Storiesonline.net ------- Barbara by Morgan © By Morgan, 1994, 2012. All Rights Reserved ------- Description: Continues the Ali Clifford saga. The story begins six years after the ending of Cynthia Martin. Many of the characters are continued from earlier books. Codes: MF rom ------- ------- Prologue It was six years after the day on the boat with Tom Conroy, and Marie Trang was alone in her apartment. It was early May and since it was only ten-thirty it was much too early for her to go to bed. Even if she did, she knew it would only lead to more tossing in bed for hours. For some reason it was becoming increasingly hard for her to go to sleep. Then she felt the stirring in her loins that told her that Celeste was getting her ass fucked off again. She smiled to herself thinking about her five-year-old niece and two-year-old nephew while their parents were working so hard to produce another sibling for them. So much had happened in the intervening years. First, the Trangs had set a sort of record at USC Law School, becoming the first co-valedictorians in the school's history. Now Marie was the tax partner at Clifford & Jamison and she really liked the work. Her problem was that nothing could control the itching she felt in her cunt, but she smiled wryly and realized it might partially have been the reason she was doing so well professionally. She spent hours each night reading the dullest tax cases but they still weren't enough to put her to sleep. Now she was ready for bed — sort of. Although she always slept nude, for some reason she felt comfortable wearing a man's large pajama top when she sat up reading. Acting on a sudden impulse, she got out of her chair, went to the bedroom and opened her jewelry box. Going to the bottom of it, she took out the woven-palm bracelet that Tom Conroy had made for her so many years before and put it on. It was her most cherished — and most secret — possession. Then, to her surprise, the doorbell rang. As she went to the door, she realized that she should move out of the apartment. It was the one that she and Celeste had shared and now she felt she just rattled around in it. However, she was making so much money, inertia alone was enough to keep her from making a change. Because of the building's elaborate security system which she had come to take for granted, Marie did not even bother to look through the peephole. Rather she just opened the door wide. When she saw who was there, her hand slowly came up to cover her mouth. Tom Conroy was standing in the doorway. She realized she hadn't seen him to talk to in years — in fact, since that fateful trip to the island cove. Now he was over six feet two, but with his father's slim build. However, his shoulders weren't at all slim. Now he was standing there looking down at her. His eyes were the same vivid blue as his parents' and his hair was sandy verging on blonde. As usual, he was deeply tanned. Looking at her he said softly, "Good evening, Marie. Won't you invite me in?" She still couldn't speak, but just stepped back from the door. When he was inside, she closed and double-locked the door, then turned to him. When she did, she found herself in his arms. His lips came down on hers and they fused together. This time, the passion that she had been holding back for so long suddenly released. Their kiss was the most perfect thing she could possibly imagine. There was enough electricity generated to light the Los Angeles Basin, and the bells almost deafened her. She found her arms were locked around his neck to keep from falling on her face. As she had heard so often from Kathy, Ali, Ginger and the others, now it had happened to her: her joints had turned to water and refused to support her weight. As she clung to him, she realized that his hands were busy unbuttoning the three buttons of her pajama top. When they were undone, he slipped it over her shoulders and spread it wide. Opening up it revealed the perfection of her body and its all-over golden tan framed by the white material of the pajama. To her utter astonishment, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa where he easily sat down and rested her across his lap. He looked into her eyes and said softly, "It's that time, my darling." "What time is that?" she stammered, feeling like a ten-year-old school girl rather than a twenty-eight-year-old woman. "Time for us to get married," he replied softly. "Haven't we waited long enough? And you aren't getting any younger, you know," he said with a grin to relieve the tension that had gripped them. She just shook her head in utter amazement and said, "Tom, have you lost it completely? There's no way I could marry you ... I mean ... The whole idea is utterly ridiculous!" "Why?" "Well ... Our ages, for one thing. I'm twenty-eight and you're..." "Nineteen. And?" "But that's stupid..." "Women outlive men by about seven years, my darling, so maybe we'll come out even. What else?" "I ... I'm used! That's it! I'm used goods. There's no way..." "Your savior, Uncle Ken, has manipulated you and drunk your juices. He doesn't count because Aunt Kathy was always there when he did. You just helped them increase their enjoyment of each other. Besides him, there's me. And that's it, isn't it?" "But I'm so badly used. I'm scarred..." "Having absorbed a brutal beating when you were only a freshman in high school." Then he grinned and added, "Of course, there is that wonderful brand on your ass. May I see it?" She moved and showed him the still-deep scar on her left ass cheek that Celeste had burned into her flank. There was an identical brand on Celeste's right. He smiled and said, "That was actually useful. Aunt Kathy is the only one who can unerringly tell you two apart, so it was very thoughtful of you two to brand yourselves on opposite sides." Then looking at the bracelet on her wrist he took her hand and said, "Not only do you still have it, but you're even wearing it. In fact, deep down you knew I would come tonight. You're wearing it for me, aren't you?" His eyes were guileless as he then asked, "What else?" She just shook her head and said, "Our backgrounds. I'm Asian and you're American..." "We're both Americans!" he interrupted. "As far as being Asian, you don't know much about genetics, I guess. If you did you would know that genetic strength comes from out-breeding, not inbreeding. We're just breeding out." Still on his lap she sat up straight and said, "You're probably too big for me. I couldn't take you inside. You would split me in half..." "And if I did, you would rejoice, wouldn't you? Besides, how do you know how big I am?" With a shy little smile she said, "Because that day I could tell that your cock would be like your Dad's: very long and thick and perfectly shaped..." Suddenly she got bright red with embarrassment and stopped. "Don't you even want to make sure?" Tom asked softly. Then he said, "Marie, never have I seen a woman with a body like yours. You are utterly exquisite. I can't wait to probe the depths of your being with my cock." Then he smiled and said, "If it were about an inch or so longer or if your torso was that much shorter, I think I could ream you out end-to-end. I dream of you just being a warm, very tight wet sheath for my cock to ream out. Your asshole will be stretched to four times its normal size, and I will bore out your throat down to your stomach..." Marie listened to his words and felt her cunt began to gush. How could he possibly know that they were these very thoughts which had tormented her for so long? Tom was wearing a golf shirt and a pair of khaki slacks. She lifted the shirt over his head and frantically worked to unbuckle his belt and take down his pants. Tom interrupted her by easily rising from the chair with her still in his arms. Gently he put her on the floor where she knelt with her weight back on her heels. Although her pajama top was still on, it was unbuttoned and still spread wide as she waited. He dropped his pants to the floor after stepping out of the moccasins he was wearing. Then he dropped his shorts and stood there in front of her naked. His cock was exactly the way she pictured it: perfectly shaped with a pink head and a long barrel. His balls were huge and full. With a wordless cry she took his cock into her mouth, kissed it, and then began to lick it. Almost at once there was an involuntary spasm and a jet of cum hit her in the face. Completely ignoring it as it dripped down her cheek, she concentrated on taking the raging cock all the way into her throat. She realized he had been right: It was so long it seemed to reach almost to her stomach. Tom's balls were so huge it took both of her hands to manipulate the delicate eggs that seemed to float in their sea of accumulated cum. When she felt he was about to release massively, remembering what she had learned from Kathy years earlier, she took his cock out of her mouth until only its head remained. Then breathing through her nose she began to swallow what seemed to be quarts of his spunk. In spite of swallowing as fast as she could, cum escaped from her mouth and dripped down to her chin. Finally, the flow stopped. She took his cock from her mouth, carefully licked it dry, and then dried it with her long hair. Looking up at him with a grin, she wiped some cum off her cheek on her finger and held it up to him to lick off. With her eyes sparkling she said softly, "Tom, it is utterly delicious." Then with a broad smile she shook her head and said gravely, "Now it is like a fine, ripe chateau-bottled Bordeaux compared to the Beaujolais Nouveau of seven years ago." Still standing over her with his feet apart he asked, "How about you? Are you still as warm and flavorful as ever?" Remembering that unforgettable afternoon, when he laid on his back, she knelt over his head and gently lowered her cunt to his mouth. As she did, she, too, remembered and went back to sucking on his still-erect cock. This time his tongue was both larger and stronger. Using it to its best advantage, he alternately hardened it and used it to probe her vagina and then softened it to lick behind her labia and to lick her clit. Soon her pelvis began to buck with the first of her orgasms. For Marie, it was like heaven as she achieved her first release in years. Incredibly, Tom continued to eat and bite her and hold her in orgasmic release. To her amazement, her juices continued to run in a flood while her pelvis continued to jerk uncontrollably, almost taking her mouth from his raging cock. Finally, he bit her clit hard and the jolt to her nervous system caused her to pass out on top of him. When she recovered consciousness, she found that she was still on the floor but now in his arms as he rested with his back against the sofa. Again as on that remarkable day, his arms were around her and her tits were being cupped by his now-large hands. She stretched sinuously, then turned her face up to his. Again he kissed her and again there was a surge of electricity. This time she probed with her tongue into his mouth and found his, increasing the flow of electricity between them. Fortunately, she thought, I'm already on the floor so I can't collapse. When their lips parted she whispered, "The answer is still no!" Completely ignoring her, he handed her a champagne flute causing her to wonder how long she had been unconscious. With a shock she realized he had gone to the refrigerator and taken out the bottle of Dom Pérignon that she had purchased years earlier in anticipation of this very night. He clinked his glass to hers and said, "My darling, to us and to the rest of our lives together." Involuntarily she drank the toast with him. Then she began to cry and he just held her tight. Marie was utterly defeated. Her body had betrayed her. She looked up at him with the tears streaming from her eyes and said, "Darling, what are you doing to me? We can't do this and we both know it." Then she dissolved in tears wailing, "My body is betraying me! Oh God, Tom, please don't do this to me ... Please don't let me do this to myself!" Gently he took the glass from her hand and lifted her up in his arms. To her utter amazement, he slipped the pajama top off her body, sat on a side chair and turned her over his knee. As hard as he could he spanked her on the same spot on one ass cheek. Then, with her screams of pain still echoing around the apartment and tears flowing from her eyes he said quietly, "Marie, position your body across my leg the other way so I can get a full swing." To her utter astonishment, that is exactly what she did, although when she rose from his leg she found that she was limping from the severe pain as she went around his knee to lie over his leg facing the other direction. Again, swinging as hard as he could he spanked her ten times on the other cheek. Before spanking her this time he ensured that her clit was against his leg. This time the stimulation caused her to cum with her love juices flowing down his leg. When he was finished, he stood her on her feet but had to hold her by the elbows to keep her from falling. Then he held out his hand to her without saying a word. Marie kissed it and licked it saying, "I am sorry, darling Tom, for hurting your hand against my hard ass." Then he motioned to his leg and she knelt and carefully licked off her love juices that were running down it. With tears still flowing unheeded down her cheeks, it was only then that she asked softly, "Why did you do that, Tom? Why did you hit me?" She saw the intense love in his eyes as he replied, "Two reasons, darling: First, I had to get a new idea into your brain, and since — based on your idiotic excuses, you must be sitting on it — it's the only way I could think to do it. Second, I know you like to carry the mark of the people you love on your body. Now you will carry mine." She just slowly shook her head and then held it up straight. "Tom, I'll make a deal with you," she said softly. "I will be your mistress for as long as you will have me. In the meantime I'll look for the sort of beautiful girl you should marry..." He just shook his head and interrupted, saying, "Get dressed. We're going out." She slipped into her "working uniform" of skin-tight Levi's and a worn-out work shirt with the sleeves torn off. When they left the apartment, he casually held out his hand for her car keys saying his own car was so old driving it even two miles was a major expedition. Marie didn't understand it because she never even let Celeste drive her car, a turbo-charged Mazda RX-7 convertible. Yet giving the keys to Tom seemed the most natural thing in the world to do. They raced across town towards the Carlson's house. As they came close, Marie recognized the sense of anticipation she felt. It had been such a long time since she had been there. When they arrived, it was nearly midnight and the house was dark. Nevertheless, Tom parked in the driveway and rang the doorbell. A few minutes later the lights came on and the door was opened although no one was in sight. They walked in and found Ken behind the door, using it to hide his nudity. They followed him into the library and a few minutes later Kathy appeared with their youngest, Ken, Junior, who was only six-months old. He had just been diapered and powdered, so Kathy sat down in an easy chair and gave the baby her left tit. When she offered him her nipple, the infant cooed with delight and grabbed her tit with both of his tiny hands while his mouth closed on the object of his desire. When he was suckling, Kathy thought yet again of the beautiful way Hank had described nursing and the wonderful feeling it gave her. Only then did Kathy look up and ask quietly so as not to disturb the baby, "Is the wedding going to be this weekend? We're free, and Ali is chartering a plane to fly us all out to Maui..." "Has everyone lost his fucking mind?" Marie exclaimed in a whisper to respect the nursing baby. "What wedding? What is this nonsense?" "Darling Marie," Kathy replied, "I was about 90 percent sure seven years ago when we were on the boat together. In the subsequent year or so I became 100-percent sure. I don't even know if Tom has gotten around to telling you yet. You see, he's completed his freshman year at USC — another Katherine Conroy Kapalua Scholarship winner, by the way — and he thought this would be a good time." Looking at Tom she asked, "Have you told Marie about your honeymoon plans... ? No! Of course you haven't." Turning to Marie she said, "Instead, darling Marie, why don't you tell me what his honeymoon plans are?" In spite of the fact that there had not been a word spoken on the subject, Marie knew what the plans were. She said, "Celeste will get a boat and take us around to our cove. She will drop us off on our wedding night at the cut in the reef and we'll swim ashore. On about September 1st she — or someone else — will come by and pick us up. All we will have is what we can swim in with us from the boat." "What happens if you two don't make it?" Kathy asked softly. Marie was utterly astonished as her lips seemed to move by themselves and respond, "Then I will have fulfilled the dream of my lifetime. I will have spent the rest of my life in Tom's arms." Then she just shook her head and began to cry. "Kathy, what's wrong with me? I have no control over anything anymore. Do you know what Tom did to me just before we came over?" "I don't know, but I can guess," Kathy replied. "He took you over his knee, spanked you ten times, told you to rearrange your bottom and then he spanked you ten more. Finally, you kissed his hand and apologized to him for hurting it." "But how could you possibly know that?" Marie demanded. "The same way I know you're thinking about asking Celeste to brand your other buttock with the initials 'T' 'C'. But I really wish you wouldn't! Marie, you already carry around enough scars on your body for any ten people. You certainly don't need any more. Besides, you know damned well it will restrict your movement for weeks, so how will you be able to help Tom with your shelter, hunting, and so forth?" While they had been talking, she had shifted the baby to her right tit. After nursing for a while, he had gone back to sleep and was now sleeping beautifully in his mother's arms. Carefully, Kathy rose, returned the baby to the nursery, checked on their five-year-old, Susan, and returned to the library. This time she sat down on the sofa and said, "As something to get started on, you two could do me a big favor. Marie, lay on the sofa with your head on my lap, please." The girl did as she was asked, and Kathy said, "This is something I learned from Hank. To be sure the baby always gets fresh milk, I like to be sure my tits are emptied. Marie, would you please start and then let your fiancé finish?" Marie took Kathy's enlarged nipple into her mouth and began to suck. As she did, she remembered Sam's description of mother's milk. Kathy's was everything she had ever thought it would be: sweet and warm, rich and nourishing. When she felt that she had drained about half the remaining milk, with a warm smile she gave way to Tom who drained Kathy dry and then licked off her nipple. When he finished he said, "Aunt Kathy, it tastes exactly like I remember Mom's. No wonder your children are so happy!" Meanwhile, Ken had opened a bottle of champagne and brought it on a tray with four glasses back to the library. After serving it he said, "To Tom and Marie: May you be as happy in your marriage as Kathy and I and the Conroys are in ours. May you find the happiness and fulfilment in your marriage that you both so richly deserve!" Marie didn't know what to say so she just raised her head towards Tom who lowered his lips to hers and initiated the most passionate lingering kiss either had ever had. ------- The fast power cruiser slowed suddenly when Celeste eased the throttles back enough to bring it down off its step. Then she just eased forward to the well-remembered break in the reef. There she used a practiced touch on the twin throttles to hold the boat in position. Marie was naked, only wearing a belt around her waist with a scabbard for the very sharp sheath knife that it held. Turning to Tom, she grinned, kissed him and passed him a small cylindrical watertight container for matches. "Do I have to?" he asked plaintively. All she did was grin and nod her head vigorously. She watched him ease the container into his anus while she did the same thing with a second. Tom was naked but wearing a similar belt. His contained two knives, one a modified machete and the other a variant on the Bowie knife with a twelve-inch blade. Kissing him passionately she whispered, "Well, it's a start. It's going to be stretched a lot more than this pretty soon." Then she took her twin sister into her arms and kissed her lovingly. Celeste looked worried and asked, "Marie, what if you don't make it? You're not really bringing anything with you." "Darling Celeste, if we don't make it I will still have achieved my life's ambition: I will have spent the rest of my life with Tom." She grinned, although she was scared and her sister knew it. Marie Conroy stepped up on the cockpit gunwale and dove in with Tom right behind her. While they swam toward the shore, they could hear the boat engines rise to a roar when Celeste spun the wheel and opened the throttles wide as she headed back towards Kapalua. When they reached the shore it was only about an hour until sundown. They were glad that they had loaded up on food at the reception because they would not be able to find anything to eat until the next morning. When they waded ashore, Tom took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Then he whispered, "Are you ready to become a woman, my darling?" She unstrapped a tiny watertight pouch from around her thigh. It was something he had never seen before. Then she carefully removed the matches from Tom's rectum while he removed them from hers. They giggled as they did. Quickly, they hunted dried driftwood and Tom very carefully started a small fire on the beach. It was all they had to keep them warm except for each other. After kissing again, she opened the tiny pouch, spread a piece of white linen on the sand and carefully positioned her bottom on it. Spreading her legs wide she waited for him. Tom knelt down in the sand between her widespread legs and said, "Darling, now I'm scared. I am very big and you're very small. There's not even anything to use to ease your pain." "Yes, there is," she replied softly. "Dip it in my cunt, my darling. It's already dripping wet in anticipation." He did and found that she was right. Gently he began to ease in and out in very short strokes. He could feel the tip of his cock touching her hymen now. On the next downstroke, Marie whipped her legs around his waist and squeezed with all her might. There was a sharp pain coupled with a ripping sensation which caused her to scream. Then he was in. To his continued surprise, she just continued pulling with her legs, forcing him in to his full length. By now sweat was pouring from her body, but her face lighted up into the most brilliant smile he had ever seen. "I did it!" she exclaimed. "Tom, my darling, you're all the way in!" Then with a grin she said, "Don't just kneel there, turkey! Fuck your wife's ass off!" The sensation was utterly beyond belief. On his next backstroke, with a quick move, Marie swung her legs out and up, then linked her ankles behind Tom's neck raising her pelvis up off the ground. Now he could drive into her to his full incredible length. Remembering what Kathy had told her, she found her cunt was somehow changing tempo each time Tom was about to release. She didn't know how she was doing it, but she did. Finally, she was at the point at which she had seen Kathy so often: She was in a continual orgasm as her loins were in continuous convulsions and all sensation was in her cunt. There was just a vague realization that her mouth was emitting a continual piercing wordless scream. Finally she could control it no longer and she felt her husband release inside her. She felt the most incredible sensation for a few moments before her nervous system tripped out and she was out cold. They had built their fire close to the tree line. When she came to, she found herself wrapped in Tom's arms with his large hands cupping her very firm tits. Turning her face up towards his she murmured, "You're my love and my life, my darling." After resting for a while, she got up and went to the spot where they had been making love. Carefully feeling around in the sand she found the small scrap of linen. Even though it was now full dark, since the moon was full and the stars were dazzling in their brilliance, she could see very well. Carefully shaking the sand out of the fabric, she carried it back to where Tom was waiting, now very puzzled by her actions. Kneeling in front of him she showed him that the entire center was stained with blood. "It's my virginity, my darling. It is an old custom. I must bring this back to show your mother, so she can ensure that her son's bride had not previously been used." After carefully folding it up, she put it back in its tiny pouch. Then she said, "Come on, stud. There's more of my virginity for you to take." With a wide grin which was very unusual for Marie, but which Tommy found he loved, she said, "That's one advantage of robbing the cradle. You young studs are supposed to have staying power." With that she kissed his cock and instantly brought it to a full erection. Fondling his balls she said, "My darling, I haven't even made a dent in your supply of cum. You don't want me to be a complete failure, do you?" Now Tommy was really scared as Marie knelt on the sand with her ass high in the air. She told him to lubricate his cock in her cunt and then shove it up her ass. When he wet it with her juices, she positioned it with her hand. While he was trying to screw up his courage to move, the decision was taken out of his hands as she shoved backward as hard as she could, driving the head of his cock past her protesting anal ring. The ravaging of her virginal asshole was accompanied by far greater pain than she had felt when her hymen ruptured. As he rested inside her, not knowing what to do, she moved again driving him in still deeper. Now he started to move. As he did he realized what an incredible sensation he was feeling. Finally he could feel his balls bounce off her cunt. While he was setting up his movements, Marie was figuring out how to move her bottom to best effect. In moments the pain was forgotten as she found she adored the feeling of him penetrating nearly to her stomach. Again she controlled muscles she didn't know she had to keep him from releasing. Then, while her cunt was pouring out what seemed to be quarts of vaginal juices, she could feel his cock start to vibrate. The sensation of his warm cum flooding her insides was utterly indescribable as he held himself in full penetration and just pumped his spend into her. Finally she could feel his pulsations slow and then stop. As his erection subsided, she eased her way forward and felt him come out of her with a soft pop. After going for a swim and taking turns washing each other, with Tom washing the blood off Marie's thighs while she washed the residue of her anus from his cock, they went back to their bed-place on the beach. This time she took him in her mouth while he ate her cunt. In spite of her best efforts, he still wasn't drained when they collapsed from sheer exhaustion into a sound sleep. ------- On September 1, it was with trepidation that Celeste again brought the powerful cruiser to the cut in the reef at the tiny cove. The day was bright and beautiful and it was only ten o'clock. As she eased the throttles back to idle and then into reverse, she picked up a pair of powerful binoculars to sweep the beach. They weren't necessary. There on the beach were two figures waving. While she watched, they cut the lashings on a shelter they had built and watched as it collapsed. She was amazed watching her sister and her husband each take an end of the large logs and carry them to the treeline. Finally, after a passionate kiss, they waded into the water and began to swim for the boat. Marie had always been a powerful swimmer, but never like she was then. She moved through the water with the speed, power and grace of a porpoise with Tom staying right beside her. Although Celeste had the boarding ladder over the side, the two people ignored it. They just jumped out of the water, grabbed the gunwale and vaulted out of the water and into the boat. Celeste advanced the throttles and moved the boat far enough to be clear of the reef. Then putting the engines into idle, she left the wheel and leaped into her sister's arms. After kissing her with all the love she could communicate, she stepped back and just looked. For her part, Marie was standing up straight with her tits proudly upthrust. Where formerly her dark hair was worn at shoulder length or longer, now it had been hacked short, almost like a boy's. "What happened to your beautiful hair, Sister?" Celeste wailed. "It got to be a pain in the ass," Marie replied with complete unconcern. "Too often, when we were trying to spear a fish, my damned hair would swish around in the water and frighten it. Anyway, Tom hacked it off with my knife. How's the rest of me look?" Celeste just shook her head. Both of them were deeply tanned to a golden brown. Tom's hair also showed signs of Marie having cut it with a knife. When she asked about his golden beard, Marie made a face and said none of the knives turned out to be sharp enough to shave with, and without any soap... Tom looked like he had gained weight with all of it in his chest, upper arms and shoulders, although his legs looked like tree trunks. Celeste decided also that she had never ever seen two people more completely in love than her sister and Tom. She rejoiced in their happiness. When they boarded the boat, Tom had thrown a large bundle into the cockpit. It turned out to be the tanned belly of a Great White shark they had killed. Celeste went pale under her tan when she heard the story. As soon as the boat got underway, Marie went below and came back up with three cans of beer. After opening one for her sister and one for herself, she set the third on the dashboard. When Tom asked for one, she raised an eyebrow and pointed out that he was much too young for a beer. After all, he was still a teenybopper. Tom was sitting with his back to the gunwale with his knees raised. He just pointed and Marie bent her body over one knee and he gave her one hard spank. With tears in her eyes — Celeste could see that her sister's ass was bruised the way it had been years before when they were with the Carlsons — she kissed his hand and apologized for hurting it with her hard ass. Then with a grin she gave him the beer. She began to fill Celeste in on what they had done together on the island. Before she really got started, Tom said, "Wife, I need you to warm my cock." She grinned but asked him to lie on his back with his head toward Celeste. "This way," she said, "I can do two things at once." Shaking his head, he reoriented his body and she impaled herself in just one thrust on his giant cock. What followed, though, amazed him. Instead of rising and falling on it the way she usually did, she remained impaled to its root and proceeded to manipulate her internal muscles to massage the impaling weapon. Meanwhile she continued to tell her sister about their experiences. Just when she got to the hunt for the shark she said, "Excuse me a moment, sister." Then she let out a wordless scream of ecstasy as Tom seemed to unleash quarts of semen into her body. Finally, she could feel his pulsations diminish and his cock began to recede in size. Still she didn't move, but kept him inside her as he proceeded to fall asleep on the deck while she finished her story. As they neared Kapalua, it was with the greatest reluctance that the two went below to get dressed. They howled with laughter when Tom put the first golf shirt on and had it tear apart from the strain. He decided to remain shirtless. His jeans fit, even if they were stretching at the thighs. Marie didn't fit into her shirts, either, but found she could wear one of Tom's old golf shirts. Her jeans did fit but were very tight because of the new muscle development in her thighs. When they tied up the boat, the two left Celeste to handle the paperwork while, barefoot, they ran hand-in-hand to the Conroy house. The fact that it was almost three miles away was irrelevant. They were not even breathing hard when they arrived and rang the doorbell. It was a reception similar to the one at the Carlson's. The door opened but there was no one in sight. They entered, the door closed, and there was Hank standing naked with a small baby nursing at her tit. Seeing her nude, Marie thought that Hank had not aged a day in the previous seven years. Leading the way into the living room, she sat down on the sofa while the infant continued to suckle. The baby appeared to be about two months old. Marie cocked her head and asked, "If you don't mind my asking, where did this come from?" "Oh, the hospital," Hank replied casually. "Isn't that where you usually find them?" "But it looks like its two months old," she insisted. Hank shrugged and said, "I think it's ten weeks, but you're pretty close." "But that means you were — My God! — about eight months pregnant at our wedding!" she wailed. Hank pretended to be puzzled and used her fingers to count. Then she brightened and said, "You're right. I guess I was. By the way, Tom, this is your new sister, Kristin." His mother grinned and added, "I can't seem to get away from girl's names with male-sounding nicknames." Having earlier been shifted from her left tit to her right, now the baby was sound asleep. Hank rose from the chair to return her to her bassinet. After returning to the living room, Hank looked at Marie closely and said, "Daughter, will you please do me a favor? As my almost-youngest daughter, will you please drain my tit? But first undress, because while you do, I want to caress your body." Once again Marie had the extraordinary experience of savoring the wonderful mother's milk but this time from Hank's tit. As she drained it she reveled in the feeling of Hank's soft hands moving gently over her body. When the tit was completely drained and she had licked the nipple dry, Marie looked up into Hank's face and said, "Mom, may ... can ... could ... I call you Mom? Sometimes?" "Not sometimes. All the time." She could see that something was on this beautiful girl's mind so she said, "Please tell me, darling daughter. What's wrong?" "Nothing's wrong, Mom," Marie replied with the warmest smile Hank had ever seen. "It's just that ... Well, unless you stop having babies, you're going to have grandchildren older than your own kids." Hank's eyes widened and she exclaimed, "Do you mean... ? That you and Tom... ?" " ... are going to have a baby? Of course." With another beautiful smile Marie said, "Mom, with nothing else to do for recreation for four months except fuck, these things do happen." Hank made a move to rise, but Marie held her back. The older woman was startled at the strength in the small girl's body. "Where do you think you're going?" Marie asked. "To get you to the doctor's. I mean ... Well, you need a prenatal checkup and..." Marie's burst of laughter stopped her cold. "You mean the way you always do, Mom?" The girl grinned and added, "You know, Tom and I figured something out this summer. We finally figured out why Conroy children are always so agile. The answer is simple. There's this poor little thing just trying to grow inside you while he or she is constantly being attacked by Dad's magnificent cock. We figured out that your kids got to be pretty creative in repositioning their bodies so as not to be mashed by it." With a great yawn she said, "I guess I'll do what you do. When I start to feel something strange, I'll try to swing by the hospital..." Hank just shook her head, looked down at Marie and then up at Tom. She asked, "Could you stand in front of your husband, please?" Marie rose and stood in front of him. Almost automatically, his hands came around to cup her tits and she just leaned back against him. Then she shook her head and said, "I'm not right for Tom, mother. I'm too short, I'm the wrong race, I'm too old..." "The hell you're too short," Tom interjected. "You're about two inches too tall! With about two fewer inches I would have my dream come true of being able to open you up end-to-end." She twisted her head and looked up at him. When she did, his lips came down and met hers in a wonderful kiss. Then she said with a little grin, "Well, how about two inches shorter in the torso with legs nine inches longer? And I'm still the wrong race..." "Mom," he interrupted, "we wouldn't have survived if it weren't for her. It seems she's forgotten more about living off the jungle than I'll ever know." Then he said, "I'm going to say something that's going to cause you to think I completely lost it out there — too much sun or something. But I honestly believe our lovemaking is even better than yours and Dad's. Age? She has wisdom far beyond her years. And race? If more guys knew how these oriental girls make love, no American girl could ever get a guy." Then he looked down at Marie and said, "Honey, don't you have a gift for Mom?" She grinned, picked up the pants she had dropped on the floor and took the small waterproof pouch from her pocket. Opening it, she carefully extracted the still-sand-laden cloth and asked Hank to sit down. Going to her knees in front of her she said, "Mistress Conroy, as your son's bride, I present you with this as evidence of my virginity. He spilled my blood on this cloth on our wedding night." Looking into Hank's eyes she said softly, "It is an Asian tradition, ma'am." Just then Jim returned home accompanied by Celeste. When they entered the room, Hank raised her voice and yelled, "Conroys! Come on down here, right now!" Beginning with Samantha, they all came in except for the baby who was sleeping. There was Sam, Kenny, Kathy, and Billy. Hank said, "Gather round folks. We have a job to do. She placed her hand down on the table and told Marie to put hers on it. Then Tom, followed by Sam, then the other children in order. Jim's hand was on top of the pile. Except for the smallest, everyone was kneeling around the table. Tom's free hand was hugging Marie tight. Hank said, "Oh God, we welcome into our midst today our newest daughter, Marie. Already she has brought incredible joy to our oldest son, Tom, and to his parents. We humbly ask your blessings on her and the fruit of her womb, forever. Finally, O God, we pray that our son, Tom, will be welcomed into the Trang family in the same way Marie is welcomed into ours." Looking skyward, Hank said, "Father and Mother Trang, we humbly ask you to bless this union of two people who love each other so much. Please watch them and guide them, bless them and keep them forever. Amen." Before anyone could move, Marie's head was on top of the pile of hands as she began to cry her eyes out. Her sister came over and held her as she wept. Finally, when she raised her head, Hank felt she had never seen a woman look so beautiful. She said softly, "Thank you, Mother. When you said your prayer, it was immediately answered." Looking up at Tom with joy in her eyes she said, "Darling, my parents approve of our union and do welcome you to the family as the son they never had." Then she looked up and said, "It began with Ken and Kathy Carlson in Vietnam so long ago. Now it ends ... Or more accurately, it begins again... ------- Chapter 1 It was Tuesday and only the second day of classes for Tom Conroy. After four months alone with Marie it seemed strange to be around so many people again, particularly since they had been off the island for less than a week. In fact, he thought with amusement, he had only managed to get a haircut the day before on his way to school. He had an afternoon class on environmental issues that now really amused him. For the first time he realized how little his classmates knew about the environment and how romanticized their beliefs were. After four months of living by their wits and their hands, one thing was certain: Nature was neither kind nor benevolent. It was six o'clock and he was at a table in the corner of the student union snack bar. He had agreed to meet Marie at six and had arrived early. As he was about to take out a book to read, a shadow fell over the table and he looked up to see Barbara Dawson, a classmate of his. Barbara was five feet eight and a very pretty blonde. She was in Tom's afternoon environmental issues course and had been watching him from behind all afternoon. Also a sophomore at USC, she knew Tom Conroy from the previous year but scarcely recognized him when she saw him that day for the first time since the previous school year. She was amazed at the change in him. First, she had never seen a deeper tan on anyone, although his face seemed significantly lighter than his neck and arms. He seemed so much bigger, too. She realized that his shoulders and arms were much heavier than she remembered. All in all, she decided that he could be worth cultivating. "Hi, Tom," she said brightly, "May I join you?" "Of course. Please sit down," he replied. She sat across from him and took advantage of the currently accepted behavioral standard. "How about having dinner together sometime? I would like to get to know you better. Who knows... ?" His reaction astonished her. She knew she was one of the best-looking girls on a campus loaded with good looking girls, so she couldn't understand it when he looked at her with amused tolerance and said, "Thanks Bobbie, but I'm really not interested." "But why not?" she asked, unable to control her surprise. She was a girl who had never been rejected by a man — let alone so bluntly — in her life. "Principally because my wife wouldn't like it," he replied, rising from his seat. He had just seen Marie appear and he stood up to wave. He felt a wonderfully warm feeling seeing her again, even if they had only been apart since the morning. Their honeymoon, he realized, had been a truly remarkable experience. It wasn't possible for two people to get to know one another better than he and Marie knew each other after being together constantly for four months. She saw him, grinned, waved, and came over to the table. Taking her in his arms, they melted together in a passionate kiss. When they parted, she said softly, "God, have I missed you!" "Honey, I would like you to meet Barbara Dawson," he said. "Bobbie, this is my wife, Marie." The girl's jaw dropped and she shook her head. "But I don't understand," she stammered. "I don't remember you even having a girl friend last year. What happened?" Marie slid into the booth and then Tom sat down beside her. Marie looked like a beautiful urchin, wearing her Levi's with her usual washed-out work shirt with the sleeves torn off. She had visited Henry Hall the day before and he had neatened up her hairdo. He referred to it as her ragged urchin cut, but they both liked it very much on her. She appeared to be about seventeen years old, and was wearing no makeup or jewelry. The one enhancement to her outfit was a wide belt made from the belly of the Great White shark. Replying to Barbara's question, Tom said, "I guess that's sort of right, Bobbie. You see, our first real date was when we were married. Actually, I met Marie years ago when she used to babysit for me." Now the poor girl was hopelessly confused. How could this girl, who is obviously younger than Tom, have been his babysitter, she wondered. She looked at Marie closely and could make no sense out of anything. Being honest with herself, she admitted that the girl was incredibly beautiful, with the same unbelievably rich golden tan that Tom had. Her figure was perfect, but there was something else — something she couldn't quite place. Then she realized it was the way she moved, like a dancer or ... an athlete. That's it! she thought. She has the same incredible muscle development that Tom has. He explained that Marie worked at the resort as a maid. They had known each other for years and he had proposed to her in the spring. The girl asked where they were living and Tom said they had a small apartment near school. Then she asked Marie what she did for a living. "I have a job now," she replied, "but I'll be quitting in a few months when the baby comes. Then we're going to have to make it on what Tom brings in." "But ... but ... you can't be pregnant!" the girl exclaimed. "Okay, I'm not pregnant," Marie said agreeably. "On the other hand, the little thing growing inside of me is going to be terribly disappointed when I tell it." "Why don't you just get rid of it?" Barbara persisted. "I mean ... with all the people in the world, and you're so young ... You aren't established ... Say," she said brightly, "there's a Planned Parenthood clinic that could take care of things for you. And there's no charge. They take care of the fetus—" "Baby!" Marie interrupted. "It's a tiny baby that's growing inside me as fast as it can. It's Tom's and mine, and we're looking forward to my having it." "But ... but, how can you ever get established? I mean, there is daycare and that stuff, but what about your life? Your career?" Then she sat up straight and added, "Besides, you owe it to Tom. He's in college and his wife will be important later in his career. You don't want to hold him back because you're uneducated, do you? Why don't you get an education? There's a good community college nearby..." She slowed and stopped because she couldn't understand the reaction she was getting. She had seen Marie bridle at the idea of an abortion, but now as she was talking about education, the girl just looked subtly amused. Barbara changed the subject. She told them about a group she was involved with that was focused on preserving the environment. It was being organized and led by the professor who was teaching their environmental issues course. "Harriet Dobbs is simply brilliant!" she declared. "In fact, tomorrow we're meeting with the top law firm in California. They're going to work with us on a case we're bringing to force the California Coastal Commission to cease issuing any new building permits." Tom appeared interested and asked what firm it was. "It's Clifford & Jamison!" she replied. "That's where I'm going to work," she stated proudly. "It's an all-women firm. Harriet is a friend of one of the partners, Sandra Harris. They worked together in the anti-Vietnam movement in the seventies. She told us she's sure that Ms. Harris will take the case because she was active in all those things." When she mentioned Vietnam, she had seen a change in Marie. There was something in her eyes ... almost a coldness. She said, "Marie, are you Vietnamese, by any chance?" "I am an American, Barbara," Marie said firmly. "But yes, I was born in Vietnam and escaped to America." The girl looked puzzled. "But why did you leave? I mean ... the imperialists were defeated. You have your country together again, and they need help to rebuild it. The people have their country back. Ms. Dobbs says..." "Why did I leave? For freedom," Marie replied coldly. "And frankly, I don't think I give a damn what your Ms. Dobbs says. I do know that I watched as my parents were both shot dead. My father's 'crime' was to be mayor of our little village. "They came into the village, rounded up all the people, made my father kneel in the village square and then shot him in the head. When my mother ran to him to hold him as he died, they shot her in the head, too. My sister and I were forced to watch it all. Then they took all my schoolmates from our girl's school and one by one, raped and tortured them until they were all dead." Marie's eyes were cold as ice and her voice was harsh as she said, "I guess I don't care for that brand of liberation. "After being tortured ourselves, my sister and I were rescued — by American imperialist aggressors, by the way — and eventually made our way to the States." Looking at the girl she added, "I think I have a much better understanding of what freedom means than you do, and I believe I appreciate what we have in this country far more than you do." She then changed the subject. Tom told her that Bobbie had asked him out for dinner. Marie looked amused. Then she wiggled her ass on the seat and winced. When the girl asked if there was a problem, Marie just said that her bottom hurt. The girl looked puzzled and Marie said, "It's just that Tom hits hard, and I don't really have much padding there any more." "He ... he struck you!" she exclaimed. "Why ... why ... that's abuse! That's terrible! Why, on earth, would he ever do a thing like that?" "To maintain good order and discipline in the household," Marie replied blithely. "Besides, I always ask for it. You see, I guess I am a little strange, but I like to carry the marks of the person I love. It doesn't really hurt that much — it's just a couple of bruises — and it reminds me of him and his love." Then she brightened as the girl looked totally lost at her reply and said, "Why don't you join us for dinner tonight? I'm sure there's enough for three." She looked at Tom and asked, "Is that all right with you? I mean, it could be sort of a date, and she did ask you out." The girl was very puzzled but agreed. As they walked to the apartment, Barbara told them more about the environmental movement. It seemed they had lined up a number of people who would front a class-action suit. Since they had a lot of friends in the Coastal Commission, what would appear to be an adversarial action would, in fact, be a device for the Commission to get a court to order it to do some things that it wanted to do but for which it didn't have the authority. They believed they could achieve it by appearing to defend the suit while actually throwing it to the plaintiffs. Marie appeared interested but said nothing. When they reached the apartment, Marie said that she was going to get more comfortable. She disappeared into the bedroom and reappeared moments later, naked. The girl was utterly amazed. Marie had said she was pregnant, but there was no sign of it at all. Her figure was absolutely perfect, and when her naked body moved it showed the muscle development that the girl had guessed at. Moreover, the deep tan was over every inch of her body. The girl looked thoughtfully at Barbara and asked, "Would you like to undress? You see, Tom and I are used to being naked all the time and now it really feels more natural. I don't know ... Maybe the skin breathes or something. But maybe you would be embarrassed being that way?" Barbara sensed she was being subtly challenged and she responded, "I don't mind at all. In fact, I guess it will be fun — assuming Tom joins us, of course." He just grinned and went into the bedroom while Marie helped the girl undress, reminding her that she worked as a maid and was used to doing it. When she was bare, Barbara revealed a very attractive body. Her breasts were full with small pink nipples. There was a band of white across her breasts and her loins. Her pubic hair was just a slightly darker shade of her golden hair. While her figure was good, it was quite soft. Her breasts already showed a tendency to sag — there were telltale lines under them indicating that before many years they would be sagging unless well supported by a good bra. She was taller than Marie by about seven inches. As the woman helped her off with her bra, their breasts were almost touching and the girl was intrigued. She had never seen a woman with breasts as full and as firm as Marie's with such beautiful tiny pink nipples which were already showing signs of enlargement. Without conscious thought her hand went out and she touched the tit. Marie looked up and said, "I'm not breakable, Barbara. If you want to feel it, feel it. Give it a squeeze. Your touch is really quite pleasant on my skin." The girl did and was amazed at how firm the tit was. It was almost solid. Marie grinned and disappeared into the kitchen to begin dinner as Tom reappeared. Barbara involuntarily gasped, "My God, you're gorgeous!" she exclaimed. Like his wife, his deep tan was over his entire body. Even his semi-erect prick was deeply tanned. Marie turned to go into the kitchen as Tom came into the room. Although Barbara had been looking at Tom, something about Marie's back caught her eye. While she liked to think of herself as liberated, she was blushing now that she was naked in Tom's presence in spite of — or perhaps because of — the fact that her nude body did not even give him an erection. To escape, she followed Marie into the kitchen. With Marie standing with her back towards Barbara, the girl immediately saw two things: First, two bruises on her very tight ass that were the size and shape of Tom's hand; and second, a mass of scars that covered her entire back, buttocks and thighs. Coming up behind Marie she reached out and touched them. Looking over her shoulder, Marie said, "Those are souvenirs of the People's Army of Liberation. The bruises on my ass are Tom's but you already knew that." "But what did you do?" the girl asked. "What was your crime?" "Crime?" Marie asked. "Two, I guess. First, we were supposed to be the most beautiful girls in the village, so our rape and torture was going to be special. Second, we were the daughters of the mayor." Then the girl saw something else. The initials, K C, were branded into her left buttock. She touched them and realized they were burned in deep. Feeling the girl's fingers on the scar, Marie said casually, "My sister did that. The brand I gave her is on her right side. It's a lifetime reminder of the people who saved us from death and later restored us to life." Barbara realized she was in a state of complete shock. Nothing in this household seemed to follow any comprehensible pattern. Then it registered that Marie was moving around the small kitchen with an incredible economy of motion while preparing dinner. When they sat down to eat, it was steak with a marvelous sauce, french fries and a salad. Marie said, "Tom, we'll start to economize tomorrow, I guess. But it's been so long since we've had any beef." Barbara was torn. On the one hand she was trying to be a vegetarian. The animal-rights people had convinced her that it was the way to go. On the other hand it was the most marvelous piece of beef she had ever eaten in her life. When she complimented Marie on it, the girl just shrugged and said, "I'm getting there, but there's still a very long way to go to get in the same league with my teacher. For her, this would rate as mediocre minus." At dinner they continued to talk about two things: the court case and Marie's education. Barbara thought she had them almost talked into Marie going back to school, but while both Tom and Marie seemed interested, they remained noncommittal. Finally at eleven, the girl got dressed again and left the apartment. When she did, Marie went into Tom's arms and melted. Then she whispered, "My darling, I love you so much." Then grinning brightly she said, "And I was so proud of my teenybopper husband! Your beautiful cock didn't even rise to salute that blonde." She bent over and pointed to her left ass cheek — Marie kept track of which side was to be spanked next. Tom lifted her up after patting it lightly and said, "Darling, I think we should wait until the baby is born before there is any more discipline." Grinning he added, "I know my wife is a masochist, but I don't know if the baby is. What do you think?" "I think my cunt is going to start leaking all over the carpet, is what I think." Then she smiled a brilliant smile and said, "That's one of the problems with civilization. On the island I just watered the sand." Tom picked her up in his arms and carried her to their bed. Marie teased him because it was less than a week earlier that they had made love in a bed for the very first time. She said they had a lot of ground to make up and he replied he was trying his best. ------- Chapter 2 The next morning Barbara Dawson was wearing her best suit when Harriet Dobbs picked her up near the apartment to drive downtown. While they were driving, Harriet admitted that she hadn't seen Sandra Harris in years, but she was certain that Sandra could persuade her partners to go along with their plan. Although there was a garage in the basement of the building where they were going, Harriet felt the parking rates were terribly dear so they found an outdoor lot and walked back to the building. Checking the directory they found that Clifford & Jamison was on the thirty-eighth floor. When they got off the elevator, they saw the most impressive office entrance either had ever seen. When they opened the outer door, they saw a reception area that was even more impressive. Sandy Harris came out to greet them and escorted them back to her office. The day was another of the Los Angeles rarities: It was crystal clear and there was a clear view through the glass wall out to the Pacific. The two women stood at the window and just gaped at the vista. Then, when Sandy cleared her throat, they were jerked back to the present. They took seats on the most comfortable leather-covered sofa Barbara had ever seen. Although her parents were quite well-off and her father was a very successful executive, nothing she had ever seen was a sumptuous as this. When Sandy called for coffee, a girl brought it in. Looking up, Barbara realized that she was one of the most beautiful young women she had ever seen, with a golden tan, brown eyes, and the most incredible hair coloring that ranged from brown to sandy to blonde to white. She did not see Kathy wink at Sandy when she served. After Sandy and Harriet chatted about old times in the peace movement for a few minutes, they finished their coffee and went into the conference room. Sandy had said that it would save time if Harriet only had to explain the plan once to all the relevant partners. Barbara had told Tom and his wife that she wanted to work for Clifford & Jamison, but all she really knew about it was its reputation. Now that she was in the firm offices for the first time, she was certain that she did. The conference room was in keeping with everything else she had seen. Several women were waiting and Barbara almost fell over when she looked at them. Without exception, they were the most beautiful women she had ever seen, and no one looked to be even thirty years old. In fact, she was puzzled. Harriet spoke of Sandra Harris as a contemporary yet Harriet looked to be about twenty years older. Sandra looks so young, so beautifully alive and vibrant, while to be honest, she thought, Harriet looks very middle-aged and frumpy. She met Mrs. Clifford and Miss Jamison, the two name partners. Allison Clifford, she decided, was the most beautiful human being in the world. When the meeting began, Sandra led off by telling the group how she had met Harriet Dobbs in the peace movement but hadn't seen her in years. She explained that Dobbs was now an associate professor of environmental studies at USC. When they were seated around the conference table, Barbara realized that she and Harriet had become physically separated, and it almost seemed to be by plan. As Harriet began to speak, the door opened and another woman came in. Barbara's jaw dropped when she saw who it was. Before she could say anything, Ali Clifford introduced Marie Trang as the firm's tax partner. "In fact," Ali said, "Marie is our professional professional. In addition to her law degree, she has her MBA and is a Certified Public Accountant." She grinned and added, "The CPA designation was a little tough to arrange because Marie never worked for an accounting firm, but we managed." Marie was wearing a hand-tailored white silk suit. She was the picture of a young professional as she carried a purse and a portfolio both made of what appeared to be sharkskin. It reminded Barbara of the belt she had been wearing the day before. Suddenly Barbara wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor remembering how she had been babbling about Marie going to a community college. Then she also realized that Marie must be far older than she had thought or could even believe. But two advanced degrees plus the CPA designation took time. Harriet, meanwhile, explained how they were going to organize the foundation, and, using the people they had lined up, were going to initiate the colluded action with the Coastal Commission. Finally, she ended her long speech — she had been talking for over an hour — with a plea for the environment. At that point she looked at Marie and asked icily, "Is that leather, sharkskin?" Marie looked up from her notes and said coolly, "Yes, it is. In fact it's from the belly of a Great White shark." "But ... but ... but that's inhuman! Don't you realize how few Great Whites there are left in the world?" "Well," Marie replied coolly, "It was him or us, and I like to think of myself as being higher on the food chain." At that point Ali Clifford broke in and said, "Miss Dobbs, I'll make a deal with you. I'll donate ten million dollars to your organization on one condition. Are you interested?" Stopped as she was about to retort, the woman just gasped and said, "Of course I'm interested. And I am prepared to do anything to get that kind of money." "Great!" Ali replied. "All you have to do is what Marie and her husband have just done." The woman looked at Marie in surprise as Ali continued, "You see, they have just returned — less than a week ago, in fact — from the most remarkable honeymoon I have ever heard of. As an environmentalist, I'm sure you will be interested. Do you hike? Camp out? That sort of thing?" Harriet Dobbs said she did. "Then maybe you're the one to do it yourself. You see, rather than going to some hotel somewhere to lose her virginity, Tom and Marie were dropped off a boat about a thousand yards off the beach of a tiny island cove. They were naked, of course, and had three knives, a few fish hooks and some line." Looking up for a moment, Ali grinned and said, "Oh, I almost forgot. They each carried a few matches in waterproof containers in their anuses. That's all. They spent the next four months alone on that island. They were picked up last week." Now her blue eyes blazed with blue fire as she said, "That poor endangered shark you spoke of? It swam into the little cove and, to say the least, interfered with their fishing. They went after it. They estimate it was small: only 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. When it started after Tom, Marie killed it with her knife." Turning to Marie Ali asked, "Have you decided what to do with its teeth yet?" Marie grinned and replied, "No, Ali, we haven't. I'll tell you one thing, though: I'm not planning on eating shark meat again anytime soon. Tom and I were really getting sick of it, and then to top everything off, we had to bury the remains of the dumb thing to keep it from stinking up the whole island." Harriet was aghast and astounded. "Do you mean to say you actually hunted down that poor creature!?" Marie looked at her calmly and asked, "Have you ever seen a Great White up close? You do realize, I hope, that Tom and I were completely naked. All we had were our knives. Given that it outweighed the two of us combined by a factor of at least five and we were in its environment, not ours, I think it was a fair fight. Of course the thing is sort of stupid..." "That's impossible!" Harriet exclaimed. "I mean ... It's just utterly ridiculous..." "Okay," Marie said agreeably, "then its all a figment of our collective imaginations. So there's nothing to be concerned about, is there? My honeymoon souvenirs must be something else." While the discussion of the shark had been going on, Sandy Benson had quietly excused herself. When she returned to the room, she was carrying a baby in her arms, and the jacket of the cord suit she was wearing was unbuttoned baring her full milk-laden breasts. Returning to her seat, she played with the baby — a lovely boy with light hair and blue eyes, about four months old. She lifted him up in the air and the baby cooed and laughed while his little feet kicked out. Once he stepped on Sandy's tit. Barbara had been watching in utter amazement and couldn't control herself. Rising from her chair she went around the table to get a closer look at the baby. He was the happiest little thing the girl had ever seen. When she said so, Sandy quipped, "You would be happy, too, if you were standing on your lunch!" After nuzzling the baby to her face, she cradled him in her arm and put him against her left breast. The baby's mouth locked on her nipple and he began to pat her beautiful tit with his hands. Only then did Barbara realize that Sandy's breasts were as tanned as the rest of her body. While the baby was suckling, she said quietly, "Harriet and Barbara, this is John Benson, junior. I was finally able to beat Jack into submission on his name." Rolling her eyes she said, "It took me nearly two months, too — and I'm supposed to be good at persuading juries. Shit! I couldn't even persuade my husband and he loves me." "Harriet," she said with venom in her voice, "you and your radical friends nearly destroyed my life with your 'women as a depository for a man's sexual fluids' bullshit. Somehow — and I have never really found out how — the two name partners in this firm were able to save me from myself." Looking down at her chest she said, "I was always kind of proud of my tits. But it was only when our oldest, Laura, was born five years ago that I found out what they're really for. Look at Johnny! You may have noticed that you didn't hear a baby cry." With a wry smile she said, "Believe me, it's not what you might think. This room is not soundproofed and there must be..." Looking at Ali she asked, "What? Maybe five infants today?" Ali just grinned and shrugged saying that since the joint was always overrun with curtain-climbers she could never maintain an accurate count so she didn't even try. Sandy shrugged and continued, "You may think this is a law office. Actually, it's a combination nursery, cooking school and playground, with a little law on the side. But back to babies crying: It seems that there are a number of fairly standard things around here. First, our girls — and we like to think of ourselves as girls, thank you very much — come in assorted colors, with a little variation in height." Grinning at Marie she interjected, "As long as you don't count Short Stuff over there and her sister, that is." "I'm only a couple of inches shorter than Joan Clifford, smarty," Marie interjected, sticking out her tongue. "Can we help it if the firm insists on hiring Amazons?" Sandy stuck the tip of her tongue out at Marie, winked, and continued, "The second thing is that our husbands all come first ... and second ... and third. Then our children." She shook her head and said, "I'm wrong. I apologize. God is first, then the rest of the sequence. I guess our law practice ranks around number fifteen or twenty or something." She looked at Harriet and asked rhetorically, "Do you know what the very best day of all is for my family?" Answering her own question she said, "It's Sunday. You see, we all sleep with our husbands nude and in the same way: with our head on his right shoulder and his hand cupping our right tit. Every Sunday about six, I get up and go get Johnny from his bassinet. After changing him and powdering him, I bring him back to bed with me. "Now little Laura climbs out of her bed and comes in, too. Jack goes back to cupping my left tit while Johnny feasts on my right. Laura — also naked, of course — gets in bed next to her father and rests her head on his left shoulder." She smiled fondly thinking about the scene. "Last week she asked if she could have a pair of tits for Christmas so Daddy could have something to hold with his other hand." Then she went back to her narrative. "When he's finished nursing, I change Johnny again — he's always sound asleep by this time — and bring him back to the bedroom. Laura gets out of bed and comes over to my side while Jack holds the baby. It seems Johnny loves to nuzzle into Jack's neck. Anyway, Laura gets in bed with me and drains the rest of the milk in my right tit. Then we rearrange again. Johnny sleeps on me with his head between my breasts. Laura is back beside Jack, and we all go back to sleep. When we wake up later, Jack takes me. "He got one of the biggest thrills of his life last week. When I was unconscious from my last orgasm and Jack was just holding me in his arms, little Laura gave him the sweetest kiss and said, 'You're the best daddy in the whole world. You made Mommy so happy! And it isn't even Mother's Day!'" Sandy smiled warmly, remembering. Then she said, "Later, she was ecstatic because she got to take a shower with Jack and me. She even washed out my slit and loved working the soap around Jack's magnificent prick and balls. Then we all went to church, came back home, and had breakfast." Harriet Dobbs was now utterly aghast. "But Sandra," she exclaimed, "you can't be serious! Allowing your daughter to watch you and your husband... fornicate?" "That's because she's too young to help yet," Sandy replied casually. Then she looked at her watch and noticed it was eleven thirty. Rising, she said they would take a break for lunch. Dobbs didn't know what to do. The reception at the law firm was totally different from what she expected. Sandra was increasingly antagonistic, so she really wanted to leave. On the other hand, there was Mrs. Clifford's offer of ten million dollars, and she hadn't heard all the terms of the offer yet. Reluctantly she accompanied Sandra back to her office. When they rose from the table, Marie came around to greet Bobbie Dawson. There was an apologetic little grin on her face as she extended her hand. Taking it, Barbara was amazed at the strength in the smaller woman's grip. "Bobbie, are you sure they would take me into the program at the community college? You don't know anything about my high-school grades." "Oh, yes, Marie, I'm sure," she replied with a bright smile. "They'll take anyone!" She had remembered something from looking through law-school admissions materials and asked, "You're a twin, aren't you? And you graduated from USC Law?" "Sure did," the girl replied agreeably. "And you and your sister set some sort of all-time record there. You were co-valedictorians, weren't you?" Marie just shrugged and asked if Barbara would like to look around. "After all," she said, "you're planning on joining the firm, so you ought to see what you're getting yourself in for." Before moving, the girl asked, "Marie, how old are you, anyway? You look to be about seventeen — or at least you did yesterday, both at the Union and even naked. Dressed the way you are today, you look a little older..." Grinning, she cocked her head and said, "Hell, today you could almost pass for twenty-one!" "I'm twenty-eight," Marie replied. Then with a warm smile she said, "I'm getting all kinds of flak from my partners, of course, about robbing the cradle. On the other hand, I insist that they're just jealous because I have a young stud while they're all stuck with old men!" ------- Chapter 3 Marie and Barbara Dawson went back to the conference room and the girl was astounded by the change in the room's appearance. The paneling on one wall had been folded back revealing a full-scale gourmet kitchen, where the girl who had served them coffee was now preparing food assisted by three others. Meanwhile, two other young women who were naked were setting the big table with a great many places. One of the girls looked exactly like Marie but with longer hair. Marie told her it was her twin sister, Celeste. The other girl was about five feet three or four with a gamine haircut. Bobbie could almost swear that the girl's abdomen was visibly convex. When she asked about her, Marie replied casually that she was Ali's daughter — and daughter-in-law — Joan Clifford, and indeed she was pregnant. "In fact," Marie said, "I think she will deliver any day now." The girl just shook her head in disbelief. Then, looking at Bobbie, Marie said, "Please don't mind what you're about to see. I will assure you, though, that I haven't completely lost my mind." With that she went to the girl who was supervising the kitchen and knelt down in front of her. It was only then that Bobbie noticed that the girl was barefoot. Marie bent low and kissed the woman's feet. Looking down, Kathy Carlson said, "Marie Conroy, will you kindly knock off that shit!" Rising to her feet, Marie just said softly but firmly, "Of course not, Lady Kathy. You know I cannot stop worshiping you." With that she tipped her head up and cocked it slightly. The other woman's face came down and the two sets of lips merged in a kiss that Bobbie thought was beautiful beyond belief. She realized that she was almost literally seeing the purest love flow between the two women. When they parted, Marie asked softly, "How would you like to punish me today, Lady Kathy?" "I'll have to think of something," Kathy replied, and then gave one of Marie's cheeks a very hard pinch. Marie yelped in pain, then slowly rubbed the injured spot and stuck out the tip of her tongue, but her eyes were gleaming. Then she said, "Lady Kathy, I don't believe you have been introduced to Tom's classmate from USC, Bobbie Dawson." Turning to the girl she said, "I would like you to meet my savior and inspiration, Katherine Carlson. She is also one of my partners. She is the principal secretary at the firm, she's the research department, the firm's expert on contracts and the construction and real estate industries. In addition, she's the finest female golfer in the world, the strongest woman alive, and the source of my life and my love, as well as being my inspiration." Pointing to her left flank she concluded, "The initials branded on my flank stand for Kathy Carlson. The reason for the location is that during their honeymoon I had the great pleasure and good fortune to be able to warm Kathy's right side while she warmed her husband, Ken." When she asked what was for lunch, all Kathy would do was assure her it would be edible. Then they went out another door and entered a hitherto unseen area of the office. It was like a very large segmented nursery filled with children ranging in age from about five years old downward to just a few months. Bobbie was amazed to see so many of the young women she had seen earlier in the conference room helping all but the very youngest get dressed. Marie continued to show the girl around the offices and then they returned to the conference room. There they were greeted by Joan Clifford and Barbara was shown to her seat which was indicated by a place card. Barbara asked Joan about her pregnancy and was utterly dumbstruck by her reply, "Oh, it's fine. The contractions are coming about every five minutes or so now, so I guess I'll check in at the hospital after lunch." Then with a little grin she added, "I'm afraid Bill will have to get his own dinner tonight." "You can't be serious!" Bobbie exclaimed. "I'm afraid I am," Joan said with a wry grin. "The bureaucratic jerks that run those joints never let us go home to cook while we have a baby in their nursery." When Bobbie explained that she was referring to being in labor, Joan just winked and said she knew that was what she meant the first time. Then she said that the girls, for some reason — maybe instruction from Hank Conroy — averaged about thirty seconds of hard labor: one hard push and it was over. Then she asked, "Would you like to feel? A woman in labor feels sort of ... strange." Bobbie stood behind the smaller girl and put her fingertips on her abdomen. She could feel the motion inside as the birth process was well along. As she did she noted that Joan, like Marie, had no pubic hair and asked her about it. Joan told her that she had worked nude as a waitress — only wearing a tiny apron, net stockings and high heels — and the management insisted. She had gotten used to it and her husband, Bill, claimed to love her cunt that way. "Besides," she finished, "I don't have to worry about those idiots slicing up my groin trying to shave me this afternoon." Bobbie took her seat and was strangely relieved to find that Harriet was seated diagonally opposite at the long table — about as far away from her as she physically could be. Just then a boy and girl, each about five years old, came up to her. The little boy had golden blonde hair, vivid blue eyes and was wearing a short-sleeved white shirt and blue short pants with a little belt. He was scrubbed and his hair was neatly combed and brushed. The boy held out his hand and said, "Good morning, Miss Dawson. My name is Kenneth Clifford. I am Ali Clifford's son, and I'm very glad to meet you." With an incredibly brilliant smile he added, "I am very pleased to be sitting next to you at luncheon today." She shook his hand gravely and he continued, "Miss Dawson, it is my pleasure to introduce my niece, Andrea Cartwright. Andy is my sister Connie's daughter, and will be sitting next to you, as well." Then with the warmest smile Bobbie had ever seen he added, "Our family is a little odd with the ages of children." Andy Cartwright had vivid emerald-green eyes and hair that was so blonde it was almost white. Like everyone else present, the two children were both deeply tanned and Barbara was certain that it was all over their bodies. The little girl made the most beautiful deep curtsy Bobbie had ever seen. Then with the greatest aplomb, she held out her small hand and said in a beautifully modulated voice, "How do you do, Miss Dawson. I'm very happy to meet you." Then with the most impish grin Bobbie had ever seen, she said, "Thank you for introducing me, Uncle Ken." Bobbie found she couldn't resist. She scooped the little girl up in her arms and held her tight, then kissed her full on the lips. What followed amazed her. The little girl moved her lips on Bobbie's while the purest love flowed between them. When they separated, the girl just looked deeply into Bobbie's eyes, while Bobbie looked into hers. She realized that she was looking into the most love-filled eyes she had ever seen, and the girl just exuded goodness. Remembering the line from years before that the eyes are the window of the soul, she noted that there was nothing there but love and sheer goodness. She put her down and repeated it with the little boy and achieved the identical result. When she put him down again, he said, "Thank you for the kiss, Miss Dawson. It was wonderful. You're a very good person." Then the little boy escorted the little girl to her chair and seated her, then sat down at his own place. Bobbie realized she had never had such an experience in her life. She was encountering a level of manners she thought had become extinct around the turn of the century. Yet the children were bubbling, vivacious and clearly enjoying themselves and the situation. She asked the children about it after first asking them to please call her Barbara, or, better yet, Bobbie. Ken Clifford looked at her skeptically and said, "I would like to, Miss Dawson, but Mommy says it's disrespectful to call an adult by her first name." When Bobbie asked them about the luncheon they both said that it was a very special treat for them to eat lunch when the firm had professional company. The reason the children were so well-behaved was that if they were not they were barred from the office for thirty days. "Oh, I see!" Bobbie said. "That means that your mother has to get a babysitter to stay with you while she's at work." The two children looked at her with puzzled expressions on their faces. Clearly, what she had said was totally foreign to their experience. Then Andy, who, it turned out, was older than Kenny by about three months, shook her head and grinned saying, "Oh no, Miss Dawson! If we can't come to the office, our mothers don't come in either. Since they're all happier here together, we all try our very best to be good in order to make them happy." "You see, Miss Dawson," Ken continued, "all of our families work pretty much the same way. Take my mother, for example: For her, the sun rises and sets in Dad. There is nothing she will not do to make him a little happier or to create a little more pleasure for him — and that's utterly regardless of the cost to herself in doing it, of course. Then there are the children: Did you see Mom nursing my sister this morning? It's the most beautiful sight in the world to see her cradling the baby to her tit and loving her while she drinks Mom's luscious milk." With a wonderful warm smile he added, "I often get to drain her tit when the baby falls asleep so I know how delicious her milk really is. And you know what else?" he asked. "While I am nursing, she's stroking my head, my face and my body while telling me how much she loves me. And she really does!" he added emphatically with tears coming to his eyes. "So you see, we have to be good because it's the only way we can possibly show our mothers how much we really love them. That's because we can't give them anything or do anything for them, ever. But when I'm being really good, Mom gives me her sunshine smile and tells me how happy and proud of me she is. If you have ever seen my mother's sunshine smile, you know how wonderful it feels when it's aimed at you!" It was all Bobbie could do to keep from fleeing the table. Here were these two very young children teaching her what motherhood was all about. She felt so humble and realized her attitudes had been so incredibly wrong before that she wanted to run away. The meal was served and it turned out to be the most spectacular omelette she had ever seen. Looking towards the cooking area, she realized that Kathy was producing six at once and appeared to be a juggler as she dexterously handled all six pans with omelettes at various degrees of completion. As she flipped them out one after the other, Celeste and Joan added soufléed fried potatoes and a salad and quickly served them. Bobbie still couldn't believe how quickly Joan was moving in spite of actually being in labor. Ali announced that, in view of the fact that omelettes quickly got cold and they had to be made individually, please eat when served. When she was served, Harriet Dobbs made a small scene. "But ... but these are... eggs!" she protested. When Ali pointed out calmly that omelettes usually were made with eggs, she said, "But all that cholesterol!" "I live on Kathy's omelettes — whenever I can bludgeon her into making them, of course," Ali Clifford replied. "Ms. Dobbs, I'll bet you $1,000 that my bad serum cholesterol level is lower than yours and my good cholesterol level is higher. Do you want to take me up on it?" "Well!" Dobbs huffed. "Of course you're so much younger, so what could I expect." "I'm reasonably sure I'm older than you are." Looking carefully at the woman she said, "Although you look to be about fifty, my guess is that you're about thirty-eight. I'm forty-four. Now how about that bet?" All eyes were focused on the two women when Sandy told Harriet not to take it. She added with a grin and a wink at Ali that she was just trying to prevent trouble between Ali and her husband, Bill. When Harriet looked puzzled, Sandy said, "Harriet, Ali is married to Bill Clifford, one of the very richest people in the world. His — or more accurately, their — net worth is now probably in eleven digits. Since you're not an economist, to save time I'll tell you that's a number larger than ten billion! "The result is that the way to really ruin Bill's day is to tell him how much money you made for him — he claims he can't come close to spending what he already has. "As far as the bet is concerned, Ali Clifford has a good cholesterol level higher than the average person's bad, and a bad cholesterol level that doesn't even register in the test." Then with a tone of steel in her voice she added, "Harriet, eat the damned omelette! I guarantee you will never taste one nearly as good in your life. Furthermore, this is in honor of the return of Marie Trang — or more accurately, Marie Conroy — to the firm. You see, being on that island for four months, there were no hen's eggs and she and Tom never really developed a taste for the eggs that they could find." Bobbie agreed with Sandy's characterization of the meal: It was the finest food she had tasted in her entire life. While she was eating, she noticed that the children flanking her were sitting up straight in their chairs with their hands folded, patiently waiting for their food. When they were served, she noticed that they were neater eaters and had far better table-manners than her classmates at school. After a magnificent crème caramèl was served for dessert and was then followed by coffee, everyone rose from the table. Ken Clifford made a little bow and held out his hand. When she took it he said, "Thank you very much, Miss Dawson, for allowing us to join you for luncheon. It has been a real pleasure." Andy Cartwright said essentially the same thing. As they were turning to go, their mothers came up behind them, scooped them up and held them tightly in their arms. Bobbie noted that both children instantly nuzzled their mothers' necks and then kissed them. With Kenny in her arms Ali Clifford said, "Thank you, Barbara, for dining with my son. It looks like he and my granddaughter behaved themselves." The girl slowly shook her head and said, "Mrs. Clifford, you have to be overflowing with pride — or you certainly should be. I was thinking as we were eating that I never see table manners this good at USC — anywhere! And Kenneth Clifford is the most handsome young man I have ever seen." Then she looked up at the ceiling, counted on her fingers and said with a wonderfully warm smile, "In fifteen years, I'll only be thirty-three. Would that be too old? Could I wait for him?" She was then dazzled by Ali's sunshine smile that her son had told her about. It virtually melted her to the floor. Hugging the little boy tightly, she whispered loudly enough for Bobbie to hear clearly, "Kenny, Miss Dawson is wondering if you will marry her if she waits for you. My darling son, you must have been extra good today!" With that she hugged him tight and Bobbie could see the little boy's ears turn red as he nuzzled Ali's neck. Then he pulled back and she gave him her sunshine smile saying, "Kenny, you have just made me so very proud of you!" She looked into his eyes and said, "You know, Ken, mothers always have a very special place in their hearts for their firstborn sons. My darling, you're a delight." As she said it, Bobbie could see in action precisely what the little boy had said to her at lunch: He was almost bursting with joy. Then Andy's mother put out her hand and said, "We haven't been introduced. I'm Ali's daughter, Connie Cartwright. Thank you for taking care of Andy at lunch today." Bobbie found herself looking at the most stunning silver blonde she had ever seen. It was clear that Andy was going to be the image of her mother. Bobbie repeated essentially what she had said to Ali. Then Andy said, "Mommy, I was trying so hard to be good so you would be proud of me. Were you, Mommy?" "Oh, my darling Andy, how could I not be?" Looking directly into the little girl's eyes Connie said, "You have made me so happy and proud, my darling!" Then she kissed the little girl full on the lips. Bobbie could see an incredible flow of love between mother and daughter. When they parted the little girl told her mother what she and Ken had said to Miss Dawson. When she did, Connie Cartwright unleashed a sunshine smile so bright that it rivaled Ali's in intensity. It was now so obvious to Bobbie that what the little children had told her was the absolute truth: The pinnacle of their happiness was to be able to do things to make their mothers happy. It was a very humbling thought. When the mothers put their children down, Bobbie got down on her knees and hugged and kissed both children. Then she looked at them both and said, "Thank you so much for demonstrating to me so vividly the joys of motherhood." Then she looked at Kenny, knelt up straight and said, "If I work hard to improve my appearance and then wait for you, will you marry me in fifteen years?" His answer absolutely stunned her. "Of course I will marry you, Miss Dawson." But then he added with a merry light in his eyes, "The problem is that in fifteen years you'll already be married with several beautiful children of your own. A woman as loving and as beautiful as you couldn't be allowed to wait that long." Her hands just dropped to her sides and with a gleam in her eyes and tears in their corners she said softly, "Ken, since you're tossing me over, could you at least give me a goodbye kiss? For old time's sake?" The little boy responded in amazing fashion. With his hands still at his sides he stood close and put his lips on hers. The flow of love between them almost knocked her down. Then, as much to keep from falling as anything else, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. When she did, he put his arms around her neck and hugged. Their kiss just continued. When they slowly parted, she saw tears in the corners of the little boy's eyes. He said, "Miss Dawson, thank you so very much. I will cherish this day forever as the day I received my first kiss from a beautiful woman." "Ken," she replied softly, "you will be a woman's dream come true. I will pray that you find a woman worthy of your love." Then she said with a wry little grin, "Since I gave you your first adult kiss, could you please call me Bobbie? Just once?" He burned her with another kiss and then retreated to his mother's arms but then said, "Thank you for the marvelous kiss, Bobbie." Then Barbara repeated it with the little girl, Andy. She said, "Andy, you're the image of your mother. You will grow straight and tall and be the same shapely vision of female perfection that she is. Thank you for your company — and your kiss." The little girl went into her arms and gave her a kiss of the purest goodness and love. When they parted the little girl said, "Thank you, Miss Dawson." Then she added softly, "May the good Lord bless you and keep you. May he make His light to shine upon you, and guide you and keep you safe forever and ever unto the end of time." Bobbie found she couldn't take it anymore. The little girl's words caused her to begin to bawl. Ali put her son down, took Bobbie into her arms and whispered, "Bobbie, what's wrong? What happened?" With the tears still streaming from her eyes the girl replied, "Never in my life have I met two people so good and so pure as your son and granddaughter. They make me feel so humble and insignificant. Then when Andy gave me her blessing..." She just began to cry her eyes out while Ali held her tightly. Connie took the two children by the hand and led them away leaving Ali alone with her. Finally the girl regained some control and said, "I am so vile and dirty and they are so clean and pure!" Then with the pain she was feeling showing in her face she said, "Now I know that you weren't kidding at all this morning. If I were the mother of either of those children, I would burst with pride. Both of them are as close to being perfect as God has ever made." The anguish was audible as she added, "No wonder being a lawyer ranks around number twenty-five or so with you women! Giving birth and nurturing children like that is an accomplishment that makes the most important legal problem look insignificant!" "Consider yourself hired when you get out of law school," Ali said softly. "Now I'll tell you something about Kenny and people. He never misses. And I mean never! Moreover, I don't know what it is — his age, his upbringing, or what — but he is incapable of telling anything but the strict truth. What you heard, Bobbie, is a prophecy. You will have at least three children by the time he's twenty. Regardless of who you are or what you may have done, you're still pure of heart and that's plenty good enough for me." Ali took a tissue, wiped the girl's eyes, and helped her to her feet. Then she took the girl in her arms and gave her the most incredible kiss Bobbie had ever experienced in her life. It was the adult version of the one she had received from each of the children, communicating a depth of love and goodness that was beyond belief. At the same time she could feel Ali's lips moving on hers while her arms were holding her tightly to her body. When they parted, Ali gave Bobbie her sunshine smile, full blast. The girl found it to be overwhelming as she looked into Ali's incredible blue eyes and just saw them radiating love. Softly she whispered, "My God! Who are you people? You ... You can't be human. Your goodness and your smile can light up the whole Los Angeles basin!" "You sure got that right," Joan Clifford said softly from behind her. "How do you think I felt when Ali adopted me as her daughter? My heart almost burst that day from sheer joy and happiness." Turning to Ali she asked, "Would you mind if I ask Fred to take me to the hospital? They're coming a little less than two minutes apart now." Ali winked at Bobbie and said, "Good grief, daughter! You and your sisters do this to me every damned time. Don't you think Fred has anything better to do than to shuttle you to the hospital just so you can drop another baby? I mean ... Really! He does have important things to do." But then she stretched out her arms, and the girl ran to her to be wrapped in her mother's arms. As their bodies pressed together, Ali could feel the contractions through the girl's abdomen. With a wonderful warm smile she said, "Dad and I'll come by the hospital in a couple of hours to see our newest grandchild." Then her eyes grew serious and she said, "Take care, darling!" With a wink, Joan hurried off saying, "If I drop the damned thing on the floor, Bill will give me forty kinds of hell. He says it's bad for his professional image!" The girl disappeared through the door. Ali turned back to Bobbie and said, "Well, let's get the show back on the road. You haven't seen the end of the fireworks. Sandy hasn't even gotten warmed up yet!" The people gathered again around the conference table. When they did, Bobbie realized that Joan had worked with Marie's sister to spotlessly clean the room before she left for the hospital. Before returning to her seat she mentioned it to Ali who only grinned and said, "The record, I think, is held by Tom's mother, Hank Conroy. She defended her Hawaiian Women's Amateur Golf Championship, accepted the trophy, had a glass of champagne and delivered less than an hour later. She says that the damned kid even caused her to miss an easy putt on the eighteenth green by kicking at the wrong time." Bobbie just shook her head in amazement, but after what she had seen today, she believed that it had actually happened. Harriet Dobbs had used the time during lunch to organize her thoughts and she believed she had identified an opportunity. She started off by saying, "Mrs. Clifford, you are going to give me the ten million dollars without this insane contest." "Oh?" Ali asked quietly. "Why will I do that?" "You will if you and these other ... people ... want to keep your children," she declared with a triumphant smirk. "When I tell the Social Services people about the immoral environment in which you're raising them—" "You say one word to them, Harriet, and you will pray to God that you had never been born!" Sandy interjected. "You're threatening me!" the woman exclaimed. "No, Harriet. Would it be a threat if I were to say that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow— No! Let me correct that statement. Would it be a threat for me to say that the sun rose in the east this morning?" "Of course not," the woman replied, "but what does that have to do with anything?" Sandy looked up at the ceiling pensively and said softly, "You do know — or should — that women are inherently much better at cruelty than men are. Women like to maximize the total pain ... They like to experiment to see exactly how much pain they can maintain while the subject remains conscious, just screaming her guts out. "With the exception of our husbands, we care for nothing as much as our children." Looking at the woman with fire burning in her eyes she said, "Make one move against our children, and I repeat: You will pray to God that you had never been born!" Then she changed the subject and said, "This morning when I was interrupted by my son, I was telling you how I hate you for what you did to me. You see, I am forty years old now and only have two children. Of course the doctors insist I'm only twenty five, but what do they know? You and your fellow lesbians made me almost destroy my life and I will never forgive you for that. "But there's more." Turning to Marie she asked, "Would you and your sister please undress? You know what I want them to see." Marie and her sister quickly stripped off their clothes and then stood face to face with their arms together and stretched high over their heads. Slowly they moved in a tight circle together as they did when they were suspended from the wooden frame in their village square being whipped. Posed in this fashion it was easy to see how the scars came to be. Kathy Carlson gasped because, as often as she had seen the girls naked, they had never done this before. As a result, she could now see where a whip scar on one girl's body continued on the other's. "That's what the agrarian reformers did to these girls!" Sandy exclaimed. Then she said, "Celeste is married to the son of one of the richest and most influential of the overseas Chinese. His family has incredible contacts and information sources throughout southeast Asia. At lunch today, she told me something they had just learned. Remember I said that these girls were forced to watch as their schoolmates from a Catholic girl's school were taken to the center of the village square one by one? There they were repeatedly raped and tortured until they were dead. "We just found out that these young women were martyrs. You see, they were pressed to renounce their faith and swear adherence to Buddha. They refused and each died an incredibly painful death." Sandy's eyes were even more fiery as she said, "The Chans are also Catholic. They are taking steps to get more testimony. You see, they are moving to have those lovely young girls canonized as martyrs and saints! Their murderers are the people you supported!" Sandy shook her head and added, "I did, too! And that was largely the fault of you and your friends and the lies you told to the rest of us!" Turning back to the girls she asked, "Marie, show Dobbs the bottom of a foot, please." She lifted up her foot and Bobbie gasped as she saw for the first time that the sole was terribly scarred, too. Sandy said, "That's what a woman's foot looks like after walking 150 miles through the jungle... barefoot!" She nodded and the girls dressed and returned to their seats. Sandy continued, "There's more, of course. There are others here who would love to get their hands on you, too! For example, take one of Ali's daughters, Connie Cartwright. Her brother-in-law, Bill Cartwright, was in U.S. Army Special Forces. He was captured and imprisoned for fourteen years! Never has one man been tortured the way he was. He was tortured to make him confess to war crimes. Later, it was just to break him. They never could. "You see, his wife — another of Ali's daughters — was with him when she was only ten years old. She could testify to a great many things — including Americans who came to look at Bill when he was in prison. Harriet, you went to North Vietnam back then. Were you one of them?" The expression of guilt and shock was all the answer Sandy needed. Then she said, "By the way, Dobbs, I don't know how insular you are. You see, the press is — to put it mildly — rather liberal in its orientation. Therefore, when something happens that makes the Left look bad, it tends to be ignored. But anyway, did you ever hear of ten men in a fight in Chicago a few years ago? It resulted in a ten million dollar judgment against them and one of the left-wing foundations." Motioning towards Celeste she said, "While Marie is our tax and accounting specialist, Celeste, here, is our corporations expert. You see, not surprisingly, the foundation tried to hide assets. Well," Sandy said with an unpleasant grin, "between having babies, Celeste has made it a labor of love to trace the money and trace the corporations. You see, not only have we collected nearly ten million so far, but since we're always able to show a conspiracy to hide assets, we've also won a series of punitive judgments, too." Now she showed a real smile but her eyes were still blazing as she added, "It's sort of a legal loaves-and-fishes thing. We think it's just great. You see, although we have collected nearly ten million on a ten-million-dollar judgment, they still owe us more than twenty-five!" Turning to Celeste she asked, "How are we doing now?" Celeste showed a mirthless grin and said, "Great! Guess what we were able to do? We've just tracked it to several West Coast foundations. Checking my records at lunch I found that Harriet Dobbs is on the board of trustees of all of them. And do you know what? The liability runs to the directors, individually and severally. Isn't that neat?" Celeste's eyes were cold as ice as she added, "Ms. Dobbs, I'm going to get you." At this point Ali interrupted and said, "Celeste and Sandy, I'm sure that Ms. Dobbs is now persuaded that she would much rather keep her mouth shut. However, there is still the challenge for ten million dollars." Looking at Dobbs she asked, "Do you understand how it will work?" The woman was now quivering with fear. While the women had been speaking, she could feel her world collapsing around her ears. Now she said, "Not really, no. We form an expedition and live on this island for four months. Is that right?" "Well," Ali replied, "the term, expedition, seems a bit pretentious for only two people, but if it makes you feel better..." "But what about the support camp?" the woman protested. Ali just shook her head and turned to Marie. "Honey, maybe you better explain again just what you and Tom did. Ms. Dobbs seems to be a little slow in getting the message." "It was really very simple," the girl replied. "Celeste dropped us off at the cut in the reef, and Tom and I swam to the beach. That night he took all of my virginity and I took his. We were so pleased that we had it to give to each other. The next morning we began setting snares and traps." Looking at Harriet she said, "I urge you to bring a very virile man. You see, for most of the first five days or so, we could only get enough food to keep one of us going. Anyway, Tom ate the food while I lived on his glorious cum. It's reputed to be very high in protein, you know, and I guess I'm living testimony that it truly is. I'm pregnant now, of course, because there was no other recreation — not that either of us were very interested in anything else. "You see, there is no support of any kind. There is no means of communication." She grinned and added, "We couldn't even float a note out in a bottle, because we didn't have a bottle ... nor did we have paper or pen to write a note if we did. Miss Dobbs, my husband and I had three knives, a few fish hooks and line and some matches. That's absolutely all. We had no clothes — no nothing. Am I clear? Now do you understand?" The woman just went white. She said, "But that's utterly impossible!" Ali closed it off by saying, "You have two weeks to agree and begin. Otherwise, the offer is permanently withdrawn. Personally, I don't think you'll make it, but do you want to try?" The woman replied that she would think it over and let Ali know. Then she looked at Barbara and said, "Bobbie, it's time for us to go. And I may need your support to testify if we move against these people." "Support to do what?" Bobbie asked. "Why, you will testify that we were told of small children in bed with their naked parents while they fornicated..." "I will happily testify to having lunch with the most beautiful, the most lovely and loving small children I have ever met in my life. I will testify that they have exquisite table manners and were the very pictures of health, both physically and mentally. As for being naked in bed with naked parents making love, I don't have the faintest idea what you could be talking about. "On the other hand, I think we did learn today that you have a rather ... flexible ... working definition of truth." Turning to Marie, she asked, "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, do you mind if I wait and ride home with you tonight?" Marie instantly agreed as Dobbs stormed out of the office. ------- Chapter 4 It was after four o'clock when things finally wrapped up and they went down to the garage. Bobbie's eyes widened when she saw Marie open the door of her sports convertible and put the top down. When the girl got in, Marie just grinned and said, "If you say one word to anyone on campus about me or my car, you're dead!" Bobbie just nodded and reclined her seatback to enjoy the ride. As they were driving, Marie asked her what she thought Harriet Dobbs would do. Barbara opined that she would try to get someone to try but she didn't think they had a prayer of success. "That's without cheating, of course. What I do know she will do is to try to figure out some way of beating the contest; there's no way in hell she could perform the feat fairly." "There's one big advantage we have, though," Marie continued. "She doesn't know where the place is, other than in Hawaii ... somewhere. You know," she said with a big grin, "you wouldn't believe how much water there is in the Pacific — or how spread out the State of Hawaii really is!" Then she changed the subject. "Why did you characterize yourself as vile and dirty when you were talking to Ali? You seem like a pretty good girl to me." To Marie's amazement, the girl began to bawl. She rolled her body up into a ball with her face toward the door and began to cry her eyes out. Since they were traveling main roads there was nothing she could do for the girl nor was there anything the girl could do to herself for that matter. She knew that Tom had a late lab that day and wouldn't be home until nine. When she pulled up at the garage that she had rented near their apartment, she eased the car in, shut it off, and opened the passenger-side door. Effortlessly, she lifted the larger girl out of the car and half-carried her up to their apartment. Once inside, she stretched the girl out on the sofa, then went to the kitchen and came back a moment later with a tumbler full of cognac. Giving it to the girl she said, "Drink it. Take a big slug." The girl did and almost choked. Marie muffled her grin because it had done what she wanted it to do: It had brought Bobbie's crying to a sudden stop. The girl looked up with tears in her eyes from the alcohol that had burned her throat, replacing the ones from her emotions. With a gasp, she said hoarsely, "If the objective was to get me to stop flooding out your apartment with my tears, I guess it worked." Marie had brought a tumbler of cognac for herself, too. She clinked her glass against Bobbie's and said, "Damned teenagers! You have to gulp everything. Try sipping it, Hon. I think you'll like it." The girl looked up suddenly and asked, "What did you just call me?" Marie was taken aback and had to think. Then she shrugged and said, "I guess I said Hon. Why?" "Hon is short for honey. All it shows is how little you know about me," the girl replied. "Marie, today has been the most unbelievable day of my life. I learned about motherhood ... My God! Did I ever. I guess I never really thought about it much before, but I just sort of thought that these days a woman's place is in an office or a courtroom or wherever. "Well, today I found an office loaded with brilliant, beautiful, witty, highly-educated women ... whose principal interests are their husbands and their children. Harriet said that Sandy is probably the top trial lawyer in the state, yet I have never seen a woman look so fulfilled as when she put her baby son to her breast. I could almost feel it myself as the baby drew the wonderful warm milk from her tit. Against that, what's a trial? Any good actor can do it, I suppose. But being a mother? Only women. "Then I just could not believe those two small children! My God! They have a level of wisdom and maturity that would do credit to a person of fifty, let alone five. But it's so much more." She looked down at her hands holding the glass and seemed to be organizing her thoughts. Then she continued, "I remembered something from long ago — when I used to go to church — that the eyes are the windows of the soul. Until today, I thought they were just words. Now I know that it is the unvarnished truth. I looked into the eyes of those little children — do you know what I saw?" she asked. Recognizing the rhetorical nature of the question, Marie merely shook her head. The girl continued, "I saw the most incredible purity, goodness and love. Those children are graceful..." She looked up at Marie and continued with a note of discovery, "Of course! 'Sanctifying grace' — another concept lost in the black reaches of my brain. Those children are full of God's divine grace! They are truly blessed." Then the tears started to flow again and she said, "Wasn't there something about 'suffer the little children'? Anyway, that's who they are. "Me? I think of them looking into my eyes and seeing only filth and sewage and rot! I am a walking disgrace to the human race; why my parents didn't leave me out on a high mountainside somewhere to die of exposure and provide food for a couple of wolves, I'll never know." Now she sat up straight on the sofa and held her head up as she said, "They did have the good sense to disown me, of course." Then she looked at Marie and said, "I haven't seen them since I came to school as a freshman. Every month there's money deposited in my checking account but that's all." Looking at Marie she began to cry in earnest, but this time she continued to hold her head up and just let the tears stream down her face. "Today I heard you say that it was on your honeymoon — on the beach — that you lost your virginity to your husband and he lost his to you. Yesterday, I would have thought that was the funniest thing I could possibly imagine. Today, I think it's the most beautiful!" She looked into Marie's eyes, but couldn't make out her expression. "Let me tell you a little about myself. I am the most immoral, amoral person on two feet. Do you know what I was trying to do yesterday afternoon? I was hoping for a pleasant early-evening fuck! I was hoping to block out my rent-paying experience of the previous night. "What do I hear today? I hear about high-school girls who are virgins and martyrs!" Again she began to weep while just making hopeless sounds. Finally, she struggled on. "I thought that was a relic of the first or second century. Today I find out that your schoolmates... your schoolmates... ! sacrificed their lives for the God they believed in. "Good Heavens! When you and Celeste stood face to face I could imagine you turning slowly from a hook on a scaffold while you're unmercifully whipped. I could see scars on your back continue in a straight line to hers ... Your legs ... Your buttocks..." With a look of near-hopelessness in her eyes she asked, "Could you tell me more about it?" Before answering, Marie rose from her chair, sat beside Bobbie on the couch and took the anguished girl into her arms. Then speaking softly into her ear she told her about the fateful day: "They entered the village at dawn. The villagers were rounded up and made to surround the square. I told you how my father was taken, made to kneel and then was shot in the head. When my mother pulled free from a guard and ran to him so he could die in her arms, they shot her in the head, too. After quickly erecting a scaffold-like structure in the center, they suspended my sister and me naked and made us watch while, one after the other, they took our schoolmates out to the square, tortured, raped, and ultimately killed them all. With the bodies still lying all over the square and with all the villagers still being made to watch, they tied us face to face and began to beat us with bull whips. "At the same time they were heating a branding iron red hot to brand us in different spots so they could tell us apart for purposes of their betting. They were betting which of us would live longer. A man was waiting with a sharp knife. They had decided that after whipping us back to back, the next thing they would do would be to cut off our tits, barbecue them and eat them, or make us eat them — I was never sure which. I do know they were going to use the iron to cauterize our chests while they thought about what to do to us next. "As they were about to retie us and whip our breasts, bellies and cunts, all hell broke loose." She smiled and said, "It was Kenneth Carlson and Carlson's Rangers. Ken is Kathy's husband and she was his inspiration. She wrote hundreds of letters, all in blue pen on blue paper that came to be known as Kathy-grams throughout Vietnam. She provided the motivation for him to perform an endless series of superhuman feats." Hugging the girl tightly and caressing her lovely wavy hair she continued, "That's why I kiss Kathy's feet. You see, working with the inspiration she regularly provided, he saved us from death that day. "Then seven years ago, he and Kathy were out in Hawaii on their honeymoon — she was already working for Clifford & Jamison at the time — and they restored us to life. You see, Bobbie, from that day in the square until seven years ago, my sister and I were utterly dead from the waist down. Then they brought my sister and me to the most incredible orgasms I could ever imagine. We've both been fine ever since." She eased the girl off her shoulder so she could look into her face. Then she said, "Tom is the son of Hank and Jim Conroy. Jim is also a great American war hero and Ken Carlson saved his life, too." Looking at the girl, Marie's eyes were gleaming as she said, "Can you imagine? Jim had been shot down and seriously wounded while deep in the jungle. He was found by an enemy patrol that had no intention of carrying a wounded American miles through the jungle. The officer had his gun at Jim's head and was tightening his finger on the trigger when his hand disappeared. As he stared at the bleeding stump where his gun hand had been, a third eye appears in the center of his forehead. Before the men in his patrol could even raise their weapons, they were all dead, too. Of course it was Ken who shot off the officer's hand and put the bullet in his head. "Tom and his older sister, Samantha, used all of the money they had saved in their lives to buy a tray to present to the Carlsons. They now have it in the place of honor in their dining room. You see, they acknowledged that if their father had died, their mother would have been dead within sixty days, too." There were tears running down Marie's cheeks now, too, as she said, "You know something? They were absolutely right. You see, it was the intensity of the love between the Conroys and the Carlsons that inspired me." Then with a grin she said, "You claim you're dirty and filthy? I'll bet I've done something you would never even think of doing. I went down on a twelve-year-old boy and brought him to the first orgasm of his life!" "It was Tom, wasn't it?" Bobbie asked hoarsely. She had cried so much she could scarcely talk. "Of course," Marie replied. "The funny thing is that I did it on the foredeck of a yawl with his parents watching as we were cruising to the island cove where we just spent our four-month honeymoon." With her head up straight she said, "I didn't speak to him again until last spring. He came to my apartment and announced we were getting married that weekend — and we did. I guess you know the rest of it." Bobbie's natural high spirits reemerged and she said, "That's cheating! My God, where would women be if we were allowed to look over all the twelve- and thirteen-year-old boys, mark the one we like, and then put him back in storage until he grows up!" She glared at Marie and said, "No wonder you got Tom instead of me! You trapped him out of season. I mean ... There are size limits, after all. If they're undersized, you're supposed to throw them back but not with a line still attached to them." "Really?" Marie asked with her eyes wide. "That must be another quaint American custom I missed in my citizenship courses." Pretending to glare at Bobbie she said, "In Asia, a woman's life is difficult enough. Sportsmanship is a luxury we cannot afford." Changing the subject Marie asked, "But tell me about the evil Barbara Dawson. What have you done?" "What haven't I done would be a much shorter list." Looking at her now-empty glass she asked, "Would you mind contributing to the delinquency of a minor a little more by giving me a refill? Then, with a little luck, I'll end up so out of it I won't be reminded of what I did two nights ago." "What did you do?" Marie asked with both her voice and her face impassive. "I paid the rent," she replied. "You see, I already told you I was thrown out of the house by my parents — and for damned good reason. The last straw came one morning when Dad opened the front door to pick up the newspaper. There I was, lying in a crumpled heap, bare-assed naked with just my sweater spread over me. It was where the guys who had been using me that night dumped my body. I was out of it on booze, drugs, or both. My whole body was covered with dried or drying semen. "That was the last — and the worst — occasion of its type at home. Since school was starting in just a few days, that was it. Of course, since then I guess I have taken on whole fraternity houses in a night. At least that's what I've been told and some days my cunt has been so sore it could have happened. "Anyway, in order to save money — to have more for booze and drugs — I live with the person who gives me the best deal. The current guy has me 'pay the rent' once a month. It takes the form of me doing anything with anyone for a whole evening. It has become progressively more disgusting and degrading." With a rueful, self-deprecatory grin she added, "He's becoming more creative. Two nights ago, he had a couple of his fraternity brothers over. They made me go down on them, but instead of swallowing their cum, they shot it all over my body. Then I had to go through the contortions of a cat to try to lick it all off. Finally, they all urinated in a bottle and poured it all into a dog's water dish for me to lap up." "What did you do?" Marie asked quietly. "I knelt down and lapped it all up, then thanked them for the delicious refreshment," she said with a note of obvious self-disgust in her voice. "Isn't that disgusting!?" Suddenly, the girl began to weep uncontrollably and screamed, "And today, Marie, you ruined it all! I met those two children who are so pure and so good ... I thought I had become immunized against any of this stuff, but it wasn't nearly enough." Slowly she regained control and asked again, "Could I have a refill, please? It might anaesthetize me enough ... and I may be able to get out of myself for a while." Knowing how much cognac she had poured, Marie knew the girl had already had the equivalent of about six drinks. Nevertheless, she refilled the tumbler to the brim. After having another sip she said, "I apologize, Marie. This is luscious. It's cognac, isn't it?" The girl just nodded. Bobbie continued, "Of course, I never had it before because it's not one of those alcoholic milkshakes I usually drink. It's real ... And it warms my insides. Usually I get smashed on alcoholic concoctions or gallons of beer." She looked into Marie's eyes again, but still couldn't see anything. It was as if the woman was making her beautiful grey eyes opaque. She resumed her narrative: "I can't remember how I lost my virginity, or to whom. Perhaps that says it all. I have slept with everything in pants that looked like he might have a cock of any size at all. I have even gone to bed with men I disliked!" She shook her head and grinned saying, "Of course no one I have ever seen or heard of is built the way Tom is. And he really knows how to hurt a girl, too. I couldn't even give him a hard-on! But you... ! You even lived on his cum for days. It's ... it's..." "'Great' is the word you're searching for," Marie interjected, with a haughty look on her face that was belied by the gleam in her eyes. "Of course you don't even have your bachelor's, let alone a couple of graduate degrees, so your vocabulary..." "Bitch!" Bobbie exclaimed while scarcely able to control her laughter. "You really have to rub it in, don't you?" "Of course," Marie replied, pretending it was the only possible way for her to act. Then she said, "By the way, I was very impressed with the way you behaved with Kenny and Andy. You really like them, don't you?" "Like?" Bobbie exclaimed. "Adore is a lot closer. They are incredible." Smiling warmly Marie asked rhetorically, "Can I let you in on a little secret? Those two are both millionaires ... in their own right!" She went on to say that both children were incredibly smart. In spite of being only five years old, both could already read very well. As a result, the two children had a personal investment competition. Borrowing one million dollars each from Ali, they had invested the money, beginning about a year earlier. Kenny believed in market fundamentals, while Andy followed her intuition. With a big smile Marie said, "I happen to know that they repaid Ali in full, with interest, over three months ago. Now they have a personal net worth from their own investments of about five million each. "Incidentally, I'm afraid Andy has Ken Clifford roped and hogtied. She's going to marry him." "But ... But she's his niece!" Bobbie protested. "That's incest." Marie smiled warmly and said, "It's correct that she's his niece, but it's not incest. There is no blood relationship. You see, Andy's mother, Connie, is adopted. She is one of a number of Ali's adopted children." Shaking her head she continued, "But please don't misunderstand! Ali loves them as if they came from her own womb." Interrupting her narrative, Marie said, "Ali is funny. You see, she was thirty-nine when she gave birth to Kenny. Before that she had long since given up the idea of ever having children of her own. Now, not only is she an incredible mother — she's still having them, by the way — but she is all of her grandchildren's favorite person. They will confide things to her they won't even tell their own parents — and I guess you saw how close they all are to their parents. "I happen to know that Andy confided in Ali, telling her she was going to marry Kenny. What do you think Ali's reaction was?" Bobbie just slowly shook her head. Marie continued, "She was ecstatic, and of course promised Andy she would never tell a soul ... particularly Kenny. Why was she so ecstatic? At the idea that their child would be both her grandchild and great-grandchild. It's the sort of humor Ali loves. "Anyway, quite by accident last spring, I went into Ali's office the day Andy was asking her about marrying Kenny. You really should have seen it. There was this little girl, just four years old plus a few months, sitting on the sofa. Ali is sitting on the side chair listening intently. The fascinating thing was the way Ali was treating her granddaughter like an important client with very important things to say. "It was only when their conversation was over that she took the little girl into her arms, gave her that sunshine smile and hugged and kissed her." With a bright smile of her own she added, "And I know you now know what Ali's sunshine smile is like. It absolutely lights up the place." With the warmest smile Bobbie had ever seen Marie continued, "Those two kids absolutely adore one another. It's the funniest thing I have ever seen. Whenever there are teams, Kenny and Andy are on the same one. However, one-on-one, they compete against each other fiercely. No matter what happens, though, their day always ends the same way: They kiss each other. Although they are only five — or perhaps because they are — there is just the purest love flowing between them. They are truly remarkable children." Glancing at her watch, Marie realized it was getting late. Bobbie kept her company in the kitchen as she prepared a dinner for the two of them. Again, as in the previous evening, the girl was astonished at how quickly and skillfully the older woman moved around handling the food preparation. While they were sitting at the table eating another superb meal, Bobbie happened to mention that the worst of all was coming up on Saturday: Her boyfriend had ordered her to come to his fraternity for a pig party. "I'm the pig-in-chief," she concluded. Bobbie left before Tom returned home. When he did, Marie prepared his dinner and then asked about fraternities. "Do you belong to one, darling?" she asked. Tom looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face. The answer was that he had been asked to pledge a house but had just turned the bid down. The fraternity was having a pig party that Saturday, and as a pledge he would have had to bring someone. To his surprise, she asked if there were many pig parties scheduled for the weekend, and was told that this fraternity's was the only one. "Do it, honey!" she exclaimed. "It sounds like fun. Can I be your pig?" "But darling, you don't know what you're saying," he protested. "The girls have to strip to the waist ... They're really degraded. I couldn't!" Marie pretended to cry saying, "It's just because you're ashamed of my body, Thomas Conroy! I know you!" Then she grinned and stuck out the tip of her tongue. "Well..." he said, instantly picking up on her mood, "You really are sort of ... scrawny. Then, of course, your back is pretty beat up. You're too short..." Shaking his head, he said, "Darling, you should quit while you're still ahead." "We're going!" she exclaimed, then melted him with a kiss. Since he had finished his dinner already, Marie held her arms up to him. Sweeping her off her feet and into his arms, Tom carried her to the bedroom and deposited her on the bed. That night, their lovemaking lasted into the wee hours of the morning. ------- Chapter 5 On Saturday evening at six-thirty, Chet Curtis knocked on the door of the Conroy's apartment. A few moments later, the door was opened by the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Since Chet, like Tom, was six feet three, he found himself looking down at her face. The girl grinned up at him and said, "Oink!" For some reason Chet thought it was the funniest thing he had ever heard. The young girl looked up at him, cocked her head and said, "It is a pig party we're going to, isn't it? Am I appropriately dressed?" Marie was wearing her usual garb: skin-tight Levi's and an old work shirt. Suddenly the young man blushed. His face was lobster red when Tom arrived at the door. Chet said with the dismay obvious in his voice, "Tom ... I'm afraid we're going to have a problem tonight. I know you and Marie are married and all, but the drinking age in California is twenty-one ... But ... You see, USC has a sort of understanding with the fraternities. Neither the school nor the cops bother us as long as we confine the drinking in the house to people over eighteen. And since your wife..." At that the young girl squealed delightedly, jumped up, grabbed him around the neck and gave him the warmest, most loving kiss he could ever imagine. When she released him, his head was spinning. Putting out her hand she said, "Welcome, Chet Curtis. I'm Marie Conroy, and that's the nicest thing anyone has said to me in days!" With a grin she said, "You see, Chet, I'm twenty-eight." Then raising an eyebrow she added, "I'm fully legal!" Hearing the words, he looked at Marie hard. They had been moving into the living room and the young man nearly collapsed on the sofa. Tom disappeared to go and make drinks while Marie just grinned at his friend. Then he looked at Marie closely and confirmed his first impression. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Slowly shaking his head he said, "Mrs. Conroy, I think we should forget about tonight ... I mean ... A woman of your beauty, doing some of the things..." He then shook his head rapidly and said, "Absolutely not! It's out of the question." "Like stripping to the waist?" she asked. Still standing in front of him, she stripped off her shirt, then her Levi's and stood in front of the astonished young man wearing only her bikini. Turning her back to him, she looked over her shoulder and asked, "Do you do this to your pigs?" Chet almost became ill as he saw the scars that still crisscrossed her back and thighs. Then she turned so that the brand on her left cheek was to him and said, "I did this to myself." Then with her eyes innocently wide, she asked, "Do you brand your pigs? As long as it's Tom's initials, T C, I would be happy for you to do it." Chet Curtis was in a state of near-shock. He knew his mouth was gaping but there was nothing he could do. Finally he regained control and realized that Marie had dressed again but was still standing barefoot in front of him. Then she said, "There's more." Standing on one foot she showed him the sole of her other and said, "This is what comes of walking a hundred and fifty miles through the jungle, barefoot." With her eyes wide she asked, "Do you make your pigs do that, Chet?" Sitting down beside him on the sofa she grinned and said, "I guess I owe you an explanation. You see, Tom and I have an arrangement. He wanted a rich wife and I wanted a young, virile husband." With a little pout she added, "I get a lot of flak from my partners, but that's just because they're jealous." Then looking him straight in the eye she asked, "Do you still think I couldn't take it? Do you really torture your pigs?" Then with a grin she added, "Of course, if anyone breathes a word to my partners of what I'm doing tonight, he's dead!" Showing concern, Chet sounded alarmed and asked, "Would ... Could you lose your job?" "Good grief, no!" Marie replied with a merry laugh. "It's just that our firm is the largest collection of teases in the Western World! I would never live it down. I can see them now! My office would have the greatest collection of pig paraphernalia the world would ever have seen: pig statuettes, books on raising pigs, ears of corn..." Shaking her head she giggled, "My God! It would never end." Suddenly Chet's mouth formed an "O" and he said, "You're a lawyer, aren't you? A partner in a law firm?" When she nodded her head once he slowly shook his head and said, "My dad is on the Board of Trustees of USC's law school. I remember him talking about the greatest graduates in the history of the school: twin sisters from Vietnam. Marie, you're one of them, aren't you?" "Yes, I am, Chet," she replied without a giggle this time, "but I truly hope you'll keep our secret. In case it's not very obvious to you by now, I'm desperately in love with my husband and I'm now convinced he really loves me, too." Then she told him about their honeymoon and ended by saying, "So you see, Chet, if I can take on a Great White shark naked with just a knife, I think I can survive a pig party, too, don't you?" He whistled softly and said, "I think this is going to really be a night to remember. Marie, I think you're going to clean up!" The threesome had drinks and then Marie excused herself to finish the dinner. When it was served, Chet marveled at it saying it was the finest food he had ever eaten in his entire life. With a warm wink at Marie, Tom replied, "That's all very well for you to say, Chet, but I have to eat it every day! There's no let up. Can I ever have a plain hamburger? A ... a hot dog? Don't be silly! All I get is this stuff ... Oh! And Great White shark cooked more different ways than you can count." Shaking his head in feigned sadness, he added, "That's the trouble with killing one of those things by yourself. I guess we've both been too environmentally sensitized about waste. You wouldn't believe how big a fifteen-hundred pound shark is until you have to try to eat the whole damned thing with just one other person to help." When they walked over to the fraternity house, it was nine o'clock. The first thing they were told to do was to take off their shirts. When they all did, they went to the basement where the party was getting underway. Everyone present was bare to the waist. Tom put his arm around his wife and lightly squeezed a tit. When she looked up at him, he lowered his lips for a kiss. Then she whispered, "Squeeze harder, please." When he did, he was rewarded with a wonderful warm sound from deep in her body. Looking up at him she whispered, "Tom Conroy, I love you so very much!" Chet had gone to the bar and returned with three beers. Soon the competition got started and it turned out to be fun. First, the girls — in spite of the name — were anything but pigs. They were all very attractive girls, most of whom seemed relatively unconcerned about their partial nudity. None of them had figures to compare with Marie's, though. Looking around, she didn't see Barbara Dawson and wondered about it. When the competition began, she forgot about Bobbie and just had fun. The first competition required a man to be blindfolded and then pick out his date from a group of four girls, using their sense of feel. The guys all loved it because it provided the opportunity to feel so many tits. When it was Tom's turn, Marie was the third in line. When he felt her very solid tits, instead of announcing her as his pick, he lowered his lips to hers and she melted into his arms in the most passionate kiss anyone present had ever seen. Finally they separated, and he said thoughtfully, "Well, this one is sort of close..." Then he took her in his arms and kissed her again. When they broke their embrace, everyone else in the room was cheering. After he shed his blindfold Marie whispered, "I'm going to fix you for that 'sort of close' crack, Thomas Conroy!" "I'm sure you are, darling," he replied with a grin. Then with a wink he added, "I can hardly wait!" She just grinned and winked back. The competitions were good-natured and the young people all seemed to have fun. Between Marie and Tom they won every competition there was. In the only coed competition Marie beat Tom and everyone else. It consisted of lapping up beer from a dog dish on the floor with the competitor's hands tied behind his back with the competition being judged on the time it took to lap up all the beer. When she just edged Tom, she stuck out her tongue and said, "You should have done better than that ... On the other hand, you didn't spend all the time in the jungles of Vietnam that I did, either, did you?" It was now almost eleven-thirty, and there was still no sign of Bobbie. Then a tall young man came down the stairs supporting a girl who seemed nearly unconscious. It was Bobbie. Half carrying her, he went to a table in the corner and sat her on it. Quickly he stripped off all of her clothes and announced, "Okay, guys! Now the party can really begin. Who wants to follow me in fucking this slut?" Marie had seen that Bobbie's eyes were glazed. She appeared to be drugged, yet she was still trying to cover herself in spite of her enfeebled condition. She could hear the girl mumble, "No, Cam! Don't!" Ignoring her pleas, he forced her legs apart, took his cock out of his pants and instantly had it probing at her loins. It was obvious to Marie that Bobbie was resisting to the limits of her impaired ability. Dashing across the room, she slapped the boy across the face with all her might. "Stop it!" she cried. "Leave this girl alone!" Cameron Smith was shaken by the hard slap. Because of her physical condition, it almost knocked him out. Turning on her, he exclaimed, "Why you little bitch! I'll fix you..." As he took a roundhouse swing, Tom interposed himself and leveled the older boy with a short right to the chin. It was a knockout punch and Smith collapsed in a heap on the floor. "Not my wife, you won't!" Tom said as he stood over the boy with his body visibly shaking from emotion. Meanwhile, Marie had ignored the whole thing. Knowing Tom could take care of the situation, she had picked up the pieces of Bobbie's clothes and dressed her again. When she finished, she looked into the girl's eyes and could see that she was sick. Guessing that Barbara had been drugged, in spite of the girl's larger size Marie easily carried her over to a sofa and laid her out on it. Having noticed a telephone in the corner, she placed a call. Then she rejoined Tom who was still standing over the now-reviving Cameron Smith. Rubbing his jaw, he slowly got up to a sitting position. After waiting for his head to clear some more, he finally looked up at Tom and asked, "What did you do that for?" "For rape," Marie replied quietly. "I think you're going to leave USC right now." The other members of the house were still standing around dumbfounded. Initially, no one had moved. Now the others were quickly dressing and a few were slipping out of the basement, heading home. Finally Chet Curtis came over to Marie and told her in a whisper that the boy Tom had hit was Cameron Smith. Cam's father was a wealthy University trustee who always bought him out of the jams he repeatedly got himself into. When she heard the story, Marie merely smiled mirthlessly and said, "Not this time!" Smith's face was florid with rage as he lightly ran his fingers over his swelling jaw and exclaimed, "I'll fix you for this! I'll get you thrown out of the university! You can't do a thing to me. My dad has a battalion of lawyers who will just crucify you!" With a wicked smile he added, "I can hardly wait!" "Then I suggest you call him at once," Marie said. Glancing at her watch she added, "It's now eleven forty-five. If this isn't settled in fifteen minutes, I'm calling the police and charging you with felony rape. That's a major-league felony in this and every other state, Mr. Smith. Now, do you want to call your father? The phone's in the corner." When he called his father, his father asked for the telephone number of the pay phone and said he would have one of his lawyers call the girl who was causing trouble and settle her hash on the spot. As for the boy who hit him, he would take steps to ensure he was expelled from the University. A few minutes later the phone rang. Cameron answered it and spoke to the other party for a few minutes. Then with a smirk he held the receiver out to Marie and said, "My lawyer wants to talk to you." Taking the instrument she said, "This is Marie Conroy. To whom am I speaking?" "This is Homer Biggs," the voice said. "I am Cameron Smith's attorney. What are you trying to do to my client?" Marie recognized the name. Biggs had been the attorney for Pacific Properties when Jim Duffy took the relationship away from his firm and gave it to Clifford & Jamison seven years earlier. Subsequently, Marie had heard the story from Ali, Ginger Conrad, Sandy Benson, and, of course, from Kathy Carlson herself. Smiling to herself she said, "Mr. Biggs, you're familiar with the laws regarding rape, I assume?" "Of course I am. Who do you think I am? For that matter, who in hell are you, young lady. Are you presuming to tell me about the law?" "Of course not, Mr. Biggs. I'm sure you know that in law the crime of rape is consummated by penetration, however slight. I am prepared to testify that your client raped my client, Miss Barbara Dawson. Now, do you wish to defend a felony rape prosecution?" "Your client? And who, may I ask, are you?" "As I said before, my name is Marie Conroy. I am a partner in the firm of Clifford & Jamison. I believe you have heard of us. You see, Mr. Biggs, before Smith called you I called our litigation partner, Sandy Benson." "Who's Sandy Benson?" Biggs asked with condescension in his voice. "Oh, I'm sorry," Marie replied feigning embarrassment in her voice. "I suppose you know her better as Sandra Harris. I believe you have heard of her? It seems that rape is Sandy's least-favorite crime. In other words, Mr. Biggs, she is going to go after your client, young Mr. Smith." After pausing for a moment to let her words sink in she added, "In addition, of course, we will be going after you and the senior Mr. Smith. It seems there are a number of other young women willing to testify to the fact that you and Smith, senior, bought them off when they were going to swear out felony complaints against his son for rape." Again she paused and listened to Biggs' heavy breathing. Obviously, he was now scared. "You do know, I'm sure, that such behavior makes you an accessory after the fact to a felony. You sought to suppress it, which arguably makes you guilty of obstruction of justice, as well. Both, of course, are grounds for your disbarment. Since the statute of limitations has not yet run..." Marie allowed her voice to trail off and just waited. Finally Biggs asked, "What do you want, Miss Conroy?" "I want young Mr. Smith to withdraw from USC ... permanently. I want a payment of damages to my client in the amount of five million dollars. There will be other payments to young Mr. Smith's other victims, but the total will be in the range of ten to fifteen million. Agreed?" "My God!" Biggs gasped. "Miss Conroy, you can't be serious!" "I never joke about money like that," she replied. "And by the way, it is Mrs. Conroy. My husband gets upset when people refer to me as miss, particularly now that we're expecting a baby." "Could we think about it and get back to you?" the attorney asked. Glancing at her watch Marie replied, "Of course, Mr. Biggs. Take all the time you want ... as long as you give me an answer before midnight. That's in four minutes. I'll be waiting," she said as she hung up the phone. Three minutes later the telephone rang again. This time Marie answered it and identified herself. "It's a deal," Biggs said heavily. "What do you want us to do now?" "I want you to speak to your client and tell him what's going to happen. Then I expect to meet you and both your clients personally in our offices at ten-thirty Monday morning. Clear?" Biggs said it was. "Agreed?" she asked. "Agreed," he said softly. Then he asked, "May I speak to my client, please, and tell him what is going to happen?" "Why of course, Mr. Biggs," Marie replied lightly. "He's right here." Giving the receiver to Smith, she stood back and watched. The boy's jaw fell and he began to argue but was quickly silenced. It was apparent that Biggs was not sparing anything in telling him what he was to do, and what would happen if he failed in the slightest particular. When he hung up the phone, he was grey. When he asked Marie what he was to do, she said, "I think the first thing you should do is apologize to Bobbie ... profusely! Don't you agree?" By this time Bobbie had regained consciousness but was still groggy. Marie helped the girl to sit upright on the sofa. When Marie asked her to take off her pants and bikini, the girl did it without a thought. Turning to Smith, Marie said, "I think it would be a very nice idea to get down on your knees, between her legs, and apologize. "Then I think you want to eat her cunt very carefully to be sure that none of your sperm is still there." Smiling brightly at him she added, "Don't you think that's a wonderful idea?" He did as she said. Before he began to east Bobbie's cunt, though, he protested, "But ... but it's dirty! I ... I could get a disease or something!" "Nothing other than what you may have given her, Mr. Smith," Marie replied. "Besides, I'm not even asking you to drink her urine ... yet!" Bobbie, not knowing anything that had transpired, was amazed to hear her tormentor on his knees begging her forgiveness, then running his tongue up her slit and then into her vagina following Marie's explicit instructions. Finally he finished to Marie's satisfaction and he knelt back on his heels and said, "Miss Dawson, please forgive me. I was a pig. I criminally assaulted you and I should go to prison. However, I am withdrawing from USC and resigning from the fraternity. I hope you can find it in your heart not to prosecute. Except for our meeting Monday — I don't know if you will be there or not, Miss Dawson — I'll be out of your life forever." When he looked up at her face, Marie felt he actually looked sincere as he asked, "Will you forgive me?" Bobbie was still groggy. All she could do was nod once and then lost consciousness again. After reviewing arrangements for Monday morning with Smith, she asked Tom to carry Bobbie back to their apartment. "Boy! The things a guy has to do to keep his wife happy!" Tom exclaimed. Then he added with a wink, "But she's your guest, Marie. Why don't you carry her?" She winked back and asked him since when was it a hardship for him to carry a beautiful blonde in his arms? After rolling his eyes and grinning, he picked the girl up and carried her the six blocks back to their apartment. As they were entering, Marie looked closely at Bobbie's face and asked Tom to carry her on into the bathroom. By now the girl was looking as if she were about to become violently ill. With the girl in his arms in the tight confines of the bathroom Tom looked lost. Marie grimaced and muttered something about useless men. Then she winked to take the sting out of her words and asked him to put her on her feet. When he did, Marie put Bobbie's arm around her neck. By now the girl couldn't even stand unsupported. After asking Tom to leave and close the door, Marie lifted the toilet seat and eased the girl down on her knees with her head over the bowl. As her head lowered, Marie heard a characteristic rumble from the girl's stomach and a moment later she vomited up everything in it. When she did, Bobbie almost instantly felt better — at least well enough to support herself over the bowl with her own hands. It wasn't over, though. The girl's retching continued and soon turned into the dry heaves since she no longer had anything in her stomach. Leaving her alone for a moment, Marie raced to the kitchen, grabbed a large mixing bowl and rushed back to the bathroom. This time she lowered the toilet seat and helped the girl to sit while she held the bowl under her chin to catch the remainder of her vomit. As Marie had anticipated, the girl's bowels opened and she emptied them as well. It was clear that she was now thoroughly miserable, and equally clear that Cam Smith had administered something to the girl earlier, something to which her body was now reacting violently in an effort to rid itself of it. Again Bobbie regained enough strength to hold the bowl by herself. This time Marie wet a washcloth with cold water, folded it and put it on the girl's forehead. When she did, Bobbie weakly smiled her thanks. Slowly the retching stopped and then the last of the bowel movement. Finally, she weakly passed the bowl to Marie who rinsed it out and set it on the floor. As she did, Bobbie lifted her head and murmured, "Wow!" Then shaking her head slowly — it was starting to pound with a throbbing headache — she said softly, "Well, I guess this is the all-time record." Looking up at Marie, tears came to her eyes as she said, "I'm in your apartment again, aren't I?" Marie just nodded and smiled warmly. The girl made an effort to get to her feet as she said, "I'll be out of here in just a minute." Marie could see tears in the girl's eyes as she added, "I can't thank you enough or apologize enough. My behavior is disgraceful." Ignoring the girl's words, Marie asked, "Do you think you can stand up without getting sick again?" Bobbie said she thought she could, but it proved to be impossible for her to stand unsupported. After telling her to remain seated, Marie disappeared into the bedroom and returned a few moments later, nude. She took off Bobbie's shirt which was the only garment she was still wearing. Then she turned on the shower and helped the girl into it. Gently she washed the sweat and stray bits of vomit off the girl's beautiful body. When Bobbie weakly tried to reciprocate, Marie just told her she would have her chance some other time. By this time Bobbie had regained much of her strength and could move around a bit under her own power. When she saw this, Marie smiled and told her to kneel and then shampooed her hair. She helped her out, dried off her body and then dried her hair, finally tying it back in a ponytail. Although by now Bobbie was much steadier on her feet, Marie still assisted her out to the living room and sat her on the sofa, still naked. Looking up at Tom she said, "I apologize again, Tom. I look like something the cat wouldn't dare drag in — it would have left me outside." With a wry grin she added, "And I still look so sexy, I can't even give you a hard-on!" After eating some dry toast and taking some medicine to settle her stomach, the three went off to bed, although it was over Bobbie's protest. She claimed she could sleep perfectly well on the sofa. Although more than half-asleep by now, the girl then watched in utter amazement as Tom made love to Marie. In spite of the difference in their sizes, it was apparent that the smaller girl took her husband into her body without the slightest difficulty. When they both collapsed after Marie had been in continuous orgasm for almost ten minutes, Barbara whispered, "Now I know the difference between making love and fucking." With a very small smile she added, "Only you two don't even make love. Rather, you worship each other's bodies. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." As she said it, there was an obvious catch in her voice and she quietly started to cry. After Tom turned out the light and positioned Marie's head on his shoulder Marie lifted Bobbie's head onto her own. Turning the girl's face towards hers, she kissed her warmly and lovingly as she whispered, "Good night, darling Barbara. Sleep tight." Then she added, "But you're going to have to work for your rest tonight. If you're going to share my bed, you're going to have to be productive. That means molding your body to mine." The girl smiled in the dark and snuggled as close to the right side of Marie's body as she could and then felt the girl's hand cupping her tit. She went off to sleep smelling the glorious fragrance of the Vietnamese girl's body. ------- Chapter 6 When Barbara awakened the next morning the bed was empty. Since it was Sunday, she knew that no one had to do anything that day. Looking around the room, the only article of her clothing she could find was her shirt. Slipping it on, she padded out to the living room and found the apartment was empty. In the kitchen she found a note from Marie telling her to use the toiletries laid out in the bathroom and that she and Ken would be back from church by twelve. Looking at the clock she found it was a little after eleven. After taking another shower and brushing her teeth, Barbara picked up a hairbrush and started stroking her wavy hair. As she did, she walked through the apartment. She smiled to herself when she realized what the dwelling really was. Although in terms of location and external appearance it was the normal sort of apartment for a struggling married student, in reality it was anything but. In addition to the living room, dining area, bedroom and kitchen, it had a library and an exercise room. She noted that the machines each had two presets which she assumed to be the weight levels Marie and Tom used. Setting one of them at Marie's setting, she was startled to find that she could scarcely budge the weights. After cutting the weight in half she found she could now move them, but barely. It was only after cutting them in half again that she found she could actually do exercises. All the settings did was confirm what she already knew: Marie was in magnificent physical condition — and this in spite of being pregnant! Marie found her in the exercise room when she returned home. Telling her it was Tom's turn to make breakfast — their contribution was risking starvation or ptomaine poisoning — she disappeared and soon reappeared naked. While Barbara moved her weights, Marie set another machine to her preset level and started to move the weights effortlessly and quickly. When Barbara asked her about it, Marie admitted that she didn't feel right if she didn't work out every day. After companionably sharing another shower — this time Bobbie carefully scrubbed Marie's body and shuddered at all the scars she carried — they went to the bedroom to dress. With a grin Marie gave her a pair of Levi's and a shirt with the comment, "I'm sure these will fit you." "How can you be so sure?" Barbara asked skeptically. "I don't have any clothes here except the junk I wore last night and I'm sure any size markings wore off them years ago." Sticking out the pink tip of her tongue Marie replied, "Because you're Clifford & Jamison Standard, silly." "What in hell is that?" "You're not nearly as observant as I thought you were," Marie answered. "With a handful of exceptions — my sister Celeste, Joan Clifford and me — all the other girls are a dull sameness. The coloring varies a little, but that's about all." Pretending to be disgusted she snorted, "They're all the same size, give or take a small fraction of an inch — interchangeable parts! And you're one of them." Although Barbara laughed, when she put on the clothes she found that they did fit perfectly. Going out to the dining area she found that Tom had, in fact, prepared a magnificent Sunday brunch, complete with spicy Bloody Marys. When she saw them, she rolled her eyes and said, "Here's where I get in real trouble. As a lawyer, I'm an officer of the court. As such, I have a responsibility to uphold the law ... And here you teenyboppers are drinking... alcoholic beverages!" With a snap of her fingers, she exclaimed, "That's it!" "That's what?" Tom asked, puzzled at her outburst. Usually he and Marie were so attuned to each other that they almost shared each other's thoughts. This time, though, he was baffled. Instead of answering Tom directly, she looked at Bobbie and asked, "What are your living plans now? I don't know if you remember anything from last night, but your landlord, Mr. Smith, has resigned from the University and is gone as of now." Barbara just shook her head. She had no plans at all, and Marie had been correct: She hadn't remembered anything from the night before. Then Marie smiled warmly and asked, "Would you care to live here with Tom and me? At least until our baby comes? I guess that will be around February." When Barbara started to protest, Marie interrupted. "Wait a moment, Bobbie. We learned that you deal in rather ... unusual ... rental arrangements. Our arrangement would be a bit unusual, too. Are you interested?" "Yes!" the girl replied quickly, but then added with a note of skepticism, "At least I guess so. What arrangement do you have in mind?" "It came to mind when I made my usual crack about Tom being a teenybopper. You see, I'm a little strange. I love to carry the marks of the person I love on my body. I would have branded the initials, T C, all over me except Tom persuaded me that first, I'm scarred enough, and second, he doesn't like it very much. "However, what he does do — or did do — is spank me black and blue. I keep track of which cheek is next. We sort of have an informal penalty schedule. For example, a simple crack about being a teenybopper is one spank. I pull down my pants and bend over his leg in whichever direction makes it easier for him to spank the correct cheek. Higher levels of insolence or disobedience receive more spanks." With a shake of her head and a grimace she continued, "But last week Tom knocked it off. He says I'm a masochist — he's probably right — but there's no sign the baby is, too. Although I don't think it could hurt the little thing, I certainly can't make a case that it would benefit from it, either." With a wicked grin she continued, "This is where you come in. You substitute your ass for mine. Whenever I make a crack, you take the punishment. If, by some chance, you do something that is deserving of punishment on our little scale of values, your own punishment is doubled." Looking at the girl with an eyebrow raised she asked, "Is that an off-beat-enough rental arrangement for you?" To Barbara it was virtually perfect. She desperately wanted to be punished for her obscene behavior and realized that it was — at least in part — an element in her accepting the vile arrangements with Smith. The one proposed by Marie was far better, though. This way she would be explicitly punished rather than merely allowing herself to be degraded. "I accept!" she exclaimed, sticking out her hand to shake. Rather than taking the girl's hand Marie quickly shook her head and said, "There's more. Don't be too hasty." "More?" Barbara asked skeptically. "How much more?" "I don't really know how much, hon," Marie replied candidly, "Because it really depends on me, not you. "You see," she said with a smile, "We all carry babies pretty easily — it's due to lessons or inspiration or something from Tom's mother, Hank. You saw Joan the other day, for example. Incidentally, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He's going to be William Harrison Clifford, III. Anyway, I happen to know that Bill fucked her silly just that morning before going in to the hospital. Furthermore, she's just about my size although, to be honest, Bill is substantially smaller than Tom." Then she interrupted her narrative, grinned and continued, "You learned something else when you were at the office from the children. Most of the women are nursing infants and have older children there, too. Anyway — and this may be Hank Conroy's influence, too — we are all wonderful milk producers." She grinned broadly now and interjected, "I wouldn't be at all surprised if Ali had a breast milk competition at our Christmas party this year." Continuing her story she said, "I think that Kenny or Andy probably told you about nursing at their mother's breast after the baby has eaten its fill. You see, we all want our milk to be as fresh as possible for our babies so we want to be sure that our tits are completely drained." As Marie spoke, Barbara was looking increasingly puzzled. She certainly knew about the children nursing at their mothers' breasts and thought it was utterly wonderful. Kenny told how his mother took the opportunity to hug him, stroke him, and love him. But still she could see no connection with Tom and Marie, and her lack of comprehension was obvious. Now Marie grinned and said, "You're looking baffled. The reason is obvious. Why am I talking about emptying a mother's tit when I'm not a mother yet? Well, the answer is related to nursing, but a little different. You see, Bobbie, Tom has massive balls to go with his gorgeous cock. I guess I started something seven years ago when he was only twelve and just reaching puberty. I already told you I went down on him with his parents watching as he became a man. What I didn't tell you was I did it a second time, and then a third to completely drain his small balls. I guess I figured that his body should get used to producing a lot of his glorious semen. "Anyway, the second part of your job is to ensure that Tom is drained completely dry every day. Of course, I'll do all I can for as long as I can, but I'm not sure I'll be able to take him inside me — in my cunt or in my ass — for the full duration of my pregnancy." With a wicked little grin she added, "I'll tell you a little secret: One reason I take him in my ass — aside from the fact that I adore the feeling — is that I can take limitless quantities of his cum in there." Then she looked thoughtful and added another point. "That reminds me: It's the old 'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away' thing. While I can take any quantity of his cum in my ass, it comes at a price. You see, while he's cuming in my ass, I'm cuming, too. As he is quick to tell anyone who cares to listen, I'm a very wet little thing. The problem is, without his cock in my vagina, there's no plug." With a grimace she added, "On our island we were naked all the time and it was no problem. I just watered the sand. But here, back in civilization, I flood out the bed every time. So the third element of your rent is the use of your mouth to drink my cum when he takes me in my ass. Do you think you could stand it?" Instead of answering, to Marie's astonishment Barbara rose from her chair, went to Marie and quickly lifted her up from her chair. Marie squealed as she was carried to the sofa and deposited there. Then Barbara straddled her, undid her belt and quickly stripped her Levi's and then her bikini from her body, baring her lovely hairless slit. Going down on her knees between Marie's legs she placed the girl's legs over her shoulders and pulled the girl's body closer. While Tom watched in amazement she gently ran her tongue up the girl's slit and immediately tasted the sweetness she instinctively knew would be there. Then Bobbie used her tongue as a small cock and drove it into Marie's vaginal passage. When she did, she felt the girl's body shudder in a small orgasm and a stream of sweetness reached her lips. Then she focused her attention on Marie's clit. In no time she had the girl's pelvis writhing on the sofa as she began to cum continuously. Still Barbara neither sped up nor slowed down, but just maintained her in her orgasmic state. Minutes passed and Bobbie just kept swallowing the sweet flow. By now Marie's whole body was shaking. Her arms were waving uncontrollably, her head was flopping from side to side and she was emitting a steady wordless scream. Finally, Bobbie bit the girl's clit hard. The sudden violent sensation coming on top of the minutes of orgasm was too much. With a sharp scream, she reached an ultimate orgasm and fainted from her sensory overload. Now that her whole body was limp it made it much easier for Bobbie to carefully go over her entire crotch to ensure she had captured all of the succulent syrup. When she finished, she flipped her head, undid her pony tail and used her loose hair to dry Marie's crotch. Finally, she lifted Marie up and moved her back on the cushions, then returned to her knees and waited. After a period of minutes Marie's eyes blinked and then she opened them with a start. She stretched languidly and said softly, "Wow!" Bobbie's face was impassive as she asked, "Marie, you asked if I could eat your cunt. Was that what you had in mind?" All Marie could do was slowly nod. Then Bobbie looked very sad as she continued, "I was afraid that's what you would say. You see, if that's what you meant, I guess the answer has to be no. I can't do it. I don't know how." Marie yelped and then began to howl with laughter. Finally she calmed down and asked, "Bobbie, do you accept our housing proposal?" The girl grinned and nodded. "Beginning right now?" Again she nodded. "Great!" Marie exclaimed. Then turning to Tom she asked, "What's the penalty for lying, Tom? Ten strokes, isn't it?" He agreed and Marie said, "Remember, for you, it's double. That's twenty." She snapped her fingers and said, "Oops, I nearly forgot. My teenybopper crack was directed at both of you, so that counts as two. That makes twenty-two." Raising an eyebrow, she pointed towards Tom's lap. With some trepidation Bobbie slipped off her jeans and bikini, then bent over Tom's large leg. He whispered softly, "Bobbie, make your ass as soft as possible and keep it that way. I don't want to hurt my hand unnecessarily." The girl did. His hand came down on her right cheek hard. She bit her lip to keep from screaming with the pain as he hit her again and again and again. By the time he reached eleven, she was nearly unconscious and was lying limply across his leg. Slowly she regained her senses and got up from his leg, moved to the other side and lay over it again. When he finished this time, Bobbie was unconscious and just lay there limply. Tom just waited and finally he could feel the girl stir. Carefully she got up although she was still reeling. Tears were pouring from her eyes and blood was streaming out of her mouth from her lacerated lip. Although she could scarcely stand she said, "I'm sorry for telling you a lie, Mistress and Master. Thank you for disciplining me." Then she took Tom's strong right hand brought it up to her mouth and softly kissed it, then licked it. "I'm sorry for hurting your hand, Master." Tom pointed to his leg where she had been lying. During the punishment her clit had been on his leg and the stimulation had caused her to cum in a flood. Kneeling down, she carefully licked off her juices. Then she looked up at him. As her face started to form a little smile, she suddenly collapsed in a heap on the floor. Rushing over to her, Marie looked accusingly at Tom and said, "Tom, did you have to kill her? That's much harder than you ever hit me, and I'm used to it. She's not. Just look at the poor kid!" Her injured asscheeks were already turning color and blood was still streaming from her mouth. When Marie rolled her on her back and opened the girl's mouth with her fingers, she gasped as she saw the damage the girl had done to herself. Moreover, the flow of blood was much greater than they had thought. Tom ran to the kitchen for ice cubes. Giving them to Marie, he picked the girl up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom where he deposited her face-down on the bed. Marie put a towel under her face to catch the flow of blood, then took a painkilling ointment and began to work it very gently into the deep bruises on the girl's ass. Finally, Bobbie blinked once and then opened her eyes. As she did she could feel the cooling warmth of the ointment working on her terribly bruised bottom. With her face still resting on the towel — she did not even have the energy to lift her head — she whispered, "Master and Mistress, next time could I have a piece of rubber or leather or something to bite on? I think I destroyed my mouth." Then with a wry grin she asked, "Could I interest you in urinating into a bowl so I could drink it, instead? I suppose it's a lot more degrading, but it sure as hell doesn't hurt as much." Then her grin broadened as she looked at Tom and said, "Master, I take back everything I said about your glorious body. Why can't you just be a wimp like all the other guys?" Then with a wink she added, "On the other hand, now I know that you could have taken my asscheeks off with your bare hands if you wanted to. I suppose I should thank you for being so gentle." With that the pain and exhaustion overtook her and she just dropped off to sleep. Marie carefully covered her with a light blanket, then turned off the light and left her sleeping. ------- Chapter 7 "Your bottom really hurts a lot, doesn't it?" Andrea Cartwright asked Barbara. The two were sitting at a window seat in the restaurant above the Clifford & Jamison offices having lunch. When she finished up at the meeting with the Smiths and their attorney, Homer Biggs, Barbara Dawson had gone to the playroom, found Andy by herself — Kenny Clifford and his mother were out shopping — and invited her to lunch. The meeting was still in progress in the conference room with Marie and Sandy Harris settling the details. Barbara had shivered when she saw the ice-cold look in Sandy's eyes directed at her adversaries. When Marie had said that her partner detested rape, she had not been exaggerating. Bringing herself back to the little girl's question she suddenly wondered how she knew. "Has Marie been blabbing again?" she asked. "Of course not, silly," the little girl replied with a bright smile. Then she frowned and added, "I hate it when my mother spanks me." "I guess it really hurts your little bottom, doesn't it?" Bobbie asked sympathetically. "Of course it doesn't ... No, that's not right. I guess it does, but that's not the problem. You see, the only time Mommy spanks me is when I've been naughty and I deserve it. The problem is with her." "With her... ?" Bobbie asked, puzzled. "The last time was the very worst. It was early last week and I was very bad. Mommy took down my pants, put me over her knee, and really spanked me hard. Of course, when she finished I thanked her for her love. Then she put me to bed — it was time for my nap — and went to her room. I couldn't go to sleep, though, listening to her crying. Well, I got out of bed and padded into her room. Poor Mommy was hugging a pillow trying to muffle her tears." As the little girl spoke tears came to her eyes as she remembered. "I took her in my arms and kissed away her tears. I thanked her for giving birth to me and for loving me so much. Can you believe it? She hugged me and kissed me and thanked me for being me. Then I went to sleep while I was being held in her arms." Looking into Bobbie's eyes she added, "You saw last week how beautiful my mother is and what a wonderful thing it is to see her smile when she's happy. Well, I guess this is the opposite. "You see, when I'm bad, Mommy knows she has to punish me. I guess it was over me and punishment that caused the closest thing to an argument my parents have ever had," Andy said sorrowfully. "Daddy knows how much it hurts Mommy to have to punish me, so one night he came home just as she was about to spank me. When he offered to do it, Mom flatly refused. Do you know why?" "No. Why?" Bobbie asked, puzzled. "The answer was so typical of Mommy," Andy replied with a bright little smile. "She said that she wouldn't allow him to be the ogre. Since I had disobeyed her, the responsibility was hers. Anyway, when I heard that, I took down my pants, went to her and asked if she would please give me my spanking. I guess my tears were flowing, but it was like nothing compared to her tears when she finished. I guess it was pretty funny, really. There we both were crying our eyes out while we hugged each other for dear life. Do you understand now?" Bobbie just slowly nodded her head and said, "I think so, but it makes you the most remarkable family I have ever heard of. What you're telling me, Andy, is that when you make your mother happy, she beams at you like sunshine. But when you're naughty, she's even more miserable punishing you than you are being punished. Since you can't stand to see your mother unhappy, you try your best to be good. Is that right?" "Mostly, Miss Dawson." Then with an impish little grin she added, "Sometimes I'm naughty just so Mom will spank me and I can then get in bed with her and comfort her the way she always does with me." Changing the subject she said, "You know, I guess I was pretty lucky to be born. There are so many children who are being aborted every day, I'm one of the lucky ones. You see, Mommy says that the most beautiful part of being a woman is to be able to give birth to a child. She says she was never so happy in her whole life as when she found out she was expecting me." Looking at Bobbie she said, "You know something? I guess I believe her. She was certainly gloriously happy when she learned she was pregnant again with my baby brother." Looking at Barbara she again slightly changed the subject. "Last week, when we met for the first time, I remember you asking about the children and coming into the office. Well, Kenny and I were not completely truthful." Holding up a hand to cut off Bobbie's protest she continued, "We didn't lie to you, Miss Dawson, but we didn't tell you the whole truth, either. You see, we get along with each other so well because our families are all so much alike. Unfortunately, that makes us different from most other children. "Take lovemaking for example. Miss Dobbs went berserk at the thought of children seeing their parents make love." With a wonderfully warm smile Andy said, "It's the very best part of my life. My mother has a perfect body." Her eyes widened as she interjected, "She was a stripper before she met Daddy. The men must have really gone wild seeing her naked body on stage!" Returning to her thought she said, "Dad's is perfect, too! You should see the two of them in bed. It's a riot. First of all, Dad can't resist teasing Mommy. Last night, for example, he had been caressing Mom's body all over. He stroked her tits, her inner thighs, her ass — she's terribly sensitive there — but mostly her clit. Well, Mom was writhing on the bed in agony waiting for him to enter her. All he kept saying was that women are very slow to warm up sexually, and he didn't want Mom to have a painful experience. He said in the most reasonable-sounding tone of voice, 'After all, my darling, my cock is very big. I don't want to hurt you by entering your cunt before it's fully warmed up' "Do you know what Mommy said?" the girl asked with a little grin. "She said her cunt was already so hot it could ignite asbestos and to get it into her before she cut it off and did it herself! Daddy stopped teasing her and when he went into her, he went all the way in to the root with one push. Boy! The look on Mommy's face was one of the most incredible happiness. Well, Daddy took her and took her and took her. I guess she was unconscious at least twice last night. Anyway, as a big thrill, Mommy let me sleep beside her in their bed. "When he turned off the light, Daddy went right to sleep with his hand cupping Mommy's gorgeous tit. Then she put my head on her shoulder and whispered to me. She said that I was created that way: Dad's glorious cum poured into her cunt and flooded her insides. A sperm found my egg, and with the help of God, I was conceived. "She said it almost certainly happened the same way as it did last night: she was probably unconscious at the moment of conception." Looking straight into Bobbie's eyes she said, "Seeing my parents make love is the most beautiful thing imaginable. They just worship each other." The girl's face was just glowing with joy as she talked about it. Then she grew serious and again changed the subject. "I guess there's still a little more to our extended family, though. You see, I guess we're all a little strange. We don't see it, of course, but I guess we're all extremely smart." With a little grin she said, "Kenny and I don't see anything strange about reading, but I guess a lot of people are pretty impressed. I don't understand why, though. It's really not very hard ... not nearly as complicated as cash-flow analysis, for example." "You do cash-flow analysis?" Bobbie exclaimed. "You're kidding!" "Not really," the little girl continued with her forehead knitting up in the cutest way. "I had to learn it to defend myself against Kenny. He accuses me of making investment decisions purely on gut feel and instinct — no facts. Well, I couldn't listen to a lot of woman's-intuition garbage, so I had to learn cash-flow and financial analysis to back up my choices with some stupid numbers." "Do you have any idea what your IQ is?" Bobbie asked in awe. "About the same as the others, I guess," the little girl replied with complete unconcern. "We're all somewhere over 180. I guess past that it doesn't matter very much." Realizing that the score was the very top of the scale, Bobbie's mouth closed with an audible click. "I heard about your investments from Marie," Bobbie said. "I understand you borrowed the money from your grandmother. What do you think of her?" "Kenny's Mommy?" Andy asked with a brilliant smile that reminded Bobbie of her mother and Ali. "She's great! Incidentally," she interjected with a winsome grin, "to me, she's Kenny's Mommy, while to him, she's Andy's grandmother. We have such great fun with her! You won't believe what happened when she took Kenny and me to see Bambi!" "What happened?" Bobbie asked. "When Bambi's mother died, she started crying so hard Kenny and I had to help her out of the theater. We went into an ice-cream shop, sat her down and tried to tell her it was just a story. She looked at us skeptically and asked, 'Are you sure?' We assured her that we were, but she kept pushing. Finally, she just winked, grinned and swept us both onto her lap to smother us with kisses." Then the little girl shook her head and said, "But that wasn't the funniest thing. That came when the waiter came over — it had been a nighttime movie — and asked if our parents approved of the babysitter taking us to a movie at night." Andy smiled brilliantly and added, "Of course she was wearing her Levi's and a T-shirt and had her hair tied back in a ponytail. I guess she looked like she was about fifteen." Looking at Bobbie she added, "Actually, she was a big movie star years ago, and is really a very fine actress. I adore her, and so does everyone else. "You know what I love most? Kenny and I talk about it a lot. We're convinced that when Grandmom does something with us or takes us somewhere — whether it's the zoo, or the circus, or a movie — she enjoys it at least as much as we do. We're convinced most of the time that we're taking her! She's absolutely great." "There's one thing I don't understand, though," Barbara asked. "I'm surprised that you and Kenny are so busy chasing money. I would think you have enough as it is." Andrea Cartwright looked utterly adorable. Although they had offered her a booster seat when they entered the restaurant, she had rejected it outright. She had accepted a fat Los Angeles-area telephone directory, though, with a very warm smile. Now she sat up as straight as she could and replied, "Of course we do! Neither of us care anything for money ... we just use it to keep score." With a cute grin she added, "It's more fun than matchsticks, after all. But you're right of course. We're loaded. In fact, Granddad always pretends to give us a hard time. He always teases me by asking why I can't develop some skills that would be useful to the Clifford and Cartwright families ... Like learning how to spend it." She smiled brilliantly and said, "He pretends to grump at me and asks whatever happened to the Valley Girls who were so good at spending money. 'Where are they when you really need them?' he asks. The fact is that I guess the family is pretty good at making money." With a very cute little shrug she added, "We're loaded." Then she looked at Barbara intently and asked astutely, "Why did you want to have lunch with me today?" Then with the warmest smile yet she added, "Thank you so very much for taking me, though. I don't want you to think I'm not enjoying it because I certainly am." "There are two reasons, Andy," Barbara replied. "First, I was so impressed the last time we ate together. I marveled at your poise, your self-assurance, and frankly ... at your table manners. You're utterly exquisite. The second reason was to concede defeat. Andy, you're going to be the perfect wife for Kenny." Then she pretended to cry, but Andy could easily see the glint in her eye as she wailed, "Just think! I've been thrown over for a younger woman — and I'm only eighteen!" "That may be true, Miss Dawson, but I may lose him to a woman who's younger still — your daughter, for example. She is going to be an incredible beauty with your eyes, golden blonde hair, a body a man would kill for..." Then she looked serious and added, "You know, platinum blondes have a reputation for being cold in bed. I think I'm going to be ... pretty hot — certainly my mother is, and she's platinum — but the reputation ... Golden blondes are the hot tickets that the guys want to bring home to mother." "Daughter? What daughter? And could you seriously see Ken becoming interested in a girl born out of wedlock to a mother who's a whore?" Andy just slowly shook her head. As she did, Bobbie realized that she had forgotten the little girl was only five. She had a level of maturity beyond that of her own college classmates. Then she said, "Miss Dawson, you heard it from Ken: Before we reach the age of eighteen, you will have three children... by a husband who adores you and whom you adore!" Then she smiled warmly and added, "You see, we are really strange. The fact is that Ken can see the future ... He does in the future what I do in the past — we're both strange, I guess. For example, that's how I know Tom spanked you very hard. He really hurt you, didn't he? But then, that's really what you wanted. You wanted to be terribly punished for your sins." Now the girl looked deeply into Barbara's eyes and said, "Miss Dawson, you couldn't be more wrong about your own past. I know you feel that you're so immoral you'll sleep with anything in pants — and I guess from time to time you have. But that's self-punishment, too. It really all began when you lost your virginity, but you can't remember who took it or how it happened." Now her emerald eyes were bright and incredibly piercing as she dropped a bombshell: "The reason you can't remember is it happened the same way your rape almost happened Saturday night: you were drugged and repeatedly raped. But it was even worse, Bobbie. That time the guys were assisted by a few girls who couldn't stand the fact that you were so good. In fact, if the loss of virginity comes with the piercing of the hymen, you lost yours to a girl! "Two girls were holding your legs wide apart while a third jabbed a finger up your vagina and broke your hymen with her fingernail. Then the guys took turns raping you. That's really what happened — and it was only two years ago, wasn't it?" Then the little girl looked embarrassed and said, "Please excuse me, Miss Dawson. I called you by your given name and that's unforgivable for a small child when speaking to an adult." Barbara Dawson was thunderstruck. My God! she thought, I never knew it but ... But it all fits. Even the girls who told me at school what a whore I was ... They were probably the ones! She shook her head as if to clear it and then said, "Andrea Cartwright, you're going to call me Barbara or Bobbie! Unless, of course, you want me to call you Miss Cartwright!" Pretending to glare at the little girl she asked, "Clear?" The little girl's eyes were very bright as she replied, "It's very clear." Then she slid off her chair and ran around to Bobbie's side of the table. With her arms outstretched she asked, "Bobbie, would you hold me? Please?" Barbara reached out and scooped the little girl up in her arms and sat her on her lap. As soon as she did, the girl wrapped her arms around Barbara's neck and proceeded to kiss her. It was the most incredible kiss Bobbie had ever experienced as the little girl moved her lips on hers like an adult. At the same time she felt the most incredible flow of love from the little girl she could ever imagine. Bobbie held her tightly and tried her best to return the love with her lips. Finally Andy moved away and murmured, "Thank you, Bobbie." Then with the greatest love in her eyes she added, "I love you very much. And I think Ken is making a mistake waiting for me. He really should marry you. You're so incredible, it's beyond belief!" Then she jerked up with a start, looked up at Bobbie's face and asked, "How can you stand it, Bobbie?" "Stand what?" "It's back to the first question I asked about being spanked. How can you stand to have any extra weight on your bottom? For that matter, how can you even sit? You were brutally beaten, but Tom didn't really mean it. He just has no idea of his own strength." Looking deep into Bobbie's eyes she said, "You were beaten so badly you lost consciousness, didn't you?" Although she didn't answer in words her widened eyes answered for her. The little girl snuggled against Bobbie's chest and said, "I was reminded of it by your lips. When you kissed me I could feel all the cuts inside. You almost bit yourself into pieces to keep from screaming, too." All Barbara could think about was what an incredible person this little girl in her arms truly was. Then she added, "Don't worry, Bobbie. It won't happen again." Andy said it with a note of certainty in her voice. "How can you possibly know that?" Bobbie asked. "Now he knows how badly he hurt you," she replied. "But how can he?" "Because I communicated the excruciating pain you felt to him," she replied simply. The little girl smiled up at Bobbie and said, "I guess I'm really strange. You see, I have some rather strange mental powers. Since I'm so young, I'm still exploring them — actually, I don't know what the limits are. I've known for a while that I could concentrate on a person and go back in time in the person's brain. Sometimes — the rape of your virginity, for example — I can even know things that the person involved — you — doesn't consciously know. You never knew about your own rape until I told you, because you had been doped up. Nevertheless, deep in your subconscious, you did know what had happened." Bobbie just shook her head slowly. Now she knew that this lovely little girl was, indeed, an incredible person with incredible powers. Then Andy continued, "Anyway, I just found out that I can be active sometimes, too. You see, Bobbie, while we were eating I learned of your beating and how it happened. Well, I guess I invaded Tom's brain or something. Anyway, he has now vowed never to hurt you — at least not that way — ever again." Then she just snuggled closer in Bobbie's arms and reflected, "You know, this power really isn't a whole lot of fun." When she looked up at her, Bobbie could see tears in the corners of her eyes. She said, "Sometimes I wish I could be just an ordinary little girl and Ken could be just an ordinary little boy. Neither of us are, of course. But I love him so desperately, and it's going to be at least fourteen or fifteen years before we can do anything about it." Now she started to cry as she added, "It's really terrible to have adult wants and feelings in a child's body." Then she kissed Bobbie warmly again and added, "That's how I know how bad it is for you." The tears flowed even more as she reached up and wrapped her arms around Bobbie's neck and kissed her again. Then she whispered in her ear, "Darling Bobbie, I'm so sorry for you! It's going to get so much worse, you will be wishing to be beaten unconscious." When they went down to the office, Bobbie went into Connie Cartwright's office with Andy. The little girl launched herself into her mother's arms and told her about the wonderful lunch she had just had with Bobbie. When Connie raised an eyebrow at Andy's use of Barbara's nickname, she was told that she had to. Otherwise Bobbie would call her Miss Cartwright. Learning that Ken and Ali had returned, Andy shot out the door to look for him, leaving her mother and Bobbie alone. "Your daughter is the most remarkable little girl I have ever met, Mrs. Cartwright. She is an angel. You are truly blessed." Connie looked at her and said softly, "I guess you learned about some of Andy's odd powers, didn't you?" Bobbie just nodded. "All I can say, Bobbie, is that you may be right. She just might be an angel come to earth. Her father and I just bask in the love she has for us and we adore seeing her radiate in the love we have for her." Then with a shake of her head to clear it Connie said, "Ali would like to see you for a minute before you leave. She's in her office." After knocking on the door and being invited in, Bobbie found Ali with her son. Bobbie dropped to her knees and held out her arms. With a small yelp Kenny rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her neck. After the most loving kiss she could imagine, she released him and said with tears in the corners of her eyes, "Are you sure I can't wait for you, Ken? You're a woman's dream ... And when you grow up... !" She just let out a low whistle. The little boy just beamed and said with a little grin, "I will wait for you, Miss Dawson, but you won't be able to wait for me." Then he looked at her and his eyes became piercing — anything but a child's look — and he said softly, "There's something else you should know, Miss Dawson. I told you last week that by the time I'm eighteen you will have three children. I guess you should know that the first won't come until you've been married for at least six years. "You, your husband, and the fruit of your womb will accomplish incredible things. I'm so happy that I'll be around to see it happen." With that he ran out of the office to find Andy, leaving Bobbie on her knees with a baffled look on her face. Looking up at Ali she saw an expression on her face that she couldn't read. Slowly she got to her feet and found herself in Ali's arms. She had come to realize that Clifford & Jamison was one of the strangest firms on earth. Now she knew that there was an intensity of love that permeated everything. Then Ali kissed her and it was even better than the time before. When she pulled away, Ali said, "Barbara Dawson, you are, indeed, a remarkable person." Then she said, "I've already spoken to Marie. We would like you to join us over the Christmas holidays on Maui." With a grin she added, "We like to bring our own babysitter ... And you're elected. Unfortunately, we can't even count the number of children you're going to be taking care of, but..." When Bobbie headed back to the apartment, her head was spinning. ------- Chapter 8 It was mid-December and Bobbie was packing the few clothes she had that still fit for their trip to Maui. As she did, she reflected on the last few months and on the words Andy Cartwright had said at their lunch. The little girl had been precisely right: Now she wished that Tom had beaten her into unconsciousness every day. What she had been experiencing for the last few months had been far worse. The worst times were the two trips to Hawaii Marie had made in the fall. The first one lasted three weeks and the second, two. Both were occasioned by Harriet Dobbs' efforts to win the ten million dollar prize that Ali had offered. Both attempts ended in failure. Two volunteers who had tried it the first time had only recently been released from the hospital. The second effort was made by Harriet herself along with a virile man — she had finally taken Marie's advice to heart — but it had failed, too. Harriet and her companion were recuperating in a hospital, but there was evidence that Harriet's mind might have been permanently affected. She was now on an extended leave of absence from the University where a rumor was circulating that now she wanted to go down on any man she saw. She wanted to live on cum. Curiously, the same thing was true of Bobbie, herself. As she had been instructed, she had gone down on Tom in an effort to drain his balls — and had been uniformly unsuccessful. Moreover, it had become the worst form of self-torture she could conceive. With his exquisite body naked, she would be on her knees in front of him taking his huge sex into her mouth. When he asked her why she always had just the head of his cock in her mouth when he came, she had given him some double-talk. The fact was that she loved the taste and had found it was the best way to get it. When she went down on Tom to worship his cock, her own cunt ran in rivers. She had gotten pretty good at keeping her legs tightly together to restrict her flow and channel what there was inside her thighs. The problem was that Tom preferred to be lying on his back on the bed. This made it doubly difficult for her: First, it put her cunt only inches away from the weapon she ached to have inside it, and second, it made it much more difficult for her to conceal her own cuntal flow. Now she knew with certainty that she was desperately in love with him. At the same time Marie had become her closest friend and confidante. The third part of her rent had also turned out to be major problem. While she loved the taste of Marie's succulent cunt as it gushed into her mouth, her position beneath her beautiful cunt left Bobbie's eyes only inches away from Tom's glorious cock as it moved in long strokes into his wife's ass which now so easily received it. The result was the same in every case. Bobbie would end the session being virtually incapable of controlling the writhing of her own pelvis as she sought some relief. The odd thing about it, the girl thought, is that Marie seems to know I'm in love with her husband. Not only doesn't it bother her but for some reason she seems to actually like the idea. Even worse, Marie had given firm instructions that she was to be naked at all times in the apartment. When she left on her first trip, she had asked Bobbie to share the bed with Tom to keep him warm. This, she found, she could not do. Although she molded her slim body to his — and found out how easy it was to fit herself to his length — she was instantly in an agony of wanting. Although she realized she could obtain some relief through masturbation, she wouldn't let herself do it. The one thing that proved to be easy was accepting the punishment spankings. Again, Andy had been proven correct: every time Tom spanked her after that awful first time he had been very gentle. Bitterly, she now wished he would beat her unconscious. The hardest part of lying beside Tom was trying to force her body to relax. It was impossible. Fortunately, Tom proved to be a very deep sleeper and fell asleep almost as soon as she finished going down on him. As soon as he fell asleep with her head on his shoulder, she would get up and go to the library. There she would read for most of the night until sheer exhaustion overtook her. For some reason, in spite of usually falling asleep after four o'clock, she was always awake in time to greet Tom at seven with a cup of coffee. Her reading, she realized, was odd. The library was stocked with all the classics. Although she had always been a fast reader, with all of her practice, her eyes now literally flew across the pages. She had gone through the complete Count of Monte Cristo in only two nights. In just three months she had read most of the world's classic literature. At dinner, whether with Tom alone or with Marie, they had incredible literary discussions. When they weren't on literature, they were on science or politics or world affairs. It had come as a real surprise to Bobbie to find that she really was very smart. Physically she had developed to a remarkable degree. Looking at her body in the mirror, she could see major changes. Her breasts that had been on the verge of sagging were now standing proudly upthrust and firm. The overtones of flabbiness around her belly, hips and thighs had completely disappeared. In its place now were the same hidden muscles that Marie herself had. She smiled wryly at her reflection in the mirror thinking about her muscle development. Now she was lifting weights midway between Marie's and Tom's. It was not that she wanted to do more than Marie — far from it. Rather, it was another effort on her part to exercise to the point of exhaustion so she could sleep. Ruefully, she admitted that her plan had backfired. Now, almost regardless of the demands she made on her young body, it responded and performed. Academically, she was also performing brilliantly. Partly it was because she and Tom had adjusted their schedules so that they were mostly in the same classes and sections. She smiled to herself thinking of the debates that so often ensued in their classes with Tom and her taking on the professor on some element of political correctness. She reflected that it was a tribute to their professors because, although their answers seldom followed the book or the professor's position, they were so tightly reasoned, so well-supported and so well-written that they received A+ grades anyway. Several times they had been called in to see a professor because of papers they turned in. What was inevitably puzzling to the professor was that although their positions were identical, the wording of their two papers was totally different. This amused Barbara because invariably she had typed them both on the computer — and debated Tom over his wording versus her own. Several times she had thought about moving out of the apartment. Finally she came to the realization that she had the worst of both worlds. She utterly adored Tom but couldn't have him. Worse, because she regularly took his huge cock in her mouth and drank his wonderful cum, she was constantly forced to live with the object of her sexual desire without being able to get any relief at all. At the same time she realized that she could still talk to him and see him. Since she couldn't live without him, she recognized that, as bad as the situation was for her, it was the best she could get. Just then she heard her name called and went out to the kitchen. Tom pointed to Marie and said, "Teenybopper." Bobbie stuck out the tip of her tongue at Marie, then bent over his leg. Her head was to his right; it was her left cheek that was due to be spanked. This time, though, instead of spanking her quickly and letting her up — to go and drain her cuntal fluids that always flowed so quickly and copiously whenever he touched her — he just lightly ran his fingertips over her beautiful tight buns. "Marie," he called, "come and see! Bobbie has such a beautifully tight little ass now. It's almost a shame to hit it." As he spoke he was running his hand between her legs. Although she tried to squirm out of his grasp, his right arm was holding her like a vise. Very gently he ran his finger down her slit and was surprised to feel how wet it was. Following his instinct, he focused on her love bud. With a scream, Bobbie let go a flood of cuntal juices as her hips bucked with a violent orgasm. Marie had been in the kitchen and came in response to his call just as Bobbie came so violently. "Thomas Conroy!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing to that poor girl?" Although he was amazed at Bobbie's sudden reaction, Tom decided to continue to tease her lovely wet cunt with his fingertip. Even though her head was down, she managed to cry, "For the love of God, Tom! Please stop! Please..." Then she just broke down in uncontrollable weeping. "Tom Conroy, let that girl go this instant!" Marie exclaimed. "You're torturing her!" He looked up at his beautiful wife with a hurt look on his face. "I am not!" he protested. "I didn't even spank her. I was just stroking her beautiful ass like this," he said as his left hand again just lightly stroked her sensitive ass cheeks. To his amazement Bobbie just cried harder. Although she was trying to speak, the sounds she was making were unintelligible. "Why don't you do something that won't hurt her as much then?" Marie asked acidly. "Why don't you just strip the skin off her back with a whip? I assure you, she would prefer it, and it would be much less painful to her than what you're doing now!" Tom looked at Marie, genuinely hurt. He didn't know what she was so mad about, but it was obvious that she was. In fact, she was furious — it was the first time she had ever been truly angry at him in all the months they had been married — but he still didn't know what he had done. It never occurred to him that Bobbie could possibly be attracted to him, let alone love him. Utterly disgusted, Marie said, "Tom, let go of that girl this instant! My God! If your parents knew what you just did, they would disown you! Now let her go and get the hell out! And stay out for at least the next four hours." With a wry little grin she said, "Go play in the traffic or something. If you got bounced off the front of a Mack truck it might bang some sense into your thick head." Tom was so upset that when he released Bobbie, she just rolled off his leg and lay there in a heap on the floor, crying her eyes out. When he started to bend over to find out the trouble, Marie just pointed to the door and glared at him saying, "I'll take it from here. You've done enough damage for one day. And don't be in any rush to come home!" As soon as he went out the door, Marie was on her knees beside the huddled girl. She lifted Bobbie's head, rested it on her lap, and just lightly stroked the poor girl's face. "You poor thing," she murmured. "But it will be over pretty soon." As Bobbie's eyes opened she was looking into Marie's face. She saw love, great sympathy and something else she couldn't recognize. "It can't possibly be!" she wailed. "I'm madly in love with your husband, Tom!" "Of course you are, darling Barbara," Marie replied quietly. "But the dumb lug is too stupid to know it." Looking into Bobbie's eyes she whispered, "I was right, wasn't I? You would far rather be beaten to an inch of your life than have to endure his caresses in your cunt, wouldn't you?" "Oh God, yes!" the girl exclaimed. But then with a look of utter bewilderment she asked, "But how could you possibly know?" "Because it's the way I felt when I was with Ken Carlson, only your situation is fifty times worse than mine was. First, as big as Tom is, Ken is bigger. I'm not sure I could have physically taken him into me. Second, in our case there was a major element of gratitude ... probably much more than love." Looking at the girl she said, "With you and Tom it's the purest love, isn't it? You utterly adore him." With a rueful little smile she added, "And you refuse to relieve yourself. You know damned well I bought that vibrator for you, don't you? Yet you refuse to use it. Why?" Bobbie looked at her in surprise, then just shook her head stubbornly. Holding out her arms Marie said, "Come with me. I need to fix you up." Bobbie was still baffled but got to her feet. Marie took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom. After pulling down the bed covers, she stripped off her own clothes and told Bobbie to lie back on the pillows. When she did, Marie, who was kneeling on the bed beside her, took the opportunity to carefully examine the girl's body and found it was now utterly perfect. Then she lowered her head and kissed the girl on the lips with all the love she could communicate. As she did she began to stroke the girl's body with a feather-like touch of her fingertips. Marie began to concentrate on Bobbie's tits. After teasing her nipples into full erection, she began to kiss and lightly bite them while her hands moved down to the girl's thighs and finally stroked her labia. Returning to her lips, she now kissed the girl with a sense of great passion. Bobbie's eyes widened as she felt Marie's passion but then she just relaxed and enjoyed it. Lifting her lips for a moment Marie whispered, "Remember the first time you went down on me and said you didn't know how? Well I don't know how, either, and I think it's about time I learned!" With that she scuttled down and knelt between the girl's legs which she had spread wide. Lowering her head she began to tongue her slit. Then she stopped for an instant and placed Bobbie's legs over her own shoulders. As she knew it would be, she found that Bobbie's cunt was as sweet as sugar. In no time at all in response to Marie's oral stimulation, Bobbie was in orgasm. When she achieved it, Marie concentrated on maintaining the girl that way for as long as she could. She knew that the girl would ultimately lose consciousness, but found she wanted to prolong her orgasm for as long as possible. Knowing that the girl was verging on exhaustion and also knowing why she had been unable to sleep, Marie wanted her to be out for hours, if possible. She figured that the sexual stimulation coupled with her own exhaustion should keep her out for a long time. Suddenly she stopped and lifted her head to look at Bobbie. The girl's eyes were closed as she just enjoyed the incredibly wonderful sensation, but she opened them suddenly when Marie stopped. "Would you like me to neaten up your pubic hair the same way as Kathy Carlson's? I think you would look gorgeous. Besides, we're going to Maui and you'll be spending a lot of time on the nude beach..." Because Bobbie was still in a sexual daze, she didn't really hear what Marie had asked. She just agreed and closed her eyes again as soon as Marie returned to eating her cunt. In an instant, Bobbie was back in her continuous orgasm. Marie maintained her that way for over thirty more minutes. Finally, recognizing that the girl was effectively unconscious — all feeling was in her cunt and she was totally unaware of anything else — Marie bit her clit hard. Bobbie screamed and then fainted as her nervous system overloaded and quit. Marie rocked back on her heels and just looked at the girl. Then she looked down at her own belly. Although she was in at least the seventh month of her pregnancy, there was only the slightest swelling in her abdomen coupled with significantly enlarged breasts and nipples. Sighing, she got off the bed and got a pair of tweezers. Bringing over a high-intensity light, she began work on the girl's pubic area, thinking how much easier it was because she was unconscious. She smiled to herself thinking how practiced she was now, having worked on Kathy, Hank, and others. She first pulled out the hairs beside the labia, then went to the perimeter pulling out all the hair except for her dense pubic patch above her slit. When she was finishing the girl was beginning to groan with the dimly perceived pain. Before the pain could fully register, Marie smoothed on painkilling ointment and smiled as the girl relaxed back into a deep sleep. When Tom finally returned, Marie gave him her very warmest kiss, then told him to get some things together because they were going over to Celeste's for dinner and would be spending the night. When he looked puzzled she added, "Tom, that girl is utterly exhausted. Tonight she is going to sleep in the bed... by herself! Okay?" Tom just nodded, but still didn't know what happened. Marie went into the bedroom, put more ointment on the girl's pubic area, made sure she was well covered, and then carefully closed the door. Although it was Thursday, USC classes were over and they were out of school for their Christmas break. It was ten o'clock the next morning when they returned to their apartment. Seeing no sign of Bobbie, Marie told Tom to stay clear of the bedroom, then quietly opened the door. By this time, just the slightest noise was enough to awaken the girl who had now been sleeping for over twenty hours. Her eyes blinked and then Marie found herself looking into Bobbie's brilliant blue ones. "Hi!" she said softly. "Are you ready to rejoin the ranks of the living?" "What time is it?" Bobbie asked as she stretched luxuriantly. "I guess it's time for me to make dinner, isn't it?" "No, my darling," Marie replied. "It's time for me to make brunch. You slept for over twenty hours. It's ten o'clock Friday morning and we have an appointment at one. Now why don't you take a shower and by then brunch will be ready." With a warm smile she added, "Incidentally, do you like your pubic bush now? And for that matter, does the area hurt?" Flipping back the covers, Bobbie looked down at her pubes and gasped. "What ... What happened? What did you do?" "I plucked it clean except for the small patch on your mons. Do you like it? My friends really like theirs better plucked," Marie replied. "It ... it looks ... kind of neat," Bobbie replied. "But it hurts like hell!" "Call me when you get out of the shower and I'll fix you up," Marie said. "And you certainly look a lot better after all that sleep. It's just as well, too. You're coming to the Clifford & Jamison annual Christmas dance tonight. Ali would kill me if you looked the way you did yesterday. Do you feel better now?" "I feel marvelous," Bobbie replied. She jumped out of the bed and headed for the bathroom while Marie left the room to prepare the promised brunch. When they finished eating, Marie took Bobbie to see Henry Hall, Ali's Academy Award-winning hair stylist. While they were driving over, Marie asked Bobbie if she would mind having her hair cut short. "Bobbie, you have the most exquisitely feminine features. Henry has done it a couple of times before with utterly spectacular results — two of the women will be out on Maui, by the way. Want to try?" Then with a grin she added, "Besides, if you don't like it your hair will grow back to its present length in just a couple of years or so." Bobbie shook her head, returned the grin and said she would. As she said it she realized that Marie's hair was also short. It was still in the gamine cut from when they returned from their honeymoon. When they returned to the apartment, Tom was waiting for them. After kissing his wife he looked at Bobbie and his jaw dropped. "My God, Bobbie..." Her eyes widened and she began to cry. "It's awful, isn't it, Tom. You hate it, don't you." "My God, no!" he exclaimed. "You look utterly magnificent! Except for my wife — and my mother on her best days — I've never seen a woman look so beautiful." Barbara beamed, then went and gave him a light kiss full on the lips which she instantly broke. The lightest contact was enough for her to feel the instant flow of electricity between them. When she glanced over at Marie, the girl looked extremely happy for no reason Bobbie could figure out. Then Marie told Tom to take his shower, get his dinner jacket and other junk and take it all to the library because the girls would be using the bedroom and bath for at least the next four hours. Tom shook his head in feigned dismay but did as Marie asked. When he emerged wearing his bathrobe and carrying his clothes, Marie ushered Bobbie in and ostentatiously stuck out her tongue at Tom. Then she closed and locked the door, making as much noise as possible so he couldn't possibly miss the sound of the lock. After the two girls shared a shower, Marie led Bobbie to the massage table in the bedroom and proceeded to work on her muscles using musk oil as a massage fluid. When she finished the massage, she poured it straight in the val between Bobbie's breasts and then down the length of her labia. After gently working it in, she helped the girl off the table. When she initially had difficulty standing, Bobbie was alarmed until she realized that Marie's massage had been so effective her muscles were just too relaxed even to support her weight. When Marie brought out a blue cocktail dress, Bobbie gasped. It was like nothing she had ever dared to wear before with a neckline that plunged to her navel and with no back at all. The back was cut so deep it revealed the beginning of the crease between her buttocks. Marie just said casually that it was the official Clifford & Jamison cocktail dress — the only variation was in color. "I think we buy them by the gross," Marie said wryly. "Always the same size — just an assortment of colors." ------- Chapter 9 That night the party was in the restaurant above the Clifford & Jamison offices. The firm had taken it over for the evening. As they were about to enter, Marie looked at Bobbie and Tom and said, "We decided to take our chances with Alcoholic Beverage Control and let you two drink if you wish." Then she winked and said, "Bobbie, I'm sure you can hold it ... But I'm not too sure about Tom." When they got off the elevator, Marie took a moment to check Tom's appearance. Her heart rolled over as she looked at him in his dinner jacket thinking he was the most handsome man in the world. After straightening his tie, she lifted her face. Seeing it, he lowered his lips and without touching each other their lips merged in a glorious kiss. "Thank you, my darling," she whispered. Then the threesome went into the dining room to meet the people, most of whom Tom had heard about but had never met. While Marie was going through her customary greeting of Kathy Carlson — kneeling and kissing her feet — a girl came up to Bobbie with her hand outstretched. Turning to look at her, Bobbie was utterly stunned by her beauty. The girl was wearing a dress like her own and also wore her hair very short the way hers was now. Her most striking feature were her eyes — a vivid dark blue verging on purple. "Barbara Dawson?" she asked. Bobbie acknowledged with a smile and took the outstretched hand in a very firm grip as the girl continued, "Hi! I'm Kristin Bradley. As the only unmarried teenagers around, I understand that we have been elected to babysit over the holidays." Kris extended her other hand and now was holding both of Bobbie's in hers. She just looked her over carefully with an incredibly piercing gaze that seemed like it could penetrate steel. Finally, the girl just focused on Bobbie's eyes. Then she grinned and said, "It's tough, isn't it, to be madly in love with a guy you can touch but can't have? You're the most incredibly beautiful girl I have ever seen. I think we're going to have a lot of fun together. Now come and meet my parents." Taking her by the hand, Kris led her to a corner where two young people were talking. When she came up to them, they turned and Bobbie stopped dead in her tracks. She found herself looking at the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. The woman had brown hair and brown eyes, but her hair, worn very short in the same boy's haircut both Bobbie and Kris had, was naturally streaked in colors ranging from platinum blonde to medium brown. Her skin was a warm vibrant gold and her figure was perfect. She, too, was wearing the gown that Marie had referred to as 'Clifford & Jamison Standard.' It highlighted the perfection of her body. Yet as Bobbie looked more closely at the woman's beauty she realized that, as beautiful as her features and figure were, the real beauty was radiating from within. "Mom," Kris said, "I would like you to meet my newest friend, Barbara Dawson. Isn't she gorgeous?" Then with a grin she added, "A genuine California blonde from USC." Turning to Bobbie she said, "This is my mother, Evangeline Bradley." "How do you do, Mrs. Bradley," Bobbie said extending her hand. Vangie Bradley took the offered hand in a very firm grip. Still without speaking she extended her left hand and Bobbie took it as well. Meanwhile the woman was just studying her and ended her inspection by staring intently into her eyes — the same behavior as her daughter's a few minutes earlier. Bobbie did the same thing and realized she was seeing in the woman's eyes the same love and goodness she saw in Ali's and Marie's. Still without speaking directly to Bobbie she turned to the tall man by her side. He was a somewhat older Tom Conroy, Bobbie realized. Although not quite as tall — he appeared to be about six feet two — he was as broad across the shoulders and as well-muscled. Like his wife, he had a deep golden tan. Vangie said, "Ed, buy her for me? Please?" Then with a vividly warm smile she added, "You don't even have to bother with gift wrapping, either. I'll just eat her here!" Then she said, "How do you do, Barbara Dawson." Then she looked at the girl and said, "I understand you and Imp, here, are going to be sharing a suite. I think it ought to be fun." Then to her daughter she said, "I told you that you're sadly out of shape. This girl is going to trim your tight little ass and it couldn't happen to a nicer girl, either." Bobbie's eyes widened at the comment because, with her body almost completely revealed it was obvious that Kris Bradley's figure was also youthful perfection. "But you can't be Kris's mother..." Bobbie stammered. "You couldn't possibly have given birth..." "You're right," Vangie said agreeably, "I'm not. Kristin is adopted." Then her brows knitted and she said, "Technically it's true, I guess, but the fact is she was a bridal shower gift to us from our children." With a warm smile she asked, "Bobbie, don't you think it's an original gift? You see, when my daughter married, she realized that I would miss having a teen-aged girl to hug and to love, so she and Ken made one for us. For a do-it-yourself effort, she didn't come out too badly, did she?" Now Barbara was totally bewildered. "Gift? From a married daughter? That's impossible... ! I mean ... You can't possibly be over twenty-five..." Vangie yelped, took Bobby in her arms and gave her the most loving kiss the girl had ever had. Then she said, "I adore her, Ed, and I'm going to have her as my daughter." Then she looked at the two girls and said, "Do you realize this would give us a matched pair? Of course she doesn't have Imp's ridiculous purple eyes, but that's an advantage." Then she said to Barbara, "Why don't we sit down and get acquainted." Her eyes turned serious as she added, "You see, Bobbie, I'm very serious about adopting you. It's an idea that first crossed my mind when Andy Cartwright and Ken Clifford couldn't stop talking about you." While shaking her head, Bobbie allowed herself to be led to a table in the corner where they all sat down. Finally she said, "I still can't believe it. Am I correct? Do you actually have a married daughter?" "Sure do," Vangie replied with a grin. "She's married to my son." Again Bobbie's jaw dropped. She was stunned. "We fit right in with Ali's extended family," Vangie continued, "because we're at least as weird as they are." Then she grinned and explained, "You see, Bobbie, before you start giving me a lot of garbage about how unworthy you are, let me tell you a little about us. First of all: me. I was born Evangeline Pierce and was the poorest excuse for a human being God ever placed on this earth. I spent my childhood terrorizing nurses and governesses and being thrown out of schools. I married Bill Collins when I was nineteen and then did about the only worthwhile thing I've done in my whole life: I gave birth to my daughter, Cathy. Of course, I immediately hired a wet nurse for her because, God forbid, I wasn't going to have grubby little hands pawing my beautiful tits. "Who do I hire? The widow of one of our greatest military heros — a man who earned the Medal of Honor and gave his life for our country doing it. Later I farmed Cathy out to a string of people so she didn't interfere with my social life. Would you believe, I never even went to her graduation? Any graduation. Anyway, a few years ago Bill was killed in a plane crash. After sleeping with anything in pants — and a few in skirts — I heard of a very rich widower, Ed Bradley, who had a son. I conceived of the idea of a family merger. At that point, Cathy disappeared. There was no way she was going to have anything to do with an arranged marriage. "Of course the same thing was true of Ed. His son, Ken, graduated from Yale, Phi Beta Kappa — that's where Kris is now, by the way — and as a Baker Scholar from the Harvard Business School. Ed didn't know any of that, nor did I know that Cathy was summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and valedictorian of her class at Carleton College. Anyway, it seems that my daughter and his son met on their own, fell in love, and were about to be married when we learned about it for the first time. "How did we find out? The same way most parents do, I expect," she said with a quick grin. "We see them on the national telecast of the Super Bowl! A funny thing had happened in the meantime, though. While Ed and I were spending a lot of time scheming to get our two children together to make a merger, we fell in love with each other. Curiously, as lousy and rotten as we are individually, together we seem to neutralize each other's poisons. Anyway, Cathy and Ken were married and went out to Maui for their honeymoon. On the plane flying out there they meet a fourteen-year-old girl who was seventy-two hours away from death by starvation: Kris. "About a year earlier Kris and her whole family were returning home from a night football game. A drunken driver ran a stop sign and broadsided their car. He killed her parents and her brother and put her in the hospital. We know that her family was very loving and very close. When she recovered consciousness in the hospital, all Kris wanted to do was to rejoin her family as quickly as possible ... by starving herself to death. She had almost succeeded when she met our children. Ken and Cathy brought her back to life. Moreover, she claims that she is their creation, top to bottom. "Then, while Cathy and Ken were on their honeymoon and putting Kris together, one of Ali's daughters was beating me into shape. In spite of all I am, Ed still claimed to love me and wanted to marry me, so Kris was our children's shower gift to us." Then with a broad smile she said, "Subsequently, I adopted Ken Bradley as my son and Ed adopted Cathy as his daughter. The reason is the same: I'm hoping to get Ken away from my daughter and get him into my bed, while Ed wants to trade me in for the younger, more athletic and nubile model — and is Cathy ever nubile!" With a pout she added, "But it's not working. All those two do is fuck and make babies." Then she was transformed by the most vivid smile Bobbie had ever seen and added, "Of course our grandson, Ken, junior, is the most beautiful young man God ever created; our granddaughter, Krista, is the most beautiful little girl, and Cathy is about to hatch a brother or sister for them." "But you can't..." Bobbie stammered. "I thought I understood it when you said Kris is adopted. That can happen, I suppose. But a grandmother! That's preposterous. You can't be even thirty." Turning to Ed again Vangie exclaimed, "Edward Bradley we have to have her! No one has flattered us so much in years." Turning to Bobbie she said, "Darling, I'm forty-five and the love of my life here is fifty-one. Believe me when I say we are honest-to-God grandparents — not even that synthetic adopted stuff like Ali! "I'm very serious, Barbara," Vangie continued. "We would like very much to adopt you as our daughter. I think you will like Kris and I'm sure you'll love Ken and Cathy. Besides, we really need a genuine California blonde in the family." "I guess I'm genuine, then," Bobbie said. "Like most people in California, I'm from somewhere else." "Where?" "A little town in Illinois that I'm sure you never heard of," Bobbie answered. "What town?" Vangie persisted. "A little town north of Chicago called Deerfield." "Good heavens! That's where Jan and Pete are. Have you ever heard of Janice and Peter Stewart? Illinois Technologies... ? Although now it's the Peters Drive Company..." "Of course!" Bobbie replied. "My mother is in the Junior League and years ago she came back from a winter meeting raving about ... Janice Stewart!" "Jan is the one who beat me into shape," Vangie said softly. "She's one of Ali's adopted daughters, too." Then she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Since you're from Chicago, maybe you follow the Bears. Maybe you've heard of Ken Bradley?" Now Bobbie's jaw dropped. "My God! The All-Pro wide receiver ... Married to ... Cathy Bradley, the Pro Bowl kicker ... Your daughter?" "Sure is," Vangie replied, "but as I said earlier, I claim no credit at all. It was all Cathy, by herself, overcoming nearly unbelievable handicaps — mostly me — to do it. Anyway, how about joining our merry band? I think we can probably support you ... If you don't eat too much, that is." While they were talking, other things about the Bradleys started to surface from Bobbie's memory. One of them was that the Bradleys were nearly as rich as the Cliffords — certainly in the same league. She shook her head and said, "I'm afraid it's impossible. First, I have been disowned by my parents for being a slut and a whore." Looking at Ed she asked, "How would you like it if you went outside to pick up the paper and found Kris, here, naked on the doorstep covered with semen, and stoned out of her mind? That's the way my father found me early one morning." "I would give serious thought to hunting down the beasts who drugged her and killing them all," Ed Bradley replied coldly. She looked into his eyes and shuddered realizing he meant exactly what he had said. "Moreover, we have just the guys around here who would love to help me do it: Bill Cartwright, another Medal of Honor winner from Special Forces; Ken Carlson, a double Medal of Honor winner from Army Rangers; Mike Morris, Judy's husband, another Medal of Honor winner, served in the Marines with the Marine Recon ... Not only would they do it, they would delight in it. All that would be left of those butchers would be a few small scraps." Looking deep into Bobbie's eyes he said, "Do you believe they would do it?" She shivered and said, "Yes, sir. I guess they would believe it, too." "Bobbie," Ed Bradley continued, "I guess it's a problem with having a few bucks: You can become known as a target. Bill Clifford and I handle it the same way: We make it painfully clear to anyone who gets such an idea that it's not the brightest idea they ever had. In other words, we don't offer free bites." Then he held out his arms and said, "My wife has been monopolizing things. While she's been running off at the mouth, I need to correct something she said about herself. She would have you believe that she's the personification of evil." He smiled ruefully and said, "It's so typical of her, too." Then looking into the girl's eyes he said, "I saw you looking at Vangie very carefully, Bobbie. What did you see?" "I saw an incredible beauty," Bobbie replied. "At the same time, as beautiful as her face and figure are, that's the least of it. Her real beauty — and it's in overwhelming abundance — comes from the goodness she radiates from within. Looking into her eyes all I see is goodness and love." Ed just nodded and stuck out his tongue at his wife. "I told you," he said. "Vangie Bradley, you're a god-awful actress. You can't even play the part. Your goodness just shines through in spite of anything you say or do." Then to Bobbie he added, "Of course in bed this woman is utter perfection. You see, I love a woman who's nice and wet — and Vangie always is. Moreover, when she's in my arms, in addition to the goodness and love, I get to see the most intense personal love for me coupled with a level of passion that's beyond belief. "Bobbie, this is the woman who wants to be your mother. In spite of the fact that she was half right — I really am a shit — could I have a kiss? Please?" Bobbie rose from her chair and went to him. Ed swept her off her feet and sat her across his lap. Then he proceeded to kiss her thoroughly while he ran his hands lightly over her exposed body. His kiss is just loaded with pure love, Bobbie thought and then realized, and it's love for me! She looked into his eyes and saw exactly the same thing she had seen in Vangie's: incredible goodness and love. She pulled away and with a cute grin said, "But Dad, I hate to say this to my brand-new father, but you're full of shit, too! All I see in your eyes is an incredible depth of goodness and love." Ed shook his head and grinned ruefully as she continued, "I can certainly believe what you said about Mom, though. I'll bet she is passionate. On the other hand, even sitting on your lap I can feel your sex beneath me, so I'm also sure that your lovemaking must be pretty special! Does she retain consciousness when she cums with you inside her?" "Hell, no!" Vangie exclaimed. "In fact on our wedding night I was out so long my whole damned family — Ed, Cathy, Ken and Imp, here — all feasted on my cunt." With a shake of her head and a wry grin she added, "Can you imagine using your cunt to provide a feast... for a family of four? Of course, to be fair, a lot of it — including all the nourishing part — was from Ed's glorious cum inside me. Can you drown on internal fluids, do you suppose?" Vangie mused. Bobbie just giggled, but she believed what she had heard was true. Her new parents — she was already thinking of them in those terms — were so madly, passionately in love with each other, it was a beautiful sight to behold. When Ed finally released her, she found Kris standing over them looking down at her. "Is it my turn yet?" she asked. "Don't I get to kiss my brand-new twin sister?" Rising to her feet again Bobbie went into the girl's arms and received the most breathtaking kiss she could ever imagine. Then Kris said softly, "Welcome, Sis! I think we're going to have a marvelous time together." Then with a little yelp she added, "And guess what, parents? Now I'll finally get some help in trying to spend your damned money!" Then she shook her head and frowned, "I don't know, though. I don't think Bobbie has what it takes to be a real Valley Girl. Do you?" Bobbie was swept by a feeling of relief. Then her knees threatened to collapse beneath her so she dove for Ed Bradley's lap. He gathered her into his strong arms and just held her tightly. Suddenly she burst into tears and started to bawl like a baby. It was as if a dam had burst. Ed just held her even tighter and held her head to his shoulder while he gently stroked her hair and the satin-smooth skin of her bare back. As he did she felt comforted for the first time in years — it felt so wonderful just to be held. Slowly she regained control and her weeping stopped, but she just snuggled closer into his shoulder. Then she lifted her head and he gently kissed the tears away as he murmured, "Darling Barbara, your new mother and I adore you!" Realizing that her tears had soaked the shoulder of his dinner jacket, Bobbie tried to get up to get a napkin to wipe it off. "Oh God, Mr. Bradley!" she exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! Can I..." "I'm not sorry at all," he interrupted softly. "Darling, there are few things a man likes more than to hold and comfort a beautiful girl. Barbara Dawson, like your new sister, you're a delight to the senses." As she started to get up from his lap, she realized that Vangie was on her knees beside her whispering, "Do you feel better, darling? It's terrible to feel totally alone, isn't it?" Then she softly added, "Could I have a kiss, too?" Reaching out, Bobbie hugged Vangie tightly and then started bawling again. Vangie just held her close and listened to the tears. When she finally ran dry, Vangie kissed her eyes gently and then melted her lips to hers. Then she finally pulled away and Vangie asked Kris to accompany her to the ladies room to make repairs to her tear-streaked face. In spite of the ravages of her tears, Bobbie was radiantly beautiful and happier than she had been in years. While the girls were away from the table, Ed and Vangie talked to Ali about legal arrangements for Bobbie's adoption. When the girls returned to the table, they spent the dinner time getting acquainted. Bobbie realized to her amazement that in just a few short hours she had come truly to love this remarkable family. After dinner the band began to play big-band dance music. After dancing with her new father — she found he was a marvelous dancer — Bobbie found herself sought out by virtually all of the men present. A man who looked very much like Ed Bradley came up to the table and asked her to dance. He didn't bother to introduce himself until she was in his arms on the dance floor. Then he held her slightly away from himself so he could look directly into her eyes. After studying them for a few moments he said softly, "Kenny is absolutely right! You're a truly remarkable young woman and I'm sure you're going to be very happy with the Bradleys. They are now among our very closest friends and are delightful people." He grinned and added, "Incidentally, I'm Bill Clifford, otherwise known as Ali's husband." Again Bobbie felt foolish as her jaw dropped. Like Ed Bradley, Bill Clifford appeared to be in his early thirties with prematurely grey temples. "But you can't ... My God! What do you people do? You must have found the fountain of youth! You can't be..." "Fifty-two?" he interjected. "That's how old I am. Of course between Ali, Kenny and the baby, they serve to keep me young. And unlike my child bride, I am — like Ed Bradley — an honest-to-God grandfather — several times over. All of my children — Jennifer, Bill and Brian — have children of their own now. I know you met Joan the day she delivered her little boy. Isn't she a delight?" Bobbie moved closer to him and murmured into his shoulder, "Mr. Clifford, you have to be so very proud! But how do you do it? How do you stay so young?" "It's easy," he replied softly. "It's all Ali. She's..." He stopped and grinned, then said, "I was going to say she's the love of my life, but I stopped myself. It's inaccurate. The fact is that she is my life." He smiled warmly and said, "Bobbie, I can't tell you what it was like that Christmas night when Ali told me she was going to have my baby. I was so happy I was afraid I was going to explode. "You see, I always thought that the fruit of her glorious loins would be very special. Well, you've seen Ken and I think you'll agree that he certainly is. Anyway, she keeps me young." Later, she danced with Ken Carlson and then with Mike Morris. While she was dancing with Ken, thinking about what Ed Bradley had said, she asked him about it obliquely. It turned out that he knew all about her history. She looked into his brown eyes and shivered. He asked, "Did Marie ever tell you what happened after we freed Celeste and her? To the enemy, I mean?" Bobbie just slowly shook her head. "We killed them all. The ones who weren't killed in our initial attack were hung from the scaffold that they had built for Marie and Celeste." Looking down at Bobbie's face he said, "I would do exactly the same thing to those bastards who not only raped you but destroyed your whole life with your parents. Worst of all, they actually got you to believe that you were a whore." He finished with a note of menace in his voice as he said, "If I ever get my hands on any of them, they will be dead!" At that instant Bobbie realized that she was not hearing a threat; rather, she was hearing a simple statement of fact. Then he added, "Bill Cartwright and Mike Morris desperately want to help, too." Then with a mirthless grin he added, "Among the three of us we could handle a good-sized army." Hearing his words she shivered because from what she knew of their backgrounds, Bobbie was sure they could — and probably would. Later, when the band took a break, Kris grabbed her hand and said, "Come on, sis. We're going to sing!" Dismissing her protests that she didn't know how, Kris led her to the bandstand where Celeste and Marie were waiting for them. Bobbie was utterly baffled when Marie gave her a song sheet and Kris sat down at the piano to play for them. To her utter amazement, she found she could sing — indeed, could sing beautifully. There was silence in the room as the four girls beautifully sang Christmas carols together. Bobbie was most surprised when Kris indicated that she had a solo to do and was astonished when she found she could do it. They all took bows to waves of applause. Then Marie whispered something to Kris who smiled and nodded. Taking a microphone in her hand Marie said, "Ladies and gentlemen, a number of you have heard my sister and me sing together in the past. Tonight you heard us joined with the marvelous voices of Kristin Bradley and Barbara Dawson — who's about to become Barbara Bradley. Anyway, you all know my background. You know how I was rescued from death by Ken Carlson and restored to life by him and his bride, Kathy. "Tonight I would like to sing a song to the love of my life, Tom Conroy. In just a few short months he has given me a level and intensity of joy that puts me in Heaven. I would like to convey a little of the love I feel and the joy I experience in his arms." With that introduction she sang the most passionate love song anyone had ever heard. Marie had the most marvelous clear soprano voice that carried astonishing power coming from such a small body. When she finished, she just lowered her head. There was the silence of sheer awe for a few moments, then the room exploded with cheers and applause. Standing there alone, to the surprise of everyone, particularly Bobbie, Marie addressed the group. "I would also like to take this opportunity to say a few words to you all. "To begin with, how did my sister and I come to Clifford & Jamison? The answer to that is really very simple. First of all, the woman we adore more than anyone else alive, Kathy Carlson, worked here. You all know what I think of her: I literally worship the ground she walks on and kiss her feet whenever I see her. Then, of course, when we received the first William Harrison Clifford Fellowships to USC Law School from Ali, we thought she was a dream, so that settled it. "After graduating, I joined the firm. The first day I was here, the woman I thought was the personification of everything beautiful and good turned out to be just Clifford & Jamison Standard!" The crowd roared with laughter at the remark. "I'm really not kidding," Marie protested. "Let me give you an illustration using another partner, Sandy Benson. Have you ever looked at Sandy closely when she's in a courtroom trying a case? It's ... it's sad ... Well, it's certainly unfair. First of all, there is the genius of her brain. She takes the most complex case and lays it out like the A-B-Cs. Then, of course, she's so relaxed and fulfilled, she just glows. Instantly she has the attention and the admiration of the jurors." Looking around the room Marie asked, "Have any of you thought to time a Sandy Benson jury? I have. They're typically out for only about as long as it takes them to write up their findings to report to the judge. Last week the jury came in with a finding for our client. Her daughter, Laura, was sitting like a little lady in the first row immediately behind her. When the jury was dismissed and court adjourned, Sandy picked up little Laura and gave her a hug and a kiss. Meanwhile the jurors were lined up for her autograph and to coo at Laura. "You know something else? There's never any second-guessing on a Sandy Benson jury. Not only do they find for her, but they are morally certain there could be no other possible finding. How would you like to try a case against her?" With a big grin she said, "You know something else? She can lie like a rug! Awhile ago I know she had promised Laura and some of the other children that she would take them to the circus in the afternoon. Of course she had a trial scheduled for ten that same morning. Promptly at eight-thirty the opposing counsel called with an offer to settle. "Do you know what Sandy did? She said she had absolutely no interest in settling. Her little girl was in the office all dressed up to see mommy in the courtroom, so she was sure he could see why she couldn't possibly. Finally — with her tears flowing over the telephone wires — with the greatest reluctance she accepted a settlement at a figure only 15 percent higher than what she was suing for. 'But what will I tell my little girl?' she wailed. 'She'll be so disappointed!' "She accepted it only when the other attorney pointed out that she had a fiduciary responsibility to her client to accept the offer. She hangs up and goes off to the circus with the kids. Everyone — particularly including Sandy and Laura — was wearing Levi's that day. So much for legal ethics!" Marie concluded. "Now wait a stinking minute, Mrs. Conroy!" Sandy protested, standing up at her seat with a broad grin on her face. "You don't have a child yet so you don't know. If you did, you would know how often they change their minds. I was certain Laura would much rather see an exciting trial than a dull old circus! So there!" Marie giggled while she shook her head. "Anyway, I tried to figure out what made the firm work the way it did. The answer was simple. It turns out that these women have one priority: their husbands." Looking thoughtful, Marie added pensively, "I'll bet that's why it took me so long to make partner. I didn't have one!" With a quick grin she went back to her story. "Realizing I needed a husband, I was facing a problem: Who would marry a beat-up little Asian? The answer came quickly: a young boy who I had seduced when he was only twelve and probably didn't know any better because he was still a teenager: Tom Conroy. "Anyway, this brings us to our rôle as wives. I learned about this from my mother — actually, I guess she's my mother-in-law, but I always think of Hank Conroy as my mother and she only thinks of me as her daughter. Tom keeps me in a constant sexual daze. In return for this I sort of keep him on track, calm him down when necessary, kick him in the tail when that's necessary ... You know ... keep him focused. "That's really what we all do with our husbands, I guess. They are the center of our lives, and we are the center of our families. We operate as the mainspring and the balance wheel while our husbands are our winding key. Without them, we are absolutely nothing. With them we can do anything — and often do." Looking around the room Marie picked out a young woman who had joined the staff in July, fresh from law school. She said, "Pam Collins, you're new in the firm. What do you think?" A gorgeous brunette rose to her feet and grinned. "Thank you, Marie. I'm glad you asked. I guess I joined the firm out of curiosity. You see, while I was in law school, Clifford & Jamison was the firm that none of us could figure out. First, unlike all the other top firms, you don't recruit on campus. Furthermore, in spite of all the militant feminists on the law faculty, we never heard anything good about the Firm in spite of it being all women. "It became even more puzzling when, during my legal internships, I found that this was a firm that never lost a case! I became intrigued." Turning to Kathy Carlson she said, "My first interview was like yours, I heard. I was interviewed by Ginger but all she could do was massage her crotch while her bare feet were on her desk-top. She was leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed hoping I would just go away. Later I found that she had just given birth to her baby daughter. "Anyway, I joined. Now I'm getting to be one of the crowd. I weigh about the same as I have for years, but it's sure arranged differently. Like all the rest of the girls, I had to replace my wardrobe to accommodate broader shoulders and bigger tits. Tonight I'm wearing a dress I wouldn't have dared to wear just nine months ago. It's the firm's standard party dress. Now my tits are big enough and firm enough to keep it together and it features my tight little ass." Turning to the young man beside her she said, "And, Gerald Smith, if you don't stop squeezing my buns my love juices are going to be all over the floor and will ruin my lovely dress besides!" The good looking young man sitting beside her ostentatiously took one of her buns in his hand and squeezed. The people all saw the girl's eyes half close as she relished the sensation, then she turned and lightly slapped his face. "Furthermore," she added, "that only comes when we're married. No free samples!" she said raising an eyebrow. Then to the group she asked, "Why do you suppose men want to marry virgins? All they have to look forward to is a lot of blood messing up the bed. Maybe it's AIDS or something... ?" she mused. Turning to Ali she said, "I do have a bone to pick with you though, Allison McGrath Clifford! Why can't we have a useful training program like the one at that dumb bank in Chicago? There the women learn valuable skills: how to go down on a man, how to take him in the ass, how to sleep on his shoulder while molding her body to his. They learn to cook, too, of course, but they also learn how to serve a formal dinner while they're naked." Feigning anger she added, "And you own the damned bank, too, Ali. What's wrong with us? Aren't we good enough? Pretty enough? Sexy enough? What?" With a quick grin she added, "It's a violation of our civil rights. We're ... We're being discriminated against!" Ali turned to Ginger and said, "Partner, you're in charge of firm training. What about it?" Ginger was laughing so hard she couldn't respond. She just slowly shook her head as the young woman sat down again to cheers from the crowd, particularly from the younger associates. Marie had been listening and laughing. When the girl was seated again she mused, "Why do we always hire comediennes? But I guess it really is a practical training idea." Then she became serious again and continued her interrupted speech: "This brings me to my husband, Tom. All I can say is no woman has ever had the love, the protection, the tenderness ... the everything ... that Thomas Conroy has given me. On our four-month honeymoon, repeatedly he literally saved my life. He protected me from danger. He warmed me at night by holding me close to his body in his strong arms. Sexually, he is unsurpassed. He puts me on his glorious cock as he would put on a glove — a tight-fitting one, at that." She looked over at Tom and said softly, "No woman in history has ever had the happiness I have had with you and in your arms, my darling. No one! Ever!" There were tears in the corners of her eyes now. Bobbie realized that, remarkably, her sister, Celeste, was standing in the rear videotaping the whole address. Marie continued, "This brings me to the present. You see, I had an idea: A football team — even the very best — has backup quarterbacks. There are a couple for Joe Montana and there's one for Mike Cassidy of the Bears. They don't play very often but the team can't exist without one, because the starter can go down at any time. Well, if a quarterback makes a football team go, a wife makes a family go. Therefore, I came up with the idea of a backup wife. You see, that's the rôle Barbara Dawson has been playing at our house. She didn't know it, of course, but now she is a perfectly prepared backup." Shaking her head sadly she looked at the girl and asked, "Bobbie, would you please come up here with me?" Bobbie was stunned at Marie's prior remark but did as she was asked. To Bobbie she said, "We're going out to Maui tomorrow, honey, and you'll be spending a lot of time on the nude beach. Would you mind stripping here, now?" Bobbie was stunned but did as she was asked. In moments she was standing naked except for her pumps. Looking at the girl Marie shook her head and grinned wryly. "You know — or maybe you don't — that women are much crueler than men." At that she quickly stripped off her gown and turned her back to the gathering and said, "Men did this to me. It's sort of brutal and obvious." Pointing to Bobbie she said, "I did that to her." Everyone was looking at Bobbie with puzzled looks on their faces. Barbara looked utterly magnificent — there was not a mark of any kind on her perfectly formed body. Marie said, "My ancestors would be delighted. You see, Asians are experts at all forms of torture. We sometimes respect it almost as an art form. "Well," she said as she started to weep, "they would be very proud of me. You see, I perfected the most diabolically perfect form of torture. I was able to get this poor girl nearly to destroy herself. How? It was pretty simple, really. All I did was make her spend her time with Tom naked. She slept with him when I was out of town, taking my place on his shoulder. She gave him the sexual release he needed to keep producing his normally copious quantities of glorious cum. Her release? There was none, of course." Again her voice broke. By now Marie was crying so hard she could scarcely talk but kept on anyway: "You see, she is one of God's truly good people. She is a girl who was almost destroyed by some schoolmates who couldn't stand the idea of a beautiful girl who didn't believe in sex with anything in pants as a form of casual recreation. "What did they do? They raped her. Worse, they did it in a way that convinced Bobbie that she was a whore and a slut. She is anything but. Those ... creatures ... had almost succeeded in getting this lovely girl to destroy herself. They did succeed in getting her own family to disown her and throw her out of her home. She lost her family! Worst of all, she actually thought her parents were being reasonable. How do I know all of this? From Ken Clifford and Andrea Cartwright, two of God's most perfect creations. Their individual judgment is unerring. Their collective judgment is infallible. Their collective judgment? Barbara Dawson is one of God's perfect creatures." There was a pause while Marie picked up a napkin from the table to use as a handkerchief. She needed emergency repairs to try to continue her narrative. With a toss of her head, she put her arm around Bobbie's waist and pulled her close. The two women stood side-by-side, both proudly naked. "This is the girl I tortured. How? By making her constantly make love to the man she adores — the man she loves more than life itself, but the man she cannot have. Why? Because that man is my husband, Tom." Marie turned Bobbie towards her then kissed her full on the lips with all the love she could communicate. When she broke the kiss she whispered, "Bobbie, I'm so sorry!" Then she looked back at the gathering. The people now were sitting in stunned silence. Never had they experienced anything even close to what they were witnessing. Marie continued, "It's mostly over now, though. You see, the culmination came a couple of days ago. One of Bobbie's tasks is to take my punishment for me. I won't go into detail except to say that Tom and I have a scale of punishments for various infractions — the most common of which is when I call him a teenybopper — but including other things as well. You see, I like to carry the marks of the person I love on my body. That's why I'm branded, for example. Since I adore Tom Conroy, I love to have bruises on my buns matching his large hands." With a wry grin she said, "However, I don't think that's true of many people and it surely isn't true of Bobbie. The first time he spanked her in my stead, he almost killed her. She was beaten unconscious but never made a sound. Why? Because she had agreed to accept the punishment and was merely living up to her agreement — at any cost to herself. "At any rate — and this is due to Andy — Tom has gone easier on her since then. A couple of days ago she was bent over his knee to receive a spank. Instead of spanking her, though, he did something infinitely more painful to her: He stroked her buns and her slit." Shaking her head Marie said, "For this girl, taking the skin off her back with a whip would have been far more humane and far less painful. Instead, she had to accept intimate caresses from the man she loves, but whom she cannot have." Shaking her head sadly Marie said, "My brutal ancestors were undoubtedly smiling at my sadistic creativity." "Is there more? Of course there is. First of all, Barbara Dawson is truly alone in the world." As she looked around the room and an idea came to her. "You know what? Bobbie's closest friends in the whole world right now are two five-year-olds: Kenneth Clifford and Andrea Cartwright. They know her, they love her and they want to help her. "Me? I just want to use her." Bitterly, she added, "And have I ever!" Then she smiled warmly and whispered to Bobbie to get dressed again. In an instant, the two women had slipped on their gowns again. Marie was wrapping up her address. She said, "Tonight, Bobbie was rescued. I was utterly delighted to learn that she is being adopted as their daughter by Ed and Evangeline Bradley, two of the nicest people in the world. For the first time in years, poor Bobbie will have people who love her to confide in and to counsel with. Seldom has a person been so alone as this poor girl has been for the last two years." With a smile she said, "Well, now it's over." Turning to Bobbie there was intense pleading in her eyes as she said, "Bobbie, I have one last favor to ask. And that's in full knowledge of the fact that I have no right to ask for anything from you, ever. Nevertheless, Bobbie, if something happens to me I am begging you — publicly begging you — please to take care of Tom. He needs you so badly. Together, you will be incredible. Barbara Dawson, I am begging you please to marry my husband, Tom, as quickly as you can after I die. And I mean within the same week. Please? Will you?" Bobbie was utterly stunned and shocked. At the same time she could see the most incredible pleading in Marie's eyes. For some reason, her answer was vitally important to her. She slowly shook her head but finally just said, "Marie, if he will have me, I will marry him." "Oh thank you, my darling Bobbie!" Marie screamed. Then turning to the group she said, "Please remember what you have just heard. If it should ever become a factor, I want you all to remember what I asked Bobbie to do, and what it is she has just agreed to do. Please also remember it was entirely my own idea. I will give you all my personal assurance that Bobbie had absolutely no idea of what I was going to say this evening. In fact, she had no idea I would say anything at all." Turning to where Tom was sitting, stunned by her revelation, she said softly, "Thomas Conroy, what are you sitting there for? Come up here and give your wife a kiss." With pleading in her eyes she added, "My darling, right now I really need one!" Tom came up and in an instant had swept his wife into his arms. Their mutual passion was visible for everyone to see as she melted in his arms. When their kiss ended, Marie spoke some last words, "In a few short weeks, I will reach the culmination of our life together when I deliver our child — the fruit of my womb and our love for each other. I really can't wait." Barbara could no longer hold back her tears. She wept as she was reminded once again of the incredible depth of love Marie had for Tom and realized how futile her own love for him was fated to be. Marie's last words had made no sense to her at all. From her personal knowledge, Marie was the most healthy and perfectly developed specimen of womanhood in the world. Later in the evening after dancing with Marie, Tom came over and asked Barbara Dawson for a dance without any reference to what his wife had said earlier. She felt as shy as a sixth-grader as she went into his arms. When she did, she instantly noticed how well she fit and how wonderful it felt. Moreover, she found that she and Tom moved beautifully on the dance floor together. As they danced, Tom asked her about his wife's remarks. Bobbie just shook her head. Then he said, "Bobbie, I think it's the funniest thing I have ever heard! Just imagine! She thinks you love me. Actually, it's not funny, it's just plain dumb. The whole idea is ridiculous." Finally, the dance ended. This time he smiled fondly, took her chin and lifted it, then softly kissed her full on the lips. In spite of all of her efforts she could feel the electricity flow between them. When he let go of her chin, he whispered, "Merry Christmas, Barbara Dawson. May your life be filled with endless joy in the new year!" Bobbie spun around and fled towards the ladies room. She didn't want him to see her dissolve into tears. Kris Bradley saw what had happened and followed her in. Then Kris held her new sister tightly in her arms while Bobbie cried her eyes out. As she held her, Kris murmured softly, "Oh God, my darling sister. Can there be anything worse than to be madly in love with a man who thinks your love is a joke?" She caressed her new sister's hair and said softly, "I love you very much, dear sister." ------- Chapter 10 Barbara Dawson was sitting cross-legged on their king-size bed watching her new sister, Kristin, unpack. They had just arrived at the Kapalua resort on the island of Maui earlier in the afternoon and were settling into their suite. When Bobbie had asked Kris which bedroom she wanted, Kris had just marched her into the master bedroom and informed her that they were sharing it. "What's the sense of having a wonderful brand-new sister if I can't use her to keep me warm at night?" the girl had said with a quick grin. Having only a few articles of clothing that still fit her reshaped body, Bobbie was just watching as Kris unpacked two suitcases and put her things away. As she did Bobbie noticed how beautiful all of her things were. Her clothing was tasteful, stylish and very understated. At the same time everything she had was so elegant. Something had been bothering Bobbie about Kris for days now, ever since she had learned about her new brother and sister, Ken and Cathy Bradley. As Kris put things away she began singing softly to herself. Suddenly Bobbie recognized the tune and her mystery was solved. "My God!" she exclaimed. "You're ... you're Kris Bradley!" "Sure am," Kris replied casually. "But what's news about that?" "But ... I mean ... You're ... You're Kris Bradley, the singer!" Kris looked at her sharply and said, "That and a buck-and-a-half will get you on the subway! Big fucking deal!" "But, I mean ... You're famous!" Bobbie insisted. "And Andy Warhol said everyone will be famous for two minutes. Those were my two minutes," Kris replied. Then with a grin she added, "On the other hand, the CD ran for nearly sixty minutes so maybe I'm a little ahead of the game." Bobbie was staring at Kris intently. Now that she remembered the name, other bits and pieces from her memory were coming together. Glaring at her accusingly she said, "You just completed a major film didn't you? Your very first and you're the female star! I read about it. I understand there are a couple of nude scenes that almost ignited the film." Then Bobbie began to cry, got off the bed, retrieved her suitcase, and, even though she was now blinded by her tears, began to re-pack her things. "Where in hell are you going!?" Kris exclaimed as she realized that Bobbie was packing to leave. "I'm getting out of your life!" Bobbie exclaimed through her tears. "My God! What a family! In just three children we have an All-Pro wide receiver who's also a Baker Scholar — and a Rhodes Scholar designate; the only woman in history to play professional football — and win the MVP award at the Pro Bowl — a woman who's also Phi Beta Kappa, a valedictorian, one of the most brilliant bankers in the country, as well as being a world-class mother. Now I find my sister made a record that went Platinum in one of the shortest spans of time in the history of the recording business, a sister who's the sweetheart of all our Armed Forces in the Middle East, a sister who has just stood Hollywood on its collective ear with the most sizzling screen performance in memory — in her first motion picture!" By now Bobbie had finished stuffing her things willy-nilly into her bag and was headed towards the door. Her parting words were, "What on earth could I possibly bring to this party?" Kris's first reaction to Bobbie's tears was one of shock and dismay. Initially she was going to interrupt her but, when she saw the direction Bobbie's comments were taking, she just let her talk. Kris was expecting her parting question. When she heard it, she was sitting on the bed with her knees up under her chin leaning back against the headboard. "Do you really want to know the answer?" she asked quietly. Bobbie had almost reached the door, but Kris's surprising response stopped her in her tracks. Wheeling around she dropped her bag and exclaimed, "As a matter of fact, yes!" "Then strip and get your tight little ass into this bed beside me," Kris replied. As she spoke, she was shedding her own clothes and then slipped under the covers. Bobbie looked puzzled for a moment but then did as she was asked. When she slid under the covers, her new sister was waiting for her and took her into her arms. Kris held her tightly and just breathed in the wonderfully clean natural fragrance of Bobbie's body. After kissing her warmly, Kris held her closely and felt her firm tits mashed against another pair that were even more firm than her own as well as being very slightly larger. Hugging Bobbie closely, Kris's mouth was next to her ear. Whispering, she asked, "Do you remember Snow White?" "Snow White!?" Bobbie exclaimed. "What does an animated film have to do with anything?" "A lot," Kris replied. "Do you remember when the wicked queen asked, 'Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?'" "I guess so," Bobbie whispered back. "But still, so what?" "Well," Kris replied with a grin, "Kenny Clifford is my mirror on the wall. While we were filming out here I spent a lot of time with Ali and her family. Like everyone else, I adore Kenny Clifford. Anyway, the very first time I met him he said I was the most beautiful woman in the world. It became our little private joke. Whenever I saw him, I would ask him and get the same answer — until a few weeks ago. "Then when I asked, he said I was one of the most beautiful women. Well, I now know him well enough to know that he can't lie. I mean it! He absolutely can not! So when he said it, I pretended to cry and asked who's more beautiful? "He hugged me while tears were flowing from his eyes. You see, he hurt my feelings — or thought he had — and that's another trait he gets from his mother: He can't do that, either. Anyway, his reply was Barbara Dawson. Then he proceeded to tell me about you. "By the way," she interjected, "Kenny uses a unique definition of beauty. Of course it includes physical appearance, but primarily it's sheer goodness. That's what he was really rating you on. Anyway, while he was in the middle of telling me about you, Andrea Cartwright comes and joins in. With those two little angels raving about you I knew you had to be very special." Pulling away slightly so she could look into Bobbie's eyes she added, "And you know what? They are absolutely right!" Then she fused her lips to Bobbie's and worked them in the most loving and passionate kiss Bobbie had ever had. While she was kissing her new sister, her fingers were roving over the girl's body caressing her magnificent skin. When she finally eased away, she said, "Bobbie, you're exquisite! Can we take a nap now, together? Just like this?" Bobbie reacted to the tender touch and responded by stroking Kris's body at the same time. As she was held she could feel all of the accumulated tensions she had been feeling just disappear to be replaced by a feeling of wonderful warmth and lassitude. All she could do was to murmur, "Mm mm..." In just moments, the two girls were asleep in each other's arms. About an hour later, Kris was awakened by soft knocking on the suite door. Using the soft light filtering past the window blinds, she looked at her new sister in her arms. Bobbie was holding her closely to her body and Kris delighted in the feeling. The girl's body was so warm and soft, yet firm, with skin like the smoothest satin. Since her hand was behind Bobbie's neck, she gently stroked the girl's hairline. As she did she was rewarded with a soft smile coupled with contented sounds coming from deep in her body. Hearing the knocking at the door repeated, Kris carefully eased herself out of her sister's embrace and padded out to the door. Checking in the peephole, she smiled as she saw her mother waiting patiently. Since she was nude, she stood behind the door and quietly opened it a bit allowing Vangie to slip inside. Closing the door behind her, Vangie took her daughter into her arms and kissed her lovingly. Then she whispered, "Bobbie's still sleeping, isn't she?" Kris raised an eyebrow and replied, "Yes, she is, but how did you know?" "Because the poor kid has become an emotional basket case. You heard Marie the other night: She wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. Your sister is madly in love with Tom Conroy. She goes down on him and displays her naked body to him. Can you possibly imagine what that does to her? Particularly since it would never occur to her to get herself off?" Giving Kris another quick kiss, Vangie slipped off the terry robe which was all she was wearing and said, "Why don't you go see your father — the key is in the pocket — or go play in the traffic or something? In other words, why don't you get lost? I want to get to know my newest daughter!" "Oh, Mom!" Kris quietly exclaimed. "Do for her what you did for me the night after my adoption hearing. She needs comforting so desperately!" With a quick wink Kris put on her mother's robe and slipped out of the suite. As soon as she left, Vangie padded into the bedroom and carefully slid into the bed where Kris had just been. She smiled to herself as she felt Kris's residual warmth in the bed and saw Bobbie's hands moving, obviously searching for her recently departed bed-partner. When Vangie moved into the girl's arms, she saw a lovely small smile appear and then watched as the girl sank back into a deep sleep with her body now tightly pressed against her own. As Vangie dropped off to sleep she smelled the wonderful clean scent of Bobbie's body. About an hour later, Bobbie slowly awakened. With her eyes still closed, she sniffed at the wonderful aroma of her bed-partner's body — a natural fragrance that was so fresh and clean. Since her arms were around her, she gently moved her fingertips over her sister's back while she gently moved her body against hers. The feeling, she decided, was delicious. Squeezing, she felt her tits mashed against another beautiful pair. Then she moved her head slightly, put her lips against her bed-partner's and kissed her lovingly. Her eyes opened suddenly when she realized the taste was different. It was only then that she realized it wasn't Kris, it was her new mother! Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Mother! But ... but it can't be you!" "Why not?" Vangie inquired softly as she snuggled even closer to her young daughter. "You ... you're too young! You feel exactly like Kris." Then she wriggled her body against her mother's and shook her head. "No you don't. You feel so ... so wonderfully warm and ripe, sweet and juicy..." "Oh, shit!" exclaimed Vangie. "Not another one!" Looking hurt, Bobbie asked, "Another one what?" Vangie grinned at her then gently kissed her eyes, her nose and her ears, finally formed her lips to her daughter's and poured out her love. Moving away slightly she explained, "That's almost exactly what Kris said the first time we were together like this: She said I was like a ripe pear! I'll say to you what I said to her," she continued with a wry grin, "You really know how to make an old woman feel good: comparing me to an overripe inanimate object!" Bobbie's eyes gleamed at her mother's quip. Then she asked, "Mom, could I kiss you? Just once? Please?" Vangie's eyebrows knitted as she pretended to frown. "Barbara! Really! I mean ... Just because I'm mashing my bare tits against yours ... Just because you're grinding your gorgeous bush against my bare mound ... I mean ... Really! Aren't you being just a bit ... forward?" "Yep!" Bobbie agreed as she melted her lips against her mother's and just poured out her love. As she did Vangie was holding her tightly and running her fingers all over her bare back. When her hand reached one of Bobbie's bare asscheeks, she squeezed as hard as she could. Rather than make a sound, Bobbie just mashed her groin harder against her mother's and made a deep sound of appreciation. When the kiss ended, the girl asked, "Mom, could I just look at you? You've seen me bare, but I've never seen you. I can feel you and you just feel scrumptious. Do you look as good as you feel?" At that she flipped back the covers and moved her body away to get a good look. As she looked at her mother lying on her side with her head on a pillow, she just whistled softly. "Mom," she asked, "are you as good in bed with Dad as it looks like you are? My God! You look younger naked than you do dressed. You're just unbelievable!" Then she frowned, moved farther away from her on the wide bed and asked, "But how can you possibly stand to be so close to me? I'm a slut!" she wailed. Grabbing the covers again, Vangie pulled them up over them both and moved close enough to the girl to take her again in her arms. "No, my darling," she whispered. "I'm the slut, not you. You have been tormented beyond human endurance both physically and psychologically. I did much worse things while stone sober. Incidentally, we have started the wheels turning to identify and punish the ones responsible for your degradation. The one thing I can promise you is that they will be very, very sorry!" Then with a quick grin she said, "Come on! It's time for you to take a shower and get dressed. We're meeting in our suite in about thirty minutes for cocktails before dinner." After sharing a shower and admiring her new daughter's utterly perfect body, Vangie gave her a massage with musk oil. When she finished and said it was time for Bobbie to dress, the girl began to cry saying that she really had nothing to wear other than a few pairs of jeans. "That's what you think, darling," Vangie said with a warm smile. "You're wrong on two counts. First, we sent a ton of stuff for you on ahead of us. Second, you and Kris are nearly identical physically. I'll bet there's not one thing of hers that you couldn't wear." "But, Mom!" Bobbie protested, "they're hers, not mine. I couldn't possibly —" "What in hell is the use of having a sister if you can't steal her clothes every day?" Vangie interrupted with a grin. "Besides, you can bet your last cent she'll be stealing yours!" With that Vangie produced a lovely sleeveless silk dress that fit Bobbie as if it had been custom-made for her. In fact, it had been. After putting it on, Vangie carefully brushed and combed Bobbie's short hair. When she was finished she went to a drawer and took out a wide gold link collar that she fastened around the girl's slim neck, then gave her a gold Rolex watch saying, "You better put this on yourself." Bobbie looked at it and gasped when she realized it was solid 18-carat gold. Turning it over she read the inscription and began to cry. It said 'To our darling daughter, Barbara, from your parents with all of the love we possess.' Putting it down on the dressing table, the girl just reached up for her mother with tears flowing from her eyes. Vangie took her into her arms and hugged her tight saying, "It's such a little thing, my darling. There's really nothing that your father or I can do to adequately communicate the depth of our love for you. But please believe me when I tell you it's very real." Then she looked at Bobbie with a wry grin and asked, "Now, could you do me a favor? Could I borrow a bathrobe to get back to our suite? I gave mine to your sister." Bobbie frowned but her eyes were dancing as she replied, "Mother! Really ... I mean ... Well, hell, if you just ran kind of fast..." She giggled as her new mother stuck out her tongue looking exactly like a thirteen-year-old doing it, then threw her a robe from behind the bathroom door. Dinner in the dining room that night was also a different experience for the girl. First, rather than sitting facing each other across the table, her new parents were sitting next to each other at the square table. At first she was puzzled but the reason quickly became clear: They had a shared physical need to touch one another. She realized it was unconscious on both of their parts. Ed would lightly run his fingers up the inside of Vangie's thigh, while she would unconsciously stroke whichever part of him was closest. At the same time the dinner was a delight. Bobbie just listened as the other three talked about an incredible range of subjects. She also found that her mother's humor and caustic wit was concentrated on making denigrating comments about herself, her appearance, her lack of education — anything at all. After dinner, as they headed back towards the senior Bradley's suite Bobbie whispered into Vangie's ear, "Mom, you're so full of shit, it's ridiculous!" Kris and her father were in the lead and kept going as Vangie stopped short and wheeled on Bobbie demanding, "What did you mean by that crack, young lady?" Pulling her mother towards her, Bobbie melted her lips to hers. Then she whispered, "Mom, you're so brilliant! Never in my life have I heard such drivel! 'Poor little me! I barely have a high-school diploma... ' Maybe that's true, but you know far more than any Ph.D. I've ever heard of. And your head is screwed on straight, you exude goodness and love..." Bobbie kissed her mother again and said, "Mom, you're just great! God, I love you!" Vangie was looking puzzled as she looked intently into Bobbie's eyes, searching for some sign of teasing. There was none. Then she murmured, "You're serious, aren't you? You really mean what you said?" "Of course," Bobbie replied simply. "Oh, my darling daughter!" Vangie exclaimed, "I love you so very much!" Bobbie soaked up her loving kiss, then kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. Then they resumed their walk back to the suite. When they arrived, they found Ed and Kris waiting for them. "Bobbie," Kris said, "you already had a good look at Mom this afternoon. So tonight you prepare Dad while I work on our mother." Rolling her eyes she added, "At their ages, it takes a lot of preparation to get Dad's cock up and to get Mom's cunt in a receptive state, so..." As Kris took her mother by the hand, Vangie used her free hand to spank Kris's bottom as hard as she could. Kris wiggled her small ass and said with a wink, "Thanks, Mom. It's not as good as a man's cock, I guess, but it's better than nothing." Vangie just rolled her eyes and they went into the master bedroom together. "What now?" Bobbie asked Ed. Clearly, something was expected of her, but it wasn't at all clear to her what it was. "Now you try to get me hard for your mother," Ed replied with a wink. "It's usually very difficult. For example, I usually need to be within about a mile of her. As far as getting her warmed up, she constantly teases me about her cunt dripping." Rising from the sofa where he was seated, he asked Bobbie if she would like an after-dinner drink. "Dad ... I know this is going to sound utterly awful, but could I have a cognac? And a cigar? A light panatella, maybe?" she replied. As she said it Bobbie's heart jumped to her mouth. My God, she thought, what is my new father going to think of me? "What a wonderful idea!" Ed exclaimed. After going to the little pantry built off the suite, he returned with two cognacs, two cups of coffee and two cigars. After setting down the tray, he carefully bit off the end of a very light panatella, lighted it carefully, checked to ensure that it was burning evenly and then passed it to Bobbie. Then he as carefully lighted a Corona corona for himself. After sitting down on the sofa he patted the spot next to him and asked, "Bobbie, will you join me?" The girl's eyes widened for an instant — she was unused ever to being asked to do anything — but she rose from her chair and sat down again beside her new father. When she did, he put his arm around her and gently pulled her closer. Turning his head he sniffed her natural perfume and said, "My darling Barbara, thank you!" "'Thank you'?" Bobbie exclaimed. "For what could you possibly be thanking me?" "For being you," he replied simply. "For being so sweet, so loving, so bright..." He turned his head to look directly at her and said, "For example, right now: You're supposed to be preparing me for your mother. Curiously, you are. We just had a marvelous dinner and now I'm enjoying a beautiful cigar and cognac with my lovely daughter while I think about my wife. Just look," he said as he pointed toward his crotch. "Am I getting ready for her?" His pants were bulging and that gave Bobbie an idea. Carefully, she unzipped his fly and eased his cock and balls out from their confinement. Ed's cock was semi-erect to start but it instantly responded to the beautiful girl's caress and began expanding in both length and girth. As it did Bobbie's eyes widened. Finally she said, "Dad, there's no way Mom could take that inside her! You are gigantic!" Rather that replying, Ed took a careful puff on his cigar and leaned back against the sofa. "Darling Bobbie, marrying Vangie Collins was the smartest thing I ever did in my entire life. She told me about holding you in her arms, so I know you know what her nude body is like. Actually, though, you're right. I guess I do have a very large cock and your mother has a very small vaginal opening. Yet she is the wettest woman I have ever met. She wants me inside her so badly!" Then he looked at her and asked, "How should I take her tonight?" "Does Kris ever ... participate?" Bobbie asked. "Good grief, yes!" he exclaimed with a laugh. "Whenever and however she can. But why do you ask?" "Dad, do you feel like trying something a little different?" Bobbie asked. "Marie told me about something she did once with the Carlsons ... It's ... Well, I don't know what it is, but hearing her talk about it, it sounded like fun." By this time they had finished their cognac and cigars. When Ed agreed to try, she grinned and took him by the hand into the second bedroom. There she helped him undress. Although she had seen his bare cock, when he was naked Bobbie just softly whistled and said, "My God! Dad, you're divine!" Ed Bradley's body was an all-over golden tan. He was lean and hard with heavy muscles in his chest and upper arms, tapering down to a slim waist and hips over muscular legs. By now his huge cock was fully erect exposing the massive size of his full balls. In an instant Bobbie had shed her clothes and had him climb on the massage table sitting in the room. While he was on his back she began to work musk oil into his shoulders and chest, then worked her way down his body, too. As she worked, his hands were lightly caressing her glorious body. With a gasp Bobbie leaned over the table and mashed her lips to his while she tried to crush her tits against his muscular chest. As he returned the kiss, Ed squeezed her ass cheek hard provoking a little yelp. When she withdrew, tears were flowing slowly from her eyes as she whispered, "What an incredibly stupid idea this was! Dad, you're so utterly magnificent! But there's no way I can get any relief," she wailed. Shaking her head with a rueful smile, she began to work on his cock and balls. As she did, she saw a little smile appear on her father's face and she asked him about it. "I was just thinking about your mother," he replied. "God, I love that woman! I was thinking about last Christmas." He smiled warmly as he remembered. "As usual, when I woke up, my arm was around your mother with my hand cradling her fantastic tit. At the same time I felt something strange on my cock. In order to lift the covers I had to let go of your mother. "When I did, she pretended still to be asleep but rolled over on her stomach. Looking down, what did I see?" He shook his head and grinned broadly at the memory. "I saw a red ribbon around my cock and balls along with a little tag. When I took it off to read it, what did I see? It said, 'To Vangie: Merry Christmas! These are all you said you wanted.' Then I looked at your mother to say something and what did I see? There on her ass was a red and green bulls-eyes done in greasepaint centered on her rectum. Red and green lettering on her back said, 'Open me first' with an arrow pointing down to the target. "Well, I lightly smacked her bun and she instantly pulled her knees up under her to raise her ass for me to enter. After spending gallons inside her, we both collapsed and she ended up on her back. What did I see then? The same green and red greasepaint on her lips along with a note on her cheek saying, 'Open me second.' I'm appalled because I had just taken my cock out of her ass, but all she did was to form her mouth into a large O. "I spent in her mouth after she so carefully licked me off. Later when I asked her she just shrugged and said anything on it was hers anyway, so how could she possibly mind?" Shaking his head he said, "Can you believe her? Anyway, as you noticed your mother has a bare mound. There was the third bulls-eye and a note on her belly saying 'Open me third.' So I took her again. Keep in mind that it was Christmas morning and we still had not said one word to each other. "Well, as usual, your mother passed out with her cuming and regained consciousness in my arms. Still without saying a word she flips back the covers exposing her whole body. There on her thighs was another note. It said, 'Now you're on your own!' At that point she just giggled." Looking at Bobbie he asked, "Can you believe it? She got up in the middle of the night and did it all, including writing the note on her back using a mirror. Of course the bed was a wreck with red and green greasepaint all over everything, but we both just howled. Then your mother gave me the most passionate kiss I can ever remember and thanked me for being able to take her three times in quick succession." Ed shook his head and said, "You should know how awful I was, Bobbie. I can't count the number of women I've taken as mistresses in my life. I dumped them all — or almost all. One of them, Jane Edwards, who's still my secretary, dumped me. She's a wonderful person and realized our relationship was going nowhere." A tear came to his eye and he said, "To show you the kind of girl Jane is, she contacted my then wife and told her please to be good to me. She didn't want to take me from another woman — and would not. Jane broke it off. There was only one other — a beautiful girl. She left me because I wasn't attractive enough for her." He grinned and continued, "Guess what happened a couple of weeks ago? We were in New York staying at a suite in the Grand Hotel Hyatt. Anyway, who should I see in the lobby but my former flame." He shook his head and interjected, "I guess she always was a bitch. It really came out clearly that evening. She came up to us in the lobby and introduced herself to Vangie as my former mistress. Looking at me she whistled softly and said I had certainly improved — so much so that she would now take me back!" Looking at Bobbie he asked, "What do you suppose your mother did?" Bobbie's eyes were as wide as saucers seeing the whole event in her mind's eye. All she did was slowly shake her head. With a big grin he said, "She invited her up to the suite. When we got there, she stripped off her own clothes and said there should be a competition because after all she was my current mistress." With a grin he added, "She never bothered to mention we were married, though. Later, she said it would have spoiled it all if she had told her." Again he shook his head. "Anyway, to the girl's intense embarrassment, Vangie stripped her, too. Then she just worked over the poor girl. You would have howled! It was sad, really. Your mother is so incredibly beautiful that the comparison was utterly awful. She pointed out that the woman's thighs were heavy, her ass was too soft, her tits were starting to sag, her posture was terrible, her bush spread all over her crotch. Then she turns to me and says, 'But Ed, you're the one who counts. What do you think?' "Before I could say a word, the other girl had picked up her clothes, slipped into her dress, and fled out the door carrying the rest of her things in her arms. Your mother just watched her go with a feigned expression of bewilderment on her face and said, 'Why didn't she wait for an answer, Ed?'" He shook his head and said, "The fact is, Bobbie, that your mother is a perfect female." Then with a grin he asked, "What do you suppose your mother did the next day with respect to the girl?" Bobbie thought for a few moments while she continued to run her fingers over her father's magnificent sex. Then she said, "I'll bet she wrote her a letter of apology. Did she?" "Already you know your mother too well," he replied with a grin. "You're right, of course. She avoids hurting anybody's feelings if she can possibly do it." Then looking down at his rigid cock with a drop of fluid on its tip he asked, "Am I ready yet?" Bobbie just rolled her eyes, licked the drop off his tip and held her hands out to him. When she led him into the next room, she found Vangie lying on her belly with her chin in her hands waiting for them. With a wicked grin Bobbie asked, "Mom, your arms are pretty strong, aren't they?" "I guess so, dear," Vangie replied, puzzled. "Because I have an idea. It was done by Marie and her sister with Kathy and Ken Carlson. Want to give it a try? I warn you, though, for it to work you have to be able to support all my weight on your back. Are you willing to try?" Grinning, Vangie exclaimed, "Let's!" Then she looked at Bobbie and asked, "What do we do?" With a broad grin, Bobbie arranged the people on the bed. First, Kris lay on her back. Then Vangie knelt over her with her love box right over Kris's face while her ass was up in the air. Then Ed took his position behind her and probed at her ass, entering her easily. When he did, Bobbie lay on Vangie's back and raised her legs, wrapping them around her father's neck and offering her cunt to his mouth. Bobbie thought for an instant and then reached down. As she had correctly estimated, she could reach Vangie's beautiful hanging tits and cup them in her hands. With a collection of giggles they all began to work on the sex within easiest reach of hands or mouth. Vangie's tongue began to work on Kris's love box when the girl elevated her hips as much as she could to make her mother's job easier. For her part, Vangie lowered her ass to bring her cunt into easier reach of Kris's mouth. Meanwhile, Ed began to lick Bobbie's soaking wet box and then squeezed her lovely full tits. The foursome kept moving as the sexual tensions mounted. Finally, they all came essentially together. Bobbie was the first to pass out followed almost simultaneously by Kris and Vangie. Vangie passed out when Ed came in her ass at almost the same instant Kris bit her clit. The combination of sensations did her in. At the same time, she bit Kris's clit causing her to pass out, too. Ed was the only one left conscious. He lifted them up and lined them up at the head of the bed with Vangie in the middle, flanked by her two daughters. After washing, he returned to the bedroom and made room for himself next to his wife. As he settled in, her eyes fluttered and then opened. She looked at him, smiled warmly and said, "It was great for me, darling. How was it for you?" "Well," he replied, trying to appear thoughtful, "it was ... okay." With a satisfied nod he repeated, "Definitely okay. I get to ream out the most gorgeous ass in the world. Meanwhile I'm eating one of the sweetest cunts in the world — almost as sweet as her mother's — and get to squeeze a pair of youthful tits..." Nodding rapidly he repeated, "Okay!" "Youthful tits?" Vangie asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong with mine?" "Not a thing," Ed protested. "It's just that yours are mature and ripe..." At that Vangie hit him hard in the shoulder saying, "That's about enough of that, Edgar Bradley. I've already heard once today how I'm ripe and lush and wet and sweet ... You know? Just like an overripe pear?" With that Ed took her into his arms and melted his lips to hers. They were still in each other's arms when the two girls recovered consciousness. "Can you believe it?" Kris asked in a loud whisper to be sure her parents could hear. "Necking? At their ages? And after fucking like rabbits for hours?" She spanked her mother hard when she could hear them both giggling like school children without breaking their kiss. After the spank Vangie just wiggled her small ass in appreciation. Finally they broke the kiss and Vangie asked, "Did you hurt your hand?" "As a matter of fact, yes!" Kris replied. "Your ass is too hard." "Good!" Vangie exclaimed, sticking out the tip of her tongue. "It serves you right for such an unprovoked attack." Looking at Ed, she caressed his sex which now was semi-flaccid. As she did it quickly returned to its fully-erect state. Looking at him lovingly she asked, "You're good for one more anyway, aren't you, my darling?" Instead of replying, Ed took her in his arms and melted his mouth on hers. While his lips were busy on her mouth, his fingers were lightly stroking her beautiful bare mound and sensitive clit. As she spread her legs, she said with a little grin, "Darling, I hope you don't mind if you're cheated out of your midnight snack? Our new daughter needs some of your nutrients..." While Bobbie watched in awe, her mother folded her legs at the knees and extended her feet back under her rump. Jackknifed the way her legs were, her cunt was elevated from the bed and Ed easily entered her. As they moved together, Bobbie realized that both of her parents had bodies that seemed almost twenty years younger than their ages. In a short time Ed had Vangie in continuous orgasm. The woman was screaming incoherently for the most part but once Bobbie could make out, "Fuck your wife! Oh God, Ed, rip me in half ... Please!" The woman was in ecstasy, with her pelvis jerking in constant spasm, while her father just continued to move in and out with full strokes. After minutes she could see his cock begin to throb with his cuming. When it started, he buried himself to the hilt and Vangie screamed as she felt the hot cum flood her insides. "So good!" she screamed and then her body went limp. After resting on her body for a few moments, Ed rolled off and said to Bobbie, "She's all yours." "But Dad, I don't understand. She was supporting a lot of your weight on knees that were doubled over. The pain must have been incredible. Why did she do that?" Bobbie asked. "To try to ensure that she kept all of it inside herself for you," he replied simply. "But you're right, Pumpkin. I'm sure it was excruciating. But to your mother that counts for nothing if she can give pleasure to someone she loves. She loves you desperately, Barbara. I hope you enjoy your snack." Moving between her mother's widespread thighs she lowered her face to the woman's still-elevated pelvis. She found it was like drinking from a bowl filled with succulent fluids. Her father's syrup-like cum was diluted with her mother's delicious juices. Using her tongue and suction from her mouth she found the taste sensation incredible. To her amazement, while she was bent over her mother, Kris had slithered under her and was tonguing her cunt as her father caressed her firm tits and teased her nipples. As she was finishing her mother her own passion had risen. When Kris bit her clit she passed out. A few moments later she came to finding her head pillowed on her mother's abdomen and could feel long fingers stroking the back of her neck and her shoulders. Looking up she saw the most loving look on her mother's face. "Did you enjoy it, my darling?" Vangie asked quietly. Realizing her mother's legs were still doubled up, Bobbie jumped up and moved up beside her mother. With a flip of her hips and lower body Vangie straightened her legs while breathing a sigh of relief. After kissing Bobbie warmly, she said, "I'm getting too old for these contortions. I'm not as supple as I used to be." "Mom, I couldn't have done for thirty seconds what you did for over thirty minutes!" Bobbie exclaimed. "Too old? Bullshit!" With final kisses the girls left the suite and returned to their own. They were giggling because they had only slipped on their dresses and were carrying the rest of their things down the hall. ------- Chapter 11 As Bobbie began to awaken from her sound sleep, she just stretched her muscles and realized she was in Kris's arms. After only a single day, she realized that her new sister's body was utterly perfect. She was beautifully muscled with wide shoulders, full breasts and a flat belly. Her very slim waist flared out smoothly to slim hips and very tight little buns, then flowed down to the most beautiful legs Bobbie had ever seen on a woman. As Bobbie was about to drift back into a deep sleep, Kris began to tickle her ribs. Jumping with surprise, Bobbie tried to escape but found herself trapped in Kris's arm while with her free hand she continued to torment her sister. Taken completely by surprise, Bobbie was futilely trying to escape the torment yet it never occurred to her to counterattack. It stopped as suddenly as it began with Kris asking guilelessly, "Are you awake yet?" "I hate you, Kris Bradley," Bobbie said with a pout. "I was so warm and comfy and relaxed and wonderful ... Then you have to go and wreck it!" By this time Kris was kneeling on the bed with her weight back on her heels just looking at her sister. Without any reference to her attack she said simply, "Bobbie, I adore you. That was one of the best nights I have ever spent. You're a simply scrumptious bed companion." Lifting her eyebrows she asked, "Would you like a reference? To whom it may concern? I would be happy to give you one." Then she uncoiled and headed for the bathroom saying, "Get your ass in gear. It's almost seven-thirty and you and I are playing tennis this morning." When they arrived at the court reserved for them, they found themselves on the middle court of a five-court layout. The other four courts were already in use. After volleying to warm up, the girls began to play. They were both very fast with very quick reflexes. Bobbie was stronger but Kris was more experienced. The first set went to a tiebreaker that Kris won, while the second set — also with a tiebreaker — was won by Barbara. As they took a break for some water between the sets, they realized that they were the only people playing on the five courts. All of the other players had stopped their matches and were arrayed along the center lines of the two adjacent courts, just watching. Kris winked at Bobbie and said, "Come on, Sis! Get your fat ass in gear. The paying customers are waiting to see us perform." The last set lasted nearly an hour. On both sides of the net there were incredible saves, long rallies and ultimately, just great tennis. The tie breaker went to 15-15; neither could get the necessary two-point advantage to win. It was Kris's turn to serve, but instead of serving she just dropped the balls and her racket and fell to her knees laughing and shaking her head. By this time even her shorts were saturated with sweat and their tops — even after a change — were clinging to their torsos like second skins. "Want to flip a coin?" she called out. "I've had it." Seeing her sister on her knees, Bobbie sank to her knees as well. Shaking her head wearily she replied, "I don't even have the energy to flip a coin. Call it a draw?" "Let's!" Kris exclaimed. She tried to bounce to her feet but her knees gave out and instead she fell flat on her face. At first Bobbie thought she was hurt but then she lifted her face, now covered with clay dust, howling with laughter. The entire front of her tennis outfit was also clay-covered as the dust stuck to the sweat-soaked material. Bobbie thought for a moment about jumping the net but decided she was certain to go on her face, too. The two girls met at the net support and kissed warmly. As they did, there were cheers from all of the spectators who had just seen world-class tennis. The two girls stumbled into the ladies locker room, took showers and then went to the dining room where they met their parents for breakfast. As they sank into their chairs Kris grumped, "Mom, she's too damned good! I can't beat her. I can scarcely win a point..." "Bullshit!" Bobbie interjected. "Mom, Kris is unbelievable! Isn't there anything she can't do like a professional? Anything at all?" Vangie kissed both girls and then replied, "I'm sure there's something, Bobbie ... It's just that we haven't found it yet. And you know something else? Whatever it is, I don't think it's going to be very significant." "Insignificant?" Kris exclaimed. "Do you call the total inability to get a boyfriend insignificant? How incredibly selfish, Mother! Just because you spend every night in heaven in Dad's arms, what about us poor unfortunates?" Then she smiled at Bobbie warmly and added, "Of course, last night was really great. Bobbie makes a wonderful bed-mate. Now if only she had a big cock..." Vangie was listening while she was slowly shaking her head from side to side. When Kris finished Vangie said, "What your sister doesn't say is that she has dated more boys than any twenty girls alive." Although her eyes were gleaming with humor she tried to look serious as she added, "Of course, it's been one date to a customer. Your sister goes out with a guy, kisses him goodnight, and then kisses him off. No bells and no electricity, so no second date." Shaking her head, feigning sadness, she added, "What a hell of a waste of manpower!" Changing the subject she asked, "What are we going to do after breakfast? Play golf?" When she heard Vangie's suggestion, Bobbie's heart leaped to her throat. First, she knew Tom's father was the golf professional at Kapalua and she was afraid of meeting him. Beyond that, although she had been playing on a computerized golf trainer, she had never been out on a real golf course in her life. Unfortunately, before she could say a word, the others had unanimously endorsed the plan. Kris grabbed her hand and jerked her to her feet. Bobbie giggled as she was literally hauled out of the restaurant by her sister feeling like a rag doll as she even bounced off the chairs on the way out. When they reached the pro shop Kris was still holding her by the hand as she led the way to the golf club displays. As they went towards the back Kris cried out, "Anybody home!?" A tall, lean young man came out of a small office in the back and held his arms outstretched. With a cry of delight Kris threw herself into his arms and mashed her lips to his while Bobbie just looked on in amazement. When they broke the kiss, Kris grumped, "How is it that all the good ones are already married?" Then with a quick grin she took the man by the hand and pulled him over to where Bobbie was waiting. "Mr. Conroy, I would like you to meet my new sister, Barbara. She needs a full set of clubs — expensive ones!" Turning to Bobbie she explained, "This is sort of a Bradley CARE package — with all of his children, he needs the money." Jim Conroy was shaking his head while there was a wry grin on his face reflecting his reaction to Kris's antics. He put out his hand and said, "Barbara Bradley, it is a real pleasure." Then he looked at her quizzically and asked, "But where have you been hiding all this time. This is the first I've heard of another sister. I certainly know Cathy and Ken, of course, but Barbara... ?" Then to the two girls' surprise he put out his other hand and was holding both of Bobbie's hands in his. Looking into her eyes, there was a sudden flash of recognition. "Of course!" he exclaimed, "You're Barbara Dawson! You have to be." The very worst of Bobbie's fears were coming true. Suddenly she wanted to disappear into a crack in the floor. When she tried to escape, she realized that although he was not exerting any pressure on her hands they might as well have been gripped in a vise. Although he knew she wanted to flee, he didn't let go. Instead, he continued to stare into her eyes. In a bemused tone of voice he murmured, "They're right, too. You're exactly like Hank! My God!" he exclaimed, "I never would have believed it. We always thought that Hank and Sam were like peas in a pod, but compared to you, Sam's not even close." While he continued to look into her eyes he said, "Kris, could you go and hit some balls or something?" "You want me to get lost, is that it?" she said with a grin. "Sure do," he said, "and as fast as possible." Turning his attention back to Bobbie he said softly, "Promise you won't try to run away again?" Her first reaction was to deny his charge but she was too honest. With a little smile she just nodded once. While he continued to talk to her he idly started looking at various types of golf clubs. Turning his attention back to her, he asked her to stand up straight. Then he ran his fingertips lightly over her upper arms and shoulders. When he realized the extent of her muscle development, he whistled softly and grinned. "Come with me," he said. "We have to talk." Leading the way, he took her into his small office behind the shop and sat her in a chair, then sat down across from her. Jim went back to studying her eyes. "They are certainly right about you," he said finally. "They?" she asked, puzzled. "Who are 'they'?" "The two little angels who worship the ground you walk on," he replied. Then with a little smile he added, "And please don't pretend you don't know who I'm talking about." Then his face took on an overtone of anger as he continued, "That idiot son of mine really hurt you, didn't he?" "No!" she screamed. "No! Please don't ever say that! If I felt I was in any way coming between you and your son, I would kill myself!" Then she began to cry as she added, "He's so good!" "So good he could torture you unmercifully for weeks?" he asked. "That good?" She replied before the full significance of what he had said sank in. "He didn't mean it, though! I'm just a prostitute, and prostitutes and sluts have no feelings." "I beg your pardon!?" Jim interjected. "My wife, Hank, is a prostitute and she certainly has feelings!" At that comment, Bobbie's jaw dropped and the shock stopped her tears. "Your wife is a... what?" she exclaimed. "A prostitute, a whore, a slut ... You know, all those good things," he replied with a straight face. "Why James Conroy, you should wash your mouth out with soap! Of all the nerve! My God! Hank Conroy is the purest, nicest, warmest..." "How do you know?" he demanded. "You've never met her." "That's true," she admitted, "but I've heard so much about her, I feel like I know her. She is the warmest, most loving wife God ever put on this earth!" "That's true, too," he said without expression, "but what's that have to do with her being a prostitute?" Bobbie was completely bewildered. The exchange had turned into the strangest conversation of her life. She tried to organize her thoughts and then said, "A prostitute will do absolutely anything, no matter how degrading, for money." "That's Hank," Jim agreed. "Absolutely anything! If she thinks I might derive some pleasure — sexual or otherwise — she does it ... Regardless of what it might be, too." "But ... But, a prostitute does it for money..." "Hank has never had another job in her life. Where do you think her money comes from?" At that point, Bobbie was dumbstruck. There was nothing more she could say. Jim picked up the thread and added, "I'll admit that most prostitutes serve more than a single customer. Hank complains about that. She claims it's my fault, and she's probably right. First of all, we're stuck out here in the northwest corner of nowhere. It's not the greatest place to build a business like that. Secondly, she claims that I won't give her the money she needs to advertise. That's true, too. Finally, she thinks other customers wouldn't appreciate it too much if she was constantly having to take a break to nurse a baby. Since they're all mine, there's not much I can say, but..." He grinned but then became serious again. "We were talking about what my idiot son did to you. He tortured you, didn't he?" Suddenly, her emotional dam burst. "Oh God! I love him so!" she screamed. "Having to go down on him day after day ... Having to lie in bed with him with my head on his shoulder while he cups my tit..." Then she held her head up straight and said, "But it's all my fault! A slut has no feelings. I ... I just imagined it all!" She screamed at him, "I am a slut!" This was more than Jim Conroy could stand. When he had looked into her eyes all he had seen was what Kenny and Andrea and said he would see: the purest goodness and love. He realized that this beautiful girl was tormented by her love for his married son. Although he didn't know the content, he did know that Hank and Marie had had several very serious conversations beginning on the phone before they came out to Maui, and then the night before, they had talked until the wee hours. It was the first time in memory Hank had not come to bed when he did. When she finally got into bed, she couldn't fully control her tears. All she would tell him when he asked was it had to do with Marie alone and did not directly affect Tommy. Now this beautiful girl who was sitting across from him was about to come apart emotionally. Picking her up from her chair as if she were a feather, he sat her across his lap and hugged her tightly. Then he said, "The worst of all was when he ran his finger up your slit and toyed with your clit, wasn't it?" "Sluts have no feelings!" she repeated with a wail. "Which confirms what I've been saying all along," he said softly. "You aren't one! If you have no feelings, why are you crying now?" Then he held her tightly and said, "I don't know the details, Bobbie, but I do know it will work out for you very soon — it's only a matter of days. Can you hold on? Do you want to? Would you like to marry my son?" When Marie had asked her at the party to marry Tom, she had thought the woman had a screw loose. Because it was in public with dozens of people watching she had agreed but certainly had not taken her agreement seriously. In fact, she had not spoken to Marie since — she had been totally wrapped up in her new parents; it had not been a matter of avoiding her. Now the father of the man she loved was saying essentially the same thing, but this time in a completely private setting. "Of course I don't want to marry your son!" she exclaimed. "He is already married to the most loving woman in the world — the woman who's about to present him with their first child!" Trying to pull away she said, "It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" "No, it's not," he said softly. "And I know you love Marie. I know you would cut off your arm before you would hurt her or allow her to be hurt. But Bobbie, you're not being honest with me ... Or maybe you're not being honest with yourself. Which is it?" Then he smiled warmly and added, "Bobbie, I am certain of one thing: My wife, Hank, will utterly adore you! And I'm equally sure you will love her." Then he helped her to her feet and said, "Enough of this for now. Let me assure you I am going to fix my son for what he did to you. It was utterly inhuman! And Hank will be there to help me do it, too!" Rising to his feet he led her back out to the shop while he carried a large box with him. As if nothing had been said, he took her to where there was an assortment of golf bags and she selected one almost at random. Then very carefully he fitted her with three pairs of golf shoes and then announced that she was all set. "But ... but what about the clubs?" she asked, utterly bewildered. "What am I supposed to put in the golf bag I just bought?" "That was the easy part," he replied. "They're all in this box." With a grin he added, "This is actually a spare set of clubs I ordered for Kathy Carlson. Until I met you, she was one of only three women I ever met with the strength to use them. You know what?" he asked. "What?" "I'm virtually certain you're even stronger than she is ... And believe me when I tell you that is really saying something!" Then with a warm smile he helped her pick out a putter. Still bemused, Bobbie allowed herself to be led out to the practice tee. Jim teed up a golf ball, handed her the driver and told her to address the ball. When she gripped it, he frowned and adjusted her hands smiling as he did. Her initial grip had been almost identical to the way he remembered Kathy Carlson first holding a golf club. She hit one ball, then another, and a third. Finally Jim shook his head and asked, "You learned to play golf on a computer trainer, didn't you?" With a little nod and a rueful smile she admitted that she had never set foot on a real golf course in her life. "You found that you were spraying the balls all over the screen. Then you started easing up on your swing until you could control the ball, right?" he asked. Again she nodded. "Okay, Bobbie, now really swing the damned club!" he demanded. "I want to see those muscles in your arms and shoulders really bulge. I want to see you really get your hips into the game — gorgeous hips, by the way," he added with a wink. "Now do it!" To her surprise, when the club made contact, there was just the sound of a solid click. Finishing her swing she looked out and was startled to see the ball still rising in the distance as it cleared the 250-yard target on the fly. She continued to hit balls as he gave her a succession of clubs. They all felt the same in her hands and the ball was flying straight every time. "Okay," he said, "Now you're a golfer. As your teaching pro who spent years building your body and your swing, what do I get?" "A kiss?" she asked diffidently. Holding his chin Conroy pretended to be considering her offer. Finally he shrugged and replied, "Okay, I guess. But it better be a really good one!" By now her shirt was soaking with perspiration but she moved close, took his face in her two hands and tipped his head. Then she placed her lips on his and poured out her love for this man who had fathered the man she adored. For a moment Jim kept his hands at his sides but then wrapped the troubled girl in his arms and moved his lips on hers. As he did he could feel himself being engulfed in the purest love and goodness. Finally he eased away and said, "Wow!" Then he looked into her blue eyes and exclaimed, "My eldest son is a complete idiot! I think Hank and I will have to disown him. Girl, you're incredible!" To his amazement, Bobbie began to bawl. Diving back into his arms she cried, "Mr. Conroy, please don't! Oh, God! Please don't even think it!" Looking down into her eyes again he saw tormented pleading as she continued, "That's what happened to me! It's the cruelest thing parents can ever do. Can you really understand what it's like to be cut off from the people who brought you into this world? Can you imagine how lonely you feel?" "They did that to you, didn't they?" he asked softly. Then he added, "Bobbie, I'm terribly sorry. What I was trying to communicate was how disappointed I am." With a little smile he said, "It would be far easier and less painful for me to cut off my own arm. I had forgotten for a moment that it actually happened to you, though. I'm sorry." Then he added, "I hope those monsters get what's coming to them!" With that he picked up her bag and took her to where the golf carts were parked. Seeing Ed and Vangie Bradley, he greeted them like the old friends that they were. Then he said, "Vangie, I'll tell you right now, you're all in trouble. Even you, Ed! This girl may be even better than Kathy Carlson. Enough said?" When he heard the words, Ed whistled softly and grinned at his new daughter saying, "It's no more than I would have expected." Then he asked, "But what are we playing for?" Then with a wry grin he added, "Vangie and I were going to give you and Imp strokes, but now? No way!" Before Bobbie could even focus her thinking, Kris replied, "A Nassau for wishes! The winners get a wish each on the front nine, the back, and the match. Okay?" They grinned and shook on it. Playing off the men's white tees, it took three holes for Bobbie to get the feel of her new clubs. By that time the girls were down by one hole. Then she began to play par and sub-par golf. By the time they finished the front nine the girls were up by three holes. As they walked to the 10th tee Kris asked Bobbie, "Should we claim our wish for the front nine now?" Bobbie had no idea what she was thinking of but agreed. At that point Kris grinned at her parents and said, "Okay, folks! Off with your clothes. You play the rest of the match naked. Bobbie was amused as her mother just stuck out her tongue at Kris but then slipped off all of her clothes. After putting sun screen on Ed and making warm sexy noises as he put some on her, she stretched sinuously in the bright Hawaiian sun. "You know, darling, this really isn't half bad." For her part, Bobbie was intrigued watching her new mother's incredible body move. While they rode in their cart to Kris's ball, she commented on Vangie's beauty. Kris looked at her and asked, "Did you hear Mom speak of the woman who served as a wet nurse for Cathy?" When Bobbie replied that she thought she had, Kris continued, "Her name is Colleen Callahan. She is an utterly exquisite auburn-haired Irish beauty. Anyway, I think she's the one who really had the handle on Mom first. She said, 'Vangie Collins, you've spent your whole life hiding what a wonderful person you really are — particularly from yourself. If you think your daughter, Cathy, is a wonderful person — and you certainly should — just remember she gets it all from you. And that particularly includes her coordination and athletic ability.'" Looking at Bobbie, Kris added, "You know something? I'm sure she's right. I just love to watch her body move. Everything she does is so smooth and flowing and graceful." "But why did you embarrass them by telling them to play nude?" Bobbie asked. "Did you hear any complaints?" Kris asked. Then with an impish grin she said, "I guess that's what I'm famous for: I order people to do things that deep down they would love to do. I just relieve their inhibitions. Does Mom look like she's trying to cover her crotch and her tits while she swings?" Bobbie returned the grin and shook her head. "As a matter of fact," Kris said, "why should they have all the fun? Have you noticed — seriously — how much easier Mom is swinging now? How about if we do it, too?" With another grin she said, "Besides, Bobbie, you need it to get in shape for this afternoon." Bobbie looked at her sister with a question in her eyes. She didn't understand the reference. "We'll be babysitting," she said, answering the unasked question. "And, of course, we'll be on the nude beach. Normally, we're about the only ones there, but with Ali's whole crew it will be mobbed. You're going to see some of the most beautiful people in the world — and they will all be making love, while you and I will be eating our hearts out!" The girls quickly slipped off their clothes, too. Barbara really hit her stride playing the back nine. She shot a six-under-par thirty for the nine holes and shot an eight-under-par sixty-four for the round. The girls won the back nine and the match. When they went to the locker room to shower and change, Vangie tried to find out what the girls' wishes were going to be. All Kris would do was to grin devilishly and tell her they would learn that night after dinner. As usual, she gave Bobbie no idea what it was she had in mind, but Bobbie had developed a respect for her sister's creativity so she didn't even ask. After showering, Vangie said, "Bobbie, I'll even throw in a freebie. Get your trim ass up on this massage table. You worked pretty hard this morning." After the exhausting tennis match followed by the emotional meeting with Jim Conroy and then her very first golf match, Bobbie was both physically and emotionally exhausted. She smiled at her new mother gratefully and climbed on the table. As Vangie worked on her daughter's amazingly powerful muscles she fell fast asleep. It was an hour later when soft lips on hers awakened her. Blinking her eyes open she saw Vangie bent over her. Returning the warm and loving kiss she whispered, "Thank you, Mom. That feels so good." Then tears appeared as she whispered, "I'm so sorry for being such trouble to you and Dad." "Trouble? You?" Vangie exclaimed. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Darling, you're an utter delight. You gave your father and me a real thrill watching you swing a golf club. My God! The power you have in your body is unbelievable! Particularly when none of your muscles show at all. "Darling, we love you so very much!" ------- Chapter 12 When the two new sisters went down to the nude beach they were only wearing their white terry bathrobes. At the foot of the path Bobbie saw two children sitting and talking, appearing to be waiting for something or someone. A small head turned and saw the two girls coming. With a word to his companion Kenny Clifford started to run up the path towards them, closely followed by Andy Cartwright. Both of the children were naked but seemed totally unconcerned about their nudity. They moved as naturally as if they were fully dressed. When they came close, Bobbie dropped to her knees and held her arms outstretched. Both children ran into them and she hugged them both tightly while they kissed her anyplace they could. Finally they parted and Kenny looked at Bobbie and asked, "Can we see now?" "See what?" she asked. "You!" they exclaimed in unison. "We want to see if you're as beautiful as we think you are." With a wry little smile Bobbie untied the cord of her robe and let it hang open. "Oh, look!" Andy exclaimed excitedly. "Look what she did with her bush, Kenny. Do you like it?" The little girl lightly ran her finger up Bobbie's hairless labia and then into her dense bush. Looking down at herself she said sadly, "I'm still utterly hairless, Kenny, and will be for years to come!" To Bobbie's amazement the boy took his niece into his arms and hugged her, then melted his lips to hers. Although they were just small children, their kiss was incredibly adult and passionate. When he released his hold Bobbie could see that Andy was crying. "What's wrong, honey?" she asked in alarm. "And what's this routine with Kenny?" Andy smiled ruefully and said, "Kenny finally gave up, Bobbie. It seems he always knew he was going to marry me — I'm just the one with the big mouth. He knew it all along but never said a word to a soul until he told me last night." She grinned at Ken and wiggled her bottom as he squeezed her ass cheek hard. Then she said to him, "Darling, that will feel so much better when we get older." Then she started to cry again and threw herself back into the boy's arms. Bobbie and Kris looked on in wonder as the two behaved like miniature adults — which, in fact, is what they were. They could hear Andy wailing about having adult wants and feelings trapped in a child's small body. Then they heard Ken say, "Andy, how about me? You have a cunt that's fully developed, even if you haven't had a period yet. My penis is tiny and that's all it will be for years and years." Then he kissed her passionately and said, "My darling, at this rate we'll be celebrating our fifteenth wedding anniversary before we turn twenty-one!" The little group made its way along the beach to a place where a group of towels were already laid out. The two children insisted that Bobbie lay on her stomach while they put sun screen on her body. At that point Kris put her hands on her hips and asked, "Hey! What about me? Don't I count for anything?" The children grinned and then went into her arms and kissed her the way they had Bobbie. When Kenny announced that he would spread lotion on Kris's body "for old time's sake," she stuck her tongue out at him but lay down flat on another towel beside Bobbie. As Bobbie lay stretched out, it was all she could do to control her giggling as the two children remarked on the two perfect young bodies they were working on. While they talked she could feel Andy's small hands gently but very carefully spreading lotion all over her. At the same time Andy was bemoaning the fact that she would never ever look as good as Bobbie or Kris did. Finally, Ken stopped working on Kris and said, "Andy, you miss the whole point." Hearing his words both Kris and Bobbie rolled over on their backs to see what was going on. "What do you mean?" Andy asked. She too, had stopped spreading lotion when she looked up in surprise at his comment. "Andy, I would love you if you were 250 pounds and looked like a whale!" Ken exclaimed. "I really would!" "You would?" "Of course! Andy Cartwright, don't you know yet that we were made for each other? Where else are there two five-year-olds who have made over $5 million each on their own investments? Darling, we're geniuses. It's not something to be particularly proud of but it's a fact. Besides, you're going to develop into a perfect woman. I can't wait until I'm mature enough to make physical love to you and with you." "Oh, Kenny, I love you so very much!" the little girl cried. Just then a shadow came over them and Bobbie looked up. She found Ali Clifford standing over them. "Andrea Cartwright, did you spill the beans?" Ali demanded. "No, Kenny's Mommy. It was Ken," the girl said with a sad little smile. "We thought it was all a big secret. It wasn't. Grandmother, may I marry your son, Ken, when he's old enough? I really do love him more than life itself!" As she said it, she ran to Ali's arms with tears streaming down her face. Ali picked up the little girl and held her close. Bobbie could see her whispering into the little girl's ear and stroking her hair and body to comfort her. Ali then sank down to her knees and put the girl back on her feet. Then her son looked at her and said, "Mommy, I know what's been going on. Let's face it: Andrea and I are very different from most children. I'm not saying it's great — it's not — but it's a fact. Mother, I love her more than any person alive and I always will. I'm sure you know it, too." The little boy was standing up very straight as he said, "Mother, I want to marry my niece — desperately. Can I? When I'm old enough?" "Oh, my darling!" Ali exclaimed. "If she will have you..." "Grandmother, I already said I want to marry him more than I want to live!" the little girl exclaimed. "He's right, you know. We are different." Then she looked very solemn as she asked, "But will I be worthy of him? Will I be attractive to him?" Another shadow fell over the small group. It was cast by Connie Cartwright, Andy's mother. "Mother," Andy said softly, "I would like your permission to marry your brother, Kenneth, when I'm old enough. May I?" "Of course, my darling!" her mother replied. "I know you're a big girl contemplating marriage, but in the meantime, could you do me a big favor? Your brother didn't drain my tit so..." With a little squeal of delight the girl launched herself at her mother. In moments her mouth was locked over Connie's beautiful nipple as she sucked the milk from her mother's breast. Seeing her daughter, Ali smiled warmly and said, "Kenny, I need help, too. Your sister left a lot, too, so..." "Mom, could Bobbie have it instead?" the little boy asked. "I think she needs to know what mother's milk tastes like." Grimacing, Ali said, "Darling, does the cow really care who drinks her milk? I doubt it." Turning to Bobbie she asked, "Want to try?" "Oh, yes!" the girl exclaimed. Ali knelt down on the sand and Bobbie lay down with her back across her thighs. As she did she realized how incredibly beautiful Ali Clifford really was. Even now when completely nude she appeared to be only in her early twenties. Putting her lips over the woman's enlarged nipple, Bobbie didn't know what to expect. When she sucked she was rewarded by the sweetest milk she had ever tasted. While her mouth was locked on Ali's tit, the woman was caressing her hair and then her entire body. As she did, Ali murmured, "Bobbie, you feel so good nursing at my breast. Is it okay? Do you like it?" Without replying, Bobbie concentrated on draining the tit dry. When she finished the milk, she licked her nipple carefully and smiled up at Ali saying, "Ali, you're delicious." Then her face grew serious as she added, "You know, your husband said the happiest moment of his life occurred when you told him you were expecting a baby. Now I know why. You're the most incredible mother in the whole world! He knew you would be and he was right!" Then with a grin she called Andy back to finish the job she had started. As Andy smoothed the lotion into her tits she said to her mother, "Mom, isn't Bobbie gorgeous? And just think! She's only eighteen ... And yet her tits are so full and firm." Looking up at her mother she said, "I'll bet her milk is going to be just like yours: so rich and warm and sweet! Her babies are going to be in heaven." With the warmest smile her mother had ever seen she added, "The way I used to be ... And still am, for that matter." Other people came down to the beach. Andy and Ken were joined by Susan Carlson and Laura Benson. The four found a stretch of beach and began to make a large sand castle with Kris and Bobbie just watching and making an occasional suggestion. Since it was the first time for Bobbie, she found the children remarkable. Although they were all only five years old, they built a castle that was incredibly detailed. It would have been a credit to a sand sculpture done by an adult artist. At the same time the children got along so well together. Ken was pleased when Ginger's son, Charley, joined them. Looking at Bobbie, Kris grinned and said, "Isn't this tough duty? My God! All the work we do trying to keep the kids entertained and out of trouble..." She just laughed. Then the children headed for the water. It was Bobbie's first experience in the Pacific and she found it marvelous. It came as absolutely no surprise to see the children move in the water with an ease and grace that made it appear they had been born to it. Kris showed Bobbie how to body surf and the two girls loved it as their bare bodies rocketed towards shore on the crest of a wave. At the end of the afternoon, the two girls were lying side by side on their towels soaking up the sun. Bobbie lazily stretched and could feel the effects of the sun on her body. "Kris," she murmured, "I feel so sinfully languid right now. What a glorious day!" Then she looked down the beach to where the children were now gathering up their things preparatory to heading back to the hotel and added, "I can't believe those children! They are all little angels. And smart? My God, they are truly miniature adults. And they get along so beautifully together, it's a wonder to see. But I adore Kenny and Andy! Those two are something else, indeed. Can you imagine what their children are going to be like? Good heavens!" As they watched, the children started coming in their direction. At that point Ken and Andy, who were in the back of the group, stopped. Ken took Andy in his arms and kissed her. As the girls watched his hands roamed over her beautiful little body and squeezed her ass cheeks. Andy, in the meantime, was mashing her body as tightly to his as she could get and was also caressing him all over. They eased out of their embrace and continued towards the girls hand-in-hand. When they got closer, Bobbie could hear Andy say, "Ken, it's going to be so much better! When we're older and do that I'll be able to feel your cock getting hard as a rock to penetrate my insides. I'll be able to excite my nipples by rubbing them against your hairy chest ... It will be so great! At the same time my cunt will be running rivers against the hope that you will use it to sheath your cock." When they were almost up to the girls' blankets, they stopped and kissed again. As she watched, Kris realized that there was nothing at all funny about the children or their behavior. Although they were very young, nothing about their behavior seemed at all strange. They are so natural, she thought, and their love for each other is so real! That night, when they went down to dinner, they found a dance band playing in the dining area. When they finished their meal, Ed was pressed into service to dance with all three of the women with Vangie grumping at the girls, "Why don't you get your own? He's mine! I trapped him fair and square." Bobbie said nothing but Kris reminded her of sharing while sticking out her tongue. At the end of a dance set, the band leader picked up the microphone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are very fortunate to have with us the country's newest singing sensation, Kris Bradley. As I'm sure many of you know, Kris really began her singing career right here at Kapalua. "When a task group with the carrier, USS Ranger, assembled in Pearl Harbor to move out to the Persian Gulf, stopped here at Maui, a group of flyers were here one night and Kris sang some songs. Fortunately, her singing was recorded on tape. It seems that the tape was copied, copied, and copied again. Every ship out there had to have one. Well, the result was that she recorded an album of the same songs that hit Platinum sales faster than any recording in history. "If we play our cards right, maybe we can persuade her to sing for us, tonight. Would you like to hear her?" There was thunderous applause and Kris went up to the bandstand. She sang five numbers from her platinum album to increasing applause. Then she said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I guess I've bored you long enough. Now I would like you to hear some good singing! Tonight I would like to introduce my twin sister, the Bradley with the good singing voice. Please welcome my twin, Barbara... ! Even if she is always stealing my clothes." Bobbie didn't know what to do, but with the guests on their feet applauding wildly, she had no choice. Getting to her feet she joined Kris. At the mic she said, "Thank you, Imp." Then she glared at Kris and demanded, "But what is this garbage about stealing your clothes!? Good heavens! You steal mine half a closet at a time..." Then she took Kris in her arms, kissed her warmly and said, " ... but I still love you anyway." Then Bobbie sang a set of three songs — Kris provided the lyrics — and received a thunderous ovation. When she handed the mic back to Kris, her new sister said, "Well, folks, what did you think? I'll bet some of you thought I was kidding, didn't you? Do you still think so? I doubt it very much. Isn't she marvelous?" Again the applause rang out as the girls returned to their table hand-in-hand. When they returned to the older Bradleys' suite, Vangie looked at Kris and said, "While I would much prefer to forget about it, I think your dad and I still owe you a wish or two. What is it?" Kris just grinned and said blandly, "Oh ... nothing of any real significance. Mom, I just want you to go down on Dad. That's all." "That's all?" Vangie asked suspiciously. "I doubt that very much." "Well ... there is just one little thing..." Kris said thoughtfully. "When he cums you have to shoot it all over your body — you can't drink any ... Oh, and you have to keep working on him until you're completely covered from your face to your cunt." Smiling brightly she added, "Aren't we being nice? We're not even asking you to cover your legs, too." "What a ridiculous waste of luscious cum!" Vangie exclaimed. "Waste?" Kris replied with an eyebrow raised. "Don't be silly! After you're completely covered, Bobbie and I lick it off. Oh, and we want the sliding doors opened so it's nice and warm. It will be better yet if his cum is mixed with your perspiration." "But what am I going to do for relief tonight?" Vangie wailed. "Oh, Mother! What a silly question! After we're finished, Bobbie and I will just go off to bed and you can have Dad take you as often as you want, wherever you want," Kris replied loftily. "But there won't be any cum left!" Vangie wailed. Kris thought for a moment and then conceded that that could be a problem. To Bobbie's surprise — but not to Kris's — Vangie then did exactly what Kris had told her to do. She was amazed as she watched her mother so tenderly caress Ed's huge cock with her mouth, quickly bring him to orgasm and then spray the milky syrup pulsating from his cock over her body. She did it again and again, beginning at her neck and going down her body. When her body was completely covered, she worked on Ed to bring him close to orgasm, but then let it recede, only to bring him close again. When Barbara whispered a question to Kris, the girl replied that her mother was working to make the last one, which she was going to shoot at her face, the biggest discharge possible. She succeeded perfectly. It shot from her hairline, over her closed eyes and covered her nose, mouth and chin. At that Vangie lay on her back on the floor and said, "Darlings, your supper awaits!" For his part Ed collapsed into a chair with a beer to try to replace the fluids he had pumped over his wife and watched the two girls lick his syrup. Kris instructed Bobbie to begin on their mother's face while she started to work on her hairless groin. For Bobbie it was an incredible sensation to kiss her new father's cum off her mother's delicious lips. Finally the girls ended with each licking off one of Vangie's tits. At breakfast the next morning, Vangie said, "Thanks a hell of a lot, Kristin Bradley! After what you made your father do last night he collapsed after taking me only three times!" Ed just rolled his eyes. ------- Late that afternoon, when Bobbie returned to the room from the beach, the red message light on the telephone was flashing. Calling the desk she found that the message was from Marie Conroy asking her to call as soon as possible. Returning the call, Marie asked to meet her privately as soon as she could make it. Tom had a late golf match with his father, so she wondered if Bobbie could meet her right away. Bobbie instantly agreed. After taking a quick shower, Bobbie put on a pair of shorts and a tank top and went to Marie and Tom's suite. When Marie opened the door, Bobbie took her in her arms and kissed her lovingly, realizing that she had missed the woman who she now considered her best friend. She raised an eyebrow when Marie went to the bar and made two very large, very dry martinis and brought them to the table sitting in front of the suite's sofa. "But Marie," Bobbie protested, "You're ... you're so close to delivering, and..." "And I need it — or soon will," Marie replied. "The baby will survive a couple of drinks. And you better drink yours or I'll drink it, too." Sitting beside Marie on the sofa, Bobbie looked into her friend's eyes and saw an expression different from anything she had ever seen before. She didn't know what to make of it. Then Marie took a sip of her drink and said, "Thank you, dear Bobbie, for coming over so promptly. You're making it as easy for me as you can." Then with a wry grin she added, "And it's so typical of you, too. In spite of the fact that I have done nothing but use and abuse you almost from the first day we met, you still do everything in your power to help me." Then she reached over, took both of Bobbie's hands in hers and said, "It's almost over now." She paused and then choked out, "Bobbie, I'm dying. I will be dead in less than two months." The shock of Marie's words almost caused Bobbie to faint. "But ... but ... but that's impossible! You're the most perfectly conditioned female..." She stopped as Marie just slowly shook her head. When she was silent, Marie said, "I had it confirmed just before we came out. Bobbie, I have a congenital heart defect, apparently. My heart is letting go. It is something that never showed up on any test before. Maybe it has something to do with my pregnancy, or the physical strains from our honeymoon, or our lovemaking ... I don't know, and I don't care to know. "You see, I wouldn't exchange one single thing Tom and I have done together for an extra fifty years of life." Tears were flowing from her eyes now as she continued, "I said it at our Christmas party: I have enjoyed a level of happiness in Tom's arms that no other woman alive could even dream of." Then, in spite of her tears, she tried to smile and added, "Except, dear Bobbie, now you can start dreaming, too! In less than two months, my darling, you will be Mrs. Thomas Gardiner Conroy! And I will be so incredibly happy and proud. "Why did I ask you over? For a couple of reasons. First, I know the agony of wanting you have been living with. After all I've done to you, the least I can do is tell you that it's coming to an end. Second, I want you to meet Tom's mother, Hank. She is the only other person alive who knows what you do. I haven't even told Celeste ... although I'm sure she suspects. We're so close, we share feelings, and I'm sure she has been feeling the vibrations ... but I'm also sure she doesn't know exactly what the vibrations mean." Marie sat up straight on the sofa while sitting on a crossed leg, facing Bobbie. She had another big sip of her drink and continued, "Hank Conroy is one of God's perfect creations. She ... she is my mother! I utterly adore the woman and I'm sure you will, too. She is Kathy Carlson's adopted sister and one of Ali Clifford's and Vangie Bradley's closest friends. Do I need to say more?" She snapped her fingers and added, "Oh! She is also Aunt Hank to Kenny Clifford and Andy Cartwright. "Bobbie, she is at home waiting for your call. She told me that her husband — my father — Jim, utterly adores you already. She can't wait to meet you." Then Marie's tears began to flow in a flood and she could scarcely talk, but she managed to say, "Bobbie, there is one final thing. It is all I am staying alive for, now. Each day I pray to Almighty God to give me just a few more days." She controlled her tears somewhat and continued, "Actually, I guess I'm out of the woods right now. You see, I want to live long enough to deliver our baby. Since I'm well into my eighth month, the baby is viable, so now, even if I died, it could be taken by cæsarian." Now looking into Bobbie's eyes she said, "This is my final request: Please take care of my baby? It will be so tiny and so alone! Please, darling Bobbie? Could you bring yourself to care for another woman's child?" Bobbie, who had been sitting facing Marie, was utterly stunned. At Marie's final request, she lost the last thread of her control, began to bawl, and blindly reached out her arms to the older girl. Marie wrapped her arms around her, held her tightly and listened to her tears. Suddenly, Bobbie pushed away and her tears stopped. "I have it!" she exclaimed. "I have the answer! Marie, you have a dumb problem with your heart. Big deal! That's easy to fix. I'll give you mine!" Then she looked at her and said, "But it's going to be expensive, Mrs. Conroy. I'm not sure you would be willing to pay the price." Marie was so stunned by what she was hearing she couldn't say or do anything. Bobbie continued, "You will have to give me a kiss — a very good kiss! "Oh, Marie," she exclaimed happily, "I can see it now. We will be in an operating amphitheater on cots side-by-side. I will kiss you — and it had better be a good one, mind you! Then I will lie down, watch them anaesthetize you, put you on a heart-lung machine and remove your defective heart before my eyes. "Then I will lie back, praise God, and feel the scalpel penetrate my skin, then feel the bone saw cutting my ribs, and my last thing will be the feeling as my beating heart is removed to save your life! It will be the most incredible moment of my life!" She smiled brightly and added, "Just think! I will have given the love of my life, Tom Conroy, what he wants most: the life and love of his beloved Marie! Oh, darling!" she exclaimed, "Isn't that just the most perfect solution?" "Yes, it is," Marie said happily, "but not for the reasons you think. Barbara Dawson Bradley, what you have just done is to remove the last tiny shred of doubt. You will make Tom so incredibly, overwhelmingly happy as his wife! You two will be a perfect couple — truly a match made in Heaven!" Bobbie saw the warmest, happiest smile she could imagine on Marie's face as she continued, "'Greater love hath no man... ' Barbara Bradley, you were utterly joyous just now! Not only would you be willing to give me your beating heart, you would give it with joy! You're God's perfect creation. Andy and Ken knew it months ago, and they certainly were right. "Darling, beyond the fact that I would not do it under any conditions, it could not be done. You see, whatever the weakness is, it is already spreading. It is now in all the veins and arteries entering and leaving my heart. My darling, even if they took out your heart, there is nothing in my body that it could be connected to. The aorta, for example, would just disintegrate. Then we would both be dead and where would that leave Tom?" Shaking her head joyously she said, "No, my darling Bobbie, you are going to have to do what you swore to me that you would do: You must marry Tom within a week of my death. "But what about ... about my baby?" she asked wistfully. "Darling Marie, I could not love or cherish an infant more." Then she looked anxious and asked, "Are there pills or shots or something I could take to get my milk to flow? I would so want to be able to nurse it at my breast..." "You really would, wouldn't you?" Marie asked, shaking her head in wonder. "You would nurse my baby?" "The baby born of my husband and my best friend on earth?" Bobbie asked. "You're damned right I would!" ------- The next morning Bobbie made her way to Hank and Jim Conroy's house, following Marie's directions. After a short wait after ringing the doorbell, the door opened but no one was there. Entering the house anxiously, Bobbie found a naked young woman who was almost her twin standing behind the door. A baby about six months old was nursing at her breast. In a whisper she introduced herself as Hank Conroy and invited Bobbie into the living room where she sat down on the sofa. As the baby nursed, Hank caressed it, whispered endearments, and loved it. After changing breasts from left to right the baby's nursing slowed and finally stopped. It was sound asleep. Hank rose from the sofa, padded into another room and returned a few minutes later. Again she sat on the sofa, patted the seat beside her and said, "Barbara Dawson Bradley, you're just in time. I need you ... to drain my tit." Barbara's eyes widened but it was something she had done for Ali, too. Lying on the sofa with her shoulders on Hank's lap she locked her lips on the beautiful nipple and began to suck. As she did, Hank caressed her head and said, "How on earth did my idiot son, Tom, ever get so lucky? Girl, you are unbelievable!" Then she said softly, "Marie told me what you offered and I almost didn't believe my ears. You're willing to donate your beating heart to try to save her life! And she described how you were so happy describing the feeling of a scalpel cutting into your body and then breaking your ribs to reach your heart before cutting it free from this glorious body." Hank was silent for a few moments and then continued, "There are no words ... There can be no words to describe your incredible goodness. Marie asked me to please try to approve of your marriage to Tom. Good grief, girl, how could I not? My son will be getting female perfection! And your sheer goodness is utterly overwhelming." Then she looked down and asked, "Do you like my milk?" Bobbie looked up from Hank's lap where her head was now cradled. She grinned and asked, "Do you bottle it and sell it? If not, why not?" Then she closed her eyes and sighed. With her eyes still closed she said softly, "I'm trying to figure out which is better: your milk or the way you caress me." After a pause she continued, "There's no answer. Mrs. Conroy, it's your love, but there's so much of that in your milk, too..." "Come, dear Bobbie," Hank said, lifting the girl's head from her lap. "Come where?" "Up to bed with me. Your mother told me you're the world's best sleeping companion and I mean to find out for myself!" When the two were lying naked in each other's arms in the bed with the baby sleeping in a crib nearby, Bobbie marveled at how much alike Hank and Vangie were. Both had bodies like teenager's yet both were — or were about to be — grandmothers. As she drifted off to sleep with Hank's wonderfully fresh, natural perfume filling her lungs she marveled, " ... and they both love me, too!" ------- Chapter 13 Instead of returning to Los Angeles for the start of the second term, Vangie and Ed asked Bobbie to join them in Chicago before going back to school. First, they wanted her to meet her brother and sister — the Chicago Bears were, as usual, still in the play-off hunt so Ken couldn't get out to Maui — and second, to take care of a couple of details involving her adoption. The nonstop flight from Honolulu to Chicago was a delight for Bobbie, as well. It was the first time in her life she had ever flown first class for such a distance. On the flight out to Maui with Kris — her first ever in first class — she had been so excited getting acquainted with her new sister, she had been oblivious to the flight itself. This time she savored the food, the attention, and the overall level of comfort and service. The best feature, though, was after the luxurious meal service, when the cabin was darkened for the movie and she prepared to sleep, her new father ordered her to sleep with him. After reclining his seat so that it was almost horizontal, Bobbie stretched out on top of him and then Vangie covered them both with a blanket. To her delight, the first thing her father did was to strip off her top. She fell asleep in his arms feeling his hands roam gently all over her upper body. As she drifted off to sleep she could never remember feeling so warm and snugly and loved as she did just then. At O'Hare, the family was picked up by the Bradley's chauffeur with their dark green Rolls-Royce limousine. Once seated and with the car moving so smoothly and quietly, her father opened a briefcase and said, "Darling, here are a few clippings you might be interested in. Why don't you take a couple of minutes and read them." She looked at the first clipping which included a large picture and a number of smaller ones. The large one looked odd: it showed a number of young people, all with completely shaved heads and in handcuffs, being loaded into a sheriff's van. When she looked at the smaller ones, she almost fainted: the pictures were her classmates who she now believed were responsible for her rape! Then she read the accompanying story which told how the seven — four men and three women — had surrendered on rape charges. There were fourteen specific events charged but Bobbie's was not listed. At the end of the story there was an unexplained comment that one of the girls and all of the men had mutilated themselves. When she looked up at Ed and asked about it, it became immediately apparent that he knew far more about it than was in the story. Pointing to a picture of one of the girls he said, "This is the one who took your virginity. Since she did it with the middle finger of her right hand, she wanted to cut it off at the second joint and did. The boys for some reason were quite insistent on amputating the ends of their penises. I gather that, when they recover, a full erection will only be an inch or two long." "What happened, Dad?" Bobbie asked with her eyes boring into his. "Why is it I sense the hand of Edgar Warren Bradley in all of this? What did you do? Or more accurately, since you've been with me on Maui while all of this has been going on, what have your people been doing? How did they get these people to mutilate themselves?" "The girl was told that her choice was to cut off the end of her finger or lose her whole hand. There is a strange little machine — sort of like an electric guillotine — that she used. She put her finger in the hole, pressed a button with her left hand, and then put the stump in a pot of boiling pitch to cauterize it. The boys used the same machine to cut off the ends of their penises. Of course, first they had to insert plastic straws up them. When the ends were cut off, the plastic straws were sealed closed and then they cauterized the stumps, as well. When they heal, they will remove the straw and have penises that will be usable for urination, anyway." "What was their choice?" Bobbie asked with her eyes wide with horror. "Having their penises and scrotums amputated. Of course they would have been provided with nice slits to use for urination ... Very much like yours and your mother's, in fact." Then with his eyes as hard as diamonds he said, "Pumpkin, don't even think about it for an instant! The paper lists fourteen counts. We know of over thirty ... besides yours! It seems that they decided you were a lot of fun, so they've been doing it ever since, with increasing frequency. They are sadists and savages!" "What is going to happen now?" Bobbie asked quietly. "They will be serving at least twenty years apiece in the state prison. The guys will be going down to Joliet; I don't know offhand where the girls go. Right now there are huge dildos stuck up their rectums. The women are wearing wide leather collars — you might have noticed them in the picture. There is a ring on them where their leashes will be clipped. These women will spend the next years as puppy dogs on their hands and knees, and kept leashed. It is also why they are totally hairless. "They will be the playthings of some pretty tough bull dikes who really run the women's prison. Similarly, the guys will be entertaining the toughest cons in Joliet for many years." "But ... but what about the trial?" she asked. Bobbie was now pale in spite of her tropical tan. "They will all plead guilty and ask — beg, in fact — for the maximum sentences. You see, they have been told that if they set foot out of jail or prison except while in custody, at any time for any reason in less than twenty years, they will be immediately dead! I guess they believe it now, although they didn't at first. It was necessary to go backwards, day by day and hour by hour with each of them. When they realized that everything they had said and done — including the most recent rape — was on video tape, they decided that the safest place they could be would be in prison. For that reason they will not ask for bail nor post it if it should be offered." Turning to her he said, "Dearest Bobbie, I want you to know that Ken Carlson, Mike Morris, and Bill Cartwright all know what happened. Although they still feel a little cheated — they really did want to take care of it themselves — they believe that some semblance of justice is being done. Do you understand? They really feel as strongly about this as they told you they did." Then after taking her hand and gently kissing it, he said, "Honey, that's one thing out of the way. This evening we're going to meet Cathy and Ken with their kids and have dinner. Tomorrow we'll take care of the rest of it." Bobbie was overwhelmed by the reception she received from Ken, Cathy and their children. After nearly passing out with the power of the kisses she received from her new brother and sister, they stepped aside. Then the cutest little four-year old boy came forward to greet her. He was like a smaller Ken Clifford but with gray eyes and brown hair. Diffidently, he extended his little hand and said, "Good evening, Aunt Barbara. I am your nephew, Kenneth, junior." Bobbie took his hand, shook it gravely, then swept the little boy up in her arms and just hugged him tightly. Then she howled with laughter when the little boy looked over his shoulder towards his mother and said, "Mommy, Aunt Barbara is messing up my clothes and I know how hard you worked to make me look handsome. You won't be mad at me, will you?" "My darling son," Cathy replied with the warmest smile Bobbie had ever seen, "I dressed you up so she would see how handsome you are. Since now she's seen you all dressed up and looking so handsome, right now I wouldn't care if she ripped all the clothes off you to see you the way you would rather be, anyway: naked!" Then the most beautiful little girl about two years old toddled over. "My name is Krista Bradley, Aunt Barbara," the little girl said. "Would you give me a kiss, too?" The evening with her new brother and sister was utterly marvelous. Only when they were getting ready to go to bed did Bobbie learn that Cathy was in the ninth month of her third pregnancy. Since it did not show at all, Bobbie said, "Golly, sis, it must be awful being pregnant and looking like a walking house. How do you do it?" Cathy just grinned and stuck out the tip of her tongue. ------- The next day was Saturday and the limousine came around at ten. Vangie and Ed had not mentioned where they were to go and Bobbie had not asked. As it moved from one expressway to another, she realized finally they were on the Tollway headed north. It was the road to, among other places, Deerfield. The driver got off at one of the Deerfield exits and proceeded directly to Barbara's old neighborhood, finally stopping in front of her former home. Ed looked at her with love in his eyes and said, "Bobbie, I know this is going to hurt, but I really think it is something that should be done." Bobbie was so choked up she couldn't even speak. She just nodded once quickly and he opened the door. After Vangie rang the doorbell and they waited for a few moments, the door was opened by Bobbie's mother, Amy Dawson. In a fleeting glance Bobbie saw that Ed Bradley's eyes were as cold as ice. When her mother realized who was there, she screamed for her husband, Charles, who came running. Realizing it was the daughter they had disowned, his reaction was to try to slam the door in their faces but Ed had already placed his foot in the jam and said, "Mr. Dawson, that wouldn't be the smartest thing you have ever done. My name is Edgar Bradley. This is my wife, Vangie, and our new daughter, Barbara. We have come to take care of a few matters." With ill grace, Charles Dawson invited them into the living room. Once seated, Ed explained that they were adopting Barbara as their daughter. Since she had been disowned by them two years earlier and was now a legal adult, it really only took her consent, but to keep everything neat and tidy it would be a little neater if they signed off, too. The two elder Dawsons quickly scrawled their names on the appropriate lines of a legal form Ed produced. Then he gave them a check which was for the total amount of money they had sent Barbara and USC for her college education. It amounted, with interest added, to nearly $40,000. With the business matters out of the way Ed Bradley just shook his head and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, I do not understand you. I cannot understand you! You gave birth to the finest, sweetest, most loving girl God has ever put on this earth ... Yet you threw her out of the house! Why?" "We would not have a slut living under our roof!" Dawson exclaimed self-righteously. "She is a slut!" Vangie reached out to hold Ed's arm and calm him down. She could tell that he was about to explode. With an effort of will he relaxed and then took a deep breath. "Mr. Dawson, your daughter was drugged and raped! Not once, but repeatedly. Do you recognize these people?" he asked, passing over the clipping Bobbie had seen the day before. Dawson looked at it casually and then his eyes widened in recognition. "My Lord!" he exclaimed. "These are the girls who told us what Bobbie had been doing." "And those are the girls who did it to her!" Ed exclaimed. Indicating the girl who had lost part of her finger he said, "This is the girl who took Bobbie's virginity ... with her fingernail! She jammed her finger up Bobbie's vagina while she was drugged and used her fingernail to break her hymen." Then he shook his head and asked, "But why, in Heaven's name, did you believe them? Do you know anything about your daughter?" he almost screamed. "Do you know that she was the valedictorian of her class? You may not because you were not at her graduation. You didn't hear the speech she gave that day which was widely reprinted. Why was it reprinted? Because almost the whole audience was moved to tears, is why. What was her topic? How the graduates owe everything to their parents! That was a day when she could scarcely sit down. Why? Because you had beaten her so badly — after she had just been raped for the third or fourth time!" He shook his head and said, "Bobbie has some wonderful friends now, I'm happy to say. One of them has some remarkable powers. She can probe a person's brain and learn things that the person consciously has suppressed. For example, she learned that the day Bobbie was first raped and left unconscious on the porch, you beat her so severely she was left bleeding and unconscious on the living room floor! "Was that all? Oh, no! You had told her how bad a beating you were going to give her. As soon as she could get up, she came to you and asked for the rest of her punishment. And yet this girl gave the most moving speech about love for parents anyone at that graduation had ever heard. "Why didn't you know she was incapable of doing what those girls said? Do you know how highly she is regarded by every single person who knows her? Do you know that the pastor of your church considers her to be a living saint? Do you know that for six years — going back to when she was a Girl Scout — she spent all her free time at an old people's home?" Again Vangie reached over and put her hand lightly on Ed's arm. He could feel her hand and at the same time feel a calming sensation flow through him. Rising he said, "Thank you for your time. But particularly, thank you for your daughter — our daughter — Bobbie. She is one of God's perfect creations and I am delighted that the savages are now on their way to long terms in prison. Those animals were so jealous of a girl for whom sex was something to be saved for marriage, not a form of casual recreation, that they raped her! "They continued with their fun. And it wasn't just once. They used drugs on Bobbie and actually got the poor girl believing that you people were being quite reasonable. She really did. You got her believing that she was a slut because that is all you called her from that very first morning. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, your loss is the Bradley family's gain. "Last night Bobbie met her new brother and sister and niece and nephew. They all worship the ground she walks on." With a warm smile he said, "Do you know what Vangie found when she walked into Bobbie's bedroom this morning? She found her four-year-old grandson and two-year-old granddaughter in bed snuggled close to Bobbie while her arms were around them both. They said it was even better than snuggling with their Mommy — and if you knew how much they adore their mother, you would know what that comment really means!" With that they got up and took their leave. Once back in the car, they did not head back toward the highway. Instead they moved in a direction that caused Bobbie to ask where they were going this time. Ed just smiled and told her they were going to visit some friends and this visit should be much more pleasant than the last one. The limousine pulled into the snow-covered grounds of an old people's home. Arriving, this time Bobbie was the first out of the car and ran up to the door with Ed and Vangie following right behind her. Once inside, Bobbie looked both ways and then went into a parlor to the right. There were five elderly women sitting patiently, waiting. Two of them were in wheel chairs. Vangie and Ed held back and just watched as two of the women rose from their seats and greeted Bobbie with the warmest kisses the two had ever seen. It was as if they were welcoming a beloved granddaughter. In fact, they later found out, that was exactly what they were doing. Then Bobbie dropped to her knees and embraced a third woman who obviously had limited mobility and could not easily get to her feet. With the fourth woman, one of the two in wheelchairs, Bobbie stood before her with her hands moving with lightning speed. The woman beamed a happy smile and her hands began to flash, too, but not nearly as fast as Bobbie's had. Vangie realized that the two were communicating in sign language. Finally, Bobbie knelt beside a woman in a wheel chair. Looking at her quickly, Vangie thought that the woman had the milky pupils so often found with the totally blind. This time Bobbie gently took the woman's left arm, placed a finger on her forearm, then quickly moved it up and down, tapping. The woman's eyes widened and then there was a beatific smile on her face. Vangie could scarcely control her own tears as she saw tears of joy begin to flow from the sightless eyes. She reached out her hands blindly, and Bobbie gently took the woman's right hand and placed it on her left forearm. They could see the woman's finger tapping rapidly. Then Bobbie knelt beside the wheelchair and placed the woman's hands on her face. Gently, she moved her fingers over Bobbie's face and then down to her body. When she withdrew her hands, Bobbie kissed the woman on the eyes, kissing away her tears, then her ears and finally her lips. It was a kiss that flowed with the purest love. Rising, Bobbie returned to the third woman and said, "Mary, why don't we take a little walk?" Helping the woman to her feet, she escorted her out of the room. Vangie followed them into the ladies' room. There, with incredible gentleness and consideration, Bobbie removed her adult diaper, washed her, powdered her and put on a clean diaper. Helping her to her feet, she said softly, "That feels so much better, doesn't it?" The woman's eyes were overflowing with love. Leaning a hand against the lavatory sink for support she looked at Vangie and said, "Is Barbara your daughter, ma'am?" When Vangie said she was, Mary Stenhouse said, "Then you are truly blessed! Barbara is the finest, sweetest, most considerate person the Good Lord has ever put on this earth!" Taking Bobbie's arm she hobbled out of the room and back to the hall. As she walked slowly she said softly, "Bobbie, you're so much more gentle than the nurses. And you ... you..." Turning back to Vangie she said, "Have you ever in your life seen a woman with greater tact and delicacy than your daughter? She knows I have ... problems. All she ever does is what she just did: She will say, 'Mary, why don't we take a little walk.' Never, 'Something stinks, ' or 'Aren't you even toilet-trained yet.' "You know, I am sure, madam, how much such remarks can hurt — particularly when one knows they are true. Bobbie? We are always treated with dignity to maintain our self-respect. That's one of the reasons we love her so." When they rejoined the others, Bobbie introduced her new parents. Irma Quigley and Annabel Baxter were the two women who had risen when Bobbie first arrived. Jane Bentley was deaf and was the one to whom Bobbie had spoken in sign language. Harriet Tompkins was deaf, dumb and blind. They communicated by tapping in Morse code on each other's forearm. After performing the introductions, ending with Harriet, the woman tapped out a request. Turning to her mother, she explained that the elderly woman wanted to see her. Understanding exactly what was required, Vangie knelt down beside the wheelchair, lifted the woman's hands and placed them on her face. Then she just knelt up straight without moving a muscle as the woman's hands moved gently but carefully all over her face. She reached around and felt Vangie's head and hair, then let her hands move down to her shoulders and her breasts. Still Vangie maintained her position. What followed next amazed Ed. Harriet placed her hand on Vangie's left forearm and tapped. Vangie then responded to the woman. Harriet beamed with pleasure and then her finger started moving rapidly up and down. Vangie responded and then arose to her feet. When she turned, Bobbie could see that tears were streaming down Vangie's cheeks. When she asked what the trouble was Vangie only said that Harriet wanted to speak to her now. When Bobbie knelt beside Harriet and tapped her greeting, the woman told her that Vangie was indeed her true mother. She was a woman with the same grace and love and goodness that Bobbie herself had. When Bobbie asked her if she had said that to Vangie, she replied that she had. Then Ed got to his knees beside Mrs. Tompkins. Since he didn't know Morse code, Harriet communicated through Bobbie instead. "Dad," she said with tears in her eyes, "she says that you're my true father in the same way Vangie is my real mother. She is so happy that my family has finally been reunited. She loves you very much and has a favor to ask you. She says that Irma can give you the details. Finally, she thanks you for humoring a worthless old lady." At that, Ed, moving with incredible gentleness, took the woman's head in his hands and kissed her all over ending at her lips. When his lips were on hers he moved his on hers conveying all the love he possessed and finally allowed his passion to flow, too. When he finally pulled away, the woman looked like she had been hit by a truck. But she waved her hands excitedly and again Bobbie took her position beside her. This time her finger was going much faster than it had before. "Harriet Tompkins! The idea!" Bobbie exclaimed aloud. Then she added while her finger was moving at lightning speed, "Good heavens! A woman of your age?" When Bobbie finally rose to her feet, Harriet was improbably grinning happily." "What did she say?" Vangie asked. With a grin Bobbie replied, "The idea! Harriet said that Dad's kiss got her cuntal juices flowing for the first time in more than thirty years. She wonders if she could borrow him from you for just a quickie. She says it's really for old times' sake — you really shouldn't think of her as real competition." Instead of saying anything, Vangie dropped to her knees and rapidly began to communicate with the woman. When she stopped, the woman was laughing. It was the first sound she had made in years. "What did you say to her, Mom?" Bobbie asked. "I told him that your father's cock was so big it would split her in two, but if that's what she really wanted..." "Then what did she say?" With a broad grin Vangie replied, "Promises, promises! What a wonderful way to go!" A nurse brought tea to the parlor, which Irma and Annabel gracefully served. When everyone had been served, Irma, who obviously because of her good physical condition and her faculties, was the spokeswoman for the group said, "We can't tell you how wonderful we feel today." Then she looked at Bobbie with sorrow in her voice and said, "Dearest Bobbie, we will never forget the last time we saw you. It was the day you were leaving for school and you came to say goodbye. Bobbie, one of the things that often comes with old age is that one reads absolutely everything! Even the legal notices. You see, darling, the day before, we had seen a small notice in the paper: Charles and Amy Dawson legally disowned their former daughter, Barbara. "You never said a word. There were days when you came to see us when you could scarcely move following one of your former father's brutal beatings. You never said a word. A few days ago we saw where seven young people — four boys and three girls — were arrested on multiple rape charges. You visited us several times on days following your own raping — but you never said a word. "We could never understand it, you see. We gathered from your former parents' actions that they believed it to be your fault. Barbara Bradley, that would have been utterly impossible. You see, one of the facts of life that surfaces with aging is an ability — wisdom, perhaps — to see the real person beneath the surface. Beneath your surface — an intensely beautiful surface, I should add — it just gets better." Irma sat up straight, wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and changed the subject. "Bobbie, you didn't ask about Minnie Houston. You have been around here long enough to know that when one of your friends is not here it is because she has left — feet first. And so it was with Minnie. However, Bobbie, when she died, she left her entire estate to you." Looking at Ed she said, "Mr. Bradley, the attorney for the estate is a very nice young man, John Stiles. He has been trying to fight off the vultures who are trying to break Minnie's will, and he has fought for her wishes. Unfortunately, sir, he has not been paid and will not be until the estate is settled. He has a wife, three small children, and a mortgage. It is no longer possible for him to continue the fight against the other very well-financed, erstwhile heirs. Can you help him, sir? "All of Minnie's money is to go to your daughter, Barbara." Ed whistled softly when he learned that the estate was worth about $10 million. Then Irma said, "That is what Harriet referred to as well. She is changing her will to make Bobbie her sole beneficiary." Then the elderly woman grinned at Ed and said, "That's unless you take her up to her room, of course. Your cock, sir, might outweigh the years of Bobbie's kindness!" When Bobbie reminded Irma with a grin that she took naps with Harriet from time to time, Irma just looked at her and with an expressionless face said, "Barbara, it is not the same thing!" All the Bradleys howled with laughter. The discussion continued and finally the Bradleys had to leave. The leave-taking was far happier this time than it had been when Bobbie had left for college. Ed promised the women that he would pay Attorney Stiles immediately for all of the work he had performed, and would assign his law firm to work with him on the Houston estate matter. He would also seek out the top experts to help Harriet draft an unbreakable will. The three got back into the limousine and headed out towards the airport. Bobbie was sitting between her parents in the back seat. Vangie took Bobbie's hand and promised her that the women would be well looked-after. "I'll be going over," she said. "And so will Jan Stewart and Cindy Burke." When she asked if Kenny and Krista would be welcome, Bobbie beamed and replied, "What do you think? Two little angels? Mom, I can't tell you how much those women adore small children. And those two? They are little dolls! They would absolutely love to have them visit!" Then Vangie said to Ed, "Darling, remember what the little angels said? That Barbara Dawson was an angel come to earth and we had to meet her? You know what? They didn't know the half of it!" ------- Chapter 14 It was early in February when Bobbie got a call from Celeste Chan telling her that Marie was in the hospital and asking for her. Labor had begun and she wanted to see Bobbie desperately. The girl realized it was only four in the morning. After throwing on a pair of Levi's and a work shirt, she shot out of her apartment — this was her own, one Vangie had selected for her — and headed for the hospital. Arriving, she identified herself and, to her amazement, was immediately sent to one of the delivery rooms. There she found Marie lying on her back with a tiny baby in her arms. As Bobbie entered she could see tears flowing from Marie's eyes, but she had water — later she learned it was holy water — and was sprinkling it on the infant's forehead saying, "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen." Just as she finished, the infant gasped once and then was still. "I was in time," Marie said softly. Then to Tom, standing at the side of her cot, she said, "My darling, could we name him Tom? Please? I want to have a Tom Conroy beside me in Heaven." Then, even from the door, Bobbie could see the tears in Marie's eyes as she explained to Tom and Celeste that the infant had been born with a dysfunctional heart. He could not live. "But he fought for life until he was baptized," she said, "so he will immediately join God in Heaven and be with Him forever!" Celeste was at the foot of the cot with tears streaming down her cheeks, while Tom was standing at Marie's right. Bobbie was about to withdraw from the private family scene when Marie saw her for the first time. Only then did Bobbie realize how pale and drawn Marie appeared. But seeing her, Marie brightened and suddenly there was an intense light — almost a fire — in her eyes. "Bobbie!" she cried. "You made it. Come and stand here beside me. Please!" Bobbie did as she was asked. As soon as she was within reach, Marie grabbed Bobbie's right hand, held it, and then took Tom's right hand, too. She put Bobbie's hand in Tom's and squeezed them between both of her own. Looking down at Celeste standing at the foot of the cot, she said in a remarkably strong voice, "Dearest sister, you are my witness! You will testify, if necessary, that this is completely and totally my own idea." Then looking to each side she said, "Now I am happy. The two people I love most in the whole world are finally together the way they should have been all along." Looking at Tom she said, "My darling, never forget what I said a few weeks ago at the Christmas party. If you have forgotten, Celeste has the tape and a copy in her safe deposit box. This woman, Barbara Bradley, is to be your wife before the week is out!" Then she continued, "Tom, I told Bobbie about my problem when we were out on Maui. Do you know what her immediate reaction was? It was to give me her heart. Tom, my darling, she wanted to give me her living, beating heart to replace my damaged one! This is the woman you must marry! She is a perfect woman who loves you so very much!" Then she looked into his eyes and asked, "Husband, when you kissed Bobbie at the Christmas party, what did you feel?" Tom just shook his head. "What did you feel?" she demanded. "I felt ... I felt..." Pain was so evident in his eyes as Tom finally confessed, "I felt the power of her love. I felt electricity flow between us. My darling, I'm so sorry! I have always been faithful—" "Wonderful!" Marie screamed. "I knew it! I knew you had to! Bobbie Bradley's passion would melt a plaster saint. Oh, my darling, of course you've been faithful. But now, my husband, take your new wife. Now, before I leave you all, I want to see you two kiss. Please! I must. Now! While you're standing right above me." Tom leaned over across Marie's body and Bobbie did the same. Their lips met over the woman's body as she still gripped their hands. This time, when Bobbie's lips met Tom's, there was no holding back. For the first time she let all of her love for him flow freely. The kiss was something she had never imagined in her fondest dreams and in spite of living with him so closely for so many months. For Tom the sensation was truly unbelievable. In spite of all of his love for Marie, Bobbie's kiss had many times more passion and intensity than he had ever experienced with his beloved wife. Gently and then with increasing passion he worked his lips on Bobbie's. When they finally eased away, their eyes were glassy and they could barely stand. "Incredible!" Marie said softly. Then she gasped and said softly, "Oh God! Thank you so much." To Bobbie she said, "My darling, please give me a last kiss. There are only moments left." Bobbie did, pouring out all the love she felt for this poor tormented young woman. Then she quickly stepped aside for Celeste who spoke to her beloved sister rapidly in Vietnamese and finally with tears streaming from her eyes in a flood, kissed her twin goodbye. Stepping back, she made room for Tom who took his wife in his arms for the last time and molded his lips to hers. As they kissed he heard a gasp and Marie went limp in his arms. Scarcely able to see, Celeste reached out, tenderly closed Marie's eyelids, and pulled a sheet up over her face. Then she stumbled blindly into Bobbie's arms and held on for dear life as she poured out her sorrow in tears. The three stumbled out to the waiting room. A waiting doctor went quickly into the room they had just left. Then they just dropped into seats in a corner of the deserted room with Celeste sitting between Tom and Bobbie. She looked down at the floor and then at each of them. Softly she said, "Tom, Marie told me about this only two days ago. When she did, she told me what Bobbie had offered to do for her on Maui — donate her beating heart to her! She also told me, Tom, that you have been a perfect husband to her. In less than twelve months she believed she had achieved far more happiness in your arms than any other married woman would in forty years." Turning to Bobbie she said, "And in you, Bobbie, she found one of God's perfect creatures! She utterly adored you. Believe me when I say that Marie died truly happy this morning. Why? Because her beloved Tom was going into the arms of a woman far better than she was herself. You, Bobbie, are the woman that Marie dreamed of for Tom but you turned out to be so much better than her wildest dreams." Then she sat up straight and said, "As the executor of my sister's estate, my first duty is to make arrangements for your wedding which will be this Saturday on Maui. Do you both consent? Remember, Bobbie, you swore that you would. And you, Tom, remember, this is her dying wish." The two just nodded quickly. ------- It was a Saturday nearly three weeks later when the Bradley limousine pulled up the driveway of the old people's home followed by Ken and Cathy Bradley's large station wagon. All of the Bradleys went inside followed by the chauffeur with his arms loaded with boxes. After greeting all of the women — Ed was astounded to learn that his wife not only knew Morse code, but in just a few short weeks had become expert in sign language — Vangie set up a VCR for the women. Cathy knelt beside Harriet Tompkins, introduced herself as one of Bobbie's sisters using Morse code, and then said that she was going to describe and narrate a tape Bobbie had made for them on her wedding day. Vangie did the same thing in sign language for Jane Bentley. Ed started the tape and it opened with a close-up of Bobbie's face. "Hi, folks!" she greeted them. "By the time you all see this I'll be on my honeymoon with my husband, Tom." There were tears in her eyes as she told how she had met him and how his first wife, Marie, had so tragically died. Then she explained that she and Tom would be honeymooning on the same uninhabited island together for the next six months — until September. Then she said, "This tape is being produced by my mother for you. You see, in some societies the eldest women in the family prepare the bride for her husband on her wedding day." With the warmest smile the women had ever seen she continued, "Well, I don't have a grandmother ... I have five! Irma Quigley, Harriet Tompkins, Jane Bentley, Annabel Baxter, and Mary Stenhouse, this tape is for you. "Since you can't be with me — I am now on the island of Maui, over five thousand miles from Chicago — I am using this tape. When next I see you, you can tell me all the things I did wrong." Then the camera zoomed out and there was a hushed intake of breath. Bobbie was standing in front of the camera totally naked. "This is what I am bringing to my marriage bed," she said softly. "Do you think Tom will be pleased? As I said earlier, he has seen me naked often enough, so I think things will be all right." Then she padded into the adjoining bathroom and got into the shower. She carefully described how she was being so careful to wash her body completely with particular care to ensure that her vagina would be clean and sweet-smelling for her new husband. For the next scene Vangie had preset the camera on a tripod and just let it run. Now Bobbie was stretched out on a massage table while Vangie, also naked, worked on her body. With her eyes closed, Bobbie described the marvelous sensations as her mother so-tenderly worked musk oil into her tits and then into her vagina. Then she rolled over and knelt on the table with her legs spread to expose her anus. Moaning with the sensation, Bobbie described how her mother kept working the oil into her ass and used her fingers gently to stretch her anal ring. Finished there, Bobbie lay on her belly with her hands under her chin and just grinned at the camera. "Ladies, I can't tell you how wonderful I feel right now." Then she quickly rolled over, took Vangie's hand and pulled her close. "Just look!" she exclaimed. "Look at my mother! Have you ever seen a more glorious body? Her tits are so wonderfully full and firm — she is just delicious." Then she rolled onto her stomach again and looked into the camera with a sad expression on her face. "Harriet, dear, I'm terribly sorry!" she said, "But I'm really afraid you're overmatched trying to take Dad away from Mom!" When Kris tapped out what Bobbie had been doing and what she had said, to the surprise of everyone the woman, although deaf, dumb and blind, started to laugh merrily. It was only the second sound anyone had ever heard from her since she had been in the home. Relaying Harriet's request, Kris asked that the tape be stopped for a few moments. Then she asked her mother to strip bare and for her father to take off all his clothes except for his pants. Instantly doing what had been asked, Vangie knew what was expected so she padded over to the woman's wheelchair and knelt beside it. She knelt upright while the woman used her sensitive fingers again to explore Vangie's face and head and then so-carefully to run them over her shoulders and tits. There she stopped and cupped Vangie's breasts in her gentle hands and then tweaked her nipples causing them instantly to engorge. As Harriet's fingers moved over her body, Vangie realized that the older woman had a simply beatific look on her face. When the woman's hands moved lower on her body, Vangie stood up and spread her legs wide. The woman's hands continued to explore and there was an expression of pleased surprise on her face when Harriet realized that Vangie had no pubic hair. Then the fingers explored her slit and Vangie's pelvis shook involuntarily when she was overcome by a sudden orgasm triggered by Harriet's teasing her clit. The woman caught Vangie's juices on her fingers, then tasted them and smiled. Finally Vangie turned and felt the woman's hands moving slowly over her tight buns and ending in her ass. When she felt the lightest tap on her cheek Vangie turned and began to howl with laughter. The elderly woman was sitting upright in her wheel chair with her tongue stuck out. Vangie had never seen anything so cute. She quickly got dressed again while Ed went through the same process. After carefully exploring the contours of his face and head, she moved her fingers carefully but gently over his torso with particular attention to his chest, shoulders, and upper arms. There was a look of sheer bliss on her face as she ran her fingers through the hair on his chest. When her exploration was complete, instead of getting dressed, Ed lifted the woman out of her wheel chair, sat her across his knee and then hugged her tightly to his chest. As he did, he could hear the woman making wonderful mewing sounds as she just rubbed her cheek against his chest. Then, with her still sitting on his leg, he folded her into his arms and began to work his lips on hers in a kiss of the purest love, yet with passion in it as well. When he finally released her and easily but gently returned her to her wheelchair, she just sat for a moment with her eyes closed but with a beatific smile on her lips. After a few moments she opened her sightless eyes and waved excitedly. Kris dropped to her knees beside her and extended her left arm. As fast as her fingers could move, Harriet tapped out a message. "Dad," Kris said softly, "Harriet says that now she knows what Heaven will be like. It will be regaining her youth and having a man like you holding her in his arms. She says that you are blessed among men to have a wife as perfect as Vangie — she does not believe that she could possibly be a grandmother. "Finally, Mom, she admits to being overmatched. Harriet says she couldn't compete with you if she were still nineteen. She says you are utter perfection!" Vangie then dropped to her knees, took the woman in her arms and melted her lips with a kiss. When the tape rolled again, Bobbie put on the tiniest white lace bikini and followed it with a white garter belt. Then, while carefully describing everything she was doing and what she was feeling, she smoothed a pair of white stockings over her gorgeous legs. "Ladies, just a short time after I take these stockings off I'll be welcoming Tom into my body. Do you think I can make him happy?" At that Irma Quigley cracked, "If he's alive, the answer is yes! And if he hasn't been dead for more than a month, it's still yes!" Finally the tape showed Vangie dropping the beautiful white wedding gown over Bobbie's head, fixing her very short hair and then putting a diamond necklace around her neck and enormous diamonds in her ears. After stepping back to ensure that Bobbie looked as beautiful as she could, Vangie lovingly kissed her daughter on her wedding day. The next scene was taken immediately following the wedding. Bobbie now looked radiantly happy as she stood beside Tom with his hand around her waist. "Ladies, this is my husband, Tom. Now I am Mrs. Thomas Gardiner Conroy, and I couldn't be more happy." Then she named the women and said, "Tom, please say hello." Tom, who had been carefully briefed by Bobbie, had personal words of greeting for each of the five elderly women. Each beamed with joy as they listened. When the tape ended, Vangie put the wedding video on. The women watched it with interest. Irma Quigley asked that it be stopped at the scene with the wedding party at the altar. In response to her questions Vangie identified everyone: Celeste Trang Chan, Kenneth Clifford and his parents, Ali and Bill; Andrea Cartwright and her parents, Connie and Chip; the entire Conroy family with Tom's older sister, Samantha, looking gorgeous as one of the bridesmaids, and finally the entire Bradley family, all of whom were present at the home. The tape continued and finally came to an end. Reaching into a box Vangie said, "Bobbie has a gift for each of you." Then she gave each woman a duplicate of the bride's bouquet and said a formal wedding picture of the bride and groom would be delivered as soon as they were ready. Finally, they served champagne along with wedding cake they had brought back from Maui with them. "Well," Vangie asked when they had finished, "what did you all think?" "'Only Bobbie!' is what I think," Irma said firmly. "Now you see why we love her so." Then she continued, "I don't really know quite what to say right now. "You see, being stuck here all the time and not needing much sleep anymore, we read a great deal, and we read a great many different things. As a result, I recognize those people at the altar with Bobbie and Tom. For example, that was William Harrison Clifford, one of the richest men in the world, with his beautiful wife, Allison. I noticed how proudly their son, Kenneth, served as the ring bearer. "Then I recognized Constance and Charles Cartwright as one of the richest young men in the world and saw their utterly gorgeous little girl, Andrea, carrying the bride's bouquet. I conclude that from both their roles in the wedding and the expressions of happiness and pride on their faces that the children played important roles in the event taking place. Am I correct?" Vangie nodded and explained how the two little children were, for a time, Bobbie's only friends in the world. Then Irma said, "That brings me to you, Bradleys. Vangie, before your marriage you were Evangeline Pierce Collins, the wealthiest woman in the country. And you, Edgar Warren Bradley, have wealth on a scale to compare with the Cliffords. "Is that all? Oh, no! You see, we read the sports pages, too. That's where we first met your son, Ken, and daughter, Cathy. Entertainment? Kristin, Bobbie's twin." Looking at Kris fondly she said, "And, Kristin, you are Bobbie's twin. I think you have some feeling for the adoration we feel for Bobbie, so I hope you appreciate the full significance of what we're saying to you." Then she slowly nodded her head and said, "There is God's justice in this world, sometimes. You people are worthy of Bobbie's love — and she is certainly worthy of yours! We could not be more proud nor happy than we are today. Thank you all so very much!" By the time the Bradleys left two hours later, the elderly women's eyes were alive with joy. Little Kenny and Kirsten were so loving to them. Perhaps the high point was when Cathy stripped off her top and nursed her tiny infant at her breast. For a short time she knelt beside Harriet's wheelchair while the woman ever so gently moved her hands over the nursing infant's head and then felt Cathy's beautiful breast as the baby drew nourishment from it. As they were about to leave, Vangie was saying goodbye to Harriet who asked, "When are you going to have more children of your own? You really should, you know." Sadly, Vangie tapped out her response, "Dear Harriet, Ed and I are trying as hard as we can." The woman replied that she would pray to Almighty God to bless their remarkable union. ------- Chapter 15 On the night of their wedding, Celeste was again at the controls of the powerful cruiser taking Tom and Bobbie to the island where Tom and Marie had been so happy. Kristin Bradley, who had served as her sister's maid of honor, accompanied them on the trip. Nearing the island, Celeste throttled back and the fast boat slowed and came down from its step. Cautiously she eased it ahead to where she knew the cut was in the reef that almost completely enclosed the tiny bay. Finally in position, Celeste hit the anchor switch and they heard the sound of the anchor hitting the water followed by its chain. After embedding the anchor, she cut the engines back to their slowest idle and left the helm. Realizing they had arrived at their destination, Kris took Bobbie in her arms and asked softly, "Dear sister, are you sure you will be all right? You're bringing nothing with you." Bobbie was standing on the deck proudly naked except for a belt around her waist. "Kris," she replied, "if I don't make it, I will have died happy. I will have spent the rest of my life with the love of my life. If it turns out not to be as long as I would like, eternity is a very long time. Then I will be sharing Tom with Marie in Heaven, forever." There was a lump in Celeste's throat as she realized that Bobbie was unwittingly repeating almost exactly the same words Marie had said nearly a year earlier. Taking Bobbie in her arms, Celeste kissed her with love and affection, then gave her a small waterproof package. She said, "Bobbie, this is your wedding gift from Marie. There is a note from her inside. She prepared it for you a week before she died, knowing without asking that this is the way you and Tom would spend your honeymoon." Then she looked anxious and said, "Please open it and read her note as soon as you get to shore, but before Tom takes you in his arms. It's very important. Please?" Bobbie immediately agreed and strapped the pouch around her leg. In spite of honeymooning in the same way and at the same place, there were immediate differences. While Marie had been nearly reverent in her approach to it, Bobbie began with fun and joy. When she and Tom were ready to dive in, she grinned and said, "I'll bet I beat you to the beach!" When Tom accepted her challenge with a grin, she asked Kris to give the starting command. The two were poised on the gunwale side-by-side as Kris said, "Take your marks... ! Get set!" But before she could say another word, Bobbie hip-checked Tom off balance causing him to fall into the water beside the boat. Then Kris shouted, "Go!" and Bobbie launched herself into the water in a perfect racing dive. The two women on the boat were hugging each other while they howled with laughter as Tom recovered and then set out in Bobbie's wake. "He'll never catch her!" Kris exclaimed. "Good heavens! Just look at her go!" Bobbie was moving through the water like a porpoise, with all of the grace, power, and speed of the marine mammal. The two women were still giggling as Celeste activated the switch that hauled up the anchor cable followed by the anchor itself. After securing the anchor at the bow, Kris rejoined Celeste in the cockpit as she engaged the clutch and began to power away back towards Kapalua. As the boat left the beach behind, both girls felt much better. They realized that Bobbie's joyousness and the trick she played on Tom made them both feel better about their prospects for the next months. When Tom waded ashore looking sheepish, Bobbie jumped to her feet, ran to him and said, "My darling, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" "No," he said. "I won't. There are two reasons: First, you aren't sorry at all. Second," he added with a grin, "there's nothing to forgive you for. Who would believe a naked girl would give a guy a hip check just as a race is about to start." He took her in his arms and held her tightly. "Bobbie, I adore you. I really, honest-to-God do!" Then he looked at the pouch in her hand which he recognized as similar to the one Marie herself had on their honeymoon. In fact, it was the same one. While she had been waiting for him, she had read Marie's note. When she did, tears came to her eyes because when the note had been written, Marie knew her death was only a few days away. In it she said that she had been spending all of her available time praying to God for his support and to please make her death as painless for the others as could be. Then she said that the other thing she had prayed for was the restoration of Bobbie's virginity. "I told God," she wrote, "that you had been raped and ultimately persuaded that what were, in fact, a series of rapes, were acts of your own free will. Since you lost your virginity to crime and the acts of savages, I pray that God will answer my prayer and restore what is rightfully yours — and Tom's." Hand-in-hand they moved back on the beach to the tree line. Finding what looked to be a comfortable piece of sand, Bobbie carefully spread the little piece of linen and then placed her body appropriately over it. With her thighs spread wide, her hips raised, and her eyes gleaming she said, "I'm ready, husband. My darling, please take your wife." "But darling," Tom protested, "I have to get you warmed up first." "You've spent the last five months warming me up, turkey!" she exclaimed. "Now, if you want to come back with me, and don't like the idea of me spending the next six months alone with just your corpse for company, get that huge thing in my cunt where it belongs this instant!" Tom grinned and dropped to his knees between her widespread legs. It was near sundown, with the sun dropping fast towards the horizon. The result was to cast the beach into shadows but, through a quirk, a ray of sunshine shone brilliantly on her gorgeous face like a spotlight. "You're beautiful!" he murmured, and then placed his throbbing cock close to her vagina. With a cry of wanting, Bobbie placed it where she wanted it and then felt the incredible sensation she had dreamed of for so long as it began to penetrate her insides. Remarkably, after entering just a short way they both felt resistance. Taking no chances, Bobbie wrapped her powerful legs around his hips and squeezed, forcing his cock to drive deep into her. For an instant she felt the shock of pain and then he was all the way in. There followed slow, rhythmic strokes as he just slowly moved in and out to almost his full length with each stroke. For Bobbie, it was heavenly. It was all she had ever dreamed, but the reality was so much better. Soon she reached an orgasm, then another, and then a third, each more powerful than the one before. Finally Tom had her where he so often had had Marie: in continuous orgasm. Bobbie just screamed with joy as her husband thrilled her with sexual sensations. Finally, she could feel him near his inescapable release. When she did, again using her powerful legs, she pulled him to her so that every millimeter of his huge cock was inside her as she felt his cum pour into her, flooding her insides. With a loud scream of the purest joy, she fainted. Recovering, she found herself resting against Tom's shoulder. Then he showed her the little piece of cloth she had placed under her crotch. It was now blood-red and soaked through with her virginal blood. "My darling, Marie's prayer was answered. God did restore your virginity." Then to his utter amazement, Bobbie began to weep uncontrollably. "Darling, what's wrong?" he asked, really worried now. "What will you do tomorrow?" she wailed. It was only then that he saw her eyes gleaming with suppressed laughter. "You only make love to virgins, and I'm a virgin no longer! Since there are no other women here, where will you find another one?" Tom thought for a moment and then snapped his fingers. "I've got it!" he exclaimed. "We'll be environmentally aware! I'll recycle a slightly used one!" They both began to howl with laughter while they hugged each other tightly. ------- As the days and weeks passed, Tom realized that he had no sense of the passage of time. While with Marie there had always been a lurking sense of foreboding and danger, with Bobbie there was nothing but fun and joy. He found Bobbie's humor and good spirits to be both infectious and irrepressible. In just a matter of a few days he had not only taken her in all of her openings, she took him everywhere in her body with ease and great joy. Less than a week after landing, Tom was awakened by Bobbie pounding on his shoulder. "Tom! Get up!" she demanded. "We've got a million things to do." "Oh?" he asked, "What? Let me see your list." Bobbie pretended to search in the sand but then suddenly stopped, wheeled on him and started pounding on his chest with her small fists. "Damn you, Tom Conroy! It's all your fault. We lost the pencil so I can't write out my list ... so ... so ... I forgot what was on it." With that, her playacting stopped as suddenly as it had begun. After a lingering passionate kiss, she just snuggled close to him and murmured, "I'm going to think hard. Maybe I can mentally reconstruct it." Tom put his arm around her, held her close and just listened to the wonderfully happy sounds coming from deep in her body as she went back to sleep. Bobbie's strength, jungle skills and agility amazed him. After a little more than a month into their stay, Bobbie had constructed an elaborate network of woven vine ropes that covered the tiny island. She called it her Tarzan rapid-transit system. After spending days braiding vines into rope, she climbed trees all over the island to hang them in appropriate locations. One day after it had been in place for about ten days, she teased him saying that if he wanted a kiss he would have to catch her first. With that she went off, swinging from one rope to the next. Tom went after her but realized after about twenty minutes he had no hope of catching her. When he was able to get close, Bobbie, while appearing to be going for a rope in front of her, would spin her body in the air like a cat and grab another rope ninety degrees away from her previous direction. She would dart among the trees like a water bug. It was only when she tired of her game — and wanted Tom's kiss badly — that she allowed herself to be caught. But never did she admit that she had let him. Instead she maintained that he was too big, too strong, and too fast for her. Tom just kissed her lovingly while knowing the truth. Her period also resulted in teasing. She insisted that it was their calendar. "How else can we keep track of the passage of time?" she asked. The only change it dictated in their behavior — Tom was convinced that Bobbie didn't know what pre-menstrual syndrome was — was to keep her out of their lagoon. Tom pointed out — wisely, she thought — that letting her blood flow in the water wasn't the smartest thing they could do. However, when a shark found his way into the lagoon, she was having her period and put the fact — and her vaginal discharge — to use. By now they had identified all of the currents in the bay. Bobbie dove in at a location where she knew her blood would drift towards the shark and reach him after passing a coral head. Sure enough, when it did, the great beast sensed it and began to move slowly towards the blood's source. When he passed the coral head, though, Tom was hidden behind it, waiting. A slash with his great knife and the huge fish was dead. This one was smaller than Marie's — only 1,250 to 1,500 pounds. The episode of the shark was not yet over. After skinning it and cutting out a few steaks, they buried the rest of the carcass. Tom still couldn't face the thought of eating shark meat. But when Bobbie asked for the shark's belly to use to make some things, he teasingly told her that it was his — if she wanted some shark skin, go get her own shark. After spending hours and days scraping, scrubbing, and ultimately tanning the skin, she rolled it up and gave it to Tom, still not saying anything. Then several days later, Tom realized that Bobbie wasn't around. Initially, he didn't think anything of it — she often spent hours on her "rapid-transit system" as a form of exercise. But then he started to worry. Even though she moved through the jungle with the quickness and quietness of a cat, normally he would hear at least an occasional sound. This time there was nothing. Then he saw movement at the cut in the coral reef. It was Bobbie, swimming slowly and pulling something very large behind her. He ran out into the water to help her and realized she was towing another Great White shark. When they got it into shallow water and both were standing, Bobbie started to use every obscenity she could think of — and all were directed at herself. He howled with laughter when he finally learned the story: She had swum nearly two miles out into the channel looking for a shark, finally found one and killed it. The reason she was so mad at herself was it was only after she killed it that she realized she had to tow the huge dead thing a mile and a half to get it back to shore. "I should have let it chase me into the lagoon and then killed it!" she wailed. "What an idiot!" After tanning the skin of her latest kill, Tom was amazed at the way she worked with it to create various articles including a handbag, a briefcase, belts and even shoes. In almost all cases she left the pieces cut and sized, just waiting to return to civilization where they could get the heavy thread, needles, sole leather, frames, and so forth, required to complete them. To Tom's amazement, Bobbie also proved to be an incredibly skilled hunter. Together they were so effective that after just a few days they had to reduce their hunting; they had far more food than they could eat and had no way of preserving it. Late in the first week, while he was holding her in his arms, she began to berate herself. When Tom asked she said, "Darling, I'm an idiot! Of course I can hunt, but look at what I'm missing. Marie lived for five days on your glorious cum alone. Why did I have to be so stupid?" The outcome of it was that from then on Bobbie would carefully cup Tom's cum-loaded scrotum and refer to its contents as her emergency rations. Her hunting was incredibly efficient and deadly. Once her rapid-transit system was in place she would soundlessly move through the jungle while watching for wild boar — an animal at once plentiful and wary — their favorite food source. Spotting one, she would quickly get into position and then drop from the trees like a great cat. Her knife would flash and then she would carry the carcass back to their camp. As Tom thought about it, he realized that she was, indeed, like a great cat. She could move as silently and with the same feline grace and quickness. And she was at least as deadly. As the weeks went by, Bobbie wanted to put more sport into the process — she didn't want to feel like a worker in a slaughterhouse. Her aerial stalking had become just too efficient. Since she and Tom had been running for fun — occasionally they would run around the entire circumference of the island, a distance of about fifteen miles — both her speed and endurance were remarkable. The result was that she began to hunt the boar by chasing them through the jungle on foot. After just a few more weeks she became as efficient running down the animals as she had been stalking them from the air. But the biggest difference between Marie and Bobbie was in attitude. While Marie had been almost reverent, Bobbie was joyous. Tom realized that he had never had so much pure fun in his life. They would play in the lagoon by the hour, chasing each other, splashing each other, and ducking each other. The most common sounds on the island were Bobbie's merry laugh or cute little giggle. He found he utterly adored it. Moreover, Bobbie had the most incredible sense of him and his moods. If he was happy she would inevitably do something to make him happier still. If he was at all down, she would instantly cheer him up and kid him out of it. But there was so much more. In spite of her incredible beauty, she seemed to grow even more beautiful by the day. One day he looked around but couldn't find her. Moving quietly through the jungle he found her on her knees by a still pool fed by the waterfall upstream. He watched silently as she used the pool as a mirror while she carefully trimmed her short golden hair. While Marie had just hacked at her hair to keep it short so its movement wouldn't scare off the fish, Bobbie used her "mirror" and a knife carefully to trim a few hairs at a time to maintain the beauty of her hairdo. Still hidden, he continued to watch as she took two small shells and then used them as tweezers to carefully pull out stray hairs from her mound. Bobbie even used very fine sand to smooth her legs and eliminate any trace of stubble, using the sand almost like sandpaper. Tom melted back into the jungle leaving her alone without revealing his presence. He was awe-struck as he realized it was to make herself even more beautiful in his eyes. That evening as she prepared their dinner — she was roasting the loin of a boar — he looked at her closely and realized how incredibly graceful, feminine and beautiful she was, regardless of what she was doing. Then he realized something else: Frequently he would come up to her and find her with her back against a tree and with one knee drawn up so that her leg hid her beautiful cunt. Without seeming to be aware of his presence she would take a deep breath causing her breasts with their tiny coral nipples to stand up proudly. At that instant he realized that, although they were both always naked and naked bodies are basically not very sexy — as nudists discovered long ago — she would always arrange to appear as sexually arousing as she possibly could. After a short time on the island, Tom found out that Bobbie had spent two whole days before their wedding looking at every hunting knife available. The one she ultimately selected was razor sharp and could, in fact, be used to shave him. When he asked her about it she had just grinned and said that first, she preferred him clean-shaven, and second, she didn't want him to return to civilization with a deep golden tan all over but with a white neck and cheeks. From then on she carefully shaved him several times each week. Most thrilling of all was their lovemaking. Tom was utterly overwhelmed at Bobbie's inventiveness. There was no possible way of making love that they didn't try at least once. Moreover, however she took him, it was invariably the perfect way for the day and for his mood. Now months had passed and Tom was just lying on the beach with Bobbie's head resting on his belly. In that position her tits were in easy reach of his hand and he so-gently teased her nipples into full erection. Again sensing his mood, Bobbie just lay still as her nipples extended out from her tits until they were both like small pencils. Sensing that Tom just wanted to see how big he could get them, even though her love juices were running rivers because she so wanted him to take her, she did not move. "My darling," he said softly, "you're utterly perfect! When we were married, I couldn't imagine a woman being more beautiful than you, and yet now you're so much more beautiful, I can't believe it. Honey, why do you do it?" Realizing that he was not asking a rhetorical question she replied softly, "To maintain your interest, my darling." Then she turned her head so she could look at his face and added, "After all, since I am no longer a virgin I must do something to keep you coming back to my cunt." Tom just shook his head and ran his fingers under the incredibly beautiful crimson coral necklace she was wearing. He realized that, if it were ever to be sold, it would be worth a fortune. First, crimson coral rarely occurs in nature. Bobbie had spent weeks going over virtually every square inch of the reef and carefully cutting out every scrap of crimson coral she found. Then she had spent days drilling a hole through the exact center of each piece and finally, using a small length of their fishing line, carefully threaded the pieces into her necklace and a matching bracelet. Incredibly, the crimson of the coral exactly matched the natural crimson of her lips. "Are you happy, Bobbie?" Tom asked softly. "My darling, I am the happiest woman on the face of this earth!" Again she looked at his face and said, "You know something? I'm really not looking forward to rejoining all those idiots at USC this fall. Are you?" Tom just shook his head, continued to caress her breasts and then fell asleep. The two were awakened with a start by the sound of an air horn. Jumping up, they saw the motor yacht positioned at the cut in the reef. Bobbie looked at him and said, "Do you really want to go back? Can you believe we've been here six months already?" Tom took her in his arms and melted her with a kiss. Then he replied softly, "No, my darling, I can't believe it's been six months. Going back? My feelings are mixed. But on the other hand," he continued with a big grin, "I guess we have to. There's a good chance I'll have another brother or sister to get to know!" She grinned back and said, "I bet you five dollars I beat you to the boat. And I won't even cheat this time, either." He shook hands on the bet and ran for the water. Bobbie waited for him to dive in and start swimming before she even moved. Then she sprinted for the water, dove in, and powered her way towards the boat. She overhauled him when he had covered only one-third of the distance and just continued to pull away. By the time he pulled himself over the gunwale, Bobbie was wrapped in Kristin's arms and the sisters' lips were melted together in a loving kiss. After kissing Tom, Kris said, "Why don't you make yourself useful while I try to figure out how to make this thing work? There's beer in the refrigerator. Why don't you bring up three?" In spite of her words, Kris expertly flipped the appropriate switches while Bobbie went up on the bow to secure the anchor when it was raised. Then she rejoined the others and savored the ice-cold beer. After getting the cruiser underway and then up to its cruising speed, Kris looked at the two and just shook her head. "You two should be declared illegal! Never have there been two people who look more beautiful than you do ... Nor two people who are more in love." ------- When they returned to Kapalua, Bobbie was delighted to find that her father and mother were on the island, too. Vangie quickly explained that the NFL was cranking up a new season already so Ken and Cathy couldn't get away. She was also astonished at how gorgeous Bobbie looked and how perfect her hairdo was in spite of being alone for six months. Then she explained how they were going to vacation for a week "while you and Tom recover from your ordeal." When she said "ordeal" Vangie rolled her eyes and everyone howled with laughter. The first time Kris and Bobbie played golf against Vangie and Ed it was far worse than it had been the previous Christmas. Now Bobbie was powering her drives 270 yards off the tee, and had to ease her swing to keep them that short. Hitting on the practice range, she was regularly hitting her drives beyond the 325-yard boundary of the range on the fly. At the same time her sensitivity was so acute, her short game and putting were better, also. The result was a near-course-record sixty and the demolition of her parents. Kris licked her lips and said she would put her mind to the challenge of coming up with an appropriate bet for their parents to pay off on. Dinner with the Conroys was utterly wonderful. Neither Hank nor her eldest child, Samantha, would allow Bobbie near the kitchen, so she spent her time with her younger siblings. All were utter delights. At dinner she was intrigued to learn that Jim's scars had disappeared and with them all traces of his war wounds. When Bobbie exclaimed that it was such wonderful news, Jim grumped and asked, "What's so good about it? Now there's no more reason for Hank to go down on me." He explained how Hank would massage the scars on his groin and, because of their proximity to his cock, would inevitably end by taking him in her mouth. Hank just grinned — and looked like a teenager doing it — and said she would think of something. The days provided Bobbie with her first real opportunity to get to know her new sister-in-law, Samantha. She learned that she had just graduated from USC and was trying to figure out what to do next. Bobbie also learned that Sam had been the undefeated captain of USC's NCAA-championship women's tennis team and was ranked in the top five among amateur women nationally. Like her mother and Bobbie herself, Sam was an incredibly beautiful blue-eyed blonde. Knowing Sam's background, it was with trepidation that Bobbie agreed to play singles tennis against her. When the match was played, it ended up with a gallery of several hundred people watching the match. In the end Bobbie decisively defeated her 3–6, 6–4, 6–2, and 6–0. The last set was characterized by a whole string of Bobbie's service aces — and snapping of the strings on two of her rackets with her incredible power. On their last day on the island, Bobbie and Hank played golf against Tom and Jim Conroy. At Hank's insistence, the two women played naked. With her mother-in-law standing naked in the bright sunlight, Bobbie just shook her head. Here was a woman old enough to be a grandmother — she grumped that Sam wasn't getting off her dead ass to produce a grandchild for her — but who looked like she was in her teens. In fact, Bobbie and Hank looked like twins. In the match Jim played brilliantly — he said his game was better than when he played on the PGA tour before going to Vietnam — but it wasn't good enough. Again Bobbie shot a sixty to his sixty-four. When Jim took her in his arms after the match, he kissed her lovingly and said, "God, I'm a great teaching pro! Look how good you are and I'm the only person ever to give you lessons." Bobbie just nuzzled into his neck and whispered, "And you're the best damned father a girl ever had!" Then pulling back to look at him she asked, "I have utterly marvelous parents, and I know you know that. Nevertheless, could I have two sets? Would you be my father, too, and Hank be my mother? I just can't possibly think of you as in-laws. I just love you both too damned much. Please? May I?" Jim's eyes just widened and he told Hank what Bobbie had asked him. Both senior Conroys kissed her with all the love they possessed and welcomed her into their family as their newest daughter. Hank Conroy had the last word. "But ... but ... Oh, hell! Who cares what they say." When Bobbie looked puzzled, Hank's eyes were wide and guileless as she said, "But Bobbie, you know how narrow-minded some people are. There truly are some people who will get upset at the idea of your father and me allowing you to marry your own brother." When they kissed their parents goodbye at the airport, Bobbie crossed her eyes and said in a flat tone of voice, "Oh, boy. Now we can get back to civilization. Isn't that wonderful?" ------- Chapter 16 Bobbie and Tom decided to take another semester off from school. Having just returned from their six-month honeymoon, the thought of going back to the rigidity of class schedules and the inanity of so much of the Politically Correct chatter at the university turned them both off like a switch. Tom decided to work for PHA Construction to ease his way back into civilization; Bobbie hadn't yet decided what she would do although there was a vague idea in the back of her mind to do something with Clifford & Jamison, if possible. Tom had just made passionate love to her and now she was wriggling on the wonderfully crisp sheets while he used his work-roughened fingers to caress her glorious body when the phone rang. He teased her as she continued to make warm happy sounds deep inside her body while at the same time trying — unsuccessfully — to pretend to be asleep. Since the phone continued to ring, with a groan she rolled over and picked up the receiver while commenting to Tom that the phone was something they had not had to worry about on their honeymoon. There was never anything to disrupt their lovemaking or the wonderful period of mutual caresses that always followed. "Hello," she said sleepily. There was a moment of silence at the other end of the phone and then she heard the well-remembered musical voice of Andy Cartwright. "Good morning, Bobbie," the girl said apologetically. "I'm terribly sorry to awaken you. Will you please forgive me?" "Of course, Andy," she replied. "What can I do for you this morning ... And what time is it, anyway?" "It's ... It's almost ten o'clock," the little girl replied diffidently, "and I called to invite you and Tom for lunch today with Kenny and me. Could you... ? Would you... ? If it's not too much trouble, of course..." "Oh, Andy! That would be marvelous. Tom never really had a chance to really meet either of you and I think it would be wonderful. What time and where?" "I asked my grandmother and she is allowing us to use her membership at the luncheon club upstairs here at the office. It's where we ate the last time. Would that be all right?" "Of course, darling! We'll plan on arriving at the office about eleven forty-five if that's okay." The little girl said it would be perfect and hung up. Turning to Tom she said, "Okay, husband, off your ass and on your feet. We have a social obligation today." Now it was Tom's turn to pretend still to be trying to sleep so he covered his face with a pillow. Bobbie took advantage of the opportunity and began to tickle his ribs. In just an instant the two were rolling around on the bed laughing and giggling while tickling the other and at the same time trying to protect themselves. Finally Tom, using his much greater strength, pinned her to the bed and whispered fiercely, "It's all over wench! Now I'll rape you and make you pay for that unprovoked assault." "But... ! But my virginity!" she exclaimed in a little-girl voice. "Then no decent man will ever have me..." "That's true," Tom replied matter-of-factly. "But then you can work as a prostitute and besides ... I'm not decent." With that he eased his throbbing cock into her wet cunt and in no time was feeling the exquisite sensations that Bobbie always created for him. When he finally reached his peak and spent in her pulsating vagina, Bobbie retained consciousness and used her long fingers to squeeze his balls in tempo with the pulsations of her cunt to empty the greatest possible amount of his cum into herself. After resting on top of her for a few moments while feeling her sweat-slickened body beneath him, he raised himself up so that his lips were over hers. Then he melted her with an incredibly passionate kiss and murmured, "My darling Bobbie, I adore you!" "And I, you," she replied. Then with a frown and a shake of her head she said, "But darling, at such a horrible cost ... My darling, Marie was one of the world's handful of perfect people. After all she lived through, to be lost to a weakness in her heart..." Recognizing her mood Tom rolled off onto the bed beside her and just held her tightly. As soon as he did she dissolved into tears. Whispering into her ear he said, "Darling, I never told you how Marie and I came to be married, did I?" Bobbie had her arms around his neck and was still crying. Through her tears she managed to softly say, "No." "And Marie never did either, did she?" This time she just shook her head. "Honey, Marie never really wanted to marry me. She didn't feel she was right for me ... Wasn't that so much like her, though? It wasn't that I wasn't right for her — and maybe I wasn't — she only thought of me and believed she was not the right girl for me. "Anyway, she felt I should marry a tall blonde — so she made me one. Or found one for me, at least. Darling, even though she had no idea of her heart problem, I'm sure she had a premonition or something." He squeezed her tightly and said, "My darling, if anyone had said that I could ever love anyone as much as I loved Marie I would have said he was crazy. "And yet ... And yet I honest-to-God love you even more. The things you did while we were on our honeymoon... ! Bobbie, I'm really not nearly good enough for you, you know. You're a queen and should be treated like one. My darling, you're just plain perfect!" By now she had controlled her tears and realized Tom was being completely serious. She whispered, "My darling Tom, you're a woman's dream come true. And you're all mine!" Then she poked him in the ribs and added with a grin, "Now get your ass in that shower with me!" After sharing a sensual shower, Tom shaved while Bobbie brushed her short hair. She had already paid Henry Hall a visit. Henry was astonished when he looked at her hair. Knowing they had been alone on an island, he was astonished at how close to her original hair style it still was. He again trimmed it lightly into the same modified boy's cut that she had worn at their wedding, so this morning all she had to do was brush it to bring out its natural oils and highlights. Getting dressed for the luncheon gave Tom the first opportunity to wear a brand-new blazer that she had bought for him. Like most men, Tom hated to shop, but almost the first thing Bobbie did when they returned to the mainland was to buy him a complete new wardrobe. She told him that he looked incredibly handsome with a white button-down shirt and a red striped tie. Going downtown, they drove in the sports car she had bought for him as a part of her wedding gift. Since the weather was perfect, they both felt a sensual pleasure as the warm air riffled their hair. At one point they looked at each other, grinned, and began to laugh with sheer exuberance. Bobbie felt she couldn't feel better or be any happier and still live. After parking the car in a Clifford & Jamison visitor's space — the firm had ten spots in the garage for visitors in addition to all the staff spaces — they rode up in the elevator and entered the office. As they walked in, Bobbie realized it was only the third time she had ever been there. The first time was the fateful visit involving Harriet Dobbs while the second was the day of the meeting with Cameron Smith, his father, and Attorney Biggs. As the memories crossed her mind, she wondered if today's visit would be as eventful. As soon as they entered the office there was a yelp from behind the reception desk and Judy Morris hurled herself into Bobbie's arms. "Bobbie Conroy, you should be declared illegal!" she exclaimed. "Never in my life have I seen a woman as beautiful as you are today. You are utterly perfect." Releasing Bobbie she extended her hand to Tom and said, "Tom, although we met at the wedding reception, I'm sure you don't remember me. I'm Judy Morris." Tom ignored the outstretched hand, took Judy into his arms and gave her a kiss of the purest love. At first her arms were waving in the air and then she held him around the neck as the power of his love almost knocked her down. When he released her lips, she still held on while she tried to regain her composure. "Michael Morris is a very lucky man, Judy. As one of our nation's foremost heroes, he deserves no less. I am truly delighted to meet you although I have seen you — all of you," he added with a grin "— many times over the years when you came out to visit Maui." Judy blushed at his comment and pretended to slap his face. Then she just daintily stuck her tongue out at him and grinned. Just then, the door to the offices opened and Andy Cartwright and Ken Clifford appeared. They had been regularly checking to see if the Conroys had arrived. Seeing Bobbie, Andy screamed, "You're here!" As she raced the few steps across the room, Bobbie dropped to her knees and held her arms out wide. The little girl hurled herself at her, wrapped her arms around her neck and proceeded to kiss every part of her within reach. Finally she pulled back just enough to put her lips on Bobbie's, and with her arms wrapped around her neck, proceeded thoroughly to kiss her in an effort to convey her love. To Bobbie the kiss was everything she had remembered but even better. Then she realized that Andy was now a year older — she must now be six years old — and her kiss was even more powerful. Easing away just enough to be able to focus her eyes Andy carefully looked Bobbie over and then gave her a beaming smile and said, "Oh, Bobbie, you're so beautiful! You've never looked better. For that matter, no woman has ever looked nearly as good or as beautiful as you do today. You are simply scrumptious!" Meanwhile, Tom and Judy had moved apart but he still had his hand around her waist as they looked at Bobbie holding Andy while Kenny Clifford just stood by patiently. With a beaming smile, Andy moved away and he repeated what his niece had done. When the greetings were over, Bobbie looked at the two children and realized how dressed up they were. Although she had intended to go into the offices to say hello to her friends and introduce Tom, the children just shook their heads and led the way back out to the elevators. Although Bobbie knew what to expect, Tom did not. He was utterly astonished as Ken led the way into the restaurant and asked the maître d' for the Clifford table. Knowing who he was, he led the way to a table in the corner of the restaurant. Since it was the building's northwest corner, it was directly above Ali Clifford's office. Tom was very impressed as Ken carefully seated Andy while the maître d' seated Bobbie. When she was seated, Andy beamed at Ken and said, "Thank you, Uncle Ken. That was very gentlemanly." Then she winked and reached out her arms. Ken gave her a very adult kiss full on the lips. In moments, champagne was brought to the table for Tom and Bobbie while the children drank ginger ale. For Tom it was an utterly incredible experience to be with two very young children who acted so adult. When Bobbie realized that they would not see menus — the luncheon had obviously been prearranged — Ken told her diffidently that Mrs. Carlson was doing the cooking for them. Since she was possibly the finest cook in the world, he hoped they would like it. The lunch was the finest food either Tom or Bobbie had ever had in their lives. When they finished the main course, Bobbie said to Tom with a grimace, "It's all over now! Good heavens, darling, on my best day I couldn't come within twenty miles of this food." She frowned at him and added, "It's pretty clear to me now that I should have left you home. I would be a lot better off if you never knew food could ever taste this good." Before Tom could say a word, Ken interjected, "That's okay, Mrs. Conroy. All my mother can do is order from room service. Of course, she does that very well." With a quick grin and a snap of his fingers he added, "That's not true, though. She can make coffee and can make a martini, too. But I adore her anyway." Looking at him Bobbie said, "Ken, why is it that I think there's more to this lunch than just food. What are you two imps scheming?" Ken's eyes widened and he looked at Andy, who just shrugged and said, "Kenny, we already knew how smart she is. Why should we be surprised?" Then she added, "You tell her. Please? After all, you're my uncle." "But you're older," he responded but then did as Andy had asked. Drawing himself up even straighter in his chair, he looked at Bobbie and said, "Mrs. Conroy, we've heard a rumor that you're not going back to college this term. Is that correct?" "Yes, it is," Bobbie replied. "Now what's on your mind? What's my not going back to school have to do with anything?" After another glance at Andy — Bobbie felt that he was screwing up his courage — Ken plunged in. "Mrs. Conroy, you know that we're six years old now?" She nodded and he continued, "The problem is that we should be in school. But..." "But school would be a little stupid — at least the first grade with its pre-reading — for children who already read at the college level," Bobbie interjected. Then looking closely at the two children, she began to slowly shake her head from side to side and added, "If you two little imps think for one minute that you can con me into teaching school..." "For $100,000 for the term," Ken interjected. "Mrs. Conroy, there are only eight of us. We have talked about it and ... and ... and Andrea and I would like to hire you as our teacher." Then he sat up straight and said, "Our parents don't know anything about this — although they may suspect something. It's entirely our own idea and the money is ours, too. In addition, we will provide you with any materials, equipment ... You name it." Bobbie was utterly stunned. Temporizing, she looked at Tom and said, "Darling, I suppose I should come clean. You see, you caught me on the rebound. I only married you when Ken Clifford refused my offer to wait for him. Can you imagine what it did for my self-esteem to be turned down by a five-year-old? Particularly when I bared my soul to him? Can you?" "Now wait just a minute, Mrs. Conroy!" Ken exclaimed. "I said I would wait for you. But I said that you wouldn't wait for me. Now you're married to the man you adore who's going to father from your loins the most incredible children that the world has ever seen." He grinned and added, "But you're changing the subject. The subject is teaching school. Please, Mrs. Conroy? Please be our teacher?" When Bobbie just shook her head, looking bewildered, the two children looked at each other and were disconsolate. Even though tears were forming at the corners of her eyes Andy just looked at Bobbie, refusing to lower her head or do anything about her tears. Then, with her head still shaking from side to side, Bobbie said softly, "Kids, I don't want to be your teacher..." Hearing her words Andy lost her fragile self-control and began to bawl. Although her heart turned over seeing the little girl so heartbroken, Bobbie continued, " ... but I have to be! Of course I'll be your teacher! And there will be no talk of any money from you two, either!" Suddenly the two children yelped and beamed the most vibrantly happy smiles the older two had ever seen while Bobbie continued, this time addressing Tom, "The reason I have to, Tom, is that I owe my sanity — if not my very life — to these two. I don't know if you remember the day after I met you at the student union — when Harriet Dobbs and I visited Clifford & Jamison for the first time — but I certainly do. As you know, I hated myself then: I was a disgusting pig. "Then, at lunch, I sat between these two. Aside from teaching me what being a mother is all about, I broke up in tears when, after giving me a kiss of the purest love, Andy gave me her blessing. You see, darling, these two little imps love me. They really do. For a time these two were my only friends in the whole world. Largely because of them I'm here with you today." Turning to the children she asked, "But why me? I'm not a qualified teacher. I'm just a kid!" Now it was Andy's turn. "Because, darling Bobbie, you're the only one who could teach us. Ken and I talked it over with all of the other kids and you're the only one we want." There was the warmest, most loving smile on her face as she continued, "Of course, Kenny and I knew you, but the other kids didn't. They all met you on Maui over Christmas and that settled it. You're so kind and loving and wise. Moreover, we all have the feeling that you actually like being with us. Heaven knows, we always have a wonderful time with you, but we think you actually enjoy our company, too. Don't you?" "Darling, I don't know how it's going to work out, but I do enjoy your company. You and your friends are the nicest, sweetest, smartest young people in the world! I love being with you." Then with a grin she said, "Now that I've taken the job, what's next?" With a beaming smile the two children said in unison, "Now we tell Gram, Mom and the others!" They got up from their seats and the children led the way towards the door. Tom held back slightly and whispered to Bobbie, "Darling, I think it's absolutely wonderful! You'll be great!" Then he took her in his arms and, ignoring the other diners, melted her with a passionate kiss. When one of the nearby diners quipped, "Why don't you just marry her?" Tom replied with a friendly grin, "I did! Over six months ago. Isn't she great?" The man replied with a warm smile that she certainly was. To her great relief, Bobbie found that Ali Clifford was wildly enthusiastic about the idea. It turned out that she and her colleagues had been worrying about school now that the older children had reached the age where the mandatory-school-attendance laws took effect. The initial class would be quite small: Laura Benson, Susan Carlson, Andrea Cartwright, Karen Chan, Celeste's daughter; Ken Clifford, Betsy Clifford, Joan's daughter; Charley Conrad and Mike Morris. It came as no surprise to Bobbie to learn that all of the children could read very well. Moreover, arrangements had been made to partition off an end of the nursery for use as a school room. Chalkboards were already being installed and school furniture was being delivered that afternoon. When Kenny expressed surprise, Ali merely raised an eyebrow and said, "Kenny, don't you know by now that mommies know everything?" The little boy just grinned and shook his head. That night Bobbie and Tom spent the whole time talking about the school and what she should teach — and how. The more they talked, the more frightened Bobbie became. She realized that she knew absolutely nothing about teaching. Finally Tom suggested that she concentrate on fundamentals: reading, writing and arithmetic. Since that seemed pretty simple, that's what she decided to do. Arriving at the office at eight o'clock the next morning, she was greeted by Judy Morris and Sandy Benson. Escorting her into the conference room, which she had learned was the Firm's multipurpose room, they had coffee and just chatted. Both women were elated at the idea of Bobbie running a school. Shortly before nine, the two women excused themselves and Bobbie made her way over to look at the classroom. She was delighted with what she found. But before she even had a chance thoroughly to examine her surroundings, the door opened. The first people to come in were Sandy Benson and her daughter, Laura. Bobbie's heart turned over as she realized how beautifully dressed the little girl was for her first day at school. Holding the little girl's hand, Sandy brought her up to Bobbie's desk at the front of the room and said, "Mrs. Conroy, this is my daughter, Laura. She is one of your new students." When she looked at her daughter, the little girl beamed at Bobbie, made a beautiful curtsy and said, "How do you do, Mrs. Conroy. I am Laura Benson and I'm delighted to be one of your pupils." Dropping to her knees Bobbie took the little girl in her arms and hugged her. Whispering in her ear she said, "Laura Benson, I'm delighted to have you!" Then she kissed the girl full on the lips and marveled again at the kiss she received in return. It was loaded with love, innocence and the purest goodness. When she released Laura, she found that now all of the children were lined up with their mothers. She was delighted to find that Judy Morris's husband, Mike, had come, too, to escort his son on his first day of school. Bobbie knew that Michael Morris was a Medal of Honor winner. His son, Mike, Jr., looked a great deal like Kenny Clifford with the same golden-blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes. Then she saw Celeste Chan bringing in her daughter, Karen. The girl was an oriental beauty with enormous gray eyes and incredibly delicate features. The little girl made the most beautifully graceful curtsy Bobbie had ever seen. A lump came to her throat as she realized the incredible level of love and attention the mothers had lavished on their children. In every case, the children displayed a level of manners Bobbie thought had become obsolete with the death of Queen Victoria. After shaking hands politely and expressing great pleasure in being in Bobbie's class, the woman could see a question in the young girl's eyes. "The answer is yes, Karen," Bobbie said with a loving smile, "now what is the question?" The little girl looked startled for a moment and then beamed the most beautiful smile Bobbie had ever seen and asked, "Since my Aunt Marie has gone to God, Mrs. Conroy, will you be my aunt now? I certainly think of Uncle Tom as my uncle and now that you're married, doesn't that make you my aunt?" The little girl paused for a moment and gave Bobbie and impish grin and continued, "You may not know it, but my father is an only child, so when Aunt Marie died, I lost my only aunt. Will you be my aunt now? Please?" Dropping to her knees Bobbie took the girl into her arms, hugged her tightly, and then kissed her. Karen wrapped her arms and returned the kiss with an incredible depth of purity and love. My God! Bobbie thought. All of these children are the same. They are so full of love and purity and innocence. Then she replied, "Darling Karen, I would love to be your aunt. But are you really sure? You know that being related to the teacher isn't usually a very good thing. I will expect you to be extra good, you know. Are you sure you want that?" "Oh, Aunt Bobbie, it's even worse than that. Grandfather says that the worst thing a person can ever do is to do something that brings dishonor to her family. I talked with him before I asked you and he reminded me how important it would be for me to excel in any class taught by a relative. I assured him that I would, and I promise you the same thing. I will not disappoint you." Then with her eyes wide she added, "I expect to be severely punished, Aunt Bobbie, any time I fail to excel. I don't mean fail to do an assignment, or — Heaven forbid — fail a test. I mean any time I fail to excel. I will observe very carefully, so any time I remove my pants and come up to your desk, you must spank me at least ten times as hard as you can. Promise?" At that poor Bobbie began to cry. "Good heavens, Karen, why would you do that? My darling, you can't think I will get any pleasure from spanking you, do you?" "Of course not, Aunt Bobbie. But neither does Mother or Dad, but they do it anyway whenever I'm naughty." Tears appeared at the corners of her eyes as she added, "It's very simple, really. When I'm good, it makes my parents very happy. When I'm bad, they punish me but it makes them feel far worse than it does me. So I try to be good." Bobbie was still on her knees so the little girl whispered in her ear, "Actually, I'm the same as Andy. Sometimes I'll be naughty just so Mommy will punish me. Then I get in bed with her and kiss away her tears while she hugs me and tells me how sorry she is for hurting me. You can't believe how much I love her ... Or how much I love you." The little girl then kissed Bobbie's ear and then gave her another lingering kiss full on the lips. Again its power almost knocked her over. Rising to her feet she held out her hand to Celeste and said, "If I'm Karen's aunt, I guess that makes me your sister-in-law, doesn't it?" "No, darling Bobbie, it does not!" Celeste exclaimed. "It makes you my sister. Period!" Then with a warm smile she added, "Now please give your older sister a kiss. Please?" Suddenly Bobbie began to bawl. She took Celeste into her arms and hugged her for dear life as she whispered, "Why Celeste? Why did it happen? I would have gladly donated my heart to be transplanted into Marie's body. Why did God have to take her? Oh, why?" "Bobbie, she has joined our parents and our schoolmates in Heaven. The months she had with Tom were the happiest of her life. In just a few short months, he created a level of happiness for her that most women never achieve in a lifetime. I know how happy you are with Tom and how happy and fulfilled he is in your arms. It is what Marie so desperately wanted. Believe me when I say that she is watching over you right now." Drawing back a short way so she could look into Bobbie's eyes she added, "Darling Bobbie, please believe me when I tell you that she loved you nearly as much as she loved Tom." She paused and added, "The virginal blood dried on the linen cloth that you presented to Hank Conroy was a gift from Marie, as well. She knew you were as pure of heart as any virgin alive, so she merely restored the physical manifestation. That was her wedding gift to you, as you were her wedding gift to Tom. Can you accept that? Please?" Bobbie could only nod as Celeste took a tissue from her pocket and carefully wiped Bobbie's eyes for her. When the introductions were complete, the parents stood at the back of the room to watch the opening ceremonies. First, she asked the children to please kneel and led them in an opening prayer. Then she took the American flag down from its holder and gave it to Mike Morris to hold while the class said the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang the National Anthem. Tears came to Bobbie's eyes as she saw Mike Morris standing at the back of the room standing at strict attention and holding a meticulous salute as his son so proudly held the flag. ------- The days that followed were truly remarkable. Although all of the children could read very well, they had not been taught to write, although they all wrote using a computer. Obtaining some books on teaching handwriting, Bobbie spent hours with the children as they practiced shaping their letters over and over. One morning, when she entered the conference room for her morning coffee, she found Sandy Benson pretending to glare at her. "What did I do this time?" she asked. "You kept me up half the night is what you did," her new friend replied. "Jack and I were dying to get into bed — my cunt was running like a damned river — but could we? Oh, no! We had to stay up practicing penmanship with Laura. Barbara Bradley Conroy, you have one hell of a nerve! Can you believe it? Jack and I have to work on our penmanship! (Of course mine used to be totally illegible.) There we were, sitting around the kitchen table — while my cunt is killing me and I'm drowning the kitchen floor with my juices, while we shape letters! "Just for that, lady, you can come over to the house and wash the kitchen floor!" Then she grinned and added, "I'll bet you didn't know that love juices dissolve floor wax, did you?" Bobbie just laughed uproariously and kissed Sandy soundly. One morning after the school had been operating for just a week, Bobbie found a number of people waiting for her when she entered the classroom. Ali Clifford was waiting with them and introduced her to April Jackson who was there with her husband, Ron, and their daughter, Casey. Kathy Cartwright and her husband, Bill, were also there with their daughter, Cynthia. Ali explained that they had recently acquired a Los Angeles bank and April, Kathy and Bill had come out from Chicago Trust Company to run it. After greeting the children — Casey was a black girl with skin the color of light chocolate milk, the warmest brown eyes Bobbie had ever seen along with the most beautifully wavy black hair, while Cynthia — called Cindy — had light brown hair, emerald green eyes and utterly gorgeous Eurasian features — Bobbie assigned them to seats and then greeted their parents. She already knew about Bill Cartwright. A veteran of Army Special Forces, he had been imprisoned and tortured by the North Vietnamese for fourteen years. His wife, Kathy, had met him when he was imprisoned and when she was only ten years old. When Bobbie looked at Bill Cartwright, tears came to her eyes and she said, "Mr. Cartwright, I can't tell you what it means to have your daughter in my class. The courage you — and your wife — displayed is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for enrolling her in our school." Shaking her head Bobbie added, "You know, this class is utterly unbelievable. We have only ten students, yet we have children of men who, among them, have received four Medals of Honor. I am truly honored!" Bill looked at her closely and then, to her great surprise, took her into his arms and kissed her. Bobbie almost fell over as an incredible wave of the purest love swept over her. When he released her, she continued to hold on with her arms around his neck to keep from falling down. "Barbara Conroy, you're one of God's most perfect people. It is a great honor and privilege for Kathy and me to enroll our daughter in your school. I hope she doesn't let you down." "If she has a tiny fraction of the courage, bravery and brains of her parents, she couldn't possibly," Bobbie replied. "And I'm sure she will make you both very proud." Classes continued with drills, exercises and debates. Bobbie found herself assigning whole books for the children to read over a weekend. She initially focused on American history, particularly the colonial period through the Constitution. She decided that it was easier to establish the principles of our republic, go back to the ancient Egyptians, and then come forward, showing where the ideas in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution came from. She realized that she would have to teach both Greek and Latin. Her plan was to read Aristotle, Plato, Socrates and Herodotus in the original Greek and Cæsar, Livy, Plutarch, Cicero and Lucretius in Latin. Bobbie found she loved teaching. The children were utterly delightful. To her initial surprise she found that, not only did they carefully do all the assignments, they began to do outside research. The result was almost every day there were marvelous debates in the class. After a couple of weeks Bobbie organized them in debate fashion which the children loved. Most important and most gratifying was the way in which there were differing opinions on certain issues but the debates showed a clash of great intellects. Although they occasionally got loud they never got personal. Bobbie moderated the debates and occasionally interjected a comment or a question. It was a joy to her to see the young minds develop and broaden. Although she already knew that she had some of the smartest young students in the world, she loved the feeling she got watching the children open up like flowers in the sunshine. For the first time Bobbie had a career purpose in life: she found that she adored teaching young children. Moreover, she was gratified to learn from the parents how excited the children were at the prospect of learning. Remarkably, they seemed to resent holidays. For Bobbie herself it was intensely exciting to see the enthusiasm and joy every day in her students. The school continued to develop. Every day there were exercise periods using the health club in the building and a nap time in the afternoon. The children had sleeping bags and Bobbie very soon bought one of her own. After the first couple of days, in response to a request from Andy, Bobbie began to nap with one of the children each day. The first day, Andy herself slept with Bobbie. Stripped bare, Andy crawled into the sleeping bag and lay on top of Bobbie. While she ran her fingers lightly over the little girl's perfect body, Andy was doing the same thing to her. Although her eyes were half-closed, she pulled herself up so her mouth was over Bobbie's. Then she gave the woman a kiss of the purest love and said, "Darling Bobbie, I love you so much!" Then she moved down and almost immediately fell asleep using one of Bobbie's beautiful tits for a pillow. Bobbie soon found that all of the children loved the sensation of sleeping on her and she found that it provided her with a wonderful sensation, as well. When it was Casey Jackson's turn, the beautiful girl kissed her and then fell asleep on top of her. On awakening the girl stared into Bobbie's eyes and said, "You don't really care that I'm black, do you? No! That's not right! You don't even know that I'm black. To you, Mrs. Conroy, I'm just a little girl, aren't I?" "No, Casey. You're not just a little girl. You're a beautiful, warm, loving creature of God! I know that your parents must be very proud of you. You're essentially perfect!" The little girl pulled herself up on Bobbie's body until her eyes were peering directly into hers. After studying her for a few moments, the girl said, "No, Mrs. Conroy, you are. Never have children had a teacher like you. You love us, nurture us, care for us and make us do things we don't think we're capable of doing. But we can and we do. No, Mrs. Conroy, it's not us — it's you!" Bobbie just shook her head in demurral. ------- Chapter 17 John Callaway leaned back in his chair in his oak-paneled judicial chambers, took off his glasses and closed his eyes. His headache — an ever-present companion these days — had increased in intensity again. Although only fifty-four years old, Callaway had already retired as a justice of the California Court of Appeals for medical reasons. No one except his doctor and himself knew the reason: he was dying of cancer. Complaining of headaches, he had gone to see his doctor almost a year earlier. After a series of tests failed to reveal any problem, a CAT scan was ordered. The look on his doctor's face when he entered John's hospital room showed instantly that there was a big problem. A needle biopsy later confirmed how big a problem it was: there was an inoperable malignant tumor growing at the base of his brain. Subsequent CAT scans demonstrated how fast the tumor was growing and, as a result, pressing the brain up against his skull. It was this internal pressure that was causing his headaches. I guess it's a small thing, he thought. I guess headaches beat death. And yet, for him, death in the immediate future was a certainty. When he saw his doctor two days earlier the prognosis was less than three months to live — possibly much less. Callaway thought of his daughter-in-law, Kelly, and his two beautiful granddaughters, Kirsten and Jamie. Then he almost cried thinking of his son, John, Jr., who had been killed in action as a fighter pilot in Kuwait. Although the war had been mercifully brief and Allied casualties were far lower than even the lowest advance forecasts, it was small consolation when his son — his only child — was one of them. Kelly was herself an orphan and an only child. Because his wife had died years earlier, now John was — aside from her beautiful daughters — her only living relative. It was largely because of Kelly and his desire to try to build up the value of his estate for her that he had accepted the present special assignment in the Trial Department of the Superior Court for Los Angeles County to help clear up its enormous backlog of cases. As a retired appellate court judge he was given especially tough ones. Putting on his glasses he opened the file in front of him and looked at it again. The case was The State of California vs. Barbara Conroy, et al. It had been initiated by the state Department of Instruction and contended that Barbara Conroy was operating a school without a license, was totally unqualified to teach, and then continued on and on in the same vein. He had not even bothered to count the number of complaints. Callaway shook his head, closed the file, and put on his judicial robes. As the office clock read exactly ten o'clock, he opened the door from his chambers and entered the courtroom. He smiled inwardly as he heard the bailiff already completing his introduction. The bailiff knew that John was extraordinarily punctual so when a case was called for ten o'clock he knew that Callaway would appear on the stroke of the hour. With a great effort of will the judge wiped the throbbing headache from his mind and turned his attention to the case at hand. After taking his seat, he looked around the oak-paneled courtroom paying particular attention to the people sitting at the plaintiff's and defendant's tables. At the plaintiff's table he focused on the woman sitting between three people who were obviously lawyers for the Department of Instruction, and found that he disliked her on sight. Although she was standing for his entry into the courtroom — the bailiff had ordered, "All please rise" — he couldn't tell how tall she was because of her terrible posture and the way her body slumped, but he thought she was about five feet five. Guessing, he placed her age somewhere in the forties. Her figure appeared dumpy and she wore her nondescript-colored hair — mostly mousy gray — back in a severe bun. The woman's face reminded him of the blade of an axe and this impression was reinforced by her rimless eyeglasses coupled with the figure-hiding shapeless gray suit she was wearing. Turning his attention to the defendant's table, his jaw almost dropped. Standing there was the most beautiful young woman he had ever seen in his life. Standing very erect, she was very tall and slim — Callaway guessed at least five feet eight. A deep golden tan was set off by the white sleeveless dress she was wearing that was tailored to her perfect figure. Even at his distance he could see that she had brilliant blue eyes that complemented her rich golden-blonde hair worn very short in a boy's haircut. That woman would never be confused for a man in a million years! he thought. Aside from her brilliant blue eyes, the only element of color other than the gold of her body was the crimson red of her lips which was matched by the crimson of a necklace and bracelet she was wearing. Moreover, even her lip color appeared to be natural. He had a feeling that she was wearing no makeup of any kind, not even lipstick. Standing beside her at the table were two of the most beautiful children he had ever seen. The little girl had emerald-green eyes with hair so blonde it was almost white. The small boy had hair and eyes like the woman's. When the bailiff announced that all could be seated, the judge was amazed to see the boy carefully hold the chair for the woman first and then for the girl. After seating the women he took his own seat. All then looked attentively at him. The opening comments were made by an attorney for the state. Callaway tuned him out as he droned on, citing numerous rules and regulations by their technical definitions: article 121, section B, subsection (1) paragraphs (b), (d), and (e). Callaway almost went to sleep. When the lawyer finished his seemingly interminable opening statement, the young woman at the defendant's table rose to her feet and approached the bench. "Your Honor," she said with a warm smile, "I am Barbara Bradley Conroy, the primary defendant in this case. Although I'm not completely certain — I tend to get lost in the educationists' tendentious verbiage — it seems that the complaint boils down to their contention that my pupils are not in an environment where learning can take place. "Well, sir, I have here a package of tests published by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey. As you no doubt know, ETS also publishes the SATs, the LSATs and the BSATs. I believe that its stature as a publisher of aptitude and achievement tests is unquestioned. Rather than go through a lengthy trial, why don't we just give a test to three of my pupils, along with Ms. Kramer — Callaway hid his grin behind his hand when he heard the young woman emphasize the word, Miz — who represents the state Department of Instruction and is sitting at the plaintiff's table, along with a couple of her attorneys. Why don't we see if my students have learned anything?" Instantly there was an objection from the state's counsel. Listening to it Callaway realized that it boiled down to the fact that they did not know exactly which test was to be administered. When Mrs. Conroy answered the question, the objection was restated on the grounds that the test was not used in the state of California. Upon questioning, Kramer admitted that the test was regularly employed in forty-seven other states. Mrs. Conroy then said that it was because the test was not used in California that she offered it. "I don't want to use a test with which Ms. Kramer might be completely familiar," she said. "Moreover," she continued, "the reason it's not used is that it is — by far — the most expensive test of its kind in use. The State doesn't feel like spending the money." "That's an utterly absurd statement!" Roberta Kramer exclaimed. "That test has never been proven to be sufficiently superior to several others to warrant—" "As I said, they don't want to spend the money," Bobbie repeated dryly. Again Callaway stifled a grin behind his hand. After overruling the objection and ordering the test to be administered, again Mrs. Conroy approached the bench. "Your Honor," she said, "the packaging used for these tests is rather special. It is designed to be essentially tamper-proof. It is virtually impossible to open the envelope without leaving a sign of tampering. When I ordered the exams, I told the people at Princeton that I hoped to use them in the courtroom today. Accordingly, one of their security experts is standing by awaiting your call. He or she will talk you through the rather complex process of opening the test package to ensure that it has never been opened from the time it was packed up in Princeton. Would you care to retire to your chambers to make the call? We will pay for it, of course." Callaway was both puzzled and curious. Accompanied by the people from both tables, he went back to his chambers and placed the call. Following an elaborate procedure designed to ensure him that he was talking to the Educational Testing Service and to reassure them that they were speaking with a judge of the California Superior Court, he was connected with the man who had been awaiting his call. Following his step-by-step directions, Callaway opened the outer envelope, then a triple-sealed inner envelope. He even verified the presence of a tiny multicolored thread that was around the tests and secured to the envelope itself. After verifying that it was intact he finally reached the test booklets, the accompanying answer sheets and the answer template. When all preparations were complete, he looked up and found everyone looking at him. The judge was amazed at the difference in attitudes. The lawyers and Ms. Kramer were both defensive and upset. Mrs. Conroy and the two children all seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. He did not visibly react when Mrs. Conroy gave him a wink and a quick grin as if to signify that the two of them were privy to a little joke. As they were returning to the courtroom he asked the woman, "Mrs. Conroy, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you?" "I'm nineteen, your Honor. I hope that doesn't get me in any more trouble." Then with another quick grin she added, "And everyone calls me Bobbie. I hope you will, too." After ensuring that the state representatives were out of earshot he said softly, "No, it certainly does not get you into any trouble. And you are the most incredibly beautiful young woman it has ever been my good fortune to meet!" Only then did he notice and comment on the handmade nature of the crimson necklace she was wearing. Bobbie smiled warmly and told him she had made it on her honeymoon from crimson coral she had gathered herself. Looking at the children beside, her he added, "These two children are the most beautiful, most perfectly-behaved young people I have ever seen, as well." With a quick grin he said, "They're almost as beautiful as my granddaughters!" The smile Bobbie gave him in reply almost melted him to the floor. "I'm sure you're justifiably proud!" she exclaimed in a whisper. Then in her normal voice she asked, "If we could take just a moment, could I introduce my pupils to you?" Callaway instantly agreed, so Bobbie said, "Your Honor, it is my pleasure to introduce Andrea Cartwright. Andy, this is Judge John Callaway." Callaway almost fell over when the girl made a graceful and perfect curtsy, then said in the warmest, most beautiful voice he had ever heard, "Good morning, Judge Callaway. It is a privilege to meet you and to have you hearing our case." With that she extended her small hand. Instead of shaking her hand Callaway dropped to one knee, took the little girl's hand and lightly kissed it. The little girl's eyes widened as she realized what he was doing. Then he said softly, "Miss Cartwright, it is truly my pleasure." Giving in to an impulse, he took the girl into his arms and gave her a light kiss on the lips. At least it was intended to be light, but when he pulled her close, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed him and then worked her lips on his. Callaway held her tightly realizing that the incredible power of this little girl's kiss almost knocked him down. He felt the most remarkable sensation of the purest love flowing from his lips throughout his body. Finally he released her and said softly, "I didn't know the half of it, did I? Young lady, you are unbelievable!" As he said it he realized that the girl's bright green eyes were locked on his in the most penetrating gaze he had ever seen. It was as if she was looking directly into his soul. She continued to look into his eyes as Bobbie said, "Your honor, it is my pleasure to introduce Andrea's uncle, Kenneth Clifford. Kenny, this is Judge John Callaway." This time the judge was prepared when the little boy made a perfect bow and then extended his hand which the judge took in his. In spite of how small the boy's hand was, he still had a very firm grip. "How do you do, Judge Callaway," the little boy said. "It is a great honor and privilege to meet you." When the judge again dropped down on one knee, the little boy gave a little yelp and threw himself into the judge's outstretched arms. He, too, melted his lips against Callaway's and again the judge was almost knocked down by the power of the subsequent kiss. Regaining his feet, he realized that they were hidden from the courtroom by his bench and was glad of it. As the children returned to the defendant's table he said, "Mrs. Conroy, doesn't one of the Beatitudes say, 'Blessed are the pure of heart?' Now I know what the phrase means. Those children are incredible — and a real tribute to you as a teacher." "Thank you, Your Honor," Bobbie replied, "but it's not me. They are tributes to their loving parents and the upbringing they have received. The only thing I do is try not to undermine what their parents have done and are doing." Then with a warm smile she added, "Of course, when they kiss me I immediately think about the concept of Sanctifying Grace. They really are wonderful children, though." With a quick smile she returned to her table while Callaway returned to the bench. When he was again seated, he noticed Roberta Kramer was on her feet waiting to address him. As soon as he looked her way she said, "If we must put up with this ... this idiocy of testing, we insist that Mrs. Conroy herself be tested. After all, a part of our contention is that she is totally unqualified to teach." When she looked at her, Bobbie said, "I have no problem with taking the test. In fact, Ms. Kramer is free to choose which of my pupils will participate, if she wishes." Kramer did not, so Bobbie designated Andy, Ken and Casey Jackson. The little black girl beamed at being selected and came forward from the spectator seats. Without stopping at the table, she came around to the bench where Callaway spun his chair around to greet her. Casey was beautifully dressed in a brown-and-white striped pinafore. With her beautiful brown eyes, wavy brown hair and light milk-chocolate coloring she was beautiful. After a perfect deep curtsy, she extended her hand and said, "How do you do, Judge Callaway. My name is Casey Jackson and I am delighted to meet you." Callaway took her hand and kissed it. When he raised his head he saw the girl's eyes widen with wonder and pleasure. "Miss Jackson, the pleasure is all mine. Are you ready to take the test?" "Oh yes, sir," the girl replied, "and I certainly hope to do well. I don't want my parents to be disappointed." Then her eyes widened again as she added, "My grandparents are here today, too, from Chicago. I have to do well for them." As the little girl went to join her friends at the counsel table Callaway reflected on what he had heard about the breakdown of black families. Clearly, this was not one of them. Moreover, it was clear that the power of the family was a major positive influence on the girl as it appeared to be on all of the children. The court clerk had finished reading the testing instructions — she was administering the test — when Bobbie said, "Your honor, this test takes ninety minutes. Wouldn't it be better for us to go off somewhere to take it so we don't waste the court's time?" "Mrs. Conroy," Callaway replied, "this is a special session of the trial court that hears only a very limited number of rather special cases. I have no other cases scheduled for today and frankly, I would rather watch." Motioning around the courtroom he said, "As you can see, the numbers of spectators is already large and still growing. It's obvious that others are interested as well." With a warm smile he added, "Shall we get going?" When all of the materials had been given out and they were awaiting the order to begin, the judge saw Bobbie extend her hands towards the children seated beside her. Andy and Ken immediately took one and extended their free hands to Casey. After the four all joined hands Bobbie bowed her head and the three children followed suit. At that point Kramer demanded, "What are you doing over there?" Completing her prayer Bobbie released the children's hands and said, "Praying. What did it look like we were doing? Since we believe that the only good things come from God, we were asking him for his help and guidance. Do you mind?" "Well... ! Really! Haven't you heard of the separation of church and state?" Kramer replied. "Oh," Bobbie said, "You mean the First Amendment? 'Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;... ' (The emphasis was Bobbie's.) Ms. Kramer, we were just exercising our constitutionally-guaranteed right of free exercise." Then with a malicious little grin she added, "The Constitution of the United States is a truly remarkable document. You really should get around to reading it someday." Again Callaway concealed a grin. Why is it that I'm certain Kramer is grossly overmatched, he wondered. As the seven people worked on the test, the judge looked at the two tables and again suppressed a grin. At the plaintiff's table Kramer and her attorneys were clearly having heavy going. Already the bailiff had had to speak to them twice about cheating. Meanwhile, Mrs. Conroy and her children seemed to be sailing right through it. The children seemed very interested in the test and were apparently enjoying themselves. Then he concentrated his attention on Bobbie and did a double-take. He suddenly realized that she was going through it at an incredible rate of speed. Her pace seemed to be controlled solely by the length of time it took her to mark her answer sheet. When she finished it and turned it in to the clerk, she came up to the bench. "Your Honor," she said, "when the test is scored, I would appreciate it if you or one of your staff would call Princeton again. You see, I gave the expected answers but my kids aren't experienced enough to know what is expected. They will give the correct answers." She then went on to list three questions by number, indicated the "expected answer" — i.e., the answer-sheet answer, the correct answer and then explain the reason for the difference. After making careful notes, he retired to his chambers and placed the call. This time it required a series of transfers to different people to explain the situation. Finally, they took his number and agreed to call back within thirty minutes. When the call came in, the bailiff took it and then motioned to the judge. It came as no surprise to learn that Mrs. Conroy was absolutely correct. Finally the administrator in Princeton said, "Judge, it's a problem we have, particularly in science where our knowledge is exploding. Too often, the high-school book answer is obsolete — or in a few cases, completely wrong — in terms of advanced scientific knowledge. The specific answer to your question, though, is that we will accept either answer. However, the corrected answers that you mentioned are, in fact, the far-more-accurate ones." By the time he completed the call and returned to the courtroom the examination time was up, the tests had been collected and the clerk was using the template to grade the papers. When she finished with the defendants' papers she used the scoring booklet to convert the raw scores to age- and grade-adjusted values. Looking puzzled, she brought the materials up to the bench. "Your Honor, there are no adjusted scores high enough for their raw scores — they're too high. Mrs. Conroy's paper is perfect. The children had a number of answers wrong, particularly in science and advanced mathematics, but there is no adjusted value even for theirs. Do you want to call Princeton again?" Callaway grinned and winked at her, then again called the testing company. This time he asked for the woman with whom he had just been speaking. Although he did not know her position, he accurately guessed that she was quite senior in the organization. When he reached, her he quickly explained the situation. Her first questions were regarding test security. After explaining how he opened the materials following step-by-step instructions, she put his call on hold for a few minutes. When she returned on the line, it was obvious that she had verified what he had just told her and had been reassured about test security. Then she said, "Judge, those young people have just broken the bank. They have gone far over the limits of the test. And then a perfect test! That's theoretically possible, but it never happens. Obviously today it did. I'm certain any college or university in the country would be delighted to have them. Do you know where they are applying?" "Ms. Larson," the judge replied, "They are not applying anywhere. The students are only six years old and are in the first grade! The perfect score was achieved by their teacher who's a young woman only nineteen years old. I think she has completed three college semesters. Remarkable, aren't they?" After a few moments of silence, while Larson digested what he had said, she declared, "I repeat what I just said: any college or university in the country would be delighted to have them today — in spite of being only six years old!" Returning to the courtroom he found that the clerk had graded the other tests. Kramer's results put her at the top of the bottom quintile of high-school seniors. The lawyers did substantially better with one of them achieving the top quintile. When the results were announced Kramer said that all it tested were "mere facts." Callaway just shook his head and recessed the court for lunch. As he left the bench, he found Andy and Ken waiting for him. After glancing at one another, Ken looked up at the judge with his eyes wide and asked, "Your Honor, would it be possible for Andy and me to talk to you for a few minutes in your chambers ... alone?" Because he had been so impressed with the children he instantly agreed. Entering his office, he went behind his desk and sat down, while the two children brought over chairs so they could sit close to him. After another exchange of looks Kenny nodded and Andy took the lead. "Those headaches are awful, aren't they? Can ... can anything be done?" Utterly stunned at the question, Callaway could only shake his head. Then the girl asked, "Judge, could Kenny hold your hands and look into your eyes for a moment?" Again the judge agreed. Ken rose from his chair, stood before the judge, held the man's hands in his and then stared deeply into his eyes. Andy, knowing what to look for, winced when she saw Kenny's eyes widen, tears appear at the corners, and then as he sadly shook his head just once. When the boy was back in his seat, Andy asked, "When, Kenny?" "I don't know exactly, Andy. You know ... we're both the same way. We're still exploring our powers." He shook his head and said, "No more than thirty days and probably much less — possibly less than a week." "But that will leave Kelly all alone with those poor girls, won't it?" Tears started to stream from her eyes as she added, "She has scarcely recovered from Jack's death as it is." Then looking at Callaway she said, "She doesn't know about your illness, does she? Your death will come as a complete shock, won't it?" The judge could only nod sadly as tears came to his eyes. For some reason the incredible knowledge of these two small children didn't surprise him at all. He jerked up straight at Andy's next words: "Judge Callaway, could ... would you allow us to try to help you?" "You? Help me?" he exclaimed. "But how? And why?" Shaking his head he said, "Kids, it's only fair to tell you that the doctors gave up long ago. What can you possibly do?" "It's an inoperable malignant tumor, isn't it?" Andy said. He only nodded. "The answer to the second question is that we don't know. Possibly nothing. But do you have anything more to lose?" Callaway just shook his head. Getting down from their chairs, the children knelt on the floor, held hands and used their free hand to each hold one of the judge's. With her head bowed Andy prayed softly, "Oh God, through your infinite power and mercy, please spare the life of your servant, John Callaway. He has tried to live his life in accordance with your laws. He raised a wonderful son who married a beautiful girl who, in turn, has presented him with lovely daughters. His son, Jack, gave his life in the service of his country. Now his daughter-in-law, Kelly, is about to lose her only surviving adult relative. God, she will be so terribly lonely. Please don't do this to her. Please spare the life of your servant, we pray. We ask this in the name of your divine son, Jesus Christ, our savior. Please God?" Callaway was holding Andy's hand tightly with his right hand and Ken's with his left. Completing her prayer, he could feel the girl's fingers squeeze his with all of her might while the boy did the same thing. Suddenly he had the strangest feeling in his head. It was as if water was running out of a container. His skull, which had been under constantly increasing internal pressure, seemed to relax. Pressure behind his eyes reduced and then disappeared. Looking at the two children he could see their eyes were closed and both seemed to be concentrating intently on something. After the pressure disappeared, changes in his body continued. Remarkably, it was almost as if he was shedding years of age. I'm growing younger! he thought. But how can this be? Finally he felt as if he had shed almost twenty years of age. It was as if he was in his early thirties! Remarkably, he felt wonderful — better than he could ever remember feeling. When he felt the pressure on his fingers released, he looked up and found that both children were looking at him intently. "Want to try again, Ken?" Andy asked softly. The boy nodded and held both of the judge's hands in his and again his eyes seemed to bore right through the judge's skull. This time he grinned, smiled warmly and said, "You're going to be outrageously happy with Kelly for many, many years to come. I'm delighted." The judge was utterly flabbergasted. "But ... But what happened?" Andy just shrugged and said, "God caused the tumor to disappear." Then with a little grin she added, "And, as an extra added attraction for Kelly, he gave you back your body when you were about thirty-two. That's really how old you are now." Then she looked into his eyes and with an impish smile asked, "Would you do us one small favor?" Callaway, although stunned, was starting to recover. His sense of humor came back powerfully and he replied skeptically, "Well, it all depends. I mean ... After all, you only saved my life, for heaven's sake. It's not like you did anything really special for me or anything ... But what?" Hearing his words, Andy giggled. It was the cutest, happiest sound Callaway had ever heard. Then with her eyes dancing, she said "Tonight when you go home, please take Kelly in your arms and kiss her solidly on the lips. That's all." "That's all?" the judge asked skeptically. "That's all," she repeated. Then she added, "There is one more thing, though. After that, just follow your instincts and her leads. Okay?" "Okay!" he exclaimed. "Now how about if I buy you two kids a lunch? Please?" The two accepted gratefully and, after telling Bobbie what they were doing, they went off to Callaway's club. The lunch with the two children was another remarkable experience. He had never encountered such manners and commented, "I thought manners like yours went out with the death of Victoria. I am overwhelmed!" "Would you say that Kenny and I have been good children today?" Andy asked innocently. "Good?" the judge exclaimed. "The very best! Your parents should be very proud indeed." "Would ... Could ... Please, would you tell our mothers?" Ken asked shyly. "Of course I will! But why?" he asked. "Because, sir, there's really nothing Andy or I — or the other kids — can ever do for our parents. And they are always doing things for us. The one thing we can do — and it's what we try to do — is to be very good so they will be proud of us. "You see, sir, when my mother is proud of me, she gives me her sunshine smile full blast. If you ever saw my mother's sunshine smile you would know that it would light up the entire Los Angeles Basin on a smoggy night. Sir, there's nothing that makes me happier than to be able to make my mother happy. Perhaps you'll see it yourself someday." Looking at Andy, Callaway just saw her head nodding rapidly in agreement. As they were leaving the club the maître d' whispered to him, "Who are those two little angels, Judge?" "Fred, I think you're right on the money! They are two little angels!" ------- Chapter 18 Returning to the courthouse with the two children, Callaway found Barbara Conroy waiting for them along with two other couples. Looking at the two women, the judge saw that one had the same brilliant green eyes and platinum-blonde hair as Andrea Cartwright's while the other was a golden blonde with the most brilliant blue eyes he had ever seen. Clearly these were the children's mothers. The two women dropped to their knees and the children hurled themselves into their arms. The love that flowed between mothers and children was almost palpable in its intensity. The two women held the children in their arms and stood up. Ken's mother asked, "And what did you two imps do? Were you being good?" Glancing around the lobby, Callaway saw that they were alone. He said, "They saved my life, Mrs. Clifford, so in return I bought them lunch. As far as your question is concerned, I'll only repeat what the maître d' at my club asked me: 'Who are those two little angels?' The answer is that they were both little angels." "Oh, Kenny!" Ali Clifford exclaimed, "I'm so proud of you, my son." Then she smiled at him with the warmest, most brilliant smile John Callaway had ever seen. Clearly this was the sunshine smile Kenny had spoken of. Moreover, his reaction was exactly what he had said: The little boy just shone in the reflected brilliance of his mother's smile and the happiness she was feeling. Seeing the woman's smile, something came back in the judge's memory. "You're Ali McGrath, aren't you? But ... but you can't be! It was so many years ago when I saw you in Vietnam..." Still holding the boy in the crook of her left arm, she extended her hand and said, "How do you do, Judge Callaway. Yes, I am — or was — Ali McGrath. It's so good of you to remember me. But what is this nonsense about saving your life?" Before answering her, Callaway first introduced himself to Andrea's mother who gave the girl a duplicate of Ali's smile. The little girl reacted in exactly the same way Kenny did. Then he said, "This morning, when I entered the courtroom, I was dying. I had a malignant tumor growing rapidly and spreading at the base of my brain. Your son estimated that I had less than one month to live and possibly less than a week. "When they asked to see me in my chambers, they explained that they knew I was dying and asked if they could try to help. Since the greatest minds of medical science had long since given me up for dead, I had nothing to lose so, of course, I agreed. At that the two children knelt on the floor, held my hands and Andy said a prayer to God asking for his intercession in my case. As soon as she completed her prayer, I could feel pressure in my skull that has been a constant in my life for months, start to diminish. In moments, it disappeared completely. "Through the prayers of your two children I believe I have experienced a miracle. But back to the comment I mentioned, my reply was that I think they are, in fact, two angels. I truly believe it. Mrs. Clifford and Mrs. Cartwright, you have been blessed by God with these children." Before the parents could respond, Andy said, "Mommy and Kenny's Mommy, I think I was bad." When Connie Cartwright looked at her daughter with a puzzled expression, Andy continued, "You see, I really feel sorry for Kelly Callaway. Mom, she is such a gorgeous woman and she's just like you. You know that I can look into a person's brain and see things sometimes that the person himself is unaware of? Well, that happened this morning. "You see, the judge has been hearing Kelly crying at night as she just writhes in bed in a frustration of wanting. And she's so good, she's just like Bobbie was: It would never occur to her to get relief through masturbation. She just writhes on her bed in agony." Turning to Callaway she added, "A number of times she has even come into your room late at night when you were sleeping. Once she was just about to awaken you when you screamed in pain from your tumor." Then dropping her voice until it was just above a whisper she concluded, "That's why I also prayed silently for God to make you younger and why I suggested that tonight you just kiss Kelly the way you've always wanted to and then just see what happens." Tears had come to the little girl's eyes as she looked back at her mother and asked, "Will I be punished for what I did, Mommy?" Connie just shook her head and replied softly, "My darling Andy, if anything happened, God Himself caused it to happen. You only asked. If you're correct, it was God's own plan, so who am I to second-guess the Lord? Right?" Then she hugged the girl and added, "My darling, I am so pleased and proud that you're learning more about your very special powers and are using them to help others." Then she introduced her husband, Chip, while Ali introduced Bill. After the introduction Bill said, "Darling, I think the children have been extra-special good today so something special is called for." With a big grin he said, "The circus is in town, kids. How would you like to go tonight?" The children were elated at the prospect. Then the judge's eyes widened as Ali asked Connie, "Daughter, could you spare a tit to feed Kris tonight along with little Charley? I'll have to use the urchins to drain my tits. Could you?" "Good grief, Mom! What do I look like? A cow?" Connie asked with a grin. Ali just reached out her hand, gently felt her daughter's milk-swollen breast, and said with a wink, "As a matter of fact, yes!" Then Chip Cartwright said, "Judge, just before we were married, at Ali's wedding reception, Connie said the most beautiful words I have ever heard. She announced that since she was not going to compete with me in making money — she didn't think she could, but more importantly we can't possibly spend what we already have — she was going to do something I can't possibly do: She was going to make babies. "Judge, Andy is the result. For a first effort, Connie didn't do too badly, do you think? Of course, she is only the first and Connie really hadn't warmed up yet, but for a first effort... ?" "Mr. Cartwright, I can only say again: You and your wife, with God's help, brought an angel into the world. You couldn't possibly have done any better." Then after glancing at his watch he said with a grin, "Now how about if we get this show back on the road?" With the warmest smile at Andy he had ever given anyone he said, "I don't want to be late getting home tonight!" ------- Returning to his seat on the bench, the bailiff called the court to order. Roberta Kramer was on her feet waiting to address the court as soon as the bailiff concluded his duties. "Your Honor, we went through Mrs. Conroy's little ... charade this morning. That test — such as it was — only tested mere facts. There's far more to education than the rote memorization of facts," she said disdainfully. "There's the need to put those facts to use—" "Of course, Ms. Kramer," Bobbie interjected. "You mean reasoning ability? Well, I have some questions here that I propose to use this afternoon. I have written them on slips of paper. The court can deal them out to whomever it wishes in whatever order. I estimate that forty-five minutes should be an appropriate length of time to answer each question. Is that fair? You and your colleagues will, of course, participate. It's only right that the court have answers from highly-educated adults such as yourselves to use as a benchmark." With that she brought up a small stack of little slips and a package of blue answer books that were standard in so many colleges and universities for test-taking. Again the clerk of the court distributed the questions and the answer books. This time, though, it was the three children being tested against three of the people at the plaintiff's table. Ms. Kramer was one of them. Callaway watched the proceedings with interest, mentally rejoicing at how great he felt for the first time in memory. The first thing he noted was the children took out fountain pens, carefully read their questions, thought for a few minutes and then began to write swiftly. Mrs. Conroy had left the table and was joined by a number of people — obviously parents — in the hallway. Returning his attention to the table where the children were taking the test, he was fascinated watching them. It almost appeared as if all of their attention was focused on their handwriting rather than on its content. Meanwhile at the state's table, there were apparently problems with the questions themselves. Ken Clifford was the first one to finish his test. Bringing it up to the judge's bench he whispered so as not to disturb the people still taking the test, "Judge, I want to apologize for my very poor handwriting. I'm really working on it very hard — so are the other kids — but it's still got a long way to go!" Looking at the boy's test booklet, Callaway was amazed. The script was meticulous and beautiful. "Kenny, this is terrific! I wish I could write nearly as well. What do you mean?" "But judge, it's terrible! Just look at this," he said passing Callaway the slip of paper on which the question he had answered was written. The handwriting — Bobbie's — was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Before he could say anything, Kenny added, "Please don't say anything to Bobbie — Oops! Mrs. Conroy — judge. It's only so sloppy because she just scribbled the questions out in a hurry. Normally, her handwriting is utterly perfect." Realizing the little boy was being completely serious he asked, "What do you mean by good handwriting, Ken?" "Well, sir, Mrs. Conroy demonstrated what she meant one day in class. You see, sir, back during the Civil War period, fine writing was the hallmark of ladies and gentlemen. There were people with handwriting so fine that it was possible for them to write across a piece of paper, then turn it sideways and continue with all the words crossing the ones already written. "Well, Bobbie wrote a letter that way. Except instead of writing vertically, after the first horizontal page she tilted the paper to the left and wrote with the words intersecting at a forty-five degree angle. When she finished that, she tilted the paper the opposite direction. Now her writing intersected the original at forty-five degrees the opposite way, and the second pass at ninety degrees. When she gave it to us to read, it was the most incredible thing I have ever seen. Reading each way, the writing was so clear and easy to read. It was unbelievable!" "Can you or any of your friends do that yet?" the judge inquired. "Karen Chan can do it two ways but not yet three," the boy answered. "I guess that's because she is Oriental. Everything about her is so incredibly graceful and elegant." He grinned and added, "We tease her about being an Oriental midget while she calls us a bunch of Occidental oafs! You know something, Judge? I think she's right. And she is such an incredibly beautiful little doll!" "Are you going to marry her when you grow up?" the judge teased. "Oh, no sir!" Ken immediately exclaimed. "I thought it was pretty clear to you, though. I am going to marry Andy." Then he added softly, "Judge, that's why Andy feels so badly for Kelly. It's something Andy and I both understand completely, except for totally different reasons. You know, sir, it's absolutely terrible to have an adult's needs and desires trapped in a small child's body. All we can do now is wait, but I love her so much! You tasted the love in her lips. Can you imagine what I get? It's the same love but at a level of intensity that's multiplied, coupled with pure passion!" With tears in his eyes Ken concluded, "We adore one another. Honest we do." Callaway had been looking into his eyes while Ken Clifford was speaking and knew instantly that he was hearing the complete truth. These two were incredible people and could, in fact be angels. Certainly they were like no humans of any age he had ever met. Moreover, he had personally experienced some of their extraordinary powers himself that morning. Ken left the bench and Callaway started to read his test. First, the question: "America's Revolution was fought almost exclusively on land but decided at sea. Explain and discuss." His eyes widened as he realized it was the sort of question one might find on a specialized college history course dealing with the Revolutionary period. Fascinated, he began to read the little boy's answer. In several comprehensive paragraphs he sketched the sweep of the land war in the Middle Colonies and then in the South. The decisive event, in his opinion, was the defeat of the British fleet off the Chesapeake Capes by the French under de Grasse and d'Estaing. With Admirals Graves and Hood unable either to resupply Cornwallis at Yorktown or evacuate him, the general was forced to surrender. Finishing the test booklet, Callaway let out a soft whistle. The paper was, in his opinion, perfect. It was carefully presented and beautifully reasoned and supported. He found a red pencil in his drawer and carefully wrote A+ on the cover. When Casey Jackson brought up her paper and gave it to him with a shy smile, he smiled back. The girl quickly retreated to look for her parents while he opened her test. Her question: "A British senior officer serving with Cornwallis in the South wrote in a letter home, 'If we win one more battle like that one, we shall surely lose the war.' Explain and discuss." Intrigued, he opened the small girl's test paper. Her handwriting was as beautiful as Ken's but even neater in a charmingly feminine way. He began to read how Cornwallis had moved out of his base at Charleston, South Carolina, with his force in an attempt to wipe out the Continental forces in the South. He read how the British had "won" first at Cowpens, and later at Guilford Courthouse — the battle that was referred to in the British officer's letter. In each case "winning" was defined as being in possession of the field of battle at its conclusion, but also in each case Cornwallis sustained frightening and unaffordable losses of manpower. Meanwhile, a Tory force under Major Ferguson encountered Ike Shelby, John Sevier, and the over-mountain men. A British effort to rouse the Indians against the over-mountain settlers had backfired. The aroused colonials, who until then had been sympathetic to the Revolution but essentially uncommitted, moved east over the mountains and wiped out Ferguson and his Tory troops at King's Mountain exposing Cornwallis's left flank. At the same time guerrillas under Francis Marion had interdicted his supply columns coming up from Charleston so he was faced with the choice of either returning to his base or cutting himself off and relying on total victory. When his cavalry force under Col. Banastre Tarleton was destroyed by Light Horse Harry Lee's troopers, his movements became a full-bore retreat which ended at Yorktown. The judge reread the paper and marveled. Here was a small girl, only six years old, dealing with the entire sweep of Revolutionary history. Again taking his red pencil he neatly wrote A+ and put the paper aside. Andy Cartwright's paper was as good as the others. Her handwriting was, if anything, even finer than Casey's. Her question: "The Battle of Saratoga was rated by an English historian as one of the fifteen decisive battles of all time, ranking with Waterloo and ahead of Trafalgar. Why? Explain and discuss." After reading the girl's brilliant essay and grading it an A+, Callaway reflected on what he had already seen and heard that day. First, the allegations being made by the state had already been established to be utterly absurd. Bobbie Conroy might be the finest teacher alive in the world teaching the most brilliant collection of students ever assembled in one place. Not even halfway through the first grade, they were writing examination papers that would receive top grades in advanced college history courses. Moreover, they were courses of a type offered only at the finest schools to their finest students. When the clerk indicated time was up, the bailiff collected the test booklets from Kramer and the attorneys. When they were delivered to Callaway he looked at the questions and then tried to read the answers. First, he had terrible difficulty trying to read what was written. Although he could not decipher all the words, he could read enough to know that they didn't have the first clue about an answer. Looking up from the bench he addressed the court. "Ladies and gentlemen, first, I have graded the children's papers. Each was given the grade of A+. Looking at Casey he asked, "Miss Jackson, I was overwhelmed by your knowledge of Colonial history in the South. Is it an area of particular interest?" "Yes, sir, it is," the girl replied after first rising from her chair. "You see, my ancestors were slaves in the South. My grandmother was raised in Virginia, sir. She worked for a family that was FFV on both sides. That's the First Families of Virginia. Sir, they were true ladies and gentlemen. She carefully observed what they did and how they acted and vowed to behave the same way. My mother was raised that way, sir. Her father was career Army and he was away a great deal, so it left it up to my grandmother. She would accept nothing less than ladylike behavior at all times — and still won't. Yes, sir. I'm very interested in the South." At that point a giant black man rose to his feet from a place behind where the other children were sitting and approached the bench. He was over six feet six and appeared to weigh over 250 pounds. Callaway's eyes widened as he came up. Then the man spoke in a very quiet voice, but one that carried to the far corners of the very large courtroom. "Your Honor, my name is John Smith. May I have your permission to address the court? I am a member of the bar of the State of Illinois and am Casey's grandfather. May I, sir?" Callaway instantly agreed. "Your Honor, as I said, I am Casey's grandfather — or at least her honorary grandfather. Her true grandfather — my wife's first husband — was killed in the service of our country. He died a true hero. Sir, I played professional football and subsequently almost destroyed my life with drugs — principally cocaine. Mary Jefferson picked me up, trained me to be her butler and took care of me. Everything you have heard from Casey is the God's-honest truth: Mary Jefferson Smith is not a lady, though, sir. She is a queen! With her inspiration I completed three and a half years of college in a year and then three years of law school in a year and a half. "Her daughter — my daughter, now — April Jefferson Jackson, is a princess. (She insisted that I adopt her as my daughter, and I was never so proud of anything in my life. Except maybe for the day of her wedding when she kissed me and told me how proud she was to be escorted down the aisle on my arm. She said that her father — her real father, Tom Jefferson — would be delighted, too.) At any rate, April came out here to Los Angeles when Mrs. Clifford bought another bank. "You see, sir, in Chicago, April is known as one of 'the twins who aren't.' Mrs. Clifford's daughter-in-law, Cindy Burke, is the other. Under Cindy, they established the most successful lending program for small and minority-owned business in the United States. Anyway, Mrs. Clifford asked April to come out here, along with Bill and Kathy Cartwright, to install a similar program. When they arrived, she learned about the school Mrs. Conroy is running and was utterly delighted to have Casey accepted as a student in it. "The reason I asked to speak, sir, is that I'm sure that the next thing we'll hear from the idiots at the other table — excuse me, sir. I apologize for the remark — is that there is no racial mixture. "That's garbage. Casey is certainly black, Karen Chan is Oriental, and Cindy Cartwright is mixed. I will never forget the day Casey came home from school, when Mary and I were out here last. It was the day on which it was Casey's turn to take her nap with Mrs. Conroy. You see, these children are still pretty young so Bobbie insists that they take a nap every day. Each day, she lets a different student sleep with her. "That day was Casey's first turn. With her eyes as big as saucers she told how Bobbie caressed her small body and hugged and kissed her. She said to me, 'Granddad, she doesn't know I'm black — or if she knows, she certainly doesn't care. And ... and ... she loves me! She really does!' And you know what, Judge? She's absolutely right! Bobbie Conroy does love her — as she loves every other student in her class. My wife is utterly thrilled! "Although it isn't all roses for us. That same night, there we were — all of us: Casey, her parents, Mary and me, and to his total disgust, her older brother, Ron — sitting around the kitchen table practicing our handwriting. Bobbie — Mrs. Conroy — had told the children how important it was for ladies and gentlemen to have well-formed handwriting." With a broad grin he continued, "Well, sir, that was all my wife needed to hear. Mary agreed with her granddaughter instantly and insisted we all practice. It was the funniest thing you will ever see! Here is my little granddaughter going around the table critiquing everyone's writing. When my daughter thought she could sneak out to feed the baby do you know what Casey said? She said, 'Mom, you write with your right hand. Just hold Danny to your tit with your left hand and keep practicing.' And that's what poor April had to do!" Smith grinned, shook his head and said, "I wonder if one of Casey's ancestors was a black plantation overseer? Boy, what a little slave driver!" Then with a very warm smile and a shake of his head he added, "And yet, at the same time, I could see Bobbie Conroy's influence: Casey was loving, helpful, and encouraging as she worked with all of us — even her brother, Ron, would you believe? "But at the same time she had standards of achievement in her mind to be reached and maintained! With no excuses!" Looking directly at Callaway he finished, "Your Honor, that is Bobbie Conroy. She will not bend her standards one millimeter! For anyone! So the children are rightfully so proud when they achieve, sir. They know that, when Bobbie says their work is good, it's good! And good for Casey Jackson is good for Kenny Clifford. It's the same standard for everyone. Sir, that's education and that's what we want!" When Smith had mentioned April holding her son with her left hand while practicing her handwriting with the right, there had been an explosion of laughter. Now there was the sound of people moving in the audience and the most beautiful young black woman Callaway had ever seen approached the bench and said, "Excuse me, Your Honor. But I couldn't control myself." Then taking a handsome young man by the hand she came forward followed by another woman who looked like her sister. "Sir, I'm April Jackson and this is my husband, Ron, and my mother, Mary Smith. Ron and I are Casey's parents and I want you to know how proud we are of her and how much we appreciate what Bobbie is doing for her and the other children. We would like to underscore what my father just said." Looking at the young man, Callaway had a flash of recognition. "You're Ron Jackson, the Bear's All-Pro safety, aren't you?" "Yes, sir," Ron replied. "But to set the record straight, you should know that my father-in-law — my father, damn it — is John Smith, a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame. He was a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers." With a broad grin he added, "Your Honor, when your father is John Smith — and he can break you in half with one hand — you better be good to his daughter. And sir, he couldn't possibly love April any more than he does. And his comments about Mary? They couldn't be more true. As you can see, she's a queen — and she looks like April's sister. And when April has had a really tough day, she looks like her younger sister!" With that April turned, melted Ron with a kiss and then said, "Sir, I would just like to thank you for your comments about Casey's test paper. You can't know how proud it makes us feel, and how happy we are for our daughter. I can't tell you what it means to us to see her come home every day just bubbling over to tell us what happened in school that day. "We see Bobbie Conroy as if she can take these children's brains out of their heads and just stretch them. She is like the starter motor on a car's engine: she spins to get it turning and then it runs by itself. Well, it hasn't happened yet — their brains are not yet running by themselves — but almost. Casey now has a love of learning for its own sake! She now has the finest collection of friends a young girl could possibly wish for. She is so exuberant, she just bubbles! What more could parents possibly want? "Oh, I almost forgot! There is her love of God. We did almost have a small war with Bobbie over that one. You see, one evening she called me and was very upset. She had just realized that the religion she was teaching was Roman Catholic — she is a Catholic and most of the children are, too. Anyway, recognizing we are Baptists, she was very concerned. "Well, the whole family talked about it and the next day my father went downtown to see her. As you can see, there's something about Dad — it might be his size," she said with a wink," — that does get one's attention. Anyway, he laid down the law to Bobbie. He said, 'You talk about God, don't you? You teach these children about Our Savior, Jesus Christ, don't you? Well, lady, we don't give a damn about the details! You just keep it up!' I think Bobbie said something like, 'Yes, sir!' and that was the end of the discussion. "Oh, there is one more thing. We all love her — desperately! What she has done for us through Casey is beyond belief. We respectfully urge you to rule against the state's petition, sir." Before Callaway could respond there was thunderous applause from all the spectators. Glancing up and looking around the room he realized that none of the children nor their parents were making a sound. All of the applause was coming from the disinterested spectators. He smiled inwardly and said, "Thank you all, very much, for coming up and making your feelings and impressions known." Then to Ron Jackson he said, "But speaking as a Rams fan, couldn't you break a leg, or dislocate a finger or something, before you play the Rams again? You're unbelievable!" With a very broad grin Jackson shook his head and replied, "Judge, I really don't think you want that. You see, if I couldn't play, April probably would. And if you think I'm tough, you should see her! Did you see the Super Bowl telecast a few years ago when we played the Raiders? If you did, you saw the pre-game show that featured a game we played against the girls in the rain and mud in New Orleans. Sir, perhaps you would be interested to know that the star of the other team, Cathy Bradley, is Bobbie Conroy's sister. Is that of any interest?" "It certainly is," the judge replied. After searching his brain for a moment he asked, "Does that also make her related to Kris Bradley, as well?" "She's her other sister, Your Honor," April replied. "Mrs. Conroy," the judge said, looking at Bobbie, "please convey my deepest respects and my thanks to your sister, Kris. In his very last letter to his wife — he was killed in action on his next mission — my son, Jack, told how your sister came out to their air base in the desert to entertain the troops. He said she spent over eighteen hours with the men! She talked personally to every single person who wanted to talk to her. She just would not quit. "My daughter-in-law, Kelly, wrote your sister a letter when she received Jack's and told her what had happened and how her visit had so brightened and inspired his last hours on earth. A few days later, she received the most marvelous note from your sister. "Believe it or not, she remembered Jack and passed on his last words — how much he loved his wife, Kelly — to Kelly. She actually described him — she wasn't making it up. Then a while later Kelly totally cracked up when she received the most beautifully engraved card from an order of cloistered monks saying that they would offer a daily mass in perpetuity for the repose of the soul of John J. Callaway, Jr. It had been requested by Miss Kristin Bradley." Tears were flowing from the judge's eyes as he concluded, "Mrs. Conroy, your sister is a saint!" "I disagree with your last statement, Your Honor," Bobbie replied quietly. "She's an impossible imp who's always stealing my clothes! And that's when she's being good! But I'll pass on your comments, though. I know she'll be very pleased when I tell her what you just said. "As far as your comment about the time she spent with the troops, that is true. You see, sir, women can't fight in combat. But Kris wanted to make the troops who were facing death feel that the country was behind them and someone — her — cared a great deal about what they were doing. "As far as remembering your son, Jack, I'm sure she really did. She has an unbelievable memory for names and faces. I guess she thought something like this might happen so she took particular care to remember everyone she talked with and tried her best to see everyone who wanted to see her — regardless of how much of her time it took." With a wry grin she added, "Oh, hell! I guess she's not completely awful — in spite of being my twin sister." Glancing over at the state's table he saw the looks of dismay on the faces of the people seated there. My God! he thought. They don't get it yet! They lost this case totally hours ago. ------- Chapter 19 Roberta Kramer was back on her feet. "Your Honor," she declared, "this trial has been a complete farce!" You've got that one thing right, Callaway thought, even if you're totally wrong in your sense of direction. "I suppose we have established that at least a few of these children are a bit brighter than average..." There was a ripple of laughter through the courtroom as Callaway could no longer control himself and rolled his eyes to the amusement of the spectators. " ... but can Mrs. Conroy teach? What about ... about physical education?" Kramer blurted, evidently quite proud of herself for coming up with a point she didn't think Bobbie could handle. "Now why do you suppose I thought Ms. Kramer would sooner or later come around to that one?" Bobbie said aloud but in a tone of voice she might use in talking to herself. "Maybe it's because our classroom is on the thirty-eighth floor of a downtown office building. Oh, well..." With that she smiled acidly at Kramer, reached below the table and pulled out a large packing box. Before the day of the trial but after learning which courtroom would be used, Bobbie had come down to the courthouse and looked the room over carefully. First, because the courtroom was very large and the courthouse dated from before World War II, its ceiling was very high — somewhat over twenty feet. Moreover, there were several large hooks set in the ceiling, possibly having been used to suspend heavy ceiling fans in the days before the building had been air-conditioned. Going into the box Bobbie took out a coil of rope. With a warm smile she said, "Judge, I'm really not dressed appropriately for what I'm about to do. I hope it won't offend the Court's sensibilities if I strip down to a point that is still well beyond what I would have to wear at a public beach — and far beyond what I normally wear." At that comment all of the children laughed and giggled knowing that Bobbie's normal beachwear was being nude. "I think we can live with it," Callaway replied. "After all, you're doing it at the State's request." With a quick grin Bobbie slipped off the white dress she was wearing and stepped out of her pumps. Now she was wearing only a tiny white bikini which left her cheeks bare, and a white camisole. Her fully-revealed figure was utterly magnificent. After carefully measuring out a length of rope, she coiled it and then with a casual-appearing flick of her arm and wrist sent the coil sailing up toward the ceiling. She caught the ceiling hook on her first try. "What on earth is she doing!?" Kramer exclaimed. "Hanging a climbing rope on the ceiling," Andy replied acidly. "What does it look like she's doing? Besides, it's a lot easier throwing that line than it is to throw a rope made of braided vines. That's what Mrs. Conroy was using most of the past year." Now Bobbie had two lengths of line in her hands with the bend hanging high above her from the hook in the ceiling. Again going to her box she removed a length of much heavier rope. This time it was the type normally used in gyms for rope climbing and even had a leather-covered knot on the bottom. Measuring out to the halfway point she hung it around her neck. Looking up at the ceiling she gripped the double length of line and hauled herself upward. Kramer and the spectators gasped at what they were seeing. As soon as her weight was suspended from the rope, the incredible muscle development in her arms and shoulders became apparent. Without using her legs or feet at all, Bobbie just hauled herself quickly up the rope to the ceiling. Once there, she used her feet for the first time, wrapping the rope around her leg and then using her feet to hold herself in position. Then she carefully hauled down on the length of heavy rope around her neck to bring its end with its attachment fitting to hand. When she had the end, she carefully fitted it over the ceiling hook making sure that it was solidly fastened. Shifting over to the climbing rope, she then lifted the first rope off the hook and let it drop to the floor. After again checking the attachment of the climbing rope she went down so fast it was almost as if she were falling. Again there was a gasp from the spectators while the children just looked at each other. They couldn't understand what the spectators thought was so special. All Bobbie had done was to hang the rope on the ceiling after all. To them it was no big deal. After picking up the thinner line and putting it back in the box she said, "Okay, kids! Let's get with it." Looking at the children, she raised an eyebrow and with a grin and a wink said, "Surely you're not going to climb dressed like that, are you?" Then she looked up at the judge and said, "It's show-time again. Although the girls will not be wearing bras, I think you'll agree that it's at least six months to a year before they'll need them." Callaway just grinned and nodded. He also winked his eye that was away from the state's side of the room. Meanwhile the spectators were amazed to see how quickly the small children undressed, carefully folded their clothes and placed them in neat piles on the table. When they were stripped down to their underwear, the boys were only wearing white jockey shorts while the girls were only wearing very feminine-looking cotton briefs. Most had tiny pink bows on each side at the leg openings. Looking at Bobbie, Andy asked, "Teams, Mrs. Conroy? Please, can we do it as teams?" The other children all cheered the suggestion. "Judge, what Andrea is asking is if they can compete as two teams of five children. It's what we often do in school. While normally we use two ropes at once, today I'll have to use a stopwatch since we have only one." Just then Roberta Kramer spoke up. "Surely, Mrs. Conroy, you do not expect those children to climb that rope!" "I don't?" Bobbie replied wide-eyed. "What do I expect, then? It's really not very good to eat." "But ... But rope-climbing is only for boys and then only at the high-school level. In the primary grades we walk in circles—" "We climb ropes," Bobbie interrupted. "And as far as being only for boys, why? In our school we do not discriminate on the basis of sex. And we don't use race or sex norming, either — whatever on earth they may be. The kids just climb the rope. As far as being done at the high-school level is concerned, I think I already established that my kids are ... precocious." "But ... but you climbed it yourself!" Kramer exclaimed. "And ... and you're a woman!" Looking down at her body, Bobbie pantomimed a great discovery. "Good grief!" she exclaimed. "Who would ever have believed it." Then with a disdainful look on her face she added, "Look, Kramer, I gather you were impressed because I climbed the dumb rope. Big deal! If my husband, Tom, were here he would have climbed it with me hanging on his back! And if he really wanted to show off, he would do it one-handed. I will concede I'm in reasonably good shape for a woman. Compete with Tom? There's no way. His arms would make at least four of mine and his shoulders are about twice as broad." With a little grin she added, "It works out pretty well, though. The whole width of me fits comfortably across his chest. That way, when he has his arms around me, I am completely enveloped by his glorious body while he mashes my tits against his chest." As she made her last comment, Bobbie blushed. Turning to Callaway she said, "I apologize, Your Honor! I'm afraid I got a little carried away just then." Speaking very softly but just loudly enough for Bobbie to hear, the judge replied, "You love him desperately, don't you? And, Bobbie, on you it looks just great!" "Thank you, Judge, and I sure do," she whispered in reply. Then turning her back on Kramer, Bobbie said, "Okay. Which team is first?" Since the class had three boys and seven girls, one of the teams had two boys — Mike Morris and Charley Conrad — while Kenny was on the team with four girls, one of whom was — of course — Andy. The other team went first and Karen Chan led off. The small girl — just slightly smaller than her classmates — went scrambling up the rope using her arms and legs. Reaching the top, she touched the mounting hook and then slid down using the line between her bare feet as a brake. Callaway noted that, even though there were competing teams, all the children on the floor cheered and encouraged each climber. Moreover, now that the children had stripped to only their shorts it was apparent how beautifully tanned and healthy they all were. In spite of all being very sturdy little youngsters, he was interested to note the femininity of the little girls and the masculinity of the boys, in spite of only being six years old. With a shout, the last member of the team, Mike Morris, touched the floor after almost dropping from the ceiling. Barbara Conroy hit the button on her stopwatch, and then announced the time to the cheers of the children. By now the spectators were crowding around the railing to get a better look. It was apparent that they, too, were fascinated by the children. When it was the other team's turn, Andy Cartwright was scheduled to lead off, followed by Casey Jackson, Betsy Clifford and Cindy Cartwright. Kenny Clifford was climbing last. As Andy prepared to climb, he came up behind her and patted her bottom. The judge noted that she smiled warmly and then after quickly turning her head towards him kissed him quickly full on the lips. On the start signal the girl went flying up the rope with the same agility he had seen Barbara Conroy display, although she did use her legs in the climb. It appeared to him that this team was faster than the other. Casey Jackson displayed the incredible coordination that he would have expected from the daughter of an All-Pro football player and a world-class sprinter. Callaway had remembered the televised game before the Super Bowl and remembered that April Jefferson — now Jackson — could really fly. Then Betsy and Cindy climbed with the same strength and agility the others displayed. Finally it was Ken's turn. He climbed exactly the way Barbara Conroy had, only using his arms. He, too, had remarkable muscle development in his arms and shoulders for a small boy. After touching the hook he almost dropped to the floor. The team's time was announced and they had bettered their opponents by a substantial margin. While the people's attention was focused on Barbara climbing the rope to take it down in the same manner she had put it up, Callaway looked at Andy and Ken. After seeing the people's attention focused on the ceiling, Ken took Andy in his arms and melted his lips to hers. When they reluctantly parted, the judge saw Andy, who was facing towards him, had tears in her eyes. Although she was whispering and they were out of his hearing, he could see her lips form the words, "My darling, I love you so desperately!" He could feel a lump form in his throat just watching the adorable children who were so much in love. And it was true: they did have adult feelings and desires trapped in the bodies of small children. After putting the ropes away, Barbara quickly dressed and ran a comb through her hair. In a matter of seconds she looked as if she had done nothing physical all day. Then the judge saw something that was both amusing and heartwarming. After dressing, the girls formed a little line in front of Bobbie. Each gave Bobbie her comb and the woman carefully combed out the girl's hair and made any necessary repairs. After finishing with the girl's hair, in each case she took the small girl into her arms, gave her a loving kiss and told her how beautiful she looked. As the girl stepped aside for the next in line, the judge could see she had stars in her eyes. Isn't there anything this woman doesn't do? he wondered. If it helps the children or makes them feel better about themselves, she does it, he thought. And that's regardless of what it might be. ------- Chapter 20 Meanwhile Roberta Kramer had been wracking her brain trying to think of something else she could try. By now it was even starting to penetrate her head that she was losing the case. When the children were all dressed and standing around their teacher, she said, "We still haven't seen Mrs. Conroy teach. The Department is now willing to concede that she does have above-average pupils — in intelligence, at least. But can she teach? Why can't she demonstrate, Your Honor?" As soon as the spectators heard the comment about teaching, they broke up in uproarious laughter. One woman, sitting towards the rear of the room cracked, "She sure-as-hell can, lady. But can you?" The remark triggered another burst of laughter, but this time accompanied by applause and cheering so wild that Callaway had to pound his gavel to bring the courtroom back to order. While he was doing so he noticed that Bobbie and the children were just standing together, not making a sound. He was now utterly astounded at the children's self-control. With the unidentified woman making a remark with which they so-obviously agreed and yet to give no sign was truly remarkable. When order was restored, he said, "Mrs. Conroy, I would like to commend you — but particularly your young students — on the remarkable display of self-control they just exhibited. I carefully noted that they did not make a sound, nor did they even smile. I am very impressed." Then with a warm smile he asked, "Are you willing to conduct a class for us?" "Certainly, Your Honor," Bobbie replied. Then turning to the children she said, "Kids, the judge thought your behavior just now was exemplary and he appreciates it. I thought you were wonderful, too! Thank you so much." Callaway carefully observed the reactions of the children as Bobbie smiled so warmly at them: it was like watching flowers blossom in the sun. It was so obvious that the children just lived on praise from the teacher who they so obviously adored. Then dropping to her knees, Bobbie bowed her head and in an instant all of the children were kneeling in a small circle around her. "Oh God," she prayed, "bless us this day in our efforts to learn how better to serve you, our families and our nation, we humbly ask in the name of your son and Our Savior, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." In addition to the children's response there was a thunderous "Amen" coming from what seemed to be all of the spectators in the courtroom. "Good heavens! What did you just do?" Roberta Kramer exclaimed. "I said a prayer asking God to guide us," Bobbie answered dryly. "What did you think I did?" "But you can't do that! It's criminal!" the woman screamed, obviously beside herself with righteous indignation. "This is a public building!" "So I noticed," Bobbie replied dryly. Then with her eyes flashing blue sparks she continued, "You're saying I can't pray? Is that what I'm hearing?" Bobbie asked in a flat tone of voice that those who knew her immediately recognized as a danger signal. "Of course you cannot! Haven't you heard of the separation of church and state? You have just proven my point: You're totally unqualified to teach anyone!" "Do your counsel join you in that position?" Bobbie asked in the same flat tone of voice. "Of course they do!" Kramer proclaimed triumphantly. Turning to the three lawyers she asked, "You do, don't you?" There were nods of acquiescence but Bobbie stifled a grin recognizing that at least two of the lawyers were obviously uncomfortable with what they had just done. Turning to the children she said, "Kids, take your seats for a few minutes. This is a disruption in our class but I don't think it will take very long." While the children obediently sat down, Bobbie rose to her feet, raised her voice and called out, "Sandy Benson, I need you right away." As the woman came forward, Callaway again stifled a grin recognizing her by her professional name, Sandra Harris. He knew her — by some personal experience, but also by reputation — to be the finest trial lawyer in the state of California and one of the very best in the United States. He had never heard of her losing a case in trial. "Sandy, dear," Bobbie said in a tone of voice calculated to reach the corners of the room, "I think I am the victim of a conspiracy to deprive me of my civil rights. Specifically, a conspiracy to deny me the right freely to exercise my religion. Would you care to take the case?" "Who do you want to get and for how much?" Sandy asked blithely. "The turkeys at counsel table alone, or do you want to add the State of California as a co-defendant? They are State employees, after all, and they are here today on official business. It would be easy to argue that they are acting in their official capacities as agents of the State." Pretending to think for a few moments, Bobbie looked up at the ceiling and then said slowly and thoughtfully, "No ... I don't think so, Sandy. Just the turkeys." Very brightly she added, "I pay enough money to the damned state as it is and I'll be damned if I want my taxes raised just to pay for the dumb judgment." "Good thinking!" Sandy exclaimed. "I always knew you were smart." Looking crestfallen she added, "That's the trouble with us trial lawyers: We sometimes get so carried away with the hunt that we forget who has to pay the bill." Then brightly she continued, "So you want a nice, juicy Federal damage suit — personal, of course — against them as individuals." Appearing to remember something she added, "By the way! Such a judgment is like certain Federal tax liabilities: It doesn't even go away in bankruptcy!" Now appearing elated, she said, "I'll just get the names and addresses of a bunch of spectators. They will serve both as witnesses to Kramer's words and as evidence that the denial of your constitutional rights took place in a public setting which maximizes the personal injury to you. It's going to be wonderfully expensive for them!" As Sandy turned, apparently to do what she had just announced, Kramer, now sounding shaken, asked, "What was this little charade I just saw?" "Charade, Ms. Kramer?" Bobbie replied scathingly. "No charade. As I said earlier today, the Constitution of the United States is a very interesting document. You really should read it sometime. Since you just abridged my right freely to exercise my religion, you violated my civil rights. Moreover, since you were joined by three others, that creates a conspiracy. That's all we need." With a mirthless smile she added, "Kramer, you just made a terrible mistake! You see, the premises we use for our little school are the property of Clifford & Jamison Attorneys at Law! It is reputed to be the finest law firm in the state. Your colleagues might recognize my friend, Sandy Benson, better by her professional name: Sandra Harris." The instant she said the name there were looks of utter shock and dismay on the faces of the attorneys. Continuing, she said, "But it gets even better, you see. Laura Benson, Sandy's daughter, is sitting here beside me. So you could almost say that pursuing this action for Sandy will be a labor of love because I know she utterly adores Laura and would do anything — particularly including giving her life — for her." Now with an evil grin on her face, Bobbie continued, "But it gets even better! Another partner in the firm is Celeste Trang, possibly the foremost legal collections expert in the country. Celeste just loves to find money to collect on judgments! On one I know of, she has already collected $10 million on a $10 million judgment — and the losers still owe $25 million! Isn't that great? I don't know exactly how she does it, but it's all very legal. But of course, I'm not a lawyer, either, so what do I know?" Brightening she said, "Oh! I almost forgot! Celeste is Celeste Trang Chan, the mother of Karen Chan sitting beside me ... and my sister! I think her fees will be ... affordable. What do you think, Ms. Kramer?" Now she feigned a look of sorrow as she added, "Of course, the mothers of eight of these ten children are also lawyers — all partners in the firm. For example, Ken Clifford, here, is Ali Clifford's son and firstborn. She utterly adores him. Then Charley Conrad is the firstborn of Virginia Jamison Conrad ... And it goes on. I think it's going to be great fun, don't you!?" By now Kramer was looking as if she had eaten something that had made her sick. Going to the bench she asked Callaway, "Judge, is this all true?" "Is all what true?" Callaway asked pretending ignorance. "These things that this woman just said?" "Well..." the judge began, raising his eyebrows, "Sandy Harris is probably the finest trial lawyer in the nation. I have never heard of her losing a case... any case. I have also heard of Celeste Trang's ... persistence. It's sort of a joke among judges, in fact." Looking up at the ceiling he added pensively, "Of course, I guess it's not nearly as funny to the people she's going after ... She just keeps coming in, week after week, having found that assets were transferred from one entity to another to avoid having to pay." Then he brightened and added, "She appeared before me one time. You know, I think she really enjoys it. For her, it's sort of like putting together a complex jigsaw puzzle. She seems to look at it almost as a form of recreation." "What about ... about the civil rights thing?" Kramer asked, now looking as if she were about to vomit up her lunch. "Oh, that's different," Callaway said brightly, "Bobbie Conroy is exactly right! The action of two or more people acting together creates a conspiracy and, yes, Federal law does provide for triple damages in cases of conspiracy to deny a person her civil rights. The free exercise of religion is most certainly guaranteed in the Federal Constitution — and in the State of California's as well, by the way. Whether you did abridge her free exercise is a finding of fact left to a jury, but ... Ms. Kramer, let's just say that right now I wouldn't give you ten cents for all of your assets. "You see, subsequent to an illegal act, any sale or transfer of assets would be undone, so if I bought something from you it could be taken away from me to satisfy a judgment against you! And as I said, Celeste Trang is terribly ... persistent ... and extraordinarily thorough. She wouldn't leave you with two cents!" Turning to Bobbie, Kramer asked gracelessly, "What do I have to do to get you to call off your dogs?" "Dogs, Ms. Kramer!? You certainly do have a way with words! Referring to honorable members of the California Bar as dogs?" Bobbie shook her head sadly and said, "You really do have a talent for digging holes for yourself, don't you?" By now Kramer was a sniveling wreck and Bobbie decided that enough time had already been wasted. Briskly, she said, "Kramer, you can do two things: First, get down on you knees and pray to God — loudly — for His forgiveness, and second, while still on your knees, ask the pardon of these young children who are trying so hard to learn." Then with steel in her voice she added, "Do it! Now!" With a look of shock on her face Kramer did as she was told. Dropping to her knees she looked up and said loudly, "Dear God, please forgive me for interfering with prayers directed to you. I am so sorry!" At that instant there was an enormous flash of lightning right outside the courtroom window immediately followed by an ear-bursting clap of thunder. The poor woman dropped flat on the floor and began to cry, wailing that she had been a terrible sinner and vowed to be better. While she was still prostrate, Bobbie turned to the children, winked, and held her thumb up. The kids grinned back at her. When she rose to her knees, Kramer was still shaky. She began to get up when Bobbie reminded her of the second part. Kramer's eyes flared in anger, but she went back to her knees and earnestly asked the children for their forgiveness. By this time they were attuned to the game so they spent a few moments debating among themselves whether the apology should be accepted — whether, in fact, Ms. Kramer was truly sincere. Finally, with the appearance of greatest reluctance, they did. When Kramer had returned to her seat, Bobbie looked up at the judge and asked, "Can we get back to our school now?" "By all means!" Callaway replied with a big wink. Turning to Cindy Cartwright, Bobbie said, "Darling, it's your turn to hold the flag today." The beautiful green-eyed Eurasian girl took the small flag out of its case and proudly held it with her right arm exactly parallel with her body while the butt of the flagpole was held tightly against her stomach with her left hand. Facing the spectators, Bobbie said in a voice that carried clearly to the corners of the room, "Would you all please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?" Turning back to face the flag and standing erect, Bobbie put her right hand over her breast and began, "I pledge allegiance to the flag..." At that instant all of the children chimed in together. It was apparent that all of them both understood and truly meant the words they were saying as they continued, " ... of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!" By the time they had completed reciting the Pledge tears had appeared at the corners of Cindy's eyes. Immediately, Bobbie swung into The National Anthem, but singing the almost-unknown fourth verse, "Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand / Between their loved home and the war's desolation! / Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land / Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. / Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, / And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'" The ten children singing together had truly remarkable soprano singing voices and they sang with great emphasis and feeling. Clearly, they were not just singing words. By this time tears were streaming down Cindy Cartwright's face, but she was still holding the flag as steady as a rock. She was looking at it with her eyes focused on the star field when Roberta Kramer — in spite of her experience of just a few moments earlier — screamed, "Stop it this instant! This is illegal and immoral..." Ignoring the screaming woman Bobbie continued, " ... and the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave..." By this time all of the members of the now-very-large spectator group had joined in to sing and drowned out the woman's shrieks of protest, " ... O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" Before Kramer could say a word, Cindy Cartwright screamed, "You idiot! What do you think you were doing?" "That song — or at least that verse — is immoral and illegal! It cannot be sung in the State of California." Wheeling on Bobbie she exclaimed, "I demand an immediate apology!" "Oh?" Bobbie asked with her face bland. "For singing The Star Spangled Banner?" "That verse," Kramer replied. "It's illegal!" "My, how quaint," Bobbie said pensively. "You're saying that the State of California has overruled the Congress of the United States? I guess you must be, though, because it was formally adopted as our National Anthem ... by Act of Congress!" "Yes, it's been overruled," Kramer continued. We did it just a couple of years ago—" "We?" Bobbie interrupted. "Who's 'we'?" "The California State Department of Instruction!" Kramer replied proudly. "Oh," Bobbie said in a very flat tone of voice. Then looking at Callaway with her eyes wide she asked, "Judge, I guess it's just that I'm young and of course haven't graduated college or anything, but ... but judge, when did the Department of Instruction get the authority to overrule an act of Congress?" Replying in the same vein, Callaway looked embarrassed and said, "Mrs. Conroy, you have put me on the spot! I regret to say that I am not aware of any such legislation. Of course ... What they are really doing, you understand, is arguing the right of nullification. But then I thought that was settled by the deaths of over 600,000 Americans in the early 1860's ... But maybe I'm wrong." Before anyone else could say anything, Cindy Cartwright asked, "Ms. Kramer, why are you so concerned, anyway?" Recognizing that she had put her foot in it again, Roberta Kramer took the out offered by Cindy's comment. "Because, dear, you were so obviously upset. Those vile, militaristic words—" Before she could finish Cindy had spun on her heel, gave the flag to Mike Morris and went up to the bench. Going around to the point where it was open, Cindy stood before the judge, performed the most graceful and elegant curtsy he could imagine and said, "Judge Callaway, my name is Cynthia Cartwright and I am delighted to meet you." Taking her hand he brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently. As he did Cindy's eyes widened in amazement and pleasure. "Oh, thank you, sir! That was so ... so elegant! It makes me feel like a lady." "Cynthia, it was supposed to make you feel like a lady because you are a lady! Now what can I do for you?" he asked. "Sir, may I be sworn in? As a witness?" Then with a little smile she added, "And, sir, everyone — all my friends — call me Cindy. I hope you will, too." Callaway looked into her large and brilliant green eyes and saw the same goodness, purity and innocence he had seen in the other children's — along with the same intelligence. He asked, "Cindy, do you know the difference between telling a lie and telling the truth?" "Yes, sir, I certainly do." Calling over the clerk, he asked that Cindy be sworn in as a witness. After escorting the little girl around to the witness box, the clerk told her to place her right hand on a Bible and said, "In the case now in hearing do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" With her eyes as big a saucers the little girl said proudly, "I do!" "State your name, please." "My name is Cynthia Cartwright," the little girl replied to the clerk's question. Rather than sitting in the witness chair, Cindy stood at the front of the box. "Cindy, you are now duly sworn as a witness in this case," Callaway said kindly. "Now what do you want to tell us?" "It's ... It's that woman!" Cindy exclaimed. "She tries to stop us from singing The Star Spangled Banner because she thinks I'm upset! Judge, it's not that at all," she exclaimed in a surprisingly strong voice that carried to the corners of the room. Hearing the girl, all the chatter in the courtroom stopped and in moments there was complete silence as the spectators listened carefully to her words. "There were tears in my eyes because I love our flag so much! It's the flag for which my daddy suffered unbelievable tortures for fourteen years!" Looking at Callaway she continued, "Can you believe it, judge? Fourteen years? That's more than twice as long as I've been alive! "When he was very young — just eighteen — my father, William Cartwright, was captured by the North Vietnamese. He was leading a band of Laotian irregulars that had just saved a battered platoon of U.S. Marines. He ordered his Laotians to melt away into the jungle while he provided covering fire. He had been wounded so he didn't think he could make it anyway. "When he was captured, they spent the first couple of weeks trying to make Dad tell them where the Laotian base was. He wouldn't. Then they tried to make him confess to germ warfare..." "We were doing it all the time back then," Kramer screamed. "He was a war criminal!" Cindy looked at Kramer as if she were a strange bug crawling out from under a rock but just continued, " ... but he would not! Then they just wanted to break him! They wanted him to denounce the flag of our country — the flag I was so proudly holding a few minutes ago. He would not! For fourteen years they tried to break him, but could not! "My mother was only ten years old at the time. They thought they could use my mother to break my father by embarrassing a grown man in front of a very young woman. While they were torturing him — often with red-hot tongs on his testicles — and he was screaming in agony, Mom would just concentrate and stare into his eyes to let him know that she understood ... and that she loved him. In her presence this torture continued for over three years. Dad didn't know that at least once a week Mother would volunteer to be whipped mercilessly in his place. "I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that they cheated: they beat them both. Dad was kept chained to a wall by both wrists and never freed. He lived in his own excrement. Mom had to wipe it off him before she could even touch him. Regularly, they placed a red-hot knife blade between his lips so he couldn't kiss my mother — but he kissed her anyway. "Since Dad was kept naked and Mom was always naked, too, they tried to use her to arouse him sexually but allow him no relief. Mom managed one day to get him inside her — she wasn't even thirteen yet — and give him the relief he craved. She was beaten so badly she almost died for doing it. Then Dad was moved to Hanoi and Mom couldn't follow him so she made her way, alone and naked, hundreds of miles through the jungle and then along the China coast. Finally, she swam over ten miles through shark-infested waters to reach Hong Kong. Then — I don't know how — she managed to get to the United States! She didn't even know Dad's name. She knew him only as Bill. But she knew that any country that could inspire a man the way the United States inspired Bill, had to be a great place. She finally made it here. Ultimately, she was admitted to the University of Chicago where she graduated summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa, majoring in economics. Then she went to the graduate school of business where she graduated number one in her class after majoring in finance and banking. "Taking a position with Chicago Trust Company, she went to work in a then-tiny unit headed by a senior vice president, Cindy Burke. Mrs. Burke is my godmother and Mr. Burke is my godfather. I am named after her because my parents know that, had it not been for her, they never would have been reunited. "Anyway, Aunt Connie called Aunt Cindy one day. It seems that her husband, Chip, had a brother who had been lost in Vietnam. Finally, after fourteen years and after spending a great deal of money, Chip had found him and got him home. But he was in a catatonic state. He didn't know where he was nor who he was. All they knew was that he occasionally said a few words in a language no one could recognize. Since Mom speaks over thirty — I have no idea how many more than thirty — Aunt Connie asked if Mom could come out here to Los Angeles. Maybe she could help. Well, of course she did, and discovered the love of her life, Bill Cartwright. "They were married a week later. A few weeks after that my dad was honored at the Presidio in San Francisco: The President of the United States presented him with the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor our country can bestow." By this time tears were streaming down her cheeks but Cindy's head was held up straight. The courtroom was totally silent as everyone hung on the girl's words. Continuing, she looked at Callaway and said, "It's a small world we live in, Judge. I mentioned that Dad had rescued a beat-up Marine platoon? In command at the time was Dan Burke. It was Uncle Dan's life that Dad saved." Now the girl smiled through her tears and said, "I guess we're a strange family, really. You see, Ken Clifford is my uncle. Dan Burke is my mother's brother — a son of Ali Clifford's, and Kenny's brother." Turning back to the courtroom Cindy held her head up proudly and said, "That's why I was crying, Ms. Kramer! Because the flag I was holding so proudly was the flag for which my dad fought and almost died. The flag for which he suffered agonies of torture for fourteen years! The flag of the country that inspired my mother to overcome unbelievable obstacles to get here and to become a citizen! Damn it! It's the flag of my country and I love it!" At that the poor girl lost control, put her arms on the railing, dropped her head and just bawled. An instant later two spectators rose and came racing forward. The man was tall with sandy hair and blue eyes while the woman was the most beautiful Eurasian Callaway had ever seen. She had glistening wavy brunette hair and large eyes of the same incredible green as Cindy's. The man reached over the railing of the witness box, lifted the girl up in his arms and held her tightly. "Oh, Daddy, I love you so!" the little girl wailed. "Pumpkin, you have just made your mother and me so proud I can't stand it!" Lifting the girl's head so he could look into her eyes he added, "My darling, you have just made those fourteen years worthwhile! You really did." When the little girl looked into her father's eyes and saw the love and sincerity there, she just beamed with pleasure. Then she dove back into his shoulder and hugged and kissed him. Holding the little girl in his left arm, he moved to his left to stand before the bench and said, "Your Honor, my name is Bill Cartwright, as you probably guessed, and this is my wife, Kathy. Thank you for taking the time to listen to Cindy. We hope she didn't bore you too much or waste too much of your time." Callaway reached over the bench and gripped Bill's hand and then shook hands with Kathy Cartwright. Speaking in a voice to carry to the ends of the room he said, "Mr. Cartwright, I knew about your case. I, too, served in Vietnam, but certainly not with the distinction you did." Looking out at the spectators he said, "I, for one, consider myself honored to have the chance to meet one of the foremost heros of our country and certainly the man who has suffered the most in its name. I am honored and humbled." When he began to applaud, in an instant everyone in the room was on his feet and applauding as well. As Cartwright started to return to his seat still holding Cindy, the little girl told him that she wasn't through. Reluctantly he put her down and she returned to the witness stand. When the court returned to order, she looked at the judge and said, "Sir, there's more. I heard Ms. Kramer say that the United States is an oppressive country." Turning to the crowd she raised her voice and continued, "It is not!" Looking at Kramer she said, "The United States is the country William Bradford, who became the first governor of the Bay Colony, said 'is the City on the Hill.' We are the beacon shining brightly to people everywhere. We are the model that most of the world aspires to! Look at China: In Beijing they erected a model... of the Statue of Liberty! "Ms. Kramer, do you believe that the United States is a racist society?" "Of course it is!" Kramer snapped. "Everyone knows it is." "It is not!" the little girl exclaimed. "There are certainly people who are racists but our society is not. 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' Ms. Kramer, those words were written by Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia in 1776. The Declaration of Independence. You should read that someday, too. Please note, Ms. Kramer, that he said, ' ... endowed by their Creator! God, Ms. Kramer. "This nation — Bradford's City on the Hill — was conceived under God! Years later, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, another president said, 'We highly resolve ... that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth.' Why did Lincoln say those words? Because the United States was unique! If our form of government ended — if our country had died — there would be nothing close to it left in the world! "Are we perfect? Of course not! Do we live up to the ideals expressed by our founding fathers? Certainly not all the time. But we try, Ms. Kramer! We try! Now why can't you and those other idiots in Sacramento provide schools that will help children to understand who we are as a nation, and what we are trying to become? What is this multi-cultural garbage, anyway?" Kramer's eyes lighted up and she glanced triumphantly at Bobbie. Now she had won ... she thought. "We have just one way of organizing society. It's certainly not the only way and not nearly the best way..." "What is better?" Cindy demanded. "Well, in Africa, in Asia—" "The ones who are educated are trying to be like us!" Cindy interrupted. "Look at China: Part of my heritage is from China through my mother. It was civilized when people in Western Europe were still living in caves. But what happened? I don't know, but I do know it stopped developing. Their form of government became oppressive — and still is. "Look at Taiwan: there, finally, they are trying to create the elements of liberty that we take for granted here. But the proof is the incredible successes achieved by Orientals here in the United States! Why? Because our society permits them to develop to the limits of their ability — and they certainly have the ability. "Ms. Kramer, while other nations strive to become like us, we should be striving to do better — to live closer to the ideals we proclaim. But to do that, our young people need to know what those ideals are and how they came to be. But you and your friends won't let them! In fact, our schools are moving farther and farther away. Forget the Constitution! Let's give out condoms — with instructions on use. Really!" Before she could continue, again the whole crowd was on its feet applauding and cheering. When they quieted, Cindy continued, "After making love with my father, Mom tells me that the sequence is God, the family, and our country. That's the way I've been brought up, and that's what Mrs. Conroy teaches us day after day after day." "Making love?" Kramer interjected. "Do you mean to say you see your parents... fornicating?" "No, you fool!" Cindy replied heatedly. "I see them making passionate love to each other ... No! I see them worshiping each other's body..." "But you mean you're there? You see it!" "Yes, but that's only because I'm still too young to help. Yes, Ms. Kramer, I regularly watch my parents make love. It's so incredibly beautiful, too. One morning after Mom recovered consciousness — her final orgasm is usually so severe she ends up unconscious — she held me tightly to her body that was still so slippery with her sweat and told me that I had been created that way. "Dad had penetrated her and took her as close to Heaven as a woman can be on earth. Then, with God's assistance, one of Dad's sperm linked with one of her eggs, and I was created. She said that it was the happiest moment of her life when she learned that she was expecting me. She dropped to her knees and thanked God for His blessing. You see, after being tortured for so many years and with so much of it concentrated on his penis and testicles, they couldn't be sure that Dad could still father a child. Well, he could and did, and I'm it. Or at least, I'm the first." Kramer had been listening closely, alternately blushing and glaring. Feeling she was about to win her case she pounced. "Oh, this is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Now I can bring in the social services people and have you taken from your parents. Never have I heard of an environment so detrimental to a child's mental health! It's ... It's disgraceful! And almost unbelievable." Cindy was standing and just watched the woman impassively. When she concluded, the little girl said quietly, but at the same time in a voice that carried, "That would be very unwise." Taken aback, Kramer looked at her with a frown and asked, "Unwise? Why?" "For two reasons," Cindy answered. "First, my daddy really loves me — almost as much as he loves Mommy. It's safe to say that he doesn't respond well to threats to his family. One day shortly after they were married, the two of them were attacked on the street by ten men. One of the men clobbered Mom over the head so hard with a piece of timber that Dad thought he had killed her." "What happened then?" Kramer asked with a note of fear in her voice. "When the police finally arrived," Cindy replied, "Three of the men — including the guy who hit Mom — were dead and the other seven were all unconscious. Later they did something really stupid: they sued Dad for depriving them of their civil rights." With a smile she continued, "The judge and Mrs. Conroy referred to the case earlier, although they didn't identify it. Mrs. Benson represented Dad. After possibly the shortest jury deliberation in history, they came back with a finding for Dad in the amount of $10 million. Mrs. Chan is still collecting on that one. "The other reason, though, is my granddad. You see, Mom's father, Bill Clifford, is one of the wealthiest men in the world. It's fair to say that he reacts — violently — to any attack on the family. And in spite of being a great disappointment to him, I am a member of the family." "Disappointment?" Kramer asked puzzled. "How can you be a disappointment?" "Every time Granddad sees me he grumps and wonders why I can't develop a valuable skill instead of wasting all my time. Of course he says the same thing to all the other kids so I don't feel so badly." "What skill is that?" Kramer asked, still puzzled. "Spending money, of course. He claims that it just piles up and is burying him. Sometimes he gets even though. Mom will come home screaming and it's the same thing every time: She checked the bank balance and found an extra fifteen or twenty million dollars in the account. Granddad — or Grandmom — struck again!" With a merry little grin she added, "Dad just yawns and says it's a good thing Mom has an MBA in finance and banking, isn't it. She says he doesn't understand the seriousness of the situation. He agrees while he's stripping off all of her clothes. Then he makes her forget all about it. He's really neat! "But anyway, I would leave things alone if I were you. It could get ... painful." Then looking puzzled she changed the subject and asked, "Ms. Kramer, are you a lesbian?" There was an immediate burst of laughter from the spectators and Kramer blushed but said, "Why ... why, yes. I will not submit to the rape of my body by a man." "Rape?" Cindy asked. "What do you mean?" "Everyone knows that the only way a man can enter a woman is by raping her! Why at the Law School of the University of Michigan, Professor Catherine MacKinnon—" Cindy began to laugh uproariously and said, "I don't think I care what she says. As for rape? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. Tell it to my Uncle Chip! My cousin Andy told us about a time when her parents were cuddling in bed. Uncle Chip was caressing Aunt Connie — she's a platinum blonde with gorgeous green eyes exactly like Andy's. "Anyway, Aunt Connie was writhing on the bed in unfulfilled passion but Uncle Chip just said that, first, it was a known fact that women are very slow to warm up and, second, it's also a well-known fact that platinum blondes are particularly cold. Since he's really very large and her opening is small, he wanted to be sure she was nice and warm and wet before he entered her." With a cute grin she asked, "Wasn't he being considerate? But does that sound like rape? Anyway, Aunt Connie just growled and said she was already so hot she could ignite asbestos and if he didn't get it into her right then she would cut it off and do it herself!" While the spectators howled with laughter, Cindy just shook her head and said, "Maybe it was rape, but if it was, Aunt Connie wasn't the victim!" Again there was a burst of laughter. Turning her attention back to Kramer, Cindy continued, "It's a real shame, Ms. Kramer. No wonder you have so many problems. You don't know the incredible joy of being loved by the man to whom you have given your life. You don't know how two people can merge their bodies and create new life. You don't know the incredible thrill of feeling a tiny life growing inside you. You don't know the warmth and tenderness that comes from nursing a baby at your tit. You can't know what it's like for a child to live on a baby's perfect food: her mother's rich, warm, sweet milk drunk from a perfect nipple on a swollen breast. The joy of nursing while stroking your mother's tit and smelling the sweetness of her body while she caresses you, sings to you and loves you. "My mother knows and the mothers of all my friends know, too. How do I know how sweet my mother's milk is? Because I drain her every day, the same way my friends do with their mothers. It's like licking the last of the icing out of a bowl, but so much better. I can't tell you what it's like for me to have my mother cradle me to her breast and tell me how proud she is of me or of something I have done. It's what I live for, Ms. Kramer. It's what love is really all about. Alternative lifestyle, indeed!" This time there was just very warm applause from the audience. Turning to the judge Cindy said, "Thank you, sir, for letting me testify. Now I'm going to be punished..." Her eyes widened as she realized what she had done. Changing direction she said, "Unless ... unless ... you're going to send me to jail first?" "To jail?" Callaway asked, amazed at her comment. "Why would I send you to jail?" "For contempt of court, I guess, sir. That's why Mrs. Conroy will have to give me a spanking now, too. I disobeyed her." "Disobeyed?" he asked. "How?" "Well, sir, before we came over Mrs. Conroy told us that we would be meeting some fools from Sacramento and she told us to just ignore what they said. Well, I really did try, but not well enough. I called Ms. Kramer some names that are disgraceful for a child ever to call an adult." "Names? What names?" "I called her an idiot." Then looking puzzled she asked, "Sir, do you suppose she's a school dropout?" "Dropout?" Kramer cried. "What do you mean, dropout! I'll have you know, little girl, that I will receive my doctorate in June!" "Honest?" Cindy asked, wide-eyed. "In what?" "In education administration!" Kramer replied proudly. "Did ... did you pay for it?" Cindy asked diffidently. "Pay for what?" "All your courses and stuff," Cindy replied. "You didn't, did you?" "Of course I did!" Kramer explained. "But why do you ask?" "Oh, dear! That's ... that's too bad." Then the little girl brightened and said, "But maybe it's not too late. I'll bet that Mrs. Benson can sue them to get your money back. I mean ... It's just like stealing..." "What is like stealing?" Kramer demanded, growing upset. "Taking money for what you got. Golly! Mrs. Conroy only has three semesters of college and she knows so much more than you do ... I mean, with a doctorate aren't you supposed to be smart and know a lot of things? Ms. Kramer, you don't know anything!" At her last words the people in the courtroom convulsed in laughter. When she turned back to the judge to excuse herself, Callaway said, "Cindy, wait one moment. I have a question for you first. Do you like Mrs. Conroy?" "Like Mrs. Conroy? Of course not ... I love her ... No! I adore her. We all do in pretty much the same way. And she loves us, too. And she loves us all equally. No! That's not true, either. You see, her love for Ken and Andy and their love for her is at a completely different level. And I guess that's just as well, too," she finished. Puzzled, the judge asked, "Just as well? Why?" "Because they're different," she replied softly. "If Mrs. Conroy loved me the way she loves Andy, I would be dead. Honest, I would. Andy and Ken are very special and can take it. None of the rest of us could." Then she grinned warmly and said, "It does create opportunities, though." "Opportunities?" Callaway asked. "What do you mean?" "Andy and Ken are going to be married. That leaves Mike Morris and Charley Conrad for the six of us. It's a good thing their dads were both Marines, too," she said with a wonderfully warm grin. "What do you mean by that?" he asked. "Well, Marines always get the dirty jobs no one else will do. Moreover, Mike's dad was Marine Force Recon and a Medal of Honor winner, while Charley's dad was a Marine fighter pilot. They used to fly in the rice paddies! Not over them. In them! So they're both used to tough assignments. Their boys hold up pretty well, too. Their parents should be very proud." "Hold up how?" "Well," the girl replied with a wonderful little grin, "I thought Ms. Kramer's comment about rape was sort of funny. You see, sometimes when Mrs. Conroy is out of the room, Ken and Andy start to neck. Well, that's our opportunity. Three of us each attack Mike and Charley and just hug them and kiss them all over. The poor guys try to keep three girls happy all at the same time. But as I said, they do pretty well! Charley — I'm in his harem — has learned to kiss so beautifully!" With that she licked her lips and grinned at the little boys sitting around the table. The two boys slid down in their seats while the girls all whistled, then jumped from their chairs and mobbed the two boys. Bobbie just said sharply, "Children!" and it came to a screeching halt. Then the judge said, "Cindy, what about that punishment? Does Mrs. Conroy spank you?" "Oh, yes sir! Whenever we're naughty." "Ah, ha!" Kramer exclaimed. "Child abuse! I might have known!" "Oh, dear," Cindy sighed resignedly, "here we go again." Looking at Kramer she said, "It is most certainly not abuse. It is punishment and we ask for it." "Ask for it?" Kramer asked amazed. "What do you mean by that?" "Well, take me for instance," Cindy replied. "I was teasing Mike Morris when I should have been studying. When Mrs. Conroy came back into the room, I told her what I had done. Then I took down my pants, pulled up my skirt, bent over her leg and she spanked me. When she finished I was crying hard, even though I hadn't made a sound. I thanked her for trying to help me be a better child and a better daughter. She held me in her arms, kissed away my tears and apologized for hurting me. She was crying, too, of course. That evening, when Mom came to pick me up, Mrs. Conroy told her what a wonderful little girl I had been. When we got home, without saying a word, Mom took me to my room, stripped me and very gently put some painkilling ointment on my poor buns. She stripped, too, and then lay on her back on my bed with me on top of her. She so-gently stroked my body and told me how much she loved me. We were both sleeping that way when Daddy came home. "Now, to anticipate your next question, why do we ask for it? It's to be nice to our parents. You see, Ms. Kramer, the closest things to fights there ever are in our homes is over disciplining us." "Oh, I see!" Kramer exclaimed triumphantly. "Your fathers want your mothers to be the ogres." Cindy just shook her small head disgustedly and said, "Well, Ms. Kramer, I guess I have to give you points for consistency, at any rate. You're always wrong! "No, Ms. Kramer, it's exactly the opposite. Our fathers ask to punish us because they know our mothers get so upset when they have to do it. Our mothers, though, will be damned if they will let our fathers be the bad guys if we disobeyed them. Well, Andy came up with the answer and its something we all do now. Last time, I took my pants down, went to Mommy, told her how much I loved her and asked her to please give me my spanking. When she did, I kissed her hand and then kissed away the tears that were flowing down her cheeks. Then I thanked her for demonstrating her love because I know it would be so much easier on her not to do anything. You see, whenever our parents spank us, it's much harder on them than it is on us. "I think our fathers have it the worst, though. You see, our mothers get some relief by crying. When Dad spanks me, I can sometimes see tears in the corners of his eyes, but that's all. I know that he is just ripping up his insides: he detests it! So I hug him and stroke him. I tell him how proud I am to be his daughter and how he is the best daddy in the whole world. It takes a lot longer for him to relax, though, because like all men, he keeps his emotions inside." Looking towards where she knew her parents were sitting she added, "Judge, you can't know or believe how much I love my daddy. "You know, sir, most couples meet somewhere and begin to date. If the relationship develops, they become engaged and eventually marry. With my parents it was so different. My mother watched her lover being tortured day after day after day for three years while she could only try to communicate her love through her eyes. Dad suffered torture for fourteen years! Finally, they reunited and got married." Looking at the judge she said softly, "I know how my parents are going to spend eternity, Your Honor. They are going to be in each other's arms just making love forever and ever and ever. They have had their hell on earth. Heaven for them is a foregone conclusion." Then with a small smile she added, "It's time for my spanking now." This time there was just a total silence in the courtroom as the people absorbed what they had just heard. The only sound was the sniffles of people crying. Callaway said, "Wait, please!" Turning to Bobbie he said, "Mrs. Conroy, could I intercede on behalf of Cynthia Cartwright? Remembering what she said about Ms. Kramer, the only thing that comes to mind is that she called her an idiot. Under the laws of slander and libel, truth is an absolute defense. Now I don't think Ms. Kramer is an idiot. A moron, certainly — perhaps an imbecile. But not an idiot. On the other hand, Cynthia is not a trained psychologist and she is directionally accurate. Certainly close enough that a truth defense would be effective. "Would you please forgive her this time? I have just heard the most moving testimony of my entire judicial career. Please? Will you let it go this time?" "Yes, Judge, I certainly will," Bobbie replied with a warm smile. Before letting her go, Callaway picked the little girl up from the witness box, set her down by his chair, took her into his arms and kissed her. Startled at first, she did not respond for an instant but then returned the kiss with one of the purest love, exactly like the kisses of the other children. Releasing her, he kissed the back of her hand causing her to blush again and said, "Cynthia Cartwright, you're a credit to your parents. And after all they have been through, they deserve a little angel like you." With a glow of pleasure, Cindy returned to her seat. ------- Chapter 21 When the judge declared the court to be in recess for fifteen minutes, Bobbie took the opportunity to escort Cindy to where her parents were sitting and then all four moved to an unoccupied corner of the room. Bill and Kathy looked at Bobbie expectantly, while Cindy, who Bobbie was holding in her arms, appeared apprehensive. "I didn't want to lose a moment to tell you what a delight Cindy is," Bobbie began. "Furthermore, I can't tell you how moved I was by her words on the witness stand this afternoon. Looking at you both together, I can tell that she is exactly right: Your trip to Heaven is truly assured." Looking at Bill she extended her hand and said, "I can't tell you how overwhelmed I am by what you have suffered for our country, nor how proud I am to be able to teach your daughter. Not that she needs any teaching, though." Bill took Cindy from her arms, gave the girl to her mother and then took Bobbie in his arms and kissed her. His kiss of the purest love almost destroyed the girl. When he released her she was dazed, but her eyes were glowing with love. "I didn't know the half of it, did I? Mr. Cartwright, you're unbelievable!" "The name is Bill," he replied with a grin, "and I'm not nearly as unbelievable as you are! I can't tell you what it means to us to have Cindy coming home every day with her eyes just dancing with joy. Everything Kathy and I have tried to teach her, you reinforce. Beyond that, though, you introduce her to things that would never occur to us. "Imagine! Our little girl, only six years old, talking about the City on the Hill. Mrs. Conroy, I cried! And Cindy was right, too. I almost never cry. But to hear my little daughter talking about America as a beacon shining to the world caused my heart to turn over. I never knew those words, but it was exactly why I never gave in! And my daughter understands! There are no words for us to thank you enough, except to say it made all the suffering worthwhile." "The name is Bobbie, Bill. And thank you." Turning to his wife she asked, "May I give you a kiss, too?" Pretending to be flustered, Kathy's green eyes flashed and she said, "Kiss? Me? You're not ... one of those strange women are you... ?" Then with a yelp she gathered Bobbie in her free arm and gave her a kiss exactly like Bill's. When she released the girl, she added, "And the name is Kathy, damn it!" "Oh! Okay, Kathy-damn-it. I'll try to remember the next time." Turning to Cindy, Bobbie held out her arms and said, "Okay, Imp, it's time for you to go to work!" With a wink at the adults she carried Cindy back to the table. While she was being carried, Cindy snuggled her face in Bobbie's neck and told her how much she loved her. Before putting her down, Bobbie lifted the girl up so she could kiss her full on the lips. In an instant Cindy began to work her lips on Bobbie's the same way Andy did and communicated the same inner purity, love and goodness. "I love you, Cindy," Bobbie murmured as she set the girl on the floor. "And I adore you," the little girl replied with the warmest look Bobbie had ever seen. Taking seats around the table, all the children sat up straight and looked at Bobbie attentively. The children all had notebooks open on the table in front of them and fountain pens poised ready to write. Bobbie smiled at them warmly and said, "Kids, first, I want you to know how flattered and impressed I have been by your behavior all day today. You have been perfect ladies and gentlemen." Then with a grin she said, "But how about if we get back to normal now, shall we? The name is Bobbie." The children all giggled and looked at Bobbie worshipfully. Then she said, "The subject today is the Constitution. Mike, what was the constitution for?" With the judge's permission, the spectators had left their seats and were now gathered in a circle around the table. After hearing what Cindy Cartwright had said, the people had decided that these children were certainly worth listening to. Mike Morris sat up even straighter in his chair and said, "The preamble of the Constitution says, 'We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish the Constitution of the United States of America." They could hear gasps from the surrounding crowd at the way a six-year-old boy could casually quote from the document itself. Continuing, he said, "But really, Bobbie, it needs to be considered in conjunction with the Declaration of Independence. Cindy quoted Jefferson's words: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' Actually, Bobbie, in the first draft it said 'life, liberty and property.' "Taking the two documents together, the Federal government was to provide national defense, and security to people and property. What our government provides is rule of the majority while respecting the rights of the minority." Looking around at the spectators, Bobbie asked, "What did you all think of Mike's answer?" "I think it was terribly incomplete," Kramer said. "He didn't talk about equality, for example, except very briefly. "Perhaps it's because the documents don't, either," Bobbie replied. "In fact, the Declaration says it perfectly: 'all men are created equal', but the equality is in the sight of God and under the law. That is the beginning and end of equality." Looking around she asked, "Anyone else?" "Yes, Mrs. Conroy," Judge Callaway said. "Michael Morris, I think it was an outstanding answer ... for a college student in an advanced course on constitutional issues. For a boy of six, there are no words to express my admiration for the way you answered the question. Young man, it was perfect." Mike beamed at the praise and his mother, Judy, standing behind him whispered, "Darling, you have made your dad and me so proud!" The little boy beamed at the praise as his mother squeezed his shoulder. Then Bobbie asked, "The Declaration came during the Revolution and the Constitution was ratified in 1789. What else happened in 1789, Susan?" Susan Carlson had brown hair and warm brown eyes. But like her mother's, Susan's hair was sun-streaked in colors ranging from platinum blonde to brown. It was utterly gorgeous as was the little girl. Quickly she replied, "The French Revolution, Bobbie. That was the year the Paris mob stormed the Bastille." "Okay, Sue. We had ours and they had theirs. Were the results the same?" "No, Bobbie, they were not. Their revolution resulted in the king being beheaded. It was followed by the Reign of Terror with thousands of people losing their lives. That dissolved into the Directory and then came Napoleon. As late as 1810, there were guillotines in every town square in France with weekly public executions. In those days, to be executed it was only necessary to be denounced. "A man might be denounced, for example, by someone who owed him money. It was an easy way to get out from under a debt. Even as late as 1800 the whole process would take less than a week. A man would be arrested, tried — if you could call it a trial — pronounced guilty and executed all in less than seven days." "Why the difference between their revolution and ours?" Bobbie asked quietly. "It was a totally different thing. The French Revolution was grounded on the principles of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Noble Savage: the idea that man is naturally pure and good and only governments — or kings — are evil. Our revolution was grounded in the belief that men are flawed — we are not perfect. Since we are not, the Constitution is fundamentally a limitation on the powers of government. Moreover, it is set up with checks and balances among the three principal branches of government: the legislative that enacts laws, the executive that enforces them, and the judiciary, that interprets them. "In France, because of Rousseau's legacy — since men were thought to be perfect, restraints were not needed — there was no limit on the power of government and it almost immediately became oppressive. As the man said, 'All power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'" Looking at Barbara the little girl looked forlorn and added, "I am very sorry and I apologize, Bobbie. I can't remember his name, but I'll look it up tonight and tell you tomorrow if that's all right?" [Lord Acton] "That will be fine, Sue," Bobbie said quietly with a warm smile. "Do you want to add anything?" "Basically, Bobbie, it is as Mike said: the rôle of the Federal government is to defend our shores from external enemies and take steps to make the land safe for life and property. That's really all there is." "Thank you, Sue," Bobbie said quietly. Then turning to Callaway she asked, "What did you think, Judge?" "Wow!" Callaway exclaimed. "That's what I think: Wow!" Looking at Susan he said, "Young lady, we have not been introduced. Who are you?" Rising quickly from her seat, Susan, who was wearing a lovely yellow pinafore with a big yellow ribbon in her hair, went to the judge, made another exquisite curtsy, smiled warmly up at him and said, "Judge Callaway, my name is Susan Carlson. I am privileged to meet you, sir." "Susan, the privilege and pleasure are all mine," the judge replied. As he had done with the other girls, he took her extended hand, bowed, and kissed the back of it. Susan blushing with excitement and pleasure, said, "You are so gallant, sir. I don't know what to say!" Callaway looked at the girl closely and realized how incredibly beautiful she was. Dropping to his knees he enfolded the little girl in his arms and gave her a warm kiss. Sue returned it with the purest love. Back on his feet he looked at her with great warmth and asked, "In whose harem do you belong, Sue? Mike's or Charley's?" With her eyes as big as saucers the little girl whispered, "I love Michael Morris, sir." Then she added, "Is that bad?" "Are you Ken Carlson's little girl?" he asked rather than answering her question. "Yes sir, I am. I am Ken and Kathy Carlson's eldest child." "Are your parents here today, young lady?" Ken and Kathy moved through the crowd to stand beside their daughter. The judge rose and said to the crowd, "Susan asked if it was bad for her to like Mike Morris. Folks, what you may not know is that, while Mike Morris, Sr., has a Medal of Honor for valor, Ken Carlson has two! Major Carlson is the most decorated military hero in the history of this country." Extending his hand to Ken he said, "Sir, you cannot know how honored I am to have you in this courtroom today. I said earlier that I served in Vietnam. I vividly remember all the stories about Carlson's Rangers." They shook hands and then he looked at Kathy. "I also remember hearing all the stories about Kathy-grams. You're Kathy, aren't you? "I hope you won't hold it against me ... or my daughter, Judge," Kathy replied. He just shook his head and said, "Then there is Katherine Carlson. Aside from authoring Kathy-grams which were letters written in blue ink on blue paper and which inspired the most brilliant performance in military history, Mrs. Carlson personally rescued a man from certain death when a major sewer line ruptured. She did it by swimming in sewage and by using superhuman strength to free his trapped foot. Then she singlehandedly set his broken leg, an act that orthopedic surgeons rate as impossible." Then he snapped his fingers and added, "Oh! I almost forgot. Kathy took up the game of golf. Within two weeks of playing her first round she enters her first small tournament — the LPGA Kapalua Open — which she wins by fifteen strokes over the finest golfers on the ladies' professional tour." Looking back at Susan the judge said, "As the daughter of our country's greatest hero and one of the most remarkable women who has ever lived, yes, Susan, I think it would be all right for you to like Michael Morris. In fact, I think it would be great!" He beamed at the girl who beamed back and then blushed red as a beet. Turning to her parents he said, "You must be so very proud! I absolutely cannot believe these children. Your daughter's answer was an 'A+' — for a graduate student in comparative governments! What did you two think?" Ken Carlson picked his daughter up and held her in his arms. As soon as he did she nuzzled his neck and kissed him. "When I first met Kathy I dreamed of holding her in my arms and eventually making her my wife. Then I dreamed of her being the mother of my children. "Frankly, Judge, never in my wildest dreams did I even dream of fathering a girl like Susan. All I can say is that I love her almost as much as I love her mother. Perhaps you can't fully appreciate what I just said, but I think Sue does. She knows that for me the sun rises and sets in Kathy ... and I love my darling daughter as much!" "Oh, Daddy, I love you so very much!" the little girl exclaimed. Then with a look of apprehension she asked, "Did ... did you like my answer to Bobbie's question, Daddy?" At that, to the amazement of everyone, Ken Carlson began to cry. "Did I like it? My darling daughter, I was utterly stunned and amazed! That a daughter of mine could be so smart! Honey, you must have gotten all of your brains from your mother, because I barely made it through school. You couldn't have gotten anything from me." "No, Daddy, I got nothing from you at all," the little girl said loud enough to reach the corners of the court. "Just honesty, integrity, love of God, love of country and an appreciation for some of the truly incredible things you achieved. "For example, Daddy, if it were not for you, Tom Conroy might not even be alive and certainly his father wouldn't. If it were not for you, Karen Chan could not be alive because her mother would have been dead long ago. I could go on and on, Daddy, but I won't. You're just the finest father who has ever lived. I love you so very much and I so very much want you to be proud of me, sometimes, too." At that comment, Ken began weeping uncontrollably while at the same time holding the little girl tightly. Susan had her arms around his neck and was hugging as tightly as she could. "Be proud of you sometimes?" he cried. "My darling daughter, I'm bursting with pride! You have honored your mother and me so very much. I can't tell you how proud we are to be your parents. Be proud of you sometime? Darling, we're proud of you all the time!" Then pulling her away so he could look into her eyes he added, "Maybe we have both learned something very valuable today, too, Pumpkin. Maybe we should tell you more often how wonderful you make us both feel, how proud of you we really are, and how much we love you." After kissing her softly he added, "My darling daughter, it would be utterly impossible for me ever to love you more!" Then Kathy said, "Kenneth, can I get into this act, too? After all, I knew her before you did. She did spend the first nine months of her life in the intimate confines of my belly. May I hold her, too? And kiss her? And tell her how enormously proud of her I am? And tell her that if she loves Mike Morris, she has my permission to continue to see him? May I?" With a grin, Ken passed Susan to Kathy who hugged the little girl tightly. Then she whispered in her ear, "My darling Susan, I have some warm milk in my tit waiting just for you. I can't wait to feel your mouth sucking at my nipple and drawing nourishment from my body into your own." Pulling back just enough to look into the girl's eyes she asked softly, "Interested?" "Oh, Mommy! I can't wait!" the little girl screamed and then dove back to nuzzle at Kathy's neck. When the children were assembled again around the table, Mike Morris gave Sue's hand a squeeze and she melted him with the warmest, most loving smile he had ever seen. Then Bobbie asked, "What about the second amendment to the Constitution? What does it say and why is it there? Casey, do you want to try?" "Thank you, Bobbie," the black girl said quietly. Then sitting up straight she said, "The second amendment notes that 'A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'" Looking around at her friends, she continued, "It's a very interesting amendment. First, while most of the Constitution provides limits, particularly on Congress — 'Congress shall pass no law... ' — the Second addresses the whole nation: neither Congress nor the states may act. "The clause is commonly misunderstood due, I think, to a lack of knowledge of our own history. Many people think that its words about militia refer to what we now call the National Guard. That's not true. The National Guard conforms with what in colonial times was the organized militia. The general militia included all men between the ages of fourteen and fifty who were subject to instant call for military service. "In my answer to your question, Bobbie, about the Southern campaign, I mentioned Shelby and Sevier. Nolichucky Jack Sevier was a colonel in the general militia. He had been elected by his men who were the people living in the over-mountain lands. The men who wiped out Ferguson and his very well-trained Tories at King's Mountain were farmers and trappers. They had no uniforms and assembled on Sevier's call. But they sure got the job done!" Looking at Bobbie she said, "The answer to the last part of your question — why is it there — is, to me, the most interesting. The first thing an oppressive government must do is disarm the citizenry. As long as they are armed — and the amendment says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed — they represent the ultimate defense against a tyrannical government." Sitting up straight she said, "That's why I think so many of our gun-control laws are unconstitutional ... as well as being dumb. Let's face it: guns don't kill people, people kill people." Then she grinned and added, "It's always been pretty interesting to me that in Switzerland the rate of crime — particularly against property and households, like burglary — is practically zero. Personally, I don't think it's a coincidence that the Swiss have universal military service for all men eighteen to forty. And every man has an M-16 rifle with 100 rounds of ammunition in his home. The Swiss aren't too kindly disposed towards a man breaking into a house at night. If a guy did and got gunned down by automatic weapons fire — the M-16 will fire on full automatic — not only would nothing happen to the homeowner, it wouldn't surprise me if he could successfully sue the dead man's estate to recover the cost of cleaning up the mess!" With concern in her eyes Casey looked at Bobbie and asked, "Bobbie, was that answer adequate?" "I think it was outstanding, Casey," Bobbie replied warmly. "And I am so happy that your grandparents were with us today to hear you. I'm sure they are very proud!" "I think that was the most ridiculous answer I've heard in my life!" Kramer interjected. "Why ... why, it's the far side of sheer insanity! Any student in a public school giving such an answer would immediately be sent to the principal and probably suspended!" "Rather than suspending the students who bring guns to school?" Callaway asked dryly. "That does sound about right, though. Suspend a student who dares to mention constitutional guarantees but ignore students who are breaking the law." Raising his voice he added, "Casey Jackson's answer was absolutely perfect! Her answer with respect to the militia and an armed citizenry being the ultimate defense against tyranny is also precisely correct." Smiling warmly at Casey he said, "That's the second 'A+' answer for you today, young lady. Congratulations!" The girl, totally ignoring Kramer's comments, just beamed with pride. The discussion of the constitution, the French Revolution, and the Declaration of Independence continued. To his surprise, Callaway found Casey Jackson defending the pragmatic approach in the Declaration that failed to condemn slavery while Susan and Mike fought for the idea that slavery was evil and should never have been condoned. Late in the discussion Casey said, "Please remember what Benjamin Franklin said to John Adams who was fighting to keep the slavery point in: 'We are mere men, John, not gods. We are trying to give birth to a new nation, something that has never been done before in history. The document is not perfect, but let us hope it will be good enough.'" Tears were flowing as she looked at Bobbie and added, "And it was!" Looking around the table with tears in her eyes she added, "And we must remember the rule under which the Congress was operating when it considered the Declaration: it could only be adopted without a single dissenting vote! Franklin was right, of course. There is no question that, had the slave reference been included, Edwin Rutledge and South Carolina would have voted no, and North Carolina would have, too. There would have been no Declaration, and there would have been no United States. The colonies would probably have responded favorably to peace overtures. Then where would we have been?" Then she said, "Mrs. Conroy, earlier, when we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, we said, 'one nation, under God, indivisible... ' Well, I believe that the reason we became the City on the Hill that Cindy described so beautifully is because we were conceived as a nation with God's help! "How could it be otherwise? Do you realize what happened in Philadelphia in June of 1776? There were three men: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. These three men were engaged in a common purpose: writing the Declaration. Again, our lack of knowledge of history catches us up. These men, each, was equivalent to a Winston Churchill, a man of a century! And yet here were three of them, in one place, at one time, doing one thing. The probabilities of its occurrence utterly blow the mind! It had to be Divine intervention. "That's how this country got started, and it's why I love it so," she concluded quietly, then dissolved into tears. Bobbie rushed to the girl's side, took her in her arms and held her tightly saying, "Casey, I don't know what to say! In spite of what your ancestors suffered, to feel the way you do is unbelievable. It is also an enormous tribute to your parents ... and to your grandfather who gave his life in defense of our country. My darling, I can't tell you how proud of you I really am!" The spectators were silent as they observed the scene. Then Callaway said, "I really don't believe what I am seeing. I am seeing small children — only six years old — with the most incredible depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of our founding documents and how they came to be. I am absolutely certain that we wouldn't find nearly this knowledge if we tested college students majoring in history. "Mrs. Conroy, I am overwhelmed! And Casey Jackson, you have done it again! I am utterly stunned and amazed. Another 'A+'!" Looking at Bobbie he added, "Frankly, I think I've seen enough. I am a judge and have served for over twenty years. Yet I feel humble in the presence of you and your students. Thank you so much." Glancing at her watch Bobbie saw that it was four-fifteen, and said, "Okay, kids, you all heard Judge Callaway. I guess that's enough for today." Then she smiled warmly and added, "And kids: I can't tell you how proud of you I have been today. No teacher — ever, anywhere, throughout history — has had a class as good or as dedicated as you are. Thank you all so very much. And I love you all!" Looking up at Callaway she asked, "Is there anything else, Your Honor?" "Yes, Mrs. Conroy, as a matter of fact, there is. But first ... Ms. Kramer, do you or your attorneys have anything else to add in this case?" Kramer looked at the attorneys and shook her head dejectedly. "I thought not," the judge said. "I will announce my decision when we reconvene tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. "However, I have one favor to ask of all of you here who are not connected with this case. I'll ask the clerk and the bailiff to pass out slips of paper to you. On this paper I want you to indicate your decision: should this school be allowed to continue? All you need to do is write yes or no. Yes means it should be left alone; no means it should be shut down. Would you all do that for me, please?" The people dispersed back to their seats, took the small pieces of paper, wrote a word and turned them in. Then, while the bailiff and clerk were counting the slips a woman stood up. She was heavy and very matronly but with a very kind and interesting face. Her hair was auburn with a lot a gray in it, her eyes were a startlingly brilliant green, and her features were very regular. "Your Honor!" she said loudly to be sure to get Callaway's attention. Looking up from his desk Callaway replied, "Yes, ma'am. What can I do for you?" "Sir, I would like permission to address this court," the woman replied. "Of course you may," he replied. "Please come on up." With that the woman made her way down the center aisle, through the gates separating the spectators from the participants, and then up to the bench. "Your Honor," she said, "could I be sworn?" "Of course," he replied. Then he nodded towards the clerk who put down her small stack of responses, picked up the Bible and swore in the witness. "Please state your full name." "My name is Mildred Flaherty, but everyone calls me Millie." Turning to the judge she said, "Your honor, I was a teacher in the Los Angeles schools for over thirty years until I retired a few years ago." Turning back to the spectators she continued, "I'm here to talk about Barbara Conroy while your people count the slips representing the people's opinions. "Judge, Barbara Conroy is the finest teacher I have ever encountered. She may be the finest teacher who has ever lived. What I saw today was something I never even dreamed in my fondest dreams: a group of children so motivated that they are in love with learning! What I saw was the most brilliant teacher on the face of this earth." Turning to face the judge she asked, "Did you see the look on her face? And the looks on those children? Sir, she loves them. Honest to God, she does. And they utterly adore her! "What I observed was unbelievable! It was as if Barbara Conroy was reaching into the heads of bright children — incredibly bright children — and stretching their brains. There is a love of learning here! The children want to learn. What we saw was not rote memorization. It was knowledge! I thought I would die hearing children discuss details of the Declaration of Independence — without even having the document to refer to! They know it! They know it by heart! When I heard that beautiful black girl, Casey Jackson, arguing for pragmatism and for the continuing slavery of her own people! I cried! "But there is so much more! Every child is distinctive. Did you see how Mrs. Conroy handled that class? She drew every child into the discussion. They were all involved! Here were six-year-old children debating the Constitution of the United States! They know so much more about it than I do, too, yet the few things I do know agree totally with what they were saying. I almost bawled. In my wildest dreams I couldn't dream of ever seeing that happen. "But it was so much more! It was as if we were watching knives being sharpened by being honed on a sharpening steel. The knives are the children's minds. The steel is Mrs. Conroy's. Judge, I heard you say that she is only nineteen years old. She is the most brilliant person and most incredible teacher I have ever seen or heard of. This woman knows everything! "Your Honor, I respectfully urge you to continue this school in operation. Moreover, I ask you to issue a permanent injunction against the Department of Instruction ever again having direct contact with this school or Mrs. Conroy. Rather, any communication to the school from the Department should come through this Court. "Sir, Barbara Conroy and her students are an utterly priceless asset! They are a national treasure. Listening to these children, suddenly, for the first time in years, I felt good about the future of the United States. For as sure as you're sitting there, these will be our future leaders — both male and female. If they are — and I pray that they will be — our country will be in very good hands. It will be in the hands of the smartest, best-educated people on the face of this earth. Moreover, they will be people who truly understand this country and what things made it great. They recognize the importance of God and the family in our society. And I am utterly delighted to see that this small class of only ten students has two Orientals and a black. "But it is so much more! Barbara Conroy takes children who have had the finest upbringing I could possibly imagine and reinforces the lessons their parents have been teaching. When that little girl, Cynthia, told about asking Mrs. Conroy for a spanking, I cried! Honest to God, I did! Here is a child, born of two parents who suffered incalculable pain, asking to be spanked! Then I learn that these children are born of parents who include the greatest military hero in the history of our country; children whose parents are among the wealthiest in the world; yet children of the most loving parents alive in the world today. "These are children whose love of God is real! Sir, do you know what I felt awhile ago? I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit! I really did. When Barbara Conroy prayed for God's blessing on her students, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. I look at them all and do you know what I see? I see the purest goodness on the face of this earth! I see small children overflowing with God's sanctifying grace! I see children in whom God is actively working to help them develop and learn. It is said that we use only 10 percent or so of our brains. Well, maybe we do, but these kids don't. And Barbara Conroy certainly doesn't. "And, sir, it all begins with their teacher! As I said, I was a teacher for over thirty years. On my very best day I couldn't get close to what she is! She motivates, teaches, inspires and loves! It's as if she opens their heads and stretches their brains. You do know, sir, that these children utterly adore her? They do! And, damn it, she deserves it! Judge Callaway, all I can say is that Barbara Conroy is the very best teacher alive in the world today and possibly the finest teacher who has ever lived! And that includes John Dewey and Socrates! Please ... please, Your Honor! Let Barbara Conroy continue to teach. She is a national asset of the first rank." Then, with the warmest smile the people had ever seen she added, "Of course, when she has children of her own ... With the incredible love she has for her husband ... With her unbelievable beauty ... Sir, aside from being the best teacher alive, Barbara Conroy is the most beautiful woman alive! Her children will be taking over from these imps! And when they do, we will be in very fine, loving and capable hands." With that, Millie lowered her head and left the witness box while the spectators jumped to their feet applauding and roaring their agreement with the things Millie Flaherty had said. Looking up after reflecting on the woman's comments, Callaway found the clerk waiting for him. "Your Honor," she said, "here are the results of your poll." Looking out at the spectators he said, "Ladies and gentlemen: your attention, please! The results of our little poll: Yes — keep the school open — 187; No — close the school — none! That's zero, nada, nothing." With the elation obvious in his voice, Callaway repeated, "The vote was 187 to zero: Keep the school open! Thank you all for expressing an opinion. The court is now adjourned until ten o'clock tomorrow!" Leaving the bench, Callaway caught up with Bobbie as she was gathering up her things. "Bobbie, could you do me a favor?" he asked. "Of course, Judge. Anything." "Could you come in a little early tomorrow? Perhaps meet me in my chambers at nine-thirty? And would you please bring those two little imps, Andy and Ken, with you?" he asked with a very warm smile. Then he added, "I can't tell you how much I love those two children. But Bobbie, your whole class... ! They are the most perfect little people the good Lord has ever put on this earth." Then after looking around to see that they were not being overheard, he added, "And, even though this is a matter at issue, I agree completely with Millie Flaherty: You're the finest teacher alive in the world. I am truly honored to have met you. As well as looking forward to being alive for more than a week or so." With a warm wink he turned towards his chambers. ------- Chapter 22 When the gray Clifford limousine pulled into the circular driveway of the Cartwright mansion in Beverly Hills, Andy was waiting outside with her mother. While Bill Clifford remained in the car, Ken jumped out as soon as Fred Clark opened the door. Ignoring the others he took Andy in his arms and melted his lips to hers. Then Ali got out carrying her youngest, Kristin, who was just over one year old. After kissing Connie warmly, Ali raised an eyebrow and looked at her daughter skeptically. "Are you sure you can handle it? Is your milk going to be good enough? After all," she said archly, "Kris is used to only the very best!" Replying in kind Connie said, "Oh? What about poor Andy? Are you sure she won't be poisoned at your tit?" Then dropping the pose she took Kristin in her arms and loved and kissed her. "Nursing your own sister! I mean, Mom, really! Isn't this really ... a bit much?" Then with great warmth in her eyes she said, "Mom, I love you so very damned much!" Looking over to where Andy and Ken were still locked in each others arms she said, "God, Mom! I feel so badly for poor Andy and Ken. Would you please look at them. If you were to mention those two to any outsider and say they were in love, they would think, 'How cute!' But those two are truly in love in the most adult way." Looking into Ali's eyes she said, "And after what I saw this afternoon, it looks like it's spreading. Did you see Sue Carlson and Mike Morris when court adjourned? He gently squeezed one of her ass cheeks and she just turned and melted into his arms." Then she glared at her mother and said, "You run the damned firm. Why didn't you plan better? Why did you allow so many of us to have girls as first children?" "Darling Connie," Ali replied blithely, "I can't do everything by myself. After all," she continued airily, "I did have a little boy!" But then she looked at Ken and said, "I really can't wait, though. We both know that our kids are not ordinary. Their children are going to be utterly spectacular. And by the way, daughter, for a first effort, you really didn't do too badly with Andy." The women warmly embraced again and then Ali gave Kristin a kiss causing the little girl to just beam happily. Dragging Ken and Andy back to the car, they were off. As they moved down the driveway, Ali looked at her granddaughter and said, "Andy Cartwright, I don't know about you." With her eyes wide the little girl replied, "What did I do this time, Kenny's Mommy?" "Well..." she responded, drawing out her words, "for openers, you put our lives at immediate risk." Ali's words were stunning. The little girl's eyes widened and tears came to their corners. "How did I do that?" "Andy, what did you do when you finally came over to the car?" The little girl thought but couldn't think of anything. She had just gotten in. "Darling," Ali said, answering her own question, "you extended your hand to Fred who was holding the door and said, 'Good evening, Mr. Clark. Thank you so much for driving us to the circus tonight.' When you held up your arms, he picked you up and you kissed him. "Andy, you nearly knocked him down. Now that you're getting older you have to understand that your love — undiluted — is really far more than most people can take. Now look at him. I'm afraid poor Fred is still in a daze ... but he's driving the car. Heaven knows, Los Angeles traffic is dangerous enough as it is without being distracted, let alone trying to handle it in a daze." With a grin she concluded, "Now do you understand?" Andy who was riding facing backward in a forward seat opened the window separating the limousine's two compartments and said, "Mr. Clark, I think I should apologize for kissing you the way I did. Gram is afraid you'll lose control or something." Fred adjusted his rear-view mirror to be able to see her without turning his head and spoke into the tiny microphone he used to communicate with the passenger compartment. "I'm not at all sorry, Miss Andy. When Ali said we were picking you up this evening the first thing I thought was, 'Oh, boy! Maybe I'll get one of Miss Andy's kisses.' And I certainly did! Young lady, your kisses are in a class by themselves. I do have a question for you, though: When are you going to do something productive?" "Productive?" she responded, puzzled. "What do you mean?" "Productive. You know: useful. Like marrying young Master Kenneth back there. That would be useful! It would get him out of my hair and you can just fry each other's brains with your kisses instead of using them to destroy the world. You two have to get married, you know. I am certain that there are no other people your ages alive who could survive the intensity of your love. "And even though I'm a lot older than you two, I'm certainly not blind. The most wonderful thing is to see you kiss one another and see the incredible level of passion you possess flowing between you. And this is on top of the purest love I mentioned earlier. Young lady and young sir, with anyone else, you would be dangerous menaces! But together?" Clark just slowly shook his head and let out a long low whistle. "Oh, in that case..." Andy turned towards Ken sitting beside her, reached out her arms and in seconds was enfolded in his. They spent the rest of the trip just locked in each other's arms with their lips together, separating very seldom and then only to breathe. "My, what a wonderful idea!" Ali exclaimed. Turning to her husband she said throatily, "Bill Clifford, I need you!" As he turned toward her he saw her unbutton her blouse and peel it back to expose her perfect breasts now refilling with milk. She had nursed Kris just before dropping her off. They locked in a passionate embrace while Bill just gently ran his fingers over all of her perfect body that was within reach. Nearing the Forum, Clark announced, "Folks, we're almost there. You can break it up now." Andy and Ken eased apart with sighs. Seeing his parents locked together he couldn't resist. "Mom and Dad, what are you doing? Good grief! Don't you realize there are impressionable young children around?" Easing away from Ali just enough to speak, Bill Clifford replied, "The answer to your first question is that your mother and I were necking. That's because there wasn't even time for a quickie — it's all I could do. As for the second part about impressionable young children ... Who? Where?" Andy and Ken just giggled at his reply while Ali ostentatiously put her clothes back together. Bill and Ali Clifford were one of the world's wealthiest families and he was quick to give her incredible investing skills credit — or blame — for most of it. He constantly teased her about bombarding the family with ever more money when they couldn't put a dent in what they already had. With total assets of more than $10 billion, the family investments were necessarily widely spread. One of them was the entertainment conglomerate that controlled the circus; the Cliffords were, by a wide margin, the largest single shareholders. As a result, when Bill had called his office and told his secretary he wanted four tickets to the evening performance, it was a simple matter for her to call the office of the CEO of the entertainment company, introduce herself, and explain what was wanted. As they pulled up to the main entrance, there was a delegation of senior officials from the circus waiting to greet them. When introductions were made, a very well-built man with flowing blonde hair was introduced. It was Gunther Gabel-Williams, renowned as the foremost wild-animal trainer in the world. Of particular note was the fact that he was almost alone in the world in working with tigers as opposed to the far more tractable and less ferocious lions. Recognizing him, both Ken and Andy were wide-eyed as they were introduced. Again the Cliffords were so pleased and impressed as Andy made a most graceful curtsy and then extended her hand. In the finest continental manner, he kissed the back of her fingers bringing a blush to her cheeks. Ken bowed and then shook hands. Already Gabel-Williams was very impressed. Because arrangements had been made to show the Cliffords around backstage, they had arrived well before the evening performance was scheduled. After a tour, they ended at the cages where the tigers were kept. Earlier Gabel had ordered ten of the big cats to be placed in a training ring available for him backstage so he could give the children a private demonstration. With the cats in the cage, while he was preparing to enter he saw something he had never seen before in his life: As Andy and Ken stood near it, the big cats all came over to them and just looked at the children lovingly. Then he saw something truly remarkable: The tigers were seated back on their haunches and looked exactly like house-cats — they even wrapped their tails around their forepaws. The two children had started at one end of the line and apparently were introducing themselves. Incredibly, it appeared they understood the tigers and the tigers understood them. "Good evening, Prince," Andy said softly. "My name is Andy and this is my lover, Ken. We are both so happy to meet you!" The response was a sound that Gabel had never heard: it sounded like a purr! The giant cats — averaging about 600 pounds apiece in weight — were purring! Of course, given their great size — they were all males — it was like no sound Gabel had ever heard, but it was undeniably a purr. Moreover, the names the children were using were in several cases names Gabel used, but more often they were names he had never heard. It appeared that the cats actually had names. In addition to Prince there was Rudy, Will, Fred, King, Charles, James, Ferdie, Sasha, and — remarkably — Lester! Finally, when the introductions were complete Andy turned to Gabel and asked, "Could Ken and I go into the cage? They so much want us to and we would like it very much." Turning to Ali and Bill, Gabel shook his head and said, "I really don't know what to say. I am seeing something I have never seen before in my life! You see the way the cats are sitting? I have never seen them do that. Never! You, perhaps, overheard Andy introducing the cats by name? Prince, King, and Sasha are names I use. The others? I have never heard them before. It seems that those children are actually communicating with tigers!" Shaking his head again he continued, "Twenty minutes ago the idea of small children going into a tiger cage — and coming out alive! — would have seemed utterly ridiculous. Now? I'm confident the cats will not hurt them. Will you permit it?" After talking to the children and getting their immediate agreement that they would do absolutely everything Gunther told them to do instantly, Ali and Bill reluctantly approved. As the door was opened, Ali moved backward against Bill's body and whispered, "Darling, please hold me tight! I'm so scared!" Bill put his arms around her waist and held her tightly against his body. Gabel was going to lead the way but Andy told him that it would probably be better if he remained outside. He could remain by the door and give them instructions through the bars. Remarkably, when the cats heard what Andy said, they seemed to visibly relax so Gabel-Williams did what she asked. The two children entered the cage and the door was closed behind them. "Okay, guys," Ken said, "let's shake hands. Okay?" One after the other, in the same sequence beginning with Prince, the tigers came up to the children, sat down on their haunches and then extended a giant paw. Because of their great size, the children needed both hands to shake it, but they did. When they got to the last cat, Lester, and had shaken hands, Andy cocked her head, looked skeptical and said, "Lester, are you sure?" The cat nodded its great head and seemed to smile. "Honest?" she repeated. Again the great head nodded. "Well ... okay, I guess." With that Andy went close to the giant animal, wrapped her arms as far around his great neck as she could reach, hugged and then kissed him. When she released him, but before Ken could do anything, Lester dropped flat on the ground and actually covered his head with his forepaws! "Oh, it's not so bad, Lester. You don't have to be so embarrassed. Hasn't a girl ever kissed you before?" The huge animal removed one of its paws which had been covering an eye. After looking at Andy for a moment, he quickly shook his head. Ali and Bill were standing well back from the cage beside Gabel and watching. Gabel was awestruck. "That is absolutely unbelievable!" he whispered. "Can you imagine? That cat actually asked your daughter for a kiss and then covered his head in embarrassment when she gave him one!" Turning to the Cliffords he added, "I can now give you my personal guarantee that no harm will come to those children. In fact, you could consider them to be safer than in church. Those tigers love those children and would guard them with their lives." Andy and Ken were having a wonderful time. Dropping to her knees, Andy dove at Lester and kissed him again saying, "You big sissy! It's not so bad, is it?" This time the cat rolled on its back and just extended its paws in the air. Again looking at him skeptically, Andy said, "I don't know..." Then she shook her head and said, "Mommy wouldn't like it, I'm sure." Then she smiled warmly and said, "Oh, Lester, please don't cry! Okay, we'll do it." While the cat continued to lie on its back they went to the door and quickly stripped off all of their clothes except for their shorts. Andy explained, "Grandmom, he wants us bare but I told him he would have to settle for this. Okay?" Ali, who was completely stunned by the events, could only shake her head. Now stripped down to just their shorts, the two children went back to the tiger, climbed on its stomach side by side and embraced each other. Then, with the most incredible tenderness, the huge animal wrapped its forelegs around them and just purred. "My God!" Gabel-Williams exclaimed in a whisper, "I didn't know the half of it. First, a tiger will never get into the position that one is in. Never! He has intentionally made himself completely vulnerable and totally defenseless. Now look: he is holding those children to his breast — and utterly loving it! As far as I know, this has never happened. Ever!" By this time all of the circus people who could were crowding around the cage and watching in stunned silence. When they got off Lester, all of the other cats insisted on doing the same thing. Finally, when they were finished, Andy put her hands on her hips and in her most imperious six-year-old manner declared, "Well, this is a fine thing! We come to the circus to be entertained. Instead, you guys have us entertaining you! Now why don't you get off your dead rear ends and do something amusing." It was as if she had cracked a loud whip. First Prince, using a huge ball that is used as a part of the elephant act, jumped on top of it and carefully rolled it in circles around the perimeter of the round cage. When he got off, the children were laughing with glee and Andy gave him a warm kiss. Then four of the cats got to their feet and stood close together side by side. Three more carefully and gracefully got up on their backs followed by two others. Now there was a 4-3-2 pyramid, missing its apex. Prince was the last tiger left and he looked at Andy wistfully. "You're sure you can do it?" she asked. The animal nodded its head rapidly up and down. With a lovely little grin Andy said, "Well, okay, but you better not drop me!" With Prince lying down on the ground, Andy climbed up on his back and straddled his shoulders. The big cat then climbed up the first, then second, and finally the third layer of tigers. Because the animals are very large — nearly four feet high at the shoulders — with them standing four high, Prince's great head was well over sixteen feet above the ground; he was far above the top of the cage which only extended ten feet up. When he stood still at the top of the pyramid, Andy stood up on his back and extended her arms proudly. Instantly there was thunderous applause from all of the circus people surrounding the cage. As experienced as they all were, they were seeing something that had never been done before, beginning with the creation of the pyramid itself. But it wasn't over yet. At the top, Prince slowly backed up as far as he could and then extended his forepaws in a bow leaving his haunches up in the air. Then the two below did the same thing, followed by the three below them and finally the four at the base. Because of the angles downward, by the time the last tigers were in their bow Prince's back was nearly vertical and Andy was sitting on the back of his head with her legs around his neck. "Unbelievable!" Gabel-Williams murmured, "Simply unbelievable." Then turning to the Cliffords he asked, "An idea has come to me that seems almost ridiculous, but I must ask you anyway. Would you allow your children to perform tonight in the ring? You see, what we have been seeing is a first in history. No person — ever — has seen what we have just seen. It has never happened." Then with a warm smile he added, "I guess I've been in the circus too long. We always think of our customers. If we could let the customers see your children and the great cats ... It would utterly blow their minds! Would you? Please?" "Oh, shit!" Ali muttered and then with a broad grin replied, "Mr. Gabel, I have a confession to make. You see, I was a motion picture actress, so there's more than a little ham in me. And since Kenny's my son, he could have caught it, too. The answer is yes if the kids are willing." Turning to Bill she asked, "Do you agree, darling? Or am I being completely crazy and stupid?" Bill took her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "My darling, we've known for a long time that those two are not ordinary children. They have extraordinary powers — I guess we're seeing more of them tonight. I agree, darling. We'll let them." By this time the tigers, after first straightening up in the reverse of the way they had bowed, had slowly and gracefully dismantled their pyramid. When Gabel-Williams asked the children, they were utterly overjoyed. When Andy told the cats, it was apparent that they were delighted, too. After cocking her head and listening, she just shook it, muttered, "Big babies!" and asked Gabel for grooming brushes. "They feel they have to look their best so Ken and I agreed we would brush their coats. May we?" After some scurrying around, large wire-bristle brushes were found and the two children carefully groomed the giant cats who just lay flat on the ground and purred while the children worked. By this time the huge Forum was filling for the evening performance. After the opening music, the ringmaster introduced Gabel-Williams. The trainer, now dressed in a glittering outfit of spangled white, stood in the spotlight and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the circus! Tonight, we are not going to do our regular show. Instead, you are going to see something never seen by anyone, ever! You are going to see two small children, Andrea Cartwright and Kenneth Clifford, work with ten Bengal tigers right here before you using the full scope of this circus floor. Frankly, I don't even know what they will be doing. I do know that earlier this evening those two children had the cats doing things I have never seen them do before in my life! "There is one thing I can guarantee: you will be entertained! However, for your safety, because the tigers will be running free, there will be riflemen spotted around the entire ring with orders to protect the spectators at any cost. "Finally, a few words about the cats: First, the Bengal tiger is, with the exception of the very rare Siberian tiger, the largest cat in the world. The tigers you will see are all males and weigh, on average, 600 pounds apiece. Since I doubt if either of the children weigh even forty pounds, you will see about three tons of ferocious cat being handled by about 75 pounds of human. Since we do not know what the children will do, we cannot use an announcer. Accordingly, I will also be your announcer this evening. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Andy, Ken, and their big cats!" Gabel-Williams was sitting at ringside with the Cliffords. Ali clutched Bill's hand as the band struck up a quick march and the spotlight moved to the corner of the ring. There were Andy and Ken with their golden bodies nearly bare but with their arms out-thrust in greeting. The two kids sprinted across the floor and then did a series of incredibly rapid somersaults as if they were trained gymnasts. After making a complete circuit of the circus floor to the wild applause of the crowd they ended up back at the entrance. Andy took a tiny microphone and said, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! I am Andy and this is my lover, Ken." In spite of their youth and small size, there was something about the two together that prevented any snickering at her comment about Ken being her lover. "Now I would like to introduce the real stars of this show: the tigers. First, here is Prince." The huge animal came out, made a bow and began to trot slowly around the huge ring. She continued the introductions with Rudy, Will, Fred, King, Charles, James, Ferdie, Sasha, and Lester. By this time the cats were all trotting in a circle and Andy and Ken moved to the center of the ring. When Andy called them, Prince led them over to the center where they formed a huge circle around the children and then simultaneously on her order, sat back on their haunches like house-cats. Again, they neatly wrapped their tails around their forepaws and just looked attentively at the children. Gabel announced quietly, "I have never seen what you are now seeing before tonight. They look exactly like house-cats, don't they? But they are anything but! They are, in fact, perhaps the most powerful and dangerous animals on the face of this earth. Now listen!" he exclaimed softly. "I am going to ask that all music and noise cease at once. I want you to hear something no one alive has ever heard: the sound of ten full-grown Bengal tigers purring! Listen!" There were gasps from the crowd as they realized what the incredibly deep sound they were hearing was. Meanwhile, in the ring Andy grinned at the cats and said, "Okay, guys! Now it's time to entertain the paying customers. What are we going to do?" She cocked her head and said, "Okay, that sounds good." Ken grinned at her and dashed off. A few moments later he was back followed by roustabouts rolling ten of the huge red balls. Fearfully, they positioned the balls evenly in a circle around the ring. Ken ran back, snapped his fingers and the ten great animals rose as one and fell into line. He then ran around the ring. Each time he reached a ball, the first cat in line moved aside and sat looking at the ball. When all the cats were positioned, he returned to Andy's side at the center of the ring. She signaled to the bandleader who struck up a merry clown tune. Instantly the cats jumped up on top of the balls and began to roll them at increasing speed around the ring. Andy and Ken then ran around the inside of the perimeter of tigers encouraging each one by name. The animals seemed very excited and pleased. Again Gabel-Williams announced, "Cats can't do what you're seeing. At least, I have never seen or heard of it ever being done. Could we have some applause? They are really doing a wonderful job!" The applause burst like thunder as the tigers were now racing around the ring with their paws going backward on the balls so fast they were now only yellow blurs. "Okay, guys, that's enough," Andy called quietly. The animals slowed the balls, stopped them and very gracefully dismounted, returning to their circle at the center of the ring. When they were again seated, Andy went from one to the next, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, thanking him for the performance. Now the purring was so loud it drowned out all other noises. "I don't know if they are so happy because of what they did or because of the kiss Andy just gave each of them. Incidentally, I am sure you have all seen those TV commercials, often involving cars, with the super, 'Professional Drivers — Don't Try This at Home'. "Well, Andy and Ken are not professionals — or they weren't until tonight — but let me beg you: Please don't ever try this with a tiger. Any of those animals could easily cut that little girl in half with one bite. But they won't because, believe it or not, these animals absolutely adore these two children. Why? I have no idea. But they do, and I'm sure you all agree." Then he called out louder, "What's next, kids?" Again Ken went offstage and returned a few moments later, again followed by roustabouts. This time they positioned what appeared to be a huge teeter-totter to the side of the center ring and then brought out a large tub of water, about the size that an elephant might stand on. It was about four feet in diameter and about three feet deep. When the materials had been positioned, he just grinned at Andy and winked. The animals then recreated their pyramid. When Prince lay down for Andy to climb on his back, there was a gasp from the crowd. It continued as he slowly but gracefully climbed to the top with Andy on his back quietly encouraging him. Finally in position, Andy stood up on his back and extended her arms. There was a huge burst of applause as she smiled at the crowd. Then she called for a drum roll. Ali, who had been watching Andy, was amazed and impressed by her aplomb. When she called for the drum roll, Ali looked around and saw that Ken was now positioned on the lower end of the teeter-totter. The high end was closest to Andy. Her hand came up to her mouth and she gasped as she realized what the children were planning to do. Before she could do or say anything, Andy leaped from Prince's back while sixteen feet in the air. Her arms were upraised as she dropped. The instant her feet contacted the board she bent her knees very slightly just enough to cushion the landing but not enough to dissipate her downward force. As the board came down, Ken was catapulted into the air. To his mother's total astonishment, he did a perfect two-and-a-half backward somersault, stretched out, then rolled into a ball just before hitting the water in the tub. Landing like a cannon ball, he sent nearly half the water flying from the tub in an enormous splash. An instant later he leaped from the tub and extended his arms. That was followed instantly by enormous applause and by Andy hurling herself into his arms. "My darling," she whispered, "You were utterly spectacular!" The two melted into a passionate kiss, disregarding the fact that Ken was soaking wet, and held it while the tigers dismantled their pyramid and then gathered in a tight circle around the embracing children. At one point, Andy moved back in the circle of Ken's arms just enough to use her fingers to comb out his hair. With a grin she said, "Now you're handsome again. And you can go back to kissing me. Aren't you lucky?" This time the tigers' purring became so loud it drowned out all of the other circus noises. "Utterly unbelievable!" Gabel-Williams exclaimed into the PA mike. "Please remember, ladies and gentlemen, that these two are only six years old! They are not professionals. As far as I know they have had no acrobatic training of any kind, and yet ... That was as good as any of our professionals could do. Furthermore, that pyramid of tigers is a first. It has never been seen in public before and is only the second time it's ever been done. The first time was just an hour ago right before this show. Aren't they wonderful!?" Ken led the tigers back to the center of the ring. This time Andy grinned at Prince and said, "Okay, big guy. Let's do it!" The huge animal lay down on the ground and began to roll. He was followed by a second, a third and a fourth. Then he rose and leaped back across the bodies of the tigers rolling towards him and got to the end of the line. What followed were leaps of increasing distance as two tigers began to roll for each one that leaped, increasing the width to be covered by about five feet each time. Prince, who had begun, also had the longest leap, covering nearly fifty feet in the air from a standing start across all nine other tigers rolling rapidly in his direction. After that, he and each successive tiger joined the children so each remaining tiger leaped across an ever-diminishing distance. "My heavens!" Gabel-Williams murmured appreciatively. "I hope you understand what you have just seen. You have seen a 600 pound tiger leap fifty feet from a standing start. To put it into perspective, the human record for the running broad jump is just over thirty feet." The tigers were now loping around the entire ring in a great circle to the now-thunderous applause of the audience. While they were moving, Andy came over to Gabel Williams and whispered something. "They want what?" he exclaimed. Andy just grinned and nodded, then returned to the center. "Ladies and gentlemen," Gabel announced, "there will be an intermission, with our famous clowns to entertain you while the tigers get some rest and — believe it or not — a snack! Andy has ordered hot dogs and lemonade for all of them!" The big cats arranged themselves in a tight circle around Andy and Ken in the center of the ring. Because the workers feared the great cats, Ken went to the corner and juggled a large tray and a big bucket. Returning to the center he put down his materials just as Andy said, "Now wait a stinking minute ... You guys are going too far!" Then she just cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. The tigers appeared to be laughing while nodding their heads. On the tray were twenty hot dogs along with mustard and relish. There were also very large pans similar to the water dish for a very large dog. Ken put one in front of each cat. Then he and Andy started moving around the circle in opposite directions, first fixing the animal's hot dog with the amount of mustard and relish it wanted, then carefully feeding it to him. After feeding the hot dogs, Ken carefully filled the dishes with lemonade from his big bucket. He had to get two more buckets before the cats had all been served. As Prince was being served his lemonade, another tiger moved in his direction. Andy, seeing the movement, exclaimed, "Rudy! Get back where you belong and wait your turn! You should be ashamed of yourself!" The animal dropped flat on the ground and covered his head with his forepaws. Little Andy just looked at him with her hands on her hips and then said softly, "Please don't cry, Rudy. You're forgiven. I still love you!" With that she went to the animal, lifted one of its paws off its head, kissed him and then rubbed the back of its head. With Rudy purring again, she returned to feeding the tigers, and eventually feeding Rudy. Because he had tried to steal Prince's lemonade, he was the last one to be served. "Now I have seen everything," Gabel-Williams announced. "Did you see what that little girl just did? She bawled out a tiger! But that's not all. The poor animal was so upset and embarrassed, he covered his head with his paws. I have never seen that, ever! Is that all? Oh, no! Andy then lifts his paw from his head — a paw with claws so big and so sharp they could cut her in half — and then kisses him, hugs him and says he's forgiven! "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't know what we are seeing but I can assure you it has never been seen in the world before and may never be seen again! You're watching history being made tonight before your very eyes!" Although the clowns were performing around the entire ring, the attention of the audience remained focused on the children and the tigers. With a warm grin at Andy, Ken said, "Since I cooked tonight, it's your turn to do the dishes!" The little girl laughed merrily, kissed him lightly on the lips and then gathered up the tray, the pans and the buckets and carried them back to the corner. By the time she returned, the clowns had left the arena so she said, "Okay, guys! What now?" Again she cocked her head, listened and yelped. "Sounds good! Let's do it." Again Prince led the way. The tigers formed a line well spaced out and began to trot around the perimeter of the huge arena. When they were spaced evenly around it, Prince, moving from one corner, cut diagonally across the arena floor. Reaching the far corner he looped around the corner and then headed diagonally across again, intersecting the moving line of tigers. When he was about to reach it, he leaped across, continued to the corner again and moved up. Now the tigers were moving in a huge figure eight. Once formed, they began to run faster until they were bounding at great speed and leaping across the line at the appropriate instant. Andy and Ken were now standing inside one of the circles and Andy again had a tiny microphone. "Do you like it folks? It was my friends' idea. If you do, could we hear a warm round of applause for some great guys who are trying their best to entertain you." There was another tremendous burst of applause. Again the tigers formed their circle in the middle of the arena and again Andy listened. This time, though, she shook her head and gave them her idea. The tigers all grinned and nodded, then all rose to their feet except for Prince and Sasha who both lay down flat. Andy got on Prince's back and Ken mounted Sasha. Prince led while Sasha positioned himself as number six in the line of ten. The tigers began to just trot around the perimeter of the ring with the children on their backs. After one full swing the two children rose and stood on the animals' backs as they ran faster and faster. Ignoring the precariousness of their perch the children then stood sideways on their animals facing out towards the audience and extended their arms. Then Andy began to blow kisses to the audience. Ali, still clutching Bill's arm whispered, "Darling, aren't they utterly unbelievable? They are so good! And it's not because it's my son and granddaughter, either." Then she kissed him lightly and asked, "What do you think of having your granddaughter as your daughter-in-law, anyway?" "My darling, I couldn't be happier! There is not a finer girl alive in the world today than Andy Cartwright! Besides," he added with a warm grin, "I know how much my darling wife is looking forward to her first grandchild also being her first great-grandchild!" "Sure am!" she agreed, giving him a passionate kiss. In the meantime, the formation in the ring was changing. Every second tiger moved up until he was alongside the one ahead. Now they were racing side by side in pairs. Andy and Ken each straddled a pair so that they had one foot on each tiger. Remarkably, the animals moved in synchronized strides so to the children it was just a wider but very stable back. Then they moved to three abreast, then four, and finally five. With five abreast, the two sets were exactly halfway around the ring from each other. This time there were huge cheers from the crowd as Andy just dove across the backs of the great cats and ended propping her chin on her elbows while she was sprawled across the backs of three of the cats — that was the limit of reach of her small body, and only the tips of her toes reached the third cat — just grinning at the audience as she sped by. For his part, Ken just stood with his hands on his hips howling with laughter. The five with Andy moved back to the center of the ring while Ken's group continued to run. Now he was back on Sasha and the other four dropped back. They then were in echelon with each cat to the side of, and about five feet behind, the next ahead. Again Ali's hand came to her mouth as she had a premonition. Clutching Bill's arm she softly cried, "Darling, Ken's not an acrobat!" "I know that, darling," he replied softly, "and you know that. The question is, does Ken?" Just then, they learned. After ensuring that all the cats were in the appropriate position, he launched himself up in the air, did an incredible back double somersault and landed perfectly on the back of the trailing tiger, Rudy. He did it again, and again, and yet again to increasing cheers each time. Now positioned on the trailing tiger he said quietly, "Okay, guys! You know what to do." The last tiger, Lester, moved up on the one ahead and at the same time moved towards the inside of the ring. Soon all of the tigers were abreast with about five feet separating each one. Now Ken cheered them on to move even faster. The animals were really flying around the ring now. Ken knew where his parents were sitting and measured it off perfectly. They were sitting at the arena midpoint so, while just coming out of the curve ahead of them, Ken leaped to the next, then ran, jumping to the back of the third, to the second. Then he launched himself into the air, and, while leading Sasha perfectly, did another somersault and landed with his feet planted along the animal's back. Ken had timed it perfectly. He extended his arms just as he passed his parents. In the instant of passing it looked like his mother was crying in relief. For their finale, the animals formed another pyramid in the center of the ring. Only this time, when Prince lay down both Andy and Ken got on his back with Ken sitting behind his love. Reaching the summit, the people began to applaud but then stopped as they realized that the act was not yet over. This time the bottom four tigers began to walk in a measured pace towards the edge of the giant ring. Then they began to walk along it and as they did they began to move faster and faster and faster. Soon the four bottom tigers were bounding around the full perimeter of the ring while their mates just stood in position quietly. When they were running at full speed, Andy and Ken stood up. Instead of waving at the crowd, though, he took her in his arms and the two melted in a kiss as they made another lap around the ring. Then the tigers carefully slowed their pace until they were again walking. In that manner they returned to the center of the ring and stopped facing Gabel-Williams and the Cliffords in their box. Only then did Ali notice a small trampoline of the type used by college cheerleaders. It was round and only about three feet in diameter. After accepting the cheers of the crowd with his arm around Andy's waist he whispered. "I love you so much, my darling! Good luck!" She kissed him, gave him a quick wink and jumped. Landing on the trampoline from her great height, she landed with terrific force. Catapulted into the air, she did a triple somersault with a twist and then landed perfectly with her knees bent and her feet planted. In gymnastics it would have been a perfect 10. Then she extended her arm toward Ken who did the identical thing. When he landed, without her moving an inch, he was standing by her side. Again the two melted together in a kiss. This time the arena was shaken by an enormous simultaneous roar from all ten huge cats. Again Gabel-Williams picked up the mike and said, "Unbelievable! Earlier I said Andy and Ken were not acrobats. Well, obviously I was wrong. They are, and great ones! I want you all to know what you're seeing. You're seeing two young people who are incredibly in love with one another, and ten huge tigers who love them, too. That's how they could do what they did. "Now I want you to know why what you have seen can never be duplicated: Tigers don't get along with one another, let alone with anything else. They are lone hunters and range over huge individual territories. Unlike lions, they never range in packs. I have never known a tiger to like anyone or anything. But they adore these children. Because of them they have done things tonight — that running pyramid, for example — that after thirty years of working with big cats I never even dreamed of. Could we hear it for wonderful people and a wonderful show?" The applause thundered around the arena. When it began to die, the cats were still in position. Again Andy picked up a mike and said, "Please thank them individually, while the tigers take their bows. I, for one, think they deserve it. First, at the top of the pyramid, is Prince." Looking up at him she said, "Darling, I love you! Now take your bow." Again Prince did what he had done earlier in the cage: With his haunches still high he lowered his forebody and rested his chin on his paws. "Then we have Rudy and Will," Andy said quietly. "Rudy is on the left. And Rudy, I have forgiven you and still love you." Before dropping his forepaws, Rudy gave a little roar of acknowledgment to the cheering of the crowd. When they were in position, Andy continued, "From left to right we have Fred, King and Charles. Aren't they great?" Now only the bottom tier were standing upright. Andy said, "People, please give a particular cheer to these guys. Can you imagine running in step, at top speed, with about 3,600 pounds spread on your backs? That's exactly what these wonders did for your amazement. Please give a huge cheer to, from left to right, James, Ferdie, Sasha and Lester! Guys, I love you all!" This time the roof of the Forum shook at a level even beyond the Lakers winning the NBA Championship. The building rocked. When the cheering died down, the tigers began to dismount. When they were all back on the ground the band began to play exit music, but the tigers just sat upright, again back in their tight circle. Then Andy cocked her head again, put her little hands on her hips and asked, "What is this, guys? Blackmail?" With a little grin she said, "Oh, okay!" Turning to Ken she said, "And this includes you, you know." With that they went over to the first tiger, Prince. All of the animals were again sitting up straight with their tails so neatly arranged over their forepaws. When the children reached the big cat he rolled over on his back with his legs in the air. After the two children climbed on his chest Ken wrapped his arms around his sweetheart and their lips merged in a torrid kiss. From beneath their bodies they could feel as much as hear the incredibly warm purring as the animal wrapped his huge forelegs carefully around the children. Breathlessly they eased apart and felt each other's warmth along with the body of the cat. They were lying on the silky-smooth pure white belly fur of the animal and delighting in the sensation. Ken and Andy grinned at each other, wriggled up on Prince's body and kissed him on opposite cheeks. With apparent reluctance, he spread his paws to release the children who scrambled off him. Then Prince got to his feet and trotted off the arena floor towards the exit after first kissing the children's hands. Then Ken and Andy repeated the process with every animal until the arena was clear. When they dismounted from Lester, the two children were reeling, as much from the power of their kisses as anything else. Although the audience had been in the process of leaving, when they realized what was happening, most stopped and just watched the incredible display: The tigers refused to leave the ring until they had a chance to hug the two children while they were locked in passionate embrace. Moreover, they seemed actually to be kissing them back — before leaving each animal had put his mouth to the hand of each child. When the last tiger left, Ken took Andy in his arms and kissed her again saying, "My darling Andy, I love you so much!" Andy's eyes were just glowing with her love as she squeezed his hand. Then hand-in-hand they walked over to where Gabel-Williams and their parents were waiting. "Was it any good? Did you like it?" Ken asked eagerly. Andy's eyes were just wide as if she expected to hear the worst. "Words fail me!" Gabel exclaimed. "Andy and Ken, as you know, I am retiring in just a few days. If I had an ounce of sense I would retire right now, tonight! What I have seen this evening is the high point of a career of over thirty years spent with the big cats. Nothing like this has ever been seen before nor will ever be seen again! Nothing! All I can do is thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the priceless experience of my lifetime." He vaulted the railing, dropped to his knees and took Andy in his arms. When he kissed her, the power of her kiss of the purest love almost knocked him down. He could feel the girl exquisitely working her warm lips on his and he just hugged her tighter. When he finally released her he looked into her incredible green eyes and almost drowned in the incredible depth of warmth, love and purity that was flooding from the girl's soul. "My God!" he breathed, "No wonder! Those animals recognize the power of God Himself come to earth!" Then he kissed Ken and received the same feeling. He was literally rocking from the shock. Then he heard Andy quietly say, "May the good Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His light to shine upon you and keep you safe from harm until He welcomes you into His arms in Heaven. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our divine Savior. Amen." Looking at her he began to cry. "This is unreal! You actually asked Almighty God to bless me? My darling, I'm just an animal trainer who's very lucky still to be alive. Why me?" "Because you're a very fine man and I like you very much," Andy replied simply. "But I didn't mean to hurt you and I certainly didn't want you to cry..." Getting back on his feet, Gabel returned to where Ali and Bill had been silently watching and said, "You're blessed to a degree beyond any family on the face of this earth! To have children like this is to be signally blessed by God Himself. Thank you." Then he shook his head and added, "I hope you noticed one thing: With thousands of people watching these two kiss, there was not a single snicker. They must marry! The power of their love would kill anyone else alive. I think what we are seeing is the mutually reinforcing power of God Himself concentrated in these two children. These kids verge on being divine, and they may, in fact, be. Thank you." Finally, Ali said, "Kids, you were absolutely marvelous. Now do you think you could get some clothes on? Good grief! You both have spent the whole night in just your underpants. And you, Andy, didn't even have the decency to wear a bra!" With the cutest grin Andy stuck out the tip of her tongue and said, "Kenny's Mommy, I don't have any tits yet and probably won't for at least six more months! I think I'm still okay." Ali returned the grin and also stuck out the tip of her tongue causing her granddaughter to laugh with glee. When they were dressed and getting back in the car Ali asked Bill to ride backwards. "Darling," she said, "I'm going to sit in the middle and have one of these urchins on each of my tits. My poor boobs are about to explode!" Very casually Bill replied, "You should be happy, then. You have always complained about being small on top. Now..." Ali just giggled and climbed in the car. She was in such a hurry that she was ripping off her blouse at the same time. Ken got in on the other side and lay across her lap with her left breast in his face, while Andy lay the opposite direction. "Oh, boy!" he exclaimed, "Mom, this is absolutely the greatest! I have a whole tit of my very own!" In just a moment Ali felt what was, to her, the finest feeling in the world. While she held the two young heads she could feel them filling up with her milk and all of her love that was in it. ------- Chapter 23 It was almost eleven o'clock and Bobbie Conroy was in agony. Now she realized that she had made a disastrous mistake at dinner that night when with great glee she told Tom the story told about Connie and Chip Cartwright and his efforts to ensure that her body was well warmed up before entering her. Tom had just nodded at the story and grinned. Only now he had been doing it to her! Her body was writhing on the bed in unfulfilled passion and all Tom did was grin. "Darling, what an incredibly wonderful idea this was!" he exclaimed, feigning seriousness but with his eyes gleaming with suppressed laughter. "I have been taking you for granted for so many months. Now I better appreciate the feminine perfection sharing my bed. Darling, you're exquisite!" Bobbie suddenly screamed as Tom's rough fingers contacted her tit that was now so unbelievably sensitive to his touch. Continuing to look thoughtful he said, "Gosh, you're really getting closer, Honey. Your nipples are almost firm enough already." Again Bobbie screamed uncontrollably. In fact, her nipples were as hard as little pebbles and were distended from her tits to a degree she had never experienced in her life before. When she suddenly jumped from the bed and headed for the door, Tom looked astonished and asked, "Where are you going?" Stopping, she turned on her heel and put her fists on her hips. Tom thought he had never seen her look more beautiful than she did at that instant. Her body was golden perfection as she stood, as usual, with her shoulders back and her glorious breasts so proudly upthrust. "I'm going to get the knife I had on our honeymoon," she replied in a flat tone of voice. "What for?" Tom asked, puzzled. "To cut off your cock so I can ram it in myself!" she exclaimed. Then she looked pensive and asked, "Tom, do I need to cut off your balls, too? I mean ... Won't I need them for the glorious spend to flood my insides at the end..." Smiling brightly she said, "Yeah, I guess I'll have to cut them both off." Turning on her heel again, she started to open the door. "But honey!" Tom protested, "what will you do tomorrow? I mean..." "Damn it, Thomas Gardiner Conroy, I don't give a damn about tomorrow!" she screamed. "If I don't do it, I won't live till tomorrow!" While they were having their exchange the phone had begun to ring. Normally, when they began their nightly lovemaking they ignored the phone and let the machine answer it. On the occasions when they forgot to activate it — as they had that night — they just let it ring until the caller gave up. Tonight it just continued to ring so Bobbie answered it. After saying hello she heard, "Bobbie, it's Connie. I don't give a damn what you and Tom are doing but, for God's sake, turn on the tube and watch the Eleven O'clock News on Channel 4!" Before Bobbie could say a word she heard a click as the line went dead. She just looked at the receiver, shook her head and put it back on the hook. "What was that?" Tom asked. "Some crank call?" He had noticed that the only word Bobbie had spoken was her initial hello. "It was Connie Cartwright," she replied thoughtfully as she retrieved the TV remote. "She said to watch the news tonight on Channel 4, regardless." Activating the set, she climbed back on the bed. Tom had gathered up all the pillows and put them on the bottom of the bed so they could lie on their stomachs and watch. When she lay down beside him, he put his arms around her and kissed her warmly saying, "Bobbie Conroy, you are my life, my darling. Can I apologize now?" Before she could reply they both heard the headline news announcement that preceded the eleven o'clock commercial break and the news show itself. The anchorman, Jack Johnson, on camera, said, "Tonight's news focuses on some incredible happenings today involving two small children and ten tigers, as well as some remarkable events at the courthouse. Stay tuned!" With the cut to commercial, Bobbie's eyes widened and she exclaimed, "Oh my God! Tom, Ali and Bill were going to take Andy and Ken to the circus tonight! You don't think... ?" She began to weep but through her tears stammered, "If anything happened to those two angels... !" Tom held her close and whispered that he was sure everything was all right. He pointed out that Connie would have told her if anything bad had happened. She was reassured somewhat when the news show came on and she saw that the anchorman seemed to be happy as he said, "In our top story the people attending the circus at the Forum tonight saw things never before seen by man in history. Two small children — first-graders, only six years old — performed with ten mature Bengal tigers. This footage is so incredible, I'll just let it speak for itself." "It's Andy!" Bobbie screamed as the first shot showed Andy coming out into the spotlight followed by Ken. She watched, thrilled, as the children bounded across the circus floor. Then they saw Andy introduce the giant Bengal tigers by name. Following were some quick scenes: Prince leaping fifty feet across the rolling tigers, then the end of the living pyramid, with Andy standing proudly on top of the tiger's back. Bobbie gasped when Andy leaped and then watched as Kenny did his incredible backward somersault into the tub of water. "Can you believe that?" the anchor said with the incredulity obvious in his voice. "Those children are only six years old!" Then he said, "Fear? What for? Just watch this and see a terribly frightened little girl..." The scene that followed was the point at which the tigers were running five abreast. The announcer continued, "Those tigers are bounding around the ring at nearly thirty miles an hour! And they are in a perfectly synchronized stride so their backs make an almost unbroken platform. Now watch..." Tom and Bobbie laughed as they saw Andy take two steps and then flop across the tigers' backs. The last shot in the scene was a tight close-up of Andy's face. Her chin was on her hands and she had the most adorable grin as the tigers beneath her flew around the ring. "Now," the anchor asked as the camera cut to him, "isn't that a picture of the most terrified little girl you have ever seen? I mean, after all, wouldn't anyone be frightened to be on the backs of 3,000 pounds of Bengal tiger?" The show cut to commercials and Bobbie said, "My God! What happened, do you suppose? But aren't they cute?" She kissed Tom warmly and said, "Darling, I cannot tell a lie. I love those two little imps nearly as much as I love you. They are darling." Coming off the break, the anchor was on-camera again. "Was that all?" he asked rhetorically. "Oh, no! Now watch this:" They cut to the scene of the children feeding the tigers and the anchor continued, "Believe it not, these small children are feeding giant tigers, by hand! Good grief, these animals are so big and their teeth are so sharp they could easily bite off a whole arm! But watch! You see the tiger on the left of the picture start to move towards the other animal's bowl. Now look! There is that little girl with her hands on her hips bawling out the tiger! Does it work? Watch. What you are seeing has never been seen before: that tiger is covering his head with his forepaws. He's ashamed! Look! The little girl lifts his paw off his head — a paw with claws so long, strong and sharp they could cut her in half, by the way — and kisses him! It appears that she is forgiving the animal! Have you ever?" The anchor continued: "We never have nor have any of the experts we were able to reach before we went on the air tonight. In fact, we couldn't do as much as we would have liked because it was so hard to get the experts to believe we weren't drunk, insane, or fools. "The universal reaction from the experts was that this is utterly impossible. They unanimously confirmed what Gunther Gabel-Williams said at the Forum tonight: The Bengal tiger is the most feared animal on the face of the earth. Moreover, the tiger does not like anybody or anything — particularly including other Bengal tigers! In their natural habitat they roam — alone — hunting prey over large stretches of land that is theirs. Yet here we see ten full-grown male tigers, all in their prime, moving together with a level of coordination that is truly unbelievable. "But there's more. When we go to the circus and watch the wild-animal trainer, what is the impression we get? Why are we there?" On camera the anchorman, Jack Johnson, continued, "Deep down inside we are wondering if the animal is going to perform ... or attack his trainer. The impression this reporter carries in his memory is seeing a big cat glaring balefully at his trainer and then — usually — performing, but with great reluctance. It's being coerced. "Now watch this! This is near the end of the show." The tape rolled and showed the tigers in their moving pyramid starting to run faster and faster around the ring. The anchor said, "This is an all-time first. What you are seeing, in the opinion of every single expert we consulted, is absolutely impossible! There are ten tigers, with the four on the bottom carrying 3,600 pounds of tiger on their backs running at nearly full speed. That means each tiger is running while carrying a 900-pound load — about 50 percent greater than his own weight! "Now look at those animals! Do they look baleful? Do they look reluctant? No! They look happy, excited, and proud. Now catch this! Can you believe it?" The shot was at the end with Andy in Ken's arms with their bodies melted together in a passionate embrace. The camera showed Prince turning his huge head to look up at the children on his back and smiling. "Those children are kissing and the tiger they're standing on is smiling! I know tigers can't smile, but that is what this cat is doing." Then they cut to the end of the show with the tigers in their pyramid. Andy and Ken, arms around each other's waist, were waving their free arms to the crowd. "Have you ever seen such an incredible display?" the anchor asked. "Such incredible self-assurance? Now watch, but please remember that these children are only six years old with no training in gymnastics or acrobatics at all. Incidentally, the tape you're about to see has been reviewed by a couple of gymnastics experts, but more on that in a moment. Watch!" The tape rolled with their last quick kiss and even showed Ken patting Andy's bottom. Bobbie gasped as she saw Andy's jump to the trampoline, the aerial movements and the perfect landing, then the camera stayed on her so they could see Ken land exactly by her side without her moving an inch from where she had first landed. "Folks," the anchor continued, "those movements were graded as perfect tens if this were an Olympic competition. The moves were utterly perfect!" The anchor reappeared on camera and said, "This last scene was greeted with derision by the experts to whom we described it." Johnson grinned and interjected, "Boy, are we ever going to have fun when we make them watch the tape and eat their words." Continuing he said, "We described tigers lying on their backs with their paws in the air. 'Utterly impossible, ' the experts said. 'It is a position of total exposure and submission. No tiger could or would ever be in such a position, least of all voluntarily.' Well, we'll see. This tape was the very end. In fact, the show was over and each of the cats had taken his bow. But they refused to leave the arena floor! Just watch!" "Oh, Tom!" Bobbie exclaimed, "this is so beautiful! Can you believe it?" They watched as the children climbed on the belly of a tiger, embraced, and were then wrapped together in the tiger's own embrace. They watched the children kiss the tiger, saw him kiss each child's hand and then happily trot off the floor. The announcer was silent as the tape rolled. When the segment concluded, he was on-camera again shaking his head. "Can you believe it? What you have seen are two small children, madly and passionately in love with each other, who are loved, in turn, by Bengal tigers! Tigers who so much want to share the love these two have for each other that they want the children to embrace while lying on the animal's chest! Then to seal this love the animal uses his enormous forelegs to embrace the children!" Looking at the camera the anchor said, "What you have just seen was repeated ten times! The children had to do the same thing on each of the animals. Did you see the tiger actually kiss the children? He did. But finally — and in stark contrast to the baleful behavior I'm used to — did you see how happy the animal looked as he trotted out? Did you?" The anchor shook his head and said, "But there is so much more! We'll be back right after this message." "Darling, can you believe it?" Bobbie asked Tom as she faced him and snuggled in his arms. "Can you?" Then she grinned and said, "Tom Conroy, if you really loved me, you would take me on the chest of a tiger. Will you?" Her grin was the cutest thing Tom had ever seen as she added, "It's really such a small thing to ask, after all." "Uh uh, no way!" Tom replied with a little grin. "Did you see those animals? Do you want to create jealousy? Hell, we would have to do it on each of them and who do you think I am, anyway? Superman? Ten times? Impossible!" Pretending to cry Bobbie sobbed, "But Tom, I thought you loved me?" Then gently cradling his heavy balls in both of her hands she said, "And you really are pretty well ... loaded." When they broke the subsequent passionate embrace, Johnson reappeared, this time with a female reporter, Joyce Collier, beside him. Turning to her he said, "Joyce, I understand that your investigation turned ... interesting." The camera went in close on Collier and she said, "Jack, it certainly did! This has been the most incredible story I have ever worked on. The more we dug, the bigger and more amazing it became. Let me start at the beginning. First of all, those two children are Andrea Cartwright and Kenneth Clifford. They are truly beautiful children, too. The story isn't ordinary, but the children are like the kids next door, right? Wrong! "Jack, it turns out that Ken is the son of William Harrison Clifford and Allison McGrath Clifford. 'So what?' you ask. So they are just your normal garden-variety billionaires! That's with a B! No one knows for sure, but their net worth is somewhere north of ten billion dollars! And some people we talked to think it's substantially north! They may be the richest people on earth and that little boy is their son! Here's a picture we caught of them at the circus tonight sitting with Gabel-Williams whose big cats the children were playing with." The scene was at the very end of the night and showed the children joyously embracing Ali and then Bill. It showed Ali's beauty perfectly. "Is that all?" Collier continued. "Oh, no! Not nearly. Now we come to the little girl. It seems she is the daughter of Charles and Constance Cartwright. Who are the Cartwrights? Well, they're poor." The woman grinned and added, "Comparatively poor, anyway. We haven't found anyone who thinks their net worth is much greater than two billion dollars! But there is hope," she added with a grin. "You see, Connie Cartwright is also the adopted daughter of Bill and Ali Clifford so they might inherit some real money someday." The camera pulled back to a two-shot. Joyce Collier looked at Johnson and asked, "Jack, can you believe it? Those beautiful little children playing with their little cats are from two of the richest families on the face of this earth!" When she swung to face the camera it came in tight on her again. She grinned and said, "But it gets better and better! You see, there is a case being tried in Los Angeles Superior Court right now. Those two kids are among ten students in the school that is under attack by the state Department of Instruction. Ann Henry was at the courthouse this afternoon and has more on that story. Ann?" The camera cut to a pretty brown-eyed brunette. "Thanks, Joyce. Although I missed the spectacular show at the Forum tonight, I saw one of my own at the courthouse this afternoon." The camera came in tight on the girl as she continued, "This afternoon I was given a comprehensive education in our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, the relationship of our Revolution to the French Revolution of 1789, and the meaning of our flag! The educators were ten children, all six years old. I have never had such a moving experience in my life! "I saw a beautiful young girl bring tears to the eyes of every single person in that courtroom as, after proudly holding our flag while her classmates recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the Star Spangled Banner, she told the court of the flag's meaning to her. Incidentally, it was the most heartfelt recitation and singing I have ever experienced. "But this little girl, Cynthia Cartwright, described how her father was held prisoner by the North Vietnamese and tortured continuously for fourteen years to make him renounce our flag. She told how her mother, as a very young girl, was forced to watch as the man she had come to love was tortured day after day after day for three years in her presence. How, when her father was moved to a prison in Hanoi, her mother made her way naked through the jungles of Southeast Asia and swam ten miles to reach Hong Kong. Her destination was America, because any country that could inspire a man to endure what that man suffered had to be a wonderful place. "The little girl described how her parents were reunited and were married almost immediately." Tears were in the reporters eyes as she continued, "I saw a tall man hold this little girl tightly and tell her how she had just made fourteen years of suffering worthwhile." The camera pulled back to include Joyce Collier in the picture as Ann Henry continued, "Joyce, I saw the most beautiful couple together I have ever seen with love flowing among them so strongly you could almost see it. Joyce, that man is Bill Cartwright who was awarded the Medal of Honor, our country's highest award for valor in combat. He is also the brother of Chip Cartwright, Andrea's father. Cindy Cartwright and Andy are cousins — and in the same class." The girl grinned and added, "And it is a small world, too. You see, her mother, Kathy, is also an adopted daughter of Bill and Ali Clifford. Like his brother, Chip, Bill is struggling along with only about $2 billion of his own." The camera came in tight on Ann Henry again as she continued, "But there is more: I said earlier that I had an emotional experience. Possibly as moving as Cindy Cartwright was a beautiful black girl, Casey Jackson. I listened to that little girl quoting Benjamin Franklin at the Continental Congress defending the failure to condemn slavery in the Declaration of Independence. She quoted Franklin talking with John Adams, telling him that they — the members of the Congress — were men, after all, not gods. That the document was not perfect but it was a start. That their task was to create a new nation, something that had never been done in all of history." Looking directly into the camera she said, "That little girl, whose own ancestors were slaves, told us all how our country has grown and developed and improved. She also referred to something Cindy Cartwright had said earlier. She referred to William Bradford on the Mayflower writing about their new settlement as the City on the Hill, a beacon shining out to the whole world to proclaim freedom!" The camera pulled back again to include Collier as Henry continued, "Joyce, it was utterly unbelievable! Those small children — none over six years old — have the most incredible knowledge I have ever encountered. Incidentally, Casey Jackson is a very interesting person, too. Her grandfather, John Smith, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers. Her grandmother, Mary Smith, is the richest woman in Chicago. Her father, Ron, is the perennial All-Pro safety for the Bears and a shoo-in to make the Hall of Fame himself. Her mother, April, is now executive vice-president of a bank that — guess what? — the Cliffords recently bought here in Los Angeles. "It also turns out that the parents of these ten children have no less than four Medals of Honor among them. Remember, please, that it is the highest award for valor our nation can bestow! Four medals and ten children. Just imagine! "Oh, one more thing: Where is this school, you wonder?" With a grin she answered her question, "On the premises of Clifford & Jamison, attorneys at law. It is perhaps the only all-female major law firm in the state and possibly in the whole country. Managing partner?" she asked. "Who else? Allison Clifford!" The camera pulled back again and she commented, "It is a very small world, isn't it?" With the camera back tight on Ann Henry she continued, "But now we get to the question of who runs the school. That is fascinating, too. You see, the woman who teaches that school, the woman who has instilled a level of knowledge and understanding in these children that boggles the mind, is Barbara Conroy. "Who, you might ask, is Barbara Conroy? Well, she is nineteen years old and the most incredibly beautiful blue-eyed blonde I have ever seen in my life, with a body any man alive would kill for. However, she is also loved ... No... ! worshiped by these children. She is their inspiration, motivation, and I could go on and on. Suffice it to say that the love of the students for their teacher and her love for each of them was a marvel to behold. But back to Barbara Conroy. "We're still assembling details, but this is what we have so far: First, her name is Barbara Bradley Conroy. So what? So she is the daughter of Evangeline and Edgar Bradley whose net worth rivals the Cliffords! Actually," she said with a broad grin, "Some of the people we talked to didn't think the Bradleys have even reached ten billion yet, but all agreed their money was growing and growing very fast. "Her brother, Ken, is the perennial All-Pro wide receiver for the Bears and another shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Her sister, Cathy, Ken's wife, was the woman featured on Bob Costas' famous Super Bowl show the year the Bears utterly destroyed our Raiders. She starred in the Pro Bowl that year and was its MVP as well, while becoming the first woman ever to play professional football. Then we have her other sister, Kris Bradley, the singer." The camera pulled back to the two women and Ann said, "Joyce, can you believe this? The interrelationships among a handful of the most extraordinary people in this country?" The camera pulled back further to include Jack Johnson who shook his head. Then the camera came in close on Johnson who concluded, "Folks, that's about all we have for now. But I have to agree with what Ann Henry just said: We have witnessed some incredible behavior from some truly incredible people ... And the show continues tomorrow morning at the courthouse! Now stay tuned for the sports and weather following these messages." Bobbie reached out and used the remote to silence the set. Snuggling closer in Tom's arms she wondered, "I guess the shit is really going to hit the fan tomorrow, isn't it?" Tom just shook his head and said that he was going to go down to the courtroom later in the morning himself. Then with a frown he added, "Oh, hell! Now I have to start all over to get you warmed up. And I was really getting close, too..." He was startled as Bobbie slipped out of his arms and headed for the door. "Where are you going now?" he asked. "To get that damned knife, you fool!" she exclaimed. "Oh, hell!" Tom said dryly, "I guess I'll just have to take you while you're dry. I mean, it is getting late..." With a yelp, Bobbie dove from her position near the door all the way to the bed. In an almost continuous motion she rolled on her back, spread her legs wide and said in a deep, sexy voice, "Well... ?" ------- Chapter 24 As Bobbie made her way through the corridors of the courthouse, it felt wonderful to have Andy on her right and Kenny on her left, both holding her hand tightly. The thought of these two incredibly brave and resourceful children holding on for protection was amusing. Knowing them, though, Bobbie was certain they were doing it because they knew that she liked it and it made her feel good to hold their hands. Finding the door to Judge Callaway's chambers, before knocking she dropped to her knees and hugged the two children closely. "I love you two so very, very much," she whispered. Without saying a word, Kenny wrapped his arms around her neck tightly and began to kiss her. She could feel his warm lips moving on hers and felt again the tremendous power of his love. Easing aside, he made room for Andy who did the same thing. Finally, while still encircled by Bobbie's arms, Ken took Andy in his arms and kissed her. Bobbie just slowly shook her head as she saw the same love, but now coupled with an extraordinary level of passion, flow between them. Finally easing out of their embrace, Andy looked at Bobbie with her brilliant green eyes shining and said, "Bobbie, there are no words to describe the way Kenny and I feel about you. The best I can do is to say we utterly adore you, but even that isn't very close. Do you believe me?" "Yes, my darling," Bobbie replied. "But you two make me feel so humble! I can't be worthy of the love you feel for me, but God, I love the feeling!" "Bobbie, you're so incredibly good," Ken interjected, "you have no clue how good you really are! It's a stinking shame, really." Bobbie just shook her head, got to her feet and knocked on the door. Hearing a response from within, she opened the door and stuck her head in. John Callaway was sitting on his sofa with a vibrantly beautiful young woman sitting beside him. Seeing Bobbie, he jumped to his feet and rushed over to greet her. "Bobbie, I'm delighted!" he exclaimed. Then he saw Kenny and Andy hand-in-hand diffidently entering the office. Taking them over to the sofa he said, "Kelly, it's my great pleasure to introduce Andrea Cartwright. Andy, this is my love, Kelly Callaway." Kelly was stunned at the incredible beauty of the little girl standing before her. Today Andy was wearing a lovely white blouse with a green pinafore in emerald green that exactly matched her eyes. She made a beautiful and graceful curtsy, extended her hand and beamed saying, "Mrs. Callaway, it is a real honor and privilege to meet you." Kelly took the little girl's hand and was amazed at the strength Andy had in the grip of her small hand. Then she reached out, pulled Andy close and kissed her. Coming on the heels of nightlong lovemaking with John, the incredible power of Andy's kiss was more than the woman could take. She felt an unbelievable flow of the purest love through her body and then it was as if her circuit breakers overloaded and all tripped at once. The next thing she knew Andy was kneeling on the sofa beside her with her arms around her neck crying. Kelly opened her eyes, shook her head to clear it and then asked dizzily, "What happened?" "Andy Cartwright happened, darling," Callaway replied. "I warned you about the power of her kisses, but I guess our vocabulary is inadequate. I said her kisses were powerful, but I guess there's powerful, and powerful, and powerful! Isn't she something?" "She is utterly unbelievable!" Andy had stopped crying when Kelly revived. Now kneeling on the sofa beside the seated woman, Andy held Kelly's head between her hands and turned it so they were face to face. Then, without a word, she stared into the woman's eyes. Kelly stared back and was initially frightened by what she was seeing. She was looking deep into the most incredible depths of purity, love and goodness. It was as if she was seeing the purity of the child's soul. She remembered hearing the phrase, "drowning in a person's eyes." For the first time in her life she understood what the phrase really meant. Finally, Andy pulled back and her eyes lost their staring look. The little girl looked so happy as she said, "I'm so happy for you, Kelly ... Oh dear!" the little girl exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!" "For what?" Kelly replied, genuinely surprised and startled. Andy shook her head sadly but then brightened and said, "Bobbie will give me my spanking before we go into court so I guess it will be all right. Please accept my most sincere apologies, Mrs. Callaway." All Kelly could do was to shake her head in utter bewilderment. She had no idea what this beautiful little girl was talking about. Recognizing the problem, Andy explained, "I called you by your Christian name, Mrs. Callaway. For a small child to call an adult — a widow and the mother of two beautiful children — by her Christian name is utterly unforgivable. I promise never to do it again!" "I told you, darling," John Callaway explained. "These people live by a set of standards that are truly unbelievable. If we can't talk her out of it, before we go into the courtroom this morning you're going to see this adorable little girl take down her pants — very pretty, feminine ones, too, I'll bet — go up to Bobbie and ask her please to give her ten spanks, very hard. Then she will pull up her skirt to bare her lovely little bottom, lay over Bobbie's leg and wait. "When she has received ten hard spanks without making a sound — and believe me, Bobbie is very strong — she will climb down, kiss the hand that Bobbie spanked her with, express the wish that Bobbie didn't hurt it on her firm bottom, and then thank her for helping her to be a better little girl. There will be tears rolling down her little cheeks, but she will climb up and kiss away the tears flowing from Bobbie's eyes. Then Bobbie will hug her, kiss her, tell her that she loves her and express the hope that she never has to do it again — it hurts her too much." Turning to Bobbie he asked, "Right?" With a very warm smile Bobbie shook her head and said, "Judge, you're very perceptive. You have our little script down perfectly." Then looking warmly at Andy she added, "And you can't believe how painful it is to spank a little angel!" Kelly looked into Andy's eyes and said, "Darling, I am going to ask for a very big favor. Please? The young woman who saved the life of the man I love — who, with God's intercession, eliminated a lethal malignant brain tumor — can call me absolutely anything she wants. Anything! But I would be overjoyed and filled with pride if I could believe that the young woman likes me enough to be my friend and call me Kelly. You see, Andy, I owe you my sanity if not my very life itself. Could you, please? Could you bring yourself to call me Kelly?" Andy was bewildered and looked at Bobbie for guidance. "Darling Andy, you heard Mrs. Callaway. She very much wants to be your friend and friends do call one another by their first names. Honey, I'll speak to your mother, but I'm sure it will be all right. And honey, I really can't spank you today. I just can't! Please?" Andy wheeled around again and beamed at Kelly. "Oh, Kelly, I'm so happy! You make me feel so ... so adult. It's so great!" Kelly was looking at her and slowly shaking her head. Then she said, "Now, darling Andy, you were starting to say something when you interrupted yourself. What was it?" "Last night was so great for you, wasn't it? Such utterly spectacular lovemaking!" And shaking her head slowly she added, "And your body! The judge played it like the keys on a piano, didn't he? And enter you? Were you pleased that you had the last of your virginity to give to him? I'll bet you were. Kelly, I'm so happy for you!" Then the girl's expression changed and she said, "But you're not going to thank me in the end, though!" Now it was Kelly's turn to be puzzled. "What does that mean?" "It means that Jack was looking down on you two from Heaven last night! You made him so utterly, exquisitely happy! You can't believe how miserable you have made him, seeing you suffer so much night after night after night. Darling Kelly, Jack shared your torments. He desperately wanted to communicate with you but couldn't." Kelly's eyes had widened in amazement. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Then she asked, "But what does that have to do with not thanking you in the end? I don't understand." "It's simple, Kelly," Andy replied with her eyes wide but full of suppressed laughter. "You're going to spend eternity between Jack and John. When one finishes the other will take you, and it will just go on and on and on." Shaking her head in feigned sadness she added, "Your cunt is going to be terribly sore! And eternity is a very long time." Kelly appeared thoughtful but then brightened. "I know! I can be the meat in a sandwich. I find I adore being taken in my rear, so..." She grabbed Andy in her arms and hugged her while the girl and the woman laughed merrily at the joke. Then she pulled Andy away and pretended to glare, "But you're only six years old! You're not supposed to know about things like that!" Ignoring the comment, Andy asked, "What did Kirsten and Jamie say when they found you in their grandfather's bed this morning? I'll bet they were happy!" "Jack," Kelly asked, "is there anything this little girl doesn't know? Anything at all?" "If there is, it can't be too important," he replied. Then to Andy he said, "The answer to your question was that they were delighted. I had just taken Kelly again and we were lying naked on the bed with our bodies still slick with sweat. My hand was cupping her gorgeous tit when the two girls came in. At first they were frightened because they had gone to Kelly's room and found the bed hadn't been slept in. When they asked Kelly how she felt, this sexy little witch stroked her slit a couple of times and replied, 'Marvelous!' Now, young Miss Nosy, does that answer your question? Or do you need a blow-by-blow account?" "Oh, Judge!" Andy exclaimed feigning exasperation, "of course not! Kelly can give me a blow-by-blow account any time in the next day or two. Besides, we don't really have the time now for her to give me all the lovely juicy details!" Everyone howled with laughter at Andy's reply. Then Kelly asked, "Jack, how old is Andy, anyway? Six going on sixty?" Then Ken, who had been sitting quietly asked, "Is it my turn yet?" When Kelly looked at him, Andy moved away and Ken stood before her, bowed and said, "Good morning, Mrs. Callaway. My name is Kenneth Clifford and I am truly delighted to make your acquaintance!" When Kelly lifted him up beside her and kissed him, even though he tried to reduce the power of his kiss, it was still too much for her and knocked her out again. When she revived, Jack was shaking his head in amusement and said, "Darling, you're doing at least one thing right. When you kiss these kids you're sitting down so at least you don't fall on the floor and hurt yourself. And you know what? I am absolutely certain that Kenny tried hard to reduce the intensity of his kiss. You did, didn't you, Ken?" "Yes sir, I certainly did. But not enough, obviously. Mrs. Callaway, I apologize. I certainly hope I didn't hurt you in any way. Will you forgive me?" "No!" Kelly replied flatly. "I will not!" She saw the look of hurt in the boy's eyes and could see tears in their corners. Then with her warmest smile she added, "I won't until you call me Kelly! And keep calling me Kelly." Looking at him with love in her eyes she said, "Can we please avoid a repeat of all that garbage I just went through with Andy? Please?" "Kelly Callaway, I love you very much," Kenny said. Then he asked, "May I look into your eyes, too?" When he did she felt a repeat of the sensation she experienced with Andy. The only difference was that this time the eyes were as blue as the Pacific Ocean. When he stopped staring he beamed and looked ecstatically happy. "Kelly, I am so happy and pleased for you both! You are going to have such a marvelously happy and long life together. And Kelly, with all that you have suffered since Jack's death, it couldn't happen to a finer person." Glancing at the clock Jack found it was five minutes before ten. Now he was sitting on the sofa with his arm around Kelly and asked, "Darling, now we come to the important question. It's why I wanted them to come in this morning and wanted you to be here, too. Darling, what can we do for two little imps who, in less than twenty-four hours, literally saved my life and created the indescribable level of happiness I found in your arms. What can we do?" Looking at the children Kelly's eyes were wide as she said, "Jack, it's simple, really. What do you children want? My right arm? A tit? Both of them? A steak cut from my bottom? It's pretty trim, by the way, with very little fat. What would you like?" Then tears appeared in her eyes as she continued, "The truth is, darlings, we will give you anything or do anything for you that is within our power to do. Do you understand? Absolutely anything! Now what would you like?" The two children looked at each other. Andy nodded and Ken said, "You have already done enough. Andy and I see the joy you two share and the love you feel for each other. That's enough and more than enough. You can't know how wonderful we both feel to have been able, in a very small way, to help you. Thank you for providing the opportunity." Andy just nodded vigorously in complete agreement. "However, there is just one small thing..." Ken added. "What is it? Anything!" Kelly replied. Looking at Callaway Ken asked bashfully, "Sir, could we watch you kiss ... Kelly? Please? Could you?" Dropping on the sofa the judge pulled the girl to him and began to work his lips on hers. Kelly's love for him and her instantly-aroused passion were so obvious. When they finally parted, both were breathless. When Callaway's breathing had returned to normal he said, "That reminds me! I have a bone to pick with you two imps!" The children instantly looked upset and asked what they had done. "You caused me to be burned on my thigh! Badly burned, too. I'll bet the burns are at least second-degree." Andy saw the gleam of suppressed laughter in the judge's eyes so she was no longer upset, but she played the game. "How did we cause you to get second-degree burns, sir?" "Andy Cartwright, have you ever heard a woman referred to as a hot cunt?" To his surprise Andy vigorously nodded her head and said, "Of course! It's the way Dad refers to Mommy all the time." Then with the cutest little smile she added, "I tell Ken about it, too. Just because I'm a platinum blonde doesn't mean I can't be passionate. My hair is the same color as Mom's and she sure has a hot cunt." Then she grinned again and added, "But yes, sir. I have heard the term." "Well," Callaway continued, "I have heard the term, too, but until last night I never knew exactly what it meant. You see, between rounds of lovemaking we would fall asleep. Kelly always slept with my thigh in her crotch. The pain from the fire in her cunt always woke me up and then we would go at it again. But this morning I have burns all over my thigh. Now what are you going to do about that?" "That's easy," Andy replied. "But it's not us, it's you. The only thing that can keep that fire under control is an awful lot of warm cum flooding Kelly's love box. Ideally, it should be stuffed full all the time. It's even good for making her constantly wet and slippery to take you inside. Now what's the problem?" Suddenly, Kelly dissolved in tears. Spinning on the sofa she hurled herself into Jack's arms and cried inconsolably. Like most men, Callaway was useless in the presence of a woman's tears. Bobbie jumped from her chair and sat on the sofa next to Kelly. Using her strength she pulled the woman away from Jack and pulled her to herself. Placing Kelly's head on her shoulder, she gently stroked the woman's shoulders while she crooned in her ear. Callaway was utterly amazed to see Bobbie literally wiping away the stress from Kelly's body. He could see her slowly relax, kiss Bobbie's neck and then lift her head. When she did, Bobbie was about to kiss her when Kelly recoiled and said, "You stay away from me, Barbara Conroy! I've been unconscious twice already in the last thirty minutes. And Jack warned me that the power of your kisses is at least twice as great as the two kids! Now that I've experienced their power I know damned well that your kiss would literally kill me!" "No, it won't," Bobbie replied casually. "You heard Kenny: You two are going to have a long and happy life together. You'll survive." With that she brought the woman's mouth to hers. For Kelly, it was almost unbelievable. Although she was resisting, she found that Bobbie was so strong that she just felt her lips on hers. The kiss was the most unbelievable thing she had ever experienced. Obviously, Bobbie was controlling her own power. But at the same time she felt the most incredible depth of the purest love she could ever imagine. Then as the kiss continued, she could feel her body filled with the purest joy! She felt ecstatic as Bobbie relaxed and let her draw away. "I think that will hold you until you get Jack in your bed tonight," Bobbie said softly. "Then you'll feel the same joy but coupled with the ecstasy of your cuming together. The feel of his glorious cum pulsating into your throbbing vagina! Oh, Kelly, I'm so happy for you!" Kelly slumped back against the sofa and let her head loll to the side. "I'm sorry, Jack," she said weakly. "I give up! I have just had the most incredible experience of my life! Can you believe it? This woman just filled my body with the purest joy. She honest-to-God did! But how?" "By being one of the most extraordinary people alive in the world today," he replied with a grin. Then extending his hands to help her up he said, "Come on! We have to get this show on the road!" As Bobbie, accompanied by the children, left the office, she was surprised to learn that Kelly was coming, too. The woman said that, since she was desperately in love with him, it was only appropriate for her to find out what he did for a living. When she asked where the two girls were, Kelly replied that they were spending the day with a neighbor. "It was really funny this morning," Kelly said with a grin. "When I went over to ask Doris if she could look after the girls, she just looked me over carefully. Then she shook her head and said with a wonderful gleam in her eyes, 'Kelly, you've been a bad girl!' She shook her head and continued, "Bobbie, I don't know what's come over me, either. Before today, if anyone had said what Doris did I would have turned as red as a beet and gone to hide in the corner." "What did you do today?" Bobbie asked. With a wonderfully lascivious smile Kelly replied, "I told her, 'On the contrary! I have never been so good in my life. Jack never had it as good as John did last night!' Wasn't that an awful thing to say?" "Why was it awful?" Bobbie asked blandly. "It was true, wasn't it?" Kelly laughed gleefully and followed them into the courtroom. ------- Chapter 25 Bobbie and the two children were sitting at the same table when the bailiff called for them all to rise promptly on the stroke of ten. John Callaway emerged from his chambers and went to the bench, but did not take his seat. Instead he made an announcement: "Last night there was quite an exchange of phone calls among my colleagues of the judiciary, including a rather elaborate conference call. The result of all this discussion has been a decision that, effective immediately, we are going to begin our court sessions in a slightly different manner than we have done in the past. "All sessions of the Superior Court of the State of California will now open with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag." Coming down from the bench Callaway walked in front of it and looked out over the crowd. As he expected, while Bobbie, Andy and Ken were together at the table, the rest of the children were standing in a row immediately behind them. He said, "I would now like to request Miss Susan Carlson, Miss Cynthia Cartwright, and Master Michael Morris, Junior, to please come forward!" Looking apprehensive the three came forward and stood in front of the judge. As he fully expected, the two girls were exquisitely dressed, and Mike looked extremely handsome. He suppressed a smile when he noticed that Sue Carlson's hand was being held tightly by Mike. Addressing the spectators Callaway said, "We are very fortunate today to have with us three children with rather extraordinary parents. Those of you who were here yesterday know all about it, but for the benefit of the newcomers, I would like to introduce these young people to you." He asked them to face the audience and he introduced each by name. Then he said, "Why did I invite these three children up here this morning? Because, you see, the fathers of each of these children has been awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in combat our country can bestow. In the case of Susan Carlson, her father, Kenneth, has been awarded two! "I think it only appropriate, therefore, to ask these children to lead us in the recitation of the Pledge to the flag their fathers fought for so bravely and so well. Following the recitation, I am going to ask all of Mrs. Conroy's students to come up here and join in singing our National Anthem. While this is not an ordinary part of our new procedure — most of us can't sing — I know that these children can sing, and they sing beautifully." Looking down from the bench he asked, "Kids, are you ready?" Tears came to the corners of his eyes as he watched the small children wheel to face the flag in the corner of the court and, standing at strict attention, place their hands over their hearts. Then in unison in voices that carried to the farthest corner they began, "I pledge allegiance to the flag..." To his pleasure, Callaway could hear the voices of what sounded to be everyone in the room pick up, " ... of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Then the remaining students joined with Bobbie standing behind them. They began, "O say can you see..." Callaway was amazed again at the incredible beauty of their singing and the fervor they put into the words. Many of the spectators joined in, although not nearly as many as had recited. Finishing the first verse the children swung immediately into the fourth. Now they were the only ones singing — no one else knew the words. When they finished he said, "Could I have a round of applause for a beautiful, heartfelt recitation and lovely singing. Most impressive to me personally, though, is the sense that, to these children, neither the Pledge nor The National Anthem are merely words. They are words that these children know and believe in. Would that there were more of us that did!" The spectators cheered as, blushing, the children returned to their places and sat down. After returning to the bench and calling the court to order he asked if there were any last comments before he announced his decision. Roberta Kramer rose from her seat and said that the State would like to call one witness: Barbara Conroy. Callaway was surprised at the move, but agreed. Bobbie was surprised as well but rose from her seat, was sworn and took her seat in the witness box. After stating her name to the clerk, she waited attentively for the first question. Now sitting on the raised platform, she had a good view of the courtroom for the first time. She noted that, first, every seat was taken, and second, the back of the room and side aisles were thronged with what appeared to be news reporters and other media people. Kramer began her questioning with a series regarding the business practices of the little school, including paying bills and writing checks. Bobbie had no idea where she was going or what point Kramer was trying to make, but she answered the questions. She said that to the extent there were any business matters, she took care of them personally. Hearing the answer she was waiting for, Kramer pounced. "Mrs. Conroy, do you know you are guilty of criminal behavior? You are, you know. And did you also know criminals cannot teach? They cannot! Mrs. Conroy, I am delighted to tell you that you're through and the school is closed. That's the end of it!" Seething with scarcely-suppressed rage Bobbie asked as calmly as she could, "Would you kindly explain how you came to that remarkable conclusion?" "You failed to pay withholding taxes on your salary, Mrs. Conroy! You did not pay the school's portion of the taxes, either. Mrs. Conroy, that is criminal behavior! You're finished!" Kramer triumphantly returned to her table and sat down. At that point Sandy Benson jumped to her feet and came forward. Bobbie was still sitting in the witness chair at a total loss with respect to what to do next. Standing before the judge Sandy said, "Your honor, the state has accused Barbara Conroy of criminal conduct. Under the circumstances, it appears that she needs professional representation and I would like to appear on her behalf, if I may?" "Miss Harris," Callaway said using Sandy's professional name, "I think that would be a fine idea. And from personal knowledge I can only say that you are the finest, most highly-qualified lawyer in the state of California to do it." "Thank you, Your Honor, for your very kind words," Sandy replied. Then to Bobbie she asked, "Bobbie, may I be your lawyer? Please?" Bobbie was so upset all she could do was to nod vigorously. "I have some questions of the witness on cross-examination, Your Honor," Sandy continued. Callaway just nodded. "Bobbie, how much are you paid as the teacher of these children?" she asked softly. "I am the highest-paid teacher alive in the world today, Sandy," Bobbie replied, proudly sitting up straight in her chair. "No one receives more than I do!" "What is your compensation?" Sandy asked softly, yet in a voice that carried to the corners of the room. "I have ten of the best, the most wonderful students in the world. Every morning, when I enter the classroom I see children who are alert, intelligent, totally prepared and so eager to learn, it causes my heart to flip! I have a group of students who individually and collectively I adore! I have students who like me..." Looking the expressions of utter shock on the faces of the children she shook her head and changed it, "Who love me!" Looking at Sandy she continued, "You were here yesterday, Sandy. What is it worth to hear Casey Jackson citing Benjamin Franklin in the Continental Congress in 1776? (And doing so perfectly, I might add.) What is it worth to hear Susan Carlson brilliantly compare our founding with the French Revolution? Sandy, it is priceless! It is utterly priceless! I am the highest-paid teacher in the world," she repeated proudly. "How much are you paid in money?" Sandy asked quietly. "Money? What money? What on earth would I want money for?" She looked at Sandy and shook her head. "Sandy, you know me better than that. As a matter of fact, I have a bone to pick with Aunt Ali!" Looking at Sandy she grinned and added, "Would you believe it? I got a call from my mother last night and it seems that she and Dad worked out some dumb merger deal or other with Bill and Ali. Anyway, somehow Ali is now my mother's sister and Bill is now my father's brother, so now she's my aunt and he's my uncle." Then she grinned and added, "Isn't that neat? I think that might make Andy and Ken my nephew and niece, but I'm not really sure. "Anyway, the reason I'm teed off at Aunt Ali is that she's been shooting off her big mouth to Mom. Now she is doing to me what Ali's been doing with her sons and daughters for years: Every few weeks she'll wire in another ten or twenty million dollars to my bank account. Sandy, it's very frustrating — particularly when I'm only nineteen and don't handle big numbers very well." "Why is it frustrating?" Sandy inquired. "Oh, I guess it's not really — particularly now that I forget about trying to balance my checkbook. Now all I do when the statement comes is to look at the final balance. If the number has eight digits in front of the decimal and its first numeral is a five or larger, I just throw it away." She grinned at Sandy and said, "I withdraw my comment." "Bobbie, how much money are you paid to teach the school?" Sandy repeated. Looking puzzled, Bobbie replied, "Sandy, I already answered your question: nothing. I'm not paid a penny." Then she grinned, "Isn't that neat!" "It sure is!" Sandy agreed. Then turning to Kramer she asked, "Since you are our resident expert, Ms. Kramer, what is the correct withholding on compensation of zero dollars?" "Before answering that question, Your Honor, would it be possible for me to ask the witness a few more questions?" Kramer replied. Bobbie agreed so Sandy moved aside and took the chair at the table where Bobbie had been sitting. Looking at Bobbie, Kramer asked, "Let me go over a couple of points. I'm confused. First, what are you paid as the teacher of these children?" "I already answered the question once, Ms. Kramer, but I guess we have already established that you're a slow learner. I am the highest-paid teacher in the world. Let me show you what I mean." Turning to where the children were sitting she asked them to come forward and stand by the judge's bench in two rows. When they did and were looking at her expectantly, Bobbie continued, "That is my compensation. Just look at them! Never in history has a teacher had students as wonderful as mine. Have you ever seen such eagerness? Have you ever seen children whose appearance and behavior so reflect the work of loving and attentive parents? Parents with deep values — belief in God and our country — that they have worked so hard to instill? "It is so incredibly wonderful! It begins with two wonderful people who love each other passionately and deeply who merge their bodies to create a new life. It continues with the woman bursting with joy as she feels the tiny new life ripening in her body. Following the birth, there is the nursing and nurturing of the infant, training the tiny child to walk, to talk, and then to read. At the earliest age, the child is taught to love and serve God! Then after years of selfless work to mold and shape the child, the finished product — a beautiful six-year-old — is delivered to me! Can you imagine? I am entrusted with not just one. I am given ten at one time! "Look at them, Ms. Kramer. Just look!" Bobbie demanded. "These children are mine! They are given to me to educate and develop, building on the foundations their parents created. Every day I come in and see these shining faces. Has any teacher in history ever had such a remarkable group of young people to work with? I don't think so. They give me such incredible joy! "Kramer, how do you suppose I felt yesterday afternoon? I was hearing from my students a depth of understanding of what we have been doing. I can't tell you how wonderful I felt. And do you know what? They do it for me! Honest to God they do. "You know, one thing has been troubling me. How do these children achieve at the levels they do? As we both found out yesterday, their achievement is remarkable. Well," Bobbie said, with the warmest smile anyone had ever seen, "I think I know. It was a comment Millie Flaherty made yesterday about the Holy Spirit. As I reflected on it, I realized that she was exactly correct. It comes back to the children and their families, though. They are so pure and loving and full of Divine grace that when we ask God for his support and guidance, He hears us! He really does. "And He sends down the Holy Spirit to work among us. I need not tell you about the infinite powers of Almighty God, the Creator of the whole universe. God does rain his blessings down on these children! No wonder they accomplish what they do. With the direct help of Almighty God, it's easy. "But back to compensation. These children — the utterly magnificent creatures that they are — are my compensation, Ms. Kramer, and I am rich! I have the love of not just one child. I have ten!" Bobbie grinned and looked around the room. The expressions on the children's faces were ones approaching adoration: they utterly adored her. Then she continued, "I don't stop there, though. I keep on top of the women at C&J to keep rounding those bellies to keep me provided with raw material. Since every morning the place is full of women whose tails are dragging but who have looks of ecstasy on their faces, I have to believe they are really trying their best." Then looking at Kramer she asked, "But don't you think that if they made love often enough that they could sort of shorten the time of pregnancy?" There were howls of laughter that were concentrated among the children's mothers as well as other Clifford & Jamison staffers in the audience. "I mean, after all..." Bobbie continued, "If a single episode of lovemaking can produce a child in nine months, shouldn't nine episodes produce a child in one? I mean ... The arithmetic is pretty simple. "But to state it again, these darling children who I adore are my compensation, and I'm grossly overpaid!" "But ... but what about the bills? What do you live on?" Bobbie raised her eyebrows and shook her head in exasperation. "Ms. Kramer, I have to agree with something Cindy Cartwright said yesterday: you don't know anything! Let me keep it simple: In answer to one of Sandy's questions I said that my bank balance has eight digits and the first is a numeral that is a five or larger. To make it more simple, that's a sum of money greater than fifty million dollars. At just 4 percent — and I do a lot better than that — it produces two million dollars a year or nearly $40,000 per week! Now how much do you think Tom and I can spend? After all, a person can eat only so much." Then she giggled and added, "You know, it does get funny, I guess. You see, Ms. Kramer, my husband and I were married in February and immediately left on a six-month honeymoon. The night of our wedding — in fact, while the party was still going on — we were dropped off a boat lying off a small island in Hawaii. We were both completely naked as we swam ashore with a few matches, three knives, some fishing line and a couple of hooks. "There we stayed for the next six months. If we couldn't find it, catch it, or make it, we didn't have it." With a warm smile she added, "You know, there is no better way to start a marriage. Tom and I know absolutely everything there is to know about each other. It's funny, now, sometimes. We'll be together communicating for a half hour or so and suddenly start to laugh when we realized that neither of us had spoken a word. We're so attuned to each other, we really don't need to. "But back to my point. When we returned a couple of months ago, I learned that we had made far more than a million dollars on interest alone. There we were, completely cut off from everything, but we made over a million dollars anyway. Isn't that neat? "To anticipate your next question, Clifford & Jamison provides all the facilities to me free. Beyond that, anything I want — books, or equipment, or computers — I buy. What's the big deal?" Kramer was in a state of shock. She could only murmur, "A million dollars? In only six months?" "Ms. Kramer, unlike some of the other families you learned about, Tom and I aren't rich. But we have all the money we need to do what we want to do. Besides, we proved to ourselves that we can not only survive, we can thrive, on no money at all — on just our own hands and brains. So I guess that's our security." At that point Sandy rose from her seat and returned to the witness stand. Picking up where she had left off she said, "Ms. Kramer, I have established that Mrs. Conroy's salary is zero and she has explained it in detail. You previously stated that she is guilty of criminal behavior because she failed to pay the Federal government and the State of California the taxes on her salary. Since her salary is zero, I am asking you again what the correct withholding taxes are on a salary of zero. It's a simple question. Why don't you consult that pile of documents on the table behind you? I'll bet you'll find the answer in there somewhere." The children had retaken their seats and Bobbie suppressed a smile as she saw Laura Benson wriggling on her chair in glee. She had learned that Laura's favorite form of entertainment was watching her mother take apart a hostile witness. And it was clear to Laura that Kramer's blood was going to be all over the floor very soon. "I'm waiting, Ms. Kramer," Sandy reminded her testily. "We don't have all day. What is the withholding on a salary of zero dollars?" "Nothing," Kramer murmured. "I can't hear you," Sandy said. Then she turned to the judge and said, "Your Honor, would you please instruct Ms. Kramer to speak up so that the clerk can record her answer to my question." Callaway did and Kramer nearly shouted, "Nothing!" "Gee!" said Sandy. "What do you know about that? Having listened to Mrs. Conroy's earlier answers — she paid nothing in withholding taxes — it is now clear that she is in full and complete compliance with the law. The law asks for nothing and that is the amount she has paid." Now glaring at Kramer, Sandy continued, "Ms. Kramer, you will be receiving papers from my office this afternoon. This has gone far enough! All day yesterday you were impugning my client. This morning you publicly called her a criminal! That is a slander, Ms. Kramer, and this time I will not allow my client's kindness towards you — for what earthly reason she displays such kindness, I don't know — to stop me from pursuing this case." With a devilish grin Sandy added, "And you know what? It's going to be great fun! You see, Ms. Kramer, you have just made a disastrous mistake. When you deal with Barbara Conroy you're dealing with the kindest, sweetest, most generous, most giving person on the face of this earth! But I am the total opposite, Ms. Kramer, and from now on you will be dealing with me! I can hardly wait!" Turning to the bench she said, "I wish to apologize to the court, Your Honor. My preceding comments were out of line and out of order. Please accept my sincere apologies." "The court heard nothing for which an apology is indicated, Miss Harris. All the court heard was a brief and factual recital of what is in store for Ms. Kramer." Then, seeing Kramer crumpled at her table in fear, he turned to Bobbie and said, "You are excused, Mrs. Conroy. Thank you." Turning back to the court as Bobbie went back to her seat at the table he asked, "Does anyone have anything further to add?" One of the state's attorneys shook his head as did Bobbie. "Since there is nothing further, this court finds for the defendant, Barbara Bradley Conroy and the Clifford & Jamison school. The California State Department of Instruction is hereby permanently enjoined from any direct contact with the school or with Mrs. Conroy. Any communications to them are to be sent in care of this Court. Only if we determine that whatever is requested is absolutely essential to the State will such communications be forwarded." Glaring at the state's table, he asked, "Do I make myself clear?" Although one of the attorneys acknowledged, Kramer had not given up. Rising to her feet she said, "Your Honor, we will move for a stay of your order pending our appeal to a higher court. The Department cannot allow such an order to stand!" At that point a man who had been seated in the far corner of the room rose to his feet and declared loudly, "The Department can allow it to stand and it will!" Coming forward to the barrier separating the parties from the spectators he said, "Judge Callaway, my name is James Perkins. I am the new Superintendent of Instruction of the State of California. I respectfully request permission to address the Court." "Welcome, Mr. Perkins," Callaway said. "You are most welcome to speak." Turning toward the crowd while standing in front of the Judge's bench, Perkins was amused to see Roberta Kramer looking very ill. He began: "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Jim Perkins. I am the Superintendent of Instruction in this state. And, I regret to say, I am the boss of the department in which Ms. Kramer is employed. "Yesterday and this morning I witnessed the most egregious case of bureaucracy run amok I have ever seen or heard of in my entire professional career. I cannot tell you the embarrassment I suffer knowing that this persecution was done in the name of the organization I head. All I can do is humbly apologize." Turning to Bobbie who was again seated at the defendants' table he asked, "Mrs. Conroy, will you please accept my deepest and most humble apologies for what my unit has been trying to do to you?" "Of course, sir, but there is nothing to forgive. As I'm sure you heard, I learned a great deal myself, and I think my kids did, too. But thank you, Mr. Perkins, for your kind words." Turning again to face the crowd Perkins was shaking his head, "My department was trying to close Mrs. Conroy's school. Well I, for one, agree totally with what Millie Flaherty said yesterday afternoon: Barbara Conroy is certainly the finest teacher alive in the world today and may be the finest teacher in all of history! I saw the most incredible academic performance from some of the most remarkable young people I have ever had the good fortune to encounter! "Never have I been so inspired! The understanding that these children display is unbelievable. And I stress the word, understanding, because isn't that what education is really all about? It's not learning names and dates and places. It is understanding what happened and the significance of what happened. "To hear what I heard from six-year-old children made me want to cry." Looking around the room he said, "Is Millie Flaherty here today? If she is, would she please stand?" The woman was present and stood up. Grinning at her, Perkins said, "Damn it, Millie, you're much too young a girl to be retired! I need someone who knows what teaching is really all about working with me in Sacramento. Could I persuade you to give up your flowers for a few years and come to work for me? You would be replacing Ms. Kramer and would be in charge of the curriculum for the California schools. "I heard what you said and I liked what I heard. I agree that we have become tied up in multicultural garbage. Can you imagine trying to teach children about the Hindu culture, for example, when they don't have the first clue about their own? Ridiculous! And some of the books!? Daddy's Roommate and Heather's Two Mommies in a first-grade reader!? Homosexuality and lesbianism in the first grade? What utter insanity." Smiling now he continued, "Millie, I know we're not like Barbara Conroy and our students aren't like hers, but we have to make do with what we've got. And frankly, I am appalled at how little we do have. Do you know what's so funny? I'm going to say something that will get the NEA on my back in an instant: It's not money. We have tons of money! It's how we spend it and what we spend it on. Millie, I need your help. Will you help me? Please?" Tears were flowing down the woman's cheeks as she stood there looking at Perkins but she just nodded her head continually. When he finished she said, "Sir, the answer is yes. In fact, it's hell yes! But I hope you will permit me to consult with Mrs. Conroy — hell, consult with Bobbie. Bobbie Conroy is the very best there is! We both know it and maybe she can help." Then she raised her head proudly and said, "However, Mr. Perkins, you may want to reconsider your offer. You see, sir, because of all of the help provided by the ACLU and people like Ms. Kramer, we cannot even mention God, let alone ask for his support. Sir, unless we can find a way to get around that, I think I will have to support a voucher system: Give the parents money to be used to educate their children anyplace they want. It may be the only answer." "And you may be absolutely right, Millie," Perkins agreed. "That may mean that you and I develop a voucher program." Then he turned back to Bobbie, smiled warmly, and said, "And, Bobbie Conroy, I agree with something you said this morning: You certainly are overpaid! My God! To be able to come into class in the morning and see children like these! To be able to watch them grow and develop. To see their joy, to hear their laughter ... yes, and to kiss away their tears! It's far too much. "But is that all? Bobbie Conroy, what about the love? What value do you place on the adoration of these children?" He shook his head and exclaimed, "Damn it, Conroy, you're the most overpaid teacher in the history of the profession! What do you have to say to that?" Rising to her feet and facing the crowd, tears were streaming from Bobbie's eyes but they were tears of happiness. "Mr. Perkins, what can I say? It's absolutely true. Fair compensation might be about two minutes of love in a year's time from one of these imps. But being drowned in a constant flow of love, all the time, from all ten? You're right, sir. It's far too much." Then looking at her students she said, "My darlings, thank you. You make me the happiest person on the face of this earth!" Then with a grin she said, "Now how about if we blow this dump? I'll even spring for ice cream." The entire crowd was on its feet cheering the outcome of the trial and Bobbie. While this was going on the children pressed around her and, one after the other, she picked them up, kissed them, loved them, and thanked each one. ------- Chapter 26 Tom found her as she was making arrangements with the parents to pick up the children after they had lunch and ice cream. Leaving the courtroom with her brood gathered around her, she was stopped by two young women who she recognized from the night before: Joyce Collier and Ann Henry from KNBC, Los Angeles. Bobbie could see camera crews waiting in the background. Joyce, the senior of the two, said, "Mrs. Conroy? I'm Joyce Collier from KNBC and this is Ann Henry. Could you please give us an interview?" "Not right now," Bobbie replied, "but possibly later." Then she smiled warmly and said, "I will make a deal with you, though. Why don't you tell your crew to get lost or eat or something. Then you can join us for lunch with this crew of imps, and we can talk. And I'll even buy. Is it a deal?" The two young women immediately agreed and Joyce left to make arrangements with the crew. While she was gone Bobbie introduced Tom to Ann Henry. He was wearing his blue blazer again and looked incredibly handsome. Ann just looked at him and said softly, "Yum!" "You don't know the half of it!" Bobbie said with a giggle. "If you think he looks good now, you should see him naked in bed — particularly if you're horny the way I always am." Henry studied Tom and then looked closely at Bobbie. Although she had been in the courtroom for much of the previous day, this was her first chance to see Bobbie up close. Finally she said, "If I were a guy naked in bed and saw you standing there naked I would be afraid my cock would extend to hit the ceiling! Mrs. Conroy—" "Bobbie, please!" Bobbie interrupted. "I'm certain I'm younger than you are." "Bobbie," Ann repeated with a grin, "you're the most magnificent woman I have ever seen. I was thinking what a stinking shame that Tom is taken, but seeing you up close, if you were wearing a muu-muu covering you from neck to floor and I was bare-assed naked, Tom wouldn't even see me. And if you were naked? No man alive would see another woman!" Bobbie just grinned. When Joyce Collier rejoined them, they went to a nearby ice cream and sandwich shop. Since it was well before noon, they were able to get four booths. When the children were seated — the hostess was astonished at the courtesy and manners the children all displayed — Ann Henry looked at them and giggled. "Well, I guess I know who's who. Andy and Ken are sitting by themselves. Then, I guess, we have Mike Morris and Charley Conrad, each with his own harem." She smiled very warmly and added, "God, they are all so cute!" After they ordered, Ann congratulated Bobbie on the outcome of the trial and the brilliant accomplishments of the children. Meanwhile, Joyce looked like something was on her mind. When Ann finished, Joyce asked if, by any chance, they had seen the KNBC news the night before. When Bobbie replied with a warm smile that indeed they had, Joyce returned the smile with a warm one of her own and said, "There appears to be some trouble." After looking down at tabletop for a moment, apparently to gather her thoughts, she said thoughtfully, "Bobbie, this morning, I think you changed my life. You see, I guess I'm what's referred to as a female media personality." With a very warm grin she continued, "That's another term for a reasonably attractive face, good tits and a trim little ass. Nothing is expected to be between your ears, of course, except air. "We have a whole litany of approved beliefs and positions. If you don't learn the litany, you don't survive, let alone advance. I guess I learned it all in school and learned it well. Anyway, here I am. Then this morning in court I heard those children recite the Pledge. I have never heard it recited that way in my life before. Those children know it, they mean it and they live it! Walking over here you may have seen me talk to a number of the children." To Bobbie's surprise tears appeared in the girl's eyes as she continued, "Without exception I was greeted with the most incredible courtesy and manners I have ever encountered in my life. I was treated like a lady! Me! A pushy media bitch with the all the ethics and morals of an alley cat! Hell, I'll ball anything — male, female, or uncertain — if it will get me another ten seconds of air time. "Then I look in the eyes of the children. What do I see? Exactly what you said that I would see when you were testifying this morning: the most incredible level of love, goodness, intelligence and ... and purity ... I could imagine. Bobbie, I can't tell you how close I came to fleeing back to the studio." While she was talking, Bobbie had reached across the table, taken the girl's hand and just held it tightly. When Joyce finished, she looked directly into Bobbie's eyes. After studying them for a few moments the woman began to bawl. Since Bobbie was sitting on the inside of the booth, Tom instantly jumped up to let her out. Gently but firmly he lifted Ann Henry out of her seat on the outside and seated her where Bobbie had been, while Bobbie took her former seat. Taking the girl into her arms, Bobbie easily overcame her resistance and pulled her close, settling Joyce's face in her shoulder — her head had been buried in the corner of the booth and she didn't want Bobbie near her, let alone holding her. As she held her, she gently stroked the woman's head and shoulders. For Joyce Collier it was an utterly unbelievable experience. It was as if this beautiful young woman was literally wiping away the hurt, the fear, and the remorse with her finger tips. When she raised her head and looked at Bobbie, her eyes were wide as she breathed, "Who are you? You aren't human. You must be an angel come to earth!" Instead of replying, Bobbie turned the woman's head, placed her lips on hers and poured out her love. If the effect of Bobbie's fingers was powerful, it wasn't close to the power of her kiss. Collier instantly felt a flood of love and joy pour through her body with increasing power. Then everything went black. When Bobbie felt the woman go limp in her arms she just positioned Joyce's head back on her shoulder and continued to hold her. Glancing across the table at Ann Henry she saw the girl's eyes gaping wide with amazement. Bobbie heard sounds of the woman recovering consciousness. When she could feel that Joyce was recovered, she gently let her go. After breathing deeply with her head down, Joyce sat up and looked across the table at her partner and said, "Ann Henry, I take back every cynical comment I have ever made. When you told me about the Holy Spirit descending on the class — Millie Flaherty's comment from yesterday — I thought it was a hoot! Now, darling, not only is it no longer funny, I recognize it as the simple truth. And you're rehired with a raise." Turning to Bobbie she explained, "I'm the bitch-in-chief at the station. I supply the new girls to whichever guy — or gal — wants one! I tell them who they are going sleep with. When one of the guys takes an interest in one of the newbies, I just ask him where he wants her to be and when, as well as what sort of performance he expects. The girl performs or she's out. "We never would have used Ann's material last night except for the link to Andy, Ken and the tigers. We had to go with it. The reason she was covering the trial yesterday was that she is the newest in the department." Looking back at Ann she said, "There is one condition on your rehiring, though: You're going to have to beat me as hard as you can for as long as you can with whatever you can find that will inflict the greatest pain." Ann just shook her head and said, "Then I guess I can't come back, Joyce, because I won't do it. You know that." Tears started to flood Joyce's eyes again and she just slowly nodded and said, "Yes, I guess I did know that. Darling Ann, the reason these children resonated with you is because you're so much like them. Not nearly as good or as pure, but compared to me, you're Snow White." Then she extended her hand and said softly, "Shit, you're rehired anyway." Joyce took a few more deep breaths, turned back to Bobbie and Ken and said, "Back to business. I got off the track. What I started to say was that I support all the Politically Correct positions ... or did. If I really stopped to think about it, right now I doubt if I support any of them. "But anyway, one of the 'in' things now is Animal Rights. Well, it seems that the Animal-Rights idiots are up in arms over last night's circus performance. They claim the whole thing was a put-up job, that the tigers had been drugged after being savagely beaten..." She just shook her head and said, "I don't need to finish. I think you can fill in the blanks ... No! I'm certain you can, Bobbie, because you're so incredibly smart." Bobbie saw real pain in the woman's eyes as she asked, "Can we do anything to stop them? Gunther Gabel-Williams is a truly fine person but they are out for his hide — or his blood, anyway." To Joyce's amazement, Bobbie replied, "Sure! And it's going to be so incredibly easy, it's ridiculous. But first, Joyce, what kind of guy is Jack Johnson? Whose side is he on?" "Jack Johnson is the exception that proves the rule," Joyce replied. "He does it all on sheer talent and hard work. He knows what goes on at the station and with the network but doesn't play any of the games. At the same time he knows that he would be wasting his time to go on a one-man crusade against it. He's a wonderful guy and has enough sense to recognize me for the piece of shit I am. The fact that he wouldn't touch me with a ten-foot pole says all you need to know about his good judgment. He's ... he's a bachelor and a truly wonderful person." When she looked up Bobbie saw there were tears in the woman's eyes. "And you love him, don't you?" Bobbie said softly. "Of course," Joyce whispered. Then she threw her head back and said, "Someday he'll find a fine woman. Like Ann, here..." "I agree with your characterization of Jack, Joyce," Ann interjected. "On the other hand, he's too old for me and I have a boyfriend. Now if I could only learn to cook..." Then she said brightly to Bobbie, "But what's your easy solution to the Animal Right's problem?" "We do it again tonight," Bobbie replied, "with all of the idiots and their flunkies in attendance." Their food had already been served so Bobbie looked over her shoulder to see how the children were making out. She smiled warmly when she saw Susan nuzzling Mike while Casey and Karen Chan, the other two girls in his harem, just smiled at them lovingly. She also saw that the children were being exemplary in their behavior and table manners. Then she asked, "Ann, what do you think of Susan Carlson and Mike Morris?" "I think they are living, breathing dolls," the girl replied. "But why do you ask?" "Take a look over my shoulder and tell me what you think," Bobbie replied. Ann did as she was asked and studied the scene for a few moments. Then her face fell and she looked so sad it appeared she was about to cry. "What's wrong?" Bobbie asked, alarmed. "What do you see?" With a broad grin Ann replied, "I see poor Charley Conrad getting stuck with five girls! My God, Bobbie, I know his father was a Marine fighter pilot and he is about six feet three and 220 or so. But still ... Bobbie Conroy, you're uncaring and unfeeling! You just sit there and allow that poor boy to be destroyed just to satisfy the sexual cravings of five young women! But such a harem! Can you believe it? A Eurasian, an Oriental, and the most gorgeous black girl in the world. And then there's Laura Benson and that adorable Betsy Clifford—" "But what a way to go," Tom interjected with a sigh. "And besides, my dad was a pilot in the Air Force and I know that Marine combat pilots have a life expectancy measured in milliseconds, so what could he expect? I'm sure Charley and Ginger will understand." He shook his head and added, "But can you believe Mike and Susan? Fathers with three Medals of Honor between them and about eight awards of the second-ranking medal? What will Mike and Susan's kids be like?" "The foundation of our nation," Joyce interjected. "Its bedrock, along with Ken and Andy's, and most particularly, yours! Your children are going to be beyond belief!" Then glaring at Bobbie she added, "And for that matter, Mrs. Conroy, what's wrong with personal production? I heard something from you this morning about bellies rounding and feeling a tiny baby growing inside you. What's your problem?" "I'm trying, I'm trying!" Bobbie protested. Then Joyce continued, "Bobbie, those were the most beautiful words about motherhood I have ever heard in my life. It made me think of myself and the thought disgusted me. Could you imagine a poor baby trying to grow in that cesspool of mine that passes for a uterus? Could you? Could you imagine a tiny baby trying to nurse at tits that have been mangled and abused for years? Those exquisite children came from the loins of perfect mothers. They were raised from conception in conditions of purity and love. No wonder they're so wonderful! Look at who their parents are and how they behave!" "Promise me something, Joyce?" Bobbie asked blandly. "Of course," the woman replied. "What?" "Promise to enroll your and Jack's children in my school when they're old enough. And thank you. I'll remember your promise." Joyce was utterly stunned. When she recovered she asked, "And how does that happen? What do I do? Talk Jack into contributing to a sperm bank and then get artificially inseminated?" Bobbie pretended to look puzzled and replied, "Well, you could do it that way, I suppose, but why would you want to? What's wrong with good old-fashioned fucking? You know: You're in bed with your husband, Jack, whom you adore. When your cunt is so hot it's about to ignite your pubic hair, he enters you. When you pass out from a sensory overload due to the power of your own orgasm combined with his, the flood of glorious hot semen spurting into your vagina and uterus produces one of Jack's sperm that finds your luscious fertile egg that is waiting for its arrival. Then nine months later..." Bobbie's face was so innocent as she concluded, "Isn't it easier that way? It's certainly a lot more fun." When Joyce dissolved into tears again Bobbie took her in her arms, held her close and whispered, "Darling Joyce, that's the way it can happen for you. If you will let me, I can help you make it come true. Interested?" Joyce pulled away and just looked into Bobbie's eyes. This time she just kept staring. Finally she shook her head and said, "Since you're divine, Bobbie, maybe you can. If you can make that come true, there is nothing I will not do for you, ever, for as long as I live. And that is a solemn vow!" Bobbie just grinned and said, "Let's get the show on the road before the Munchkins get restless. Ann, are you coming, too?" "Thank you, no, Bobbie," the girl replied. "As much as I would love to, the circus is Joyce's story. And I have to get back to the studio anyway to file my story on the trial. And with that in mind, is there anything you would like to say?" Bobbie just shook her head and said that the trial record and Ann's own notes should be plenty. After reuniting the children with their parents, Bobbie obtained permission from Ali and Connie for the kids to go out to the circus and participate again, if necessary. Acting on a hunch, she asked Ali if Uncle Bill could get tickets for all of the kids to attend the circus that night. "Darling," Ali replied, "after what those two imps did last night, they would give us the whole damned circus if we asked. Yes, we will get the tickets and I'm sure the kids will love it." Then after studying Bobbie's eyes closely for a few moments she added, "Why is it that I have the unmistakable feeling that my newest niece has something on her mind besides glorious golden hair?" Bobbie just grinned broadly and dashed off. ------- Chapter 27 When Bobbie and the children arrived at the circus it was still early afternoon. Tom had a couple of calls to make for PHA and had told Bobbie he would meet her at the circus later. In response to a strong suggestion Bobbie made to Joyce Collier, the woman was planning on making a stop on the way, too. On being informed of their arrival by a uniformed security guard, both Gabel-Williams and the circus general manager came running. When Gunther met Bobbie, he just stopped, whistled softly and murmured fervently, "You are the most beautiful woman alive!" Bobbie greeted him warmly and gave him a loving kiss that sent him reeling. Then she said, "Sir, I have seen photographs of your wife and children, so I will take your comment as the highest praise. Clearly, you are used to sharing your bed with rare beauty! Williams was genuinely puzzled. "Were you ... were you raised on the Continent, by any chance?" "No sir, I wasn't," she replied. "In fact, I've never yet had the opportunity even to visit. But why do you ask?" "Because your words are so ... polished," he replied. Bobbie assured him that they were sincere and was pleased that he took them as the warm compliment they were intended to be. Then he said, "And your kiss: It is like Andy's but with so much more power and maturity behind it. Bobbie, when she is your age, she will be the same." Bobbie was then introduced to the general manager, Byron Crosby. When Gabel and Crosby confirmed to her in detail what Joyce had told her at lunch, she explained her idea of doing another special show that evening and inviting as many of the professional skeptics as they could reach. Crosby trotted off towards his office to put the plan into action while Gabel took Bobbie and the kids to the practice ring where the tigers had already been released from their individual cages and were waiting. Acting on a premonition, Andy Cartwright asked Gabel to be left alone with the great cats and asked him to send down Miss Collier and Tom as soon as they arrived. Although her remark injured his pride a bit, he had absolutely no compunction about leaving them alone with the tigers. He was certain that any friends of the children would be safe with them. At the same time, having experienced Bobbie's incredible kiss, he suspected that the children wanted to introduce Bobbie to the tigers alone. Whether from scent, sound, or instinct, the tigers were pacing their cage in eager anticipation of seeing Andy and Ken. The animals knew the children were in the circus and were coming to see them. When they appeared, the tigers let out the loudest roar Bobbie had ever heard or imagined. The sound was further intensified by the relatively confined space. But the strangest thing was that the sound was an incredibly happy one and she realized that a happy roar was essentially an oxymoron. As the children headed towards the cage's door, the animals instantly took up positions in a circle and sat up catlike with their tails around their forepaws. Once in the cage, the children were quickly moving around the circle to individually greet each of their giant friends. Bobbie moved closer to the bars to get a better look. At that point the tiger, Sasha, saw her and let out a loud scream. Instantly, the other cats looked up and saw Bobbie, too. The next moment the cats had jumped to the edge of the cage as close to Bobbie as they could get and prostrated themselves before her. They even closed their eyes, making themselves truly defenseless, since the great cats use their extraordinarily acute eyesight to hunt, rather than the sense of smell or some other sense. When the tigers' eyes closed, the two children let themselves out of the cage, stripped off all of their clothes and went to Bobbie who was still watching the tigers in utter amazement. "Bobbie," Andy whispered, "Please don't get upset or anything, but take off your clothes and come with us. Please?" Without even thinking, she stripped off all of her clothes. After her six-month honeymoon spent without ever wearing a stitch, she was really more comfortable completely bare. Then looking at Andy she asked, "What, in Heaven's name, is going on here?" "We certainly didn't know it would happen, but it's really no surprise to Ken or me. You see, darling Bobbie, you're their queen! Now it all makes sense. Ken is the prince, and I am the princess. You're the queen and, of course, Tom is their king. Your subjects are waiting to greet you, Majesty," Andy finished softly. Then she added, "Bobbie, please do Ken and me a favor? When you go into the cage and look at the cats, don't look at the animal; look into his eyes and into his brain. Please?" Although she had no idea what Andy was talking about, she followed the children into the cage and Ken barred the door. Then Andy announced in an imperious voice, "The Queen awaits the homage of her subjects!" Prince was, as usual, the first cat in line. He sat upright in front of her and just looked into her eyes. Since the children were only about three feet tall, when the tigers were sitting like cats, their heads were at a level far higher than the children were tall. With Bobbie, their heads were nearly on a level with hers. Remembering Andy's instructions, Bobbie looked into the cat's enormous green eyes. The first thing that registered was that, while every big cat she had ever seen before — either live at the circus, in a zoo, or in photographs — had green eyes that were as cold as Antarctic ice, Prince's eyes were warm, loving and ... worshipful. Looking deeper she could actually hear the animal telling her how much he loved her and was dedicating the rest of his life to her service. "Thank you, dear Prince," Bobbie said softly. "My name is Bobbie, and I love you very much. May I give you a kiss?" Bobbie could feel the animal's great heart heave in excitement: his queen had said that she loved him! The giant animal was utterly overcome with emotion. Moving close, Bobbie wrapped her arms around his huge neck and kissed him. As she did, she could feel his giant chest moving very gently from side to side exciting her nipples that were in contact with him. The feeling was utterly spectacular! She repeated with each of the other cats and found that she no longer had to look into their eyes nor even look at them at all to hear clearly what each was trying to communicate. It was an utterly uncanny experience. After greeting the next-to-last tiger, Sasha, she looked at him in utter amazement. With his eyes close to tears he was begging her to be allowed to lick her glorious slit — her sex that was so regularly penetrated by their king; her sex that would soon produce magnificent children as heirs to the realm! All she knew about tigers was that their tongues were enormous in size and felt as rough as coarse-grade sandpaper. Nonetheless, she accepted his offer. First, though, recognizing the possibility that Sasha's tongue on her sensitive clit could cause her to pass out, she ordered Prince and Rudy to take positions beside her. Instantly she felt the intense pride that Prince and Rudy were feeling at being so honored to be selected as personal guardians of the queen! Prince took a position on her right and Rudy on her left standing at forty-five degree angles to her. The tigers then sat down in a way that permitted her to lean back and be supported by their backs as if she were in an easy chair. Both cats watched Sasha who was still standing in front of her with his eyes wide. Bobbie spread her legs wide, held her head up proudly with her shoulders back, and thrust her full breasts up and out. Her nipples were now fully engorged and were vibrating with the tension she was feeling. Then with the greatest care, Sasha extended his tongue like a snake. First he licked each of her sensitive labia. The feeling was remarkable. It was remarkably sexy, in fact. Then his tongue darted out between her legs, wrapped up beneath her and licked delicately from beyond her anal opening, under her crotch and then gently parted her vaginal lips. When the rough surface of his tongue contacted her sensitive clit, she let out an involuntary scream of pleasure and released a small river of her orgasmic cream. Meanwhile, Andy and Ken were standing well off to the side, watching. Although they had slept with Bobbie at school while she was naked, this was the first time either had seen her standing proudly naked since she returned from her honeymoon. "Oh, Ken!" Andy exclaimed, "I would give anything to look like that when I grow up! Isn't she exquisite? Have you ever seen anything more beautiful or more primitive?" Ken had his arm around Andy tightly. He pulled her close and she felt the wonderful sensation of his tiny penis against her loins. They melted together in a passionate kiss while their bodies moved to create a wonderfully thrilling friction between them. When Bobbie released, Sasha carefully licked up every succulent drop. Then he dropped flat on the floor and pledged eternal love and loyalty to his sacred queen. Having started, Bobbie continued until each of the animals had feasted on her love juices. By the time they finished Bobbie realized that all of the animals were emotionally overcome. Their experience of feasting on her body had been so emotionally overwhelming they were in a state of shock. Bobbie herself was close to a physical collapse as well, having experienced a series of ten incredibly intense orgasms in a very short space of time. Recognizing the signs, the children led her out of the cage, and helped her to a director's chair nearby. Once seated, Andy covered her with a white wool blanket while Ken dressed in a flash and then ran off for coffee. Bobbie had closed her eyes and was breathing deeply to recover from her experience. When she finally opened them again, she found herself looking into Joyce Collier's tear-reddened eyes. "Hi," she murmured softly. "Did you do what I suggested?" Having learned that Joyce was a Catholic, Bobbie had urged her to find a priest and make her confession. "Barbara Conroy, you idiot!" Joyce exclaimed. "Can you honestly look at my eyes and still ask such a stupid question? Can you?" Bobbie's strength and youthful resilience, coupled with Joyce's crack, restored her almost to normal. "Well, how should I know? You might have been peeling onions." Without saying another word Joyce sat down on Bobbie's lap and proceeded to kiss her. To Bobbie, this kiss was quite different from the earlier one at the restaurant. Now everything about Joyce Collier was clean and fresh and new. There was a remarkable degree of purity, innocence, and grace in the kiss. When she finally pulled back Bobbie said softly, "I guess it wasn't from peeling onions, was it?" "It sure as hell was not!" Joyce exclaimed. Then her face showed concern as she asked, "How was it? Did they hurt you?" "Joyce, they cannot. It is impossible. You see, for some reason they consider me to be their queen." Then Bobbie looked deeply into Joyce's eyes and then smiled. "You feel a lot better now, don't you?" The girl just smiled weakly and nodded. Then Bobbie said, "Joyce, I have a theory, and it's one reason I suggested that you go to confession. The theory is that the reason these tigers react the way they do to the children — they consider them to be their prince and princess, by the way — is because they are so clean and pure and close to God. Anyway, would you like a story? In fact, would you like to be in the story?" Joyce looked deeply into Bobbie's eyes, saw the incredible love always shining there, but saw something else, too. There appeared to be a deep affection for her rather than just the normally unfocussed love. "You mean a real story, don't you? Rather than my normal practice of stealing assignments and stealing stories?" She shook her head, grinned wryly and said, "Well, I guess there should be a new professional me to go with the new personal me." Then she clapped her hands with glee and exclaimed, "Let's do it!" "Honey, I think you'll have to start off naked," Bobbie said softly. "Can you handle that?" Cocking her head to one side, Joyce raised an eyebrow and said, "The girl who would do any filthy thing with anyone, anywhere? Bobbie, surely you jest!" With that she began quickly to shed her clothes. When she was naked, she stood up straight and asked, "What do you think? No woman can ever be as physically perfect as you are but..." Joyce Collier was twenty-eight years old, five feet seven inches tall with tawny gold hair — almost a match with the basic color of the tigers' coats — and emerald-green eyes. Her body had an all-over golden tan, and her figure was magnificent with firm, full breasts, a slim waist that flowed down through trim hips and magnificent legs. When Bobbie commented on her tan, the girl just shrugged and said one of the guys who had been fucking her early on in her career didn't like strap marks and she had come to like being tanned all over, too. After rising from the chair Bobbie just stretched, revealing her own muscular development. "I didn't know the half of it, did I!?" Joyce exclaimed softly. Then Bobbie moved to the door of the cage, but stopped before opening it and looked at Joyce. "Honey, before you march in there, please recognize the risk you're running. Remember that last night, when the imps were performing, there was not a single professional circus person in the ring. Not one! Even after watching the kids in the afternoon, there was no way any of them would be close to these cats without heavy bars between them. After all, these are the most dangerous wild animals in the world — and they are wild. They are not tame. Are you really sure you want to do it?" "What's the worst thing that could happen?" the girl asked. "One of them eats me alive and then gets a bad case of indigestion. But I think he would survive. I doubt if eating me would kill him. Let's do it!" The big cats had gathered in a tight semicircle around the door with their eyes focused on Bobbie. She took Joyce in her arms, pulled the woman's beautiful body close to her own and kissed her. She heard contented sounds from the cats and could feel their approval. Releasing Joyce, she opened the door and led Joyce by the hand into the cage. "Boys," she said, "this is my friend and handmaiden, Joyce Collier. I want you all to give an appropriate welcome to an important member of my court." Turning to Joyce she said, "Honey, focus on their eyes and try to see into their brains. If it works — and I sure hope it does — you'll quickly understand what I mean." Once again, Prince took the lead. He went up to Joyce, sat on his haunches and raised his right paw in greeting. Suppressing the natural fear she felt at being so close to such dangerous animals, Joyce moved closer, took his paw in both of her hands and shook it. At the same time she was looking into his eyes as Bobbie had told her to. When she did, she could see — happiness! "I am so happy to meet you, too, Prince," she said. Then, after releasing his paw she went up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Instantly she could feel the flow of his love for her and felt the remarkable sensation of her bare body rubbing against the massive animal's chest. Joyce decided that the sensation of his soft fur against her tits was wonderful. One after another the big cats paid her homage. As they did, their thoughts became clearer and clearer. Good grief! she thought, I'm actually talking to tigers! Finally it was Lester's turn. After kissing him the way she had the others, she felt his love but with an overlay of wistfulness. Focusing intently she realized that he was declaring his special love for her and wanted to be her personal protector. "Are you sure?" she asked him. "You really can't be serious. You want to serve... me?" Lester nodded his head and communicated that it was exactly what he wanted to do. She studied the animal intently. Then she said, "Bobbie, this animal wishes to serve me and I gratefully accept his service. But the name is wrong — I see it now. He has been Lester for several years, but his original name — a far more appropriate name, in fact — is Rajah. From now on, you're Rajah!" At that the animal roared his approval. Then he looked at her with wide eyes and a wistful expression. "Are you sure, Rajah?" Joyce asked. "No, you can't," she then stated firmly. "I'm not like your queen with loins that are clean and pure. Mine are like a cesspool, filled with deposits of filth. You'll be sick! The answer is no!" Bobbie was standing by the door with her arms around Ken and Andy holding them close to her body. "Do you understand what's going on?" she asked in a whisper. "Oh, Bobbie, it's so incredibly beautiful!" Andy exclaimed, also in a whisper. "Rajah wants to lick her cunt and insists that its clean and fresh and wonderful. He's pleading with her!" Finally, Joyce shook her head, stood up straight, spread her legs wide and placed her hands on her hips. "You don't know what you're doing, Raj," she said, "but don't complain to me when you get violently ill!" With her head up straight and her shoulders back, her full tits were quivering and her nipples were up-thrusting and distended. She looked utterly magnificent. As the animal moved close and extended his tongue, Joyce remembered that it would be like sandpaper on the most sensitive part of her body. The animal worked his tongue on her outer lips and then licked into her slit, causing a small orgasm when his tongue touched her clit. But he kept working on her, occasionally extending his tongue so that it reached completely under her crotch and up past her anus. He just kept at it bringing her to ever more frequent orgasms each of which triggered a small flood of her vaginal juices. In the meantime, Bobbie left the children and came over to stand behind Joyce to provide her with the support that she was sure would be needed. By now sweat was pouring from the woman's body, she was screaming in ecstasy, but still she stood firmly upright. Finally, he penetrated her vagina with the tip of his tongue and triggered a vaginal orgasm which joined her clitoral ones. After licking up the last drop of fluid, he sat back on his haunches. Although Joyce was visibly reeling by this time, to Bobbie's amazement, she was still on her feet. After taking a few deep breaths she smiled warmly at Rajah, thanked him, but then ordered him to lie on his back. "I'm all sweaty," she said, "and it's your fault. Since I have to dry myself off with something..." Instantly and happily Rajah was on his back with his legs outstretched. Joyce lay on top of his chest on his silky white hair. Then, to Bobbie's amazement and amusement, she languidly stretched and turned, using his fur to dry off her body. Then she rolled over on her back and wriggled to dry it off as well. Finally, she said with laughter in her voice, "Rajah, don't you like me? Aren't you going to hold me tight?" The tiger lowered his forepaws and, with the greatest care, put his paw pads on her full breasts and gently pressed down. "Oh, you're a tit man, too, huh?" she asked warmly. To her utter amazement, his huge paws felt wonderful on her breasts, but it had given her another idea. Sensing her order, he released her and she rolled over. This time she raised herself up on her elbows and gently lowered her tits so that the nipples barely contacted his soft fur. Then she slowly rotated her body and used the contact exquisitely to excite her nipples. When she looked up at his head she decided she had never seen a cat look as happy as Rajah did at that moment. Stopping, she pulled herself up on his chest, wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed his cheek and just nuzzled against it. As soon as she put her arms around him, he wrapped his forelegs around her and squeezed her tightly. "You're wonderful, Raj," she said softly, "and I love you very much, too." They released each other and she climbed off him. The others had been watching in amazement. Since they were waiting for Tom who had not yet arrived, they decided to wait outside the cage. Again to their amusement, Rajah refused to leave Joyce's side and came out with her. When she collapsed into a director's chair, the animal instantly lay down at her side. Andy and Ken served coffee that Ken had brought back in a Thermos bottle to Joyce and Bobbie, while he and Andy sat on the ground and drank Cokes. "I hope it wasn't too bad, Joyce," Bobbie said softly. "I really don't know how you could take so much without collapsing on the ground." "Actually, it was great. You know all those female complaints about insensitive men? Raj is incredibly sensitive!" Then she grinned and added, "And, as a matter of fact, that gives me a story idea. I think I'll try to get a camera crew out here a little early tonight. As it is, we intend to have a crew present for the whole performance." Rajah had been trying to communicate with her so she looked down beside her and then exclaimed, "You want what? What is this, anyway? Blackmail? Just because you were a wonderful fellow..." She shook her head and said, "Well, okay. But it's just this once! For damned sure it better not become a habit!" Turning to Bobbie she said, "Guess what my large friend wants? You'll never guess! I'll bet you ten dollars that you can't!" Bobbie gripped her hand, then shook her head and said blandly, "I can't guess that Rajah wants a large pepperoni and sausage pizza with extra cheese from Domino's? Why, on earth, wouldn't I? It's the obvious thing for a man to want after extended lovemaking, isn't it?" Joyce punched Bobbie lightly on the arm, grinned and said, "Damn you, Conroy, I forgot that you can read his mind, too!" Then she pretended to glare at Rajah and said, "Now do you see what you did? Not only do I have to spring for your dumb pizza, but it just cost me an additional ten bucks to Bobbie!" She grinned and bent over to kiss his head when his reaction to her words was to appear to laugh. Meanwhile Bobbie had gone to the cage and was talking to the other tigers. She laughed, returned to Joyce and said, "Guess what? It seems that the other guys think Rajah has a great idea so they want pizza at the show tonight. I'll call Domino's and see what kind of a deal we can get." Bobbie called the store and ordered Rajah's pizza. When she told the manager about the evening show, she was referred to the zone office and then to the regional vice president. After reaching him and explaining who she was, what she wanted and why, the man was overjoyed. He had seen the news the night before and knew that there would be over 15,000 people in the Forum for the night's show. The idea of a Domino's man in full uniform delivering ten pizzas direct to the floor of the auditorium for ten tigers represented priceless publicity. He was confident that he could get one of Domino's people to make the delivery, in spite of the fact that the circus people still refused to be on the floor with the wild tigers. "Hell," he concluded, "if I can't get one of our people to do it, I'll do it myself. But someone in a Domino's uniform will make that delivery tonight." Joyce found that she was feeling great affection for the enormous cat beside her. When the pizza was delivered, she teased him about having to feed it to him, too. To the animal's great amusement, she laughed at him and stuck out her tongue when he objected to her eating a piece of his pizza. He protested that it was his lunch. "But it's a lunch I paid for," she reminded him, "and besides, this is my favorite pizza, too!" When Tom arrived, they quickly filled him in on what had happened and discussed what they would do in the show that night. They agreed that Joyce would act as mistress of ceremonies and narrator. Finally, Bobbie said, "Darling, it's time for you to meet your subjects. You are their king." From Tom's first appearance, the tigers had all dropped flat on the floor and remained there unmoving in his presence. Joyce's eyes widened when Tom undressed and revealed his perfect masculine body with its large cock and heavy balls. He was the most exquisite man she had ever seen. The perfect consort for a woman as perfect as Bobbie, she thought. The greetings the tigers had extended earlier to the children and then to Bobbie paled into insignificance compared to the way they greeted Tom. Their behavior was reverential. Following Bobbie's earlier instructions, Tom, too, found that he could easily communicate with the great cats. After the initial greeting, Bobbie looked at him and chuckled. "Darling," she said, "I guess I was prescient, wasn't I? How many times can you take me without stopping? I'm afraid it's something we have to do." The tigers had communicated the need for Tom to make love to Bobbie while lying on a tiger. There was more, but although they did not reveal it, Bobbie thought she already knew what it was. While the children stood close to Joyce, who, like Bobbie earlier, had her arms around them and watched, Prince lay on his back and extended his legs to the sides as far as they would go. Bobbie climbed on top, lay on her back and spread her legs. Tom lay down on top of her, took her into his arms and their lips melted together in a kiss of mounting passion. Meanwhile, Prince had closed his legs to hug them both. When Bobbie indicated she was about to wash away with her juices, Tom moved back and Prince instantly released his hold. When she positioned his raging cock, he eased inside and penetrated to his full depth in a single stroke. Bobbie gasped in joy at the so-familiar yet still-so-wonderful feeling. Wriggling, she felt the marvelous sensation of Prince's soft fur on her bare back. The animal seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he was now supporting almost 350 pounds of moving humans on his stomach. Rather, he considered it to be an incredible privilege to serve as their marriage bed. However, recognizing the great pressure on the cat, Bobbie and Tom coordinated their movements to speed his cuming. When Bobbie felt the first wonderful spurt, she reached down and began to squeeze Tom's huge balls in tempo with the contractions of her vagina, now in violent orgasm, too. When he had filled her vagina and uterus with his warm syrupy liquid, they found that Bobbie's hunch had been correct. Easing off their warm furry bed, they stood erect with Tom standing behind Bobbie with his hands around her waist. Joyce watched from the corner as Bobbie held her head erect and thrust out her breasts. Her legs were spread wide and she leaned back against Tom's chest while she waited. To Joyce, it was the most beautiful and wild sight she had ever seen as Prince rose to his feet, approached Bobbie and extended his tongue. Penetrating her nether lips, he tasted Tom's semen mixed with Bobbie's syrup. Then, when he tasted the magnificent mixture, he just collapsed on the ground in a dead faint. The Conroys then moved aside away from the unconscious body and it was repeated with Rudy, Will, and finally Fred. By this time all the mixed juices in her vagina were drained, but four cats were unconscious on the ground. They used King for their next bout of lovemaking. After Tom had cum again, the earlier experience was repeated: three more great cats were unconscious on the ground. When King collapsed, Joyce had quietly gone over to Prince to be sure the animal was all right. She nodded to Bobbie and smiled after she felt his great heart pumping in a very slow but very powerful beat. Making a thumbs-up sign she returned to where the children were waiting. Both of them were wide-eyed at the wild yet beautiful sight they were seeing. All three recognized it was something that likely had never happened before in all of history. They finished with Ferdie, Sasha, and Rajah, then stumbled out of the cage. This time, recognizing the realities of the situation — all of them were safer with these cats than they would be in church — the cage door was left wide open. Tom flopped into a chair and Bobbie sat down across his lap. "My darling, you were utterly magnificent," she said softly. "Thank you for making me the happiest, most satisfied woman on the face of this earth." Tom just held her tight and stroked her perfect body. When they recovered, Bobbie looked at Joyce who was now kneeling beside their chair with her weight back on her heels and her back erect. "Why don't you do this with Jack?" she asked innocently. "It really is a lot of fun!" Joyce tried to grin but it was a weak imitation since tears were running from her eyes in a small flood. "It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life, Bobbie. Now I think I know the difference between lovemaking and fucking, and I have never made love in my life. I just fucked." ------- Chapter 28 Later that evening, when Joyce Collier came out to the edge of the ring and was caught and held in a spotlight, she was wearing a white halter top, a pair of white short shorts that featured her beautifully tanned legs and nothing else. Not only was she wearing no bra, she was not even wearing a bikini. Her feet were bare and her shoulder-length tawny hair was tied back in a ponytail and held with a big white bow. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome to the circus! My name is Joyce Collier, here on loan from KNBC for this performance. Tonight we have another surprise for you: Last night we featured Andy Cartwright and Ken Clifford who will be back with us again tonight. However, tonight we proudly feature Tom and Bobbie Conroy, the most handsome husband-and-wife team in the world, along with our great cats. Let me introduce them to you. First, we have Prince." One after the other the cats came out, were introduced, bowed to the crowd and took up a position forming a circle in the center of the ring. "Finally," Joyce said, "Here is my friend, Rajah." Looking at him she said, "Are you going to give me a kiss tonight?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed his soft fur and then positioned her cheek in front of his huge mouth. The audience, watching it in close-up on the Forum's huge closed-circuit television screens gasped as the animal kissed her, then opened its huge mouth, extended its tongue and licked her face. "Isn't he neat!?" Joyce exclaimed happily. Then she introduced Bobbie and Tom who came into the spotlight. Tom was wearing the smallest imaginable pair of white swim trunks. They were scarcely more than a cache sexe for his huge cock and balls. Bobbie was wearing the tiniest white bikini they had been able to find. It occasionally — but seldom — covered the top of her golden pubic hair. After extending their arms wide to acknowledge the welcome from the crowd, they took a few running steps and then, side-by-side, did a series of incredible handsprings that took them to the center of the arena. While they were doing that, Andy and Ken came out and waited for the spotlight. They were dressed as they had been the night before: Ken was wearing only jockey shorts and Andy only a pair of white cotton panties with a tiny pink bow at each leg opening. When the spotlight came back to her, Joyce introduced Andy and Ken to wild applause, but then explained that they would principally be assisting tonight. When the spotlight swung back to the center of the ring, the children each took a small trampoline and positioned them on opposite sides of the arena. Joyce announced, "Bobbie and Tom need to limber up a bit first — sort of work the kinks out — and I think the cats need a little exercise, too. What do you all think?" Bobbie grinned as the cats got on their feet and again led by Prince, followed Tom to the side of the big ring. Once there, Tom began to trot around the perimeter pacing the cats while Bobbie paced the sixth cat in line, Charles. Tom kept lengthening his stride until he and Bobbie were both running at a four-minute-mile pace. The perfection of their bodies and their running form was apparent to the spectators as they ran by. After completing a full circuit, Joyce announced, "Bobbie and Tom, that's fine for you, but the tigers need some exercise, too. Why don't you let it out a little? Bobbie gave a cheery wave of her hand and speeded up while Tom did, too. They were now correctly in position and each sprinted to a trampoline ahead of them took off, came down powerfully on the trampoline and were catapulted into the air. Once airborne, they did perfect double somersaults and came down with their feet perfectly planted on the back of a tiger: Tom on Prince and Bobbie on Charles. Prince seemed totally unaware of Tom's 220 pounds on his back, let alone the shock of his landing, despite Tom's best efforts to cushion it. The instant the two had their feet planted, the tigers really began to run. Now they were bounding around the perimeter at nearly thirty miles per hour. Both Tom and Bobbie seemed completely unconcerned. After two circuits at full speed, when Bobbie approached one of the trampolines set at the center of the oval, she timed it perfectly. Jumping off Charles, she landed hard with both feet on the trampoline and then used her great leg strength to shoot almost straight up in the air. She did a triple somersault with a twist, straightened out and landed perfectly with both feet together. After extending her arms to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd Joyce announced, "She has to be good. Although I didn't announce it earlier, Bobbie teaches first grade and Andy and Ken are two of her pupils. After all, someone had to teach the children how to do it. She really is good, isn't she?" Her remarks were greeted with redoubled cheers. In the meantime, Andy and Ken had brought out two sets of high-jump bars and positioned them flanking the center of the arena. Bobbie and Joyce joined them; what was coming required all four of them. Shifting from Prince to Rudy, Tom waited for Will to come alongside and then he continued to speed around the ring with one foot on the back of each tiger. When that was done, the remaining eight tigers took positions in a row in the center of the ring and sat down to watch. With the jump bars set two feet high and the sets ten feet apart, Tom told the tigers what he wanted them to do. Coming around the end the two animals cut over when they reached the center and in a synchronized pace effortlessly leaped over the first bar, carried the intervening distance and then cleared the second. With the four people resetting the height of the bars and the spacing between them, they continued until they cleared a height of four feet and a horizontal distance of thirty-five feet. There were gasps from the crowd as they saw the massive animals bunch their muscles and appear to compress their bodies. Leaping, they fully extended their bodies as their enormously powerful hindquarter muscles shot them into space. For his part, Tom was astounded at how smoothly and powerfully the animals ran and how easy the whole thing was for him. When he landed, he told the animals what a wonderful thing they had done and how proud of them he was. Back at her PA mike Joyce said, "Folks, on that last leap the bars were four feet high and the standards were thirty-five feet apart. Aren't these animals wonderful? Have you ever seen such incredibly powerful muscles at work? Aren't they just neat?" The crowd responded with cheers. While Bobbie and the children removed the standards, Tom slowly made his way to the center of the arena, still on the tigers' backs. When they came to a stop, instead of Tom jumping off, they lay down in unison so he only had to step off. When Tom got off, he signaled to Joyce who said, "For some reason there are people who think these cats are drugged. How a drugged cat can clear thirty-five feet, more than four feet in the air, I don't know, but I'm not an expert, either. The two tigers who just performed were Rudy and Will. Guys, let the people see the way big cats behave more often!" With that the two cats jumped up so they were standing on their hind paws with their forepaws extended up towards the sky. With their massive claws extended they pawed the air and let out enormous roars that shook the huge auditorium. Then they calmly and quietly took their positions between Prince and Fred who had left an appropriate interval for them. The stark contrast between the wild screams and the subsequent docile behavior left the audience speechless. "I hope you all got a good look at those claws," Joyce said. Then she added, "That reminds me: I'm going to have to give Rajah a manicure pretty soon." At her crack the audience howled with laughter and then cheered again. Then Joyce said, "You know, we really are kind of concerned about people thinking that these are not wild animals. Honest, they are. But more than that, there is incredible teamwork here. Now we have an idea we want to try. Okay, guys. It's time to entertain the paying customers again." Responding to instructions given by the four other people, the tigers paired off and took positions spaced evenly across the long axis of the Forum. There the pairs sat facing one another. Then Joyce said, "Okay, guys. Let's do it!" At her order the great cats sat up, then sat on their haunches and raised their forepaws. Reaching out, each pair matched their forepaws, rested on the other, and began to rise, only ending when their bodies were fully extended to a height of over eight feet. In their present position, coupled with the deliberateness of taking their extended positions, their musculature was revealed in a way that people normally couldn't see except through the use of ultra-slow-motion photography. "Folks," Joyce said quietly over the PA system, "These are big cats! Although we didn't arrange to measure it, fully extended the way you see them now, they are reaching upward between eight and nine feet. Aren't they just beautiful?" Again there was an enormous cheer. Then Joyce said, "It's now my great pleasure to introduce the rest of Bobbie Conroy's first-grade class. She has certainly the smartest, and I'm sure the most handsome, group of young people in the world." One after the other each of the children was introduced. All of them were wearing only their underwear shorts, too. By this time the tigers were again arranged in their circle in the center of the ring. After each child was introduced he or she ran to the center. There the Conroys, along with Andy and Ken, introduced them to each tiger in turn. When all the introductions had been made, the tigers lay down flat and a child got on the back of each one. Andy made sure to be on Prince, while Ken was on Sasha's back. When each child was standing on the back of a tiger, the animals all smoothly and gracefully rose to their feet. While still in their circle, they moved to the edge of the arena floor and then started to walk around the perimeter. As they moved they began to accelerate. Soon they were running at nearly full speed, yet still maintaining their perfect circle. "Now watch this," Joyce announced softly. I think you'll find it interesting and fun." In unison, the children stepped from the back of one tiger to the next. They kept on going, while moving faster and faster, until the children were running around the tigers while the tigers ran around the ring. When the children slowed and finally stopped, they were back on their original animals. In the meantime, Bobbie and Ken had repositioned the trampolines closer to the perimeter's edge. Now the tigers slowed until they were just trotting. Timing their approach perfectly, Tom and Bobbie sprinted to the trampolines, pounded down hard with their feet, shot into the air in perfectly coordinated somersaults and came down in the center of the formation of tigers with Tom on Sasha's back with Ken, while Bobbie was on Prince's back with Andy. "Bobbie really isn't in such bad shape for a school teacher, is she?" Joyce mused over the PA system. "If she worked on it for a few years she might be able to do some basic gymnastic moves." As the people laughed at her comment, Tom and Bobbie hoisted Ken and Andy up to their shoulders. As the tigers began to run again, the children just waved to the audience going by. At the conclusion, the other children left the floor, dressed and returned to their seats. The final act for the first half was the pyramid of cats. This time, though, when it was completed, before taking his bow Prince stood up on his hind legs, clawed the air and roared. When he did, his forepaws were waving from about twenty-five feet above the floor. Coming down, he bowed followed by the pair below, the three below that, and so down to the base. When they came down and began to take up positions in their circle, Joyce announced, "You're all familiar with the line, 'If you're nice to people they will walk all over you?' Well, guess what? It applies to tigers, too. Last night it was relatively easy. The boys had hot dogs and all Andy and Ken had to do was find out if they wanted mustard, relish, and how much. Tonight? No such luck! This afternoon I was suckered into buying Rajah a pizza, so tonight they all have to have them. Would you believe it? No two want the same thing! It's true." Just then a spotlight picked out a man in a Domino's Pizza uniform with a stack of boxes. He gave one box to Joyce and then carried the rest to the center of the ring where the animals were waiting. The man's eyes widened as Rajah came trotting towards him but then he relaxed as the tiger just passed him by to join Joyce. Meantime, Andy and Ken had left the arena and now returned. Ken had two pails while Andy had one along with a stack of large water dishes. She put one down beside Joyce, filled it with lemonade, grinned, and then ran off to join Ken. While the Conroys and the children proceeded to feed the other nine, the spotlight was on Joyce with Rajah. After he lay down, she sat down on the tanbark and leaned back against him. With her head resting on his, she took a piece of piping-hot pizza from the box and fed it to him. "Pepperoni and sausage with extra cheese, would you believe," she said into her lavaliere mike. "But he's really very nice, and he provides a very comfortable back rest." Now most of the audience was focused on the huge television monitors which allowed them to see a close-up of Joyce's slender hand feeding pizza into the enormous mouth. When he finished the pizza — the audience howled when he gave Joyce a dirty look after she stole a bite — he drank his lemonade and then just looked at her with his head cocked. "Now you have to pay for it," she said. Rajah just grinned and lay on his back with his paws outstretched. "This is another thing these cats cannot or will not do, I'm told by the experts," Joyce commented dryly as she climbed on his belly and then stretched out between his legs. She rested her cheek on his furry chest and commented, "This is heavenly! Rajah's chest and belly are covered with an incredibly soft pure-white fur that feels so great!" she exclaimed sleepily. Then he closed his paws over her and just hugged her tightly. Joyce then spoke with her voice muffled because her radio mike was between her chest and Rajah's. She said, "Girls, do you ever feel that your guy is an uncaring creep? That he cares nothing about your feelings? That he can't even keep you warm when you're chilly, as we women always are? If so, you need a guy like Raj, here. Yum!" The muffled voice was greeted with laughter from everyone. "Okay, Raj," she said softly, "it's time to go back to work." With that he spread his paws and Joyce got to her feet. The spotlight was still on her, as were the closed-circuit cameras. The TV screens caught the expression of puzzlement on her face perfectly. Then she brightened and said, "Isn't that nice! You're going to give me a ride to the center of the ring. Great." Joyce climbed on top of the animal and sat straddling his shoulders. As soon as she was settled, he got to his feet. But, instead of heading towards the center to join the other tigers, he headed toward the perimeter and began to move faster. "Where do you think you're going, young man?" Joyce demanded. Now there was some minor static because of her rapid motion. "I'm not in this show! I'm just a moonlighting TV reporter ... Now come on!" she exclaimed with a note of fear in her voice as Rajah was now running at nearly full speed. Then he slowed and turned his head. "You're crazy, young man!" she exclaimed. "There is absolutely no way you can get me to stand on your back!" Then the camera caught a look of chagrin on her face as she said, "Rajah, you wouldn't dare..." Then looking fearful she said more slowly, "You would, wouldn't you." At that she knelt on his back and then stood up. As soon as she was upright, Rajah was running again, but at top speed this time. "Darling Rajah," she said, trying sugar instead of threats, "I'm only a reporter. I can hardly stand up in heels. I can't stand on a running animal!" At that point Rajah was at the corner of the Forum. But instead of continuing in his circle, he cut inside and headed at full speed for the circle of other tigers with the Conroys and the children standing inside. It was about twenty feet in diameter measured from the tails of the tigers all of whom were facing the center. Joyce was still pretending to be fearful and screamed, "Help!" just as Rajah took off in a great leap with her still standing on his back. He landed absorbing the shock, while Joyce just bent her knees slightly to maintain her balance. Rajah slowed and turned his head to look up at her. "Darling, that was unbelievable!" she cried, now out of her fearful rôle-playing. "Folks, what do you think of my little boy? Isn't he neat?" she cried. There was a standing ovation as she was carried into the center of the tiger's ring where Rajah lay down so she could step off. Unclipping the mike from Joyce's shirt, Bobbie said, "Folks, could we have a big hand for Joyce Collier? Isn't she a trouper, though." Looking at Joyce she said, "How did you know you could do it, honey? You never even rehearsed it." Taking the mike and reclipping it to her shirt she replied, "Bobbie, I didn't know that I could, but I was a great tomboy when I was growing up. I had forgotten until this minute what great fun it was!" Then Joyce went up to Rajah who was now sitting in his usual position in the tigers' circle. Putting her arms around his neck she gave him another kiss. But this time Rajah raised his right paw, put it around her waist and pulled her to him tightly. She kissed him softly and murmured, "And I love you very much, too." While the focus was on Joyce, Bobbie whispered to Tom, "What do you think about Joyce and Rajah? Isn't it neat?" "I think I adore my wife," he whispered back, "who appears to have saved another life — a life very much worth saving, at that. She has been really great in this show. As far as Rajah is concerned, she genuinely loves that animal and he absolutely worships her. He would give his life for her in an instant!" With the show underway again, first, riding two tigers apiece, Tom had Ken on his shoulders, while Bobbie supported Andy, as they, too, jumped the remaining tigers who maintained their places in what was left of their circle. Even as she was jumping, Bobbie could scarcely control her giggles. In response to her request, Rajah was lying down with his head up alertly while Joyce stretched out on his back, put on a pair of dark sun glasses, produced a book and proceeded to appear to read it, utterly ignoring the animals with their riders soaring directly over her head. When the first round of jumps concluded, Joyce activated her mike, yawned loudly and said, seemingly to herself, "Well, I suppose it's only fair. After all, they're in the show and I'm not. They couldn't allow the amateur talent to upstage them, I suppose." Her crack triggered a wave of laughter in the audience. After changing to a fresh pair of tigers, Tom and Bobbie rode off together on a single pair. After a single circuit, he lifted her to his shoulders. After the second circuit, she stood on his shoulders and held her arms out straight. From that point, the animals stopped running around the perimeter, but instead cut across and jumped the circle. The pair of tigers, with Tom balanced on their backs and Bobbie balancing on his shoulders, soared across the circle and landed perfectly. This brought a standing ovation as the tigers trotted around the perimeter again to receive their applause. Joyce had returned to her original position beside the entrance and Rajah had walked over beside her. Suddenly a man wearing a business suit burst through the curtained entrance and screamed, "Stop the show! Stop it at once, I say." Seeing Joyce standing nearby, he came up waving a piece of paper in a threatening manner. At his first move Rajah positioned himself in front of his mistress to protect her. When he got closer, Joyce said casually, "Hi! I'm Joyce Collier. Who are you?" "My name is Nathan Wiesman, and I am president of the Southern California Chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. You're abusing these poor creatures and we demand that you stop immediately! I have a paper here detailing our charges against you. If you do not cease immediately, first thing Monday morning we intend to be in court seeking a permanent injunction as well as personal actions against all of you for cruelty to animals!" "In what way are we being cruel?" Joyce inquired. Then looking down at Rajah she asked, "Have I been cruel to you?" Then she appeared to punch him lightly and said, "There was, too, enough pepperoni on your pizza!" The crowd howled with laughter at her crack. "And besides, I don't think that's the cruelty he had in mind, anyway." While she was talking, two other tigers, Ferdie and Sasha, had quietly positioned themselves behind Wiesman. They were back to back with their hindquarters touching. Although he didn't know it, there was now a wall of tigers more than ten feet wide immediately behind him. "Your answer, sir?" Joyce persisted. "How have we been cruel?" "You have drugged these animals, abused them..." "Abused how?" she interjected "Tearing out their claws! Extracting all of their teeth! Drugging them so they can only stagger around..." Hearing the comments, the audience began to howl with laughter. "No teeth? Rajah, Honey, do you have any teeth? Would you show the nice man, please." Rajah instantly stood up on his hind legs, clawed the air and roared. His perfect set of huge teeth was immediately apparent. Wiesman jumped backward to get away from the rampant tiger but backed into Sasha's side. When he looked around to see what he had walked into, he saw Sasha staring at him balefully with his huge green eyes while baring his teeth. The pudgy man screamed in sheer terror and backed up again, this time backing right into Rajah. The tiger just gave him a push and Wiesman fell to the ground. "I think he's safer there, too, honey," she said to Rajah. Wiesman rolled on his back and looked up to find three Bengal tigers staring down at him. The man screamed again but, amazingly, did not faint from fright. However, Joyce could see his hair was literally standing up on end. "You know, Raj, I think he's wearing too many clothes. Maybe that's why he seems to be losing control. Do you think you could help him off with his clothes? He doesn't seem to be functioning too well himself right now." Rajah placed one paw on the man to hold him down. Then he extended the claws on his other paw. Putting one claw under the man's collar, he made a quick swipe and ripped all the layers of cloth from neck to crotch. Moving down on the man's body he did the same thing on one pants leg and then the other. Then he did the same thing to each of the man's sleeves. By now Wiesman's teeth were chattering in terror and Joyce could see that his crotch was wet. He's probably shit in his pants by now, too, she thought. At this point Rajah just looked down at the man and licked his lips hungrily. Then with a series of fast swipes, with his paw moving so fast the eye couldn't follow, all of Wiesman's clothes, now in shredded bits, flew off into the air in all directions. In just seconds, he was stark naked. Fortunately for his modesty and the sensibilities of the children in the audience, Joyce was positioned to block the TV camera's view of his genitals. "Now that you're more relaxed and comfortable, Mr. Wiesman, why don't you tell me again how we have abused these animals? And could you do it a little slower this time, please? I don't believe the audience could fully understand what you said the first time." The man could no longer speak coherently. All he could do was stutter out phrases: "No teeth ... No claws ... Drug them ... can't move..." "Oh, I see," Joyce replied in her most reasonable tone of voice. "If Rajah has no teeth, he couldn't possibly eat you, could he? And neither could the others." At that all three tigers converged on the panic-stricken man. Joyce realized he was now literally scared stiff. He was unable to move as the tigers came closer with their teeth bared. Rajah sniffed at the man and then looked up at Joyce plaintively. "No, darling, I'm sure you're right. I don't think he'll taste nearly as good as your pizza." Rajah moved toward Wiesman, but again retreated. "Oh, Rajah! You big sissy! Just because he'll taste rotten doesn't mean he'll make you sick. Just try. Please? For me? Just one little bite?" Putting her hands on her hips she glared at the tiger and said, "Well! If that's all the thanks I get! Not even one little bite? Phooey!" Again looking down at the terrified man, she said, "Well, you lucked out that time. As you saw, Raj and his friends flat refused. They all admit that they have eaten some awful-tasting flesh in their time, but they have to draw the line somewhere, after all. Mr. Wiesman, you may be happy to learn that they have drawn their line at you." Then she brightened and looked at Rajah again and said, "Raj, the least you can do is slice him up a little with your claws. That won't kill you, will it?" Rajah looked up at her — and at the TV camera beyond — as if to say, "I don't like it any better, but I do love you and I did refuse to eat him, so..." With a smile he put a paw on Wiesman's chest, and the other two tigers did the same. "Golly, you're lucky, Mr. Wiesman," Joyce said brightly. "They're only going to claw you to death. They won't even eat a little piece. And I'm confident that we'll be able to find all the pieces — all of the big ones, anyway — to put in a box for burial. But then, they don't have claws so they can't possibly hurt you, can they?" Looking at Rajah and ruffling his thick neck fur she said, "You don't have any claws, do you, Raj?" With his paw on the middle of Wiesman's chest Rajah extended his claws very slowly, exercising a degree of control no one even knew a tiger had. The claws reached Wiesman's skin and went just beyond, pricking the skin at each of the five points. Then Ferdie, and finally Sasha, did the same thing. With his eyes gaping Wiesman saw a drop of his blood appear under each of the fifteen claws positioned on his body. "Now, Mr. Wiesman, I think you owe Rajah, Ferdie, and Sasha a big apology, don't you? You said they had no teeth. That made them feel very badly because they are really rather proud of their very strong and full quota of teeth. They don't even have any cavities! Now, will you say you're sorry and admit they have teeth? It will make them very happy." "Teeth! Have teeth!" the man screamed. "Big teeth! ... Sharp teeth! ... Sorry! So Sorry!" "There, Honey, wasn't that a nice apology? You should really let the man up now. No? Oh," she said in a flat tone of voice. Then to Wiesman, "I'm sorry, sir, but that wasn't quite good enough. It seems you really dug a pit for yourself. Rajah is even more proud of his claws than he is of his teeth, you see." Then she shook her head sadly and said, "But the real killer was to call him and his friends druggies. That, sir, I'm afraid, is unforgivable. Rajah tells me that the only drug he ever had was aspirin for a sore paw, and that was over two years ago. Sir, he and his friends are terribly upset." Then she snapped her fingers and said, "I'm terribly sorry to bother you again, Mr. Wiesman, but could you tell me the name of your next of kin? When Rajah ... helped you undress ... I'm afraid he got a little carried away. He was not nearly as neat as he usually is, so I can't be sure we'll find any of your wallet..." "Please!" the man screamed. "Sorry! Beautiful claws! Alert! No drugs! Never any drugs! So sorry! No abuse! Beautiful, beautiful tigers..." "There, Rajah!" Joyce exclaimed happily. "Wasn't that a wonderful apology! And so heartfelt, too." Joyce frowned at the giant tiger and said, "Darling, in Mr. Wiesman's present condition, I really think that's the best he is able to do." She raised an eyebrow and said, "I'll tell him." Turning back to Wiesman she said, "Rajah and his friends agree that your apology is the best they can get in view of your present condition. However, no later than Monday, they each expect a handwritten apology from you. That's reasonable isn't it?" Wiesman could only babble at this point. "Fine, Mr. Wiesman! Now would you like me to ask Rajah to show you out? The Forum is very large and we wouldn't want you to get lost." Ferdie and Sasha walked around the man's body and stood beside Rajah opening a path to the exit. When he realized he could escape, the man rolled on his stomach and then fled from the arena floor as if he had been shot from a cannon. "Golly," Joyce said thoughtfully, "I hope he doesn't get hurt on his way out." Then her attitude changed and she said, "Seriously, folks, I am sorry to terrify a well-meaning person. But they are so damned dumb, I want to scream! Let me ask you all, and ask you very seriously: Is there a person in the Forum tonight who thinks any of these animals have been abused?" She looked completely around the stands and even asked that the houselights be turned up high to make it easier to see. With Rajah pacing at her side, she made a full circuit of the perimeter. There was not a single hand raised. When she returned to her starting point and the houselights had again been dimmed, she said, "Thank you for your confidence, and let me explain something to you: These animals are performing for only one reason. That reason is love. It is the reason they performed the way they did last night, as well. You see, folks, we found out something very interesting today. We found out that Thomas Conroy is king of the tigers. Truly, he is. They serve him out of love and would cheerfully give their lives for him. Bobbie is their queen, Andy is their princess, and Ken is their prince. Oh! I'm the Queen's handmaiden, but for some reason Rajah loves me, so he's mine. "Anyway, we were a little worried tonight. As I said earlier, When Tom and Bobbie are together, that's about 350 pounds. That is a great deal of weight for a 600-pound animal to carry, let alone leap with. The tigers believed they could carry out the stunts and they were certainly right! They did and did it beautifully. "Oh, one more thing: If I give the impression I am talking to Rajah sometimes, it's only because I am. And, believe it or not, he is truly conversing with me." Looking down at the tiger she asked, "Do you still love me?" This time Rajah sat up on his hind quarters, wrapped both forepaws around Joyce's body and squeezed. The sound of his fur moving against the mike on her chest was clearly audible as was the sound of two hearts beating now that the mike was in a tight space between them. Still holding her, he moved his great head down and kissed her solidly on her lips, then released his paws and settled down in a single smooth motion to his seated position. Very softly but audibly she said, "I do love you, darling Rajah." Then addressing the crowd she said, "I don't know for sure, but I think what Raj just did is an all-time first. He knows how human lovers embrace. Certainly he saw Andy and Ken embracing often enough last night. Well, he's not human and certainly knows it, but he does love me — the dumb lug — and wanted to demonstrate his love in the best way he could think of. Isn't he great!?" There was a huge cheer and then it was back to the show. Because of the time lost with Mr. Wiesman, Joyce decided to cut right to the finale. It was the running pyramid of the night before but with Tom and Bobbie rather than Ken and Andy. When they were in position and the four tigers on the bottom including Rajah began to move, Joyce commented, "Have you ever seen two more perfect bodies in your lives? In case you were wondering how one gets an overall deep golden tan like Bobbie and Tom, the answer is easy. You see, these two have only been married for about nine months. The first six months were spent on the most remarkable honeymoon a couple has ever had. On their wedding night, they dove off the side of a small boat and swam naked to a deserted island in the Hawaiian chain. All they had were three knives, some fishing line, a few hooks, and a few matches. That's all! No clothes, no nothing. There they spent the next six months together. "I've been thinking," Joyce continued, "and came to the conclusion that it was a make-or-break honeymoon. If the couple truly loved one another and, even after constant intimacy for six months without another soul to talk to, could still talk to each other and were still in love, they were set for the rest of their lives. Otherwise, I'm afraid, only one of them, at most, would have come off the island alive." Then with a broad grin she concluded, "Since they're both alive and thriving, I have to believe they are deeply, desperately, in love! And on them, doesn't it look great!?" There was a great cheer from the audience and the TV camera went in tight on Bobbie, now standing on Tom's shoulders as the tigers ran the circuit at top speed. Glancing at a monitor to ensure that the camera was in a tight close-up on her face, she stuck out her tongue at Joyce while she put her thumbs in her ears and wiggled her fingers to make certain her meaning was clear. Joyce cracked up with laughter and then said, "If you think I'm jealous of you Barbara Bradley Conroy, you're damned right! You managed to marry a Greek god!" She shrugged and added, "Of course, he got a goddess out of the deal, too, so I guess it's only fair." With the tigers still running, Tom helped Bobbie down to Prince's back, then took her into his arms and kissed her passionately. The audience cheered when Prince, feeling the second pair of feet on his back, turned his head, saw his king and queen in a passionate embrace, and let out a happy roar. After the tigers each took his bow, there was a repeat of the previous night but with Tom and Bobbie hugging while in the embrace of a big cat, rather than Ken and Andy. Finally it was over and the three were standing together just outside the Forum's floor. "Joyce, you were utterly sensational," Bobbie said. "In fact, the whole damned show consisted of you and the big cats. I can't thank you enough for helping out!" "And I can't thank you enough for letting me," Joyce replied. While she was talking she stripped off her shorts and top, seemingly oblivious to being naked in Tom's presence, and quickly dressed in the clothes she would wear for the Eleven O'clock News. After asking them please to try to watch the show, she dashed out with Rajah bounding after her. A KNBC helicopter was standing by on the pad outside the Forum to fly them from Englewood to the studios in Burbank. Tom and Bobbie moved quickly but she wasn't worried. She had remembered to set the VCR to record the news show in the event they were held up in traffic. ------- Chapter 29 Bobbie and Tom were delighted to find they had made it home with five minutes to spare before the eleven o'clock news. She decided to let the VCR record the show while she and Tom watched it from their bed. Bobbie finished shedding her clothes first, then pulled the bed clothes down to the end of the bed and flipped the pillows to the foot. She was lying with her chin propped on her hands when Tom joined her on the bed. They kissed passionately but broke their kiss when they heard Jack Johnson announce the news. The lead story was again the circus. When the show opened, the camera was in a tight close-up of Johnson. He said, "Folks, in tonight's feature story, there is a small embarrassment for KNBC. You're going to see our star reporter and my new co-anchor, Joyce Collier, in a featured rôle. Speaking personally and frankly, I don't know what management is going to think nor do I care. I think it's great." Then he said, "But because Joyce is so much a part of the story, even though it's hers — and she did a brilliant job with it, by the way — I'm going to handle the narration to spare her some embarrassment." The show covered the great leaps and pyramids quickly, but Bobbie and Tom were both delighted and pleased to see that the real star of the show was Joyce. They chuckled at the exchange between Joyce and Rajah when she fed him his pizza and stole a piece — it even showed the look of hurt in his eyes. Then it showed her riding and leaping while using the tape of her comments while she did it. They cracked up with laughter as the audience did at the show. "Isn't she wonderful!?" Bobbie exclaimed. "Her timing is just so great!" There was a beautifully cut scene of Wiesman's visit. When he said, "No teeth," there was a shot of a tiger with his huge white teeth gleaming. With the remark, "No claws", they showed Rajah's paw on Wiesman's chest with the claws slowly extending. To the remark, "the tigers are drugged," there was a montage of the incredible coordination of the animals working both individually and as a group. When the take closed on Tom and Bobbie in passionate embrace, they cut back to the studio with a two-shot of Jack with Joyce sitting beside him. "Partner, that was utterly spectacular! And I mean it both as a piece of news film and for your performance. You were simply marvelous!" Then he asked her about Wiesman and possible further trouble. "Jack," she replied, "I can't answer that. I can say from personal knowledge, though, that those animals are working from love. They simply adore Bobbie and Tom Conroy, Andy Cartwright and Ken Clifford. There is no doubt in my mind that any of those animals would cheerfully sacrifice his life in an instant to protect any of them. "On last night's show, Jack, you made a very perceptive comment about attending the circus and seeing the wild animal act. It was like the people who go to the Indy 500 to see the cars crash: people are waiting to see a big cat attack its trainer. The look in the eyes of those cats is baleful ... almost evil. You feel that the animals bitterly hate the trainer but fear him. The fear outweighs the hate ... but just! Jack, with these animals it's totally different. You look in their eyes and see love and warmth. Honest, you really do. "As far as future trouble, I don't know. I certainly do know, though, that those cats have all their teeth, all their claws, and are certainly not drugged in any way. If there are more complaints, we'll have to see. In fact, Jack, the animal-rights people will be here in our studios tomorrow, so we'll learn what their complaints are then." She shook her head sadly and added, "I can see one coming right now: letting the tigers eat pizza. I know it's not part of a tiger's normal diet, but I'll tell you what," she said with a big grin at Jack. "I'll let you tell Rajah! I'm certainly not going to. Besides, he's a big baby! Did you see the film? The poor thing almost cried when I had one lousy bite! And it was a large pizza, too." The next segment had Ann Henry talking about the results of the trial and Jim Perkins' comments, particularly including the possible need for vouchers if that was what would be needed to permit students to hear about God in school. Ann ended her piece by saying, "Millie Flaherty, who will be the new head of curriculum in Sacramento starting Monday morning, commented that the reason these children perform so well is that the Holy Spirit — the third person of the Trinity — literally comes down to that classroom and inspires those children. I certainly don't know. I do know, however, that I have seen six-year-old children perform with a level of knowledge and understanding of our background as a nation that would put a graduate student in history to shame. "I also know that on an objective test, developed and controlled by Educational Testing Service — the College Board people — Bobbie Conroy's students went off the scale: a scale developed for use through college! And I also know that Bobbie Conroy personally achieved a perfect score — every answer was correct. It is an utterly unprecedented achievement for anyone." The camera went in close on Ann who closed by saying, "All I can say is that Bobbie Conroy will be in her classroom Monday morning and her students will be there with her. She will be happy, they will be ecstatic, and I will feel very good about the long-term future of our republic!" "Thank you very much," Jack said, "And I do as well. From what I have learned, Bobbie Conroy is truly a national asset ranking with the fathers of her students who are Medal-of-Honor winners!" Tom pulled Bobbie close and told her that Johnson sure got that one right. Bobbie just snuggled closer. After a commercial break, Johnson was on camera and said, "And now we have a special feature from my co-anchor. I hope you enjoy it. I know I certainly did." The screen went dark for an instant and then opened with a head-and-shoulders shot of Joyce dressed as she had been at the Forum: she was wearing white short shorts, a white halter top, a white ribbon holding back her hair in a pony tail and nothing else. The camera came in close on her face and she said, "This feature is only for the women in our audience. Would all you men please go get a beer or ... or something ... while I speak to the women? "This is particularly addressed to those of you who, like me, are single and over twenty-one... way over twenty-one. I don't know about you, but speaking for myself, I'm now resigned to being a spinster for the rest of my life." With a cute little grin she added, "Isn't that an awful-sounding word, 'spinster'? Couldn't we come up with something with a little more ... Forget it, you get my point. "Anyway, once I faced the idea of living alone for the rest of my life I got ... scared! There are, after all, some things a man provides: security, for example. Well, I gave it a lot of thought and now I think I've found the perfect answer. My answer's name is Rajah!" With that the camera pulled back to a two-shot with Rajah sitting at Joyce's side with his tail neatly wrapped around his forelegs. "This is Rajah!" she said. Then she looked down at him and said, "Say hello to all the nice people, honey. Remember, they pay me and I feed you, so be extra nice to all of them." Bobbie squealed as she saw Rajah smile, lift his right forepaw and wave to the camera. Then the camera pulled back to bring Joyce back into the frame. "As far as vital statistics are concerned, Rajah is a Royal Bengal tiger. He weighs a little over 600 pounds — how much over depends on how much pizza he ate that day. He is in his prime. If he were human he would have just reached his eighteenth birthday." With a sexy little grin she added, "Girls, wouldn't you really love to have a sexy eighteen-year-old guy for your very own? Wouldn't you? Now be honest!" Looking at Rajah she said, "I mentioned security. Darling, show the people your nice teeth and claws." Instantly, Rajah was rearing up on his hind legs with his forepaws clawing the sky. His fully-extended claws gleamed in the sunlight. At the same instant he let out a mighty roar. With his huge mouth opened wide the size and sharpness of his teeth became apparent. As quickly as he had leaped up, he was seated again. "Thank you," Joyce said, giving him a hug. Then the camera came in on her as she continued, "Security? How much do you need? Even here in Los Angeles where we have world-class muggers, can you imagine any of them in his right mind caring to take on Rajah? Can you? I certainly can't. "How about being at home alone in your apartment at night? Are you concerned about security? Maybe your unit isn't on as high a floor as you'd like it to be? Rajah is your answer. Can you just imagine a burglar in your apartment? He has just unplugged your TV and is lifting it off the table. Then he feels Rajah's warm breath on the back of his neck. Turning, he sees his huge green eyes gleaming fiercely. Then what?" Joyce grinned and answered her own question: "Honestly, I don't know exactly what would happen then. But I will double-your-money-back guarantee you: your TV will still be there." Then she added, "Incidentally, although I haven't had the chance to check it out myself, I understand that a tiger's eyes glow in the dark. Now wouldn't that be a wonderful feeling? Looking over your shoulder and seeing these huge green eyes staring at you balefully." Looking at the cameraman, Joyce said, "Charley, go in tight on Rajah's head. I want just a head shot so people can see his eyes. Raj, look at me. Do you love me?" The camera caught the tiger perfectly and caught the look of warmth and adoration in his eyes. Then Joyce said, "Charley, hold that shot. Now, Raj, what would you do if you saw a man threatening me ... he was going to hurt me. What do you do?" There was an instant change. Now the eyes were as cold as Antarctic ice. Rajah bared his teeth and let out a deep-throated growl that was frightening in its intensity. "Thank you, darling," Joyce said, then to Charley, "You can swing over to me now, Charley, and thank you." With the camera now in tight on Joyce she said, "Can you see any mugger in his right mind ignoring that? Maybe Rajah can't speak English, but he certainly can communicate. Don't you all agree?" Then she smiled and added, "You know, I guess it's a good thing that Los Angeles is so large in area. Because it is, if any mugger made a move against me it's really quite likely that all of his pieces and parts would still end up inside the city limits!" The camera pulled back and now Joyce was sitting on the ground using Rajah's side as a back rest. "So much for security. What else? Well, personal things ... Admiration, for example." Turning to the tiger she extended her beautiful leg and asked, "Raj, do you like my leg? Is it shapely enough for you?" The huge animal nodded his head and grinned. "Honest? Are you really sure?" This time Rajah got up, came over to Joyce and began to lick her leg from her toes right up to her crotch, missing not a square inch. The sensation on her flesh was exquisite and Joyce sighed with pleasure. Then she said, "Guess what? There's an extra added attraction. Don't you absolutely hate to shave your legs? Isn't it just an awful pain in the butt? Guess what?" Feeling her leg she confirmed what she had sensed and said, "Now it's as smooth as a baby's bottom — and it was completely painless. In fact, it really felt pretty sexy. "But it's not all roses. After all, Rajah is a very big boy and loves to roam. He needs his exercise. You know ... like walking a dog? But guess what? He even has advantages there, too." The camera pulled back and showed Joyce running with a beautiful long-legged stride while Rajah happily trotted along beside her. While still running she said, "Now if you're like me, this is good for 100 yards, maybe. Two hundred yards on my best days. But then what? That isn't nearly enough exercise for a big boy like this. So what do you do? It's easy." The scene cut to Rajah bounding along at full speed with Joyce sitting on his shoulders. Then it cut to him still running while she casually stood on his back doing ballet movements. In the last cut she was lying on his back with her head resting on the back of his. The animal was still running at full speed. While lying on his back she said, "This is really the way to get exercise. Tomorrow, I think I'll bring my sun glasses and a book. And just think! My weight on his back is adding to Rajah's exercise. Isn't it neat?" The camera cut to a tight close-up on Joyce's face. She was exquisite with her golden skin, tawny hair and beautiful green eyes. "But now let's face it, girls," she said, "There are a few things to be said for men. But what? Well, I guess they're pretty good on a cold winter's night to keep you warm. Then, there are women who love the feel of a man's hairy chest on their smooth skin. But you think that's good?" The camera pulled back and showed Joyce lying on her stomach on Rajah's chest. His legs were still in the air. "A hairy chest? How about this? Girls, Rajah's chest is covered with the silkiest, most luscious tight white fur you can possibly imagine. I feel like I'm lying on a mink coat except his chest fur is so much prettier and softer than mink! "What else? Sensitivity. Men are uniformly insensitive slobs. A woman wants to be held and comforted and made to feel secure. How about this?" At that, Rajah wrapped his forepaws around her body and squeezed her to his chest. As she writhed on his chest in ecstasy, the viewer could see her luscious breasts being mashed flat against his chest. All Rajah did was softly purr. "Isn't this absolutely the greatest? Could there be anything better? Ladies, go find yourself a Rajah. I've got mine! Don't I?" she asked looking into his eyes. The animal loosened his hold and Joyce was able to squirm upwards. The last shot showed her kissing his cheek while his paws were again holding her tightly. After going to black, the camera opened on a two-shot of Jack and Joyce. Jack asked, "How did you do that, Joyce? Those were the finest special effects I've ever seen. Honestly, I never even knew we had the capability." "What special effects, Jack?" "Well, the tiger waving at the camera in the opening shot ... the way he seemed to be kissing you ... many of them," Johnson replied. "Oh ... I see," she replied. Then she said, "Raj, why don't you say hello to all the nice viewers. Maybe they, like Jack, think you're a special effect." Rajah had been lying motionless under the desk through the entire show. Now on Joyce's command he smoothly came out from under the desk, rose, and put his forepaws on the desk-top and was now standing in the space between them. Then he raised his right paw, waved and let out a happy roar. In the confined space of the studio the animal's roar almost blew out all the microphones. Then he looked at Joyce as she said, "Will you give me a kiss, now?" The animal leaned over and kissed her full on the cheek. She smiled warmly, kissed him and ruffled the fur on his neck. The huge animal purred loudly enough to drown out all the studio sounds. In the meantime, Jack Johnson, seated on the other side of the huge animal was dumbfounded. "Good grief!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to tell me that what we saw was not optical trickery? He's real? This is Rajah!?" "Raj, Honey," Joyce said softly, "I would like you to meet my boss, Jack Johnson. In addition to being the anchor on the late news, he's also the station's news director, so be very nice to him. My job — and with it, the money to buy you food — is on the line. Now, will you please say hello, very nicely?" The huge animal dropped down to the floor, sat back on his haunches and raised his huge right paw while he looked into Jack's eyes with a very friendly expression in his own. Jack reached out both hands, took the paw and lightly shook it. Raj let out a very quiet roar of welcome and then took up his preferred position at Joyce's side. While the news show continued, Bobbie Conroy rolled on her side and pulled Tom close. "Darling, isn't she neat? And wasn't that a wonderful story she did on Rajah?" Then she frowned, shook her head and added, "You know, even though she played it with a very light touch, Joyce was being very serious. She does plan on being a spinster." Then she quickly told Tom about Joyce, how she was wildly in love with Jack Johnson, but thought of herself as a piece of filth. "So, honey," she concluded, "she's created a Catch 22: she can't stand any of the myriad guys she could have, but feels totally unworthy of the only guy she will accept." Tom gently caressed Bobbie's body while he reflected for a few moments on what she said. Finally he asked with a tone of sadness audible in his voice, "Darling, is there any way out of her trap?" "Honey, I think his name might be Rajah," Bobbie replied. They continued to play with each other while the news show moved to the other stories of this particular Friday. After weather and sports, the camera came back on Jack and Joyce for the closing shot. Rajah was again standing between them. Joyce looked at him and said, "Now, Raj, look at me." The huge animal turned his head. Even in profile it was clear that his eyes were open wide and concentrating on Joyce's face. "I'm going to ask you to do something very important. You see, darling, my job depends on lots of people watching the KNBC news. And if my job depends on it, your food does, too. Understand?" The great head nodded rapidly up and down. "Great!" she exclaimed. "Now here's what I want you to do: I want you to look right into the camera with the red light showing. Then I want you to give the camera your friendliest smile and the friendliest wave of your paw! I want the people to begin to think of you as Rajah, KNBC's friendly tiger." She looked at him and asked, "Do you think you can do that for me?" Again the huge head nodded rapidly. Joyce wrapped her arms around his huge neck, gave him a loving kiss and a very warm smile. "Okay, Rajah! Let's do it." Bobbie and Tom howled with laughter as Rajah squared himself at the table, formed the friendliest possible look on his face — it really did look like a smile — and gave a cheery wave with his right paw. Then he brought the paw to his mouth and blew a kiss to the camera. The broad smile was still on his face as the red camera light went out. At that the giant cat dropped to the floor, adopted his house-cat position with his tail wrapped around his forepaws and looked anxiously at Jack Johnson's face. Instead of reacting in any way, Jack spoke into the microphone, still active but now only in the studio, and used it as an intercom. "Mac, could you roll the closing again and put it on the monitor?" A few moments later there was a tape flash and then it picked up with Joyce talking to the tiger. Rajah again stood up with his paws on the desk to be able to see the TV monitor. Then he just stared at the TV image intently, and to Johnson's utter amazement, he could see concern in the tiger's eyes. Then the tape reached the closing, the cheery wave of the paw, the grin and blowing the kiss. When the screen went black again, Rajah dropped off the desk and again stared into Jack's eyes. Johnson just shook his head and said, "I always thought Tony the Tiger was the happiest tiger around — and he's a cartoon character. Guess what, Joyce? Tony now takes a back seat to Rajah, here, and Rajah is real!" With that Jack reached out and hugged Rajah around the neck and said, "Boy, you were unbelievably good!" Then pulling back he looked into the tiger's eyes and said, "Do you want to keep working here? With Joyce and me?" Then Jack clearly heard Rajah say, "I sure do, Mr. Johnson! And that means I get to help my mistress, too. This is great!" There was a huge smile on the cat's face and his head was nodding rapidly up and down. Jack was stunned. He had communicated with a tiger! Then Rajah communicated, "That's because your heart is so pure, sir. People like you — and my mistress, of course — are the only ones who can." Listening to the exchange, Joyce had swivelled her chair around to face Jack, but now was slumped down in it as if she was trying to hide. Jack looked at her and said accusingly, "It was all real, wasn't it? Every bit of it. He ... he ... he really did bawl you out for sneaking a bite of his pizza!" Then Jack started to howl with laughter. It was the funniest thing he could imagine. When his laughter died down to chuckles, he heard Rajah say, "It was real, sir, but that was playacting. You should know, sir, that my mistress is welcome to eat anything — including me, if she should ever want to." Then Rajah added, "It was all real except for that Nathan Wiesman idiot. That was all my mistress. But it was so clear to my buddies and me what it was she wanted us to do that we just acted appropriately. The fact of the matter is, of course, we could have made a meal of him, including all the bones, in less than sixty seconds." Then he turned to Joyce and communicated, "But you were certainly right about one thing, Mistress. He really would have tasted lousy. It was all we could do to keep from howling with laughter. We have eaten some awful flesh in our time, but he would have been the very worst! But then you're very perceptive, aren't you?" Changing the subject, Joyce said, "Jack, what was that idiocy I heard about me being co-anchor? I almost fell off my chair." "Idiocy?" Johnson said raising an eyebrow. "Look, Joyce, you're one of the very best there is. That story you filed with Rajah here was one of the finest — and warmest — I have ever seen. We're entering it in the Emmy Awards competition and it will be the grand-prize news feature. It's a certainty." Tears came to her eyes and she just slowly shook her head. "I can't accept the job, Jack, and I would like you to withdraw the submission. It's all a fraud." "What do you mean?" he asked softly. Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she said, "Jack Johnson, I am a piece of filth and we both know it. There is no way I belong beside you at the anchor desk. You own the news in Los Angeles. You're the very best and you certainly don't need me screwing up your show." With her head up proudly, but with her tears now flowing in twin streams, she said, "I can't do it and I won't!" Then she tried to grin despite her tears and added, "Besides, Sol is going to have me fired, anyway." "Sol Abrams couldn't fire a gofer," Jack retorted, "but why does he want you fired?" "When I came in tonight, he grabbed me and said he wanted to fuck me after the show — fuck me in the ass, I think he said. I told him I was out of that business permanently and besides, he couldn't get it up, anyway. The only way we could do anything the last few times was with me working on him with my mouth for hours. Anyway, that got him so pissed, he grabbed me and was about to slap me across the face." Smiling, she continued, "That wasn't the brightest idea he's ever had in his life. Rajah was there. For openers, Raj didn't like what he said to me one little bit. But when he saw Sol grab me and start to move, it was all over." "What happened?" Jack asked quietly. "Rajah clobbered him on the right shoulder with his paw. Fortunately for Sol, Raj kept his claws sheathed. If he had used his claws, swinging as hard as he did, he would have taken the shoulder off down to his waist." "Then what?" Now Joyce giggled, remembering. Jack thought she was incredibly beautiful. He realized suddenly how beautiful she was and that she was wearing no makeup. Although her tear tracks showed clearly, there was no running mascara because there was none to run. Moreover, Jack thought, her giggle was the cutest sound he had ever heard. "I wonder what color his hair will be when we see him again?" she wondered. "What do you mean?" She grinned and replied, "The force of Rajah's blow not only broke his shoulder in several places but dropped him to the floor like a stone. Anyway, when Sol looks up — he had landed on his back — there is Raj with his forepaw planted in the middle of his chest. His fangs were bared, his eyes were like green fire, and he let out the most deadly-sounding growl I have ever heard. "Well, Sol looks at this, his eyes glaze and he faints dead away. But then as we watched, his hair turned pure white. For a moment I thought Raj had frightened the man to death." Then she reached out her arms and Rajah came to her. "That reminds me, darling, it was so close to air time I didn't have a chance to thank you properly." With that she hugged him and gave him the warmest possible kiss full on his lips. Jack could feel the impact of the kiss on the tiger and realized the animal felt he was receiving the highest praise from the person he loved the most. Jack, too, could clearly feel the joy the animal was feeling. Then she added, "Later, my darling, there will be more." "You mean ... you mean that I will be able to feast again on your exquisite cunt? I'll be able to create joy for you? It's not nearly as great as if you were in Jack's arms, of course," the tiger communicated. "But then you utterly adore him—" "She what?" Jack exclaimed. "Oh, shit!" Joyce exclaimed bitterly. Glaring at Rajah she said, "Dummy! He can hear you, too, you know! Why couldn't you keep your big mouth shut!" Rajah dropped flat on the floor and covered his head with his paws, showing Joyce the shame he was feeling. Then Jack said, "How about if we go back to my office for a few minutes? The crew is about to throw us out of here, anyway." Reluctantly, Joyce followed Jack out of the studio. Rajah, instead of walking proudly at Joyce's side, slunk along behind with his tail dragging the floor. ------- Chapter 30 Reaching the office he had as the station's news director, Jack closed the door and took a seat on his sofa. Joyce sat upright in a small armchair and just looked at him with dead eyes. When he looked into her eyes, Jack's heart sank. Although he knew she was in great emotional pain, he wanted to confirm some things. Then he looked at her and said softly, "I love you desperately, Joyce Collier. I always have and I always will." Hearing his words, Joyce's heart leaped. It was utterly impossible but it was happening. She was hearing the words she dreamed of from the only man she ever wanted to hear them from. Rajah's demeanor changed dramatically, as well. Communicating, he nearly screamed, "He loves you back, Mistress! He loves you back! Oh, that's so wonderful! Soon you will be married. Then, after endless hours of the most marvelous lovemaking, one of his sperm will find one of your magnificent eggs. God will bless it, and a new soul will have been conceived. It will grow and ripen in your glorious womb and then appear as a tiny boy or girl. You will love it, cherish it, caress it and, most of all, nurse it at your breast. "You will feel the indescribable pleasure of a tiny baby drawing its perfect food: your gloriously rich, warm, sweet milk directly from your perfect tit, accompanied by all the love you possess. Then you will raise it in a home filled with the incredible love for each other that you and Jack share. You will teach it about God. You will train it in manners, and courtesy and consideration for others. "Then, when it's six years old, you will bring the boy or girl to our Queen, Bobbie, who will continue to build on the foundations that you and Jack have created. Then you will return home to the child's smaller brothers and sisters. You will be the finest mother in the world and you will truly be our Queen's handmaiden. After all, what greater service could you perform for your queen than using your glorious body to produce children to bask in her love? "Can you imagine your joy in seven years or so in another circus when one of the beautiful children skipping across the backs of myself and my friends is a son or daughter of yours? A child filled with the Holy Spirit? A child who God Himself, acting as the Holy Spirit, will guide and protect? What could possibly be finer? And it's happening, my darling Mistress, because Jack loves you as much as you adore him. Isn't that wonderful?" By the time Rajah finished his communication Joyce was weeping uncontrollably. She was disconsolate because, although the scenario he described was what she wished for in her wildest dreams, it could never happen. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted out of her chair and taken into Jack's arms. His lips met hers and melted. Although she tried to keep her lips pressed tightly together, she couldn't. She felt her lips soften and then part as he worked his lips on hers. A flow of love between them grew in seconds to the volume of a river flowing in two directions at once. Moments later, she was consumed by passion and could feel electricity between them that was overwhelming in its intensity. Meanwhile, Jack just moved his hands over her back and body while, involuntarily, she stroked his. Meantime Rajah had just seated himself on the floor and watched with the happiness growing inside him like a flood. When the two eased apart, he saw new tears in Joyce's eyes as she said softly, "Jack, how could you? How could you bear to touch — least of all, kiss — a piece of filth like me? You're so pure and I am so rotten..." "You're a dream come true," he replied softly. "I said it before, darling, and I'll say it again: I have loved you from the first moment I saw you." "How could you possibly, Jack?" she wailed. "You saw what I was and knew what I was doing. Can you imagine telling a girl, two days on the payroll, to take Sol in her ass that night or clean out her desk right then? Can you? I did, you know." "And you made a perfect confession today," Rajah quietly communicated. "If God Himself forgave you your sins, can Jack do any less? Mistress, God Himself told you, 'Your sins, they are forgiven. Go forth and sin no more.' "Leaving that priest, the Holy Spirit came down upon you. Right now you're as clean and pure as Bobbie or Andrea Cartwright." Suddenly, Rajah's attitude changed dramatically. He communicated, "Now strip off your clothes so Jack can see what he will be getting and so I can have the reward I earned by clobbering that idiot, Sol Abrams! Now!" "But ... but ... but Jack will see—" "What half-a-hundred or so other guys — most of whom you couldn't stand — have already seen," Rajah interrupted. "Besides, since you will not allow him to make love to you until you're married, prudence suggests that he have a look at the physical perfection he will have sharing his bed when he does. Now do it!" In an instant Joyce was out of her clothes and resting her bare bottom on the edge of Jack's desk with her legs spread wide. When Rajah moved into position, she ruffled the fur on the top of his head and said softly, "I love you dearly, you big lug! But now I find out you're a bully, too." Then she smiled warmly and said, "Well? What are you waiting for? My cesspool awaits." Before moving, Rajah looked up at her with enormous love in his huge green eyes and said, "No, Mistress. A veritable fountain of purity!" With that his tongue darted out and he concentrated on getting her love juices flowing freely. Taking advantage of Rajah's preoccupation, Joyce renewed her objections. It turned out to be funny as some of her best speeches were interrupted by her involuntary gasps, shrieks of ecstasy, or moans of pleasure caused by the tiger's very talented tongue working on her loins. "Jack, this is one of the things I was thinking about but did not include in my story tonight," she said and shrieked as her loins shook in orgasm. Catching her breath she added, "But I can't marry you. You and I don't agree on the time of day, let alone anything else." Jack was still rocking from the sight of Joyce's naked beauty. She was everything he had ever thought but so much more besides. He just shook his head and replied, "That won't work, Joyce. Two days ago, maybe. Tonight, no. You have packed it in totally with the PC folks. If anything, you and Ann Henry are even more disgusted with the situation than I am." Finally, her last line of defense: "Jack, I can't marry you. I won't hold you back professionally. They'll want you at the network in Washington or New York. I can't leave Los Angeles. You see, I solemnly swore to Bobbie that she would have any children of mine to educate. As long as she's here, I have to be here, too. Not only can you not stay, you shouldn't. You're the very best and deserve the professional recognition that's finally coming your way. I won't hold you back. I won't!" Now Joyce had confirmed what Jack had suspected all along: he was hearing her last futile efforts before she bowed to the inevitable and agreed to become his wife. But playing the game he looked up at the corner and looked pensive. Then with a grin he said, "Good try, Joyce, but no sale. First, I'll go to Washington when, in the immortal words of a former Soviet leader, shrimp learn to whistle! Let's not hold our breath, shall we? You say you need to stay in LA. Well, darling, I want to. I want to spend a lot of time with you and those scrumptious little children that Rajah so eloquently described." Looking at her quizzically, he interjected, "Darling, did you know that Raj could be so eloquent?" She grinned wryly and just shook her head, then let out a shriek as her loins convulsed in another massive orgasm. "And by the way, are you always this passionate or are you just showing off?" "I never had an orgasm in my life before," she gasped, "until my darling worked on me this afternoon." There was another quiet moan as she was hit by another small orgasm and then added, "Now I think I can get off with you just looking at me." "But back to your comment," Jack continued. "First, I don't want to leave. Second, we already own the time period and the news in LA. And when the rating books come out for this week, they won't even be able to find our competition in the numbers. Finally, with you and Raj at the news desk, we're going to be flying. Darling, Los Angeles is a giant market — the second largest in the country. And at the rate New York is dropping, we'll be number one pretty soon. The top news show in the top market isn't shabby. I'm paid pretty well and you will be, too. We'll have more than enough money to buy a big house and start filling it up with kids." He looked at her with great love in his eyes and added, "You want a whole bunch, don't you? The reason you cracked up when Rajah made his speech was that he was describing your dream of a lifetime, wasn't he?" Joyce was concentrating her attention on Rajah's head and his tongue still working on her loins. "Wasn't he?" Jack exclaimed. "Answer the question!" "Yes, damn it! Yes he was." Cradling her tits in her hands she said, "Jack, can you imagine the feeling of a baby girl or boy drawing its sustenance from these breasts?" Looking up at him she said, "There's one condition: I am not a career woman. My ideal career is to be your wife and concentrate on making you the happiest man in the whole world. My body will be available to you any time, any place, for any purpose. Then giving birth and raising those children Rajah so eloquently described ... I can't wait." Then looking at Jack with all the love she could convey she said softly, "Jack, I give up." Then she looked down where Rajah was licking up her last succulent drops. Again she lovingly tousled his head and asked softly, "Have you finished drinking at my fountain? Can we go home now?" The great cat looked up at her and worshipfully communicated, "Mistress, I cannot tell you how happy you have just made me. I cannot tell you, believe it or not, the joy you just created in Heaven!" But then he grinned and added, "But there is one more thing, Mistress. You owe Master Jack — he will be my master when you're wed, won't he? — one more thing. He saw the tape and its closing scene, but not the scene you really wanted to shoot. Will you show him now? Please?" "Oh, you!" she said, feigning exasperation, and then kissing him quickly on the top of his head. Then she raised an eyebrow and added, "I'm waiting." The huge tiger flipped on his back and spread his legs wide. Joyce dove between his legs and landed with a flop on his chest. His forelegs came together while she moved her tits with their now-so-sensitive nipples in small circles on his soft white fur. Rajah used his legs to hold her tight while she pretended to fight him to have more room for her movements. Then she gave up, stretched out with her cheek on his chest, and just savored his wonderful softness and warmth. "Mmm, mmm," she murmured. "My darling Rajah, this is heaven!" Looking up at a wall clock she saw it was almost two o'clock. Suddenly, the effect of the day's physical activity and its series of emotional shocks hit her like a ton of bricks. Joyce was utterly exhausted and close to physical collapse. Sleepily she said, "Raj, let's go. If I don't move this minute, they'll find me like this, bare-assed, tomorrow morning still in your arms. Let's go home, shall we?" Reluctantly, Rajah released her and she staggered to her feet. As she sleepily sorted through her discarded clothing and began to dress, Jack nodded toward Rajah and said, "But what about him, Joyce? Isn't your landlord going to have a bird? Won't you be evicted?" "Nope," she replied with a sleepy grin. Then she rummaged through her purse, found a piece of paper which she gave to Jack, and then continued with her dressing. Jack looked at it and laughed. It was a permit to have a cat in her apartment. On the line that said, "Cat's name," was written "Rajah." On the line asking for "Cat's description" was the word, "tiger." He realized that, when Joyce had applied for the permit and the question of description had been asked, she had casually replied, "tiger." The agent naturally assumed that she was describing a tiger-striped house cat, but notwithstanding, it was all completely legal. Moreover, the permit ran with the duration of the apartment lease and any subsequent renewals. As he returned the permit to her, he reflected on how naturally she moved. When he commented on her grace, Rajah communicated, "Master Jack, my mistress is an incredibly beautiful woman with a magnificent body, as you could see. Believe it or not, she has embarked on a program to make herself even more perfect for your eyes. Sir, I think some work on your part is in order." With a grin Rajah continued, "Indeed, self-preservation requires it. If you do not improve substantially, she might kill you with her lovemaking, and we certainly can't have that, can we?" Jack grinned but realized that Rajah was both very serious and giving very good advice. He vowed immediately to start making regular use of the facilities at his health club. Joyce was now fully dressed, but was literally reeling with fatigue. After Jack tenderly kissed her goodnight, Rajah volunteered to carry her through the sprawling building and out to her car. Sleepily, she grinned at Jack and said, "See, darling, he's even better than a car. He can move nearly as fast, but he can also move indoors and even navigate stairs. Isn't he neat?" Then she peered at Rajah owlishly and asked, "But can you babysit?" "I cannot nurse a baby," Rajah replied seriously, "But I can entertain them and — most certainly — protect them!" "I am certain of that!" she replied sleepily. She was on his back but was now so tired she couldn't even sit upright. She looked like a rider asleep in the saddle. To her surprise Rajah trotted through the labyrinthine corridors of the sprawling studio building with no direction from her, in spite of this being the first time he had ever been in it. When she commented on it, he told her that cats had an extraordinary sense of place and direction. By this time of night, the building was nearly empty, or, in view of its 24-hour operation, as empty as it ever was. As they passed the guard at the door, she called out sleepily, "G'night, Charley." He replied, "Good night, Miss Collier," without looking up from his newspaper and thus did not see that she was riding on the back of a Bengal tiger. Once out the door — Rajah even handled that himself because it had a stampede bar — she got off his back and said that since he had been such a wonder carrying her all the way out of the building, she would get the car and come back to pick him up. Rajah grinned and sat down on the sidewalk to wait for her. As she walked towards her parked car, she was glad that it was a minivan. Taking out the second seat allowed Rajah to lie down in the center of the vehicle and thus spread his considerable weight among all four wheels. In spite of the fact that there were only a handful of vehicles left in the sprawling parking lot, she noticed there was another car parked close to hers. They were almost the only pair of vehicles left. Because of her fatigue, her brain didn't register any possible danger lurking in the darkness between the cars. She just wanted to get her car moving and get back home. As she started to unlock the driver's door, a dirty burlap bag was dropped over her head. Two men had grabbed her from behind. One held her tightly while the other held an ether-soaked cloth to her face. Although the cloth was outside the burlap bag, the bag's weave was so coarse that the anaesthetic fumes easily penetrated. While trying not to breathe she could hear the men gloating: They would rape her in any event; if KNBC paid their ransom, she would be released. If not, they would keep raping her until she was dead. With her face covered tightly with the ether-soaked cloth, Joyce couldn't make a sound, but she mentally screamed to Rajah to save her. The tiger was looking around the area curiously and patiently waiting when he heard his mistress's mental scream for help. In just two bounds he was running at over forty miles per hour towards her car. Although Joyce and her assailants were in the deep shadows between the two cars, with Rajah's superb night vision they might as well have been standing in the sunlight. Once he knew the situation, he changed course and used one of the cars to conceal his approach. When he reached the corner of the car, he crouched and sprang. This time there was no holding back. With his enormous claws fully extended, 600 pounds of furious tiger ripped open the backs of both men simultaneously. Having struck, he let out a mighty roar of rage. The last mental communication from his mistress had mentioned rape. One of the men was on his back on the ground staring up, petrified with fear, at the blazing green eyes above him. There was a quick swipe of Rajah's great paw followed instantly by an agonized scream from the fallen assailant. Where his crotch had been there was now only a large hole with blood flowing from it in a small river. The second man was on his face and screaming when Rajah used the claws of his great paw to flip him over on his back while tearing off most of his shoulder in the process. With another swipe of his paw he ensured that the man, if he lived, could never rape anyone ever again. Then, with huge bounds he raced back to the studio entrance and roared as loudly as he could. The scream of the enraged tiger was loud enough to awaken the dead and easily loud enough even to penetrate the building's soundproofing. The guard came running followed by Jack who was leaving the building himself. Seeing Jack, Rajah lay down and communicated to him to get on his back and to tell the guard to call for the police and an ambulance immediately. After quickly giving the orders to the guard, Jack got on Rajah's back while the guard ran back to place the calls. In just a few moments they were back to where the three were lying. By now there were large pools of blood around each of the two men. Dropping to his knees, Jack gently removed the bag still over Joyce's head and held her in his arms. Although her respiration was slow, it was strong and regular. Getting a whiff of ether, Jack instantly knew what happened. He just held his love in his arms and waited. While he did, he looked around and saw in the light of a high-mounted floodlight what looked like a small, bloody sack. Looking at the men on the ground he realized it was probably the sex organs of one of them lying on the pavement where they landed after Rajah's ferocious swipe. Feeling movement in his arms, he looked down and saw Joyce's eyes fluttering. Lifting her up in his arms he placed his lips on hers and kissed her. Initially there was no reaction, but then he tasted her lips and felt her return his kiss with intensity that increased with each passing moment. When it was so strong as almost to knock him out, he gently released her and looked down at her face. Joyce's eyes were now open and filled with love. She murmured, "It was worth it if an attempted rape always ends like this. Does it?" Then she looked at him with all the love her expressive eyes could communicate and said, "I adore you, my darling." Then she jerked up and said, "Darling, we have to call the police! Those men are vicious and need to be stopped..." Jack just held her tightly, slowly shook his head and said, "Sweetie, don't worry about a thing. Rajah has taken care of that already. He stopped them ... permanently!" As she tried to look he held her tight and said, "Please don't look! Rajah did not ... restrain himself ... this time. Honey, he really made a hell of a mess." Then he added, "But I'll tell you one thing: Even if they live — and I don't think they will — they will never rape anyone, ever again. Ever!" "You mean..." she whispered. "I mean that Rajah heard you mention rape. I guess we could safely say that the rape of his beloved mistress is not his favorite activity. Darling, he was very angry." Then he grinned and added, "See, my darling! This is what happens to people who don't watch the late news on KNBC. If they had, they might have known what they were getting in for. As it is, I think we have the ideal follow-up to last night's story." He kissed her solidly and said, "It's yours to do Monday night, okay?" She grinned and nodded rapidly. "And that's an assignment from the guy who's now your boss, but also soon to become your lord and master. What do you say to that, wench?" Joyce just snuggled in his arms, smiled sleepily and whispered, "The wench wants to be sure that her lord and master will beat her regularly. Purely in the interest of good order and discipline, of course." Then with the purest love in her eyes she asked, "Will the lord and master allow his wife a flour sack to wear? There will always be one small child pulling at my skirts, another nursing at my breast, while a third grows in my belly, but will there be a skirt for the oldest at home to pull on? Please?" "You will maintain it well? You won't need another for at least ten years, will you?" She shook her head while trying to stifle a grin. He replied judiciously, "As a sign of the great love I have for my worthless wife, she may have a flour-sack dress!" "Oh, Master, you're so good to me!" she exclaimed softly. "But you do spoil me so! Just imagine! A new one in only ten years." Joyce shook her head in feigned amazement. Then looking up she saw a pair of giant brilliant green eyes staring at her. They were, in fact, luminous in the dark. "Come here, my darling," she whispered. Rajah padded over and gently placed his head on her lap. "My darling, thank you!" Then while she was tousling the fur on his head she said, "Damn it! I knew I forgot something in that story tonight! I forgot to mention our ability to communicate without making a sound. Thank you, darling Rajah, for saving my life!" The huge animal lifted his head and kissed her softly on the cheek, then communicated, "It is the last time I will ever allow my mistress to go out into a dark parking lot late at night alone. I am mortified that such a thing could happen to my beloved mistress. I need to be punished for my negligence, Mistress, and I shall concentrate on what the most appropriate punishment might be." "Your punishment is not up to you, it is up to me," she replied haughtily. "And I already know what it shall be." She put her hand on his head and said, "Are you prepared to hear your punishment?" His eyes were wide as he slowly nodded his head. "You are sentenced to work on my filthy cunt with your tongue for thirty minutes a time at least twice a day, every day until I am married! Do you accept your punishment?" "But Mistress, that is not—" "Do you accept your punishment?" she demanded imperiously. "Yes or no?" "Yes, of course—" "Then the subject is closed," she interrupted. Then in the most loving tone of voice the tiger had ever heard she said, "Dear Rajah, you are my protector and my love!" The sound of approaching sirens had been growing louder. As a police car turned into the KNBC parking lot, its siren scream reached banshee level. Jack told Rajah to lie down so he could rest Joyce against him while he went for the police. She lay with her back against his shoulder and her head resting against the animal's neck. While relaxing against him, she could hear the incredibly deep purr the animal made reflecting his happiness at having his mistress so close. The driver of the first police car to arrive saw Jack waving and swung over toward him. Stopping the car, he turned on his spotlight to illuminate the scene. What he saw in the bright light caused him to vomit on the spot: Where the sex organs of the two men had been were now only two gaping bloody voids. There was a pool of blood almost three feet wide and still spreading around each man. His partner grabbed the car's emergency kit and raced to the two men. A quick check revealed neither had a pulse — both were dead. Taking two paper blankets from the kit, he spread one over each body. His eyes widened as he saw a blood stain appear and slowly spread on the white paper where their groins had been. A few moments later, two more police cars appeared along with an ambulance. The patrolman who had checked the bodies told the EMTs that it looked like they needed a morgue wagon, not an ambulance, but an EMT checked anyway and then just shook his head. An EMT came up to Joyce who grinned and said, "Pardon me for not getting up, but I'm tired and I am too comfortable right here." Only then did the woman realize that Joyce's back rest was a reclining Bengal tiger. Seeing the girl's eyes widen, Joyce said, "Please don't be concerned about Rajah, here. He's really a very docile fellow, as long as one does not upset him. Unfortunately, the two late departed over there did." Then she told the young woman about the attempted rape and how Rajah had saved her. Then she said, "Jack won't let me look, but he said that even if they lived they would never rape anyone else again. Was he right?" The EMT had recognized her and said, "Miss Collier, a guy would have one hell of a time committing rape if there was nothing at all except a bleeding void where the bottom eight or ten inches of his groin used to be. Do you get my message?" Rolling over to rest her cheek on Rajah's jaw, she caressed him and asked, "Did you lose your temper? Were you angry?" The EMT's eyes widened when the tiger vigorously nodded his head. "Does ... does he understand you? Really?" she asked. "He certainly does!" Then the woman's eyes widened even more when Joyce told her that her scream for help had been mental. With the cloth pressed to her face she couldn't make a sound. "But he certainly did hear me." The woman was pale and then left suddenly when she realized there was blood and bits of cloth and skin on both of the tiger's forepaws. At that point, a detective lieutenant of the Los Angeles Police Department came over. After pulling back the blanket covering each face, he came over to Joyce and introduced himself as Lieutenant Patrick Collins. Having checked the bodies, he had recognized them and told Joyce that each man was out on bail for no less than two separate rapes each. Moreover, one of the men had three felony rape convictions while the other had two. Then he shook his head, grinned and said, "I guess it goes to show what happens to people who don't watch the news on KNBC. If they had been watching, they would have known about Rajah. Is this him?" Rising to her feet she said, "Rajah, I would like you to meet Lieutenant Collins of LAPD." In an incredibly graceful motion the huge cat changed in an instant from his supine position to a seated one directly in front of the officer. While looking at the officer with friendly eyes, he raised his right paw. Collins took the huge paw with both of his hands and shook. As he did he noted the debris on the ends of Rajah's paws around his claw sheaths. "How do you do, Rajah?" he said. Then he added, "However, young man, I think you should clean yourself up a bit now. Some people might get upset at the ... souvenirs ... on your paws." Then he murmured, "My God!" as Rajah, looking very embarrassed, dropped to the ground and immediately started licking his paws clean. To Joyce he said, "He really understands, doesn't he?" "Yes, Lieutenant, he certainly does. And, as you can see, you embarrassed him. But, really, it wasn't his fault." She went on to tell him what the tiger had been doing every moment since the attack. She concluded by saying, "So you see, sir, it was really my fault. He considered it to be more important to act as my back support than to clean himself up." Then, with a warm smile, she asked, "Can I interpret your prior comment to mean that you did see our news show?" When the officer said that indeed he had, she said, "There was one important thing I forgot to mention: I can communicate with Rajah mentally." Then she explained how this ability had saved her virtue and probably her life. Dropping to a crouch the officer stroked the tiger who was still absorbed in his cleaning. "Rajah," he said, "Miss Collier said tonight that you were a single girl's friend. Well, young man, you certainly are!" Then he apologized for causing Rajah any embarrassment. When he dropped down beside him, Rajah had stopped his washing and attentively looked up. Now the tiger responded by smiling happily and then returned to his cleaning. Checking his watch, Collins realized it was almost three o'clock. He asked Joyce if, in spite of the hour, she could come down to the station so he could fill out some forms and close the case. "It's the most open-and-shut case I have ever seen," he concluded. "Two rapists who should never have been allowed back on the streets in the first place definitely pick on the wrong girl." Sleepily, she agreed. Getting in her minivan finally, she followed the officer's car to the station. Jack insisted on coming along, too, in his own car. Entering the station behind the lieutenant at three o'clock on a Saturday morning, Joyce found that it was full of people wearing handcuffs, standing around waiting to be booked. Since most were decidedly antisocial but, at the same time, knew their constitutional rights backwards and forwards, they normally harassed complaining witnesses like Joyce with lewd remarks, catcalls, and anything else they could think of at the time. Because of her overwhelming beauty, the remarks directed at her were all lewd and obscene. One big man wearing handcuffs made a particularly obscene remark before he saw Rajah. The next thing he knew, he was flat on his back with both of Rajah's forepaws and over half of his 600-pound weight pressing on his chest. If that was not bad enough, Rajah was peering down at him with baleful eyes, while emitting the most frightening growl the man had ever heard. The growl alone silenced all of the people in the room including those in the holding cells. Lieutenant Collins doubled over with laughter. "Willie," he said, "it's about time! You know your rights — you've been here so often, you certainly should by now — but this time you picked the wrong young woman. This is Miss Joyce Collier of KNBC, and the Bengal tiger standing on your chest is named Rajah. "Willie, I think you should apologize to Miss Collier ... abjectly! You see, the reason she's here at such an ungodly hour is that she was attacked tonight. There were two guys: five felony rape convictions between them, plus awaiting trial for two more rapes, each! Willie, they are now on their way to the morgue. It really wasn't very pretty, either. "You see, Rajah heard his mistress mention rape. Well, sir, where their sex organs used to be there was only about eight inches of ... nothing! Nothing except blood that had pooled out on the pavement about three feet. Of course, that may not have been the cause of death. You see, both guys also had their backs opened up with five deep gouges — oh, about three inches deep — running from their shoulders down to their asses. Looking thoughtful, Collins ruminated, "You know, I'll bet that if we measured the width between those gouges it would match up pretty good with the spread between the five claws on each of Rajah's forepaws." Looking down at the man he said harshly, "Willie, don't you think you should apologize? While you're still alive?" With Rajah's great weight crushing him, the man could scarcely speak. Nonetheless, he managed to gasp, "Ma'am, I'm terribly sorry! Never again ... So sorry..." "Rajah," Joyce said quietly, "I think that was a very polite apology, don't you? And besides, he's going to give us a wonderful written apology by noon Monday that we can read on the air Monday night. Isn't that nice of him?" Then glaring at the man and speaking with steel in her voice she said, "You are going to give us an apology in writing, aren't you, Willie?" Then, looking thoughtful, she added, "And Willie, if you say you will, you really should. Rajah has been staring at you for a while, now. He has memorized your scent. Willie, if we do not receive a lovely written apology at our studios in Burbank by noon Monday ... Well, I really can't say how safe you would be within say... 3,000 miles of Los Angeles." Smiling, she added, "Although Bengal tigers prefer to hunt during the day, they are extraordinarily capable at night, too. Tonight, for example, although those two guys thought they were hidden in the shadows, to Rajah they might as well have been in broad daylight." Again with steel in her voice, she asked, "Will we see a lovely handwritten apology by noon on Monday, Willie? A nice, complete, very sincere one?" As Rajah lowered his head and sniffed as if to memorize his scent, Willie, his eyes now wide with sheer terror, stammered, "Written, sincere ... Yes, ma'am! For sure! By noon in Burbank ... KNBC ... Sorry! So sorry!" When Joyce softly told Rajah that Willie was going to be good and he could let him go, the tiger glared at the man, growled, and, seemingly with the greatest reluctance, got off his chest. However, before removing his second paw he drove it downward with all his strength. Willie's forced exhale was audible throughout the large room while his loss of oxygen, on top of the prior restriction caused him instantly to lose consciousness. Unconcerned, Rajah padded after Joyce to the Lieutenant's office. Meanwhile, the guests awaiting booking just silently looked at the now-unconscious man in awe. At that point, when Jack arrived and asked directions to Lieutenant Collins' office having made a stop for gas, no one made a sound. When he reached the office, Joyce had just finished her statement and signed it. Tiredly she asked, "Is that all, Lieutenant Collins?" When told it was, she slumped and Jack caught her before she fell on the floor. Now that the rush of attack-triggered adrenaline had dissipated, her sheer exhaustion again hit her with overwhelming force. The lieutenant arranged for a squad car to follow Jack. He would drive Joyce's minivan back to her apartment where they would pick him up and bring him back to the station to retrieve his own car. Rajah followed closely, with worry showing in his eyes, as the two men carried the unconscious girl out to her van and stretched her out on the back seat. Rajah got in immediately to ensure that she didn't roll off. Once an officer and Jack got Joyce into her apartment, Jack assured him he could take it from there. Once in her bedroom, Rajah communicated a request that Jack undress her completely which he willingly did, revealing again the full beauty of her body. Then Rajah lay down on his back and Jack gently laid Joyce on top of him. As he turned off the lights and prepared to leave, Rajah assured him it didn't really matter if he locked the door or not. Having seen the by-products of Rajah's rage earlier in the evening, Jack was certain it was true. When he left the room, Rajah wrapped his forelegs around his love and went to sleep. ------- Chapter 31 The next morning as Joyce Collier was emerging from a sound sleep, she stretched luxuriantly on the warmest, softest, most comfortable bed she had ever slept on in her life. Sensually, she moved her breasts on the bed and felt the most luscious sensation on her sensitive areolas. Finally, she realized that, although she was naked, she felt wonderfully snug and warm. Dimly she realized it was Saturday, the day she could sleep, so she just snuggled down against her pillow to go back to sleep. Then it began to penetrate her consciousness that there was no pillow. She just snuggled down and vaguely pondered the problem: What happened to my pillow? Only then did reality begin to dawn: she wasn't in a bed at all. Then her memory of the day before began to return, slowly at first, but then with a rush. She wasn't in bed; she had been sleeping on Rajah! Opening her eyes for good this time, she wriggled up on his chest and whispered, "Hi! Are you awake?" The huge tiger, keeping his eyes closed tightly, communicated, "No! I'm sound asleep." Then he opened one eye and communicated, "Don't you know, Mistress, that tigers need their sleep? I'm sleeping." With that he slammed his eyelid shut and pretended to sleep. "Oh, sleeping..." she mused. "I see..." With that she began to tickle the big cat's ribs. Only moments later, the two were rolling around the floor with poor Rajah trying to escape Joyce's furious assaults while at the same time trying to pretend he was sleeping. Finally, he gave up. When he did, she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly, kissed him softly on his cheek and said, "Good morning, darling Rajah. Have I told you how much I love you yet this morning?" Following her kisses, Rajah found he couldn't even pretend to grump. Instead he flipped her on her back and proceeded to lick her beautiful body. When he did, the events of the preceding night came back so she reminded him of his "punishment". Spreading her legs wide, she raised her hips and said softly, "Remember, at least twice a day, whether you want to or not, you have to lick my filthy slut's cunt." The huge animal, instead of going down on her succulent love box, stalked over her body so that he covered it completely. Then he lowered his head until his huge mouth was only inches above her face. "This is the end!" he communicated fiercely. "You have the loveliest, sweetest, purest sex in the world. On your honeymoon, Jack will drink at your source by the hour. "Now I will not stand for it, do you hear? Joyce Collier is kind and sweet and good and ... pure! You're blessed by the Holy Spirit, Himself, okay? That is God Himself, in His third person, okay? Now that Jack is going to marry you and create an endless bliss, do you really want to wreck it? Do you?" he demanded fiercely. "Darling Rajah," she said, "my cunt is flooded with its juices and is waiting for you. Please? It's clean and fragrant and nice. I think you'll like it. Please?" The tiger bared his teeth, let out a quiet but fierce snarl, and then to her utter amazement kissed her on the lips. Then he looked embarrassed and Joyce asked what the trouble was. "Could ... could ... could you get me ... something to eat?" he stammered. Suddenly, she was mortified. Realizing that the poor animal had only had two pizzas in the past twenty-four hours, it was scarcely enough to fuel his 600-pound body. Jumping up, she grabbed a phone book, looked up the number and called the Los Angeles Forum. She reached Byron Crosby, the general manager of the circus. After receiving directions to her apartment, he told her a truck with Rajah's food would be there in whatever time it took to make the trip. It would leave at once. Before she even had the phone back on its hook, Rajah's great tongue was working on her slit. Joyce lay down on the floor and raised her hips to assist him and then just enjoyed the marvelous sensations he was creating in her loins. Glancing down at his head and darting tongue she realized that she would have to warn Jack that, in all likelihood, by the time they were married her pubic area would be completely bare. In less than twenty-four hours, she estimated she had lost nearly half of her pubic hair, and the patch was significantly smaller in area than it had been at any time since she reached puberty. After rendering her nearly unconscious with orgasms, Rajah did not quit. Instead he began to lick first one leg, then the other. When she reached down she realized her legs, which suffered from what one company referred to as "briar-patch legs," were now as smooth as a baby's bottom. Then he insisted that she raise an arm and licked first one armpit and then the other. Just as he finished, the doorbell rang. Slipping on a terry robe she opened the door and saw two men standing at the door with a huge container of raw meat. Although Rajah was only fed once a day, that one meal was huge. Thanking them, she brought the huge container into the kitchen and set it down on the floor. Then she made coffee for herself as she watched Rajah tear into the meat. Seeing his huge jaws move to masticate it and seeing his teeth ripping into it, it was all she could do to keep from laughing, remembering Nathan Wiesman's accusation that the tiger's teeth had been removed. She shook her head when Rajah finished his huge meal in less time than it took her to drink two cups of coffee. Slipping into a tiny halter top and a pair of ancient Levi's cut off at the thighs to make short shorts, she tied her hair back into a ponytail and left the apartment, still barefooted. Seeing that she was not wearing shoes Rajah insisted on carrying her on his back to the nearby park where she planned to run with him. When she began to run with her smooth, long-legged stride and had already covered nearly a mile, the tiger who had been trotting at her side communicated, "One hundred yards? Two hundred on your best day? Ha!" She grinned, stuck out her tongue and kept on running. The fact was that Joyce really didn't like to run. To her it was boring, deadly-dull and lonely. Rajah trotting by her side changed all that. She could tease him and he could tease her back without her even opening her mouth. Rajah was a wonderful companion, she decided. After slowing and finally coming to a stop, she announced it was his turn to work. He grinned as she lay on his back with her head on his. For the tiger the joy of being able to run free was priceless. Although his stride was so smooth that Joyce actually dozed on his back, he was moving at over twenty-five miles an hour and roaring past dozens of runners and joggers out for their Saturday-morning exercise. Fortunately, Lieutenant Collins had had the foresight to alert police communications. As a result the officers were able to reassure the dozens of callers: "That's just Miss Collier with Rajah," they said. "He's a wonderful animal, and a great friend of the police!" After running for ten miles, Rajah felt better than he had in years. Since Joyce had fallen sound asleep, the tiger was standing at the apartment door when he finally communicated with her. Slipping off his back, she opened the door, then kissed him, and thanked him for the great run. Back in the apartment she checked the time and found it was after noon. The meeting with the Animal-Rights activists was scheduled for the studios at two. First, she carefully groomed Rajah. As she was working on him he told her how much he loved her and how wonderful it was for him to run free through the big park, particularly with his beloved mistress on his back. "And what do I do for the wonderful creature who saved my life?" she asked. "The wonderful creature who gave me the love of my life? What?" "A kiss?" he asked diffidently. "A little one, maybe?" In an instant she was bare and moving all over him kissing everything in sight. Finally, she gave him a kiss full on the lips and poured all the great love she felt for him into it. Remarkably, she felt the same great joy and purity that she received from Bobbie's kiss. Pulling away slightly she said softly, "It is the Holy Spirit in you, isn't it, my darling? You're an agent of God, aren't you?" The animal's eyes widened in surprise but then he just nodded once. With that she went into the bathroom and showered. Coming out, she consulted with Rajah and decided to wear an outfit similar to what she had just taken off: Levi's with the legs cut off and an ancient chambray shirt with its sleeves torn off. With the shirt tied just below her breasts and the Levi's riding very low on her hips, there was a vast expanse of beautiful golden skin showing between. After tying her hair back in a ponytail, she spun around toward Rajah and asked, "How do I look?" With great affection he replied, "Like you're about ... oh, fifteen. Of course," he communicated with a wide grin, "like one of those early-developing ones with the big tits." With a sexy grin she faked slapping his face. After slipping into a pair of old moccasins, they left the apartment. On the way to the studios Rajah spent most of the time sound asleep. When she parked her van and got on his back for a ride to the studio, she teased him about sleeping all the way. Pretending to grump, he reminded her that he was a cat, after all, and cats spend a lot of their time sleeping. She giggled merrily at his reply. The meeting was scheduled for a seldom-used studio that was kept set up for news-interview-type programs similar to Meet The Press. To avoid any possible misunderstandings later, the station management had insisted on its right to tape the entire meeting, although they assured the Rights people that nothing other than possible short clips would air without their permission. Before entering the studio, Joyce gave Rajah another kiss to thank him for the nice ride. Opening the door, she found Jack sitting in a chair facing three men who, she assumed, were the Animal-Rights people. There were eight chairs arranged in a semicircle: Jack was sitting on one side with two empty chairs to his right and one empty one to his left. Across from him three of the four chairs were occupied. When she entered the studio, all of the men rose to greet her. Rajah was pacing proudly at her side. Jack made the introductions: there were Jonathan Crawford, Homer Higgins, and Dr. Simon Cohen. He explained that Dr. Cohen claimed to be the greatest living authority on tigers. While she was being introduced, Rajah had dropped down into his house-cat pose and just watched the proceedings with alert but friendly eyes. Turning to him she said, "Raj, these gentlemen are here claiming to protect your rights. Now greet them nicely, please." The huge animal sat in front of each man in turn and held up his right paw to shake hands. Instead of taking the proffered paw, the men backed up with Cohen almost falling over backwards when he backed into a chair. Although he had communicated the comment, "What pompous idiots!" causing Jack, who had heard him clearly, to put his hand over his face to hide a grin, Rajah looked up at Joyce and pretended that his feelings had been hurt. "I really don't know why they didn't want to shake hands, darling," she said responding to his look. "But I'm sure they didn't mean to hurt your feelings. They are your friends, after all. They're here to tell us all the ways you and your friends have been abused." Then with her eyes wide she asked, "Rajah, have you been abused?" His real response was, "Whatever you want, my darling Mistress," but that certainly wasn't what she responded to. Instead, she stamped her foot like a petulant little girl and exclaimed furiously, "That's just about enough of that, Rajah Collier! I'm sick and tired hearing how Domino's shorted you on pepperoni. Besides," she added with a cute shake of her ponytail, "that's not the cruelty they had in mind." Looking at the men who were now seated and looking at her with various degrees of amazement she asked, "It's not, is it? Cruelty, I mean? Getting a large pizza with maybe a couple of slices of pepperoni fewer than there should have been really isn't cruelty, is it?" The men were baffled but Rajah played along perfectly, nodding his great head and looking triumphant. She looked at him and said peevishly, "Oh, okay! Maybe it was short a slice or two." Then she wheeled on him and reiterated, "But it still isn't cruelty, damn it! And if I hear one more word about it, you'll never get another one, either!" At that point Rajah dropped flat on the floor and looked up at her with his eyes pleading. Dropping to her knees, Joyce kissed the top of his head and said, "Okay, you big baby! I wouldn't be that mean. I know how much you love pizza." Then she said, "Okay, I'll order. By the way, darling, do you remember how Prince and Sasha eat theirs? They'll be here any minute with Tom and Bobbie, so I might as well order for them, too." She rose and went to a studio phone but then stopped and wheeled around again. "Rajah Collier, are you sure!? You're trying to tell me that Sasha has anchovy and peppers? A tiger, and he wants anchovy and peppers?" She shook her head and added, "If you're wrong, young man, don't come crying to me for protection when Sasha goes after your furry hide!" So far the visitors were utterly baffled. First, Joyce looked like a teenager, not like the co-anchor of a major news show. Secondly, the whole exchange about pizza completely baffled them, but finally, it appeared that the beautiful young woman was actually communicating with a Bengal tiger which was, of course, utterly impossible. When she went to the phone, Dr. Cohen reassured his colleagues of its impossibility. The episode with the pizza had not ended. When she called the local Domino's, she insisted that Rajah's pizza have wall-to-wall pepperoni. Then she ordered a sausage and meatball pizza for Prince and a anchovy and peppers for Sasha. She was assured that, like every other Domino's in the region, they had been alerted to supplying pizza to the tigers and was told it was now the chain's highest priority. The manager made no bones about the fact that Domino's was receiving priceless publicity and would do anything to maintain its position as the tigers' preferred pizza supplier. She concluded the call by asking if the delivery man could stop at a market and pick up ten gallons of lemonade and just add it to the bill. The manager instantly agreed. Hanging up the phone, she joined the others in the semicircle. Instead of sitting in a chair, though, she asked Rajah to lie down across the front of it so she could sit on the floor and lean back against his shoulders. When he instantly took up the requested position, she sat down and decided the floor was too hard. Getting up, she asked the tiger to turn and lie down facing the camera, putting his back to the group. When he did that, she kicked off her moccasins and lay down on his back. Rajah held his head up high to provide a good head rest for her. "Much better!" she sighed. Then after rolling over to thank him with a kiss, she looked at the men attentively and said, "I guess we might as well get started. It looks like Bobbie and Tom may have been held up in traffic. Now, gentlemen, what exactly are your complaints? But, by the way, aren't you missing someone? Isn't Mr. Wiesman going to be with us today? He is your president, isn't he?" Cohen was obviously serving as spokesman. After looking uncomfortably at his colleagues he replied, "He ... he's not feeling well today. His doctors feel he needs a complete rest. The poor man is so dedicated to animals, of course. Apparently he overworked." "Oh?" Joyce replied with concern. "Golly! He seemed fine at the circus last night. It must have been very sudden. What happened? How is he feeling?" Looking even more uncomfortable, Cohen stammered, "It happened last night. Poor Nathan could only mutter a few words. But he did seem terribly distressed about something. Unfortunately, he wasn't very coherent." Still resting against Rajah, Jack thought she looked incredibly beautiful as she had pulled up her long tanned legs slightly so they were bent at the knee. It was all he could do to keep from completely breaking down with laughter. He had never realized Joyce was as good an actress as she so obviously was. With her eyes still wide she asked, "Words? What words? And what was he so distressed about?" Having gone as far as admitting Wiesman's problem, Cohen blurted, "All he said was, 'Claws! Big claws!', and 'Teeth! Big teeth!' As for the distress, he was constantly looking for paper and a pen. All we could make out were disconnected words. He said, 'Apology! Write apology!' Does that mean anything to you, Miss Collier?" "Well, in honesty, it does ring a few bells. But we'll get back to that in a moment. After all, we're here to talk about the animals, not Mr. Wiesman. Now, gentlemen, shall we begin?" Cohen appeared visibly relieved to change the subject. Taking notes from his pocket, he reviewed them to get them in correct order. But then he ad-libbed: "Miss Collier, what tranquilizer are you using on this poor beast? And where is his keeper? Frankly, I am amazed at your bravery, being so close to a wild animal like that." At the word "tranquilizer", Rajah responded to an instant instruction from Joyce. Unceremoniously dumping her on the floor, in an instant he was looming over Cohen. His paws were on the armrests of Cohen's chair and he glared down at him with baleful, gleaming eyes. He drew back his lips exposing his great teeth and released an utterly terrifying growl. Cohen turned white and just stared upward at Rajah who was now acting as menacing as Cohen believed all tigers should. Meanwhile, Joyce ignored Cohen and Rajah as she got to her feet, said, "Ouch," as she rubbed what she pretended to be a bruised bottom, then carefully brushed the dirt off her shorts. Going over to Jack she asked him if her hair was still together. As she did, they exchanged winks and Jack whispered, "Rajah is unbelievably good!" She just winked back and casually walked back across the circle to the terrified man. Putting her hands on her hips she just sadly shook her head. "Oh, dear!" she said sadly, "I guess Mr. Wiesman didn't deliver his message very coherently. You see, he had a problem last night. He said that these tigers had no teeth nor claws. That upset Rajah and his friends because they are all very proud young men — particularly proud of their appearance and bearing. Well, I guess from the comments you heard — you know: sharp claws, sharp teeth — that he was convinced on the point." She grinned and added, "No pun intended. "But anyway, he could have worked around that okay, but then he really tore it: He said these boys were druggies." She shook her head sadly and said, "They hate that. They really do. It gets them terribly upset. And then you go and do it again today." Going closer, she casually peered around Rajah's looming body and asked, "Dr. Cohen, does Rajah really look tranquilized? Right now? Does he really? Raj, are you tranquilized?" This time the tiger let out an earsplitting roar right in the doctor's face, then changed the sound into the loudest, most menacing snarl anyone had ever heard. While he was performing, Joyce was carefully studying her finger nails. As Rajah completed his roar she punched him in the side and complained, "Damn you, Rajah Collier! When you dumped me like that, I think you made me crack a fingernail. Just look!" At that Rajah ignored Cohen and dropped off the chair back to the floor. Instantly taking his house-cat position he looked intently at Joyce's finger tip. Looking remorseful and forlorn he moved his head forward and kissed her finger tip. "You kissed it, Raj, but you didn't make it better! I'm mad at you." At that the animal dropped flat on the floor and put his forepaws over his head covering his eyes. Dropping down in front of him she communicated, "Darling, you're utterly magnificent! This is an Academy-Award performance if there ever was one!" Aloud she said, "You big baby! Okay, I forgive you. Now give me a kiss and let's be friends again." Saying she supposed she could mostly fix her broken nail with an emery board, she lifted his paw from his head and kissed him. Feeling her kiss, Rajah happily put his paws back on the ground and kissed her full on the lips. They were positioned so that the visitors could see the kiss clearly. The men were utterly stunned. Just then, the door opened and Bobbie and Tom arrived, accompanied by Prince and Sasha. Joyce jumped up and rushed over to greet them followed by Jack Johnson and Rajah. While she was introducing the Conroys, Rajah was touching noses with each of his buddies. Then he led the way over to the semicircle where the three seated themselves side-by-side in their house-cat poses. Before the people moved away from the doorway, the delivery men from Domino's arrived. There were three of them in uniform with one carrying the pizzas in a keep-hot carrier while the others carried bags containing half-gallon cartons of lemonade. The arrival of the pizza recessed the session. Even though Tom was wearing a beautifully-cut suit and tie and Bobbie was wearing a lovely dress, they sat down on the floor with their great cats. The animals curved their bodies so their masters could lean back against them while feeding them their pizza. When Bobbie confirmed that, indeed, Sasha loved anchovy and peppers, Rajah caused Joyce to laugh by very cutely sticking out the tip of his huge tongue. She admitted he was right, apologized and kissed him, then continued feeding him his pepperoni and sausage with extra cheese pizza. And as usual, he gave her a very hurt look when she stole a bite. Water containers were found, filled with lemonade, and the tigers rapidly drank it all. With appetites temporarily satisfied, Bobbie and Tom took seats beside Jack while Joyce had Rajah resume his supine position so she could again lie on his back. The other two tigers took position on each side sitting up alertly. When Bobbie teased Joyce, saying her posture and position were terribly unprofessional, Joyce looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "Unprofessional? True. But very comfortable!" The two women just giggled. Then Jack Johnson officially opened the meeting. He explained to Bobbie and Tom that the men from Animal Rights had a list of complaints. While he was going through his preamble, technicians were checking the mikes each of the guests was wearing. Cohen's had been blown out by Rajah's roar and needed to be replaced. Concluding his updating of the Conroys, he turned to the guests and said, "Gentlemen, we're all ears." Then looking a bit chagrined he added, "However, I guess it's only fair to remind you of the recent ... incident ... involving Dr. Cohen. It should be clear to you by now that there are certain things to which these tigers ... react ... violently. I do so hope you will keep that in mind as you phrase your remarks." Cohen swallowed hard but began by citing his professional affiliations, university degrees, the titles of his published papers, and all the places he had visited. Concluding, he stated flatly that he was the world's foremost authority on tigers. "That was very interesting and impressive, Dr. Cohen," Tom Conroy said in a conciliatory tone. "But tell me, how many tigers have you actually met?" "Why ... why ... a great many," he replied. "And how many of those were in the wild or running loose?" Tom asked quietly. "Well ... why ... none," Cohen replied in a flat voice. But then he brightened and added, "But I have talked with hunters, trappers, villagers, tribesmen in their habitat ... I have studied their spoor, talked with leading zoologists..." "Have you ever slept on one?" Tom Conroy inquired innocently. "Are you totally insane!" Cohen exclaimed. "Of course not!" Turning to Joyce whose eyes were half-closed as if she were falling asleep Tom asked, "Joyce, how was it last night? Was Raj comfortable?" Joyce rolled on her side so she could rub her cheek against the back of Rajah's great head, evoking a delighted purr from him. Then she returned to her former position and replied, "Delicious! Oh, Tom, it was everything I ever expected it to be and so much more! This morning I thought I was waking up on the most gloriously soft, warm furry bed. In fact," she said with a grin, "Before I was fully awake I was wondering what had happened to my pillow. It wasn't there, but I was still so wonderfully relaxed and comfortable. "But the greatest was Rajah's huge arms around me keeping me warm and holding me tight." Then turning to Bobbie she said, "And darling, rubbing your nipples against his glorious fur ... Yum!" Turning back to Cohen, Tom said, "She did, Doctor. And Miss Collier is anything but insane!" Looking at him pointedly, Tom continued, "And, Doctor, I would be very careful in your choice of words. As Jack Johnson has already pointed out, there are a number of words and phrases to which the cats react ... somewhat violently. On the other hand, there is one thing to which Rajah reacts ferociously. That is anything he sees as an attack on, or a derogation of, his mistress, Joyce Collier, whom he adores more than anything in this world. "In fact, there are two somewhat mutilated bodies lying in the Los Angeles County morgue right now. You see, two men attacked Miss Collier very late last night. It's fair to say that, with Rajah present, it was truly a fatal error in judgment." With his eyes locked on Cohen, Tom concluded quietly, "I do hope I have made myself clear?" Hearing Tom's words, Cohen turned white with fear. Clearly, he had understood. Trying to phrase his thoughts with great care he said, "Am I to understand that Miss Collier spent last night on that tiger's back? In the position in which we see her now?" "Of course not, Doctor," Joyce replied softly, sounding half-asleep. Her eyes were again half-closed as she added sleepily, "I slept on his chest and belly. That's where the most wonderfully soft, warm, white fur is. It's where I can feel the steady beating of his great heart. And besides, while cats are limber, they're not that flexible. How could he possibly have his arms around me holding me close when I'm on his back." "Were ... were you dressed like that?" he asked fearfully. "Don't be silly!" she replied petulantly. "I was naked. How else could I fully enjoy the feeling of his fur? And besides Raj would far rather have his arms on my bare skin and feel it on his body than he would dumb clothes. Right, darling?" Not wanting to move his head and disturb his mistress, he just made a wonderfully agreeable, happy noise. "But ... but ... I don't understand. How can you control these wild beasts?" Cohen stammered. "First of all, Doctor," Tom replied, "you're not the greatest living authority on tigers. Miss Collier is. It is fair to say that her acquaintance with the animals has been substantially more ... intimate ... than yours has ever been. Spoor, indeed! "How does she control Rajah? She does not. He controls himself. Why? Because for reasons of his own, he utterly adores her. As I said earlier, he will do absolutely anything for her, including gratefully offering up his life to protect her. There is nothing — absolutely nothing! — that animal will not do for the woman he adores, Joyce Collier. As for Joyce, she refers to him as Rajah Collier: He is a beloved member of her family. She loves him and he knows it. And he responds to that love. "For reasons of their own, these cats love us. They love my wife, myself, and the ten six-year-old children that my wife teaches. It is love, Doctor. That is all there is to it." Then turning to the tigers he said, "Prince and Sasha, since Rajah is ... occupied ... why don't you do some things for these gentlemen? First, I understand there is some question about teeth and claws. Would you care to reassure them?" The two great cats rose smoothly and stalked over to where the guests were sitting. Ignoring Cohen — Rajah had communicated his experience with the doctor — they took the same position Rajah had taken with their forepaws on the arms of the two men's chairs. First they growled baring their full sets of teeth. Then turning their right paws inward they slowly extended their claws. The men watched with the same terrified fascination they would feel watching a cobra from the same distance. Fully extended, the great claws were over three inches long. "Perhaps we file their claws to dull them," Conroy suggested quietly. Do any of you gentlemen question their sharpness? Dr. Cohen, I understand you have a list of complaints in your pocket. Since you are ... more free to move than your colleagues, why don't you check it? After all," he said sounding very reasonable, "since KNBC went to all the trouble of making this facility available to us, and spent all the money to get a full crew in at overtime rates on Saturday, it would be tragic if you left and then found there were problems that you had forgotten to raise and hence were not discussed. Please check your list, Doctor," Tom said with a note of steel in his voice. "Let's avoid any future ... misunderstandings." Cohen took the long list from his pocket but didn't even glance at it. Instead he just said, speaking very rapidly, "We've covered all our points. We're now very satisfied. Thank you very much!" "Doctor, please!" Tom protested. "I must insist. That's a very extensive list, and we've only talked about a couple of items." Then he brightened and said, "Perhaps you're having trouble reading it. Even from here I can see that it's typed, so why don't we ask Jack Johnson to read it. Jack, would you?" Before Jack could say a word Cohen fumbled with the sheets in his rush to put the list away again saying it wasn't necessary. "But I'm afraid it is," Tom insisted. Then to the tigers he said, "Boys, do you think you could persuade the doctor to let Jack see his list?" While maintaining their positions straddling Crawford and Higgins, they turned towards Cohen seated in the middle, put their heads almost against his terrified face and let out the fiercest snarls anyone had ever heard. Cohen's hands were shaking uncontrollably as he held out the sheets in Jack's direction, but not very far. He was so terrified that was as much movement as he could manage. Going over to Cohen, Jack retrieved the list, returned to his chair and began to read it. As he did they heard Joyce in a half-asleep voice say, "Tom, please tell the boys to try to keep the noise down? They woke me up." Tom looked at the lovely girl and grinned. She was not pretending. Indeed, she had been sound asleep. "Boys," Tom said quietly, "you heard your Queen's handmaiden. She's trying to sleep and you woke her up. Aren't you ashamed?" With a single paw left on a chair arm for support, the two tigers both turned inward and put the free paw over their eyes indicating their shame. "No, guys, Joyce isn't mad at you. She loves you both. She just wants you to keep it as quiet as you can from now on. Okay?" The two paws came down from their heads, the animals nodded quickly and happily, and then returned to their former positions with their paws on the guests' chair arms. "I don't know, Tom," Jack said quietly. "After reviewing the list, we've covered some of it, but most of the items refer, in one way or another, to drugging the animals and crippling their claws." He shook his head sadly as he looked at the visitors and added, "I'm terribly sorry, gentlemen, but that's what is on the list. And it is typed on your letterhead, too." The three men all screamed at once. Using different sets of words, all babbled about how wrong they were about drugs. Absolutely no drugs. "Well," Jack said happily, "I guess we can consider that matter closed." Looking at the men with steel in his eyes and in his voice now, he added, "We will, of course, get a retraction and an apology, won't we, gentlemen? In writing?" The three men all babbled their agreement. "I guess that just leaves the claws problem. Do you have any ideas, Tom?" "Jack, I'm afraid it's time for show and tell." Looking at the tigers he said, "Boys, you can get down now." Smoothly the tigers dismounted from the guests' chairs, and returned to their former locations and sitting positions. Shaking his head sadly, he looked at Prince and said, "Prince, why don't you demonstrate that your claws are, indeed, sharp. Since it was Dr. Cohen's list, why don't you use him as your demonstration subject?" Then with a warm smile and in a low voice he added, "And Prince? Remember that Miss Collier is sleeping. She had a very long night last night and really needs her sleep, so try to be as quiet as you can, okay?" Prince rapidly nodded his head and moved in a flash to a position in front of Cohen's chair. Then he sat, cocked his head and seemed to be studying the problem the way a diamond cutter would study a raw diamond before making his first cut. With a small nod of his great head he extended his right paw with his claws fully extended. Cohen's eyes were bulging with fright and his mouth was open wide in a soundless scream. After carefully putting his middle claw behind the man's collar — Cohen was fully dressed in a jacket and tie — there was a flashing movement and Prince was again just sitting with both paws on the ground. However, everything Cohen was wearing — shirt, tie, pants, underwear, and even his expensive leather belt — were slit from throat to crotch. Exchanging quick winks Tom and Jack went over to the man and looked at him the way archaeologists might look at a newly opened tomb. "Good grief!" Johnson exclaimed. "Such precision! Tom, have you ever seen anything like it? So quick and smooth and painless?" "You're right, Jack," Tom agreed, "And just look: There's just this tiny red line from neck to groin. I don't even think it's bleeding." Turning to Prince, he patted the animal's head and said, "Prince, that was outstanding! I can't tell you how proud I am! And you didn't even make a sound. You were just plain great. Now, fellah, how about the right sleeve? Can you do that as neatly?" Prince beamed at the praise from his king and master and nodded his head. While he was moving back into position, Bobbie was struggling valiantly to keep from totally cracking up with laughter. Then she realized it was a problem Joyce didn't have because she was now sleeping so soundly. She looks so beautiful and innocent and peaceful, Bobbie thought. As she watched, Joyce wriggled her bottom on Rajah's back, smiled warmly and relaxed again in her sleep. While his colleagues watched in horror and Cohen was paralyzed with fear, Prince slit one sleeve, then the other, then each pants leg in turn. Working on the pants, he even slit the man's socks and shoes right to the point of their toes. In each case it took only a single swipe of his great paw. While it was going on, after each stroke Jack and Tom carefully inspected the results. After his stroke on Cohen's left sleeve, the two men heard an object hit the floor. Bending down, Jack picked up the man's wristwatch and showed it to Tom. "Now this is real skill, Tom. You don't get this from any old tiger. Just look! Even starting all the way up at the collar he maintained contact good enough to slit the watchband, too! Boy!" he exclaimed patting the tiger on the head, "Prince, you're a real professional! I have never seen better." When Prince was finished, he returned to his position beside Rajah and sat down, while the two men continued their inspection. Jack reached out and grabbed the man's right lapel while Tom took his left. They just pulled gently and all of the layers of clothes came off, leaving the man bare. It was as if he was a cross-section cutaway: All the clothes were still on his back but there was nothing at all in front. Turning towards Bobbie, Tom said with a broad wink, "Bobbie Conroy, have you no shame? Shouldn't you go somewhere or do something ... or something?" She just looked at him with a completely bland look on her face, although her eyes were dancing with glee and just said in an utterly flat tone of voice, "No." Tom almost cracked up. Looking down at the material Tom said in a tone of some surprise, "Gee, Jack, the crotch is wet." Sniffing the air he looked at Cohen with his eyebrow raised and said, "Dr. Cohen, I thought you were at least toilet-trained! The tigers are, after all, so shouldn't you be?" Cohen was now in a near-catatonic state and Jack told Tom that he didn't think the doctor heard him. Furthermore, he really didn't appear to be in any condition to agree or disagree to anything. Tom shook his head but reluctantly agreed that he was probably correct. Turning to the others, Tom said, "Gentlemen, it doesn't appear Dr. Cohen is too coherent right now, so ... What do you think? Do you think the cat's claws are dull? That they have been mutilated? Anything like that?" The men were utterly terrified. Each could see a single red line running continuously from Cohen's neck, over his shoulder and down to his wrist. In spite of their length, on each side there had been a single stroke of Prince's paw made at blinding speed. Babbling incoherently they agreed to everything and swore that a written apology would be delivered by noon on Monday. Then Jack, taking a cue from what he learned Joyce had done the night before, said, "You won't forget now, will you? You must know that these tigers have fabulous memories and are great hunters, day or night. They have heard your commitment and consider it to be a solemn vow." He shook his head sadly and continued, "I'm afraid your lives wouldn't be worth much if — for any reason whatsoever — that letter does not arrive here in the studios by noon, Monday. You do understand, don't you?" They both babbled but their heads were nodding up and down a mile a minute. "Wonderful!" Jack replied. "Now that we've taken care of our business, may I offer you some refreshment before you leave?" Instead, the men almost ran out of the studio carrying the limp and catatonic Cohen between them. Jack Johnson turned to Tom with an expression of hurt in his eyes and asked, "Why didn't they stay, do you suppose? We do have great refreshments ready." "Gee, Jack," Tom replied, puzzled. "I have no idea." Then he brightened and said, "Maybe they were late for another appointment?" Jack agreed that they probably were. After all, he reasoned, why else would they leave? "And besides," Tom added, "I'm certain that Prince, Sasha, and Rajah will be very happy to help with the refreshments. Waste not, want not, after all." With the charade finally over, they just cracked up laughing, and their laughter awakened Joyce. When she asked where everyone was, Tom pointed to Cohen's chair and said, "He's not here now, but you can easily see where he was." There on the back of the chair was the back half of all of his clothing. He had been sweating so much that the moisture had almost glued the back of his clothes to the chair. ------- Chapter 32 With the Animal-Rights people out of the building, the studio crew came down from their working positions and a lovely buffet was laid out. Bobbie teased Joyce and Jack because it was composed principally of tea sandwiches — not the tigers' favorite snack. When the director came down from the booth, he was shaking his head. Expecting what Prince might do, they had the station's highest-speed, ultra-slow-motion video tape machine rolling. A technician turned on a big-screen monitor and they gathered around to watch. The scenes were truly incredible because, even in ultra-slow motion, they could hardly see the tiger's paw in motion. Joyce, who had slept through the whole thing, whistled softly in appreciation. She gave Prince a warm kiss and thanked him for being so considerately quiet. Then Bobbie went to him, kissed him warmly, and said, "Prince, you were so good! Tom and I are so proud, we want to do something special for you." Looking into his eyes she asked, "Would you like to be our bed for our nightly lovemaking tonight? Would you?" Prince was almost overcome with joy. The idea of holding his king and queen on his body while their gorgeous bodies merged was almost more than he could stand. He understood it to be an incredible display of recognition that he felt he did not really deserve. With her face close to his, Bobbie said very softly, for his ears alone, "You realize, darling Prince, that it will be very different from yesterday? Yesterday, Tom and I were just trying to mix his cum with my love juices as quickly as possible. Tonight ... tonight we will truly make love. It will probably take a long time. We will merge our bodies repeatedly. Will you be able to bear all that weight for so long?" "My beloved Queen," Prince communicated, "if you should crush my body beneath yours, I would die at the utter height of ecstasy! I would have served as a true marriage bed for my most beloved king and queen." There was the warmest possible smile on the huge animal's face as he continued, "Perhaps ... perhaps you will be overcome with the power of your love. Then you might sleep on my body and I could wrap my arms around you to keep you warm and safe ... Then I would truly be in heaven! And in the morning, when you're still half asleep and still warm and snugly from my fur, to merge your bodies yet again..." He sighed and Bobbie realized he was totally serious. The thought of their combined weight moving on his chest in frenzied lovemaking thrilled him — it did not concern him in the slightest. Bobbie said she would talk to Tom about it. Rejoining the others, she was delighted to see Jack's arm around Joyce's waist while her body was as close to his as she could get. When she joined the little group of only Jack, Joyce, Tom and herself, Jack said softly, "This isn't for public consumption just yet, but I must tell you two something, since you are Joyce's best friends. She has consented to become my wife." Hearing his words, Bobbie shrieked with joy. Then she took Joyce in her arms and kissed her, letting the full power of her kiss with all of its love flow to her. Joyce was reeling when Tom repeated it with a kiss of his own containing a tremendous flow of love and the purest joy. When he released her, he placed her in Jack's arms. Realizing her knees had turned to water, he put her arms around his neck and melted her with a kiss of his own. As Joyce's passion mounted, Bobbie squeezed Tom's hand and said, "Aren't they just beautiful? You can actually see the love and passion they feel for each other!" When they broke their kiss, Joyce just snuggled her face into his neck and sighed. Then she looked into Jack's face and said, "Darling, you're wonderful! And you're only human — unlike the god and goddess here." Then she grinned and said, "Darling, I'm about to put your life and all my possible future happiness at risk. Jack, would you please give Bobbie a kiss on the occasion of our engagement?" After giving her a puzzled frown, he took Bobbie into his arms and felt her just melt her body to his. When her most incredible lips met his, he suddenly felt for the first time what a man in an electric chair would feel. But rather than high-voltage electricity, it was the highest-voltage love coupled with a flood of pure joy. When his legs buckled, Bobbie instantly shifted her arms from around his neck to under his arms to hold him up, but continued kissing him. Finally, Jack was a dead weight in her arms. After finally ending the kiss, she told Tom that she needed some help. Jack, at six feet two and 200 pounds, was a little heavy for her to hold up by herself. Grinning, Tom grabbed a chair, took Jack from Bobbie's arms and eased him into it. Then he held him by the shoulders to keep him from falling over. Dropping to her knees, Joyce held him and anxiously looked into his eyes. Although his eyes were open, they were unfocused and just staring blankly. Gently slapping his face she called, "Jack? Jack? Can you hear me? Jack?" Slowly there were signs of recovery as he started to revive. Wheeling on Bobbie, Joyce demanded, "Now where in hell is the Consumer Product Safety Commission when you really need it? Damn it, Barbara Bradley Conroy, you should be banned! You should be declared illegal!" "Me?" Bobbie asked with her innocence dripping from the word. "Joyce Collier, I'm a very happily married woman. Whatever is your problem?" Joyce just stuck her tongue out and laughed merrily. Finally Jack looked up, shook his head and murmured, "Wow!" Then he looked at Bobbie, nodded his head rapidly and said, "They sure got it right, didn't they?" "Who got what right?" Bobbie asked, puzzled by his comment. "The tigers, silly. No wonder you are their queen and Tom is their king, while poor Joyce is only your handmaiden. Woman, with what you unloaded in me in just those couple of moments, I will be spilling joy all over everything for the next six weeks, at least." Now that his legs were back in working order he stood up, took both of Bobbie's hands in his, and said, "Barbara and Thomas Conroy, I hope you will allow Joyce and me to consider you our closest and dearest friends. "Last night, Rajah eloquently described Joyce's rôle in life: to give birth to as many children as possible, to nurse them at her breast, to love them, care for them and teach them the basics. Then, when they are six years old, give them over to your care. Dear Bobbie, that is exactly what Joyce intends to do: to become a baby factory manufacturing raw material for you. Having experienced just one of your kisses, now I understand why that is the highest possible goal a woman could set for herself: to produce children good enough that you would accept them into your care." When he finished, tears were slowly flowing from Bobbie's eyes while she had just been slowly but continuously shaking her head in negation. "Jack, I'm just a kid! The fruit of Joyce's womb and your seed will be utterly magnificent little creatures—" "—and possibly even good enough for you," Jack completed. Then he smiled warmly and said, "Of course, we do have an inside track, I guess. Since Joyce swore to turn all of our children over to you for their education, that must mean that you're agreeing in advance to take them." Turning to Joyce he beamed and said, "But then I knew I was marrying a brilliant woman! What a fabulous deal for us you tricked Bobbie into taking!" At that point Bobbie had an idea. Knowing that Saturday was one of their days off, she asked them if they had any plans for the evening. When they just shook their heads, Bobbie said it was great; they were joining Tom and her for an engagement celebration! After ensuring that Jack had a dinner jacket — as news director and an anchorman, she was certain that he did — she picked up the nearest phone and called Ali Clifford. She explained the situation to her new Aunt Ali, who squealed with delight. Then Bobbie just stared into the silent telephone for a few minutes, not knowing what was going on. When Ali came back on the line, all arrangements had been made. Bobbie was instructed to take Joyce to Henry Hall's. Yes, it was Saturday, but he was coming in and would be at the studio, waiting, in twenty minutes. Bobbie was told then to take Joyce to the best shop of its kind on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It was a shop in a chain, owned by a company which was in turn owned by a company controlled by the Cliffords. "And, darling Bobbie, most of its stock that we don't own, your parents do." Finally, they were instructed to appear at the Clifford's suite at the Beverly Wilshire at six-thirty — with at least two tigers, one of whom had to be that marvelous Rajah. Grinning at the phone, Bobbie said, "Yes, ma'am, Aunt Ali, sir! I'll get on it right away!" After giving Tom and Jack their orders, she told Sasha and Rajah to join them and dragged Joyce by the hand toward the door. As she staggered along like a rag doll being dragged in Bobbie's wake, she cracked up the men with laughter as she crossed her eyes and stuck the tip of her tongue out of the corner of her mouth. After loading the two tigers into the back of Joyce's van, Bobbie gave her directions to the Alliance Studios where Henry Hall had his salon. After greeting the two tigers and congratulating Rajah on his great TV appearance, Henry turned his attention to Joyce. He pronounced her tawny hair to be utterly magnificent, and then quickly styled it into an easy-care hairdo that caused her to gasp with joy. He told her that he had followed the normal Clifford & Jamison model: It had to look good when she was in bed with her man. She blushed, but then kissed him soundly. Then they roared from the studio to the designated shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. After parking the van, they found they had a significant walk to the store. Joyce silently blessed Lieutenant Collins for obviously putting the word out to all Southern California law-enforcement agencies about Rajah. A street patrol Beverly Hills Police officer politely saluted and asked if he could shake Rajah's paw. He had heard about Rajah putting two dangerous felons down — permanently — and he wanted to shake his paw. The officer cracked up when, after very politely shaking his hand and feeling so proud hearing his praise, Rajah brought his right paw up over his right eye in a salute which the officer meticulously returned with a broad smile. But the greatest pleasure Rajah and Sasha had was to pace abreast on the very crowded sidewalk, clearing a path for their queen and Rajah's beloved mistress. Joyce squeezed Bobbie's hand, grinned at her and whispered, "Isn't this neat! Have you ever seen such looks on people's faces?" The looks ranged from awe to sheer terror, but no one contested the tigers' right to as much of the sidewalk as they cared to have. Reaching the shop, it almost instantly became apparent that the word had not yet reached down from on high. Seeing Joyce dressed in cutoff jeans, the manager was about to order them off the premises when she saw the two huge tigers staring at her and thought better of it. When Bobbie introduced herself as Barbara Conroy, the woman gave her a somewhat imperious, if blank, look as if to say, "So?" Bobbie just said, "Oh, you will hear about us shortly. We'll just wait." A moment later, a young woman came running up to the manager with her eyes as wide as saucers. When Bobbie heard the girl say "headquarters," she winked at Joyce and started to giggle when the manager fled back towards her office. A few minutes later the manager returned. This time Bobbie could see that her hands were literally shaking with fear as she said, "Did you say your name was ... Barbara Conroy?" Noticing the fear in the woman's eyes, the two tigers moved between her and the women they would give their lives to protect. Bobbie replied, "It certainly is. It's the same name I gave you a few minutes ago, after all. What happened? Did the call from headquarters change your attitude? Did they tell you that Uncle Bill and Aunt Ali own most of this joint, and most of what they don't own, my parents do?" With her eyes wide with innocence, Bobbie repeated, "Did they tell you all of that?" The woman was so scared she could no longer even speak. With her eyes as wide as saucers she could only nod. "That's wonderful!" Bobbie declared. "Then can I assume that one of your saleswomen might be able to find a moment to help us? We really don't have much time." Since it was already after four, the woman clapped her hands and ordered the doors locked to prevent any new customers from entering while leaving one clerk at the door to unlock it for customers leaving the store. Then she ordered all saleswomen not already waiting on customers to assist in satisfying the store's most important clients. Bobbie and Joyce were ushered into the VIP fitting room. They giggled together as they saw another nearly-naked customer being unceremoniously evicted as they approached, clutching an arm-full of clothing to try to cover her bare breasts. After stripping to their pants, they casually awaited the appearance of dresses to be tried on. Joyce had a difficult time controlling her giggling as she saw the eyes of the store staff bulge at the sight of such incredible beauty. What followed was the funniest sixty minutes in the history of women's-wear retailing. Bobbie told Sasha and Rajah to make themselves comfortable on the floor. The two tigers lay down with their bodies curved comfortably. As dress after dress was tried on, the animals made their opinions known: They shook their heads, or covered their eyes, or growled. The girls were having a wonderful time teasing the tigers and frustrating the staff. Finally, Rajah beamed at Joyce when she tried on a magnificent green silk dress with a skirt made of layers of the same shade of silk chiffon. The green was a perfect match for the green of her eyes and went beautifully with her tawny hair. When that was settled, Bobbie gave some fast instructions to the manager. Her eyes widened, but she dashed off to carry out the instructions. Minutes later, one of the women appeared with several jewelry boxes of different sizes. Bobbie opened each, glanced at the contents, nodded, and said, "Come on, Joyce. Let's blow this dump. You're the important one, after all. I'll just wear my Clifford & Jamison standard." When Joyce shook her head, Bobbie explained that it was a model that the firm bought in gross lots. The size was always the same; only the colors varied. When Bobbie asked about payment, the manager said it would be billed to the Cliffords from corporate headquarters at cost prices. Bobbie just nodded blandly at the news. Suddenly Bobbie snapped her fingers, asked Joyce her shoe size, and again a clerk dashed out. While they were waiting, Joyce was admiring her new dress and then looked at the tag hanging on it. The price was $10,000. She gasped and said she couldn't keep it — there was no way she could afford it. All Bobbie did was to look at her quizzically and ask how on earth she could not afford it: it was a gift. When she tried to protest, Bobbie told her to shut up. When she continued her protest, Bobbie imperiously ordered Rajah to shut his mistress up. Knowing exactly what was going on, the tiger just backed his mistress into a corner and held her there, while the dress was carefully wrapped and placed on a hanger in a heavy clear plastic garment bag to protect it. Then telling Rajah to bring his mistress along, Bobbie rushed out. The tiger took Joyce's hand between his jaws and hauled her out of the store. ------- Promptly at six-thirty, Bobbie rang the bell of Bill and Ali Clifford's suite and then stepped back from the door. Bill opened it and found himself face-to-face with two giant Bengal tigers. One had a giant black bow tie around his neck while the other's tie was white. After looking at Bill, the animals' eyes widened for an instant and they dropped flat on the floor with their eyes closed. "Emperor?" Bill exclaimed. "Me? Young men, get up off that floor this instant!" Instantly the two tigers jumped to attention although their eyes were still wide with awe. When Ali appeared a moment later, the poor animals were distraught. Every instinct said that they should prostrate themselves at the feet of their empress, but the emperor had ordered them to stand. Ali took one look and exclaimed, "You poor darlings!" Then she put her arms around Rajah's neck and exclaimed, "Rajah, you are a wonder! I adored you when I saw you last night on television. And your black bow tie looks so handsome!" Looking at him closely she added, "Your mistress loves you so very much, doesn't she? She groomed your glorious coat so beautifully, it just glows!" Poor Rajah was utterly beside himself with joy. The Empress had actually seen him on television, and even noticed how beautifully his mistress had groomed his coat. He almost fainted dead away with the praise. Turning to the other tiger, Ali wrapped her arms around his neck and then kissed him lovingly full on the mouth. The power in her kiss almost knocked the poor animal over. Even though he was in a daze, he heard her say, "Sasha, thank you so much for taking such good care of my son, Ken. He loves you so very much!" Then she whispered, "He's waiting inside with a grooming brush, hoping you will allow him to brush your beautiful coat. I hope you will allow it. Will you?" Sasha could not have said no to any request Ali could make, even it was to jump out of a ten-story window. He communicated that the least wish of his divine Empress was his command. For Jack Johnson, seeing the tigers' instantaneous reaction to the Cliffords, and their behavior towards the tigers, told him all he needed to know about them. They might be very rich, but they were assuredly the most pure and loving couple alive. Then he looked at Ali Clifford and did not believe his eyes. She couldn't be younger than her early forties, yet she looked like she was not yet twenty-five. Moreover, the closer he looked, the better she looked, and the same thing was true of Bill Clifford who had to be well over fifty. First, Ali greeted her newest niece and nephew with her warmest kisses. Then Bobbie said, "Ali, may I present my newest and best friend, Joyce Collier. I'm sure you have seen her often on the news." "Oh, Joyce! You look simply exquisite!" In addition to her dress she was wearing the most magnificent emerald necklace with a matching bracelet from Cartier, along with a pair of giant brilliant-cut emeralds set as ear studs. Ali just shook her head and said, "My darling, those jewels fade into insignificance against your love for Jack that is shining so brilliantly from your eyes. May I be your friend, too? Please? My son, Ken, hasn't stopped talking about you yet. I hope you know he adores you." Then she stepped closer and asked, "And may I kiss the bride-to-be?" Joyce, too, had learned a great deal about the Cliffords from watching the behavior of the tigers coupled with her acquaintance with Kenny. In spite of that, though, she was overcome by Ali's sincerely gracious welcome. Extending her hand she said softly, "Mrs. Clifford —" "Kenny," Ali called loudly towards the sitting room, interrupting. "Please bring me the large whip from our closet. We have another slow learner with us tonight." She glared at Joyce and said, "Miss Collier, the name is Ali. It's short, simple, and much easier to pronounce than Mrs. Clifford. Okay? Or do I really need to use the whip?" "Ali, I can't thank you enough for your gracious hospitality and very warm welcome." Then her emerald eyes flashed green fire as she added, "But if I hear the words, Miss Collier, one more time I'll get the whip! Okay?" Ali grinned and very cutely stuck out her tongue. Then she took Joyce in her arms and melted her with a kiss. The power of the love in that kiss almost flattened the girl. When she pulled away slowly she murmured, "Oh God! Another Bobbie! I'll be killed." Then she glared and said, "You, too, lady. You should be declared illegal. You and your niece, Bobbie, should both be posted as hazards to navigation or something." Again Ali stuck out her tongue and said, "I love you, Joyce Collier. Once again Bobbie has demonstrated exquisite judgment in her choice of friends." After Jack was greeted in a similar vein, they went into the sitting room. There they found Ken and Andy Cartwright shyly waiting for them. Ken was wearing a handsome short-pants suit, while Andy was wearing the most exquisite party dress Joyce had ever seen. Meanwhile the two tigers were utterly overcome. They had been invited into the presence of the finest, purest people on the face of the earth. To make it perfect, Andy and Ken immediately started sneaking the most luscious snacks from the array of hors d'oeuvres trays and began feeding them. The animals felt as if they had already died and gone to Heaven. When little Andy saw Joyce, she made a beautiful curtsy and said, "Miss Collier, no woman has ever looked more beautiful than you do tonight! Yesterday, when I met you at the circus, I thought you were beautiful. But tonight... ! Tonight you are so madly, desperately, beautifully in love! And your hair... ! And your dress... !" The little girl was literally bouncing up and down with happiness and excitement. Dropping to her knees Joyce asked, "Do I look pretty enough to kiss? Please?" When Andy kissed her, the power of her love and purity almost knocked Joyce out. Suddenly she realized it was identical to Bobbie's but with not quite the power. When the little girl backed away, she said softly, "May the good Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His light to shine upon you and bless you and your children and your children's children, unto the end of time. Amen." Joyce was literally stunned. Andy had called down all the blessings of God on herself and her posterity, but more than that, when she said, amen, Joyce was overcome by the most amazing sense of goodness and well-being she could possibly imagine. She said softly, "My darling Andy, thank you." Then she shook her head and said, "You are so good, so sweet, and so pure, darling Andy, God listens to you carefully. I believe I have just received the blessings from God that you asked Him for. Andy, you are truly blessed!" After kissing Joyce, Ken Clifford was introduced to Jack Johnson. When they had shaken hands and Jack had kissed the little boy, Ken stood and just stared deeply into his eyes with a seemingly sightless gaze. When his eyes returned to their normal focus, Kenny was elated. "Mr. Johnson, you're going to be so incredibly happy with Joyce for such a long time ... And your children! They will add so much to your happiness. I am so pleased because you're such a wonderful couple. When they were finally all seated, Ali sat up straight, obviously embarrassed about something. Finally she blurted out that she and Bill had invited themselves to the dinner party. But because they were crashing, they were paying. Both younger couples indicated their delight. Then Joyce said that since they were on the subject of paying, to whom did she send a check for the magnificent clothing and jewels. "Check?" Ali asked. "What check? For what?" When Joyce reminded her about the dress and jewels, Ali merely waved it away. "The dress, dear, is a gift to you from Bobbie and Tom in appreciation for the wonderful job you did to make their circus debut such a success. And yes, I know it has a big price tag, but we get it at cost." Then she frowned and said, "You know, at a store like that the markups are outrageous. As for the jewels, dear, they are a very small gift from Bill and me on the occasion of your engagement. I'm so glad they look so beautiful on you, too. Their color exactly matches your eyes and dress. I do so hope you like them!" Joyce could only nod her head vigorously. She was too choked with emotion even to speak. The small group continued to converse while drinks were served. Joyce thought the two children were the cutest, best-behaved little people she had ever seen. They alternated between passing hors d'oeuvres trays and carefully grooming Sasha's coat. At seven, Ali glanced at her watch and looked embarrassed. She confessed that she had invited a few other people to join the celebration who should be arriving momentarily. When the doorbell rang, Bill went to answer it. He greeted Ed and Vangie Bradley who were standing at the door with Kristin behind them. There were shrieks of pleasure as Bobbie leaped up and hugged and kissed her parents and her sister. She was complimented, in turn, by them on her brilliant job of teaching and her remarkable performance with Tom the night before at the circus. Joyce watched in wonder as the two huge cats had risen and now stood together in front of the Bradleys, utterly overcome. Now the poor things were totally baffled. Tonight they had met their emperor and empress while in the company of their king and queen. But now there appears another couple who are also imperial! They did not know what to do. Seeing the tigers standing with their huge awe-filled eyes, Vangie rushed over, wrapped her arms around Rajah and kissed him saying, "Rajah, you're even friendlier in the flesh than you were on television! And you were so good!" Then turning she said, "And you're Sasha. I can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you!" Ed Bradley also greeted the animals with great affection. When Kris just remained in the background, Bobbie suspected something. After introducing her parents and sister to Joyce and Jack, she looked at her sister with an eyebrow raised and said, "And what, might I ask, is going on in my twin sister's head? Beyond thoughts of what of mine she might steal this time, of course?" Without replying to Bobbie, Kris dropped on her knees in front of Joyce and said, "Miss Collier, I saw that piece you did last night. Fortunately, I had the tape deck running so I was able to replay it over and over." With her brilliant near-purple eyes wide she continued, "When you spoke of unmarried women, you were talking about me! But I wanted to confirm a few things. When you lay on Rajah's chest, I was certain that you really wanted to be naked. Was I right?" Joyce just smiled and nodded. "Well," Kris continued, "I guess you know that I am now recognized on the street because I've done a little singing. But now that my film has opened, it's getting much worse. I'll be hounded! Then there are the idiot men..." Wailing, Kris said, "Miss Collier, I desperately need a tiger! Can you possibly help me? Does Rajah have a friend, maybe, or..." "First," Joyce replied, "If you call me Miss Collier one more time, all your troubles will be over: I'll ask Rajah to please take off your head! Understand?" Kris grinned and nodded. "As for a friend..." Looking at Bobbie, she asked, "Bobbie, there are only you and Tom, and you have Prince to keep an eye on your apartment. Do you really need two? Could your twin borrow Sasha, maybe?" "Oh, Joyce, no!" Bobbie exclaimed with her eyes wide. "You're just meeting her for the first time, so you can't know. Do you know what you're doing to poor Sasha? Leaving the poor thing alone with my twin? Good heavens, woman, we just got finished with the Animal-Rights people today. Do you really want to give them some major-league cruelty to scream about?" But then Bobbie became thoughtful. Looking at Sasha she asked, "Sash, how much do you weigh?" The tiger answered that he was about 625. "Well..." she continued thoughtfully, "Kristin is certainly a man-eater. On the other hand she only goes about 120 ... And you're 625 ... Possibly ... Sasha, could you bear a trial, perhaps, with my sister?" Without giving the animal a chance to answer, Kris untied the tiny silk cord behind her neck that was the only thing supporting the dress she was wearing and let it drop to the floor. Now wearing only a wisp of a lace thong, she turned to Sasha and ordered, "On your back, young man!" The tiger couldn't believe his good fortune. The instant he laid eyes on Kristin, his heart had rolled over. Here was a woman who was the twin sister of his queen! In an instant he was on his back with his legs spread wide. Climbing on his chest, she stretched out and immediately began to move her nipples on his incredible fur causing them instantly to harden. "Oh my God!" she screamed. "Oh, Joyce, he is unbelievable!" Then she pulled herself up so that her lips were over his, lowered herself and gently kissed him. But instead of a peck, she kept her lips on his and just increased the intensity of her kiss. The tiger was almost overcome. He instantly communicated that she was now his beloved mistress forever and he swore to protect her and serve her in any way he possibly could. Looking deep into his eyes Kris asked softly, "Promise?" With his eyes wide Sasha could only nod. "Anything? Anything at all?" Again the huge head nodded. "Great! Now Sasha Bradley, your first task! Squeeze me to your chest with your great arms." Quickly, she slid back down on the animal and relaxed as his great arms came around and powerfully, yet so gently, held her tightly. When he released her, she kissed him soundly again and popped to her feet. As she very casually stepped back into her dress that had been lying in a heap on the floor, she said, "Mom, that is the most incredible sensation I have ever had in my whole life!" Then with a big grin she added, "Why don't you and Aunt Ali try?" That was all the invitation the two women needed. They, too, had seen Joyce's TV bit and had been fascinated. Now, having seen the great pleasure he had obviously given Kris, the two women shed their dresses as quickly. Vangie Bradley flopped on Sasha while Rajah rolled on his back to receive his empress. Seeing how milk-swollen Ali's tits were, he was very gentle and didn't squeeze, knowing how painful it would be for her. When she kissed him he almost passed out. Then she whispered, "Rajah Collier, you are unbelievable! You know that I am nursing my baby and my tits are full of my milk, so you were so careful not to squeeze me hard." Then she grinned and added, "Well, young man, I'll be back after my tits have been drained so you can really squeeze! Okay?" Like Sasha, Rajah was so overcome, he could only nod eagerly. Meanwhile, Ed Bradley had pulled a chair up close to Joyce and Jack. With a warm smile he said, "On behalf of the Bradleys, I owe you a bunch of apologies. First, of course, for inviting ourselves and muscling in on one of the most personal and private occasions imaginable: your engagement to be married. Vangie and I will try to make that up to you both, somehow. Second, the ... informality ... of the female Bradleys. I suppose you noticed that it took a full half-a-second each for my wife and daughter to be bare? And I'm sure you noticed their innate modesty? The way they so cleverly cover their breasts and loins? For that, I apologize also. I hope we are not disturbing you too badly." Jack was holding Joyce's hand and said, "Speaking for myself — but I am certain for Joyce, as well — there is absolutely no apology called for. I have been sitting here tonight in utter amazement. First, we are guests of possibly the richest family in the world, and are treated like long-lost relatives. Then you appear. Wealth in the same class as the Cliffords, and now related to them. But beyond that, a family with a record of personal accomplishments, starting with your son, Ken, your daughter, Cathy, Kristin, here, and now including your daughter, Bobbie, who's the most gifted teacher on the face of this earth. "But there is so much more! First of all, the reaction of the tigers: Joyce tells me that they are the agents of the Holy Spirit here on earth. Your daughter, Bobbie, and her husband, Tom, are their King and Queen. Then, when they meet Ali and Bill, they are meeting their empress and emperor. When you appear — and I know you already know this — they are beside themselves because you and your wife are imperial, too!" Seeing that Jack was about to call him Mr. Bradley, Ed said, "Jack, the name is Ed! My wife's name is Vangie. They are the only names we answer to, particularly to our closest friends. And it would be a great favor to us if we could allow ourselves to consider you two to be in that category." Jack just shook his head and continued, "Ed, that is exactly what I mean. You know, of course, that to the tigers, your rank in their hierarchy is a function of pure goodness ... of sanctifying grace. The more a person has, the higher he or she ranks. With you and the Cliffords, the poor things almost had to create some special higher categories to put you into. And you apologize because your wife and daughter strip! "My God, if this were a place on Sunset, they could earn thousands a week exposing those perfect bodies. Joyce and I have been hanging on to one another for dear life, just looking. Neither Vangie nor Ali look like they have reached the age of twenty-five, yet we know that both of them have to be well over forty. You and Bill Clifford look like you're in your very early thirties, yet both of you have to be well over fifty! Frankly, we cannot imagine a family as good as your two. We just can't." Seeing Vangie dressing, Ed said quickly, "I have one great favor to ask ... Please! Please don't say anything to Vangie about having more children. We have been trying so hard and praying to God so much ... She sees Ali bearing the most beautiful babies in the world and wants so desperately to experience the same thrill ... We're still trying, but until she succeeds ... It is the only reason she ever weeps — and now it happens every month when her period begins. She is really a wonderful person and I can't bear ever to see her hurt. I know you're both news people, but please?" "I'll join my prayers with yours that Vangie may succeed," Joyce said simply but with her tears flowing. Then with steel in her voice she continued, "Ed, until just yesterday I was just a slut ... a piece of filth that you would step over. But even then, and having no morals at all, I respected the privacy of my dearest friends. Until tonight, not counting Jack, I counted three adults: Tom and your daughter, Bobbie, and a colleague, Ann Henry. Now I am overwhelmed to hear that the Cliffords and the Bradleys want to be our friends, too." She smiled warmly and added, "And, believe it or not, I know you're sincere. I couldn't possibly feel more honored than I do right now." As Vangie approached, there were tears in Ed's eyes as he murmured his thanks. When Vangie joined them, she was ecstatically raving about her marvelous experience to Ed. Then she said, "Darling, I felt something different in my loins when I kissed him, honestly I did! Joyce, you said they are agents of the Holy Spirit. Is there a chance ... is it possible ... that I might get ... pregnant?" Joyce jumped out of her chair, went to Vangie and just held her tightly. As she did, she whispered that she would pray so hard for Vangie's prayers to be answered. While Joyce was comforting Vangie, Bobbie called Sasha over to her, then told Kris that she wanted her close, too. It was important for both of them to hear what she had to say. First, to Sasha she said, "My darling Sasha, I am so proud of you! You're being so brave to allow my imp twin to be inflicted on you." Then with her eyes wide she added, "There is one consolation for you, though. You see, Imp is an unpenetrated virgin. When you drink at her fountain you will be lapping up virginal juices! Will you like that?" "Oh, my glorious Queen, I am so unworthy! I have already sworn my undying loyalty and obedience to your twin. There are no words to describe my happiness!" Then looking at Kris with hope and shyness so obvious in his eyes he asked, "Is it possible... ? Could you ever ... Would you even consider ... sleeping on ... on my chest? Could you?" "But Sash," Kris replied pretending to be puzzled, "where else would I ever sleep? The opportunity to chafe my tits against your glorious fur? Do you think I would ever miss that opportunity? But what about you, my darling friend? How will you get your rest? I love you so much, already, and I need you so badly ... I really do." It was immediately obvious to both girls that the words Sasha was hearing were so overwhelming in their impact on him, he was speechless. Finally, he regained his communication power and said, "My glorious mistress, you mean ... you mean you... care ... for me? Mistress, with your glorious body resting on my chest I'll sleep in a way I have never slept before. Just imagine! I'll be able to move my arms and feel your body under my paws! I'll be in heaven!" "No, darling Sasha," Kris replied softly. "I don't care for you. I love you! I adore you! Now would you please give your mistress a kiss before I pass out in anticipation? Please?" The huge tiger was sitting up straight on the floor in front of Kris. He leaned his great head towards her and when she wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him, he wrapped his huge forelegs around her and squeezed her tightly. At the same time he felt the enormous flow of her pure virginal love while she felt the incredible love and adoration he felt for her. When they eased apart, both Kris and the great tiger were shaking with emotion. Each just stared with enormous love into the other's eyes. "If I could interrupt this love-fest for a moment," Bobbie said dryly, "there's something you should know, darling sister. In just a few days your lovely golden pubic bush will disappear and your mound will be bare. Does that idea upset you?" Kris blinked to snap the spell of love that had her in its thrall and thought for a moment. Then she smiled warmly at Sasha and said, "My darling Sasha, it will be something of mine that I give to you with pleasure. It just means, after all, that if, by some miracle, I were to meet a real man, fall in love, and marry, my cunt will be bare and sweet and clean to welcome him inside. No, dear Sasha, I won't mind it a bit. In fact, now that my sister has told me, I can't wait! I'm looking forward to my changed appearance." Rajah had come up and was sitting alertly watching the exchange. Then he communicated, "Miss Bradley, there is something else you should know about Sasha. It might cause you to change your decision. And there are others of us for you to choose from, after all." Looking directly into Kris's eyes, with his own eyes wide, he said, "Miss Bradley, Sasha's favorite pizza is ... anchovy and peppers!" Her reaction amazed him. Clapping her hands in glee, she exclaimed, "That's wonderful! It's my favorite pizza, too." Seeing that Sasha suddenly looked glum, she asked, "What's wrong, darling Sasha? We must be among the few creatures on earth that will eat that pizza, let alone love it. Now we can share!" Rajah chuckled and replied for his friend, "That's what's wrong, Miss Bradley. You see, the rest of us have been certain that the reason Sasha developed a taste for anchovy and peppers is that no one else likes it or will eat it. Before, no one ever stole a piece of his the way my mistress always steals mine." But then he brightened and said, "But maybe that means that you and Sasha were truly made for each other! After all, my favorite pizza is pepperoni and sausage with extra cheese, and it's my darling mistress's favorite as well. Maybe liking the same pizza is the foundation for lasting happiness!" Just then Connie Cartwright appeared with a baby in her arms, followed by her husband, Chip, with a little boy by his side who was holding his hand. When they entered the room, Ali, who was about to slip her gown over her head, stopped and reached out her arms. The baby, six months old, smiled and reached out her arms to her mother. Carrying the gooing baby in her arms she came over to Joyce, knelt in front of her and said, "Joyce, I would like you to meet the youngest Clifford, Kristin." Looking down at the baby in her arms she said, "Would you like to meet our newest friends, my darling?" At that point the baby couldn't care less about her mother's new friends. All she knew was that she was only inches away from the nipple on her glorious tit. Ali just shrugged at Joyce and winked and then raised the baby up the necessary few inches. With a happy cry the baby's mouth closed on the nipple and she began to suckle. While drinking her mother's wonderful milk the tiny girl just stroked and patted her mother's tit. To Joyce's surprise, Ali remained kneeling back on her heels before her. She said very quietly so as not to disturb the nursing baby, "I thought you and Jack might like to see a nursing baby up close. What do you think?" "I think you have to be the most perfect mother who ever lived, is what I think," Joyce replied in a voice scarcely above a whisper. Squeezing Jack's hand she asked, "How about you, my darling? With help from God, in just a few short months that will be me. What do you think?" she asked anxiously. "I think I can hardly wait, is what I think," he replied in a voice as quiet as the women's. Then he took Joyce in his arms and kissed her slowly and lovingly. They just held their kiss while each kept glancing at Ali with her baby. After changing the baby from her left breast to her right, the baby continued to nurse but at a slower and slower pace. Finally, her mouth stopped moving as she filled herself up and just went back to sleep. Connie had been keeping an eye on her mother and saw the baby fall asleep. Then she took the little boy by the hand and brought him to his mother. The little boy was handsomely dressed and was three and a half years old. After giving baby Kristin to Connie, Ali, still on her knees said, "Miss Collier and Mr. Johnson, may I present my younger son, Jeffrey? Jeff, this is Miss Collier and Mr. Johnson." In spite of his youth, the little boy extended his hand to Joyce and said, "Good evening, Miss Collier. I'm very happy to meet you. You are looking so beautiful tonight!" Then he ad-libbed. With his eyes wide he said, "Will you give me a kiss? Please?" Joyce scooped the little boy up in her arms and kissed him. When she did, she felt the same flow of the purest love that she had received from his older brother. In fact, Jeff was a duplicate of Kenny in a smaller form. When she released him, his eyes were wide as he said, "I love you very much, Miss Collier. Thank you for that wonderful kiss." Then introductions were repeated with Jack. Again he asked for a kiss and told Jack he loved him, too. Then Ali told him that she needed his help. She asked him to empty her right tit, but reminded him to save a couple of sips for his brother, Ken. Joyce and Jack watched wide-eyed as the little boy lay across his mother's lap, locked his lips over her nipple and began to suckle. As he did she crooned softly to him and told him how proud she was of him and how the way he had greeted the guests was simply perfect. When she complimented him, the couple could see the little boy wriggle with pleasure in his mother's arms. When he eased away, he stood up on his sturdy legs and asked, "Mommy, am I being a good boy? Am I making you proud?" At that she unleashed her sunshine smile and the boy simply glowed. "Oh, my darling son, you could not be better! Daddy and I are so very proud." Then raising an eyebrow she said softly, "But are you too old now to give your mommy a kiss?" The little boy yelped and dove for his mother's arms. Then he put his lips against hers and poured all the love he felt for his mother into his kiss. For her part Ali concentrated all of the love she felt for her small son into hers. The power of her kiss nearly knocked the little boy out. As they watched while still holding hands, Joyce whispered, "Darling, do you see what I see? That boy is getting Ali's love at a level of intensity that would kill a grown-up. Do you realize what that says about the kind of boy he is? Can you believe what we are seeing?" Jack agreed completely and could only shake his head. Then Ali said, "Darling Jeff, we have some other guests with us tonight." She called Rajah over and, as the giant cat loomed over the little boy she asked, "Do you know what this is, Jeff?" The little boy looked up at Rajah's head and said with excitement in his voice but without a hint of fear, "He's ... he's a tiger! He is, Mommy, isn't he?" "He certainly is, my darling. He is a Royal Bengal tiger and his name is Rajah Collier. Would you like to say hello?" The little boy was not at all certain how he should greet a tiger, but he held out his little hand and said, "How do you do, Mr. Collier. My name is Jeffrey Clifford and I am delighted to meet you!" Rajah dropped flat on the floor to bring himself as close to the little boy's level as possible. Then he raised his right paw up to the level of Jeff's and communicated, "It is an incredible honor and pleasure for me to meet you, too, Jeffrey. But because I am a tiger, you may call me Rajah, and I would truly prefer it." The little boy acknowledged the instruction and apparently saw absolutely nothing strange about communicating directly with the tiger's mind. Then Rajah rolled over on his back and said, "Jeffrey, do you think you could climb up on my chest? Because if you can, I think you would like it up here." The little boy wasted no time. Using clumps of Rajah's fur for handholds, he pulled himself up on Rajah's loins, the low point of his body and then just ran up his body and flopped on his chest. Jeff squealed with delight as he ran his arms all over the soft fur and rubbed his face in it. Rajah, of course, was completely oblivious to any pain caused by the boy pulling his fur or running with his little shoes on his groin and stomach. Then he looked up at Rajah's face and said, "I love you, Rajah. But it's time for me to go to bed now." With that the little boy just rested his head on Rajah's great chest and in just moments was sound asleep. Occasionally he would wriggle on the tiger's fur and just sigh with pleasure. Seeing her son asleep, Ali gently picked him up and carried him over to where Connie was still waiting. The girl said, "Mom, I really don't want to say anything, but ... are you sure you want to go down to the restaurant dressed that way?" Ali looked down at herself and thanked Connie for mentioning it. Looking herself over carefully, she decided that Connie was absolutely correct: wearing her bikini certainly did leave her a little overdressed. "Mom," Connie said, "you're too damned much! But Jeff's screams of joy woke his baby sister. Any ideas?" The baby was fussing because, although she was sleepy, having been awakened, she was uncomfortably between states of sleep and wakefulness. "As a matter of fact, yes!" Ali declared. Taking the baby in her arms she went to Rajah who was now sitting up attentively at Joyce's side and said, "Could I enlist your aid again? And could I introduce you to the youngest Clifford, Kristin? And could I apologize for her lack of social graces? So far we have been completely unable to teach her to make a curtsy." Rajah's eyes widened with fright. "But Empress, what if something happens? Good grief! You would trust me with your only daughter!?" Ali just pointed to the floor. Rajah rolled on his back and spread his legs wide. When Ali put the baby down on his chest, it was as if she were in a wonderful warm, furry playpen. Gooing happily now, the tiny girl crawled around the wonderful space, pausing occasionally to pull at a tuft of fur. If she moved too far down or too far up, Rajah positioned a great paw to stop her. After a few minutes, though, her sleepiness overtook her. Finding what looked to be a particularly comfortable spot on his chest, she curled up and went right to sleep. When she did, Rajah, moving his arms with the greatest care used them to cover the tiny body. Feeling the new warmth, baby Kristin just snuggled deeper and sighed. Ali, who had been watching carefully, motioned Rajah to lift his arms slightly. He did, and Ali quickly wrapped the baby in her blanket and whisked her off to her crib. When she returned to the sitting room, still without taking the few moments to dress, she rushed right over to Rajah, hugged him as tightly as she could and kissed him with every bit of love she could possibly convey. Fortunately, Ali was very athletic and had remarkably quick reflexes. She needed them in that instant to jump aside to keep from being crushed under Rajah's huge body as he fainted dead away. "A fine friend you are, Ali Clifford!" Joyce exclaimed. "Just look what you did to my friend and protector, Rajah Collier. I just hope you're satisfied! It's true with all you Cliffords, too. You have no consideration for others. You just go around kissing people and tigers and don't even think for an instant about all the damage you cause! You're selfish." She nodded for emphasis and repeated, "That's it! You're selfish. You're just so damned full of love, you have to get rid of it somewhere with no regard for the consequences." Dropping to her knees beside Rajah and ignoring any possible damage to her lovely new dress, she lifted his head and moved so that she could then lower it again and rest it on her lap. Ali just stuck out her tongue and began to dress. A few minutes later, as she felt him start to move, Joyce held Rajah's great head tightly. His eyes blinked several times and then opened. Realizing he was lying on his dear mistress's lap and on her brand-new dress, he tried to jerk his head up but she held it down and stroked his cheek. Rajah was terribly embarrassed, but asked what happened. Joyce whispered softly, "My darling, Ali Clifford happened. She was so incredibly happy and pleased with the way you handled her baby and allowed her to crawl all over you, she forgot herself." She smiled down warmly and said, "Darling Rajah, what happened was that you got all of the love that it is possible for her to communicate, undiluted. I guess Bill Clifford can take it, and maybe Kenny can by now, but no one else can — not even a Bengal tiger!" Then she grinned and asked, "Do you feel okay, now? Feel like getting up?" The animal quickly rose, and sensing his unhappiness at her being on the floor in her new dress, Joyce did, too. When she sat down again next to Jack, Rajah sat at her feet and looked up at both of them. "Mistress and Master-to-be, I can't tell you how I feel at this moment. I now carry a level of love and purity that I never believed possible." With his eyes filled with wonder he continued, "I have been truly blessed." Then he continued, "But Mistress, it was so wonderful! Now I have the merest hint of how happy I'll be with a baby of yours crawling over my body. Now I have the confidence that he or she will enjoy it. I can be the playpen! Isn't that wonderful?" They both agreed that it certainly was. ------- Chapter 33 When the group finally adjourned to the Beverly Wilshire's main dining room, they made a grand entrance. The group, now nine in number, was preceded into the room by the pair of immaculately groomed Bengal tigers. They paced majestically as they followed the maître d'hôtel to the Clifford's table which had been set off by itself. A space, formerly occupied by three other tables, had been cleared to make service easier and increase their privacy. As they moved towards their table Joyce, in a whisper to Jack, commented on how regal the tigers looked. He replied softly, "No, darling, not regal. Imperial!" After they all had been seated, Beluga caviar was served, along with Dom Pérignon champagne. After everyone was served — even Ali was drinking on the occasion — Bobbie Conroy raised her glass in a toast. She said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I know that the men customarily offer toasts, but tonight is different. First, we live in a more liberated age. But second, I have known Joyce Collier longer than any of the rest of you. At any rate, I would like to offer a toast. To Joyce and Jack, along with Rajah Collier, of course: "I would like to wish you the ultimate in happiness. I wish you a marriage as filled with love and blessings as that of our host and hostess tonight, William and Allison Clifford. If there is any ingredient missing — and I don't think there is — it can't have any significance for a successful marriage. The toast to our guests of honor? May your marriage be as successful as Bill and Ali Clifford's!" With cheers the toast was drunk by the others. Then Jack Johnson spoke softly but in a voice that carried to all the people around the table. "There are a couple of details that I guess we should take care of before things go much further." Looking at his fiancée, he asked with a voice drowning in love, "Joyce Collier, will you marry me? Will you live with me as my wife? Will you bear our children, the fruit of our union? My darling, I love you with all my heart. Will you please say yes?" "Oh, Jack! Yes, yes, yes!" With the warmest, most loving smile anyone had ever seen she continued, "Yes, I will marry you; yes, I will live with you as your loving and obedient wife; and oh, yes!, through the grace of Almighty God, if it be His wish, I will bear your children! My darling Jack, I love you so much and I so desperately want to carry your children, I would delightedly give birth by myself, unattended, in City Hall Square! I would proudly hold up my infant, still wet from my womb, and shout, 'This is Jack Johnson's child! Isn't he — or she — beautiful!' Oh, my darling, you have just made me the happiest woman in the whole world!" "Then, my darling," Jack asked softly as he reached into his pocket, "would you wear this ring as a token of my pledge to you of all my love for as long as I live. Will you accept it?" He reached for her left hand and looked into her eyes for the answer he knew would be there. "My darling, I will wear it for the rest of my life — till death do us part!" She could feel him slipping the ring on the third finger of her left hand. When he looked up, she looked down — and gasped! "But ... but ... but, Jack! It is incredible! I have never seen a ring like this! Never!" The center diamond in the engagement ring he had slipped on her finger was a perfect brilliant-cut stone weighing over two-and-a-half carats. "And, my darling, there has never been a love like this, either!" Then he looked at her and tried to communicate his love. "Joyce, darling, I am really so glad you like it." Then he looked at her with concern showing on his face and said, "You really do, don't you? You're ... you're not just saying that to make me feel good? To avoid hurting my feelings?" "You silly goose! It is utterly incredible!" Then she reached for him and they melted together in a passionate embrace. They were both breathless when they finally parted. Jack shook his head to clear it and said, "Wow!" Then looking around the table he said, "I am now closing out the most incredible twenty-four hours of my life!" He looked at his watch, found it was eight o'clock, and nodded. "Exactly twenty-four hours! You see, it was at eight o'clock last night that I saw the tape Joyce made with Rajah. Incidentally, KNBC is submitting it for an Emmy award, but that's not the point. "Viewing the tape, I saw Joyce say that she was planning on being a spinster. 'How could that be?' I wondered. Every time I saw her she was on the arm of another man. Of course, I fell in love with Joyce Collier the first instant I laid eyes on her and that was years ago. I so wished that I could be charming and debonair like so many of the men I saw her with. But then I saw the tape, and in it she said she planned to be a spinster for life! "Then, just before our air time, she came into the studio grinning. Since I had already decided to make her the co-anchor on the show and had received the enthusiastic endorsement of management, I was utterly overwhelmed by her beauty and liveliness. But it only confirmed my earlier judgment. Because of the time constraints — the tape came back in the same chopper that brought her — I never saw her performance at the circus until it aired. Watching it, my heart turned over. She was so good, so full of life and full of fun! I was seeing a side of Joyce I never knew existed. "Then we aired her tape with Rajah. As many of you know, when it ended, I asked her — on the air — about the special effects. That was not an act. I couldn't believe that it could be Joyce with a real tiger! Then, as you all know, I met Rajah. After the show, we had a discussion about being co-anchor — she wouldn't accept it — and a couple of other things. "Then I heard Rajah tell her how he was going to express his love for her, but added it wouldn't be nearly as good as if she were making love with the love of her life — me! When she jumped all over poor Rajah for blabbing — she already knew that he could communicate with me, too — I told her that I had loved her from the first moment I saw her. Then I took her in my arms and kissed her. I would like to be able to tell you that our first kiss was the kiss of my dreams. I would like to, but I can't. "Never did I have a dream that good! Suddenly I was utterly overwhelmed by her love and her passion, and, I gather, she was overwhelmed by mine." He grinned and added, "But never let it be said that Joyce Collier will disappoint her viewers! She had told them that she was going to be a spinster, so, by God, she was going to be one! Regardless! "Anyway, between Rajah and me, we soon wore her down. She consented to be my wife." Then he smiled and said, "I won't bore you with what happened subsequently, except to say it confirmed me in my love for her, although at the same time causing me to wonder about her judgment when she consented to marry a jerk like me. "What happened to cause all this to happen? Two things: Barbara Conroy and Rajah Collier. It was Bobbie who, in a matter of a few minutes, totally changed Joyce's life. Because of Bobbie, Joyce renounced all of the idiots and wantons that she formerly thought of as her friends. "Believe it or not, as late as eleven o'clock last night, Joyce believed that the number of her adult friends was down to just three: Bobbie and Tom Conroy, and Ann Henry, a KNBC reporter. Tonight, less than twenty-four hours later, she counts as her friends Vangie, Ed, and Kris Bradley, and Ali and Bill Clifford. That's increasing one's friends by a multiple of nearly three in less than one day! Isn't my fiancée great?" Then raising his glass he said, "Joyce and I would like to drink a toast to you, our newest friends. There are no words to express our appreciation for all you have done for us already." Then to Rajah, who was sitting alertly beside Joyce, he asked, "Do you agree, Rajah Collier? Will you join us in the toast?" "Master Jack, I would proudly join you in your toast, but they didn't pour us our lemonade. However, I would like to say that, in Mistress Joyce you're getting a man's dream come true. There are no words powerful enough for me to use to describe her love for you. You, in turn, will be the perfect husband for her. Then tonight, through Empress Ali, I learned that I could help with small babies! I can't tell you how happy I am right now! As far as your new friends are concerned, I would drink anything to support that toast! "Master Jack, what else could I possibly do when your new friends include two emperors, two empresses, and another beautiful young queen? Sir, your new friends are each worth at least 1,000 of any others! Now may Sasha and I have something to drink, so that we, too, can toast your health and happiness with my mistress, and toast your magnificent new friends?" Bill Clifford had already called over the waiter whose eyes widened when he heard the owner's request, but ran to do his bidding. A few moments later, the waiter returned with two stemmed shallow compote dishes which he filled with champagne and placed on the table in front of the tigers. Jack grinned as he watched the tigers, then raised his glass and said, "To our new friends!" He and Joyce drank along with Rajah. Then Rajah asked Queen Bobbie if she would repeat her toast to the couple so that he and Sasha could drink that one, too. She did and they did, along with everyone else. The chefs at the hotel outdid themselves that night. Knowing that the food was for the owners personally, and knowing that they were entertaining very important guests, the dinner was spectacular. By the time they finished eating, a band was playing for dancing. Jack Johnson had always thought that his ability as a dancer was nonexistent — at best. Nevertheless, given the occasion, he felt that he had to offer. To his dismay, Joyce immediately accepted. When they moved out on the dance floor Jack found to his utter amazement that she was like a feather in his arms. For the first time in his entire life, he actually enjoyed dancing. He almost fell over when the set ended and Joyce looked up at him with stars in her eyes and told him he was the finest dancer she had ever met. They stayed on the floor dancing — and melting each other with their kisses between numbers — until the band took a break. ------- The band was new to the hotel and the bandleader never read anything other than Variety. As a result, he did not know that the large table set off by itself was that of the hotel's owners. However, he did recognize Kris Bradley, and he had recognized Jack Johnson and Joyce Collier dancing together. Moreover, as one of the more than one million people who had seen the KNBC news the night before, he was surprised to see the massive diamond that Joyce was wearing on the third finger of her left hand. When the band returned from its break, instead of starting right in on the next set, the leader took the microphone and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen: Tonight I see we have with us in the room the brightest singing star in the country today, and, based on what I read in the trades, a certain star in films. If your applause is persuasive enough, perhaps we can get Kris Bradley to join us on stage this evening. What do you think? If you would really like to hear her, let her hear you!" In an instant, everyone else in the large room was on his feet cheering and applauding wildly. Recognizing that any damage was already done, Kris rose to her feet, mentally called to Sasha and then walked to the stage with the tiger pacing proudly at her side. The bandleader helped her up to the stage while the tiger got up with effortless grace and then proudly sat down on the stage beside her. After shaking hands with the bandleader and accepting his kiss, Kris adjusted the mike and looked out at the crowd. Then she said, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for that very warm welcome. However, before I sing a number, I would like to introduce my bodyguard, my friend, and my love: Sasha Bradley!" Looking at the tiger lovingly she mentally said, "Sasha, I'll bet you can be friendlier than Rajah was last night. Let's show them!" Then aloud she said, "Sasha, would you like to wave to the people?" The huge animal then smiled warmly, waved his paw and blew a kiss to the people. Bending over just slightly — in his sitting posture he was more than five feet tall — she hugged and kissed him and told him he was wonderful. Then to the mike she said, "Isn't he a wonder? We'll come back to him in a moment." Then she sang her signature number, followed by two more from her platinum album. After acknowledging another standing ovation she said, "Thank you all very much. But I really think you would like to hear some good singing. Well, it happens that the person with the real singing voice in the Bradley family is here with me tonight: my baby sister, Barbara. She is the real singer among the Bradleys but rather than singing for a living, she is doing something she thinks is more important than entertaining people: She is educating children. Perhaps you might recognize her better by her married name, Bobbie Conroy." The cheers and sustained applause indicated that they certainly knew of the trial and its outcome. Kris continued, "As I said, she considers it more important that entertaining people." After pausing for a moment she continued, "Well, frankly, so do I! And, I understand, there are experts who rate her as easily the finest teacher alive in the world today and — possibly — the finest teacher who has ever lived. Please let me hear a great round of applause, and maybe — just maybe — we could get her up here, too, so you could hear a truly beautiful singing voice. Please?" Again the applause and cheers roared out and did not diminish until Bobbie rose from her chair. Joining her sister on the stage, the first thing Bobbie did was to glare at Kris and say, "Twin sister, what is this garbage I hear about being your baby sister?" "But Bobbie, darling," Kris replied blandly, "I checked the birth certificates very carefully. I'm nearly a whole hour older than you are." Looking out at the audience Kris added, "That about sums it up for Bobbie: she started off in life being late and she's been running late ever since!" Everyone howled with laughter including Bobbie who, nonetheless, pretended to strangle Kris. The two sisters sang several songs in a patriotic medley and then Bobbie sang a few songs of her own. Her singing voice was clear, pure, and very powerful. When she finished, she was about to flee when Kris said, "Sis, I know you're an amateur, but I would still think you would know enough to stick around for the applause." Looking out at the audience she said, "Well, do you believe me now? Don't you agree that Bobbie Conroy has an extraordinary singing voice?" There was another standing ovation, the loudest of the night. Bobbie blushed when she saw Tom on his feet cheering louder than anyone else. Then Kris took Bobbie in her arms and gave her a wonderfully loving kiss. When she eased away she said, "And I really do love my baby sister, even if she does always get so uptight when I borrow one or two of her dresses..." "Borrow?" Bobbie exclaimed. "One or two? Good grief, sister, a few months ago I came back to my room and found half of my closet missing! And borrow? You still have some of my things you took five years ago!" The byplay was, of course, a pretend game that Bobbie and Kris always played together. It was a form of amusement for them both, but their enjoyment ultimately depended on their believability. The fact was that five years earlier neither knew the other was even alive. "Damn! Bobbie, I think you may be right. I'll check my closet first thing in the morning. If I still have them, I'll be sure to bring them right back!" Then, after a perfectly timed pause, she added, "They don't fit anymore, anyway." Glancing down she saw Sasha's eyes glinting with amusement. Kris realized suddenly that if a tiger could laugh, Sasha would be. She winked at him and formed her lips in a kiss. Then, while Bobbie made her way back to their table, Kris continued, "At the beginning I said I would come back to Sasha. Well, I owe his presence to Joyce Collier's marvelous piece on the news last night. In fact, I fortunately had the tape machine running so I was able to replay that bit over and over. You see, Joyce was talking to me! And what she said resonated like a carillon of bells. "Single?" Nodding her head sadly she answered her own question, "Sure am. Likely to remain so?" Again her head nodded but with even more vehemence, "Sure am!" Then she shook her head and said, "Folks, I honestly don't think there is a girl in this country who has dated more different men than I have. Frankly, the experience — so far, at least — has been sickening. I must have gone out with the world's largest collection of creeps, dolts, and sex fiends." Then she looked resigned and continued, "Oh, sure, you can't lose them all. Some of the guys were actually pretty nice. Those I kissed goodnight — and never dated again. Why? It's simple, really: no bells, no second date. So far, no bells. So anyway, I am certainly the spinster Joyce was talking to. "What else? Well, how about protection? Boy, do I need that! First, I mentioned some of the creeps I've been out with. Now I'm relaxed. Now I can have confidence that, with a guy trying to paw at my tits, when I say stop, he will stop. Or at least, if he doesn't, he'll never again use that hand to paw another woman — assuming they're able to find the hand, that is. But there's more. Being as objective as possible about myself, I'm really not the ugliest woman on two feet..." She stopped and just shrugged as the howls of laughter and hoots of derision from the audience drowned her out. Continuing, " ... so I attract a whole bunch of guys on the street. Then, since I got very lucky with my record and stupidly allowed my picture to appear on the jacket, that didn't help much, either. And since my movie premiered, it's been utterly impossible. Anyway, I'm confident that all of that will change, and change very quickly." Looking at Sasha who was sitting alertly by her side she asked, "Sasha, will you protect me from those creeps?" The tiger nodded his head eagerly. "But darling, what will you do if one of them is ... persistent?" Instantly, his huge eyes turned as cold as ice and he drew back his lips exposing his huge teeth. Then he let out the most savage snarl anyone in the audience had ever heard. It started softly but just steadily increased in intensity until it was echoing off the walls. Kris shook her head and appeared unsure. Looking out at the audience she asked, "I'm not really certain. What do you folks think? Do you think Sasha adequately communicated the idea that he was ... displeased? Do you? Are you certain the guy would really get his message?" Again there were hoots of laughter and the shouted assurances that anyone who didn't get the message clearly had a fully-developed death wish. "Gee, thanks, folks," Kris said. "You don't know how much more comfortable that makes me feel. After all, poor Sasha doesn't communicate in English — or at least, not in the normal manner — and some people really aren't too good at understanding nonverbal communication. But you're all really sure?" Again there was laughter and this time she grinned, nodded her head sharply and said, "I am, too! "Finally, of course, Joyce mentioned feelings and sensitivity. How are these for feelings?" With that she communicated to Sasha to face her. Still sitting attentively, he turned ninety degrees and looked at her with his eyes wide. Moving as close to him as she could get, she mashed her tits against the gloriously soft fur of his chest and kissed him. As soon as she did, Sasha sat up straight on his haunches, wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her body tightly to his. The intensity of his kiss caused Kris's eyes to glaze. When she broke the kiss she had to keep her arms around his neck and snuggle her face against it while she regained her breath. Feeling her return to normal, Sasha gently released her and sat down again. Facing the audience, Kris just took a very deep breath and murmured, "Wow!" Then she smiled warmly, shook her head and said, "If one picture is worth a thousand words, that one kiss is worth volumes! Girls, I think I made my point." When she asked Sasha to wave to the audience, he did in a manner as cheery as Rajah's and then, overwhelmed with pride and love for his beautiful mistress, proudly escorted her back to her seat. He even pulled out her chair with his paw and seated her. The bandleader looked over at the table and then said, "I guess it's only fair. Since Kris has just been talking about Joyce Collier's story and her reaction to it, now I see, sitting at the same table, Joyce herself, of KNBC, Los Angeles, and, I'm pretty sure the famous Rajah is with her. Joyce, would you please come up and say hello?" Rising gracefully, she went up to the stand preceded by the tiger. After being greeted by the bandleader he looked down at her hand and saw the exquisite diamond on her finger. "Joyce," he said, "like so many others in Los Angeles, I watched your news show last night and I, too, really enjoyed the feature you did with Rajah. But I distinctly remember you starting off by announcing that you planned on being a spinster for the rest of your life, the way I gather Kris Bradley does. Now I see a diamond on your finger big enough to choke a Bengal tiger the size of Rajah, here. What happened?" Taking the mike she said, "Rajah happened." Looking around the room she said, "Folks, Jack and I would consider it a great favor if things said in this room tonight, stay here. We would like to announce our engagement publicly on our show Monday night. Please?" Then turning to the table she said, "Jack, would you join me?" Then to the people, as Jack made his way to the stage, she said, "As many of you know, this is Jack Johnson. As News Director at KNBC, he's now my boss. Beginning on Monday night, for a while at least, he's my co-anchor. And beginning as soon as we can make arrangements, and lasting forever, he will be my lord and master. He is and will forever be the love of my life." After waving to the crowd and receiving its applause, Jack took Joyce into his arms and they melted their lips together in a passionate kiss. When they broke the kiss, he stood beside her with his arm around her while Rajah sat attentively at her other side. Joyce began, "Folks, what happened, as I said a moment ago, was Rajah. You see, last night at the station there was a small ... altercation. Rajah acted and spared me some embarrassment. Anyway, when the show ended, I reminded him that, since it had occurred so close to our air time, I hadn't had the chance to thank him properly. Anyway, I gave him a kiss. Then this big blabbermouth says it was a wonderful kiss, but I couldn't enjoy it nearly as much as I would if I were kissing the love of my life ... Jack Johnson! "There were a couple of things I didn't mention in my feature. One of them is that I can communicate with Rajah, and he with me, mentally! I won't bore you with the details, but we had already learned that Rajah could also communicate with Jack. So when Rajah said those words to me, Jack heard them, too. Then it was all over! "You see," she said with tears now flowing down her cheeks, "until yesterday afternoon, morally I was a piece of filth! Moreover, Jack certainly knew that I was. He had never even asked me out, and I ascribed that to his judgment and good taste. Frankly, when he announced on the air that I was his new co-anchor, I was stunned. You see, I was hearing it for the first time, too. As his co-anchor I'll be sitting beside him at the news desk and I didn't think he could bear ever to be that close to me. "But back to my feature: the reason I said I was going to be a spinster was a Catch 22. I had made a decision to reform myself. That meant dumping all of the filth with whom I had always spent my time. But it did something else, too. It reduced the number of my adult friends to only three — and Jack certainly wasn't one of them. "Moreover, you see, I had fallen madly in love with Jack Johnson the first instant I laid eyes on him years ago. So thus the catch: I could no longer stand even to associate with all the crud I had dated, and the only man I could ever love had the good taste to keep as far away from me as he possibly could. In fact, I was certain that he wouldn't touch me with fire tongs! The result? Spinster. "But Rajah, the big blabbermouth, blew it!" Now showing great anxiety, she cried, "Now what am I going to tell my viewers? What can I possibly say to those single women who believed me? You tell me: What?" Then she put her arms around Rajah's neck and put her face right in front of his and said in an accusing voice, "You did it! You got me into this! Here I was content: I was going to be a spinster, and live with you, just the two of us. Was that good enough for you? Oh, no! You had to go and wreck it all!" Then she hugged him tightly and continued in the most loving voice anyone had ever heard, "You got me together with the love of my life! In less than twenty-four hours I have personally experienced a level of love and passion from Jack Johnson that I did not believe could exist in this world! Now I can look forward to becoming pregnant from his glorious seed, and giving birth to tiny babies. I can look forward to nursing them, nurturing them ... Damn it! Mothering them!" She kissed him soundly and said, "And it's all you! Now what do you have to say for yourself?" Rajah moved back a short distance on the stage. It caused Joyce's back to be partially towards the audience, but it positioned him so that while Joyce could see him, the audience could, too. He stood up, balanced on his hind quarters. Then he produced the cheeriest smile anyone could imagine on a tiger's face, cheerily waved, and then blew a kiss with his paw. Then he just held his position, wide-eyed. By this time Jack was close beside her. Taking the mike he said, "Thank you, Rajah. That was great!" Turning to face the audience again while turning Joyce with him he said, "Folks, what do you think? Should we be mad at Rajah?" Then after a pause he added, "With a cheery smile like that, could we be!?" There were cheers from the audience and Jack checked his watch. Seeing that it was nearly eleven, he shook his head and said, "Folks, I would like to tell you to get out of here right now, go home, and watch KNBC's Saturday Night News." He looked sad as he continued, "But I guess I really can't. In the first place, it airs in less than five minutes and most of you couldn't make it home in time. In the second place, Joyce and I are guests tonight of the owners of this hotel. We certainly couldn't return their gracious hospitality by telling their paying customers to please leave." Then he grinned and said, "As a result, I guess it's only fair for Joyce and me to fill you in on a couple of stories that you would otherwise miss. I'll take the first, reporting on the meeting at our studios this afternoon with the Animal-Rights people who she mentioned on our show last night. "Well, it seems the Animal-Rights folks were convinced that, first, the tigers were — Rajah and Sasha, please cover your ears — drugged." To the vast amusement of the audience, the instant Jack gave his instructions the two huge tigers stood up on their hindquarters and covered their ears with their paws. They looked so cute doing it that even Joyce and Jack laughed. Then shaking his head, Jack said, "Folks, the reason I asked is that there are a few things to which these guys react ... violently! One of them is the word D-R-U-G in juxtaposition with themselves. Looking at Rajah again he asked, "Raj, you can't spell, can you?" Rajah slowly nodded his head up and down with one of his eyebrows obviously raised. At the same time he communicated and then Jack said, "The answer, folks, as most of you saw, is yes he can. However, he told me that he realizes I was just reporting the news and I certainly know better." Looking out at the people he said, "He's right about that: I certainly do know better. Drugs? Utterly ridiculous. What controls these huge animals? Only one thing: love. There is an incredible two-way flow of love between these animals and some of us. I think it should be obvious, but I'll say it anyway: Joyce Collier loves Rajah Collier nearly as much as she loves me! And I love him every bit as much as she does. Why he loves us, I can't say. Ask him, and he might tell you. But it is a fact that Rajah adores his mistress. What you saw on the tape that ran on our show last night, and again on the stage here tonight, was real! These two adore each other. "Well, back to our meeting. Rajah ... persuaded ... them that there were no drugs used. The second allegation was that their teeth had been extracted. Well, Sasha and Prince stood over a couple of the visitors and growled in their faces. That certainly made the tigers' teeth clearly visible. All of them!" Jack shook his head, seeming to be puzzled. "I don't really understand it, though. Those people seemed ... Well, I have to say it: They seemed frightened. Strange, I admit, but they really did. And that was even with my fiancée sleeping on Rajah's back at the time, too. Of course, Sasha and Prince were really embarrassed at waking her up with their loud growls. "But Prince made it up to her. Their last complaint had to do with dulling or in some other way disabling the tigers' claws. Well, do you know what Prince did? It was extraordinary! He undressed the expert, Dr. Cohen, that the people brought along with them." Jack frowned and shook his head in dismay. "It was a little hard on Dr. Cohen's clothing, of course. You see, in just five swipes of his paw, Prince had him completely undressed. And I mean completely! I mean even severing the good doctor's watch band with a single stroke of his paw that began at the man's neck! I mean even slicing his socks and his leather shoes right down to the tips of his toes on a stroke beginning at his crotch! "Well, it was a little disappointing, really. Prince's demonstration convinced them that the tigers' claws are sharp. The disappointment came when they carried Dr. Cohen out without even staying for refreshments. And Dr. Cohen didn't even say goodbye." Jack cocked his head and seemed to think for a moment, then added, "Of course, he was catatonic at the time, so I guess he really wasn't capable of saying anything. We really couldn't understand why he was, though. I mean ... There were just these five neat straight red lines ... And they weren't even bleeding or anything." Jack just shook his head and said, "I wonder what happened to the poor man?" Then he brightened and said, "Well, it's all over now. There will be a very detailed formal letter of apology to the circus and all the people involved delivered to KNBC before noon on Monday. I'm sure of that!" He grinned and added, "How can I be sure the letter will be delivered? It's easy, really. You see, Prince and Sasha were standing with their forepaws on the arms of the chairs the two men were sitting in. Tom Conroy pointed out to them that their appearance and their characteristic scent was now fixed in the tigers' brains. And the tigers consider that a solemn promise is sacred — and they received a solemn promise that the letter of apology would be delivered before noon on Monday. All Tom did was point out that the tigers react ... well ... violently ... to someone violating such a solemn oath." Then he brightened and nodded his head. "But I'm sure we'll receive the letter, so they won't have anything to worry about. "At any rate, while all this was going on Joyce was sleeping soundly on Rajah's back. Why was she sleeping? Well, that's a part of her story. Joyce?" "Jack," she began, "before I start on my story, I would like to address your question about poor Dr. Cohen: I think the answer is quite simple, really. I mean, you and Tom even said it yourselves: Not any old tiger could do what Prince did, right? I mean ... it takes an extraordinary level of coordination and control, right? Well, we know any of our boys could have done it, but they don't know them the way we do, so..." With eyes wide she asked, "What do you think?" Jack snapped his fingers and said, "Damn! Joyce, I think you hit it right on the nose! Of course the poor man would be nervous ... Joyce, darling, I can't tell you how happy it makes me feel to be marrying such a brilliant and perceptive woman! But now your story..." "Well," Joyce began, "it goes back to the story we ran last night. Folks, I have a confession to make: It was not complete." She nodded her head and looked both sincere and apologetic as she continued, "That's right. It was not complete. You see, I neglected to mention that Rajah and I communicate mentally! It's really great fun, too. This morning, for example, we were running in the park together, having a fine time teasing each other ... without wasting any breath uttering a single word! It was so neat!" She looked up at the ceiling as if she was reflecting on a point and then shook her head. "I guess my omission didn't really matter, though. The two guys concerned hadn't watched our show, anyway, so I guess I shouldn't blame myself. "You see, we didn't wrap it up at the studio until two o'clock this morning. By then, I was so exhausted, Rajah carried me all the way out from the studios on his back — and it is a very long walk. Well, to thank him I told him to wait at the entrance and I would get the car and pick him up. Unfortunately, two men were lurking in the shadows by my car waiting to kidnap me. Their intention was to hold me for ransom. If the ransom was paid, I would be released ... alive, but not unharmed. You see, the first thing they were going to do was to rape me. They would take turns and keep it up until they received the money. If they didn't get it, they would continue until I was dead." There were gasps of shock from the audience and sounds of disbelief. Shaking her head she said, "I assure you, it was all painfully true. The two men were not the nicest people in Greater Los Angeles, either. One had three felony rape convictions and the other had two. Moreover, they were both out on bail while awaiting trial on two separate additional felony rape charges, each! "At any rate, to carry out their plan they dropped a burlap bag over my head and then covered my mouth and nose with an ether-soaked rag. I tried to hold my breath but couldn't possibly utter a sound. But I did mentally scream to Rajah for help. "The way the police reconstructed it later, Rajah was sitting at the door patiently waiting for me to get the car and come back to pick him up, when he heard my mental scream. I do know one thing: the car was more than a quarter of a mile from the door, but Rajah covered the distance in just a few seconds. Well, he leaped with his paws out front and with his claws extended. He caught each man with a paw and ripped both of their backs with five huge gouges running from their shoulders through their buttocks to a depth of about three inches each. That was probably lethal. Take a ruler sometime, measure three inches in from your back and try to guess how many vital organs would be in those claw tracks. "It wasn't over, though. You see, Rajah had also received my mental message concerning rape. Lieutenant Patrick Collins of LAPD and myself discussed the matter later at his office. We concluded that Rajah does not like the idea of rape very much, and particularly dislikes it if the intended victim is me. Well, anyway, again from the police reconstruction, one of the men landed on his back. Rajah took a swipe at his groin with his claws. The bottom eight inches or so of the man's groin, including all his sex organs, were detached. They landed about 100 feet away. "The other guy apparently landed on his face. Well, Rajah turned him over ... but not very neatly. He took a swipe at the man's shoulder to turn him over and succeeded. Unfortunately, in the process most of the man's shoulder was detached. Then with the man on his back, Rajah did to him what he had done to the other guy." She shook her head sadly and interjected, "I checked with LAPD about five-thirty this evening. Although they were still looking, they still hadn't found the missing parts of the second man." Joyce looked concerned and said, "Gee! I sure hope they do. Otherwise, can you imagine some poor soul parking his or her car, getting out and stepping on..." Shaking her head again, she added, "You know, that could really ruin one's day. "Anyway, when the police arrived the two men were lying in pools of blood, each about three feet in diameter, and were very dead." Then she smiled and said, "Now that is one point I did cover carefully in last night's story, and it serves those guys right for not watching KNBC's late news. And I certainly hope it serves as a lesson to all of you: Pay attention! Listen up! You may get important information. In their case, it might have saved their lives. "You remember, I did stress that Rajah was a great bodyguard, and he even showed the viewers how he would react if I were threatened. I mean ... they were warned, after all. We can't be responsible if they didn't pay attention or — horror of horrors! — didn't even watch us at all. Right?" Turning to Jack she said, "And that's why I was tired and took a nap at the meeting this afternoon. Okay?" At that there was a standing ovation while Jack again melted his lips to hers. ------- Later that night, Kris Bradley opened the door of her suite in the Beverly Wilshire and ushered Sasha in. The huge tiger paced through the sitting room and explored the other rooms, then quickly returning to her side. He looked up at her expectantly as she simultaneously untied the cord supporting her dress, allowing it to drop in a pile at her feet, while she looked through the phone book. Finding the number she was looking for, Kris called the nearest Domino's and ordered an anchovy and peppers pizza. "The pizza is for the tiger, Sasha. "And by the way, guys, from now on his name is Sasha Bradley. My name is Kristin Bradley and he will be living with me from now on. I'm staying at the Beverly Wilshire in Suite 1200 and will expect it, as usual, within thirty minutes. By the way, could you please pick up about three gallons of lemonade on the way, too? I'm sure you can find some at a convenience store." Adding the lemonade to the order convinced the duty manager that the pizza was really for one of the tigers. Moreover, he checked a little list that had been faxed in earlier in the day from the regional office. It contained the pizza preferences of each of the ten tigers by name. Sure enough, there was Sasha listed, and anchovy and peppers was what he ate. But the manager was concerned about his ability to deliver to a hotel. He pointed out that they were never allowed to deliver to the guest rooms because it took business away from the hotel's room service. Kris assured him that, since her aunt and uncle owned the hotel, she was certain it would be all right. As soon as she hung up, she called the front desk and told the clerk to send up the men from Domino's as soon as they arrived. By the time she hung up the phone, Kris had stripped completely bare. Now she stepped over the pile of her discarded clothes and just looked at Sasha. She could see the love in his eyes, but clearly he was as uncertain as she was. He had never encountered an adult virgin woman before and didn't know what to do. Kris leaned back so her bottom was against the edge of a desk set in the middle of the room. Then she took her forefinger and ran it into her slit. After playing with herself for a few moments she was rewarded with some of her love juices. Using them to wet her finger she held it out to Sasha who gently licked it off. "Do you like it, darling Sasha?" she asked. "I have no idea what it tastes like. Is it good?" "My darling Mistress Kristin," he communicated with all the love he could, "it is nectar! It is utterly exquisite! But ... but do you want me to lick you? The way I did your sister, our queen?" He looked skeptical and added, "She is, after all, an experienced married woman. She regularly takes our King between her thighs, so ... And Mistress Joyce was experienced with men, too, but Rajah almost rendered her unconscious. Might you not be hurt?" Kris snapped her fingers and then cleared everything hard or sharp off the top of the desk, including its lamp and ashtrays. Then she measured the distance by eye and spread magazines where she estimated her head would land if she fell over backward. Then she spread her legs wide to expose herself as much as possible, after telling Sasha what she had done, and telling him that she expected him to cushion her fall if she fell forward. When he came close and gently extended his tongue, it made contact with one of her vaginal lips. He worked on it, then the other, and then used his tongue to separate the lips to provide his tongue access to her clit beyond. For Kris, who had never even masturbated, it was the most extraordinary experience of her life. Although she had never done more than kiss any boy once, she thought she was passionate, and so she proved to be. In moments, her pelvis was involuntarily writhing and she was moaning with pleasure. When he triggered her first orgasm, she screamed and released a flood of love juices. Sasha was even able to form the tip of his tongue into a little point to penetrate the outer limits of her vagina. Since most of its nerve endings are close to the mouth, he was able to bring her to a massive vaginal orgasm, too. For Kris it was like being in heaven. Although she constantly teased her parents, her sisters, and her brother, Ken, about it, the fact was she was being serious: Seeing the incredible passion they generated, she was usually left in an agony of unsatisfied wanting even after the few times her father or brother, mother or sisters would work on her cunt with their mouths. Never had she achieved a vaginal orgasm in her life. Seeing how joyous she appeared when he was able to penetrate her vaginal opening, that is where Sasha vowed to concentrate his attention. Soon her loins were moving by themselves in ecstasy while Kris was nearly unconscious. All of her feelings and sensations were concentrated in her loins. All she wanted was for the pleasure never to end. Seeing that his beloved mistress was about to lose consciousness, Sasha eased off and concentrated on licking off every drop of precious fluid he could reach. When she was dry, he began to lick her legs and just watched her. Slowly, Kris revived. Then she closed her eyes tightly, opened them again and said softly, "Wow!" Looking down at Sasha who was working on her beautiful legs she said softly, "Darling Sasha, I need to sit down. Will you sit with me?" Instead the huge tiger lay on his back and spread his legs wide. Grinning, she climbed on top of him and just lay with her cheek against his wonderful chest fur. As soon as she did, he closed his forepaws around her and just held her gently. "Oh, my darling! This is so much nicer than just sitting." They just rested together until the doorbell rang. Kris got up like a shot, raced into the bathroom to grab a terry robe, slipped it on, and raced back to the door. There were two men from Domino's waiting. One had the pizza while the other had a paper sack with the lemonade and a very large bowl in his hand. They brought the bowl, he said because they were afraid there was nothing in the room to pour Sasha's lemonade into. When she went for her purse to pay them, they waved her off saying that the hotel cashier had already paid them and tipped them quite generously, too. After getting a glass for herself, she poured lemonade into Sasha's bowl and then into her glass. Then, after shedding her robe, she lay back against him as he lay curled on the floor and began to alternately feed a bite to Sasha and take one herself. Of course one of Sasha's bites took almost the whole slice. After going through half the pizza, and after the tiger had refreshed himself with lemonade, she just leaned back against him and wriggled her back against his fur. Then she leaned over and kissed him solidly full on the lips. Again relaxing against him she said softly, "Darling Sasha, this is absolutely spectacular!" Then with concern showing in her face she asked, "Darling, was it all right? Did you ... did you like drinking at my fountain?" "Beloved Mistress," he replied, "Nothing could possibly be better! You are so warm, incredibly sweet and wonderful! No creature that has ever lived has enjoyed an experience such as I have just had." Then more softly he said, "Mistress, is my information correct? Are you only nineteen years old?" She said it was true. Then he smiled warmly and said, "You see, I am the equivalent of nineteen, also. We are like two teenagers after some very heavy necking, relaxing by sharing a pizza." Then he looked puzzled and asked, "But shouldn't we be drinking Coke or... ?" Kris leaped over, wrapped her arms around his neck and just squeezed. "My darling," she whispered, "I don't know what to say!" She paused and continued in an even softer tone of voice, "The only day to compare with this one was the day I first met my mother, Vangie Bradley. You see, I am adopted, as is Bobbie. Everything I said tonight was teasing — I don't think I could possibly love anyone more than I love her — but we are, in fact, almost exactly the same age." Her voice broke as she described the day she first met her mother, Vangie. How, at the age of fourteen, after losing her parents and brother in a tragic automobile accident and after having her life saved by Ken and Cathy Bradley, she had stood in front of her in a christening dress and asked to be her daughter. "My darling, I can't tell you how I felt that day! You have seen my mother. You consider her to be an empress, and I can certainly see why. Well, Mom took me in her arms and just cried and cried. Then she said nothing could possibly give her greater pleasure than to be my mother." Kris had to stop for a moment when her tears overcame her as she remembered the day. Then she continued in a broken voice, "Sasha, from that day to this I couldn't receive more love from her if I had been her natural daughter. Now I think of her as my real mother and I know she thinks she is, too." Then she pulled back a little to look at him and added, "Until today, that was the high point of my life. My darling, I'm not sure that you have not made today even better!" After leaning back against him in silence for a few more moments she continued softly, "Darling Sasha, I think you may be the best thing that has happened to me since Mom accepted me as her daughter. You see, now I'll be able to date men and look at them objectively, without having a terrible itch in my cunt that I could never scratch. Now I'll have you providing daily relief." Suddenly she spun around to look him straight in the eye and asked, "But can you drink at my fountain every day? Is that too much? Every week, maybe?" "Darling Kris..." With his eyes open wide he looked at her and appeared close to tears. Then he stammered, "May I ... Could I ... Mistress, you're so young and vibrant and beautiful, I think of you as Kris or Kristin. Could..." "My darling, you may call me anything you wish. I like Kris best, but you could call me Kristin, if you prefer, or Hot Cunt, or Love Fountain, or Sexy Bitch..." "Kris," he continued, picking up where he had interrupted himself, "I could drink at your fountain every waking hour. I cannot tell you how much I love you, or how much I adore drinking at your glorious fountain! All day, every day ... Is that enough to keep you ... satisfied?" Kris just wriggled with joy. Then she said softly, "Darling Sasha, I'm thinking of buying some very full skirts for a change, and wear them without a thong. Then, when you accompany me out on a date, if he is a drip — and so many of them are — I could just spread my legs wide and you could be under the table drinking at my fountain and allowing me just to tune the dullard out!" She spun around again to look at him and added, "Aren't I terrible? But the idea of your drinking at my fountain while we are out in public excites me so! It would be so much fun trying to keep my face impassive while you're causing my loins repeatedly to spasm in orgasm. It would be so neat!" This time it was Sasha who moved. Swinging his huge head, he softly kissed Kris full on the mouth. She was astonished again to feel the surge of the purest love flow between them. It was the same kiss he had given her on the stage, but multiplied in its intensity. In its own way it was as thrilling as his tongue had been while working on her love box. When he moved away slightly he could see Kris's eyes were glazed with love. Then he said softly, "Kris, my darling, can you imagine what it would be like for me? To probe your sweetness with my tongue after parting your skirt and moving between your glorious legs? Can you? Now, my darling, let's finish the pizza. Your bed awaits — and, of course, your bed is me!" ------- The next morning, as Bobbie slowly emerged from sleep, she felt strange. While for months she had always slept on her back with her head on Tom's broad shoulder, this morning she realized sleepily that they were face to face and still locked in their embrace. Moreover, the bed felt so different. Moving slightly, she realized it was so incredibly soft and warm ... and furry! Now wide awake, she realized that Prince's fondest dream had come true: he had served as the marriage bed for his king and queen! For Bobbie, the sensation was utterly beyond words. Here she was wrapped in her husband's arms while both were tenderly wrapped in Prince's. Looking up towards his head she saw that, although Prince had not moved a muscle, his eyes were open wide and he was just looking at her lovingly. "Oh, my dearest Queen," he communicated, "was I satisfactory? You and my King certainly seemed to ... enjoy yourselves ... last night. And I was so happy that there was no holding back nor doing anything at all even to recognize my existence. You so wholeheartedly worshiped each other's bodies. "And then ... then my greatest wish came true: you fell asleep in my arms! For me it was like dying and going to heaven ... and I am still in heaven right now." Then he communicated softly so as not to awaken Tom, "And just think! There is still your wonderfully slow and luscious morning lovemaking yet to come!" He paused and very gently shook his head but in a way that transmitted no motion at all to his body. Then he added, "My queen, I have a conundrum. On the one hand, I am so eager for your body to be taken again. On the other hand, holding you both closely like this is so wonderful, and I can just savor with anticipation the glorious love that is to come! I don't know what to do." "Anticipate, darling Prince," Bobbie said softly as she snuggled closer to Tom and went back to sleep. Prince just lay there with his eyes open while feeling the marvelous warmth of his king and queen lying on his chest. Then he just remained motionless and waited for what he now knew was certain to come. ------- Chapter 34 At eight o'clock Monday morning, Joyce Collier entered the Clifford & Jamison offices with Rajah padding along beside her. Following the instructions Bobbie had given her the day before, she found her way to the conference room that she had been told about. Opening what seemed to be the correct door, she stuck her head in and found Bobbie at the table talking to another beautiful blonde. It was Judy Morris, now stripped to the waist with a baby nursing at her breast. "Hi, Joyce! You look great this morning," Bobbie said in a voice scarcely above a whisper. Then she said, "Joyce Collier, I would like you to meet a dear friend, Judy Morris, with the youngest Morris, Gail." With a very warm smile she added, "Unfortunately, she's like Kris Clifford. She hasn't learned how to curtsy yet, either. Moreover, you arrived at a time when she is apparently much more interested in her breakfast than in you." "Breakfast, hell!" Judy whispered with a grin. "That was hours ago. This is just a little snack." Joyce remembered that Judy was the mother of Michael Morris and married to a Marine hero. Just then a younger woman stopped to just look at the scene. Looking at her, Joyce was amazed to see that she was crying but for no apparent reason. Judy had just finished nursing the baby and now cuddled her in her arms. The child made a series of noises, all of which were different, but all of which sounded so happy. After telling the girl to wait, Judy carried the baby out of the room and returned alone a few minutes later. As she strode across the room wearing skin-tight Levi's and an unbuttoned work shirt now completely open in front, Joyce couldn't believe her eyes. Here was a woman who was the mother of at least two children who appeared to be barely twenty-one. Her figure was utterly perfect. Rejoining the group Judy said, "Marty, I would like you to meet a wonderful new friend of ours, Joyce Collier. And, although I'm sure you know Bobbie Conroy, I'm not sure you have ever been introduced. This is Martha Bradford, who's normally found in the Leper Colony, downstairs." To the girl she asked, "And what brings you up here this morning, Marty, and, more importantly, why the tears?" Marty Bradford looked enough like Judy Morris to be her twin sister. Both women were five feet eight with golden blonde hair, brilliant blue eyes and perfect figures. The girl just shook her head sadly while her tears still streamed and said, "I came up for some coffee filters, to answer your first question. The answer to the second is the problem is you, Judy Morris!" "Me?" Judy asked in amazement. "What did I do?" "What did you do, you ask?" the girl replied. Although she was still crying, she was obviously trying to smile at the same time. "You married any woman's dream of a lifetime, Mike Morris, for openers. You wallow in his love constantly..." Glancing at her watch she said, "It is now eight-fifteen, Judy Morris. How much time have you spent making love with Mike ... in the last twelve hours! And I mean actively — I'm not even going to count the hours you were asleep with your body molded to his. How many?" Judy licked her lips at the memory, shrugged, and replied softly, "Two? Three? Something like that." "And he took you all three ways, didn't he?" This time Judy just nodded. "And early this morning while Mike was taking you again — probably after giving Gail her breakfast — Mikey and Danny came into your room, got in bed and watched their father making love to you, right?" Again Judy nodded along with the warmest smile Joyce had ever seen. "But don't you see, Judy, that's the problem!" "I'm sorry, Marty. I don't see. What is the problem? I don't get it." "The problem is, Judy Morris, you make me feel so incomplete ... so utterly useless! You have it all! You have an adoring husband, three children who you adore and who adore you ... Judy Morris, you're totally fulfilled as a woman! You really are. Just look at your children! Could you imagine any living souls better than yours? Take little Gail, for example. She can't talk yet, but she doesn't need to. She has the largest collection of happy sounds any of us have ever heard!" Pretending to glare at Judy she said, "I'll bet you five dollars, Judy Morris, you have never heard Gail cry. Ever!" Judy grinned, stuck out her hand and said gleefully, "Pay me! You're wrong, smarty, so there!" Marty found a five-dollar bill and was about to offer it when she said, "Wait! Before I pay, you tell me when and under what circumstances." "Ha!" Judy replied. "That's easy. It happened when I spanked her. Boy, did she yell!" "You? Spank that baby!? Utterly impossible," the girl declared. "I don't believe it!" "It was at the moment of her birth. I understand you need to spank the infant to get its lungs working or something. Anyway, I held her by her feet and gave her a good swat. I guess she has a healthy pair of lungs because she sure let out a scream." "You?" Marty asked, still incredulous. "What was the doctor doing? And besides, how could you possibly do it when you were all doped up." Judy looked very cute as she gave a little shrug and said, "I guess we've mostly given up on anaesthesia. Hell, Marty, you know that when we're about to deliver we look like most women do when they're entering their third month. Delivery? One hard push and it's all over." She grinned and added, "I've had bowel movements far more painful than my last two deliveries. Anyway, when Gail was born, the doctor — who has a wonderful sense of humor, by the way — gave her to me still wet from my womb and said that since I had done it all by myself to that point I might as well finish the job." "But don't you see," Marty said with her tears flowing again, "that's the problem. Just look at you! Judy Morris, do you even own a bra?" Judy thought for a moment and shook her head. Marty continued, "Just think! Here you are, a mother of three, with a body that looks like it belongs to a very well-developed teenager. Who ever heard of a woman who has been nursing babies more or less constantly for over six years with tits that are still so firm, and with pectoral muscles so developed, she doesn't need a bra even when her tits are loaded with milk? It's unreal!" Then she wailed, "Judy Morris, I would hate you if I didn't love you so damned much. You're so complete as a woman. And you're an utterly perfect wife and mother to a husband and children who adore you. You feed on Mike's love — you really need it to live. But then you amplify and focus his love for you on your whole family. That's how you can give 100 percent of your time and attention to Mike, and still give at least 50 percent to each of your three children! And they're still coming, aren't they?" "I certainly hope God continues to bless us," Judy replied softly. Then with a wonderfully warm grin she added, "After all, it doesn't make sense to stop when you're on a winning streak, does it?" Just then a gorgeous green-eyed brunette entered the room. The look on her face was one of overwhelming joy. Bobbie recognized her as the single girl who had made the funny speech at the firm Christmas party the previous year. Seeing her Judy called out, "Pam Smith, did what I think happened, happen?" The girl came over to join them, utterly glowing with joy. "It's happened!" she exclaimed. "God has blessed Gerry and me! I'm pregnant! I'm going to have a baby!" Hugs and kisses were exchanged with all the other women rushing up to congratulate the girl on the wonderful news. When the initial excitement abated, Marty shook her head and said, "But Pam, you've only been married for about four months!" "I know, Marty," the girl replied, "But you don't always get pregnant on the very first try. Of course Gerry keeps my cunt pretty well flooded with his cum all the time, so in case there's an ambitious little egg lying around somewhere, looking for some company..." Then she looked at Marty and said, "But what about you? When are you going to start having children?" Marty, knowing she was being gently teased, replied, "I need to be married first, turkey!" "Oh," Pam replied, apparently bemused, "I guess that's right, too. Well, when are you getting married?" "I don't even have a boyfriend," the girl wailed. "That's the problem!" "Oh, I see!" Pam exclaimed. "It's like that old story: If I had some ham, I could have ham and eggs, if I had some eggs. Lady, do you have anything?" "Hell, no!" Marty exclaimed dejectedly. "Of course not. If I did, do you think I would have been watering the carpet with my tears?" Only then did she focus on Joyce. First she apologized for her tears and her terribly poor manners. Then she snapped her fingers and said, "But you're on the Eleven O'clock News on KNBC with Jack Johnson! Oh, Joyce, we saw your show Friday night and it was utterly marvelous. Could you come down and meet the other girls in the Leper Colony?" Only then did Joyce learn that the Leper Colony was the name given to a new lounge and conference room on the floor below and the offices around it. With the growth of the firm, Clifford & Jamison now occupied the entire 38th floor and half of the 37th. For the most part, the newest associates had their offices on the lower floor, and very recently, in response to their request, a new lounge/conference room had been built. Because all the girls were single, it had acquired the name — ostensibly because the married women claimed that if they had to continually associate with singles they might catch something and wind up single again, too. But then Marty saw the beautiful ring on Joyce's third finger and her face fell. "Oh," she said in an utterly dead tone of voice, "that story was just to entertain the peasants, I guess..." Shaking her head sadly, she continued, "But it seemed so real! Miss Collier, you really seemed so ... so aware of the problems of a single girl..." Whatever she might have been intending to say just died off as she began to cry again. At that point Bobbie Conroy spoke sharply, "Martha Bradford, it was real, damn it!" Then in just a few sentences Bobbie reviewed what had happened to Joyce in just the twenty-four hours following the telecast. "Honey," she concluded, "when you saw Joyce, believe me when I tell you the situation for her was a hundred times worse than yours could possibly be! You see, for Joyce there was only one possible man for her, Jack Johnson, and she was convinced that Jack thought of her as a piece of filth — which, in fact, was exactly the way she thought of herself." Glaring at the girl she said, "Now tell me you're in that shape. I dare you!" "But ... but ... but..." Marty stammered, "you mean it was all true? There really is a Rajah?" "Martha," Joyce said softly, "if there hadn't been a Rajah, I would be dead right now or very close to it!" In the meantime Rajah had found a comfortable place under the huge conference table and had gone to sleep. "Rajah Collier, you get your large self out here this minute. There are some people for you to meet." Then to Marty she said with a grin, "This is a new one. Would you believe a 600-pound tiger could make himself disappear in a conference room?" The tiger came out from under the table and then sinuously stretched his muscles. The girl gasped when she first saw him and then covered her mouth when he stretched his body to nearly nine feet in length. Then, in what appeared to be a single flowing movement, he came out of his stretch and ended sitting upright beside Joyce's chair. She put her arm around his neck and nuzzled her face in it, then as his head turned she kissed him full on the mouth. With a little grin she asked, "What's the matter? Didn't you get enough sleep last night?" "As a matter of fact, no," he communicated haughtily. "And it was all your fault, too, Mistress. It really was." "I kept you awake?" Joyce asked raising an eyebrow. "And how, exactly, young man, did I do that?" "One of the world's most beautiful women was lying naked on my chest. Her perfect tits were moving on my fur every time her glorious body moved. Then, whenever I moved my paws the tiniest little bit, she would stretch and I would feel more glorious sensations. Finally, there was the intense heat radiating from her loins — that certainly didn't help, either." Nodding his head sharply for emphasis, he concluded, "And since the tits, the body, and the cunt are all yours, beloved mistress, it was all your fault. Right?" But then he leaned forward, kissed her full on the lips again and added, "But, of course, I love you more than life itself, so every movement of yours utterly thrilled me. And besides: I can sleep anytime!" Marty Bradford just shook her head incredulously and said, "But ... but ... but I could hear him! How can that be?" Joyce said, "Miss Bradford, what you just said touches on the primary reason I'm here today. You see, I have a theory that, so far, is holding up." Turning to Judy she asked, "You heard him very clearly, too, didn't you, Mrs. Morris? From the expressions on your face, you must have." Judy just nodded. She was puzzled but not nearly as amazed as Marty had been. Joyce, who had been about to tell them her theory, changed her mind. She said, "Well, we'll see if it holds up. I'll tell you about it this evening." When Bobbie assured her that there would be plenty of time to go down to the Leper Colony and be back in time for the beginning of school, Joyce rose and followed Martha Bradford down a new circular stairway connecting the two floors. Rajah padded down the stairs behind her. Entering the smaller conference room, Joyce was immediately struck by a change in the atmosphere. Then she realized it was like a girls' sorority, with giggles, laughter and general high spirits. Then she realized there was something else: innocence. Mentally, she asked Rajah a question and he replied that, as far as he could tell at a glance, all of the young women were not only unmarried, all were still virgins. It turned out that her Friday-night show was the principal topic of conversation. The instant the girls saw Rajah, they hurriedly said hello to Joyce and then all crowded around the tiger. Every young woman there could easily communicate with him and they were all besieging him with questions. She managed to tell Rajah that she was going upstairs and would leave him with the young women. Going back to the upper floor, Joyce found her way to the classroom and was standing in the rear as Betsy Clifford held the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of The National Anthem. Then Bobbie knelt on the floor. All of the children formed a circle with her and joined hands. This was one of the events Joyce was particularly interested in seeing. As she suspected, when Bobbie asked God to bless their work that day and help them to grow in wisdom to better serve Him, there was a soft golden glow, concentrated around Bobbie, but extending around the entire circle and including all of the children. Seeing it Joyce suddenly felt small and insignificant. Good Heavens, she thought, God Himself, in His third person, the Holy Spirit, has descended on this class to personally assist in the learning process. With the direct help and intervention of Almighty God, anything is possible — including the brilliant performance of these children. As time passed, Joyce could do nothing but shake her head in utter amazement. She couldn't imagine as happy a group of young people anywhere else in the world. They went through history, geography, mathematics — already on algebra — and practiced their handwriting. Then Bobbie began teaching classical Greek, and Joyce was stunned. In about an hour they covered a term's worth of work! But more importantly, they understood it! Then she joined the children for their daily visit to the health club. She and Bobbie worked out on exercise machines while the children worked out on smaller models. It came as no surprise to see each child was an incredible physical specimen. Moreover, all of the children were naked and seemed to take it completely for granted. When they finally went to the swimming pool, the children pounded up and down with the speed and grace of small fish. Bobbie, on the other hand, had the speed and power of a porpoise and seemed at least as much in home in the water as the marine mammal. Once out of the pool they all took showers. Then, to her delight, Bobbie asked Joyce for her help in getting the children fixed up. Having heard from Ann Henry what happened in the courtroom, she was not surprised when five children lined up in front of her while the other five stood before Bobbie. The first child was Betsy Clifford who was a living, breathing doll. The girl curtsied, introduced herself and produced a comb and brush. Very carefully Joyce brushed out and combed her hair, then straightened her clothing and retied the bow of her dress. Then she kissed the little girl, letting all of her love flow through her lips. Finally she told the little girl what a beautiful job she had done in leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Betsy just beamed with joy. It was repeated with the next children in line. The fourth child was Susan Carlson; Mike Morris was behind her. As Joyce was making the part in her hair, Susan's head jerked. Then the little girl turned around and said softly, "Please don't, Mike. You know how much I love to have you squeeze my butt — it's about the only part of me that is at all feminine — but I just can't hold still when you do it. Poor Miss Collier will never finish. Please wait?" Then she kissed him passionately. After easing out of the kiss the little girl grinned at Joyce and said, "Miss Collier, with luck that will hold him long enough for you to part my hair." Then with the cutest little grin she added, "I really unloaded on Mike that time. He ought to be in a daze for at least two or three minutes. Is that enough time?" Joyce just grinned and fixed the girl's beautiful sun-streaked hair. When she kissed Susan, again she felt the flow of purest love. When Joyce combed Mike's hair and straightened his clothes it was the first time she had ever touched a little boy. He was standing up straight in front of her looking into her eyes. "You really love Susan Carlson, don't you, Mike?" she whispered. "I am the luckiest person in the world, Miss Collier," he replied. "I have Susan's love!" With his eyes large with wonder he continued, "Can you imagine? To have her arms around me and then put her lips on mine? That kiss she gave me a few moments ago was the very best ever. And she just gets better. And I have this to look forward to for the rest of my life! Golly, what more could there possibly be in the world? She is utterly perfect!" Joyce looked deeply into the boy's brilliant blue eyes. All she saw was the purest love, joy, intelligence and grace. "Michael Morris, Jr., Susan is getting the finest young man alive in the world, too. If you think her kisses are extra special, it's because she knows how wonderful you are and wants to be very sure she doesn't lose you." "Honest?" he asked. "'Cause that's exactly the way I am with her, too. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I can do to make Sue happier. I don't want her even to look at another boy." When Joyce kissed him, she got a jolt of pure love of exactly the same type she had received from Kenny Clifford. Then she looked at him and said, "Mike, you're so cute, I can't stand it! Now," she asked impishly, "could I squeeze one of your buns? After all, you're always doing it to Sue, and you're not a sexist, are you?" The little boy just turned around and looked over his shoulder to watch her. After she squeezed his bottom he smiled and whispered, "Miss Collier, if I had known you wanted to, I would have come to you when I was still naked. As it is, I wanted to take down my pants because it's so much nicer squeezing a bare bottom — and it feels so much better, too. But since you just fixed my clothes so I would look perfect at lunch..." Joyce just shook her head and said she would be sure to let him know sooner the next time. As they left the club to return to the office, Joyce just shook her head. The children were walking so proudly two-by-two while holding hands. Clearly, these children did not need constant supervision. Walking with Bobbie, Joyce held back a bit to let the children get well ahead. Then she said, "Conroy, I think I'm going to do an exposé on you." Nodding her head once sharply, she repeated, "That's it! That's what you need: You need to be exposed to the whole world." "Exposed as what?" Bobbie asked casually. "Why isn't it obvious? As the most overpaid teacher in the world! Jim Perkins was absolutely right." Then her voice changed as she said softly, "Those children are angels! They really are. I just want you to know, Barbara Bradley Conroy, that this morning was the most beautiful and exciting I have ever spent. To have the opportunity just to watch you and those children was utterly priceless! I have never seen children work so hard. And they're doing it because they love you and because they love their parents and want them to be happy and proud." Then she said, "Bobbie, I have another question, and even though it's going to sound strange, I'm very serious. What are you going to do next year? You know, of course, that they are already nearly through with any high school's standard curriculum in English and history." Glancing to her side Bobbie realized that Joyce was indeed being serious so she answered the question seriously, too. "Joyce, I've been giving that a great deal of thought. The advantage we have is the knowledge explosion. Back at the turn of the century it was still possible for a person to have been exposed to all of the accumulated knowledge in the world — or the Western world, anyway. That's no longer true. "But to answer your question, one of the things I intend to do, after really grounding the kids in the world's finest literature, is to start reading trash. I want them really to see the differences for themselves. "Then there is the whole world of science and advanced mathematics. There's the field of law — most of their mothers are lawyers, after all." Then she grinned and added, "I think there's enough material to hold them for a couple more years." Then Joyce began to giggle and Bobbie asked her what was so funny. By now she was giggling almost uncontrollably but finally managed to reply, "I was just thinking how funny it's going to be. These children will go on to the finest universities in the world and then go into class on the first day. They will look at the reading list, frown, and then tell the professor that they went through all of it when they were in the first grade! It will be utterly hilarious." Bobbie laughed at the thought, too, and then, commenting on Joyce's original statement, reminded her that she had agreed wholeheartedly with Jim Perkins' statement when he first made it: Of course she was overpaid! The children were waiting in a small group at the elevator bank and they all went up in a car together. As the high-speed elevator slowed for its stop at 38, Joyce heard what seemed like a mental cry. As soon as they entered the firm offices on 38 she heard Rajah's scream for help. Now she realized that, although all the people in the firm had the capacity to hear the tigers, it did require tuning the brain in a fashion similar to tuning a radio to be able to hear it. Bobbie heard his screams, too, and looked at Joyce in alarm. When Joyce told her that she had left Rajah in the Leper Colony, Bobbie grinned and said she thought he would probably still be alive. After rushing down the stairs, she opened the door to the lounge and peeked in. All of the young women were now naked and Rajah was virtually buried under a mountain of nubile bodies. Only his head showed from under all the girls who had swarmed over him. Two girls, a blonde and a brunette, were standing side-by-side in front of him with their legs spread wide. The brunette was saying, "Please, Rajah! Please drink at my fountain again. I'm sure that when you do me this time you'll agree how much sweeter my cunt juices are than Karen's. And besides: my cuming runs in such rivers! Please, darling Rajah? You can do it just once more. Please?" Realizing his mistress had come to save him, the huge animal got to his feet from his supine position. As he did, he unceremoniously dumped about a dozen girls on the floor. Reaching Joyce he tried to hide behind her as he told her what had happened. "Mistress!" he exclaimed. "It was unreal ... it was inhuman! They've been torturing me ever since you left. Making me drink at their fountains ... All of them! I don't think my poor tongue will be the same for weeks ... Making me wash their legs, while I was being constantly assaulted. Do you know what they did? They used their own hair brushes on my coat! I doubt if I have any fur left..." Joyce wrapped her arms around the animal's neck and whispered, "You big sissy! They are only girls, after all. They weren't threatening you..." "But Mistress, there are so many of them! I needed help so desperately!" His words gave Joyce an idea. Glancing at her watch, she noticed it was nearly time for lunch. First, she asked the girls if they would like animals like Rajah and was almost deafened by their screams, "Yes!" When she then pointed out that it was nearly lunch time, there was a very funny scramble as they all started sorting through the piles of women's clothing now scattered around the room with clusters in each of the corners where their owners' activities had landed them. Joyce shook her head in amusement as she realized that, without a single exception, these were the most beautiful young women she had ever seen. Each could easily win any beauty contest around. When she asked how they would be able to sort out all the clothing in time, one of the girls stopped her search for a moment, shrugged and replied, "We don't even bother. All we do is look for a top that goes with a bottom. Hell, one bikini is like all the others — it doesn't really matter." With the cutest grin she added, "We're always accused of being interchangeable parts — Clifford & Jamison standard — and I guess we really are." With that she continued her rummaging while Joyce led Rajah up the stairs. ------- Chapter 35 While making her way to Ali's office she asked Rajah how he had come to be trapped. He told her that the door was always latched and he certainly didn't want to break it down. And his dear mistress already knew that he had a difficult time turning a doorknob. When she found Ali Clifford in her office and told her what happened to Rajah, Ali flung her arms around his neck, kissed him passionately and said, "You poor dear! What can I do to make it up to you? My lord, it was felony assault ... In fact, it was attempted rape. One young man held hostage by fourteen oversexed, horny young women..." Shaking her head she said, "Oh, the shame of it all..." Then she kissed him again and said with a cute giggle, "Dear Rajah, it appears you survived. There doesn't appear to have been any permanent damage done ... and your coat absolutely glistens. They've been brushing it, haven't they?" He agreed and grinned back. After telling Ali her idea, the woman wasted no time. She immediately picked up the phone and began to translate the idea into a plan and then the plan into action. She already knew that the previous night's performance was the last one the circus had for the season and was the last for Gabel-Williams as well. When she reached him, she confirmed a suspicion: Because he had the only wild-animal act using tigers, all of the animals were going to be consigned to zoos around the country and around the world. After explaining her idea, he was wildly enthusiastic. Arrangements were immediately made to bring all of the remaining seven tigers to the office that afternoon. After hanging up the phone Ali thought for a moment, looked up a telephone number and placed another call. When Joyce realized what she was doing — ordering seven minivans to be delivered that afternoon — she just shook her head. Clearly, Ali Clifford was a brilliant woman who instantly thought through the entire process and then handled every detail. When they left the office to go to lunch, Ali told her that she was in for a rare treat: Kathy Carlson was doing the cooking that day and she was — without any doubt — the finest cook in the world. Entering the room, she saw Kathy at what appeared to be an incredibly complete kitchen built into the wall of the conference room. Four naked young women were beginning to serve. When she asked Ali why they were nude, she was told with a laugh that it was a part of the firm's new training program. "You met Pam Smith this morning, I understand?" When Joyce said that she had, Ali told her with a grin that it was all Pam's doing: How, at the firm Christmas party the previous year she had complained that they were not taught anything useful — like serving a formal dinner nude. "She pointed out — accurately, it turns out — that when a girl learns to maintain her aplomb while serving naked, her self-confidence is strengthened to a degree that permits her to be comfortable — and look it — in any conceivable setting. "It's quite valuable, really. Moreover, when they're serving while naked it's far easier to critique their style. There are no clothes to hide poor posture, for example." After having her first bite of the food that looked so beautifully appetizing on her plate, Joyce put down her fork and exclaimed, "Ali, this is unbelievable! I thought the dinner served Saturday night was the finest food in the world, but ... but it's not even in the same class as this!" "You're right, dear," Ali replied, "but then I warned you." Then with a little giggle she added, "Incidentally, Michael Morris is going to be in heaven for the rest of his life. Susan is only six but it's already clear that she has her mother's talent for cooking. By the time they get married ... Yum! She will probably be even better! Can you even imagine food better than this?" After agreeing that she could not, Joyce returned to the enjoyment of her marvelous meal. After lunch, Joyce told Bobbie what she had found downstairs, triggering an explosion of laughter. Then Bobbie hugged Rajah who had looked hurt when she responded to his tale of woe with laughter. Bobbie hugged and kissed him, then looked right into his eyes. "Rajah Collier, you're a pretty good actor, aren't you? Terrified? Abused? Hah! "But don't I look sincere?" the tiger asked. His crack caused Bobbie to howl with laughter. Then Joyce told her about the plans for the other tigers. She agreed to come down with Andy and Ken to bring the tigers up in the freight elevator. "Good grief!" Joyce exclaimed. "Ali forgot something! She didn't tell the building management. What will the owners say?" Bobbie grinned and replied, "It's the owner — singular. And she obviously loves the idea. Her name is Allison McGrath Clifford. Any more questions?" Then Bobbie explained that Ali hated to pay rent so she had done in the building what she and Bill had earlier done with the Beverly Wilshire: she bought it. At three o'clock, the four of them were waiting at the building's receiving dock when a tractor-trailer belonging to the circus was carefully backed into position. Gabel-Williams got down from the cab, greeted Bobbie, Joyce and the children, and then supervised the unloading of the great cats. Each was in his own cage and was delighted to be free. Before taking them upstairs, though, Bobbie carefully explained what was going to happen to them. The tigers, who were sitting in a semicircle in their house-cat positions, listened very attentively. When the cats were all up on the 37th floor, Bobbie said to Joyce, "It was your idea, darling, so you take it from here." Leading the way with Rajah at her side, Joyce opened the door of the Leper Colony. When she did, she found Ali already there waiting for them. She whispered to Joyce that she expected the subsequent scene to be very funny and so it proved to be. The young women were naked again and were standing in a row in front of the window in nervous groups of two. Their eyes widened as, one after the other, seven huge Bengal tigers stalked into the room. Then the big cats paced back and forth in front of the women while communicating in a form unintelligible to humans. Although unintelligible, Joyce knew what they were doing and Rajah confirmed it: They were making their selections. Suddenly the pacing stopped and the cats sat down in a row facing the girls, spaced at the same intervals the girls were. Marty Bradford and Kelly Maguire each had an arm around the other's waist. It was for mutual support, Marty knew. Her eyes widened as she looked at the cat sitting opposite them. His green eyes were wide and he seemed to be looking at them hungrily — Are we his next meal? she wondered. Then simultaneously the tigers got to their feet and covered the short space to where the girls were nervously waiting. "My name is King," the huge animal communicated. "May I have the pleasure of serving you? What are your names, Mistresses?" With a great sense of relief, Marty wrapped her arms around the animal's huge neck, kissed him and replied, "My name is Martha Bradford, but everyone calls me Marty. This is my roommate and best friend, Kelly Maguire." Kelly kissed him, too, and now both girls had their arms around the animal's neck. Kelly was also five feet eight inches tall and was constantly teased about being the younger Ginger Conrad. Like Ginger, she had magnificent auburn hair, brilliant green eyes, a glorious figure and, like Ginger, the very rare complexion for someone with red hair, one that tanned. Then Marty asked, "Darling King, what do we do now? Do you know?" "I think we get acquainted," he replied tentatively. Then looking at each beautiful girl in turn — he already thought them to be two of the most beautiful girls in the world — he asked, "May ... may ... may I drink at your fountains? Please?" It seemed to be what all of the other tigers were about to do as well. Just then Joyce said in a voice loud enough to get their attention, "Girls, I have news for you. I know you're all intact virgins and I also know that the tigers are about to lick you at your source. You should know that in just a week or so they will have taken off all of your pubic hair. Since I see you all have the cutest little beavers — they are all beautifully plucked — are you sure it's what you want? Of course, being virginal and pure, receiving your husbands with bodies utterly devoid of any body hair could be a major-league turn-on, but..." Martha Bradford and Kelly had spent hours working on one another's pubic area so Marty looked down at hers with some dismay. Then with a grin at her roommate she said, "Good-bye, beaver! It can always grow back someday, I suppose, if I want it to." Then she said, "But Joan Clifford has always looked so darling..." Then to King she said, "My darling King, my love fountain awaits." She spread her legs and then stifled a scream as she felt his tongue penetrate her vaginal lips. As the tigers were finishing their first round of licking, the door opened. This time it was Kris Bradley with Sasha. The girls all gathered around, then sat on the floor while leaning back against their animals, and listened carefully as Kris began to tell them some of the things she had learned in the first thirty-six hours of her life with a tiger. Joyce left the room with Rajah and rejoined Bobbie and her class. At the end of the day, the mothers came in followed by the young women with their tigers, along with Kris and Sasha. Bobbie smiled and said, "This morning we started on Greek and this afternoon, on Latin. Well, the children decided that we should have a school song. They appropriated one and would now like to sing if for you." The children lined up in two rows and began to sing the Latin student song, Gaudeamus Igitur. The mothers and guests were utterly thrilled. Then Bobbie said, "I see that my thieving twin sister has joined us. And she can sing ... at least a little. Kris, feel like singing?" The girl came forward with a guitar she had brought with her. In addition to having a fabulous singing voice, she could play a wide range of musical instruments with virtuosity, including the guitar. Coming forward, she told the children that if she had to work, they did, too. The only way she would sing would be if they sang with her. What followed was an impromptu folk concert which ended with a beautifully moving rendition of Shenandoah. Then Kris stood up — she had been kneeling for the entire concert — and said, "It's time for the Bradley with the good voice — Bobbie — to join in." Having seen April and Ron Jackson enter the room she added, "And I would like Casey Jackson to join us. We are going to sing The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Casey?" The little girl stood in front of the two young women and began to sing in a beautiful voice while her tears began to flow, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord..." Singing softly at first and backed by Kris' and Bobbie's brilliantly clear voices, Casey sang. At the first chorus the remaining children came in. At the final chorus, everyone in the room was singing but still Casey's brilliant voice, now filled with emotion, rose above them all singing, "Glory, glory, hallelujah..." When the hymn ended, Casey ran to her parents who she had seen standing in the back. To her dismay she found her father crying. She apologized for singing so badly it had made him cry. Dropping to his knees Ron Jackson hugged his little girl and cried, "So badly? My darling, that was the most beautiful singing I have ever heard!" He kissed her tenderly and added, "Case, there is one thing of which I am certain: your grandfather in Heaven is smiling down on you right now! To hear his beautiful granddaughter singing our song of freedom with the beauty and power and emotion that you did ... Darling, I have never heard anyone sing it better." The little girl just glowed in the praise from her parents. When she looked up at her mother, she saw the most brilliant smile on her face that she had ever seen. April scooped her up and said, "My darling daughter, I cannot tell you how happy you have just made your father and me! I just can't! But darling, there are no parents who have ever lived who could possibly be prouder of their child than we are of you!" The family left with Casey between them holding each parent's hand as she began to bubble over while telling them what she had done in school that day. When the school ended for the day, Joyce asked Ali if she could meet with the firm's senior partners. For some reason Joyce felt that she should be particularly careful with her appearance for the upcoming meeting so she went into the ladies room, washed up and brushed out her hair. When she entered Ali's office with Rajah pacing proudly at her side, the women were sitting around a table waiting for her. There were Ali, Ginger Conrad, Kathy Carlson, and Sandy Benson. In addition, Joan Clifford, the firm's director of administration, and Judy Morris, the director of operations, were there, too. Rajah's subsequent behavior did not surprise Joyce in the least. In fact, it provided the last piece of confirming evidence for her thesis. Now she was certain that her idea was correct. On seeing the women arrayed around the table Rajah dropped flat on the floor, closed his eyes and just lay shivering in fear. "Ladies," Joyce began, "Rajah has just provided the last bit of confirmation I was looking for." Then to Ali she said, "Would you please tell Rajah that it is all right for him to rise, even if he is in the presence of six empresses!" Ali's eyes widened in amazement but she did as she was asked. With apparent reluctance Rajah rose from the floor and sat beside Joyce who hugged him and whispered that everything was fine. Then she said, "You see, I have finally solved the mystery of Clifford & Jamison!" Turning to Sandy Benson she introduced herself and asked, "Sandy Benson, I have a question for you. In what significant way could your life be better than it is right now?" Sandy was utterly dumbstruck by the question, but recognized that Joyce was serious. She sat and thought, then began slowly to shake her head. "How could it possibly be any better?" Joyce asked. "You have a husband you utterly adore and who adores you. You have three children who would melt the hearts of a marble statue ... What more in life could you possibly want? Oh, yes!" she added, "Health! Well, that's part of it, too. You see, Mrs. Benson, while your driver's license says you're in your forties, the fact is you're physically about twenty-two. Do you feel tired? Do you feel menopause closing in? I think not. Am I right?" Sandy sat, stunned. What she was hearing made no sense at all, and yet ... and yet she did feel better than she could ever remember feeling. Judy had mentioned Marty Bradford's comment about not wearing a bra and Sandy realized that, in spite of her constant nursing, she didn't ever wear one, either, nor had she ever felt the need for one. Finally she stammered, "But how... ? why... ?" "Now I know the answer to that question, too," Joyce replied with a note of triumph in her voice. "But before I answer it I would like all of you to strip naked. Please?" The women did as she asked and in just seconds all of them were bare. Joyce stripped off all of her clothes, too. After forming them in a circle Joyce instructed them to look at one another's bodies very carefully. While the women were certainly used to being naked around one another, they had really not looked carefully at one another in years. As they did, Joyce could see eyes widening in surprise. "Now look at your feet, your elbows, your hands ... Do you see any signs of aging? Ali, you're the oldest. I guess you're pushing fifty. Any signs of it? Drying skin? Wrinkles?" Of course there were none. Ali's golden skin had the smoothness and softness of a teenager's but without the pimples. Ali just shook her head in bewilderment. "Last question," Joyce continued. "Have any of you incurred any injuries after the age of ... oh, let's say twenty-five ... that left a scar? How about you, Ali?" Ali admitted that when she was making films she did many of her own stunts and wasn't always as careful as she should have been. One stunt had resulted in a compound fracture of the tibia; the bone end had driven through her calf muscle and exited in the rear. When she turned her back so the others could see the scar and looked down, she couldn't find it. "How old were you then?" Joyce asked quietly. Ali, now in a state of near-shock, could only shake her head. Finally she remembered she had been twenty-three or twenty-four. "Don't bother looking, Ali," Joyce continued. "It isn't there. Why? Because physically you're not twenty-three yet!" Then she moved on and asked, "Now, how about your husbands? Again, I'm going to pick on Bill Clifford because he has to be pushing sixty pretty hard. What about the love of your life? Does he have any trouble getting his cock up to enter you? Do you have to work on his organ with your mouth to help him get an erection?" Ali just grinned wanly and replied, "It's very hard, Joyce. Honest. Bill says that for him to get hard I have to be within 500 yards of him — or 1,500 yards if I'm upwind." "Signs of aging?" Joyce persisted. "Thinning hair? Receding hairline? Liver spots? Anything!?" "Bill's hair is very full and thick. In fact, I tease him about it. There are just the two small bits of gray at his temples. Physically?" She just shook her head slowly and murmured, "Yum!" "That's because he is no older than his late twenties," Joyce explained. "My guess is between twenty-five and twenty-eight." Then to Ali she said, "Darling Ali, everyone says you look younger and more beautiful now than you did when you were making films. Why? Because you are! We talked about being younger. What about beauty? You are much more beautiful because now you are fulfilled as a woman. Now you're complete. You have a husband who you adore and who adores you. You have three of the most beautiful and loving children a person could dream of. Of course you're more beautiful!" "I could go over each of your bodies in detail, but I won't," Joyce said. "Instead, I'll address the questions Sandy asked. How? Through the direct intervention of God in His Third Person, The Holy Spirit. After all, for God, the Creator of the universe, what I am speaking of is child's play. Why? Because of who you are! "I said that Rajah provided additional confirmation when we came into the room. Then you provided the final confirmation with your own bodies. But how did Rajah confirm The Holy Spirit? By treating you as the empresses you all are in his eyes. But what is an empress?" She smiled warmly and said, "Before I answer that question, there is something else you need to know: Rajah and his friends are direct agents of the Holy Spirit on earth. Honestly, they really are. All of you can communicate with him, but the only people who can are those whose souls are as pure as snow! You women are so pure, when I came in this afternoon I looked and now realize what I was seeing. You see, there is a golden glow over you all. You're blessed by God Almighty! You're among His perfect creations. Everything about you and your lives is a constant paean of praise to God and all His works. We speak of the Holy Family. You're all members of holy families, you see. In every single thing you do, you're receiving more blessings from God!" She laughed and shook her head, then continued, "I started to see it when I first met Bobbie on Friday. Never... Never! do you think of yourselves. Everything you do is for someone else. Remember the greatest virtue, charity? "This whole story — which, unfortunately, will never get out of the can — began with my idea to see how Bobbie ran her school. After all, I wondered, how can six-year-old children accomplish what these children have? The answer: the same one. This morning when Bobbie prayed to God for His blessings and His help that her children could continue to grow in wisdom and grace, The Holy Spirit came down upon them: Her prayer was immediately answered! "So what did they do? Not a lot. They just covered first-year Greek this morning, and first-year Latin this afternoon. Along with the usual assortment of other course material, of course. The most important, by the way, is religion. You see, God is a very real presence to your children as He certainly should be. After all, where else in the world is there a school in which the Holy Spirit Himself works directly with the kids to help them to learn and understand? "Then, there is the Leper Colony. Those are all adult women who are as pure and holy as your children." Turning to Ali she asked, "The firm is growing. How much money is it making? And have you ever lost a case?" "The answers are, yes, we are growing," Ali replied. "In fact, we're growing as fast as we can. By that I mean whenever a young woman comes in who we believe would fit in, she's hired on the spot. Money? Too damned much! We're drowning in it." Then she looked embarrassed and dropped her eyes. "The firm has lost only one case in its history: mine. That was when Sandy Benson sacrificed her career and was prepared to go to prison to lose the divorce action I had initiated against Bill Clifford. Of course, had she won, I would have been dead in just a matter of weeks." Then she looked up and asked, "Charity, again, right? Sandy acting solely in the interests of others and willing to sacrifice her own life in my interest." She paused and then continued, "I think I heard it first from Mike Morris. Sandy insisted she was a shit and should never have been allowed to live. Mike said she was an utterly beautiful woman whose surface beauty was the least of it. Her real beauty is her incredible goodness shining around her." Looking at Joyce she said softly, "The Holy Spirit, again?" "Of course!" Joyce replied, exultantly this time. "You see, this whole firm and everyone in it is blessed but in different ways. I'll bet that your girls turn out ten times the work in a fraction of the time of any other lawyers alive. Moreover, legal work of the highest possible quality to serve your clients! Right?" "Damn!" Joan Clifford murmured, "And I always thought it was my great computer support." The girl at five feet four was one of the smallest in the firm. Her body was that of a well-developed teenager with the perkiest tits Joyce had ever seen. Now pretending to glare at Joyce she said with her voice completely flat, "Joyce Collier, I hate you!" Then she added with a very warm smile, "But I don't know what to do now. You see, my daughter, Betsy, is convinced that you're an angel come to earth. She simply adores you!" Then she sniffed and concluded, "And all you did was fix her hair for her, too! That wasn't so hard, was it?" "Hard?" Joyce exclaimed. "This has been the best day of my entire life! To be able to hug and kiss those children — your children — was inspirational. I kid Bobbie, but it's not a joke. She is the highest-paid teacher in the world: She has the adoration of those children, all of whom are angels. "But this brings me back to where I started: Barbara Bradley Conroy. Did any of you ever wonder how a girl, nineteen years old, could teach Greek? Latin? I asked and it came as no surprise to find out that Bobbie had never taken either one. How? One guess: The Holy Spirit comes down with all of His power to bless her every endeavor. "In the same fashion that he gave the apostles the gift of tongues — when people from all over the world each heard an apostle's preaching in his own language — He builds on her goodness and adds knowledge and wisdom for Bobbie Conroy is truly doing God's work. She is advancing those children in wisdom, love, kindness, grace ... everything!" Then to the astonishment of the women Joyce dropped to her knees and then prostrated her upper body on the floor, thanking God for his revelation and dedicating her body to His service. As they watched a golden glow appeared, first around her head and then slowly spreading as they watched to include her whole body. When she was completely encased, the glow began to shimmer and then pulsate with each pulsation brighter than the one before. Then after a momentary blinding flash, it disappeared. Ali was first on her feet dashing to the side of the girl now lying unconscious on the floor. Lifting Joyce's head she rested it on her lap and just held her tightly. A few minutes later after blinking a few times Joyce opened her eyes. "How do you feel now, darling?" Ali asked softly. "Utterly filled with joy," Joyce replied in a weak voice. Then she asked, "What happened?" "Darling, the Holy Spirit came down upon you and said, in effect, that everything you have said to us this evening is the absolute truth." Only then did Joyce realize that Ali was kneeling upright and holding her head cushioned in her lap. She said, "Ali, you, of course, are the model for the whole thing. As I said before, I'm not sure you're even twenty-one! And Bill Clifford is not yet thirty. Don't you find him incredibly virile? When you carry your babies in your womb, do you feel like a middle-aged woman? Of course you don't! Because you're not! Good heavens! Seeing you with Kristin at your breast, with your tits so proudly free standing and self-supporting even with the weight of all your luscious milk ... How can you look younger than you did in Vietnam nearly twenty years ago? It's simple. You are younger. No wonder you can take your grandchildren out for ice cream and look like a teenaged babysitter! You might still be in your teens!" Ali didn't reply. Rather, she helped Joyce to her feet and then just looked at her partners. Without a word being said they all rose from their chairs, came over to Ali and knelt in a circle. Ali reached out to Joyce who dropped to her knees beside her. Then they joined hands and quietly prayed, thanking God for all of his blessings that he had been showering down upon them. Rajah had been sitting silently in the corner watching. As they concluded their prayer a golden glow appeared in a circle and behaved exactly the same way it had behaved a few moments earlier with Joyce alone. It formed first around the women's heads, then spread to include their entire bodies. It shimmered, then pulsated, then flared blindingly. He sat motionless and watched. Minutes passed and then, one by one the unconscious women recovered. Joan was sitting with her back to the sofa while trying to regain her wits. Nevertheless, her irrepressible humor came back first. "Well, I have heard of news stories being confirmed, but this has to be a first..." While the women were quickly slipping back into their clothes Ali asked Joyce to please stay for a few moments. There was something she wanted to speak to her about, alone. When the other women had left, Ali motioned towards the sofa. After retrieving a thin file folder from her desk, Ali sat down beside her. Joyce was immediately concerned by the look of seriousness on Ali's face, and her concern was not allayed by her first words, "Joyce, I ... I ... I don't really know how to begin. You see, I'm undertaking a very unpleasant task for my sister, Vangie." She shook her head and muttered under her breath, "Isn't that just like a sister? Sticking you with her dirty work?" Then when she looked Joyce straight in the eye, she could see tears at the corners of Ali's eyes. She took a deep breath and bulled ahead. "Vangie needs a favor from you, Joyce. A very big favor! So big, in fact, that she didn't have the nerve to ask you herself." Then she just looked into Joyce's eyes while tears began to stream from her own. After swallowing hard, Joyce said softly, "I will do anything for Evangeline Bradley. Absolutely anything at all! What is it? Would she like me to be a surrogate mother? To have a fertilized egg of hers implanted in my womb? A ... An organ transplant?" Sitting up straight she said, "I will donate my heart to her if it would save her life. For that, though, I would expect a large payment. I would demand a kiss. As we lay side-by-side on the operating tables I would want her to kiss me full on the lips just before the doctor opened up my body to remove my beating heart to replace hers. If possible, I would like it done without anaesthetic so I could feel my gift to the fullest!" Ali could see the love in Joyce's brilliant green eyes and knew the woman was completely serious. She would gladly sacrifice her own life if it would save Vangie's. Now her tears were flowing in twin streams but she managed to say, "Thank you, Joyce. I'll tell my sister what you just told me. But Joyce, it ... it will be very hard for you to do. And I can't ... I can hardly bring myself even to ask..." "I'll do absolutely anything Vangie asks of me!" Joyce exclaimed. "Absolutely anything! I swear it. Now, for heaven's sake, Ali, what is it? Tell me!" "You swear?" Ali persisted. "You're absolutely certain?" Ali could see tears in the corners of Joyce's eyes now, too, but she was certain they were tears of frustration. Shaking her head and reminding her that she was sworn to grant Vangie's wish, Ali reached into the file folder, removed a check and passed it to Joyce saying, "The favor she is asking, darling Joyce, is for you to accept her small gift on the occasion of your engagement." Joyce looked at the check, noted the amount and started to choke. "But I can't! It's ... it's impossible! This is a cashier's check for ten million dollars! I can't! I won't!" she exclaimed as she handed the check back to Ali. Ali now had her hands behind her back and just shook her head saying, "Joyce Collier, you swore you would do anything Vangie asked. All she's asking is for you to accept her little gift." Then Ali unleashed her sunshine smile and said, "Darling, the real reason she did not give you the check herself is that she and Ed are floating back to Chicago. Since the prevailing winds are in that direction, I'm not even sure they are bothering with a plane. You see, darling Joyce, this morning my sister called, so excited she could scarcely speak. She's pregnant! Vangie is expecting a baby." Then she added, "Please don't say a word to anyone. Right now there are four people alive who know: Vangie, Ed, you and me. They particularly do not want you to say a word to Bobbie or Kris. They want to tell their children all together at Christmas." Looking at Joyce she asked, "You will respect their confidence, won't you?" Then Ali continued, "Is there a relationship between her blessed event and your gift? You bet there is! It was at your engagement party that Vangie lay on Sasha's belly. She said she felt a strange sensation in her loins when the tiger held her and she is convinced that the sensation was the removal of whatever impediment had been preventing her from conceiving." Now with merriment in her eyes Ali said, "But back to your gift. Maybe ... maybe, in view of its importance to the Bradleys, it's inadequate. Is that it? Because if it is, I have the authority to have a new one issued. Would you feel better if it had another zero? Two? Perhaps you're superstitious and would rather the number begin with a number other than a one?" Joyce just shook her head with feigned sadness and said, "Allison McGrath Clifford, you're a piece of work! You really are. Those tears: they looked so real! And the cracking in your voice—" "Joyce, dear, I used to be an actress, after all," Ali interjected, "and one must take advantage of the occasional opportunities that come along to try to maintain one's skills..." "Thank you, Ali," Joyce said simply. "I will offer prayers of thanks to God for hearing and granting our prayers." Then with a note of suspicion she added, "Is there anything else?" "No, there's not," Ali replied with a grin. "Of course, there is something that affects me, the bank, and Bobbie, though. Vangie made me promise to offer the next senior jobs in our new bank out here to Cathy and Ken. She is bound and determined that her grandchildren — all of them — are going to be taught by Bobbie Conroy! And after what we learned from you this evening, I'm certainly not going to fight her on that one." After obtaining Vangie's address and telephone number from Ali, Joyce kissed her softly. With Rajah pacing at her side she left the building in a mental fog. The events of the day had turned out to be as overwhelming as those of Friday had been. ------- Chapter 36 Ten days had passed and King had truly settled in with Marty and Kelly. They had just returned from the office to their apartment and Kelly Maguire, after quickly stripping off all of her clothes, licked her lips saying, "I'm first tonight." Then to King she said, "My fountain awaits your pleasure, my darling!" The tiger lay down before her, raised his tongue to her labia and began to work on her slit. Looking down at her loins across her flat belly she realized that she no longer had any pubic hair at all. Now, except for the hair on her head, her entire body was devoid of hair and as smooth and soft as a baby's bottom. Tonight, she vowed, she was going to maintain consciousness. So far, ever since the first afternoon, every episode resulted in Marty or her ending up flat on the floor, unconscious. In an effort to retain consciousness, Kelly decided to focus her mind on other things, so she mentally reviewed the events of the last ten incredible days. Following their introduction to King the girls learned that Ali had purchased minivans for each pair of girls, claiming the vehicles were the minimum size necessary to transport a tiger. Then Joyce Collier had asked Marty and her to come down to the ground-floor plaza for an interview. When they did, they found a KNBC camera crew waiting with Joyce. They were asked questions about their jobs — both were litigators working with Sandy Benson — and their trial records: neither had ever lost a case. (Even ten days later Kelly had no idea that their answers had helped strengthen the case Joyce had later made to the senior partners.) The interview ended with King and Rajah touching noses while Joyce wished them the same happiness with King that she enjoyed with Rajah. Then Kelly gasped as the first orgasm took her. Sasha had told all of his friends how wonderful it was to try to form the tips of their tongues into pencil points to penetrate the vaginal cavity. King had taken the advice to heart and was now able to do it any time he wished. Kelly admitted to herself that each episode of lovemaking — drinking at her fountain, King called it — was better than the last. Then she thought of the Eleven O'clock News they had seen their first night together. The news was the only show King wanted to watch so when he lay down in front of the TV set, she and Marty had laid down beside him. She remembered how everyone had laughed — including King — when the show opened with another cheery wave from Rajah. After the headline news, the studio cut to a two-shot with Jack Johnson and Joyce Collier. He took her hand in his and then said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Joyce and I would like to make a very personal announcement. Late last Friday night, after our show went off the air, I received the most joyous news of my life: Joyce Collier agreed to become my wife! We are now engaged to be married." Then looking at her he said, "Joyce?" "Thank you, darling." Then the camera came in tight on Joyce alone as she continued, "First, I want to apologize to all of you women who saw the show Friday. I want to assure you that it was all real: When the show aired I knew... knew! ... that I would be a spinster for life. "How did I know? Because there was only one man alive I ever wanted to marry: Jack Johnson. But I knew that he wouldn't touch me with a ten-foot pole. Thus: spinsterhood. So what happened, you wonder? The answer:" The camera pulled back while Joyce looked down and said, "Rajah Collier, you get up here this instant! It was all your fault, after all." Again the animal put his feet on the news desk and looked into Joyce's eyes while she looked into the camera and continued, "You see, Rajah kissed me. Then he communicated that he hoped I liked his kiss although he knew I couldn't possibly like it as much as a kiss from the love of my life, Jack Johnson. "You see, the problem is that Jack hears Rajah's communications, too. Well, the next thing I hear are words I never thought I would ever hear: Jack said he loved me more than life itself, and had loved me from the first instant he saw me, years ago!" With the camera again in tight on Joyce she continued, "So now I am the happiest woman on the face of the earth! And look what Jack gave me! Isn't it gorgeous?" The camera came in tight on her slim hand with her diamond flashing under the studio lights. Following the announcement there was a follow-up story to her original from Friday. Joyce announced the story of her attempted rape and its aftermath, followed by the trip to the police station. She even showed a letter that had been received at the studios at ten o'clock that morning from a William Smith abjectly apologizing for using unseemly language in the presence of a lady. Joyce looked into the camera with her eyes gleaming and said, "Willie, I think this is a very thoughtful apology. More importantly, Rajah thinks so, too. But, Willie," she added, "your handwriting really needs some work!" The next story was Jack's on their meeting with the Animal-Rights people. When he finished, he produced two letters. One was from Nathan Wiesman. Although the hand doing the writing had been shaking so badly it was very hard to read, it was — unquestionably — an apology for his behavior at the circus Friday evening. The second letter — a series of three, actually — was from Cohen, Crawford, and Higgins. In them they stated that the tigers at the circus were the best, brightest, healthiest, best treated animals alive in the world. They were truly magnificent specimens of their breed. Hearing the words, King purred and held his head up even straighter after first ensuring that both Marty and Kelly had heard the words and taken notice. Kelly had hugged him and assured him that he was the very best of them all. After going on to more news, the last item was the story Joyce had produced that day. She and Marty both squealed when they appeared on camera with King. The segment closed with Joyce's wish that they be as happy with King as she was with Rajah and showed a very cute shot of the two tigers rubbing noses. With the camera back live on Joyce in the studio she had said, "Folks, one point to keep in mind with respect to that last shot: male tigers hate each other! Normally they wouldn't be within fifty miles of another male. Yet these animals love each other. Honest." Then with a grin she added, "You have just met Martha Bradford, Kelly Maguire and their tiger, King. In addition, there are six more pairs of young women who also have tigers. So, if in the next weeks you see a pair of beautiful young women on the street — they are all outstanding beauties, by the way — just remember they are all friends of Rajah's. "Also remember, please don't make them angry. It's really not a healthy activity. In fact, sooner or later there will be a Surgeon General's Warning: Making a Bengal tiger angry could be hazardous to one's health." Then she looked into the camera with a puzzled look on her face and asked, "I wonder where they'll make us print it?" Kelly and Marty had both applauded wildly when the closing shot showed Joyce melting her lips against Jack's while Rajah stood beside them giving his cheery smile and wave, and then blew another kiss to the camera. Even King purred loudly at the sight. Again trying to focus her attention away from her cunt, now moving with a life of its own — Kelly couldn't count the number of times she had cum but already it had to be a number greater than ten and increasing fast — she thought about other changes in their lives. Her relationship with Martha Bradford, for example. While before they had been close friends, now they were closer than sisters. Neither had been in her bed since the day King appeared. Now, every night when they were ready for bed, the girls lay on King's massive chest, embraced, and then shared a kiss that kept increasing in its flow of pure love. While they were kissing, his huge arms would enfold them and, while still locked in each other's arms they would fall asleep. To Kelly — and, she believed, for Marty, too — it was indescribably heavenly. The least movement caused her nipples to rub against Marty's and stirred the glorious fur they were both lying on. The warmth of Marty's beautiful body was reinforced by the warmth of King's. Then there was daily living. Ali had not missed a bet. Early the next morning, when she opened the door to pick up the paper, Kelly found it, along with a huge covered container of raw meat — King's food for the day. Later that day they had found out that Ali had made arrangements for daily deliveries to each of the girls' apartments. After having their coffee, she and Marty had put on shorts, put King in the van and driven to the nearest big park. There all three had run together until the women were tired. Then Kelly had gotten on King's back and lay down while Marty sat under a tree and waited for them to come back while King had his opportunity to really run. Now, although her head was reeling with dizziness, Kelly was still conscious as King licked up the last few drops of her cum. "I did it!" she exulted, "I didn't faint! And, Martha Bradford, it was so scrumptious. Could a man possibly be any better?" "Of course, Mistress," King replied. "A man — the right man — can take you to Heaven in his arms. And if I have my way you both will soon have that experience. Then you may begin on your true mission in life: being loving wives and mothers." King's eyes widened as he asked, "Mistress, my words did not upset you too much, did they?" Kelly assured him they did not. After working on Marty — she did faint again — the two girls talked about what to do that evening. Ever since King had moved in with them, their lives had revolved around him. They really had not even left the apartment except for their exercise in the park and to go to work. Finally Marty said, "Kel, let's face it: Why did we get a tiger? Answer: To be able to go to places where we have always been bothered by creeps, right? Well, how about if we try it again tonight with King?" The girls grinned at each other and then shook hands. When it came to dressing, they decided to wear the Clifford & Jamison casual uniform: worn Levi's and work shirts with the sleeves torn off. Around their necks they wore something new that Ali had purchased for everyone in the firm who had completed basic training: rebuilding her body to the firm model. It was a very heavy 18-carat gold slave collar with the C&J initials engraved deeply into the catch. In much smaller letters their names were each engraved on the backs of their respective collars. They decided to go to Clancy's, a bar with some good-looking guys and good music. After parking the van, they found they had a long walk to reach it. King paced proudly ahead of them and both women could feel the intense pride the animal was feeling to be escorting two women as beautiful as his mistresses. Entering the lounge, they caused an immediate sensation. When King asked them where they wanted to sit — they decided on the bar — he paced to where he could see the bar, then decided which were the best seats there. Going up to the two men already seated on them, it took only a very low growl to suggest to them that they had really wanted to stand anyway. Fear was obvious in their eyes as they paid their bill and then went down to the end of the bar as far from King as they could get. When a waiting couple made a move for the vacated stools, another low growl instantly convinced them that they really didn't like that location at the bar at all. It was all Kelly could do to keep from falling down laughing. Suppressing her giggles she said, "Marty, who would have ever believed it? After all, poor King can't really talk, but he does seem to be able to ... communicate ... That's it... ! to communicate his wishes." Then with her eyes wide she asked, "What do you suppose it is?" Then she snapped her fingers and exclaimed, "I know! It must be our collars, right? That's why those guys were so eager to give us their stools and why that waiting couple weren't interested in them, either." With her eyes bright but with her expression bland, Marty agreed that Kelly must be right. It was the gold collars they were wearing. Now that they were seated, the two girls ordered beers and then wondered what to do next. Meanwhile, King was sitting, looking over the crowd, totally unconcerned — and apparently totally unaware — of all the eyes focused on him. He communicated to the girls, "What's wrong with these people? Do you suppose they've never been to a zoo? They act like they've never even seen a Bengal tiger before." Kelly assured him that it was a reflection of the decline in the American educational system. They probably had never visited a zoo, and, worse yet, may never have even heard of a Bengal tiger, let alone seen one. King smiled happily and agreed that was probably the answer. He asked them if any of the guys looked interesting, but the girls both just shook their heads. At that King rose to his feet and began to pace around the club. He looked at each man but was looking for a certain thing: an aura that told him the man was pure of heart and thus might be a candidate to meet his divine mistresses. He was amused to see the people part to let him pass as the Red Sea parted for Moses. In the farthest corner of the room he sensed something and went closer. He found two men sitting at a tiny table barely large enough to hold their two glasses. Although they were seated, they seemed to be large enough and their features were regular enough that his mistresses might find them interesting. Moving through the crowd he reached their table, sat down across from them, and just looked at them politely. The two men were Don Garfield and Jim Callahan. Their conversation stopped as the huge tiger sat down just a foot away from them. Garfield swallowed hard and with his voice cracking said weakly, "Hi." Then he almost passed out when he distinctly heard, "Hi! My name is King. What are your names?" Garfield stammered out introductions and then King said, "Since your table is so tiny, may I assume you gentlemen are here alone? You do not have dates?" When assured that they did not, the tiger smiled — to Don Garfield, it really looked like a smile — and said, "Wonderful! In that case, I would like you to come with me to meet my mistresses." Then King backed up a short distance to allow them room to get out. Don and Jim looked at each other, swallowed hard, and agreed they had no choice. Neither wanted to provide an early-evening snack for a tiger. When they were on their feet after leaving money on the table for their bill, they followed the tiger to the bar. There was no need to push their way through the crowd — the normal way of getting around in Clancy's — because the people parted leaving the widest possible space as King approached. Kelly's eyes widened as she saw King return. In his wake were two utterly gorgeous young men each about six feet three. "My God!" she whispered, "What did King do this time? It looks like he manufactured a couple of dates for us." Marty didn't answer. Instead she just murmured, "Yum!" Returning to his mistresses, King sat up attentively and looked at the four young people. Garfield and Callahan were so scared they didn't notice anything except the back of the tiger leading the way. Only when he sat down and looked at them attentively did they look at anything else. When Don Garfield saw Marty, he just gasped and said softly, "My God! Who are you? You ... you're not human! You're a goddess come to earth." Marty stood up and extended her hand saying, "Hi, my name is Marty Bradford. Who are you?" Garfield just shook his head. Then with a wry grin he said, "I don't know. I used to know, though. In fact, I used to know it as well as I know my own name." Then he grinned broadly and said, "Hi, Marty. I'm Don Garfield and I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you!" When he was introduced to Kelly he said, "Oh, shit! Here's where Maguire and Callahan retire from the conversation and just talk to each other in Gaelic for the rest of the night." Then with a broad grin he asked, "Well, Callahan, are you happy now?" "How could I possibly be happy," Jim replied. "I'm having the best dream of my life and everyone knows you're only happy when the dream is over." Then to Kelly he said, "Kelly Maguire, you're the most beautiful thing the Good Lord ever put on two feet!" Kelly frowned and said, "Bradford, I don't know about these guys. I just found out that poor Jim Callahan here is disabled ... Oops! I guess it's 'differently-abled' these days, isn't it? Anyway, he's blind!" "Blind, am I?" he demanded. "Well, maybe that's because we're so far apart." With that, to his amazement and to Kelly's, he took her in his arms and kissed her. Instantly there was a flow of electricity, joy, and the purest love. As he held the kiss, Kelly's lips began to flow with passion that burst over him like a crashing wave. "My God!" he murmured softly as they parted slowly, "Who are you? Who are you really?" Kelly assured him she was just another worthless lawyer. The sudden kiss and its aftermath convinced King that he had made a good choice. At least Kelly seemed delighted and he had seen the flow of passion between the two young people. When Garfield made a move towards Marty she just held up her hands and said she was driving. They might try later. Deciding that the two men would be joining his mistresses, King looked to their right and left and selected two men sitting to their right. A very low snarl quickly convinced them that they would be much more comfortable someplace else, too. Kelly just shook her head. After she and Marty moved over one stool, the two men took stools flanking them. Kelly had finally recovered from Jim's kiss but her eyes were still shining. Looking at King she said, "Darling, for this I have to do something extra special." Then she snapped her fingers and called the bartender over. She told him to call the nearest Domino's and order a large pizza with extra pepperoni and extra cheese. "Tell the guy it's for King." Then she asked, "Do you serve lemonade here?" When told that the bar did, she told the man to make about a gallon and put it in a bowl on the bar. Although the bar did serve pizza of its own, it was a bar pizza that was closer to cardboard than it was to food. And with King staring at him, the man was not about to argue about ordering a pizza from Domino's. When he came back with a huge bowl of lemonade, Kelly and Marty moved their stools aside to give King room. Effortlessly, he extended his body upward and then rested his paws on the edge of the bar while he very neatly began to lap up his lemonade. He just took a couple of sips and then said he would leave the rest until his pizza arrived. The man from Domino's presented the pizza to King with great ceremony. He placed the box on the bar but left it with its top closed and covered. Then he asked King to get up on his hind legs to see. When the tiger did what was requested, the man lifted the paper covering the top of the box. There was a large seal on the lower left corner. Kelly read it and began to howl with laughter. The center of the seal was a very happy smiling tiger — Rajah, she thought. Around it was written the words, "Domino's: By appointment to their majesties, the Royal Bengal Tigers, purveyors of pizza." While the girls got acquainted with the guys, they continued to feed pizza to King. As usual each girl got a hurt look from the tiger every time they stole a bite. With a grin at Jim Callahan Kelly said, "I would give you a bite, too, but I'm really not sure how King would react. He might open your belly up with a claw and take it back!" When he finished his pizza, King smiled appreciatively. By now the noise of the club was getting to the young people, so Kelly and Marty enthusiastically accepted the men's invitation to have dinner. The guys knew of a good restaurant just a couple of blocks away. With King pacing alongside, the foursome walked along the sidewalk. Don Garfield was both surprised and pleased when he reached for Marty's hand and found that she took his eagerly. Her hand felt so smooth and cool and wonderful. As they walked Garfield wanted to shake his head in utter amazement. First, at six feet three, he was used to having to take mincing steps when walking with a woman. He realized Marty had beautifully long legs and a naturally long stride, too, so she easily maintained his natural pace. When they were about halfway to the restaurant, Marty suddenly stopped. Since she was holding his hand, she stopped him suddenly, too, causing Jim and Kelly to almost walk into their backs. She said, "Shit! Kelly already knows, so I might as well end the suspense and find out, too." With that she put her hands behind Don's neck, pulled his head down and began to kiss him. The kiss began with a flow of pure love and electricity but then — as had happened with Kelly and Jim — there was an increasing flow of pure passion. Don was initially shocked and his hands were at his sides. Then he put his arms around her and held her. As their passion mounted, he pulled her closer until her breasts were being mashed against his chest. All it did was to evoke wonderfully warm, happy noises from deep in her body. Then Kelly, not being one to waste an opportunity, did the same thing with Jim Callahan. Their kiss, with nothing to distract them, was far better than their first. Meanwhile, King had stopped, too. When he saw what was happening, he just sat up attentively and waited while feeling his mistresses's wonderful sensations. As he watched he felt warm and wonderful; Marty and Kelly were such wonderful girls and deserved the love now flowing to them. When Marty broke the kiss, she just nuzzled her face into Don's neck while he continued to caress her body. "That feels so wonderful," she said softly. "Please, Don, don't ever stop!" Then, having recovered from her emotional shock she pushed away, grinned and added, "Except to eat, of course!" Then she surprised him again when she said, "I hope you and Jim have a lot of money or a lot of plastic. I'm starving to death, and Kelly is, too!" Reaching the restaurant, again King caused a sensation. By now, though, the tigers were widely known in Los Angeles, even if not yet widely seen on the streets. In addition to KNBC, there had been major newspaper features on them as well. They were immediately seated, with the women and King being treated as celebrities. When the waiter came to take their dinner order, Don found that Marty had not been kidding. She and Kelly both ordered huge meals and then proceeded to eat every scrap of food that appeared. Finally he just shook his head in amazement and said, "Marty, where on earth are you putting it all?" Patting her flat belly she said, "Right here, of course. Where else would it go?" Then she told him how, in addition to running with King every morning, they had heavy daily workouts in the health club. She did not tell him of the physical results of King's drinking at their fountains twice a day, though. She concluded by saying that the result of all the exercise was very healthy appetites. While eating, the girls learned that the guys had started an investment management company with just the two of them. They were growing rapidly because their investment performance had been outstanding. When Kelly mentioned that they worked for Ali Clifford, both men whistled softly in appreciation. "From everything we hear," Don said, "she is the very best there is! And I guess she's running nearly twenty billion now between the Clifford money and money she runs for friends." He shook his head and added, "That is really the big time! My God! To get the results she does, running the amount of money she does, is utterly incredible. Good results when you're running a few million isn't really very hard. But twenty billion? Wow!" Kelly asked them where they had met since Don was from North Carolina and Jim was from South Dakota. The two men looked at each other and shrugged. Clearly, they were going to reveal something that they feared would endanger their budding relationship with the two young women. Don nodded and Jim blurted, "We met in Kuwait during Desert Storm." He sat up straight but his face was impassive as he added, "We're both majors in the Reserves. We commanded M1A2 heavy tank battalions and our two units were deployed side-by-side on the line." Kelly and Marty were impassive as they learned the guys had fought in the war. Then they reacted in an utterly new way. The boys had been used to trying to hide their military careers because previously it had always resulted in the women recoiling in horror. This time the two women jumped from their chairs, sat across the laps of their respective men and melted their lips together. The kisses were the very best yet. When Kelly pulled away she whispered, "Thank you, darling. You were utterly wonderful! We were so very proud." Then she looked at him with concern in her eyes and asked, "Were you wounded or anything? Did you get hurt?" When he assured her that he didn't get a scratch, she kissed him again lightly and returned to her seat. "I don't understand you two," Jim said, now utterly bewildered. "You're like no women Don or I have ever met." "It gets worse," Kelly replied wryly. "You see, Martha Bradford and I are untouched virgins. Can you believe it? Two women, twenty-five years old, who have never been in bed with a guy?" Then she swallowed hard and continued, "It's obvious that you two were reluctant to tell us about Desert Storm. I suppose you've heard all the garbage about militarists, and the rest of that shit. Well, I suppose I might as well tell you our ground rules, too. That way we can just split the check and go our separate ways." Sitting up straight in her chair she said, "Jim, anything goes except penetration. You're welcome to roam your hands anywhere on or in my body you would like. And in spite of being virgins, Marty and I are certain that we are both intensely passionate. Our love juices can flow like rivers at flood stage. But we don't give test drives. I'm afraid if you want to find out what I'm really like in bed, you'll have to marry me first." Then with a little grin she added, "Oh! And be prepared for a very sloppy wife screwing up the honeymoon by soaking the bed with her blood on the first night. Yuck!" "I am, too," Jim said so softly she scarcely heard him. "Am too, what?" Kelly asked, not believing she was hearing what she thought she was hearing. "A virgin," Jim said. He sat up straight and looked at her with his embarrassment causing him to blush as red as a beet. "Me, too," Don Garfield said. "I guess you think we are the weirdest turkeys you've ever hooked up with." To Jim he said, "Partner, let's bail out of here before we end up looking like total idiots." When they moved their chairs back from the table preparatory to leaving, both girls jumped. Plopping onto Jim Callahan's lap, Kelly wrapped her left arm around his neck while with her right hand she hurriedly unbuttoned her shirt down to the waistband of her Levi's. The girls' sudden movements had attracted the attention of nearby diners until King's eyes grew hard and he let out a quiet but threatening low-pitched snarl. Instantly the people who had been looking at the girls found other things to occupy their attention. "Jim," Kelly whispered in his ear, "I can't wait any longer. Please run your hands over my body. Please? Feel my tits. Are they big enough? Firm enough? Too firm? I so hope you like small nipples. Mine are really tiny but I think they're sort of cute. Do you like them? Please look and feel, then tell me!" Then she pulled her shirt wide to expose as much of her chest as she could one-handed. Callahan's big hand reached out and enveloped her left breast, then he used a finger gently to stimulate her nipple. In an instant, it became as hard as a little pebble and began to protrude from her tit. "Oh, darling," she breathed, "your hand feels so good!" Then she giggled softly and added, "There's something else I forgot to mention: I don't even own a bra ... No! That's not true. I guess I still have a few left over from before I joined the firm ... But they wouldn't fit, now, anyway. My shoulders are broader and my tits are much bigger." She grinned and said, "You know, I may try one on someday when you come over. I think the thing would just disintegrate." Then an expression of concern returned to her face and she asked, "What do you think?" "My darling," he replied softly, "I think you're just perfect! That's what I think. I forgot your questions, but it doesn't matter. Even if I had written them all down, I'm so dazzled by your incredible beauty I couldn't read them anyway. Do I like firm tits? Hell, yes! Small nipples? Yours are so cute I couldn't imagine anything being nicer. But your skin! It's like golden satin." Then he looked into her eyes and said, "You're golden all over, aren't you? There are no marks anywhere, are there?" "And except for the hair on my head, I am totally bare, darling," she added. Then she told him about King and what he did for Marty and her. Finally she said, "And, of course, that's how I know that I really am passionate and can — and do — cum in a flood, while going off like a rapid-fire cannon." Finally the girls got off the men's laps and returned to their own seats. But their only concession to modesty was to tuck in their shirt tails while refusing to button a single shirt button, thus leaving their bodies bare in a wide swath running from their necks down below their navels to their hips. When asked by Jim, Kelly just replied that her nipples were covered so what difference did it make? She daintily stuck out the tip of her tongue. Then she motioned to a waiter and ordered a bottle of Dom Pérignon along with four glasses and a soup plate. He came back and poured the glasses. Then she poured some into the soup plate sitting between Marty and herself. Raising her glass she said, "Guys, to us! And to two wonderful guys ... And the wonderful guy named King who found you for us!" With that the two girls drank while the men just smiled shyly. Then Jim raised his glass and said, "To the girls of our dreams ... But speaking for myself, I never in my life ever had a dream this good!" Looking to King he said, "Will you join us in this one, big fellah?" Forgetting how King had introduced himself, the men recoiled when they heard King clearly communicate, "Gladly!" Then he added, "I cannot tell you how happy I am tonight nor how happy you two are going to be. These two women are as close to utter perfection as God has ever created. They are brilliant, athletic, funny ... But I could go on and on. There is so much more. Let me only say that the height of their ambition is to find men to whom they can give their undying love and for whom they will, through the grace of Almighty God, bear many children. "These children, you see, will become the focus of the incredible love they share with their husbands and will honor their parents and the love they receive from them by developing in wisdom and grace to bring credit on the parents they love so much. Gentlemen, to Martha Bradford and Kelly Maguire, two of God's most perfect creations." Then he carefully licked up some of the champagne from his soup plate. After drinking the toast Callahan asked softly, "Was that true, Kelly? What King said about your rôle as a wife and mother?" She just nodded her head while looking down at the table. "You mean that two girls with absolutely everything ... With faces and bodies any man would kill for, with law degrees and brilliant careers, want to be wives and ... and mothers?" When she raised her head and sat up straight he could see her eyes glistening with tears but she ignored them and said, "Darling, King was absolutely right, of course. My highest ambition is to give birth and nurse babies at my breast. To love them and nurture them. To teach them about God. To give them all of my love." She was silent for a moment and then said, "It's all true, Jim. I'm sorry if it offends you. Maybe you were right. I guess we should be going." Callahan just slowly shook his head and then looked down at the table himself. Then speaking slowly and softly, even cultivating a Western drawl, he said, "Kelly, Don and I have talked about it. It's why I had been thinking of going back to South Dakota. There are still a couple of girls left back there who want to be wives and mothers. They ain't terribly bright, o' course, and their looks ain't great, but..." He just shook his head in utter disbelief and said, "But here in Los Angeles? Gorgeous, brilliant, professional women? Utterly impossible!" Then he looked straight into her eyes and said, "But it happened, didn't it? That's really the way you are, isn't it?" With a sigh of relief she grinned and said, "It's the way we all are, darling." Then she quickly told him about the Leper Colony and more about Clifford & Jamison. The foursome sat around the table talking and finishing their champagne. It was only when some lights were turned off that they realized they were the only customers left in the restaurant and the manager was waiting to close. Sheepishly, the men paid the bill and left a big tip. It had only been after Kelly's threat to ask King to explain the advantages to him that he grinned and accepted her money to pay for the champagne. Upon leaving the restaurant they realized they had quite a walk ahead of them. It was several blocks back to Clancy's and their van was parked several blocks beyond that. The two couples walked hand-in-hand, totally absorbed in one another. There were so many things that each wanted to ask the other about subjects ranging from politics to sports teams. They were utterly enthralled to find that their mate — and each already looked on the other in those terms — felt the same way they did. Realizing that they wanted privacy, King was hanging back to keep out of their way. Suddenly five men leaped out from a dark alley and surrounded the four. Two of the men had guns while the others were brandishing long knives in their hands. The apparent leader — one of the two with guns — said, "I guess I'll just shoot this dude here to show the others we're serious. It will sort of get their attention. "And girls, while I do that, why don't you both just strip? Then you can lie down on the sidewalk, spread your legs wide and wait for the fun to follow!" With that he aimed his gun at Don and started to squeeze the trigger. The weapon was a double-action revolver. As the hammer came back towards its firing position, King leaped. In an instant he was 600 pounds of unleashed fury as one of his paws with its claws fully extended came down in a flash across the man's wrist. A moment later there was a shot when the gun, with his detached hand still around it, hit the sidewalk and fired. The second assailant fired at the golden fury and his bullet grazed King's skull just before he was savaged by the tiger's claws and then ripped by his great teeth. The other three — gang members all — let their gang bravado get the best of their common sense. Instead of fleeing, the three attacked King with their knives. In seconds, all three erstwhile rapists had been ripped to shreds. Jim Callahan's heart turned over as he held Kelly tightly in his arms. Although she was pale as a sheet, she did not avert her eyes. Instead she looked impassively over the human debris King had strewn around the area. He could feel her swallow hard and he realized in an instant why. Not a single body was intact. In one way or another King had ripped huge chunks out of each of the men. Obviously, they were now all dead. The great animal had been cut twice and the bullet crease in his skull was making him dizzy. "Are you all right, my darling mistresses?" he asked woozily. When they assured him they were not even scratched, the great animal fell to the sidewalk unconscious. As the girls dropped down beside him with Don and Jim, they could hear the sound of approaching sirens. While they couldn't see everything — King was lying on his side and they couldn't move his huge bulk — they did see the bullet crease on the top of his skull between his ears and a couple of knife cuts that, although bleeding, did not appear too serious. Three police cars pulled into the curb with their blue lights coloring the neighborhood. As had happened with Joyce in the KNBC parking lot, the first officer to reach the scene took one look at the carnage and became violently ill. His partner, still in the car, radioed for a big ambulance and the morgue wagon. He explained the need for a large vehicle because one of the tigers was down, but only after spreading pieces of the attackers all over the sidewalk. Barely able to control his voice he told the police dispatcher, "I think there are five bodies, Sarge. I get the number by counting heads. Beyond that there are just pieces all over the place..." Then he cut off his transmission, opened the cruiser's door and vomited onto the street too. Minutes later, an unmarked cruiser pulled up along with a KNBC mobile unit that had picked up the call on the police radio. It turned out to be a camera team with Ann Henry, returning from a late assignment. By this time Don and Jim had put their coats over the girls' shoulders and were holding them tightly to control their shivering. With the camera rolling to record the incredible carnage, Ann came up to the foursome and introduced herself. She, too, was pale as a sheet having seen the mess, but she said, "Well, here's another good reason for watching the KNBC news. These guys didn't pay attention." Looking down at King, she could see his chest moving in and out. His respiration seemed strong. Kneeling quickly, she felt for his great heart and, when she found it, could feel it pumping powerfully. Standing again she said, "I assume that this is one of Rajah's buddies. Which one is he?" As Kelly answered her questions, they were joined by a plainclothes officer who introduced himself as Lieutenant Patrick Collins. He had looked over the pieces on the sidewalk and asked, "Did these clowns threaten rape?" When Marty told him about the late leader's instructions: strip, lie down and spread their legs; Collins just shook his head. "I guess these were what the schools refer to as slow learners. I thought Rajah had done a pretty good job of communicating the idea that the big cats get upset at the idea of rape — particularly when their mistresses are the targets." Then he explained that he had covered the earlier case at the KNBC studios. When the ambulance arrived, two EMTs quickly checked the victims and then looked over King after being assured by the girls that they would be perfectly safe. With the help of three police officers, they were able to get King onto an oversized Gurney and get him into the ambulance. The lieutenant drove the four young people to where their cars were parked and then led the way to the hospital where King was being taken. The girls arrived just in time as King was beginning to recover consciousness. He was about to growl, wondering what had happened to his mistresses, when they appeared and reassured him. With the girls beside him, he told them that there was just the skull crease and the two knife cuts. The cuts were sutured and bandaged by the doctor while he merely put an antibiotic on the bullet crease to guard against possible infection. Then he asked with a grin if King had Blue Cross. The girls simultaneously reached for their checkbooks and asked how much they owed and who was to be paid. "I'm just kidding, girls," the doctor said holding his hands up in protest. "This one is strictly on us and it is a real pleasure." Then he added, "There are too damned many rape victims brought in here. I think your large friend here might persuade at least some would-be rapists to look for some other form of recreation." By the time they finished at the hospital and then finished with the police, it was after three. Don and Jim insisted on following the girls to their apartment to help with King. When they entered, Jim let out a low whistle. It was the most tastefully elegant apartment he had ever seen and he said so. Then Kelly Maguire realized what time it was and offered to make breakfast for them. Even though they had eaten a big dinner, that had been over six hours earlier. She began to make a huge breakfast of steak, eggs and waffles while the others moved to put King to bed. That provoked a flat refusal from the huge cat. "I saved you from one rape tonight, Mistresses, but my task now is much more difficult. Now you have men that you invited into your apartment. Messrs. Callahan and Garfield, you're the very first men to be here, ever." To the girls, King continued, "But it's much worse, you see. These are two men you already adore. My task now is to save you from yourselves!" The four howled with laughter. When the breakfast was served, again the men looked at the girls in amazement. The food was superb and they said so. The girls just cutely stuck out their tongues and said the food should be good: They had been taking lessons from the world's finest chef for almost a year and a half! After cleaning up the kitchen, the girls stripped off their shirts so their men could really see them. Standing up straight with their young breasts so proudly upthrust, they were utterly magnificent. Then Kelly snapped her fingers and ran from the room. A few moments later she came back with a wrinkled bra in her hand. She had found it at the bottom of one of her drawers. Jim couldn't control his laughter as Kelly made a series of very funny faces as she strained to get the bra on. First, her breasts completely overflowed the cups; apparently she had gone from an A cup to a C. Finally, stretching the bra's elastic to its limit, she managed to attach the hooks. Then, when she said, "At last!" and took a deep breath, it exploded. In addition to the elastic snapping, one of the shoulder straps ripped off, so the remains were just hanging on her left shoulder. She took off the remains and gave it to Jim saying, "You can keep this with the souvenirs of your other conquests." Then she looked at him with her eyes wide and said, "But gee, Jim, did you have to rip it off my back? Couldn't you have just un-clipped it? Or were you really that ... eager?" The other three dissolved in laughter. Kelly added to it when they noticed the puzzled look on her face as if to ask what was so funny? After a period of necking on the sofa, the men reluctantly left after exchanging addresses and phone numbers. That night, for the first time since King arrived, the girls did not sleep on him. Instead, they put him in the middle of their large bed and the two women snuggled close on each side. In moments they were all asleep. ------- Chapter 37 Marty and Kelly were at their desks working when Susan Carlson and Mike Morris came into their office followed by King. Since the seven tigers had appeared at the firm offices, they often spent a lot of their time during the days with the very young children or in the school while their mistresses were working. They were always in the school during nap time where they took the place of the no-longer-used sleeping bags. Now Ken and Andy always slept in each other's arms while being held by Prince. Susan and Mike always slept the same way on King. Charley Conrad rotated and slept with a different member of his harem each day, while the remaining girls paired up or slept with Bobbie on one of the other tigers. Kelly's desk was closest to the door and she realized that Susan was crying while Mike was trying to suppress his own tears. When asked what was the matter, Susan said, "Miss Maguire, we need to be punished. What Mike and I just did was utterly inexcusable!" "But what did you just do?" Kelly asked. Marty had stopped work and was now listening intently as well. "Mike and I deliberately tortured King. We were supposed to be sleeping. I don't know what came over us, but we decided we would pull out the hairs of his chest fur one by one, in a way to cause him the greatest possible pain. Can you imagine? Doing a thing like that to an animal as good and sweet and pure as King? An animal that saved your lives less than two weeks ago at great sacrifice to himself?" She stood up as straight as she could and said, "Mrs. Conroy punished us, and then sent us out of the room to see our parents. Then our mothers sent us down to see you. Since King is your friend and protector, you must punish us first." Then she looked at Mike and gripped his hand saying, "Ten of the hardest spanks you can manage for each of us," Susan said. "I'll go first." At that Mike Morris moved in front of Susan and said, "Please, Miss Maguire and Miss Bradford, I would like to accept all the punishment for Susan and myself. It was my idea—" "It was not, Michael Morris! That's a lie," Susan exclaimed. "The idea was all mine! If anyone receives all the punishment, it should be me." "But, Sue," Mike protested. "I just went along. I made no effort to talk you out of it..." "That's because you love me too much for our own good, Michael Morris," she said softly. "You're incapable of saying no to me about anything." Then she glared at him, pulled down her pants, pulled up her skirt and went to lie across Kelly's lap. Kelly was dumbfounded and didn't know what to do. Susan looked up at her and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Maguire, really I am. I know how hard this is going to be for you." Then her eyes brightened and she said, "But they better be hard spanks. If they're not so hard that they make me cry out, you'll just have to do them all over again. Clear?" Kelly just nodded her head and then looked at the little girl's bare bottom. Only then did she see that it was already bright red. When she mentioned it, Susan merely reminded her that Mrs. Conroy had already punished them. Swallowing hard, Kelly began to spank the girl as hard as she could. After three strokes, Susan rolled over and pointed out that she was using her wrist, rather than a full arm stroke. "Don't use your wrist, Miss Maguire. You might hurt it. Now start over again at one." Doing what Susan said provoked involuntary cries with each spank. When she reached ten and stopped, the little girl climbed off her lap, took her right hand in hers, kissed the palm softly, and then licked it. "I'm so sorry you hurt your hand on my hard little ass, Miss Maguire," the little girl said tearfully. Then she extended her arms and Kelly lifted her up to her lap. When she sat Susan down, the girl screamed and jumped up. Then she knelt on the chair straddling Kelly's legs and began to kiss her all over, concentrating particularly on her eyes and lips. She concentrated on kissing away Kelly's tears. Only when she moved her lips on Kelly's did Kelly taste something salty. Pulling away, she found that the girl's lip was bleeding. Susan just said that she had bitten it to keep from crying out while being spanked. When Kelly grinned wryly at Marty and said that it looked like she was going to get to punish Mike, Susan pulled away and said, "Oh, no, Miss Maguire! I guess I wasn't too clear. You each punish both of us!" Then she looked concerned and said, "But do you think ten apiece is really enough?" Then she looked at King and said, "Isn't there some punishment we can get King to inflict on us directly? He was the one we hurt, after all. When we asked him before, he just flat refused." At this point King entered the conversation. "Miss Susan, you and Master Michael are making me very angry! Hurt me? Utterly impossible. What overweening egos you two have! Do you honestly think that the two of you, weighing about ninety pounds total, could possibly hurt me, weighing 600? Actually, your little fingers pulling at my fur felt sort of funny. It's not something I would like all the time, certainly, but it didn't hurt. "But now I am getting very angry! Why? Because of what you're doing to my poor mistresses. Why are you mad at them? What have they ever done to hurt you? Yet you're hurting them terribly! Why?" Suddenly the little girl broke down completely. Crying her eyes out, she stumbled blindly towards the giant tiger. While sitting up on his haunches, King extended his paws, caught the little girl and pulled her close to his chest where he just held her tightly while he listened to her uncontrolled, hopeless-sounding crying. Meanwhile, Mike was standing before Marty and said, "Please, Miss Bradford, as a very special favor — and I know I certainly don't deserve one — please spank me as hard as you possibly can for as many strokes as you can bring yourself to do? Please? I know exactly what King means, and he's right, of course, but I couldn't live with myself if I stood by and watched Susan being beaten without ever suffering anything myself. I know how hard and painful it is for you to do, but please? As a very special favor?" Marty was crying herself, but she just nodded her head. The little boy pulled off his pants and positioned his bottom where she could most comfortably hit it. He lay there silently while she beat him fifteen times. By that time she was crying so uncontrollably, she could do no more. Then he took her hand and kissed it, then climbed on her lap to kiss away her tears all the while thanking her for the tremendous favor she had done for him. Then King growled, "That's enough of that, Master Michael! Now get over here where you belong and comfort your love. She needs you so!" Then King lay on his back while Mike took the still-crying Susan in his arms, then climbed up on the tiger's chest while holding Susan tightly. He was kissing away her tears when King enfolded them both in his huge arms and began to purr softly. "What do you think, roomy?" Kelly asked softly. "I think it's going to be awfully tough being a mother sometimes, is what I think," Marty replied through her tears. "That was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Imagine! Spanking an angel." While she watched the children, now almost completely covered by King's huge paws, she said, "What did you think?" "King," Kelly said, "please continue to hold and cherish those two cherubs. They have just given us another invaluable lesson in how to be a mother. I once watched one of the mothers crying her eyes out in the conference room while being held in the arms of another and being comforted. The woman was crying because she had just spanked her child while the other tried to comfort her and tell her she understood how hard and painful it was. I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen! "Well, it wasn't and it certainly isn't. The mothers all know that it is essential for their child's sense of security to know where the boundaries of acceptable behavior are exactly! Since children are always testing, that means they get spanked once in a while when they go over the line. Strange as it seems, it makes the child feel better. He or she feels more secure because he or she knows the boundary is real and it will be enforced, although they recognize how hard it is for their mothers to spank them. "It truly does hurt the mothers far more than the children, but that's a price of motherhood, I guess." Then to the tiger she said, "King, darling, when the children calm down and we fix them up a bit, let's take them back to their mothers, okay?" Then Kelly had an idea. She whispered it to Marty who dashed out of the office and then Kelly whispered it into King's ear. He smiled and communicated that it might work and was certainly worth a try in any case. When Marty returned, she had a large bowl of ice cubes. Then King told the children to take off all of their clothes and then bend over the seat of Marty's now-vacant chair. Although bewildered, the two children did exactly what he had told them to do. Marty then set the bowl of ice close beside the two children and King licked it. One reason a cat's tongue is rough is to permit the animal to lap up water using its coarse surface to hold the water drops. After licking the ice to get his tongue cold with ice water on it, he carefully licked the fiery red bottoms of the two children. Licking Susan's small bottom first, the little girl exclaimed that it felt so cool and wonderful, but then she began to cry again. Although she obeyed him and didn't move, she said, "Thank you King, for inflicting the harshest possible punishment on us. You're making us — who tried our best to torture you — lie here while you ease the pain of your tormentors. "Oh, King, I love you so much! But why don't you beat me or claw me or something! Will you? Oh, no! Instead you're being so wonderful by easing my own pain and making me feel so terrible while you're doing it!" The two children stayed bent over the seat of the chair while King continued to work until all of the ice was gone. By then the fiery red color had receded to just a bright pink. Through the entire time Mike had his arm around his love and tried to comfort her. Kelly just shook her head and said, "Marty, I guess we really did hit them hard. Did you see how red their bottoms were, in spite of both having deep golden tans?" Marty just nodded and clutched at Kelly's hand. Finally, King finished and told the children to get dressed. They were going up to see their mothers. However, first Kelly insisted on cleaning the children up and so escorted them to the Leper Colony shower-room. There, she and Marty first carefully washed their faces and then shooed them into the shower. The two young women just shook their heads in wonder as the two children so carefully soaped and washed each other's body. Mike carefully washed Sue's slit while she as tenderly cradled and washed his small penis and scrotum. When the two children came out, Kelly caught Susan and Marty caught Mike and dried them off with huge terry bath towels that were bigger than the children. Then, wrapped in the towels, they returned to their office and watched as the children dressed. The women noticed how gingerly the children put on their pants but then completed dressing without further incident. Finally Susan stood in front of Kelly and gave her a comb and brush while Mike did the same thing with Marty. When Kelly retied the big bow on Susan's pinafore and had her glorious wavy hair styled the way she knew Kathy Carlson always fixed it, she took the little girl in her arms and kissed her. Holding the little girl tightly in her arms, she realized how incredibly sweet-smelling her little body was. Then she kissed her gently and could feel a river of the purest love, innocence and joy flow from the child's lips to her own. When she released the girl, Susan said softly, "Miss Maguire, may the Good Lord bless and keep you. May He make His eternal light to shine upon you, and may He bless you and Jim and your posterity, unto the end of time! Almighty Father, I ask this in the name of your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen." Suddenly Kelly felt light headed and then felt a remarkable sensation in her loins. "What just happened?" she asked softly. Susan gave her the most beatific smile Kelly had ever seen and replied, "Darling Mistress Maguire, God, our Almighty Father has heard my prayer and answered it. He has just blessed you and all of your eggs. You will give birth to the most beautiful, the best babies in the whole world! Miss Maguire, they will be God's personal gift to you and Mr. Callahan." Then the girl's face clouded and she asked, "I hope you don't mind?" "Mind?" she exclaimed. "How, on earth, could I possibly mind? But what you're also saying is that God Almighty is blessing my union with Jim Callahan. You mean that too, don't you?" The little girl just nodded and said very softly, "Yes, Miss Maguire, He is. You will have a marriage filled with countless joys. You will achieve a level of happiness in his arms that is almost unknown in this world. Yes, Miss Maguire, God has blessed your commitment to Mr. Callahan and his commitment to you." Then the children, accompanied by Marty, Kelly, and King, went up the stairs to look for their mothers. They found both Judy and Kathy in Kathy's office. When the two mothers glared at their children, King quickly told his story. He ended by saying that the children had done enough damage for one day — although none at all to him. But they had already made life miserable for Mrs. Conroy, Marty, and Kelly, and there was absolutely no excuse for them to make their parents miserable, too. With tears in the corners of their eyes, the two children asked their mothers for forgiveness. Kathy held Susan in her arms and then said, "My darling, you smell so wonderfully sweet and look so lovely, in spite of your spanking. What happened?" "Miss Maguire happened, Mommy," the little girl said. Then she told how Kelly had fixed her up and how Marty had worked on Mike. When she told her mother about asking God's blessing for Kelly and Jim Callahan, Kathy asked about Marty and was assured that Mike had done the same thing for Marty and Mr. Garfield, and achieved the same result. "Mommy, they are going to be such exquisite brides and they are going to be so happy! Isn't it wonderful?" Listening to her daughter, Kathy was reminded of Joyce's words: They always ask for other people, never themselves. Then she took her daughter in her arms, kissed her lovingly, and told her how thoughtful she had been and how proud of her she was. Only then did Susan pull away and ask her mother if she could go down to Camp Pendleton for Thanksgiving and spend it with Mike's grandparents. Kathy smiled warmly and told her that she and Mrs. Morris had been talking about it. Instead, her parents and the whole Morris family were going to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Carlsons. After Thanksgiving dinner, Susan could drive down to Pendleton and spend the rest of the weekend there. Susan was delighted. When the children left the office to return to their schoolroom, Marty and Kelly exchanged glances. Marty nodded and Kelly said, "Kathy, since you're having a big Thanksgiving, could Marty and I please come out to serve? We have completed all the courses and I believe we're competent. We will be naked, of course." Then she swallowed hard and said, "But could ... would..." "Let's knock off the shit, shall we?" Kathy interrupted. Her head was cocked, her eyebrow was raised and there was a grimace on her face. Then she said with a warm smile, "The answer is yes. If I can, I will. Now what do you and your sister want?" Her smile became even warmer as she continued, "You and Marty now think of each other as sisters, don't you? You're so close." "Kathy, you don't know the half of it!" Kelly exclaimed. "Ever since King has been with us, I have watched Marty standing with sweat pouring off her magnificent body while her loins spasm in ecstasy. At night, we sleep in each other's arms while we're both cradled in King's huge ones. Whenever Marty moves, I feel her glorious tits move against mine and smell the marvelous fragrance of her natural body perfume. Kathy, I'm in heaven — constantly!" Then she blurted, "Could Don and Jim be your guests on Thanksgiving, too? Please?" Before Kathy could open her mouth Marty had taken Kelly into her arms and was melting her lips on hers. There was an instantaneous two-way flow of the purest love. Then Marty whispered, "I adore you, too, sister. How do you think you make me feel? Darling, your body is so incredibly pure and sweet. And every morning I awaken in your arms while enveloped in your fragrance." She smiled warmly and said, "Jim Callahan is an incredibly lucky guy! Imagine! Having you in his arms all the time. How lucky can a guy get!" Kathy just feigned sadness and shook her head. When the two girls separated from their embrace she just said dryly, "As I said earlier, if I could, I would. Since we can easily handle two more, of course you can invite them." Then she grinned and added, "You two will be doing all the work, after all." ------- Chapter 38 When Susan Carlson came downstairs early Thanksgiving morning, she was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She was still feeling wonderful because that morning, for the first time ever, her parents had allowed her to help with their lovemaking. Susan had placed her father's huge cock at the mouth of her mother's vagina while her mother was on her knees waiting to receive it. Now they were sleeping again with her younger siblings in the bed beside them. Since she was hungry, she had come down to fix her own breakfast. Entering the kitchen, she was both surprised and pleased to find Marty Bradford and Kelly Maguire already hard at work. Both were naked and looked magnificent. Going up to Kelly she said, "Good morning, Miss Maguire! How are you this morning?" Kelly spun around, startled, and then dropped to her knees to give the girl a kiss. When they broke the kiss, Susan slipped out of her bathrobe, turned around and said, "Miss Maguire, you gave me the best spanking I have ever had! Do you realize it was almost ten days ago, and my bottom is still black-and-blue? Just look." Poor Kelly was almost sickened by the sight of the still-so-painful looking bruises now showing all the colors of the rainbow. Then Susan added, "Better still, I can't sit comfortably even now! You were just wonderful!" Then she grinned and said, "Boy! Your children are all going to be very good ... Or else their bottoms are going to be very sore!" When Susan ran over to the corner to give King a big kiss, Kelly interrupted her dinner preparations and fixed a breakfast for the little girl. Then, when she came over to the range to fix herself breakfast, Kelly just pointed to the table where she had just placed it. Susan protested, but Kelly said, "It is part of a slave's duties, Mistress Susan. And today you will address me as Slave Kelly, while my sister is Slave Marty. Okay?" After devouring her meal, Susan ran up to her room and returned moments later wearing shorts and a top so she could take King out for a run. Kelly grinned and said it was a good idea. It would get the big lug out from underfoot while she and Marty prepared the huge dinner. At two o'clock, the first guests to arrive were General Jeffries and his wife, Susan. They were Judy's parents and had driven up from Camp Pendleton. Stanton Jeffries eyes widened when the door was opened by a beautiful naked woman who was almost Judy's twin. "Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome, General and Mrs. Jeffries. I am Slave Marty and will be serving you today. Won't you please come in?" Marty was wearing only her gold collar and a large white bow on the back of her head holding her ponytail together. Shortly afterward, Mike and Judy Morris arrived along with Mike, Danny and little Gail. Again, Marty opened the door. Little Mike hung back in the hallway to thank Marty for the best spanking he had ever had. "If I weren't all dressed up, Miss Bradford, I would take down my pants and show you..." "Master Michael, you had better not!" she exclaimed with an eyebrow raised. "Besides, I already saw the bruises on poor Susan." Then she added in a whisper, "And today I am Slave Marty! Hear?" "Yes, Slave Marty," he replied. "But you spank much harder than Slave Kelly does. My bottom looks much worse than Susan's!" When Jim Callahan and Don Garfield appeared, both girls were at the door to greet them. Seeing the naked girls in their fully revealed beauty, the men were stunned. "Kelly..." Jim began, "Kelly, I don't know what to say! You're utterly incredible!" "One thing you can say is to call me Slave Kelly. That is my name today and is all that I may answer to. But why is your mouth open, Mr. Callahan? Haven't you ever seen a naked slave girl before? Surely in Saudi Arabia..." Then she winked and grinned. The girls took drink orders. When they served the drinks, they were sitting on a large tray sitting on King's back. The huge animal glided so smoothly that there was not even a ripple showing on the surface of the liquids. Then Kathy Carlson announced that they would be doing something different for Thanksgiving. Believing that turkey was a bit overdone as the Thanksgiving main course, a menu had been prepared to give the guests a choice of entrées. She stressed that it was quite easy to accommodate multiple choices; a guest need not order only one item. Then she gave Judy and her mother a tour of their new house — the Carlsons had been in it less than three months. Although Ken Carlson had started work at a law firm following his graduation from law school, he found he much preferred the construction work he had been doing. Now he was a senior vice president of PHA Construction and had supervised the design and construction of their new house. Kathy's tour began in the kitchen with its restaurant-scaled equipment. Judy's eyes widened as she realized that it could easily handle multiple food orders for all of the guests and for many more people besides. While the women were out of the room, Michael Morris went over to Ken Carlson and stood up straight in front of him. When Ken looked at him, it was apparent that something very important was on the boy's mind so he was very serious as he said, "Hi, Mike. Is there something you wish to say to me?" "Yes, sir, there is," the little boy began. "I ... I am desperately in love with your daughter, Susan, sir. My intentions are completely honorable. I wish to make her my wife. But sir, first I need your permission to continue to see her now that you know that we are no longer just friends." The little boy swallowed hard and continued, "I am not presently employed, sir, and I know that counts against me. But I am getting a very good education and am working very hard. I am confident that I will be able to support Susan in the style to which she has become accustomed." Then, with his eyes wide, he asked, "Mr. Carlson, may I have your permission to continue to see her?" When Mike began his little speech, Ken instantly knew what he was going to say. Looking beyond him, Ken could see Susan standing behind him, wearing her very best dress and looking very scared and anxious. Mike was still looking up at him wide-eyed, waiting for an answer. Then Ken said, "Michael Morris, are you sure you love Susan?" The boy replied instantly, "Sir, I love her more than life itself. I would cheerfully give my life for her." Ken looked at him thoughtfully and said, "Mike, I believe you. I really do." Then he said, "Michael, your father is the most decorated man in the entire proud history of the United States Marine Corps. Your mother is my wife's dearest friend. You're the grandson of the most respected senior officer in the Marine Corps. Michael Morris, Jr., what more could I possibly say? Of course you may continue to see Susan, and Kathy and I can't wait to welcome you into our family as our new son!" Then extending his hand he asked, "Can we shake hands on that?" The little boy took the hand and, in spite of the vast difference in sizes, managed to squeeze Ken's hand firmly. Then he said, "Mr. Carlson, you have just made me the happiest man in the world. And sir, you commented on my family. You spoke of my father being the most decorated man in the history of the Marine Corps. But, Mr. Carlson, you're the most decorated hero in the history of the United States in any service. I can't tell you how proud I would be if you and Mrs. Carlson were to think of me as your son!" At that, Ken lost control. Sweeping the little boy up in his arms he hugged him tightly and whispered, "Mike, Kathy and I love you and always have. You didn't mention that I am already your godfather and she is your godmother. You didn't mention that we have known you literally from the day you were born. You didn't mention that your family is one of the very finest on the face of this earth! Now, since you're still a few years away from getting married, could you still give me a kiss?" Mike melted his lips against Ken's and then scrambled down from his lap. Susan was still standing alone but looking so much happier now than she had been. Mike took her into his arms and just melted his lips to hers. Jim Callahan and Don Garfield had not known what to make of the scene they had just witnessed, but when they saw the two children kiss, Jim whispered, "Don, this is no joke! Those kids are madly, desperately, passionately in love. Just look at them! They are small but their behavior is so adult. My God!" When they broke their kiss, Mike took Susan by the hand over to his grandfather and said, "Granddad, may I present the love of my life, Susan Carlson? I have just received her father's permission to continue to call on her, and it is my intention to make her my wife. I hope, sir, that we have your approval, as well." Stanton Jeffries took Susan's hands in his and just looked into her eyes. There he saw what he expected to see: the purest love, joy, innocence and grace. In addition she was one of the most beautiful girls alive and today was so beautifully dressed. He slowly shook his head and saw fear and then tears appear in the little girl's eyes. Quickly he said, "Susan Carlson, my grandson has really said it all! Just imagine! As a granddaughter I will have the daughter of the greatest hero who has ever lived. Pleased? I am overjoyed! Do I approve? How could I not? There is no person alive I would rather see with my grandson than you." Then he asked, "Could my brand-new almost-granddaughter give her granddad a kiss? Just a little one?" With a squeal of delight, Susan hurled herself into his arms. While being held tightly in his arms, she placed her lips on his and proceeded to work them with all of the skill at her command to pour out the love she felt for him. By the time she stopped, Jeffries was feeling lightheaded and realized he had almost passed out. Then Susan said softly, "General ... Granddad, I can't tell you how happy you have just made me. I know it will be years before Mike and I can get married, but would you mind if I think of you as my grandfather, now, anyway? You see, sir, both of my parents are orphans. I have never had any grandparents. It ... It would be so wonderful if you would allow —" "Allow?" he exclaimed. Then, as his wife returned from her tour, he said, "Sue, guess what? We now have a brand-new granddaughter. I know how much you drool over the cute dresses they sell for little girls, and how you long for Gail to grow up so you can start buying some. Well, now you can, for your newest granddaughter and Mike's future wife, Susan Carlson! What do you think?" "Stanton Jeffries!" Susan exclaimed. "That was the all-time, all-galaxy dumbest question you have ever asked! What in hell do you think I think? I think Michael Morris, Jr., has just done the near-impossible. He will be marrying the finest girl alive in the whole world!" Then she reached out her arms and said, "Do you have a little kiss left for your grandmother, darling? Or are you all kissed out?" Again Susan squealed and launched herself at the older woman. For the rest of the cocktail hour Susan just remained in Sue Jeffries' arms and snuggled, hugged and kissed her. By the time dinner was announced, Sue was in a daze caused by the cumulative power of all of the little girl's kisses that she had absorbed. Jim and Don couldn't believe the way their two girls were moving around so naturally. Moreover, in spite of serving on their knees and hence constantly popping up and down, they appeared tireless. When Kelly served Jim a fresh drink, she told him that, as slaves, they were completely available to the guests for any purpose whatsoever, except for vaginal or anal penetration. Anything else, though, was not only accepted, it was expected. Jim's eyes widened but he reached out a hand, grabbed one of her firm tits, squeezed hard and whispered, "Can I do that?" When she felt his hand on her tit her eyes partially closed and there was a wonderful warm sound from deep in her body. "Of course, Master," she replied. "Did you notice how my nipples instantly hardened when you did?" "How about this?" he asked, squeezing one of her very tight buns hard. Again there was the warm sound. She told him it felt so wonderful and expressed the hope that he liked firm buns. "What about this?" he continued as he ran his finger up her slit. When he did he was surprised to find how wet it was. Then he slid it up her vagina and found it drenched with her cum. Removing it, he licked it off and said, "Yum!" Again she said he was more than welcome, but then surprised him when she took a champagne glass from the tray on King's back and gave it to him saying that love juices were particularly elegant when washed down with champagne. In the meantime, Don had been doing similar things to Marty and had been receiving identical reactions. The two couples continued until Kathy asked in an acerbic tone, "Are you slaves here to serve the guests or to satisfy your own sexual appetites?" Then she commented to the other guests, "You know, it's impossible to get decent slaves these days. With that damned British blockade of the Slave Coast..." While everyone laughed at her crack, Marty and Kelly laughed loudest. When the two families with Jim and Don sat down at the table, Ken quietly asked if they could all join hands. Marty and Kelly knelt on each side of Kathy. With all heads bowed, Ken prayed, "Almighty Father, we gather here today as families and close friends to give thanks to You for all of Your works. We give thanks for our families, for our friends, and for our freedom to worship You and serve You in every way we can. We are gathered here today to give particular thanks for all that we have received in the past year from Thy bounty. We thank you, dear God, in the name of your Divine Son and Our Savior, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen." There were quiet Amens from everyone sitting or kneeling around the table. When dinner was served, it began with a magnificent assorted seafood cocktail, followed by a marvelous petite marmite. Individual entrées were then served, with Don Garfield having tournedos Rossini, while Jim had braised sweetbreads and calves liver, Basel style. Marty and Kelly were watching anxiously from the corner as they tried their dishes, and weren't sure when both men closed their eyes. Then Jim said, "Mrs. Carlson, I have never had better. They don't make liver this good in Basel itself! And the sweetbreads! Utterly magnificent." Then he continued, "Kelly has been telling me that you're the finest chef in the world. Well, I certainly believe it. But frankly, I didn't realize it was possible to be so much better than whoever is in second place!" Don immediately began to make similar comments about his tournedos when he slowed to a stop realizing that Kathy, sitting at the end of the table, was just sadly shaking her head. "Thank you for the kind words," she said, "but don't direct them at me. Don, Slave Marty personally prepared your tournedos and, Jim, Slave Kelly prepared your sweetbreads and liver. You'll have to complain to them, not to me. I had absolutely nothing to do with any of it. They even bought the food!" Both men were stunned into silence. Jim was the first to recover his voice and said, "Good grief! Kelly made steak and eggs with waffles the first night and it was great. But this?" Turning to her he asked, "Darling, is this your usual? Honest?" After first getting Kathy's permission to reply she said, "Usually it's better than this. I'm sorry, darling, but today I was so nervous, neither dish really came out the way I wanted it to. But I promise to do better in the future." The men couldn't believe their good fortune. With all of their brains and beauty, the women they loved were also spectacular cooks. After serving the salad course, the two young women cleared the table before dessert. Looking at Judy, Kathy winked and said, "Judy, after working our fingers to the bone and slaving in the hot kitchen for days the way we did, I suppose we might as well finish the job and serve the desserts, too." Then she grinned and added, "The girls have everything ready — the pies are baked, the ice cream is ready, the cheese trays, the fruit..." But then her eyes widened as she added, "But we'll have to carry them all the way out to the table by ourselves!" Rising from her chair Judy pretended to stifle a groan and said, "I suppose so, dear Kathy. But after all, a woman's work is never done..." Once in the kitchen Kathy told Marty and Kelly to get dressed instantly. Their slavery was terminated, forthwith! "And then get your tails into that dining room and into chairs next to your lovers, where you belong!" It took only an instant for the two girls to slip on near-duplicate white sleeveless silk dresses that featured their perfect figures. After bringing out the array of desserts and setting them on a sideboard, Judy placed champagne flutes at the table and even included glasses for all but the youngest children. When Mike asked his mother about it, she put her forefinger in front of her mouth and said, "Just pretend it's ginger ale. Dad and I will never tell." Marty and Kelly were looking around wondering what was coming next. Their abrupt dismissal coupled with the order to dress and join the other guests had come as a complete surprise. When Kathy and Judy were again seated, Jim looked at Kelly and said, "Kel, I have something important to ask you. Am I correct in assuming you're no longer Slave Kelly?" The girl just nodded and waited. "My darling, will you marry me?" he asked softly but loud enough for him to be easily heard by everyone. Hearing his words King, who had been asleep in the corner, popped up and sat up beside the table watching attentively. Jim continued, "Will you be my wife and the mother of our children? Please?" "Oh, my darling, yes!" she screamed exultantly, "Oh, thank you, dear God! Yes!" With that he took her into his arms and the two melted together in a sustained kiss. While they were kissing, Don looked at Marty and said, "My darling, I so badly want you to marry me, too. But I have a serious handicap that Jim doesn't. You see, I'm a Southerner." Marty didn't say a word. Instead, in a powerful crystal-clear voice she sang, "Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten, look away, look away, look away Dixie land... !" Marty's pure and powerful singing voice came as a shock to Don. After completing Dixie, without pausing she began to sing, "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing. We chasten and hasten his will to make known..." Everyone except the youngest children immediately joined in to sing the famous hymn of thanksgiving. When it was completed, she said, "Darling Donald, of course I will marry you. And I will rejoice if God blesses us by allowing me to become pregnant so I may give birth to your children. Oh, God, Don! Yes, yes, yes!" she screamed. Then it was his turn to take Marty into his arms and melt his lips to hers. While they were still in their embrace, Kelly and Jim were easing apart. It was clear, when they did, that both were in a near-daze as a result of the power of the kisses they had exchanged. Jim fumbled into his pocket, took out a ring and slipped it on her third finger. "I hope you like it, my darling," he said softly. "But it is so pale and drab against the brilliance of your emerald eyes!" Only then did Kelly look down at her finger. When she did she gasped and exclaimed, "Jim! What have you done? This is huge! It's gorgeous! ... Good heavens! It's so big it would even choke King." Reaching for him blindly — she was blinded by her tears of joy — he took her in his arms and concentrated every bit of love he could convey into his lips. Suddenly he felt her go limp in his arms. Kelly had fainted. Don then did the same thing to Marty and achieved the same response. When the two girls began to recover consciousness, they were still in their fiancés arms, but both men were laughing so hard they almost dropped the girls on the floor. Glaring at Jim Callahan — or trying to — Kelly demanded, "James Callahan, what's so damned funny?" Jim was still laughing so hard he really couldn't speak. Finally he said, while still chuckling, "Kathy, Judy, and Mrs. Jeffries, I think you all will appreciate this! Just a couple of weeks ago this woman in my arms was almost raped and murdered. She saw five men totally destroyed by a furious Bengal tiger." Turning to King who was listening attentively, he said, "King, I meant to mention it to you at the time: That was really not your cleanest, neatest set of kills. In fact, I guess I really have to say it: King, you really made a mess!" The tiger put his paws up to cover his eyes and ears, pretending to feel ashamed. Everyone at the table howled with laughter at his posturing. Then Jim continued, "At any rate, there were pieces and parts of bodies lying all over the place. I heard the reporting patrolman tell the dispatcher that he thought there were five bodies. Then, obviously responding to the dispatcher's question, he said that he arrived at the number by counting the heads on the ground. Then he got violently ill just from looking at the scattered body parts. "What does the love of my life do, when faced with the prospect of rape, murder, and then the bloodiest, messiest carnage you could imagine? Well," he said slowly, "She really did turn the tiniest bit pale." Looking around the table Jim was nodding his head and repeated, "Honest, she did. She definitely looked a bit pale. Then tonight? Tonight I kiss her. She is in my arms and still sitting on a chair. What does she do? Of course she faints. She's a weak woman, right? So of course she faints — when there is absolutely nothing at all for her to do except eat her dessert, but there's no big rush to do that." By this time Kelly appeared to be so furious, emerald-green sparks were flying from her eyes. Just as she yelled, "James Michael Callahan—" he took her in his arms and kissed her again. Initially her arms were waving in the air as she appeared to struggle. Then the waving slowed, then stopped. Then her arms came around his neck while their love just flowed. "Don't you dare say one little word, Donald Pierce Garfield, unless you want to have the shortest engagement in history—" Then Don did to Marty what Jim was doing to Kelly and achieved the same result. When they finally eased apart, all four were breathless. Kathy was looking at them with expressionless eyes and finally said in a completely flat tone of voice, "Are you done yet? Can we get on with it, or are we still going to be sitting around this table tomorrow morning?" Ken winked and poured Dom Pérignon for everyone, even pouring some into a soup plate for King. Raising his glass he said, "I would like to propose a toast: to two wonderful couples, Kelly and Jim; Marty and Don. May you be as happy in your marriages as we are in ours!" Everyone drank after cries of "Hear! Hear!" Then Kelly raised her glass and said, "I would like to offer a toast on behalf of Marty and myself to our best friend, our lover, our protector, and the best damned date-hound in the world. To King!" Everyone drank the toast enthusiastically as well, although King dropped his head down to the floor in embarrassment. Although King had been introduced to the Jeffries, he had spent the whole day helping the girls or staying quietly in a corner. He had said nothing. Now he communicated loudly and clearly to the momentary astonishment of Stan and Sue Jeffries. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to offer a toast, too. However, my remarks are directed at the two young men sitting across from me — the bridegrooms-to-be. I speak as the creature in this room who knows Martha Bradford and Kelly Maguire better and more intimately than anyone else here — particularly including the prospective bridegrooms. Gentlemen, you're the most fortunate of men. I cannot begin to list the talents and accomplishments of these two young women. But for openers, you learned in just the last hour or so that each is an accomplished cordon bleu chef. "Mr. Garfield, you learned to your amazement that Miss Bradford has a brilliant singing voice. She does. She is also an accomplished musician on a number of musical instruments. Mr. Callahan, Miss Maguire is, too. In fact, if there is an Irish folk ballad that she does not know, it would have to be terribly obscure. She can accompany herself on a guitar, a piano, or a number of other instruments. Her voice is probably a little better than Miss Bradford's. Oh! She is also fluent in Gaelic, if you should ever be interested. They are athletes, scholars, comediennes ... I could just go on. They are also the most passionate virgins in the world. "As a word of advice, please spend every waking moment between now and your weddings working out. Otherwise..." King just sadly shook his head. "You see, coupling their passion with their virginity, these two have been saving up. They are just waiting to unload. And you, sirs, I'm afraid, are their chosen victims." King paused, looked at the men and looked sad for a moment. Then he mused, "Why is it us tigers always get a bum rap? Before we attack we at least warn our victims with a roar, a growl, or a snarl. These women haven't given you any warning at all. I haven't heard a single roar." Then to the two girls he asked brightly, "Mistresses, that is a question I never thought to ask either of you. Can you roar? Or snarl? Perhaps growl? Maybe even a sort of quiet one?" When everyone around the table roared with laughter, King looked around with an apparently puzzled look as if to ask, "What's so funny?" When the laughter died down, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast to two of the finest young women in the world, my beloved mistresses, Martha Bradford and Kelly Maguire. My darlings, I rejoice in your happiness!" Marty and Kelly blushed while everyone else enthusiastically joined in King's toast. Then Kelly said quietly, "Darling King, we cannot ever thank you enough! For everything!" Then she asked with her eyes twinkling, "But could we sort of share custody when we're married? Sort of spend alternate months? Even though we've only been together for just about a month, my darling, I'm not really sure I could live without you. You're our love, and you're everything Joyce Collier and Kristin Bradley said you might be, but so much more! Darling, we adore you!" ------- Chapter 39 It was the week following Thanksgiving, and Marty and Kelly had been doing some shopping for their upcoming wedding. They had decided to be married before Christmas and would honeymoon on Maui over Christmas and New Year's. Although virtually the entire firm would be out there, too, it was the only place they wanted to go. After the five-man attack on them, the press and the TV stations gave a big play to the young women and their protective tigers. KNBC, of course, had the exclusive because of Ann Henry's arrival on the scene. However, when her footage aired, substantial portions were electronically obscured because three news people had become violently ill just viewing the unedited tapes. It was now generally conceded that even the most dim-witted, ill-informed felons in the land knew of the dangers of attacking any woman accompanied by one of the Royal Bengal tigers. As a result the girls now took it for granted that they could go anywhere at any time, in complete safety. Now it was late — after eleven — and they were in a rather seedy part of the city. It was, in a word, a slum. As they walked along the sidewalk with King pacing ahead of them, they were engrossed in their conversations and didn't notice that there was no one else in sight on the street. Coming to an intersection, they were waiting for the light when they heard a scream of pure terror that sounded like it was coming from a woman. Marty pointed to the right and the two women sprinted towards the next block. When they reached the intersection with the parallel street, they looked down the block and were horrified. There was a black woman, absolutely naked, lying on her back in the middle of the street. Two young black men were guarding the block at the intersection to head off any cars that might turn into the street, while two others were in sight at the other end of the block doing the same thing. Surrounding the woman were about ten other black men talking loudly as if they were bragging to the whole neighborhood. They heard one say, "Gloria, you're not going to disappoint us like the last one did, are you? We have you figured for at least three rounds apiece, and we've only done one." Then shouting to the houses he said, "What's wrong, folks? Have you called the cops yet? Because they won't come! We own this city! We do what we want. Now we want to fuck the ass off this dumb broad." Then to the woman he said, "Give me your hand." The woman slowly lifted her right hand. The thug took it and then stubbed out a burning cigarette in her palm. The girl screamed in pain while the man shouted, "See how environmentally aware we are? We don't just drop cigarettes on the street. We put them out first." Then to the girl he said, "On your knees, bitch! I want to take you from behind this time." The girl moaned but rolled over on her stomach, then slowly raised her body to a kneeling position with her knees spread wide and waited. Marty looked at King who was looking up at her, while obviously shaking with rage. She said fiercely, "Get 'em, King! And make a big mess!" The huge cat was off with a bound. The two guards at the girls' end of the street were standing close enough together that King could reach them both. Leaping with his paws out and his claws extended, he raked both men from head to waist but didn't even slow down. The man who had been doing all of the loud talking had just dropped his pants and was taking his position behind the crying woman when, with a terrifying scream of sheer rage, King clawed him and took a huge bite from his neck at the jugular. In the next seconds the girls, who were still standing at the end of the block, could only see furious flashes of gold and black as the tiger slashed and bit at anything within his great reach. In just seconds, all ten of the men were down and King proceeded to dismember their bodies with his slashing claws. The two men guarding the other end of the street had enough sense to run away as fast as they could while the tiger was occupied with his victims. Finally, with blood running in rivers towards the curb, King stood up on his hind legs, pawed the air, and let out a thunderous roar of rage and victory. Now for the first time there were sounds of windows opening along the street and people began to look out. Most ducked back inside as quickly as they could when they realized that large pieces of bodies were lying all over the street. Meanwhile, Marty and Kelly ran up the street to the naked girl who was still lying with her face on the street and her hips in the air waiting for the next vaginal assault. "My God!" Marty cried as she realized that the inner surfaces of the woman's thighs were bloody and blood was continuing to run from her ravaged sex. Dropping to her knees, she ripped off the windbreaker she was wearing, then gently lifted the woman from the street. After slipping the jacket over her shoulders she took her in her arms and held her tightly. "You poor thing," she murmured. "They hurt you so terribly!" The woman lifted her eyes and saw Marty for the first time. "You're a golden angel! And you rescued... me?" "No, dear," Marty said softly. "I didn't. King did. If you want to thank someone, thank him." By this time King had padded back and was looking at the woman with deep sympathy showing in his eyes. The woman looked at the tiger and just managed to say, "Thank..." when she lost consciousness. "Can ... Do you think ... Will they be able to save her, Mistress?" King asked. "I tried my very best..." "King," Marty said softly, "you were utterly perfect! If anything happens to this woman it would only be because we didn't get here soon enough. Darling, they did nothing to her — nothing at all — from the time we arrived on the scene." By then the sounds of approaching sirens could be heard coming from all directions. In moments police cars converged on them from both ends of the block. Marty and the woman, along with Kelly and King, just stayed where they were, although they were now illuminated by the headlights of six patrol cars. Only then did Marty realize she was kneeling in a giant pool of blood as she held the girl in her arms. Then she realized she really didn't care. Nor did she care at all about the gore all over the area, nor about the body parts spread around the block. It did not affect her in the slightest. As she knelt in the street, she could hear more police cars arriving every moment, but she didn't care about that either. Then she said, "Kel, why don't you take King home as soon as you can? I'm going to stay with this girl. Okay?" Kelly started to protest, but just swallowed hard and nodded her head. When she looked up, Marty found herself looking into an array of drawn handguns. "Hey, guys! How about holstering the hardware and getting an ambulance here, fast? This girl has been raped by ten different guys. She's bleeding profusely from her vagina and is in bad shape." Then her voice became harsh and commanding. "Get off your dead asses and move! She's the victim, for Christ's sake!" Then she could feel the girl in her arms begin to regain consciousness. "It hurts..." she murmured. "Oh, dear God! It hurts so badly..." When Marty whispered in her ear that everything would be all right, the girl's eyes cleared and she asked, "But you're still here! Why are you here? Who are you, anyway? You're a golden angel come to earth!" "Honey," Marty whispered, "my name is Martha Bradford and I'm as far from being an angel as a person could get. I am a lawyer. In most people's regard, we rank right down there with skunks and sharks ... But I think I've met much nicer skunks and sharks..." In spite of her pain, the girl giggled. Then she managed to say, "You're the funniest lawyer in the world." After pausing to build her strength she added, "But lawyers aren't supposed to be funny..." Her voice faded and Marty was sure she had lapsed into unconsciousness again when she continued, but in a much weaker voice, " ... or to be so beautiful. Miss Bradford, you're an angel come to earth." Again there was a long pause but she continued, "But why as a lawyer... ?" This time Marty could feel her go limp in her arms. Just then Lieutenant Collins appeared. "You again!" he said gruffly. "What happened this time?" "Another rape, Lieutenant, but completed this time. This poor girl has been raped at least ten times. For God's sake, where is the ambulance? We're going to lose her!" "In a moment, Marty," Collins replied. Then he added, "What happened? Did you, Kelly, and King stumble across a rape in progress?" Marty just nodded quickly. "Well, I guess KNBC has another story. It seems the tigers take a dim view of raping young women — any young women!" Just then a patrolman came up and asked the lieutenant what to do about all the body parts. "Call Sanitation and have them get one of their street sweepers over here. Let's let them take care of the garbage. It's their job, after all." Before he finished speaking, an ambulance screeched to a stop with its howler still running. Two EMTs came running with a Gurney. After a quick check of the victim, one shook her head. They put her on the stretcher and ran with it towards their vehicle. Marty ran after them and jumped in the back just before the rear doors were slammed shut and the vehicle began to back up towards the intersection. Once there, the driver wasted no time. Turning on every flashing light the large vehicle had, he hit the siren and roared off towards the hospital. Marty had one hand on a hanging strap while she held the girl's hand with her other. Later, she was thrown toward the forward bulkhead when the driver slammed on his brakes and then backed fast into the receiving dock at the hospital. The doors crashed open and a trauma team from the hospital took charge racing with the Gurney to the nearest emergency operating theater. No one took any notice of her as Marty followed along behind. She just stood at the door of the surgery and waited. After a while a doctor appeared and just muttered, "Oh, shit!" When she asked what the problem was he said that the girl's blood type was AB positive and the blood bank was out of it. The girl needed blood, and needed it fast. "Type me," Marty said. "I'm AB positive." In just minutes a technician had drawn a blood sample from her and raced for the lab. Minutes later the phone rang with the lab report: Marty was a perfect blood match. ------- Two hours later Gloria Smith opened her eyes. Looking up, she saw the very complex apparatus of a transfusion machine in operation. Looking to her left, she saw the same woman who had rescued her, now with a needle in her vein. Suddenly she realized that this woman was giving her her blood. Gloria wanted to stop the process but didn't know how. Quietly she said, "Please stop this. Do you know how?" Marty had her eyes closed as she felt her blood being pumped away. Already four pints of the approximately eight pints of blood in her body had crossed over and entered the body of the woman beside her. Although there was an IV tube entering her left arm to replenish fluids while her blood was drawn away from her right, she was feeling weak. Hearing the girl, Marty opened her eyes and looked across the very short distance to the girl. "Yes, I know how. But no, I won't stop the flow," she said softly. "But ... but ... how much have you given me?" Gloria asked. "About four pints, I guess," Marty replied softly. "I'm good for at least one more." "But ... but ... I heard somewhere that the body only has about eight," the girl cried. "You have already given me half the blood in your whole body. What are you doing?" "Trying to save your life," Marty replied simply. "But I don't have an awful lot more blood left to give you. What is your name, by the way? I suppose I should at least know the name of the woman whose life I am trying to save." Gloria told her and then Marty asked, "Please do me a favor, Gloria. Feel your cunt and tell me if it's still bleeding." Marty knew that the hospital had run an MRI on the girl's abdomen and the results were very bad. The repeated rapes had horribly ripped up her insides. Gloria felt herself and then said quietly that she was still bleeding. The whole cot was already soaked with blood spreading from beneath her crotch. "I was afraid of that," Marty said softly. "You're leaking it away a lot faster than my body can make it." Then she said, "Gloria, please do me a favor. Close your eyes and confess all of your sins to God. All of them. Please? For me?" When Marty asked the girl what she did for a living she replied that she was a prostitute. Nevertheless, the girl did as Marty asked. So much time passed that Marty thought the girl had passed out again, but then her eyes opened. When they did, Marty could see they were wet with the girl's tears. "You are truly sorry for your sins, aren't you?" Gloria said that indeed she was. "Well, here goes nothing," Marty said. Marty reached out her right hand, took Gloria's left hand and held it in a tight grip. Then she said, "Oh God! Please help this poor woman. Although herself a sinner, she did nothing to warrant the pain inflicted upon her tonight. Please spare her life so that she may grow in beauty and grace and devote her life to glorifying Your name and all Your works. I ask this, dear God, in the name of our Redeemer, Your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. And remember, dear God, Your Son forgave the sins of Mary Magdalene who later became one of the great saints of our Church! Dear God! Please help this poor woman! I pray, please! Amen." As she prayed she had been squeezing Gloria's hand hard and held her eyes closed tightly. Opening her eyes she looked across at the girl and smiled. A golden glow was over her entire body. It grew in intensity and then began to shimmer. Then it began to pulsate like a strobe lamp. Finally, after a brilliant flash of intense golden light, it disappeared. At the moment of the flash, she saw Gloria's body go limp. Marty just smiled and increased the rate of flow of blood from her body to Gloria's. Marty set the machine to turn itself off after transferring five and a half pints of her blood. As the transfer neared five pints, Marty could feel herself weaken and then she passed out, too. Marty was awakened by the sound of voices around the beds. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw that the two cots were now surrounded by doctors. When the senior physician saw her eyes blinking, he glared at her. "Martha Bradford, what in hell were you trying to do? Commit suicide? Do you know you transferred over five pints of your blood to this woman? And you only have eight? What in hell are you living on?" he demanded. "Hope?" she replied weakly. "Prayers?" Then she asked, "How is she, Doctor?" All he did was to shake his head sadly. Then Marty said, "Doctor, please do another MRI on her. I'll pay for it personally. Please! It's very important." Although the doctor argued, Marty prevailed. The girl's Gurney was wheeled out of the room and Marty dropped off again into a state between sleep and unconsciousness. When she dropped off, the senior physician ordered that the rate of flow of replacement fluid into Marty's arm be tripled. The nurse just nodded and opened the necessary valves. When next Marty opened her eyes, she looked around and found Gloria was again beside her although the transfusion equipment was no longer there. Marty had only a single needle in her left arm feeding glucose, she guessed. Looking at the girl she said softly, "Hi! How are you feeling?" Instantly Gloria opened her eyes and looked at Marty. With an incredibly warm smile she said softly, "I feel like a truck ran over me!" Then she grinned and added, "Happy?" At that Marty reached up, turned off the valve controlling the fluid, and then pulled the needle out of her arm. Gloria's eyes opened wide with surprise as the woman sat up on her cot and then swung her legs towards her. After quickly pulling tubes from Gloria's arms, as well, Marty said brightly, "Okay, turkey! Off your ass and on your feet! We're going to do some running." "Are you crazy?" Gloria exclaimed. "Have you lost it completely?" "Of course not," Marty replied. "Looking at you it's easy to see that you need more exercise. Now move it!" When the girl wailed that she had no clothes, Marty conceded that it created a small problem. Getting out of bed, she went to the closet and found her clothes hanging there. "We're all set," she declared. "Here!" she said, "Wear these." With that she threw the girl her bikini and slipped on the Levi's and work shirt she had been wearing the night before. She completely ignored the fact that the pants legs of her jeans were stained and stiff with dried blood from the knees down. When the girl said it was indecent only to be wearing a bikini with a skimpy hospital gown, Marty reminded her that she had been a prostitute. "But that was for money!" Gloria wailed. "I didn't give it away." "Pretend you're on the beach," Marty said flatly. "You're wearing the bikini and the hospital gown. Now move it!" Marty was at her side to catch her if she fainted but Gloria only shook her head and got out of bed. After making their way out of the hospital, the two women began to run barefoot in the park across the street. As they ran — with Gloria protesting every inch of the way — Marty asked the girl about herself. She learned that the girl had been plying her trade when three guys had come up to her, met her price in cash, and led her away — to where seven more men were waiting. The first thing they did was to take all of her money — including the money that the three men had just paid her — and drove to the block where she lived. That was where the rape had begun and it was where Marty, Kelly, and King had found her. Then Marty learned that there was a hearing scheduled for ten o'clock that morning. Gloria was being brought up on her third prostitution arrest and was facing seven to ten years at the state prison for women. Suddenly Gloria stopped dead in her tracks. After taking a few more strides Marty stopped and looked back at the woman. "What's your problem?" she demanded. "What are you doing to me, honkie? I can't run. I don't know how!" Gloria protested. "It's easy," Marty replied casually. "Just put one foot in front of the other and keep doing it. You were doing fine. Now move your black ass! We have to get back to the hospital." Gloria just shook her head in amazement and started to run again. Once back at the hospital, Marty made two fast telephone calls, then got on her cot and went back to sleep. With the combination of her blood loss and her exercise, she was asleep almost instantly. When she awakened, Marty found the two beds were again surrounded by doctors. "What did the second MRI show?" she asked casually. The doctor just shook his head and said something was very wrong. "You mean that she is fine. Her internal organs are all exactly the way they should be. And she is again an intact virgin. Right?" "But how could you possibly know that?" the senior physician demanded. "Because I made it happen, you idiot!" Marty exclaimed. Then she flung the covers off her cot, completely ignoring the fact that she was stark naked, and said, "Gloria, move your fat black ass! We're going to be late." "I do not have a fat ass!" the girl protested, but jumped off her cot, moving doctors out of her way as she did. The women ignored the medical protests and, utterly oblivious to the spectators, dressed in the same clothing they had worn earlier. After getting into a taxi waiting at the hack stand in front of the hospital, Marty gave the driver the address of the Clifford & Jamison offices. Leaning back in her seat, she took the opportunity to study Gloria closely. Only then did she realize what a stunning beauty the girl could be. Her skin was clear, smooth and the color of chocolate ice cream. Her eyes were a brilliant warm brown while her hair was long, black and wavy. Gloria did the same thing with Martha. She was utterly stunned at the incredible beauty of this golden girl sitting beside her. Then she said softly, "This has gone far enough, Miss Bradford. You have already saved my life, for which I should be very grateful. I wish I were, but I'm not." Noting the look of shock in Marty's eyes she explained that, when she was sixteen — the eldest of five children, each by a different father — her mother had ordered her to get pregnant or get out on the street. Her mother had pointed out that Gloria's friends had started getting pregnant at thirteen, and what was taking her so long? "There are far too many fatherless black children," she said simply. "I didn't want to add to the number. Well, I got a prescription for birth-control pills, went out on the street and sold my virginity. That happened over three years ago and I've been selling my body ever since." Then she sat up even straighter on the seat and continued, "Do you know what was going through my mind last night while I was being raped?" Marty just slowly shook her head. "Oh, it hurt terribly, but I was exultant! Why? Two reasons: First, my miserable life was at an end. You see, Miss Bradford, what I always really wanted to do, beginning when my mother threw me out, was to commit suicide. But ... but ... but that was a sin I could not bring myself to commit. But those ... those savages were doing it for me. The second? Like all macho black men, those idiots were using no protection. What I knew, but they didn't — or didn't care if they did — was that my insides were rotting with every sexually-transmitted disease known to man. Now do you see?" Marty was utterly appalled but said, "My God! You would be ending your life — something you had wanted to do anyway — but at the same time punishing your attackers from beyond the grave with the diseases that you knew they would get from you. Is that it?" "Exactly!" Gloria exclaimed. "Do you know what else? Although it hurt so terribly each time one of those beasts took me, I rejoiced when I heard that they wanted to take me three times each. It would increase to a near-certainty the chance of them all being infected." "But what about school?" Marty asked. "You speak very well and your vocabulary is large. Why did you quit?" "Because of the environment I lived in, I guess," Gloria replied. "Doing any work in school, let alone getting good grades — God forbid! — was for Oreos. You were trying to be white — you weren't a real blood!" The girl was crying now but she still held her head up and said, "But I did like it! I loved school. There was so much to learn!" Then with a harsh laugh she said, "Do you know what I spend all my money on? All the money I make with my filthy cunt? Books! I buy books ... and I read them. Some — the really good ones — I read over and over." Marty then learned that the girl had, in effect, given herself a Great Books education. Then Gloria shook her head sadly and asked, "But what now?" Then she began to weep and wailed, "You've ruined my life, Martha Bradford! What am I going to do now? I ... I can't even go back on the street! I could barely bring myself to do it the first time when I was both innocent and ignorant. Now?" She slowly shook her head and added, "And then there was what you did. Through you, Martha Bradford, God Almighty has forgiven my past sins! He did, didn't He?" Marty just nodded. "Well, what now?" Then she smiled weakly and added, "Maybe they'll let me work in the library at Tehachapi. I guess that's the women's prison I'll be sent to." Marty did not tell the girl about the phone calls she had made. Instead, as the taxi pulled up to the curb at her office building, she gave the driver a bill and hauled Gloria like a rag doll behind her to the elevator and then to her own office. Since it was only a little after eight o'clock, Kelly had not yet arrived. After ordering Gloria to take a shower and wash her hair in the Leper Colony shower, Marty ran up to the conference room, grabbed some clothes from the closet, and quickly returned to her office. Stripping off her Levi's and shirt, she padded into the shower and joined Gloria. After fixing their hair, the two returned and found Kelly and King in the office. Kelly just watched while shaking her head in amusement as the two women put on identical white sleeveless silk dresses over white lace bikinis. As she dressed, Gloria realized that she had never touched, let alone worn, a dress as fabulous as the one she was now wearing. Then she caught a shoe box Marty flipped towards her and was amazed to find that the shoes fit. Then she was again hustled off, this time accompanied by King, down to the basement garage. In moments, they were on their way to the courthouse. Checking the court calendar, Marty was delighted to learn that Gloria's trial was scheduled before Judge John Callaway. She knew Callaway was now a very good friend of the firm's. In fact, Marty had heard, his granddaughter was scheduled to join the school next term. After escorting Gloria to the defendant's table, Marty introduced herself to the young assistant district attorney who was prosecuting the case. The girl, Jane Carter, looked up in dismay. It was clear to Marty that the girl did not like the idea of trying the case against a Clifford & Jamison lawyer. Well, Marty thought, Jane is about to get a very pleasant surprise. At the stroke of the hour, the bailiff called for all to rise and Callaway entered the courtroom. When the case was called, Gloria was asked to rise and Marty stood up beside her. Carter said that Gloria was being charged with common prostitution and was asked how did she plead. As the girl asked the questions she was looking around the courtroom to see if her witnesses were present. No Clifford & Jamison client ever pleaded guilty so she was going to have to try the case. Moreover, she knew that against any of those lawyers she was terribly overmatched. Worse yet, she knew of Martha Bradford, by reputation, as one of the firm's very best young trial specialists, rapidly climbing into the class with her mentor, Sandra Harris herself, who was spoken of in trial circles in hushed and reverent tones. Harris was the very best in the profession. Then, to Carter's surprise, instead of pleading her client not guilty, she heard Bradford ask the judge's permission to approach the bench with the defendant. Permission was granted and Marty said, "Your honor, my client intends to plead guilty to all charges. However, before she enters a plea, we would like permission to speak to you alone in your chambers." When Carter jumped to her feet to object to being excluded from any meeting, Marty gave her a warm smile and said, "Jane, I give you my solemn word we will say nothing to the judge regarding my client's past offenses, nor the offenses now charged. The meeting I requested involves only statements my client wishes to make to the judge, in private, regarding the future. Is that okay?" Carter, hearing the intended plea, was in a state of near shock. She was about to make history. She was about to become the first attorney ever to win a case against Clifford & Jamison. "The State has no objection to any such meeting, Your Honor," Jane said. "And Miss Bradford enjoys the finest reputation for personal honor and integrity in the entire bar, sir. I certainly accept her word." "Thank you very much, Jane," Marty said softly. "Those are very nice words to hear." Then she added, "There is one additional thing, though. Jane, will you stipulate that Miss Smith was the victim of a savage rape last night? That she was raped repeatedly and nearly killed?" Jane said, "That is true, Your Honor. The State will so stipulate." "Thanks again, Jane," Marty said, relaxing for the first time. Unfortunately, Marty did not realize the extent to which she had been running all morning on pure adrenaline. The least relaxation did her in. Before she could say another word, she crumpled to the floor in a heap. "Call an ambulance!" Gloria screamed. "She's dying! Oh, dear God! No! Please no!" Then to the judge she exclaimed, "I'm guilty as sin, Your Honor. Please just send me to prison, but get this girl to a hospital!" Then, although nearly incoherent she said, "She has no blood! She gave it all to me! Less than four hours ago this girl gave me over five pints of her own blood! She doesn't have even three pints left. She's going into shock. Please help her!" she cried. While she had been gasping out her story, she had dropped to the floor, lifted Marty's head and now had it cradled in her lap. She could feel the cold clamminess on Marty's face that came with the shock. King had jumped up from where he had been lying under the table and was now standing beside his mistress. Communicating with Gloria — she was so shaken by Marty's collapse, she didn't even notice — he asked that Marty be laid across his body so he could carry her to the judge's chambers to wait for help. In moments, assisted by Jane Carter and the bailiff, they lay her across King's back and went back to his chambers. After laying her out on the sofa, he grabbed a pillow and blanket from his closet. Callaway put the pillow under her head and wrapped the blanket around her. Then to his surprise Marty's eyes blinked open and she said disgustedly, "Well, that was a first! I apologize, Your Honor. My behavior was a disgrace." "Did you transfuse nearly six pints of your blood to this young woman, Miss Bradford?" Callaway asked sternly. With her eyes wide, Marty just nodded once. "Why?" he demanded. "To try to save her life, sir. Gloria had been so savagely raped and beaten ... She was bleeding to death and I was the only one around whose blood matched." Then she added, "Please cancel the ambulance call. I really am fine. What I guess I should have done is what I meant to do back at the office: Drink a gallon or so of orange juice. Could you get me some?" Callaway asked the bailiff to get as much as he could as fast as he could. Then, with a quirky little grin Marty said, "Sir, I guess I might as well take advantage of this opportunity to tell you what I had in mind." Then with a weak smile she asked Callaway to forgive her for speaking to him while still lying down. Seeing Jane Carter standing beside the judge she said, "I guess you might as well hear this, too, Jane, but I'm relying on your honor with regard to anything you hear." Then Marty told the judge about the events of the previous night: How she and Kelly had heard Gloria's screams and found a savage gang rape in progress. She told of some of the leader's comments suggesting that these rapes had become a modus operandi for the gang. She told how he had bragged about bringing the victim back to the neighborhood and the very block where she lived and then raping her to death while shouting to the neighbors exactly what they were doing. "They were so confident, they dared the people to do anything or even to call the police!" Then she told what happened at the hospital: How an MRI showed Gloria to be terribly torn up internally and how, while Marty was transfusing her, she was still bleeding heavily from her vagina. Then she looked at the judge and said, "Sir, that is when I asked her to confess her sins to God and, after she did, I prayed to God to spare her life. He did. Believe it or not, sir, Gloria Smith is again an intact virgin! Not only did God spare her life, he restored it." Then she told them about Gloria's story of being thrown out of the house and choosing prostitution over breeding welfare babies. There was a look of horror and pity on Jane Carter's face as Marty told them of her reaction to her awful rape: How it would free her from life and, result in diseases ultimately taking their toll on her attackers. "But sir, the Gloria Smith you see before you now is not the Gloria Smith who was a prostitute. Please don't send this woman to prison. Instead, please put her on strictly supervised probation for five years." Looking past the judge, she saw April Jackson standing at the doorway. "And, Your Honor, my choice for her probation supervisor has just arrived." When Callaway looked around he instantly recognized April Jackson as one of the mothers from the school. April shook hands with him and with Jane Carter, then ordered Gloria to stand up straight. Marty, still lying down said, "Gloria, you asked me what you could possibly do now. Well, for openers you can be April Jackson's maid. The pay is fifty dollars a week plus room and board. It's quite a comedown from what you've been making, though." After telling April what Gloria had been through, she could see tears at the corners of April's eyes. Then April asked, "Smith, yes or no: Do you think you're good enough to be my maid? Do you know anything?" "No, ma'am, I do not," Gloria said simply with her head up straight. "But I believe I am intelligent and can learn quickly. I will accept no money from you until I consider myself competent. I will also consider that I will also owe you an additional $300 a week for the room and board that I will not be earning. However, I would be proud to be your servant if you will allow me to try." "We'll talk about the money some other time," April said warmly. "In the meantime, if the judge permits, let's get you home and into bed where you belong. Judge?" "The State has no objection, your honor," Jane Carter said. "But I would prefer that no plea be entered. I know it's irregular, but could this case be continued for five years? If, at the end of that time, I see what I now fully expect to see, the State of California will drop all charges against Gloria Smith." Listening to the girl while she lay on the sofa, Marty's eyes widened. "But why, Jane? Why would you do such a thing?" "For two reasons," the girl replied with her head up proudly. "In the first place, Martha Bradford, as a trial lawyer you're so damned much better than I am, I'm not even fit to shine your shoes! In the second place, I'll be damned if I'll be a party to my colleagues in the DA's office crowing about finally beating Clifford & Jamison, when the case is this one. "You destroy the most vicious gang of rapists and murderers in the country, and then give nearly all of your precious blood to save a client's life. Is that all? For Martha Bradford? Of course not! She persuades God Himself to forgive this woman her sins and restore her body!" There were tears in her eyes and her voice broke but she said fiercely, "Separation be damned! If God Himself forgives this woman, who in hell is the State of California to continue its prosecution!?" Then to Callaway she said through her tears, "I'm sorry, Your Honor. I'll resign as soon as I get back to the office." "And why would you do that, Miss Carter?" Callaway asked with great warmth in his eyes. "Then you'll miss the chance to beat Marty fair and square. And you're the woman who can do it, too!" Marty reached out her arms to the tormented young woman. Jane dropped to her knees beside the sofa on which Marty was stretched out. Putting her hands on the girl's head, Marty pulled her face down to hers and then kissed her with all of her love flowing. When she released the girl after a tremendous flow of pure love poured through her lips and her eyes were glazed, Marty said softly, "He's right, you know. You will beat me." Callaway ordered the case continued for five years. Before she left, Gloria dropped to her knees, took Marty in her arms and melted her lips on hers. When they eased apart, tears were flowing from Gloria's eyes and she said, "Marty, I owe you my life — such as it is — and everything else besides. Isn't there anything I can do for you?" "There sure is!" Marty exclaimed. "Get me my damned orange juice!" ------- Chapter 40 Marty Bradford and Don Garfield, along with Kelly Maguire, Jim Callahan, and King had just finished an early dinner and were returning to the Clifford & Jamison offices. For the two men it would be their first visit. The date was December 16, it was a Friday evening, and it was the night of a Christmas show that Bobbie's children had planned and staged. Initially, it was going to be just for their parents. But then the younger children said they wanted to see it, too, as did the girls in the Leper Colony. Moreover, Joyce Collier had gotten wind of it and wanted a crew present to tape it. The result was that the younger children had seen the dress rehearsal run in the afternoon while the evening performance was for everyone else. For Kelly, Jim, Marty, and Don, it was the beginning of an incredible weekend. Saturday night, the firm was having its Christmas party. As in the previous year, Ali had decided to take over the restaurant for the night and have a closed party. On Sunday, the two couples were being married, and then were flying out to Maui for their honeymoon. To his great joy and astonishment, King had just learned that he would be going with them out to Maui, too. The two men whistled softly at the rich furnishings throughout the firm office as they walked through. The girls led the way to what was normally the classroom. For the evening's performance, though, the partition separating the classroom from the adjacent playroom and nursery had been removed, opening a large area in which chairs had been set up for the audience. Although Jim and Don were somewhat skeptical — the idea of seeing a show produced and handled strictly by six-year-olds didn't thrill them — since meeting Michael Morris and Susan Carlson, two of the ten, they weren't so sure. Certainly Mike and Sue behaved like no six-year-olds either had ever encountered. They were even more impressed when they were greeted at the door by Betsy Clifford, acting as an usher. She curtsied to each of the men, then extended her hand and said, "Good evening, Mr. Callahan and Mr. Garfield. Welcome to our Christmas show. We are delighted that you chose to come." Then with the brightest, warmest smile she added, "And, sirs, may I please extend my warmest wishes on the occasion of your marriage on Sunday. Miss Maguire and Miss Bradford are such wonderful women! I'm sure you will be very happy." The girl just looked up at them wistfully and Marty said, "You won't be able to attend our wedding on Sunday, will you, Betsy?" The girl just quickly shook her head, so Marty said, "Then that means I won't get one of your delicious kisses, doesn't it? May I have mine now? Please? And I know Don would love one, too. But I know something he doesn't know: I already know how wonderful your kisses are. May I?" The girl just beamed with pleasure. It was exactly what she wanted but didn't dare ask. First Marty and then Don went to their knees and kissed the small girl. In each case she worked her lips on each of them trying to communicate all of her love and the joy she was feeling at the prospect of their happiness. Don almost fell over under her onslaught. It was then repeated with Kelly and Jim. As they were being shown to seats Don whispered, "My God! Who is she?" Marty replied airily that she was just a little six-year-old girl, like all of the others — nothing special. Don just softly whistled. They found themselves seated next to John and Kelly Callaway and her six-year-old daughter, Kirsten. Callaway grinned and said there were two reasons for their being there: first, the children had asked him to come; his decision had saved their school. Second, Kirsten would be attending it in January and was so anxious to meet her new schoolmates. As they waited for the performance to begin, they noted the three TV cameras spotted around the room ready to tape the show. The show began with Charley Conrad coming out from behind a curtain with a large book. He said, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming to the Clifford & Jamison School Christmas show. We all hope that you will enjoy it." Opening the book he began to read, "The Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to Saint Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 16: 'And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed... '" When he mentioned Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem, the curtain opened with Andrea Cartwright as Mary on the back of a tiger, serving tonight in place of an ass, being led by Ken Clifford as Joseph. While Charley continued his beautiful reading, Ken helped Andy down from the tiger's back. When he did, it was obvious that her belly was distended in the last days of her pregnancy. Don whispered to Marty, "I don't believe this! Those costumes are miniature, but completely authentic! Who made them?" "The children, darling," Marty replied blandly. As Ken helped Andy to a bed on the straw of a stable, she cried out. He helped her down and then lifted her skirts, obviously preparing to help deliver the child. Then all of the other children began to sing Silent Night, but first they sang it completely in its original German. They followed with O Holy Night, but similarly sang it first in its original French. The men couldn't believe the incredible power and beauty of the children's singing. Meanwhile Charley continued, "'And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son,... '" At that instant Andy screamed in exactly the manner a woman would in the excruciating pain of childbirth. Ken reached between her legs, lifted up a tiny naked infant, and then spanked its bottom hard. The tiny baby was surrounded by a strange golden aura as he held it. When the infant screamed, Ken wrapped it in a diaper and so-tenderly gave it into Andy's upraised arms. The girl parted the top of her dress and placed the infant against her breast. "My God!" Don exclaimed. "That's a real baby!" "So was the Christ Child, darling," Marty replied, still in a bland tone of voice. "But just watch. It will get better." Charley continued, "'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:'" As Charley said these words, Mike, who, along with Susan, Betsy, and Laura, were playing the rôle of shepherds, were all bathed in a golden glow. Continuing, Charley read, "' ... and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" At those words the remaining children, including Ken and Andy who were now off the stage, began to sing, joined by the voices of Kris Bradley and Bobbie Conroy. The two women's voices soared out majestically singing, "Gloria in excelcis Deo." They sang The First Noël, and then Angels We Have Heard On High. Then as the shepherds moved toward a light — the star of Bethlehem — they majestically sang O Come All Ye Faithful but first sang it in Latin as Adeste Fidelis. When they sang, " ... O come let us adore Him," they had reached the stable. There the infant was lying in a manger wrapped in a receiving blanket while Andy and Ken knelt on opposite sides of his crib. When the shepherds knelt before the crib to adore the Christ child, the infant extended its arms to each side in blessing. Again there was a brilliant golden glow surrounding it, but this time it transferred to all of the others as well. Then Charley Conrad, who had left the stage, reappeared dressed as a shepherd boy with a drum. While he played his drum beautifully, the cast, except for Andy and Ken, sang the ballad of The Little Drummer Boy. He left the stage to great applause which was followed by sharp intakes of breath. Coming down the side aisle were three tigers, this time taking the place of camels, bearing the three wise men. The gasps were caused by the children's costumes. Karen Chan was wearing the most exquisite set of Chinese robes anyone had ever seen. Cindy Cartwright was wearing a Siamese costume, while Casey Jackson was attired as a Nubian princess. They sang We Three Kings of Orient Are and then dismounted at the stable. Each presented her gift and each was rewarded by the infant's blessing. Again the wonderful golden light appeared. At that the curtain slowly closed and the room was left in darkness. Then the curtain opened wide again with all of the children now together on the stage. Ken Clifford and Andy Cartwright were in the center and the girl was still holding the infant in her arms. They all sang, We Wish You A Merry Christmas and then The Twelve Days of Christmas. Their singing was utterly magnificent. After taking their bows, Andy carefully handed the infant to his mother and returned to stand beside Ken who was now obviously the spokesman. He asked that the houselights be raised and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all so very much for your very warm applause. We appreciate it very much." Then he looked around and said, "Today is also the last day of school for us before Christmas, so it is the day for us to exchange gifts." Turning toward the wing of the stage he said, "Mrs. Conroy — Bobbie — please come out here and join us." Reluctantly, Bobbie came out and stood with her pupils. Ken continued, "To whom would we present a gift? One person, obviously: our teacher, Bobbie Conroy. But what to give her? Well, we'll see. Betsy?" Betsy Clifford gave her a beautifully decorated paper heart and kissed her. One by one, each of the children did the same thing. With the second, Laura Benson, it became clear that while each child presented a heart, each was different from the others and, although the audience could not see them in detail, each appeared to be a small work of art. In fact, each was a one-sheet scrapbook prepared by the child with his memories of the first few months of school and his or her personal tribute to Bobbie. Finally Ken presented his and then said, "Bobbie, we have each given you a heart. They are our hearts. I suppose it isn't very clear to you, though, just what it all means. Perhaps it would become more clear to you if you read each of them carefully, but you can leave that for a later time. What we are giving you, Bobbie, are our hearts ... that is a call on each of us for anything we have, including our beating hearts to be transplanted into you. The only way we can try to communicate the depth of our love for you is to give you our lives. Darling Bobbie, we are yours — now and forever more. We adore you." Bobbie was standing in the middle of the children slowly shaking her head. "You can't be serious! You just can't be!" she exclaimed but even as she spoke she fully realized that they were. Then she knelt down, gathered all the children around her and said, "A Christmas present? From you? What on earth for!?" Smiling the warmest smile anyone present had ever seen, she said, "For me, Christmas is every day! Can you possibly imagine the joy you give me every single day of the year!? I have the most wonderful children in the whole world. I am allowed to work with you and help you. I get to see you learn and understand and grow! I know your hopes and your fears, your joys and your sorrows. And yes, I even get to spank you once in a while. Then you climb on my lap, kiss away my tears, and hold me tightly. "My darlings, that is utterly priceless! There is not a living soul who receives the love and enjoyment I do every single day!" Then she shook her head and said, "Darlings, I will accept only one thing from each of you: I will accept with all my love and deepest gratitude the love for me you expressed by the time you each spent and your beautiful work making me these hearts. I will cherish them always as a remembrance of the best class of students any teacher has ever had. Darlings, thank you so much, and now let's all have a very merry Christmas!" At that point all of the parents came up and stood behind their child as Bobbie introduced each one. Finally she said, "Folks, aren't these kids wonderful? Have you ever seen better? Have you?" As they were leaving to go home, Don asked Marty, "Hon, what on earth was that strange golden light? How did they do it?" "Darling," she replied softly, "I think you have just seen the secret of the Clifford & Jamison school. That was, I'm virtually certain, God Himself come down to join in His birthday celebration. Darling, it was really more of a re-enactment than it was a play. Honest, dear, what you saw was real!" He looked at her and just shook is head. "Darling," he said in an awe-filled tone of voice, "I think you might be right!" ------- It was early on Sunday morning — their wedding day — when Marty and Don, Kelly and Jim returned to the girls' apartment with King pacing beside them. In spite of the importance of the day, and the very late hour, they all wanted to see the TV special that Joyce Collier had prepared using the tape from the previous night's children's show. Since they were just returning from the Clifford & Jamison Christmas party — the finest party any of them had ever attended — they had set the VCR to record Joyce's show. Since they were being married later in the day and would then be leaving on their honeymoon, they all wanted to see the show before they left. Ignoring the fact that they were all in formal wear, they flopped on the floor in front of the TV and used King's huge back as a community pillow. Kelly had rewound the tape, then rejoined the others and hit the remote unit's play button. After a brief flicker the screen came to life. Timing had been perfect. The first frames were the end of the between-shows commercials. Then the scene opened on Joyce, wearing a gorgeous Christmas-red dress, with Rajah sitting alertly beside her. She began, "Good evening, and Merry Christmas to all of you from KNBC." Turning to Rajah she said, "Raj, do you want to say something, too?" The huge tiger smiled and waved the way he usually did. Then he reached down with his paw, picked up an enormous Christmas wreath that had been on the floor but outside of the camera's field, and put it over his head. Again he smiled, but this time from inside the huge wreath. Joyce kissed him soundly and said, "Honest, folks, this was entirely Rajah's idea. He wanted to make a Christmas card to you from him!" Then she said, "Tonight we are presenting a show that you do not expect and may not even believe after you see it. Many of you may remember the trial a couple of months ago in which the State of California tried to close down a tiny school being run on the premises of Clifford & Jamison, a law firm in downtown Los Angeles. The State lost its case and the school is still in operation. It is very small. There are only ten students, all of whom are only six years old. Tonight, folks, KNBC is proud to present the school's Christmas show. It has been produced, staged, and costumed entirely by the children themselves." From the vantage point of the expensive cameras, the four young people were now able to see far more detail than they could when they were present at the show. This time they could see the sweat on Andy's face when she was in labor, and heard her scream of mixed agony and triumph when she forced the infant through her birth canal. They could clearly see the incredible detail in the costumes the children were wearing. Marty and Kelly gasped as they realized that the infant's scream when Ken spanked it was, in fact, the scream of an infant taking his first breath. "My God!" Kelly exclaimed softly, "It's even wet from her womb!" The singing had been recorded and now replayed in startling fidelity. The foursome realized that they were hearing the finest religious singing ever — and the children's love of God was very tangible. They were truly celebrating the birth of the living God, come to earth in human form. In the scene with the shepherds, the singing of the heavenly hosts was ethereal and truly angelic. They marveled at the pure and powerful voices of Bobbie and Kris soaring to the top of the soprano range and holding notes for incredible periods. But suffusing it all was the ethereal golden glow over everyone. When the picture cut to the crib scene they saw close up what previously they had only seen from a distance: the infant was smiling and blessing the children! Suddenly, Kelly moved back from King, knelt and prostrated herself saying reverently, "Christ has come! He has come to save the world!" The others did the same thing. Now it was so clear: Marty had been entirely correct: God Himself had come to celebrate His birthday. The show closed with a scene obviously produced for KNBC. The children sang the Pater Noster, and then Ave Maria, both in Latin. Finally, Joyce introduced each of the ten children with their parents. The closing scene cut back to Joyce standing alone with Rajah again at her side. She said softly and reverently, "I don't know what you saw in your living rooms. I am a trained reporter and I'll tell you what I saw: I have just witnessed the rebirth of Christ, Our King! If that offends any of you, I'm sorry. However, that is what I saw. Thank you for watching. Merry Christmas from all of us at KNBC, and good night." The screen went dark as the tape continued to run, now on still-blank recording tape. The four people just watched. Kelly was the first to move. She shut off the machine and said, "Wow!" Then she looked at Jim and said, "Darling, if it wasn't clear to you before, that is where our children will be educated. My rôle in life? It is to be a baby factory. That is all I want to do and all I ever want to be. I want to be your adoring wife producing children from my womb to know, love, and serve Almighty God. Darling, that is the limit of my ambition. If that is not what you want..." "My darling, it is!" Jim exclaimed. "Oh, dear God, it is!" Marty and Don had a similar conversation and then Marty said, "There's just one small thing ... You have seen us... all of us. But we don't really know what we're getting. Of course, when you hold me tight I feel a great thing bulging into me..." Then with a salacious gleam in her eye she said, "It will be later today when it's for real, but right now could I just have a peek? Please?" "Mistress!" King exclaimed. "What are you trying to do? I have managed to preserve your virginity until now, and I will not allow you to lose it just a few hours before your wedding..." "Oh, pooh, King Bradford-Maguire! You're an old fuddy-duddy. Besides, haven't you ever opened at least one present before Christmas? Haven't you ever sneaked a look? Can't I even look?" With that Marty dove for Don's groin, unzipped his fly and reached inside. "Oh, God! I am blessed among women," she exclaimed as she freed his now throbbing cock and his huge cum-filled balls. With the greatest gentleness she held them cupped in both hands. Don was so big it required both of her hands to hold him. Then she dove down and kissed the throbbing tip causing the immediate release of a small amount of cum. After carefully licking it off, she as carefully put his sex organs back in his pants, then pulled herself up to melt him with her kiss on his lips. Then she sat across his lap and watched as Kelly did the same thing with Jim. When he was also zipped back up, Kelly's eyes were starry. Suddenly Marty jumped off Don's lap, yanked him to his feet, and started pushing him towards the door. "Hey!" he protested. "What's going on!?" "I'm getting you the hell out of here so I can use what little is left of tonight for my beauty sleep. After looking at what I just found, it's pretty damned clear I won't be sleeping very much at night for a long time to come!" ------- Epilogue 1 It was five years later and John Callaway was in his chambers. Although he had returned to the appellate bench, by coincidence he was again serving in a special term of the Superior Court. He had just arrived, hung up his coat and was now checking his calendar. Seeing the notation penciled on it, he smiled. Today was the day Gloria Smith was to appear before him again. Just then, there was a knock on the door and he invited the visitor to come in. The door opened and Martha Bradford Garfield entered his office with her huge tiger, King. Following her in were Gloria Smith, who had a baby in her arms, accompanied by a very large black man; then Jane Carter and finally, April Jackson. After they all took seats, Callaway looked at Jane and said, "Well, Miss Carter, what is the position of the District Attorney's Office in the matter of The People vs. Gloria Smith after five years?" "It's Jane Barnes now, Your Honor. I just returned from my honeymoon." Then she pretended to look hurt and added, "Doesn't it even show... ? But as for your question, I would rather Gloria tell you about herself and then I'll give you the State's position." "I'm sorry, Jane," Callaway replied trying to look contrite, "but I thought that silly grin and distracted look was just the normal appearance of all young women working as prosecutors in the DA's office." She grinned, pointed a finger at him like it was a pistol and said, "Bang! You're dead, sexist!" Callaway laughed, then asked Gloria what she had been doing. "Judge," she said in a beautifully cultured voice, "I am now Mrs. William Carson. This is my husband, Bill, and my baby daughter, Martha. I'm sure it's obvious who she is named after. In fact, I am delighted to say that Marty and her husband, Don, consented to be Martha's godparents." Sitting up even straighter in her chair she added, "I can't tell you how happy I am that Martha was born before you send me to prison." Then she began her recital of events: "What happened over the last five years? Well, first I served a period of slavery to April, here. And when I use the term, slavery, I use it advisedly. Never has a human been made to work as hard as they worked me. And it wasn't just April, either! It was the whole family. Do you know who was the very worst? Their daughter, Casey! She is a slave-driving terror." Tears came to her eyes as she continued, "That little girl — she was only six years old at the time — worked on me every single night and all weekend long. Do you know what she was doing? She was teaching me! Arithmetic, geography, history, English, religion ... Handwriting! She made me shape letters hour after hour after hour until my head spun. But my writing did improve. "Was that all? Don't I wish! She taught me manners, deportment, bearing ... Could you imagine being naked and just walking back and forth, back and forth while this little girl criticized everything about me? That's what I did and that's what she did." Then she smiled warmly and said, "But whenever I was about to drop from sheer exhaustion, she would make me lie down flat on the floor. Then she would strip naked, climb on my body, hug me, kiss me all over, and tell me what a wonderful job I was doing. I would feel so wonderfully warm and snugly and be about to fall asleep. Was I ever so lucky? Oh ... no! She would pinch my bottom hard, order me off my ass and back on my feet. There was so much more for me to learn and so little time for her to teach me! "Why all of this work, you might ask. To fit me for my next job — a job about which I knew absolutely nothing. After eight months, Casey allowed as how I was ready. What did that mean? Ready for what? Well, it meant that I was prepared to be a lending officer in April's bank. That was impossible, of course. After all, I only finished the tenth grade. But did that slow down the little monster? Hah! Don't be ridiculous. "Do you know what she made me do, Judge? Can you possibly guess? She makes me take a whole set of College Boards — the SAT's and achievements." Then her face fell as she added, "And I scored 800's ... on all of them! Is she finished yet? Of course not! Now I take the BSAT — the Business School Aptitude Test ... and score in the 99th percentile. "'But I'm only a partially reconstructed prostitute!' I screamed. Little Miss Monster then ordered me to strip naked and follow her into her room. There she made me stand in front of a full-length mirror and look at myself. To my utter astonishment, I see that I was naturally standing up straight with my tits thrust out, and my nipples were as hard as little pebbles. "Then she reached under her bed and pulled out a scrapbook — or sort of a scrapbook — and made me follow her — still naked, of course — to the library. There she sits me down beside her and goes through the book with me after first putting audio and video tapes on the players. What is the book? To my astonishment, it is a before-and-after scrapbook of Gloria Smith. It turned out that the audio tapes were of me speaking. Everything about my voice had changed — particularly my vocabulary and sentence structure. My handwriting was now like Casey's own. The video tape showed me serving at the table, exercising, and just sitting in a chair like a lady. Finally she says, 'Miss Smith, now you're behaving like the real lady you have been all along!' Then she throws herself into my arms and smothers me with kisses." Looking at Callaway she said with tears now flowing in twin streams down her cheeks and her voice cracking, "Do you know what she did then? She looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked, 'Miss Smith, I hope someday you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive me for all of the things I have done to you. For all of the cruelty I inflicted on you, for all of the mean things I have done to you!'" Gloria stopped to try to regain control and then continued, "All that little girl did — and she was only seven years old at the time — was to take a cheap whore and make her look like a lady — an educated lady — in eight months! Anyway, now I am a vice president at the bank, although with Martha here, and facing a long prison term, I'm sure that must now end. "But are the Jacksons through with me yet? Have I escaped? Do they leave me alone? I should have been so lucky! After almost a year, I am introduced by Ron Jackson to Bill, here. Bill Carson, as you may know, is the free safety for the Los Angeles Raiders. He got to know Ron because both of them are perennial All-Pros and play against each other in the Pro Bowl. Anyway, Ron told Bill he needed to clean up his act and to do it he needed a good woman: me! Me, Your Honor! Can you imagine anything dumber than that? A partially reconstructed prostitute who couldn't clean herself up, let alone anyone else, without being hounded twenty-four hours a day. But maybe Bill should tell you more, if you will permit it?" Callaway said he was all ears and please to continue. Just then the baby in her arms became restive. Looking at him Gloria said, "I'm sorry, Judge, but it appears our little friend is a bit uncomfortable." She shook her head in feigned sadness and said, "She is a perfect example of what I was just saying. Casey made me over to appear to be a lady in only eight months, but I can't even get our baby toilet-trained in three!" Gloria used the washroom off the judge's chambers to change the baby and powder her little bottom. When she emerged, the infant was wearing only diapers; Gloria had a sleeper for her to wear in a large bag beside her. Before she could do anything, though, King communicated, "Mrs. Carson, would ... could ... would you put Martha on my chest? Marty's children have always loved it, and I'm almost sure..." Gloria pretended to glare at him and exclaimed, "King Garfield! I'm amazed. Just because you saved my life and personally eliminated the most vicious gang of sadists in the country in the process ... I mean ... Hell, my life certainly wasn't worth much. But just for that, you want me to let you ... with my daughter!" Suddenly her expression changed totally. "King, would you like to eat her for your lunch? She is wholly milk-fed, so she should be very sweet and tender ... Better yet, what about me? You've seen my milk-laden jugs — both, with all the milk in them, might make a nice snack for you, along with my baby. Or, you might enjoy my tits along with my buns. They're nice and tight — there's almost no fat at all — but I don't know how they would taste. Perhaps a leg? Both legs? Darling King, what would you like?" Then her expression changed again. She glared at him and said, "And what's wrong with you, anyway? Are you a slow learner or something? How many times do I have to tell you that you don't ask a Carson ... You tell us! When you say jump, our only possible response is, 'How high would you like me to jump, darling King?' Clear?" Then she dropped to her knees, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Gosh!" King complained after he recovered from the incredible flow of pure love and goodness from Gloria's lips, "You have one hell of a nerve! I only want to hold your baby on my chest, but you have to almost kill me with one of your kisses first." Then he shook his head and said, "I guess it's a good thing Bill is a pro football player, and a defensive back at that. They have to have a kamikaze complex to survive. I guess that must be why he's still alive." Gloria couldn't contain her giggles and Bill Carson laughed loudly. Then King grinned — or a tiger's version of a grin — lay back and spread his legs. Gently, Gloria put her baby on his chest. The tiny girl happily crawled around it, pulled with both of her tiny hands at the wonderfully soft fur, and then just lay down on her belly and wriggled on it, cooing as she did. Then with the utmost gentleness, King enfolded her in his paws. In just moments the little girl was sound asleep with the most beautifully innocent smile on her face. When King just very softly purred, the baby seemed to love the sound. She wriggled her tiny body on his fur and then just totally relaxed. "Thank you, Your Honor," Gloria said softly. "Please accept our apologies for wasting your valuable time." "Waste?" Callaway exclaimed. "Mrs. Carson, seeing your incredible love for your infant and seeing her incredible beauty and happiness are not, nor ever will be, a waste!" Then he smiled and said, "Kelly has already given birth to one of ours! Can you imagine an old fart like me — already a grandfather to Kelly's older girls — now a father again? And Kelly? She just seems to get younger." He sighed and added, "And I don't think we have stopped yet, either." Then he looked at Gloria and said, "Mrs. Carson, there's something I should tell you, I guess. You see, I remember so vividly that day five years ago when you came to see me. When you told how Marty had prayed and then God restored your body and even your virginity, I remember you looking at me and wondering what I could possibly be thinking. "The answer? I knew it to be true. How could I know? Because just a few weeks earlier, two little children knelt on the floor right here by my chair in this very office and prayed for me. They really did. What were they praying for? They asked God to spare my life. You see, on that day just over five years ago, I had an inoperable malignant brain tumor. I had less than a week to live. Well, they prayed and I could feel the pressure recede in my skull. I had a CAT scan the next day and to the utter amazement of my doctors — but to no surprise to me — it was gone. Gone completely! But did those little imps stop at saving my life? I should be so lucky! Oh, no! They had to roll back the clock, taking more than twenty years off my age. So our son, Ken, is their fault!" "I never knew!" Gloria whispered. "Almost no one else knows, either," Callaway said. Then to Jane he said, "And I would appreciate it very much if you said nothing to anyone about this." Jane Barnes appeared to do a double-take, sat up straight and said, "I'm terribly sorry, Judge. I'm afraid my mind had wandered back to our honeymoon ... and back to my bed this morning. Did you say something?" Then she just winked and grinned. Bill Carson also grinned, shook his head and continued, "Anyway, sir, I would like to tell you about us now and then go back in time. Well, sir, today I guess I'm a force in the black community. I'm on more Boards of Trustees than I can count — fortunately, Gloria keeps track of them for me — and I guess I'm a wealthy man. That's her, too. She has been my agent for four years, also. "What makes it all go? She does. Whenever we go anywhere, I have a queen at my side. I'm sure that the only reason I'm on so many boards is that they hope that I will bring Gloria along to a meeting sometime." The big man sat up straight and said, "A big problem in the black community is the way we so often treat our women. That is never a problem with Gloria. The treatment she receives borders on reverential! They absolutely adore her and — I'm sure — wonder what she could possibly see in me. A question, I might add, that has occurred to me more than once, too. "What does Gloria do for me? Not a whole lot. She's my agent, of course, and I have the best contract for a defensive back — in the AFC, at least. Does she stop there? You jest! She goes over all the game films analyzing my patterns and forcing me to change them constantly. The result? My play and my stats keep getting better and my salary keeps increasing. When I tease her about it, she just says that she's taking care of her meal ticket. Then she usually grabs at me and says she wants some of her fee paid ... in cum!" Then he looked hurt and added, "But it's terrible, sir ... It's not right! You're a judge. Maybe you can help me with equity. You see, sir, because I am highly paid, her agent's commission is pretty big, too. But she only pays me five dollars a pint for cum! Does that sound like a fair price to you? But that's how she insists on collecting her agent's fee!" Looking puzzled he asked, "Judge, does your wife do that?" "No, Bill, she doesn't," Callaway replied seriously. "All she does is wrap her legs around my thigh and give me second-degree burns with her cunt. When I complain, all she does is raise her nose in the air and say I wouldn't have the problem if I cooled off her love box enough with my nice warm cum. She says that if I'm burned, it's my own fault." Then to Jane he asked, "Does your husband complain about things like that, too, Jane?" "Of course not!" she exclaimed. Then with a wonderfully salacious grin she added, "We haven't gotten that far, yet. He's still stretching my nether openings to fit around his marvelous cock! We're working hard so that I will be able to take his huge cock inside me completely to its root in just one thrust." She grinned and added, "You notice my legs are spread wide — they're not together in a nice, lady-like fashion? That's only because they're as close together as I can get them. The muscles in my thighs hurt too much to get them any closer together than this." When everyone laughed, she looked puzzled and asked, "Why are you all laughing? I don't think it's at all funny." When she squirmed uncomfortably on her chair, Gloria commented that it does feel a little uncomfortable the first few times after you've taken your husband in your ass. Jane blushed red as a beet, but then grinned and said, "It sure does, doesn't it?" "Anyway," Carson continued, "Let me contrast the present with the time I first met Gloria. Well, I was a real hot dude! I had more chicks than I could count. Ron Jackson introduced us and Gloria lost no time in telling me that she used to be a prostitute. She is such a ... a ... a..." " ... Great piece of ass is the phrase you're searching for, darling," Gloria interjected blandly. "I am a great piece of ass, aren't I? Or a hot cunt? Or..." Bill Carson just grinned and shook his head. "Anyway, I started to take her up to my room and she asked where I was going. When I told her, she slapped my face so hard, she almost knocked me out and stressed that the verb was 'used to be' not 'am'! Back then I had all the toys: the expensive Porsche, the Rolex, the closet full of threads ... They impressed all the chicks. Gloria? She just shook her head and pronounced them all a ridiculous waste of money. She made me give almost all of them up. Is that all? From her? Hah! "Then she started asking about my education — my college degree. When I said I was missing a few credits — only three and a half years' worth — towards a valuable degree in Recreational Science, was she impressed? Hell, no! She just howled with laughter. Then she made me work. "You heard her complain about Casey Jackson being a slave driver? Well, believe me when I tell you that she learned her lessons well! Judge, she told you how Casey worked on her nights and weekends? Well, how would you like it every single day! Beginning at seven o'clock in the morning, yet! The first day, when I stumbled to the door I was naked. There she stood. She looked at me up and down, said she had seen all the naked men she cared to see for a while and threw me a bathrobe. Then she starts me working on my handwriting. "Later when I got passionate and she did, too, we headed towards my bedroom. When she asked where we were going and I told her, she slapped me again so hard she almost took my head off! Then she tells me that there are no free samples and no test drives. If I want her in my bed I'll have to marry her first. But before she would even think about that, I would have to shape up. Well, sir, she's such a magnificent woman, she became the incentive. I ended up getting a real degree — in business administration — in a year and a half. "Is that all? Hah! Right at the beginning — after howling with laughter at my agent's contract — she became my agent. Then, working with April, she worked on my pass coverage. It seems that Gloria is a great passer and April may be the most gifted receiver alive. Anyway, although I've never been able to stop Gloria, no one in the NFL — with the possible exception of Chicago's Mike Cassidy — is nearly that good. "We were married almost two years ago. What did I get? Not much. You see, sir, through the grace of Almighty God, my wife is an unbelievable combination. She was both a virgin and an experienced prostitute on our wedding night. Her whole focus in life is to make my life happier and make our love life more thrilling. All I can say, Judge, is if she gets any better, I'll be dead. I really will be. "As it is, every night in bed, the first thing she does is to weigh my poor testicles in her hands and estimate how many episodes I might be good for. Then she proceeds to drain me absolutely dry! How?" Bill Carson shook his head in feigned sadness and said, "Judge, never marry a virgin ex-prostitute! You see, sir, that's a major part of my problem. "You see, after figuring out how many times she can get me to cum, she decides how she is going to do it. Can you believe it? She even makes me help in my own destruction! I really do. It is Gloria's version of 1,001 nights! In The Arabian Nights, the princess had so many different stories that she told. With Gloria, there are at least that many different ways for her to use her body to make love. "Do you know how bad it is? I'll tell you how bad! In spite of being drained totally dry and being about to collapse from sheer exhaustion, I'm still shocked and disappointed when she just shakes her head sadly and says it's all over for another night. The last thing she does before we go to sleep is to again cup my poor dry balls in her hands, kiss them, murmur, 'You poor dear things, ' and then mold her incredible body to mine before falling asleep. "Is there relief in the morning? I should be so lucky! Oh, no! It's a repeat of the night before. She estimates how much semen I may have accumulated overnight and drains all of it before she will allow me even to get out of the bed!" "But darling," Gloria protested with a straight face and in a very reasonable tone of voice, "you know that I really only like nice fresh cum. And how else can I be sure it's all nice and fresh?" Bill Carson shook his head and said, "But anyway, Your Honor, I think you get my point. If you were to send her off to prison, I would be able to get some sleep. But what would I do for food? I forgot to mention that she is also a cordon bleu chef. What would I do for an agent? What would I do for a coach?" Then he began to cry but managed to say, "What would I do without the best wife our good Lord ever put on the face of this earth?" At the sight of his tears, Gloria got off her chair and sat across his lap. Then, with incredible love and tenderness, she melted her lips against Bill's in the most beautiful kiss Callaway had ever seen. He could hear her moan softly as Bill ran his hands over her magnificent body. While they were engaged, he looked at Jane Barnes and asked, "Well, Councillor, what is the position of your office?" "What can it possibly be, Your Honor?" she asked with a straight face. "Do you think for one instant I want to be responsible for causing a riot that would make Watts look like a three-year-old's tea party? Bill and Gloria Carson are the most powerful forces for good in the entire black community. What he told you is the gospel truth: She is revered as a saint! Your Honor, Gloria Smith Carson is an exemplary member of our community. If it takes experience as a prostitute to become the woman she is, judge, I just might become one." Then she turned to Gloria and said, "There's one thing we're very interested in, though: the Black Doves. Could you tell me about it?" Turning back to Callaway, Jane said, "Judge, this is something we heard about through the schools. We don't know how it works — that's what I would like Gloria to tell us — but I do know how it got started. You see, sir, she has been visiting every junior and senior high school in the city with a substantial minority student body. She addresses assemblies of girls when possible and the entire student body when it is not. First she introduces herself as a vice president in charge of a lending district for Bank of Los Angeles. The immediate reaction is that she's an Oreo: black on the outside but white on the inside. Then she tells them that she had been a prostitute! "That really gets their attention. She tells how she was raised on welfare and became a prostitute at sixteen and was raped and nearly killed at nineteen. Does she stop there? Gloria!? Hah! She tells these girls that she would have been dead pretty soon anyway had she not been gang-raped because of all the sexually transmitted diseases that were rotting her body. "Then she tells how her life had been saved, her soul had been saved, and her body had been saved by a white woman and some black ladies! Then she challenges the girls to set an example. She leaves a contact telephone number that any girl can call twenty-four hours a day." Turning to Gloria she said, "That's how it starts, but what happens then?" Gloria was clearly embarrassed. She got off Bill's lap and said, "There are a few girls who come by. I have been trying to do for them what Casey Jackson did for me. It seems to help a little." "Gloria Smith Carson, if you were under oath you would be in real trouble right now!" April Jackson exclaimed. "'A few girls', you said? Last time I counted it was over 200! Ali Clifford told me how they were expanding their facilities to handle them all." Glaring at Jane she exclaimed, "My daughter, Casey, is involved nearly full time!" She looked at the judge with tears flowing from her eyes and said, "Judge, could you believe it? My little daughter — still only twelve years old! — teaches full time from nine to five at her school and then stays to work with the Doves often until one or two in the morning!" Then there was incredible warmth and pride in April's voice as she continued, "She will come home sometimes so exhausted, she just collapses on her bed and is immediately asleep without even being able to get undressed. I'll go in and undress her. There will be little Casey, still almost asleep but with the most beautiful smile on her face telling me about a victory she achieved that day: getting a girl over another hurdle. "And, Judge, your oldest daughter, Kirsten, is with her all the time! Sir, Casey is helping her people. What is Kirsty doing? She is just helping people! You wouldn't believe the results that they have achieved." April sat up proudly and said, "Gloria's program is considered by the bank's owners to be the most valuable program we have ever had. They have ordered that it be expanded as far and as fast as the number of interested young women permit! Sir, that is the limiting factor! It's not money or facilities or staff. It's the number of young women our Pied Piper here, Gloria, can get into the program. "And it is working!" Turning to Jane she said, "The name, Black Dove, comes from a little pin Gloria gives all the girls who work in the program and who have completed basic training. It's a little larger than a fraternity pin, but similar in size and nature. And like a fraternity pin, it's a form of identification. And also like a fraternity pin, it is always worn! It is a Picasso dove done in 18-carat gold but with the dove in black cloisonné. "Now for young black women, wearing that pin is becoming a badge of honor! These are girls who have vowed to get an education and develop themselves as ladies. They are taught everything Gloria was taught, and more besides. For example, Gloria stresses that it is not only right but often necessary to dress inexpensively. It is never right to look cheap! So she spends hours on what clothing to buy and where to buy it. "About six months ago, there was a disturbance on a neighborhood street. A gang of about twenty girls who subscribed to the old ethic — getting pregnant as soon as possible and going on welfare; sleeping with anything in pants as a sign of their womanhood — surrounded two of our girls late one night. We never really found out what they intended to do, but it wasn't friendly. "Well, two of the tigers suddenly appeared. One grabbed the leader while the other held back the remaining girls. In an instant he had used his claws to strip off every shred of clothing the girl had on, and asked one of our girls to strip, too. Then our other girl, acting on the tiger's instructions, pointed out how utterly gorgeous her friend was and how relatively ugly the other girl was. Her posture was poor, her tits were small, her buns were fat, there was lard on her thighs ... Then she asked, 'If you were a man, which girl would you really rather sleep with?' "Then she added that they received extensive lessons on how to make a man really happy in bed. When the second tiger roared, the rest of the girls scattered, leaving their leader just standing there, naked. Seeing herself naked next to our girl just caused the girl to burst into tears and crumple to the ground. Anyway, the next day the girl — her name is Mary Crimmins — phoned Gloria. Now she is one of our very best Doves! And she is ecstatically happy." Turning to Gloria, April glared and said, "I think that was a more complete answer, don't you?" Gloria just nodded. Then Jane, who had been shaking her head in amazement said, "The State withdraws all charges against Gloria Smith Carson and my office will be petitioning the governor to grant her a full pardon to erase her prior convictions. That is the State's position, Your Honor." Then she daintily stuck out her tongue at Marty and said, "Damn it, Garfield, you win again!" Callaway was looking at the Carsons. When he heard Jane's first words, Bill had again wrapped Gloria in a loving and then passionate embrace. He had only heard the first words and Gloria had not heard even those. So with concern in her eyes Gloria asked, "What now, Judge? What are you going to do? For how long will I be going to prison?" "For what?" he asked. "You and Bill were ... occupied, so you might have missed it: The State of California has dropped all charges. And, Mrs. Carson, the District Attorney's office has filed a petition with the governor's office requesting a full pardon for your prior convictions. Without charges, there's nothing for me to do, is there? Now goodbye. But please don't forget baby Martha — although she looks like she would be happy to stay where she is forever!" Callaway shook his head and added, "My lord, I have never seen such a beautiful baby! You're so lucky!" Then Callaway added with a grin, "With respect to plaintiff's motion regarding the valuation of his cum, it is ordered that it be valued at $50 per pint, and such price will change in relation to any changes in the PPI — the Producers' Price Index." Looking at Bill he asked, "Happy now?" "Yes, sir!" Bill Carson exclaimed. Then sticking his tongue out at Gloria he exclaimed, "Justice at last! And from a white judge, too." After futilely arguing with Callaway while vainly trying to maintain a straight face, Gloria addressed his compliment to her infant. "You don't know the half of it, sir," she said. "Bobbie Conroy has agreed to take her in her school when she's old enough. Now I really have to get to work to be sure she's adequately prepared. But I can't wait to begin!" She went to lift the infant from her "bed" on King's chest. As she did, the baby awakened and reached towards her mother's breast. Clearly, for the baby it was lunch time. After apologizing to the judge, Gloria intended to sit on his sofa and nurse her child. But before she could take a single step towards the sofa, Marty said, "Wait one second, Gloria Smith Carson! What about my fee? After all, I saved your life. Now the charges have been dropped, but this has been one of my active cases for five years already, so..." Gloria suspected something was going on but didn't know quite what. All she knew was that she owed everything to Martha Garfield and would give her absolutely anything she might ask for. "What is your fee, Marty?" she asked softly. "I'll pay it right now." "It's your daughter," Marty said with her face impassive. "Give her to me, please." Gloria's eyes widened but she just held out her tiny baby to Marty who had risen from her chair. Then to everyone's surprise, Marty sat on the sofa, ripped off her shirt with one hand and placed the infant against her golden milk-loaded breast. The tiny girl gooed and then locked her mouth against the lovely little nipple and began to suck greedily. Just then Bobbie Conroy entered the office with Marty's youngest, a six-month old boy, Donald, junior, followed proudly by Prince who was with his queen. When she looked at Marty with a question in her eyes, Marty said very softly, "Gloria has big milk-laden tits. Let her feed Donny for a change. I don't think it will kill him ... or her." Gloria quickly stripped off her top, took the lovely blonde, blue-eyed baby in her arms and sat down on the sofa next to Marty. When the little boy locked his lips on Gloria's nipple and began to pat her magnificent chocolate-brown tit, Marty said very softly so as not to disturb either infant, "I always thought Donny would prefer chocolate milk." Then with her eyes wide she asked, "Yours does taste like chocolate, doesn't it?" Then Gloria grinned and whispered, "Look, honkie! You really started something, you know. Just because you've had milk-laden tits for nearly four years now ... I mean! Baring your breast in a restaurant to put milk in your husband's coffee? Really!" "As a matter of fact, I like my coffee better that way now, too," Marty responded, totally unconcerned. "But what will we do in twenty years or so when I stop having babies?" She appeared to think for a moment and then shrugged, "Joan will certainly have had her first baby by then and will have milk-loaded tits, I guess, so Don and I will just have to use hers instead." When the babies had finished nursing and were asleep in the women's arms, Gloria asked Marty, "Could ... would it be possible for Bill and me to see little Martha sometimes? We do love her so." Then with an incredibly warm smile she added, "Marty, she's going to be so happy in her new home! You're such a spectacular mother... "New home?" Marty asked. "What new home?" "You will keep her, won't you?" Gloria asked, suddenly concerned. "I mean, you're not going to give her away to someone else, are you?" "Of course I am, silly," Marty said. "I'm giving her back to you!" "But your fee... ? I mean..." Gloria was now totally bewildered and just shook her head. "I don't understand." "I just collected my fee," Marty said softly. "My fee was to be able to nurse baby Martha just once." Then while she fumbled for her purse she asked, "But how much do I owe you for Donny's lunch? I guess twenty bucks or so... ?" "Do you have a fully developed death wish, lady?" Gloria demanded. "To achieve that wish all you have to do is try to give me one cent! Pay me for nursing Donny! You have to be insane. You can't believe how proud I felt as he emptied my tit thinking, 'I am feeding one of Martha Garfield's children from my own body!' I can't tell you how wonderful that thought was or how physically wonderful his little mouth felt on my nipples." Then she just whispered, "Darling Marty, I adore you. All I owe you is my life itself, my marriage, my child, all the happiness I may have on earth, and my eternal life in Heaven. That's all." As she and Bill started to gather up their baby's things preparatory to departing, Bobbie Conroy left the office for a moment and came back with a Bengal tiger that had been patiently waiting in the hall. She said with a smile, "Don't forget your new friend." The Carsons' eyes widened when they realized that they were receiving a tiger of their own. Bobbie said with a smile, "As you may know, Gunther Gabel-Williams has been acquiring every male Bengal tiger he can find and sending them to us here in Los Angeles. At any rate, this is Ching." Turning to the tiger she said, "Ching, these are your new masters, Bill and Gloria Carson and their baby daughter, Martha. You will be living with them from now on to protect the family and their home. What do you say?" When the tiger heard the news, and then looked into the souls of the Carsons, he dropped flat on the floor, closed his eyes and communicated, "You are my king and my queen! I am the most fortunate of tigers to be selected to serve a royal family — one with the most handsome king, beautiful queen, and incredibly beautiful baby princess! I swear to serve you in any way possible unto death." Bill and Gloria were just stunned. Then she ordered Ching to sit. When he did, she gave the baby to Bill to hold and then went to Ching, wrapped her arms around his great neck and kissed him with all of the love she could communicate through her lips. The flood of love was more than the animal could take. He fainted and almost took Gloria down with him. King and Prince, sitting in the corner together, were delighted and amused at what was happening. Clearly, Ching was a perfect match with the family. When the huge animal finally recovered and sat up again, Gloria tried to apologize, but the animal wouldn't hear of it. With his eyes wide and flooded with his love for her, he said, "I have felt the love of my Queen! For me! I cannot tell you how joyous I feel." There was a general exchange of kisses all around, and the Carsons left, along with Ching and April Jackson. Then Marty Garfield took Jane Barnes in her arms and said, "Why, Jane? Why did you do it? Why did you drop the charges? You could have won this case five years ago." Jane displayed the warmest smile Marty had ever seen and said, "But I did win! We claim to try to rehabilitate criminals, but we just don't know how. But now just look at Gloria Carson! Of course, she never was a criminal, really." She grinned and added, "But for the statistics, she looks just like one. How could there possibly be a better person than she is? Could there be? Marty Garfield, I did win! And I won big." Then she added softly, "But without your tiger and nearly all of the blood from your body — my God, woman! We almost lost you, too — she would be turning to dust in a grave somewhere." She grinned, stuck her cute nose in the air, and said, "Besides, I did, too, set a record! I'm the first DA in the State not to lose to Clifford & Jamison. I didn't win, but not losing is a first in itself! Martha Bradford Garfield, you're a truly wonderful person, and I'm very proud to be able to tell my friends that I know you." "Jane Carter Barnes, I would be much happier and much more proud if you allowed me to refer to you as my friend. Would you be my friend? I would be so proud if you would be," Marty replied quietly. "Your friend?" Jane screamed. "Oh, Marty! I love you so and always have. Never in my life have I been so honored!" Then, with a very plaintive look on her face she asked, "If you're my friend, could you ... would you ... kiss me?" "Oh dear!" Marty said with her eyes wide, "Are you one of those?" Then she unloaded all of the love she could communicate through her lips. After a few moments she felt Jane go limp in her arms. When Jane slowly revived with the most brilliant smile and glistening eyes, Marty stuck out the tip of her tongue and said, "Didn't lose to Clifford & Jamison? Lady, you sure as hell just lost to me!" Marty gathered her things while Jane cuddled with baby Donny. Then the three went off with King to have lunch, leaving Bobbie and Prince alone with Callaway. "So how is my favorite teenybopper?" John Callaway asked Bobbie with a grin. "Jack Callaway, you stop that this instant! I'm ... I'm a matron," Bobbie said with her nose in the air while desperately trying to suppress both her smile and her giggles. "I am about to have a baby — any day now." "Golly, what happened to the old-style pregnancies? You know — when the expectant mother looked like a small house?" he asked innocently. Quickly unbuttoning her chambray shirt, Bobbie ripped out the shirttails and spread it open wide. "Just you look, Jack Callaway!" she exclaimed. "See how swollen my tits are? And ... and ... and it's getting really hard to button my Levi's, too!" "Golly!" he exclaimed with his eyes wide. "You must be about ready to deliver if you have a problem buttoning your jeans ... But, Barbara Bradley Conroy, I would consider it a personal favor if you would kindly button your damned shirt! How do you suppose it makes me feel to look at possibly the most beautiful pair of tits God ever put on a woman when Kelly isn't even here to ... to help me." She grinned but buttoned two of the buttons. Then she looked at him closely and shook her head. "I see another change in you, Jack: no glasses." Then she looked closer and said, "It hasn't stopped yet, has it? You now look more like about ... oh, twenty-two or twenty-three." Callaway pretended to frown and then just grinned and shook his head, "You may be right. You wouldn't believe what Kelly and I have done three times in the last two weeks..." "Pulled an all-nighter?" Bobbie inquired blandly. "Yes, I'd believe it. Particularly since Kelly called me after each one, just before she fell asleep," she added with a big grin. Over the intervening five years, Kelly Callaway had become one of Bobbie's best friends. She had come to love the beautiful girl and utterly adored having first Kirsty, and then Jamie in her school. She knew that Jack's driver's license said he was fifty-nine years old, but for him the calendar had been running slowly backwards ever since the day Andy and Ken had saved his life with their prayers. His reaction to her response was just to grin. "And what about the annual courthouse softball game?" Bobbie asked innocently. "Have the clerks and bailiffs — or for that matter, your fellow judges — figured it out yet?" She grinned and continued, "Just imagine! A fifty-nine-year-old judge pitching!? And firing the ball so damned fast the other folks couldn't even see it?" Callaway just grinned and pointed out that Eddie Feighner was still pitching softball in his sixties. Bobbie just politely stuck out her tongue and continued, "But Kelly in center field ... She was utterly spectacular! Could you believe the way she ran down that fly ball and caught it as she dove while running straight away from the plate?" "Bobbie," Callaway said with a warm smile, "that was one of the best nights of my life! When we went home after the picnic, I just climbed in the shower with her and washed the dirt off her magnificent body. Then I carried her to bed and asked if she knew any more tricks." "And?" Bobbie asked. "She sure did!" he said with a grin. "That night when Kirsty came in asking about dinner, her mother just gasped between orgasms that she and Jamie would have to fend for themselves." He shook his head, remembering. "Do you know what that girl did then? She came over, got on the bed, and just put her hand lightly on Kelly's loins while I'm fucking her and she is in continuous orgasm. Our little teacher said, 'Golly, Mom, I never knew a woman's pelvis could move in so many different directions at the same time.' "Then she just got off the bed and left the room, carefully closing the door behind her." He just shook his head and said, "God, I adore that woman!" Then he said, "Speaking of baseball, should Kelly and I plan on another trip to Williamsport this summer? Are you planning on defending your championship? And by the way, that was really a dirty trick you pulled on those poor kids from Taiwan last summer!" ------- Epilogue 2 As a part of their physical education, Bobbie's original class had organized a Little League baseball team the previous year. Being the children they were, they went all the way and won the Little League World Series, demolishing a very good team from Taiwan in the final game. The team was a record-breaker for the Little League in a great many ways. First of all, few championship teams — teams that made it to the finals in Williamsport, Pennsylvania — had any girls on them at all. Those teams that did have girls seldom let them play when the chips were down. However, the Clifford & Jamison Tigers — that was their team name — had only twelve players, eight of whom were girls. The pitchers — there were only two — were Andy and Ken. Ken was a power pitcher, while everyone teased Andy about being the junk girl. She had an incredible variety of pitches ranging from curves and sliders, to a knuckle ball and even including a sneaky fast ball she threw from time to time. But with her variety of pitches she had incredible control. She could put any pitch she threw within an inch of where she wanted it as it crossed the plate. Ken had a very hot and moving fast-ball coupled with a fast curve, a slider, and a devastating change-up. He, too, could put any of his pitches exactly where he wanted it. Betsy Clifford was the catcher. In addition to everything else, she had her mother's exuberance and indefatigable sense of humor. Regardless of the game situation, she could be relied upon to come up with a joke or wisecrack to relieve any tension. Kirsty Callaway played shortstop teaming with Karen Chan at second base to form a spectacular double-play combination. Laura Benson played third and Cindy Cartwright played first. Mike Morris was normally in left field while Chuck Conrad played right. (For the last few years, Charley had been using the nickname, Chuck, to differentiate himself from his father.) Finally, Casey Jackson, the fastest person on the team, covered center field. The remaining players who could — and did — play any position at all, including pitcher — were Susan Carlson and the newest member of the class, Sean Cavanaugh, the son of Kevin and Kelly Cavanaugh, who had been sent by his parents in Chicago to live with Bill and Kathy Cartwright in order for him to be able to go to Bobbie's school. The game against the Taiwan team was really won before the first pitch when the two teams met each other. First, the Taiwanese were astounded when they were greeted by all of the Tigers speaking perfect Mandarin Chinese. Then, when Karen Chan met the team's star pitcher who was scheduled to pitch the game against them, she wrapped her arms around his neck, burned his lips with a kiss, and told him how handsome he was, all in his own native dialect. The combination of her exquisite oriental beauty coupled with the power of her kiss left the poor boy in a daze. Furthermore, before the game began, the two teams were lined up along the baselines with the Americans lined up between home plate and first base with Prince, serving as the team mascot, sitting up proudly at the end, while the Taiwan team lined up on the third-base line. To the visitors' astonishment, all of the Tigers joined in singing the Taiwan national anthem in Chinese and stood at attention as the flag of Taiwan was raised on a flagpole beyond the centerfield fence. Then they remained at attention and fervently sang The Star Spangled Banner as the American flag was raised on its own somewhat higher flagpole. Nevertheless, the game had been very hard-fought. In spite of Andy's pitching skill, the Formosans had excellent batting eyes and very quick reflexes. They were able to adjust to her pitches and succeeded in hitting her. But they were not a match for the reflexes or speed of the Tigers. The last straw was when the Taiwan power hitter really tagged one of Andy's pitches and drove it to deep center field. However, Casey was off at the crack of the bat and positioned herself at the fence. Then with an incredible vertical jump with her glove extended as high as she could reach, she caught the ball in the webbing of her glove just before it went over the fence for what would have been a three-run home run. For the young men from Taiwan, their incredible experience was not yet over. At the conclusion of the game, each Tiger sincerely congratulated each member of the Taiwan team on brilliant play and outstanding sportsmanship. At the Little League banquet that night with all of the parents present, James Chan, Karen's grandfather, was sitting with an executive of the Taiwan Little League. After the speeches — with Karen, speaking on behalf of the Tigers, congratulating their opponents — the Formosan introduced James Chan as the owner of the company in Taiwan that sponsored the team and employed the parents of almost all of its players. Chan rose from his seat and in his native Chinese congratulated the boys on representing their country and their families so well. He said that bonuses would be paid to all of the factory workers to congratulate them. Then he said with a smile, "As the owner of the company sponsoring your team, I was extraordinarily proud. Unfortunately, I was unable to cheer for your team today. You see, my granddaughter, Karen, plays second base for the Tigers, so ... But since I'm sure your families are very important to each of you, I'm equally certain that you understand!" The boy who had pitched for the Taiwan team turned bright red when he heard Mr. Chan's words. Only then did he realize that the girl with whom he had fallen madly in love was the company owner's granddaughter! Then he wanted to hide under the table when he looked at Karen and found her looking at him. Seeing that he was looking at her, Karen smiled very warmly, licked her lips and winked. Then she formed her lips into another kiss. ------- Answering Callaway's question, Bobbie shrugged and nodded. "I guess we'll be expected to defend our championship," she replied. "And this year, with the kids a year older..." She just shook her head and said, "Jack, do you know what they have their hearts set on doing?" she asked rhetorically. "They want to play the whole season without giving up a run, if possible, and at the very least, not losing a game!" With a warm smile she added, "I don't know what we would do without Kirsty, by the way. She is utterly incredible at shortstop! The range that girl has! And her ability to fire the ball to first from anywhere, regardless of her own position. Jack, you and Kelly must be very proud!" Callaway grinned and nodded, then said, "Speaking of Kirsty, what exactly happened over that long weekend she spent with you and Casey? She has flat out refused to tell us and whenever Kelly or I ask, she just looks embarrassed. What did you do?" Although Bobbie tried to dodge, as an experienced trial lawyer and jurist, Callaway wouldn't allow her to deflect his question. Finally she said, "Jack, please promise you won't say a word? Not a single one? Without your promise to tell no one except Kelly — and then only after getting a similar promise from her — I can't say a word. Honest! I promised the girls." When he promised, she said with a wry grin, "That was the weekend the three of us got our doctorates in education. It was funny, really. We spent the weekend studying that garbage and then took the writtens on Monday and orals on Tuesday. It was really funny — particularly your daughter. In her orals she would give a book-perfect answer to any question and then proceed to explain why the question and answer were both utter garbage." Bobbie went on to explain that, since they were now teaching so many students, including the Black Doves, she had decided that they should have teaching credentials — such as they were. "You know, Jack," Bobbie concluded, "I think you will particularly appreciate the final crack that Casey Jackson made while we were on our way home. I'm sure you remember Roberta Kramer from the courtroom? Well, anyway, Casey said, 'Bobbie, now I know what happened to Kramer. She actually took all that garbage seriously and it fried her brain! Sort of like freaking out on LSD, or something!' At any rate, your daughter now has a DEd, but please don't ever let on you know. She's really ashamed of it, actually." "What's going on at the school now?" he asked after chuckling at Bobbie's story. "What are your older kids doing?" "Well, let's see..." Bobbie replied. "You know about Kirsty, of course, and Casey Jackson. They are both the most incredibly dedicated and effective teachers I have ever seen. Incidentally, Kirsty is getting her Ph.D. in history — all European and American, all periods. Casey is doing the same thing in English." Then she grinned and said, "Perhaps the funniest thing is Chuck Conrad and Karen Chan! He really fixed her little red wagon!" She told the story of the two young people — one of the last of the couples to pair off in the original class. Both were now licensed architects and professional engineers. Chuck had degrees in civil and structural engineering, while Karen had advanced degrees in structural engineering and art. "Although Chuck had fallen in love with her — and she with him — she would never admit it. All she ever did was tell him that he was too big for her and the wrong race. But then, when he would be working at his big drawing board, she would strip, lie across his work and tell him to stroke her bottom ... or her clit ... or where her tits were just starting to form. After he did what she asked — and he always did — she would melt him with a kiss and then say that she couldn't possibly love him. "Professionally, the two became an unbelievable combination. They designed the PHA Project, the most successful and largest project ever done in Southern California and rivaling New York's World Trade Center and London's Canary Wharf projects in scale. The multi-building center was a smashing success from the very beginning. "First, the whole center had an airiness and lightness of appearance that belied its incredible structural strength — it was designed to withstand a Richter force eight earthquake. But it was when the first tenants moved in that its real beauty emerged. Karen had done an unbelievable job of creating vistas of all kinds that repeatedly confront a person walking through. Each was unique and each was breathtaking in its beauty. "Incidentally," Bobbie said, "it has become a major investment for Ken and Andy, too. They're cleaning up!" ------- To further his relationship with Karen Chan, it was the Little League World Series that provided Chuck Conrad with his inspiration. Karen and Cindy Cartwright had spent hours with the other kids teaching them Chinese and Taiwanese, and then working on their pronunciation and speech patterns. Of course, being the children they were, they also learned how to write Chinese in the ideograph symbols using the tiny Chinese brush. When the children returned from Williamsport, Chuck had gone to Los Angeles's Chinatown where, he knew, James Chan, Karen's grandfather, had his office. Mr. Chan was the most powerful Chinese in Los Angeles and possibly in the entire state of California. The people surrounding him were very protective so it was only when Chuck addressed them in perfect Mandarin that they notified Mr. Chan. Never had they encountered a Westerner who could speak more than a few words in their language, and those few were usually spoken badly. Chuck was different. When he was ushered into Mr. Chan's presence, Chuck greeted him with the most profound Chinese formality. The most-conservative Mr. Chan was impressed. He was even more impressed when he learned that Chuck was the son of one of the name partners in Clifford & Jamison, his daughter-in-law's law firm. Although he was only twelve years old, Chuck was starting to grow rapidly and it was apparent that he would be a very big man. Like his father, he had black hair and brilliant blue eyes, and was already very handsome. Standing up as straight as he could, he told Mr. Chan that he was desperately in love with his granddaughter and wanted to marry her. But he made no secret of Karen's opinion, nor of the myriad ways she would sexually tease him. In response to Mr. Chan's questions, Chuck told of the design of the PHA Project, and how well he and Karen worked together. Finally he concluded, "Sir, I adore your granddaughter and wish to marry her as soon as I can. I know that in China young women are known to marry at the age of twelve. Although I do not want to marry her just yet, I do want to marry her as soon as possible. Based on our success in working together, I am confident that I will be able to support her in the style to which she has been accustomed and, at the same time, can, in working with her, design and build structures that will reflect honor on the Chan family. But, sir, I need your help." Then he explained what he wished Mr. Chan to do. The older man could scarcely control his laughter as he listened to Chuck's plan. Finally he agreed and said, "Charles Conrad, Jr., in you my granddaughter may have met her match! Moreover, young man, you have a truly Oriental deviousness which I most admire. I will do what you ask and make all necessary arrangements." They agreed on the following Sunday afternoon. On the selected day, Celeste Chan told her daughter that it was a special Chinese holiday — Karen never thought to ask which one — and it was imperative for Karen to dress herself in her finest Chinese robes. They were celebrating with her grandfather. Celeste, her husband, John, and Karen all had priceless antique brocaded-silk robes reserved for only the most special occasions. It was apparent to Karen that the day was truly special when her grandfather's chauffeur appeared with his enormous Rolls-Royce limousine to drive them downtown. When they arrived, Karen greeted her grandfather with all of the appropriate ceremony as did her mother and father. Then they went into a small room where they all knelt on the floor. James Chan was on one side of a very low square table with his son and daughter-in-law to his right and Karen to his left. Then James clapped his hands once, sharply, and an attendant ushered Chuck into the room. He was also dressed in magnificent antique Chinese robes that the elder Chan had loaned him. Dropping to his knees, he bowed until his forehead touched the floor. Rising to kneel upright and speaking perfect Mandarin he said that he had come to ask Mr. Chan for his granddaughter's hand in marriage. While the visitor was being shown into the room, Karen had her eyes downcast towards the table top as she had been taught to do. But when she heard Chuck's voice, she jerked up and looked at him in shock. In spite of her grandfather's sharp words, she continued to stare at Chuck. Then her grandfather said, "Mr. Conrad, already you see the great problem we have with my granddaughter — the reason why I have been most reluctant to inflict her on any young man. You see, sir, as much as it distresses me to admit it, she is terribly willful and disobedient. Only the strongest man can handle her and obtain the obedience that any husband has a reasonable right to expect. Can you do anything with her?" "Yes, sir," Chuck replied. "I believe I can." Then rising to his feet he used his strength to lift Karen up and carried her back to where he had been kneeling. Then, following the careful instructions he had been given, he slowly stripped off all of her clothing. All the while Karen was crying and her arms were flailing wildly but futilely in the air. Her parents continued to kneel and watch impassively until she was finally stripped naked. Then Chuck put her over his knee and began to spank her as hard as he could twenty times. Although Karen cried out at each blow, she never moved her body. Then he ordered her to orient her body over his knee in the other direction and she did while tears continued to stream down her cheeks. After twenty more spanks he released her and held out his hand. Karen kissed it and apologized for hurting it on her very firm ass. Then, in response to additional instructions she knelt down in front of him, prostrated her body and begged him for forgiveness. Chuck accepted her apology with a very sober look on his face and then told her to rise. Karen did and just remained standing up straight before him. As she did, her parents and grandfather could see that her buns were now crimson and were about to turn black and blue. Then, with the greatest care, Chuck dressed her again in precisely the way she had appeared when she had arrived. Then he told her to kneel beside him and prostrate herself before her grandfather and beg his forgiveness for her prior disobedience. The girl did it instantly. "Sir," Chuck asked, "is that sufficient?" "Yes, my son, it certainly is," the elder Chan replied. "Now we must talk of a dowry." Chuck's eyes widened when James Chan said that, because of Karen's strong will and disobedient tendencies, the dowry offered was ten million dollars. Chuck managed to control himself and said merely that it was sufficient. Then Chan said, "You have the family's permission to wed Karen. It is done!" Then he again clapped his hands and champagne was served to seal the engagement. The champagne was followed by a multi-course Chinese banquet. On the way back to their home, her parents refused even to discuss with Karen the subject of Chuck and her engagement. It was a done deal. So the next day — Monday — Karen went to see Ginger Conrad in her office. Closing the door, she began to tell her of the events of the previous afternoon. She wailed, "Mrs. Conrad, my family says I must marry Chuck! But I'm so scared!" Then Karen told her that she was afraid her vaginal opening would be too small for Chuck — that he wouldn't fit. "My darling," Ginger said, "mine is very small, too. Come and see." The two were sitting side-by-side on Ginger's sofa. Quickly slipping off her Levi's and bikini, Ginger spread her legs wide. Then she invited the girl to put her finger in her vagina, reminding her that, not only did she receive Charley several times every day, but she had given birth to four children. The girl did as she was asked and found that Ginger's vaginal opening was still small and very tight. Then Ginger said, "My darling, Charley loves me this way. Although I am very tight, I'm also very wet. Now, can I see how you're made?" The girl slipped off her own Levi's and thong and spread her thighs wide apart. To her amazement, her own vaginal opening was no smaller than Ginger's. When Chuck came into the office later, he found his mother lying naked on her sofa with Karen. The woman and the girl were sound asleep while held tightly in each other's arms. Chuck just sat in a chair and read a book while he waited for them to awaken. When they did, he pointed out with a grin that it was sort of funny for a girl trying to avoid marriage to flee naked into the arms of her future mother-in-law! Then Ginger said, "Karen, I cannot tell you how happy you make me! Of course, your mother is one of my law partners and I have known you literally from the day you were born. You and Chuck are the most incredible team of architects in history! Don't you think you could live with him?" "Yes, ma'am," Karen said softly. "Provided he continues to maintain good order and discipline in our household, of course." Then looking at Chuck she said with her eyes gleaming, "My darling, I still cannot sit comfortably and probably won't be able to for at least another week. The spanking you gave me yesterday was the very best I have ever had in my whole life!" Rising from the sofa still naked from Ginger's arms, Karen went to Chuck and he melted his lips to hers. The kiss they exchanged caused Ginger to be overcome with happiness. As they remained in a close embrace, Ginger saw the golden glow appear over them. As she had seen it when Joyce was in Ali's office, it began to pulsate and finally there was a burst of golden light that enveloped the two. Both fell to the floor, but still in each other's arms. Ginger dropped to the floor on her knees and thanked God for the blessings He had just bestowed on her son and daughter-in-law-to-be. ------- "So, at any rate," Bobbie concluded, "That is another problem solved." Then she grinned, shook her head, and added, "You know, Jack, it's really funny. Chuck really knows how to handle her. Karen still teases him by stripping, climbing on his drafting table, and asking him to do something ... oh, like stimulating her clit. And Chuck always does it, still. "Only now, when he has satisfied her, he just points to his leg. Karen then bends over and he gives her a number of spanks appropriate to whatever it was she did." Bobbie shook her head and said, "I really don't know how Karen does it, though. Chuck really hits hard. Notwithstanding, when it's over she sits across his lap — how she can sit on those terribly bruised buns is beyond me — melts into his arms and they kiss." Shaking her head she added, "The last time was really funny. When it was over, Chuck accused her of being a masochist. All Karen did was to hug him even tighter and remind him that it must be genetic. Her mother and her late twin, Marie, always did the same thing. "Actually, though, I guess it is really a small world. You see, Jack, a part of the success Chuck and Karen have had is due to Sean Callahan and Cindy Cartwright ... and Betsy Clifford!" When Callaway asked what she meant Bobbie explained, "A major part of the attraction of the PHA Project is the incredible appearance of structural lightness coupled with unprecedented structural strength. You see, Sean is now both a metallurgist and a metallurgical engineer, while Cindy has advanced degrees in both organic and inorganic chemistry and chemical engineering. Those two kids are truly unbelievable! Would you believe they take nothing for granted? Absolutely nothing at all. "Sean has developed entirely new high-strength alloys and even new structural shapes. Cindy has developed an entirely new formula for concrete and even improved on the formulation of the glass! The result is that the materials these kids have come up with permit Chuck and Karen to use their designs. Taking the tallest building in the project, for example, using conventional materials, it literally could not even support its own weight. And yet in almost every case, the new materials are cheaper — and that's on a per-ton basis, too — than those they replace. And with the designs, they use far fewer tons. The result? A bill of materials that costs only a little more than half of what similar-sized structures would cost. "By the way, it is a small world. You see, most of the special steel is produced by Chicago Steel. That's the company that Sean's father runs and which Casey Jackson's grandmother and Cindy Cartwright's parents own! At any rate, the West Coast steel mills all said the alloys couldn't be produced so Chicago Steel did it. Actually, in spite of transporting it nearly 2,000 miles, the cost of the construction steel was still much cheaper. First of all, there was much less of it in weight, but beyond that, they put together some special trains to haul it all out here." She grinned again and shook her head. "Then, of course, there's Betsy Clifford — along with Laura Benson and Susan Carlson. Betsy developed some incredible CAD software — that's computer-aided design. I have no idea how she does it, but she programs the plans that Chuck and Karen come up with along with panoramic photographs of the surrounding area. Then the girls 'walk the corridors.' As they do, they see on this large computer screen exactly what a visitor would be seeing when the building is complete. If a vista is attractive, they do nothing. If it's not, they decide what to do with it. You see, in addition to Laura's law and Susan's military strategy, both are very talented artists and art historians. "Military strategy?" Callaway asked. "That's news to me." "You know Susan, Jack," Bobbie replied. "She hides her light under a barrel — or under Mike Morris's body, anyway. But she has just been asked to serve as the senior consultant to the Department of Defense and the joint Armed Services Committees of the Congress. How that happened is a funny story, too." When he asked her about it she told what she had seen and learned. "Jack, you know the backgrounds of those two kids," she began. "Well, she and Mike were both doing doctoral work in military history and strategy. Susan was scheduled for her orals first, and was up against some real fogies on her panel. At any rate, they discussed a number of battles and in each case, regardless of the actual outcome, Susan maintained that the outcome could have been different, and there were better tactics available for both sides. There she was, sitting there in front of the panel, a little girl only ten years old. It seems that she had told both her father and her grandfather what she was intending to do. So when the panel was about to flunk her cold and dismiss her, the doors in the back of the large room were opened. What do you suppose happened then?" Callaway just shook his head. "The most remarkable contingent of men marched into the room. There were forty of them, all in their army dress blues. There were four officers, the lowest ranking wearing the single star of a brigadier general. The officer in command was a lieutenant general. Every single enlisted man was a senior master sergeant. Well, Ken Carlson was sitting in the first row of spectator seats — there were only a handful of people there, of course. The general in command marches over to Ken, gives him the most meticulous salute you have ever seen, and reports, 'Alpha Company, First Ranger Battalion, reporting as ordered, Sir!' Then he marches back to the head of the formation — the men were formed up in three platoons — and commanded, 'Alpha Company ... Report!' "What followed was the most remarkable thing anyone has ever seen. You see, the unit was Carlson's Rangers, reformed to help Ken's daughter. When they were all formed up in their dress uniforms, you could see all the medals these men were wearing. There was not a single man without at least three medals for wounds in action or bravery in combat. When they reported, each man introduced himself by name and rank ... but not their present rank, their rank in Vietnam. The examining board was dumbfounded when these men proudly introduced themselves as privates and corporals, then listed their decorations. Among forty men they had fourteen Medals of Honor! And that's not counting Ken's two. And it just continued. The generals commanding platoons announced themselves as second lieutenants while the lieutenant general claimed to be a first lieutenant. "But that wasn't all. When they finished, the rear doors opened again and a senior group of forty Marines appeared. They formed up next to the Rangers and announced that they were an element of the First Marine Reconnaissance Battalion. Their commanding officer reported to Mike Morris. Then Mike just nodded to Ken Carlson who approached the table where the examining board was sitting. He told them that, with his daughter, Susan, commanding, the two units were prepared to take on any armed force of divisional strength ... and clean its clock!" Bobbie grinned and said, "I was there, of course. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Here these academic strategists and historians were just sitting there, utterly dumbfounded. They didn't know what to do! Finally, they felt they had no other choice but to accept the offer. "The exercises were run at Camp Pendleton and up at Fort Ord. It was the most incredible thing imaginable to see these two kids — Susan and Mike — run these battles. The teamwork between the two was unbelievable! Mike was in tactical command. He has an incredible feel for combat. Susan would just watch, ask a few questions, and keep her eye on the developing battle. Don't ask me how she does it — or ask her, for that matter — because I don't know and don't think she does, either. But somehow she senses the moment when the enemy is a bit confused and a bit uncertain. She unerringly identifies the weakest point and hits it with everything she can send in. The result was the same every time: The enemy force sags, then breaks, and finally crumbles. And keep in mind, this is a force of fewer than 400 against sixteen to twenty thousand!" Bobbie grinned and concluded, "Anyway, after doing the same thing six different times, the examining group decided she and Mike did know something about strategy and tactics and awarded them both their degrees!" Then she shook her head and said, "Those two kids are utterly unbelievable. What do you suppose they did that night?" Callaway grinned and replied, "I know what they did. I just don't know where. They had a sleep-over — they spent the night in each other's arms. Right?" "Of course you're right," Bobbie replied, "But how did you know?" Just then the door to Callaway's office opened and his wife, Kelly, came in followed by Andy Cartwright and Ken Clifford. "And to what do I owe this honor?" Jack asked with a grin. Kelly had slipped off her moccasins and was taking off her Levi's. After slipping them off along with her bikini, she unbuttoned her shirt and then went to where he was sitting behind his desk. "Darling," she replied, "I had lunch with the Mutchkins and you know how horny it makes me just watching these two. So..." With that she unzipped his fly, pulled out his cock that was already fully erect and then bent over his desk with her back towards him. Callaway easily entered her, causing her to moan with pleasure as she felt his huge cock penetrate her vaginal sheath. Then with the cutest grin as she supported her chin on her hands, she said to Bobbie, "Don't let me interrupt anything. Just continue your conversation, please. Jack can easily do two things at once, as long as one of the things is fucking me." While he moved inside her and felt the glorious sensations from his imprisoned cock he said, "And what caused you to associate with the imps? After all, I do have other things to do ... I think. Damn it, Kelly, you have to knock off this shit!" As he said it, Kelly let out a low scream as she reached her first orgasm. Then she replied, "Jack, darling, I'm just getting even! After spending the last hour and a half watching the imps all over each other like tents, my cunt was running rivers. And then I realized this will cause them to eat their hearts out. Right, kids?" she asked with a grin in their direction. Ken was sitting on one of the side chairs and Andy was sitting across his lap. They were locked together in a passionate embrace when Andy moved back the tiniest bit and asked, "Darling, did you hear something? Is someone speaking to us?" Ken just shook his head once and pulled Andy's head down again. Just before her lips locked on his again she murmured, "I didn't think so." Bobbie just looked at the young couple. Both Ken and Andy were now twelve years old. Andy had reached puberty and her body was beginning to take on a womanly form. Already her legs were long and beginning to take on their ultimate shape. Although her tits had not yet formed, her nipples had grown and her areolas were beginning to form around them. Now she was five feet four and still growing. Bobbie estimated that she would be at least five feet eight like her mother before her growth stopped. Ken had not yet reached puberty but was only a short time away. The fact that, for the moment, Andy was taller than he was, not only didn't bother them, it was a source of amusement. The Callaways concluded their lovemaking and Kelly reluctantly got dressed again, although she refused to button her shirt. Sitting next to the kids she tapped them on their shoulders and said, "You can come up for air, now. The fun is over ... at least for a while." The two parted and both grinned at her. Although they had stopped kissing, Andy was still sitting comfortably on Ken's lap and just nuzzled his neck. "You still didn't tell me why you were lunching with the imps," Jack Callaway said. "And don't tell me you paid... ?" "I cannot tell a lie, John Callaway," Kelly replied. "I did." "But ... but why?" he asked pretending to be puzzled. "I mean ... all they did was save my life, make me younger, get me a wife I adore ... But I already bought them a lunch. Hell, and it was only five years ago, too." "Jack, darling," Kelly replied in her most-reasonable tone of voice, "that's true. You did. But on the other hand, they have been babysitting for us ... I guess forty or fifty times. And we haven't been paying them ... And besides, they really don't eat very much. Mostly, all they do is neck." "Kelly Callaway!" Jack exclaimed. "Are you trying to tell me that ... that ... those uninterrupted petting sessions count as babysitting!? Darling, please!" "But honey, they are there at home, after all. Isn't that what counts? And besides!" she said firmly, "Your life is worth at least two lunches to me. Maybe even three! So there!" The two young people were howling with laughter by this time at the little skit Jack and Kelly had played out for their benefit. At Kelly's last words, the two started to applaud and exclaimed, "Bravo! Encore!" To finish it off, Jack and Kelly stood side-by-side. While Jack executed a deep bow, Kelly performed a perfect court curtsy. When they were again standing, they simultaneously stuck out their tongues. Finally, Jim asked Bobbie what she was going to do about a vacation with the baby coming. She told him that she and Tom were going to continue their practice of returning to their island. They had gone at least once a year, every year since they were married. "Jack," she said, "if I didn't experience it myself, I would never believe it. You see, even though I'm convinced that it is impossible for Tom and me to love each other more than we do, each time we go to the island, our love for each other increases!" Then with the warmest smile he had ever seen she said, "I guess there will be one change, though. From now on, we'll be bringing Prince with us. We'll need a babysitter, so..." Then she grinned, hugged the tiger tightly, kissed him soundly on the lips and said, "He has promised that he will only hunt his own food. He will never provide us with any." Then she looked at Jack and said, "I do have one question, though, that concerns you as parents of a couple of my students. Actually, it's in reaction to a question Kirsty first raised." Holding her head up straight she said, "If you and the other parents don't object, I plan on delivering my baby on the floor at school, by myself." She grinned and added, "I guess it's the ultimate in sex education. What do you think?" "Think?" Kelly replied. "Only Bobbie Conroy, is what I think! Darling, it just might be super!" ------- The End ------- Posted: 2002-01-20 Last Modified: 2012-04-29 / 12:53:40 pm Version: 1.20 ------- http://storiesonline.net/ -------