too.

"Do you think he's giving her drugs?"

They shared that look again; their expressive green eyes open wide.

"That could be Johnny, she is doing things we never in a million years thought she would do. When she's with him she acts like a ho in a music video," Ellen said.

"Will you two keep this conversation between just us? I'm pretty sure Shelia is using cocaine with him and who knows what else he has given her. Keep an eye on them if you can and make sure he doesn't get one of you alone. Be careful about leaving your drink near him and don't let him get a drink for you, Okay?"

"Okay, but what about Sissie? Shouldn't we tell our parents?" Ellen asked.

I explained about how I thought it would go if we made the accusation without any proof. They saw my point immediately. These girls might be socially undeveloped but they were seriously smart. I also told them I had a plan and I hoped to nail Tony in a week or so. If it didn't work I was going to tell their father my suspicions. Mentioning their parents caused Ellen to change the subject completely.

"Speaking of parents, Mom had a hissy fit when we said we weren't going to have a birthday party unless you were invited. Daddy was on our side too, so that made her even madder."

"That was a bold bluff."

"We weren't bluffing. She has planned this really big deal, when all we really wanted was a pizza party with some kids our own age. So you are our date, the party is on February twelfth so don't make any plans."

I told them I'd be honored to be their escort. And that was the truth. I like the hell out of them; they were this amazing dichotomy of brains and naiveté.

I did my best to ignore Tony Rochelli at school for the rest of the week but it seemed the more I ignored him the worse he acted. Thursday I talked to Dad and Papa about it. I was expecting the standard ignore the idiot speech that I'd heard twenty times before. I could do that, I guess I was just venting. So Dad really surprised me.

"Son, this has gone on long enough, sometimes you have to put a bully in his place. This sounds like one of those times. Do what you have to do and I'll understand. But be smart about it, okay?"

It was very okay.

Friday morning I timed it so that I ran into Tony in the student parking lot. He was with Shelia and a few of his friends. I was pretty sure he was jazzed on coke from the animated way he was talking. As soon as he made some comment about me being the Polish Fred Sanford because of my pick up truck I turned on him. I cut loose with every slur I'd ever read or heard concerning Italians. For the first time in my life I was trying to instigate a fistfight, intent on hurting someone. I dropped my backpack making sure I had some room to maneuver as I continued to taunt him. It was not my finest moment, but I needed him to be angry enough to swing first.

I got my wish as Tony assumed this kung fu looking stance and tried a snap kick at my groin. I'm guessing that Tony learned most of his martial arts watching reruns of 'The Karate Kid'. The kick was weak and he telegraphed it by looking were he was going to kick me. I know it didn't seem like it last year when Arturo was mopping up the park with me, but my grandfather really had taught me how to defend myself. I dropped my arms down, my wrists crossed and easily blocked Tony's Gucci loafer. As soon as his foot was in the 'V' formed by my wrists I opened my hands, grabbed his foot and yanked it upward sending Tony sprawling on his ass.

Tony was livid when he stood up. I put my hands up and motioned him forward. This wasn't Tony's first fight, had he not been so mad or high, he might have fared better. I deflected a couple of wild shots as I looked for an opening. I got it when he threw a looping right hook at me. Using the hard lessons I learned from Arturo, I stepped inside the punch and landed a short, crisp jab right on his beak. I didn't have a clue that snorting cocaine made a persons nose so sensitive. Tony dropped to his knees in an explosion of snot and blood. As he knelt there with both hands coving his nose I almost felt sorry for him. I picked up my book bag and walked to my homeroom, the silence behind me deafening.

We were fifteen minutes into World History when the intercom squawked. "Mrs. Gilliam, please have Mr. Pulaski report to the office."

I was expecting the call. I sighed, picked up my books and headed to the admin offices. One of the secretaries directed me to have a seat. I plopped down and watched as four or five people went in and out of the Assistant Principal's office. I recognized all of them as having witnessed my altercation with Rochelli. I took some comfort in the fact that they all weren't members of Tony's posse. Five minutes after the last witness left, Coach Boyette, also the Assistant Principal, called me into his office. Coach did not look even a little bit happy.

"I just got off the phone with your father, Pulaski, he didn't appear to be surprised about you being in a fight this morning. He said he would believe anything you told him because you don't lie. I swear if this is about that cheerleader you embarrassed yourself over last year I'm going to nail your nuts to the wall and..."

The intercom interrupted him mid-tirade. He snatched up the phone, growled something at the secretary, and then shot me an odd look. "Put him through," he finally said. Still giving me fish eyes, he had this mostly yes and no conversation on the phone then put down the handset. He leaned back in his chair; still never taking his eyes off me, he started tapping the pen he was holding against his desk.

"Speaking of Shelia Cavanaugh, that was her father on the phone. I guess your father called him. He said he is your family's lawyer, and did he need to be here. Then he told me that whatever you said would be the truth. This shit I don't need, especially from you. What was the fight about and who started it?"

I told Mr. Boyette about the constant sniping that I'd endured from Tony since school started back up. I said that by this morning I'd had enough and said some things back to him. I didn't deny that I was spoiling for a fight, but I did say that Tony threw the first punch.

Coach continued tapping the pen and looking at me after I wound down.

"Fortunately, Rochelli's nose doesn't appear to be broken and he refused his mother coming to pick him up to take him to a doctor. Everyone, including Rochelli told me the same thing that you did, minus the history before this morning. I'm disappointed in you, Pulaski, I though you were above childish crap like this."

"So did I Coach, the whole thing is not nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be. I don't see something like this happening again."

"Well, it certainly won't happen in my parking lot because I'm revoking your parking pass. I'm giving Rochelli a three-day in school suspension. Now get the hell out of here."

I stared at him in disbelief, revoking my student parking pass was a diabolical punishment. It meant that I could not drive to school.

"How long?" I asked.

"I'll let you know," he replied.

I nodded glumly and trudged out of his office. From out of nowhere I remembered the theme song of this detective show I saw on 'Nick At Night'. It went, "don't do the crime, if you can't do the time...", but holy crap, stuck riding the bus again, that sucked!

My performance in the parking lot drew mixed reviews during the rest of the school day, but in general there were more, "he deserved its" than there were "you're an assholes". One person whose response surprised me was Shelia. I figured she'd let loose on me with that Irish redhead temper, but the two times we passed in the hall she just looked at me weirdly. I didn't know what to make of that.

I caught up with Michelle in Spanish. After class, as we walked to her locker, I told her what happened and my punishment. She said that next Tuesday she was getting her license and she'd drive me. Then she grinned and said, "That way I can take you parking every day on the way home." No one was paying us any attention so I kissed her.

"Rochelli tried to kick me in your birthday present but he missed," I whispered in her ear.

She blushed prettily and whispered back; "Don't tease me about that Johnny. Every time I think about it I soak my panties. It's all I can do to keep from raping you every time we are together."

Michelle and I hadn't gone all the way yet, although we had done about everything else a couple could do. I was the one to convince her to wait until her birthday because she'd wanted to make love since after our first date. I had been putting her off because I didn't want to take her cherry and leave her with unrealistic expectations that we would be together forever. I mean, I liked the hell out of Michelle, but I was nowhere near ready to settle down. I thought that Michelle giving up her virginity was a big deal and I really didn't know if I was worthy of getting it if I couldn't commit to her. Yeah, I know, suddenly I was one of those smart teenagers I complained about who over thought the problem. Michelle finally had to set me straight.

"Listen Johnny, I like you a lot and I have for years, but I never considered us getting married or anything like that. I want you to be my first because I know you'll be loving and sweet and considerate. I picked you to be the one when I was fourteen, remember. I still feel the same as I did then. I know in my heart that you'll make it special for me."

-------

My plan for Tony Rochelli's downfall did not happen the way I envisioned. Our fight was the reason. Here's what actually happened:

At four in the afternoon of the day I fought Tony, Mr. Cavanaugh called me on my cell. He asked me if I could come see him immediately. I agreed and was ringing the doorbell by four-twenty. Ellen answered the door and led me to Mr. Cavanaugh's home office. Shelia was sitting on the sofa, God, she looked small and pitiful, her eyes red rimmed, her makeup streaked and smeared. Elaine and Ellen were sitting on either side of her holding her hands. Mr. Cavanaugh was sitting behind his desk, I could tell he was upset, but he was in control of himself.

"Johnny, thank you for coming so quickly. Shelia has been telling me a most interesting story. She tells me that she and Rochelli have been partying for three weeks on drugs and booze. Naturally, I wondered if your fight with the Rochelli boy this morning had anything to do with that."

Man, did that question put me on the spot. I thought for a minute and asked him if we could speak in private for a moment. He said sure, got up from behind his desk and walked me to the media room.

"What's this all about Johnny?"

So I told him most everything. When I was finished he sat there with his fingers steepled, his face a practiced neutral mask.

"You thought of this yourself?" he finally asked.

I nodded affirmatively.

"Why didn't you come directly to me?" he followed up.

I told him my reasoning. It was his turn to nod his understanding. He stood up and extended his hand.

"You are an extraordinary young man, Johnny, and I'm proud to know you. I'm also deeply indebted to you. I'll handle things from here, though, okay?"

With a sigh of relief I said it was more than okay.

A week later Tony Rochelli withdrew from Palmdale high and transferred to a private military school near West Point, New York. Mr. Cavanaugh had modified my plan to the extent that he used Al Jerdin's lead on the drug dealer to get Tony busted buying a quarter ounce of cocaine. He and the County Sheriff, no less, delivered Tony to his father with an ultimatum: either Tony went away voluntarily or he got dragged through the courts. I accepted what went down, although I thought Tony should have gone to jail. To me, him getting away that easy proved Papa's adage that "money talks and bullshit walks."

Oh, and Shelia's sudden confession to her father? The twins engineered that. Shelia came home and told them about the fight, then told them a few other things. Ellen and Elaine used their persuasive ability on her and convinced her to fess up to Mr. Cavanaugh. Smart little shits, aren't they?

-------

I suffered the indignity of riding the bus until Tuesday afternoon when Michelle drove me home in her new car with her new license. Michelle's parents gave her a used lime green Volkswagen Beetle. It was high mileage but had been given a clean bill of heath by the experts down at Pulaski's Auto Repair. I almost caused Michelle to wreck when I told her that in four days a Pulaski dipstick would be checking her oil too.

I was able to give Michelle the experience she deserved the weekend after her birthday when my father flew out to Houston for his own romantic weekend with Mom. Mom had a three day weekend like we did because of MLK Day so she and Dad decided to burn up the sheets at some no-tell motel on South Padre Island. Go Mom and Dad!

Michelle did not try to pull anything sneaky to get to spend the weekend with me. Instead, she sat down with her mother and told her what she wanted to do. Mrs. Hoffman went for it without protest, proud of her daughter for being honest. Heck her mom even helped her pack. Michelle said it was as if her mom was acknowledging a change in their relationship towards one more adult. I told you that Michelle had a lot of character!

Friday night Michelle arrived with her suitcase at seven. I had dinner ready when she arrived. I stole Katrina's idea and had a supermarket roasted lemon-pepper chicken with a couple of side dishes in the oven. After dinner we sat on the couch cuddling, kissing and talking. At nine Michelle went upstairs to my room with her bag. She came down ten minutes later in an electric blue camisole and matching tap pants. She stood in front of me and let me stare at her, a small smile on her lips. She looked good and she knew it.

"Come on Johnny, it's time for bed."

She held out her hand but instead I swept her up in my arms. She whooped in delight and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. I carried her up to my room and deposited her on the bed. I tried to initiate some foreplay but Michelle said later for that. Michelle's hymen was long gone, sacrificed to applicator tip tampons and her own fingers. She was tight but wet and willing, so her defloweration was a rousing success. All the stamina I developed with Caroline Hernandez stood me in good stead with Michelle as we made love in every manner she could think of. And she thought of a lot.

Michelle was so sweetly enthusiastic she made my night as memorable as I made hers. When Kong absolutely could not get hard again we fell asleep in a naked tangle.

Michelle was a joy to be around and the weekend was fantastic for both of us. Michelle loved being naked with me and she was determined to make up for the lovemaking she said my being old fashioned cheated her out of. We ate take out food and did it like hyped up rabbits all over the house. The most dressed either of us got Saturday was her putting on one of my long sleeve button up shirts and her panties to pay the pizza guy. She looked so cute, I jumped her bent over the coffee table as she was setting down the pizza box.

Saturday night we were both too sore for more so we just kissed and snuggled. Michelle was a world class snuggle bunny, she loved to sleep as close to me as humanly possible. She didn't fit against me as perfectly as Katrina did but she came close.

Sunday Michelle went to Mass with me for the first time. I introduced her to the Cavanaughs as we were leaving. The twins immediately hijacked Michelle, leaving me with their parents and Shelia. Mr. Cavanaugh and Shelia started toward their car but Mrs. Cavanaugh stayed planted in front of me.

"Thank you for what you did for my daughter," she said.

I shrugged. "You know me Mrs. Cavanaugh, always trying to make myself look good."

No high road for me when it came to her. She took my sarcasm without rancor.

"I misjudged you horribly, young man, I wish we could start all over."

"I don't know how we could ever do that, Mrs. Cavanaugh, it would be like putting toothpaste back in the tube. But I'm willing to try to let bygones be bygones if you'll do the same."

I stuck out my hand but she surprised me by kissing me on the cheek.

"I'll try too, Johnny Pulaski, and I know if I mess up you'll tell me about it," she said with a grin.

When she walked off I saw the twins standing within earshot with Michelle. They both wore huge smiles. They ran up and gave me hugs and kisses then raced off after their mother.

Michelle walked up to me as the twins skipped off, she looked perplexed.

"You were right, I've never met anyone like them, but I like them. They asked me if I was going to be in your harem, too. What did they mean by that?"

I laughed and told her about how I spoofed them with the harem thing.

"But don't worry, Shelly, so far you have a lock on head concubine."

Her eyebrows went up, "So far? I though I'd earned that job yesterday."

Michelle left that evening in time to be home at eight as she had promised her mother. I told her I'd see her tomorrow as Stan and I were going to work on a new weight routine for baseball that he'd read about.

Katrina called at nine my time. We jabbered away for an hour. I told her all about my weekend, including Friday. She was pleased that everything worked out as well as it did considering my track record in fights and with spending the night with anyone but her. She filled me in on her life since we had talked last on Wednesday. She said it was damned cold again, that the temperature had been below zero for the entire weekend. She said Borkowski and his dickhead friends were still making her life miserable but she was hanging tough. After we hung up I decided I had better talk to Papa about what Katrina was going through. After all, he was a GI once; maybe he knew how she could handle it better.

I called Papa and asked if we could meet for breakfast in the morning and he said "Oh, hell yeah." At eight the next morning we were ogling Tina's treasures at Mama's diner. Tina asked me about my love life as she took our order. I told her that it was most excellent, but not because of Rachael. Rachael was busy getting back into the grind at UCF. She was taking a course load that would allow her to graduate in only three years so she was slammed. An occasional phone call had been our only contact. Tina laughed and kissed me on top of my head.

"All you Pulaskis are the same," she said.

While we were waiting for our food I told Papa what I knew about Katrina's plight. Man, oh man, did that ever piss him off. He grumbled about chicken shit officers and their charm schools but said he just might be able to help. He said Colorado Springs was where Fort Carson was located and Fort Carson was now the home station of his old unit, the Tenth Special Forces Group. He said Special Forces guys took care of their own, including old retired farts like him. He knew some people out there through his ties with the Special Forces Association.

"I'll make a few calls later this evening," he said.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 18


It was nice not having to deal with Tony Rochelli's insults and jibes when school started back on the Tuesday after the MLK long weekend. Tony was still on in-school suspension for the next two days, no one, me included, knew that the axe was going to fall on his head that Saturday night. The Cavanaughs kept Shelia home from school all the rest of the week. The flu was the reason the school received and it was the story Tony got when he was unable to talk to her on the phone all week.

Not being able to drive my truck to school did not turn out to be the inconvenience I thought it would, thanks to the Hoffmans. Michelle picked me up in the morning and took me home on the days without baseball practice. On the days we practiced, Stan drove me home. I liked riding to school with Michelle; it seemed to start my day off right. I studied Michelle on the sly as we rode to school Tuesday morning wondering if there would be something about her that announced she was no longer a virgin. If there was, I couldn't see it.

On Wednesday morning we were no sooner out of my driveway when she said, "Honey we have a problem."

Don't you just love conversations that start that way?

"What kind of problem, Shelly?" I asked warily.

"The-us-not-having-sex-for-three-days-and-I'm-climbing-the-walls- kind," she replied.

"Oh," I said brightly.

"Yeah, oh, you got me addicted to the Kong and it's your responsibility to see that I get a fix any time I need one. Got it?"

I got it. I teased her all the way to school and any time we were together for the rest of the day. On the way home I played with her through her cute little Super Girl panties until she was sloshing. As soon as we were inside my front door I grabbed her up and threw her over my shoulder. I carried her into the family room, put her down, spun her around and pushed her across the back of the couch. She kicked and squealed as I unzipped, pulled the gusset of her panties aside and pushed into her. I swear she was so wound up she started coming before I was all the way in. I managed to hold on until she came again before I unloaded. We gasped and panted still joined for a minute, before I pulled out. Michelle stood up dizzily and sagged against me.

"I came so hard I think I passed out for a few seconds," she said, her voice tinged with awe.

I didn't say anything; I just picked her up and carried her upstairs. With the edge off my own horniness I was able to concentrate on helping Michelle make up for lost time. Michelle went home an hour later, her normally tidy little pussy awash with our juices. She was a happy camper as I walked her to her car.

"Now that's the way the Sultan is supposed to take care of his Head Concubine," she said.

Tony Rochelli was a fixture around the school again starting Thursday. He glared at me a few times but stayed away from me when our paths crossed.

That afternoon our baseball team had its first practice game. We played a local community college team on their home field. It was a pretty good game, even though they beat us seven to four. We had some bats on our team and our defense was solid. The only area where we were really lacking was in pitching. Coach was searching high and low for a quality starter, and one guy who could toss a couple of good middle innings out of the pen. Of course about twenty Major League coaches had the same lament.

When the coach canvassed us players about it, I had one nebulous lead for him, Caroline Hernandez's brother, Juan Junior. Juan was a freshman on the JV soccer team already but I recalled Caroline saying Juan Senior had been a minor star as a catcher in some Mexican league. Who knows, maybe it ran in the family. It would be unusual for a freshman to make the varsity team but not unprecedented. I went to visit the Hernandezs' after dinner that night. I sat down with Mr. Hernandez and Juan and explained why I was there.

I was there making my pitch (I am sooo punny) at a perfect time for young Juan, because his soccer career had seriously jumped the tracks. Young Juan, or JJ as his friends called him, had reached puberty just as he started the ninth grade. In the last half year Juan Junior had grown at an alarming rate and appeared to be set to inherit his father's big stock build instead of his mother's slender lithesome one. He was rapidly loosing the foot speed he had only six months ago. In the end, Juan Junior agreed to a tryout during PE the next day.

Friday afternoon JJ was throwing batting practice. Coach pulled me aside and congratulated me on my discovery; he said the kid had tons of raw talent. Coach said in his estimation, Juan the younger could be another Fernando Valenzuela. What's more, JJ told the coach about his father's ability to teach pitchers based on his experiences in the Mexican League. Coach was going to talk to Juan Senior when he came to pick up his son. Hopefully, we'd have a part time pitching coach before the day was over.

Michelle and I went to the mall Friday night. We ate at the food court first, and then I followed her around as she spent a chuck of her birthday and Christmas loot. I didn't complain a bit, however, as everything she bought seemed to be with me in mind. I know I mentioned that Michelle preferred skirts and dresses to jeans, but I don't think I told you that she also has a thing about sexy underwear. Peeling the outer layer of clothes off my sweet Shelly made every time like Christmas. Michelle's ass in a pair of high cut lacey panties was a work of art worthy of the Louvre. Michelle was one of the eight percent of women with an hourglass figure. Because she was always self-conscious of her butt, she spent thirty minutes a night on the Stairmaster in her bedroom. Her ass was so firm it didn't even quiver when we played hanky-spanky.

Saturday I worked for my Grandfather, Saturday night Michelle and I double dated with Stan and his newest sweet thing, Krista Crowley. The four of us went to Steak and Shake then hung out at the Hoffmans' game room for a while. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were playing cards with some friends so we had the house to ourselves. Stan and Krista disappeared around nine, so Michelle and I cuddled on the couch. We made slow unhurried love, starting with an outstanding sixty-nine on the big curved sectional sofa.

I found out about Tony Rochelli's downfall Sunday afternoon. Thomas Cavanaugh called and gave me the news. Then Nina Murphy called and told me, too. Nina's call came with a dinner invitation attached. I accepted and at five-thirty I parked my truck in Nina's circular driveway. I noticed that the Cavanaughs' sleek black Mercedes was already there, and right behind it Al Jerdin's minivan, with his surfboards strapped on top.

The same housekeeper from the night of the party let me in. She said everyone was in the family room. I walked into the family room as directed and was pleasantly surprised by the greeting I received. All the women, including Mrs. Cavanaugh, gave me hugs and from the twins I got bonus kisses. After my enthusiastic greeting, I asked where the guys were. Nina pointed out onto the deck where Mr. Cavanaugh and Al stood over a big Duchane grill, each with a beer in their hand. I headed out and joined them. I shook hands with both then fished a Diet Dr. Pepper out of the small refrigerator built into the island that housed the grill.

As Al and Mr. Cavanaugh grilled the steak and chicken they told me how Tony's bust went down. It took Al a week to find out who was supplying drugs to the well heeled. The dealers turned out to be a well off yuppy couple with a serious habit themselves. They sold coke to support their own addiction. Meanwhile, Mr. Cavanaugh had spoken with his good friend the Sheriff and called in a favor. When Tony went to the beachside condo of the dealers Saturday evening, two undercover deputies were following him. When Tony returned to his car the deputies quietly took him into custody, confiscated his dope and called the Sheriff.

The Sheriff and Mr. Cavanaugh met the deputies at the Palmdale Sheriff's substation. Thomas Cavanaugh took Tony aside and explained that he was there because he had been with the Sheriff on another case.

"Keep your mouth shut and I'll try to get you out of this for your parent's sake," he told Tony.

Mr. Cavanaugh pretended to argue with the Sheriff for a few minutes then he grabbed Tony and the three of them rode in the Sheriff's patrol car to the Rochelli's house. Tony's parents were mortified by Tony's arrest and they were terrified as to what could happen to their only son. Mr. Rochelli is the one who suggested a private rehab center then the military prep school in New York. The Sheriff acquiesced but insisted it happen immediately. Tony and his mother were on a plane headed to New Jersey first thing Sunday morning. I sure admired Mr. Cavanaugh's ingenuity; not only did he dispatch Tony but he made himself a hero to one of his biggest clients in the process.

"The worst part of the ordeal," Mr. Cavanaugh said, "was not being able to beat the hell out of that boy myself. That reminds me, this is for you Alan."

He handed Al an envelope. Al opened it and whistled, then he removed one bill and handed the envelope back.

"I appreciate the offer Tommy, but I'm not taking money for helping a friend. The Benjamin is what I paid for the names of those skuzzballs selling the snow; besides, if I took your money that would make me a narc."

That Al never ceased to amaze me, there was probably more money in that envelope than he made in a good month. Mr. Cavanaugh nodded and took back the envelope. "Okay Alan, if you say so. Give me a dollar."

Al reached in his pocket and dug out a crumpled up George Washington. Cavanaugh took it and turned to me, "Now you give me one."

Confused as hell I found a dollar bill in my wallet and handed it to him. Mr. Cavanaugh pocketed our money and handed us both one of his business cards.

"All right. You both just hired me as your personal attorney. So naturally anything we ever talk about is protected by attorney-client privilege. If either one of you ever need a shyster, call me, okay?"

Dinner out on the pool deck was a fun and lively affair. Alan Winslow Jerdin alone was worth the price of admission; just by the way he flummoxed Donna Cavanaugh. Al sat next to Shelia while we ate and by the time the meal was over had her giggling as if she were the one thirteen instead of her sisters. Donna took this all in with a conflicted expression. On the one hand, she was happy to see her daughter, who hadn't smiled in days, finally come back to life. On the other, she was appalled it was with a twenty something longhaired beach bum wearing a t-shirt that proclaimed, "I'm schizophrenic and so am I."

Nina, the twins and I sat at a separate picnic table. Ellen and Elaine sat on one side and Nina and I sat on the other. I could see the twins were scheming up something and so could Nina. They both looked as if they were about to explode. Finally Ellen leaned over and whispered to Nina.

"Ask Johnny to tingle you that special way. You'll love it."

Nina played along. "What special way?" she whispered back.

"Just tell him to do it, you'll see. If you like it you can be one of his harem girls."

Nina shot me a look and I just grinned and shrugged. "Tell you later," I mouthed sotto voce.

As the twins kept instigating I gave Nina a little peck on the lips. She faked a shiver to appease them so we could finish eating. I was especially happy with that idea since I had about three pounds of medium T-bone in front of me. We had a nice time talking and laughing after we ate. Al had to split at seven-thirty; he wanted to get a few hours sleep before he pulled a graveyard shift at the Trails. Somehow Al managed to get a date with Shelia to go surfing with him next Saturday. He even secured both parents' permission.

After Al departed Mrs. Cavanaugh wondered aloud why Al had turned down the money when he looked like he could sure use it.

"What makes you think he needs it?" Nina asked.

"Well look at how he dresses and that appalling old car he drives," Donna replied.

Nina laughed. "Donna that's so like you to judge someone based on his appearance. You know that glass fronted house on the beach near the Holiday Inn? He owns that. He has an office there crammed with enough computers to run one of our companies. He is a very successful commodities broker. I watched him make ten thousand dollars in fifteen minutes trading oil futures one day."

We were all slack jawed in amazement. She couldn't be talking about the same Al; it just didn't make sense.

"So why is he working as a security guard?" I blurted.

Nina shrugged. "He likes the hours, since he works mostly nights and evenings he has plenty of time to surf and do his day trading. Plus, he needs the job because he doesn't spend any of the money he makes trading. He only bought the house because it was too good a deal to pass up. He bought it furnished down to the silverware at an estate sale and it's already tripled in value in three years. One of the computers in his office keeps track of his money up to the minute. Alan said when the running total hits twenty million he'll never work another day in his life. He figures that should be in the next six months."

That was the most outrageous story I had ever heard.

The Cavanaughs left at eight leaving Nina and me alone.

"Are you upset because Al asked Shelia out?" I asked.

That earned me a big laugh. "Heavens no, Alan and I are not romantically involved. He is one of the most unique people I ever met and he is a sweetheart, but there just isn't any chemistry between us. How about you, did it mess up any plans you had of asking Shelia out again?"

"No, I think Shelia and I were never destined to be. I mean I like her and all, but I guess the spark is missing just like with you and Al."

We talked for a few more minutes. She asked about Ellen's remark about a harem and I told her the story. She though it was pretty funny that someone had finally put one over on the precocious pair. Out of the blue Nina turned the conversation to something unexpected.

"I told my cousin Jacob about you. He said he'd like to meet you one day."

"Jacob Turner? Why would he want to meet with some kid?"

Nina grabbed me and kissed me on the lips. "I just love that about you, Johnny. You just seem as if you don't have a clue how special you are."

"I'm not anything special but that kiss sure was; any chance of getting another of those?"

It turns out that there was a very good chance of getting one more. It was at the door as I was leaving. Nina walked me out to the porch and gave me a hug. I returned it and held her, as she didn't seem anxious to let go. She turned her face up to me and locked eyes with me.

"Johnny, I want one of those harem girl kisses. With Alan there was no chemistry, with you there's a lab full of it."

So I pressed my lips down on hers; she opened her lips and slithered her squirmy little tongue into my mouth. I don't know if she was consciously sending them but I was getting big crashing waves of arousal from her. I turned them around and sent them back to her with all the strength I could muster. She moaned into my mouth and her arms tightened around my neck. I slid my hands down and cupped her butt pulling her tighter against me. Kong was nickel steel hard pressing against her. Finally she pulled away from me and stepped back. Her eyes were narrow slits of lust and she was breathing heavily.

"I guess that answers the chemistry question doesn't it? I'm glad I decided to try that out here instead of on the couch. Good night Johnny, call me soon, okay?"

I nodded and turned around, Kong leading the way. That was the hottest first kiss I ever received. And the arousal we shared instantly was as strong as Michelle and I worked up to mid-session. It took ten minutes for Kong to go back to sleep enough for me to remember my manners. I called Nina and told her what a great evening I had.

Suddenly life was very good again for this Polish boy. And, as is the case when things are going well, time seemed to fly by. Baseball and school filled my days and things with Michelle were terrific. Before I knew it was Saturday, the twelfth of February, and I was in my monkey suit at the Palmdale Country Club for the twins' birthday party. I assumed my post between Ellen and Elaine as they dragged me around and introduced me to their huge extended family. The twins looked very good in their matching burgundy dresses and black high heels. They were wearing make up and looked my age if not older. It was cousin this, she's the daughter of aunt and uncle that, they are my cousins on whoever's side. I am terrible at remembering names so it went in one ear pinged around in the void and slipped out the other.

One thing I did notice, though, was that I picked up the connection vibes from a lot of them. I connected with more people at that party than I had my entire life to date. I finally met their Uncle Jake (actually he was their second cousin, I believe). I was trepidacious about meeting him but he instantly put me at ease. He seemed to be a good guy. He and I talked about sports some; it was way cool talking about baseball to a guy who was in the Hall of Fame. That impressed me more than him being the President.

I also met his wife, the legendary Melissa Thornton-Turner. Now that's an experience I'll never forget. Like everyone in American I'd seen hundreds of pictures of her and I had seen her on television just as many times, so I knew she was gracious and beautiful. But I'm here to tell you, in person she was ten times those things and more. She had to be at least fifty years old, yet fashion models half her age seemed dowdy compared to her. When she put her hand on my arm and looked me in the eye to talk to me, I swear we were the only two people in the room.

"I heard all about what you did for Shelia. My Jake would have done something like that too; you remind me a lot of him when we were in high school." she said.

I met the twins' grandparents, Sean and Mary Murphy. Sean pumped my hand vigorously and thanked me for what I did for Shelia, also. I told him I didn't do much but it had been my pleasure. Grandmother Mary was another of those seemingly ageless Irish sprites. She had to be at least seventy but her hair was still more red than gray. There were a lot of beautiful women in that family!

It was a huge party with over a hundred guests. So meeting everyone took a while. Al Jerdin was at the party both by invitation and as Shelia's date. Even though he was ten years older than Shelia, Mr. Cavanaugh highly approved of them dating. Donna went along with him, partially mollified that, although Al was eccentric, he was also rich. Al was about as dressed up for the party as he was ever going to get. He wore dress slacks and a sports coat worn over a t-shirt printed like a tuxedo. Shelia held Al's hand the whole party as if she were scared he'd float away if she let go of him, but at least her tristesse was absent. I admired Al for the way he treated Shelia, he teased her and made her laugh but was attentive and sweet to her, too.

After a sumptuous buffet dinner, birthday cake and singing happy birthday, we all moved into a small ballroom where a band was tuning up. The twins kept me on the dance floor all evening; if I wasn't dancing with them, I was cutting a rug with one of their cousins or aunts. The one cousin they didn't especially like me dancing with was the daughter of their father's sister. Her name was Ashley, she was my age and she was a stone fox. Ashley lived in Tampa and attended a Catholic high school there. She had very pale blue eyes that stood out because her hair was a dark brown. She was flirtatious and very sexy. When she first headed towards our table Elaine pulled my head down and whispered in my ear.

"Don't tingle with her Johnny, she's a barracuda."

I laughed and gave her a kiss. "So she's not harem material?"

"Don't even joke about that," she said.

I did get one slow dance with Nina. As soon as she was in my arms Kong stirred to life. When she put both of her arms around my neck and snuggled close he popped to attention. I was thankful that I had prudently worn a jockstrap for the occasion. Nina chuckled when she felt him and sent me a little jolt of sex.

"Did I do that?" she asked all innocent.

"You know you did, ever since our discussion about chemistry I get that way if I even think of you."

During the band's break Elaine asked me to go for a walk with her. I was surprise because it was the first time one of the twins ever asked me go somewhere without the other. I agreed, though, and we walked back to the coat check. We grabbed our coats and walked outside. Elaine took my hand and led me around the corner of the building. We were standing next to the practice green for the golf course when she stopped and turned to me.

"I want my birthday kiss," she said.

We kissed, softly at first then it turned serious. When she gave a little moan it sounded eerily like Nina's. Elaine broke the kiss just long enough to say, "Tingle me for real, Johnny."

I obliged her by sending her a small wave of arousal. She moaned again and said, "more." I gave her more. Elaine moved one hand off my neck, grabbed my hand and put it on her breast. I took the hint and squeezed her pert little tit. It was about the size of a baseball, I estimated, and her hard nipple was prominent even through her bra and dress. Elaine started giving off vibes of her own as her passion mounted. Finally she came with a shiver rubbing her mound against my thigh. I nuzzled her neck and kissed her softly as she recovered.

"My first orgasm with a boy, that was my best birthday present ever," she said dreamily.

"That's great, then I can take this back for a refund," I said holding out my closed hand.

"No way," she squealed, "let me see it."

I opened my hand and she grabbed the short silver chain with a small flat engraved section in the center. The engraving plate had a few Egyptian hieroglyphics etched on it. The glyphs were supposedly an advertisement for a strip club. Supposedly the dancers wore them and gave them to big spenders. I bought five of the bracelets for a hundred bucks from the vendor at the flea market who told me the story. Elaine held it up in the dim light and examined it.

"Is this a bracelet? What does it say? I can't read the inscription."

"It's an official harem girl ankle bracelet; it says 'property of JP' in hieroglyphics." I teased.

"Oh Johnny, I love it. Put it on for me."

I knelt down and fastened the chain around her right ankle. It took some fumbling with my big fingers to get the tiny clasp hooked. She raised her foot and looked at the bracelet sparking in the moonlight. If the kiss she gave me was any indication, she liked the bracelet a lot.

Elaine scampered inside and exchanged places with her sister. I gave Ellen her bracelet first since she practically tackled me to get it. I fastened it on her ankle the slid my hands up her leg my fingertips gliding over the smooth mesh of her pantyhose. When I reached mid thigh I stopped, stood up and took her in my arms.

"You didn't have to stop, ' she whispered before our lips met.

Ellen didn't rub herself against me to orgasm but she sure liked to be petted. I sent her inside and spent a minute willing Kong down before returning to the ballroom.

I returned just as the band was preparing for the last set of the evening. I sat back down at the table with the twins, their parents, Shelia and Al. As soon as the music started I was up dancing again. I was shaking my booty to some hip-hop beat when I noticed Donna Cavanaugh talking to one of the members of the band. As soon as the song ended the band started a slow number. When the girls and I made it back to the table Mrs. Cavanaugh grabbed me to dance and Mr. Cunningham grabbed Ellen. I waltzed Mrs. Cavanaugh around carefully and correctly. She gave me a faintly amused look.

"This is not how you danced with the other girls. What's the matter, afraid I'll bite you?"

"No ma'am, you're a beautiful woman and I'm afraid that if I dance too close I'll want to bite you."

She gave me a look I'd never seen on her before and locked those big dark blue eyes on me as she pressed herself closer to me.

"You have a way about you Johnny, apart from being able to project your emotions. I'm so sorry things started so badly between us. If I hadn't interfered Shelia might not have become involved with Tony like she did. I could kick myself for ever encouraging that."

"Bygones, Mrs. Cunningham, water under the bridge. How is Shelia doing for real?"

"She's seeing a counselor and that helps, but Alan seems to be doing more for her."

She smiled at the mention of Al. "That boy grows on you, doesn't he? Shelia really likes him and I have to admit that the more I talk to him the better I feel about him. For all his free spirit he is a very responsible young man."

I smiled and nodded in agreement. I was trying to distract Kong by keeping the conversation going. Donna's heavy breasts were pressing into my chest deliciously and her hips were making enough contact with mine to be arousing. Before I could come up with something else to say Donna started talking again.

"Listen Johnny, Thomas and I would like you to do us a favor and be Ellen and Elaine's tutor for social skills they'll need in high school. We'll pay you for your time of course."

"I talked to them about doing something like that already. I'd be happy to and you don't have to pay me."

"Nonsense, you'll need the money to cover your expenses at the very least. Those two really like you Johnny, and we trust you. They are also going to have to learn about boys, if the first one they are seriously exposed to is you, they will at least know who the good guys are."

What a change from a few months ago, huh? We finished the dance and I walked her back to the table just as Mr. Cavanaugh was returning with Elaine. The twins dashed off for the bathroom and I chatted with the Cavanaughs about taking the girls out. I had a few ideas but I wanted to make sure we were all on the same sheet of music. Mr. Cavanaugh told me that high school was just a formality for the twins and the biggest thing they would be learning there was how to interact with their peers. He told me they were already doing college level work. It was a challenge to find tutors for them but he and Mrs. Cavanaugh weren't going to let them loose for college until they were sixteen.

The twins came back just as a slow song was starting. Elaine took my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor. She found us a spot in an area out of sight from her parents and plastered herself against me.

"We showed Aunt Nina our anklets and she was so jealous. I think she wants one too."

"I think she was just teasing you," I replied.

She grinned up at me. "It's hard for people to fool us, Silly Man, she wants one, trust me."

The party broke up at eleven. I walked the Cavanaughs, except for Shelia, out to their car. I shook Thomas's hand and hugged Donna and the twins. I told them what a nice evening I had and thanked them for inviting me. Then I slipped Elaine a folded piece of paper and whispered in her ear, "Ashley gave me this, it must be for you because I don't need it. The slip of paper was Ashley's phone number. Elaine looked at it and showed it to Ellen as her parents were getting in the car. Elaine whispered back to me. "You are getting a big reward for this."

Mom was home for the weekend so we were almost a complete family as we sat through Mass with my grandparents. I sure wished Katrina had been there with us. Katrina and I had kept in touch as we said we would at Christmas. We talked on the phone at least twice a week and exchanged e-mails about as often. I called her later that afternoon and told her how much I missed her. She said she missed me at least that much. She didn't mention any changes in her situation with the upperclassmen harassing her so I had to think Papa hadn't been able to do anything. She gave me the dates of her spring break, though, and asked me if I could come out there and visit her. I looked at my calendar and saw that our breaks over lapped by a week. She was very happy when I read her the dates.

I hung up with Katrina about ten minutes later then went downstairs to talk to my parents and grandparents about going out there. All of them thought it was a good idea, Mom said she'd take care of travel arrangements through her office. Papa said he'd take care of finding us a place to stay and Dad threw down for a rental car. I dashed back upstairs to call Katrina with the news. Katrina was blown away that our parents and grandparents were doing all that for us. She said she'd plan us out an itinerary. I loved it that she was so excited about my visit.

I didn't get another chance to spend any alone time with Michelle until after school Tuesday afternoon. We were on my bed, cuddled up after some damned good, hot weasel sex. Michelle was lying on her back and I was on my side facing her. I was gently caressing her breasts as we recovered our breath.

"What would you say if I ever wanted to sleep with someone else?" she asked out of the clear blue.

"I'd say that's your business as long as you are careful. Why, got a candidate in mind?" I replied.

"Yes and no; this guy that just transferred into the school is in my English class. He asked me out and I accepted. He's the first guy in a while besides you who makes me hot. He's got these intense brown eyes that make me all weak inside."

"Well make sure he's not a jerk first, okay? And use a rubber until you know more about him if you do decide."

"Don't worry, Sweetie, with my track record, I'll be super careful. We're going out Friday night; I'll let you know how things go."

I nodded and kept caressing her. I was going to give her one of the bracelets but decided to hold off on it. I didn't even jokingly want to spoil her chance to discover something new by making her feel obligated to me. I was actually surprised she had waited this long to test the waters and I was pleased that she seemed completely over her last bad experience. Michelle and I were close, and always would be, but at our age an exclusive relationship would deprive us of a chance at a fuller life. I know I wasn't set for monogamy so why should I expect her to be?

Wednesday afternoon Nina called me. We BS'd around for a while and talked about the party. She told me that I had worked a miracle on her sister, turning her around like I had. I couldn't take any credit for that, I told her, it was just a by-product of Shelia's misfortune. She disagreed but dropped the subject. Then in this teasing pouty voice she told me she was envious of the twins because of the ankle bracelets. I teased her back by telling her I didn't think she was ready to take the love slave oath. She cracked up at that. She said she was just as game as the twins were and she would do anything they did. I asked how she'd know I wasn't cheating.

"Because I know you and I know that's not in your nature," she said.

She invited me over for dinner at seven. I cleaned up, dressed up a little and slipped one of the bracelets into my jacket pocket. I had no more designs on Nina than I did her nieces. I just thought she was cool and a great person to have as a friend. Of course teasing her was as much fun as it was teasing the twins. Shelia was the only member of the family I had even thought about trying to get in the sack and we all know how that went.

I was sitting on the couch with Nina after a very nice meal that she cooked herself. I had kept her in stitches all through supper talking about some of my misadventures when I was younger. Nina loved to laugh it seemed, and I was happy to be the one amusing her. My jacket was on the back of the couch so I fished the bracelet out of it and dangled it in front of her. She made a giggling grab for it and I snatched it out of her reach.

"Uh, uh, you have to earn it." I said.

She pouted but when I put my arms around her she came into them unresisting. We kissed and I sent her about the same amount of lust I'd sent Elaine the other night. She cooed into my mouth then stiffened when I cupped her breast through her shirt. I again sent her a little jolt, bigger this time, again, as I had with Elaine. She relaxed and even pressed her breast harder into my palm. Nina's breasts were maybe slightly bigger than the twins although not quite as firm. She looked up at me when I broke the kiss.

"You've gone that far with the twins?"

"Yep, and believe me it wasn't easy to get them to stop there, especially Elaine. I swear they are in a big hurry to find out about sex."

She seemed lost in thought for a second and had this dreamy look on her face.

"I remember what it was like at their age, I was more than ready too. My first time, the love of my life made me wait, just like you are doing with the twins. I remember how frustrating it was, and ultimately how little waiting mattered. Don't drag things out unnecessarily for them. I think that would be cruel."

I grinned at her. "I could do that, I guess, but you know what that would mean for you, don't you?"

Her eyes widened when she thought of our bargain. "Oops, I didn't think of that," she said.

"That's okay, Nina, you aren't really obligated to anything."

She gave a mock sigh and stuck out her leg. "What choice does a poor harem girl have against such a cunning sheik?"

I laughed and she giggled as I knelt down and wrapped the tiny chain around her shapely ankle. Then I repeated the soft caress up the back of her legs that I used on Ellen. She kept looking at me wondering where I'd stop. I went maybe just a little higher on Nina's thigh; she wasn't wearing nylons and her skin felt good against my hands. She looked at the bracelet on her ankle and asked about the glyphs. I said I told Elaine that they said 'Property of JP' but really they said 'Club Pharaoh'. At her confused look I explained the origins of the chains. The story gave her another good chuckle. "You are so bad!" she laughed.

The next night I had my first outing with the twins. We went to the mall and practiced the fine art of hanging out. The girls weren't that impressed with the antics of girls who appeared to be their age. Ellen told me they never understood why young girls seemed to travel in packs and giggle all the time. Since I never could figure it out either, I didn't have any answers for her. Being seen with identical hotties did a world of good for my reputation, though. Since we were at the mall the girls decided that actually doing some shopping wasn't a bad idea.

They took me to this exclusive boutique and asked my opinion on different items that caught their eye. It was educational watching them as they both stopped at the same items and passed others by. Their taste in clothing was as identical as their looks. I told them that I was the wrong person to ask for fashion advice because I was a guy; I liked miniskirts, thigh highs, heels and sexy underwear. You know the look I mean, that Japanese anime naughty schoolgirl thing. They were wearing tight jeans and slinky tops with jackets over them. Ellen said I should have told them what I wanted them to wear. I said what they had on was fine; I was just stating my personal preference.

They sent me out of the store; I sat on a bench in the courtyard for fifteen minutes. They came out carrying a couple of bags each. We had a slice of pizza and a cola at the Food Court then headed home. They each gave me a steamy kiss before hopping out of my truck. Ellen turned around before she closed the door.

"We want a one on one date next Johnny. We are going to flip a coin, when can you take the winner out?"

I didn't have plans for the following night and told her so.

"Goody, be here about seven, okay?"

I said make it six-thirty so we could make the seven o'clock movie.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 19

Saturday, I worked for my grandfather until noon. He had a little make work for me, I think just so I could make a few bucks. Money wasn't a big problem for me right now because I wasn't spending any of my own. Mr. Cavanaugh had given me fifty bucks to take the twins to the mall and I knew I'd get more for tonight's date with who ever won the coin toss. I didn't protest taking the money from him because I really did consider taking his daughters out as tutoring. I liked the hell out of Ellen and Elaine and I was determined that when they started school that they'd be able to fit in. As smart as they were I figured it wouldn't take many sessions for them to get acclimated to teen high school life. As usually happens in any of my dealings with women, their expectations were totally opposite what I anticipated.

I stashed the money from Papa in a cigar box in my desk. I was saving for my trip to Colorado for spring break. I gathered up my dirty clothes and headed for the laundry room to start my regular chores. I was going to have to hustle to get everything done in time for my pseudo-date with the twin. I loaded up the washing machine and poured in the detergent then started on the kitchen. I started the dishwasher and wiped down the countertops and range before heading for the family room with the vacuum cleaner, furniture polish and a handful of cleaning cloths. I was polishing up the coffee table when my phone buzzed. I flipped it open one handed and said hello.

"Hi Johnny, it's Rachael."

"Hi yourself, you sound all bubbly, what's going on?"

She told me she was caught up on everything at school and asked if I was busy tomorrow after Mass. I told her I wasn't and asked if she wanted to do something.

"Yes, I want to do something until I can't walk. I'm past the point of being able to relieve the pressure myself. Can we meet at my house at one?"

Is the Pope Catholic?

Cleaning went faster and smoother as I thought about spending some quality time with Rachael. I finished in plenty of time to shower and change. At six-thirty sharp I was at the Cavanaughs' front door. As usual Mr. Cavanaugh let me in. The Cavanaughs had a housekeeper and a cook that worked strictly weekdays so I'd only seen them once or twice. Mr. Cavanaugh greeted me warmly and led me to the parlor. Mrs. Cavanaugh was sitting on the couch looking very spiffy; she and Mr. Cavanaugh were going out as well.

I sat down and told them of my plans for the evening, a movie at the cinemaplex, then socializing at the Steak and Shake. I said I'd have their daughter home by whenever they specified. Donna told me to have her home by eleven. Shelia was staying home with the other twin because Al was working until ten. Al was coming over after work, so when I returned we could all hang out for a while.

Elaine won the coin toss and came down stairs about five minutes after I arrived. I was secretly pleased about that because Elaine was my favorite. We just seemed closer than Ellen and I were. She was wearing a flared denim skirt about two inches above her knees and a pink button up shirt with a collar that stood up in the back. She was also wearing chunky heels about an inch and a half tall. Her hair was loose down her back and she had on a hint of makeup expertly applied. Her big blue eyes were sparkling with excitement. Elaine looked a lot like her sister Shelia in that outfit and makeup.

Unlike their sister, both twins had a spattering of freckles across their upturned little noses. In addition, the twins were an inch or two taller than Shelia and a little slimmer. All three girls had the signature Buckley red hair, Shelia's hair was longer, though, and had streaks of sun bleached blonde in it. Shelia was also more tanned than the twins, her complexion not quite as fair. The twins stayed out of the sun unprotected because they burned easily, and the sun broke them out in the freckles they detested. I thought their freckles were cute as hell, but they sure didn't. I stood up and told Elaine how nice she looked; her father seconded my opinion.

The movie Elaine picked at the theatre was, of course, a chick flick. Some lose the guy, find the guy, live happy ever after thing with Sandra Bullock. Watching sweet innocent Sandra on the screen made me wonder if she and that West Coast Chopper dude, Jesse James, ever did the wild thing on one of his custom motorcycles. Elaine had an agenda for the evening, I could tell that as soon as she picked a seat way in the back row of the theater. The coming attractions were still playing when she pulled my arm up and behind her and she leaned her head on my shoulder.

"This is so romantic," she whispered.

"Yes it is, thanks to you," I replied.

She liked that and snuggled close as the movie started. I was relaxed and comfortable as we sat there, happy that Elaine wasn't one of those people who talked through the picture. We left the theater at nine and headed to the Steak and Shake, I wasn't worried about being seen with such a young girl because she looked much older and I figured not many people knew who she was anyway. All the booths were filled so we found a small table and sat opposite each other talking about the movie, school and life in general. Elaine was taking in how the other teens in the restaurant were acting and adjusted her behavior accordingly. She smiled at me and became all flirty.

I ordered a double bacon cheeseburger and fries and Elaine had a BLT. She stole French fries off my plate as we talked; I thought she was adorable and told her so. She blushed at the compliment and held my hand across the table. I had to keep reminding myself that the date was practice for Elaine and nothing more. Some of my friends dropped by the table and I introduced Elaine without giving her last name. Elaine told people who asked that she went to a private school and was a sophomore. Stan and Krista even sat down at the table with us. Elaine easily adapted to the conversations Stan or Krista introduced. Krista was a cute girl with a sparking personality and a sharp wit, so she and Elaine had a field day at Stan and my expense. We hung out with Stan and Krista while they ordered and ate. At ten-thirty I took Elaine home.

Al Jerdin's minivan pulled in right behind us. We waited for Al on the porch. He shook my hand and gave Elaine an exuberant hug.

"Dude, I heard you had a date with Elle. How was the movie, think Sheba would like it?"

Al had this thing about calling anyone by his or her correct name. His nicks were mostly pretty appropriate and everyone seemed to like the monikers he hung on them. Donna Cavanaugh was the exception; being called Big Mama didn't sit that well with her. Elaine giggled and told him the movie was great but it might have had something to do with the company she had. Ellen and Elaine had a lot of fun tormenting Al. They kept him in perpetual confusion about which of them he was dealing with so he just used one name for both of them. Since Elle was French for she, he had the bases covered.

Speaking of names, Nina told me Ellen and Elaine were both forms of the name Helen, and meant 'light of the sun'. They were named after Helen Turner, Jacob Turner's mother, and the matriarch of the Buckley Clan. The more I learned about those Buckleys the more intrigued with them I became. For some reason I had a tickle in the back of my mind that the Buckleys were going to play a big part in my future. (Big hint here readers.)

Elaine let Al and I into the house. We went to the media room where Ellen and Shelia were watching ice dancing on the plasma big screen. Shelia jumped up when we came in and gave Al a big kiss and hug. I could see that she really liked the guy. Ellen made a gagging noise as they kissed. Ellen was wearing shorts and a t-shirt; her lack of a bra was obvious as her prominent nipples tented the thin cotton. I think that was the first time I ever saw the twins not dressed alike. Shelia also gave me a hug, grabbed her jacket off the back of the couch and started dragging Al towards the door.

"They're all yours - good luck," she yelled as they sailed out the front door.

So much for the five of us hanging out together. As soon as the door closed behind Shelia and Al, Ellen faked a big yawn and stood up.

"I think I'll go to bed," she said unnecessarily.

I chuckled as she dimmed the lights on her way out. I think I was being set up. Elaine kicked off her shoes and curled up against me on the plush wine colored leather couch. She stroked my cheeks with her fingertips. We had been touching in some fashion all night long. It felt so natural and right I never even noticed.

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Johnny, but did I do okay as a date for you?"

"You were wonderful, it was one of the best dates I ever had."

She gave a happy whoop and before I knew it, she was laying half across my lap kissing me like crazy. I returned the kiss and some of the sexual energy she was sending me. Our sexual connection was very strong that night, probably because of all the intimacy we'd shared during the evening. Remembering Nina's, admonishment about going too slowly, I unbuttoned a couple of buttons of her blouse and slipped my hand inside. Elaine moaned into my mouth, unwrapped her right arm from around my neck, unfastened the rest of the buttons and unclipped her front closure bra.

I guess she was also tired of me dragging my feet so she was taking charge. Things sped up considerably after that. I was soon licking her puffy Hershey Kiss nipples and dragging her panties off her slender hips. She wiggled around and helped me all she could. She was hot, wet and slick between her legs, I was surprised not to feel even the remnants of a hymen.

"Please tell me you are on birth control," I gritted out as she wrapped her slender long fingered hand around my shaft.

"Nooo, " she hissed, "don't you have anything?"

"I didn't even dream we'd be doing this, God, you've set me on fire," I gasped.

By now she had my dick out of my pants and was studying it as if it was an exhibition at the county fair. Kong was pulsating in her hand and she was throbbing around the finger I had buried in her. I pulled her off my lap and laid her on the couch, she spread her legs and held her arms up to me. It took will power I didn't know existed to ignore her arms and drop my head between her thighs. As soon as my tongue made contact with her shockingly large clit she screamed and convulsed as if she'd been electrocuted. I gently kissed the insides of her thighs until she calmed down then went back at her with a vengeance. It took her a little longer to climax the second time but it was just as intense.

After her third orgasm I couldn't stand it any longer and pulled myself up until I was kneeling over her chest. She grabbed Kong and I showed her how to move her hand. She jacked me a few strokes and I exploded on her chest and breasts. She came again as thick ropes of cum striped her skin.

Elaine jumped up and scurried naked into the bath adjoining the media room. She returned with a hand towel and we cleaned each other up. It was the hottest sexual experience of my life. I couldn't recall ever being that close to totally out of control. The sexual connection between us had been so strong the air still cracked with residual energy. She lovingly cleaned up Kong and gave him a kiss on his now deflated head. We found all the bits of Elaine's outfit scattered around the couch and put them back on her. When she was dressed and I was all zipped back up, she perched herself in my lap.

"So that was sex," she said dreamily. "Is it always that intense?"

"Sweetie I've never had a woman make me that out of control. I seriously underestimated the strength of our connection. We were only a few inches from taking a huge chance."

She nodded in agreement. "Our tingles were so strong I didn't care what you did to me. If I had my way I'd be full of your little spermy-wormies right now. I think I better get on the pill and I think you better buy a case of condoms until I do. Cause next time we are together I going to have you in me if I have to knock you out first."

We kissed at the door as I was leaving. As soon as our lips touched lust rolled over us like a tidal wave. It was all we could do to tear ourselves apart. When I climbed into the cab of my truck I was surprised it was only eleven-forty. I tried to analyze what happened as I drove. For the life of me I couldn't figure it out. One minute we were kissing and fooling around, the next we were rutting like minks. I guess Nina didn't have to worry about me making Elaine wait, that was for sure. Just thinking about her had me hard again.

I saw the Cavanaughs at Mass the next morning in their usual spot, a couple of pews in front of us. Even from behind I knew which of the three redheads was Elaine. I was thinking how wonderful a person she was when she turned around and smiled at me. I was startled when I felt a wash of contentment settle over me. Could Elaine be sending it to me without us even touching or was I just content being near her? I closed my eyes and tried to project the same feeling back to her. I figured I failed, and must have been mistaken, when she didn't acknowledge my actions.

After Mass I drove over to Rachael's house. After my episode with Elaine the night before, I was seeing everything different today. One of those things was Rachael and me. I had always had this romantic notion of Rachael and me as soul mates. Last night put things in a different perspective. I guess it was that chemistry thing Nina talked about. In the school of love, with Rachael I had history; with Elaine I had chemistry. Thinking about Elaine of course made me think about Ellen. Would it be the same way with the other twin? Some how, I thought not. Ellen and I connected but not as I did with Elaine or even Nina, for that matter. I wondered why that was; after all they were as identical as two people could be.

When I arrived at Rachael's she met me at the door wearing this teddy the same color blue as her eyes. I swear no other woman in the world could look any better than she did in that thing. After we shared a steamy kiss just inside the door, she practically dragged me to the bedroom. Rachael was the hottest and most vocal I'd ever seen her and I was a machine as I sought to please her. For the first time Rachael let me try different positions with her. To her surprise she liked all of them. We made technically proficient love for over an hour and a half. During that time she must have had twenty orgasms to my three. When she was finally sated she rested a minute or two then looked at her watch.

"That was incredible Johnny and I'd love to stay here and cuddle with you but I have a study group at five that I can't miss. I have just enough time to shower and make the drive."

I said I understood and dressed. She walked me to the door and gave me a kiss.

"Ciao, Johnny, I'll call you," she said.

Ciao Johnny? What the hell was that, if it wasn't the 'bums rush'? I suddenly knew what a woman must feel like when a man just uses her for sex and dumps her. That shit, I vowed, would never happen again. I don't care how good her body was, or how hot she was getting in the sack. The more I thought about it the more it pissed me off. Ciao, Johnny, my aching ass.

Michelle called me at seven that night. She was all peppy and happy sounding. She told me all about her two dates with Nick, the new guy. She said the dates were terrific, Nick was terrific; as a matter of fact, life in general was terrific. Nick was so romantic; Nick was so charming; Nick was so... I tuned out about then, it just wasn't my day I guess.

Michelle drove me to school the next morning still carrying on about Nick. I got to meet Prince Charming in the parking lot. His name was Nicholas Stavros and he was one handsome son of a gun. He was as tall as I, but had a slim swimmer's build. His hair was black and curly and his eyes were dark blue shaded towards violet. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy too; he smiled a lot, which only showed off his perfectly straight, pearly white teeth. Michelle departed with Nick without a backwards glance at me. I swear I could almost see the cartoon stars in her eyes.

That night Michelle called me and asked if I minded riding the bus to school in the morning because Nick was coming by to pick her up. Her voice sounded different somehow, sort of strained. I asked her what was the matter. She hesitated a few seconds and then admitted that she and Nick had sex that afternoon at her house after school. She sounded apologetic about ditching me so quickly over him. I told her I understood and hoped he made her happy. I could hear the blush in her voice when she replied that he made her very happy. She then gave me just the information I didn't need when she said he was real big 'down there'. Jesus, it wasn't like Nick needed any other advantages.

Elaine called and salvaged my night a few minutes after I hung up with Michelle. I couldn't quite grasp the serious attraction we obviously both felt. Judging by our conversation, Elaine felt the same way.

"Johnny, I could feel you behind me in church yesterday, it made me feel so good. And I talked to Aunt Nina about what happen Saturday night," she said.

I smiled at that; I was guessing I wouldn't be invited to dinner at Nina's this week. I don't think Nina actually believed that the one of the twins would be such a fast worker.

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She was very surprised and asked me a lot of questions. I guess at first she thought it was just our hormones getting out of control. Get this, when I told her I thought it was way beyond hormones, she said that the reaction was genetic with women in our family and was not unexpected. What was out of character was that it was with you and not our clan chief in Ireland, some distant cousin she called the O'Buckley. She said Ellen's reaction is more typical, you know, inquisitive but reserved. If anyone but Aunt Nina told me that stuff I'd think they were loony."

"Wow, that does sound weird," I said.

"There's even more Johnny, supposedly we are going to Ireland this summer and meet this guy. His name is Patrick Buckley, by the way. I looked him up on the Net; he is one of about twenty people who head the remnants of the old Irish clans. The clan chiefs are the only titleholders allowed by the Irish Constitution. The first O'Buckley was clan chief a thousand years before Christ."

"So where does that leave us, Sweetie? Are we going to have to stop seeing each other?" I asked, afraid of the answer.

"Nina didn't even mention that. I think our only problem is going to be the usual stuff about my age. But the same arguments about genetics apply there as well. Women in my family mature early, that's just a fact of life. Then again, the boy involved is you, Johnny, and everyone knows how you are."

I didn't like the sound of that.

"Er, is that good or bad?" I asked.

She had the same laugh that Nina had. It was enchanting and you knew it was real. "That's very good, silly boy. My dad considers you the son he never had, Mom respects you and Aunt Nina loves you to death."

We hung up shortly after that. I finished my homework and hung out watching television with Dad for a while then turned in at ten. Elaine sure had given me a bunch to think about. The story of her family didn't seem nearly as strange to me as it would have before I discovered the ability that I had to connect with some people. And what about Michelle? Dammed if that wasn't fast. I knew Michelle and I weren't destined to spend our lives together but holy cow, she dropped me like a bad habit.

I rode the bus to school Monday morning. I tried like hell not to feel sorry for myself, but it didn't work. We had baseball practice Monday afternoon so Stan drove me home.

"Sorry about you and Michelle," he said.

I shrugged. "I hope this guy makes her happy. I think we both realized that we were meant to be friends more than anything else."

Stan nodded. "I know she's always going to think of you as someone special. You came through for her when she needed it."

We had ball games Tuesday and Thursday. Our team was actually doing pretty well; we were four and two after three weeks. JJ Hernandez was a big part of our success; we were three and zip in games he started. Friday morning I received a note at homeroom to go see Coach Boyette. Coach sat me down and told me he knew all about what had gone down with Tony Rochelli. He had still kept my parking pass in spite of what he knew because it was still wrong for me to have instigated the fight on school property. He handed me a new pass and said remember how easy they were to lose before he dismissed me. Damn I was glad to get that pass back.

Caroline and Amanda joined me for lunch that day. Amanda told me she had seen Michelle and Nick together all chummy in the hallway. I told them the story and both girls gave me sympathetic hugs. I hadn't been with either of them since the day after Christmas; I guessed they were really into each other right then. Amanda said her mother, Jane, was still seeing Murray, and the two of them seemed to be getting along great. I thought that was a very good thing.

That night I had another mall date with the twins. I made sure I treated both girls exactly the same. We ate at the food court again and from the mall we went up to Daytona to the new boardwalk complex. The temperature was about fifty and the breeze off the ocean was stiff so the three of us strolled along snuggled up. We stopped at Dunkin Donuts for hot chocolate then I took them home. The twins thought it was pretty funny that our early arrival interrupted Shelia and Al making out on the couch. Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh were out for the evening again, this time at some charity function. It was only ten so I stayed and hung out for a while.

Al and Shelia seemed anxious to get back to whatever they were doing, so I went upstairs with the twins to their playroom. We ended up playing Monopoly, of all things. I left at eleven after nice kisses from both girls. Elaine and I had to concentrate on keeping our ardor toned down. That wasn't an easy task because our attraction was stronger than ever as soon as our lips met. I wasn't going to get a date with Elaine that weekend because the Cavanaughs were going to Tampa early in the morning and coming back Sunday night. They were going to visit Mr. Cavanaugh's sister and go boating out on the Gulf of Mexico. I got seriously double smacked in the arm for suggesting I go along to keep cousin Ashley amused.

The next Wednesday night Nina invited me to dinner again. She apologized for us missing last week. It turned out she had other matters to attend to; it had nothing to do with Elaine and me. After we ate we went to the living room and settled into our usual place on the couch. Nina was wearing this brown corduroy dress that buttoned down the front from collar to hem with big pink buttons. The top two buttons were undone and so were a few at the bottom. She had on sandals and her legs were bare except for the ankle bracelet I gave her.

"Do you wear that all the time or did you put it on just for me?" I asked pointing to the bracelet.

She stuck her leg out and grinned. "I wear it all the time, I think it's sexy. I get a lot of comments on it, especially if I'm wearing heels. Of course, I can't tell anyone that my cruel sheik makes me wear it to mark me as his property."

She gave me the opening I'd waited for all evening. "You know, Nina, Elaine raised the stakes of our little game quite a bit. I'm afraid we went a little crazy."

"She told me; we had a long talk about it. Her attraction to you is extraordinary. It is also extraordinary that everyone feels you two are meant for each other. When she asked my sister about going on the pill, Donna didn't bat an eyelash and agreed immediately. I think our biggest concern about the whole thing is the affect it will have on her relationship with Ellen. They have been inseparable since birth; now all of a sudden, here you are in the mix."

That was something I had not even considered. I admitted as much to Nina and asked for her advice. She told me before Elaine and I went any further I needed to talk about it with both Elaine and Ellen together. That sounded like excellent advice. With that settled, I turned to her with a big Snidely Whiplash leer.

"I believe we have some catching up to do," I said, trying to sound menacing.

She tried to look frightened as I took her in my arms but she was no better an actor than I was. We were soon kissing passionately and I wasted no time in starting to unbutton her dress. I was expecting her to protest but she just kept kissing. I had her dress unbuttoned to the waist and her bra unfastened before we broke that first kiss. As passionately as she was responding I could still sense she was holding herself back. Suddenly for me this wasn't a game any more. It was me and a woman I was strongly attracted to. I tweaked her nipple, put my lips next to her ear and sent her a big dose of how I really felt about her.

"Let yourself go Nina, this is just about us. I want to make love to you."

"Oh God," she moaned. I could feel it as she let herself loose; it was as if a dam burst, her feelings washed over me in a huge surge. "Not here," she panted, "bedroom."

I picked her up and she guided me up the stairs to her spacious master suite. I deposited her on her big canopied mahogany bed then shucked my clothes as if they were on fire. Nina finished undressing herself and almost exactly as Elaine had, she held her arms out to me. I kissed her gently then kissed my way down her body. Mother nature had sure been kind to Nina; she had a body a thirty year old would be proud of. Her skin was soft and smooth across muscles that still had their definition. The only hint of her age was the slightest of laugh lines around her eyes.

Nina's bush was the same flame red as Elaine's although Nina had more of it. She also had a large prominent clit peeking between her lips. She didn't explode as soon as I touched her as Elaine had but it didn't take her long to climax. Nina produced prodigious amounts of juice that tasted as sweet as cotton candy. Best of all for me, she wasn't too sensitive after she came for me to continue; she soared from one orgasm to the next with hardy a pause. After her third I was as needy as a televangelist. I moved up and positioned myself over her. She opened her eyes when I moved; they were glazed with lust.

"I have a rubber in my wallet," I offered.

"We don't need it, just go slow My Love, I haven't been with a man in a long time."

I nodded and moved my hips to line myself up. I didn't need to worry about wetting Kong's head as he was dribbling precum all over both of us. Nina was the tightest place Kong ever visited that wasn't attached to my forearm. I worked my way in with short sawing strokes; Nina wasn't helping because she kept cumming and clinching up. I let out a loud moan when I finally felt our groins meet. I thought about anything I could to keep me from coming and it worked for about five minutes. When I did come, it was so hard I almost passed out. Nina was most happy that Kong only wilted a little before coming back to full hardness. We only stopped after my next orgasm to keep from making Nina sore.

"That was fantastic beyond description," she said when she caught her breath.

I had to agree. I was lying on my back and Nina was snuggled against my side, her arm across me, and her head on my chest. I was a contented boy. Then I thought of something she had said earlier.

"What did you mean when you said I was your first man in a long time?"

"I mean I haven't had sex with a man in over ten years. Believe it or not, I never had the urge strong enough until you."

"You went without sex for over ten years?" I asked incredulously.

She gave me that laugh I so loved. "No silly, I went without sex with a man for over ten years. I'm bisexual, Johnny, it's genetic in our family, just like our red hair."

Oh," I said stupidly. Then it hit me, "You mean Elaine is Bi also?"

"Who do you think taught her how to kiss like she does?" she giggled.

Thinking back on it, Elaine had kissed me the night of our date as if she had a PhD in lipology. I was just so caught up in the moment that I'd failed to properly notice it. I went home at nine-thirty, I felt so good, I could have pushed my truck to my house.

The next month passed in a blur, I was busy at school and playing ball. I took the twins out twice more and had a date with Ellen by herself. There was a spark between Ellen and me, but as I expected, we didn't spontaneously combust as Elaine and I had. Elaine and I kept ourselves under control because of what Nina had said. Elaine had the same reservations about it that everyone else had. A Gordian Knot bound the sisters together. I was unwilling to play Alexander the Great and sever the tie.

I took Nina out also. We went to dinner and the movies a few times. We also went surfing with Al and Shelia. Al was a great surfer; he was good enough to almost certainly do it competitively. He was also a good teacher; he probably tripled my modest skills in just one day. Tell you what; if Elaine was going to grow up to be like Nina, she was definitely the girl for me. Nina made everything fun and exciting. She blew me in the dark back row of the theater once. Another time she let me play with her under the table while we sat in a booth at Pizza Hut. We carried on a normal conversation of sorts as I brought her off. We also made each other laugh, something that Dee-Dee taught me was very important in a relationship.

Sadie Hawkins day came around again. I had been asked to the dance one day at lunch, the invitation took me by surprise. I was sitting at a table with the usual suspects when Cindi Frazier piped up.

"So Junior," (I never did figure out how she ended up calling me Junior) "if you haven't been asked to the big dance I'd like to take you."

I accepted of course, Cindi was my budette, so I didn't doubt for a minute that it would be a lively and entertaining evening. The reality of the evening exceeded my expectations by a mile. I didn't know what to expect while I was waiting for her to pick me up, I mean how many Asian Goth Rednecks are there? Yes, Cindi is Asian; the Fraziers went to Vietnam and adopted her as an infant.

Cindi picked me up at six-thirty. I was surprised that she had forgone most of her Goth regalia. Instead, she wore a gingham granny dress and her tall, red, fourteen lace Doc Marten boots. Her hair was in long pigtails; she didn't even have a hint of any color besides black in those long silky tresses. Her white make up was gone but her cheeks were rouged to a pink glow. She was cute as hell. The dance was way more fun than last year, all because of Cindi. She was so damned witty she kept me in stitches. Plus, the girl could dance.

We were headed to the parking lot after the dance, still laughing. She started her car and headed out. I suggested we go to the Steak and Shake for a bite but she had other ideas.

"Can we go somewhere so we can talk?"

It was fine by me. I suggested she drive us down to the beach. She parked in the first row of the public parking lot so we could watch the ocean.

"Is it still Sadie Hawkins Day?" she asked.

"Till midnight," I replied.

"Then I want you to kiss me, this may be the only chance I ever get."

I looked at her sharply, what she just said grated on me.

"I've changed my mind. Sadie Hawkins Day is over," I said. She looked at me stunned; just before she said something I held up my hand. "Sadie Hawkins Day is over. Now I have a question; may I kiss you Cindi Frazier?"

Her frown of a few seconds earlier was replaced with this little Madonna half smile. I leaned towards her and laid a Pulaski special on her that included a big dose of arousal. Cindi and I didn't have that special connection but I had a feeling my empathy would work on her to some degree anyway. The kiss started awkwardly, I was a little surprised at Cindi's lack of technique. With a little coaxing she relaxed and followed my lead. When we came up for air Cindi sat back in her seat breathing hard.

"Jesus, so that's what Amanda was talking about. I felt that kiss all over. Thank you."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you, I've wanted to do that for months. I hope I get more than just the one," I said.

See looked at me with another of those little half smiles. "You mean you want to kiss me again? I thought you were doing that just to make the poor little strange girl feel good."

I held her hand and sent her waves of sincerity. "That was no charity kiss, I did it to make us both feel good."

She sat there staring at me for a few seconds, deep in thought. Finally she spoke again. "I can feel in my heart that you aren't bull shitting me. But I can't figure out why you feel that way. I don't have anything to offer someone like you. I'm just a plain looking weird chick with an attitude."

"You aren't that to me. I think you are smart, cute and sexy, especially when you aren't hiding behind that Goth façade. So do I get another one of those sweet kisses or not?"

"You must be even weirder than me, Johnny Pulaski, but I'm willing if you mean it."

I showed her I meant it. We ended up making out hot and heavy, I went slowly with Cindi, but upped the stakes by cupping her small breast through her dress. She didn't protest, instead she just kissed me harder. I continued to gently squeeze her breast when we broke the kiss.

"Not much to work with after Amanda," she commented.

"I'm not with Amanda, I here with you and you feel very nice. Stop putting yourself down and kiss me again."

We made out a little longer, I think Cindi wanted to go further as much as I did; but her outfit was keeping her as safe as a suit of armor. I mentioned that to her and made her laugh.

"I wasn't prepared for all this," she admitted.

"Well think about it for our next date, okay."

Next date, what next date?"

"Sure, next date, I was hoping you would go out with me again. Something more conventional next time, dinner and a movie maybe."

"I'd like that a lot," she replied.

We made arrangements but with our conflicting schedules we had to settle on the weekend after Spring Break.

I also had a couple of outings with Emma Thorpe and her mom, Kayla. I tried to see Emma at least once a week and was Kayla's backup babysitter. I took Kayla and Emma to Marineland and another time we went to St Augustine. Kayla and I acted for all the world like a married couple when we were somewhere with Emma. I liked that, and so did Emma. Since Emma was crazy about me, and I had kept my word about hitting on her, Kayla was mostly convinced that my intentions were honorable, so she loosened up around me. There are some advantages to being a nice guy; Emma and Kayla were two of them.

Spring break started on Friday, April the first. I was flying to Colorado on Saturday the second, early in the morning. I was returning Sunday the tenth. I could hardly wait to see Katrina, although I was nervous about the trip. Imagine, I was sixteen years old and had never flown in an airplane, or even been out of the state of Florida for that matter.

I expected to see a different side of Katrina this time since the situation with Cadet Borkowski had been resolved. Uh-oh, I forgot to tell you about that didn't I? Well here's what Katrina related to me about two weeks ago.

I was sitting in my room surfing the net when she called me. It was Tuesday night, not one of our usual nights to talk. I would have thought something was wrong except for how cheerful she sounded.

"Johnny, the strangest thing happened this evening; Borkowski actually came up to me and congratulated me on how I played during our volleyball game. Since yesterday, he has been treating me like any other plebe."

"Did anything happen yesterday that might have changed his attitude?" I asked.

"Well, we did rotate through a Special Forces demonstration as part of joint service indoctrination. Yeah, that could be it, because Borkowski ended up being a training aid. We marched over to a field out behind the sports complex and sat in a semi circle about fifty feet from this lieutenant colonel standing on a small platform. I remember we were all looking at one another kind of disappointed because we expected to see of the cool stuff you see those Green Berets doing on television.

"Anyway, he introduced himself as Colonel Lupchek and started telling us the role Special Forces plays in the total military force. Then he held up what looked like a unit roster and said 'ah, a fellow Poleski', and called Borkowski's name. Borkowski jumped up and sounded off. The colonel called Borkowski forward about ten paces in front of the podium then had him turn around to face us. I swear to God, as soon as Borkowski was facing towards us, this apparition rose up out of the ground behind him, grabbed Borkowski by the hair, and held this huge Bowie knife to his throat.

"Then all at once about a dozen more men stood up wearing these mesh suits with bits and pieces of sticks, rocks, sage grass and even yucca plants attached to them. It was as impressive as hell! I still kept an eye on Borkowski as the guy holding him seemed to be whispering in his ear. Borkowski is bigger than you, Johnny, but the guy holding him was even bigger. He was scary looking too, as all you could see through the thick camouflage face paint and netting was the white of his eyes.

"Borkowski's eyes were as big as saucers when the man released him. Then Colonel Lupchek went back into his spiel; he identified the team as some detachment two-two-two, as the men fell into a line formation in front of us. Each member of the team identified himself, told us what languages he spoke, and what his specialty was. The guy who had grabbed Borkowski was also Polish; his name was Staff Sergeant Zalenski."

"I see Papa's fingerprints all over that. I told him about your problem over a month ago. Wonder what Zalenski said?" I said.

Papa told me later that according to his friend who set the whole thing up, Zalenski told Cadet Borkowski that it would be just as easy to visit his room in the middle of the night if Borkowski didn't start treating Cadet Pulaski as he did everyone else. Turns out Papa had an old and very good friend that worked in public affairs at Fort Carson. When Papa's friend put together the demonstration team he had a talk with Colonel Lupchek. Since Papa's friend was a Medal of Honor recipient, the Colonel had been only too glad to help.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 20


I had another date with Elaine Thursday night after my last day of school before Spring Break. It was a warmish spring night so I drove us down to the beach after we ate. I parked my truck off to the side of the closed beach approach and we walked hand in hand down along the edge of the surf.

"Ellen and I had a long talk last night," Elaine said.

"About what?" I asked.

"About us growing up and growing apart."

"How did that go? How does Ellen feel about it? Most importantly to me, how do you really feel about it?"

She laughed at my barrage of questions, stopped and turned to face me. She looked up at me and I swear, at that moment, the only reason the almost full moon was hung in the sky was to shine on her. The twins weren't as classically beautiful as their sister Shelia, but there in the moonlight, on the nearly deserted beach, Elaine was the prettiest girl I ever met.

"Slow down, Honey, one question at a time. You came up in the conversation but it wasn't about you primarily. Ellen and I talked about growing apart as a function of us maturing. Regardless of how identical we appear, we are different people. Those differences seem to be more noticeable every day. We dress alike less often now and have diverging plans for after high school. Growing apart in some ways is not that big a deal to us because we know how much we absolutely mean to each other. Ellen isn't as crazy about you as I am but she still wants to be a part of your life. I agreed to that and we made a 'no jealousy pinkie swear' concerning you."

"Which means?"

"Which means, you lucky boy, that we have decided to share you. Well, actually, since you are mine, I decided to share you. Of course, I'll continue to share you with Aunt Nina as long as you remember who rocks your world, okay?"

"Yes dear," I answered stoically.

"Good answer," Elaine giggled.

Dad took me to Orlando International on Friday morning. We had to be at the airport at six-thirty in the morning for my eight o'clock flight. I wasn't crazy about flying on April Fool's Day, heck I wasn't crazy about the idea of flying, no matter what day it was. Dad hung with me through the check in process then walked me out to the security checkpoint. I protested that he didn't have to do all that, but I was secretly glad he did. I tried to relax and do some reading while waiting to board the flight; it was a lost cause though, because I couldn't focus on my book; I was too nervous and excited.

I put my book aside and when I looked around I saw a prim looking young woman staring at me. When our eyes met she blushed and smiled embarrassedly.

"Forgive me for staring please, I'm just surprised at your choice of reading material," she said.

I held up Nana's copy of another of James Hilton's books, this one a yellow, dog-eared 1943 paperback titled 'Random Harvest'.

"This is the fourth book by this guy I've read. Once I figured out his rhythm I began to like his style. Trouble is, I have to concentrate when I read his work and today that's impossible." I moved into the empty chair next to her. "My names Johnny, by the way, Johnny Pulaski."

"Thea McElroy," she responded, "I'm familiar with Mr. Hilton's work, I'm just finishing up my Master's in English Literature. I thought that book was his best next to 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' and it's very romantic."

"Really? I thought it stunk that he lost his memory and forgot his first wife. Now all he seems to do is make money and mope around." I replied.

She beamed me a genuine smile of mirth this time. "Keep reading; you might be surprised by what happens."

Thea and I yakked about books until it was time to board the plane. I think she was as sorry as I was to have to stop. Luckily I caught a break on the plane and ended up with an empty seat next to mine. Thea, sitting in the middle seat two rows back, quickly moved up to sit next to me. I managed to hide my nervousness as the plane taxied out on the runway. However, as the pilot brought the engines up to full thrust and released the brakes, I grabbed Thea's hand. When the Delta MD-88 lurched down the tarmac and leapt off the end of the runway Thea gave my hand a comforting squeeze. I was amazed to feel the waves of reassuring calmness radiating from her.

Thea held my hand all the way to Atlanta. We exchanged phone numbers and I promised to call her when I arrived in Colorado. I was blown away five months later when I walked into Honors Lit and saw Thea sitting at the teacher's desk. But I'm getting ahead of myself, more about that later.

I had a two-hour layover in Atlanta then flew on to Colorado Springs. The plane touched down in the high desert plains at twelve-thirty local, right on time. I exited the airplane with my backpack and followed the signs to the baggage claim carousel. Katrina and I spotted each other as I reached the bottom of the escalator. When we closed the distance between us, she gave me a brief hug and whispered in my ear.

"I have to maintain my military bearing here, Bro, too much brass around. I'll hug you properly when we are alone, okay?"

I nodded, escorted her to the carousel and whispered back.

"I can live with that for another few minutes because Papa said one of his old friends was meeting us here. When I do get a chance, I'm going to squeeze you until we are Siamese Twins."

I called Thea McElroy to let her know I arrived safely, and to thank her again for baby-sitting me. She laughed and told me it had been a pleasure.

As Katrina and I were waiting for my bags to come down the chute someone came up behind us.

"Excuse me, are your names Pulaski by any chance?"

We turned around and were face to face with a small wiry man. He looked as if he were a few years younger than Papa. His gray hair was cut in a flattop and he stood ramrod straight; there was no mistaking him for anything but a former soldier.

"Yes sir," I said, "I'm Johnny Pulaski and this is my sister Katrina."

"Damn son, you are the spitting image of your grandfather. My names John Blakemore, I have a car outside for you, we can leave as soon as we find your bags."

John Blakemore turned out to be the guy who engineered the fix to Katrina's Borkowski problem. He was the chief of public affairs for Fort Carson and a native of the area. He led us to a white Ford Taurus sitting in the tow away zone in front of the arriving flights doors. A cop standing by the car gave Mr. Blakemore a jaunty salute. Blakemore laughed and clapped the man on the shoulder then popped the trunk open so we could stow my bags. It finally registered that Katrina was empty handed.

"Where is your stuff, Trina? Do we have to go pick it up?"

"My bags are at the Marriott already; I checked in last night."

We piled into the sedan, Katrina sat up front riding shotgun. As soon as our host pulled away from the curb she turned in the seat to face him.

"Which reminds me; Mr. Blakemore, you wouldn't have anything to do with our room being upgraded to a suite by any chance, did you?"

"Call me JB, please; and I might have casually mentioned to my old friend the manager about all the business I throw his way. Listen you two, your grandfather is the only reason I'm around to be able to do this. He saved my life in Vietnam and almost lost his own in the process. Upgrading a hotel room and loaning you a car is the least I can do."

Blakemore parked in the hotel lot next a desert camouflaged Humvee. JB gave Katrina the keys when we were all out of the car. I grabbed my bags, he shook our hands again, said he'd be in touch and then he roared off in the Hummer. Katrina led the way to our suite. The suite was a nice two room unit with a king sized bed dominating the large bedroom. The sitting room area even had a small kitchenette. We dropped my bags in the bedroom and I pulled Katrina into a hug.

"You can't imagine how happy I am to be here with you, Trina," I said.

She nodded her head against my chest and tightened her arms around my neck.

"I almost fainted when I saw you walking towards me, Johnny. It's almost irrational how much I've missed you."

I gently stroked her head as she leaned against me. Katrina was in uniform with her hair in some sort of bun on the back of her head. I started to pull back from her but she held me even tighter.

"I don't want to let you go," she said.

I gave her a squeeze and kissed her forehead. I was feeling about a ton of love for this incredible woman. I guess I must have radiated some of what I felt for her because she shivered in my arms and pulled her head back to look into my eyes.

"I feel how much you love me, Johnny, and it makes me incredibly happy that it's so unconditional. I didn't think love like that existed. You'd love me the same no matter what, wouldn't you?"

I moved my hands and put them on either side of her face then touched my lips to hers. I gave her my answer in feelings as our lips barely made contact. When I moved my head back her eyes were wide and her pupils were fully dilated. She moistened her lips with her tongue.

"Do that again, Baby, but don't hold anything back. I want that feeling imprinted in my brain so I'll always have it with me."

I couldn't see the harm in that so I smiled and leaned in again. This time her lips slid against mine firmly as I concentrated on letting her feel how I felt about her. When I broke our connection her eyes remained closed. She sighed and leaned her head back on my chest. Being able to hold her like that made the plane ride worth every scary moment. With another big sigh she finally stepped out of my arms.

"How is any other guy going to be able to compete with that, Johnny?"

"It's not a competition, Trina. The right guy is going to make you feel for him like I feel for you. I think what you give ends up making you as happy as what you get."

"How did you get so smart about this stuff at your age? And for your information, I do feel that way about someone — you. I love you way past sisterly, Johnny, miles and miles beyond that. You know what else? You are the only man who has ever made me feel like a woman in my very soul. I don't have to be tougher and smarter with you. When it comes to you, 'no' is not in my vocabulary."

Katrina told me all that in this soft little voice that made me feel all protective and mushy. When she set her feminine side loose she was even more a force of nature. I don't know how long we stood there staring into each other's eyes, and frankly, I don't care either. It was one of the most intensely spiritual moments of my life. Finally Katrina gave another little shiver and looked away.

"Come on, I want to show you the Academy and if we don't go right now, I don't think I'll ever let you out of this room," she said huskily.

Man, that Air Force Academy is an amazing place. All I can say is that we better have good pilots for the money spent educating them. It was a beautiful campus; the cadet chapel especially impressed me. I was in awe of the mountains that formed a backdrop to the west of the Academy. The tallest hill I'd seen prior to today was the one hundred fifty foot tall 'trash mountain' at the landfill Papa used. Katrina pointed out Cheyenne Mountain and the snow-capped megalith of Pike's Peak.

"We can visit Pike's Peak tomorrow if you want. We can probably drive to the top because it hasn't snowed in over a week," she said.

We spent an hour seeing the academy then went back to the hotel. It was almost six in the evening by the time we were back in our room. I mentioned to Katrina that I hadn't eaten since breakfast and was starving. She was hungry too, she said to give her a minute to change and we'd go eat. I told her I'd wait in the other room while she changed.

"Not on you life, Sweetie," she said, "I'm not letting you out of my sight."

I leaned against the doorframe as she stripped off her uniform. She was a vision in an aqua satin bra and thong. I admired her openly as she dug a pair of jeans and a sweater out of the dresser. She dressed, put on her Nikes, let her hair down and then grabbed my hand in hers.

"No one within a thousand miles of here knows you're my brother, so you are now officially my boy friend."

I figured there were lots worse things to be, even if it was only pretend, so I quickly agreed. We grabbed our jackets and bolted. Katrina had done her homework for our stay; she knew exactly where to take me. Half an hour after we left our room I was sitting in front of about four pounds of thick t-bone, done just shy of medium. I gotta tell you right now that sitting there with Trina and that steak was the very next best thing to being in heaven for this country boy. Katrina gaped at me in amazement as I demolished the t-bone while she daintily nibbled her petite filet mignon. When I couldn't worry any more meat off the bone I leaned back with a contented sigh.

"Jesus, Johnny, where did you put all that?"

"I told you I was a hungry trencherman. Man, that was forevermore excellent. Can we come here for breakfast tomorrow?"

Katrina's next surprise for me was a trip to a western outfitter. She said she had an image of me as the rugged cowboy type so she was going to see if I could look the part. I walked out of the store dressed for success in new boots and a tan, rolled brim cowboy hat. The hat was okay, I could take it or leave it alone, but the boots were definitely me. They were dark brown, hand stitched and hand tooled Justin's. They were comfortable right out of the box. I protested the amount of money Katrina was spending on me but she waved me off.

"I don't have anything else to spend it on Baby. Besides, you in those boots, jeans and hat equates to how you feel about me in a miniskirt. You're my big hunky, Polack Cowboy."

I dragged out my best John Wayne impersonation. "All right Little Missy, I rectum I can do that," I drawled.

"Yes, you do have a nice ass," she giggled as she pinched my butt.

We took in a couple of other stores as we walked down the street. Katrina insisted on buying me a shirt and belt to complete my ensemble. I strenuously protested wearing one of those rodeo champion belt buckles the size of a dinner plate, so we compromised on something smaller. I cracked Katrina up when I told her that in this get-up I would look as if I were heading to a Village People audition.

"We'll see tomorrow night when you take me dancing," she said.

I stashed my new clothes in the closet when we got back to the room and loaded the sodas and snacks we'd bought into the fridge. I poured us both a diet coke and turned on the tube while Katrina showered. I stifled a yawn as I sat there waiting, it was only ten-thirty in Colorado but my body was still on Eastern Time. Katrina was in and out of the shower in ten minutes. She came in wearing one of the hotel's big, fluffy hooded robes. She sat on the floor in front of me and handed me her hairbrush. I gently brushed her hair as we talked about going to Pike's Peak the next day.

I jumped into the shower at eleven. After a quick cleanup I brushed my teeth and joined Katrina in the big king-sized bed. Katrina squeezed herself against my side and flung her arm across my chest. She was wearing a slinky short nightie that made her even more alluring.

"I missed this Johnny, this is where I belong," she sighed.

She had a point. I turned my head to kiss her good night. Katrina kissed me back and before I knew what was happening our tongues were dueling inside my mouth. I finally broke the kiss with a sigh; it was getting harder and harder to stop.

"I love you, Trina, good night," I said.

"I love you too, Johnny, love you so much it hurts," she replied.

I woke up snuggled against the back of a beautiful woman; my hand full of firm breast and my morning erection nestled between the silken cheeks of a beautiful ass. I was feeling great until I remembered to whom that breast and ass belonged. I flushed in embarrassment and started to ease backwards. I was hoping Katrina was still asleep so she wouldn't know what a pervert I was. As I loosened my grip on her breast her hand came up and squeezed my fingers.

"Don't even think about moving," Katrina said sleepily.

I had to wonder who she thought was holding her. "Trina, it's me, I'm sorry for groping you, it happened in my sleep," I whispered.

"I know who it is and you feel wonderful, now go back to sleep."

I looked at the glowing red digits on the clock radio and saw it was only six AM. I snuggled tighter against her and fell asleep. Two hours later Katrina woke me up with peppermint toothpaste flavored kisses.

"Time to get up, Baby, you've got a mountain to see."

I took care of my bathroom duties and dressed quickly. Katrina told me it was going to be cold on the mountain so I wore a sweatshirt and took my bomber jacket. We ate breakfast in the Marriott dining room and were on the road by nine. It took a little over an hour to reach the mountain and a careful thirty-five minutes to make it to the summit. Even though my breathing was labored from the altitude and it was as cold as a rat's ass, I wouldn't have missed the experience for the world. We ate lunch at the Summit House and hung out on the mountain until it closed at three. It was easy to see what inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write 'America the Beautiful' after seeing the breath-taking panoramic vistas.

We were back at the hotel by four-thirty. We took a little nap to recover from the cold, rarified atmosphere up on the mountain. It was like old times when Katrina stripped down to her undies and plastered herself against me. Katrina woke me up again that evening at six the same way she'd awakened me that morning, with gentle hugs and sweet kisses. She had already showered and was in the hooded robe again. She stood at the sink and blow-dried her hair while I showered. When I exited the shower she was in the bedroom getting something out of her suitcase. When I was dry and in the other hotel robe, she handed me my clothes, shooed me into the sitting room and closed the door.

I put on my new duds and checked myself in the mirror. I didn't look that bad, all things considered. The shirt Katrina picked out for me was white with a couple of different colors of purple stripes; it fit me loosely even though it was the right size. The salesman at the clothing store said that western cut clothes were cut so a cowboy had room to move in them. The belt we compromised on was braided brown leather, the same color as my boots, and had a silver buckle. I tried on the hat, sitting it on top of my dome different ways. I couldn't decide how I should wear it so I left that decision up to Katrina. I was wearing a pair of my own Levis; they were snug but not plum hugger tight.

I was watching the History Channel when the bedroom door opened and Katrina walked out. I glanced her way and did a double take. Katrina was a cowboy's wet dream in a short full denim skirt, calf high tan cowgirl boots, and a pink t-shirt with darker pink, glittery writing on it. The shirt said 'save a horse, ride a cowboy' and hugged her torso as if it were a coat of spray paint. Because her stomach was so flat, her medium sized breasts looked even larger. Her hair fell to her shoulders and flipped up at the ends; her make up was subtle, highlighting her large blue eyes and high cheekbones.

"You like?" she asked coyly.

I nodded, unable to find my tongue yet. She giggled and grabbed my hand.

"You look hot too; come on, let's go show each other off."

Again, I answered her with an idiotic nod. We snagged our jackets out of the closet and headed for the elevator. We drew a lot of looks as we exited the crowded lobby. I knew it was Katrina that was drawing the attention as she strolled regally along holding my arm. Katrina really had a sexy walk in those boots, her chin was held high and her cute compact butt swayed with each gliding step. She was a blonde Elle McPherson with a cowgirl attitude.

Katrina drove us in the opposite direction from Pike's Peak about twenty miles out into the high desert. On a deserted stretch of highway we suddenly came upon a huge honky-tonk called the Whiskey River. She pulled into the parking lot; the Taurus conspicuously out of place among the four-wheel drive pickup trucks and massive SUVs. I was a more than a little dubious about the place but Katrina rolled the brim of my hat to her liking, pulled it down so that it rode low over my eyes, stuck her arm through mine and we walked in as if we owned the place. An older lady dressed as Dale Evans was sitting on a bar stool just inside the door. She asked if she could help us.

"John Blakemore said to tell you he sent us. We'd like to eat and maybe dance some," Katrina said.

The woman's face lit up in a bright smile as she slipped nimbly off the stool.

"I'm Naomi, JB told me to expect you; any friend of his is a friend of mine. Let me get you seated. You have plenty of time to eat; the band doesn't start until ten."

The inside of Whiskey River was as cavernous as an airplane hanger. We walked by the bandstand and dance floor out into a sea of tables. Off to the left there was a bar with a couple of pool tables and the obligatory mechanical bull. To the rear were sets of double doors with waiters and waitresses ducking in and out carrying trays of food. To the right was a long service bar with three bartenders and a slew of cocktail waitresses in saloon girl garb. The place was about seventy-five percent filled, which equaled at least three hundred people. Naomi seated us and told us to enjoy.

We were seated family style at a big round table; I took off my hat and looked around. The clientele was a mixed crowd, from families with small children to elderly people. The only thing everyone had in common was their western attire. Katrina introduced us to the family sharing the table with us.

"Hi, I'm Katrina and this is my boyfriend, Johnny."

"Hello, I'm Susan Richardson, and this is my husband Clinton, our daughter Amy and our son Clint, Junior."

Clinton Richardson was a tall, rawboned man with a deeply weathered face. I guessed him to be in his forties. Susan was a few years younger, she was a little plump but she had a pleasant face that radiated good humor. Amy was a tall, slender, dark haired girl about my age and Clint was a lanky fourteen year old. Both of the teens were shy and quiet. The Richardsons hadn't ordered yet so Katrina and I studied the one page menu. The menu had five items on it; all cuts of beef in small, medium and large. With the meat you got a baked potato. The other sides were served in bowls for the table to share: pineapple coleslaw, garlic bread, Colorado caviar (pinto beans, ground beef and chili peppers) and a big jug of iced tea. It was my kind of place!

When the food arrived I temporarily dropped out of the conversation as I paid homage to the noble creature that sacrificed its life for my enjoyment. The steak was so big my potato wouldn't fit on the same platter and came on a separate dish. I was having thoughts about moving out here just for the grub. We finished eating and sat and gabbed with the Richardsons as the waitress efficiently cleaned off our table and collected for the meal. At about a quarter to ten the band started tuning up and the house lights dimmed over the main dining area.

Just like that, Whiskey River converted into a dance club. Most of the tables were filled by now and buxom cocktail waitresses were weaving in between the tables carrying trays with pyramids of Coors and Coors Light cans. I asked Clinton how the waitresses knew who was old enough to serve and he showed me a stamp on the back of his hand. Whoever owned this place had streamlined the operation into an efficient machine. I was willing to bet that at the slightest hint of trouble, bouncers the size of Volkswagens would materialize out of the woodwork.

My ass kissed my chair goodbye when the band started playing at ten. Katrina stuck my hat back on my head and pulled me out onto the dance floor with a whoop. Damn I loved seeing her that happy. Her joyful élan helped me get over my awkwardness as I learned the country-western swing dancing everyone seemed to be doing so effortlessly. Katrina, of course, already knew the steps; in no time she had me passably negotiating my way around the floor. We danced through a couple of songs then headed back to our table for a drink. The elder Richardsons were out on the dance floor and Amy and Clint were at another table with some of their friends. Katrina let me sit out one song then hauled me back out on the floor just in time for the first slow dance of the evening. Katrina wrapped her arms around my neck and plastered herself tight against me.

"This is so perfect, Johnny, I couldn't dream anything better."

I had to agree; I squeezed her briefly and kissed her hair.

We danced until midnight then headed back home. Katrina had me drive; she sat in the center of the seat next to me. I had my right arm around her shoulder as she leaned against me. We drove along in silence for a minute then she pulled my arm from around her.

"I almost forgot Baby, I have a surprise for you," she said.

She took my hand and put it on her thigh then pulled it upward under her skirt. My fingers traced smoothly along her nylons then suddenly hit bare skin.

'Yep, thigh highs," she giggled.

"Damn girl, I'm gonna want to see them as soon as we get back to the hotel!"

"I think a personal viewing can be arranged, my handsome cowboy," she said huskily.

We rode all the way back to the Marriott with my hand comfortably resting on her muscular thigh. I guess there might have been some sexual aspect to me absent-mindedly stroking her silken skin but it wasn't conscious, know what I mean? I was just enjoying the closeness.

It was almost one in the morning when we tumbled into our room. I untucked my shirt and kicked off my boots while Katrina went to the bathroom. I was sitting on the couch fiddling with the television remote when Katrina cleared her throat from the bedroom door. I turned my head toward the sound of her voice and I swear I was going to get whiplash from all the double takes she was causing me. Katrina was posed in the doorway, just as she had been at our grandparents' house. She had on the baby doll outfit I'd given her for Christmas but this time she was wearing it boldly. In addition to the nightie, she was wearing the thigh highs I'd felt earlier. When she had my undivided attention she did that runway model strut of hers over to where I sat. I scooted over so she could sit down but she surprised me by dropping gracefully into my lap.

"We have to talk about you touching me," she said.

I snatched my hand off her knee. "Sorry Trina," I mumbled.

She laughed and grabbed my hand placing it firmly high on her thigh. "You are so clueless! I meant, you need to touch me more. No one has touched me in months and even then it sucked. With you it's different; I crave your hands on me."

Wow, this was getting sticky. I just blurted out the truth instead of dancing around the issue. "I don't know if I could stop once I started, Trina. You are a beautiful woman and I guess I must be some sort of pervert because you turn me on a whole lot."

"You most certainly aren't a pervert. I've teased you mercilessly and you have behaved yourself like a gentleman. Besides, maybe I don't want you to stop, did you ever think of that? I told you a couple of nights ago that I would never say no to you about anything you wanted."

I swear my mind was turning to mush as she sat there squirming in my lap. She wasn't making decision making any easier either as she nibbled on my earlobe. I don't think that my reluctance to go further with Katrina had anything to do with the incest zeitgeist; I think I was hesitant because I really and truly loved her. Does that make sense? Probably not, so let me put it another way. I was positive that sex with Katrina would be magnitudes beyond anything I'd ever experienced and I'm just as sure it would be spectacular for her also. But then what? We couldn't exactly get married and live happily ever after and I didn't see us as ever being a one-night stand. What price would we pay later for a fling now? I wasn't about to chance finding the answer to that last question, but maybe Katrina had given me a way to wriggle off the hook.

Okay, before you nominate me for canonization, I probably could have come up with plenty of perfectly valid reasons for us not to escalate our relationship. And any one of those reasons might have prevented what happened next. But you know what? The girl I literally worshipped for the last six years, the woman I thought represented the pinnacle of female perfection, had just offered herself to me. It took every ounce of Pulaski self-control I possessed to keep from taking her up on her offer. Instead, I slipped my arm under her knees and stood up. Katrina squealed and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

"I can do that, Trina, touch you more I mean. All you have to do is promise me that you'll stop me if anything I do makes you uncomfortable."

Katrina nodded her head against my chest. "Okay, Baby, but I can't see that ever happening, not in a million years."

I carried her the few steps to the bedroom and deposited her gently on top of the goose down duvet. She lay motionless, her eyes boring into mine as I stripped down to my briefs and crawled up onto the bed with her. Her breath hissed through her teeth as I slipped my hand under the loose fitting top of her baby doll and caressed her flat muscular stomach. I slid my hand upwards until it bumped against the bottom of her breast. Using just my fingertips, I moved my hand between her proudly up thrust breasts, the elastic of the top tight against the back of my hand. I paused then, my conscience yammering that I should quit what I was doing. Katrina sensed my indecision, and with a moan, reached up and pushed my hand onto her breast.

"Don't stop, Johnny, no one has ever felt that good touching me."

I nodded and squeezed her breast lightly. What was truly unique about Katrina's mounds was how they stood so firm; her nipples pointed skyward even when she was lying on her back. I suppose that the strength and development of the underlying muscles accounted for that. I used my other hand and pushed the top toward her neck exposing both her treasures. Katrina rose up slightly and whipped the flimsy garment over her head. Now naked, except for the tiny thong that came with the outfit, she fell back onto the bed.

I sat beside her and really looked at her body for the first time. Sure, I'd seen her this undressed before, but those were casual glimpses. I hadn't stared at her then. Now though, she was naked with the expressed intent that I see and touch her to my hearts content. Katrina's body wasn't most men's ideal, but it was one that other women would kill for. Fortuitous genetics had gifted her with a tall, slender frame; years of strenuous exercise had covered that frame with sleek muscle. Katrina's torso tapered nicely down to her tiny waist then flared out gently to her narrow hips. Below her hips her legs seemed to go on forever. Because her legs were so long and muscular, they seemed almost skinny. Katrina broke the spell of my reverent inspection.

"Now that you've memorized it, get your hands back on me," she said, only half teasing.

"I've only memorized the front, roll over so I can see the rest," I replied.

Katrina did as I asked, pulling a pillow underneath her head. I think I loved this view of her the best because her tightly muscled bubble butt stuck up so enticingly. I traced my fingers down her back and stopped to pay homage to that glorious ass. I felt her shiver and her legs spread as I reached her thighs; the room was starting to fill with the heady musk of her arousal. Looking at those perfect globes, I couldn't resist leaning forward and planting a kiss on the nearest one. Katrina shuddered as my lips and tongue traveled across the deep crevasse that separated her cheeks. I felt her muscles clinch as she ground herself down against the bed.

"Oh God, I'm coming Johnny," she yipped as she hunched her hips.

I continued to kiss and caress her back and butt as she came down from her climax. When she was relaxed I pulled back the covers and she rolled over under them. I slipped under the covers and reached over to kill the bedside light. I was feeling good about myself, and the adroit manner in which I'd defused the situation, when I felt Katrina wiggle around next to me. Then all of the sudden she was on top of me, her lips on mine, her tongue spearing deeply into my mouth. When she had finished sucking the air from my lungs she raised herself up on her extended arms.

"That was really nice, Baby. I can't ever remember coming just from foreplay. But you aren't finished yet, all you did was get me started."

To emphasis her point, she put her wet, wadded up thong into my hand then reached down and grabbed the Mighty Kong.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 21

In the immortal words of my grandfather, when my sister climbed on top of me naked and grabbed my dick, I was so scared, I didn't know whether to shit or go blind. My plan to appease my sister with a little fooling around was backfiring on me big time. I didn't have a clue for what to do next but Kong seemed to be on the same sheet of music as Katrina. Already as hard as a railroad crosstie, he pulsed in her hand with the rapid beat of my heart. Katrina cooed as he throbbed in her long fingers.

"I knew you wanted me, too, Sweet Baby," she gushed.

Jesus, where did she get that tone of voice? It was so sexy I almost came in my shorts. I knew I had about five seconds of resistance left so I quickly rolled us over until I was on top. That turned out to be another good plan gone awry as Katrina gave a gasp and wrapped those long legs around me. I knew just how one of those dog-sized South American rodents felt when a big Anaconda coiled around it. Katrina's hand was still firmly gripping Kong while her hips undulated against me. As she frantically worked at getting Kong out of my shorts, my senses returned.

"Trina, stop it!" I panted.

Her movements slowed but I could see the smoldering look in her eyes, even in the dim light coming through the windows. I reached down and disengaged her hand from Kong's neck. She wasn't happy about that and neither was he.

"Why are you stopping, Johnny? You know we are meant to be."

There was, as old Hamlet once said, the rub. (Score one for you, Miss McElroy) I knew no such thing, and furthermore, I didn't think Katrina really did either. Sure we loved each other more than being related accounted for, but that didn't mean we were destined to become lovers. You know how my usually clueless ass knew that? Elaine Cavanaugh, that's why. Our attraction was so strong toward one another that Helen Keller could see it. If I could restrain myself with Elaine, I could with Katrina.

"Relax and listen to me a minute, Trina, okay?" When she nodded I continued. "I love you, Sis, and I want you too. But I just don't think we can take it that far, at least not right now. I think as soon as I'm inside you our lives will be irrevocably changed and we both have too much going on to let that happen — yet."

Katrina unwound her legs from around me and lay there still and quiet for a minute or two. Finally she answered me, her voice soft and hushed.

"And I'm supposed to be the smart one? Thinking about it, I can envision exactly what you said. I can see us becoming obsessed with each other to the exclusion of everything else, and I can see not wanting to ever be apart from you again. You know what else I just realized? All my good feelings and thoughts are centered on you now, and that can't be healthy. So I'm going to let you run the show, since you seem to be the only one here whose brain works. But I'm really wound up Johnny and I need some relief."

That's what I wanted to hear! I rolled off her and laid on my right side, with my mouth next to her ear. I started caressing her with my left hand.

"Relax and concentrate on my hand and voice," I whispered. "No one will ever love you more than I do, Trina, all I'll ever want is for you to be happy, to feel safe, and to feel loved."

As I said that, I sent her the feelings I wanted her to have just as my hand reached her center. She gave a small gasp as my hand touched her treasure and her hips bumped up to gain more contact.

"Relax, Sweetie, that's all you have to do, relax and enjoy what's going to happen. Can you do that?" I asked.

"Yes," she whispered tremulously.

My lips were right next to her ear so I started nibbling on her neck, working my way down her body. I stopped at her breasts and finally had the opportunity to get my lips on her longish nipples. Katrina's nipples were sensitive and she obviously liked what I was doing as her hand came up and languidly rested on the back of my head.

"Bite them a little, Baby, they like that," she said.

You know me, eager to please, so I took one between my teeth and nipped it firmly. She pressed my head harder against her breast so I bit down a little firmer.

"Exactly like that," she sighed.

I switched from one boob to the other, giving them equal treatment before I headed further south. I kissed down her hard flat stomach and poked my tongue in her little 'innie' navel. Then continued my journey to the Promised Land. Katrina's hot little sex had been throwing out pheromones for the last half hour; now it was time to see if she tasted as good as she smelled.

I reached the juncture of her thighs and inhaled her earthy aroma then dipped my tongue into her neatly groomed slit. As soon as I tasted her I knew that, if given the chance, I was going to be spending some major quality time right there. I scrambled around on the bed until I was lying on my stomach between those long thighs, my mouth glued to her nether lips. Katrina had clearly hoped the evening would end up this way because I could smell the soap between her legs. She had obviously freshened herself up before getting ready for bed. To show her that I appreciated her hygienic endeavors, I dove into to her juicy little slit tongue first. Katrina hadn't lied about being horny; she came almost as soon as my tongue touched her clit. When she didn't push me away I stayed where I was and drove her towards another, slower climax, varying the stimulation to draw out her pleasure.

I guess it's no secret by now that I love to go down on a woman. I know I don't have a lot of experience, but so far every one that I've ever tasted was good or better. I guess if I had to rate Katrina's it would be right behind Dee Dee Drake's as the best I'd ever tasted. Hmmm, maybe I could come up with a rating system for the different tastes of pussy. I could then write reviews like those wine taster guys: "Katrina had an unpretentious little pussy, fruity with a subtle, earthy bouquet that lingered on the nose. Yet the taste was surprising heady for a vintage so young. As one would expect, the taste was both sweet and tangy, as befitting a fruit plucked not quite at the height of ripeness."

But I digress. I loved the way she tasted, forbidden fruit or not. And I loved the way she climaxed; she'd suck in a breath of air and hold it as she shuddered, her hips pumping against my face. Katrina's flexibility allowed her to spread her legs into almost a complete split while keeping her feet planted on the bed so she could buck her hips. The though of being buried in her while she did that almost made me spurt into my shorts. After her fifth or sixth orgasm, she weakly pushed my head away and curled up on her side, breathing in big raspy gasps. I moved up behind her and covered us with the sheet. She pushed herself against me; when she caught her breath she sighed in contentment.

"Whoever taught you that has my undying gratitude," she whispered.

"I out-did myself because you inspired me," I replied.

"Poor Baby, I know you are about to explode but I'm too wiped out to help you right now."

"That's alright, Trina, I'll take a rain check. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed doing that for you."

Katrina mumbled something and almost immediately fell asleep. I, on the other hand, lay there reliving the evening, Mighty Kong throbbing in my undies. Finally, knowing I'd never get to sleep in that state, I slipped into the bathroom and expunged about a billion sperm cells into the toilet. I reclaimed my place behind Katrina and joined her in dreamland.

I woke up first the next morning at around seven. I felt like a million dollars so I hopped out of bed and hit the shower. I was busy lathering up my hair when the shower door swung open and Katrina stepped under the cascading water. Her doing that was the culmination of my longest running fantasy. She gave me a smile and handed me the soap.

"You got me all sweaty and sticky so you get to clean me up," she said.

I washed her as if I was polishing the Holy Grail, lovingly soaping every millimeter of her fabulous unblemished skin. When she was clean as a whistle I grabbed her tangerine scented shampoo and massaged a dollop into her fine blonde hair. When I finished with her, she returned the favor. I didn't make a peep as she lathered up the Kongster and whacked him off. I was fine with her doing that because in the best Bill Clinton fashion, I didn't believe masturbation constituted having sex. I figure that getting my cum on her was okay but getting it anywhere in her was a big no-no. Looking back on it, I had some strange ideas about what was what. For instance, I didn't think me pleasing her orally was wrong but I wasn't about to let the opposite happen. Yeah, I know, very weird, but it's how I felt at the time so those were the rules I followed.

We were out of the shower and dressed by seven-thirty, fifteen minutes later Katrina had finished doing her hair and we were on our way to go skiing.

I was wearing jeans, a plaid flannel long sleeved shirt and a down vest that Papa loaned me. Katrina had on this one-piece ski suit, or whatever you call it. It was red and silver, and on her tall slender form it was dead sexy. We motored to a local ski resort about forty-five minutes away. Katrina said it was kind of dinky compared to the ones further north but it was close and would be an excellent place for me to learn. To me, the slopes were huge and seemed to go straight up.

Katrina took us to the pro shop and geared us up. She rented everything except this cool ski cap she bought me. The hard plastic ski boots felt seriously weird on my feet but I clomped outside uncomplainingly. We sat on a bench outside the ski lodge as Katrina showed me how to adjust the bindings on the skis. Soon enough I was standing upright on the skis, proud as hell of myself. After a quick lesson on popping the bindings and adjusting the quick release tension she led me to the bunny slope and gave me some lessons. It took me about twenty minutes to master the snowplow and another twenty to figure out how to do some sort of rudimentary stem turn.

When I made two trips in a row down the slightly inclined slope without busting my ass, I told Katrina I was ready to try the regular slope. She looked at me dubiously and opined that I might want to practice more. I took that both as a challenge and an insult to my Polish machismo. Katrina relented when I insisted and soon we were on the chair lift heading to the top of the intermediate slope. When the lift reached the top Katrina gracefully stepped off it. I, on the other hand, managed to do this incredibly embarrassing face plant right there in front of God and everybody. I tried to jump up but managed to get my skis all tangled up. I fell again just as two teenaged girls were unassing the next chair. They had nowhere to go and fell over me.

I was mortified and apologized profusely. The girls popped right up, of course, and accepted my apology good-naturedly. Katrina stopped laughing long enough to help me up so I wouldn't end up tripping the next load of exiting skiers.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?" she asked.

I tried to give her a glowering look but all that did was crack her up even worse. So I turned and with all the dignity I could muster I eased over to the top of the slope. I cleaned the snow off my Ray Bans and with a defiant glance at Katrina, I pushed off with my poles. I concentrated on keeping my skis parallel, tucked myself up like I'd seen James Bond do in some movie, and rocketed down the hill. I was feeling pretty cocky as I shot down the slope; I even had to make a little turn to correct my course away from some trees. Just when I thought skiing was a piece of cake, I saw the bottom of the run coming up and I was doing about five hundred miles an hour.

'No problem, I thought as I stood straighter, flexed my thighs, brought my knees together and started snowplowing. I started slowing immediately; everything was great until the tips of my skis crossed. Suddenly, I pitched forward right out of my bindings and hit the packed snow like a ton of shit. My initial contact with the ground drove the breath from me with a whoof. I bounced, skidded and rolled right up to a flat, open area at the back of the ski lodge. About a zillion people standing around waiting for the chair lifts watched me crash and burn.

When I took off my snow incrusted sunglasses Katrina was looming over me looking worried.

"Are you hurt, Baby," she asked.

I climbed slowly to my feet as the crowd around me clapped and catcalled. "Nice landing, the Russian Judge gave it a 9.7," I heard someone yell. I bowed towards the onlookers my face a crimson mask of embarrassment.

"Nothing hurt but my pride," I mumbled.

One of the girls I'd tripped at the top of the lift brought over my skis. She handed them to me and I muttered 'thanks' and walked stiffly toward the lift.

"Is he always that clumsy?" I heard her ask Katrina.

I didn't hear Katrina's reply as I snapped myself back onto my skis.

"Come on Trina, I can only get better," I called, my voice full of fake bravado.

I did get better. Next time down I wisely followed Katrina, turning when she did to keep my speed down below warp five. I became much better at the stem turn she taught me and actually began to enjoy the experience. Of course, following her, I could look at her ass in the snowsuit thingie she was wearing and that made everything better. We made a few more runs then took a break for lunch at the lodge. As we ate I told Katrina how much I like skiing, especially when I stayed on the skis instead of my ass. She laughed and said I was doing really well.

We skied for a couple of more hours after lunch. On our last run I challenged her to a race to the bottom of the hill. She beat me handily but at least I didn't cream into anyone or anything during my out of control decent down the hill. We left shortly after five and headed back to Colorado Springs, as I sat in the car I started noticing little aches and pains cropping up all over my body. I figured a good hot shower and some barbeque would solve all that. Yeah, all that skiing and fresh air had made me hungry and Katrina promised to take me to an all you could eat BBQ joint that night.

Back in our room it seemed only natural that we shower together. I soaped her, she soaped me, and everything was copasetic until she started lathering up Mister Kong. She smoothly stroked him until he was as hard as a woodpecker's lips then with an evil glint in her eyes she let him go.

"I'm hungry Johnny, so let's hurry up and get ready," she chirped, as she hopped out of the shower.

We made it to Fat Maxx's Barbeque Pit a few minutes before seven. The place was packed so we had to wait twenty minutes for a table. My stomach rumbled the entire time as I sat there surrounded by the aroma of smoldering meat. We finally heard our names being called just as I was about to keel over from starvation. We both ordered the all you could eat, $10.99 special, the waitress brought our drinks and we sauntered up to the buffet. Katrina grabbed a plate and started picking around in the rabbit food section. I passed up all that tripe and headed straight to the meat. I was working on my third big plate, this time it was beef ribs in some sort of semi-hot sauce, when the waitress stopped by.

"Your man has a healthy appetite, don't he Honey?" she asked Katrina.

Katrina gave the woman a wink and said in an exaggerated drawl, "Yes, ma'am he sure does. I'm gonna have to work him hard tonight so he don't get fat on me."

The woman hooted and slapped me on the back. "In that case you better eat up Cowboy, this girl looks like she has plans for you."

I blushed and ducked my head as I nodded. My crimson glow caused another round of tittering.

Despite Katrina's boasting at Fat Maxx's, all either of us had the energy for was a little television and some snuggling under the covers.

And so our week flew by. We spent every possible moment together and I had the opportunity to do things I'd only read about before. We spent a day at the Garden of the Gods, walking hand in hand among the rock formations. For a boy from Florida where our only rocks are coquina, I was awed. I was also amazed that the place was a city park; old Jethro would love it there. We ate lunch in the park's café and I shopped for trinkets for friends and family in the gift shop. Katrina gave me a ration of shit because I had so many women to buy for but she loved the dangly turquoise earrings I snagged for her.

I also saw my first live rodeo and strangely enough, all the participants were high school students. The rodeo was put on by a local high school and was a competitive event between high schools just like football and baseball. After watching the bull riding I decided that you needed some seriously big nads to voluntarily climb on the back of one of those ill-natured critters.

Oh, and we went boot-scootin' again at the Whisky River. We did that on my last night before going home. Katrina sat in my lap any time we weren't dancing and she kissed me about a thousand times. She said she was storing them up to last her until we were together again. Earlier that day we had been the guests of Mr. Blakemore and his wife for a cookout at their house. It was strange having to act like brother and sister again after all our intimacy.

I don't know if I'm proud of myself or not for sticking to the no sex deal but I did. We fooled around some more and I tried to keep Katrina sated enough with my fingers and tongue so she wouldn't insist on anything else. We did dry fuck once, her naked and me in my underwear. That girl was some kind of limber and she could move her hips in directions I thought were impossible. That last night my resolve almost crumbled as we lay in bed together. Katrina was so sad about me leaving and so hungry for my touch I would have done anything she asked to make her feel better. To her credit, though, Katrina stuck to the script I wanted to follow and didn't ask. So we never did anything that either of us would regret later. And, as Katrina pointed out, if we eventually regretted anything we didn't do, we could fix that in a minute.

Katrina drove me to the airport the next morning for my ten o'clock flight. We said our real goodbyes in our hotel room because she had to be in uniform at the airport and being in uniform meant no public displays of affection. While she waited with me outside the security checkpoint we reminisced about our week and agreed that it was about the best vacation ever for either of us. We had memories of the week preserved in about a thousand photos on my digital camera's one gig memory card. I know we must have irritated a lot of folks by asking them to take pictures of the two of us together. I promised her I would send her a bunch of them via e-mail and would print out the ones she wanted in hard copy. When I absolutely had to go she hugged me and whispered fiercely into my ear.

"Johnny, I did what you wanted this time. But if I still love you this same way when things are all good for me, I'm coming to get you. You need to remember that I'm as much Pulaski as you are, when I make up my mind about something I'm going to make it happen."

The flight home was smooth and uneventful so I had plenty of time to think about Katrina. I decided that I would make room in my life for her no matter what else was going on. If it happened when I was involved with someone else I would just have to face the consequences.

My flight arrived in Orlando at one in the morning; Papa was there to pick me up. Papa peppered me with questions about Katrina and his old buddy John Blakemore. I told him that they were both doing great but that he should go out to Colorado and see for himself, they'd both like that a lot. Papa said he just might do that if Nana agreed to it.

It sucked getting up for school Monday morning but I dragged my carcass out of bed and managed to make it through the day. We didn't have baseball practice that day so I was able to sneak in a couple of hours of z's before Dad came home from work. I drove us over to my grandparents for a big spaghetti dinner then Dad and Papa took off for a meeting at the Moose Lodge. I stayed and kept Nana company until eight then headed home. As soon as I was in my room I called Elaine. She was happy to hear from me and I admitted that I felt the same way.

I didn't feel badly at all that I could switch being focused on Katrina right back to Elaine. Katrina had a giant spot in my heart but my fondest hope was that she would find someone worthy of her that wouldn't complicate her life like I would. It was no use wishing or pretending we weren't related either, because it would be virtually impossible to conceal that we were. Then there was the biggest thing of all: how would a relationship between us affect our family? After all Katrina and I were the center of the universe for my dad and grandparents and we ranked pretty high with Mom, too. Doing something to hurt my family was the worst thing I could ever contemplate doing.

So anyway, Elaine and I both admitted that we missed each other and wanted to get together as soon as possible. When I told her that I had a home baseball game the next day, she said she'd be there to cheer for me and Ellen would probably come also. I liked that idea a whole lot.

Tuesday afternoon we suited up as soon as school ended for the day. We had a team meeting and went over the scouting report on our opponent. After the meeting we had batting practice, then infield and outfield practice. When the game started at six, we were focused and ready to play. I like the way coach had us prep for a game just like the pros did. He didn't believe you accomplished anything practicing for hours every day once the season started. Consequently, we only practiced before our games and one other day a week. The additional day was when coach worked on fundamentals.

When I took my position in right field at the top of the first inning I glanced up into the stands behind our dugout. It made my day to see three redheads waving at me; Nina must have brought the twins to the game. I was also surprised to see my little Asian budette, Cindi Frazier, sitting with them. Cindi was ungothed for the occasion, wearing a cute little pair of bib overall shorts and her hair in a long black braid. Cindi and the twins were yakking away; I'd have loved to been able to listen in on that conversation.

The girls must have brought me good luck because I had an excellent game. I made a couple of good grabs in the field, threw out a runner trying to make it to second on a hit up the gap, and had three hits, including a game winning homerun in the seventh inning. I invited all of the girls to Pizza Hut to celebrate after the game. We rode over in Nina's Benz, me sandwiched in the backseat between Elaine and Cindi. What struck me funny about the teenaged girls was how that the twins were fourteen, yet looked eighteen, while Cindi was almost eighteen but looked about fourteen. Well, whatever, anyway, we had a good time at the Hut and I only slightly protested when Nina scarffed up the check.

Nina drove us back to the ball field so Cindi and I could pick up our vehicles. It was hugs and kisses all around then we all dashed home. As I was driving towards my house, Dee-Dee Drake called me on my cell phone. We exchanged pleasantries then she told me why she called. Dee wanted to do a follow up story about the pit bull attack in the park, a three-month update to show how everyone was doing. Kayla had already agreed to meet her in the park the next afternoon and Dee wanted to know if I could bring Jethro over there also. I told her sure, I could do that but it would be four-thirty before I could get there because of practice. She said no problem and we rang off. I called Papa and told him about Dee's request. He was more than happy that Jethro would be on television again. He said he'd have the Polish Wonder Dog there, no problem.

The next day at lunch, Cindi had a million questions for me about the twins.

"They are so friendly, Johnny, and they didn't act as if they thought I was weird or anything," she said in amazement.

"That's because you aren't weird, Cin, unique maybe, but not weird. Besides they are use to people thinking them weird because they are so intelligent."

"Oh, hmmm, I never thought of that, but I can see how it could happen. Elaine told me that she thought it was cool that I took you to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Then she said the most amazing thing; she said I was smart and pretty and different enough to be one of your women.

"It wasn't until you just commented on them being considered different that her comment made sense. Except for Michelle, all the girls you go out with are smart and unusual."

I had never thought of that, but on reflection, she had a point. I guess most of my relationships were a little out of the mainstream, but with the possible exception of Rachael all of the women in my life were fantastic people. It was the other guys' loss that they couldn't see that too.

"I'm dating both the twins, Cindi, does that bother you enough to not want to go out with me again?"

She gave me this oddly speculative look. "Elaine told me she hoped I would become one of your women so we could be sisters and share you. I don't know if I'm up for something like that, but I do know that I had fun at the dance and want another date."

I agreed to take her to the spring street festival over on the beachside on Saturday night. We would see the sights, eat at the Ocean Deck Restaurant and, if we had time, take a stroll on the beach.

I wore nicer clothes to school on that Wednesday so that I wouldn't have to go home and change after practice. I took a shower after practice and hurriedly redressed. I made it to the park with a couple of minutes to spare. Dee and her crew, Kayla and Emma, and Papa and Jethro were already there. Papa must have taken Jethro to the groomer for his return to television because the big doofus was shiny clean and had on an American flag bandana. Dee had her camera guy start filming as she talked to us about the incident and how we were all recovered from it. Truthfully it would have been a pretty bland interview if it had not been for the amazing interaction between Emma and Jethro.

I knew that my grandparents had kept Emma for Kayla a few times when her parents couldn't. I also know that my Papa and Nana were crazy about Emma. What I didn't know was that Jethro and Emma had bonded too. Now old Jethro has always loved kids and he was very gentle with them in spite of being a big ungainly goof, but with Emma he took those traits to a whole other level. The cameraman caught on right away and filmed the two of them when they wandered off to play while Dee was briefing Kayla and me. The cameraman called Dee and pointed to Emma. We all turned to look and we all broke out laughing.

Emma was holding a stick, waving it around in front of her as if she were conducting an orchestra. Jethro was up on his hind legs; his front paws waving in the air as he hopped around the diminutive little girl. Emma was giggling and Jethro had this goofy smile on his face as he hopped, his huge tongue lolling out of his mouth and his big ears flapping. Then Emma threw the stick. It only went about ten feet but Jethro made a production of pouncing on it and running around in circles. Emma held out her hand.

"Gimme stick, Jeffrow," she lisped.

When she said that, Jethro walked towards her. Then, I swear to God, he got down on his belly and crawled the last couple of feet and laid the stick in her hand. It was as if he didn't want to frighten her by rushing up to her. I looked over at Papa and he was beaming with pride. He had the same look on his face that he had when Katrina or I had done something special.

During the interview Jethro sat with his head on Emma's legs as she messed with his ears. He didn't protest a peep as she tried to tie them into a bow on the top of his head. Jethro showed us another side of himself when the cameraman stopped filming and came towards us. Jethro jumped up and stood stiff legged between the man and his little friend. In that posture Jethro stopped looking like a goofy hound and took on the visage of a big assed, menacing looking dog. Papa had to tell him to sit twice before he would let the man near.

The interview aired on Good Friday morning. We were off from school that day, teacher duty day was the official reason given for us not having school, but every one figured it was for the religious holiday. Dee had done a fine job editing the footage of the interview together with parts of the interviews from when the incident first happened; it was an uplifting little human-interest story, perfect for the day. She closed the piece by asking a question.

"So did little Emma Thorpe's experience fill her with a fear of dogs? You be the Judge."

She then showed a two-minute clip of Emma and Jethro playing in the park. Emma was adorable and Jethro was goofily cute and charming. The clip ended with Emma giving Jethro a kiss on the nose. It was one of those scenes that makes you go, "Awww, how sweet."

It was a slow news day that day so the network ran Dee's piece on affiliates across the country, as well as on the Fox News Channel. Cute kids and animals are always a safe bet with viewers. Response from those viewers was so positive, the story ran again in prime time that evening. None of us knew it at the time but two stars were born that day, Emma Thorpe and Jethro, the Polish Wonder Dog.

I worked for my grandfather all day Good Friday. I was helping him frame an addition to a house. The addition was going to be used as an artist's studio. Papa had hired two journeymen carpenters for the day as well. The four of us made short work of the one interior load-bearing wall then we began setting the premanufactured roof trusses atop the block walls. The real carpenters kept me hopping and made sure I got all the dirty jobs, but I was proud of myself that I knew enough to actually be a help to them. The addition was small enough that we could set the trusses by hand. By the end of the day the trusses were all in place and braced off and we had a good start on installing the oriented strand board (OSB) roof sheathing.

We knocked off at five and Papa drove me home. For about the tenth time that day he mentioned how noble and intelligent Jethro had looked on television that morning. Since Jethro had been at the job site with us, the two carpenters had been skeptical of his claims because all Jethro had done was eat, sleep, fart and scratch.

That night I went over to the Cavanaughs'. I was prepared to take the twins out but they wanted to hang out at home. Shelia and Al were out somewhere and the elder Cavanaughs were gone as well. I brought my bathing suit with me, so we jumped in the pool for a while then climbed into their big hot tub. That night I was treated with the sight that they had denied Tony Rochelli, as the twins stripped off their bikini tops in the hot tub. Yes they had matching boobs, and yes, they felt the same.

I had my first taste of Ellen that night as Elaine insisted that I try to tell them apart by taste. Granted it wasn't a very scientific experiment, as they sat on the edge of the hot tub while I licked them blindfolded with Elaine's bikini top, but I knew as soon as my tongue touched Elaine who was who. When my tongue touched Elaine it was as if I'd touched it to the poles of a nine-volt battery. My only other experience with two women at once was with Caroline and Amanda. And you recall that they were both fully engaged in pleasing each other as well as me. Ellen and Elaine weren't like that at all as neither touched the other in any intimate manner. They left all the pleasing up to me. I was down with that, though, as I drove Ellen to her first tongue induced orgasm. I didn't leave Elaine out, and as always happens between us, she came spectacularly.

The girls swapped places with me, and Elaine proceeded to show Ellen around her favorite Kong. I guess Elaine was in a mood to further our relationship because after letting her twin feel my dick for a minute she reclaimed him and slurped me into her mouth. She bobbed her head a couple of times and pulled off him with an audible 'pop'.

"Tell me if I doing this right Honey, I looked up how to do it on the net and practiced with a banana all day today."

Then she reattached her sweet lips to me and stared into my eyes as she sucked and bobbed. While she was sucking she moved her hand on me lightly in a twisting motion. I told her to apply a little more pressure with her hand but other than that she was doing a bang up job. She continued to hold my gaze and didn't stop with her mouth even when I told her I was going to cum. When I did orgasm it was a gusher, it had been a while since the Kongster had been anywhere warm and wet so he had plenty to give. The sheer volume of my spend took Elaine by surprise; she sputtered and coughed when she couldn't swallow it all. Ellen watched the whole episode in fascinated disbelief, her hand agitating the water between her legs.

"Me next," Ellen whooped, as Elaine let me plop out of her mouth.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 22

I left the Cavanaughs' house a happy Polack after my twin blowjobs. Elaine and Ellen were happy, too. Ellen was happy because she was caught up with her sister in the sex department. Elaine was happy because we had moved one step closer to doing the nasty. The Mighty Kong was the happiest though, because he finally saw something besides the palm of my hand.

Saturday morning Papa and I went to Mama's Diner for breakfast before going to the job site. It was just the two of us that day as all we had to do was finish the sheathing and dry in the roof, so we were in no big hurry. Tina was in fine form that morning; she looked good and flirted shamelessly with Papa. We arrived at the job at eight and finished tacking down the last of the OSB. I did all the work on the roof while Papa passed me up the 4 by 8 sheets of manufactured chipboard. Once the OSB was all in place and trimmed to fit, I started gun nailing it to the trusses. My grandfather insisted the boards be nailed every four inches all over the roof even though the building code called for double that spacing. So I sat up there in the sun shooting nails as Papa stood under me inside the house making sure I was hitting the trusses through the decking.

My grandfather's insistence on doing things correctly was why he never lacked for work. It was also why we could put felt paper down on the roof today instead of waiting for a sheathing nail inspection. Every building inspector in the county knew that if Janus Pulaski built it, it was done right. I slammed in the last nail at about one in the afternoon. We took a break for lunch then we started rolling on the felt paper sub roof. Again, Papa insisted on thirty pound felt paper instead of the fifteen pound normally used for the sub roof. He also had me use twice as many of those nails with the one inch green plastic collars to hold the roofing felt in place.

When the roofers arrived next week they would have a superior surface on which to work and they would have less to bitch about when Papa held them to his exacting standards. The roof was dried in to his satisfaction by three. He called for his framing inspection for Monday morning and put the plans and permit in the permit box, as I cleaned up the job site and put away our tools. I sure learned a lot from that old man about doing things the right way. My dad was the same way, so maybe it was genetic.

Papa dropped me off at home with a big old fat check. He had paid me the going rate for the jobs I'd done, instead of paying me by the hour, so I made over four hundred dollars for two days of busting my butt. Even with the fifty-fifty rule I was two Benjamins to the good. I still had some cash flow, even after the trip to Colorado to see Katrina. I spent surprisingly little money out there considering all we did. I gave the check to Dad so he could deposit it in my account and asked him for only a hundred dollars back. Mr. Tightwad beamed at me for putting more than half in the bank, turned his back to me, and then turned back around flourishing five twenties.

"Don't spend it all in one place," he admonished.

"No problem, Mr. Rockefeller," I replied.

I arrived at the Fraziers' house at six in the evening. My date with Cindi was starting early because the street festival ended at nine. The festival was really an outdoor arts and crafts show that showcased the talents of the many artists who used Palmdale as their winter home. Many of the artists exhibited their winter's work before snow birding back north. There was a lot of money in Palmdale, thanks to the Turners, so well heeled collectors snapped up most of the art on exhibit.

Mr. and Mrs. Frazier did not fit my idea of people involved in the funeral home business. They both had these really skewed senses of humor; I could tell right away where Cindi's wit originated. They were also the reason Cindi spoke with a genteel southern drawl. I introduced myself to Mr. Frazier as soon as he opened the door for me. He shook my hand and ushered me into the living room.

"I know your father, Johnny, he takes care of our fleet, and I know you grandfather too, he's done a lot of work for me over the years. I don't feel I need to lecture you on how to treat my daughter considering your lineage."

Before I could say anything Mrs. Frazier walked in. I stood up and introduced myself.

"A pleasure, I'm sure, Johnny, and call me Morticia." Then she turned to Mr. Frazier. "Mind your manners Gomez and offer our guest a beverage while I help Cindi."

I told Mr. Frazier I was fine with a glass of water as I turned their names over in my head, I had heard them somewhere before but couldn't place them. I finally decided I must have overheard Dad or Papa mention them. My musing was interrupted by Cindi's arrival, my eyes bugged out when she walked into the room. Cindi was definitely not Goth tonight; she was wearing a short red miniskirt, a white button up blouse with a little red necktie and white stockings. She had on short red heels and her hair flowed down her back in a long, luxurious cascade to her waist. I told her how fantastic she looked with total sincerity. She blushed and handed her mother a digital camera. Her mom snapped about a half dozen pictures of us then handed Cindi her camera back.

"Midnight curfew, you two," Mr. Frazier said.

I told him I'd remember then escorted Cindi out to my truck. I had flipped up my center armrest earlier, and as I had hoped, Cindi slid over to the center seat. We were on our way to the beachside in less than a minute. I told Cindi again how much I like her outfit.

"Elaine said you liked this look. I'm a big anime fan, this is my Sailor Mars outfit."

"I'm a big Cindi-in-that-outfit-fan," I replied. "Say, what nationality are your parents?"

"I think Dad's ancestors are from Scotland and Mom's are from England, why?"

"Well, their names are so unusual, I mean, I've never met anyone named Gomez or Morticia before."

She looked at me with her mouth agape for a few seconds, and then she burst out laughing. She laughed so hard I thought she would hyperventilate. She would almost stop then look at me and start all over again.

"What?" I asked in vexation.

"Johnny, my parents' names are Chester and Lulu. Gomez and Morticia are characters in an old television comedy show called 'The Adams Family'. I should have warned you about them, they are big practical jokers. I think it's how they cope with the stress of running a funeral home where they have to be so solemn all the time."

I flushed red hot with embarrassment, I didn't remember the television series but I remember seeing the movie when I was seven or eight years old. I was so going to get them back for that!

Cindi and I had a great time walking through all the sidewalk art exhibits. We even found the display for the lady for whom Papa was building the studio. She was a portrait artist, and wouldn't you know that one of the paintings she was showing was one of Papa, Nana and Jethro. She recognized me and gushed to everyone in earshot what a terrific guy my grandfather was. We walked through the streets for an hour or so then headed over to the Sea Deck. We had reservations for eight o'clock. We lucked out at the restaurant and ended up at a table with a great view of the ocean.

I learned something else about Cindi at dinner; for such a small woman, she sure could pack away the chow. She ordered an appetizer, a salad, clam chowder and a seafood platter. I had ordered a double sized fish and chips meal with hush puppies, something I had a craving for about twice a year. Cindi not only polished off the huge platter of shrimp and fish, she stole about half my hush puppies and ordered a desert, too.

"Where are you putting all that?" I asked disbelievingly.

She shrugged and gave me a grin. "I have a souped up metabolism, you might want to take me somewhere cheaper if we do this again."

"Oh there'll be a next time, but we are going to the all you can eat buffets from now on."

We had talked all through dinner; I was able to draw Cindi out about herself. I was especially interested in the Goth lifestyle she professed in school. Among the Goths she wasn't the little funny looking girl; she belonged. I could see how she felt I guess, although I thought she made too much out of being adopted and oriental. I certainly wasn't judgmental about the crowd she hung with. I figured a person's lifestyle choices were their own business, and I found just as many good people among the Goths as I did in any other group. I told Cindi that, and I told her that, while I really liked the way she looked tonight, I wasn't trying to force my ideas on her. I wanted to be with her and if she was more comfortable dressing as she did for school it was okay with me.

"I like dressing like this for you; it makes me feel all girly. And the way you look at me makes me feel like I'm sexy. I've never in my life felt sexy, not even a little bit. I mean, I'm not asexual or anything like that, I just never equated my looks with sexiness until you came along. When we made out after the dance I could actually feel how you thought of me. I saw the possibility of something more. Understand?"

"Yeah, I understand and I think you are sexy as hell. Just sitting here talking about it and looking at you is making me hot."

She smiled when I said that and looked me in the eye.

"Really? Cause you getting hot is making me hot too."

I paid the check and we walked back to my truck holding hands. Because it was still relatively early, I drove us to my house so we could hang out for a while. I introduced Cindi to Dad and told him the joke that her parents had played on me. He cracked up.

"That Chet is a card, he knows more jokes than anyone I've ever met, and he tells them like a professional comedian. I think he missed his calling," Dad said.

Dad hung with us just long enough to be polite then he went to bed.

As soon as we heard Dad's door close Cindi turned to me and gave me a kiss. I stood up and turned out the overhead light, switched the satellite receiver to some mood music and eagerly rejoined her. As soon as I sat back down we started making out like crazy. Cindi was a tiny woman; I'll bet she didn't weigh a hundred pounds. I was afraid of hurting her because I was so much bigger, so when we started really getting serious I lay back and pulled her on top of me. She hadn't been lying about being hot either because she was a squirming little bundle of sexual energy. I tried to take my time; I knew she wasn't very experienced so everything was new to her.

Cindi was receptive to everything I did, she didn't peep when I unbuttoned her shirt and unfastened her tiny 'A' cup bra. Her small breasts were the size of tangerines; they were just big enough to poke out from her chest. Her nipples were proportionately small, but they were more sensitive than most women's. She jerked and moaned as I sucked her tiny buds. She liked it even more when I bit down firmly on the hard little nips. She also liked it when I vacuumed her whole breast into my mouth. When she pulled my head up for a passionate kiss I slid both my hands up under the back of her skirt and cupped her butt. Each cheek fit snugly in the palm of my hand. She had on tight silk bikini panties that were molded to her ass like a second skin. She wiggled her ass in my hand and rose up on her arms.

"If you take them off, you'll be seeing something no other guy has ever seen. I never thought I'd be so anxious for a guy to see me naked. Besides, my ass is much nicer than my breasts," she said huskily.

"Your breasts are great because they are on your sexy body. My only problem is trying not to be too rough because I'm so much bigger than you."

"I won't break Johnny, so stop being overly cautious. I'll tell you if I start feeling uncomfortable."

I nodded and started pulling her panties down off her hips. She moved around to make it easier for me. She felt really good but I wanted to see what she looked like, so I sat up taking her with me.

"Stand right here Sweetie and turn around," I said.

She blushed a rosy pink color but did as I asked.

"Now take off your skirt."

She reached behind her, unbuttoned and unzipped the skirt. Then, with this sexy little swish of her hips, let it fall to the floor. Oh yes, her little ass was gorgeous. Cindi was short legged, with a longer torso, but the whole package was very appealing. I told her to turn around and face me. She hesitated for a second then complied. The light spilling into the room from the foyer silhouetted her as if I had done it on purpose. She had let her hair fall forward and long ebony tendrils covered both of her breasts, her right hand covered her vulva from my rapt gaze. She was the Asian version of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus'. She peeked shyly at me through the thick curtain of her hair. She was an angel in while thigh highs and red heels.

"Now you, let me see you naked," she said.

I stood up and shed my clothes in a rush. Her eyebrows arched up when I pulled my boxer briefs over my erection. Kong was at full hardness, pointed toward the ceiling.

"It's so big and angry looking," she said, her voice tinged with awe.

She closed the distance between us and wrapped one small hand around Kong. She tugged him gently and a drop of precum dribbled out his tip. She dabbed the fingertip of her other hand in the precum and brought the finger to her nose, she sniffed it, and then licked it experimentally. She surprised the hell out of me when she nodded to herself and sunk to her knees. Before I could say a word she slipped her lips over Kong's flared head. I could tell immediately that this was a first for her, but her enthusiasm made up for any lack of technique. I held her hair in both hands and gently guided her stroke as I told her what I liked.

I only lasted another minute or so before I gasped out a warning of my impending orgasm. Cindi just jacked and sucked harder. I pumped out a thick river of cum that she had trouble swallowing. She sputtered and some escaped from the corner of her mouth. She gamely cleaned me with her tongue then looked up at me questioningly. I smiled and pulled her to her feet and kissed her, unmindful of the taste of me on her lips.

"That was amazing, thank you," I said.

"Do you always spurt so much and so hard? Elaine didn't tell me about that. I almost drowned. I like doing it, though, it made me feel sexy because I could make you come so fast."

"You and the twins have been talking a lot lately," I observed.

She bobbed her head. "Yeah, we have a lot in common. They convinced me that I could do what I just did; they even told me you'd like it. They are really smart Johnny; it's scary sometimes how quickly they figure things out."

I had to agree with that. It turned Cindi around and backed her up until she could sit on the couch. Once I had her comfortable I dropped to my knees between her thighs. She looked at me expectantly and moved her feet farther apart.

"Did the twins tell you about this, too?" I asked.

"Yes. I told Elaine that I wasn't sure you'd want to do anything with me, and that maybe you just wanted us to be friends. She said that if you asked me out, you liked me enough to want to do things with me. She said that I wouldn't even need to tell you when to stop because you'd know exactly how far we should go tonight."

Yes, I knew exactly where I'd stop; I knew that Elaine and Ellen wouldn't want me to go any further with Cindi than I had with them. I bent down and kissed Cindi on her soft inner thigh then worked my way up towards her mound. Her pubic hair was sparse and downy soft, she didn't need to shave or even trim it there was so little there. I spread her plump, coral pink lips and bumped into the first hymen I'd ever experienced. I knew I was going to have to be careful with Cindi because the open center of her maidenhead looked barely big enough for my pinky. Her clit was as small as the rest of her, nestled in its protective hood. I gently pulled the hood back and touched her clit with my tongue.

It was super sensitive, I guess because it was so well protected. As soon as my tongue touched it, Cindi gave a gasp and her hips shot up off the couch.

"Oh My God, Oh My God..." Cindi chanted softly as I worried her clit with the tip of my tongue. Her hips were undulating in a steady rhythm as I brought her along. I was sending her a steady stream of sexual energy to augment what I was doing with my tongue. She grabbed one of the pillows off the couch and covered her face as she arched her back and came explosively. When she came she was giving off sexual vibes as strong as any woman I'd ever been with. Her orgasm lasted a long time but eventually she weakly pushed my head away. I figured she would be too sensitive to continue for a while so I sat on the couch and wrapped her up in my arms. She gave a few final shudders then slumped against me.

"Incredible, that was fucking incredible, Johnny," she said after regaining her breath.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I said.

"It was the easiest, strongest climax I ever had; usually I really have to work at getting myself off." Then she giggled. "I can feel my juices wetting my thighs, that's never happened before. Why didn't you put your finger in me though? I like that when I do myself."

I explained about how small her opening was compared to my big Polish fingers. She nodded at my explanation and gave me a big hug and a sloppy kiss.

"You are so sweet and considerate. I'll work on making it easier for you next time, Okay?"

I was happy that she had gained enough self-confidence to assume there would be a next time. I hated to let her dress but it was getting late and her curfew loomed. We talked about our evening as I drove her home. And we talked about our relationship, too. She said she didn't mind sharing me with the twins, in fact the idea of the four-sided relationship appealed to her for some inexplicable reason she couldn't yet articulate.

Sunday was an easy, slack day for me. I caught up on my homework, took care of my chores and spent some time writing and answering e-mails. I talked to Elaine on the phone; I didn't have to tell her how my date went as she had already talked to Cindi. It was amazing to me how the twins and Cindi had latched onto each other, but here they were, think as thieves. I asked Elaine about that and she said she didn't completely understand it either, but there was a bond of almost kinship between her, Ellen and Cindi.

"She is like us somehow, Honey, but we can't figure out how. She doesn't tingle, but she could if she wanted too. Have you noticed that? And she is super intelligent but she hides that too. We are going to liberate whatever is inside of her; I think you took a big step in that direction last night. You did good, Big Boy, and I am proud of you."

That puffed my chest up quite a bit.

I talked to Katrina for almost an hour, also. She said she missed me way too much but that things were going very well for her at the Academy. She said she was up to being ranked number two in her class, she'd have been first if it hadn't been for the load of excess demerits she hadn't been able to walk off yet. Soccer games and practice ate up most of her free time. Walking tours were the only way to erase demerits at the academy. A walking tour consisted of marching a prescribed path around part of the complex in dress uniform while carrying a rifle. It was a tried and true punishment used by every service academy. Katrina said she would learn what her obligations for the summer were in a few weeks, but she expected to receive at least thirty days leave to come home.

Monday morning I waited in the parking lot for Cindi to arrive. When I saw her bright yellow Ford Focus pull into the student parking lot I headed towards where she was parking. I arrived just as she was exiting her car. She saw me and gave me the biggest smile I'd ever seen on her face. I was surprised a little by how she looked because it was a completely departure from her normal appearance. Instead of all black, she had on a pair of denim jeans that hugged her small shapely ass and a cute little aqua top that flattered her small breasts. Her hair was not up in a twisted bun as it usually was; instead, it hung down her back in a sensuous French braid. Her face was freshly scrubbed with only a hint of pink gloss on her pouty full lips.

"I'm glad you came over Johnny, this is the first time I've ever been to school as me. It's scary."

"You look beautiful, Cindi, someone is going to try to steal you away from me before the day is over," I replied.

She took my hand and we headed towards the school.

"If that happens, I'm going to enjoy the attention, but no one has a chance. You are the only man for me Johnny."

I pulled up short and kissed her, what else could I do? She just had this knack for making me feel good. Cindi and I showing up as a couple caused a stir on campus that day. Best of all, the buzz was positive. Cindi's new look had just the effect I predicted as guys were tripping all over themselves to talk to her. Amanda Pullman jumped me at our lockers right before homeroom.

"You are amazing Pulaski. In one weekend you've transformed Cindi into Lucy Lu. Who's next?"

I laughed and gave Amanda a hug.

"I didn't do anything, I think Cindi just outgrew being Goth. She does look like Lucy Lu doesn't she? Except maybe she looks sweeter and not as edgy."

I don't know what I said but Amanda laughed and punched me in the arm. "Boy did you have a goofy grin when you said that. Sounds like she might be around for a while."

At lunch, Cindi and I caught a bunch more teasing from her friends and mine. The Goths even had a hard time acting as if they weren't happy for us. Cindi sat on my right with her hand on my leg the entire lunch period. She stroked my leg and beamed that little smile I loved as we stoically endured the teasing. I swear she could have thrown a stick and I'd have fetched it, happy as old Jethro just to get to do it for her.

And speaking of old Jethro, my grandfather called me about him after I came home from school. Papa was as excited as I had ever heard him. I thought he'd won the lotto or something.

"Johnny, you'll never guess in a million years, Jethro is going to be in a television commercial! It's like I keep telling Nadia, that dog is destined for greatness, like Lassie and Bullet."

"Bullet?" I asked.

"Bullet, Roy Roger's German Shepard. He was the original Wonder Dog. Although all Bullet's heroics were made up where with Jethro, he does that kinda stuff every day."

Papa went on to explain to me that he had received a call from a gentleman who made gourmet dog treats. The company was small but they were trying to expand their market. After seeing Jethro on television, they thought he fit the image of a regular dog that deserved a special snack. Papa said they were sending Jethro a package of the treats; if Jethro liked them, Papa agreed to him appearing in the advertising. Papa told me that Emma Thorpe was also going to be in the commercial if it happened.

I figured that it was a safe bet that Jethro would like the treats; after all he had eaten a pair of Nana's favorite shoes just last week. My grandfather's being so crazy about that dog was a family mystery because he had never owned a pet in his life before Jethro. Sure, while his children were growing up there had been an assortment of birds, hamsters and even a hooded rat, but never a dog. Then out of the blue one day he came home from the Humane Society with the Doofus. He had been replacing door locks at the shelter as a favor for one of Nana's friends when he saw Jethro. For some reason he couldn't bear the thought of leaving Jethro there and adopted him on the spot. Everyone, with the possible exception of Nana, liked Jethro. But that same everyone, with the exception of Papa and Emma Thorpe, thought he was just a big affable goofball. Needless to say, I took the news with a grain of salt.

Cindi brought Elaine and Ellen to my baseball game Tuesday afternoon. The game was up in Palm Coast and not many Palmdale fans made it to the game. My three Sweeties stood out as they cheered me on from behind the visitors' dugout. Although it turned my ears red, them yelling, "We love you Johnny," in unison every time I came to bat made me the envy of everyone on both teams. After the game I made sure that each of the girls got a toe-curling kiss for her efforts on my behalf. After that, Cindi and the twins became a well-known fixture at my baseball games. Stan Hoffman almost reverently dubbed them my 'pussy posse'. I think the three of them were mostly responsible for the tear I went on for the rest of the season. Some days I was so focused the baseball looked as big as a volleyball coming towards the plate.

Friday night I had a date with Elaine. We went to see an updated version of 'King Lear' staged by the Drama Department of the University of Central Florida. I have to admit that I enjoyed the show, even though I wasn't a big Shakespeare fan. I think that was mainly because the setting and language was modern. I mean I appreciated old Will's talent, but his archaic language required a lot of concentration to catch the drift. Elaine thought just the opposite. She said the play lost something because Shakespeare's original version used such lyrical language to convey emotion. Go figure that she had about half the play memorized and whipped out lines to make her point.

"For instance, when Cordelia said she loved her father 'like a daughter should' it sounded okay, but in the original she said, 'Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth. I love your majesty according to my bond, nor more, nor less.' Now that is using language to convey emotion."

I conceded her the point. Then, just to let her know I enjoyed the classics as much as anyone, I made a point of my own.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But can you name all of the members of the Three Stooges besides Moe and Larry?"

Elaine rolled her eyes, "You are lucky I fell in love with you before I knew what a goof you were."

I'd have been offended if she hadn't been so right. From the UCF Performing Arts Center we headed back to her place. I parked in the driveway and walked in with her. It was only eleven so Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh were still up. We sat in the media room with them and Elaine told them all about the play. We jawed with the parents for about ten minutes then Elaine took my hand and led me out into the back yard. We sat under this pagoda shaped gazebo where we talked and made out for a while. It was there under the gazebo that Elaine laid out her plan for us.

"My period is about to start, Honey, it will be my second since I started the pill. So next weekend it should be safe for us to make love. We are inviting Cindi over to spend the weekend; I want us all to be together when it happens. My parents will be out of town so Nina is supposed to keep an eye on things. Saturday night, Shelia and Alan will probably be out until late. Nina said we could have the run of her house all evening Saturday. How does that sound?"

It sounded like a plan to me.

Saturday night the four of us went out together. Ellen came up with the idea of going to the drive-in movie up in Palatka. I came up with the idea of borrowing the Ghetto Cruiser from the old man to take us in. I had to promise Dad I'd wash and wax the Cruiser Sunday afternoon, and fill it up with gas before he agreed to lend it to me. The wash and wax wasn't a big deal but the tank of super-unleaded was a major investment. Still, I was too cool for school when I pulled up to the drive-in.

I found us a spot and escorted the girls to the concession stand. Loaded down with popcorn and sodas we settled in to watch Scary Movie 1&2. Ellen and I were in the front seat and Elaine and Cindi were in the back. The movies were still funny as hell to me, even though I'd seen them a few times on HBO. I should have known that watching some old 'B' movies was not the object of our thirty-mile trip. Ellen reminded me of that when she pulled me into a steamy kiss. I was slightly embarrassed about making out in front of Cindi until I looked over the seat and saw her and Elaine in a serious lip lock of their own. I suddenly 'got it', Cindi rounded out our number so neither of the twins were ever left out. Elaine's statement that Cindi was one of them made more sense in this context.

The sexual atmosphere in the big caddy went from zero to full throttle in seconds. The addition of Cindi in the mix seemed to act as a catalyst that ramped up the sexual signals we were all sending. Suddenly Ellen was as hot as Elaine had ever been and I was on fire as well.

"Come back here with us," Elaine groaned from the back seat.

We scooted out the passenger door and piled into the backseat. Cindi was straddling Elaine's lap facing her so there was plenty of room. I slid in next to Elaine, and Ellen straddled me the same way Cindi was on her sister. Moving around had broken the spell for a minute but now, with everyone being so close together, it was starting to climb again. Cindi swooped her head forward and aggressively kissed Elaine, and Ellen again mimicked her. When we came up for air Elaine let out a sigh.

"Okay let's calm down for a minute. This is exactly how I thought it would be if we were all together. That's why I want Ellen and Cindi there when we make love, Johnny. But we need to make sure this is what we all want. I have a feeling that once we let ourselves get started this is going to be a serious thing among the four of us."

Cindi was smart enough to know that Elaine was mostly talking about her.

"This is exactly what I want," Cindi said. "Can't you all feel how perfect we are together? I don't know much about sex and I don't have any experience with girls but with you two it feels as natural and right as it does with Johnny."

"I think we are going to have to rethink next weekend. I think we are just going to get together and go for it. Since I'm the only one on the pill right now, you are going to have to take care of birth control for Cindi and Ellen at first, Johnny. Ellen, you can go see the doctor when you start this week and get a prescription and Cindi, you can do the same when you start, Okay?

Now I know how General Patton's subordinates felt when he started whipping out orders. We all nodded our agreement.

"Good. There is only one more thing to discuss and that's how we feel about each other. This isn't just lust that's driving us. It would never be this good if it were only the sex. We need to be true to each other, can we all agree on that?"

Cindi and Ellen agreed immediately but I couldn't.

"Ummm, what about Nina?" I asked.

Elaine gave me this enigmatic smile. "Nina has a dispensation, as a matter of fact you need to go see her tomorrow and talk about it."

I didn't know what she was referring to but I knew enough to keep my mouth shut and go along. That left one other problem. It was ticklish but I needed to be as up front as I could be with them.

"Errr, that only leaves one issue."

At their questioning looks I explained about Katrina. Mentioning my sister did not bring the response I'd expected. Ellen and Elaine shared a knowing look.

"We had a feeling there was more to you and Katrina than met the eye," Ellen said. "It is most surprising to us that you aren't more involved with her than you already are. We'll make an exception for her, if necessary, but hopefully she'll join our group too. You just need to be as honest with her as you are with us, Okay?"

Elaine and Cindi nodded their agreement. So we made our pact there in the drive-in and sealed it with a kiss. It didn't bother me at all that decisions were being made for me. I saw immediately that everything was exactly as Elaine and Ellen described. And I also knew that I was in love with all three of them and that they loved me. There would, no doubt, be bumps in the road and issues to work out but all in all how fucking luckier could I ever get? Sorry ladies, Johnny Pulaski just went off the market.

We stayed at the drive in for another hour, mostly talking about our future. The twins decided that they would transfer into Palmdale as seniors instead of juniors so that we could all graduate together. In turn, Cindi and I agreed that, if Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh insisted they wait until they were sixteen to enroll in college, we would wait also. I know we weren't the first young people to make grandiose plans for the future, but I thought we were much better equipped than most to make our plans reality. Of course I didn't know then that in a few months fate would deal me a blow so staggering it almost rendered moot all we had decided.

Edited by Bert



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Chapter 23


I have a lot of stuff left to tell you but first I need to insert a small sidebar. I want to talk some about what makes a woman attractive to me. Now I don't pretend to be an expert, heck I've only had sex with a few women in my entire life, but every woman I've ever been with was sexy as hell, and I don't think it's a coincidence that every one of them was smart also. I know that my perception of beauty has undergone a radical change. For instance, I don't think the almost physically perfect Rachael Scofield will ever be as beautiful as frizzy haired, freckle faced Elaine and Ellen Cavanaugh or tiny, flat chested Cindi Frazier. And I think that's because Cindi and Elaine and Ellen are beautiful on the inside, and I'm just a lucky guy for seeing it.

Okay, enough pontificating and back to my story. At the end of last chapter I was at the drive-in movie with Cindi and the Cavanaugh twins, remember?

We fooled around some more at the drive-in but mostly we just sat there and shared kisses and good feelings for each other. When I turned my head and kissed Elaine while Ellen was doing the same to Cindi we had a taste of things to come. Yes, a surge of sexual arousal washed among the four of us but mingled with it there was some serious love. When I drove everyone home we were probably four of the most contented teenagers on the planet.

After mass on Sunday I zipped over to see Nina Murphy as Elaine had suggested I do. I called Nina first, of course, and she confirmed that I was expected. Nina opened the door wearing shorts and a cute little t-shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a bushy ponytail and her big blue eyes sparkled; she looked half her age. She was bare footed but she was wearing the ankle bracelet I had given her. Nina was more radiant that day than I had ever seen her. She kissed me at the door as if I'd just returned from the war or something, and then dragged me into the little sitting room off the foyer.

"Johnny, in about five minutes I'm going to take you to bed. When we get to that bed I am going to give myself to you completely. And for as long as you still want me that is the way it's going to be, anytime, anywhere, anyway you want me, understand?"

I gulped and nodded. "What brought this on?" I asked.

"You did, you've made me the happiest woman in Palmdale. I'm pregnant! The thing that twenty doctors told me could never happen - happened, thanks to you."

Oh Sweet Jesus, the thing that I had been so careful with every other woman I'd ever been with happens to the first one with whom I failed to take the initiative for using protection. I guess my face must have given me away because Nina's big smile morphed into a look of concern.

"What's wrong, Johnny?"

"Nothing, I'm happy for you and you know I'll do the right thing. We can get married as soon as I turn seventeen, I have some money saved, and I can get a full time job with my grandfather."

Nina looked at me for a second and then pulled me toward her.

"That's so sweet; sometimes I forget how old you really are, Honey. Listen to me. We aren't getting married and you don't need to quit school and get a job. I could probably get in trouble if it became public knowledge that you knocked me up, after all, I'm twenty-five years older than you. We'll work things out as we go along, just know that you've given me a chance at something I never thought would happen and for that I'll love you forever."

I acknowledged what she said, a giant weight off my chest. And it made me proud that I had done something to bring her such unabashed joy, even if it was by accident. One thing was certain though, I was going to have to redouble my efforts at practicing safe sex. I had irrefutable evidence that my little Polish swimmers were of Olympic caliber. Of course tucked away in that part of my brain that houses all the Pulaskiness, was the thought that, regardless what Nina said, I would have a responsibility to the child she bore. Nina and I would just have to work that out as time passed.

Nina made good on her promise about taking me to bed. And she did it in fewer than the five minutes she'd advertised. It was an amazing afternoon as Nina pampered me as if I were really the sultan we kidded about me being. Being pregnant had spiked up Nina's already healthy libido. She was Ready for Freddy as soon as she stripped us both naked. I was as limp as well done vermicelli when she finally let me out of the bed. After we showered and dressed she cooked me dinner. We ate out by the pool and talked for a while. I told her about my pact with the twins and Cindi; she smiled when I told her that I had asked permission to keep seeing her even before I knew she was pregnant.

I thought about Nina and her condition on my way home. I have to say that once I thought about it, I sounded really stupid when I manfully talked about going out to get a job. Jesus, Nina was about as rich as a person could want to be; she probably spent more on laundry a week than I could have made working full time. Nina said the twins figured out she was pregnant right away after overhearing her tell her sister Donna that she was trying an experimental fertility procedure. The twins were ecstatic but Donna seemed to think she was loony for trying to get pregnant so late in life. The twins were sworn to secrecy and Nina asked me to keep it quiet until she was ready to announce her miracle to the family.

I had no problem with keeping her secret. After all, tomorrow night I was going to ask Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh for permission to date their daughters. I don't think they'd be as quick to say yes if I threw in a, "By the way, you can trust me, even though I've been boinking your sister and, whoops, she's knocked up."

Cindi rode to school with me on Monday, and after school we went to my house to study. I was a little nervous about talking to the Cavanaughs, so Cindi was keeping me company and working on reducing my stress level. We did study, too, for the first hour it was Math and English, for the last hour it was Anatomy and Physiology. Cindi's cute little ass was the Anatomy topic and how it reacted to my playing with it was the Physiology. Know what we discovered as a result of our carefully crafted experiment? Cindi loved having her ass played with, that's what. When I was noshing on her little quim and stuck a slicked up finger in her ass I thought she was going to hit the ceiling.

Cindi also proudly demonstrated that she'd enlarged the perforation in her hymen so I could ease a finger into her. Can you say, hello g-spot? Who knew my little honey would go ballistic with a finger in her tight little pussy and one up her equally tight little ass? When I took her home Cindi was so relaxed she was almost comatose. She kissed me at her door, told me she loved me, and then pointed me towards the twins' house.

I was nervous when I sat down with the Cavanaughs, even though the twins said it would be a piece of cake.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh, I'd like your permission to date Elaine and Ellen." I started.

"You are already doing that, Johnny," Mr. Cavanaugh said.

"I mean real dates sir, not tutoring."

"That's what Thomas meant also, Johnny. If you don't think the dates you took the girls on were real, you are the only one within a mile of here who didn't. And we approve of you three dating, the positive changes in Elaine and Ellen since they've met you are extraordinary. I have been dreading the day they started dating since they were twelve; knowing they are going out with you is a relief for us. I just hope they don't take advantage of you, they can be a handful when they want something."

I looked at Mr. Cavanaugh and he was nodding in agreement. "I couldn't be happier about this, either," he said. "Those two are way beyond anything I can comprehend but you seem to understand them perfectly."

Mrs. Cavanaugh called upstairs on the intercom and told the twins their boyfriend was waiting for them. Elaine and Ellen came exploding down the stairs and swarmed their parents. After a bunch of thank yous, they grabbed me and hauled me out to the back yard. We sat in the swing under the gazebo, me between them, them tucked under my arms. They weren't surprised at all about what their parents said. They had it all figured out days ago. We kissed and cuddled for a few minutes then I reluctantly had to head home.

I had a ball game the next day so Cindi drove herself to school. I waited for her in the parking lot and walked in with her, though, dutifully carrying her books. If everyone were as sweet as Cindi Frazier first thing in the morning this would be a much nicer world. Cindi sent me to homeroom adjusting Louisville Slugger caliber wood when she told me her little butt still tingled from me playing with it. Then she iced the cake by saying she couldn't wait until I did it some more.

Cindi and the twins were front row center at our home baseball game that afternoon. Too bad the game sucked so badly. We lost by one run, a run scored on a close call at the plate on a throw I made from deep right-center. The throw was right on the money and our catcher held onto the ball but the umpire ruled the runner slid under the tag. For some reason Elaine took serious Irish exception to the call and proceeded to give the ump a huge ration of shit. I couldn't hear her from where I was in right field, but Coach Neivers said it was the best harangue he'd ever heard and she hadn't used one swear word. Coach said he almost fell down when she yelled that the ump should, "Get his ophthalmologically challenged cranium ablated from his gluteus maximus because the trumpery he'd perpetrated was bovine defecation." Stan Hoffman pithily observed that pillow talk with Elaine must be like taking the SATs.

The rest of the last week of April 2005 passed with agonizing slowness. The girls' sleepover weekend started Friday night but I wasn't invited to the opening night festivities because Nina was doing the tutoring that night. Nina was giving them the finer points of how to make each other and me happy. Of course, knowing what was going on over at Nina's joint just about drove Kong crazy.

I worked for Papa until two Saturday afternoon. That day we were getting the house I lived in ready for a new roof. It had taken almost six months for a roofing company to get around to us. The roofers were removing the old shingles Monday morning and installing the new sub roof. Papa and I installed eyebolts on the roof's ridge so the roofers could tie off their safety lines. We also removed the gutters and off ridge vents so they could be used later. While we were at it Papa also removed some damaged fascia and soffits. We would replace them after the new roof was on.

While I was baking in the sun, the girls and Nina were at the Palmdale Day Spa. The spa was a part of the local Herz. Herz is a national chain of fitness and wellness centers for women. Nina's oldest sister, Claudia, was part owner of the entire chain of centers, so getting in on a Saturday was not a big deal for them. I showed up at Nina's at six o'clock sharp that evening. I had been told to dress up for the evening so I was looking pretty spiff when I hit the door. I was also loaded down like a pack mule; I had three bouquets of roses, all different colors, my backpack full of birth control supplies, and two bottles of champagne. Papa snagged me the bubbly when I picked up the flowers at Winn Dixie. I knew from experience that the flowers and champagne were a good investment of my hard earned ducats.

All three girls met me at the door. The girls were all wearing dresses, all different and all spectacular. They had their hair done up in sophisticated styles and wore tastefully applied makeup. I could not get over how good they looked or how poised they acted. Nor could I actually believe my good fortune at being there with them. I gave each of them a bouquet of flowers and a kiss before they led me into the dining room.

The dining table had four places set, two on each side, at one end of a table that could seat twenty comfortably. Ellen got me seated and the three of them went about serving supper. We had lasagna and garlic bread, both obviously from the frozen food section of the super market. That didn't bother me a whit, though, because all my attention was focused on the girls. I could see that the meal was their subtle way of showing that our relationship was not just about sex. To further make the point, sex wasn't even mentioned during the meal; instead, Ellen, never at a loss for words, started talking about current affairs and politics. Since I only watched ESPN and read the sports section of the paper, I wasn't able to contribute much to the conversation.

They'd be going on about some program or policy and all of the sudden ask me for my opinion. I kept my face down in my plate as if I were in prison and mumbled I didn't know anything about it. Finally, Ellen got exasperated with me.

"Don't you read the paper Johnny?"

"Everyday," I said. "You are just asking questions out of the wrong section. If you want to know how the Yankees did last night or what Beetle Bailey is up too, I'm your man."

That drew a snort of laughter from Elaine and even a titter from Cindi, but it earned me a withering glare from Ellen. "Oh, really," she sniffed disdainfully, sounding for all the world exactly like her mother.

I gave Ellen my most contrite hangdog look and she burst out laughing. "Gotcha!" she said.

But before I got up from the table I had promised to keep current on what was going on besides in the sports pages. Elaine guilted me into it by telling me it was my obligation as a citizen to stay informed. I replied that I thought if they wanted me to have an opinion they'd give me one. That cracked them all up.

"Touché," said Ellen not denying what I said even a little bit.

You probably already know this and don't need to hear it from someone my age. But here it is anyway: hooking up with a smart woman is the most intelligent thing any guy can do. Because when a smart woman loves you she will treat you like you are King Shit and, at the same time, make you better at everything without you even noticing. I don't know how it works, but I know it is as much a natural law as gravity.

I'm a pretty smart guy sometimes myself, but my accomplishments in school are more the result of hard work than native intelligence. Things these three women soak up like sponges take a concerted effort for me to absorb. But I'll tell you, that night I had one of my brightest ideas ever: I decided that I wasn't going to fight whatever direction they nudged me toward, because they cared for me enough to want what was best for me, and they were smart enough to know how to get me there. The only other two people who had that kind of sway over me were my father and grandfather.

After cleaning off the table Elaine brought out this huge bottle of champagne. She said what I brought wasn't cold yet so she swapped it for a bottle of Nina's. I think Nina was not getting much in the exchange being as how I'd only paid $7.99 a bottle for what I brought, but refer to the paragraph above. I did the honors and uncorked the big bottle of Chateau Moulin de something or other then filled the four flutes Ellen had snagged for us. My women looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to make a toast. Man did I have a good one too. I heard Papa use it once down at the American Legion Hall when he was half way through a bottle of vodka. It went like this:

If I had a dog, 

And he could pee this stuff, 

And if that dog could pee enough, 

I'd throw that dog into my bed.

And suck his dick till we both were dead.

Salute'

It was on the tip of my tongue but I bit it back and instead I said:

"Here's to us, and us forever. And here's to the three of you; I'd be the luckiest guy who ever lived even if all I were allowed to do was stand in your auras."

Hey, I know the Toast Masters aren't going to knock down my door anytime soon, but it was from the heart, and more importantly, my women thought it sounded good to them. We clinked glasses and then took a sip, eyeing each other over the rims. Finally, Elaine lowered her glass and sat it on the table.

"Johnny, My Love, this is your last chance to leave here uncommitted. If you stay you might as well buy us all rings."

Jesus, she didn't mince words, did she? I looked at each of them and tried to think of one single reason for leaving. Nothing even flickered up there in my brain housing, mainly because all I'd be doing tonight was formalizing what my heart had already decided.

"I'll need your sizes," I said.

Elaine whooped and grabbed me in a hug tight enough to actually hurt. Then Ellen and Cindi piled on me, too.

"You are never going to regret this, Johnny, never for a second," Ellen vowed.

I nodded and looked at Cindi. She was smiling that sweet little shy smile. I looked at the twins and winked.

"Someone here is improperly dressed," I said, looking at Cindi again. She looked back at me, her smile fading. "Sit down right here, Cindi," I gestured toward a dining room chair.

She complied, sitting primly, her knees together. She glanced inquisitively at the twins but they just stared back blankly. I knelt down and fished one of the remaining ankle bracelets out of my pocket and fastened it around her small ankle. I looked up at her when I finished closing the clasp. She sat her foot back on the floor and looked at each of us, her eyes shiny with unshed tears.

"It's really true, isn't it? You want me to be a part of this because you love me, not because you feel sorry for me." Cindi said.

Before I could reply, Ellen and Elaine pulled Cindi to her feet.

"Of course, we love you! And look at our big goofy boyfriend — he's crazy in love with all of us. And yes, you are an equal part in this relationship, that's the way it is. But you know what I just thought of? He's got his mark on us but he isn't wearing ours, we'll have to get together and do something about that soon," Ellen said.

Elaine grabbed the big jug of bubbly and told us to follow her. She led us out to the pool, put the champagne and her glass on the table and flipped the top off the hot tub. If fewer than three minutes we were all in the tub buck ass naked! Cindi was on my right, Ellen on my left and Elaine was in front of me, sitting between my legs and leaning back against me. Who ever thought of this idea had their stuff together cause it was a perfect way to break the ice. Then I had this thought.

"You know ladies, this reminds me of a special about this family of lions that I saw on the Discovery Channel. This big male lion was lying around surrounded by all these sleek lionesses. Every once in a while one of the females would get up, chase down some gazelle or impala, and drag it back for the male to eat. I'm thinking that's us."

The girls all sniggered. "I like that analogy, Johnny," Ellen said. "A family grouping of lions is called a Pride. So I guess we are the Pulaski Pride; you just remember how the male acted on the show and your life will be as good as his."

I laughed and gave her a kiss. "You mean how he had to service them any time they were in the mood? That seems like a lot of work, but I guess, I can force myself just to qualify for the other benefits."

All the girls squealed at that and splashed me with water. I yelled, "I give" when someone started tickling me. We spent about fifteen minutes relaxing in the tub then Elaine shooed us out. Elaine seemed to be the master of ceremonies so I let her lead on. There was a stack of huge bath sheets in a chair next to the hot tub so we all grabbed one and started drying off any damp skin we could reach, regardless whose it was. In no time we were all wrapped in the big towels and headed up to a second floor guest room. I detoured by the dining room and picked up my backpack. The guest room was really a large suite with a king sized bed. Ellen turned down the bed covers, Elaine started lighting about a bazillion candles and Cindi turned on some soft classical music.

Soon enough the only light in the room was from the flickering candles. I thought there would be an awkward moment or two while we sorted things out, but my honeys had the evening planned out. Elaine coyly dropped her towel, grabbed my hand and pulled me to the bed. I dropped my towel and backpack and crawled in beside her. Ellen scooted in behind me and Cindi walked around the bed and climbed in beside Elaine.

"We talked it over and decided that we want our first times to be this way Johnny. All of us together, sharing everything. I leaned over and kissed her and as soon as our lips met that familiar sensation of us being out of control kicked in. I reluctantly let go of her lips and started working on her neck. It was my plan to get her arousal cranked up before we consummated our relationship. As happens far too often for my comfort, Elaine seemed to have read my mind.

"We can play around later, Honey; right now I want to feel you in me, I've been dreaming about this since the first time we tingled."

I rolled over on top of her, her arms once again reaching out for me. Only this time there would be no stopping. Kong lurched in her slender fingered hand as she grabbed him and lined him up. When I was poised at her entrance we locked eyes and I surged forward. It was everything either of us thought it would be and then some. Elaine was tight but wet and receptive; I was fully seated in four firm strokes. I was trying to hold myself up on my arms but Elaine pulled me down until I was pressed against her; then she wrapped her arms and legs tightly around me.

"This is where you belong, Johnny, can you feel it? Aunt Nina said you made her let go of what was inside her, that's what I'm going to do and I want you to do the same. Okay?" she whispered in my ear.

I thought that my feelings might be too much for her to handle but I had never gone wrong listening to her advice. I nodded and did as she asked. Without the filter of my conscious mind I let the raw emotions I felt for her loose and in return I received a flood of hers. The feeling of the pure love and red hot lust this woman had for me made me light headed, while what I was sending her made her cry out in joy and passion. It was as if our very souls were making love while our bodies were just along for the ride. It was intense. When I straightened my arms again and started moving in her she picked up and matched my rhythm as if we had been lovers for decades.

Neither of us lasted long, in only a minute or two we climaxed simultaneously. Elaine cried out loudly and went as rigid as a tree trunk then fell back on the bed in a faint. I wasn't in much better shape but I managed to fall to the side before I faded out for a second or two also. I woke up to Ellen gently soothing my brow. When I glanced over at Elaine she was just beginning to stir as Cindi was ministering to her. Elaine rolled toward me and took my hand. Her smile was so sweet I almost passed out again. I immediately noticed that our connection had changed as soon as our hands touched. I can't really quantify how it changed, other than it seemed richer and wider. I could feel how happy Elaine was without her having to broadcast the feeling.

"I feel it too, Honey. I feel how you love me and you aren't even tingling me," Elaine said.

I rested for a few minutes as we talked about our experience. All the talking had Ellen wound up as tight as a banjo string. Kong sprang to attention as soon as Ellen and I kissed and before you know it he was buried in her eager muff, happy as a clam even though he was sheathed in a Trojan. Because I'd just made love to Elaine, and I was also wearing a rubber, I lasted longer with Ellen, not a lot longer but long enough for her to have a couple of orgasms. We both let ourselves go, just as Elaine and I had done. When we exploded together Ellen flaked out for a minute but I only became a little woozy.

Ellen's eyes popped open as I was holding her and she had her sister's smile when she saw me. And, yes, Ellen and I connected differently also. We took a little break then, all four of us scampering naked down to the kitchen for something cold to drink. Elaine had to detour by the bathroom to grab a hand towel, she giggled as she wiped up the mess we made of her little red bush. After we secured sodas and bottled waters we hurried back to the bedroom for what Ellen called the main event. I was nervous about taking Cindi's virginity because of her stubborn hymen. So I decided to work her up some before we did the deed. Ellen and Elaine decided that they wanted to help so the three of us started kissing, touching and licking our diminutive lover.

Cindi had the same gift as Ellen, Elaine and I, but it had been undeveloped until Cindi and I started seeing each other. It had developed further and faster once she met the twins. I guess it was only natural that on this night it reached maturity and none of us were really surprised when it did. We were surprised by how strongly she projected her feelings, though. She was probably the most powerful empath among the four of us. She was giving off such strong vibrations that she had me hard as granite. She was also affecting the twins as Elaine worked on her small breasts and Ellen kissed her.

I put on another Trojan and had the bright idea of letting Cindi be on top so she could control how I entered her. Cindi shook her head at my suggestion.

"I want you to make me a woman, Johnny, so get on me and get in me," she said, her voice intense and brooking no argument.

So I positioned myself between her legs and lined up the prelubed condom with her lightly downed slit. When she nodded her head I pushed into her firmly. I ripped through her maidenhead on the first try. Amazingly, the connection between the four of us at that moment allowed Ellen, Elaine and I to absorb a share of the pain of her deflowering. We all felt a good pinch as her hymen ruptured but that was about it. Cindi was so tight I am at a loss to describe the sensation. It took more effort to get fully into her than it did to break her cherry. I was truly amazed that all of Kong fit into her tiny body. When I bottomed out, she sighed, raised her knees and finally let all her feelings go.

The twins and I groaned in unison at the power of her feelings, they were super sexual and strongly loving. Since the twins were not into touching each other, Cindi used one of her hands to help out Ellen while I did the same for Elaine. Cindi's shattering climax triggered ours as well. The four of us shared a moment of vertigo then fell panting onto the bed.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" Ellen exclaimed.

"Amen," Elaine and I replied automatically.

We all three burst out laughing at how well Father O'Donovan had trained us. Cindi smiled at us in amusement, then stretched like a cat.

"I'll second those Amens. That was more than I thought it would be in my wildest fantasies. I'm a little sore down there, but sore in a good way, if that makes sense."

We all nodded in agreement then I made the awkward trek to the bathroom to dispose of our condoms. I grabbed a washcloth and wet it with warm water for the trip back. Ellen relieved me of the washcloth and started to gently clean Cindi. Cindi had bled some but it wasn't as much as I feared it would be. Once Ellen was finished she tossed the cloth aside and made a tentative swipe over Cindi's hooded clit with her tongue. Cindi drew a hissing breath and grabbed a hand full of red hair. Ellen looked up to see if Cindi wanted her to stop; she got her answer when Cindi pulled her head back down.

Since Elaine was sprawled out next to Cindi I decided that she could do with a nibble too. Ellen and I munched away for a few minutes; Ellen was using the pace I was setting on her sister with Cindi. This evil little thought popped into my head and I nudged Ellen. When she looked at me I slipped a finger in Elaine and curled it over to press against her 'g' spot. Ellen smiled and did the same thing to Cindi. Ellen's small finger didn't cause Cindi any discomfort so Ellen held it there and looked at me again. I gave her an eyebrow waggle, wet my finger in my mouth and snicked the slickened digit into Elaine's butt. Elaine stiffened and groaned then started gently rocking her hips. Ellen gave me a wide-eyed look but aped my actions.

Cindi's response was about ten times stronger than Elaine's, as her hips shot up in the air and she yelled, 'Oh, yes!" Ellen recoiled slightly then grinned at me and nodded, in unison our heads bobbed back down on our victims' clits. After both girls came, Ellen and Cindi exchanged places and I eased a revived Kong into Elaine. Elaine and I made slow sweet love our second time. Ellen came quickly, and then she and Cindi cuddled and watched us. When I came for my fourth and certainly last time of the evening, Elaine and I cuddled up with them.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if the four of us could just curl up and sleep together?" Elaine sighed.

I squeezed her against me and replied, "Unless you have to go somewhere that's exactly what's going to happen. I have permission to stay over."

All three girls squealed and swarmed on top of me. Their happy reaction made it worth the effort I expended pleading my case to Dad. Mom finally closed the deal for me by telling Dad that they'd have the house to themselves if I were somewhere else. I was still amazed when mom would turn all sexy and lead Dad around by his dick. To his credit, Dad had figured out the smart woman thing and listened to his wife.

Of course we didn't 'curl up and go to sleep' as Elaine said, instead we sat up for an hour or so making plans and defining our relationship. I know some people will think we were too young to be planning a future together, especially a future for an unusual relationship like ours. But anyone who says that doesn't know my Sweeties. I have only met a handful of adults with the sense of responsibility that the twins and Cindi possess, and most of them are related to me. All three are also intelligent and motivated enough to succeed in anything they set their minds to. I knew I still had some maturing to do, heck, I don't know if I'll ever grow up, but I think I have been brought up to be responsible, too.

By midnight, I was too pooped to keep my eyes open any longer. When I told the girls I was really bushed they started tittering.

"Now you see why the male lion is always sleeping, huh, Honey?" Elaine said.

After getting their giggle at my expense they all joined me under the covers. I ended up between Elaine and Cindi; Ellen was on the other side of Cindi. I collected my goodnight kisses and 'I love yous' then fell into one of the best nights sleep I could remember. I woke up the next morning at seven, tangled up in a mass of smooth skin and long hair. Sometime during the night Cindi and Ellen had switched places because Elaine was sleeping with her head on my chest while Ellen's butt was pressed back against my right hip. Cindi was pressed tightly against Ellen, completely enfolded in the bigger girls arms. A man sure could get use to sleeping this way, I thought as Elaine stirred in her sleep and gave me a little kiss on my chest.

I hated to move but after about ten minutes my bladder was near the exploding point. I slipped out of bed as gently as I could and did my thing in the bathroom. Kong was his usual hardheaded self that morning so I was using the 'lean over the toilet and point him down as best I could' technique to pee. I heard the door open just as I had him draining at max pressure. I looked up to see who had joined me. I knew I must have looked stupid hunched over the toilet. Sure enough, Elaine was standing there looking at me as if I had sprouted horns.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Geez, she looked adorable all tousle-headed and sleepy eyed.

"Trying to pee with a hard on, if I don't do it this way I tend to spray everything within ten feet," I answered.

"Well if that thing's hard keep it away from me, my little thingy is sore this morning."

Of course as soon as she said that Kong lost all interest in going soft. I managed to get him shook off as Elaine patiently waited her turn at the john. I turned around to face her causing the Might Kong to swing back and forth.

"Ah, come on baby, you were much nicer to us last night," I cajoled.

"Last night I was an inexperienced virgin and didn't know any better, ' she huffed.

I cracked up at her act and patted her butt as I passed her. "Pig," she said sticking her tongue out at me.

I wandered into the bedroom; I was looking for my clothes when Cindi's eyes popped open. She saw me standing there naked and gave me a smile. She was a cutie in the morning also and that she woke up in a good mood was a big plus. She wiggled out of Ellen's arms and flew into mine.

"I love you, Johnny Pulaski, you know that?"

Yeah, I knew it, but it sure felt good hearing her say it anyway. Cindi let me go when Elaine came out of the bathroom so she could go herself. Ellen was stirring by then; she was not a morning person, just like her sister. She sat up in bed and worked at getting her hair off her face. Elaine slipped into a t-shirt that was lying on a chair, mumbled something about coffee, and walked out of the room. I just stood there and took it all in.

"What?" Ellen said.

"I think you are adorable first thing in the morning, that's all," I said.

"Yeah, well save it Lion King, cause I'm not the person you love first thing in the morning and sweet talk isn't going to get you anywhere."

Cindi and Ellen switched places in the bathroom then Ellen put on a bathrobe and headed downstairs. I talked Cindi into taking a shower with me while our grumpy girlfriends woke up. Cindi loved the coed shower idea and purred in delight when I shampooed her hair for her. She was sore 'down there' so she washed that part herself but she sure enjoyed letting me wash her ass. She moaned in pleasure when I slipped a soapy finger into her little pucker. She played gently with her clit as I fingered her and came when I told her to imagine what Kong was going to feel like back there. I held her upright through her climax then kissed her gently.

"You must think I'm a freak because I like that so much," she said.

I didn't think that at all and told her so. 'Different strokes for different folks' is what makes the world go around.

"That's good Johnny because even though I like everything we all do together, I like having you inside me the best. I can't wait until I heal up and can feel you filling me again."

We brushed our teeth and hair, threw on some clothes and wandered downstairs. The twins were sitting in the breakfast nook with Nina, drinking coffee and reading the paper. Nina gave me a smile and the thumbs up sign. I blushed and busied myself getting a cup of coffee. Ellen and Elaine were awake now and much more sociable. To my mortification the three girls insisted on giving Nina a play-by-play recap of our evening.

Nina drove the five of us to the eleven AM Mass. We all sat in the same pew as my family. I thought it was great sitting there with all the people who meant so much to me, only Katrina's absence kept it from being perfect. My parents and grandparents gave me a few funny looks when we first came in but they were genuinely happy to have us all with them, too. As I sat there I thought that, right at that particular moment in time, I was probably as happy as I was ever likely to be.

I was thinking allegorically, but tragedy soon made my feelings literally correct.

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 24


The Monday following my weekend with the twins and Cindi started a stretch of halcyon days for me. A life sweeter than the one I was living was beyond my comprehension. Guys, I'll tell you another benefit of hanging out with smart women; they are low maintenance and you don't have to spend all your time entertaining them. Now for some guys having a woman up your butt all the time is a good thing. If that's your bag, good for you. But me, I like a minute or two on my own every once and a while. So our relationship was pretty near perfect, we loved every minute we spent together, but we didn't have to spend every minute together. Hence I had time to study, lift weights, play ball and hang out with my father and grandfather.

The girls had interests of their own as well; for instance, Cindi was heavily involved in the National Honor Society and she did her thing down at her parents' funeral home a few days a week. Both of those activities, hanging around all those brainiacs (especially the math guys, they intimidate the hell out of me) and painting smiley faces on dead people, held about the same charm for me as jacking off a wildcat in a telephone booth.

All three girls were also excellent musicians. I think that being good at music, you know, sight-reading music, learning different instruments and such, is a true sign of intelligence. Not being able to do those things doesn't necessarily make you dumb; at least that was my defense since the only thing I could play was the radio.

On Wednesday evening I had an opportunity to see the twins pursuing one of their other interests when I was invited to watch them compete in a doubles tennis tournament at the country club. The twins' final match was scheduled for five-thirty; I picked up Cindi and had us sitting beside Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh, Shelia, and Alan Jerdan by five-twenty.

I thought my Sweeties looked fantastic in their matching white tennis togs and flame red ponytails. Those short flouncy little skirts were designed with Elaine and Ellen in mind. The twins were about five foot eight and weighed one-fifteen or so; they were slender but not angular. According to Ellen, their doctor said bone measurement tests indicated that they'd top out at about five ten. They were going to be the tallest Buckley women of all time. The bone growth tests were deemed necessary because they were diagnosed with precocious puberty when they hit five feet tall before they were eight years old. You know what else? They had big old feet, and it tickled the hell out of them when I teased them about the size of those gunboats. Bozo the clown wore smaller shoes than they.

It was weird sitting there politely clapping instead of hooting and hollering, but country club tennis had its own protocol. It turned out that the twins didn't need a lot of support from my big dumb Polack ass anyway, because they dominated their opponents. It was actually a little scary watching them in action. They were so perfectly in tune with each other it was almost impossible for their opponents to find an open area of the court at which to aim. And, Jesus, they were competitive; they went after every shot with a vengeance, even when they were winning handily. I looked at Mr. Cavanaugh when Elaine scrapped her elbow pretty good diving to return a base line bullet. He just looked at me and shrugged.

"Don't challenge them to something that means a lot to you, Johnny, cause they hate to lose."

"No shit Sherlock!" I thought as I nodded my understanding.

And my honey Elaine? She jumped up, spit on her elbow and rubbed the blood off on her pristine white top. That had to have done more to demoralize her opponents than her successfully returning the shot would have. Damn, she was a scrappy woman! I actually got a hard on watching her do that.

We all walked around the edge of the courtside netting to congratulate the twins. I gave both girls a hug and smooch and so did Cindi. I checked out the scrape on Elaine's elbow, it was fairly well skinned up; I kissed it and told her she'd live. She pulled my head down and whispered in my ear, "I have another boo-boo for you to kiss." I turned pink at her boldness in front of her parents, but no one seemed to notice. I took Cindi home right after we congratulated the twins, it was a school night and we still had homework to face. Cindi was all over me when I parked in her driveway. She extracted a promise from me that we'd get together the next evening after my baseball game. Tomorrow's game started at four because we were playing a Daytona team and it was only a twenty-minute trip for them.

When I returned home, my grandfather was there talking with my dad. Papa filled me in as well. Seems like Jethro had enjoyed the snacks he'd received and so Papa was going to let him be in the commercial. A crew from Orlando was scheduled to start filming the thing next week. They were going to use the park as the location; Jethro and Emma were going to interact as they usually did and the product, Liver Biscotti, was going to be featured prominently in their play. Later the raw footage would be edited and dubbed into a final product. Papa said the production company was even bringing an animal trainer. I had to chuckle when Papa said he doubted if there was much a trainer could teach Jethro the Polish Wonder Dog.

Thursday, we won our baseball game and clinched second place in our division. We made the playoffs with a record that made us fourth seed in the eight-team field. Not a bad place to be, considering it was Palmdale's first baseball tournament appearance in ten years. After the game, Cindi took the twins home and then came to my house. Papa was there having a brewski with Dad. Papa liked Cindi a whole lot, he said she reminded him of the girls he knew and loved in Indochina way back when. Cindi knew enough about her heritage to know she was from the Central highlands of Vietnam; she had been born in a city named Pleiku.

Papa had been stationed around her place of birth while he was a Legionnaire so Cindi listen raptly as he recounted his adventures there. Papa called Cindi 'co dep lam', which supposedly meant pretty girl in Vietnamese. Papa said he could ask for a beer or a pretty girl in over forty languages. Of course, Papa was a stercoration artist, so could be he was yanking Cindi's chain. (Papa once told me he met a girl in Algeria that was so sexy he would have crawled across a four-lane highway at rush hour, just to sniff the tires of the laundry truck carrying her dirty underwear to the cleaners.)

Cindi and I settled in to do our homework at the dining room table. Dad and Papa decided that we were boring and headed off to the Moose Lodge to swap lies with their buds. At seven-thirty, Cindi closed her history book with a thud then flipped the Cliff Notes I was reading out of my hand. She slid out of her chair into my lap, locked her lips to mine and sent her tongue down my throat. I swear, there are aardvarks with shorter tongues than Cindi Frazier. When she had swabbed my tonsils thoroughly she broke the kiss and leaned back.

"Take me upstairs, Big Daddy," she said, "cause your woman needs some lovin'."

It's always the shy, quiet ones that turn into the worst horndogs, isn't it?

I picked her up and hustled up to my bedroom; she held on tight to my neck as I almost sprinted up the stairs. I tossed her onto my bed and started ripping off my clothes. As fast as I was going she was still naked on the bed first. I flung my boxer-briefs onto my computer monitor and pounced on her. She squealed when I flipped her over onto her stomach. I reached into my nightstand and grabbed a Trojan and my handy-dandy tube of Astro-Glide as I sat lightly on her back.

"Now you've done it you little minx. You've got me all horny and I'm fixing to go caveman on you, ' I growled.

She didn't look the slightest bit frightened as she gazed hotly at me over her shoulder.

"You don't need that lube, Big Daddy, if I was any wetter you'd slide off the bed."

I ignored her and slipped on the condom then squeezed a big glob of lube on to it.

"Up on you knees, Little One, and who said the lube was for your pussy?"

"Oh," was all she said as she scrambled up onto her hands and knees. I sure loved that view of her spheropygian caboose.

She was as wet as she claimed; yet even with the lube it was tough sledding getting into her. She became more vocal as we pushed and pulled. When I finally sank in the last inch she keened a high note that Jethro probably heard two miles away then dropped her head and attached her teeth to my pillow. I started stroking her with short little jabs as I lubed up my middle finger. I no sooner placed the greasy digit against her rosebud than she started cumming. I was enjoying the hell out of myself and hardly had to move at all as she bucked her booty like that paint shaker down at the Home Depot.

Cindi could come more than singletons doing things this way, she was on her second before the noise from her first stopped echoing through the room. I held Kong still in her and uncorked her butt. She whined about that until I replace one finger with two. She took a raged breath and bumped back against me.

"You are so nasty, Big Daddy," she cooed as she started towards another climax.

For our grand finale I squeezed a little lube on Cindi's finger and let her go to town on her clit as I doubled up on her from the rear. As she started her final orgasm of the evening I even gave her a couple of swats on the butt cheek as I came too. I sure am glad we were using water-soluble lube because we made a big old mess. We were all back together and sitting at the dining room table when Dad came in at nine.

"Still doing homework?" he asked.

Cindi gave him a sweet innocent smile.

"Yes, Mr. Pulaski, we've been hard at it since you left."

Friday we took the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Tests, the FCAT. For us juniors, it was our first crack at the test that had to be passed before we could graduate. The tests weren't that hard so I figured unless I really screwed up next year I had a good shot at graduating. We were dismissed for the weekend as soon as we finished the tests, so I was lounging around the Cavanaughs' pool by one in the afternoon. Elaine and Ellen were finishing up a music lesson so it was just Shelia and me sitting under a large umbrella.

"Johnny, I never have apologized to you for all that happened. Worse yet, I've never told you how much I appreciate all you did for me. You took care of me even when I was treating you badly." She looked out at the crystal clear water of the pool and sighed. "I often wonder what would have happened if you and I had continued to date."

"I've thought about that myself, Shelia. I guess I have accepted that we were just never meant to be. I mean everything seemed to conspire against us, didn't it. I think maybe fate just stepped in and pushed us toward where we really should be. I know I am seriously in love with your sisters and you seem to be crazy about Al."

Shelia smiled and ducked her head cutely when I mentioned Alan Jerdin. "He's such a wonderful man! Did you know he is going to go back to college with me?"

That was news to me. "What's he going to take?"

"He's leaning toward Chemistry and Pharmacology. You know my Alan," she laughed.

I did indeed. "Have you guys decided on a school?"

"Pretty much, the University of Hawaii has a good pre law program for me and big waves for Alan." She leaned towards me conspiratorially. "We've been talking about getting engaged even. Alan's just one more reason I'm thankful to you."

"Wow, congratulations!" was all I could think to say.

She nodded and beamed. "Thanks." Then she threw me a curve that embarrassed the hell out of me. "So, you unleashed the beasts, huh? Ellen told me all about your weekend at Nina's. We had been dreading them becoming sexually active since they were eleven and reached puberty. What you've accomplished with those two is nothing short of miraculous. Their behavior is so much better now; they haven't had a cross word for anyone in weeks. Mom and Dad think you walk on water."

I protested that I hadn't done anything; they had just grown up. Elaine spared me from any further embarrassment when she trotted out of the house and fell heavily into my lap. She was wearing a small bikini that barely hid the good stuff. She kissed me thoroughly and snuggled against me. Ellen came out shortly after and gave me the same treatment. Shelia told us she had things to do and split, so the twins and I hit the pool and splashed around for a while playing some serious grab ass. When things started heating up we retired to the twins playroom. And play we did. It was a tough job taking care of both of them but we managed as Ellen rode my face and Elaine rode Kong. I was finding out more of what my honeys enjoyed every time we were together. Ellen liked a lot of oral, Cindi liked me in her and Elaine, well Elaine loved it all.

Saturday, my grandfather, my dad and I went fishing. We had an early breakfast at Mama's Diner then we went out to Lake Asbury and fished off the boardwalk the state had built as part of the park. We had a cooler full of beer and soda, lunches Nana had made and a bucket of worms. But most important, we had each other's company. Papa brought Jethro along and the doofus found himself a shady spot where he snoozed peacefully as we drowned worms. We caught a few small crappies and one good-sized mud cat but that was about it. What we caught was immaterial anyway, what counted was us hanging out together. I loved it that Papa talked about his childhood in Poland. And Dad cracked me up describing some of his customers. Dad and Papa teased me about Cindi and the twins. Papa even offered to front me some Viagra if things got too tough for me. It was a sublimely perfect day.

The next day wasn't as good. The day started just fine as I sat with the twins during mass; it went sour when I returned from church and Rachael Scofield called me. You remember Rachael, right? You know, the "Ciao Johnny" woman. It was the friendly, bubbly Rachael calling. She wanted to get together for a week after school let out for us both. She said she had already reserved a room at this quaint little inn on the beach up in St. Augustine. Three months ago I would have done back flips at her invitation, but this wasn't three months ago. I politely thanked her for the invitation but told her I was going steady now and I wasn't seeing other women. I stuck to that even when she said, "No problem Johnny, there would be no strings attached and no one has to know but us."

The whole conversation with Rachael made me sad. Not sad because I regretted not getting to go with her, but sad that she knew me so little, she thought I would even consider sneaking off with her. She actually turned angry and nasty before we hung up. When I tallied up my relationship scorecard Rachael was going to be in the L column, along with Shelia Cavanaugh.

After school on Monday I hustled over to the Elk's Club Park to watch Jethro and Emma's acting debut. It was a good thing I went that day because the commercial was almost a wrap even though they hadn't started until noon. Papa told me that Jethro and Emma ignored the three cameras and played all afternoon. As a result the director had some impressive quality footage. Emma looked angelic as always. Jethro was as handsome as he was ever going to be, he was freshly bathed and had on his American Flag bandana. Papa said that what made the director the happiest was when Emma did her stick baton trick and Jethro danced. Only this time Emma said, "sing Jeffrow, sing" and Jethro turned his head up and gave a good old hound dog howl. That right there was going to sell some doggy treats.

When I got there Emma was holding a bag of Liver Biscotti. Jethro was sitting attentively in front of her. She'd take one treat out of the bag and put it on Jethro's nose. The trainer was trying to get Jethro to flip the little treat up in the air and catch it. Jethro wasn't buying any of that, instead, when Emma said, "get it" his Brobdingnagian tongue would slurp out, slice across his face like a windshield wiper, and 'presto' the snack would be gone. Papa turned to me when the trainer went for another bag of treats.

"That's how you can tell Jethro is truly intelligent, because he can improvise and accomplish the task more efficiently."

I looked at Papa to make sure he wasn't putting me on. When I saw how awed he was by Jethro's antics I just nodded my head.

The trainer next tried to get Jethro to catch one of the snacks when Emma tossed it. That didn't work so well either. Because when Emma tossed it, Jethro would pounce on it then take it back to Emma and gently spit it back into her hand. I thought that was kinda cool of the big goof, if the director could tie the product in with Jethro's obvious adoration for Emma, they were going to sell a lot of those treats.

I watched for another minute or two then wandered over to talk to Emma's mom, Kayla. Kayla smiled at me and kissed my cheek but she didn't look all that happy.

"What's up?" I asked.

She sighed and her shoulders slumped. "I was going to call you later and talk to you about it. But I guess I might as well tell you now. My ex and his parents are suing me for custody of Emma. They are claiming I'm an unfit mother. A deputy served me with court papers this morning."

Jesus, I was expecting something like she needed a new car battery or something; I was stunned.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"I don't know, Johnny. I have a few hundred dollars in the bank and we are getting a few hundred for this commercial, but I can't really afford a lawyer. I thought maybe legal aide would help me."

Lawyer? I just happened to know one, and I was willing to bet that he'd kick some ass over a custody case this unfair. The problem as I saw it was to get Kayla Thorpe to accept my help. She wasn't suspicious of my intentions as much now but she was still a proud, independent woman.

"Uh, Kay, I don't know if you are going to like me suggesting this but I think I can fix the lawyer thing for you. No strings attached of course."

I didn't know what her reaction to my suggestion would be, but none of the responses I considered included what happened next. The words were barely out of my mouth before Kayla jumped on me and almost cracked my ribs squeezing me.

"Johnny, if you could come up with one of your miracles now, I'd never, ever forget it."

"I can't promise anything for sure, but give me a few minutes, okay?" I said.

She nodded and I walked over to my truck. I grabbed my cell phone and dug Mr. Cavanaugh's business card out of my wallet. I called the private number he gave me and he answered the phone himself. I identified myself and laughed when he asked if I was in trouble.

"No sir," I said, "but I do need a lawyer."

I quickly ran down Kayla's situation for him. He remembered Kayla and Emma from the news and quickly agreed to represent her. He asked me if I could bring Kayla by his house to see him at six. I asked him to hang on, cleared it with Kayla and then confirmed us being there. When I hung up my phone Kayla gave me another one of those boa constrictor hugs.

"So, how do you know a lawyer that would take my case pro-bono that quickly?" she asked.

"He's the father of two of my girlfriends," I answered truthfully.

"Two of your girlfriends?" she repeated as a question, eyebrows arched.

Rather than try to explain and come off as a bragging asshole, I told her to wait until six and everything would be clearer to her.

I drove Kayla and Emma to the Cavanaughs' house. It was five till six when Elaine answered the door.

"Hi Honey, this is Kayla and Emma; Emma, Kayla, this is my girlfriend Elaine. We are going to watch Emma while Kayla talks to your dad."

Elaine was smiling and shaking Kayla's hand when Ellen arrived at the door also. I repeated the introductions once more. You could almost see the lights come on in Kayla's head.

Elaine, Ellen and I played Old Maid with Emma while Kayla talked with Thomas Cavanaugh, Esquire. Kayla spent an hour with Mr. Cavanaugh and was a much happier woman when I drove her and Emma to their car.

"Thomas says we are going to make Jamie Thorpe and his parents sorry they ever instigated this custody business," she said.

"I'm glad he agreed to help. If Mr. Cavanaugh tells you something, you can pretty much count on it."

"I believe that Johnny. Thomas thinks very highly of you, by the way. He says you saved one of his daughters and changed the lives of his other two. Just who in the hell are you?"

I laughed off her comments and told her I hadn't really done anything for Shelia that any other friend wouldn't have done. And as far as the amazing twins were concerned, I just happened to be around when they decided they were ready to grow up. I changed the subject and asked her how things were going with work and school. She told me both were excellent and that she really enjoyed her college courses. Then she changed the subject back. When a woman wanted to know something they are as relentless as bill collectors.

"So you have two girlfriends, now, and they share you?" I knew she was teasing me.

"Actually I have three, but they are nice young ladies and share their toys."

She laughed at that. I dropped her and Emma off at the park and made sure her car fired up before I headed home.

Jethro and Emma's commercial hit the airwaves about a week later. And, much as I hate to admit it, Jethro, through the magic of editing, looked as if he were all Papa claimed. The commercial landed Jethro one other advertising job. It wasn't a commercial, though; it was a print ad for a local pet cemetery that ran in our newspaper's Sunday Magazine. In the add Jethro was standing on point looking alertly off to the camera's left. The caption read:

This is heroic Jethro Pulaski

Noble Companion

Faithful Friend

Brave Protector

For someone this important

You want the very best

After their death as well as during their life

That is where we at Shady Grove Pet Funeral home can help

Let our fully qualified and certified staff

Handle your bereavement needs

Cremation packages start in the low five hundreds

Pretty tasteful, huh? Shady Grove was the brainchild of Lulu Frazier, Cindi's mom. Lulu hit on the idea when she read in People Magazine about some movie star who spent ten grand on a funeral for her poodle. Papa was able to get Jethro to look so regal by standing off camera waving a stuffed cat with a bag of Liver Biscotti tied around it's neck while chanting, "here, kitty, kitty, kitty."

As a result of Jethro's sudden (and in Papa's mind, well deserved) stardom, Papa started to fret about someone stealing his dog. So in his typical over the top way, Papa had Jethro fitted out with a collar that had a GPS locator in it. Papa had a hand held GPS device that turned on the locator then displayed within ten meters where the dog was. Papa also sprang for the lifetime subscription to the manufacturer's web site so he could also find Jethro while at home sitting at his computer. My grandfather spent over a thousand dollars to equip his fifty-dollar dog with LOJACK, even though he never took the keys out of the ignition of his fifty thousand dollar truck, go figure.

The merry month of May marched right on by. Our baseball team finished third in the tournament, we won two in a row to make it to the final three then lost one squeaker and got blown out in our last game. Coach thought we made a decent showing and with one more starting pitcher next year, we'd do even better.

My love life was beyond description. And note, I said 'love life', not 'sex life'. Sure the sex was better than outstanding, but it was love that was driving our train. The girls and I became closer every day. I don't know how that worked exactly, but I wasn't complaining. You want to hear something funny? It soon reached the point where it was hard for me to remember a life that didn't include them; and it was even harder to imagine a life without them in it.

The problems of jealousy and hurt feelings never surfaced in our relationship. I think that was because my women were so bright and because of the empathic link we shared. The girls were too smart to let petty things worry them, and our link let everyone know how much we each loved the other. Once we started our relationship our link strengthened until we could actually feel each other's presence from a distance. I don't mean that we could transit our feelings like radio waves or any of that stuff, but when my doorbell rang I knew which of them was ringing it without looking. My link with Elaine continued to be the strongest. We have never figured out why that is, especially in light of the fact that the strongest empath among us was Cindi.

We could project to people we weren't linked to by now, but Cindi had the ability to actually sway someone's actions. The connection was stronger between the four of us, like I said, but the four of us, as a group, couldn't influence anyone any more than Cindi could. In other words, working together didn't increase our abilities.

Kayla's custody case went before a judge the week before school broke for the summer. Since it was family court, we weren't allowed to be there for moral support. However, Kayla told us all about it when she came to pick up Emma, for whom the twins were babysitting. Kayla said that the young attorney, to whom Mr. Cavanaugh had given the case, tore Jamie Thorpe and his parents a new ass. At the end of the three-hour hearing, the judge commended Kayla for her determination and self-reliance. She lectured the senior Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe for bringing such a disingenuous matter before her then ruled in Kayla's favor.

Before he could call for the next case, Gary Wright, Kayla's Attorney, handed the judge a sheet of paper listing how far in arrears Jamie Thorpe was in child support. The Family Court Judge, a woman well known to detest deadbeat dads, looked up sharply.

"Mr. Thorpe, this document affirms that you are twenty-two months behind in paying child support, is that true?"

Jamie hemmed and hawed but eventually admitted it was so. He said he hadn't paid because he thought Kayla was unfit to raise his daughter and would use the money to party. The judge said they all knew that wasn't the case now, so if he wanted to leave the courtroom by the front door someone at his table had better cough up thirty-three hundred bucks. Jamie's parents wrote a check so Jamie didn't go to jail. In addition, the judge increased his child support to three hundred a month and directed that future payments be made to the clerk of the court. Needless to say, Kayla was ecstatic. That should have been that, but of course it wasn't, because Jamie Thorpe was an asshole, pure and simple. I think it was because his parents kept bailing him out of jams as they did by paying his back child support.

The school year finally ended on the last Wednesday in May. I made it through my finals and managed to keep my grade point average hovering near the 4.0 mark. It would have been nice to spend the summer hanging out around the Cavanaughs' swimming pool with my sweethearts, but that's not the Pulaski way. Instead, I started working for my grandfather pretty much full time. Papa's business was a lot more involved than I thought it was and he seemed intent on immersing me in it up to my neck. Everyday we would visit each job site and I would end up working with whatever crew Papa decided need the extra manpower. The good thing about that was having something different to do everyday. The bad thing was that some of it was damned hard work. I sure did learn to appreciate what a man had to do to make a living though.

Thursday of the second week working with my grandfather, we knocked off early because a thunderstorm blew in while we were prepping a concrete slab. I wasn't too unhappy about getting rained out because Papa had me digging footers with a square point shovel. It was tedious work, as I had to make sure the footers were exactly sixteen inches wide and twenty inches deep. Any less than those measurements and the footer wouldn't be to code, any more and I was wasting concrete. Anyway it was about two in the afternoon and we were about three miles from my grandparents' house when Papa's cell phone went off. He answered it normally, became real quiet, and then started speaking in Polish too fast for me to keep up.

Papa closed his phone and tossed it onto the seat. He looked grimly determined as he tromped on the gas.

"Trouble at the house, someone is trying to snatch Emma," he said tersely.

Here's what happened as best I could piece it together:

Jamie Thorpe had followed his ex-wife and daughter to my grandparents' house at ten that morning. He watched Kayla walk Emma to the door and my grandmother let them in. Jamie then went to the Top Hat, a topless bar on the outskirts of Daytona, and proceeded to drink and nurse his anger at Kayla. What really rankled with Jamie was the amended custody order that directed his visits with his daughter be supervised as if he were a potential pedophile. That the amended order was the judge's way of insuring that Jamie continued paying his child support was lost on Jamie; he would much rather blame his bitch of an ex-wife.

Jamie reached the point where his snoot full of loud mouth overruled his common sense. He paid for one last lap dance from Mona Mounds and her incredible 44's and headed to my grandparents' house, drunkenly determined to rescue his child from the clutches of strangers.

Nana opened the door unconcernedly when Jamie rang the bell; after all, this was Palmdale, the town with the lowest crime rate in Florida. Jamie pushed his way into the house.

"I want to see my daughter, where is she?" he demanded.

Before Nana could answer Emma and Jethro came skidding around the corner to see who had rang the doorbell. Jamie took a step toward Emma.

"Come on Emma, you are leaving with Daddy."

Emma didn't want to do anything of the kind so she darted behind Nana. Nana might have been in her sixties but she was still a mother, so no way was Jamie getting to Emma without going through her first. Jamie had figured that out and advanced toward the frightened child and determined grandmother. How hard, he figured, could it be to take one small child away from one small elderly woman? Jamie, in his single minded drunken determination, forgot about the fourth person in the room. Well, Jethro Pulaski had finally met a human he didn't like. He gave a loud growling bark, jumped between Jamie and Nana and turned into the hound dog version of Cujo. Nana grabbed Emma and ran to her bedroom while Jethro had Thorpe's attention.

We roared up to the driveway about two minutes after Nana's call. Papa reached under his truck seat, pulled out a two-foot-long piece of inch and a quarter oak dowel, and we sprinted towards the door. My grandparents' house was a split-level, three-bedroom ranch. The master suite was off the dining room to our left as we came in. When we piled through the front door we turned left and were greeted by the sight of a disheveled cursing man beating on the master bedroom door with a heavy brass bookend shaped like a duck. Jethro was barking furiously and kept lunging at the man's legs. Thorpe would kick or swing at Jethro to ward him off then return to pounding on the door.

Jethro saw Papa just as Jamie was aiming a vicious kick in the dog's direction. With his attention diverted, Jethro didn't dodge quickly enough, Thorpe's shoe caught him in the haunch and Jethro yelped in pain. Uh-oh, if the man ever had a chance of getting out of my Papa's house in one piece, I think he just cancelled it.

"See to my dog, Johnny," Papa said in this flat scary voice, as he advanced on the crazy man at his bedroom door.

"Get back, old man, I won't hurt you if you give me my daughter."

Papa didn't say a word but he did lash out with the piece of wood he carried. The sound of the round piece of oak hitting Thorpe's wrist sounded like a gunshot. Thorpe screamed and dropped the bookend, his right hand hanging uselessly. Then Papa brought the stick around backhanded and slammed it into Thorpe's right knee. Thorpe dropped to the ground face first and Papa dropped onto the injured mans back. Then he threaded the dowel under Thorpe's neck until he could grab it with his other hand. With his hands about a foot apart on the stick Papa pulled back until Thorpe couldn't breath. Man I was about to crap my pants thinking papa was going to off the guy right there. Then Papa looked at me and winked.

"If you ever set foot in my house again I will kill you — understand?" Papa said in this really thick polish accent.

And that's how the deputies found us about a minute later when they edged in through the open door, guns drawn. The deputies immediately drew down on Papa because he appeared to be the aggressor. It took Nana coming out of the bedroom to put matters right. The deputies placed Jamie Thorpe under arrest then called an ambulance for him. They weren't sure what to do with Papa so they called in a Sergeant to sort it out. The Sergeant listened to Papa's story and directed the deputies to write it up as self defense on Papa's part. In contrast, they threw the book at Jamie Thorpe. Attempted kidnapping of a child, assault on an elderly person, resisting arrest with violence (this was a weak charge based on Papa making a citizen's arrest), and cruelty to animals for kicking Jethro. Jethro was just fine; matter of fact, he came out of the deal the best as his heroics finally made Nana a member of his fan club.

On the second Saturday of June, I attended Jane Pullman's wedding. Yes that's right, big Jane was marrying lucky ass Ralph Dabney, the fellow that worked at her bank. The wedding and reception were both held at the Moose Lodge and my father gave the bride away. Caroline Hernandez and Amanda, Jane's daughter, were the bride's maids. I was sitting in a folding chair on the bride's side of the aisle with Cindi, Elaine and Ellen. Cindi, sitting on my right, whispered something to Ellen, who was sitting to Cindi's right. Ellen tittered which drew Elaine's attention. Of course, Elaine had to get in on the conversation so she leaned across me and Cindi whispered the same thing to her. Elaine giggled too, and shot me a look.

"What?" I whispered.

"Cindi says you've slept with everyone in the bridal party," she whispered back.

"Only the women," I said, "and not since I fell in love with you all; and hardly any sleeping was involved."

Caroline, Amanda and I were still the best of friends even if we were no longer fuck buddies. I was at ease now about the little dom/sub thing going on between them because Amanda said it was mostly just a game they sometimes played.

The following week Cindi and I spent all the time we could with Ellen and Elaine because they were going to Ireland for five weeks on the twentieth of June. Ellen and Cindi were safely on the pill now so we were over messy birth control and worrying about condoms. But it wasn't really all about the sex before they left, as great as that was. It was also about just being together. The twins were stoked about seeing where their mother's family came from and finding out more about their heritage, but they were sad to be leaving Cindi and me. I spent a lot of time with Elaine because she was especially unhappy about the thought of being away from me for so long.

She and I were alone in my bedroom, cuddled naked under the covers. "I am going to miss you way too much, Johnny, I can feel it already starting and we haven't even left yet."

I held her tighter but didn't say anything. With our connection words were superfluous anyway. When we were together like that, both of us sated from making love, our connection felt as if it were as large as those massive cables on the Golden Gate Bridge. Elaine felt it too, I guess, because she rolled on top of me and looked into my eyes.

"Close your eyes, Honey, relax and concentrate on my tingle, I want to try something," she said.

I did as she asked. I felt her connection to me flare even stronger. This time thought, instead of feeling her as a sensation that washed over me, I felt her as a tickle in my mind. When I focused on that tickle, an image started taking shape. When the image swam into soft focus I was so startled I flinched and lost it. But, for a startling heartbeat, floating in my head had been a big red neon heart, and inside the heart were her initials.

When my eyes popped open Elaine smiled. "You saw it didn't you? That was my heart Johnny, it belongs to you now."

Wow!

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 25


The week that the twins left for Ireland is when I met my "cousin" Tyler Tiplitski. I said cousin in quotes because Tyler is the grandson of my self-proclaimed aunt, Olga Swistak. In the circular logic of Olga and Nana, if Tyler is Olga's grandson, and she has declared me her nephew, then Tyler and I must be cousins. I met Tyler because Papa hired him as a favor to Aunt Olie. Tyler had just graduated from high school and was trying to decide on his future. Papa said he'd give the boy a try but there were no free rides at Pulaski Construction. Olie said she understood, and that Tyler was a hard worker, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I gotta tell you, Tyler Tiplitski was the most countrified person I've even seen not on 'The Beverly Hillbillies'. Tyler made Jethro Bodine look as if he were a worldly city slicker. My first clue to Tyler's nature was when he pulled up to the job site in a Black 4X4 Ford Ranger Pickup that was jacked up high enough to give you a nosebleed. The truck sported a set of serious off-road tires as tall as Cindi Frazier. Four spotlights were mounted on a roll bar behind the cab. A big aluminum dog box with a high swivel seat perched on top of it filled the truck's bed.

My second clue came when Tyler kicked open the truck's door and dropped to the ground. He was dressed head to toe in Realtree Mossy Oak camouflage. It was the first time I had ever seen a camo wife-beater t-shirt (I still need someone to explain the need for such an item.) The only splash of color on him was the Confederate Flag emblazoned on the front of his camo baseball cap and the words 'Get Er Done' stitched in red above the flag.

Tyler walked up to Papa and introduced himself in a most respectful voice.

"Mr. Pulaski?" When Papa nodded, Tyler continued. "Sir, I'm Tyler Tiplitski, thank you for hiring me, you won't regret it."

Papa shook his hand and introduced me. I stuck out my hand; Tyler grabbed it and pulled me into a crushing bear hug.

"Hey, Cuz, I've heard a lot about you from my Grammy."

Tyler was a stout young man; he stood about five-eleven and weighed over two hundred pounds. He had that blocky, weight lifters build.

When I could breath again I said, "Nice to meet you, Tyler."

"Call me Tater," he grinned, "everybody else does."

I liked Tater from the get go, he was a good guy. I'll bet you are wondering how a redneck like Tater could be from Palmdale, a city with the headquarters of two Fortune 500 corporations and the highest per capita ratio of millionaires in America. Easy answer, Tater wasn't from Palmdale proper, even though he had a Palmdale mailing address. Tater was from the small farming community of Spotsatula, about fifteen miles west of the city. Polish immigrants settled Spotsatula in the early twentieth century. Descendents of those settlers still farmed thousands of acres of cabbage, carrots, celery and onions.

Spotsatula enjoyed a special status with the county and state as an important segment of a diversified economy. Over two hundred square miles of that part of the county was zoned special agricultural. The Turner and Thornton (TnT) Ranch was on the eastern edge of Spotsatula. Thornton money and Turner political clout had kept land speculators and developers at bay.

Tater was the hard worker that Olga Swistak advertised. The boy was strong as an ox and had the stamina of a water buffalo. Papa was getting his money's worth. Tater was working for Papa because his parents were trying to get him to reconsider not going to college. That was why Tater ended up with all the hardest jobs; Papa was making sure he knew how hard some folks had to work. Tyler Tiplitski wasn't interested in going to college, he wanted to enlist in the Army and become a paratrooper. Even though he had a diploma, Tater couldn't enlist without his parents consent because he wouldn't turn eighteen until October.

Tater and Jethro got along famously, which made Papa like Tater even more. Tater had a couple of hunting dogs of his own and he thought Jethro would fit right in with them. Tater didn't know that the only thing Jethro would hunt was a place to lie down. Tater also met Cindi one day when she popped in to take me to lunch. Of course I invited Tater to lunch with us. The two became friends immediately, I think because they both had weird senses of humor, and because Tater loved Cindi's soft Tennessee drawl. Cindi told me later that she also made sure Tater only saw her as a friend by radiating that message using her empathic talent.

Tater also met the twins and Nina right before they left for Ireland. Nina brought them by where we were working on their way home from shopping. The twins were friendly and nice to Tater but they made it clear who their man was. They were especially affectionate because they were leaving in a couple of days. When they drove off Tater looked at me and shook his head ruefully.

"Cuz, those are some special women, they ain't the prettiest I've ever seen but they have something that makes them beautiful anyway. Shee-it, You are some kind of lucky so and so."

Nothing much I could say to that.

Speaking of Nina, she was still glowing from the early stages of her pregnancy, her clothes were starting to get snug in the waist but she wasn't showing yet. She said she was going to go public with her pregnancy while they were all in Ireland. I spent one evening a week with Nina; we usually got together on Tuesdays, her housekeeper's day off. Sometimes she would cook for me and other times she'd take me out. Nina and I had a pretty cool relationship, we were friends with benefits and she was my mentor on things in life I was embarrassed to ask anyone else. I knew I was special to her because she put aside Tuesdays for me even though she led a very busy life.

But back to Cousin Tater. Tater knew I was bummed because the twins had left, so he invited Cindi and I out to the farm to go varmint hunting. Tater even convinced Papa that it was a good idea for Jethro to go run with his dogs; sort of let Jethro rediscover his roots, as it were. According to Tater, getting rid of varmints, rabbits especially, was a chore that had to be done. If left unchecked, the rabbits multiplied like - well like rabbits - and they could inflict considerable damage on crops if left unchecked.

Saturday morning, bright and early, I picked up first Cindi, then Jethro. Cindi sat next to me while Jethro occupied the passenger seat. Jethro curled up with his head on Cindi's thigh and went to sleep as soon as we were out of Papa's driveway. We arrived at the Tiplitski farm just before eight in the morning. The Tiplitskis' house stood back about a quarter mile from the highway and the area between the highway and the house was planted in a variety of trees: oranges, palms, live oaks and magnolias. I found out later that the trees qualified the Tiplitskis for some state designation that helped reduce their taxes. The trees were sold to nurseries and landscape companies when they reached about three inches in diameter and another tree was planted in the sold tree's place.

I really liked the house; it was large and square with a ten-foot wide porch completely surrounding it.

Tater answered the door and introduced us to his folks. The Tiplitski parents were a nice clean-cut couple without a trace of Tater's thick accent. After introductions, Tater went back out to my truck with me to get Jethro. Jethro bounded around peeing on everything in sight as Tater, Cindi and I walked around the house. Set at least fifty yards behind the house were a couple of out buildings for farm machinery and a six-stall horse stable. The stable had a corral like, fenced in enclosure next to it.

Two of those wrinkled up, sad faced bloodhounds were lying under a big leafy fig tree in the back yard. Jethro saw them and went loping over to where they lay, ready to sniff some butt and make some new friends. The two bloodhounds, one black and tan and one brown, didn't even look up as Jethro capered around. They were so still, I was afraid they were dead.

"That's Junebug and Ladybug," Tater said proudly. "Wait until you see them in action, they are the best huntin' dogs in the county."

Cindi and I nodded our acceptance of his declaration, but I had to wonder about that, given their total lack of animation. Jethro couldn't figure it out either. He plopped down on his stomach, put his head on his crossed paws and just looked at them.

"I'll get out the four-wheelers in a few minutes and we'll go chase rabbits but first I want to introduce you to my little sister." Tater stopped walking then and regarded us seriously. "I have to warn you that Tonya is a little different than most girls. She doesn't talk much and likes horses a whole lot better than she likes people. She is going to the University of Florida in the fall to study large animal veterinary."

Tonya had her back to us brushing down a horse when we walked into the stable. Tonya was Tater's little sister only by virtue of being born five minutes later than him. She was at least as tall as her brother and not much lighter.

"Hey Skeeter, these are my friends I told you about," Tater said.

The girl stopped brushing and turned around. She was dressed simply in jeans and a plaid shirt, a curled up straw cowboy hat on her head. She had big, big sky blue eyes and dirty blond hair. Her cheekbones were high; her nose small and up turned and her mouth was wide and full lipped. She was big but she had a womanly figure. Tonya made me reconsider the term big beautiful woman, because up to that moment, I always thought the term referred to the big old gals grazing at the all you can eat buffet down at the Western Sizzler.

Tater continued his introductions, "This is my friend Cindi and our cousin, Johnny Pulaski."

Tonya nodded toward Cindi and then turned those baby blues on me. She fixed me in her gaze and it felt as if she were looking into my soul. I don't know how long I was lost in her eyes, but it felt like hours. Tater finally broke the spell.

"We're going hunting, can we borrow your four-wheeler?"

Tonya flicked her eyes towards her brother, "I'll go with you, grab my rifle while I finish brushing Star."

Tater looked surprised but quickly nodded. "Come on Johnny, you can help me carry the shooting irons."

When we were out of earshot of the barn Tater slapped me on the back.

"Damn Cuz, you are the first guy Skeeter ever joined when we went hunting. All the guys I ever bring out here moon over her but she just ignores them. She doesn't date, says all that boys want to do is get their hands on her ta-tas. You best be careful, she broke Billy Kessler's finger just for poking one of them."

"Don't worry Tater, I wouldn't do anything like that, I have girlfriends, remember. I like her for some reason though, she's very pretty."

"She ain't fat neither, us Tiplitskis' is all stout like that."

We came back out with two rifles and a shotgun. Tater and his sister had .22 automatics and Tater was lending me a single shot .410-caliber shotgun. (Why is a .410 barrel bore measured in caliber instead of gauge? Beats the hell out of me.) When we hit the porch Tater's two comatose dogs spotted the rifles, jumped up and started running around in circles baying loudly. Jethro thought that was more like it and enthusiastically joined them.

Tater led me out to another building and rolled up the overhead door. Inside the building were a few pieces of farm equipment and two all terrain vehicles, one small and sporty looking and one big heavy-duty model with a winch. Cindi and Tonya came in right behind us as Tater was securing the rifles and shotguns in scabbards attached to the ATVs. Tater climbed on the smaller machine and turned to me.

"You are going to have to ride with Skeeter because her 700 can carry more weight."

I nodded as Cindi climbed up behind him and they drove off. Tonya was still looking at me speculatively but she didn't say a word as she fired up her machine. I could tell just from the sound that her rig was a brute. Once she was backed out of the stall and turned around she stopped and I climbed on the back. If everything had stopped right there, it would have been great. Of course, it didn't, though, and the next few minutes turned into some of the most embarrassing of my life. I know that I redefined 'idiot' that day. Forever after then, some guy is going to do something indescribably stupid and every one around him is going to say, "Man, what a Pulaski that dude is."

So I'm astride the comfortable big seat of the big four-wheeler, my feet firmly on the ridged floorboards and my hands lightly on Tonya's waist. Tonya put the beast in gear and slams the thumb lever throttle wide open. We took off as if we were an F-18 being catapulted off an aircraft carrier. I yelped as I started falling backwards and grabbed on to Tonya to keep from falling off. Unfortunately, the easiest thing to grab on Tonya was her big old casabas, the very ones that cost poor Billy Kessler his finger. I realized my mistake immediately and let go of them as if they were radioactive. I let go just as Tonya released the throttle and hit the front brake. My head reversed direction and smacked nose first into the back of her head.

My proboscis had bled easily since Arturo Mendoza flattened it for me, so of course, I spouted blood like a stuck pig. At the same time my nose erupted, I fell side ways off the ATV because I wasn't holding onto Tonya anymore. I fell off the left side but my left hiking boot hung up on the grated floorboard and I twisted the crap out of my ankle. Then for good measure I landed on my left elbow, whacking my funny bone so hard my whole arm went numb. I looked and felt as if I'd been in a train wreck.

Tonya jumped off her Polaris and knelt beside me. Her big expressive blue eye were still captivating even through all the pain I had going on right then.

"I'm sorry Johnny, you startled me when you grabbed my puppies," she said.

I nodded. "Billy Kessler syndrome," I said.

She smiled for the first time; she had a beautiful smile. "What's hurt besides your nose?" she asked.

"My ankle, my elbow and my pride," I replied.

"Okay, squeeze your nose and tilt your head back. I'll go get my mom."

Mrs. Tiplitski, a shorter, more loquacious version of Tonya, came rushing out with a couple of large zip lock bags filled with ice. Mrs. Tiplitski was as efficient as a trauma surgeon, the result of treating farming accidents I guess. My nose had stopped bleeding and we were icing down my ankle when Tater and Cindi roared back up, Jethro right behind them, well ahead of Tater's hounds. Cindi was off the seat and kneeling beside me before Tater had come to a full stop. I assured Cindi I was all right then I stood up to test out my ankle. I had known enough not to take off my boot, and that coupled with the ice reduced any swelling. I took a couple of steps, and while it hurt enough to get my attention, I could still walk on it.

"See, I'm fine, nothing is broken so you don't have to shoot me," I said lightly.

Anyway, we mounted up and tried it again. This time I wrapped my arms firmly around Tonya's waist and away we went. We threaded our way between green fields on narrow dirt tractor trails until we came to an area where the tended fields abutted piney woods. Tater pulled over and turned off his machine, Tonya pulled up next to him and did the same. Tater explained that this worked better at night but basically what we were going to do is sit right there and let the dogs chase the rabbits out of the fields and into the cleared firebreak between us and the woods. We would then pick them off when they were out in the open. I nodded that I understood and he sent his dogs into the field.

Jethro looked confused about this turn of events. He followed the other dogs for a few yards but when he saw we weren't going too he came back and sat down next to me. Jethro thought it was great fun chasing after the ATVs so he was waiting for us to get moving again. He looked disappointed when we dismounted and started taking out the rifles and shotgun. Then he heard the other dogs baying and hauled ass after them. In minutes the dogs jumped a rabbit and Tater's trained hounds drove it towards us. Tater's dogs got the rabbit moving in the right direction and went to find more.

Jethro, however, saw a critter that resembled a cat and zoomed after it on full afterburners. No one had a shot at the rabbit because Jethro was dead on its ass as it bolted across the firebreak. The rabbit slipped through the fence and Jethro sailed over it. Tongue and ears flapping in the breeze, Jethro disappeared into the woods. I thanked my lucky stars for Jethro's GPS collar; if he didn't come back at least Papa could come out and track him down. As soon as Jethro disappeared, Junebug and Ladybug flushed out another rabbit. Tater took a shot at it when it hit the clearing and missed, but Tonya downed it mid hop.

Jethro returned after about five minutes, hopping the fence with a rabbit in his mouth that he deposited at Cindi's feet. We bagged four more rabbits that morning; I even managed to shoot one that both Tonya and Tater missed with their rifles. Tater collected the rabbits and we headed back to his house at about eleven-thirty for lunch. Tater said he'd skin and dress the rabbits, freeze them, and then cook them up for his dogs later. Tater was truly amazed that Jethro had run down that rabbit in the woods; he'd never seen a dog do that before. I didn't tell him that Jethro learned the skill chasing cats. He was disappointed that Jethro was gun shy. When the shooting started Jethro hid behind Cindi and wouldn't chase any more rabbits. I guess that's why he ended up in the animal shelter in the first place, not many hunters wanted a gun-shy dog.

I was still embarrassed by my earlier meltdown but no one seemed to be bothered by it besides me. Tonya didn't mention what really happened to anyone, I was relieved about that. I had an even healthier respect for her now after seeing her shoot; she was some woman. Even as we got to know her better she still didn't talk much. I don't think she initiated a single conversation with any of us the entire time we were ambushing rabbits. When we left, Tater, Cindi and the dogs went one way but Tonya took a different trail. She wanted to check on a couple of her horses that were grazing in a pasture on the other side of the farm.

When we parked next to the pasture fence, a mare with a small foal ambled over to us. Tonya opened up the front storage bin of her ATV and took out a baggie of carrot slices. We fed the mare carrots as the foal nursed on her. We stayed there about ten minutes. Tonya spoke gently to the horse and her foal but didn't say two words to me. I certainly saw what Tater said about her liking horses better than people. Still, she was a nice person and I didn't figure it was any sort of crime that she didn't have much to say. Heck, I've heard say that she was half way to being a perfect wife, you know: a big boobed nymphomaniac that doesn't talk much and owns a liquor store.

We were about to climb onto her four-wheeler and head for her house when our eyes locked up again. She was standing on one side of the ATV and I was on the other. She reached across the seat, grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me towards her.

"You feel it, too, don't you?" She said almost fiercely.

I nodded never breaking eye contact. She pushed me back upright and let me go.

"We'd better get back before this gets out of hand; it is a bad idea for us to be alone together."

We climbed on her ATV and roared back to the house. When we parted at the equipment building, Tonya disappeared into the stable without even saying goodbye. She was steadfastly renitent in the face our mutual attraction and I resolved to be the same.

I was fine with staying away from tempting Tonya, after all: out of sight, out of mind. The problem was that our families didn't hold the same opinion and surprisingly, that even included Cindi. It all started with Aunt Olga and Nana. Olie told Nana what a good impression I had made on her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Then she casually mentioned how lovely it would be if I took Tonya to the big Gala the PNA (Polish National Alliance) lodge was throwing. Papa and Nana were active members and strong supporters of the PNA since their days in Milwaukee.

Nana took up the cause with Papa and Olga recruited Tater. Tater told Cindi how important the event was and how nice if it would be if I took his sister to it so she'd have an escort when she received the scholarship the lodge was awarding her. I don't know what else Cindi had on her mind because she jumped on the bandwagon with both feet. Cindi told me she had spoken with the twins on the phone and they had seconded her motion that I go. Cindi said she'd go to the function with Tyler if I went so she could protect me if I needed it. She said it with a laugh but I could see something else mischievous in her eyes.

So on the last Saturday of June 2005, I whipped into the Tiplitskis' yard. The whole thing was pretty old world in that I was here for an arranged date orchestrated by our grandmothers. I hadn't even called Tonya to ask her if she wanted to go with me. I just showed up at the time I was told to be there. Tonya answered the door herself; the first time a first date had ever done that to me.

"I'm ready, lets get this over with," she said tersely as she started out the door.

I held up my hand and stopped her. I told her I wasn't raised like that and I was at least going to say hello to her parents. She stepped back inside the house and called her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Tiplitski were just about to head out the door themselves. They were somewhat surprised that I'd asked to greet them but, hell, this was Olga and Nana's show, so I was going to use the manners I'd been taught. Tonya looked good in black slacks and a red top. The top was loose yet it still failed to mask that she was seriously packing.

The PNA lodge in Spotsatula had evolved over time into a community center for the now diverse population of the area. It still had strong Polish fraternal roots, but nowadays anyone could join. The women of the lodge had cooked up a feast for the event and a local band was set to play after the festivities.

Cindi, Tater, Tonya and I shared a table all evening. I behaved myself like a gentleman with Tonya, my grandmother could be proud of me. Tonya and I sat there in silence most of the evening. She surprised me by accepting my invitation to dance and compounded the surprise by dancing really close. She actually grinned when she saw my startled look.

"I figure we are safe enough here, so why not?" She said lightly. Then in one minute she said more to me than all of the hours we'd spent together before. "Listen, I want you to know that the only problem I have with you is the timing. You'll know what I'm talking about in a little while. Plus I know you are a good guy and you aren't going to cheat on your other women. But here's something to think about next time you are with one of those skinny little waifs: I'm as good as I am big and I don't have one single inhibition in me. It just takes the right man to bring all that out; if things were different you'd probably be that man."

By the time she finished her little speech I was so hard I had a lump in my throat. She smiled knowingly at me and led the way back to our table. I found out what she meant about timing when she received her scholarship from the lodge. The lodge awarded her a scholarship for a thousand dollars, a nice little gift but nothing as extraordinary as she had made it sound. Tonya stood there and the lodge president called Jake and Melissa Turner forward. I hadn't even seen them sitting across the room. Melissa took the microphone.

"As you all know, Tonya is planning on going to veterinary school, and you also know she has worked for our vet, Doctor Stiles, since she was fourteen. Jake and I have great respect for her ambition and abilities. After speaking with Doc Stiles we made her this proposal: If she will stay here and work with Doc Stiles with the objective of taking over his practice when he retires, TnT Ranch will pay her tuition, room, board and expenses for as long as she is in school."

Holy Cow! A six or seven year free ride at the University of Florida had to be worth a quarter of a million dollars and a practice to walk into as a partner on graduation would set her up for life. No wonder she didn't have time for my tired Bohunk ass. Deafening applause followed about five seconds of stunned silence. For the next fifteen minutes Tonya was surrounded by well wishers, chief among them her dumbfounded family. Tonya had not let slip a word about what was coming up to anyone. When the band started back up I asked Tonya to dance. She accepted and we made it out to the floor. The lights had been dimmed and the mood on the dance floor was intimate and relaxed. Then a hand tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey Johnny Pulaski, mind if I cut in?"

I turned my head and was startled to see Jake and Melissa Turner standing behind me. I glanced at Tonya and when she nodded I stepped back and released her.

"Sure Mr. Turner," I said.

"It's Jake to you, Johnny," he said as he extended Melissa's hand toward me.

I took her hand and gave one of my grandfather's patented little bows. I thought I was being gallant as hell.

"No problem, Jake'" I said breezily.

He laughed and he and Tonya danced off.

"I hope I can keep from stepping on you toes," I said.

She tossed her thick mane of midnight black tresses and gave me a throaty laugh that made Kong lurch in my pants.

"Somehow, Johnny, I don't think that will be a problem for you. From what Nina and my nieces tell me, you are quite coordinated."

She didn't dance with me in the formal way I expected, instead, she put both hands on my shoulders and moved close enough to be intimate yet not plastered against me. I instinctively put my hands on the flare of her womanly hips. She maintained a lot of eye contact as we danced and chatted, she had a way of making me feel as if I was the only guy she cared to talk to in the entire world.

"So, Johnny, you have definitely made an impression on my nieces and cousins. You know with all the unusual abilities that my husband's family has, I'm modestly informed of the empathy connection that the Buckley women seem to have. Some of the men have it too, but it only seems to affect Buckley women. Elaine and Nina said you can make a connection with almost anyone, is that true?"

"Yes ma'am, although I can feel almost immediately how strong a connection will be. For instance with Shelia it was almost imperceptible, with the twins, it is huge."

"Really? How would our connection be?"

"Stronger than most, you have an exceptionally vivid aura."

"So send me something."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Mrs. Turner. You have a strong affect on me for some reason and I might embarrass us both by what I sent you."

She gave me that throaty laugh again and kissed my cheek. "What a marvelously sweet thing to say. No wonder you shook Tonya up last week. Jacob and I are very, very fond of her, you know. But back to my 'tingle' I think Elaine calls it. After what you just said I am more curious than ever, so do it... please?"

I could certainly see why Melissa Thornton Turner was such a success; that please was accompanied by this look that could have gotten me to rob a gas station. I agreed and told her we needed to get a little closer. She moved tighter against me unhesitatingly and didn't flinch when I put my cheek against hers. I put my lips next to her ear and sent her a medium sized signal of how sexy I thought she was. At least I thought it was medium sized but judging from how Melissa sucked in her breath and shivered in my arms, I might have overdone it. She was still for a few seconds them leaned back and gave me some more of those smoldering, almost purple colored, eyes.

"You did that with Tonya? No wonder she is hot for you."

"No ma'am," I said emphatically. "I do not do that to women to seduce them. That would suck! Besides, even though there was a lot of attraction between Tonya and me, I am in a committed relationship."

"I wish you had been around when our daughter was sixteen," she said somberly.

At the mention of her daughter, I could feel the waves of sadness rolling off Mrs. Turner. Reflexively I countered her sadness by sending her a bigger dose of calm and contentment. I think sending her feelings of calmness surprised her more than the dose of arousal. She pulled my head down and kissed me on the cheek.

"Thank you for that, Johnny, and thank you for doing the right thing with Tonya. And while I'm at it, thanks for being so good to the twins and Nina. I know all about your plural relationship with them and Cindi. I think relationships like that are the best."

Before I could reply the song ended. I escorted Mrs. Turner back to her table and seated her as Mr. Turner did the same with Tonya. Mrs. Turner dug a tiny tape recorder out of her purse and asked me for my cell phone number; I gave it to her then went back to my table. Melissa Turner's comments about Tonya and then her remark about plural relationships had me thinking. Could it be that the Turners were having some sort of relationship with Tonya? It sure explained a lot of things if they were, and I knew from experience that Jake's family was very opened minded about sex. I knew it wasn't really any of my business, but you know how curiosity is. I decided to try a little experiment, so the next slow song I pulled Tonya back onto the dance floor.

When we were out on the dimly lit hardwood I held her like I had Melissa Turner and pulled her even closer. She gave me this look.

"You know this can't lead anywhere, Johnny, so don't start something."

I sent her a small dose of trust and told her I just wanted to dance and chat. She nodded and then she snuggled closer. I continued to send her increasingly strong feelings of trust. Then with my cheek pressed against hers, I started talking.

"I really like the Turners and I think Melissa is incredibly sexy," I said.

She didn't reply but I could feel a little sexual blush from Tonya when I said that. Hmmm. I sent her some more trust and a little something to help her arousal.

"I wonder if she is as sexual as she seems?"

A fairly strong wave of lust flowing out of Tonya answered that question. I was enjoying this because I was not only learning about Tonya's relationship with the Turners, I was also learning more about my little gift. I upped the ante just a little, Tonya unconsciously held me tighter, her big breasts pushing firmly against my chest for the first time.

"Just think, I had my hands this close to the ass that American men have lusted after for three generations. I wonder if it is still as nice as it looks in her clothes?"

Tonya's big hips swished and her groin pushed against mine. If I hadn't been listening closely I'd have missed the barely perceptible "yes" that she breathed near my ear. I started replacing Tonya's arousal with feelings of contentment and comfort, despite how much Kong was enjoying having Tonya pressed against him. She noticeably relaxed in my arms and we drifted apart slightly. Her head was resting on my shoulder when she finally said something.

"This is nice, Johnny, and you are a really nice guy. I hope we can stay friends. Like I said, the timing's wrong now, but who knows about the future, could be we still have our day coming."

I told her that I would always consider her my friend, just like I did Tater. Then I joked that I was just sorry that I missed getting to have my very first set of big un's to play with.

She rubbed her upper body against my chest a couple of times and said, "You don't know what you're missing, I have big nipples and they are very sensitive."

I gave a mock groan and slipped my hands up her sides until my thumbs were pressing lightly against the undersides of her breasts. She grinned and pulled back a little. "Naughty, Naughty, ' she said, "Remember poor Billy Kessler."

All in all, the evening was much nicer than I expected. Our table was easily the most fun in the place with Tater and Cindi to amuse everyone. Even the Turners joined us for a few minutes. Cindi tried hard not to be awe struck by meeting them while Tater asked Jake about the Army and in particular about being a paratrooper. Everyone knew that Jake Turner was a former army officer, hell; the local National Guard Armory was even named after him. Jake flat out told Tater that if he joined Jake's old guard unit, he would guarantee that Tater went to jump school. And Turner mentioned that by joining the National Guard, Tater could also still attend college. Tater thought the idea had a lot of merit.

I drove Tonya home at midnight and walked her to her door. She told me she had had a wonderful time and gave me a little kiss before she slipped in the door. I drove home feeling good about the evening and myself. I had been a good boy. As I drove I also thought about the enigmatic Turners. They just refused to fit any category I tried to put them in. They were rich as Midas yet they didn't act it. They didn't flaunt their considerable financial and political clout either. Jake reminded me a lot of my father and grandfather in how he dealt with people.

And then there was Melissa; Melissa Turner was Aphrodite, redux, pure and simple. I thought she was the epitome of what a woman should be and she seemed to think highly of me as well. I knew now that Jake Turner was telling the truth in all those speeches when he pinned his success at anything squarely on her. I have had some more really interesting times with the Turners; I'll tell you about them later.

June finally departed and July swept in hot and sticky. My life was on cruise control, it wasn't bad; after all, I had Cindi, my luscious Lucy Lu look-a-like, but we both missed the other two people who completed us. Tater and I were still breaking our humps for Papa Pulaski but we both admitted that we were getting a hell of an education in the construction business. We didn't spend much time away from work together as he had met some little red-necked barrel racing hottie from Deland and he was seriously smitten. He said that keeping Sarah happy after working all day was a chore because she spent most of every evening riding him as if he were Smarty Jones. Yee-haw!

Most Saturdays or Sundays during the time the twins were gone were spent either fishing with Dad and Papa or hanging out with Kayla and Emma Thorpe. I was proud that, next to Jethro, I was Emma's favorite male. Emma was getting excited about starting kindergarten in August; I was excited about being on the list to pick her up from school. That Kayla trusted me that much made me feel very good. Ah, and speaking of Kayla, I guess dating her was one fantasy that wasn't going to happen any time soon. Why? Because she was dating the lawyer who represented her at the custody hearing, that's why.

I know it seems odd that Kayla would take up with a lawyer; given all the asshole attorneys she'd seen down at the wing place where she worked. However, Gary Wright was a whole other kettle of fish. For one thing, he didn't drink, smoke, curse or do drugs. For another, he was Mormon, and to him only three things mattered: Family, Church, and Work. Gary was a nice guy, he had a good sense of humor and best of all he didn't bludgeon you to death with his religious beliefs. As far as Kayla was concerned he might as well have had 'FUTURE HUSBAND' tattooed on his forehead.

I muddled through July with the help of my friends and family, and finally the Cavanaughs and Nina returned to Palmdale. Cindi and my homecoming with the twins was so achingly sweet it made us all cry. It was also incredibly sexy as the four of us made passionate love all naked and wrapped around each other. We held our homecoming at Nina's house, again using the guest room with the oversized bed. I hadn't even seen Nina yet as she had a ton of business stuff to handle. Cindi picked the twins up at their house and brought them to Nina's; I took the day off from work and met them there. By two in the afternoon we were blissfully asleep, happily sated from our marathon round of homecoming sex.

I woke up at about three-thirty and quietly slipped out of bed. I put on my shorts, stopped by the kitchen to snag a Diet Dr Pepper and then headed out to sit by the pool. Five minutes later Elaine wandered out, tousle-headed, wearing my Pulaski construction t-shirt and a cute smile. She dropped lightly into my lap and snuggled up against me.

"I missed you so much it physically hurt, Johnny, but we have a lot to tell you, Honey. You aren't gong to believe all we learned while we were over there."

Edited by Bert



-------

Chapter 26

A number of people have told me that I'm mature for my age. I like that and I like it when they mistakenly think I'm older than I am. I personally don't think I'm all that mature. I like to think that I'm just more responsible than the average sixteen-year-old guy. To me, maturity comes with life experience and I was woefully short in that area. I think people mistook me being a responsible, big and quiet person to mean I was mature. Being responsible I'll cop to. Because for a Pulaski male, being responsible was a family trait just as much as our stature and the size of our hands.

I'll give you an example: I have never seen my father or grandfather put a single piece of food on their plate until all the women and children at the table have been served. I always thought that little act said a lot about their character. I asked my father about it once. He told me that Papa's father had done it because there wasn't always enough food for everyone so my great-grandfather always ate last. That he and Papa did it was mostly symbolic, a subtle reminder that family comes first. You know what else? When I have a family I am going to do the same thing.

Ellen and Elaine filled Cindi and me in about their visit to Ireland after we had worn ourselves out in bed. It was a strange and fascinating story they spun; if anyone else had tried to tell me the things they said, I'd have thought them crazy or a liar. Coming from Ellen and Elaine, though, made it the truth; the girls just didn't lie. Here's the adventure they related.

Keelmira, the ancient ancestral home of the Buckley Clan, was an isolated sleepy little village hard on the shore of Clew Bay, on the West side of the island. The start of the O'Buckley's land holdings was the end of any decent roadway; only a rutted dirt track led into the small valley in which Keelmira stood. Electric, telephone and other cables were all underground so as not to mar the pristine landscape. Most if not all of the residents of Keelmira were Buckley kin lured back from across Europe and America. They were lured back to the Keelmira Valley because of the money Jacob and Melissa Turner had invested there. Now, in addition to bucolic farms and quaint fishing boats, Keelmira was home to the world's most sophisticated, technically advanced and secure electronic banking facility.

The twins met a slew of their relatives, including another Nina Murphy. This Nina was older and married to the novelist Sean Murphy. Sean and Nina had eight children and fourteen grandchildren, the majority of whom live in Keelmira. They also met their great aunt Colleen Buckley, the family historian. Being the intellectual marvels they were, the twins read all of the records and accounts of the Clan Buckley that Colleen had amassed.

"Johnny," Ellen said, "Colleen has even seen the original leather deed to the Clan's property issued by King Cormac almost two thousand years ago. The history of our family is amazing but even more astounding is the fact that we still exist as a distinct clan. Colleen says that it's genetic, passed down through the centuries by the females.

"Our family's history goes back three thousand years. We are descendants of the De Danann, one of the races that peopled Ireland before the Milesians from Spain invaded a thousand years before Christ. The De Danann were an advanced race, skilled in the arts and crafts and attuned to the land on which they lived. The Milesians were awed by the De Danann and considered them wizards and sorcerers. Our oral history and legends say that the Buckleys are descended from Brigit, the daughter of the De Danann's greatest king. In the religion of our people before Christianity, Brigit became the Goddess of Poetry. By the time the Celts arrived five hundred years later, the De Danann had been assimilated into the Milesians, except for the tribe in the Keelmira Valley. Neither the Milesians nor the Celts that followed them could eke out much of a life in the valley so they left it alone.

"Isolated and ignored, the tribe flourished and spread south to greener vistas. Those that left quickly became scholars, artists, craftsmen, healers and musicians for the Irish nobility. Those that chose to stay formed the Clan of the Meadow of the Deer, Clan Buckley, in the native tongue. The clan's chieftain was the 'O'Buckley', the son of the Buckley.

"The O'Buckleys throughout Irish history are legendary figures. Fierce warriors as well as wise rulers, they were said to be so attuned to their land that they possessed supernatural powers. In the third century after the birth of Christ, the Buckleys became the stuff of legend as members of the Fain. The Fain was a standing army called for by King Cormac to defend Ireland against invaders and uphold the law of the land. A succession of Buckleys commanded one of the three Fain cathas, what we now call battalions, for the century the Fain existed. King Cormac decreed that all the land, in every direction, that could be seen from the tallest mountain in the area would forever belong to the O'Buckley as reward for their service. That mountain is Croagh Patrick; that deed is still in possession of our uncle, Patrick Elliott Buckley.

"The land was quiet and prospered even after the year 1171 when Henry the Second of England invaded the Emerald Isle with the help of the traitorous MacMurrough of Leinster. Clew Bay and this part of Mayo were still not considered worth a fight with the fabled Buckleys. The Buckleys fought against England's domination for the next eight hundred years. There was a Buckley at the side of Shane the Proud against the crown, and with Red Hugh O'Neill. In the eighteen hundreds, Buckleys stood shoulder to shoulder with Robert Emmet, Wolfe Tone and Daniel O'Connell. Our ancestors fought with the true Sinn Fein and participated in the Easter Rising.

"All this took a terrible toll on the Buckleys; true, the land and the women flourished, but the men died in droves. Buckley women began to stay young and live longer as the men died earlier. Young widowhood and a long life was the bittersweet lot of the Buckley women. And get this, Johnny, when we told Aunt Colleen about you, she said that in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries a number of Buckleys traveled to Poland to participate in the Crusades against the Lithuanians, some of the last Europeans to accept Christianity. During the reign of Kazimierz The Great, a Buckley commanded the Army that defended Krakow against the turncoat Teutonic Knights. Just think, we may be very distantly related and that might help explain our connection."

Yes, the twins did meet the mysterious O'Buckley, their cousin and the clan leader. Yes, he was as charismatic as everyone says. No, he didn't notch his bedpost with either one of them; he respected their commitment to me and left them alone, that too was a Buckley female's prerogative. He did say that he'd heard from his Uncle Jacob Turner about me and he approved of our relationship. He told the twins that the original De Danann were from Central Europe and the Buckleys had always felt a kinship for Magyars, Poles and Czechs. Isn't this history stuff just about a hoot? Who knew all that just off the top of their head?

Both Elaine and Ellen said they felt a connection to the valley that was nearly as strong as the one they shared with me. As an outsider, to me it all sounded as if it were right out of some gothic romance novel. That feeling was reinforced when I heard about the centuries old manor house the O'Buckley occupied and the ruins of the ancestral castle.

Katrina finally made it home on leave the fourteenth of August, just a couple of days before school started for us. She had two weeks of leave before classes resumed for her the Tuesday after Labor Day. I expected things to be awkward between Trina and my girlfriends, at least at first. And I thought that since we were at home, Trina would want to sleep in her own bed. I guess that's why I wasn't paid for thinking because neither thing happened that way.

The twins, Cindi and I picked up Katrina at Patrick Air Force Base; she had flown 'space available' on one of those big mother Air Force cargo planes. Nina had loaned me her silver Mercedes so I was feeling sort of pimpish squiring around my honeys. We loaded up Katrina's bags in the Benz's trunk then headed back up I-95 toward Palmdale. I had the opportunity to say hello to Trina, get a hug and that was it as my girlfriends bonded with my sister.

By the time we arrived at Nina's, the girls had made plans to take Katrina shopping with them the next morning. The shopping trip was for last minute school clothes. Cindi had been advising the twins on what to wear so they would fit in without overdoing it. The twins discovered that by dressing differently from each other they had twice the wardrobe to choose from, I guess when you are a teenaged girl that's a big deal.

I took Katrina home where our parents and grandparents were waiting for her. We went to Olga's for a very nice supper. I was in high favor with Aunt Olie after my date with Tonya. Olie hugged me tight enough to bend me like a pretzel and bragged on me anytime she passed our table. She and Nana went on and on about what a handsome couple Tonya and I made, I think if I had been unattached at the time that they would have started planning our wedding right there. Katrina took it all in and gave me a wry grin. When our parents and grandparents were yakking with Olga she leaned towards me.

"You are a busy young man, brother mine," she commented.

I returned her grin. "Not with Tonya. I'll tell you about her later."

Katrina nodded and we joined back into the general conversation at the table. It was a very nice evening that continued at our house. My grandparents left at eleven; Mom and Dad went to bed shortly after. Katrina headed upstairs to take a shower before hitting the rack so I decided to go to bed too. I was under the covers almost asleep when Katrina slipped into bed with me. She was as naked as the day she was born when she snuggled up against me.

"This is dangerous Trina, what if Mom or Dad come up here?" I whispered.

I felt her shrug. "They won't, and even if they did, all I could tell them is you won't make love to me, no matter how badly I want you to."

I had to chuckle about that and pulled her tighter against me. She sighed and told me she loved me; I kissed her behind the ear and told her the same thing.

I woke up to feeling wonderful for some reason. As my foggy mind cleared I figured out why; I was wrapped around Katrina, her breast in my hand, my hard dick between her thighs, I was a half inch from heaven and wonder of wonders, I wasn't freaked out by it. Katrina was awake also, I could tell by the way she was breathing.

"This feels good, Trina," I said as I flexed Kong.

"It feels real good Johnny, better be glad you woke up, I was ten seconds from slipping onto you."

She pushed her hips back against me to demonstrate; I could feel her hot wetness on Kong's hard assed head. For some reason, this morning I didn't flinch away from the contact. In fact I pushed forward a little. Katrina sighed as Kong slipped by her opening and rode over her clit. Would it be so bad if I did what we both wanted me to do? I mean really, what would it hurt except some societal taboo? I drew back a little; Katrina reached down and gently stroked Kong. I held still, not even breathing as her feather light touch traced my throbbing erection down to my balls. She sighed again and moved away from me.

"As good as this would be Bro, our first time isn't going to happen like this. When we do make love you are going to have to seduce me and spend the night making me happy. Anything else would make it cheap and tawdry."

I acknowledged the correctness of what she said and scrambled out of the bed to empty my suddenly protesting bladder. When I returned she took my place in the bathroom, I admired her spectacular butt as she pranced away from the bed. When she returned I was leaning back against the headboard thinking. Katrina climbed on the bed and laid her head on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, I wont try to steal you from your girlfriends," she said, misconstruing my thoughtful look for a frown.

"You've got that all wrong!" I said with some heat. "I made sure they knew how I felt about you from the minute we talked about commitments. I told them you were as important to me as... oof..."

That's all I got out before she hurled herself on top of me.

"You told them you loved me that way?" she asked as she rained kisses on my face.

"I told them I loved you," I confirmed, "and I told them that however we ended up, you would always be in my life and in my heart."

You know I was just being honest with Katrina by letting her know that she would always be special to me. I mean, after all, we had a tie that superseded relationship. We were genetically engineered to fit together perfectly. My admission of what I thought was obvious triggered something in Katrina that ratcheted our relationship up a couple of notches. I didn't know that my girlfriends were going to take up Katrina's cause, but you know how I feel about things they decide are in my best interest.

It was Saturday morning and I had football practice at eight so I hustled out the door after giving Katrina and Mom a kiss on the cheek. Today was team assignment day, the day when Coach Boyette announced his tentative starting offense and defense. Come Monday we would start practicing as a unit. I had a good week so I figured I was all set as starting strong side linebacker and number two tight end. The second tight end was in about a third of the offensive plays that we ran.

We players filed into the bleachers after a short conditioning practice. Coach Boyette and his assistants stood in front of us flanked by boxes of brand new maroon and white jerseys. One of the assistants would pull out a jersey and show the number to Coach Boyette. Coach would check his clipboard and announce player and position. It was an excellent way to psyche us all up. I clapped and cheered along with the rest of the team as the jerseys were distributed. Then the assistant coach pulled number fifty out of the box.

"Number fifty, starting middle linebacker and defensive captain," he paused for dramatic effect, "That would be you, Pulaski. You are also weak side tight end and Special Teams Captain, think you can handle all that?"

I gulped and nodded; I was blown away.

When the girls returned from their shopping trip they went to the Nina's with their loot. They called me and I hustled over there with my bathing suit and my good news. I was elated that the coach thought enough of my abilities and slightly worried that his trust might be misplaced. It was a large responsibility directing the defense on the field, even with the coaching staff signaling formations and coverage. My sweeties and Katrina thought it was great and indorsed Coach Boyette's decision. Cindi and the twins, in their typical gonzo fashion, had been studying football as if it were a school subject. They wanted to know what they were watching when they came to my games.

I had a great time at Nina's as the girls vamped it up showing me what they bought at the mall. I was extremely happy by the way the other women included Katrina and by how Katrina joined in so naturally. It was a hot, sticky, sultry day so after ohing and ahing over how good they looked in their new clothes we decided to hit the pool. I changed into my red flowered Jams surfing trunks in the pool bath and dove in the water. I was floating on my back looking at the clouds when someone cleared their throat. I righted myself, turned towards the voice and almost drowned. The girls were tittering as I coughed up some of the water I swallowed.

"I guess we don't have to ask if you like," Ellen said.

I nodded my head in answer, oh yes, I liked! All four girls were in very brief bikinis; their suits together didn't have enough material to make half of my swim shorts. Then they tried to get me to inhale more water by turning around to show me the suits were even smaller in the rear. Man what a display! They had four of the nicest asses I've ever seen, and being an ass man I was in heaven. They started to turn around again but I told them not to move as I etched the sight of them in my brain. Because they were standing side by side I could do some comparing. Katrina was the biggest woman of the four and her ass was slightly bigger and more muscular. Cindi's was heart shaped and baby smooth, while the twins were more slender hipped with cute little bubble butts.

I climbed out of the pool and joined them, helping them situate the reclining lounge chairs. I was pressed into service slathering SPF-50 sun block on Elaine while Cindi and Ellen slicked up Katrina with some Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil. I was amused at how sedulously Ellen was in applying the oil to my sister. Her hands were sensuously running over Katrina's legs as Cindi squeezed on the oil. Then Cindi dropped all pretenses of helping and joined Elaine and I. She pushed her chair up next to Elaine's and flopped down on her stomach.

"Me next," she said.

I told her it would be my pleasure then glanced back at Ellen and Katrina. Ellen was now sitting lightly on Katrina's butt as she smoothed oil onto her shoulders. Elaine was watching them too. She pulled my head down and whispered in my ear.

"Ellen is going to try to seduce your sister. She says Katrina makes her feel all weak and submissive."

I nodded, never taking my eyes off Ellen and Katrina. For their part, they were oblivious to our presence. One thing I was mostly certain of; Ellen was rubbing the right person if she wanted to be dominated. I knew from experience that my sister could be very sexually aggressive. Katrina was no dummy; she quickly figured out that Ellen's touches were more than needed to apply the oil.

"Put some on my ass," she directed, "so you don't stick to me."

Ellen quickly complied. She slid down Katrina's legs and started massaging the oil onto her butt cheeks.

"You have a gorgeous ass, Katrina, it's very muscular."

"Thank you, uhmmm, that feels nice, don't stop," Katrina replied.

It didn't appear that Ellen had any intention of stopping but she gave Katrina, A firm, "Yes Ma'am!" anyway.

Katrina glanced our way and winked as Elaine and I gawked. Cindi was facing away from her as Elaine and I coated her in sunscreen. I think that Miss Ellen had just met her match. The role-playing Elaine had hinted didn't upset me. My experience with Caroline and Amanda had cured that. Besides, Cindi and I had that little kink going for us also. Cindi loved me to spank and play with her ass when we were alone and we were diligently working on loosening her up enough for me to get her last cherry.

Once Katrina was oiled up and slippery as an eel she swapped places with Ellen and started putting the thick sunscreen on the redheaded twin. Katrina took serious liberties with Ellen's nubile young body as she applied the lotion. Katrina made sure she was well and truly coated front and back then pulled Ellen to her feet and led her to the pool. I couldn't see what they were doing down at the deep end but figured I'd find out about it sooner or later. They stayed in the pool about fifteen minutes while Elaine, Cindi and I talked about the upcoming first day of school. Just as the three of us went to join them they emerged from the water.

"We'll be back out in a few minutes, Ellen needs to get out of the sun for awhile," Katrina said as they ducked through the French doors.

Cindi and Elaine smirked and exchanged high fives as soon as Katrina and Ellen were out of sight.

"I'd sure like to be a fly on the wall in there," Cindi giggled.

"I'll say. Ellen is about to find out which side of bi she likes best," Elaine retorted.

Then they both turned to me.

"Honey, your sister is one of us, no doubt about it. In your heart you know that as well as we do. We women had a talk about it while we were waiting for you to get here. I think that next Saturday we should have another sleepover and bring Katrina into our relationship completely. Being one of us is not going to interfere with her life at the academy. What it will do is end the uncertainty for her; she'll know we are here for her if that's what she wants."

I couldn't disagree with anything she said even if I wanted to.

The three of us splashed around in the pool for another twenty minutes before Katrina and Ellen reemerged from the house. I swear, Katrina was striding along as if she were some Amazon Goddess while a dazed looking Ellen clung to her hand. Damn, they looked as hot as Xena and that little chick that followed her around! Katrina settled onto one of the loungers face up, whipped off her top and handed Ellen the oil. Ellen reverently started rubbing the coconut-scented oil into my sister's skin.

That evening the five of us went out. Katrina drove us in her Camry. Ellen rode shotgun while Elaine, Cindi and I rode in back. We went to the Olive Garden across from the mall then to a movie at the Cineplex. The movie was some subtitled French romance. It was about as exciting as watching paint dry to me, but it was sexily riveting to my women so I tried to follow along. I have to tell you, though, to me, watching Katrina and Ellen was much better than the movie. Ellen had her head on Katrina's shoulder while Katrina had her hand under Ellen's skirt. Ellen still had that 'deer in the headlights' look. Katrina leaned toward me and whispered. "Your little girlfriend is so hot she can't sit still but I'm not going to let her cum as long as she has a single hair on her body below the neck." Ellen heard her and let out a muffled groan. "Of course that doesn't apply to me; she is so eager and has such a talented little tongue."

Women just befuddle the shit out of me. My sister was one of the sweetest people on Earth and Ellen was feisty and independent as anyone I'd ever met, but damned if you had a clue of that watching them together right now. I was beginning to think I was retarded or something.

We went to the Cavanaughs' after the movie. Thomas, Donna, Shelia and Alan were all sitting around the pool deck discussing the younger couple's future plans. We said hello then migrated up to the twins' playroom. Cindi, Elaine and I sat on the sofa and Katrina took the love seat. Ellen sat on the floor next to Katrina, her arm on my big sister's thigh. Cindi, Elaine and I were much more interested in Katrina and Ellen than we were the movie showing on HBO. Katrina cupped Ellen's chin and turned her face up.

"Are you ready for your transformation Little Butterfly?" Katrina asked.

Ellen nodded eagerly, jumped up and led Katrina into the bedroom.

"Wait here," Katrina told us as they passed through the door.

Elaine was grinning hugely when I looked at her. Cindi looked pretty smug too. I asked them what they were so all 'cat with the canary' about.

"Katrina is going to turn Ellen into a Lipstick Lesbian for a few weeks. We all talked about it and Ellen likes the idea of being Katrina's girlfriend a lot."

"What's a Lipstick Lesbian?" I asked.

"A lesbian that's ultra feminine," Cindi chimed in.

I still didn't get it. "Why would Ellen want that?"

My Elaine had the patience of a saint with me. "Look around you Honey, we've mostly been prisoners here for the last twelve years. Ellen wants to try something new and exciting but also safe. And don't forget, Katrina is as close as any woman will ever come to being you."

Now see? Explained to me like that, it made perfect sense. I must have fallen down as a child and seriously damaged my brain or something because without being told, I'd have never figured that out in a million years.

It took almost an hour to transform Ellen, but my goodness, it was time well spent. When Ellen slithered into the room on Katrina's arm we all had to look twice to make sure it was her. Ellen's makeup actually made her look older than Katrina and the outfit she wore was adult woman sexy. They had even managed to tame Ellen's riotous red hair. Ellen walked regally on three-inch heels, her hips swaying seductively. It was obvious to the casual observer that she had received many a lesson on how to hold herself with poise and grace. Katrina took a step to the side and made a grand gesture toward Ellen.

"Ladies and gentleman, may I present Miss Ellen Nicole Cavanaugh?"

Ellen stood tall with her shoulders back, one foot slightly in front of the other, and her right hand on her jutting hip. The next hour was one of the most erotic of my life as Katrina joined us in our lovemaking for the first time. Katrina and Ellen stayed paired up as I manfully strove to take care of Elaine and Cindi. Katrina was a distraction for all of us because my sister was a sex machine. Katrina had poor Ellen reduced to a quivering bowl of Jell-o in fewer than ten minutes. My other two girls rode me as if I were one of cmsix's mules as they raptly watched the other couple.

Katrina and I took Cindi home at midnight, Cindi was very happy that both of us kissed her good night. Katrina again climbed into my bed naked; we shared a few nice kisses then snuggled up for the night. Mass was a family affair once again that Sunday morning as all of the Pulaski's were there. The Cavanaughs and Nina Murphy sat right in front of us. Sunday afternoon Katrina and I rode over to the Cavanaughs' for a cookout. Cindi was seldom available on Sundays because of family and church commitments.

The next morning my sweeties and I started our senior year of high school together. I had one or more of them in every one of my classes. Elaine and Ellen didn't have the slightest problem qualifying as seniors, hell they were already as well educated in some subjects as the teaching staff. They also had no trouble fitting in with the school population. Being pretty and rich certainly didn't hurt them. Cindi and I tried to hang out with the twins as much as we could just in case. My afternoons were filled with football as I worked at mastering the intricacies of my new position. Coach Boyette gave me a DVD of old film footage featuring Jake Turner and a few others playing the position and I soon picked up the rhythm of the job.

Then there was you, Miss McElroy. I was blown away when I saw you sitting behind the desk, all prim and proper. I loved that shy little smile you gave me as I said hello. I also loved your look for some reason, that throwback Victorian schoolmarm thing you do so well, with your long skirts and bunned up hair. It was my turn to smile as our hands touched and our connection flared. The feelings were totally different from the soothing one we had when I was near panic aboard the plane we shared to Atlanta last April. That touch changed our status from student - teacher to lovers in waiting.

I was very happy about everything life had to offer as I sat in your class on Thursday. I was also excited about the upcoming Saturday and the night my sweethearts had planned for Katrina joining our relationship. Heck, I felt so good I didn't even get annoyed when the intercom squawked and asked Miss McElroy to send me to the office. As I stood up to go Elaine gave me a quizzical look, I shrugged in reply, I hadn't done anything to get me in trouble. Must be some paperwork thing or something, I figured. Wrong, Wrong, WRONG!

I started getting bad vibes as soon as I hit the student counter at the office when everyone seemed too busy to look at me. A somber Coach Boyette was waiting for me and led me to his office. He opened the door and ushered me in but didn't enter himself. My dad was there, so were Katrina and Father O'Donovan; Katrina was sitting in one of the chairs facing away from me gazing out the window. Father O'Donovan put his hand gently on my shoulder.

"Johnny there has been an accident involving your grandparents."

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I looked at my father, his red-rimmed sad eyes told me that Papa and Nana hadn't survived. I suddenly felt light headed and tiny black dots danced before my eyes. Dad caught me when I pitched forward. I didn't really lose consciousness; my mind just felt like it had shut down and refused to control my body. I heard Katrina give a startled yelp as I started falling and when Dad guided me down into a chair Katrina pushed my head down between my knees.

I have given as much thought to writing the next few pages as I have this entire journal. It required all that because there in Mr. Boyette's office, at 11:30 on the 18th of August 2005, my youth ended and I dropped into the abyss. My grandparents' death almost literally destroyed me as I discovered the downside of my empathic talents and the truth about myself. Here's why. I'm sure you've noticed and maybe even wondered about how I bonded with people and how quickly they took on such importance to me. That was my empathy at work. I was bonded closer to my grandparents than to anyone else in the universe. That bond being so cruelly broken exposed the consequence of being that attached to someone. I fell into a depression that was so bleak and black I was more dead than alive.

"They are in a better place, Johnny, and it was God's will," Father O'Donovan offered.

I just looked at him; that was the instant I lost my faith. I didn't want to believe in a God who could do something so capricious. Dad checked me out of school as soon as I regained enough composure to leave. Looking back on it, I know my father and Katrina were devastated also and I should have been sensitive to that but the thought never crossed my mind. Once we were home Dad called the Fraziers about arrangements. Chester and Lulu were at the house twenty minutes later, as friends as much as any other reason. I sat in stony silence as he signed the releases so that Chester could pick up my grandparents' bodies. I could not imagine a more surreal moment.

A steady stream of friends and neighbors came by that afternoon; they brought food and drinks and tried to comfort us. I was oblivious to it all, almost catatonic. The Cavanaughs arrived around four, as did Cindi and the twins. Cindi and Elaine latched on to me and Ellen grabbed Katrina. I let the girls lead me up to my bedroom and we all five piled onto my bed. It wasn't until then that I could finally cry. Cindi and Elaine tried to send me comfort but the black hole of my grief actually caused them physical pain. They had better luck with Katrina, I was aware enough to appreciate that.

My mother arrived home at six, and took charge. She focused on my father at first but at his insistence came up to my room. I looked up when Mom walked into the room. She took one look at me and burst into tears. Cindi sprang up and pulled Mom down on the crowded bed; it only took a few seconds for Cindi to work her magic and calm Mom down. Mom held me like a baby and I cried like one in her arms. Mom stayed with us for fifteen or twenty minutes then went back downstairs. As soon as she left I had my first lucid thought since that morning.

"Jethro?" I croaked.

Cindi bounced up again and headed for the door.

"I'm on it," she said.

Cindi was only gone a couple of minutes.

"Kayla and Emma were downstairs, they volunteered to take care of Jethro for a while," she said.

I nodded vaguely. Next to Papa, Emma loved Jethro the most, and the feeling was mutual.

The next three days might as well have not existed, as they were just a blur of sameness. I didn't go to Mass on Sunday with my family, as a matter of fact I didn't leave the house the entire weekend. Cindi and the twins were with us almost constantly. I was causing everyone a lot of anguish but there wasn't anything I could do about it.

It took what little I had left in me, and a lot of encouragement from Katrina and the girls, for me to go to the funeral Monday morning.

The funeral was huge as at least five hundred people came to pay their respects. Papa and Nana were laid to rest side by side in Sacred Heart's Cemetery. A simple single headstone marked both graves, so both of them would be under one roof for all eternity.

Tuesday, Thomas Cavanaugh came to the house for the reading of Papa and Nana's wills. He said he had a fiduciary responsibility to my grandparents as the executor of their estate to read it as soon as possible because we were so seldom all together. We sat at the dining room table for the reading. Thomas pulled a folder out of his briefcase and started.

"Like everything he did, Mr. Pulaski's affairs were in exceptionally good order. He and Mrs. Pulaski just updated their wills the first of the year."

Thomas looked up then, his eyes shiny with unshed tears.

"Both wills have provisions for their estate if they died together. Mrs. Pulaski insisted on that, she told me when I first drew them up that they would die together holding hands."

Thomas looked down, cleared his throat and began reading. I was surprised by the size of my grandparents' estate and even more surprised when Thomas read that Katrina and I inherited everything except Papa's business, share and share alike. Pulaski Construction he left to my father with the request that Dad make sure the jobs underway were completed before he liquidated the company's assets. Thomas went on to say that the insurance settlement from the accident was going to be substantial. As executor of the estate, Cavanaugh and Cavanaugh were handling the negotiations. A tractor trailer truck belonging to a giant electronics chain had ran a red light and flattened Nana's Lincoln while Papa was driving her to a doctor's appointment. The proceeds from the insurance would become part of the estate and also shared by Katrina and I. Both Katrina and I asked Thomas to sit in trust for us over our inheritance. He agreed and said he would draw up the necessary documents.

I went back to school on Wednesday; it took Dad at his firmest to convince me to go. Dad had been right of course; being in school was the best place I could be. It didn't cure my depression but at least it gave me a purpose. Football was even better because it gave me an outlet for my pent up rage. I practiced with an intensity that caused Coach Boyette to sit me down afterward for a little talk. He asked me point blank if I was in any danger of loosing control. When I told him no, he said that I needed to save the big hits for our opponents, not my teammates.

My altered state was the hardest on my women, among whom I now counted Katrina. No, Katrina and I hadn't consummated our relationship, but that was only a technicality. It was hard on them because my emphatic ability had disappeared, replace by a brooding emptiness. What probably sucked the worst was that I lost my sense of humor. To their great credit they stuck by me even when I suggested that they would be better off with almost anyone else on the planet.

Friday night I was an intensely focused machine on the football field. When the game started I was able to forget everything that wasn't happening between the sidelines. I called the defense then staked out my defensive territory. If an opposing player, carrying the ball or not, entered my zone I made him pay for the privilege. If I saw the slightest opening to the quarterback I was on him like Rush Limbaugh on a pain pill. I finished the game with ten tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Most of that happened in the first half, in the second half they either double or triple teamed me or went somewhere else. Either way was fine by me because I had a good defense around me.

After the game I had plenty of well-wishers still hanging around. One of them was Dee Dee Drake. Dee looked as bad as I felt. She had lost a bunch of weight and she was wearing a kerchief on her head.

"Johnny I am so sorry I couldn't help you after your grandparents passed away. I was in the hospital and I was physically unable to be there."

"I understand," I said. Then dreading the answer, I asked the question. "Why were you in the hospital?"

"I have breast cancer, or at least I did. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and just finished chemo. We think they got it all."

I hugged her to me gently; Jesus, the hits just kept on coming.

Katrina flew back to the Air Force Academy Sunday and Mom flew back to Houston the same day. Their leaving just heaped another serving of sadness onto my already full plate.

Things gradually became better for me though; enough so that by the time my birthday rolled around in November I had my connection back with my Sweet Hearts stronger than ever. Our relationship had deepened both from the tragedy of my grandparents death and by Katrina joining it. I still had bouts of depression but my lovers helped me overcome them. The fly in the ointment was our future. Since my grandfather died, my plans had undergone a dramatic transformation. A week after my birthday I broached the subject with the twins and Cindi.

"I am going to join the Army as soon as we graduate," I told them.

As soon as they realized I wasn't joking the objections started. I received the same response from my parents and just about everyone else I knew. Everyone thought I was crazy, especially after I received a fist full of football scholarship offers from some top-notch schools. College held no appeal to me now so I was resolute and pushed ahead. It was something I felt I needed to do, both as a tribute to Papa and a test for myself. Here is the argument I used.

"Listen, I'm not interested in college so I'm not going. Katrina still has two years left at the academy; Cindi, Ellen and Elaine are all going away to some big time school and will be gone for at least four years. I need to be out on my own and to grow up some, what better way to do that than by serving in the Army?"

It took a month to convince my parents but they eventually signed for me to enlist in the delayed entry program. My mother was especially cold toward the idea, but she knew I was too Pulaski stubborn to change my mind, so she grudgingly agreed. Two trips to the processing station in Jacksonville and I was all set. In the middle of next June I was leaving for Fort Benning, Georgia. It was one stop shopping for me, as I would take basic training, infantry advanced individual training, the Airborne Course and assignment to the 75th Ranger Regiment without having to leave Benning. I would train at my ranger unit to prepare me for the Ranger Course.

That brings us to the present day and the end of this journal. I don't know how my life so far rates compared to other teenagers, but I do know that in many ways my life has been charmed. Especially up until three months ago. It makes me sad sometimes when I think that my future will probably not be that good and that the best part of my life is already over. I no longer believe in happily ever after so I'm not as anxious to jump into my future. I sure hope that the rigors of being a soldier will give me back the perspective that I've lost.

I know this journal ends abruptly but you set the deadline Miss McElroy, not me. Anyway, I end this with two unresolved issues facing me. One of those is my sister Katrina. She will be home for Christmas in a few weeks and already my other women are planning her integration into our sexual relationship. How do I feel about that after all that has happened? The fucked up answer is I don't know. On the one hand I am convinced now that it is meant to be; on the other, I sometimes have these flashes of Catholic guilt that says my grandparents' death was a punishment for even thinking about it.

You are the other unresolved issue Thea. See, I know you love me, just like you know I love you. I also know that you are one of us and my other women know it too. I respect that you aren't going to do anything while you are my teacher; you are much too self-disciplined to let that happen. It's funny sometimes when we are alone, watching you exercise all that self-restraint. I admire the hell out of you but I'm giving you fair warning. When I graduate I'm coming after you and that virginity you have so zealously guarded for twenty-three years.

Epilogue

I closed the journal and sat back in my chair with a sigh. It seemed hard to believe that the events I'd written about were sixteen years in my past. Where in the hell had all the years in between flown? Rereading about the events of my early life brought them into sharply embarrassing focus: Oh Lord, had I ever been full of myself, I wrote more about those three years of my life in that journal than I had about the last fifteen years in the next one. One thing that you can't deny, though, is that I had it pretty damned good until real life jumped up and slapped me.

Sixteen years have passed though, and I'm Doctor Janus Paul Pulaski III now. No, not a medical doctor, but a Doctor of Philosophy, a PhD. I finally went back to college after my stint in the Army and had my head screwed back on straight. The Army turned out to be exactly what I needed; the discipline and regimentation finally let my brain catch up to my body in maturity. I don't know if I'd recommend it to everyone, but there is nothing like a combat tour in Afghanistan to hustle the maturation process along. I know I aged considerably during my first firefight with the Taliban.

I am sitting here reviewing my old journals because I am about to start a new one. A new journal is in order because I experienced something so incredible that if I hadn't been there, I wouldn't believe it myself. I'm excited about writing about my recent experiences; I had pretty much given up on writing after my first journal, that's why my second covered sixteen years. I guess it wouldn't hurt anything to bring you up to date on my life before I begin my new book so here goes.

I'm back in Palmdale, of course, I could never really live anywhere else. I am rooted here like Ellen and Elaine's family are rooted in Keelmira Ireland. I even live in a house that my sister, Katrina, and I inherited from our grandparents. No, not their house in town, that would be too painful; this is a house Papa built on fifteen acres out in Spotsatula before he died. He built the house for after the retirement he never got around to taking. I enlarged the house and added a second story when I was discharged from the Army. The house is also the home of my business, Pulaski Consulting.

I found out in the Army that I have a gift for problem solving; a gift that I believe is related to my emphatic ability somehow. I don't need to work, my grandparents left me very well off, but as my Papa always said, "I'm a Pulaski, and Pulaskis work." The advantage of having money is that I can pick the jobs I want instead of taking whatever comes along. Consequently, I have had some interesting assignments. My two biggest clients are Turner and Thornton Inc, and New Man University. Both clients seem to delight in giving me strangely exotic problems to figure out.

I have a relationship with Turner-Thornton partly because both my mother and sister work for the company. My mother is the director of the Turner Space Program, and Katrina is TSP's chief test pilot. The other reason for my relationship with TnT is Melissa Thornton-Turner and the sad story of her daughter Mikayla. To this day, Melissa only has to say jump and I'll ask how high. Maybe I'll go back into my second journal and extract some of my relationship with Melissa to add to this story.

My association with New Man is a strange one that is a result of Elaine and Ellen. Unless you've been marooned on a deserted island for the last few years you know all about the e-Kids by now. For those who were marooned, you can read Andrew Wiggins' excellent account of the exploits and origins of the 'New Man' universe. It is both my blessing and curse to be in love with the oldest documented set of E-twins. Yes, I'm still in love with the Cavanaugh sisters, and in spite of everything they love me. They are medical doctors now, deeply involved in genetic research. They are currently working in Ireland, trying to solve the mystery that is the Buckley woman. I have a love-hate relationship with New Man; I'm their 'go to' guy, yet I'm persona non-gratis on their campus. I guess my Pulaskiness grates on them; Emma Adkins, the daughter of the school's founder, calls me Doctor Neanderthal. Yet, whenever they need an adult to ride heard on some over-exuberant e-Kids, guess who they call.

I'll catch you up with Cindi and everyone else as we go along, Okay? The story I'm going to tell you now is partly based on events that I did not observe first hand, but my research has proven them to be true. Because of that, I'm going to tell you the story in both the first and third voice; I hope it works. This is how the story starts:

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If I Hadn't Been There... 

Chapter One

Egypt 1223BC

The old man dropped his arms to his sides allowing the white linen robe to fall into place around his scrawny body. A matched pair of tall concubines straightened the robe until it draped correctly. One of the maids set a dark blue conical hat in place on his bald pate as the other efficiently tied a matching blue sash around his narrow waist.

"Be quick my beauties," the old man ordered, "the heavens move not at our whim."

"Amon-Ra will like what he sees tonight, Exalted Lord," one of the girls replied.

The old man stepped over to a polished bronze mirror and checked his appearance. Reflected back at him was a small man, now bald, but showing few other signs of the ravage of time. His face was clean-shaven and only slightly wrinkled. Large, piercing eyes the color of honey, were set evenly above his hawkish nose. His mouth was generous in size with laugh lines at the corners that hinted at good humor. Surprisingly, his teeth were intact and still white, although ground down some from almost a century of use.

"You have done well, my little ibises. Now off to bed with you, I have work to do."

The two young women turned in tandem toward the bedchamber.

"We will save you a warm spot between us, Pamiu (Old Tomcat), for your tired old bones," said one over her shoulder as she danced out of his reach.

The young woman giggled as the old man pretended to swat at her; smiling, he watched their swaying backsides disappear. The young women, Mery and Tiy, were twin sisters. They had been in the man's service for four years. The twins were tall and statuesque, towering over the diminutive priest. They shared his bed of their own accord; he was the kindest, gentlest man they had ever met. The women doted on their 'Old Tomcat', and he, in turn, adored them. The Israelite women were more slaves to their hot and passionate nature than they were to the High Priest of the Cult of Amon-Ra. Of the scores of young women who had served him over his incredibly long lifetime, these two were by far his favorites.

The ancient priest passed through a bronze-bound door into an antechamber that sat adjacent to his sleeping quarters. Two young acolytes jumped up from their studies as he entered.

"Is tonight the night, My Lord?" asked the older of the boys reverently.

It was a ritual question that had been asked nightly tens of thousands of times down through the centuries.

The old man was named Sulihotep (Man of Peace); he was High Priest of the Amonaten (Amon's servants), the Cult of Amon-Ra's Return. Sulihotep was ancient by any culture's standards. Well past a hundred years old, Sulihotep had been the Amonaten for eighty years. All the high priests of Amon-Ra had been long-lived, so much so that Sulihotep was only the fourteenth Amonaten in the thousand years the cult had existed.

"It will be, if the One God wishes it," Sulihotep answered by rote.

The younger acolyte bowed and handed him his staff, then the boys fell in beside the old man as he briskly walked toward the ceremonial chamber. Sulihotep's living quarters were in the same subterranean wing of the huge Temple of Karnak that held the sacred chamber. This part of the temple had been carved directly into the sandstone plateau that Karnak dominated. A vaulted corridor, six paces wide and six tall, was the central feature of the grotto that housed the Cult of Amon Ra. The corridor was split by a single row of ornately carved pillars, left to support the weight of the temple above. Between the pillars, small bronze-lined circular shafts reached to the surface, allowing fresh air and sunlight into the tunnel. Rooms to either side of the central corridor provided living, work, storage, and study space for the members of the cult.

In contrast to the corridor, the ceremonial Chamber of the Return of Amon-Ra was small and unassuming, perfectly mirroring the cult that served it. The cult was small and exclusive by design; the cult's creator had carefully specified the number of acolytes and priests eleven centuries earlier. Its small number —and the knowledge and wisdom of its priests— were what had kept the cult alive in the shifting sands that marked the affairs of Pharaohs.

The Amonaten were skilled physicians, architects, and astronomers. They were the keepers of the knowledge of the first high priest, Khenemetamon (the one joined with Amon). Khenemetamon was the architect of the great pyramid of Khufu and of this section of the Temple of Karnak. Khenemetamon's knowledge had been so advanced that even a millennium later only his followers knew most of it. Khenemetamon had been sent to Earth by Amon; born fully-grown, he had descended from the stars full of wondrous knowledge.

The inner sanctum of the Amonaten was a small stone chamber barely four paces square. Every inch of the walls and ceiling were covered with hieroglyphs representing the teaching of Khenemetamon. The north wall of the chamber extended under a part of the exterior wall of the Temple above them. A massive buttress —two paces wide and three paces long— anchored this section of the wall to the bedrock. Centered on the north wall was the room's only object, a gleaming gray granite cube half a pace on each side. In front of the cube, there was a recess in the wall; six inches above the recess, a small shaft pierced through both the wall and the huge buttress at a steep upward angle.

Sulihotep entered the chamber and bowed toward each wall. Then he sat on the granite cube, placed his chin on the ledge, and looked up through the shaft. The shaft and position of the ledge forced the observer to focus on a small patch of sky that contained only two stars. At least that had been the case for a millennium until this fateful night.

Sulihotep cried out and pulled back from the ledge, he rubbed his eyes and peered back through the shaft as his acolytes looked on in fearful wonder. Sulihotep gazed in rapt awe as his eyes focused on the three stars shining brightly in the deep black sky. Convinced that his vision was not playing tricks on him he once more pulled back from the shaft.

"Each of you look, my sons, and confirm that I am seeing what I think I see. For it appears that Amon has returned..."

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Egypt 2018AD

Ellis Stone pulled away her fingertips that had been trailing over the glyphs carved into the stone. Her rumbling stomach announcing that it was near noon. Ellis' appetite was almost as accurate as her digital watch. Ellis shook her head in wonderment; she had been transfixed on the riveting story of Sulihotep for almost four hours. She glanced around, shining her flashlight on the walls and ceiling. This simple, unadorned chamber was turning out to be a much more important discovery than Tutankhamon's Tomb.

Ellis played her light onto the east wall once more, trying to wrap her mind around what she was seeing. The wall had a perfectly proportioned scale model of the solar system carved on it. This was something so mind boggling that it made her breathless. It had to be some elaborate hoax. How could a culture barely into the Iron Age have beaten Copernicus to the punch by three thousand years? One thing was certain; Ellis had a lot of research to do before she reported her findings back to New Man University.

The story, "If I Hadn't Been There" will continue as a separate novel... 


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The End
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Posted:  2006-02-13
Last Modified: 2006-06-01 / 10:06:56 pm
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