Storiesonline.net ------- Redemption by Shrink42 Copyright© 2003 by Shrink42 ------- Description: Unable to prevent an unspeakable tragedy as a young teen, unwarranted guilt becomes his driving force through adolescence and into adulthood. This story spans nearly two decades, and involves many people. It is a story of good and evil, tragedy and triumph, love, relationships, and more than a little sex. Codes: MF FF mf Mf mF Mult rom 1st teen cons violent inc mother son fath dau Mdom humil oral ------- ------- Chapter 1 (Sixteen years earlier) Dex hunched his shoulders against the raw dampness of March. He had just finished the last basketball practice of his eighth grade year, and the high of being on the floor was giving way to the fear, the shame, and the disgust at what he might find at home. He wanted to take his time and delay getting home, yet he feared what might happen to his mother if he was late. The pattern had been unbroken through the winter months, but now it would change. The fear was no longer for himself. A year and a half ago his exceptional basketball talent had become evident. After one compliment from the coach, his father had never again beaten him seriously. Sports glory was so important that even his father's raging temper would not be allowed to endanger it. When Dex realized how his father idolized sport, he quit. The coach, however, was a wise and compassionate teacher. He convinced Dex to stay with basketball for himself - to make it his refuge, his outlet. The coach never knew about the abuse, just that if his father wanted it, Dex wanted none of it. He had encountered the same reaction many times at that fragile, rebellious age. Dex would no longer have feared the beatings even if they had continued. He was beyond that. From the time the serious abuse started at about age nine, he had suffered breaks, sprains, gashes, and bruises beyond counting. A blow to the head had once caused concern for his eyesight, but he had recovered fully. Though still rail thin, he had sprouted to nearly six feet, and his bone structure had strengthened considerably. Muscles were becoming noticeable, especially in his legs. Though he would no longer risk injuring his future star, his father was still generous with the slaps and shoves, and it seemed the verbal abuse never stopped. To these, the boy had also become inured. As he walked home after that final practice, Dex vowed he was done with sports. His father's beatings had been re-directed to his mother, and he could not live with that. It was far worse than it had ever been. Many times he threw himself between them to protect her, but he was not always there. He knew, too, that fearful things went on behind their closed door. Daily he pled with her to flee the abuse, but she was incapable. Over the years, her husband had beaten her spirit down so there was no sense of self remaining. Her world was horrific, but it was the only world she could see, and Dex could not convince her to leave it. She was an attractive, sweet, caring person, and he loved her dearly. Of late, the certainty that she would be killed had grown on him like a suffocating cloud. His pulse raced and his breath grew short every time he entered the house, for fear of what he might find. He took a deep breath and opened the door, to be greeted by "John, where the Hell have you been?" Dex was actually John, Jr. - John Dexter Madison. For years at school he had made sure his given name was never used after the first day of class. He loathed even that much association with the sorry lout who had sired him. By agreement, his mother called him John in his father's presence, just to avoid one more cause for trouble. "Hurry up, dammit! It's time you learned how to treat a woman so she respects you. I'm fuckin' sick of the way you're always sticking up for her, gettin' all lovey-dovey, and all that shit. Now get up here!" Dex stood motionless in the front hall. He knew his father was strong enough to force him, and he knew it would hurt. He just didn't care. He put his mind in that other, sheltered place he had developed for when he knew things would get bad. The boy the elder Madison forced up the stairs was like a recalcitrant robot, resisting but lifeless. When he was thrown through the doorway of his parents' bedroom, Dex was jerked violently from his sheltered place. There on the bed lay his mother, naked, spread-eagled, with hands and feet tied. She was on her back, and he saw briefly that there was no hair on her crotch. He had the impression of a reddish gash between her legs before he dragged his eyes away to look at her face. She was gagged, but her eyes were uncovered and he could read the shame, fear, and pleading in them. He didn't think, but bolted for the head of bed and began scrabbling at one of the restraints. John, Sr. reacted immediately to Dex trying to free his mother. He grabbed the boy by both arms to drag him away, but something had changed from every previous physical encounter. The father did not realize it, but Dex had crossed a line. He was still sane, in fact he was almost icily calm as he spun from the surprised man's grasp, but any fear of injury to himself was totally banished. He kicked viciously at his father's crotch. He missed, but was rewarded with a satisfying whoosh as he connected with the lower abdomen. "What the Hell? You mean Mama's boy finally grew some balls? I'll teach you to mess with me, you stupid brat!" He tried several times to grab Dex, but the boy was a dervish of flying arms and legs. He said nothing while the man spouted a solid stream of filth and oaths. The outcome was inevitable, though Dex prolonged it for a couple of minutes. The hundred pound weight difference, much of it muscle, finally allowed the father to get a firm grip on the boy from behind. He lifted him off the ground and tried to throw him out the door. Dex got his feet up on the door jam on both sides and would not go through until the man landed a sickening punch to the kidneys and Dex blacked out. He wasn't out very long, and instantly remembered what was happening, especially when he heard his father yelling, followed by slapping. The pain in his side took his breath away, but he struggled to his feet. Finding that he was out in the hall, he tried the door and found it locked. Standing back, he rammed his shoulder against it, sending it slamming against the wall. Pictures fell, and glass rattled on the dressing table. John, Sr. was stunned into immobility for a second. Dex saw a blanket on the chair and threw it. Hitting the man in the head, it draped over him, covering eyes and hands. With a flash of quick thinking, Dex grabbed a loose end and wrapped it around the man's shoulders. In struggling to free himself, he fell, and Dex began kicking him with years of pent-up fury. Ten, twelve times he kicked and stomped before he again thought of his mother. He had no idea how the restraints were fastened as he pawed at them frantically before getting a hold of himself and taking time to figure them out. He had freed just her hands when his father got to his feet and threw off the blanket. Dex grabbed the backless vanity stool and faced his father in a lion tamer's stance. He was sure he was about to be terribly beaten, but he worried only about his mother. John, Sr. at this point reverted to form for confronted bullies since the beginning of time - he folded. "Shit, John! This is just a little game we like to play sometimes. I don't know why you got all hot and bothered. I thought it would be something good for you to see. You need to learn about this stuff." With that, he turned and left the room, and they soon heard him drive off. Dex quickly removed one leg restraint and his mother took care of the other by herself. He had carefully kept his eyes away from his mother's nakedness, and he was now faced away from her when the shakes hit him. The onset was so violent he almost fell. Kathy herself was barely aware of her surroundings, and still had the gag jammed into her mouth. Seeing her son's distress, she tried vainly to release the strap at the back of her head, but failed. Giving up on the gag, she jumped up and guided Dex backward, then pulled him down to sit on the bed. She picked up the discarded blanket and wrapped it around him, holding him tight with her arms. She rocked him gently making humming noises, trying to stop the shaking. They sat for almost ten minutes before Dex could regain full control of his limbs and his breathing. When he finally could turn his head, he saw the gag still in place. He also saw that she was still naked, and tried to put the blanket around her. She made an irritated gesture and pushed the blanket away. He moved up on the bed on his knees behind her and worked until he figured out the latch. She forced the ball from her mouth with a loud groan. He reflexively wrapped his arms around her from behind in a loving hug he had repeated many times. Feeling bare skin, he remembered her nudity, and jerked back. She had already taken hold of his hands in her usual fashion, and would not let go. She pulled his arms across her tummy and held them up tight under her breasts while leaning her head back against his shoulder. "Mom, you're still... ! I mean, we shouldn't... !" "Shhh! Please, Honey! Hug me like you never have before! I need it! I need it!" "But, Mom... !" "Please, Honey, Please!" Then SHE started to shake. Forgetting his objections, he awkwardly slid his legs out around her so he was surrounding her from behind. He wanted to throw the blanket around them but she had a vice grip on his arms. He reversed their previous roles and rocked her gently, cooing softly in her ear until her trembling ended. When she could speak again, she begged "Honey, please don't go against your father again! I was so afraid! You're the best thing in my life, and I couldn't stand to lose you." "You're the best thing in MY life, Mom. I won't let him hurt you any more." "But he could kill you!" "Then he'll have to before he gets to you. I've changed. I don't care if he hurts me, or even kills me. I can't live worrying what will happen to you. I know I can't beat him, but I'll fight with everything I have, every time." "Oh, Dex, no, no, no! I'm so afraid for you." "Then let's leave here, Mom, before it's too late." "You know I don't have any money, and we have nowhere to go." "Then let's call the cops!" "We've been over this before, Sweetheart. All the cops in this little town are your father's buddies. If you try to tell anyone at school, they'll never believe you. We have to try to get along with him. We can get through it!" This painful conversation exhausted once more, mother and son sat quietly in loving companionship for several minutes before Dex asked "Mom, uh, don't you think you should get dressed?" "Sweetie, I think it would be better if I stayed naked for a while. Your father is going to make me go naked at dinner a lot in the future. If you see me now and can get a little used to it, it will be easier on both of us." "If he does that, I'll just walk away. I won't help him humiliate you like that." "You're so sweet, Dex. I saw how you tried not to look at me when I was tied. But if you leave the dinner table, it could make him really angry and there could be worse trouble." "I don't care, Mom. I've got to do something. We can't go on like this." "We'll be alright, Honey. It's not always bad, you know. Most of the time he takes good care of us. It's only when he gets upset that..." "It should be never! Normal people don't get beat up at home. It has to stop. He's going to kill you, don't you realize that?" "Oh, Honey, he would never do that. It would be bad for his image." She actually giggled a little. "Well, I'll fix his image. If I tell all the kids at school, sooner or later people will start to believe it. Coach will believe, and that's a start. I think he already suspects." "Nobody in this town will do anything to him. He's just too well known. Everyone thinks he's the greatest guy." "Well, I know better! And you know better! I don't want to disobey you, Mom, but I have to do something." She sensed his determination, and just rested quietly in his arms for a while. "Will he really make you serve dinner naked, Mom?" "Yes, Sweetie, he will. You know, I don't mind if you look at me." With that, she stood up and faced him. "In fact, it gives me a good feeling. I know how much you love me, and I think you will even like looking at my body." "But, Mom, isn't it wrong for me to see you?" He had averted his gaze when she stood up. "Dex, Honey, please look at me! It's not wrong, and I want you to see me. I think I have a nice body, but he... he always makes fun of how I look and tries to make me feel bad. Look at me, Dex! Look at me and make me feel good." She took his chin in her hand and turned his face toward her. The boy's eyes were huge as he first stared into his mother's face, then let his gaze move slowly down over her naked body. Kathy did have a very nice body. She was trim rather than voluptuous, but had good curves in perfect proportions. Her posture showed evidence of the tough times she had, and there were numerous bruises of different ages scattered over her flesh. As her son looked at her for the first time, she unconsciously threw back her shoulders, making her medium-sized breasts stand out and up like a teenager's. She felt no self-consciousness, but rather a warmth and a tingle. Dex, on the other had felt an erection growing. He panicked, afraid his mother would see it. He jammed his hands in front of himself, and started to get up, intending to leave the room. Kathy saw what was happening and reached out to hold him in place. "Mom, I... I need to go to the bathroom." "Dex, I know what's happening. You've got an erection - a hardon. It's OK! It's natural! Don't go away. I don't mind." "But... but... you'll think I'm having bad thoughts about you!" "Oh, no, Honey. I'd never think that. You're a healthy young man. If you didn't get hard looking at my body, I would be devastated. Come on, take your hands away and sit down. Now, take a good look at me all over." With that, she turned a slow circle in front of him. He examined her as she turned, still not believing what was happening, but incredibly excited by the vision in front of him. She had almost turned a full circle when he gulped in a huge draught of air, having forgotten to breathe for over a minute. "Dex, please believe me, it makes me feel so good that my body excites you. I've always known you love me as your Mom. Now to see that you think I'm a desirable woman just thrills me." She stayed motionless in front of him, letting him look and feeling her arousal grow as he did. "Uh, Mom. I, uh, thought women had hair, you know, down there." "Yes, they do, dear, just like men. Your father likes my pussy bare, so he makes me shave it off." "Why does he want it bare?" "Well, I'd like to think it excites him, but he doesn't ever seem to get excited by me any more. I think he does it to humiliate me." "You mean because your, um, uh, pussy is all exposed? Then it's humiliating when I look at it?" "Oh, no, Dex, no, no, no! You would never humiliate me. Here, I think there's a lot you need to learn about women." She picked up the overturned vanity stool and sat on it right in front of him. "Look at my nipples. Come on, Honey, it's OK. Look at them. See how hard they are? When you get sexually excited, your penis gets long and hard, like it is now. When a woman gets excited, her nipples get hard. 'Course, they're a lot smaller, but it's the same idea. Now, when your penis is hard, it's real sensitive to touch, isn't it?" "Mom!" "Oh, come on, silly! I know you jerk off. Everyone does - boys and girls. Anyway, when my nipples are hard, they're very sensitive, just like your cock. Don't blush. I know that's what guys call it." "So you're excited just from me looking at you? I thought you would be embarrassed." "It's not just because you're looking at me. It's that I know you appreciate me and it excites you." "Um, yeah, it sure does. Mom, you are really beautiful. I mean I knew that, but you always wear clothes that kind of hide you, and... Geez, Mom, I didn't mean to make you cry!" The tears were sudden and unstoppable. She sat in her son's lap, laid her head on his shoulder and hugged him, almost desperately. "Dex, Honey, these are happy tears. Hug me, please. Don't be afraid to touch me. I want you to." The crying continued for several minutes. Dex was at first frozen, but gradually put his arms around her back and shoulders. Before long, he was stroking her gently, reinforced by the little hums that were replacing her sniffles. When she finally sat up straight in his lap, she wiped at her eyes and said, "I must look a mess." "Mom, I've seen you with a black eye and a bloody lip, and you were still beautiful." His comment was sincere, but the result was another round of tears and hugs. It was more minutes before she regained control. "You, my handsome, sweet-talking son, have made me feel better than I have in forever. Just to be held and touched gently - I've missed it so much." "I guess Dad never makes you feel good, huh?" "All he wants to do is beat me down. It must make him feel big and important, or something. I haven't had a tender touch or gentle words for years. He wants sex a lot, but he doesn't even do that so it feels good for me. If I show any pleasure, he gets angry. Oh, Sweetie, I don't mean to embarrass you, but you're old enough now. If you can stand up to him, you are a man, and you need to hear these things." "Mom, things are going to change. I won't turn back, now. I'm not sure what I can do, but I am going to fight him every step. I can't live with myself if he hurts you any more." She was terribly afraid of what might happen, but she realized he could not be deterred. She told him his father might return at any time, and after one much-more-than-motherly kiss, she got dressed and he went to his room. ------- The next afternoon, Dex was home well before his father. He felt a little awkward when he came in to the house, but Kathy hurried to greet him as she would a husband, and clung to him until she had to start dinner. He sat in the kitchen and talked as she worked. When John, Sr. came home, he ordered Kathy to strip, ignoring Dex sitting there. Dex jumped right in front of him and told him in an eerie, flat voice. "Guess you're going to have to beat me up again. As long as I can fight, you are not making her undress." "Well, that's no problem - shouldn't take but a minute to whip your scrawny ass, you ungrateful snot." "Well, you might as well get started. I told all my friends at school everything today. Told Coach, too. Might as well have some bruises to back it up." "Aw, fuck! They'll never believe you. Everyone in town knows me!" "Yeah, and pretty soon everyone in town will know the rumors about you being a wife-beater. Next time Mom or I end up in the hospital, they're going to remember what I told them, and start wondering. If you kill one of us, there won't be any question. What do you think will happen to all your good customers and your Council seat, then?" "Christ, John, you didn't really tell all those people, did you?" His voice had suddenly taken on a whining tone. "And that reminds me. The next time you make Mom go to church with you, I am going right to the pastor with the whole story. We are never going through that church door again." "But I'm on the Board. It's important for my family to be there." "You don't have a family! You have victims. We're not going any more!" "Since when do you tell me what your mother is going to do?" "Since you decided to stand there and argue instead of beating me up. Now, are you going to do it and make her undress, or are you going to sit down and eat you dinner, or what?" Dex had thought all day about last night's events. Coach had told him a bit about bullies and how best to deal with them. With his complete willingness to risk beating or even death, he had suddenly gained the dominant position in the household. His father stood and stared at him, his face cycling through the red side of the spectrum. Without saying a word, he stomped from the house, slammed every available door, and burned rubber half way up the block. Without a word, mother and son ran to each other, sank to their knees, and hugged and cried. When the tears had run out. Kathy stood and started to undress, right there in the kitchen. "Mom, it's over! You don't have to do that!" "I know I don't have to. For once I have a choice, and I want to. Being naked in front of you last night made me feel like a real, whole woman. I want that again. Sit down here and let me get your supper. Looks like there's plenty extra tonight," and she giggled. Dex did not know how to act with her sitting naked across from him. Noticing his discomfiture, Kathy finally told him, "Sweetie, just put your fork down, and stare at me - right here at my boobs. Make my nipples get hard and my pussy drip." "Your what?" "Oh, I'm sorry, you don't know about that, do you?" She proceeded to explain lubrication and arousal. To properly demonstrate the musk odor, she came and stood with her crotch inches from his face. Taking her seat again, she encouraged him further. "The more you look at me, the better I will feel. Your looks make me tingle everywhere your eyes go. It is the most wonderful feeling." Blushing and shaking his head, he said, "I never knew you were so... so sexy." "Learn something here, Honey. Women are naturally sexy, and they want to show it. I want to show it! I can only do that when I feel safe, and you, my hero, have made me feel safe at last. So, if I get all sexy on you, it's your own fault. And speaking of sexy, why don't you take off your clothes, too?" "Aw, Mom! I couldn't. I'd be too embarrassed. I mean, I get all... uh..." "You get all hard! Of course you do! I can't wait to see it! Please, Honey!" Typical of pubescent boys, Dex was rather body shy, and was horrified at the prospect of baring himself before his mother. Yet, this amazing creature across from his was so different from his normally sweet, but mousy and withdrawn mother. He wanted this new, sexy mother to stay around, and he knew there was only one way for that to happen. Taking a deep breath, he stood and undressed. He turned his back as he slid down his briefs, and did not immediately turn around. Kathy said nothing, just waited him out, and eventually he turned to face her and dropped his hands, his face flaming red. Trying hard to pick just the right approach, Kathy spoke softly. "Dex, you are a real man! Your cock is absolutely beautiful. Standing up proud like that, it tells me you think I am sexy. I am so thrilled and happy! Thank you for showing me your body. I know it wasn't easy and you did it for me. I want us to spend as much time as we can naked together. I want you to learn about women, and I want us just to be close and open with each other." It was a while before Dex could move, forget talking. By the time dinner was finished and dishes were done, though, the two were talking easily, and Kathy was flirting outrageously. ------- John, Sr. staggered in well after midnight. Dex, who had fallen asleep slumped against his parents' bedroom door, was standing in the hall when his father hauled himself up the stairs. The man's reaction was predictable, as he bellowed his rage. No words were necessary from Dex, as the meaning of his presence was clear. The drunken father stood and yelled every imaginable oath and invective for over five minutes, but never made a menacing physical move. He slunk into the bedroom behind a slammed door, and Dex stood in place for almost twenty minutes until he was sure of absolute silence. The boy had barely fallen asleep when his mother slipped into his narrow bed with him. To his startled objection, she told him this was what she needed, and asked him to hold her tight. They fell asleep with arms around each other. ------- Things changed after that eventful day. The threat was always there, but the constant punches, slaps, and kicks mostly stopped. Dex was fanatical about being home whenever his father was there. He hurried home from school every day, and only went to visit friends when he was sure his father was out of town. His father, though, was able to come home when he wanted to, and he occasionally came home at noon. Other than some belligerent behavior, though, he caused no harm. Coach took Dex under his wing even more than before, spending some time with him every day at school, and even stopping by on weekends. When Coach suggested Dex start working out with weights, Dex protested that he would not be playing any more sports. Coach slyly asked him what if he had to fight again, and from then on, Dex never missed a school day session in the little exercise room at the Junior High. ------- A about a week after the big blowup, John, Sr. took one of his frequent overnight trips. Since they knew he would be gone, Dex stayed after school a while to talk with Coach, and went to a friend's house for supper. He had his books and studied with his friend after supper, so it was almost nine o'clock when he arrived home. He called out to his mother and she responded from the kitchen. When he entered the kitchen he encountered his mother, holding a pan of freshly-baked cookies toward him and completely naked. "These cookies are still warm, and I made them special for a naked stud. Is there one around here?" It was hard to say if he was more amazed by her nakedness or by her playful, flirtatious demeanor. Since their first naked encounter, she had adopted a persona when they were alone that was completely different from the mother he had always known. It was now painful to see her fall back to her old self when her husband was around. There had not been a waking minute in the last week that he had not thought about their first naked encounter. He wanted desperately for it to happen again, but he had not had the nerve to broach the subject. Now, he ignored concerns about his hardon, and threw clothes every which way in his haste to join his mother. "Boy, you're really anxious for these cookies, aren't you?" They both laughed at that, and Dex apologized for his hardon. "Hey, you don't hear me apologizing for these, do you?" She hefted one breast and he admitted that she didn't. "Well, then don't you apologize for that beauty, either. Before the cookies, come over here a minute." She sat him in a loveseat in the family room off the kitchen. As soon as he was seated, she knelt in front of him and began stroking his cock with both hands. "Mom?!!" "It's OK, Honey. This is important to me. We'll talk about some things later, but right now I need to do this. Seems like you kinda need it too, huh?" He spluttered some further objections, but she shushed him and continued stroking. When he had no more objections, he took a deep breath, and that's all it took. Kathy had known it would be quick, but she was caught a bit by surprise. Dex had not seen the towel and the damp washcloth already in place on the end table, and she used them to clean him off when he stopped pulsing. As soon as she thought he was clean, she resumed stroking his shaft, which had softened not a bit. It was quite sensitive, but that problem disappeared after the first few strokes. This time, she got to his side and cupped one hand under his balls. He had been alarmed when she first touched him, then concerned, but he trusted her - he could not imagine her doing anything wrong or harmful. When his sudden release came, his mind became temporarily vacant. When the stimulation started again, he just wallowed in the feelings. With any negative thoughts abolished, his mind was filled with gratitude and love. Without moving, and he was beyond that activity, he could just reach her shoulder, so he began a gentle stroking motion. She responded with a purr and a huge smile, which he missed out on with his eyes tightly shut. She took a couple of minutes to just knead his balls while barely moving her hand up and down the shaft. She stayed away from the head, which she knew would be the most sensitive place after his come. With her middle finger she stroked firmly on the area behind his scrotum, causing a satisfying increase in his squirming. Knowing he was past the ultra-sensitive stage, she released his shaft for a moment to run two fingers up her slit, collecting the oil that had pooled there. She delicately rubbed it over the helmet, causing him to hiss and lurch about. For so many years she had been forced to suck off her husband and she had grown to hate his penis. She had fantasized about doing this for her son, but didn't know if she could get past the penis loathing she had developed. Somehow, though, that loathing had vanished the first time Dex had undressed for her. Now, the wonderful feeling of pent-up energy in her hands was so arousing that she thought she might even climax while doing him. Her son had a beautiful weapon, straight and smooth and surprisingly thick. The head was a lot wider than the shaft when engorged, and she could not help thinking how that would feel popping through her opening. Even after coming once, his testicles felt solid and manly. She knew the genitals developed very rapidly after puberty, and she could not help a feeling of pride over the fine young stud she had whelped. This was the only child she could ever have, but she could not be more proud of him. Her musings were interrupted as he started to arch his back, lifting his ass right off the sofa. She felt his balls pull up tight against his body and the skin of his scrotum thicken. She started encouraging him, "Yes, baby, come for Mommy again! Let it go! Shoot it all over for me!"... and on and on. Dex's first ejaculation had been instantaneous, and had seemed to involve only his genitals. This one was building up as a whole body experience. She kept her hand around his balls because she wanted to feel them pump and jerk when he came. She stroked the shaft and pulled gently on his sac in rhythm. By now, he was uttering small grunts and moans, and his arched body was vibrating like an over-strung bow. Kathy felt the tingling spreading through her own body as the intensity of the situation overwhelmed her. She accelerated her pace for a few strokes, adding her own grunts to his, and then he erupted with a long groan - more like a growl. Fascinated, she held his cock straight up as she stared at the ropes of cum blasting upward. Where was it all coming from? Hadn't he come only five minutes before? How can he shoot it so high in the air? Isn't that five big spurts already? My God, what a sex machine... unngghhh! Her body shook with a series of tremors as she went through a small come of her own. Somehow she retained enough awareness to ease her grip as she convulsed, but she did not completely let go. As they both savored their aftershocks, he sank back onto the sofa and she dropped her head to his thigh. The only sound for quite a while was their combined breathing. She was the first to recover and staggered over to fetch the rag and towel. She sat beside him and gently wiped him off, lingering rather longer than required over his now softened penis. Finished cleaning him, she kissed him softly on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "Don't go way, Honey. I'll get those cookies." Returning with cookies and soft drinks, she affectionately fed a cookie to Dex, who had by now mastered eye and mouth movements, if little else. As she held the pop can to his mouth, he chuckled lightly and managed to raise his hand enough to grab it. They munched and sipped wordlessly, she with her feet under her, tight against his side. "Honey," she asked at last, "do you think I'm awful for what I just did?" "Oh, Mom, don't worry about it. The cookies are just fine." He could not restrain his laughter as she swatted playfully at his arm. "Mom, I could never think you awful, ESPECIALLY after what you just did." "Baby, I know most people think what I just did to you was wrong, and I could be in big trouble if anyone ever found out. I... I just need to feel good about sex. For so long, everything about it has been frightening and disgusting. With you, it's thrilling and beautiful. I want us to touch each other and love each other in the ways I have missed so much. Can we do that? Do you want to do things with me? Do you think that would be wrong?" "I don't know what most people think, Mom, and I don't really care. I love you so much! If I can make you happy, I will do anything. And, Mom, if I didn't tell anyone about all the terrible stuff for all those years, I'm sure not going to talk about the good stuff. Teach me how to make you feel good. Please, I want to learn." "My wonderful son! You're the only real man in this house, you know. From now on, YOU'RE my man!" She took his hand, brought it over her shoulder, and placed the palm right over her breast. Keeping her hand on his, she guided him in kneading and stoking her orb, using hums and moans to encourage his efforts. Without any coaching, he used his fingers to feel her hardened nipple. "Oh, yes! Yes! Do that! Do all of it! Oh, Baby, I knew it would feel wonderful!" Unbelievably thrilled at the feelings he was giving her, she moved around so she lay on her back with her head on his thigh. She pulled his face down to herself, and they shared their first erotic kiss. Almost reluctantly ending the kiss, she guided his mouth to her nipple, where he quickly understood what she wanted. With her coaching and encouragement, he sucked, flailed, and nibbled her nipple with his mouth while continuing to fondle the other breast with his hand. She felt almost ready to come just from his attention to her breasts. Frantic for release, she took his hand, held his middle finger, and placed it right on her clitoris. Panting so hard she could barely speak, she told him, "That little bump. Rub it. Not too hard. Just keep rubbing!" At first, he had a little trouble keeping contact, but she kept her hand over his, helping him get familiar with the strange territory of her crotch. Before very long, he had the feel, and he worked her clit eagerly, pushing her arousal to an incredible level. Just the idea that this was her son - this was incest - amplified all her sensations. She hissed out "Bite," and when he did, she went over, whimpering and shuddering. Startled at her convulsions, Dex lost contact with her clit. She grabbed his hand, though, and held it over her mound, rubbing herself with his hand until she stopped shaking. She started bawling loudly, tears flooding her cheeks. "Oh, Mom, I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" "Happy, Baby! Happy!" was all she could get out. Hearing this, he kissed all over her face and eyes to comfort her. As her sobs subsided, she again pushed his hand to her crotch and stammered "M... m... more!" This time, he had no trouble finding the trigger. She wasn't even sensitive, and he soon had her writhing and moaning. The first time, he was so in awe of what was happening that he had no time for real thought. Now, he realized that HE was able to bring her the same incredible feelings she had given him. It was the most exciting realization of his life. The sheer eroticism of it was intense, but the satisfaction of being able to give to his wonderful, sexy, loving, abused mother made his heart almost burst with joy and pride. He remembered everything from her first climax, and made sure he kept his finger on her when she came. After she had shaken for several seconds, he moved his whole hand over her mound as before and rubbed and rubbed as the tremors and aftershocks went on and on. As she grew limp and still, he slipped his arms around her and pulled her up to his chest, rocking back and forth on the seat. She was totally unresponsive for a while, but he could feel her breathing and knew she was alright. The feeling of her soft, bare chest against his own was completely new and almost took his breath away. He didn't care if he ever moved. When Kathy roused, she had a moment of disorientation, then realized where she was and what had happened. Instead of guilt, she was overcome by pure joy. This was what she had been yearning for all these years. This was the kind of intimacy she had fantasized about since the first tinglings in her pre-teen pussy. This was what her disastrous marriage had denied her. She did not want to move any more than he did, and clung to him while the emotions boiled through her. She felt secure in his strong arms. This was heavenly. But wait! He was fourteen, and this was his first sexual experience of any kind. She was the adult, the mother. She had to make sure he wasn't confused or embarrassed. Lifting her head and giving him a tender kiss, she asked if he would like to take a shower with her. During the shower and afterward, Kathy gave her son a complete introduction to female anatomy, even describing her menstrual cycle, how she managed it, and what effect it had on her. She wanted to be thorough, but tried to keep it light and not too clinical. It continued to amaze her how easy it was to share absolutely everything with him. When they first entered the bathroom, she sat right down and peed, not breaking the conversation they were having, even as she wiped herself. Dex, of course, was not able to be so casual, blushing and turning away as she released her stream. Sensitive to his feelings even in the midst of her euphoria, she made no comment, but kept acting as if sharing the bathroom with him was natural and normal. Her strong desire for intimacy had been suppressed for so long, without even close friends to share with. The floodgates had suddenly opened to her son, and she could hardly hold anything back. As he was washing her body, it suddenly hit her that intercourse was the ultimate intimacy, and she wanted that, too. Hoping that he had not noticed her stiffen when the thought hit her, she was hard-pressed to continue her casual behavior. She had made a conscious decision to enter into sexual activity with Dex, but had somehow avoided the thought of intercourse. What they had already done was wrong, according to everything she believed. Yet, she felt no guilt. It was as if she was owed this pleasure for all she had been through. Intercourse, though, was a whole different matter! It brought the true impact of her actions into sharp focus. ------- Chapter 2 (Sixteen years earlier) Why was she in this terrible situation? Was it all really John's fault? Had she done something wrong to bring it on herself? This was not a new debate in her mind, but suddenly, it became critically important, faced with a new relationship with her son. She had to admit that she was submissive. Her romantic ideal was loving control by a strong man. She thought that was what she had found when she fell in love with John - yes, she had loved him in the beginning. Strong and controlling he was, but the love, if it ever was there from his side, was already gone by the time Dex was born. Looking back, he probably never respected her or put her first, but she was too young and naive to see it. From all appearances he was a catch. She doubted if even today she could make her parents believe what her life was really like. The romantic ideal of her youth was still there, but now it wore Dex's face! He loved her, of that there was absolutely no doubt. And he thought of her first, to the point of literally risking his life. But he was her son! The control relationship was backwards. But he was already controlling her husband, who controlled her! Could he, would he provide the husband role she yearned for? Was if fair to even ask it of him? From somewhere she heard Dex calling "Mom! Mom?" then realized he was right there with her, in the shower. Embarrassed and confused, she turned toward him and hugged herself to him. The feeling as he returned the hug sealed the deal. Safe! Loved! Protected! All the things she had dreamed of. God help her, she had no choice! She could only go on if she had those things. She had told him he was her man. He had to be, or she would die. Even though it was still early for a teenager to retire, he agreed to get in bed with her, naked. There, she poured out her heart to him as she laid in his arms, telling him of her romantic ideal, her needs, her shattered dreams, her love for him. She did not ask him directly for what she really wanted, but he was in tune. "Mom, I will be your man. I don't know about the husband business, but I know about loving you and protecting you. I... I'll feel funny telling you to do things, but if that's part of being your man, I will try." They kissed tenderly for a long time after that. "Mom, uh... I mean... er..." "You mean what about sex, don't you? Honey, that is your decision. I will tell you my body aches for you, even though I know it is wrong. Tonight, I think we should hold and touch and enjoy each other. You need to think about what you want to do. Your first time happens only once, and you may not want to waste it on your old Mom." His reaction at first shocked, then absolutely thrilled her. He sat up in the bed, dragged her across his lap, and spanked her bottom several times, rather loudly but not at all painfully. He scolded her roundly for talking herself down, then began the most arousing caresses she had ever experienced. All over her ass cheeks, then her back and shoulders, he stroked, sometimes with his hand, sometimes his fingertips. Her skin was rippling with pleasure under his touch as he told her how smooth and soft she felt. She didn't want to, but she cried again. This was so good she could not even have dreamed it. She was lost! She was going to Hell! She was an incestuous sinner! But Heaven was right here, right now. Tears streaming from her eyes, she rose and straddled his lap, then held his perpetually erect cock to her opening and sank down onto it. They gasped in unison at the incredible, forbidden sensations. He was almost catatonic from the shock and the sheer pleasure. She was transported by the wonderful fullness and the absence of pain. When fully impaled, she held still and clung to him, sobbing. "Oh, Dex, I couldn't wait! I couldn't help myself! Forgive me, but it's so wonderful! Oh, my man, I love you so much!" and the sobbing continued. "I told you you could decide, but I couldn't wait," she wailed. "Mom, I'm glad YOU decided. I don't know if I could have. Oh, I can't believe how good it feels!" She stopped in mid-sob, and pulled up her head to stare in his eyes. She HAD decided, hadn't she? She never decided anything! He was so good for her! The sobbing started again, but this time it was for pure joy, the guilt forgotten. Feeling almost outside herself, she pushed him onto his back and stammered, "M... my tits, Honey! Please!" He heard her as if from afar, but got the idea and put both hands on her. She leaned herself into his hands and started to move up and down. This was all new to her - she had never been in the top position before. She had never been in control before! Dex had come twice tonight, but it had been nearly an hour and he had been hard for most of that time. She had gone only a couple of strokes when he grabbed her arms in a panic and shouted "Mom, get off!... Baby!" She fell forward on top of him, kissing him wildly. "Oh, you sweet man! I can't have any more babies, Honey. Don't worry." With that she started moving again. The fright had softened him somewhat, and she made over a dozen strokes before he exploded into her. She knew instinctively that would not be the end, and sure enough, he did not soften at all. She could feel him flinch slightly when she continued stroking, but he soon filled her as full as before. Their combined juices reduced the friction considerably and she kept moving until her legs began to tire. "Honey, let's roll so you are on top. Hold on, don't pop out!" The missionary position was not one she thought of fondly, nor was doggy style. She suggested it before remembering the pain and disgust of all the times her husband had leered or snarled above her while plundering her poorly lubricated channel. As soon as Dex was on top, though, every bad memory vanished. The look on his face spoke care and adoration. As he drew on the eons-old instinct and began thrusting in and out, the tingles and the prickly skin started almost instantly. Responding to her own instinct, she wrapped her calves around his buttocks and thrust back at him in rhythm, chanting "So good! So good! So good! Oh, God! So good!..." As he regained more awareness of the situation, he was able to relish the feelings, but even more the responses from his beloved mother. Every answering thrust, every word, every facial expression, every drop of sweat gracing her face and chest swelled his heart with pride and pure joy. This is what he was made to do! He felt he could go on forever! All the vigor of his youth was poured into every stroke. All the love he felt for her was transmitted through his plunging shaft. Time meant nothing. He would never tire! Only her joy mattered! Without conscious decision, he sped his pace until he was pistoning in almost a blur. He was gasping for breath when she let out a shriek and grabbed at him so hard she lifted herself off the bed. She hung rigid for a few seconds, then shook with a violence that stunned him. She had no breath to scream and managed only a prolonged groan. He was motionless with shock for a moment, but instinct took over again and he continued his motions. As she settled into smaller tremors, her limbs went limp and she flopped back motionless. He was on his way to yet another release, and kept thrusting. The unconscious ripples from her vagina aided his climb, and he unloaded several more spurts into her inert form. He held himself above her, panting as he watched her face for her return to awareness. When it came, it was not like a gentle waking. Her eyes popped open to their maximum size and she stared at him in utter wonder. Once, then again, she opened her mouth as if to speak, but closed it again with no sound. He did not detect a single blink as the stare continued. Finally, a drop of sweat fell from his nose onto her cheek, and she let out a long, hissing breath. She managed to get him to roll to his side, and they lay looking into each others' faces, his cock still embedded in her. Bringing her underneath hand up to his face, she pressed it under his cheek and traced her thumb absently over his lips. Once, he made is if to speak, but she pressed her thumb over both lips to keep him quiet. She closed her eyes and drifted off. His pulse was racing far too fast for sleep, so he held perfectly still and just looked at her. After a few minutes, he too gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep. Some time later, she awoke, chilled. A mess of fluids had run out over her leg and onto the bedclothes. She went to the bathroom and cleaned up as well as she could, bringing back a towel. She soaked up the worst of the puddle and covered the rest with the towel, pulling the blankets over them as she snuggled up to his sleeping form. In the morning, she awoke first. Returning from her shower, she knelt on the bed and kissed him awake, then put a finger on his lips to indicate he should not talk. She pulled him up from the bed and shooed him toward the bathroom as she stripped the bed. She waited until he turned off the shower before starting the washing machine, having started breakfast while she waited. As he entered the kitchen, she came up to him and kissed him, then again pressed a finger to his lips. He nodded in understanding, ate his breakfast, and left for school without saying a word. ------- Kathy did not know why it was so important to her to say nothing after their incredible interlude. 'I love yous' were totally unnecessary. Perhaps she feared any hint of apology from either of them. She was sure that once she was alone in the house, the guilt would hit her full force. It never did. She was shocked at this lack of conscience - she had been reared in a very loving, but traditional family. All she could feel now was joy, wonder, and gratitude. Instead of a lifetime of sex as punishment, she could at least taste the joy that loving intercourse could bring. Through all the agonizing, humiliating bouts with John, she could not have imagined how good it could be. How wonderful that the monster could spawn a son with a heart so full of love, courage, and self-sacrifice. If this was sin - if this had doomed her to Hell, why was she singing through her chores for the first time in memory? Why did her eyes sparkle back at her in the mirror? Where were the worry lines? No, what she felt left no room for guilt, and she was not about to make a place for it. She was going to take every priceless minute she could get with her son. She was owed! ------- It would have been less dangerous for his academic standing if Dex had stayed home sick. Had there been a test of any kind that day, he would surely have blown it. He had barely reached the school grounds when he heard one kid angrily call another a 'motherfucker.' That jolted him to his soul. Is that what he had become? Instead of listening in class, he constantly replayed the previous night. Strangely, he did not spend the day with a hardon. He was not bombarded by images of his mother's body, but of her face, her eyes, her tears of joy. He believed he had made her happy, and it was the most wonderful feeling he ever had. His worries centered on how she would feel when he got home. He was very afraid he might have ruined the close relationship they enjoyed. He couldn't stand that, because he knew it was the only positive relationship she had. Would she be angry with him? Would she be ashamed? Would she tell him they could never have sex again? - never be naked together again? His walk home after school was more agonizing than the day of the spread-eagle incident. The conflicting emotions made every step an act of will. When he finally walked in the door, Kathy met him naked at the door, and his heart fairly leaped from his chest. She practically dragged him to his room where she undressed him, then knelt on the bed with her naked ass toward him. "Dex, Honey, come into me from behind, please. But first, make sure I am lubricated. Your father never bothers, and it hurts me. I want you to do it right. It will help me so much." She patiently told him how to check to see if she was ready. She was a little moist, but she told him to pretend she was dry. He was unsure of himself, but she lay on her back and held out her arms to him. Once they began kissing, his actions of the previous night came back to him. They kissed, caressed, and fondled for quite a while. After he had sucked on her nipples, he again used his hand to make her cum. When she had recovered, she told him that a woman was always lubricated after an orgasm. In his youthful enthusiasm, he decided he would always make sure she came at least once before intercourse. Their coupling was again energetic and he again was able to maintain through a climax and bring her off. Afterward, they dressed and finally started to talk. There were no recriminations or guilt on either side. They agreed they wanted to continue whenever possible. They mostly talked about keeping it secret, particularly from John, Sr. This was the first time it hit them that she would not be able to avoid sex with her husband. This put her into tears and him into an angry funk. They commiserated for an hour more, with neither feeling much better about their dilemma. She finally explained that she had been going through the motions at his demand for years. Her heart had never been in it. It would be harder for her now, because she knew how it could be, but she assured him only he had her heart. It was a struggle to project some kind of normalcy when John, Sr. arrived home. For once, she was glad he had the sensitivity of a post. ------- It was obvious that the fear of public disclosure had a major effect on John, Sr. The frequency of his demands for sex dropped way off. It seemed that without the possibility of some brutality, it did not interest him as much. Kathy concealed the pain she was put through on several occasions, not wanting to risk triggering Dex's protective instincts and provoking a confrontation. Dex knew some of what she was going through, because he spent many nights outside their door. He ached for her distress, but he knew of her concern for him. He also knew it could be worse for her after he was dispatched in a fight. Whenever the two of them were home alone, they wore no clothes. Somehow, it was extremely important to Kathy to display her body to her son, and to observe his appreciation. Both of them felt a closeness and openness of communication they never had before. It was as if they had defined their own private world where John, Sr. did not exist. In their little world, there was only love, care, and respect. To reach their world, they simply undressed. Of course, in their little world, there was also sex. Neither experienced any guilt over their incest. It was if they felt owed this form of happiness as compensation for the real-world hell they lived in. In their little world, morality had a totally different basis. If it elevated them, lifted their spirits, strengthened their bond, it was good and acceptable. Many times, their intercourse was quick and frantic, for fear of being discovered in the act. To Kathy, even these couplings were thrilling. When John was out of town, or occasionally when he was passed out drunk, they made love slowly, gently, and with unbelievable intensity. ------- Even in Junior High, Dex heard plenty of bawdy talk among his peers, and he used those bits of information, or misinformation, as ideas for new things to try. The next time they had a night alone, he asked her, "Mom, what exactly is 'going down' and what does it mean to 'eat out' a woman?" Feeling very ill at ease with the subject because she had no experience with it, Kathy nevertheless kept her cool and answered as best she could. "Honey, they both mean using your mouth to, uh, stimulate a woman's pussy." "Yeah. I thought that was it, but it just seemed sort of, uh,..." "You mean it seems disgusting or dirty?" "I guess. But the idea is still kinda exciting. Does it feel good to a woman?" "I... I've never had it done to me. I mean, any contact on a woman's pussy feels good, so I suppose it is exciting or no one would do it." "Could... could I try it on you, Mom?" "Oh, Honey, you don't need to do that. I'm very happy with the things we have been doing. I don't want you to have to kiss me down there." "Mom, I love everything we've done, too. I love everything about you, and I love making you feel good. From the way the guys talk, women really dig this. I really want to try it." Knowing there was almost nothing she could deny him, and being secretly curious about it, she told him, "Well, let me get extra clean first. And you have to promise that if it is too unpleasant, you will just stop, OK?" In response, he wrapped her in a tight hug and told her, "So far, there is nothing about you that is unpleasant. Let's go shower, and I'll make sure you are extra clean down there." He proceeded to make good on his promise. When they reached the bed after their now customary playful, arousing shower, they naturally came into each others' arms. After only about a dozen encounters, his confidence had increased dramatically. Where he lacked confidence, he was learning to fake it, because he knew how important his strength and dominance were to her. He placed her on her back and began at her lips, kissing and licking, with occasional nibbles. He worked all over her face and neck, then down her upper chest to the tops of her breasts. He laved her cleavage and the under side of her breasts before sucking one nipple strongly into his mouth. This caused her to hiss and arch upward, as if trying to push more of herself into his mouth. He spent several minutes worshipping her breasts. Moving down her torso at last, he placed only a few light kisses on her tummy, his eagerness to get to his real goal overcoming his determination to go slowly. There had been numerous chances already to explore her genitals, but this was different. Long before he started kissing down her belly, he had smelled her arousal. Now, he could clearly see the swelling and darkening of her labia, and his already stiff member became even more engorged. Here, his youth and inexperience sent a wave of uncertainty through him. Almost ready to back off, he heard her pull in a ragged breath, and realized that she wanted this, probably more than he wanted to do it. That was all it took, and the uncertainty vanished. Eagerness having replaced the uncertainty, he tentatively touched his tongue right in the center of her slit, evoking a jerk and a hiss from her. Thrilled as always by her response to his actions, he started kissing all over the area, much as he had on her upper body earlier. He had worried about the taste, and it was certainly not like anything he had ever ingested before, but, though not really pleasant, it was somehow stimulating. He started licking the coating from her lips, causing her to fairly bounce on the bed with tension and pleasure. Using his fingers, he gently spread her outer lips apart, opening up the pink inside of her surprisingly intricate organ. Pushing aside a little initial revulsion, he traced his tongue lightly over the inner folds. It was hard to tell who was most excited now, as both were panting. It was becoming hard for him to keep his mouth in contact with her because of her wriggling and jerking. The knowledge that he was bringing his beloved mother pleasure was adding to his own arousal. Wanting to extend his exploration, but nearly in a frenzy himself, he moved up to her nub and kissed firmly around the area while rubbing it with his tongue. It took only a few seconds before she released violently. Her thighs clamped around his head and her slamming pubic bone banged into his nose. His own sexual tension was so high that he started spurting spontaneously. From their very first time, he remembered the importance of keeping contact to prolong her orgasm. Through his own orgasmic haze, he grabbed her hips and pushed against her mound with his face. Sometimes his mouth pressed into her, sometimes his nose or chin. It was enough to hold her through a long, satisfying come. Exhausted as she was, she pulled firmly on his head to bring him up on top of her. Legs splayed apart, she took hold of his cock to guide him into her, pulling his head down to kiss him after his single-stroke entry. She hesitated for just a moment upon tasting herself on his face, then resumed the kiss with more passion than ever. It was she who started the fucking motions, but he responded quickly. Once into a rhythm, his thrusting went on for a long time, taking her to a smaller orgasm in the process. Before he finally came again, she virtually disintegrated, unable to hold him, unable to speak, and barely able to breathe. After his second climax, he had no arm strength left and fell to the side, hardly more capable than she was. Both lay semi-comatose and panting for several minutes. She was the first to rouse, and started crying softly. Dragging himself awkwardly up onto his arms, he kissed her eyes and her lips, knowing why she cried, and knowing no words were needed. "How could you keep going so long, Honey?" she was finally able to gasp. "I came earlier when you did the first time." "But you weren't in me then!" "Yeah! Hope I didn't stain anything." "You mean, you liked it, too?" "Silly question, Mom. Liked isn't even close to what I felt. Don't have to ask if you liked it, do I?" After that session, they were even more anxious for nights when John was away or passed out. Oral sex was not always a part of their intimacy, but when there was plenty of time, they both looked forward to it. After being forced to suck off her husband for so many years, she had not wanted to do it to Dex. However, her first time being eaten out spurred her to try a blow job on him. She found that, just like everything else about sex, her enjoyment depended strictly on who she was doing it with. She was already fascinated with her son's cock, and she soon became almost addicted to it. Because he loved his mother, and was always terrified of causing her any more pain, Dex approached everything about sex gently. She had to spur him on to be more aggressive at times to fulfill her own needs. The thought of doing anything as his father would do it was repulsive to him. They had numerous conversations about how she needed him to be strong and energetic, and he was not abusing here when she asked for it. He developed a reverence for women that was to characterize his relationships for the rest of his life. ------- One of the most strained times in their sexual adventure came about on another night alone together. Kathy seemed slightly on edge all through dinner, and could not sit still as they watched a little TV. Finally, she came out with her request. "Honey, I want you to do something that I'm afraid will be hard for you. I want you to tie me up, just like that first time you saw me." His reaction was almost violent. He could not believe she would ask him this, and he wanted nothing to do with it. All he could see was her pleading eyes as he was dragged into the bedroom. He stomped angrily away from her, and she just let him go for a while. After twenty minutes or so, she found him in his room and sat in his lap. "Dex, Honey, please, just listen to me for a minute, OK? You have done some of the things your father has done to me, only you have done them FOR me. You have given me love and pleasure instead of the fear and pain I get from him. You must know that I have a need to be controlled. He just does it all wrong. I know you will do it right. It will help me so much to forget all the bad things from the past if you will do this for me. Please! It is important to me." Of course, resistance was futile, much as the idea repelled him. He argued some more, trying to dissuade her, but she eventually won his reluctant agreement. "Honey, you must have awful memories of that day. Won't this help you forget, too?" He told her to go and get everything ready, and he would join her shortly. Puzzled, she watched as went out to the garage. In the bedroom, she had fetched the shackles, pulled back the blankets, and was waiting on the bed for him. He first snapped the shackles on her wrists and ankles, then showed her a roll of very thin string, barely more than thread. "Mom, I am going to use this instead of the regular snaps. I just cannot stand to do what Dad did. You could break this string with a hard jerk, and that is the only way I can handle it. If you don't break loose, then I'll know you are OK with everything I am doing." After saying this, he kissed her firmly, preventing any further argument. He did put a blindfold on her, but did not use the gag. Once she was 'secured, ' he proceeded to do everything he had learned so far to arouse her. His goal was to make her so frantic that she would break the string, but she never did. Over forty-five minutes, he used fingers, hands, lips, tongue, and a feather-like lace handkerchief to caress and tease her. He successfully avoided taking her completely over the top, even when she screamed her need at him. At long last, he entered her, but the torture did not stop there. He kept the pace maddeningly slow, pausing if he felt himself getting close, or if he sensed her peaking. When she stopped pleading and uttered only unintelligible blubberings as she threw her head back and forth, he started pounding her in earnest. Fearing that he could not outlast her, he used his thumb on her clit, and was able to make her peak before he himself lost control. In the throes of her convulsions, she broke three of the strings, then ripped off the blindfold and threw her almost-numb arms desperately around him. With his last ounce of energy, he reached back to break the last string on her leg, then returned her hug as they rolled to their sides. "Mom, I hope that helped get rid of all your fears, because I really cannot do that again. It's not me, and it's not what I want to do to you, or to anyone, ever." Seeing the tears in his eyes, she replied, "Oh, Honey, I know how hard it was for you. But it really did help. Thank you so much for being willing. I really should be angry for the way you tortured me, but you just knew what I needed, as usual." ------- On another night alone, they had just dried off from their usual playful, arousing shower. Kathy took a bottle of body lotion, and began rubbing it on her legs. Still in a playful mood, Dex said, "Your Highness! What are you doing? That is not for you to do. That is the job of your faithful servant." Taking the bottle from her hands, he finished applying it to her legs, being careful to work it very, very high on her thighs. When he was done, he asked, "Does your Highness perhaps have other parts of her body that need soothing?" As she giggled, he began with her hands and arms, working to her neck and shoulders. She was sitting on the edge of the tub facing him, so he continued down her front, of course spending extra time on her breasts. Finished with her front, he climbed into the tub and did her back, covering her hips and as much of her buttocks as he could reach. "If your Highness would stand, your faithful servant would finish soothing those last parts that could not be reached." He then lifted her to her feet. He first covered her rear upper thighs, and the lower part of her ass that he could not reach when she was seated. Finally, he stood beside her, and with a liberal coating of lotion on both hands, started rubbing her crack from front and back simultaneously. He got into a back and forth sawing motion, almost bringing her to her knees after a few strokes. With a yelp, she got down on her knees on the small rug that covered the center of the bathroom and ordered him: "Faithful Servant, use thy member to soothe her Highness's insides with your own special lotion. Posthaste! Or I will have you thrown in the dungeon!" The coupling that followed was playful and vigorous, but no less satisfying. Having experienced the pleasure of the lotion massage, it became a regular event, although moved to a towel spread on the bed. ------- Into April, the Pastor called and asked if he could visit Kathy. She agreed only on condition that Dex be included. The Pastor arrived before Dex got home from school, and she would not let him enter the house. When the already confused preacher sat across from them, Dex jumped his question boldly. "We will never again attend a church that will allow a monster like my father in a position of leadership." "Monster?! What are you talking about?" Dex again did all the talking, describing in summary the years of abuse. "But he has been a conscientious leader and a substantial contributor..." "And that's what counts, isn't it. As long as the money comes in, you don't look too close, do you?" "Now, see hear, young man, I had no idea any such thing was going on. In fact, I'm not sure I can believe it now!" "You're supposed to understand people. You just didn't let yourself look for it. We will not be back, and now you know why." When the Pastor left, Kathy had not uttered a word. ------- One night in late May, Dex had dozed off in his usual place in the hall when a shriek from his mother, followed by yelling from his father awakened him. He listened for a confused moment and could hear that something was seriously wrong. His father had come home rather drunk, and he knew that was the most dangerous time. Not waiting for anything worse to happen, he tried the door, and once again had to crash through it. He saw his mother standing on the bed with blood on the crotch of her nightgown. "Mom, what did he do to you?" "Get out of here, you brat. Stupid cunt's on the rag and I'm gonna take her ass, that's all." "No! No! John, it hurts!" "So what! I got my rights and you and Mama's boy can't stop me!" "Mom, go call the police, then get out of the house and yell! Go, please! Now!" "No, Dex, he'll hurt you!" "Then go before he kills me! Hurry!" "Damn right I'll kill you. This is the last time you're messin' in my married life." The gravity of the situation finally sank in, and Kathy bolted past her lunging husband. Dex threw himself into his father, knocking him momentarily to the ground, giving his mother precious seconds. He quickly went into the hall and pulled the door shut, grabbing the handle and bracing his feet against the jam. The drunken father, constantly spouting curses, pulled with all his might from the other side. Hearing his mother talking excitedly into the phone, Dex hung on desperately, knowing he could only stall. When her shouting stopped, he shouted again for her to run outside and yell and get to safety. Acting on fighting instinct he never knew he had, he waited for his father's next strong pull and let go of the handle. He heard a satisfying crash as the man's alcohol-impaired balance failed him and he staggered and crashed heavily into the vanity. Ignoring the impulse to attack, Dex shook his arms to relieve the cramping as his father moaned and cursed his way back to his feet. As he waited, he heard his mother yelling, the sound seeming to come from across the street. He had planned to grab the door again to buy more time, but now, he turned and darted down the stairs to the front door. Opening the front door, he reached back and tipped over the narrow table that stood in the front hall. He closed the door and, hearing his mother still outside, yelling, he pulled the door shut and hung on. This door had loop style handles on both sides, so his father was able to get a much better grip and use his superior strength. On the first heave, Dex was pulled off balance and into the house. Realizing the danger, he scrambled to get back outside, but the man, able to remain standing by hanging on to the door, landed a straight punch behind the boy's ear. The impact propelled Dex through the door and he could only stagger a few steps and curl into a ball before he blacked out. John, Sr. charged out the door and was busy kicking the unconscious boy when lights came on and people came out of houses. Fear of his image penetrated his drunken rage, and he stopped in astonishment, then dashed back into the house. As three neighbors converged on Dex, John, Sr. backed out of the garage and fish-tailed up the street. The father's car was barely out of sight when a police car screeched to a halt, and the officer sprinted toward the little group. He was kneeling over the boy when Dex came to and bolted upright, one arm dangling lifelessly. "Mom! Mom! Where is she? Don't let him get her!" It took all four people to restrain him, and he would not stop struggling until his mother came out of the neighbors' house, whereupon he fell back into unconsciousness. The officer scurried back to the patrol and had an animated radio conversation. He came back and, over the objections of Kathy and all the neighbors, picked up Dex and clumsily put him in the back of the car and drove off. Kathy was now beside herself. She was not close with any of the neighbors, and had no car of her own. In desperation, she called Coach, who was there by the time she had finished dressing. By careful searching, they found Dex at a doctor's office, but were told they could not see him as he was being held on assault charges. The reality of the fix got through their astonishment, and he was released when they agreed not to press charges against John, Sr., Councilman and friend of the police. The three of them sat in Coach's car for several minutes. Dex was too groggy to react or say much. Kathy was virtually in shock. Coach was fuming at the injustice, but he had lived in the town long enough to know he could do nothing. "You're coming home with me," he told mother and son, and drove off. Coach was single and lived in one of many 30's vintage two-story houses that dotted their town. Once Dex was sound asleep, he fixed coffee for Kathy and himself, and they sat wordlessly at the kitchen table, sipping. "If I had a son, I would hope for him to turn out like Dex. You should be very proud." Kathy could only look at him with a teary smile, unable to speak at first. Finally, at Coach's urging, she told him the whole story in detail, leaving out any mention of the special relationship with her son, or his keeping watch outside the bedroom. ------- Even if he had felt like going to school the next day, Dex would not have left his mother. He had no visible bruises, but his ribs, back and arms were livid from his father's kicks. There were only two more days of school, and Coach promised to square everything with his teachers. Dex badly wanted to hold his mother, but hugging was very painful. They sat for hours just holding hands, talking sporadically. Mid-afternoon, they were dismayed to see the Pastor come to the front door. Dex wanted to just ignore him, but relented at Kathy's insistence. The man was obviously ill at ease, and immediately apologized for his earlier skepticism. He said he had a good idea what really happened the night before, and he was ashamed and disgusted that such a man was considered a pillar of his church. He assured them that he would be voted off the Board at an emergency meeting that Sunday. "I also need to tell you, Mrs. Madison, that your husband's overnight trips out of town have not been on business. There is a woman in Overton that he has been staying with for years. One of our parishioners saw him recently with this woman, and told me about it. I hired an investigator, and here is the information he uncovered. As a minister, I believe in the sanctity of marriage, but I think there is plenty in that folder for a divorce proceeding. I know there is no way I can atone for not being aware of John's abuse. I fear I have contributed to your pain. Young man, I am afraid you were correct - I did not want to know. I pledge to you that I will never make that mistake again. At the same emergency meeting, I am tendering my resignation." With nothing more said by any of them, he left the house. Kathy's immediate thought was how the Pastor had found where they were staying. After talking it over, they agreed that it could never be a secret in this town. They spent the next hour going over the investigator's report, Kathy crying constantly, Dex seething with anger. ------- That evening after supper, Coach insisted they make plans to get out of town. Kathy's family, her parents and two older sisters, lived across the state in the capital city. Kristen was three years older and just divorced. Karen was seven years older, married to Mike, and had two college aged sons and a daughter, sixteen. Her parents were in their mid sixties and had some health problems. Because of John's extreme controlling attitude, she had seldom seen her family over the last ten years. Coach insisted she call and talk to all of them, and forget about the cost. The next two hours were extremely emotional, as both Kathy and Dex talked to her family. Karen insisted they just get out and come stay with them, and Mike got on and told them he would drive down to get them the day after school was out. He expressed concern that they might be in danger before then. Coach got on and assured Mike they could stay with him for a few more days. ------- Two days later, the last day of school, the skies opened just at dusk, sending water cascading down the streets. Coach had to run out on a short errand, promising he would return quickly. No sooner had he pulled away then John, Sr. burst through the back door. Kathy and Dex were sitting at the kitchen table and stared at him in shock. "No wife of mine is shacking up with some other man! You're coming home with me right now." Getting painfully to his feet, Dex stepped in front of the man. "Coach is just trying to keep us safe from you. Mom is doing nothing wrong. You're the one who's been shacking up all these years, with Angela, in Overton." "What do you know about anything, brat! A man's gotta get decent sex somewhere. If I can't get it at home from this frigid bitch, I'll get it wherever I can." "Well, you'll have to get it in Overton, because Mom's never coming back. She's going to divorce you." This statement was met with laughter from John, Sr. He went into a long tirade, belittling Kathy, telling her she had no chance of a divorce, bragging about his influence around town, and threatening what he would do to Coach for messing with his wife. After several minutes, he wound down and ordered Kathy to come with him. As he moved toward her, Dex got right in his way, and held out his hand, trying to hold off his father. The man swung at the boy, but Dex was able to deflect it with his arm. Dex picked up a chair, wincing from the pain, and tried to hold it between himself and his father, all the time keeping Kathy safely behind him. She had stood up, and was whimpering constantly from fright. Dex withstood several rushes before his father's greater strength prevailed. The man wrenched the chair away, throwing the boy off balance, then landed a solid blow to the boys face. At this moment, Coach entered the house, dripping wet, and bellowing at John, Sr. The enraged father went for the staggering boy, but Kathy, inexplicably, screamed "Nooooo!" and stepped in front of her son. Yelling, "Outta my way, you worthless slut!!" he took Kathy by the shoulders and flung her aside, just as Coach reached him and got a hold around his neck. Kathy stumbled over the fallen chair and fell backward heavily, her head striking a corner of the cupboard. Even in his groggy state, Dex saw the trickle of blood and knew it was over. The image of his beloved mother's lifeless body sprawled against the cupboard was seared into his memory forever. Coach forgot about the man and immediately dashed to the stricken woman. John, Sr. stood motionless for just a moment, then with a curse, dashed from the house. He never knew the fate of his wife, for in an unbelievable twist of fate, he either drove or slid through a nearby arterial and was decapitated by a crossing truck. Kathy was rushed to the clinic, where she continued breathing for about two hours, but never regained consciousness. The same deputy from the night before told Dex about his father. Dex's only comment was "Why did it have to be too late for Mom?" After the doctor had checked Dex, and Kathy had been pronounced, the deputy pulled Coach aside and they talked earnestly for several minutes. Most of the small police force was gathered at the clinic, but Coach managed to get Dex quietly outside and around the back of the building. They walked through a vacant area until they were a couple blocks away, then Coach had Dex wait while he went back for his car. Picking Dex up, he drove to an intersection a few miles from town and waited. After about fifteen minutes, the young deputy arrived in his own car, with his wife and small son on board. Together, the two vehicles drove across the county line to Haggard, which was large enough to have a State Patrol office. On the drive, Coach tried his best to comfort the grief-stricken boy, then had to explain why they had fled. The night before, the deputy had been ordered, over his strong objections, to detain Dex and do nothing to John, Sr. Now that death had resulted, the deputy feared that he, his family, Dex, and Coach might be in danger. He knew the politics of the town, and feared what could happen in the cover-up. It turned out the deputy had gone to the Pastor that morning, guilt-ridden over what he had been forced to do, and concerned about Dex and Kathy. As Dex rode through the miserable night, rain still falling steadily, he felt completely lost. Everything upon which his world rested had been shattered. His home life had been tragic, but it was what he knew. Although he knew it intellectually, the fact that his mother was gone had not hit him emotionally yet. Fear and uncertainty washed over him like the summer rainstorm that pelted the car. He tried to withdraw into that place where he was not concerned what happened to him, but he could not get there. Always before, concern for his mother allowed him to subdue his fear for himself. Now she was gone, and then it hit him! She was gone because he had failed! He did not protect her! He did not convince her to leave in time! Massive feelings of failure and guilt took hold of him. He would battle these feelings for the rest of his life. By the time they told the story to the Sergeant on duty, Dex was in bad shape. They all got rooms at a nearby motel, and a doctor was called to give him a sedative. Coach took on the sad task of calling Kathy's family. He also told them he did not think Dex should go back to the town. He was concerned about where county officials might try to place him. He knew how the boy would react if sent to live with his paternal grandparents. Mike insisted they would pick up Dex the next day and take him home, and Karen, through her grief and shock, agreed. Coach would not tell them where he was, and insisted on bringing Dex part way. ------- Chapter 3 (Sixteen years earlier) When Mike and Karen Ferguson hung up from the fateful call, they just sat motionless, Karen weeping softly, Mike in a trance. Donna, their sixteen-year-old daughter, roused them. She had heard the phone ring, then her mother's shriek, and had been standing for some time watching from the next room. She walked over and knelt by Karen, hugging her mother around the waist, and laying her head on her mother's lap. A sensitive girl, and loving her parents very much, she knew it was not the time to talk. Mike brought a chair to the other side of his wife, and pulled her head onto his shoulder. They sat that way for at least twenty minutes before Mike gently raised his wife to her feet and led her to the bedroom. As Donna started to move toward her own room at the top of the stairs, Mike took her arm and motioned her toward the master bedroom. Donna waited while her parents used the bathroom, then went herself as they climbed into bed. She returned to her parents' room and snuggled up to the other side of her mother. It was at least two hours before Karen collapsed into sleep. An hour later, Donna woke, and went to her own room. Perhaps wakened by her daughter's departure, Karen felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness and need. Inexplicably, these feelings morphed into lust. Mike was spooned behind her, sleeping soundly. Becoming rather frantic, she tore off her panties, bent over, and reached between her legs to open his boxers and get at his penis. Almost roughly, she began pulling on it, interrupting his slumber. For several strokes, he was unable to determine if this was dream or reality, but the sound of her whimpering and panting brought him fully awake. He was first puzzled why this was happening, but quickly realized that she needed this badly and that he needed to help her out. He hardened almost instantly, and a single touch verified that she was more than ready. Ordinarily a gentle lover, he somehow knew that gentle was not her need tonight. Lifting her upper leg, he was guided into her by her eager hand, sinking all the way in remarkably few strokes. He used his other hand to push her torso forward so it was perpendicular to his body. Keeping a hand between her legs, he went right for her clit and began rubbing with a firmness that would normally cause her to recoil in pain so soon. Not tonight. Even his first strokes were deep and intense and he felt the goosebumps sprouting on her legs from his efforts. He settled into a rhythm, determined to bring her to multiple orgasms before letting go. His sexy wife usually required about a ten minute build up, but he did not think it would take that long tonight. Releasing his grip on her neck, he moved that hand to her bottom and searched out her anus with his thumb. She was already lubricating freely, and he brought his thumb right to their joining to moisten it. Then he began inserting it in her back door millimeter by millimeter, stroke by stroke. Nerves already crackling from the night's emotional deluge, Karen launched quickly, thrashing under his hands. Determined not to let her recede from her peak, he fought to keep contact, then fought even harder to forestall his own climax. Anal sex was not something they practiced, and he did not know why he chose to stimulate her there. Perhaps it was a desire to maximize erogenous zones, and he could not easily reach her breasts. Whatever the reason, his instincts were good, because she barely slowed her thrashing as his thumb sank deeper into her. Now, she was responding with a combination grunt and shriek with each of his triple strokes. It was barely five minutes more when she seemed to come apart in massive convulsions. He knew it was hopeless to try to keep his hands in place, so he used them to straighten her out on the bed on her stomach, while keeping his thrusts perfectly in time. He hoped the stroking would serve the function his hand usually performed to keep her orgasm rolling. He grabbed one of the pillows and raised her enough to get it under her lower abdomen. He idly wondered if the pillowcase would recover from the stains it was about to receive. Her climax was fading, but her vagina still spasmed around his cock in incredibly arousing ripples. He knew he did not have long to wait for his ejaculation, so he concentrated on pushing each stroke as deep as possible and wriggling at the deepest penetration. From her breathing and her grunts, he knew she was still highly aroused, and might even come once more. He couldn't worry about that now, though. He just couldn't hold off any longer. His legs and back stiffened, his sac tightened, and his cock grew impossibly rigid until it all released in huge, lurching squirts. It seemed like he lost count, especially when she joined him in bucking and heaving around the bed. Their mutual throes were so violent he almost flopped out on several occasions. All of a sudden it ended. They were both gasping and motionless. Fearing he was crushing her, he rolled to the side. She pulled away briefly, turned over and plastered herself to him, now wailing in long, pathetic sobs. Bedding and bedclothes were tangled, sopping, and sticky from sweat and combined juices. As he hugged her, feeling suddenly helpless to blunt her grief, he was shocked to hear the bathtub filling. But not nearly as shocked as when Donna leaned over him and whispered in his ear. "Daddy, take Mom and get in the tub with her. Stay with her and don't let go." "Oh, Baby, did you see?... You shouldn't... !" "Daddy, that doesn't matter now! It was beautiful! Mom is hurting so bad! She's all that matters. Go! I'll change the bed, then I'll bring you towels and clean clothes." Completely torn between shock, shame, and pride in his wonderful, thoughtful daughter, he got up from the bed, penis semi-erect and dripping, boxers down around his knees. Donna, still at his side, helped him step out of them. Between them, they got Karen upright and mostly carried her into the bathroom. They stripped her and got her into the tub. Blushing furiously, Mike got in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. The water was still running, and was well up their torsos by now. Seeing his discomfort with the situation, Donna knelt by the tub, took his face in both hands, and kissed him quickly but firmly on the lips. "Daddy, please don't feel ashamed about this, and please don't be angry. You are a beautiful man, inside and out. I have never been prouder of you, and I have never loved you more. Mom is the luckiest woman alive. Daddy, I'm not ready for sex yet, and I think it will be a while. But I'm telling you, someday I am going to make love with you. I'll never be a complete woman until I do." "Oh, Baby, don't say that. We could never..." "Yes, you could, and you're ready right now. I can feel it, Stud." Father and daughter were stunned, thinking their mother was totally oblivious. "Donna, Honey, I'm glad you know what happened tonight, and I'll bet this bath was your idea, wasn't it." Seeing Donna's wide-eyed nod, she continued. "I guess I should be angry that you spied on us, but I could talk to you for weeks and not teach you as much as you learned tonight. Your Dad is a real man, and I hope you never settle for anything less. He knows just what I need, and he gives it to me. You've probably guessed, but our sex is not usually like what you saw. Tonight, I needed an affirmation of life. I needed to be driven to total exhaustion. He made sure I know that I'm alive - we're alive. For a while, there, every nerve in my body was so alive, it knocked me out." "So you were aware all the time." "Yeah, pretty much. But I wasn't able to do anything about it until just now. I'll have to admit to just wallowing in all the love and care. Give me a kiss, Honey." Donna leaned over and the two women shared a gentle kiss. "Does it bother you that I saw Daddy naked?" "A little, but then it excites me. He's my man, and I'm proud of him. It's good for my little girl to see how lucky I am, and to give her a goal to strive for. Come to think of it, you've hardly ever seen me naked." No one said anything for a little while, then Karen continued, "You know, it still feels like lead in my heart because of Kathy, but this got me back in control, at least. Thank you both so much." "Donna, Honey, this is a weird setting for a family meeting, with us naked and all, but we have a serious question to discuss. How would you feel about acquiring a little brother?" "Ohhh! You're thinking of taking in Dex, huh? Well, I'll be off to college in a couple more years, so I'm not the most affected. What about you guys? Weren't you looking forward to an empty nest? And what about one more to put through college?" Mike responded this time. "Those are all good questions, Baby, but the important question is 'What about Dex.' He's been hit with a blow no one should have to take. You probably didn't hear, but John killed her, and Dex could not stand to be with John's family. Both of our parents are too old, and Kristen is too fragile from her divorce. That leaves us or a foster home. No way could I let that happen." Karen interjected. "From what Kathy has been writing, I don't think little brother applies, either. He may be only fourteen, but he is almost six feet, and is apparently an exceptional basketball talent. In fact, his coach is the one who is looking out for him through all this." Mike then explained about getting Dex out of town to escape the politics, etc. The question of where they would put Dex came up. The home had three bedrooms upstairs. A fourth bedroom with bath had been built in the basement. Chris, the oldest, had lived there first, then Ron took it over for two years when Chris went to school. Karen at first wanted to keep the downstairs bedroom and bath for the boys when they were home, but it had a single queen bed, while the third upstairs room had twins. Donna pointed out it would be less awkward for Dex if he did not have to share the upstairs bathroom with the family. Both Chris and Ron had opted for accelerated graduation schedules, allowing them to finish in three full years and three summers. The were only home for two weeks before and after summer session, and at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break. Chris was in his last year, and would most likely have his own place after graduation, possibly out of town. They all knew the boys would not raise any objections, so they decided to put Dex in the basement. They talked for several more minutes before Donna got up to change the bed and bring them robes. ------- Acting on intuition, Coach had gone back to the State Patrol office late at night, and convinced the Sergeant to get an order sealing the house as a site of potential evidence of corruption. The next morning, a Trooper sealed off the house, and just in time, because two of John's brothers arrived with a moving van, intent on gutting the place. The Trooper wisely called for backup, which arrived just after the local police. In the middle of this melee, word was received that the entire police department had been suspended, and that the mayor and the Council were being charged with corruption. The State Patrol was now in charge of the whole town. ------- The meeting between Coach and the Fergusons to hand over Dex was a solemn one. After the introductions, Coach told them he thought they should get Dex a lawyer immediately. He didn't trust the Madison clan not to make a custody move on him. He was sure it would be just to get control of John's assets, and he wanted to see Dex's future protected. He also made them promise to ask him for financial help with legal fees, etc. He had spent almost nothing for several years. Karen asked him why he was doing so much for Dex. "I never had kids. If I had a son, I would want him to be like Dex. I envy you the chance to have him in your family." Surprised at the show of emotion, Karen and Mike encouraged Coach to visit whenever he could. Leaving Dex alone for a while, Coach told them what he knew of the home situation. ------- Mike had had no dealings with lawyers, and did not know where to look. Harold, Karen's father, had a close friend whose daughter had recently passed the bar and was attempting to establish her own practice. They were concerned about her level of experience, but decided that since she knew the family, she would be the best choice. Martha Granville, or Marty, as she preferred to be called, proved to be a sympathetic, conscientious, and very bright advocate. Everything she had to do was new to her, but she made up for it with hard work. Marty, citing the testimony of the deputy regarding corruption in the local law enforcement, petitioned federal court for several injunctions; the first enjoined the Madison family from any attempt to take custody of Dex. The second enjoined them from entering the property for any reason. The third froze all assets of John and Kathy Madison pending probate. Since the state Bureau of Criminal Investigations had already forced the suspension of the local Police Force, and charges of corruption had been filed against the mayor and the Council, the federal court granted the petitions. ------- Uncle Mike turned out to be the father Dex always wished he had. He lived his life with the concerns of his family, now including Dex, uppermost in his mind. Marty quickly discovered that Dex's father had a $250,000 insurance policy as part of his benefits package at work. He probably had forgotten he even had the insurance. The next six months involved round after legal round of battles with the insurance company. First, they claimed the death was suicide, invalidating the policy. At that point, Mike hired Marty again with his own meager funds, and vowed to fight until Dex got his money. A referee ruled in Dex's favor, so the company then tried to void the payoff because of the sequence in which the deaths occurred. Marty, in a show of charity, offered to sue the insurance company on contingency, excluding the face amount from her percentage. In other words, she would benefit only from punitive damages and compensatory damages. In only her second year of practice, her colleagues thought this an act of unnecessary desperation. She stubbornly declared the kid had been through enough, and she couldn't let him get screwed by the company. The financial burden on Mike was eased, but the time demands did not abate. He was at Dex's side through endless rounds of depositions, interviews, and court appearances. Marty worked tirelessly, gathering mountains of documentation refuting every possible dodge by the company. The judge ruled in Dex's favor, but with only compensatory damages for Mike, and $100,000 punitive damages. The lawyer's take was a modest $30,000. Dex was old enough to recognize a true act of generosity, and he had grown very fond of the young lawyer. In boyish gratitude, he promised she would be his lawyer for the rest of his life. She responded graciously, not wanting to embarrass him. He surprised her by asking her to set up and administer a trust with his money. Mike agreed wholeheartedly. Later, the proceeds from the sale of the house were also placed in the fund, bringing the total to about $375,000. All of the furnishings, many of them very nice, were distributed among Kathy's family. Despite his brutish nature, John Madison, Sr., was a good businessman and made a good living. As Kathy's family went through her belongings, they were appalled at how little she had in comparison to the quality of the house, cars, and furniture. Dex appeared to have none of his father's domineering personality, but he did inherit his intuitive business sense. ------- As soon as he moved to their house, Dex begged Mike for martial arts lessons. - and kept right on begging. He repeatedly told Mike of his feelings of helplessness in the face of his father, and how determined he was never to be helpless again. Mike was sympathetic, but he could see the boy becoming even more narrow and reclusive than he already was. After a month of begging, he worked out a compromise. "Dex, you will be starting as a freshman at a new school soon, and I want you to have a high school experience that you will remember fondly later on. You have the brains to be a top student, and the talent to be a basketball star. I will make you a deal. You can start the martial arts classes, but you can only keep up the training if you get the grades, and make the team. You have the ability to earn either an athletic or academic scholarship someday. I want you to work toward one of those, and not use up your trust money for college." At first, Dex considered this a very tough bargain, but his desire was so strong he would have done anything to keep up his training. He was fortunate to find one more person who took a real interest in him. His sensei was a wise man who taught him about balance in life in ways even his beloved aunt and uncle could not. His training ended up greatly improving both his studies and his sports. After two B's his first Freshman semester, he began an unbroken string of A's for the rest of High School. He made the Varsity as a Freshman. He didn't play much at first, but by the end of the year, he had moved up to seventh in the rotation, and had gained a reputation as the sparkplug who could turn a lackluster game around. ------- Dex had not seen his cousins, including Donna very often. Travel for family reasons was not something his father took time for. She was two years older, so at the few family gatherings that both attended, they did not gravitate together. It was early summer when Dex came to the Ferguson house. Donna had a part-time summer job, but plenty of time to spend at the neighborhood pool with her friends. She was an attractive girl much in demand for dates, although she accepted only a few. Like all of her family, she was a good student and seemed to have her head on straight. She was apprehensive about a new 'younger brother, ' but willing to give him a chance and not rush to judgement. She saw Dex for the first time in about three years when he arrived with her parents. The record of her cousin's tragedy could be easily read from his face, yet he greeted her with a smile and a complement. She fairly reeled from the impact. She seldom received that much warmth even from her prospective dates at school. The very first evening, she made it a point to spend a little time alone with him to let him know he was welcome. When she told him she was glad he was with them, she realized that she really meant it. The Ferguson boys arrived home two days after Dex got there. They both went out of their way to make Dex feel at home, especially Chris. The boys were fairly athletic, but neither had played a varsity sport. It was soon apparent that Dex surpassed both of them, and was easily able to enter into their games and horseplay. The hoop on the front of the garage got a serious workout those two weeks in June. When Dex found out Chris was a business major, he became almost a shadow, constantly asking Chris questions, many of which surprised him with their intelligence and perceptiveness. From then on, the two had many sessions together whenever Chris was home. ------- The day her brothers went back to school, Donna asked Dex to go with her to the pool. At first, her friends were merciless to her, but Dex greeted each of them in such a friendly, interested manner, they were soon won over. There were obvious limits to how much Junior girls could associate with a Freshman boy, but at least for those few weeks at the pool, he was accepted and enjoyed. It would be hard to overestimate the boost to his psyche. When school started, Donna watched her cousin turn into a maniac. He seemed to be either studying or doing his exercises and drills every waking hour. In the third week, she came into his room, turned his chair around, and sat on his lap facing him. "Hey, cuz! What does a girl have to do to get a little time with the guy who used to talk to her all the time?" He was first embarrassed by her physical boldness, then chagrined when he realized what she was talking about. Surprising both of them, he placed his hands on her hips. "Donna, you're right! I'm becoming a real grind, aren't I? Tell you what, let's agree to meet in front of the downstairs TV every night at ten. We can watch the news, or talk, or whatever. How's that sound?" "Great! It's a good start at least. See you at ten." Without thinking, she gave him a quick peck on the lips and left the room. Both cousins stuck to their ten o'clock promise from then on, and both came to regard it as the high point of their day. When Donna told her friends not to bother calling after ten, they worked her over thoroughly at first, but gave up when she didn't waver. Sometimes, they actually did watch the news, but usually, there was at least one major item to discuss. It took several weeks before Donna realized that almost all the discussion items were hers, yet Dex had treated every discussion as if he was truly interested. Predictably, Donna's dating became one of the frequent topics. With each month, she became more and more open about who she was interested in and why, and even what happened on her dates. Dex seemed willing to talk openly about her romantic life, and did not show any embarrassment. He did criticize the boys for some kinds of behavior, and on two or three occasions told Donna directly that she should never see so and so again. Mike and Karen were bemused, but not displeased, by the evening ritual between their daughter and their nephew. Dex had absolutely no behavior problems, and he was more respectful than their own sons could have been. They saw with interest how he was becoming a replacement for Donna's big brothers, despite her being older. She interacted with him in the same way when they were all together. Dex just had an air of maturity about him that Donna was drawn to. Karen could not help feeling bad at times when she thought Donna was confiding more in Dex than in her. Donna's house became the most popular after-school gathering place for her friends. Mike worked teachers' hours, and Kathy had an eight to five schedule, but for her Junior year, they allowed Donna to have friends in when they were gone. A favorite pastime became trying to get Dex's attention. He was always polite and cordial, but could not be distracted from his studies. After basketball started, of course, he did not get home until just before Mike and Karen arrived. After-dinner and weekend gatherings became more frequent. The objective stayed the same, even with Donna's parents at home. Donna's friends discovered one sure-fire way to capture Dex's attention - bring him a legitimate problem. He could not resist if he thought there was anything he could do to help. Of course, the most frequent problem was boys: getting a date with one; getting one to leave her alone; controlling their hands on the date. Many a parent would have been astonished at what these girls shared with Dex. Later in the year when Dex started getting more playing time, and especially because of his hell-bent style of play, he developed quite a fan club, and Donna and her Junior friends were right in the middle of it. The contrast between the gentle, big-brotherly friend and the on-court maniac became a constant topic around the school. Donna's circle of friends could have expanded to practically the entire female population if she had let it. By Christmas of his Freshman year, some of the female attention Dex received was far from brotherly. His strict physical regimen was adding muscle rapidly. He had gotten a set of weights and added strength training to his martial arts drills. Junior girls just did not pursue Freshman boys - it was socially taboo. In the confines of Donna's house, though, they seemed to have declared a free zone. None criticized the others for flirting with Dex. At his third martial arts class during the summer, Dex was astonished when his sensei sent him off to a dancing lesson. He told the flustered boy that it would help with body positioning and general poise. There were only six dancing lessons, but Dex was later pleased to find how much they helped at school dances. All the Junior girls from Donna's clique were willing to risk at least one dance with him at school events, and none were disappointed. Dex developed a few very close male friendships, only one of them from the team, and most of the others from among the 'brains' in the school. Karen encouraged Dex to bring them home, and more and more frequently he did. Getting them over became no problem once they discovered the quality of eye candy almost always present in Donnas' little clique. For their part, the girls were inclined to scorn or even make fun of the 'geekier' among his friends. This, Dex would not tolerate, nor would he tolerate any crude remarks from his friends. One girl left in tears after Dex scolded her for ridiculing one of his friends. He made another friend apologize to a girl for a remark she had not even heard. Donna's house became a sort of neutral zone where very diverse social factions were forced to coexist. Karen, Mike, and Donna just watched in wonderment, as well as much satisfaction, as Dex's strong personal code of conduct developed and became the working rule for the household. Karen, being a gregarious sort herself, encouraged the constant stream of kids coming through her house. She did negotiate some housekeeping agreements with Dex and Donna, but otherwise found no cause for complaint. Their house was far from the biggest, but became unquestionably the busiest in the entire school. ------- Dex's complete intolerance for any form of abuse or mistreatment manifest itself on his very first day at his new school, and went a long way toward building his reputation. In biology class, the teacher ended the class by assigning lab partners. She used the simplest method, just pairing students alphabetically. In one of the early pairings, Elizabeth Blomberg was assigned with one of the boys. Without knowing any of his classmates, and as was his habit, watching peoples' faces carefully, Dex saw the look of shock and disgust on the boy's face. The girl, Elizabeth, simply stared at her desktop, although Dex thought he detected moisture in her eyes. She was dressed shabbily and her hair was rather unkempt. As the assignments progressed, Dex was paired with a boy. The teacher told the class to meet with their partners at their assigned tables. As everyone milled about, Dex's new partner was joking with Elizabeth's about being paired with 'Snaggy, ' while her partner made no attempt to hide his disgust, swearing just softly enough so the teacher could not hear. Without even thinking about it, Dex went up to the teacher and apologized for interrupting. "Miss Parker, would it be possible to swap so that Elizabeth is my partner?" "Why, is she a friend of yours?" "No, I'm new and I don't know anyone." "Then, why do you care who your partner is?" "I don't. I just don't want to see her feel bad. Her partner is already making fun of her, and I think it would be hard for her." "Why do you care? Don't you think it's good for students to learn to get along with anyone?" "Yes, Ma'am. Maybe you could just watch so he isn't too hard on her." Sensing failure, he turned back toward his assigned table. The class period was nearly over, and she dismissed them, asking Elizabeth, Dex, and the two boys to see her. She then told them she had decided to make a switch. The boys were jubilant, high-fiving each other as they left the room. Dex introduced himself to Elizabeth, and discovered why she had been referred to as 'Snaggy.' Her teeth were embarrassingly bad. She was tall and very thin, and her posture fairly screamed 'abused' to Dex's sensitized perception. Before he left, he thanked the teacher, who was looking at him in with a very quizzical expression. ------- Before supper that night, Mike pulled Dex aside. "I'm really proud of what you did for Bitsy today, Dex." "Bitsy?" "Your new lab partner." "I thought her name was Elizabeth. Oh, sure, Elizabeth... Bitsy. Makes sense. How did you hear about that? You're not even at that school." "Your teacher was so astonished, she told everyone at lunch. One of my close friends called and let me know. Bitsy comes from a very tough home situation, and I'm afraid her schoolmates have been very hard on her." "Oh, I didn't know any of that. She's abused, you know." "Really, how do you know, Dex?" He shrugged his shoulders. "I can just tell." "Well, you've made us very proud, and I'm sure it will help her a lot." Dex was greatly embarrassed by the fuss he received from Karen and Donna at the table. After dinner, Dex said he was going for a little ride on his bike. At a convenience store, he called Marty. "I want to use some of my money for a special project," he told her. "I want to pay for a girl to get her teeth fixed. She needs braces badly, and I guess her family has no money. I don't want anyone to know where the money came from. Pretend it's some charitable organization or something." After carefully questioning the boy's reasons, she agreed to set it up. ------- It took several days before Bitsy would say more than a few words to Dex, and she would not look him in the eye. He did find that she was smart, picking up the biology work very quickly. After about two weeks, she told him she would be gone the next morning because she was getting braces. It was the first spontaneous conversation and the first sign of emotion he had seen from the girl. Marty had chosen an orthodontist, who had in turn worked through the school nurse to get Bitsy set up. Two days later, Bitsy was not back in class. About halfway through the period, the assistant principal came in and spoke to the teacher, who relayed the news to Dex. Bitsy's stepfather had gone berserk when she came home with braces and a tension frame around her head. He had beaten her badly, and the metal of the frame had caused damage to her face. She was in the hospital recovering from oral and plastic surgery. Immediately after school, Dex took a bus to the hospital, and managed to talk his way in to see Bitsy, even though visiting hours were over. It turned out he was her only visitor - even her mother had not shown up. She was a mass of bruises, but the nurse said there should be no serious long-term damage. She had trouble talking to Dex, and burst into tears. Dex excused himself for a minute and again called Marty, asking her if she could help the girl if he paid. This time Marty said it was pro bono, a term she had to explain to Dex. Marty contacted Child Protective Services, who had already been notified of the incident. On a whim, she also called the orthodontist. He was in his early fifties, and he and his wife were childless. His wife acted as his receptionist, and had taken a shine to the poor girl. In the end, they were allowed to take Bitsy in as a foster child, and absolutely refused to take anything for the work on her mouth. ------- The Bitsy incident prompted a long discussion with Mike. Dex was upset that, though he knew she was abused, he did nothing about it. Mike tried to convince him that there was nothing he could have done, but Dex's sense of guilt and failure over his mother's death was so overwhelming, he had the same feelings over Bitsy's beating. Dex insisted he could always tell when someone was abused. Finally, they agreed that Dex would bring his suspicions to Mike, and Mike would relay them to the school authorities. Dex gave Mike three names on the spot, two boys and a girl. Further investigation verified the suspicions, and one of the boys was removed to a foster home. ------- A few nights later, Donna stunned Dex when she told him, "You know, cuz, Bitsy either is or soon will be madly in love with you." "But all I did was try to help her." "With what her life was like, that's all it would take." "But I don't feel that way about her. What do I do now?" "I don't know. Maybe get her interested in someone else." "Yeah, but she, well, you know..." "OK, so she's not every boy's dream girl. What does she have going for her?" "She's smart. And when her teeth get straightened out, I think she could be kinda pretty." "Well, why not get her in with some of your geek friends?" ------- Dex had collected a small group of the brainier boys in his grade, and several of them ate lunch together. One day, he told them he wanted to invite a girl to eat with them. He quelled their objections by telling what had happened to her. These were all basically nice guys who just happened to be terrified of the opposite sex, but were sympathetic, too. Fortunately, Bitsy's foster mother took a real interest in her, and had brought about a substantial change in her appearance. She still had the orthodontic hardware, but so did two of the boys in the little group. This actually became a bit of a bonding catalyst. What really helped her acceptance, though, was her intelligence. Once she started communicating, it became obvious she was at least on a par with the rest of the group. Donna's prediction was accurate, but at least being accepted by some group gave Bitsy other outlets for her affection. The biggest victory for Dex was convincing one of the boys to ask Bitsy to a school dance. The boy had sisters, and was the one who talked to her most easily. In addition, he was tall. Maybe not a match made in heaven, but it seemed a positive experience for both kids. A funny result of Dex's matchmaking was that he had to attend the dance, something he was not planning on. As a teenager with extensive sexual experience, his feelings about sex were inexplicable. It was as if he considered himself a virgin. What happened with his mother was something completely separated from his current life. He did not feel driven to find additional sexual partners, as would be expected after his introduction. The one important thing that remained from his incestuous relationship was an advanced understanding of and respect for women. He was at ease with girls, and treated them as would an adult man. Obviously, this made him irresistible. ------- For all his friendliness, there was still darkness in Dex. While never gloomy, he rarely laughed, and never seemed to lose himself in boyish horseplay. Even in basketball, he always seemed on a mission. He never displayed the exuberance typical of his contemporaries. They all noticed this, but it bothered Donna most, and she made it her personal mission to break through the barriers he had built around him. It was just after Christmas when she again interrupted while he was studying, straddling his lap as she had done earlier in the fall. This definitely got his attention because their evening times together had never gotten more physical then occasionally holding hands or her head resting on his shoulder. "Bet you've already guessed I want to ask you to do something, huh?" she quipped. When he just nodded, she continued. "This is a serious subject, Dex, and I don't want to joke. I think we have become wonderful friends, and our ten o'clock times are very special to me. I know it's hard for you to talk about anything from before, but someday, you need to tell someone. I want to be that one person, if you will let me. Will you do this? Will you let me ask about your past for ten minutes, once a week, and will you answer me honestly?" "Why do you want to do this, Donna? There's an awful lot of bad stuff there?" "Because I feel very close to you. Because you know me inside and out. Because I want to know you in the same way. I really do care, Dex. Please, let me in." When he just stared at her without speaking, she tried a slightly different tack. "Tell you what, let's start by only talking about the good stuff, OK?" "This is important to you, huh?" "Yes, it is, Dex. Very important." "Okay, I'll try." ------- Donna waited several days before invoking their agreement. After getting Dex's permission to ask the question, she posed one she had worked out carefully. It was not directly about his past, but she thought it was a good start. "Dex, all the Freshman boys, heck, most of the Juniors even, seem so awkward around girls. When you came here, you were so easy and natural with me and my friends. Is that because of your mother?" Dex told her a bit about his relationship with his mother, of course leaving out the naked times and the sex. They talked for much longer than ten minutes, and he shared quite a bit. Suddenly, he clammed up, a stricken look came over his face, and he began sobbing. Donna was horrified, not knowing what she could have done to cause it. She reacted the only way she could think of - she put her arm around him, pulled his head to her breast, and stroked his hair. They stayed that way for at least ten minutes, Dex unable to get himself under control. When his sobbing began to subside, he tried to pull away from her, but she put a death-grip around him. "No, Dex, don't pull away. Please, tell me what's wrong. Let me in, please. I want to know!" "Donna, I... I... can't. I just can't talk about it!" She pled with him repeatedly, but he refused. He allowed her to hold him, but she could not break his silence. She didn't do it as a ploy, she honestly felt terrible, and she started crying. Within seconds, it was Dex holding and comforting her. When she regained some composure, she once again pled with him. "Please, Dex, tell me what's wrong. Do you miss your mother?" "Yes. Yes, I miss her, but that's not the worst part." "Tell me, Dex. You need to tell someone. I want to be the one. Please!" "The worst part is that I couldn't save her!" With that, his sobs started again. When she got him settled down a bit, she put her face right up to his and asked him, "Dex, can we just stay here and talk. Will you tell me all about it?" "You really want to know, don't you? I... I guess if you are willing, I will talk to you. There's no one else I can tell, even your Mom and Dad. Uh, I need to use the bathroom and clean up a little. I promise we can talk when I come back. We shouldn't be too late. There's school tomorrow." "Forget school! You need to talk more than you need school. I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll hurry." She gave him a hug and hurried up the stairs. She went first to her parents' room and told them what was happening. They wanted to help, but she convinced them it was better for her to do it. She showered in record time, ignoring her hair. She threw on her usual nightwear of T-shirt and panties, grabbed her robe and a blanket and hurried back downstairs. True to his word, Dex was waiting for her with the TV off. He had showered after practice, and was in his normal house attire of sweats. She sat down tight to him and threw the blanket over them. It was hard for him to get started, and there were some long silent periods, but she didn't push, and little by little it spilled out of him. He went way back to his earliest memories, sharing events, and especially feelings. She asked many questions, they both cried, and they cuddled. When he came to the last several months, he again avoided the nudity and the sex, trying to explain everything without it. Donna, though, sensed the evasion and kept pressing him for more. After several hours of talking, he gave in, and swearing her to secrecy, told her everything. "Donna, you have to believe me! It wasn't dirty, or anything like that. It was... it was intimate and loving. It's... it's what I miss the most." Donna was too emotional to respond for a while, then she told him, "Dex, I think that was beautiful. You two cared so much for each other." "But I couldn't save her! I couldn't get her to leave. I couldn't stop him. I felt so helpless!" "Dex, there was nothing more you could do. You loved her, and that's what she needed most. You did everything you could." The talking ended then, and they fell asleep, cuddled together under the blanket. In the morning, Karen found them that way. Dex awoke when she came down the stairs, and looked alarmed. Karen shushed him, though, and together they got him out from under Donna without waking her. Karen put her arm around him and led him up the stairs. "I guess I will have to write at least one excuse slip for school today. How about you, Dex?" From then on, their ten o'clock sessions were much more balanced. Having finally talked to someone, Dex was able to open up about his experiences and his feelings. Donna made him believe she truly cared and wanted to know. She was always supportive, and tried very hard to dispel the unreasonable guilt that clouded all his thoughts and memories of his mother. ------- Chapter 4 (Fifteen years earlier) The night he finally told Donna everything about himself and his mother was a milestone for Dex. Until that event, he had been focused on just functioning in the face of his tragedy and his unwarranted guilt. With the ability to share openly with someone who sincerely cared, he gradually changed his focus to building a life in spite of what happened to him. Starting with the spring of his first year at the Ferguson's, he entered into an unbelievable year that would shape the rest of his life. Nothing that happened erased the tragedy, but the foundation of the man he was to become was constructed that year. One night in April of Dex's Freshman year, Donna came home with the news that she had been asked out by Rick Santee, a senior All-State wide receiver and a forward on the basketball team. As she gushed the news at the table, Dex congratulated her right along with her parents. At ten that night, she was waiting when Dex came downstairs and immediately asked him, "Dex, what's wrong? You don't seem happy about my date with Rick. You never reacted like that about any of my other dates." He was reluctant to dampen her excitement, and tried to assure her how happy he was for her. She was by now too in tune with his moods to buy it, and told him so. "C'mon Dex, out with it. Let's not start hiding things from each other now." "OK, Donna, but please don't be angry with me. It's just that Rick is a gunslinger." "A gunslinger? What do you mean by that?" "I mean his main goal is putting more notches on his gun - getting girls in bed with him." "Oh, no! That can't be true! He's going to be valedictorian, and he has a football scholarship next year. His dad's one of the top surgeons in town. He dates lots of girls, and he... Oh!" "How many nice girls have gone on second dates with him?" "I... I don't know. He's a Senior and I don't have that much contact with him. It's such an honor to be asked by him. All my friends are in shock." "Donna, don't go out with him. I've been in the locker room and heard his talk. It could be bad for you." "Dex, I can't turn down Rick Santee, especially after I've said yes. I would be dead forever in that school if I did that. It's not like he's going to rape me or anything." He just looked at her for quite a while, then asked her to wait. He returned shortly and handed her two twenty dollar bills and two quarters. "What's that for?" she asked him. "Promise me you will have these on you somewhere you can't lose them. This is for a cab ride home. I don't think you will want to call your Dad for a ride when things go bad." "What do you mean, when things go bad? Rick won't hurt me! Why are you trying to scare me? Keep your money!" and she threw it at him and stomped up the stairs. The next two nights were the first evenings they had both been home that they had not been together at ten o'clock. Karen and Mike noticed the chill, of course, but both kids assured them it was nothing serious. For all of his training, Dex could not relax Friday night after Donna left. Karen asked him repeatedly what was wrong, and each time he felt more guilty for withholding his concern from them. He was balancing their trust versus Donna's and he did not know what was right. Finally, concern for her safety won out and he told them why he was worried. Mike went ballistic and was ready to call the cops. It took Karen and Dex a while to get him to see the folly of that move. Dex begged them to say nothing to Donna if the date turned out alright, and they reluctantly agreed. Then he told them he knew where the party was and asked Mike if they could drive there and wait nearby just in case. Karen was to stay by the phone. He told them about Donna refusing the money for the cab. Mike was in the car almost before Dex finished asking, and the two drove silently the few miles to the party site. As they sat waiting in the car, they talked, Mike at first angry that Dex had not come to them earlier, then realizing the dilemma the situation had posed. Things had relaxed and they were chatting in their normal fashion when they saw a girl run out of the house. Dex told Mike to stay right there, and his tone was so commanding, Mike didn't consider any other action. Dex bolted from the car, and ran toward the girl, now obviously Donna. "Donna, did he hurt you?" "Ohhh, Dex, you were right! It was awful! I am so embarrassed!" "Donna, did he hurt you?" "No, no! He tried to get me to go up to a bedroom. When I wouldn't, he started yelling all these terrible things so everyone could hear. All his friends were laughing at me!" "It's OK now. Your Dad is here in the car and..." "Whaaat!? Daddy's here? You told him? How could you?" "I'm sorry Donna. You may hate me forever, but I couldn't let him hurt you." Mike's strong parental instincts had taken over, and when Donna got in the car, he just hugged her and told her he was sorry she had a bad time. He knew scolding would be totally redundant. He was about to shift into gear and drive home when Dex stopped him, asked him to wait, and darted back toward the house. Rick Santee was pissed. That stupid cocktease had gotten under his skin. He really liked her looks, and she was a good dancer. He thought everything was on track until she wouldn't go upstairs with him. How could she dare refuse? Even Junior chicks should know what's expected. Then she goes and runs out of the house crying! Well, maybe it wasn't so cool to yell after her like that. He decided to step outside and see where she was. He had just gone down the first porch step when his arm was jerked up behind his shoulder blade and his thumb twisted back excruciatingly. Before he could even scream, a hand was clamped over his mouth and he was dragged stumbling around the corner of the house into a clump of tall shrubs. A voice told him, "Rick, I'm taking my hand away and easing the pressure. If you yell, it will be worse. Got it?" "Dex, is that you? What the hell do you think you are doing?" "Giving you a chance to act like a man." "What kind of shit is that? What are you doing here, anyway?" "Watching out for my cousin. I knew you would hurt her." "Your cousin? You mean Donna? Hey, man, I didn't touch her." "How'd you get to be a Senior and not know shit about women? You hurt her just as badly with your foul mouth. Especially in front of all your friends." "Awww, what's the big deal? She'll get over it." "But you might not." "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? You'd better let go of me right now and get out of here while you've got a chance. Just 'cause you got a lucky jump on me doesn't mean I can't still beat your brains out... Aaaaagh!" "Get this straight, Rick! You're not in charge here. I am. Lucky jump, huh? Okay." Dex released the taller boy and turned him so they were face to face. "Now, are you all on guard so I can't get another lucky jump on you?" "Man, I oughta... Aaaagh!" Seemingly without movement, Dex had Rick pinned again, this time with his weight poised to drop on Rick's extended knee. "Ahhh, man, you're crazy!!" "No, but you're an arrogant prick who should be castrated. But I'm going to give you a chance. Do you have any doubt I could end your football career right now?" "No, no, don't do that. Christ, all I did was yell at the little cocktease, it's no reason to... Ow, ow, ow! OK, OK. You can ruin me. Jesus, that hurts!" "Do you have any doubt I could do this again any time I wanted to?" "N... no!" "Good, then here is what is going to happen. I am going to give you some orders, and you are not going to say a word. I will keep the pressure on your knee to make sure. When I am done, you will have a choice whether to be a man or a cripple. Got it? Good!" "First, you are going to walk down to that Pontiac and rap on the driver's window. Then you are going to apologize to Mike Ferguson, Donna's father, for your crude treatment of her." Rick started to object, but Dex increased the pressure, causing a loud groan. "Next, you are going to ask permission to apologize to his daughter and take her to dinner to make up for your behavior. You will at least be allowed to apologize to Donna. You had better do this right, because I will know how you did." "You are going to take Donna to dinner at the Gaslight next week, whether Mike gives you permission right now or not. You will keep asking until you get permission and you will accept whatever conditions are put on you. At dinner you will find out everything possible about Donna, her family, and her life. I will quiz you afterward to make sure." "On Monday, you will bring flowers to Donna at lunch in the cafeteria and apologize in front of her friends." Rick was almost thrashing around in anger and frustration at this point, but Dex increased the pressure whenever he moved too much. "Last but not least, you are never to tell anyone I was even here tonight. Now, are you going to be just a gimpy student next fall, or are you going to be a man?" Rick started to protest more loudly than ever, but ended up groaning with the pain. He angrily spat out his acquiescence. Dex released Rick all at once without warning, and moved between him and the porch. Rick stood and waited for the pain in his knee to ease, then looked toward the front door, only to see Dex in his path. He stood motionless for many seconds, then his shoulders slumped and he started walking toward Mike's car. The speedy wide receiver who could do a 4.4 second 40 seemed to take a day and a half to reach the car thirty yards away. Dex could not hear the conversation between Rick and Mike, but it went on quite a while. Mike was not prone to histrionics, so everything looked polite and civilized from a distance. Eventually, Rick walked around and opened the passenger side door and knelt on the running board. This conversation was much shorter, and he was soon walking back toward the party. Wanting to at least try to hide his involvement, Dex slipped between houses and circled to come from behind the car. As he slid into the back seat, Donna dove between the front buckets and wrapped him in a big hug. "What was that for? Last I saw you, you were a puddle of tears!" "Who do you think you're fooling, John Dexter Madison? What did you do to him, anyway?" "Oh, just a friendly talk between teamates." "Oh, sure! Well, whatever you did, he's taking me to the Gaslight to apologize." "So he's forgiven, then?" "Of course not! I would prefer never to set eyes on him again. I'm doing it to punish him." "Won't hurt your social standing either, will it?" At this, she pounded on his chest in mock anger while Mike laughed. "Seriously, it is very important never to mention that either your Dad or I was here tonight. Can you keep that quiet?" "Why should I? It would serve him right for everyone to know a Freshman showed him up!" "But it wouldn't be good for you, would it?" "Ohhhh, I see what you mean. My lips are sealed." Back at home, everyone played it very cool and said nothing about the incident. Dex was sound asleep when Donna slid into bed next to him. He jerked awake and objected. She hushed him and told him she needed to feel safe that night and this was her safest place. They fell asleep cuddled together. He woke for his early workout and carried her up two levels to her own bed. She roused only enough to emit a contented hum. ------- While the two teens slept affectionately in Dex's basement room, Mike was not doing so well. After three hours of fitful naps and much tossing and turning, he went to the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice. He was hunched over the table staring at his half-empty glass when Karen came up behind him. She said nothing, but pressed herself against his back, reached around him and stuck both hand into the front of his boxers. As she fondled his limp member, he finally spoke. "Hon, I'm afraid I'm not exactly horny right now." "Ooooh! That bad, huh? Well, Lover, I consider that an intolerable situation." With surprising ease, she turned his chair around and knelt in front of him. Opening his shorts, she went to work on him, firmly shushing his half-hearted protest. Using both hands and her mouth, even his current funk was no match for her skillful and energetic arousal efforts. In a short time, she had him fully inflated, and declared, "Now you're horny!" She stood and pulled her short nighty over her head, leaving her naked. Straddling his lap, she sat right down on his cock and worked her way down. When fully impaled, she pulled his head between her breasts, started a gentle rocking motion, and said simply, "Talk!" "Uh, what if the kids... ?" "No! Not about that! I want to know what's got you thrashing around in bed like a beached whale." "Oh, I don't know. I guess tonight was a jolting reminder that having a daughter is different. I can't get out of my mind what could have happened to her. Somehow, with the boys, I had confidence they could take care of themselves." "Don't you think Donna can?" "Well, I always thought so, but after tonight... I mean, Rick seems like every parent's dream date for their daughter." "Honey, Donna was not in any real danger. She would not let Rick do anything she didn't want, and I'm sure Rick would not force her." "Yeah, but you should have seen her when she got in the car. It about tore my heart out." At those words, Karen literally crushed his head to herself and started bouncing vigorously up and down on him. Carried along by her energy, he began stroking and kneading her hips and her ass and returning her thrusts. It was barely two minutes before he erupted into her, his groans muffled in her cleavage. "God! What brought that on?" "The kind of love you showed is just damn sexy. I couldn't help myself." "But you didn't have a chance to come." "What makes you think I'm done with you?" She pulled back and kissed him fervently. "Maybe we should get back in bed. I'm worried about the kids." "I know for a fact they will not bother us. Donna is downstairs in Dex's bed." "She's what!!?" "Don't worry. They won't have sex." "How do you know?" "Donna promised she would let me know, first. I believe her." "Even so, there's a lot of other things they could do that they shouldn't." "Why shouldn't they?" "Karen, you mean you don't mind your daughter doing who knows what with her younger cousin?" "Younger, hah! Haven't you noticed that Dex is now her big brother? There is a very unusual bond between those two. You know, it won't be long before Donna is having sex." "And that's OK with you?" "I don't think at her age and her level of maturity it is up to us to decide if it is OK. It's going to happen. We can only hope to make it a safe and happy occurrence. Haven't you noticed how much she has changed since Dex arrived. She has more confidence and composure than most women I know." "But she's still only seventeen." "That's a fluke of the calendar. Haven't you noticed how nicely her hips have flared out, and how her cute little girl's butt is now a sexy woman's ass? Haven't you seen how long and smooth her legs are, and how graceful she looks when she walks. And those B cup bras I bought her not too long ago - they hold her in, but there's a lot slopping over." "Honey, why are you telling me this? I... ?" "Hah! I knew talking about your sexy daughter would get you hard again!" With that, she began moving against his renewed stiffness. Momentarily ashamed of his reaction, he soon got into the spirit, deciding that this time, she would get hers, too. "You are a shameless hussy!" he growled as he searched out her clit with one hand, and used the other hand and his mouth to assault her nipples. "Look who's talking, you lecher," she giggled. They quickly got into a vigorous rhythm with her bracing her hands on his shoulders to hold them in place. After a couple of minutes, the chair was fairly dancing on the floor. He had only a faint thought of the noise carrying downstairs where the kids were sleeping. With the remains of his first ejaculation, the friction was reduced so he was confident of getting her off first. As the intensity moved toward climax, he had to drop the hand from her nipple to grab around her waist. The bouncing motions had become so violent he was in danger of becoming unsheathed. Both of them were getting a little weary when Karen finally went over. As usually happened, the convulsing of her pussy and the sheer eroticism of her orgasm drove him to completion. Afraid of waking the kids, she planted her mouth at his neck, and actually bit down to keep herself quiet. The mild pain was the final push for him. After two comes in a short time, he was completely depleted, tender, and quickly flaccid. There was quite a puddle running down between them. Still, neither was anxious to move, basking in the afterglow. "Hey, Stud. Think you can sleep, now?" "Almost am." "Not worried about Donna anymore?" "Huh, uh?" "Gonna let her become a woman at her own pace?" "If you say so, Hon." "Gonna help her get there?" He found the energy to deliver a sharp smack on her ass, and they both revived enough for a playful chase up the stairs, Mike holding up his unfastened boxers. Being the first up on the weekend morning, Dex emptied and rinsed the glass of juice, and mopped up the mess from the chair and the floor. Laughing to himself, he hung Karen's discarded nighty on the doorknob of their bedroom. ------- Dex had said nothing about the flowers in the cafeteria, so Donna was completely shocked. Of course, they could not be left to wilt in her locker, so she carried them with her the rest of the day. The school barely stopped buzzing about the event by graduation. At dinner at the Gaslight, Rick actually talked to Donna, asking her numerous questions. She had dressed up and looked absolutely stunning. Rick asked Donna out several times more that spring and summer, but she flatly refused. It was no loss to her because she now had a steady stream of prospective dates, so many in fact that Karen joked about being nothing but a social secretary. Donna was still very selective and did not go out often, and then only after the boy had Dex's approval. During the final week of school, Rick stopped by the practice field where Dex was preparing for a meet with the track team. Not knowing what to expect, Dex walked over to him. "Dex, that stuff you said about me that night at the party - did you mean that? Is that what people really think about me?" "You already know or you wouldn't be asking." Rick looked glumly at the ground. "How come Donna went to the Gaslight with me, but won't go out again?" "Shit, man, you really are clueless! Ask your mother!" With that, Dex turned and walked away. ------- Dex had managed to land a summer job, and had, in fact, started working in early May. He had gone out for track, mainly to help his conditioning, so his time was scheduled very tightly the last month of school. One evening, Dex was leaving work after closing up at 9:30, when a white Cadillac pulled up alongside him and a woman spoke to him from the driver's seat. She identified herself as Margo Santee, and asked if she could buy him a Coke. Intrigued and seeing no reason for suspicion, Dex agreed. Once seated in a nearby fast food joint, she asked simply, "Dex, what happened that night at the party?" He didn't respond for quite a while, just looked her straight in the eye. "Mrs. Santee, if something happened with Rick that night, he should be the one to tell you. I really can't." She nodded and went on to tell him, "This is what I do know. At the party he treated your cousin Donna very badly. I have found out exactly what he said to her and how he embarrassed her in front of the whole group. I am ashamed of his behavior. I also know that afterward he did some things that were totally out of character for him. Something forced him to do those things, and I can only conclude it was you." "Maybe he just had a change of heart." "Surrrre! That must be it! Hey, I may have no control over my son, but I do know him rather well. The only way to give him a change of heart is with a hammer. No, you did something to him." "You're a good detective, Mrs. Santee, but why does it matter what happened?" "I thought maybe it was something I could use in dealing with Rick." "'Fraid I can't help you there. There must be a bigger reason you wanted to see me." "Guess my subtlety isn't in great form tonight. In the last month, I have had three conversations with Rick where I felt like an actual parent, rather than an ineffective jailer. He is totally frustrated by your cousin Donna." "How's that?" "She's apparently the first girl to turn him down." "No, I don't think that's true." "Oh?" "The word is no nice girl ever goes out with him a second time." "But Donna did." "That was payback." "Ah! She only went to restore her social standing." "Something like that." "And it wouldn't be good for her if everyone knew her cousin forced him to do it." After a pause, he told her firmly, "No, I won't do it." "Shit! So I'm transparent, too, huh?" "I wouldn't say that. It took me a while to figure it out." "Look, Rick is a good kid. He studies hard, he practices hard, and he has never been in any trouble." "But he treats girls like dirt." "Donna could help cure him of that." "That's not her job. She is supposed to be having fun on her dates. I believe that's your job." A flash of anger crossed Margo's face. She obviously did not like being lectured by a fifteen-year-old. When she had her control back she told Dex, "But just think of what she is missing out on." Now it was Dex' turn to be angry, but his control prevented it from showing. "Mrs. Santee, I have already said things that are disrespectful to you. Before I say any more, I had better go home. Thank you for the Coke." "No, wait! Tell me what you were going to say. Please. I won't consider it disrespectful." "Okay, you asked me to. Don't you wish you had missed out on all that stuff?" "Shit! How did you get so damn smart?" "Maybe you're not as good a detective as I thought, Mrs. Santee." ------- Dex was not even mildly surprised when the Cadillac appeared the next night he closed. This time, he just climbed right in. Instead of a fast food joint, Margo pulled to the far end of the parking lot. "I've been doing some more detective work, Dex." "Not a pleasant discovery, was it." "I'm truly sorry. I had no idea." "I'm afraid you still don't. What you could read doesn't tell the story." "Why don't you tell me about it?" "No. Only one person knows the whole story. I would rather keep it that way." "Donna, right? That means you too are very close, doesn't it?" "Mmm hmmm." "So in a way, Rick has to compete with you." "She's my cousin, but more like a sister. Of course, I never had a sister, so I don't know for sure." "But she's older, and you're watching out for her!" "It goes both ways. Isn't that how it's supposed to work?" "Could I meet Donna?" "I'm not in charge of who she sees?" "Excpept for her dates, you mean?" "I give her my opinion, but she doesn't always take it." "Like that party with Rick?" "Yeah, like that." "You were there watching out for her, weren't you?" He said nothing. "Does she screen your dates, too." "There aren't any to screen." She looked about to comment, but held back. "Why are you against her going out with Rick? He wouldn't mistreat her again." "He's still a gunslinger, and she would be just another notch. Besides, she is the one saying no. I have said nothing about Rick since that night. I do not even know how many times he has asked her. Look, as far as I know, Donna is a virgin. When she gives it up, I hope it's to a guy who realizes the treasure he has received, not one who will brag about it in the locker room and move on to the next." "She sounds like the kind of girl I wish for my son." "But he doesn't deserve her. Damn, I'm sorry! I should not have said that." "But you're right. He only deserves someone like me." She became very quiet and her eyes were moist. "Um, I think it's time for me to go." "Dex, thank you!" "For what? For insulting your son?" "For talking straight with me. It's the first time in a long time anyone has." ------- Donna was waiting when he got home that night, and dragged him by the hand down the stairs. "Dex, you have been very late two nights in a row. What's up?" "I think you should expect a visit from a woman in a white Cadillac in the next few days." With that lead-in, he described his two encounters with Margo Santee. Donna was not at all anxious to meet her, but he convinced her not to be cold to the woman. Donna had kept the job from the previous summer, working only weekends and an occasional evening on an emergency basis. The next Saturday, Margo walked into Donna's workplace and introduced herself. Donna said she recognized her from the basketball games, but was expecting the Cadillac. Margo laughed and asked if they could talk over lunch. At lunch, Margo led the conversation. "First of all, Donna, I am not here to plead on my son's behalf. I'm sure it would not do any good if I did. I would like to offer my apology for what he did to you, though." "I appreciate that, Mrs. Santee. It can't be easy for you to say that." "Call me Margo, please. And no, it's not easy. What is even harder, though, is admitting that it is necessary." Having established their positions, the two chatted amiably for the rest of Donna's lunch break. Just before they parted, Margo told Donna, "Dex was right. Rick doesn't deserve you. I just wish he did." "I've enjoyed talking to you, Margo, but please don't think this will change anything. I've learned to listen to my big brother, even if he is younger." "As you should, as you should. I just wish I had listened." With that cryptic comment they parted. ------- Over the next few weeks, Margo popped up at either Dex's or Donna's work and resumed their chats. They both thought the situation strange, but she was likable, and they sensed a need. In early June, she called the house one morning and asked if they could come over for a swim and lunch. Rick was at the university for a pre-season orientation, and her husband was at a conference out of town. Mike and Karen had been doubling up on rides, so there was usually a car at home for Donna to use, and they decided to go over. After some initial shyness at their first encounter in such brief attire, especially brief in Margo's case, they settled into a relaxing time of horsing around in the pool and sunning, talking all the while. They knew each other well enough by now that there was little or no verbal sparring. The topic eventually came around to the party, and Margo stunned Dex by asking, "Would you actually have hurt Rick if he had refused to apologize?" "Did he tell you I was going to hurt him?" "No, of course not. He could never admit that. I just figured out that was the only way you could have gotten him to do what he did. You threatened to ruin his football career, right?" Dex looked over at Donna and they exchanged stares for several long moments. "It would never have come to that." "Why not? How could you be sure?" "Part of Rick was sorry for what he had done and wanted to make amends. I just gave him a reason to listen to his conscience." "Are you saying there may be hope for my son, after all?" "Nobody is beyond hope - well, almost nobody." "How about you, Donna, do you thing Rick has a good side?" "I don't think about that. He's drool bait for every girl in school, and I thought I had really made it when he asked me out. But as long as I'm just a target for him, or any guy, I don't care what good qualities they have. I will never make that mistake again. I'm not interested in any guy until I know how he treats women. He won't treat me any differently for very long." "So young, but so wise," Margo murmurred, almost inaudibly. "Margo, since we're getting pretty personal here, how does Rick treat you?" "Well, I'm not a target, at least I don't think I am. Other than that, I'm afraid it doesn't matter to him whether I am around or not." "If he saw you like this, you'd be a target!" Dex blurted out, then blushing furiously, he added, "I'm sorry! That was rude." "My ego would have been destroyed if I thought you hadn't noticed. No apology needed." The mood stayed lighter for only a little while before Margo brought the talk around to Dex's relationship with Donna, then Karen, then his mother. When Dex mentioned his relationship with his mother had been particularly good toward the end, Margo wanted to know why. When Dex tried to change the subject, she was all over him. "Margo, that is something personal that only Donna knows about. I would rather leave it that way." To his surprise it was Donna who spoke up. "Dex, I think you should tell her. I know she will keep it secret, and she is trying to find ways to communicate with Rick." "Well, this won't help her with that problem. I haven't even told your parents - my Mom's sister. I would feel funny telling someone outside the family." "Then I'll tell her! It's a beautiful story, and she needs something beautiful right now." Dex didn't try to stop her, and she told Margo all about the naked times, starting from the spread-eagle episode. She did not mention the sex. When she finished, Margo had tears flowing freely. "She was a wise and loving woman," was all she could say. "But not wise enough to save her own life," Dex answered with more than a little bitterness. Donna came over and cradled his head, speaking softly, "I guess we all have some good, some bad, some wise and some foolish, don't we?" The somber mood was short-lived, as Margo quipped, "And I'll bet we all have some hunger, too, don't we?" She grabbed each of the youngsters by an arm and walked between them into the house for lunch. ------- Rick was due back in the late afternoon, while Roger, her husband, would be gone for two more days. She went round and round with herself whether she dared try such a drastic move, finally deciding she had nothing to lose. The two young cousins had made her ashamed of what she had not done to bring up her son properly. She knew she could not correct the omissions of the past, but hoped she could still make some impact for the future. After Dex and Donna left, she took off her suit and stayed naked, hoping to get more comfortable in that state. As Rick's arrival time neared, she watched from a front window, wanting to make sure he was alone. When his car pulled in, she hurried to the pool and lay on her back on a lounge chair, sunglasses covering her eyes. She heard him moving about in the house, calling for her a few times before she heard the patio door open, and summoned all her courage to lie still. "Oh, there you are, Mom, I... What the Hell? What are you doing?" Summoning every last ounce of cool, she stood, said "Welcome home Rick. Come on in and get a drink and tell me about your trip," stretched up to give him a peck on the cheek, and padded off to the kitchen. She had time to brace herself against the counter and try to steady her heartbeat before he caught up with her. "Mom, aren't you going to put something on?" "Don't you like the way I look like this?" "Hell, yes, I sure do, but..." "Good, because I plan to stay this way for a while." "OK, something is going on. What is it?" "Rick, how much conversation have you had with naked women?" "Conversation? When they're naked, conversation's not what I'm interested in." "So when they're naked, you're not very interested in them, other than their tits and ass, that is?" "Whaaat?" "And right now, all you can think about me is my tits and my pussy, right?" "Christ, Mom! What are you trying to do?" "Hmmm! I see you ARE interested in my tits and pussy!" "Shit! I'll be right back." "Stay where you are! What's the big deal? So you've got a hardon. Makes your old Mom feel pretty good, actually. Looks like a nice one, too! Just relax and forget about it. Tell me about your trip." She thought she did a pretty good job of acting natural as she got them each a beer and stood against the counter as she talked, making sure she was in full frontal view. She even found excuses to bend over and display her ass to him. At first, he could only respond with short answers, and it took a good twenty minutes before he was describing the events of his trip in fairly fluent speech. It must still have been difficult because his eyes never left her body. Before they realized it, they had talked right up until supper time. "Rick, I'm going to get supper ready. Why don't you come back in twenty minutes and we can eat." As he was about to leave the room she called out, "Oh, and Rick, dress for supper is naked." "Whaaat? I can't! I mean..." "What's the matter? Is the future Big Man on Campus afraid to show his cock to his naked mother? You aren't ashamed of it, are you? You've got time to jerk off at least twice. Maybe that will help it stay down, if that's what you're worried about." Rick stood in open-mouthed shock before shaking his head and stumbling up to his room. She wondered if she had pushed him too far. Maybe he would just take off and eat out. She became more nervous as the time ran out. Whether for fear of backing down or from desire to see more of his naked mother, he came to supper naked, hands in front of his genitals. "Uh, uh! Hands are for eating, not playing with yourself! That's better. Ohhh, nice! I shouldn't have waited so long for a look at that. I see you took my advice and jerked off. Oh, well, maybe I can see it stand up again later, OK? Go ahead and sit down, it's all ready. Oh, better use a napkin. Hot spills in the lap aren't good in these outfits." She forced herself to keep up the patter, just to keep him off balance, and she seemed to be succeeding. She doubted he even noticed the state of her nipples or smelled the definite musk odor that now surrounded her. Seated at the table with his genitals hidden, he grew a bit bolder and between mouthfuls he asked, "What are you trying to do here, Mom? You're going out of your way to embarrass me." "I am not. I'm just commenting on your body parts. That shouldn't embarrass you, should it? At least I'm not yelling it across a room full of people." He looked at her for several seconds, then stood up and said, "I think I'll get dressed and go out. I'm not too excited about a 'rag on Rick' party, even if it is naked." "Oh, come on. I'll lay off, I promise. Besides, if you dress, I dress, and you'll miss a couple days of pretty good ogling. Isn't that worth a few verbal jabs?" "Yeah, okay. It's just that this girl shit has got me all fucked up lately." "Oh, that's too bad. Come on in the family room and let's talk about it. You won't get dressed and run off, will you?" When he sat on the sofa, she sat right up against him, looping her arm through his so her breast touched his upper arm. He stiffened at the initial contact and she teased him, "Hey, don't get all uptight! It's a boob! I'm sure you're no stranger to them." "Yeah, but you're my mother, and this is just so... Oh, shit! Now I've got to get up." "Come on, Rick, relax. Let it get hard! I'll see it, you'll be embarrassed, you'll get over it, and we can go on from there. Otherwise, we'll both just be waiting for it to happen. I want to see it nice and hard - see what a man my boy has turned into. I'd say that statue should attract the ladies like fly paper." "Well, they're not exactly lining up to get their hands on it right now. Geez, Mom, how am I supposed to talk like this? It's going to drive me crazy!" "You'll be alright, and you can take a potty break if you have to. Now, what's happening with the girls?" "It's what's not happening." He went on to tell her how difficult it had been to get dates since school let out. The same girls who would kill for a date with him before now wouldn't even take his calls. "Then I see some of the nerds sitting in the back row of the theater with girls that refuse me." "Can you think of any reason they would rather go out with a nerd than with you?" "That's just it! It doesn't make any sense!" "Hmmmm. Honey, how many girls have you gone out with more than once." "Only five or six. The rest seem to get all they can handle the first time and aren't interested after that." "Rick, how many girls have you actually fucked?" "Not nearly as many as I told the guys, but quite a few." "So you claimed some you didn't actually bag, right?" "Well, yeah, but so what?" "So you spread the word that you fucked so-and-so, but you really didn't, right?" "That's right. Had to keep up my reputation." "Uh, huh. What about the girl's reputation?" "Hey, they got what they wanted - a date with me. They knew what was expected. If they chickened out, that was their problem!" "OK, so let's say you actually fucked twelve to fifteen girls." "That's probably close, but everybody thinks it's a lot more than that." "How many of those were cherry?" "Uh, none, as far as I could tell." "Thanks for small blessings," she murmured under her breath. "What was that?" "Oh, nothing. Now, why do you think all these girls went out with you?" "Well, I guess for them it was an honor." "Right. So you asked them out so you could add to your conquest list, and they accepted so they could improve their social standing. Is that about it?" "I guess so." "So why won't those same girls go out with you now?" Rick stood up and started pacing in frustration. His cock had wilted to a nearly flaccid state. "That's what has my so frustrated!" "Come on, Valedictorian! Think! What do they have to gain by going out with you now? Social standing?" "Well, sure! I'm still... He stopped dead in his tracks, and his face wore a stricken look. "Maybe they don't think there's any more to gain." "Bingo! I knew you could figure it out! That weird little society called High School is over. The old social rules don't apply. After June 1, your All-State, Valedictorian credentials don't buy a girl shit. Face it, Stud! They don't need you anymore." "Yeah, but I'm still pretty good looking, and you said yourself my equipment is good sized." "Rick, Honey, sit back down, please. The way your dick swings when you pace is very distracting." At those words, he started to swell again, but he resumed his place next to his mother. "Tell me, why are those girls necking with the nerds in the back row, sometimes week after week with the same guy?" "That's what I can't figure out!" "Come on, Valedictorian! Think again! You can figure it out." "Um, they must be enjoying themselves." "Those guys aren't any smarter than you, and they've figured out it's important to make the girl happy. I'm not trying to be mean, but I'm betting most of your girls were happier before your dates than afterward. Am I right?" Rick just dropped his face in his hand and mouthed "Shit!" Margo put her hand on his bare back and rubbed gently, saying nothing for a while. "Rick, let me just ask you a couple more questions, then we can stop talking about you, OK? First, how many girls have gotten you off, either by fucking, blowjob, or handjob?" "Oh, I haven't kept count. Quite a few, though." "And how many of those girls did you get off?" "Huh? But I didn't think... You mean... ?" "Rick, I owe you a big apology. I should have talked to you about these things years ago. I knew your father wouldn't be any help." "Oh, he talks to me about girls all the time." "Yes, but it's probably more about keeping score than how to treat them, isn't it?" "Yeah. I think he cares more about how many girls I've laid than how many touchdowns I've scored. You're right, though, we've never talked about how to treat the girls." "That's because he doesn't know." "You mean, he hasn't made you happy all these years?" "Oh, I thought I was happy - even until recently, but even when we make love, he never worries much about me. I hope I'm not embarrassing you talking about this." "Ha! How much more embarrassed can I get, sitting here with half a hardon in front of my mother!" "Good. We've been talking mostly about you, so it's only fair to talk about me for a while. I'll bet you have some questions." Rick sat for a long time and she could feel the tension in him. "Mom, I don't know if I should even ask this, but here goes. Did you know Dad has had other women." "Right now, two nurses and a married female doctor. Over the years, too many to count." "But why do you put up with it?" "Greed is the big reason. I didn't want to give up all this." She swept her arm to take in the house. "I also thought it would be best for you to have an intact family. I think I was rather successful and making it look like things were fine." "Yes, you did. Or, maybe I was just clueless." "Don't misunderstand. I loved your father, and in a way I still do. He is a dashing man, and just being seen with him has always been a thrill for me. Lately, though, I have seen what I have given up. Someone has made me ashamed of the choices I made." "Who was that?" "I probably shouldn't tell you... Oh, what the Hell! I have been spending some time with Donna, and with Dex, too." "Whaaat? Why would you do that?" "I got curious after that bit with Donna, and started doing some investigating. I finally talked to both of them to get a better idea of the situation." "So they told you the whole story, huh? Shit!" "No, neither would admit anything, in fact, I don't think Donna knows what went on between you and Dex. I'm sure I have it right, though." "You mean he really wouldn't tell you?" "No, he refused. Believe me, I tried. He said something about you, though, and I want to ask you if it is true. He said you were already sorry for what you did to Donna, and just needed an excuse to apologize. Was that true?" "Cheeky bastard! How can some Freshman know so much?" "He's had a rough go that has taught him more about people than you and I will ever know. Was he right, though?" "Yeah. I felt bad after I yelled at her. She was a nice girl, and didn't do anything to lead me on. I guess it made me mad that she wasn't in awe of me, or something, and I lost it. Ever wish you could take back one minute of stupidity?" "You can't believe how many I would like to take back! I'm so glad to hear you say that. I never thought you were a complete cad like your father, even though you were starting out just like him. "So, have you been seeing a lot of Donna?" "I've talked to her at lunch several times, and she and Dex were here this morning." "I wish I could spend some time with her. She totally refuses to go out with me." "I'm afraid she is a lost cause. She figures she made a huge mistake not listening to Dex the first time, and she won't make the same mistake again." "He told her not to go out with me that first time?" "Mmmm, hmmm. Why do you think he was waiting at the party?" "Damn! So now he's telling her to forget about me?" "No, he told her, and me, that you didn't deserve her." "And you agreed?" 'Rick, I'm sorry, but he was right. I just wish I had listened to the same advice when I was that age." Rick sat looking glum for quite a while. Margo turned on the evening news, and they watched it without speaking, still sitting very close. "Do you think there is any way I can change Donna's mind? She's the one I keep thinking about all the time." "I'm afraid you would have to convince her you are a different person. Who even knows what that would take? Well, I think it's time for me to get to bed." "Mom, I need to tell you one thing. Dad's an idiot! He doesn't deserve you any more than I deserve Donna." "Why, thank you, Honey. Tell me, would you have talked to me like this if I had kept my clothes on." "Probably not, sorry to say." "Good. I'd hate to think I went through this when I didn't have to. You can't believe how hard it was." "I think I know. Um, are we going to be like this tomorrow? If so, I want to make sure I'm home all day." He grinned and turned to leave, whereupon she landed a resounding smack on his ass. ------- The next morning in the shower, Margo was nervous all over again, but excited at the same time. She was thrilled at the level of conversation they had shared, and she had to admit it turned her on the way her son looked at her. While shaving her legs, she got an inspiration, giggled to herself, and shaved her whole crotch bare, except for a small line of hair pointing to her slit. Now she was really nervous about facing Rick again, but the excitement won out. Waiting in the kitchen with breakfast all prepared, she wondered if Rick was ever going to get up. She was sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar when he finally appeared. "Hello, sleepy head! I was afraid you were going to stand me up. And here I thought you were dying for another look at me!" "Oh, I am. It's just that I couldn't sleep at all last night. The stuff we talked about had me all bummed out. I... Holy Shit!" She had steeled herself, gone to the counter, and turned back toward him with the orange juice pitcher. "Ahh! I see you like it. Thought I'd do everything I could to make it worth your while to stay home today." "God! You couldn't get me away for an NFL contract, now." She giggled merrily at this. "Is it that much of a turn on, or didn't you take care of your morning wood?" "Oh, I took care of it, all right, but geez, Mom, that is sexy! How the hell can Dad see you like that and go screwing around with these other chicks?" "Ooooh! We're into the serious stuff before breakfast, huh?" There followed a full day of alternating serious discussions and playful innuendo. They discussed Margo's pitiful marriage. They talked about Rick's new challenge of finding dates at college. They revisited the Donna question two or three times, indicating to Margo how much her son had fallen for the girl. Margo's heart almost burst with joy when in the late afternoon, Rick asked her, "Mom, I love seeing you naked, you know I do, but would you be my date for dinner tonight? I mean dress up, nice restaurant, dancing, the whole bit?" She could honestly say it was the best evening she had experienced in years. Rick did almost everything right, including holding her very close for the slow dances. She had a struggle not to consummate the date the way her body was demanding. She won the struggle, although neither wasted any time before stripping when they got home. The next day, they dressed in late afternoon, taking no chances on Roger arriving early. They were both disheartened and yet elated when he called to say he was staying an extra night. The look they shared spoke the reason for his extended stay. It did give them another naked day together, though, and they made the best of it. Margo struggled mightily at bed time again, the urge to take her son with her was so strong. The next morning, Rick again asked if there wasn't some way to change Donna's mind. Margo asked why he was so fixed on Donna when there plenty of other girls he could ask, many better looking than her. "Well, how come you keep getting together with her? You found out what you needed about that party after the first couple of times." "Touche'!" ------- Chapter 5 (Fifteen years earlier) The next day, after Roger had returned, Margo met Donna at lunch time. She told her about the three naked days, and a little of the kinds of conversations they had. Donna was incredulous, and kept asking Margo how she could stand to do that. When Margo told her about shaving her pubes, Donna thought she was joking, until Margo tried to pull her toward the Ladies room to prove it. "OK, OK, I believe you. You are some kind of exhibitionist!" "No, just a desperate mother trying to use anything I can to make up for what I haven't done right. And it wasn't all one-sided, you know. I enjoyed looking at him. He has a nice body and a very nice package." "That's more than I wanted to know, Margo. What do I care what his body looks like? And what do you mean by his package?" "Oh, I'm sorry. His cock and balls, of course. And I can tell by the color of your face that you do care, or at least you are curious. Say, I'll bet Dex has a nice package, doesn't he?" "Whaat? I have no idea! I mean, I've noticed a pretty good sized bulge in his pants, but I've certainly never seen him naked!" "Hmmm! With a good looking guy like that around the house, I would have thought you would have found a way by now. How about your Dad?" The girl's blush was a dead giveaway. "Aha! You have seen your Dad! When did that happen?" "Margo, that's way too private. And it only happened once." "Isn't your curiosity just killing you?" "Sometimes I do get frustrated." "You and Dex seem so close, and he was used to being naked with his mother. Why don't you get naked with him?" "I... I don't know how I would do that." "Well, he works out and showers every morning, doesn't he? Just climb in the shower and offer to wash his back. When you're done in the shower, get him to stay naked. Oh, and it would be lots more fun to wash everything. Then have him wash everything. She laughed as the girl blushed furiously." "This means I'll have to be naked, too, doesn't it?" "Don't you want to be?" "Margo, how do you know all this stuff about me?" "Hey, I was a virgin teen once. And I've seen you and Dex together. The sexual attraction is obvious." "But we're cousins! He's almost like my brother. We could never..." "I know, I know. But wouldn't it be nice to learn from each other and enjoy each others' bodies?" "I'll have to think about that, Margo. Say, the next couple of weeks are going to be really crazy. My brothers will be home, Mom's having her big party, and our house will be a zoo. It's for sure I'm not going to try anything with Dex until Chris and Ron go back to school." "I'll see you the Monday Summer School starts, OK?" ------- Every time her brothers had come home the past year, Donna had watched them more and more closely. Chris, especially, showed much of the personality she found so attractive in her father. A little more than four years older than her, he was the one who pulled baby sitting duty before she was old enough to be left on her own. She could not recall him ever taking out his unavoidable frustration on her when his plans were disrupted to take care of her. He even unashamedly took her along to activities with his friends on numerous occasions. They often teased him, but he seemed able to shrug it off. The events of the past year - the encounter with her parents after Kathy's death and her relationship with Dex - had given her a much deeper appreciation of the kind of young man her brother was. She found herself regretting the fact she had so seldom expressed her love and gratitude to him. When Chris and Ron arrived home on the Friday that finals ended, she greeted them both with a full body hug. She noticed right away that Chris had something weighing heavily on him. After a happy family dinner, Ron left to see some buddies, and Chris went to their shared bedroom to unpack and pull out his laundry. Donna noticed that he had been up there quite a while, and went up to check on him. She found him lying on the twin bed, his arm covering his eyes. She entered the room and closed and locked the door behind herself. She turned off the overhead light and turned on a small lamp on the dresser. He had watched her as she moved around the room, wondering what she was up to. He was just as puzzled and more than a little alarmed, when she plopped down on the bed, nearly on top of him, and gave him a brief, but energetic kiss right on the mouth. "Donna!" he said, showing his alarm, "What are you doing?" "Just lovin' up my wonderful big brother a little bit. Isn't that OK?" "Well, yeah, but..." "Then hug!" He rather tentatively put his arms around her, but jerked back when his hand fell on the bare skin of her back exposed by the cut-off shirt she was wearing. "Hey, Bro', put your hand back there! I don't mind, and I'm sure you've felt a lot more of Patty's skin." She instantly knew she had screwed up, as his whole body went slack. "Ohh, Chris! I'm sorry I said that. Are you missing Patty already? Is that what's been bothering you?" "Um, yeah. But it's worse than that. We broke up." "Oh, I'm really sorry. I thought you really loved each other." "We still do. We're just not in love enough to think about marriage. We've known for some time, but it's still hard. We'll always be friends, but I'm going to really miss her." "And the sex, too, huh?" "Donna!" "Oh, come on. I may be a virgin, but I'm not ignorant. I know you were sleeping with her. I think that's great, and I'm sorry you're hurting. Now, about that hug. I really would like my hunky brother to feel me up a little." Chuckling in amazement, he wrapped his arms firmly around her and rubbed the bare skin of her back gently. She, in turn, hummed contentedly as she wriggled her breast against his side, and laid her head on his shoulder. "You know," he said, "I have to apologize. You turned into this gorgeous woman so fast I hardly noticed. You're sure not the little girl that tagged along with me any more, are you." "Huh, uh! Not for a long time. It's OK, though. I didn't pay enough attention to what a stud you turned into, either." They cuddled silently for a while, then he asked, "Donna, aren't you worried whether it's right for us to be like this?" "No, I'm not worried. To tell the truth, I'd like to send Ron to my room and sleep here with you tonight. Oh, we wouldn't have sex or anything, but I've come to realize that right here is one of my safe places." There was another comfortable silence before she said, "Chris, I really am sorry that you're hurting. I just know that you'll find someone perfect for you. I'll even be your agent." He couldn't help but chuckle again. "I can use all the help I can get. I'm broke, I owe a ton in student loans, and I have no idea where I'm going to find a job. It'll take one hell of an agent to sell that package to any girl." "If they're stupid enough to just look for numbers, they don't deserve you, anyway, and you sure don't want them." "Geez, Donna, you've grown up a lot more than just this beautiful bod in the last year." "Yeah, I guess. It's been quite a year. What with Aunt Kathy, and Dex, and a dumb play on my part." "I guess you and Dex have been getting along pretty well, huh?" "Don't take this wrong, Chris, but he has kinda taken your place as my big brother." "But he's younger!" "On the calendar, maybe, but otherwise, he's more adult than most adults. With what he's been through, he either had to grow up fast, or go to pieces." "Well, I certainly don't feel bad that he's taken my place. I'm glad he's there for you. I have to admit, he's amazed me in some of our discussions about business. He asks some questions that would probably stump my profs. Say, Sis, you seem really relaxed and open about sex. When we were growing up, it was always sorta hidden and not mentioned." "Well, I can tell you that Mom and Dad have a great sex life. I know you won't take this the wrong way. I want to tell you about the night Kathy died." She proceeded to give him a full, detailed account of what she had seen. He listened quietly, and sniffled a little bit. To his chagrin, he found himself completely hard when she finished her tale. Almost reflexively, he turned away slightly, and she detected it. Surprising herself, she put her hand right on his cock, and quickly traced its length and thickness with her fingers before pulling her hand back. She couldn't help exclaiming "Wow!" "Donna!" "Relax, Bro'! I'm sure no expert, but that feels huge! You know, if I'm going to be your agent, I need to know what I'm selling, don't I? This package won't be a tough sell at all." Embarrassed beyond words, he could only groan. She turned slightly on her side, grabbed his hand and held it right on her breast, resisting his efforts to pull it away. "There, now we're kinda even, so you can stop being so embarrassed." She kissed him again. "Chris, I am so glad you're my brother, but a real part of me wishes you weren't." He gradually recovered from her little shock treatment, and they lay together renewing their relationship for another hour. Karen beamed happily when she saw them come down the stairs hand in hand. It never occurred to her to be concerned that they had done anything wrong. ------- It was the Saturday after the teachers had completed all their end-of-school duties. By dint of personality, Karen had become the social leader for a group of about twenty teachers who had been friends for a number of years. This would be the eighth annual end-of-school barbecue for the group. The Ferguson house was not any larger than some of the others' in the group, but they did have a large yard, and they did have Karen's love of parties. Wednesday before the party, Hank Ballard called to say he could not attend the party this year. This was a real disappointment to Karen, as Hank was a truly unique individual. He was a music teacher at the Junior High level, and an accomplished performing musician. He was also one of those naturally funny people you always loved to have at a party. Her disappoint was only partially at the loss of their resident comedian, though. Hank had been terribly hurt when his wife left him five years earlier. He was one of the gentlest, most considerate people on the planet, and everyone loved him. It was not enough for his wife, though, and she tore his heart out when she left. Karen wanted him at the party because she was concerned about his welfare. The last year, in particular, he had become more secretive and reclusive, even though he seemed somehow happier. When she asked why he couldn't come, he gave some lame generalities which she did not buy at all. "Henry Ballard, you know better than to try and bullshit me. You had better give me a damn good reason, or I'll come over there and drag you to the party!" He spluttered and evaded for a few more minutes to no avail, before conceding to the inevitable. The story he told was very touching. ------- Genevieve (Jenny) Frankel was an unfortunate American classic story. Blessed with a truly exceptional voice and the rhythm and ear to go with it, she was a star in the making. To her upper class parents, stardom meant the Met, and that is where they poured their money and their efforts. No tennis, skating, or gymnastics parent was ever more focused, nor drove their child harder. Jenny's entire high school career was in music specialty schools, some of the time away from home. Piano was an integral part of her training, as well, and by her teens, she was quite accomplished at the keyboard. With a naturally sweet disposition, Jenny made it all the way to fifteen years old before the inevitable rebellion set in. Her parents did absolutely nothing to provide her any social life, and in fact fought off any 'distractions' that interfered with her music. On the few occasions she was caught listening to popular music or watching MTV, their reaction was unbelievably severe. Dates were beyond discussion. It became clear to the teen that her parents concept of love was seriously flawed. Her own love for music was genuine, but she was caught in what she increasingly felt was a prison. Lacking the resources and the confidence to break away, she bided her time until she finished her high school studies at seventeen, and through two years at Juliard. The good thing about Juliard was the opportunity for a lot more social contact than she had been allowed before. The bad thing was her complete lack of preparation. For the first year, she kept to herself, dressing down to hide her obvious good looks, and avoiding all social gatherings. Her parents assumed she was continuing to be their committed future star. Her real motive was simple fear. Adrian LeBrieux could not believe such a girl existed, even in America. Totally innocent in sexual matters, yet too lovely to disguise in her dumpy but expensive outfits. A scion of French old money, he was the reigning king of Juliard. Handsome, dashing, and talented, he had spent his first three years conquering the cream of the female student crop. He had considered the pickings rather slim until he encountered Jenny. It took a single meeting for him to make her his senior project. He was in no hurry, either, as he had plenty of action other places. He would court her and make her fall in love with him. It would almost be too easy. With consummate skill, he started his campaign with casual dates in a group setting. After two or three outings, he progressed to dinner dates, then dinner and a movie or a concert. From the very first, he encouraged her to upgrade her appearance, and by the holidays, she had abandoned her frumpy wardrobe for stylish, if still somewhat conservative attire. She was also spending time on grooming, surprising even Adrian with her beauty. Totally unequipped to deal with his skilled seduction, and desperate for love, she fell quickly and hard. By Thanksgiving, she could barely focus on her studies as she spent her time waiting for their next date. At Christmas, she went home to a stunningly hostile reception. As soon as they found out about her romantic interest, they hounded her to break it off and concentrate on her studies. During the whole ten day visit, there was not one sympathetic conversation. It took their extreme treatment, but the rebellious streak in her was fully exposed. She nearly flew back without the plane in her anxiety to see Adrian. Some tender kissing, handholding, and brief hugs had been the extent of their sexual contact so far. She came back wanting more, and wanting it badly. If he had paid her parents, Adrian could not have gotten them to advance his project any faster. The innocent enthusiasm with which she kissed him and clung to him almost broke through his resolve to add her to his trophy case. It did cause him to prolong his ultimate conquest, because he could probably have taken her in January, given the state she was in after her disastrous trip home. Over the next few weeks, a good deal of petting was added to their dating routine. Early in March, Jenny got a call from a girl with a French accent, identifying herself as Angeline Rouchard, a fellow student. She asked Jenny to meet her for lunch, and insisted it was very important. At lunch, Angeline gently, but with heart-breaking impact, laid out the truth about Adrian. She gave Jenny the names and numbers of five current students who had been bedded and abandoned by him. She then described Adrian's MO as if she had been watching Jenny's relationship. Jenny was so distraught she was barely functional. She did not react with anger because Angeline was so gentle and so sincere she believed her immediately. The French girl helped Jenny home, and skipped classes to stay with her. She ordered in dinner, which Jenny barely picked at. When it came time for Angeline to leave, Jenny was calling on some previously untapped reserves of strength, and had regained control of herself. Adrian chose that time to call and ask her out again. She did not explode, but told him she was busy. When he asked her for a different night, she made more excuses. Angeline heard the conversation, and gave Jenny a warm hug. She explained that Adrian's family thought they ruled France. They took what they wanted without regard for anyone else. Over the next two weeks, Adrian tried repeatedly to make a date with Jenny, but she rebuffed him each time. Angeline made it a point to spend as much time with Jenny as possible, realizing there was no one else for the distraught girl to turn to. Finally, Adrian demanded to know what was going on. Jenny reluctantly agreed to meet him at a coffee shop. She called Angeline, who agreed to accompany her. At the scheduled time, Angeline was not there, and Jenny had to face Adrian alone. She summoned all the courage she had, and told him she knew all about him and did not want anything more to do with him. He unleashed his full arsenal of charm and persuasion, but she would not budge. As the conversation went on, she became more and more distressed at Angeline's absence. When it was time fo leave for a class, she suddenly felt very light-headed as she stood, and was barely able to leave the coffee shop, trying to resist Adrian's offers of assistance. Jenny would never be able to recall the next two hours with any clarity. Muddled images would haunt her forever: Adrian helping her to his car; being carried up the steps to her apartment; clothes being removed as she lay on her bed; unbelievable feelings of arousal; useless struggle and pleading; pain; shame; staggering to answer a pounding on the door; Angeline crying in anguish and frustration; Angeline speaking long and angrily in French on the telephone. Whether 'Ludes' or 'Roofies, ' the effect wore off after a few hours, and the realization of what had happened overwhelmed Jenny. While still groggy, she kept chanting over and over, "I was a virgin. He raped me!" As more awareness returned, she asked Angeline to help her get to a hospital. The doctors took blood samples that proved the use of drugs. The medical report showed the presence of her freshly torn hymen, and a swab contained some sperm. Because of the allegations of rape, the police were brought in. From the medical evidence and Angeline's account of being detained on her way to the coffee shop, a warrant was issued for Adrian. It turned out he had already fled, and was on a flight to France as the girls were being interviewed. Angeline had called Adrian and warned him that she was going to testify against him. She was confronted with a terrible delimma: she had come to genuinely care for the naive American beauty, and she was incredibly angry about what Adrian had done. At the same time, the LeBrieuxs could ruin her own family if she testified. The best solution for her was for Adrian to flee. Cementing a bond that was to last a lifetime, Angeline moved into Jenny's apartment, and by sheer force of will, pulled her through the inevitable shock, anger, and depression. She was able to use some unsuspected influence to gain Jenny some leeway on her course work, without revealing the true reason. There was no way she could make amends for her countryman's crime, but she gave it everything she could. One subject that was totally ignored in the aftermath of the rape was pregnancy. On Jenny's part, it was because of naivete. To Angeline, it was no real threat, abortion being a common contraceptive method in France. It was one more gut punch to Jenny when she found out just before the term ended that she was indeed pregnant. Angeline was appalled at her friend's refusal of a discrete abortion. Even though Jenny was not religious, the idea was something she just could not accept. There were numerous tearful discussions between the two before Angeline reluctantly accepted her friend's wishes. Jenny had determined that her parents would never know anything about the rape. Pregnancy, however, ruined any chance of that secret surviving. Probably the hardest thing she had ever faced in her nineteen plus years was the conversation on her arrival home after school closed. The result was even worse than she had feared. The first round was over how she had gotten pregnant. She told them the truth, but they did not believe her. They knew she had broken up with Adrian, but she had never actually identified him. The next round was about abortion. The final skirmish was about giving the baby up for adoption. When they could not get her to budge on either option, they threw her out. The entire encounter had been devoid of any sympathy or tenderness. As she hurriedly packed what she could get into a few suitcases, she was almost relieved, even while she was scared to death. College life in the big city had given Jenny some awareness of survival in the modern world, and she was able to get registered into a motel, prepaying for a week on the credit card her father had not yet canceled. She was also able to get $500 from ATMs. Her main problem was that she knew almost no one in town, and certainly no one she could call on in her current situation. She had neither a car nor a driver's license. Angeline would be leaving for home in three more days, and had insisted Jenny keep her updated on what was happening. When she heard about the eviction, she tried to talk Jenny into coming to France with her for the summer. Just the thought of any possible encounter with Adrian made that offer unthinkable to Jenny. True to form, Angeline dropped everything and hopped the next flight to help Jenny as much as she could. ------- During Jenny's ordeal, Hank Ballard was trying to pull himself out of his four-year funk. The divorce had left him emotionally bankrupt, but he did have a very nice house - far larger than one would expect of a childless teacher. He had done much of the work himself, trying to accommodate as many of his ex's lifestyle demands as he could on his modest income. One wing of the house was a complete mother-in-law apartment, and he decided to rent it out. He listed it in the classifieds, specifying a male tenant. Hank was not particularly pleased when Jenny called, asking about the apartment. It was Jenny who recognized Hank's distinctive voice. When she identified herself, he remembered her fondly. In every teacher's career, there are a few students that validate the reasons for teaching. Jenny stood at the top of Hank's list. He quickly pointed out that he was a single man, and could only rent to a man. Angeline took the phone, and explained Jenny's situation and her woeful lack of survival skills. She pointed out that Jenny needed a man's help for many things. His naturally giving nature, along with Angeline's potent powers of persuasion, soon had Jenny ensconced in his apartment. She was not renting, however, as Hank adamantly refused to take any money from her. He was acquainted with her parents, and could not believe their cold-hearted rejection of the lovely girl. The arrangement could not have been more ideal. Hank became the father she had always dreamed of, and she the daughter he never had. Her pregnancy and delivery should have put great strain on their relationship, but it never did. There were never any sexual overtones, but Hank's sense of humor fostered an easy intimacy that allowed both to be comfortable about the whole process and it's aftermath. The first time holding Amy was traumatic for Hank because it emphasized how much he had missed because of his ex's selfishness. At the same time, the absolute thrill of holding the new life did more to heal him than anything else that had happened. No real father or grandfather was ever more doting or attentive than Hank. One effect of Jenny's rejection by her parents was her turning away from singing. Singing was what her parents wanted from her, and it became painful. Hank, however, began a slow, patient campaign to win her over to his music - country. He could perform anything, of course, but country was where his heart was. He played quite regularly as a fill-in at the local country hot spot, and as a way to fill his time since the divorce, he had a whole box of original country tunes in various stages of completion. The music, he knew, was brilliant. The lyrics, he also knew, were hopeless. It only took a few months before Jenny could no longer stifle her natural love of music. She had exchanged good-natured banter with Hank about his 'hick' songs, but found herself more and more drawn to the emotional quality of the genre. She accompanied him to several of his gigs, and commented that the pure fun the audience and dancers were having was such a contrast to the sterile concert halls she was used to. He kept telling her she had done enough 'head' music, and now she needed to learn 'heart' music. Unable to keep from singing any longer, it became a daily ritual to join him for a singalong after supper. They did all the combinations of solo, duet, piano, and guitar, and it became the high point of the day for both of them. They had barely finished a session one evening in January when he had to take her to the hospital for delivery, and she insisted on resuming on her first day home. To Hank's initial embarrassment, it became her custom to breast feed Amy after supper while they sang. Perhaps because of the music, Amy became the most contented infant anyone could hope for. Hank had been very secretive about Jenny's presence in his house, not wanting any hint of scandal or impropriety to cause her further pain. He resisted any suggestion that she get a job, encouraging her instead to practice voice and piano for many hours a day. He was still in protective mode when Karen's cookout invitation came. He told her only the rough outline of Jenny's ordeal and her time with him. ------- "Hank, you are a saint, but I already knew that. So, what does that have to do with you coming to the party?" "Well, I hate leaving her alone all the time. I don't know any good sitters, and she is very reluctant to leave the baby, anyway." "So, bring Jenny and the baby with you. What's so hard about that?" "But she's not really part of our teacher group, and everyone is older, and she's afraid she might make folks uncomfortable, and we don't want anyone getting the wrong idea, and..." "Oh, come on! You know better than that! We're all your friends, remember? Do you think anyone would think anything bad about you? Besides, some of the teachers know Jenny from Junior High. Tell you what. Both Chris and Ron are here. Chris has to go back to summer school to finish some credits he needs for graduation. Ron is going back for his Junior Year in the fall, but he has a summer internship near campus. Chris, Ron, Donna, and Dex are going to act as the work crew, but they'll have plenty of time to spend with Jenny. As for the baby - what group of women aren't thrilled to have an infant around?" "If you're sure it's all right, I'll see if she wants to come." "No, just tell her she's coming. I'll bet she needs to be with people just as much as you do, right?" "Yes, Mother. Anything you say." The return of his humor sealed the deal. ------- The arrival of Hank, Jenny, and baby Amy turned out to be the highlight of the party. All of the teachers knew who Jenny was, and had been brought up to date on her story. Amy was at that stage where personality begins to emerge, and had the women practically fighting for a chance to hold her. Fearing the excess attention might be upsetting for the young mother, Karen swooped in to rescue her. After introducing herself, she hustled them off to the spare room, where she had set up the crib she had kept for her someday grandchildren. Amy was ready for sleep after all the commotion, and Karen stayed and talked softly with Jenny until the baby dropped off. Karen brought Jenny to the kitchen where the younger crew was getting the food ready. They all greeted Jenny warmly, except for Chris, who seemed to go into a trance after a brief hello. Donna and Karen both saw this, and looked quickly at each other, trying not to smirk. Jenny asked if she could help, and was assured there was plenty to do. Barely able to contain herself, Karen practically sprinted out to find Mike. Pulling him away from the edge of a conversation, she told him, "Lover, I want you to be sure to spend some extra time with your future daughter-in-law." "Who?... What?..." "Our eldest is a goner." "Who... you mean Jenny?" "Yup! Done deal! Reserve the church." "And you know this because..." "Remember the first time we met? The look on your face is stamped in my memory. Well, Chris has that same look!" "Sweetheart, I know you see things I mostly miss, but this is too wild even for you. I mean this girl has a ton of problems, and a baby, and..." "If I had had a five month old, would it have stopped you?" He merely grunted in acknowledgement, then asked, "But what if she isn't interested in him." "Well, we're going to help him out. We're going to make her feel so much like one of our family that she can't wait to make it official. Got it?" "So you approve of her?" "She's talented. She's lovely. She's obviously got character. She suffered a terrible crime, but I'm not going to judge her for that. I was with her and the baby for just ten minutes, and I know she's got a lot of love to give and just needs to find the right man. I think Chris is very fortunate." Mike just shook his head. He then gave her a quick kiss, told her "See ya later, Yenta," and sent her off with an affectionate pat on the bottom. While her mother was off briefing her Dad, Donna managed to maneuver Chris into a corner. "Hey, Big, Bro', snap out of it! You're acting like a Junior High dork who's never been on a date." I know you're in love, but you're going to blow it if you don't at least treat her nicely. From that intro, she probably thinks you're upset that she is here." "Huh? In love? What are you talking about?" "Oh, come on. You are a goner, and you know it. Now go and be nice to her. If you blow it with her, I'll beat you to a pulp. Got it?" He stared at her a moment, then grinned. "Thanks for the wake up call, Sis. Guess I was kind of tongue tied there." "I'm a little pissed, though," she told him. "I just signed on as your agent, and you go and find her all by yourself. Can I at least give her a description of the, uh, package?" She ducked as he took a playful swat at her, before grabbing her into a laughing hug. Donna noticed Jenny watching them with rather wide eyes. Feeling certain he could take it from there, Donna gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and went off to tell her Dad the news. To her surprise, he was standing by himself, looking toward the kitchen, and he grinned widely as she approached. "I already know!" She gave a playful pout and a stamp of her foot. "Well, if I hadn't had to wake up my lovestruck brother, I could have been here first." "I knew you wouldn't be long, so I waited for you." "Geez, you're getting too smart for your own good. Mom and I are going to have to sharpen up our mysterious act." Chris had inherited many of his father's best traits. He was certainly not shy, and women seemed naturally attracted to him. He did nothing to change their opinion once they got to know him. For the last year of school, he had been in a relationship that, in retrospect, was primarily sexual and convenient. Not that the breakup was easy, but both partners knew it was inevitable, and separated as lifelong friends. It was far too soon for him to be looking for romantic entanglements, and he had a very busy summer ahead of him, what with classes and job search. Seeing where Jenny was working on condiments and munchies, he managed to join her and start some light chatter as they worked. She was polite and friendly, but he could easily detect some defensiveness. Knowing nothing of her story, he intuitively understood that she had been badly wounded. At that point, he backed off from anything that smacked of flirting, and talked to her as a new-found friend. She loosened up quite a bit as they completed their tasks and joined the group as they ate. Donna had earlier assured Jenny that she would watch out for the baby and let her know if she awoke. As the group was finishing desert, Karen went to the basement and found a long-unused guitar of Ron's that still had all its strings. She thrust it at Hank, letting him know that his performance was not optional. After tuning up and singing a few numbers, he called Jenny over to join him. When she tried to beg off, Karen loudly led a chant of "Jen-ny, Jen-ny" until the blushing girl could no longer refuse. Hank started her with a tune that was more folk or pop than country, then did a duet with her on a country number before letting her loose on her own. The whole crowd, and especially Chris, was spellbound as she sang. Before anyone realized it, a half hour had passed. When Jenny had been singing about twenty minutes, Donna came and pulled Chris from his place. "Come on, Bro.' Time for you to change a diaper." "Huh?" was his eloquent reply. "Amy is waking up, and will need her diaper changed." "Well, you're the experienced baby sitter. Why don't you just do it?" "She's your future daughter. What better time to start?" "Oh, come on, Sis, you're carrying this too far. We just met, for Pete's sake!" By this time, they were at the crib, where Amy was just thinking about starting to fuss. Donna absolutely refused to touch the baby, coaching the painfully embarrassed Chris through every step of the diaper change. When he gave Amy's crotch a very cursory wipe, she lit into him mercilessly, causing him to redden even further as he finally did a proper job. When he was finished, Amy seemed quite content and was cooing at him in a manner sure to snare anyone's heart. After a couple of cautionary suggestions, Donna followed as Chris carried Amy out to the party. Predictably, Karen was watching the patio door and had to turn around so Chris could not see the glee on her face. Jenny was in the middle of a tune, and did not notice her baby until it ended, and Amy uttered a small bleat just before the applause started. Snapping her head around, Jenny sprinted over to stand in front of Chris with a confused look on her face. Donna was by this time nowhere in sight. She had left her brother on his own. Whether by instinct or by luck, he handled it well. "She just woke up. I think she's probably hungry." "Well, I need to change her first before I feed her." "All taken care of, Ma'am. Certified fresh and clean." "You mean you..." "At your service, Ma'am." Jenny's confused look changed to a grin, and she called over her shoulder as she walked toward the house, "Bring her in here, and I'll get her fed." Donna had given Chris a cloth diaper for his shoulder, and seeing that, Jenny headed right for the living room. She sat at one end of the sofa and took the baby and the cloth from Chris. As she pulled up her T-shirt and started to open the flap of her nursing bra, Chris turned quickly to leave. "Chris, why don't you keep me company while I feed her?" "But, you're... I mean..." "Oh, don't be embarrassed. It doesn't bother me. Sorry about the fat rolls, though." Trying to control his breathing and his face color, he took a seat and struggled to keep some conversation going. As Amy's contented sucking sounds increased, he had a new struggle - to keep his cock from swelling. The sight and sound of the loving mother nursing her contented child had a totally unexpected erotic effect on him. He really could not see Jenny's breast, and he made it a point to focus on her face, but the stimulation was still there. Again, whether from instinct or luck, his next statement was perfect. "Jenny, the look on your face says there's nothing in the world you would rather be doing right now." His simple, truthful observation, triggered something in her heart that she could not control, and tears started leaking down her cheeks. She did not sob, but her face contorted and the tears flowed freely. Revealing his naturally considerate streak, Chris dashed to the powder room, grabbed a box of tissues, and carefully dabbed at her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Jenny. I didn't mean to make you cry. Did I say something wrong?" "No, no. You didn't say anything wrong. I'm just so surprised that you could see what I'm feeling. I've had a lot of bad stuff happen to me, but the one good thing out of all of it is Amy. I... I guess I'd go through it all again just for times like this." "I know you don't know me, but I think I'm a pretty good listener, and I would love to get to know you better. Would you go out to dinner with me tonight and tell me all about yourself?" "I... I can't. Hank's playing tonight. I'd need to get a sitter for Amy, and I don't know any." "Don't be silly. My Mom's so anxious to have grandchildren she can hardly stand it. She'd love to have a little practice tonight. Besides, Donna's an experienced baby sitter, so you'll have double coverage. The only problem might be them leaving her alone long enough so she can get some sleep. So, how about it?" "Um, Chris. Are you sure you want to take me out? I'm an overweight unwed mother who doesn't know how to do anything but sing and play the piano. Why would you be interested?" Chris just looked at her for a moment before responding. "You know, my first thought was that you were fishing for compliments, but I'm afraid you really think of yourself that way. That's a shame, and I want to try to change your opinion." "Flatterer! Can we stop by the house so I can change?" "Nope! It's a come-as-you-are invitation." "But... but it's my first date in almost two years, and I look a mess." "You look adorable, so stop worrying about it. Let me go and set it up with Mom." Karen and Donna happened to be together in the kitchen, and they practically tackled him when he asked them. His mother and his sister both gave him resounding kisses right on the mouth. Chris took her to a restaurant that was just a small step above fast food, but neither was concerned about the ambiance. After dinner, he asked her, "Could we find a place to park, and talk some more? I promise I'll be a perfect gentleman." Hardly believing herself, she shot back "Oh, Darn!," then giggled. After another half hour of talking, it was she who reached over and took his hand, not releasing it for the remaining two hours of their conversation. She ended up telling him things that no one but Angeline knew, not even Hank. To her own amazement, she told him "I have a baby, but I'm essentially a virgin. A very inexperienced virgin, at that." "I don't know what to say! It must be hard for you to even think about sex after what happened to you. I hope I'm not assuming too much, but I really want to see more of you - a lot more. Whatever happens, I promise to let you take the lead in any kind of contact or affection. Just like when you took my hand." He gave her hand a warm squeeze." "I... I would like to see more of you, too, Chris. Thank you for understanding my fears. Just living with Hank has helped a lot, though. Because of my father and Adrian, I didn't think there were any good men out there. Now I know better." They went back to Chris's house when it came time to feed Amy, then he took them home. They ended up sitting and talking at Hank's until the wee hours when he got home from playing. When Chris said good night and left, Hank told her, "When you and Amy move out, it's going to leave an awful hole here. Knowing that you'll be with Chris makes it a lot easier to take, though." "Hank, you talk like I'm all married and gone." "Well, it's just a matter of time, isn't it?" "So you think Chris is a good guy, huh?" "The best. You probably guessed it already, but the Ferguson's are the finest family you will ever find, and Chris is just like his parents. You are a fortunate girl." "Well, if this happens, I want you to walk me down the aisle." This was too much for Hank. Even the big hug he wrapped her in could not hide the tears that flowed freely. Meanwhile, Chris was in for a surprise at home. He had stripped down to his boxers and was just leaving the bathroom when Donna opened her bedroom door and pulled him in. He tried to resist, but she was insistent as she dragged him into her bed and snuggled up next to him. "I decided this was better than chasing Ron out of your room." "But, Sis, this isn't right." "Sure it is! It's right, and loving, and I really want it. I slept with Dex one night, and we didn't do anything wrong. My big brother is pretty soon going to be sleeping with his new wife, and I don't want to miss my chance." "You're pretty sure about that, aren't you?" "Yup! Aren't you?" "I'm already sure I want her and Amy. I don't know just how she feels. I hope she doesn't want me just out of gratitude or desperation." "Is that what you felt when you were with her?" "N... no. I think she likes me. She is just so frightened and so inexperienced..." "Inexperienced? She has a baby!" He proceeded to tell her Jenny's story. At the end, Donna was a blubbering mess. "Chris, you are the perfect gift from God for her. She deserves nothing less after what she has been through!" It was another hour and a half before they even attempted to sleep. In the morning, Karen was again overjoyed to see the strengthened bond between her children. The idea of them sleeping together raised not a single red flag in her mind. ------- For the rest of Chris's time at home, he and Jenny were inseparable. Their physical contact was very innocent, with Chris sticking scrupulously to his promise. The Fergusons had many, many baby-sitting opportunities, and Karen soon could not imagine Amy not becoming her grandchild. The summer school session was just seven weeks long, but at parting time, it seemed like years to the love-struck couple. ------- Chapter 6 (Fifteen years earlier) After her affectionate sessions with Chris, and after watching Chris and Jenny so obviously in love, Donna had decided to take Margo's advice about getting naked with Dex as soon as her brothers left for school. She woke at first light Monday, and did not even try to go back to sleep. She forced herself to stay in her bed as she heard her parents moving around later. When the garage door was down after they left, she took off her nightclothes and positioned herself at the top of the basement stairs where she could see when Dex went into his bathroom. In an attack of nerves, she went back and got a light robe, but just held it in her hand. It seemed like forever before she heard him close the bathroom door. She nearly chickened out at that point, but held it together, and moved down toward the bathroom. She listened for the water to start, then thought she heard the sound of the shower curtain being drawn. Shaking so badly she could barely turn the knob, she slipped quickly into the bathroom, dropping the robe outside the door. She had misread the sounds she heard, and Dex was still outside the tub. He turned as she entered and they stared at each other, motionless. It was Dex who spoke first. "Donna, you are even more beautiful than I imagined." "You mean, y... you th... thought about th... this?" "Only since the day I moved in!" "M... me too. How c... can you be so c... calm?" "I had practice at this, remember? But I'm not that calm, see." "Oh, my! I d... didn't know it g... got that big!" "I'm sorry if it embarrasses you, but I can't help it, looking at you!" "R... really?" Her eyes were riveted on his now-erect cock. Remembering Margo's suggestion, she asked timidly, "C... can I wash your b... back?" "That would be great, but why don't we start with me washing your hair?" She was almost paralyzed and he had to take her gently by the hand to lead her to the tub. Just before he stepped in, he stopped and told her, "Donna, I know you're very frightened. I think this showering together is too much for you this first time. How about if I shower, and you just wait for me. Then we can have breakfast and help you get more comfortable. "C... can I wait here?" "Sure. I'll hurry." She stood as if catatonic and waited for him to finish. Her eyes were fixed on him as he dried, mostly on his still-erect cock. When he was dry, he took her hand and led her to the kitchen. Dex ended up doing all the fixing for breakfast, as Donna was still non-functional. Finally, as they were eating, she managed to speak. "I'm sorry I'm such a baby, Dex. Here I am the older one, and you're taking care of me." "I told you, I'm more used to this. It is different with you than it was with Mom, though." "Different how?" "Well, I had had some thoughts about Mom naked - I guess every boy does, but it was always just fantasy. When it happened, it was a shock. With you, I've thought about it so much... you saw what happened. It's still happening, too." This brought the first smile to her face. "When will it go down?" "I don't know. Probably not until you get dressed or turn ugly. If it bothers you, I can go take care of it." "You mean jerk off?" "Yeah. Say, Donna, why is this happening today. I mean, I couldn't be happier about it, but there must be some reason." "Damn, you know me too well! It really is something I've wanted to do, but you're right, there is a reason. I hope you aren't disappointed that I couldn't get up the courage to do it just for you." "Whatever the reason, I still get to look at you. Tell me what's going on." She told him everything she knew about Margo and Rick's naked times. "Margo doesn't know it yet, but I am going to catch Rick naked and embarrass him like he embarrassed me. Problem is, I've never seen a naked boy before, and I would have been more embarrassed than Rick." "So you're really going to stick it old Rick, huh?" "Yes, I am! Don't you think he deserves it?" "Of course he does. Are you going to go out with him afterwards?" "I don't know. I'm trying to think of some more things to make him do first." "I think I'll let you do that yourself. I might be too easy on him, but I'm sure you won't." "She stuck out her tongue at him, and they laughed together." "Donna, that's so much better! Seeing you laugh and smile I mean. I hope you can relax and enjoy this." "You mean you want to do more of it?" "Every minute we can. Do you want to?" "Oh, yes! But, Dex, I want to do more than just be naked. I really don't know much at all about boys and sex. I don't want to try to learn from boys like Rick - I want to learn from you." "Donna, I don't think we should, you know, uh, have sex." "No, I'm not ready for that. But there are lots of things we can do. Um, about that big thing sticking up there - can I make it go down?" "Oh, God! You mean you want to make me come!?" "Mmmmm, Hmmm! I want to know what it feels like, and I want to see it squirt. Will it do that for me?" "Ohhh, will it ever! It's almost ready to come just thinking about it!" He was telling the truth. Donna sat in the chair next to him and tentatively wrapped her hand around his shaft. She asked him what to do, and he told her to move up and down. She had done only about five strokes when he spewed all over her hand and arm. She was so startled, she let go and jumped back, leaving his succeeding spurts to land on the floor. When he subsided, they both sat silent and still, he breathing hard, she not breathing at all. When he had caught his breath, he looked at her and mouthed 'thank you.' She smiled and looked right back at his cock. "Wow! But I thought it was supposed to go down after you came!" Still breathing hard, he managed to stammer out "You're j... just too damn s... sexy!" She giggled in response and asked if she could touch it again. He cautioned her it might be sensitive, so she very gently began running her fingers all over it. He let out a few soft moans, and she became more adventurous, investigating his balls. "Will it come again so soon?" "It sure feels like it!" She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, then laid her head on his shoulder as she started stroking again. She was happy that it took quite a while this time. She enjoyed the feel of his member, and every gasp or moan brought her a feeling of satisfaction. She was amazed that there was nearly as much ejaculate the second time. She just held it gently as it finally started to soften, her head still on his shoulder. "Donna, I think it's your turn now," he mumbled. "Let's leave that for tomorrow. I need to shower and get to work." He was too spent to argue, even letting her clean up the floor. ------- Donna was looking for Margo at lunch time, and was not disappointed. The older woman knew immediately that she had taken her advice, and gave the girl a hug. They talked about Donna's experience, and Margo was becoming visibly agitated. When Donna asked what was wrong, she answered, "I'm horny, that's what's wrong. And I've got nobody but myself to take care of it, that's what's worse!" "What about your husband?" "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I have to tell someone. He hasn't touched me in three months." "Ohhh, Margo, I'm sorry. What are you going to do?" "Go home and get myself off, of course!" "No, I mean about your husband, and no sex, and... Oh, I'm sorry, that's none of my business!" "Donna, I know you have a wonderful mother, and you have a good relationship with her. I hope you don't mind if I treat you like the daughter I never had - or at least like a niece. Sad to say, I don't have a single woman friend I can talk this way with." "How about Rick? Can you talk to him?" "It's much better since we started being naked together. The problem is, he's not a woman, and as you are aware, doesn't know much about women. He is learning, though." "So you are still having your naked times?" "Every chance we get. He even skips nights out with his buddies when Roger is away." "Are you, um, I mean, will you do more than just be naked together?" "God, sometimes I want to so badly! I don't let myself think about it too much." "You think it's wrong, like incest, then?" "Actually, I'm not that worried about the right and wrong. I just think it would be bad for Rick right now. He has not changed enough, yet." "But you think he is changing?" "Oh, definitely, and you, sweetie, are a big part of the reason." "Margo, I have to be honest with you. Rick's a hunk, and he's going to make some girl a great catch, but I don't have any romantic feelings for him at all. I'm afraid every time I see him, I will always think about running out through that room full of laughing kids with him yelling those awful things at me." "So there isn't any way he could apologize enough?" "Sure, he can apologize, and I have forgiven him. The problem is, I can't forget. Let's suppose someday we're together, married even. When he held me, I would still think of that night, and running out of that house. Every time we had a fight, that episode would come up again. I could never live with that." Margo sat looking very sad, moisture visible in her eyes. "I guess you probably won't want to see me anymore, knowing how I feel about your son." "No, Sweetie, that's not true. I would like to keep getting together with you. I will try not to talk about Rick, if that will help." "Rick's a big part of your life. If we are to be friends, of course you will talk about him. I don't mind; I don't hate Rick; we might even get to be friends, someday. Don't be afraid to talk about him." "He had no idea how he was hurting you, you know. I blame myself for his ignorance, and that's what really hurts." "He didn't even think of me as a person that could be hurt. I was just an object, a target. Margo, I think you know just how that feels, don't you?" Margo stared at the girl, eyes leaking slowly. "How can you be so wise at your age? I was so gullible - I still am. I suppose I am about as valuable to Roger as his Mercedes, or maybe his Rolex." "Margo, how valuable are you to yourself? How much are you giving up to stay married?" "I have been asking myself that ever since I first met you and Dex. The problem is I'm scared stiff. I don't have any money of my own. I don't have any job skills. All I am is a decoration. What would I do on my own?" "How about family. Besides Rick, I mean." "Oh, I have two brothers and a sister in the area, and my folks, of course. Lately, I have seen a lot more of them. They've been coming to Rick's games, too." "What do they think you should do?" "None of them liked Roger from the first, so there's no question what they think." They talked on until Donna had to return to work. ------- Dex had told her to wait in bed until her parents had left, and he would come to her. She awoke early again, though, and anticipating what was to come, showered, powdered, and perfumed herself. She even took time for some makeup. She had just put on fresh nightwear and gotten back in bed when she heard him come up the stairs. Her parents had just left. When he opened her door and walked in naked, he was flaccid, and she found that just as fascinating, watching it swing gently with each step. When he reached the bed, he pulled back the covers and sat on the edge, a look of disappointment on his face. "I thought you would be naked." "I didn't want to take a chance on Mom coming in here. She knows what I wear to sleep in." "Oh. Good thinking." "Besides, wouldn't you like to undress me?" Summoning all her courage, she sat up and raised her arms, waiting for him to pull her T-shirt off. He obliged, hardening before he even grasped the hem of her shirt. Once she was topless, he knelt beside the bed and gave her the first serious kiss they had shared. She was just a bit startled at first, but quickly fell into the intensity of it. Their lips were locked for a long time, and after the first several seconds, he introduced tongue action. Before they broke after almost a minute, she was moaning softly and running her hands all over his head and his neck. "Oh, God, Dex! I've kissed guys before, but nothing ever felt like that!" "I guess none of those guys loved you like I do, Donna." "Ohhh, Dex! It shows! I could feel it. I love you too, you know." Rather than responding, he began an erotic tongue bath, something that he had used to drive his mother wild on several occasions. He started behind one ear and moved across her neck to the other ear. He then worked down from her throat through her valley to the underside of her left breast. He worked in shrinking circles around the breast, converging slowly on the nipple as she squirmed harder and harder, thrusting her breast toward his mouth to induce contact with her rock-hard nub. Just as his tongue reached her crinkled aureola, he pulled away, bringing a moan of frustration from her. Before she could voice her complaint, he moved to the other breast, starting the same converging circuit. Once again, he pulled away when he reached the aureola, but only for a second. This time, he took the nipple in his mouth and bit gently with his teeth rhythmically. About the third time he clamped down, she gave a squeak, then shuddered through a small orgasm. He sucked hard to keep hold of the nipple, and lashed it with his tongue. Her reaction told him the nipple was too sensitive for such attention, so he placed his hands over both breasts and began licking down the center of her tummy as he gently kneaded her breasts, avoiding the nipples. He spent several seconds exploring her navel with his tongue, moving on just as her ticklishness started to overwhelm her arousal. Leaving her navel, he moved to her far hip, and licked his way along the top of her panties toward himself. Reaching her near hip, he let go of her breasts and grabbed her panties at both hips and began pulling the top down slowly as he licked back and forth across the receding panty line. After two trips back and forth, Donna felt the pull and raised her bottom so Dex could pull them completely off. With the panties removed, he continued licking back and forth across her quivering lower belly until he reached her pubic hair. By now, she was breathing erratically, and squirming under him. Deciding to go for a little shock, he got on the bed on his knees. He lifted her legs, then spread them apart, lewdly exposing her pussy to his view. He paused momentarily, having only licked his mother's bare labia previously. Her hair was not thick, but had not been trimmed. He felt her try to close her legs in embarrassment, and this jarred him to action. He fairly dove into her crotch, running his hands down from her ankles to her thighs. He shoved his tongue as far under her bottom as possible and dragged it heavily and slowly upward, separating her lips and dragging over her clit. She hissed and shuddered, and he was very excited as well. After the one swipe, he went right for her clit and licked and sucked it vigorously as she arched her ass right off the bed toward him. She let out a screech, then started shaking violently as a massive climax overtook her. Unable to keep contact with his mouth because of the violence of her movement and the pressure on his head from her clamping thighs, he moved up beside her and grabbed her mound firmly with his hand, rubbing to keep her clit stimulated. The whimpering and the aftershocks seemed to go on forever. When she finally regained control of her body, Donna pulled him down for a kiss, and said, "Dex, I want you to put it in me, right now." Dex prolonged the kiss, then gently stroked her damp hair from her forehead as he told her. "Donna, I am aching to make love to you, but it would not be fair. You need to tell me you are ready when you are dressed and calm. If you let your pussy decide instead of your mind, you might be sorry, and you might hate me later." "There is nothing that could make me hate you, Dex, and I want you so badly I can hardly stand it. I guess you're right though, dammit! Thank you for watching out for me. You must have a problem that really needs attention, huh? Let me use my mouth on you, too." "Have you ever done it before?" "Uh, no." "Then let's leave it for another time. If you just lay here and stroke me a little, I should blow real soon." She proved him right as she pulled his face down for a fierce kiss, and stroked him vigorously with her other hand. He was on his side with his cock laying against her hip. she release him for a moment to pull her T-shirt under his cock, then continued her stroking until he came all over the shirt. The pair lay quietly together as they recovered. Donna was the first to speak. "It's too bad, you know," she said. "I'll never want to get myself off again. After this, it just won't seem worth it." There was no reply for a while, then he told her, "Guess I'll have to make sure you have no need to do yourself, huh?" ------- As they ate breakfast, she told him what had happened with Margo the day before. The mood was somber, until he made a joke. "Once you pull your surprise on Rick, I guess I won't have to be naked for you anymore, huh?" "Nah! I won't have to put up with that big thing swinging all over the place." She paused for effect. "You creep! I wouldn't give this up for anything! Dex, this is so wonderful, I'm sorry it took an excuse to do it." "About your surprise. And about Rick. I can understand how the memory would stay with you. Believe me, I can understand. You know, it's over a year now." They both sat quietly after he said this. "I think you should reconsider cutting Rick off totally, though." "Wait a minute! Who's side are you on?" "I'm on your side, believe me. I will have to live my whole life with hatred for my father. I don't know if I could have gotten past the hatred or not, but I never had the chance. Do you want to spend your whole life hating Rick?" "I don't hate him. I just can't get what he did out of my mind." "All I'm saying is if you give him a chance to try to erase that memory, you will be happier, too." "How could he erase it?" "I don't know. Maybe by giving you enough good memories?" "I don't think I want to spend that much time with Rick." "There's someone else to consider, too. Margo. She feels responsible for what Rick did, and you are not giving her a chance to make it right." "Geez, I hadn't thought of that. I don't want to hurt her." She sat and thought for quite a while, then got up and phoned Margo, asking her to meet for lunch again. When she returned, she thanked Dex, but said, "I'm not going to go easy on Rick, though. He's not getting a free pass because of his Mom." "That's fine. There's nothing wrong with making him prove he has changed." They chatted a bit more until almost time for her to dress for work. She hesitantly made a request of him. "Dex, I know you consider this very private, but would you please tell my Mom about your times with your mother? She is grieving, too, you know. That is such a beautiful thing, I think it would help her to know it. Would you do that, please? Aunt Kristen, too?" ------- "Margo, I need to apologize to you. Yesterday, I was selfish and didn't even think about you. I also wasn't very smart about my own best interest. I have reconsidered going out with Rick." "Oh, Sweetie, that's wonderful. Let me guess - Dex talked to you about it, right. Rick will be so relieved. He has been a basket case since yesterday." "Really? Well, don't let him get his hopes too high. I am not done getting even yet. When I get done embarrassing him, he may not want anything to do with me. I am going to be nasty to him before I ever go out with him. He may just decide it is not worth it." "What are you going to do?" "First of all, I am going to come to your house some time when you guys are naked, and catch him. If he wants to take me out, he will have to stay naked while I am there." "Wow! I knew you were angry, but I had no idea." "If every time I see him, I think of that night, I want him to him have something come to mind when he sees me: like sitting there naked talking to me while I'm dressed. Maybe even with a hardon! Wouldn't that give him something to remember!? If he still wants to take me out after that, maybe he is changing. And that won't be all, either." "You mean you're going to make him do more? What else?" "I haven't made up my mind yet. It will be bad enough so I will know I am not just a target anymore." "Oh, you stopped being a target the night at the Gaslight, but I can see why you want him to prove it. Margo reached across and held both of Donna's hands. "Thank you so much, Sweetie! I don't know how I would have lived with my guilt if Rick had lost any chance with you." "Margo, I wouldn't say he has a chance with me for anything but a few dates. Don't go making wedding plans or anything." "I know, I know. But at least there is hope." ------- Donna did not want to put Margo in the position of conspiring against her son, so it took a while to find the right time for her surprise visit. They still met for lunch twice a week, and on Thursday, Margo mentioned Roger would be leaving Sunday morning for a three-day conference. Donna decided Sunday evening would be perfect. She was able to get the car, and drove to within a block of the Santee house at about six o'clock. Taking somewhat of a chance in the security-conscious neighborhood, she snuck around the side of the yard and hid in some shrubs, watching Margo and Rick on the patio by the pool. She spent a nervous twenty minutes watching them do nothing but lie on the lounge chairs face down. They were talking steadily, but she could only make out occasional words. Just as she was deciding to just reveal herself, they both stood, walked to the pool, and dove in. After the splash, she realized she had stopped breathing. This was going to be harder than she thought! Just the view of his backside had caused her pulse to race and a warmth to spread throughout her body. They splashed around for a few minutes, then climbed out. As Rick levered himself with his arms and sprung out of the pool, she almost swooned at the sight of him. Margo wasn't kidding! He really was gorgeous. She stared at him as he went out of her view into the kitchen. She had enough presence of mind to look at Margo, who was still drying off at poolside. She was awed by the older woman's body, as well. They were both well inside the patio doors before she felt able to walk. She wanted to be sure they were both in the kitchen, so she eased around the corner of the house, crouching below the level of the windows. When she reached the patio door, she was relieved to see them both working in the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, she stood, slid the door open and walked through, and managed a surprisingly chipper voice as she said "Hi! Any chance I could join you guys for supper?" Margo gasped and dropped a pan, which clattered loudly on the stone kitchen floor. Rick looked like he was poleaxed and yelled, "Whaaat? Donna?" His hands flew to cover his groin and he turned to flee from the room. Donna's voice cracked like a whip and he stopped in his tracks. "Rick! Stay! I thought you wanted to go out with me. I'm giving you a chance to ask." "But... But!" "Come on! Get back in here and drop those hands, otherwise I leave. You know I won't take your phone calls, so this is your only chance." Rick advanced light years in Donna's estimation by his next action. He stared at her a few seconds, then dropped his hands and squared his shoulders. "I take it this is payback, huh? Donna, believe me, I had no idea how badly I was hurting you. Dex told me I was clueless and he was right. I deserve this. Um... can I put some pants on, now?" Caught off balance for a moment, she almost relented, and barely managed to keep her resolve. Margo had told her he was changing, but his obvious contrition hit her hard. Shaking her head and forcing herself to remember her own humiliation, she managed to keep the same chipper tone in her voice. "Oh, no, Rick, don't bother to dress just for me! I wouldn't think of spoiling your usual dinner routine. I was just in the area and thought I would drop in. Is that OK, Margo?" Margo had recovered from her initial fright, and now was torn between competing desires to laugh and to cry. God, she loved this girl! If her son could somehow land Donna, all her half-assed parenting would be forgiven and she could rejoice in a lifetime of happiness for him - she just knew it. "God, Donna, you about scared me to death! Of course it's OK - we've got plenty. Rick, you haven't finished the salad. Why don't you do that while Donna sets the table. Donna, would you like iced tea, lemonade, or a soda. We're just having soup and sandwiches - hope that's alright." Margo quickly fell into the same non-stop talking mode she used when she first stripped for Rick. Donna caught on quickly and the two were soon chatting gaily as if he wasn't even there. At this point, he sincerely wished he wasn't. They were seated and the food was served before he said a word. "I, uh, guess you two cooked this up together, huh?" "No, Rick, this was my idea. I told your Mom I was going to do it, but I never mentioned when. She probably thought I had given up." "Gee, thanks, Mom!" "Come on, Honey! How many times have you asked me if there wasn't something you could do to get another chance with Donna. Well, she's giving you that chance. Would you rather I had stopped her?" "Hey, let's talk about lighter stuff while we eat, OK. Uh, Margo, you can get dressed if you want to." "No, I can't. I feel partly responsible for Rick's situation. If I can give him a little support by staying naked, I will." "OK. Hey, Rick, tell me about your orientation trip." Even with his genitals hidden under the table, Donna had to drag responses out of him, but she kept up a constant stream of questions and comments throughout the meal. When they were finished, Donna insisted they retire to the parlor, and she quickly took a single chair facing the sofa, indicating mother and son should sit together across from her. The two women bantered a few minutes while Rick sat with legs crossed, trying to disappear. Rick had stayed out of the conversation in the parlor, and Donna decided it was time to get rough. "Come on, Rick, open up your legs. One of the reasons I came over here was to get a good look at your package. Your Mom told me you had a great body, and I wanted to see for myself. That's better. Oooh, she wasn't kidding! I haven't seen that many, but I'm impressed with yours. How big does it get when it's hard, anyway? Seven or eight inches, at least, I'll bet. Maybe I was stupid not going upstairs with you after all. Has having me around looking at it made it hard to keep it soft?" Even though she found herself starting to sweat and even shake a little, she somehow kept up the suggestive patter. Donna had arrived wearing an extremely short skirt, and a blouse with the tails tied up under her breasts - no bra. Walking to the parlor, she had undone the remaining buttons, leaving just the tied shirttails to hold in her breasts. As she started her suggestive banter, she slid forward in her chair, causing her brief skirt to slide up almost to her crotch. At the same time, she spread her legs a bit, bringing her barely translucent lace panties into clear view. As she bent over in apparent concentration on his cock, her nipples just avoided popping into the open. All in all, the combination of her looks and her sexy talk were enough to stiffen any functioning cock. Rick's cock was certainly functional. Within seconds of her leaning forward, the last of his control vanished, and he became instantly erect. He once again jammed his hands in front of his crotch and rose to flee. Again, Donna's voice cracked like a whip, telling him to sit down and keep his hands away. She had reacted quickly, and retained command, but she felt her resolve melting under a wave of arousal. She had seen Dex's hardon quite a few times by now, but this still got to her. She had to hold it together! She could not cave in and let him off easy! She forced herself to remember the flight from the party, and the memory was just strong enough to help her regain some of the anger and determination she had arrived with. "Oooh, Rick, that's at least seven or eight inches, isn't it? Verrrrry nice. Margo, I assume you've seen it hard before, haven't you? Did you ever measure it for him, just for kicks. How on earth do you keep your hands off of it when it gets like that?" She babbled on for a little while longer, making any X-rated comment she could think of. Thanks to Dex's coaching, she thought of quite a few. Finally, she stood and said "Well, I think it's time for me to go. Thanks so much for the nice meal and the great strip show. I had a blast." Margo stood and followed her to the door. When Donna gave Margo a hug, the older woman was unable to say a thing, and just stared at the girl with wide eyes. She stayed motionless as Donna fairly skipped down the street toward her car. When Donna was finally out of sight, Margo shook her head and walked back into the parlor. She stopped in the doorway and looked at her son, who had hardly moved a muscle. He was slumped against the sofa back, legs slightly spread and cock standing up straight. His eyes had an unseeing, vacant look. She fought with herself for a few seconds, then stepped across the room, knelt in front of him, and took his cock into her mouth. "Mom! Whaaaa?!!" She released him for a moment. "I need this! You need this! Just relax and let it happen!" "But... but... ! Mom, just wait a minute!" She pulled her mouth off of him and looked up, but did not let got with her hands. "You're right, I do need this. I need it so badly it hurts, but we've had something special these last few weeks. I'd rather suffer blue balls than screw that up." Margo instantly burst into tears and dove on top of her son, hugging him fiercely. She then stood up and dragged the dazed boy to his feet, pulling him, staggering and stumbling, toward the master suite. She grabbed the bed coverings and threw them in a heap to the side, then pushed Rick onto the bed on his back. Getting on the bed on her knees, she recaptured his cock and went to work on it seriously. While moving her head up and down, she gently kneaded his balls with one hand. Given his heightened state of arousal, the result was predictable. In barely thirty seconds, she was swallowing pulse after pulse of his cum while he writhed and groaned. When she felt him start to recoil from the sensitivity, she gave him a few loving licks and released him. Grabbing a pillow to support his head, she stretched out on top of him and nestled her head into his neck. They lay silently for a time, then she spoke softly, practically into his ear. "Honey, I hope I haven't shocked you too much." "Shocked? More like totally wiped me out! I guess from the way you are laying we haven't screwed up our relationship, huh?" "Relationship! Honey, you can't believe how that word thrills me. I love you - I always have, but we have never really had a relationship before. We just coexisted. I want to take our relationship up a level. I want us to be lovers." "Oh, Mom! I do love you. I'm realizing it more and more. If we, you know, have sex, though, isn't that wrong?" "I don't care. Don't you want to have sex with me." "Oh, God, yes. Sometimes I almost go crazy looking at your gorgeous body. It won't change the way we feel about each other, though, will it? I couldn't stand that." "Yes, it will change - it will get even better, 'cause, Honey, we're not just going to have sex. We're not just going to fuck. We're going to make love. I don't think you've ever done that, and I haven't had it done to me. We both need it, and we're going to share it." Rick took her face in his hands and lifted so he could kiss her. "Uh, Honey, I just had your cum in my mouth. Maybe I'd better..." He cut her off with a searing kiss. Keeping his arms around her, he rolled them over so he was on top. "Mom, I want you to teach me how to love a woman the right way, but right now, I think we both need a really good fuck. I think I can do that without any more training. Is that OK?" "Oh, God, is it ever! Get that big, beautiful cock in me, right now! Just pound me 'til I pass out. Oooh, that feels sooo good. I've missed it so much. Ooooh yessss! Harder! Faster! I love it! I love it! I love it! I... Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Her body heaved in a sudden orgasm. Rick's balls had been emptied recently, so he was able to hold off and keep thrusting. Not giving his mother a chance to come down, he slowed only slightly, taking long, deliberate strokes. Responding to some instinct, he started a quick rubbing motion of his pubic bone against hers on every downstroke, causing a satisfying gasp from her every time. Margo had recovered enough to begin returning his thrusts. She wrapped her legs around his and clawed at his back. She lowered her head slightly and took one of his nipples in her mouth. She sucked it and lashed it with her tongue as she felt his urgency growing. When she sensed him getting close, she bit down on the nipple. He let out a harsh yell and exploded into her. She felt like her innards were being blown up from the force of his ejaculations. After an unbelievable number of spurts, he finally regained some bodily control and tried to catch his breath. His weight was still supported off of his mother and his erection had not shrunk. Although rather sensitive, he tried a couple of tentative thrusts, and discovered he could stand it. He wanted to see her have another orgasm. The first experience had thrilled him. As soon as his arms stopped shaking, he began a steady rhythm again. Never had he been in a girl this long. He hadn't realized what he was missing. Their combined juices had eliminated all friction, and he slid in and out easily. Still, the tightness and the heat felt incredible. On and on he stroked, thinking that he never wanted to stop. Again acting on some sort of instinct, he started changing the angle of his stroke, then he tried a rotating motion. His mother's gasps, moans, and whimpers had an unbelievable effect on him. It was like the finest music he had ever heard. As her excitement grew, she drew her legs up around his waist. He wanted to kiss her, but the difference in their heights made it nearly impossible. Instead, he supported himself with one arm and used the other hand to first massage her breast, then tweak the nipple. She tightened her grip in response. Thinking of a picture he had seen, he took hold of his mother's legs and pushed them back against her chest, raising her ass off the bed so he had an upward stroke against the top of her vagina. With the first stroke in this position, she let out a hiss and her breathing began to break up. Sensing that he had her on her way to another climax, he increased the force of his strokes, grunting on every thrust, and causing a responding grunt from her. By now, both were sweating profusely, and approaching exhaustion. He was determined, however, and refused to pause or slacken his pace. Finally, after about three minutes of relentless pounding, Margo stiffened and began a long string of violent convulsions. Rick wanted to keep thrusting but found it was all he could do to hold on. It was impossible to hold her in the jackknifed position when she came, so he let her legs down, struggling to stay in her and keep some kind of motion. With her legs outstretched, the spasming of her vagina became stronger, and he found himself blasting another small load into her. As he finished, he felt his arms starting to give way, and rolled them both onto their sides. He held tightly to his mother's bottom, wanting to stay inside her as long as possible. She was still experiencing little shudders. Her eyes were closed and her face was slack - he was not sure if she was even conscious. Scrabbling behind himself with his hand, he was able to grab a corner of a sheet and pull it up over them. He thought he heard a slight tearing sound, but could not have cared less. With one arm under his mother's head, and one hand on her ass, he rolled her slightly on top of him, and just cuddled her as he dozed off. Sometime later, he woke up to wetness on his chest and shoulder, then heard his mother sniffling. Alarmed, he started to jerk upright, but she tightened her grip and held him down. "Mom! Mom! Did I hurt you? Oh, I'm so sorry, I..." "Hurt?! Oh, God, no! Honey, you took me to heaven and back. I never..." "Then why are you crying? What's wrong?" "Rick, you are an unbelievable lover, but you need to understand that women cry for lots of reasons, some of them very good. I am overwhelmed. I am thrilled. I am so happy I can't stand myself. That's why I'm crying?" "Whew! You had me frightened for a while, there." "Honey, you obviously didn't do that to all your girls. If you had, there would have been no second date problem. Why did you do it to me?" "Mom, when you came that first time, it was unbelievable. I had never seen it before, and I was determined to make you come again. I just tried everything I could think of to get you there." "Why didn't you try to get the girls to come?" "I... I'm ashamed to admit it, Mom. I just didn't care how they felt. I had no idea what a girl's orgasm was like. I just wanted to get myself off. Besides, most of them just kind of laid there and took it. You... you inspired me. The way you moved, the look on your face, that little trick with the nipples, everything. You are sexy as hell, you know that?" "Well, I'm glad I was able to pass it on to you. Honey, I am not joking. That was the best ever, by far. Rrrrrrrrgh!" With that throaty growl, she attacked his mouth, kissing and hugging him fiercely. "Right now, you have a choice: pool, Jacuzzi, or shower. Pick one. I'm going wherever you go. After what you just did, I am going to be all over you like a rash, I'm afraid." He chose the Jacuzzi. She sat between his legs, leaning back against him. Surprisingly, he was a bit timid at first, but she took his hands and encouraged him to caress and explore. He soon found he loved it - the slick feel of her wet skin, the soft curves of her breasts and hips, the perfectly upholstered muscles of her legs and shoulders. "Mom, this may sound strange, and I hate to admit it, but I guess I've always been a little afraid of girls. I mean, there was always kind of a mystery." Incredulous at first, she realized this was just another indictment of her parenting. "Is that why you treated them more like targets than like people?" "Yeah, I guess. That and the way Dad always talked about them. It seemed like that was the way to be cool. Uh, Mom, why this. Why tonight?" "Are you complaining?" "Hell, no! I just wondered why?" She drew a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "Rick, Honey, I did it because I couldn't stand it any more. Our naked times have gotten me so horny! You know I get nothing from your father. I am so jealous of the kind of love that seems to ooze from Donna's family. I needed it! I hope you don't feel I took advantage of you." "I needed it, too, Mom. I was at least as horny as you, and after Donna worked me over, well... I... I've never felt like I do after the last few weeks. I care more about you and how you feel than I ever have for anyone, even you." "I know, Lover. I wanted to take you to bed that very first night we were naked, and especially after that wonderful dinner date. I didn't because you just weren't ready then. Now, I know that you are." "What an idiot I've been. If I had just known, think of how great it could have been with some of those girls. They actually could have liked it." "Well, that's history, now. You've got a whole new life ahead of you. I'll bet you can finally get Donna to go out with you." "Oh, I couldn't go out with her after tonight. All I would think about would be her sitting there all happy and sexy joking about my hard cock. If she wanted to get even, she sure did. Between her little stunt and what we just did, I'm cured of her." Margo gave a little gasp, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her son's words were such a replay of Donna's, it was almost funny. On the other hand, the thought of permanently losing her choice for daughter-in-law was devastating. She was glad Rick could not see her face as she struggled with her emotions. Only when she reminded herself that they were only 17 and 18 and anything could still happen was she able to force some calm. "Rick, I hope you don't think our making love means you shouldn't go out with girls." "Believe it or not, I already thought about that, Mom. This is unbelievable, but I know it can't be forever. I hope you don't mind if I don't work too hard to find dates and be away from you these last few weeks before I leave for school." "I understand. I don't want to miss a single chance, either. I can't pretend I won't be jealous of those lucky college girls. I'm going to try to make sure you learn everything I can teach you. They don't know just how lucky they are going to be!" Later as they cuddled before falling asleep, Rick spoke up. "Mom, I think you should get rid of Dad and find someone who will love you like you deserve." Margo did not even try to hold back the tears. ------- Margo picked up Donna the very next day right after work, instead of at noon. She asked Donna to have dinner with her, and the girl cleared it with her parents. Donna sensed a change from the first hello, and watched the older woman constantly, trying to determine the reason. "Well, Donna, you accomplished your objective." She relayed Rick's comment about dating Donna, using almost the same words Donna had used. She was chagrined when the girl burst out laughing. "I'm sorry, Margo. I know you want us to get together. I've told you before, I don't have a romantic interest in him. Yesterday was... satisfying, but it did not change my feelings about him. You were right, though, about his body." And she giggled. Margo shook her head and composed herself, and they chatted naturally, she thought, for the rest of the meal. Donna kept trying to figure out what was different about her friend. When it hit her, she somehow avoided gasping aloud. She was sure her eyes got huge, but Margo was looking down at the time. Steeling herself, she finished eating, debating within herself whether she should say anything. Somehow, Margo did not notice her distraction. Finally, as they were waiting for the check, she could not restrain herself. "Margo, I hope he has changed enough to give you what you need - what you deserve. I know it will be good for him, too. You can show him how to really love a woman." Margo did the seemingly impossible trick of looking pale and flushed out the same time, while mimicking a fish out of water. Donna was seriously concerned for her well-being for several seconds. After a long pause, all she could squeak out was "Wha... what do you mean?" "You and Rick made love after I left last night, that's what I mean. Margo, don't worry. You're my friend and I'm happy for you. As long as it was good, that is. I'm happy for Rick, too. He'll never find a more beautiful lover, nor one who cares as much about him." "You... you're not shocked? Disgusted? You're a seventeen year old virgin. How can you take this so calmly?" "Margo, I trust you so I can say this. I'm not ready to give up my virginity, yet. I probably will before I go to college. I know who I am going to give it to." "Dex?" "Of course. If there was a way to do it without hurting anyone, I would make love with my Dad, too." "How in the Hell can you be so cool and rational about this. What if you just fall head over heels for some guy and give it up on a hot date." "Then it would be rape, because I won't let that happen. You know I'm not unemotional. I guess I've just learned a lot from Dex. He has this way of, I don't know, standing outside of himself. He looks at things he has to decide or things he wants to do as if he was someone else. He says he makes much better decisions that way. I sure don't have his self-control, but I am determined to do it his way on the important things." "God, when I was in High School, I would die if I was different in any way." "Uh, huh. That was pretty much me before Dex. But Margo, I love my life! I am having so much fun it should be illegal. Lots of kids think I'm different, but I just don't care. I know what I like, I know what I can do, and I know who loves me." Margo said nothing, but her cheeks had become moist. After a very long silence, she said "I suppose you want to be his first, don't you?" Donna stared at her wide-eyed, then breathed out "Ohhhhh!" She held her own long silence and finally said "That's not for me to want. That's for him to decide. I take it you want him, huh?" "Somehow I knew you would say that. You're right. Don't think I'm turning into a pedophile or anything. Dex is more a man than my husband. He's fifteen going on forty, and I would love to sleep with him. I know it's his choice, but you just say one little word and I will forget about it completely. If his cherry would be meaningful to you, then it would be wrong for me, OK?" "Th... thanks, Margo. We haven't even talked about it, but I think we just assume we will be each others' first. I know I said it's his decision, but, yes, it is important to me." She was finding it surprisingly difficult to lie about Dex's virginity. "That's all I needed to know, Sweetie. God, Donna, I am not going to give up! I want you as my daughter-in-law, and I will do whatever it takes to make Rick worthy of you. I know he has it in him. It really started to come out last night." "Well, if he does, Margo, he inherited it from you. You are a stronger person every time we get together. Now, when are you going to do something about your so-called marriage?" ------- Chapter 7 (Fifteen years earlier) Karen had done her best to be the mother Dex missed so desparately. It did not take long for both to discover this was not the best role for her. First of all, his mother could not be replaced in his mind or his heart. Second, it was not just the loss that haunted him, but his inability to save her. There was virtually no need for Karen to provide any parental or supervisory control, so after a couple of months, she evolved into a very nice older sister role. Donna was the contemporary, or even the younger sister as it turned out. Dex could always talk easily with Karen, just as he could with Mike, and he shared everything except the worst of his pain. Of course, the naked times were part of that pain. After the one-year anniversary of his mother's death, Donna was relentless in her insistence that her mother should know everything. Finally, the week the boys went back to school, Mike was to be out of town for Monday and Tuesday nights. Donna made plans to be at a friend's house from supper until ten on Monday night when Dex didn't work. Dex told Karen he wanted to talk to her at length and she readily agreed. After eating supper together, they went down to the TV room. Karen made a little joke about finally getting to be in Donna's place for a session. "I'm sorry if it bothers you that we get together, Karen. We're not trying to leave you guys out or anything." "Oh, I know, and I don't mind. I remember when I was in high school. Donna tells me far more than I would have told my Mom. You two are good for each other, and I have no complaints at all. I assume Donna knows all the stuff you're going to tell me, right? You probably told her that night you guys cried yourselves to sleep down here." Dex almost lost it right then. Her perceptiveness and sensitivity were so much like her sister's, it tore right to his heart. She realized he was shaken, and just took his hand, leaned on his shoulder, and said nothing for several minutes while he regained control. Once he started talking, he adopted the emotionless, flat tone that was his only means of keeping control. On and on he talked, recounting incident after incident of abuse, injury, and humiliation. Karen cried almost constantly, and he hugged her to himself, trying to provide some comfort When he got to the spread-eagle incident, he needed a break. They both used the bathroom and walked around a bit. They had been talking two hours already. Karen's eyes were red, but she had about run out of tears. Dex was very concerned about her reaction to the next revelations. Karen said she wanted to hear the rest, and they sat down and started in again. When he got to the naked times, she just whimpered softly and squeezed his hand. When he stopped, she asked him straight out what happened when he got hard. He stammered, but she insisted she wanted to know everything so she could feel a little of what had happened. He had never talked with her about anything sexual, and he struggled for composure. He gained control, though, and answered her truthfully. When he stopped talking, she just kept saying over and over "So beautiful, so beautiful!" Then she just sat with her arms around him and hugged him tightly for many minutes. She asked him to excuse her for a minute, and went into the bathroom. When she came out she was naked. Dex was caught completely by surprise and could only stare. She stood in front him while he tried to recover. She took the initiative and told him "I can never be your mother and I am not trying to be. I am not trying to replace her. You had a special kind of connection when you were naked together, and I need that tonight. Take your clothes of, Dex. Please! For me!" He was still incapable of speech, and just sat there in a trance. "Please, Dex, don't worry about a hardon or anything. This is important to me." Tears started to leak down her cheeks, and, of course, Dex's resistance ended. Red-faced, he stripped and stood in front of her, flag at full staff. She looked him up and down, then sat on the couch and pulled him down next to herself. She brought his arm around herself and plastered herself as close to him as she could. She remained completely serious and started asking question after question about his mother and their life together. They continued for another hour, hardly moving. He gradually shrank to almost flaccid size, and she did nothing to arouse him further, except for the close body contact. When the conversation wound down at last, she thanked him profusely for sharing with her, then abruptly changed the entire mood. "I don't feel too bad for a mother of three, do I?" Knocked off balance by the abrubt change, he stammered, but nothing intelligible came out. "Of course, I'm not nearly as tight and smooth as Donna, but I feel pretty good about this old bod." He gave her a stricken look, and she took mercy on him. "Yes, Dex, I know. I knew right away." "But... but... how... ? You're not upset?" "When I first figured it out - by the way, I never actually saw you together - I was pretty upset. Fortunately, I didn't get around to telling Mike until I had time to think about it. When I got my head around it, I decided there weren't two more responsible kids in the world, and there weren't two siblings who loved and respected each other more. Dex, it's a good thing! I would never have suggested you start it, but I will not try to stop it. I won't even warn you to be careful. I have only one real worry." "Wh... what's that?" "That you will come to love each other as more than brother and sister. That you will decide you want to be together forever. That would have lots of complications." "W... we've talked about that a lot, Karen. We don't want that to happen either. We just feel safe with each other. We want to learn about love and sex together with someone who would never hurt us. It's exciting! It's fun! It's loving! We just don't see how it can be wrong." "I don't think it's wrong, either, Honey. Unusual, but not wrong. I can sure see why Donna thinks it's fun, though," she said with a giggle, and playfully gave a gentle pull on his now hard cock. "And I can see exactly where Donna gets her beauty and her sex appeal," he said while giving one gentle caress to her breast. She gasped, then leaned over and gave him a brief but intense kiss before settling back into their cuddle. "Um, Karen, we'd better get dressed. Donna will be home soon." "Nope!" "But she might catch... Ohhhh!" "I can't deny being a little jealous of the closeness you two have. If we can have our own little naked times, it will make me feel less left out. Is that OK?" "Sure, but aren't you feeling just a little chilly?" With that, Dex, grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa, covering them completely. When Donna returned twenty minutes later, she called out for them, then headed right for the downstairs. When she saw them cuddled under the blanket, she teared up slightly and asked if everything was OK. Karen struggled to keep a straight face and asked her to join them. As Donna stepped toward the sofa, she flipped back the blanket and said "You're not dressed quite right for this little cuddle, though, Honey." "Oh My God!" Donna shrieked. "Wha... Wha... Oh My God!" Karen leaped up and hugged her. "It's OK, Honey. I'm sorry I scared you. Everything is OK. In fact, it's wonderful. I know about you and Dex." "H... H... He told you?" "No, no, you know he never would. I figured it out." "A... and you aren't angry?" "Jealous and horny, maybe, but not angry at all." "Oh, Mom, you're the best. I love you, I love you!!" With that, her clothes fairly flew off. When down to nothing but her socks, she threw herself on Karen again, hugging her fiercely and making little growling noises. In mid-hug, she pushed back with a startled expression. "Does Daddy know, too?" "No, Dear. I'm not sure he's ready for that knowledge." She pulled Donna down on the sofa next to her and put an arm around each child. They talked like that for at least another half hour. Dex finally left them to go to bed. He was never sure just how long they stayed, nor where and in what kind of attire the two slept. He just knew he felt a huge sense of relief at sharing his secrets, and a renewed warmth for his mother's sister. He did know he had to disentagle himself from a warm, naked Donna when he woke for his morning workout. As if by agreement, all three shared breakfast naked before Karen had to dress and leave for work. To his own amazement, he even remained soft, basking in the glow of their heightened intimacy, with hardly a thought for the sexual nature of their gathering. Of course, the garage door had barely closed behind Karen's car when Donna eagerly ended his flaccid condition. That evening, Dex had to work. He arrived home to a naked mother and daughter at the kitchen table. He took a hurried shower, and greeted them both with a warm kiss when he came back down. He took the liberty of gently rubbing Karen's back as he kissed her. They chatted and joked until bedtime, when Karen grabbed each kid by the hand and led them to the Master bedroom. Dex started to object, but she stifled it with a kiss. The queen bed was very snug for three, but she insisted on being in the middle. After assurances that she really wanted this, they talked some more and drifted off to sleep. When he awoke to his internal alarm in time for his early workout, Dex found his morning hardon held lightly by his aunt. She was spooned behind him with her arm over him and her breasts pressed against his back. He was first stunned, then alarmed, then overwhelmed by a feeling of love and gratitude. He turned toward her slowly, letting her keep contact with his cock. He planted soft kisses on her forehead, her eyes, her nose, and finally her lips. At this contact, she opened her eyes. It took a moment to realize where her hand was, but she did not react with alarm. She let out a soft "oooh," her eyes widened, and she giggled quietly. Dropping his cock, she arched her back and pulled his face between her breasts. He planted more kisses in her valley and the soft sides of her mounds. When she released the pressure on his head, he took a nipple in his mouth and gave it a hard suck and a gentle bite. She gasped just as he planted a firm kiss on her lips. As he stood to leave the room, he saw Donna behind her mother's shoulder, grinning broadly and sending him an air kiss. He thought he sensed her arm reaching around her mother as he walked out the door. Mike was a world-class father and a good, gentle lover, but not the most perceptive of his females' moods. Even he could not help commenting repeatedly on the smiles, giggles, flirts, and general sexual tension that greeted his arrival. He nearly had a coronary when Donna bid him goodnight in a cut off T and very brief, marginally translucent panties. It was the first such show he could ever remember. No sooner had Donna left for her room than Karen raped him. He started to say something about Donna's outfit, but Karen had sunk to her knees in front of him, and already had his cock out and in her mouth. He totally forgot what he was going to say as she stroked and sucked him to near the breaking point. As he was about to let go and ejaculate, she pulled off and sat back on her haunches, grinning at him. Before he could say a word, she pushed him backward onto the bed and straddled him. She still had on her nightie and panties. She pulled the crotch aside and mounted him, slamming all the way down in only three strokes. When she hit bottom, she never stopped moving, but began a vigorous up and down pumping. She braced herself behind on his thigh with one arm, and began rubbing her clit with the other hand. She had started on herself when Mike was in the bathroom, and continued while she blew him, so she was definitely not starting from a dead stop. The events of the last two days, the lewdness of her posture, and Mike's reaction to her assault had all heightened her arousal. She knew Mike had good control, and even after leaving him on the brink, she hoped she could get there when he did. Frankly, though, she didn't care that much. She bounced and rubbed almost frantically, and it was working. How was he holding on? He must feel just as pent up from the separation as she did. What a stud she had! How... unnggghhhhhhh!!! She stiffened then convulsed, almost amputating Mike's cock before he got a good grip on her hips. He had been on the brink again, but the jerking on his cock was just painful enough to pull him back. Frustrated by missing again, but incredibly aroused by her display, he lifted her right off. He got her on her knees, moved behind her and drove right into her. Not even worrying if she was still too sensitive, he rubbed her mound with his whole hand in rhythm as he started stroking. When her grunts and moans indicated she was receptive, he went directly for her clit. She had barely receded from her peak, and he took her over again in less than a minute. This time it was huge, and he struggled to keep pumping as she thrashed beneath him. Her involuntary squeezes did the job and he went off with a bellow. He thought momentarily that the kids must have heard it - they did - but he was not in control enough to do anything about it. After the last spurt, he was barely able to roll them sideways as he collapsed, still inside her. They both lay speechless and panting for several minutes. As they cooled down, the sodden garments they still had on began to feel chilly, rousing both of them. "Darling, what the hell just happened? Did we just turn into animals?" Giggling, she said, "I missed my stud! I couldn't wait for undressing and foreplay and all that shit. I needed cock! Right now! Boy, did I get it!" She growled. "Um, lover, we are one soggy mess! Come on, let's get out of these clothes." They stood and peeled off the wet garments, nightie and panties for her, T and boxers for him. When they were naked, she grabbed his hand and headed out the door. "Wait, Hon, I need my robe, You..." "Forget it!" She giggled as she pulled him toward the bathroom in a daze. The house did not have a Master bath, just full baths on the second and basement levels, and a powder room on the main floor. His eyes darted nervously toward the kids' rooms, but he did not see the two of them peeking through the very small opening in Donna's door. After a playful and rather messy shower, they went back to bed and made love. He brought her off twice with his mouth, which he loved to do when she was fresh and clean (which he had made certain of.) He entered her missionary and stroked, fondled, and kissed her for nearly ten minutes before emptying himself once again. ------- As he slithered to the breakfast table Wednesday morning, Mike's smile muscles were the only ones in complete working order. He did not miss the fact that Donna joined them in the same non-attire from last night. Karen wore just as little, but he could not muster the strength nor the will to comment, much less scold. Karen found herself wishing for more naked time with Dex. On wednesday, she came home for lunch, only to find five school friends hanging out. This really cranked up her frustration. Thursday, Donna was working, and she went over there for lunch. As it turned out, Margo showed up as well. Donna was panicky at first, but decided to go with the flow. The two mothers knew each other from basketball, but had never had a conversation. Over lunch, Donna told her mother Margo's story. Margo, predictably, already knew what had happened at the Ferguson house. Karen found that her previous impressions of Margo were totally wrong, and genuinely enjoyed being with her. After their initial conversation, they got serious about strategy. Karen and Donna wanted Mike in on the nudity, but had no idea how he would react. Margo brought realism to their concerns. "Listen, what man would object to hanging around with two beautiful naked women?" "Even if one is his daughter, whom he thinks of as rather innocent?" "Especially if one is his daughter, whom he thinks of as rather innocent!" "Are you implying that all men are perverts?" "Silly question!" Margo paused while they all laughed. "Seriously, all family members are objects of sexual fascination for their children, parents, and siblings." She looked pointedly at Donna, who blushed furiously. Karen noticed her daughter's reaction and put on an indignant air. "Donna Ferguson, do you have the hots for my husband?!!" The two mothers roared as the girl sat speechless, blushing dangerously. Finally, Karen hugged her girl. "I'm just thrilled that my gorgeous daughter validates my taste in men!" Margo was finally able to talk, and told them "If you suddenly undressed in front of your father, I doubt if he would be able to object. If you sat naked in his lap and squashed a boob in his face, I guarantee he would do whatever you wanted." They all giggled merrily at the prospect. Margo asked "Um, he's not prudish or anything, is he?" When Karen and Donna stopped laughing, she said "Then you shouldn't have any problem. Donna, you won't have any problem doing this, will you?" "I can't wait! I'm practically sopped thinking about it!" Then she realized what she had said and threw another incediary blush. Donna had told Karen literally everything about her sexual experience, after considerable urging from Dex. She was very glad she had. She could not believe how wonderful it was to share freely with her mother. It was a bond she never expected to experience. Karen had reciprocated, causing Donna to fall even more in love with her father. ------- It was very warm that Saturday morning when Karen decided it was time. No one had anything that would take them away for the morning. She still wasn't sure just how she would start the event, but she felt something would happen. When they had finished up their bathroom duties and Mike was in just in his boxers, she pulled him from the bedroom toward the kitchen. He tried to object, but she pooh-poohed him. She had worn a barely existing baby doll to bed, and put nothing on over it. He was somewhat in a daze when he sat at the head of the table, the two kids already there. A little disturbed at the flesh show, he tried to raise an objection in his usual gentle manner, attempting a little humor. "Um, you know, girls, with what we're wearing, I don't know why we even bothered to dress," and he gave a little chuckle. Karen and Donna snapped their heads toward each other, grinned, and shucked their meager covering in less than five seconds. Mike let out a gasp and stared at Donna as she moved toward him. He sputtered, but failed to form a coherent word as he jerked backward, almost tipping his chair. Donna sat right in his lap and hugged him around the neck, making sure his head was between her boobs. "Daddy, that's a wonderful idea!" "Donna! No! What? Honey, you shouldn't! Karennnnn!" he wailed. Karen just giggled and he felt his cock rise against his daughter's wriggling bottom. "Sweetheart, you need to get off my lap, please! This isn't good! I'm, uh... Please, Honey!" He sounded almost panicky. Donna gave an extra hard wiggle and spoke softy right into his ear, "Daddy, I know what it is, and I've been waiting forever to see it. I love you so much. Please just relax. This isn't wrong. It's thrilling and it's loving! You are such a handsome, virile stud. Mom is one lucky woman!" Mike released a loud groan. Karen knelt beside him and talked soothingly. Mike was lost in a torrent of emotions. Everything in his background screamed 'Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!' He instinctively wanted to push Donna from his lap and flee, but she felt so incredibly good against him. She seemed so happy, and Karen was telling him it was alright. They wanted them all to be naked! He looked over at Dex and saw him watch calmly. That meant the boy was used to being naked with the women. With that realization he relaxed and hugged Donna, stroking her back softly. Donna gave a little combination squeal and growl and kept saying "Thank you, Daddy!" over and over. Karen pulled his face from Donna's tits and kissed him with feeling. Still holding Donna on his lap, he was able to speak. "It's obvious I'm the last one in on this. I'm shocked and not certain this is right, but I can tell you all want it. I'm OK with it, but you'll have to help me get used to it. Could you kids excuse us a minute? I need to, um, talk to your Mom up stairs." Donna got off his lap and he stood and turned quickly away, trying to hide his erection from the kids. Up in the room, he shucked his boxers. "Honey, I don't even want to talk about this right now. I'll do it. I'd rather not face the kids the first time with a hardon, though. Think you could help me out?" Karen needed no more invitation. She nearly swallowed him and went to work almost in a frenzy. Tears were flowing as she sucked and fondled. She brought him off in a very short time and swallowed everything. While she was cleaning him off, he falied to soften, so she engulfed him again. Walking on her knees, she moved him back to sit on the bed, never letting him out of her mouth. This time it took a lot longer, but she never let up. After seven or eight minutes, he came again, causing him to flop back on the bed in exhaustion. This time, he shrunk as she cleaned him. She crawled up and snuggled a few minutes, then they headed downstairs, naked. As they all sat at the table for breakfast, Mike seemed remarkably composed, smiling and even making a few small jokes. When they finished eating, it was he who suggested they move to the living room and talk seriously. Karen told him that Dex wanted to share some hard things from his past first. Dex spent an hour with a somewhat condensed version of everything he had told Karen. Mike listened without comment or question until Dex stopped. He was clearly shaken by the revelations. It was he who insisted on a break, and they all visited the bathroom and got water or coffee. When they reassembled, still naked, Mike told them "Donna and Dex, I assume Karen knows everything you have done together, right?" When they both nodded, he told them he wanted to know also. He promised he would not criticize or get upset. He assured them how proud he was of both of them and how he trusted them. As the kids, primarily Donna, recounted the kinds of sexual activity they had engaged in, he found himself stiffening and became alarmed. He covered himself and started to get up, but Donna grabbed him and sat him back in the chair. "Daddy, if we're going to spend time naked together, this is going to happen. A lot, I hope," and she giggled. "Just relax and let it show. I'm certainly not offended. In fact..." As she stopped talking, she grabbed his middle finger, pushed it to her crotch, and ran it up her slit. She then held it right under his nose. "See, I like it. I really, really like it." She gave him a couple of light two-hand strokes from his balls all the way to the tip of his cock, then gave him a solid kiss on the lips. Since he was on the sofa, she sat beside him and pulled his arms back so his erection was completely exposed. She kept telling him to sit back and relax, and he was finally able to. As they talked, he softened, and she casually dropped her hand in his lap and played. She alternated running her fingers through his pubic hair, gently bouncing his balls in her hand, and twirling the soft shaft in her fingers - for the short time it remained soft, that is. Conversation had wound down, and Mike had relaxed considerably. Karen came and sat on his lap, asking him how he felt about the whole thing. "Well, I'm not objecting. With two beautiful naked women to look at, why should I?" He looked puzzled when the women disintegrated in laughter, and Karen told him about Margo and their conversations. At first he was concerned that they had shared their secrets with an outsider, but Karen was able to settle him down. By agreement, their school friends stayed away from the house until noon on Saturday, but it was approaching that time, so they all dressed. ------- By prior arrangement, Donna, Karen, and Margo met for lunch again on the following Monday. They were so busy babbling about the weekend's big event, they almost forgot to order food. They were all in stitches over the retelling of Mike's reactions, especially his exact parroting of Margo's comment. They had barely finished laughing, though, when Margo became suddenly sober, catching the others' attention. "You know, half of me is dying to really meet this Mike of yours. The other half is afraid to, though, because it will just make me see again what I am missing. You have a husband and father you can share things with - he's a part of you. Here I am like a pet in a cage. Roger really knows nothing about me, and I don't think he even cares. What I wouldn't give for the kind of intimacy your family has!" By this time, tears were leaving lines through the makeup on her cheeks. No one said anything for what was for this group a very long time. It was Donna who broke the silence. "Speaking of intimacy, I feel kind of bad, Mom. There are some things I've shared with Margo that I haven't with you. Especially after this weekend, I don't want any secrets from you any more. How about if we meet every day this week and tell all of our secrets. Can you do that, Margo?" "Oh, boy! My secret could get me in big trouble. Yes, I'll tell you right now, Karen. I've been having sex with Rick. In a way, it may have saved my life. We're out of time, now, but I'll tell you all about it tomorrow, OK?" Karen was too stunned to do anything but nod. For the rest of the week, Donna and Margo caught Karen up on everything that had happened in the last few months. She was a little hurt about what Donna had shared with Margo and not with her, but her joy at her daughter's commitment to greater openness and intimacy outweighed the hurt. For Margo, it was an incredible catharsis. Karen made it clear that she really cared, and the two women began building a surprisingly strong bond. Margo's looks and expensive grooming had always put Karen off a bit during their previous casual encounters. Now, it became clear that the two were very much alike emotionally and in their shared values. Besides, Karen was a naturally giving person, and Margo was very, very needy. By the end of the week, Karen had not once been judgemental, and the two had built a strong friendship. For her part, Donna shared absolutely everything. When she described in detail her two times with Chris, Karen could not hold back the tears, and hugged her daughter as strongly as she ever had. Karen already knew a lot about Donna's relationship with Dex, but with Margo's help, she found out even more. There was a bit of concern in her reactions, but mostly awe at the maturity and wisdom of her only daughter, and the impact her nephew had on all those around him. ------- It was Jenny who told Chris, after a week of multi-hour phone calls, that they had to limit their phone time so he could study. During the second week, she reached Angeline in France, who insisted she call Jenny back on her charge. This conversation lasted for two hours, as Jenny told her absolutely everything. At one point she voiced her concern that Chris would have to take a job in another city. She knew she would follow him, but was distressed at the prospect of leaving Hank and the Fergusons, who she now considered her family. Monday of the third week, Chris went to an appointment with his placement counselor. As he sat down in her office, she handed him a new job listing from his home town that had not yet been publicly posted. Before their session ended, he was scheduled to fly home Thursday night for a Friday interview, flying back Sunday night. Chris was essentially broke, as befitted a Senior whose family was not wealthy. He also knew that his father was completely tapped out from tuition payments for two sons. He hesitated only a moment before calling home when only Donna would be there. He told her the money he needed and she assured him Dex would loan it to him with no problem. He asked her to chauffeur him around on Friday and to assist him in the purchase of a ring. Her promise of secrecy was one of the most painful pledges she had been asked to make. When he next called Jenny and told her of his visit, she was beside herself. ------- Donna made sure that Jenny and Hank were committed for dinner Friday evening. When they arrived, Chris hurried her up to his old room and sat her on the edge of the bed. "Jenny Frankel, will you marry me?" he asked, as he knelt before her and held out the ring. Caught completely unawares, she could neither speak, breathe, nor blink her eyes for so long he started to worry. Finally, she gave a vigorous nod, expelled her breath, and dove on top of him. Her tears flooded his face as she lay on top of him, kissing for all she was worth. When she regained the power of speech, she asked him, "How can you be sure you want to? We haven't, I mean you don't know if... I'm still so fat from the baby..." First he smothered her objections with a fervent kiss. Then he told her gently, "I know all I need to know. I love you completely, and I love Amy just as much. The rest, we'll learn together." They cuddled for a while longer, then he spoke again. "Jenny, I think we should get married before school starts. The earlier we do it, the better it will be for Amy someday. Ron will be home from school, and my folks will have time to prepare. I don't know if I will get that job from today, but I am not leaving town. If I have to, I will work at McDonald's until something turns up. I have no money, so we may have to live in your little apartment for a while. Are you willing to do this?" "Willing? My God, this is too good to believe. I'd marry you tomorrow and live in your dorm room if you asked me. Yes! Yes! Yes!" Karen was becoming a bit restive, concerned that her roast would dry out if Chris and Jenny didn't join them soon. When she saw them coming down the stairs, she knew before she even saw the ring, and ran shrieking toward them. She caught Jenny in her arms and lifted her clean off the floor as she babbled her joy at the unmade announcement. Donna, meanwhile, explained to the three males what had happened, and they all joined the celebration. Kristen, whose assistance Donna had enlisted, had been waiting outside in her car, and came in carrying champagne. Kristen had met Jenny before, and like everyone else in the family, was captivated by her innate sweetness. Karen insisted they eat, and over dinner, the wedding plans were discussed and approved by all. Hank immediately insisted the wedding was on him, and would hear no objections. At this point, Jenny became very subdued. Karen picked up on the mood change and figured out it was because of her parents. When asked, Jenny admitted her sadness. Chris put his wife-to-be even more in awe when he told her "Honey, when dinner is over, we are going to call them. I will be on the line with you. Whatever their response, you will have given them a chance. You will have done all you can." Jenny put her head on his shoulder and cried softly for a minute, then sat up straight. "Hey, this is the happiest night of my life so far. Even my parents can't mess it up. Where's that bubbly, Kristen?" After the celebration had died down, it was Jenny who said it was time to call her parents. When Karen started shooing everyone from the room, Jenny stopped them, insisting they all listen in on the speaker phone. "This was my life. This is what you all have rescued me from. I want to share this with you. It will make it easier for me." She was about to dial, but Dex asked her to wait. He fiddled with the combination speaker phone/answering machine for a moment, then told her to go ahead. With that, she squared her shoulders and dialed. A woman's voice answered. "Hello, Mother." "Genevieve? Why are you calling here? We told you you were on your own and we meant it." "I'm not calling for money, Mother. I wanted to let you know I'm getting married." "What? Did you get knocked up again?" Stunned for a moment, Jenny replied "No, I am not pregnant." "So I suppose you expect us to pay for the wedding, is that it?" "No, that's all taken care of." "Then why did you bother to call. We said we wanted nothing more to do with you, and we meant it." "Mrs. Frankel, this is Chris, Jenny's husband-to-be. I feel sorry for you that you don't know what a treasure your daughter is. I know, and my family knows, and we couldn not love her more. She called to give you a chance to get back into her life, and to get to know your granddaughter..." "Why would I want anything to do with that little bastard?" The connection was broken. There was dead silence, excerpt for the sobbing of the three Ferguson women. It was quite a while before they noticed that Jenny was standing with her head high and a smile on her face. "Hey, everyone! Chris was right! I feel free! Don't cry for me, be happy! They don't matter any more. Amy will never know any grandparents but Karen and Mike and Hank. We're so lucky! We get to start over with a real family, one with more love than they know what to do with. Come on, let's have some more of that champagne. This is still a celebration, remember?" When the mood had lightened, she sprung another surprise. "I am not going to have Genevieve Frankel on my marriage license. From now on, I am Jenny Ballard. Do you know a good lawyer who can take care of it quickly?" She got Hank again, this time in public. The presence of the others couldn't stop the tears. "When we find that lawyer, I want the adoption process started right away, too," Chris told the group. This, of course, did not help to dry any eyes. Much later in the evening, Jenny pulled Karen and Donna aside and asked them to stand up for her. She explained that she wanted Angeline for Maid of Honor if she could come, and hoped that was OK with them. ------- Angeline, of course, was ready to move heaven and earth to be there. Fortunately, she only had to advance her scheduled return to school by two weeks. She agreed to arrive two weeks early and stay in one of Hank's empty rooms. She had visited three times the year before, but had not seen Amy for a few months, and, of course, had never met Chris or his family. Angeline was studying violin and voice, and Jenny asked her to play the violin at the wedding. It took a lot of convincing, but Angeline got Jenny's reluctant agreement to sing one number herself with violin accompaniment. ------- Chris got the job and agreed to start a week after the wedding. Mike was ready to borrow more money to send the couple on a honeymoon, but Jenny flatly refused. She told everyone she had been away her whole life, and she was so happy about her new life, she wanted to start it right away. She did not want seclusion. It was finally agreed that Hank would give them the run of his house for five days and Donna and Dex would take care of Amy. The newlyweds would live in Jenny's apartment at least until Chris got his first pay check. ------- Jenny had obtained her driver's license while she was still pregnant, and often drove Hank to and from work so she could use the car. The day after Chris went back to school after the engagement, she and Amy arrived at the Fergusons' just after Mike and Karen left for work. When she rang the doorbell, she heard some scurrying in the house, and it was a couple of minutes before Donna answered the door looking flushed and wearing a light robe, obviously with nothing underneath. After greetings and some cuddling for Amy, Donna could tell something was really bothering Jenny, and she was almost sure what it was. "Jenny, you're worried about sex, aren't you?" "God, is it that obvious? I... I don't know if you can help me. I mean you're just seventeen." "Jenny, I am still a virgin, but intercourse is just about the only thing I haven't done. Chris hasn't done anything to frighten you, has he?" "Oh, no. He promised to let me take the lead, and he has kept his promise. Sometimes I wish he wouldn't. I love him so much, and I want to show him. I'm afraid after the wedding he is going to be disappointed." "Come on! He loves you so much nothing could disappoint him. Tell me, how much have you done with your boyfriends?" "Not counting Adrian, I have never had a boyfriend." The description of her sexual experience was painfully short. "I don't even know if I can take my clothes off for him. He and Hank have seen me nursing, but that's different. Being naked scares me to death." Donna excused herself and Jenny could hear her talking to Dex downstairs for several minutes. When she came back up, she said "Jenny, you know us by now. You know we are not perverts or swingers or anything, right?" This brought a chuckle. "Perverts? You're the most loving people I could imagine. Why did you ask me that." "Because we're going to do some things that will shock you, but I think they will help you a lot. Do you trust me?" At Jenny's silent nod, Donna stood and dropped her robe, posing nude and motionless in front of her sister-in-law-to-be. Recovering from her shock, Jenny said, very softly, "You are so beautiful." "Hey, you don't take a back seat to anyone in the looks department. I wish I had tits like yours." "But I've still got all this fat from pregnancy, and my tummy is just mush. I started dieting the day I met Chris, and I've lost some, but I'm still embarrassed." "How much do you think Chris cares?" "He doesn't seem to. That just makes me more determined to look good for him." "Well, there are five weeks until the wedding. With exercise and watching what you eat, you'll be surprised how much it will help. Now, I'm going to really shock you." Loudly, she called out, "Dex, come on up here." Jenny looked panicked, and spluttered, "But... but Donna, you're naked, and..." At this moment, Dex stepped into the room, naked, and Jenny completely froze. The two naked teens stood quietly side by side, holding hands, while Jenny struggled to come to grips with what she was seeing. For a long time, she could not take her eyes off Dex's penis, which was not hard. When Jenny had stayed still and silent for over a minute, Donna and Dex sat down across from her and started telling the tale of their naked times. They covered Dex's story briefly, and told of Karen and Mike's recent involvement. "Jenny, if you are willing, here's how I want to help you. Let's get together like this every morning. After we've talked a bit, you will work out on Dex's weights with our help. After that, one of us will take you for a run. Now here's the part that will be hard for you, but I think you will see that it's important. Tomorrow, when you come in, you will take off your blouse, and be in your bra. Don't wear a swimsuit top or a fancy bra. Just wear what you have on now. The next day, or maybe two or three days later if you need it, you will wear just your bra and panties. As soon as you can do it, you will be naked with us. If you feel up to it, you can come over on Saturday morning for a naked breakfast with the whole family. Can you do it? "Ohhhhh! I... I don't think so. I don't like my body. I will be so embarrassed for you to see it. And Mike and Karen! Ohhhh! I just can't." "Look, Jenny. You are concerned you won't be able to please Chris. A big part of being a good sex partner is confidence. Just think how good it would feel to be able to undress for Chris and not be shaking with fear and embarrassment. Don't you want to be sexy for him? You can't do that if your knees are shaking." "I want to please Chris so badly, but I am so afraid. Maybe I'm not ready to get married." Dex spoke for the first time. "Jenny, I know what happened to you isn't fair. Most women get to take easy steps into sex and motherhood. You were denied that. But you're strong - Amy wouldn't exist if you weren't. Don't worry about your body. You are beautiful. Just think, if you can stand naked in front of me the way you look now and be proud, how wonderful it will be in front of Chris when you look even better. Now, if you want Chris to be the first man to see you naked, we'll understand that. We just want to help any way we can." Jenny just sat quietly for a while, looking like she was almost in tears. There was a small cry from the other room, and Jenny stood up. "She's hungry. Her feeding schedule is a little off today." She went upstairs to the room with the crib, and was gone several minutes. Dex and Donna cuddled a little and discussed what they could do to help Jenny. They heard her coming down the stairs and stood to greet her. Both of them almost fell down when she appeared, naked, an equally naked Amy suckling happily at her breast. She was shaking visibly, her entire upper body was blushing, she was almost in tears, and she looked very unsteady. Donna spoke softly, saying, "Jenny, that is an incredibly beautiful sight. You have got to let Chris see you like that. His heart will just burst." "Y... you think s... so? He w... won't be d... disgusted by m... my fat?" There was no question Jenny's body was not at it's best. It was hard to tell how large her breasts would be when she stopped lactating. Now, they were impressively large, but not nearly as pendulous as might be expected. Her belly showed that she had not worked on it since her delivery. Her navel was sunken deeply, and her whole abdomen hung down slightly, causing a crease just above her pubic area. Her hips and legs showed some extra padding, but there were no visible cellulite dimples. In a move of unexpected bravery, she turned completely around, showing them some rolls around her waist. She completed the turn and faced them again. They could see that her rampant pubic hair was a little darker than the light blonde on her head. It was obvious she had never tried to wear a bikini. Whatever her weight or grooming problems, however, Jenny presented a very feminine, rather voluptuous, definitely sexy appearance. Dex's cock had started to grow, despite his best efforts at control. While Jenny's back was turned, he started to move away, but Donna kept hold of his hand and pulled him back. She whispered in his ear, "Suck it up, Stud. She needs to see that." By this time, he knew the futility of arguing with her, so he steeled himself and stood in place, now at full erection. As Jenny turned back around, her gaze fell on Dex, then down to his cock. Her eyes popped wide open and her face became pale. She literally staggered backward and fell heavily onto a chair. "Oh, my! D... Dex, is th... that because of m... me?" "It... It sure is, Jenny. I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself. Seeing you naked is sexy enough, but with Amy nursing, it... it's just too much." "Ohhhh! I've never seen one before, even soft. I didn't know it was so big. When Adrian, uh... , I mean, I never saw... , I was..." "Jenny!," Donna snapped out. "This has nothing to do with Adrian or rape or anything bad. Don't even think about that. This is about my brother and his beautiful, sexy wife, and teaching her how to feel that way for him." Donna went over and sat beside Jenny and asked, in a much softer tone, "Are you OK?" "Yeah, I guess. I mean, I'm... this is so different... so confusing." "Why did you decide to undress now, instead of gradually, like I suggested." "It's for Chris. There isn't that much time 'til the wedding. If I did it little by little, I would just be a wreck worrying about it. You guys make me feel so ashamed, but still so loved! I... I just had to get it over with." "Would you rather we all got dressed. Does Dex's erection frighten you?" "No!," she said quickly. "This is... this is wonderful. It's just... Ohhhh, I'm being such a baby!" Donna hugged her and reassured her. "Dex, how can you stand this? Isn't it terribly embarrassing?" "It's not easy, Jenny, but I'm glad to do it if it will help you." "But why would you, for me?" "Jenny, you're family now, and you need some help. When my Mom died, I felt I was helpless, and that I had failed. I promised myself that whenever I could help a woman that was harmed by a man, I would do whatever I could. Showing you my hardon is pretty tame compared to what you have been through. I hope it helps a little." "Oh, yes it does, Dex, more than you know. Thank you. I've read things, and seen pictures, and heard the girls talking, and everything, but it's not the same. Uh, does it, uh, hurt when it's like that?" It was a near replay of Donna's first naked encounter. He answered her question, then she asked "Um, how will you get it to go soft?" To an uninformed observer, it would have been laughable - a young mother asking questions worthy of the most naive twelve-year-old. Donna, of course, would never ridicule Jenny, but she did lighten the mood with her response. "I know the answer to that one. It will only get soft if you get dressed or turn ugly. You don't want to get dressed, and you could never be ugly." "Would he have to, um, masturbate?" This prompted a gentle discussion, during which Jenny became less and less shy in her questions. She seemed to be accepting that these youngsters really wanted to help her. When Amy stopped nursing, Jenny went to diaper her. She came back still naked, but said she needed to dress when they told her it was time to work out. She was very hesitant to work out naked, but gave in when they insisted. Both teens worked later shifts that day. It might have been more of a problem if only Dex was home. It was quite apparent that Jenny had never worked out before. Her only strength enhancement was carrying Amy around. For some exercises, just the bar was almost too much for her. Her mood was getting happier and more confident by the minute, though, and she was able to laugh at her own weakness and ineptitude. One episode provided extra comic relief. Donna was cradling Amy while Dex showed Jenny an exercise. Recognizing Donna's soft mound as a familiar source of food, Amy clamped on to a nipple and began working it. Both the others looked at her as she gasped out "Oh! Oh! Oh!" and shuddered through a small climax. They all broke up when she said "Amy, Doll, you do that one more time, and I'm going to forget this college and career shit. I'm going right out and get a husband and make sure I have one like you around at all times." Donna did not move Amy off her nipple. She noticed a strange look on Jenny's face, but thought nothing more of it right then. They arranged for Jenny to have some running gear for the next day. As she headed upstairs to shower and dress, she instinctively pulled both of them into a hug. Suddenly remembering they were all naked, she pulled back blushing, then shrugged and hugged them again. ------- The naked encounters continued all week, followed by short runs. On Wednesday, Donna had an earlier shift, and Dex suggested they should probably get dressed. To the teen's amazement and glee, Jenny quipped. "Whatsamatter, Big Boy, are you afraid of me?" She then told him he was welcome to dress, but she liked the way she was. That issue never arose again. ------- Saturday morning, the Fergusons and Dex had just gathered, naked, at the breakfast table when the doorbell rang. They all started, concerned about being seen, but Donna moved quickly toward the front door, saying she would take care of it. Dex, having an idea what might happen, launched a line of conversation designed to cover any noise from the front. After a couple of minutes, a naked mother and baby repeated the moving entrance from Monday. Karen sprang to her feet when she saw them, and started bawling loudly. When she could speak, she said, "Oh, God! Oh, God! I'm so happy for Chris! So beautiful!" This set the tone for a very emotional few minutes. Mike duplicated Dex's reaction of Monday, and Karen duplicated Donna's response. In a show of her growing confidence, Jenny looked right at Mike's hardon, then up to his face. She smiled broadly, and said "Thank you, Mike. You don't know how good that makes me feel." Jenny apologized for her weight, and the others practically shouted her down. She told the parents about the last week, her workouts, and her diet. Mike caused Jenny's biggest blush with his ribald comment that he was now the official inspector, responsible for giving detailed reports on her improvement. When the general hubbub settled down some, Karen had her arm around Jenny and told her, "Honey, this is so wonderful I can't tell you how happy I am. There's one thing missing, though, to make it perfect." "I know, you want Chris here. Don't worry, I'll make sure he's here before long. Right now, I think we should keep this from him." She got a quizzical look on her face, then grinned and said, "Can you imagine! Me, the shy virgin getting my stud husband to undress for his family?" As the laughter erupted, her expression sobered. "God, this is embarrassing. I don't even know how much of a stud he is!" The sober expression was short-lived, however, as she grinned again, looked right at Mike's face, then down at his mostly-deflated cock. "If it's hereditary, I'm going to be a very happy bride." "Oh, it's hereditary, believe me!" Donna blurted out. She immediately turned red and covered her mouth. "Now, how would you know that, young lady?" Karen demanded in mock sternness. She couldn't hold the act, though, and they all burst into more laughter. The jokes, laughter, tears, and hugs continued all through breakfast. The love in the house was almost tangible. ------- Chapter 8 (Fifteen years earlier) After Karen and Mike had heard Dex's story, everyone insisted that Kristen should also be told. Dex had set it up with Kristen for the same Saturday Jenny made her dramatic naked appearance at their Saturday breakfast. Donna pulled him aside before he left for Kristen's that evening. "Are you going to sleep with her?" "Quite probably, but I don't plan to have sex with her. Does it bother you?" "It does. I know it shouldn't, and I'm sorry. What if she insists on sex?" "Donna, you know I consider myself a virgin, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I think we both want our first to be with each other." "Dex, if it will help her get well, have sex with her. You have my blessing. My heart aches for her, and I really want the old Aunt Kristen back. I know you won't do anything unless you are sure it will help. You have given so much to help her out. This is something I can give." With that she gave him a searing kiss, then whispered in his ear, "Take her to Heaven, Stud!" ------- The first time Dex saw Kristen, after arriving at the Fergusons', it hit him like a punch in the gut. The physical resemblance to his mother was striking, and this woman had been abused! There was no question in his mind. He thought he was able to hide it from her as they exchanged greetings. It was a reception after the burial service, and everyone was being very solicitous of him. Strangely enough, he was doing alright. The hurt was incredible, but he was already learning to compartmentalize it. He certainly was not feeling happy, but he was able to maintain his composure. Donna helped a great deal, never once leaving his side. After the food had been consumed and the crowd of well-wishers was thinning, he told Donna he wanted to speak with Kristen alone, and took his aunt to a quiet corner. He had not planned what to say, but it just burst from him. "Aunt Kristen, I am so glad you got out before you ended up like my mother." The woman registered her complete shock, then tried to feign ignorance. "Please, I know you have been abused, and I would guess it was rather bad." "How can you know? I've not told anyone!" "I just know. Mom and I were victims, and when I saw you today, it was like you were wearing a sign." "Oh My God! I've worked so hard to cover it up. If word ever got out, he'd come after me! Please, Dex, you can't tell anyone!" "Hey, it's our secret. I wouldn't do anything to cause you trouble. We share something, though, and I think we need to spend some time together. Maybe we can help each other. In the year plus since that first encounter, they had indeed spent a lot of time together. Dex genuinely liked her. Physically and personality-wise, she was very much his mother's sister. As a typical second child, Kristen had always been the gregarious one, but had changed dramatically over the last few years. Everyone in the family commented on it. She had become almost reclusive, and was withdrawn when with people. She had let her appearance deteriorate, often neglecting her hair and ignoring makeup. The biggest visual impression was her clothes. She dressed so that it was hard to tell she had her family's usual trim but curvy figure. Kristen had a one-bedroom apartment on Dex's walking route to school. She worked a very early shift, so he was able to stop by once a week on his way home. He also made sure to see her at least once each weekend, often for a meal at Karen's. After basketball practices started, he would come for dinner, usually staying afterward to study, then continuing home for his time with Donna. The first few times, he brought in take-out food for supper, because Kristen had essentially quit cooking. Just for something to share with his mother, Dex had helped with cooking for years, earning more of his father's ridicule. He was certainly not accomplished, but could do a decent job on a few dishes. He started bringing ingredients and preparing the meal. After the third time, it finally got through to Kristen what she had fallen into, and she started cooking again. It was obvious to Dex that Kristen was as submissive as his mother had been, and needed the same things his mother had. He had no desire for a sexual relationship with her, but was driven to help her out of the depression and self-loathing that had overtaken her. Against his natural tendencies, he began taking a more and more controlling role when alone with her, and she responded favorably. His control was very gentle, and only applied to innocent things. Into November, Dex showed up at her apartment late one Saturday morning with two shopping bags. In them was a complete cold weather running outfit. The most notable item was the stretchable, multi-layered running pants. He had carefully sneaked her sizes at various times when in her apartment. After the introductory hug, which had become their custom, he instructed her to go and put the outfit on. She was still in a robe, had done nothing about hair or makeup, and was not totally thrilled with his presence. Still, she was very fond of him, and their times together had started to fill the void in her heart. When she came out of the bedroom, Dex gave an appreciative whistle, but she was very hesitant. "Dex, I can't go out in this. These pants are so tight they show everything!" "They sure do, and the male population has been deprived of seeing your lovely everything for too long." With her face as red as it could get, she protested, "But... but, I've never done any running! I'll never be able to keep up." "Then it's about time you started." He walked over to her and gave her a light slap on the rear. "Come on, let's get that sexy butt out on the street and collect some wolf whistles." At this stage of their relationship, she was completely unable to resist him, much as it flew in the face of her fear-induced reclusiveness. She was also terrified at the prospect of looking sexy in any way, but nothing was strong enough to fight his control. That first time, she made only a half mile, returning in a state of near collapse. Dex scheduled two more runs the next week, both coming after he had already been through basketball practice. The same pattern was repeated for three more weeks. The next Saturday, they ran to the the Ferguson's, and Dex presented her with another bag, telling her to change into those clothes. This was a workout set with very sexy, high-cut shorts and a sports bra. She looked at the clothes and shook her head, but could not hold her objection when he insisted. He took her to his weight set and got her started on some light exercises. She literally fled to the bathroom the first time Mike came down and saw her in the outfit. He could not resist a whistle, and it took quite a while for Dex to talk her down from her near panic. Mike was gracious and gentle in his apology afterward, but would not back down from his opinion about her sexy appearance. Kristen lay awake a long time that night, unable to sort out the conflicting emotions. Dex had kept Mike and Karen aware of what he was doing with Kristen. He had said nothing about their participation, but they began to feel self-conscious about their own sedentary lifestyle, and the drain on Dex's time and energy. In the second week of Kristen's workouts at their house, Mike appeared with running outfits for himself and Karen and announced that from then on, they would be Kristen's running companions - Dex had enough with basketball. Thereafter, they drove to Kristen's as soon as they got home and changed, All three ran to the house, where Kristen did her workout. Afterward, they all ran back to the apartment and Mike and Karen drove home. This happened twice during the week and Dex joined them on Saturday. Mike and Karen both started using the weights other evenings. Within a couple of months, even having to run through some pretty foul weather, they were hooked, and delighted with the results they were already seeing. They discovered that showering together after a sweaty run was extremely erotic. There were nights when Donna and Dex had to make supper. Once, the kids caused huge embarrassment when they knocked on the bedroom door, then walked in grinning with dinner on trays. It was obvious they hung around on purpose, knowing both parents were naked under the sheet. After several hints did not get them to leave, Karen's competitive streak came through, and she dropped the sheet, sat up straight, and pulled the tray to her, exposing her breasts. Mike was struck dumb, but Donna was jubilant, and gave her mother a high-five, followed by a hug and kiss. Dex did not avoid looking at Karen, but said nothing and left the room rather quickly. As Donna walked out, Karen looked at her food, set the tray aside, and dove at her husband. The two teens broke into laughter when they heard the microwave running much later during their ten o'clock get-together. Kristen was opening up, but it was agonizingly slow. So far, the only people to observe the improvement were family. To everyone else, she was still reclusive and purposely dowdy. Dex discussed the situation often with Donna, then with Karen and Mike. They all shared his concern, and wished for full recovery. ------- When Dex arrived that Saturday night to talk about his mother, Kristen looked better than he had ever seen her. She had on a figure-flattering outfit, and had spent time on her hair and face. He was effusive in his complements, and she reacted without her customary denials. Given her obvious effort, he questioned the wisdom of his planned approach. He spent far more time than he had planned in light conversation and playful flirting. It was she who eventually brought up the subject of why he wanted this time with her. "Kristen, I want to tell you all about your sister, what our life was like, and what happened to her. Donna was the first person I told, and Karen and Mike have just heard it. It is extremely difficult for me to tell, and given your own marriage, I think it will be hard for you to hear. Do you want to hear it?" "Oh, yes, Dex? I have been wondering about it ever since it happened, but I didn't know if you were able to talk about it. Please, I want to hear it!" "OK, Kristen. I want to tell you. First, though, I am going to ask you to do something you may think is crazy, and you may refuse to do it. You know how I feel about you, and you know I would not do anything to hurt or humiliate you. I think we need to do this. Kristen, I want us both to be naked while I tell you." He had no idea how she would react, and watched her carefully. She said nothing, just stared at him in wide-eyed shock. This went on so long, he feared a disaster, before finally noticing that her nipples had hardened, apparent even through her sweater and bra. "This is going to be difficult for me, because I will be hard. It's important, though, for both of us, and you will see why." With that he stood and undressed, forcing himself to face her and not cover himself when he sprung free. When he was naked, she still had not moved or spoken, and he went into dominant mode. He walked to her, took her hand and pulled her to her feet. Her eyes were riveted on his cock. "You have done yourself up so beautifully tonight, Kristen, it is almost a shame to take this outfit off of you. I'm sure, though, that what's underneath is even more lovely." When he grasped the bottom of her sweater and started to pull up, she came out of her trance. "Oh, no, no! I can't do this. Stop, please!" This was the critical point, and he hated to do it but he became firm. "Yes, Kristen! You can and you will. You must." As gently as he could, he finished with the sweater, trying very hard not to disturb her hair. She said nothing more as he removed her skirt as well. She was lovely standing there in her panties and bra, and he told her so. "Kristen, I want you to finish undressing by yourself. I need to know you want to do this." When she didn't move, he had to use a commanding tone. "Kristen! Do it! Now!" Looking almost like a robot, she complied, letting her undergarments just drop at her feet. She did not wear stockings, and just stepped out of her flat shoes. At first she covered herself with her hands, but she looked into Dex's eyes, then dropped her arms to her sides and actually squared her shoulders a bit. "Thank you, Kristen. You are absolutely lovely, and I am so privileged to see you like this. Sit down on the sofa, and I will tell you all about your sister." He took the single chair opposite her place on the sofa, and started his story. It didn't take long for his erection to flag, as the sad memories were brought back. He told the detailed version, as he had to Donna and to Karen. It wasn't any easier than before, and he had to use the same flat, emotionless voice to keep from breaking up. It actually took longer this time, because Kristen gasped and broke up at several incidents. Apparently, they were very close to her own experience. At the first breakdown, Dex got up and brought her a box of tissues. He also turned up the thermostat several degrees. When she broke down again, he came and sat next to her, making sure there was some separation. The next time, he took her hand. Later, after a bathroom break, he moved in tight so their hips and thighs were touching. When he came to the naked times and the sex, he was the one who broke up. She brought his arm over her shoulder and hugged him tightly around the waist. When he regained control, she did not let go. He was almost in his own world, letting his agony show through every sentence as he recounted the final, fatal night. He ended up rocking back and forth and wailing "I couldn't save her! I couldn't save her! She wouldn't leave!" Kristen was in no better shape than he. She turned around so she faced him and pressed herself tightly to his chest as she sobbed. It was many minutes before they both subsided, and the tissue box was empty. Even after the crying was done, they both clung tightly. "God, you feel so much like her!" Dex exclaimed at last. "I am just so glad you didn't end up like her." "Sometimes, I'm not sure if that wouldn't have been better, Dex. I am so empty! I feel like a worthless failure!" "Then you're letting him win, Kristen. That's how he wants you to feel. I know what you really are. You're a warm, loving, vivacious, bright, beautiful person. He's gone. You've got to get rid of his hold on you. You're letting him steal your soul." "When she died, she at least had some beautiful love with you. I'm so grateful you gave her that, Dex. But I never had any! I'm afraid I will never find it." "You're making sure you never find it by hiding who you really are. Your dumpy clothes, your defeated posture, your avoidance of people. You did all those things to keep people away, especially men, didn't you?" After her silent nod, he continued. "You've gotten better. After all the running and exercise, you look incredible. But in your mind, you're still dumpy and unattractive, aren't you?" With a sniffle, she nodded again. "What are we going to do to keep him from winning. How can we make you see yourself as we see you?" "I don't know! I don't know! I don't know! I can't help how I feel!" Her well of tears was dry, but she again fell into huge wracking sobs. He laid her down on the sofa, having to wrench himself from her grasp, assuring her he would be right back. He went into the bathroom and began filling the tub. Next, had made them something to drink and took it to the bathroom. Then, he came back and knelt beside her. He stroked her face and spoke comforting words to her. When he guessed there was enough water, he led her to the tub, and got in behind her. She was tense at first, but he got her to relax back against him. Placing his hands gently on her upper arms, he used his nose to move her hair aside so he could kiss her neck softly. "Kristen, will you do something for me? Just for tonight, will you take my mother's place?" She gasped and stiffened. "Dex, you don't mean... !" "Yes. I want to make love to you and sleep with you." "Oh, no, Dex, we couldn't do that! It's so wrong!" "Shhh. I don't think we should have intercourse, but I want to do everything else." "But... but what else is there? How can you make love without... you know?" He actually teared up at her pathetic question. "Ohhh, Kristen! There are so many other things we can do - so many ways to express love. Will you let me do that for you?" She was unable to reply, and just uttered a long moan. Dex picked up the soap and started washing her arms and shoulders. She stiffened and made a half-hearted attempt to escape his grasp, but he was very assertive, and she soon relaxed. He took a long, leisurely time on her arms and shoulders before pushing her gently forward and washing her back. When he pulled her back against himself and started on her tummy, the touching was starting to arouse her. He knew the next stage would determine the course of the evening. He started on her throat and very slowly worked his way down across her upper chest. As he got closer to her breasts, he felt her tense up a little, but he could see that her nipples were distended, and he took this as a go-ahead signal. He quickly moved his hands under her breasts, and lifted and bounced them a few times. Then, he began a circular massaging motion, kneading all around the sides for what seemed like minutes. Finally, he included the nipples in his strokes, evoking an extended shudder from her. When he moved around in front of her and laid her back against the end of the tub, she never opened her eyes, although her broken respiration showed she was not asleep. Moving as far from her as possible, he lifted one of her legs onto his shoulder, and began washing the toes and working his way up the leg. He continued rubbing even below the water line a ways. He repeated the action with her other leg. When Dex stood and reached out to pull her upright, she opened her eyes and stared at him, jaw quivering, breathing erratic. "Beautiful, there are some places I couldn't wash very well." He knelt down and started on her thighs. Using one hand at a time, he placed her hands on his shoulders for support. From her thighs, he moved to her lower back, then down over her buttocks. Moving down over her belly, he worked his hand between her legs, causing her to clamp them together reflexively. Making reassuring sounds, he forced her legs apart, and worked his hand thoroughly over her entire crotch area, front and back. Finished washing, he sat her down for a rinse, then helped her up and out of the tub. She was not quite in a trance, and was able to move at his direction. She just said nothing, and kept her eyes fixed on him with a mix of apprehension and wonder as he first dried her, then himself. He grabbed another dry towel and a bottle of body lotion and led her to the bedroom. After placing her on the towel face-down on the bed, he began working the lotion in all over. He started at her shoulders and worked down to her waist. Then, he started at her feet and worked upward. When he came to her ass, he spent a long time kneading and stroking. The entire lotion rub was accompanied by a running commentary on the body part he was caressing. When it came time to turn over, she showed only slight reluctance. She initially put a hand over her pussy, but when he gently moved it away, she did not react. Before putting any lotion on her front, he took her face in both hands and kissed her. At first it was just lips, but when he used just the tip of his tongue over her lips, he was thrilled when she sucked it into her mouth. The kiss lasted for over a minute. When he thought she was ready to embrace him, he pulled back and started putting on the lotion, starting at her shoulders. After an extremely thorough application to her breasts, he moved his hands to her belly, but took a nipple into his mouth. This evoked a sharp hiss. As his rubbing reached her pubic hair, he pulled off and moved to do her feet. Working his way up her legs, he began gently spreading them, meeting a little resistance at first. The running commentary on her body had continued, and as he rubbed her inner thighs, he started talking about her pussy. "Oh, Kristen, your pussy is as lovely as the rest of you. I think you are enjoying this, aren't you? Your lips look quite swollen, and I can see some pink showing through. It looks like you are quite moist, and I'm pretty sure I can see your clit peeking out. I can't wait to rub all over it! I bet you want that, too, don't you?" At his first mention of her pussy, she gasped, but as he kept talking, it turned into a soft moan. She unconsciously spread her legs wider without any action from him. Keeping up the suggestive talk, he finished her thighs and did her hips, never quite touching her hair. When everything else had been covered, he squeezed some more lotion onto his hands and rubbed it briefly to warm it. He knelt and took a nipple in his mouth, flailing it vigorously with his tongue. When he felt her quiver, he put his hand over her pussy, pressed firmly, and stroked from bottom to top. He did it once more and she erupted. She arched her body so only her head and her heels were supporting her and held the position for several seconds. When she sagged back onto the bed, she was convulsing violently and clawing at the bedspread with her hands. A piercing squeal was the only sound she made as her climax went on and on. He kept his hand firmly between her legs, but did not try to keep his mouth on her tit. Her quivers took a long time to recede, and all the while she kept her eyes squeezed shut and her head thrown back. At long last, she gave a huge sigh and let her body go limp. This lasted only moments, though, as she suddenly flung her arms around Dex and pulled him to herself in a deathgrip. She started into long, wailing sobs, struggling to catch her breath. Holding her legs with one arm, he lifted her up, threw back the covers, and got them into the bed and covered up. He rolled her on top of himself, and caressed her all over as her sobs continued. He was able to grab the towel and drag it under her face to catch the flood of tears that was falling over his chest. It was hard to tell how long her crying lasted, and when she subsided, she seemed to doze off. Dex was feeling relaxed and just held her, dozing briefly himself. When he felt her move a bit, he rolled them so they were facing each other. "Was that your first really good cry, Kristen?" "Oh, I've cried more times than I can count, but this was my first GOOD cry." "When you cried before, was it because of your divorce, or because of Mom?" "Oh, Dex, I felt so guilty! I loved Kathy so much, and we were always close. When she died, I was such a mess over my own life, I couldn't even really grieve. I felt guilty and selfish about that. Tonight helped so much! Thank you for telling me - I know it was hard for you. And Dex, thank you for showing me a little of what Kathy had. It makes it easier knowing the kind of love she found before she died. And don't you ever let anyone make you feel guilty about loving your Mom the way you did. I would give anything to find love like that!" This brought more tears, but gentle ones. "Kristen, you can find love like that, if you let yourself try. You've got to stop thinking of yourself as a worthless failure. You are desirable, but if you don't believe that, you will drive men away." "Oh, it doesn't matter, Dex Honey. There aren't any good men left. Karen got Mike, and you're too young. I've been asked on lots of dates, but none of the men were anyone I'd want to grow old with. My asshole husband wouldn't let me have a family, and now it's almost too late." "There are good men out there. They're not all taken." "Yeah, name one." "Well, there's..." "See! I appreciate your concern and your help Dex. It's meant more than I can say. But, I just have to get used to being an old maid." "You sound as bad as Coach." "Who?" "My former coach - Dennis Boggs. You must have met him at the funeral." "I was such a mess, I hardly remember anyone." "He's a great guy. He was kinda my substitute father, and was the only one who tried to help Mom and me." "How come he's going to be an old maid?" She actually giggled a little at this comment. "I guess he was hurt pretty badly by his ex-wife, and is really down on women. I think he would have married Mom, though, if she could ever have gotten free. His wife didn't want kids, and he really regretted that." "Well, that's one, and he's a long ways away. You see why it seems hopeless? Let's not talk about that any more, OK? Umm, could I have another kiss?" Dex was more than happy to oblige. This time, it was all soft and gentle and prolonged. They did not embrace, and he was able to caress her breasts and run his hand over her side and her hips. Again, the similarities to his mother caused occasional gasps and some tears. Kristen eventually caught on to what he was feeling, and then they hugged. She, however, kept her lower body away from him. "Kristen, my, uh... my cock scares you, doesn't it?" "God, I'm sorry, but I can't help it! That's another problem about finding a man. How can I get past that?" "You know, Mom had the same fear." "Then how could you guys have such neat loving." Dex rolled onto his back, put his arm around her and pulled her over against his side. "I'm going just lay here and not do anything. I want you to just play with my cock. Mom said when it was safe and she was in control, it didn't scare her or disgust her any more. Just so it doesn't startle you, I'm pretty close to cumming. Go ahead, touch it. You need to do this." Kristen was totally motionless for quite a while, hardly breathing. Dex just lay there, knowing she had to do this on her own. With the control he had established over her, he was sure he could make her do most anything. He had already used more control than he would have liked. She would only heal if she could make her own choices. Just when he decided he would need to try a different approach, she reached down and put her finger tips on his shaft. He could not restrain a hiss, and she jerked back. She did not stay away, though, and soon was grasping him with her whole hand. Avoiding ejaculation was agonizing for Dex, but he was afraid it would frighten her off if it came this soon. He struggled for control until he had an inspiration. "I never met your ex. Tell me about him. Don't let go, though." The ensuing discussion gave him something to focus on, and allowed him to back off from the edge. As they talked, she simply held on to him and did not stroke or rub. The story of Kristen's marriage had so many similarities to Kathy's, it was almost shocking. He was the pampered eldest of an upper middle class family. He was good looking and well built. His appearance, his lifestyle, and his sex appeal blew her away. She thought she had landed the ultimate prize when they married just out of college. It was the same classic progression of escalating abuse over the next twelve years before she was able to get out. The triggering incident had put her in the hospital. He agreed to a no-contest divorce on grounds of incompatibility, as long as the abuse was never made public and no charges were filed. Fortunately, her lawyer held out for a permanent restraining order against him. In the eighteen months since the divorce, there had been numerous incidents of harassment and threats, but only two violations of the order by physical proximity. She did not know if he was obsessed with her or just angered at losing his prize, but he seemed intent on reclaiming her. She lived in constant fear of him. Dex asked her a number of questions about him, trying to get an idea of his size and strength. He was about 5'10" and muscular, and had been somewhat of a jock in high school. He was rather seriously into alcohol, and had dissipated considerably, especially since the divorce. When the discussion of her ex wound down, Dex felt confident enough to ask for relief. "Kristen, being around you, seeing your naked body, and touching you has me terribly excited. I really need to come. Can you do me, please?" She threw back the covers and gave him a solid kiss. She pulled the towel down on his stomach, and started stroking him with intent. In only about a dozen strokes, he was watering the towel, even shooting past it up onto his chest. He lay panting afterward, with his cock having not lost its stature. "Um, Dex Honey, isn't that thing supposed to get soft after a blast like that? Did I do it wrong?" Still breathing heavily, he replied, "No, you did just fine. It's, uh, just that it usually takes me two comes to go down. Was it, uh, really bad for you to have to do that?" "You know, it was actually exciting! I didn't feel afraid or disgusted at all. You weren't pressuring me, and your, uh, cock is really nice. It's bigger than I am used to. Can you come again, or is it too sensitive?" "Oh, I could come again. It would take longer, though, and you don't have to do that." "I know I don't have to. Thank you for that. You know what, though, I want to do it! I haven't wanted anything to do with a cock for years. but I want yours!" "I'm going to have us do something that's probably new to you, Kristen. Will you trust me?" When she agreed, he arranged them angled on the bed with him on his back, and her lying on top of him reversed. Her pussy was right over his face, and her head lay on his belly. When she caught on to what was happening. she objected. "Oh, Dex, no, this is..." Deciding to use his control again, he told her, "This is something you will absolutely love. Mom couldn't get enough of it. You don't have to use your mouth on me. You don't have to do anything." With that, he took a firm hold on her ass cheeks, and gave one long stroke over her labia with his tongue. From then on she could not even think of objecting. He remembered Donna's admonition to "Take her to Heaven, Stud," and determined to do just that. She was probably multi-orgasmic like his mother, and he would use that. He used both hands and his tongue. While searching out her clit with his tongue, he inserted one thumb into her still-moist vagina, while with the other thumb he began circling around her anus. Moving all three appendages in rhythm, he quickly had her jerking and moaning. Her climax hit in barely two minutes. It was not as explosive as her first had been, and he was able to retain his hold on her. He did not want her to come down from her peak, so he thrust two fingers into her instead of the thumb, and pushed in much deeper, curling his fingers as he pulled out on each stroke. Her clit was at maximum protrusion, now, and he fastened his lips around it, sucking it and lashing it. Her motions were vigorous and more and more erratic, and it was a challenge to keep everything going without losing contact. He hung in there, though, for a good six or seven minutes, and was reward with another cum, a little stronger than before. Whether from sheer lust, or from a sincere desire to take her to Heaven, he did not let go nor break his rhythm. He lubricated the thumb at her back door with some of her juices, and began working it into her. When it was fully inserted, he began plunging it in and out in synch with the fingers in her vagina. Within a minute, he had her grunting with every stroke. She grabbed hold of his cock, and her grip was so hard, he almost lost his erection. Before very long, her body literally started to vibrate with the sensations. Sweat was pouring from everywhere, and her pulse was racing. Every inch of skin tingled. She clamped her jaw so tightly her teeth hurt. When the inevitable explosion came, it exceeded the sum of the other three. Sensing its enormity, Dex rolled them to their sides, grasping her whole pussy with his hand and rubbing firmly. Almost frantically, he used his other hand to pry her fingers off of his agonized cock. Once out of danger of amputation, he was able to enjoy the sight of his aunt in the throes of her all-time climax. When the convulsions stopped, she lay inert, barely breathing. Guessing she would be out for a least a little while, he hurried to the bathroom, washed his hands, face, and cock, and brought back a damp rag and a fresh towel. Consciousness returned to Kristen slowly. When she opened her eyes, Dex was sitting beside her, smiling. She was still confused about what was going on when he started gently drying the cooling sweat from her face, then her neck and shoulders. As he worked down over the rest of her body, her memory started to return, and the confusion was replaced by disbelief and awe. After drying her backside, he rolled her onto her back, and used the damp cloth on her face, then on her groin. He dried her face and her groin, then casually rested his hand over her pussy. "Dex, you're what, fifteen? I'm not exactly a virgin, and you absolutely destroyed me. Where the Hell did you learn to do that?" "Well, you know, Mom and I did a lot of stuff in the short time we had." "So, Kathy had all that 'stuff' done to her?" "Well, uh..." "Aha, there's someone else, isn't there. Is that why you didn't want to fuck me? Are you being faithful to her?" "Well, uh, sorta. And I would never just fuck you, anyway." "No, Sweetie, you wouldn't, would you? So are you being monogamous with this lovely thing?" She grasped his cock gently, but he still recoiled a bit, hoping she would not notice. "Not exactly. I'm, uh just saving it for someone." "Saving it? But you and Kathy..." "That's different. It's like it never happened. I still think of myself as a virgin. But, Kristen, if it will help you, I will be happy to have sex with you." "But what about her - what would she think?" "She's OK. I, uh, have her blessing." "How could she... Who? OhMyGod! It's Donna, isn't it?" "Kristen, I..." "I know, you don't want to tell, but I'm sure of it. And she's still a virgin, right? Did she really give her blessing?" When he gave up and nodded, she burst into tears yet again. "I'm an idiot! I have people who love me that much, and all I can think about are the bad things that happened to me." "Kristen, you're wounded. Terribly wounded. You can't just shrug that off, no matter how much people love you. Don't beat yourself up. Just let us in. Let us help you heal." It was still rather early, but both were emotionally drained, and Kristen was physically wiped out. After she made a quick potty trip while he turned out all the lights, they snuggled up naked in bed and went to sleep. ------- In the morning, Kristen was like a different person, again causing Dex flashback memories of his mother. She seemed completely relaxed without clothes. She was flirtatious and upbeat. They shared a very intimate shower and a light breakfast. Dex told her to get her running clothes on, and they would jog back to his house. It was still fairly early, but it was July, so she put on silky, slit-sided shorts and a sport bra. Dex gave her an appreciative whistle, followed by a kiss and a hug. While she was dressing, Dex had called Karen and told them they were coming over. He asked if they could all be naked when he and Kristen arrived. Karen giggled and told him she would make sure Mike could handle it. Kristen preceded Dex to the door, but suddenly turned around, trembling, with an ashen face. "H... he... he's out there. Oh, God, no!" Dex had been in martial arts training a little over a year. He was a fanatically devoted student. His extreme natural quickness and his ever-increasing strength gave him the tools to be an exceptional student. At first, he had no interest in matches. He told his sensei he didn't want to fight other martial artists. He only wanted to defend himself and his loved ones. The sensei prevailed, and he had entered and won half a dozen regional meets. He had spent extra time with the sensei taking the role of attackers using different approaches and weapons. There had never been a reason to use his defensive skills, but he was confident in his abilities. Now, the wonderful breakthrough for his Aunt was in danger of being wiped away by the illegal appearance of her ex. He could not just give up and allow that to happen. "Kristen. Would you like revenge on him?" "God, yes. But what can I do?" "Do you believe me when I tell you I can protect you from him?" "I... I... he's awfully strong, Dex. I'm afraid he could really hurt you." "You know I have been training hard for a year. This is just the kind of thing I have trained for. I am not bragging when I tell you I could easily kill him. Do you trust me?" "Oh, Dex. I love you, and I trust you. But I am so frightened." "Well, let's end that fear once and for all. Would you like to hurt him, badly? Would you like to cripple him for life?" "How could I do that? He can put me in the hospital with one punch." "He'll never get the chance, I promise you. Can you kick him hard, right in the balls, when I give you the chance?" "You're serious, aren't you? Sure, I can kick him. Not much of a target, but I'd love the chance." "Can you walk out there bravely, swear at him, insult him, get him angry?" "Oh, boy! I... Damn it! Yes, I can. After last night, I want this to end more than anything. You're sure he can't hurt us?" "Yes, I'm sure. Here's what we're going to do..." They strategized for a few minutes, with him constantly encouraging and reassuring her. He called Karen and simply told her they would be later than he thought. They went to the door, and he opened it and just stood watching. "What are we waiting for? You've got me all ready to kill that bastard." "Witnesses." "Oh!" It wasn't long before he saw two women coming down the block toward them. He went to the phone and quickly called the police and told them the situation. Then he took her hand and led her out the door. They had barely reached the sidewalk when two men got out of the car and came toward them. From the description, Dex knew the shorter one was her ex. She tried to pull back, but he got stern with her. "Kristen, snap out of it. The backup guy is no problem, I promise. This is your chance for revenge - don't blow it! Now, take a deep breath and start yelling at him. Then remember everything we planned." "Get out of here, you bastard," she yelled with just a slight quaver in her voice. "You're violating the order again, and I'll have your sorry ass thrown in jail. Now, take Bozo there with you and just leave." Dex was both astonished and elated at the anger and courage she was displaying. Jerry, her ex, was taken aback, but recovered quickly and stormed toward them. Dex had to collect himself quickly, because Kristen moved forward as well, waving her arms and yelling as she went. "Didn't you hear me? Get the Hell out of here! I'm not taking any more of your harassment shit. It's over, you hear!!?" "Well, how are you going to stop me, you stupid cunt?" "Well, I'm not alone this time, and if you don't get out of here, you're going to be in the hospital before jail. Now, get lost!" Inside, Dex was jumping for joy over her performance. Outside, he was expressionless and positioned to stop any attempt to reach Kristen. "What, you think this stupid kid who doesn't even know enough to look scared is going to protect you?" He gave a raucous laugh. "You're mine, and you're never getting away from me. Don't you forget it!" "This kid is fifteen, but he's a real man with a real cock, not a dickless wimp like you. Get the hell out of the way, we're leaving! Go play with Bozo, there." Everything unfolded almost as they had scripted it. They turned up the sidewalk toward Ferguson's, with Dex between Jerry and Kristen. The two women were now barely fifty feet away, and the distance was closing. Caught off guard, Jerry stomped toward them from behind, swearing and yelling. "Kristen, get back here! Who do you think you are? You can't walk away from me." Dex could almost feel Kristen flinch as Jerry got within a few feet behind her and reached out to grab her. Dex turned toward them and grabbed Jerry's extended hand by the fingers, just as Jerry touched Kristen's shoulder. Dex forced the fingers back sharply, but not enough to break them. Jerry arched his body trying to get away from the pain, exposing his crotch perfectly to Kristen, who did not miss her opportunity. Dex thought he could hear a popping sound of one or more testicles collapsing. He let go of the hand, and Jerry let loose a blood-curdling scream and grabbed for his mangled crotch. Thinking they had accomplished what they set out for, Dex looked toward Jerry's friend, who had followed just a few feet behind. He heard another sharp blow and turned to see Jerry's head snap backward as blood spurted from his nose. He realized Kristen must have kicked him squarely in the face. The friend made a growling sound, and Dex had to assume Kristen could take care of herself. He took one step toward the friend. "If you want the next hospital bed and the next cell to that asshole, I'll let her at you next. Otherwise, get the hell out of here, and we'll forget we ever saw you. You've got five seconds. What's it going to be?" He watched only two retreating steps before turning back to Kristen. Nothing could prepare him for what he saw. Kristen had just stomped Jerry's head right into the sidewalk. Then she walked behind him and very methodically began kicking him in the ribs and kidneys. Deciding she needed this, he stood and watched as she next jumped up and down with both feet on his knees and his ankles. She landed wrong on one jump, and fell sideways onto the grass. It was only then that she seemed to become aware of what she was doing, and her mouth dropped open. Dex hurried to her, expecting a shock reaction, and maybe vomitting. Instead the shock was his. She leaped to her feet, grabbed him around the neck and started jumping in circles. "We did it! It's over! I'm free!' Then she laughed long and hard. "Dex, I'm rid of the bastard at last! Thank you! Thank you! I hope he never walks and never fucks again." She started to pull away, and Dex was afraid she was going to punish him some more, so he pulled her into a tight hug. She didn't break down and cry, but pulled back to give him a huge grin, then a blistering kiss. "I'm OK, Dex, I won't hurt him any more." Released from his hug, she knelt by the fallen man, and saw that he was at least partially conscious. "Hey, Asshole, how do like being on the other end for a change. I still owe you for about ten years of shit, but I'm not a monster like you are. In ten minutes, all your sorry jerkoff friends will know that your former punching bag took you out. Your reputation is now shit. How you gonna live that down, Asshole?" The two women on the sidewalk had watched the entire thirty second drama as if in a trance. Now, they broke into grinning applause as they figured out what had happened. Just then, the patrol car arrived. Dex approached the two women to make sure they would stay and give statements, which they were more than happy to do. He waited quietly as the officer, Susan Plonsky, checked Jerry's condition, then called for an ambulance. He thought his sensei would have been pleased with his actions, except for letting Kristen continue her attack. He knew he would not be in any trouble, and he doubted seriously if anything would be done to Kristen. It didn't really matter, because she was cured, and this was the only thing that could have done it. The taking of statements took about a half hour, during which Kristen could hardly stand still. The energy fairly crackled from her. Officer Plonsky kept looking at Kristen with increasing disbelief as she kept hearing the same identical account from four people. Having done all she could and having no cause to detain anyone, she let them all leave shortly after the ambulance removed Jerry. Kirsten scoffed at Dex's suggestion that they drive to the Ferguson's, allowing as how she could fly if she wanted to. Dex took her hand and they jogged off together. Karen and Donna must have been watching out the front window, because they opened the front door, standing gloriously naked just inside. The new Kristen shocked everyone again with, "Hot-Damn! Is Mike naked, too?" When Karen nodded, open-mouthed, Kristen ripped off her sports bra, then hopped awkwardly down the hall as she tried to take of her shorts and panties, all the time yelling out: "Hey, Mike, where are you? I've been waiting twenty years to see that cock! Hot-damn!" Karen and Donna turned shocked, questioning faces toward Dex, who told them, "It's quite a story, and she needs to tell it, and you may not believe it." Together, they walked back to the family room to find a grinning Kristen, clad only in running shoes, sitting on a blushing, naked, Mike's lap, arms around his neck. "Sorry, Karen. I walked in here and found this beautiful hunk, and he sprouted this awesome hardon, and it made me feel so damn good I almost peed, and I just had to love him up a litlle, and Dex, why the Hell aren't you naked?" She jumped to her feet, and came over to Dex and pulled down his shorts. By this time, everyone was starting to laugh, even the hugely embarrassed Mike. As Kristen continued to undress Dex, he leaned over and told Donna to hurry and get a warm blanket because Kristen was going to come down soon and get the shakes. Sure enough, Donna had barely returned with the blanket, when Kristen stood still for a moment, got a wide-eyed look, and started to shake. Dex wrapped her tightly and dragged her to the couch, sitting close to her on one side while Karen hugged her from the other. Donna came up to Dex while he was holding Kristen and asked "Did you?" Her look of relieved joy to his negative shake of the head convinced him that he would save himself for his cousin no matter what. The spell lasted for several minutes before Kristen could finally speak again. The whole family then sat together for several hours as they heard first the day's events, then a detailed account of Kristen's marriage. There was a brief emergency when the doorbell rang, but Dex had his shorts nearby and sent the potential visiting classmates home. After Kristen finished her story, Mike called Marty and asked if she could come over. Everyone was dressed when she arrived, and she told them they were wise to call after she heard the story. She was sure no criminal action would be pursued, but feared Jerry might file a civil suit. She asked their permission to research and prepare a counter suit covering the years of spousal abuse and the violations of the restraining order. It was nearly supper time when Marty left, and all the family members dispersed for a while. When Karen called everyone to supper, Kristen was the last to arrive, and she walked in naked. Karen asked her what was going on, but it was Dex who stood up to give her a hug and answered the question. "Jerry has been belittling her and trying to make her feel undesirable for so long, she was starting to believe it. Being naked and causing hardons or popped nipples is about the best thing that can happen for her ego. That's why she embarrassed you so badly earlier, Mike. She needed to know she excited you. If you had stayed soft, it might have thrown her back into depression." His voice became very soft as he said, "I know this, because that's what happened with Mom." Without a word, everyone else stripped. Nearing the end of the meal, Kristen said, "Dex says he knows one really good man who is unattached - his old Coach. Could you invite him up for a weekend visit or something? I'd like to meet him." "My brazen sister!" Karen cracked. "Hey, you've been living every woman's dream marriage all the time I was in my own little Hell. Then I spent last night with Dex. I want that kind of a man, and I'm not going to apologize for going out and getting him." Karen gave her a tearful apology, and a big hug. Donna left the table and returned to drop a letter by Dex's plate. He opened it, read for a few seconds and let out a whoop. "Coach is moving to town! He's got a job out at Addison University. Wow! I can't believe it." "Kristen, I guarantee we'll get you guys together. We'll even try not to make it too obvious," Karen said with a grin. "Who cares if it's obvious? I might as well wear a sign 'Divorcee on the Prowl.'" Dex cautioned her. "Remember, I told you he was wounded and leery of all women." "Yeah, but you also thought he was a little in love with your Mom. That should give me a head start, huh?" ------- Chapter 9 (Fifteen years earlier) During the third to last week of Chris's absence, while Jenny was naked with the teens, she asked if she could feel Dex's cock. Donna and Dex looked at each other for a long moment, and it was Donna who spoke. "Jenny, please believe me, I am not saying this because of jealousy or possessiveness. I don't think you should touch Dex there. It is so close to your wedding. I think that sharing the thrill of your new discoveries would be a wonderful way to start your sexual life with Chris. It would bring the two of you even closer together." "Oh, Donna, you are so wise. I... I didn't think of it that way. I am just worried I won't know what to do, or I won't do it right. Uh, could you, um, touch him to show me how? Please. I don't want to be a complete dummy. I am really frightened!" "Jenny, you don't have to beg me to touch Dex. It's something I love to do. Come over here with that beautiful cock, Lover. We've got an audience." With great difficulty, Dex had avoided getting hard right away when he heard Jenny's request. Donna began with a rather clinical description of his shaft, his helmet, his sac, and his perineum. She particularly emphasized how each should be handled - how sensitive or tender it was, how responsive to touch, etc. "Now, this is the good part," Donna said with a grin. "This," and she gave his flaccid shaft a little flip, "is just a kinda silly looking piece of meat, until it starts to stand up straight. Then... well, you'll see!" She proceeded to describe and demonstrate how to stimulate him, using just her hands. She started by delicately teasing the head with her fingertips, circling around the rim, which on Dex was quite prominent. As soon as he hardened enough for her to get a good grip on him, she encircled the shaft with her hand and began stroking up and down. "This is the most incredible feeling," she told the now gaping Jenny. "The skin is so soft to the touch, but underneath it's so hard. I'm not using any lubricant - anything to make it slippery - so I'll be careful to not rub it raw. After a bit, though, some of his own lubricant will start oozing out, and I can spread that around." Startling the entranced Jenny so that she actually jumped, Dex interjected "Donna, you won't get to rub long enough for it to get raw the way I feel right now!" Jenny looked up at him with wide eyes. It was if she had forgotten there was a person attached to the object of her fascination. "Jenny, Honey," Donna said, "would you get a small towel from the bathroom there? I'll make sure he doesn't come until you get back." Poor Jenny could barely stand, and almost staggered to the bathroom. The teens could barely keep from laughing the way she scurried back to her place. The little interlude decreased Dex's arousal level considerably. When Jenny was again seated, Donna told her she was going to make Dex come, and she cranked up the intensity of her stroking. When Dex started panting and squirming and thrusting his hips against her hand, Donna instructed Jenny to watch for the helmet to darken, and the sac to pull up. When that happened, she told Jenny where to hold the towel. She wanted Jenny to see the ejaculation, but didn't want it all over the floor. Jenny had barely gotten the towel in place when Dex gave a grunt and started spurting. Donna aimed his cock so almost all of the cum hit the towel. The first shot, though, went so far that some reached Jenny's wrist. After four or five heavy spurts, a few weaker efforts ran down his cock and over Donna's hand. Dex sank to his knees in exhaustion, panting heavily as Donna carefully wiped him off. "Are you OK, Jenny?" he asked between labored breaths. "Did that frighten you - upset you?" "Oh! Oh! That was just... Wow! I'm not upset. I... I guess I'm excited. I know I'm excited. I can't wait to get a hold of Chris's!" "That's great! That's just what we hoped for." "God, Dex, I just don't understand how you could do that for me - you too, Donna. Sex always seemed like such a private, hidden thing, almost shameful. You guys make it so natural, so exciting. Instead of being afraid of it, it's like I can't wait!" Donna hugged her blond sister-in-law-to-be. "Just remember that feeling, Jenny. Be excited about it and have fun with it. My brother will be the happiest man alive!" Having recovered his breath, Dex spoke again. "Donna, I think it's your turn, don't you?" "You're on, Lover! Jenny, can you move over a little. I want to lie down for this. There's no way I can take it standing up." "I don't understand! What are you going to do?" "Oh, Jenny, I'm sorry. Dex is going to give me an orgasm, and maybe two or three. Um, Honey, do you get yourself off?" The stricken look on the young mother's face was all the answer Donna needed. Looking down at the floor, Jenny said quietly, "I guess I probably have never had a real orgasm. Sometimes when Amy is feeding, I get real tingly and sometimes a few shudders - like that first day when she did it to you. I... I thought doing it to myself was wrong. I used to get punished if I touched myself when I was little." "Well, watch a master go to work." "Work, nothing! This is pure fun. I'm going to give you a blow by blow, Jenny, because pretty soon Donna won't be able to say anything." "Big talk!" Donna quipped. "Um, Dex," Jenny asked timidly. "Why are you showing me this. I mean, uh, Chris is the one..." Donna jumped on the question. "Jenny, I expect that Chris will be a wonderful lover and always make sure it's good for you. But you need to know what is possible so you can tell him what feels good and what you want." "Oh, I don't think I could tell him that!" "Sure you could, and you need to. It's important for lovers to talk to each other. This should be the best kind of sharing, and you can't share without talking. Maybe there's something that would feel wonderful to you that Chris just never thought of. Do you think he would be upset if you asked him to do something new or different?" With a little giggle, she replied, "I think I could ask him anything and he would do it." "Good girl. Sounds like you're getting him trained right. Keep it up and you'll be fine." This from Donna. With a derisive snort, Dex shut Donna up with a monster kiss. Breaking off momentarily, he whispered in her ear "Are you OK with doing this in front of her?" "You did it! Besides, I'm so hot right now I might go off on the first touch." Dex took his time, doing a lot of kissing, then caressing her breasts, then kissing and nibbling on her nipples. He stopped a few times to explain something to Jenny, who was too entranced to think of asking a question. When it was time to work on her pussy, he used his hand, keeping the other going on a breast while he talked to Jenny. He described in detail what he knew Donna liked as he did it. As each new sign of arousal appeared, he told Jenny about it. Donna was lying on a long couch with her feet in Jenny's lap. Dex brought one foot down to the floor and the other up on the back of the couch, leaving her splayed wide in front of the dumbstruck Jenny. Donna tensed a little at first, then started gasping and whimpering rapidly as he went right for her clit and started going for the come in earnest. Donna was not kidding about being hot, and erupted in a surprisingly short time. Dex waited for the tremors to fade a little, then lifted his cousin bodily and sat her upright, with her ass forward to the edge of the couch. Getting on his knees in front of her, he went to work on her with his mouth, eliciting a gasp from Jenny. Still sensitive, Donna shrunk from his first approach to her clit, so he retreated to licking all around the area, then nibbling her inner lips, and finally plunging his tongue as far into her as possible. After a few minutes of appropriate encouragement from her, he revisited her clit and sucked and flailed it until she came again. When this orgasm subsided, Dex got on the sofa between the girls and pulled Donna up onto his lap, cuddling and rocking her gently. She was facing Jenny, and when she was able to open her eyes, she saw silent tears trickling down Jenny's cheeks. She sensed they were tears of joy and wonderment, and gently traced a finger down the tear tracks. "Is it always so beautiful?" Jenny asked in a tiny voice. "When you really love each other, it is," Donna answered. "Oh, why is the wedding so far off? I want to be with Chris right now!" "Jenny, I think you should make love with Chris the first night he is home, and not wait for your wedding night. If you haven't done it before the wedding, you are going to be worried the whole time, and it will show. How can you sing at your own wedding when all you can think about is your first time making love?" "I never thought of that, Donna!" With a sad note she added, "It's not like I'm really a virgin, anyway." "Yes you are! And don't you forget it! It's just that if you have a week to make love before the wedding, you will be relaxed and content, and it will show. It will be much more memorable for you." "That means I only have to wait a little over two weeks!" Jenny was almost bouncing on the couch as she said it. Donna had been roused by this little exchange, and slid off Dex's lap onto the floor in front of him as she told Jenny, "See how Dex is still hard? He has this thing where he never gets soft until he comes twice. You will have to decide if you ever want to do this or not, but I will tell you that taking a man in your mouth gives an incredible feeling of power - as long as he isn't forcing you, that is." She then went on to give the once again dumbstruck Jenny pointers on proper blowjob technique. Thoroughly demonstrating all the things she had described, Donna took her time bringing Dex to a climax that was so hard it was almost painful. He was barely sensate when she climbed back onto his lap, but he eagerly returned the blistering kiss she administered. The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes. "Jenny," Donna eventually said, "I think it's time you had a good come. You must be practically shooting off sparks by now." "I... I need something. You guys have got me really worked up. I... I don't know if I can do myself." "Sure you can. I'll help you along. Dex, I think Chris should be the only man to see this, OK, Lover?" "Dex," Jenny spoke up, "Will you bring Amy down? She should be hungry by now." When Dex left the room, she admitted to Donna that Amy's suckling excited her. They laughed together when Donna mentioned how well she knew it. Jenny stretched out on the couch, and after only a few minutes, Dex laid Amy on her chest. It took Amy only moments to find her target, and Dex could her sucking eagerly as he shut the door to his room. "I'm in a real quandary about weaning Amy," Jenny told Donna. I probably should have done it before now, but I... I just enjoy her nursing so much. Now, I don't know which is worse: interrupting all the wedding time for feedings, or making Chris put up with soreness, leaking, and breast pumps right from our first day." "Well, I'm afraid Mom would be much better on that topic. I can tell you, though, that nothing will matter to Chris but being with you. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, but I think this would be good for you to know. That first day when you met Chris, I made him come sleep in my bed with me. We didn't do anything wrong - we just hugged and cuddled and talked and talked and talked. We love each other a lot, and Dex and I love each other a lot, but Chris is absolutely over the moon for you. It's the same way Dad feels about Mom. Um, has Chris told you about his previous girlfriends?" "Right away. I think he was afraid I would be offended and reject him. I couldn't care less who's had him before, as long as I get the rest of his life. Donna, help me out. I'm really worked up, now." It was both comical and sad to see Jenny's reluctance to touch herself. It took a lot of reassurance and encouragement for her to relax enough to arouse herself at all. Several times, Donna was on the verge of intervening with her own hands, but sensed it was critical for Jenny to get past this herself. Amy was nearly done feeding when Jenny finally got to the point where arousal took over and she didn't care about anything else. When she started to convulse, Donna put her hand on Amy to keep her from being shaken off. The presence of the baby made the whole scene strange, but undeniably touching. Donna did interfere a little when Jenny took her hand from her crotch during the convulsions. She placed Jenny's hand back over Jenny's mound, and used her own hand to get Jenny to rub herself. After almost two minutes, Jenny looked at Donna and said, "I can tell you for certain THAT never happened to me before. Is that how it feels when you make love." "Sweetie, that's just part of it. I haven't had sex myself, so I'm not the one to answer your question. I know, though, that when Dex does me with his hands or his mouth, it's much, much better than I can do myself." "Donna, there is no way I can tell you how much you and Dex have helped me. You were right when you told me I had to be confident to be sexy. I had zero confidence before that first day. I won't say I'm not scared any more, but at least I won't be totally paralyzed and lost." "Are you going to tell Chris what we've done together?" "I've thought about that a lot. I think I will wait until I can get him to a Saturday morning. By that time, I'm going to look and feel so good, and I'm going to love him so hard he won't be able to be angry about anything. Then, I'll tell him." "That's the spirit! Um, there's one thing I think you should do about your looks." At Jenny's look of puzzlement and some alarm, Donna gently ran her fingers through Jenny's rampant blonde bush, saying, "You've got absolutely gorgeous pussy hair, but it would be sexier if there wasn't quite so much of it." "Ohhhh!" "It isn't too cool when the hair sticks out the legs of all your sexy lingerie." "Oh, my! That's something I never thought about. I have almost nothing sexy to wear. All my stuff is pretty plain." "Tell you what, let's you, me, and your friend Angeline have us a little shopping trip next week and get you some stuff to keep my brother hard." "OK, and tomorrow I will have trimmed the forest." ------- Angeline was arriving the following Saturday, so their naked get togethers were numbered. Jenny was determined, however, to keep up the workouts and the running, even after her friend arrived. True to her word, Jenny arrived Tuesday with a nicely trimmed bush. She had left hair on her labia, but had trimmed to the sides to permit even a thong without any hair spilling out. Even after a week, she colored adorably when Dex gave her a wolf whistle. Pulling Donna aside, Jenny told her she had made herself come the night before, and afterward she had slept incredibly well. Donna hugged her and encouraged her. Dex had to work early that day, so the two girls were alone for the workout and the run. ------- On the Thursday before Angeline was to arrive, Dex had taken a long run and was just returning when Jenny drove up. He was about two blocks away when Jenny passed him, and he noticed a nondescript Chevy pull to the curb just across the street from his position. Trying hard not to turn his head, he could detect a single male occupant. When he reached the house, he made sure he was out of sight, then looked back to see that the car and the occupant had not moved. Dex was not an alarmist, but the sense that the man was following Jenny was very strong. He went in the house and greeted Jenny, who was more embarrassed than usual seeing him still clad while she was already naked. He pulled Donna aside, and told her he needed to take care of something outside. Going out the back door, he slunk behind some bushes and watched as the man from the car, dressed in a gas company uniform, worked his way up the street, walking into each yard on the way, then emerging after a brief stay. Nearly convinced that this was just a normal meter reading route, he still felt uneasy. It hit him eventually, that the car had no gas company markings. There could be numerous explanations for that, but still... When the supposed meter reader came to the Ferguson house, Dex watched carefully from the back corner. When the man pulled a camera from his large shoulder bag, Dex knew his instincts had been right. The question was what to do about it. The man was slightly taller than Dex, and a lot heavier. Under the gas company cap, Dex could see the hair was cropped short at the sides. The hair and the bearing fairly shouted 'military.' Dex was not at all sure he could take the man in a straight up fight, if it came to that. Taking a break to strategize and calm himself, he moved quietly to the back door, then opened and closed it rather loudly. He sauntered around the corner of the house, humming to himself, and feigned surprise when he came upon the 'meter reader.' "Oh, Hi! Uh, the gas meter's on the other side of the house. You must be new on this route, huh? Come on, I'll show you." The man played his part very well, validating Dex's reluctance for a head to head confrontation. Dex led the way around the back of the house, then stepped back and pointed as they reached the far corner. This part of the Fergusons' large yard had several mature lilac bushes which were at their full summer height and fullness - ideal for Dex's hastily formulated plan. Just as the man walked past him, Dex delivered a hard chop over his right shoulder, designed to completely deaden the arm. In almost the same motion, Dex hit him behind both knees with his own knees, causing the man to fall forward into a gap in the lilacs. Dex hoped he had reflexively closed his eyes, as they was a lot of snapping of branches as the man fell. With only one functional arm, the man instinctively used it to try to break his fall, exactly as Dex had rehearsed it many times with Sensei. Dex was able to grab the extended arm and bring it back behind the man, pinching and twisting just right to impart disabling pain. It did not take many seconds for the man to realize his hopeless position and stop active struggling. "I'm guessing you're just trying to earn a living," Dex told him. "I don't want to ruin anything for you, but I WILL protect my family." With a knee planted in the middle of the man's back, and the left arm and hand contorted in a terribly painful position, Dex reached around and used his finger to feel the pulse in the man's neck. "I want to know who hired you. Was it the Madisons? Was it the Carvers (a made-up name)? The Frankels? (a definite blip in the pulse) The Jones? (another made-up name). That's what I thought. Now, I'm going to let you up, then I'm going to tell you about Jenny. Do I need to take the weapon from your shoulder holster and from the ankle." "No, I won't try anything. I've already failed my confidentiality duty. I have nothing to gain by harming you," the man replied. "Good!" As the man sat up awkwardly, Dex saw a few scratches on his face and neck from the branches, but his eyes appeared unharmed as he stared hard at Dex. "I'm Dex Madison. I live here with my Aunt and Uncle. Jenny is engaged to marry my cousin Chris Ferguson." "I'm Carl Plonske. This has to be the low point of my career. I'm working for a scumbag client because I need the money, and I get taken out by a - say, how old are you, anyway?" "Fifteen. Don't feel too bad. There was no reason for you to suspect anything. Say, I've met a cop - Susan Plonske - any relation?" "My sister. How do you know her?" "She responded to a little encounter between my Aunt and her ex. My Aunt won, big time, and your sister had to call the ambulance." "Well I'll be damned! Sue couldn't stop talking about that for weeks. She was sick of seeing battered women hauled off half dead. You made her year, that's for sure. Probably kept her from leaving the force." "Wow! Say, let's walk down to your car. I don't want Jenny to have any idea what is going on." By the time they walked the two blocks, Carl's arm was becoming usable again, but his pride was not in good shape. "I was ten years in the Rangers. I should never be taken like that, no matter how unlikely the situation. I guess part of the problem is I hate this assignment. I've been following Jenny for about two weeks, now. Frankly, I feel dirty for the first time as a PI. I'm practically in love with her just from following her around." "She has that affect on people, doesn't she? Let's make a deal," Dex told him. "I'll help set up whatever you need to let you finish the case with a satisfied client, and you tell me what you know about why the Frankels are doing this. One rule, though. No one but me, and maybe my cousin Donna, is to know anything about this whole deal. Agreed?" "Fifteen, my ass! Yeah, it's a deal. Better than I deserved. Why are you giving me a break?" "My sensei keeps stressing that success is gaining allies, not enemies. I'm guessing you would make a valuable ally and a dangerous enemy." "Until just now, I thought so." "OK. Let me give you the real story of Jenny. Forget what you heard from the Frankels." They drove to a fast food place, and Dex spent fifteen minutes filling him in on Jenny's recent past. "Now, why did they hire you?" "You know, I'm not completely clear on that. I'm not sure they are either. They told me this story about her being an ungrateful runaway who got knocked up and moved out. They're pissed about all the money they spent on her education and music training. I have a hunch they just want to hurt or humiliate her. They are really an angry couple. When the engagement announcement appeared in the paper as Jenny Ballard, they went ballistic. They were still fuming about that when I first met with them. I wanted to turn them down, but my rent was overdue. Say, not that I doubt you, but do you have any proof of Jenny's version?" "I have a tape of a very short, very nasty phone conversation." Dex told Carl exactly what was said. "I guess I am not surprised, but now I am concerned about the wedding. I don't want Jenny or Chris to have any inkling that the Frankels even exist. Tell me what you need to finish up satisfactorily with the Frankels, then I will hire you to help keep them away from the wedding." "That would be a conflict of interest, and I haven't sunk that low, yet. How about if I just help you for free on the side?" They discussed a few more pictures that would help Carl fill out a reasonable report, then Carl dropped Dex off two blocks from home in the other direction. Donna gave Dex a very strange look when he finally returned home and headed for the shower, but she seemed to understand his shake of the head and said nothing until after Jenny had left. As soon as Jenny drove off, of course, Donna was all over him, and he told her the whole story. Through the story, she went from alarm, through disbelief, through anger, and finally to resolve. She agreed wholeheartedly that protecting the newlyweds was the major issue. Several times, she questioned Dex about trusting Carl, but finally seemed to accept Dex's assessment of the man. ------- Saturday morning, Jenny was waiting naked in the kitchen when Karen and Dex appeared. Karen immediately commented on her trim, and Jenny threw only a small flush. As the others, now including Kristen, wandered in, Jenny was smiling, animated, and seemingly not nervous at all. Everyone went out of their way to comment on it. When Jenny mentioned Angeline's arrival time in the late afternoon, the entire group decided they would meet her en masse at the airport. Ever considerate, Karen asked if such a crowd might not overwhelm the girl. Laughing, Jenny told them they would need some major reinforcements to overwhelm Angeline. Her friend, she told them, was a miniature cyclone, taking over any group she happened to be with. ------- Angeline was a pixie. At most five foot one, everything about her seemed scaled down. He face was delicate and fine, her large, very bright eyes her only feature that did not seem miniaturized. Watching her move was amazing. All her motions were rapid and birdlike, yet she seemed to float fluidly across the floor. There was nothing tiny or delicate about her personality, however. She was taller than almost no one, yet most had the impression of looking up to her as they talked. With just enough accent to sound sophisticated and intriguing, Angeline was a totally fascinating person. The gate agent had to restrain Jenny when she spotted Angeline halfway down the jetway. When they reached each other, they hugged and jumped in circles, squealing and babbling. The waiting family watched this previously undiscovered part of Jenny's personality with amusement and satisfaction. Remembering her manners, Jenny actually skipped up to the group to start the introductions. Angeline had some pertinent comment for each person as she was introduced. Mike happened to be second in line, and she asked Jenny over her shoulder, "Does your Chris look like his father?" Karen, who had been introduced first, responded, "Spitting image." Seeing the confused look, she giggled, then said, "Sorry! That means he looks just like Mike did when I married him." Angeline replied, "Then, Karen and Jenny are among the world's most fortunate women, yes?" And so it went for Donna, Dex, and Kristen. As they all walked down the concourse, Donna and Angeline bracketed Jenny. Somehow, it became obvious that this would be a standard formation until Chris could accompany Jenny. Hank, with Amy, met them at the Ferguson house, where the makings of a cookout were all waiting. After Angeline greeted them, the getting acquainted started in earnest. The conversation and laughter were so animated, people had to be coaxed into eating as Mike finished the steaks. It was during dessert that Karen noticed Jenny sitting by herself, holding Amy, with tears running down her cheeks. When Karen asked what was wrong, everyone's attention was drawn to Jenny. "Oh, nothing's wrong. Things couldn't be better, unless Chris was here." She wiped a tear, sniffled, and smiled. "A little over a year ago, I thought my life was over. There was only one person I could even call on. Fortunately, it was Angeline, the best friend in the world." Angeline stood behind Jenny and rubbed her shoulders. "Then we found Hank, who never had kids, but showed what a father really should be. Amy is a gift of pure joy out of all the evil and the sadness. Now, I'm going to marry Chris and join his unbelievable family. I'm crying because I'm so overwhelmed I don't know what else to do." Mike was far from being a speechmaker, so it was quite a surprise when he spoke up first. "Jenny, you have brightened our lives already. I don't know how so many bad things can happen to such a sweet person, but we just hope we can help make up for the bad stuff. We've only known you for a couple of months, but we couldn't love you any more." ------- The little French cyclone erased the possibility of a single dull moment for the next week. She accompanied Jenny to the Ferguson's for her morning workouts (now clothed), but it was obvious she couldn't wait for the real fun - shopping! Jenny had almost no money of her own, and quickly used up what Hank had insisted she take. Angeline, however, seemed to be well funded, and would brook no resistance as the three young women pounded the malls any time Donna was not working. On Wednesday, Angeline gently but firmly pulled almost everything from Jenny's meager closet and drawers, and stuffed it into plastic trash bags. She insisted it all be taken to Goodwill, and that Jenny should never again be seen in such attire. The bridal fittings Wednesday afternoon provided a little drama. Jenny got in a rather vigorous argument with the seamstress about how tightly the waist should be snugged. She had been losing better than three pounds a week, and the effects of her workouts were starting to show. She was sure that with a week and half before the wedding, she would lose another inch around the middle. Muttering warnings about no last minute let-outs, the seamstress gave in. Angeline flirted outrageously with all the men, but sighted her complete arsenal on Dex. For all of his accelerated maturity, he had never encountered anyone quite like her. She rubbed against him, sat in his lap, and did little childish things to try to get his goat. It took until Monday for him to realize he needed to retaliate. Everyone had gathered at Ferguson's for dinner again and were moving to their places at the table. Angeline stood behind Dex's usual place and gave him a smirk over her shoulder that dared him to try to move her. Dex came right up behind her and grabbed a tiny but well-formed ass cheek in each hand and lifted her straight up. As she squealed in shock, he was able to get her bent at the waist, and chair-carried her to her expected place next to Jenny. Jenny got into the spirit and pulled the chair out from table. To ooohs from the rest, Dex hoisted her meager 95 pounds straight up and over the back of the chair, setting her down gently. His hands were still under her bottom, reaching around each side of the chair. Before removing them, he ran a finger along her crack from back to front. Angeline's eyes flew open and she let out an 'Eeeek!' When Dex removed his hands and stepped back, she exclaimed "Brute!" followed by a string of French. "Permettez Moi, Mam'selle?" Dex mouthed in atrocious French as he politely offered to help with her chair. She looked at him with wide eyes and lifted to let him seat her properly. He then marched around to his own place, dusting his hands dramatically to the cheers of everyone else. Angeline finally gave in and joined the merriment, but Dex had a feeling he had not had the last word. When it came time for dessert, Angeline jumped to her feet and began bringing a piece of cake on a plate to each person. Not surprisingly, Dex was the last served. She stood behind him, holding the plate, and said, "Now, you bad boy, you get no cake until I get an apology!" Startling her, Dex rose and pushed back his chair. He bent over, wrapped his arms around her and delivered a searing kiss. It went on for many seconds as she struggled to keep from dropping the plate, still held in her extended hand. Because of the difference in their heights, she was bowed backward quite severely, and eventually lost control of the plate with the cake. With his remarkable quickness, Dex grabbed the plate just before the cake fell off, releasing the kiss in the process. He steadied her slightly, then sat down, picked up his fork, and started in on his cake as if nothing had happened. There had been complete silence so far, but when Angeline uttered, "Mon Dieu!" and staggered against the back of Kristen's chair, sitting next to Dex, bedlam erupted. Angeline was uncharacteristically subdued for the rest of the meal, trying her hardest not to look at Dex. Donna had to work very hard to contain her glee at what had happened. Before everyone had even left, she dragged Dex to the downstairs bathroom for a frantic blowjob. ------- Late Thursday morning, Dex and the three girls went to the pool. Angeline appeared in a bikini, but one that was at least as modest as Donna's. Dex went out of his way to make sure she knew he was ogling her. "Angeline, you must have had to buy that swimsuit here in America. I thought French women never wore so much cloth to swim." Angeline had a large towel over her shoulders. Looking around quickly, she reached behind herself around and took off her top, then opened the towel to display herself to Dex. "Is that what you expected? It is not that I need the top so much, n'est ce pas?" Suddenly behind in the oneupmanship game, Dex still could not resist an honest reaction. "Oh, yes! You need so much! We American men cannot handle such beauty exposed." And they were beautiful. Small, like the rest of her, but nicely filled out, creamy smooth, and with darker, swollen, puffy type nipples. She was looking at him with a saucy, victorious expression. Feeling the start of a hardon, he decided he had better regain the upper hand. Striking like a snake, he grabbed her dangling top from her hand before she knew it had happened. "Merci beaucoup, Mam'selle! I will treasure this souvenir of your visit." She at first looked surprised, then angry as she tried to grab it back. When she realized that was not going to work, she looked around hurriedly, and returned her gaze to his face with fear in her eyes. That, of course, was too much for Dex, and he quickly stepped up to her and took the towel, holding it around her as a screen. She gratefully took her top from his hand. Before putting the top back on, though, her expression changed back to a smirk, she put one hand right on his cock, and rubbed her bare tits briefly against his lower chest. With his gasp acknowledging her victory, she donned her top and went off to join the girls, leaving him standing there comically holding the towel. In the pool a bit later, Donna gave him a hug and asked, "Why do you insist on making all the women fall in love with you?" "Who, Angeline? Nah, she's just a world class flirt. Damn, I hated to let her win!" "And you're a world class softy. You had her, you know. She must have looked scared, huh?" He gave her a disgusted look. "One word, and she would be in your bed tonight." "Yeah, but she's not the one I want there, and you know it." This earned him an R rated PDA. ------- Besides shopping, two other major activities dominated Angeline's week. One was music. She and Jenny spent a lot of time practicing, and Hank joined them in the evenings. Donna and Dex were privileged to sit through a lot of it, and could not help but be awed at the talent on display. The other big activity was setting up Jenny's big seduction scene for Friday night. Dex was left totally out of this - this was strictly women's work. Hank had taken a gig for that night, and would be out until after 2am. Angeline would stay at the Fergusons'. Jenny had readily agreed to give herself to Chris as soon as he got home, and not wait for the wedding, although he was not informed of the schedule change. Angeline reinforced Donna's arguments about enjoying the wedding more. Of course, no persuasion was really necessary. Quite a bit of persuasion was needed, however, to convince Jenny to wait in her apartment for Chris to come to her later in the evening. She wanted to be waiting when he and Ron arrived at the house. Donna insisted that their first meeting be built around Jenny standing naked, nursing Amy, and Jenny finally agreed. All week, they had to deflect Angeline's probing about where this idea came from and how her timid friend could even do such a scene. Donna and Jenny stonewalled. Angeline also had to be persuaded to delay meeting Chris. She reluctantly agreed, not wanting anything to detract from the lovers' reunion. The whole plan would have been a credit to a military strategist. The boys would arrive in time for a late supper. Angeline would stay at the apartment to help Jenny prepare. Donna would arrange to drop Chris off, promising to return after an errand and take care of Amy while the couple went out. She would call to signal their arrival, and Angeline would leave the house and wait down the block. After a while, Donna and Angeline would return, take Amy, and leave a prepared bag for Chris. Purposely, the bag would contain only shaving gear, tooth brush, and clothes for morning. Hank would drive them all to the Fergusons' for brunch the next morning. ------- After Jenny's workout Friday morning, Angeline surprised her by taking her to a spa type salon for a three hour appointment. Manicure, pedicure, massage, hairdo, makeup, leg shave, and even pubic trim left her feeling unbelievably pampered and incredibly horny. Nervous energy poured from her as she tried to find ways to fill the time until she could be with Chris. Angeline did her best to keep her mind on something, spending a lot of the time practicing numbers for the wedding. Hank had to leave before supper time, so Angeline prepared a light meal, hardly any of which Jenny could eat. They tried watching a little TV, but that required sitting still - beyond Jenny's ability right then. Becoming a little exasperated, even though sympathetic, Angeline told her to go and get herself off. Jenny protested that she was all fresh and perfumed and did not want to get sweaty. To make matters worse, Amy was getting cranky - a rarity for her. Jenny was delaying her feeding to make sure she would suck enthusiastically for her presentation to Chris. At long last, Donna called to say they would be there in ten to fifteen minutes. Getting into action helped Jenny tremendously. They had been playing hard with Amy, trying to get her to wet her diaper so she would be safe bare-bottomed when Chris arrived. Now, Jenny hurried to change Amy while Angeline lit the dozen candles that had been placed around the living room, and turned out all but the two lamps that had been carefully placed for the most dramatic setting. Jenny did one last touchup, then dropped the light robe that was all she had been wearing since supper. A little embarrassed in front of her friend, she nevertheless stood in her pre-arranged spot and began nursing an eager Amy. Angeline went to the front hall where she could watch for the car to arrive. She looked back at her friend, and just burst into tears. Jenny was backlighted by a low, soft lamp which caused a halo effect along the pleasing curves of her right side, and made her loose blonde hair look almost incandescent. The scattered candles and the other lamp provided enough light so the features of her body were visible in soft detail. Just then, the car pulled up, and Angeline gave Jenny a quick hug as she scooted out the back door. She was tempted to hover and watch, but had too much respect for Jenny to do that. Chris was a little puzzled and not entirely happy. He had been counting the minutes for four weeks until he could be with Jenny again. When she did not greet him when he arrived at home, he was stunned. Donna did some fast talking with the cover story they had developed, and he grumbled through dinner. He pestered Donna mercilessly for the hour and a half they had to wait before heading for her apartment. He had showered, shaved, and changed clothes twice, but still had a lot of time to kill. Karen and Mike understood his problem, and did everything they could do hide their amusement. Now, pulling up to Hank's, he could hardly wait to see her, but still felt a little miffed at the delay. He jumped out of the car and sprinted to the door, missing Donna's grin behind him. Donna had told him to go right in, and he did, calling Jenny's name. As he came into the living room and caught his first sight of them, he stopped as if shot. Neither of them said a word as he slowly came to within about six feet of her, then actually fell to his knees. "My God, Jenny, I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life." Suddenly losing her last twinges of uncertainty and self-consciousness, she answered, "Thank you, Honey. Look what I've done just for you." She turned around slowly so he could see the results of the lost 15 pounds and the month of workouts since he had last seen her. He had, of course, never seen her undressed before, but he found her so beautiful it made his loins ache. He rose, walked to her, said "Sorry, Amy" as he took the baby and laid her on the couch. He turned back to Jenny, and they fell into each others' arms, kissing passionately. Amy was not pleased at having her overdue dinner interrupted after only a few minutes, and voiced her displeasure. Both of them chuckled, and Chris sat Jenny down and gently placed Amy back in contact with a nipple. He sat next to them and put his arm around them, turning Jenny's head toward himself for another kiss. "Oh, Chris, I've missed you so much. I couldn't stand not being there when you got home, but I wanted to give you this special welcome. I hope you aren't upset." "Upset?! You have given me a vision that is burned into my brain for the rest of my life. I can't believe it. I loved you from the first time I saw you, but when I walked in here tonight... I have a big problem, though. Seeing you like this, I don't know how I will make it through a whole week until the wedding." "Chris, Honey, you're not going home tonight. In fact, from right now, this is your home. Our married life starts tonight." "But I thought..." "If I wait until our wedding night to make love to you, I will be a frazzled mess at the wedding. I want to be relaxed and happy that day. I figure we can make love at least twenty times between now and then. I will be so happy I will float down the aisle. I want the wedding to be a celebration, not an ordeal. Most of all, I can't wait any longer to be with you." Completely overwhelmed by the whole situation, Chris was struggling to grasp what was happening. He had anticipated a loving, but slow process of helping his bride through her innocence and her fears. Now, this stunning, confident creature was begging him to take her to bed. He literally did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Jenny, how?... I mean, before, you were so afraid... so inexperienced. What happened?" "Love, Chris. Just love. Remember, I was fat, too. But I didn't want to be frightened and fat for you. I worked hard, and I'm not done yet. I'm going to look so good you'll be hard all the time, Stud," she said with a giggle. "You didn't have do change a thing for me to love you, you know." "I know, and that made me want to change all the more. You aren't unhappy with the changes, are you?" "Oh, God, no way. I'm... I'm amazed... and thrilled... and... and horny." She gave him another smoldering kiss, then giggled. Amy chose that moment to signal the end of her meal with a contented little burp, causing them both to laugh. Jenny fetched the diaper bag from behind the couch and got Amy all ready to be picked up. Chris asked what she was doing. "Donna's coming to pick up Amy and bring your toothbrush." "My toothbrush?" "Yup. All you need for tonight." Unable to contain a chuckle, he asked "When is she coming?" "As soon as I flash the front light." The magnitude of the setup was becoming clear to Chris, as Jenny carried Amy to the front door, naked and unconcerned. Within a minute, Donna was at the door, taking Amy and handing Jenny a small bag. She grinned at Chris and told him "Take her to Heaven, Bro'" before she left. As the door clicked shut and Jenny turned around, a surprising change occurred. A shy, almost frightened look came over her face. "What's the matter, Honey?" he asked. "Uh, oh, nothing's the matter, why?" Chris was sensitive enough to realize that making love still frightened her, now that they were really down to it. His instincts were remarkable where Jenny was concerned. He walked to the front door and pulled it open, then scooped Jenny up in the classical bride carry and stepped out the door to her panicked shriek. No more than a step outside, he turned and carried her back in. Holding her in his arms, he kicked the door shut. "Chris, what if the neighbors..." "It was too quick for them to see anything, worse luck for them. I can't carry my bride over the threshold when we're already inside, can I?" "Oh, you!" She pounded playfully on his shoulder. "Jenny, my love, you want to start our married life tonight, and I want it, too. No matter what the preacher says later, I pledge myself to you right now forever. For better or for worse, sickness and health, whatever happens, I am yours." "Oh, Chris, I am already yours, forever. Make love to me!" As he carried her to the bedroom, her brief flashback of timidity and fear was completely forgotten. ------- In the the street in front of Hank's house, Donna had barely gotten Amy into the infant carrier, after taking her from Jenny at the door. She had just settled herself into the driver's seat. It was a beautiful, warm night, and the car windows were open. She and Angeline heard Jenny's shriek and snapped their gaze toward the front door in time to see the brief flash of Jenny's bare bottom being carried out then right back in. Donna gasped loudly, and Angeline started boo-hooing as if her heart was broken. Surprised at this emotion from the ever-ebullient girl, Donna reached over and hugged her until the sobs were finished. "I'm sorry," Angeline apologized, "I could not help myself. I am so happy for Jenny I did not know what else to do. When I found her in her room after the rape, it was the most pathetic thing I had ever seen. I never knew someone so sweet and so innocent could even exist in this world. And to have that done to her!" She went on to tell Donna in more detail about the events surrounding the rape, and about her own moral dilemma. "I have feared to this day that I did not the right thing for Jenny. Now I have guilt no more. I see that Jenny has a man worthy of her." "But you haven't even met Chris!" "Jenny has told me. And what I just saw... he does what Jenny needs. He makes her special. He will make her very happy." They rode in silence a few more minutes. "Donna, your other brother - is he like Chris." "No, Ron is different from Chris. They are both wonderful brothers. They are polite and considerate and treat women very well. Ron is more of a people person. He is always looking for company. Chris can be happy relaxing with a book. Ron would rather get together with friends. Ron is the musician in the family. He has a very good voice, and has sung with a band most of his time at school. He is also a pretty good athlete. He was one of the best players on the high school baseball team, but quit because the coach and some of the players were not good people. I would guess Ron is out with his old friends right now. He always does that his first night home." "I am anxious to meet him. I also want to talk to you. There is more that happened at your house with Jenny than I have heard. She has changed too much. I want you to tell me all, s'il vous plait?" "Tell you what. Dex and I get together downstairs every night at 10. It will be almost that when we get home. Join us, and maybe we can answer some of your questions." "Maybe? Some? We will see. I want to hear all." ------- Chapter 10 (Fifteen years earlier) Back at the apartment, Jenny was trying to get Chris out of his clothes with hands so shaky they were almost useless. The bed had been turned back earlier, and she was sitting on the edge. She managed to wait until he was completely naked before she took his cock between both hands and just marveled at the feel of it. "Chris, there is so much I want to do and learn. But I cannot relax and enjoy anything until I feel you in me. I am ready for you. I have an IUD. When Amy is weaned, I will go on the pill. It is a safe time of the month now. Please, make love to me right now." This was not an onerous request, as Chris was dying for the same thing. He was eager to wallow in her lush tits. He wanted to run his hands and his mouth over every inch of her creamy skin. But more than anything, he wanted to sink himself into her warm depths. Concerned lest he cause her any discomfort, he worked his fingers between her labia and found her more then ready. Holding his cock in his hand, he rubbed it up and down her slit a few times to pick up some of the moisture. Then he told her, "Honey, you guide me in. Tell me if it hurts and I will slow down." Eagerly, she obliged him, pulling firmly once she had him positioned. He had the head inside her almost before he knew it. She had given birth, but with no penetration since then, her vagina had tightened remarkably. He held himself above her and looked into her eyes as he started a careful rocking motion, hardly moving in her at all. When he saw only wide-eyed wonder on her face, he increased the length of his thrusts, but still kept the pace very slow. He was barely half-way in and just starting to increase his pace when she gave the first tentative return thrust. "Yes, Baby, that's it! Push back at me! Just like that!" When he broke the silence, he loosened her tongue. "Oh... Oh... I feel so full! It's so big! Oh... I'm tingly! I've got goose bumps! Oh! Oh!" They were almost matching thrusts, now, and he was almost all the way in. He pulled back then thrust forward again. "Oh, Chris, I'm... Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." She came with a vengeance. As she came, her pussy rippled and clamped around him in a way he had never imagined. It caught him totally by surprise and he lost it, shuddering into her before her own convulsions had even finished. He couldn't believe it had happened so fast. When he was done, he was shaky, and his first impulse was to roll onto his side. His was a little chagrined, however, that he had come so quickly. He had always had pretty good stamina, but the rippling around his cock was just too much. Repositioning himself slightly, he decided to stay over her and see if he couldn't get going again quickly. Her responsiveness thrilled him beyond words. Holding himself so he was resting atop her without much weight on her, he started kissing all over her face. When her eyes opened, he planted one on her lips and held it as she wrapped her arms around him. He pulled back, and they just touched lips gently several times before he started stroking her lips with his tongue and nibbling them lightly. She squirmed under him, then pulled him down into a hard kiss. "Honey," he said, pulling away slightly, "I'm sorry I came so quickly. When you came, I was so pent up I just couldn't hold back. Your pussy was massaging me in the most unbelievable way." She gave him another 'wide eyed with wonder' look, and said, "You mean it usually lasts longer. Oh, that must be incredible. I don't know if I could stand it." They kissed again, then she started moving against him. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to get hard yet, when he felt her pussy rippling on his cock again, and he immediately started to swell. "My God, Jenny, how do you do that?" When she asked what, he told her about the rippling sensation. "I don't know! I just wanted to rub that wonderful thing filling me up, so I just... did!" "Well, now you're going to get to do it longer." Almost fully hard, he started in with long, steady strokes, sure that he could go for quite a while before he lost it again. She apparently had not developed any soreness, as she was soon responding in kind. There was much less friction, now, and after a couple of minutes, they both were getting very worked up. Picking up the speed and keeping his strokes long, he could feel his urgency starting to grow. He knew it was not possible to make his partner come every time during intercourse, but he really wanted to make this time memorable. Supporting himself on one arm, he worked his other hand between them to find her clit. It was very swollen and easy to find. At the first touch, she lurched sharply, and hissed out her breath. Encouraged by her reaction, he vowed to get her off before he came again. Slowing the pace of his thrusts, he worked her clit vigorously, and she built up with surprising speed. Much sooner than he expected, she went over the top, heaving into a climax stronger than her first one. Once sure that she could sustain, he released her clit and started thrusting faster and harder. Again, the ripples got him, and he exploded. After many, many seconds of near blackout intensity, they both subsided, and he used his last dregs of energy to roll them over so she was on top. He dragged the covers over them and they drifted off. It was perhaps an hour later when she awoke, feeling the need to pee. He roused as she lifted off of him, and felt a puddle of cooled fluids on his crotch and thigh. He walked unsteadily to the bathroom, where he found her just sitting down on the toilet. "Chris, wait! I have to go!" "That's OK. I don't mind." "But... but... Oh, you!" And she released her stream. "Can I wipe you?" He asked in jest. "After the way you loved me, you can do anything you want." She ripped off some paper and handed it to him. Instead of wiping her, he pulled her up into a fervent embrace. Holding the embrace, but moving her sideways, he turned on the shower. She tried to object about her hair, but another scorching kiss erased that issue. The shower was a time of playful discovery, ending in near panic when the water suddenly started to cool. Back in the freshly-changed bed, he rolled her so she faced him, then slid down so his head was nestled between her breasts. She hugged his head to her, and played with his hair. "Did you know I have been jealous of Amy since that first day?" he asked. "Jealous of Amy?" "Yup. When I saw her sucking on your wonderful tit, I wanted to be where she was." "Well, if you suck on me now, you will probably get a mouthful." "Hmmm. I am a little hungry, now that you mention it." With that, he took a nipple in his mouth and played with it. Sure enough, when he gave it a firm suck, some milk squirted into his mouth. He made a show of loudly smacking his lips, and said "Delicious! 'Course, coming from you, how could it not be!" "Do you like embarrassing me, you rat? First when I had to pee, and now with the milk." He moved up to kiss her, and propped himself up on his elbows. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. I don't ever want to do that. You know, when I walked in tonight and saw you naked with Amy, it got to me like nothing else could have. Besides being the most beautiful, sexiest thing I will ever see, it told me you wanted to give yourself to me completely - everything about you. So whether you're peeing, or shitting, or vomiting, or menstruating, or whatever, just remember, I married all of you. Don't be embarrassed, OK?" "Oh, Chris, I want that, too. I really want that kind of marriage. It's all so new to me, though, don't be upset if I blush sometimes." "Well, it's not so bad, really. You have the most adorable blush I have ever seen." By unspoken agreement, they fell asleep after that exchange. They were not snuggled together, but they were touching each other. As they slept, they migrated together. When she awoke much later with very sore breasts, she had to move his arm from over her. He woke and asked her what was the matter. "Gotta pump." "Can I help?" "Oh, you don't want to... you do, don't you? Oh, God, I love you!" She hugged him hard, but kept from pressing her chest into him. There was not much he could do to help, but he sat with her and caressed her as she expressed. He took the container to the refrigerator for her while she peed. When they were both back in bed, he went right for her breasts. He got a little milk, but this was his best chance while she was as drained as she would ever be. Sensing a great opportunity, he asked her "Are you too sore to make love again?" "No way!" She rolled on her back and tried to pull him over her. "No, Hon, let's try it with you on top. I can really love on your tits now." Sensing her hesitation, he gently guided her into position. She seemed to get the idea, and eagerly held him in position and sank down on him. "Oh, Chris, this feels wonderful, too?" Without any coaching, she began moving up and down and he reached up for her tits. She bounced for quite a while before her legs began to tire. He sensed it, and brought her down on top of himself. Now, it was up to him to provide the motion, but the advantage was they could now kiss. They did so enthusiastically. "C... could we just lie like this? It feels so great with you inside me. Is it bad for you if you don't come? Can you stay hard for awhile?" "I came twice before, so I'm fine. If I keep touching your sexy body, it will keep me hard for a while. You feel wonderful on top of me like this." He kept up slow, gentle thrusts, and luxuriated in the feel of her flesh as he ran his hand all over her. Quite frankly, it took only her face to throw him hopelessly into love at their first meeting. Now, he felt awed and incredibly fortunate as he traveled the lush curves of her hips and lightly pressed her delicious ass cheeks. It really required no motion at all to keep him hard. He had anticipated a long and possibly frustrating period of familiarization for her. That she had met him naked, walked to the door naked, and stayed that way all night did not seem possible for the terrified virgin he left four weeks earlier. "Sweetheart, I am so thrilled and amazed at how you have acted with me tonight. You are so relaxed and confident and sexy. Even the way I know you love me, you couldn't just make yourself do this all of sudden. What happened while I was gone?" When he felt her stiffen, he quickly reassured her. "Jenny, I know you could never do anything bad. I will not be angry with you. I just want to know. I think it is a wonderful gift you have given me." "Oh, Darling, that's what I wanted - to give you a gift. It was very hard for me, but I am so glad I did it." She proceeded with the story of her days with the teens, taking the time to describe everything. Early on, he felt some anger that Dex had seen her naked before he had, but when she explained Dex's reluctance for that very reason, he relaxed and just listened. When Jenny described the 'lessons, ' his cock sprang to full stiffness, after softening considerably during her earlier telling. "Do you still want me after hearing what I did, Chris?" "Of course I do. I can't imagine how hard it was for you, and you did it for me. I can't help wonder, though, what would have happened if my folks found out." He felt her stiffen again just a little. "Uh, Jenny, is there more that you aren't telling me?" "Oh, Chris, I don't think I should..." "Please, Honey, let's not start our first night with a secret." He was absolutely stunned when she told him about the naked breakfasts. As the shock subsided a little, he started thinking of his mother naked - then his sister - and his aunt. Without warning, he was coming, grunting and heaving beneath her in a massive climax. When the spurts finally stopped, he was actually dizzy from the exertion. Jenny had been very nervous about revealing the breakfasts. She had wanted to bring him along carefully to avoid any negative reaction. Such a reaction no longer seemed a threat. Smiling to herself, she hugged him tenderly as he tried to regain his breath. When she was sure he was fully aware, she teased him. "Chris, Honey, I take it you wouldn't mind being naked with all your sexy female relatives, huh?" She giggled happily, then kissed him seriously. ------- Arriving at the Ferguson's after the short drive from Hank's, Angeline said a brief greeting to Mike and Karen, then practically towed Donna to the basement, where Dex was watching the news. He stood to greet them, then sat back down. Donna plopped next to him, but Angeline surprised him by sitting right on his lap, facing Donna. He braced himself for a taunt or an attack of some sort, but she surprised him. "Dex, tonight I do not want the teasing. I want to hear what has happened with Jenny. The girl I knew at college could not have done what she did tonight. The girl I visited six months ago could not. You and Donna must have done something, and I would hear of it, please." "Well, we got her started working with weights, and helped her start running. We have been working with her for the four weeks since Chris was last here." "And because of that, she could greet her lover naked tonight? Pah! I am not stupid! I think perhaps you were all naked together, n'est ce pas?" Donna and Dex looked at each other for a long moment before Donna spoke up. She admitted their sessions to Angeline, who insisted she wanted to here about it in detail. Donna described the major events, skipping the 'lessons' during the last week. During Donna's description, Angeline clung more and more tightly to Dex, resting her head on his shoulder and dropping tears on his shirt. "Thank you both so much for helping my friend. Now I can believe I did the right thing after she was raped. She is going to be loved and happy. The bad she will forget." She had to explain to Dex what she was concerned about after the rape. "Dex, you are fifteen? That cannot be! In France we think we are sophisticated about sex, but no fifteen year old Frenchman would do such things for a friend." "Angeline, I have had bad things happen to me so I had to learn many things very young. I really would rather not tell you about them, but I was happy I could help Jenny." "That you are both still virgin - is hard to believe. You wait for each other?" Donna fielded this question. "We both want to wait, and I want Dex to be my first. But, I told Dex once to go ahead and have sex if would help the woman. He did not, but I was willing." "With your permission, he did not? Please, tell me. I can keep secret." Once again checking with each other, Dex gave Angeline a very brief summary of his journey, omitting the naked times and the sex. Donna then told Angeline about Kristen, and Dex's need to help her because of her abuse. "Do you hope to be together always?" Angeline asked. Donna responded, "Oh, no, that can't happen and we know it. We will always love each other, but we will love others and marry others. In another year, I will go to college, probably to another city. Until then, we will enjoy each other and learn from each other." They kissed, somewhat awkwardly with Angeline on his lap. "You have something very special - you are fortunate. Jenny will be so happy in your family. I am so glad for her." "What about you, Angeline? Are you going to be happy?" "Oh, I am happy. I have had boyfriends. Right now I do not, but I do not worry. If I find my man in America or back in France, I do not know." Adopting her first mischievous look in a while, she added. "Perhaps I just wait for Dex. He is good with the older women, yes?" The laughter changed the somewhat somber mood. The next look she gave Dex, however, left considerable doubt about how much she was joking. The goodnight kiss she delivered before jumping off his lap deepened that doubt. For the rest of Angeline's stay, the 'standard formation' changed. Chris and Jenny were now inseparable, so it was Dex with Donna and Angeline on either side. ------- It took only a moment for the sleep haze to lift enough for Chris to remember where he was and who he was with. In their sleep, they had worked into the spoon configuration, with him behind. The arm over her was nestled under her lower breast. Needing to pee, he did his best to extricate himself without waking her, but as he slowly pulled his hand away, she moaned and rolled to her back. "Sorry, Hon. I didn't mean to wake you, but I have to go." "S'OK. Sore. Full." "I'll help you pump. Then we can relax and cuddle a while." "Oh, that sounds wonderful," she said, rousing herself, "but would I be awful if I said I wanted Amy to do it?" As she sat up on the edge of the bed, he came up behind her. He pulled her hair back behind her ear and kissed her on the neck. "There is no way you could be awful." She wriggled and giggled from the tickling sensation. "I'll go wake Hank, and you can get dressed and do whatever." "No, I've got keys. Let's let him sleep. I'll just throw something on quick. I'm really full, and I don't want to waste any time. Besides, whatever I wear will be a lot more than they saw me in last Saturday." She said this last as she walked toward the bathroom with an extra wiggle to her bare bottom. At the Ferguson's, no one was up and around yet. Chris went into his parents' room where Amy's crib was set up with all the bedrooms full. Not even waiting to change her, Jenny put the baby to work immediately on her swollen mammaries. Chris sat at one end of the living room sofa and Jenny leaned back against him as she nursed. Apparently awakened by Chris's extraction of the baby, Karen came down the stairs, and just stood for a while at the bottom, looking fondly at the tableau presented to her. Chris was the first to see her. He smiled, then said "Damn! Guess I'm just a week late, huh?" "What?" "Jenny told me about last Saturday's breakfast, and I was just lamenting what I missed." Feeling a sudden tingle run through her body, Karen tried to restrain her self but failed. Throwing her nighty off over her head and stepping out of her panties, she walked toward her son. Jenny saw what was happening and moved a bit away from Chris. "I'll bet this is what you most wanted to see, wasn't it?" Chris was frozen in total shock as, outwardly casual, she sat in his lap. "Or was it really Kristen? Donna?" Getting absolutely no response from him, and still amazed at her own actions, she pulled his head to her chest. "These aren't as big and beautiful as the ones you got to snuggle in last night, but a long time ago you used to like them pretty well." Suddenly concerned how Jenny might react to her little show, she looked over and was reassured by the broad grin Jenny gave her. Jenny, in fact was loving this. She reached over and took Chris's lifeless hand and placed it on Karen's hip. "Darling, your hands do wonderful things to a woman. Don't be afraid to touch your mother." Finally coming out of his stupor, Chris managed to at least get both arms around Karen, though he kept his hands perfectly still. Croaking more than speaking, he was able to get out "Mom, this is... unreal!" "No, Sweetie, it's real. It's loving and intimate, and there's nothing wrong with it. Now, I wish it had happened years ago. I'm kinda sad I'll have to wait a while to see you, though." She wiggled her ass a little and said "Glad to feel that Jenny didn't totally wear you out last night. Your old Mom is thrilled by your reaction." Both women broke up over this. Fearing others might appear soon, Karen gave Chris a short but intense kiss on the lips, then put her nightclothes back on and went upstairs. One by one, the rest of the family appeared. Ron staggered down the stairs in boxers and T, looking totally disheveled. Donna intercepted him and chased him back upstairs. "We have guests. You don't want to meet Angeline looking like that, do you?" Almost jarred awake, he retreated and returned in ten minutes looking presentable for a Saturday morning. Everyone greeted Jenny and Chris warmly, but all seemed rather subdued in their comments, and conversation at the table was more quiet than usual. About five minutes after they began eating, Jenny suddenly stood. "Hey, everyone! I need to say something. This is the Ferguson house. It should be a whole lot noisier at the table. You are all so sweet, and you are trying so hard not to embarrass me. Thank you, but it isn't necessary. Today, nothing could bother me. Last night, Chris made me feel so good I still can't believe it. So if you want to tease me about it, go ahead. I might even give you the details. Oh, and Donna - you were absolutely right about heredity." After a stunned moment, those present at Jenny's first naked breakfast completely disintegrated. Jenny whispered to Chris that she would explain later. It took a long time before Donna could regain enough control to give Angeline the same assurance. Poor Ron never did find out what had happened. The table thereafter returned to its normal raucous state. ------- The week before the wedding contained the predictable amount of mayhem, considering that Chris had just arrived home. Through it all, though, tempers never flared. The reason was Jenny. Everyone knew she was sweet, and no one could recall seeing her angry. Lately, she had exhibited a serenity that was contagious. Every day, her personality seemed to grow stronger. She was not the force that Angeline was - she did not take over gatherings. Rather, her strength was in her impenetrable attitude. She was happy, content, and deeply in love. Anything else that happened was trivial in comparison. She seemed compelled to share her joy with everyone she encountered, and had the rare ability to make fast friends with just a greeting and a smile. ------- During the week before the wedding, Carl picked up Dex and Donna one morning, and they met Susan, off duty, at a fast food place. They spent over an hour strategizing, discussing the best way to make sure the Frankels could not upset the wedding. Carl had turned in his final report and had been paid. He was absolutely certain the Frankels would show up at the wedding. Susan would be off-duty on Saturday, the wedding day. She agreed to extra duty, and Carl would pay the force the standard rate through his company. Dex insisted on reimbursing Carl. Carl would stake out the Frankels' home and follow them. He had some walkie-talkies with a reasonable range, and would communicate with Susan that way. Donna would cover for Dex, who was offically an usher, but would make the Frankels his primary task. ------- The church chosen for the ceremony seated about 350 in two sections with a center aisle. One brilliant idea hatched by Karen eliminated the customary 'bride's side - groom's side.' She wanted to emphasize that they were all Jenny's new family. Some very nice temporary chairs were placed in the center aisle for the first five rows, and the family was seated in the very center. The procession would be from the sides - men from one side, women from the other. Angeline, with Hank accompanying, began playing ten minutes before the starting time. Even those who had heard her practicing were struck by the intensity of sound the tiny girl could wrest from her violin. Just about the time Angeline began playing, Susan's walkie-talkie squawked and she came to fetch Dex. Her uniform (required for extra duty work) created a slight stir in the narthex, but because the party would enter from the sides, it did not interrupt preparations. Dex had warned the other ushers he might be called away, so with a nod to one of Mike's teacher friends, he walked outside with Susan. Carl had described the car, and they saw where it was parking. They were standing by both front doors when the Frankels tried to exit, pushing against the doors. "Please do not try to leave your car," Dex told Gerhardt Frankel. "You are not welcome here." Several other people were parking nearby, and noticed that something strange was happening, but had no idea what. It was Susan who made the next move. "Please unlock you rear doors and do not try to leave the car. We are getting into the back seat." Sputtering and protesting, Gerhardt reluctantly complied. Once they were all in the car, both of the Frankels started in with real venom, insisting they had a right to be there. Susan waited for them to run down a bit, then explained that because the church had been rented, this was a private gathering, and anyone could be excluded. "But we're the bride's parents!" Annette Frankel yelled. "No," Dex countered, "You chose not to be her parents any longer when you threw her out." "You don't know what you're talking about," Annette yelled back. "She took all the training and education, then just walked out." Dex simply said "I have the tape of your last phone call from Jenny." Both Frankels sat in frustrated silence. "You have two choices," Dex went on. "You can drive away peacefully. We will know if you try to return and will stop you. If you want to stay, we will lead you to an enclosed room where you cannot be seen or heard, but can see and hear the wedding." Susan snapped her head toward Dex at that point, giving him a very surprised look. This had not been part of the strategy. "If you choose that option, you will be led in and out looking like you are under arrest." "What makes you think you can force us to do either of those things," Gerhardt demanded. Dex casually reached over the seat back and squeezed a spot between the man's neck and shoulder. Gerhardt yelped, then swore as Dex released the pressure. "Believe me, I can," was all Dex said. "I'll sue you for that!" the man blustered. Neither Dex nor Susan bothered to reply. There was silence in the car for over a minute before Annette finally said "We want to watch." "I know your reason for being here is to disrupt. We will deal with any attempt very severely. I think I have demonstrated that I can." Dex said this in a very even, emotionless voice. "You wouldn't dare touch me!" Annette spat out. "That is why Officer Plonske is here," Dex replied. "She is well trained in techniques for restraining prisoners." "Prisoners! We're her parents!" Annette was screaming, now. "We've already been over that," Dex continued in his even tone. "That's the deal. Take it or leave it." "This wedding is a sham!" Annette was in full cry, now. "She is marrying this nobody just to embarrass us. Her name is not Jenny Ballard, and we did not give our permission for this marriage. We have a right to stop it." "Then I guess you have chosen to drive away. Oh, by the way, Jenny's name change papers arrived two days ago. She really is Jenny Ballard." That bit of news took the wind out Annette. She visibly slumped in her seat and said nothing for quite a while. "We want to see the ceremony, so please leave now. There are others besides us watching, so don't try to return." Dex and Susan opened their doors and started to get out. "Take us in." It was Gerhardt this time. Dex had everyone wait for a moment, and checked to make sure the sanctuary doors were closed. He came back to the car and he and Susan led the Frankels by the arm to an empty cry room at the rear of the sanctuary. They seated their 'prisoners' as Angeline was finishing her last intro piece. The ceremony was very moving. At least Dex thought so, and Susan seemed transfixed, as well. The unusual processional worked well, and Hank played the organ as if he did it all the time. After the vows, Jenny sang her solo with Angeline on the violin and Hank on piano. No one who met her in early June could have believed the poise and feeling with which she sang. After her scheduled solo, Jenny shocked everyone by continuing to face the audience. As the applause from her solo died down, she spoke to the congregation. "I want to do something that is very unusual at a wedding because my journey to this happy occasion has been unusual. I have been a victim of vicious, heartless rape and cruel rejection. Angeline, my maid of honor, and Hank, my new father, helped put me back together again. One of the most meaningful parts of my healing was singing with Hank after dinner every night, holding Amy. You heard how beautifully Hank played classical and religious music, but his real love is country. He calls it 'heart music, ' and he is a man with a huge heart. I want to share with you with a special country song I have learned about a father giving away his daughter. Hank, please come back to the piano and play, and Kristen, please bring me Amy." There were gasps and more than a few 'ooooohs' as Kristen brought a well-fed and groggy Amy and placed her in Jenny's arms. When he could finally move, Hank came to the piano, Jenny whispered in his ear, and he began the intro to "She's Still My Little Girl." Jenny stood beside the piano in their familiar positions. The song was a ballad, but definitely country. Hank had to play strictly by touch, as his eyes were soon functioning only as leaking faucets. There were very few dry eyes in the sanctuary as Jenny sang with the same skill as before, but an emotional intensity that was almost painful. Looking serene while everyone else was a shambles, Jenny handed Amy over to the openly weeping Kristen and resumed her place beside Chris. The ceremony finished and the couple was announced. Hank was almost catatonic, unable to play the organ for the recessional. Angeline slipped to the piano and began playing a classical number. Instead of marching down the aisle, Jenny and Chris stepped down to their families. Jenny first sat beside Hank, and hugged him tenderly. Then the couple went to Karen and Mike and hugged them. The rest of the family moved the chairs aside and came up to greet the couple. After a few minutes, Hank had regained some control. Jenny took his arm and proceeded around to a side aisle. Chris took Karen's arm, and Mike followed right behind. As the crowd migrated to the basement where the reception was set up, Dex and Susan watched the Frankels to make sure they stayed unnoticed. At one point, Annette gave a little snort and exclaimed, "She's still using that rape story!" Susan was sniffling, but spoke right up. "It's no story. I looked up the arrest warrant and talked to a DA in New York. They have an open and shut case. Jenny was drugged and raped, and she was a virgin at the time." Dex took a huge amount of perverse satisfaction in the look on Annette's face. It ran through so many emotions he could not track them all. Unable to resist, he told Annette, "I'm glad you two are small-minded, distrusting, and hateful. Jenny is free. She has a wonderful daughter, a husband who adores her, and a whole new, real, family who will help her grow and flourish. Someday, Jenny's name will be in lights, and it won't be your name." It was a very subdued couple who were escorted to their car after everyone had moved downstairs. As they drove off, Annette looked back with another indecipherable look on her face. Dex invited Susan to the reception, and had her tell Carl to come in as soon as he was sure the Frankels were no longer a problem. ------- The reception, though done on a modest budget, was rich in friendship and warmth. Jenny, continuing the emergence of her personality, was absolutely everywhere. The congratulations for her marriage and her singing were handled with such genuine warmth that every guest left feeling like a personal friend. At one point, Jenny had walked away from Chris, and Karen came up and leaned back against Chris, pulling his arms around her. They both just watched Jenny for a while, then Karen asked "Who would ever have thought she could do this?" "Yeah. Mom, I thought I was marrying this poor wounded bird. I was more than willing to help her out of her shell. Now, what am I going to do?" "Try to keep up with her, I guess. Are you disappointed, Chris?" "Of course not. I married her because I loved her in spite of her lack of confidence and all her fears. I wasn't looking for some timid pet. I just knew there was a strong person in there - I was right. She's out. Just look at her!" A little later, Margo Santee joined Karen. "I'm terribly jealous of you, you know?" "Oh?" "You had this marvelous daughter-in-law just fall in your lap. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get the one I want." "You've got her all picked out? Who?... Ohhhhh! That doesn't look too likely from here, does it?" "See why I'm jealous?" Across the room, Kristen, still carrying Amy, cornered Dex. "Dex, Honey, I really need to meet this Coach of yours. Carrying Amy like this makes me ache for one of my own. I've still got time, but not much." "Kristen, would you really just marry someone so he could give you kids?" "No, not really? I'm just feeling sorry for myself - again." A very important conversation took place when the crowd began to thin. This was between Hank Ballard and 'Hoss' Blackledge. Hoss was the proprietor of the Country Dance Emporium, the biggest country music establishment in town, and the place where Hank filled in quite frequently. Hoss had been a studio musician in Nashville for many years and knew his way around the country music business. He had saved scrupulously and a few years ago purchased what was now the Emporium. He and Hank were kindred souls, Hoss having suffered a painful divorce, also. Over the last few years, Hank had come to regard Hoss as his closest friend. Hoss was tall, like Hank, but as befitted his name, was large in every other dimension, as well. With his size, his long hair, and his shaggy beard, he had a small side career as an extra in movies that required stereotype bikers. he could walk right on the set with no involvement from make-up. "I thought you were my friend," Hoss said, looking sternly at Hank. "Huh?" "Why have you been hiding the next Loretta Lynn?" "Oh! She's something else, isn't she? Hoss, I have not been hiding her. If you met Jenny in early June, you would not recognize her as the same person who got married today. I have never seen anything like it, but she has just blossomed. It's almost like a butterfly." "Well, when can I get your butterfly up on my stage?" "She's her own butterfly, now, but if you try to talk to her this next week, I'll have to take you out." "Big talk! Seriously, though. With just a little work, I could take her to the Ryman right now. I've played for most of the big names, you know. Hank, your girl has got it!" "You know, Hoss, she has two years at Juliard. She is classically trained. She does country with me for my sake. I don't honestly know if she would do it professionally." ------- Much later, back home, Angeline was already asleep in the room she shared with Donna. Donna got up and went to her parents' room, pulling back the covers and wedging herself between their sleeping forms. Karen acquired speech capability slightly before Mike and asked, "Honey, is something wrong?" "Yup. I don't want to be a virgin any more." Karen's reaction was motionless silence. Mike, however, responded in a more physical way. He pulled back as if Donna was on fire, and sat up on the edge of the bed. He still had said nothing. "Daddy, relax! I'm not asking you to make love to me. At least not right now." With that, she giggled. "I am asking you to get back in bed, though. This is important, and I want both of you real close when we talk about it." The past several weeks had been a turbulent period for Mike's set of values. He had ended up doing things that should have been unthinkable. Much of what he had been brought up to believe had to be re-evaluated. His women - he now thought of them that way - had lovingly, and sometimes humorously, worked him through the shock. And then there was Dex, always watching placidly, making Mike feel like the naive teen in the midst of adults. Donna's physical aggressiveness was still hard for him to deal with. Did he like it? Hell, yes! He had to admit he absolutely loved it. Somehow she made it seem so loving and intimate, without making him feel dirty in the least. It was obvious that she wanted the contact, the intimacy. Even when she made him get hard, she somehow never let him be embarrassed. She was certainly her mother's daughter, and he was thankful for that. Daily, he mentally shook his head over his good fortune with the women in his life. This was not the first time Donna had mentioned making love to him. That was still a huge hurdle, even with everything else that had transpired. After a lot of thought and several sleepless night, he had reached only one conclusion: this whole love and sex business was in the women's control. His main job was to make sure he never did anything they weren't in favor of. Now, here was his only daughter, just seventeen, announcing she was ready to have sex. He really could not argue about her being ready, physically or emotionally. Her maturity surprised and thrilled him over and over. But this was a big deal, and she announced it to her parents! How should a father react? He knew the answer before the question really registered in his mind. He should react with love, concern, and gratitude. Gratitude that he did not find out through morning sickness or an elopement, as so many of his acquaintances had. Think of her. How much love and respect did it take to bring her here for this announcement? How frightened must she be, despite her outward calm? He wished the time had not come, but he would probably never be comfortable with her having sex until she was married. This is a watershed moment in her life. Make it memorable for love and care, not for tension and strife. His musings having taken only a moment, Mike moved back onto the bed. He lay on his back, partially elevated against the headboard. He pulled Donna up against himself, her back to his side, and his arms around her. Pushing her hair away with his nose, he kissed her on the neck. "Sorry, Baby. You just startled me. You've got to admit that was some wake up call, huh?" Donna squirmed against him and turned her head back for a kiss. She took one of his hands and placed in right over her tit, holding it in place with her own hand. "Thanks, Daddy. Guess I can see how you might be startled. Mom, are you OK? Is it alright if Daddy loves me up a little while we talk?" Karen answered by moving right up tight to them, laying her head on Donna's chest, and reaching across her to Mike's crotch. "I don't have to ask what brought this on, now, do I?" "No, Mom, I guess not. I mean, just living around you guys is enough, but with Jenny and Chris on top of it - get me on the pill, quick! Please!" "We'll get you an appointment right away, Sweetie. You know, it is different when it's with your life partner. We've already talked about the danger of you and Dex thinking that way about each other." "We're still OK on that, Mom. We can't be life partners, but we will be life-long lovers. Someday, it may not mean sex anymore, but that won't change how we feel about each other. Besides, Dex won't be the only one. I don't have anyone else in mind yet, except you, Daddy, but we both know that will happen. And I'm going to make sure Dex has others, too. I've got some friends who could really use some of Dex's special attention." "I didn't think Angeline would leave town without getting in his pants." "Yeah, I saw a lot of that. On a serious note, I'm going to want to sleep with Dex in his bed. How do you guys feel about that?" "How about if we start off saying not on school nights. Can you live with that?" "Mom, this is your house - your rules. I feel so lucky to be able to make love in my own house." Mike spoke for the first time in a while. "Baby, imagine how it makes us feel that you trust us and confide in us." "Just shows how good a Dad job you did. Mom job, too." She turned her head for another kiss from Mike. "What an unbelievable day this has been! Can I sleep here tonight? Is it OK if I get between you and your man this one time, Mom?" "Oh, you're not really coming between us, Sweetie. It's like you're one more thing that bonds us together." With that, they all snuggled in together for some sleep. ------- The week after the wedding did not go exactly according to plan. The couple insisted on taking Angeline Sunday afternoon for her flight to school. When they returned to the Fergusons', they insisted they wanted everything back to normal - Hank back in his house and Amy with them. Jenny kept saying "My whole life is like a honeymoon. Why would I want to go anywhere else? Why would I want my father and my daughter to stay away from me?" Hank was more than happy to have the newlyweds living in his apartment. He had actually come to dread the time when he would be alone again. The apartment had only a bedroom, a bath, and a small family room with a compact kitchen at one end. The nearest room in the main house was the study. Hank moved everything from the study to a vacant bedroom upstairs, and Amy was moved into that space. There were many things Chris and Jenny needed, but no money to buy them. They worked out ways to make do until some income came in. One thing they could not do without was a car. Fortunately, Karen's parents still had two cars, one of which was hardly used at all. ------- Dex asked Karen to invite everyone for Thursday evening, and include Carl Plonske and his sister Susan. Karen was puzzled by this invitation, but Dex refused to answer her until they arrived. It was not a dinner invitation, just dessert and coffee, so everyone gathered in the family room. Dex explained that this could be difficult for Jenny, but he did not feel comfortable keeping it secret from her. He then let Carl, and later Susan recount the events surrounding the Frankels. Of course, everyone was watching Jenny with concern. She, in turn, hung on every word of the tale, never once expressing any fear or anger. Chris became visibly upset several times, but it was Jenny who calmed him down. Carl had a difficult time at the beginning. He apologized profusely to Jenny for spying on her. He managed to joke about his ineptitude at letting Dex get the best of him, but described the events exactly as they happened. No one knew him coming in, and his contract with the Frankels did not make anyone feel warm toward him. However, as Susan told of the planning and the wedding day activities, they all realized how he had gone out of his way to make amends. Susan had an excellent memory, and recounted conversations with the Frankels in great detail. When she replayed Dex's comment about Jenny's name in lights, Jenny interrupted. "I don't know if that will ever happen, but I know I would get satisfaction from getting back at them. Say, Hank, do you think I have any chance as a country singer? Imagine how that would infuriate them!" She broke into laughter, even though the rest, especially Hank, were too awed by her attitude to join in. Hank could hardly wait to get to a phone and call Hoss. When it was over, Jenny treated the whole affair as a grand adventure. "Hey," she declared at one point, "If they had gotten in and shouted and waved signs, it couldn't have made me feel bad. I honestly think I would have laughed at them." By this time, the family believed her. Kristen and Susan chatted quite a while afterward. Susan seemed genuinely interested in Kristen's progress, and Kristen was happy for the chance to thank the young officer. ------- Friday morning, Hoss Blackledge had the easiest recruiting job of his life. Hank had told him to get out there right away. Jenny agreed instantly, wondering if she could do a couple numbers that very night. She laid down two conditions, though. Hank had to be in the band when she sang. In addition, she wanted a place where Amy could sleep at the Emporium. She declared that her singing career would never start if she had to get a sitter, or if she had to leave Chris home with her children. It was understood from then on, that for Jenny, performing was a family event. Because of all her sing-alongs with Hank, Jenny had a decent repertoire already. They auditioned several for Hoss, and settled on five numbers. She would do two sets, separated by an hour, so she could repeat the same numbers. There was a minor panic when Jenny realized she had no western clothes to wear. Hoss handed her $300 and told her it was an advance. Of course, Jenny's mind went immediately from shopping to Donna, and she hurried to the phone. They set up a sound check and familiarization for 4 o'clock that afternoon. Before Donna joined Jenny for shopping, she called Karen at work. This started a near meltdown of the local phone exchange, as Karen enlisted callers to help build a big crowd for Jenny's early show - her first as a pro. ------- After a hurried conversation with Chris, it was decided Jenny would sing under the name Jenny Ballard. She was concerned that he might be offended, but he was the one who said it had a more marketable ring to it. Jenny's point was that it shielded the family. When the bartender/MC took the mic at 8:30 to announce Jenny, Hoss asked Hank, who was at the keyboard, "Where did all these people come from? I never had an early Friday crowd like this!" "Weren't you at the wedding? I think two thirds of your crowd was there. If you'd have talked to some people instead of just drooling over Jenny, you might have recognized them. Don't plan on this crowd buying a lot of drinks, though." Jenny stepped out wearing a black and silver western shirt with matching hat. Her skintight black jeans were tucked into silver trimmed black boots. With her light blonde hair and pale complexion, she was a visual treat. The crowd exploded, and Hank had to wait for things to calm down before beginning the intro. The serenity that characterized her demeanor at the wedding was even more evident as she began to sing. She made no errors in the words or the music. She had not yet developed all the vocal shadings that were common to country singers, but this was obvious only to expert observers. What everyone knew was that her voice reached right inside of them and made things happen. Between sets, Jenny and Chris sat together while she nursed Amy. Chris was wired and could hardly sit still, but she was just plain happy. Without any prior discussion, Dex took up station as a doorman for the couple. There were a number of people who wanted in, but he only admitted family until the nursing was finished. The only real problems in her first set were between her and the band. In the late set, the coordination was much better. The late audience was not packed with well-wishers, but the response was just as enthusiastic. After the five scheduled numbers, Jenny had a hurried conversation with Hank, and added three more. Dex and Donna were the only family that stayed for the second set, and it turned out to be critical that Dex was there. Country crowds are generally not too rowdy, and Hoss worked hard to keep the Emporium appealing to a diverse crowd. It had taken quite a bit of talking, in fact, just to get Dex and Donna inside, as they were underage. Not everything can be controlled, however. After finishing her singing and chatting with well-wishers, Jenny left beside Chris, who was carrying the sleeping Amy. Donna and Dex were right behind them. They were barely ten yards out the door when three twenty-somethings, obviously well along toward stupor, came up behind them. There were the predictable rude propositions toward the girls. Chris immediately started to hand Amy to Jenny, but Dex stopped him with a sharp command. It was a good thirty yards to Chris's car, and farther yet to Donna's. They were quite close to the entry, but the three would-be assailants were in the way. "Gentlemen, would you excuse us, please. We forgot some of the baby's things inside," Dex said, and took a step back toward the door. "You get the stuff - girls comin' wif us," slurred the boldest of the three. "You are drunk, and about to get yourselves in big trouble," Dex told them. "Use your head and just walk away." Dex appeared very calm, but his mind was racing. Most of his training had been in reacting to an attack of some kind. Here, he was faced with a non-attacking foe who had to be removed for the safety of his family. Not only that, all three of them were in a line barring the path to the door. Dex had just decided the safest course was to run rear guard as the others hurried to the car, when the main door opened and a couple came out. "Sir," Dex shouted, "Get back inside and send the bouncer out, quickly, please." The man paused only a second before pulling his partner hurriedly back inside, yelling out "OK." "Ya stupid kid! Wad ja do tha' fer?" and the spokesman lunged at Dex. This was perfect, as far as Dex was concerned. The focus was away from Chris and the girls, and he had a clumsy attacker to deal with. Actually, three attackers, as the other two moved toward him as soon as their addled brains figured out what was happening. The bouncer burst through the door, closely followed by Hoss, just as the third drunk was sinking to his knees, one leg completely numb. The lead guy was motionless on his back, probably concussed from hitting his head on the tarmac. The second lay on his side clutching his nose, which was bloody from a one point landing. Hoss and the bouncer stood motionless for several seconds. "Sorry I had to be so rough on them," Dex said. "I couldn't take any chances. I didn't know how quickly you could get out here." "I'll be damned!" Hoss finally said, and that was all for several more seconds. Hank was still playing with the band, but word somehow filtered to him, and he came charging out at that point, and went right to the girls to make sure they were all right. It didn't take long for Hoss to shift into proprietor mode. He had been overjoyed at the response to Jenny's performance, and was devastated at the possibility she would be scared off by the incident. It turned out one of the three drunks had been thrown out of the Emporium for drunkenness after the first set. The other two had never been inside. Hoss had not had a singer on his stage for quite some time. His police call record was very low, and his reputation for clean, safe, fun was very important to him. To his credit, Hoss did not try to evade responsibility or beg Jenny to return. He apologized and told Jenny he understood if she wanted forget the whole idea. They all went home very subdued. ------- It was well into the morning when the family gathered for the now traditional naked Saturday brunch. It was Chris's first time, and it was hard to tell who was more excited about it. Ron had returned to school, and that eliminated a concern they all had about his participation. Jenny had willingly reduced Chris's risk of an erection to the lowest possible level. It was not entirely successful, but Karen, Kristen, and Donna were all very gentle with him and he was able to relax much more quickly than he had expected. The gathering was any man's dream. Karen, Kristen, and Donna shared very similar builds. They were medium height for women, and their overall appearance was trim. The months of exercise was apparent on the older women, and Donna still had her youthful tightness. Their complexion was medium light, and all three had light brown hair with darker brown pubes. Karen had the widest hips and the largest tits with the most sag, probably because of her gravida of three. Her tits were a generous B and the others were a solid B. All three had taut, well rounded asses. When they walked, there was a spring to the motion and an impression of strength. Karen had some shadowy stretch marks, but her belly was surprisingly flat. Donna and Kristen were perfect candidates for the bare midriff look. Jenny was a contrast to the other women, but no less lovely. Her skin and hair coloring were noticeably lighter, and all her curves more pronounced. He tummy was not yet as taut as Karen's but she had made impressive progress. It was only after they were done eating that Chris could wrench his mind from the beautiful bodies around him and focus on another subject. Jenny seemed to sense this, and waded into the subject everyone had been dancing around. "I don't want to stop singing," was all she said. Chris responded quickly. "I don't want Jenny to stop singing, either, but I will not let her be at risk, either. We have to come up with a way to make sure she and Amy are safe. I feel like Jenny belongs up there, and I think you all saw the same thing." Dex spoke up at this point. "Let me call Carl and ask him to come over. This is something he knows about." They all agreed and Carl arranged to be there at noon. Carl had a number of suggestions to increase safety. He also tried to talk Jenny into leaving Amy at home, but she made it clear that the point was not negotiable. They ended up getting Hoss to agree to pay for Carl as a bodyguard. He told them he had already decided to start a cover charge when Jenny sang, so it would not hurt him financially. Hoss was tremendously relieved to keep his new star on the marquee. ------- Chapter 11 (Fifteen years earlier) It had been a rough year for Dennis Boggs (Coach) since the Madisons died. In the warped thinking of their little town, he somehow ended up being blamed for the mass upheaval that befell the town's leadership. Not that the three years before had been great, either. Less than five years ago, he had been, he thought, happily married, and moving along nicely in his coaching career. Janice had been his high-school sweetheart, even though she was three years behind him. The eldest daughter of a very conservative, religious family, their dating and courtship had been chaste, often to his total frustration. Against the wishes of both sets of parents, they married right after her high school graduation, while he still had a year remaining on his bachelor's degree. He took her virginity on their wedding night, and his three previous experiences had been so long ago and so unremarkable that he was little better than a fumbling virgin himself. Over the twelve years of their marriage, she had morphed into a completely different, nearly unrecognizable person. The blushing bride phase passed in a flash, and he found himself wedded to a nymphomaniac. He certainly thought this a positive development, having a strong, long-repressed libido himself. They were very much in love, and happily sated their desires with each other. He absolutely adored her, as he had for years. As the years went by, it became more and more apparent, though, that she adored herself at least as much as him. Her 'precious, perfect Barbie Doll' upbringing had imprinted heavily on her, fostering a narcissism that little by little eroded her formerly sweet personality. Out of school, Dennis landed an assistant basketball coaching job at a major suburban high school, and was promoted to head coach five years later when his predecessor retired. Not just a jock, he had actually majored in statistics, having a naturally mathematical and scientific bent. He taught college placement math courses at the high school, in addition to his coaching. The school had a strong basketball tradition, and he took the team to three regionals and one state tournament in his seven year tenure. Janice's narcissism could not tolerate the deformation of her body that pregnancy would cause. In the first few years, lack of money and the stress of starting careers made children a non-issue. She took a job, and came to enjoy the business world. She was bright and personable, and a natural salesperson. With the extra salary from his promotion to head coach, he thought it time to start a family, but she would not hear of it. She also was loathe to give up her job, at which she was earning as much as he was. While he was spending long hours with teen-aged boys, she was involved with successful, attractive adults, many with sophisticated sexual tastes. Although it took several years, and she remained faithful for a long time, she became more and more intrigued by the sexual practices her business contemporaries bragged about. The couple's sex life remained more than satisfactory, becoming more intense, if anything. The one thing he had always considered a negative trait was her 'prissiness.' This became progressively worse. The thought of ever being less than perfectly dressed, coiffed, and made up became unthinkable to her. What little they had ever shared of sporting or outdoor activities disappeared. Because he still adored her, he could have tolerated her style and grooming demands, even though they strained their combined budget. She honestly seemed to love him, as well, and that helped him to overlook and tolerate their increasing incompatibilities for a long time. The lack of a family was very painful to him, but he was resigned to that as well. It was only her increasing demands to 'expand their sexual horizons' that exceeded his personal limits. He thought he could handle anything between the two of them, but one tentative foray into light bondage left him so shaken he refused to even consider it again. When she tried to talk about threesomes and swapping, he would just stalk away. ------- Dennis remembered the night with painful clarity. It was mid-summer and they had been invited to dinner and a swim at the home of one of Janice's business associates. He knew them from previous casual meetings, but was not well acquainted. Janice seemed unusually 'wired' as they prepared for the get-together, and as usual, she looked stunning. He was a little surprised when they arrived to find it was to be just the two couples. Their hosts were older by six or seven years, but both very attractive. The men shared a strong interest in sports, and the women had no trouble finding things to talk and laugh about. Dennis began to relax and enjoy the good food and the relaxing company. After a leisurely meal and a cooperative clean up effort, the hostess said it was time to move the party out to the pool. It was getting toward dusk, and the day's blistering heat was subsiding. The men, predictably, were in their suits chatting by the pool first. Dennis was facing the house and literally dropped his soda when the women came out naked. To the hostess' cheery "Hey, you guys are way overdressed!" the host stood and stripped of his suit, leaving Dennis the only one not nude. "Come on, Honey, loosen up," Janice urged him, "just relax and have some fun." He was certainly no prude, and their hosts were very nice, so he reluctantly doffed his suit and tried to enter into the spirit of the evening. Janice was ecstatic, and the flirtatious play in the pool was stimulating. He found himself relaxing more than he would have thought possible. After an hour or so of skinny dipping, Dennis went in to use the toilet. As he exited the bathroom, the hostess met him in the hall, pushing herself tightly against him and telling him, "Come on, Dennis, let's go back to the bedroom and get better acquainted." Grasping his limp penis, she said "Le't see if we can get this guy more into the sprit of the evening." Trying not to show the anger he felt, he gently pushed her away and told her, "I'm sorry. I can't do that. I love Janice, and I could never betray her." "But she's dying for you to join us, and..." "What do you mean, join you!!?" Her face drained of all color, and she clapped a hand to her mouth. "Oh, God!! No! Dennis, I didn't mean..." Tears flooded her eyes as she turned and dashed away down the hall. He was frozen in shock for a moment. He was always a decisive, quick-acting person, and he found his clothes, dressed quickly, and was out of the house in half a minute. He walked for a mile and a half to a convenience store where he called a cab to take him home. Janice had beat him home, and met him at the at the door absolutely distraught and trying desperately to apologize. "Honey! Honey! I'm so sorry! Please don't be angry!" When she tried to embrace him, he turned away from her and burst into tears himself. She wailed, "She wasn't supposed to do that! It's too soon!" Then the anger took over. "Too soon!? You mean you thought you could ease me into it? You couldn't talk me into swinging so you just went ahead on your own, didn't you? Why couldn't you believe me when I said I only wanted you. I gave you everything I could. I'm sorry I'm not enough for you!" "No! No! No! You're a wonderful lover and wonderful husband! It's just... Oh, God!" She disintegrated into further wails of anguish. It had never occurred to her that she could fail to bring him into her sexual adventures. ------- In her own way, she did love him deeply, and craved the wonderful sex they had always enjoyed. He loved her, and always would, but the sexual attraction had been destroyed. He determined to forgive her and try to restore their marriage, but he was never again able to achieve an erection with her. They tried months of counseling. She even agreed to get pregnant, but nothing worked. He was kind and considerate to her, and honestly tried to make the sex work, but after a number of shattering failures, they both gave up, and he moved to another bedroom. Realizing there was no other option, they finally agreed to see a lawyer. Arriving home very late from an away basketball game, he found her unconscious on the living room couch. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead a few hours later from a massive sleeping pill overdose. This was a tragedy with no real villains. Her sheltered, pampered, pedestal-mounted upbringing caused her to abuse him in ways she was not even aware of. The selfishness that denied him children was bred into her by her strict but doting parents. When thrown into the sex-charged corporate sales environment, she had no defenses for the temptations that bombarded her. She was a sexual predator's dream. It is perhaps harsh to portray their hosts of that fateful night as predators, but they certainly were more than willing to take advantage of her naivete. As far as she could understand love, she loved Dennis completely. Her desire to include him in her swinging activities was an honest reflection of that love. Understanding and accommodating his feelings about fidelity was something she was incapable of. For his part, he was blessed/afflicted with an absolute personal code of monogamy. He was more than willing to abide by it himself, and it was a cornerstone of his love for Janice. When she broke the code, his mind and his heart were able to forgive her and take her back. His libido, however, was not subject to reason. It was a source of incredible anguish to him that he could still be aroused by all the usual stimuli, except by the wife he adored. He likely could have recovered over time, but the pain they both suffered was too much to endure when the end was not in sight. In her remorse and her desire for forgiveness, Janice had revealed all of the people she had been involved with - there were over a dozen. When a group of them arrived at the reviewal, Dennis went absolutely berserk. He screamed at them and had to be physically restrained from attacking all of them. He could not be subdued, and was sedated and hospitalized, missing the funeral altogether. As a successful coach, Dennis was a person of some note around town, and the incident became news. An ambitious young TV reporter launched what was to become a network career by uncovering the whole story in remarkable detail. Dennis refused to talk to her at all, but she was honest, and portrayed him as the victim. Neither family knew anything of Janice's dalliances or their marital problems, so they were in complete shock. Even with the current permissive sexual climate, most of the participants in Janice's little sex clique saw their careers and sometimes their lives ruined. The hostess from the pool party was to be dependent on anti-depression medicine for the rest of her life, and her marriage did not last out the year. Even though he was accorded public sympathy, Dennis found his situation intolerable. The public perception of Janice hurt him deeply - he still could not picture her as anything but his pure, loving bride. He finished the basketball season, and the school board, in acknowledgement of his contributions, excused him from teaching for the rest of the school year, but continued his salary. He put his name out, but only for positions at least a thousand miles away. He received several feelers from large districts, but when visiting them, it felt too much like what he was leaving. He wanted to withdraw, so he chose the small town where Dex lived, giving up a large percentage of his earnings, and taking over a team that had not had a winning year in a decade. The important thing was that nobody knew or cared about his background. He had worked hard and well to build the team and the feeder system upon which all winning programs depend. When he first saw Dex playing in a Junior High game, he knew he had the star he needed to achieve credibility. As a bonus, he came to genuinely care for the boy. During his three year's in 'exile, ' he had had zero social contact with women. This was a source of endless gossip in the town, because he was far and away the most eligible male in the county. He had not had an uninterrupted night's sleep since Janice's death, and he fought hard to fill his time with activities that could keep his thoughts off of her. The first time he visited Dex's home and met Kathy, his tortured world was knocked further off kilter. He was immediately attracted to her, the first feelings he had sensed for any woman for years. Nothing was done about his feelings, of course, for she was married, and his personal code put her totally off limits. As he learned enough to get a picture of her abuse, his feelings intensified. When the final tragedy occurred, it was only his determination to help Dex that kept him from disintegrating. ------- The Ferguson's had made it a point to keep in touch with Coach throughout the year, and he had visited them on four weekends. Just the existence of this exemplary family, along with his satisfaction at seeing Dex so well situated, was enormously important to his mental stability. When he knew he could not stand another year in his once-safe retreat, he started looking for another job. He had a strong preference to locate near Dex, rather than in his home area, and finally landed the assistant job at Addison. This job paid slightly less than the one he was leaving, and the cost of living was higher. The only consolation was his ability to take course work for free. He had hopes of an advanced degree in statistics and probability. In his late thirties, he was reduced to once again living at a poor student level. ------- After Kristen left the Fergusons' following that first time naked with them, the family held a strategy session. All agreed Coach and Kristen would be an ideal match. Even though both were sorely wounded, they would be a good fit. Though Kristen had already talked about pursuing Coach, probably in jest, they knew she would not easily trust another man. Coach's reluctance about women was at least as deep-seated. They had just heard Kristen's story, but knew almost nothing about Coach's history. That became the first priority. As soon as Coach got to town, Mike and Karen worked hard to get him to talk. Dex and Donna were excluded from their efforts for two reasons. They thought he might open up better to just the adults, and the teens were responsible for keeping Kristen away from Coach until they could engineer the optimal meeting. At the third get-together, Coach unburdened himself in a very emotional session. Knowing his story, the family plotted the next move. ------- The second Saturday after the wedding, Dex had called Coach and invited him to see the dojo and go out for breakfast. Donna took one car and staked out the restaurant, watching for them to finish. She hurried back to the house ahead of them, and sent her parents on their way to pick up Kristen and run back home with her. This was their normal Saturday routine, only slightly delayed. It was a good plan, well executed, and Dex and Coach were outside shooting hoops when the three came panting up. Kristen was hugely embarrassed to meet an object of her interest when clad in her silky, slit-legged shorts and a sports bra top. She was sweaty and flushed, and her unwashed hair was tied back in a pony tail. Her flush from exertion masked her blush, which was a combination of embarrassment and anger, and she was barely able to observe the normal niceties, before insisting she needed to go in the house for a few minutes. For his part, Coach was barely able to speak because of Kristen's resemblance to Kathy. On top of that, she looked healthy, athletic, and just plain sexy in his eyes. Karen followed Kristen into the house, where Kristen whirled to face her in anger. "Why didn't you tell me he was going to be here? Look at me! With a first impression like this, he'll never want anything to do with me! How could you let this happen?" "Before you claw my eyes out, we set it up this way on purpose." "You, what?" "Dennis is an athlete, and into fitness. Because of his marriage, he wants nothing to do with vain women who think only of their looks. You made just the right impression. I was watching, and he damn near sprung a hardon when he saw you." "You gotta be kidding!" "Nope! Now, Sis, we are going to try to get him to walk or jog back home with you. If he does, don't worry about how you look, and don't you dare take any time to dress up or make up your face. Shower, shorts, and T-shirt will be the way to get to the guy. I guarantee it. If you do get together, try to get him to tell his story. Start off with yours, if you have to. OK?" "Well, I still don't know whether to kiss you or claw you, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. God, I didn't remember him being that hunky!" "You don't remember much from the funeral, do you? You were in tough shape yourself about then." "Yeah... Karen... thanks! I know you want the best for me, and I appreciate it." When the sisters had walked into the house, Dennis stood looking as if someone had slugged him. "Are you all right, Coach?" Dex asked him. "Um... yeah, it's just..." "She's a babe, isn't she? Can you imagine the heaven I landed in, with all these gorgeous women around? Seriously, though, we're all proud of Kristen. She had a horrific time in a bad marriage - a lot like what happened to Mom. She's starting to get back to her old self, but we can tell it's a tough go. She is very lonely." Mike spoke up at this point. "Say, Dennis, we don't want to push you into anything, but Kristen has had no male companionship but us for a long time. If you were to walk or jog back home with her, she would be thrilled. You could drive our car back. If you should spend any time with her, get her to tell you her story. She needs to open up about it. You might have to talk about yourself to get her started." Having no way to know about the plot, Dennis fell right into it, thinking he would be helping Kristen, and definitely not opposed from a personal standpoint. They all went into the house and had a cold drink. As they were sitting, Dennis spoke to Kristen. "Kristen, would you allow me to walk you back to your place. I know we met at the funeral, but I never got to say more than hello. I could take Mike's keys and drive his car back." "Why, Dennis, I would love that. If you don't mind, though, I would like to get my usual workout in while I'm here." The family could hardly hide their astonishment at this move. "You could kill a half hour more with these folks, or come down and keep me company." With that, she stood and headed for the basement steps. With a quick, almost panicky look toward the others, Dennis stood and followed her. When the basement door closed, Donna and her mother leaped toward each other and hugged and danced around like crazy women. Mike asked, "Do you think Kristen just blew it?" Karen plopped herself in his lap and hugged him. "Mike, you are dear, but sometimes, you are clueless! That was the smartest thing she could have done! When he comes up those stairs, he will be ready for a ring.!" "A nose ring?" quipped Dex, throwing them all into barely suppressed laughter. At the bottom of the stairs, Kristen turned and waited for Dennis. She put a hand gently on his arm. "Dennis, I'm sorry! You made a very nice offer, and I go and get selfish on you. Maybe we should just leave now. I can catch up on my workout later." "Absolutely not. I am pleased, and more than a little amazed, that you would let me watch." "Oh, why is that?" "Well, my, uh, wife would never let me see her any way but perfectly done up, except maybe in bed." He blushed when he said that. "I'm sorry, that last was more than you wanted to hear, I'll bet. Anyway, her workouts were at a club, dressed in outfits that cost about a week of my salary. You really just met me, yet you seem perfectly relaxed, even though you probably don't think you look your best, right? I think that's great. You know, I have nothing but finding an apartment on my schedule for about ten days, and I can't think of a more pleasant way to spend time than with you." Kristen could hardly contain her gratitude to Karen for her wisdom in setting this up. The workout provided an excellent conversation starter as he asked how long she had been doing it and how she got started. As a successful coach, he had a naturally aggressive personality, and a strong presence. Certainly no drooling teenager, he still had a hard time keeping his eyes off of her, and she was acutely aware of his interest. For her part, she liked his direct manner and his easy confidence, and she definitely liked his looks. When they emerged from the downstairs a half hour later, they were chatting easily. Mike tossed Dennis his keys, and they left. They were unaware of the four sets of eyes that watched them walk away, and the cheers that erupted when they spontaneously clasped hands about two blocks down. Mike mischievously set up a little week by week chart where the family members could place dollars bets on when the two would sleep together and when they would wed. When they got to Kristen's apartment, she asked him if he could stay for lunch. When he agreed, she asked him to wait while she showered. The bathroom in her little pad opened onto a main hallway, not into the bedroom, and she would be visible from his spot on the couch as she went back and forth. Almost shaking with nervousness, she left her robe and her clean clothes in the bedroom. After showering, she wrapped a towel around her wet hair, and a large one around her torso, making sure a little of her bottom peaked out. She scurried the half dozen steps to her bedroom, then peaked coquettishly around the nearly closed door and said, "Sorry, forgot to take my robe!" She came out after just a couple of minutes having donned only a T-shirt and some raggedly cut off sweats. She was running a comb through her wet hair as she sat in a chair across from him. His next move sealed their future lives. "Kristen, I hope this isn't too forward of me, but could I do that?" "Do what? You mean... Oh, God, YES!" She leaped across the room and plopped on the floor in front of him, handing him the comb. Her T-shirt was baggy and had a rather sloppy neck, and she at first was concerned that he could look right down at her bare tits. She had just decided that that was perfectly fine when he gently moved her forward and got down on the floor behind her. After about the first dozen strokes, he thougth he heard her sniffling. In a few more strokes, he was sure of it and stopped. "I'm sorry, Kristen, am I hurting you?" "Oh, no! Please don't stop. It's just that in all my years of so-called marriage, he never did anything this tender and intimate. I... I'm just blown away. Believe me, these are not sad tears." There was silence for a while, then, "Dennis, why would you want to do this?" "It's not easy to explain. My wife was a maniac when it came to sex, but other than that, it was hands off. Don't muss the Barbie Doll! I always wanted to be closer and more a part of her total life. I was denied these little intimacies, too, just for a different reason. It's not a fetish or anything, but I always wanted to comb her hair. She stayed in the closed bathroom until it was all done. Somehow, I just knew you wouldn't mind - you're so easy and natural about yourself. You walked out here combing it, and I had to take a chance. Thank you for letting me fulfill a little dream." There was no conscious thought involved when she spun around, threw her arms around his neck and planted a searing kiss on him. His surprise paralyzed him for only a second or two before he swung her sideways across his lap and pulled her tightly to him, matching her intensity with his own. It seemed like minutes before they separated, gasping, and she laid her head against his chest. "Dennis, what the Hell just happened?" "You beat me to it, but only just." "I just broke every promise I made for myself after the divorce. I can't believe how you made me feel!" "And I had sworn off women forever. Your sister started the first little crack in my resolve, and when she died, my resolve got stronger. Then this morning... ! This kind of stuff doesn't happen, does it? I hope it's not just because I'm lonely and deprived, but Kristen, I believe I've fallen in love with you." "Well, I don't really care why it is, but I've fallen in love with you, too. It... it's just like we fit so perfectly." "I'm sure some of it's because we're both needy, and we fill each other's needs, but I think it's more than just that. Kristen, I think we need to tell each other everything. Let me call Mike and see if he needs the car back right away." "I don't know about you, but I'm starved. I'll fix something quick while you call." The rest of the afternoon was a maelstrom of emotions. They both cried, numerous times. They hugged continuously. Both were astonished at how their wishes complemented each other. When he was the first to mention his anguish over lack of children, she nearly fainted. "Dennis, can we have children? I've got a few years left." "Do you mean that? Their parents would be as old as their classmates' grandparents, you know." "I don't care! It's the biggest hole in both of our lives. Would you still love me all fat and ugly?" "Ugly you could never be, and I somehow doubt you would get fat. I have lusted after pregnant women for years. Um, is that a marriage proposal? I think that's supposed to be my job." Kneeling in front of the sofa where they had been sitting, he asked, "Kristen would you be my wife?" Predictably, she reacted enthusiastically, diving on him and knocking him to the floor as she yelled her acceptance. "You know, I'm pretty much a poor student. I've got some cash saved up, but I don't make very much." "As if I give a shit. My job is pretty good, and I got a cash settlement from the divorce. We'll be just fine. We'll live right here until we need another bedroom for the nursery. In fact, you go get your stuff out of that motel and move in right now. Let's start on that family tonight! You're not opposed to premarital sex, are you?" "As long as it's a forever and only commitment, I'm all for it." "That's just what I want, too. Forever and only. God, I love you! Now, hurry up and get moved in. I'll go get some dinner fixings while you're gone." Arriving at the Ferguson's to get his own car, he tried to be secretive about what was happening. With Karen and Donna, of course, any such attempts by a mere male were futile. When they had pieced together the whole story, absolute bedlam erupted. Mike magnanimously suggested they all go out to dinner to celebrate. Karen got to tell him 'lovable but clueless' once again as she pointed out that being with other people was the last thing they wanted tonight. At the motel where the University was housing Dennis as he looked for an apartment, he had a strongbox with valuable records and items, including Janice's rings. Most of his possessions were stored in a trailer. His hands shook badly as he took the rings and put them in his pocket. After checking out, he stopped at a jewelry store and talked the proprietor into remounting the diamond while he waited. He had no idea of her ring size, but went with what Janice had worn. Kristen had prepared a nice dinner, but he hardly tasted it, waiting to present the ring to her. When he did, it was received with quiet joy, as if there was no exhuberance left after the unbelievable day. His thoughtfulness and concern for her was almost overwhelming. Once, she wondered if it would last for the long haul, but quickly stuffed that question when she remembered how he had treated Janice even after her betrayal, and how he had looked out for Dex. Her main feeling that evening was disbelief. Disbelief that they had actually found each other. Disbelief that her most important dreams, long abandoned, were now alive again. Once cleanup of the meal was done, there was one thought on both of their minds. Stepping back from a brief hug, he gently pulled off her T-shirt, and she quickly returned the favor, kneeling to pull down his shorts and briefs as well. While he kicked off his shoes, she stepped out of her shorts, the only other garment she wore. "Kristen, I want to be clean and fresh for our first time. Let's shower together." She squealed in response and towed him to the little bathroom. The shower was definitely cozy, but neither wanted to be out of contact with the other, anyway. She made a mental note to thank Dex for the wonderful night they spent together, especially for encouraging her to play with his cock with no pressure. She felt no fear when his organ rose to it's full extension, in fact felt herself tingle all over as she reached out to stroke it. "Dennis, Honey, I know you are an experienced lover, and I am really quite inexperienced. I want you to teach me all the wonderful things you know. The first time, though, I just want you inside me as soon as possible. Let me make you cum so it will be easier for you." Not waiting for an answer, she knelt in front of him, ignoring the spray wetting her hair, and took him into her mouth. She had given her ex many blowjobs. He had considered them the perfect humiliation, and used them to put her in her place. Now, she felt nothing but love and pride as she addressed his cock, and simply grasping it gave her a small shudder. Jerry had forced her to swallow, and would strike her if she did not take it all. Now, she found herself drooling for the load she was going to get. She had one small thought that it was a shame it was not making her pregnant, but told herself there would be plenty more for that. It was quickly apparent how much larger he was than her ex, as she could only take part of him in. This did not stop her, though, as she used both hands to hold and stroke him as she moved her head up and down. On each up stroke, she circled her tongue around his glans, thrilled at the hisses and moans this evoked. She kept one hand on his balls and pulled upward on them in rhythm with the movement of her head. It was gratifying to feel his shaft swell and his sac tighten after a very short time. She increased her intensity and started humming around him as she felt his climax approach. He made to push her off as he drew close, but she murmured "Huh, uh," and he just let go and blasted away. After an amazing number of spurts, she let him drop from her mouth. As she was rinsing him off, he pulled her to her feet and brought his mouth down to kiss her. With the starchy taste still in her mouth, she instinctively turned her head. He would not be deterred, though, and turned her face toward him and kissed her soundly, tongue and all. It was this move, more than all the other wonderful things that had happened, that drove home to her the kind of man she had found. There was no way she could avoid the flood of tears that followed. When he asked what was wrong, she assured him they were happy tears, and she would tell him why later. Almost in a panic, she hurriedly washed him off, then dragged him from the shower. They were both still damp as they tumbled into bed. She was desperate to have him inside her. On her back, she spread her legs and pulled him to herself. When he held back, she plead with him to enter her, right then. "My Darling, I want be to in you as much as you want it. But I want even more for you to know what it is like to really make love. Please, trust me. Give me a few minutes to worship your lovely body. I guarantee you will not be sorry. When I do enter you, it will be better than you could imagine. Besides, I need a little more time to recover from that awesome blowjob." The frustration she should have felt was overwhelmed by the loving force of his words and his actions. Her submissive streak responded to him with increased arousal. There was nothing she could have denied him at that point. She grabbed him around the neck and gave him a longing kiss, which suited his own plans very well. Remembering the night with Dex, she found herself looking forward to whatever he would do. The main thing he did was kiss her - every square inch of her, along with licks and nibbles. As he worked over her face, neck, shoulders, and chest, he grasped both of her hands and held them above her head. The feeling of helplessness, illusory as it really was, she found incredibly arousing. When his feast reached her breasts, he released her hands and used both of his to caress the mounds and roll whichever nipple he was not kissing. Keeping each hand on a nipple, he moved his mouth down over her belly, causing her to buck wildly as he teased her navel. When he reached the top of her pubic hair, he stopped and moved down to her feet. When he sucked the first toe into his mouth and ran his tongue around the base of it, she experienced a small cum. It was a sensation she had never imagined. He slowly worked over both feet and up the front of both legs. Her early impatience for penetration was almost forgotten in the sheer luxury of his attentions. Reaching her crotch with his kisses, he once again stopped. This time, he took both legs and raised them straight up in the air, kissing down the backs of her legs starting at her ankles. She jerked uncontrollably when he laved the backs of her knees, and her ragged breathing was punctuated with moans as he approached the tops of her thighs. After kissing and licking both ass cheeks thoroughly, he paused for just a moment. He then put his head right down on the sheet, stuck out his tongue, and ran it slowly and firmly from behind her anus to the back part of her slit that he could reach from behind. She gave a loud hiss and lurched upward off the bed. As she bucked, he released her legs, pushed his face against her pussy, and pushed his tongue as far into her vagina as it would go. She snapped, going rigid as a steel bar for several seconds before commencing violent convulsions. He had planned to take her arousal up in steps before entering her, but he could not imagine her ever reaching a higher level. He placed his hand over her mound and rubbed firmly through her climax, pulling his body into position for insertion. Waiting for her eyes to open, he positioned his cock at her entrance, pressing, but not forcing it in. She eventually looked up at him with glazed eyes, and he said "How about now, Lover?" Barely able to control her hands, she reached for him and guided him into herself. The reason she had demanded he fuck right away was only partly from need. A good deal of it was fear, and the desire to get it over with. Intercourse with Jerry had usually been painful. He never worried about whether she was lubricated, and he reacted with anger and beatings if she suggested a lubricant. The only thing that had saved her from worse pain was his modest size. Even after he entered her, she usually did not moisten much, as the discomfort and disgust negated any chance of arousal. A few times, when she knew he was going to fuck her, she would try to masturbate beforehand. She learned then how much arousal was in the mind, and not just in the clit. Now, she could feel the flow of her juices down her crack. As he pushed in gently, there was tremendous stretching, but no pain. He seemed to be invading her by millimeters with very short back-and forth motion. A little over half-way in, he spoke to her, "Oh, God, Darling! You are so hot and so tight. I can't believe how perfect this feels." Incapable of forming words right then, she responded with a hum. She had never been stretched like this, and whole new areas of her tunnel were being stimulated. After a delicious long time, she felt pressure against her cervix just as their pubic bones touched. It was over! The fear was erased! For now on, there would be no pain, only heaven. Kissing her gently on the lips, then the eyes, he started to thrust in and out, slow short strokes at first, then lengthening. Through her semi-delirium, she sensed what was happening and began thrusting back. He knew very little about her responses, except that she had cum easily the first time. He wanted very badly to get her off again before his own climax. Choosing a pace that allowed him some control over his own arousal, he kept up a steady motion, pulling nearly all the way out, then sliding back in until he could grind against her at full insertion. As their pubic bones rubbed briefly on each stroke, she started to give little gasps of pleasure. For a few minutes, their steady pace continued, until he sensed her breathing start to break up. The flush now covered her face and her chest, and she had started throwing her head from side to side. This was a clear signal that she was ascending the slope rapidly, and he increased his pace, with her matching him perfectly. In less than a minute, he was plunging in and out furiously and sweating profusely. He knew he had very little time, and hoped desperately that she could get over. Just as he had about given up, she began a little strangled scream which lasted for fifteen or twenty seconds, then ended in an extended moan as she stifftened, then shuddered. During her climax, her vagina rippled and clenched around him, pushing him over the edge as well. When he was finished spurting, she was still in heavy aftershocks. Holding himself above her on shaking arms, he watched her finish, thinking he had never seen a sight that thrilled him as much. He carefully rolled them to their sides, with her leg over him, and his cock still encased. There were no immediate exclamations as she came back to sensibility. It must have been over a minute that they just gazed silently into each others' eyes, neither wanting to break the spell. It was physical reality that caused them finally to move, as his penis shrunk to the point where it fell out of her. Feeling what was about to happen, he grabbed a towel he had brought earlier, and wiped them both off, leaving it folded between her legs to catch the remainder. "Oh, God! Please don't let me ever wake up," she murmured, as the silence was finally broken. "I'm sure He'll grant that request. He takes good care of His angels." In response, she placed her hand softly on his cheek and traced her thumb over his lips. There were more minutes of contented silence. He was the next to speak, with "You were frightened of this, weren't you?" "How can you read me like a book after one day?" "Does that bother you?" "Not at all. I know it's because you care, and yes, I was very frightened. Not any more, though. I can't wait to do it again. And again, and again, and forever. Ohhhh, I love you so much!" They shared a long, tender kiss, then started talking. This time, they talked strictly about the future. About each of their dreams, about their future family, about the challenges ahead of them. All the time they talked, they never stopped touching. The touching was definitely sexual, but not meant to arouse. It was just enjoyment of each others' bodies. It seemed to enhance their communication. "Darling, I hate to sound old fashioned, and I don't want to deny you anything, but I would like to get married before a justice as soon as possible. Mike and Karen could stand up for us. We can schedule receptions, or even a church wedding later, if you want to." "I'm all for that, but can my parents and Donna and Dex be there, too? They're right in town." "Of course, they can. What about a church wedding?" "No, I think just a nice reception would be best." After talking for at least an hour, they took a quick shower together, then had a light snack. As they ate, Kristen told him, "Honey, I need you to take me doggy style. Jerry thought that was the most humiliating position of all, and he made it just awful. I know with you it will be wonderful, and I need to chase that demon tonight. After that, I want be on top, something he never allowed. Am I asking too much?" "Oh, Darling, I will make love to you any way you want, and every second will be a thrill for me. If it can help erase your past, it is even better." He took her hand and led her back to the bed. He had her get straight up on her knees on the bed, and got right behind her in the same position. He circled his arms around her and began to caress all over her front, avoiding her breasts and pussy for the longest time. She laid her head back on his shoulder and clasped her hands behind his neck, feeling a thrill at the seemingly increased vulnerability and exposure. When she started to purr, he moved his hands to her breasts and kneaded then firmly, brushing across the nipples frequently. He turned his head and kissed all around her neck, then tongued the inside of her ear, causing goose bumps to erupt all over her. He reached one hand to her pussy and felt the dew already starting to trickle down her thigh. Speaking quietly into her ear, he told her to bend forward with her head right down on a pillow. With her ass angled up at him, he rubbed and kneaded both cheeks for a little while, always ending with a long stroke over her labia. She was now wriggling in front of him, anxious to feel him inside of her. Carefully, understanding her fear, he inserted his cock, penetrating just as slowly as before. While worming his way into the incredible tightness, he began running both hands lightly over her entire body. He started on the outside of her knees, and moved up across her hips and buttocks. Then he caressed up her back to her shoulders. Coming back from her shoulders, he went down and across her breasts, hands meeting in the valley to stroke down over her tummy and down the front of her thighs. Even after he was all the way in, he did several more of these circuits, feeling her twitch and squirm under him. So far, he had just held himself steady inside her, but now he started stroking vigorously. He reached one had around her and began teasing her clit. This action continued for a couple of minutes, with her showing a steady increase in excitement. Surprising him a bit, she raised up on her arms and started slamming back at him full force, causing both of them to grunt from the impact. From a gentle exorcism of years-old demons, this was turning into a fierce, atavistic fuck. Surprising him even more, she used her arms to push her torso more upright, causing him to fear she would force him out. To compensate, he wrapped his arm around her tummy and settled back on his haunches, holding her tightly against himself. His knees were outside of her legs, and the squeezing effect increased the already tight feeling on his cock. With her almost completely upright, he was not able to thrust much, but she took up the slack, bouncing up and down with astonishing speed. He concentrated on keeping her from falling, and was able to resume working her clit as she bounced on him. In all his vigorous sessions with Janice, this was something completely new to him. Sweating, panting, and shuddering almost constantly, she started into her little preparatory squeal, then disintegrated into her climax. This time, it was so violent, she started to go limp. He rolled them onto their sides again, still joined, with him spooning behind her in a bent position. Because of his surprise at her actions and the need to keep her from falling over, he had not ejaculated. Sensing a chance to perhaps cause yet another cum for her, he started thrusting at a maintainable pace. She was not responsive at first, but it wasn't long before he felt goose bumps ripple over her skin, and heard her breathing accelerate. From their position, he could not easily reach her clit, so he took a nipple and rolled and pinched it instead. Whether it was a whole new climax, or just a continuation of the last one, he could not tell, but he was sure she came again. By now, he needed to cum in the worst way, so he picked up his pace, frankly just using her to get himself off, until he emptied into her now inert body. She was practically passed out, and he could hardly move. He was just able to pull a blanket over them and get pillows under their heads before he joined her in sleep. Sometime in the night, he was just awake enough to notice that his front was cold from the absence of her warm body. Full awareness of his surroundings and situation had not quite penetrated his brain when he felt a hand stroking his penis. Erection and comprehension arrived at about the same time, and he rolled onto his back. "Hey, Stud, I need to do it on top, then I'll leave you alone." Awake enough for a little banter, he replied "Not for too long, I hope." "Damn right!" She straddled him and positioned herself to drop down onto him. "Darling, don't we need to get you ready?" "Nope! Took care of it myself. Didn't take much, either. Just thinking about that beautiful thing in me makes my pussy drool." With that, she inserted him, and started a wriggling motion that allowed her to sink down all the way. Sensing what she wanted, he held still as she started bouncing up and down on him. He kept his hands busy, though. Remembering the effect on her earlier, he started caressing her lightly all over, keeping his hands constantly moving. After a bit, he thought he could feel a trail of goose bumps following the path of his hands. When he knew she was well into her ascent, he put his hands over her breasts, and she leaned against them. He started thrusting upward to meet her strokes, forcing a grunt from her on each collision. Having come three times already, he was not getting close, and decided he would only worry about her. Taking one hand off a breast, he used his thumb between their bodies to rub her clit. It took less than a minute of this to bring her off, and she collapsed forward on top of him while still in the grip of her convulsions. He grabbed hold of both ass cheeks and held tightly to keep himself from falling out of her, thrusting steadily to help prolong her orgasm. Eventually, her breathing steadied, and she was able to think clearly. "Honey, why are you still hard? Didn't you come?" "No, I already came three times. You're so sexy I got hard, but the tank is empty, I'm afraid. It's OK, though, I just love being hard inside you like this." He had been moving slightly, just to keep enough stimulation to stay hard. "Amen to that! We're going to have to have to toughen you up, though. I don't think I can make it on only three times a day." "Oh, oh! I've created a monster!" Unbidden thoughts of Janice and her nymphomania suddenly came to his mind, causing him to stiffen ever so slightly. She sensed it and asked what had troubled him. "It's nothing, really." "Huh, uh! Not good enough, lover. We've both got a lot of bad stuff. We just can't hide anything from each other. Please, tell me." "You're right, Darling. I, uh, just had a quick thought about Janice and her sex mania. I once thought it was wonderful, but it ended up destroying her." "Don't worry, Lover, I'm not a sex maniac. I will confess to being a Dennis maniac, though." With that, she kissed him soundly and wriggled on his semi-deflated cock, hoping to bring it back to full glory. "And I will forever be a Kristen fanatic. You know, as soon as the thought hit me, I was able to dismiss it. Sex is totally different with you, somehow. It's, I don't know, much more, uh, giving than I have ever experienced." "I know just what you mean! When you push that beautiful thing into me, it's not just a cock. It's like a piece of your soul reaching for mine. It's... it's unbelievable." She cried softly for a while, and they fell asleep in that position. In the morning, neither gave a thought to dressing, and neither was very anxious for sex again, feeling some soreness after the exhuberance of the day before. They did shower together, continuing their explorations of each others' bodies. Rather than being tired, they both felt energized, and decided to run to the Fergusons' and work out. Guessing they were probably naked, Kristen called ahead, and they agreed to having breakfast there. After more hugs, handshakes, and tears at their arrival, Kristen grabbed Donna and Dex and pulled them into the powder room with her. She put an arm around each teen and hugged them tightly. "Dex, I can't thank you enough for the wonderful night you spent with me. It helped more than you will ever know. And thank you, especially, for not having intercourse with me. I was ready and anxious, but it made last night even more thrilling when it was all new and different." Turning to Donna, she said, "Sweetie, your willingness to let Dex have sex with me was so giving, it almost broke my heart when I figured it out." "Dex, you told her?" Donna asked with more than a little anger. Kristen responded quickly, "No, Sweetie, he wouldn't say anything. I figured it out, and he couldn't stop the blush that told me I was right. Don't worry. I would never tell anyone about you guys. I think it is beautiful, and if I can ever help, just let me know, OK?" With a final group hug, they went to the table for breakfast. ------- Chapter 12 (Fifteen years earlier) September. School. Because Mike was a teacher, the arrival of the fall term had a greater effect on the Ferguson household than on most others. But with everything else that was going on, school starting almost faded to insignificance. Kristen and Coach reluctantly held off their plans for a quick civil wedding, and organized a small church wedding. A few of Coach's relatives were able to make the trip, and this had a surprising healing effect on him. Jenny's singing career quickly became established, at least at the local level. Hoss was very glad he had hired Carl, because he now had a crowd control problem every Friday and Saturday night. Jenny stuck to her commitment to having her family with her. Chris and Amy were at the Emporium every weekend night. Chris shrugged off the jokes about him being the 'utlimate groupy.' Dex also was at the Emporium whenever Jenny was there. He spent his time in discussions with either Chris or Carl. Chris's new job was decent and the salary was very welcome to the young couple. He was not challenged, however, and was discovering a latent entrepreneurial streak, which Dex somehow stimulated. Carl had begun sessions with Dex's sensei to refresh his martial arts skills. Dex spent hours with Carl discussing and practicing the best techniques for controlling disruptions in a club environment with minimum disturbance to others. Carl had proven to have a flair for overall security and crowd management. Using Dex and Hoss as sounding boards, he was developing a course that he would later offer to club managers and bouncers. Dex bought a car. He was still too young for a license, but it really helped to have a car for Donna to use, and Dex was the frequent benfeciary. The car was not a car, but a Jeep - the Wrangler style. This suited Dex perfectly, and before long Donna was the preferred ride among her friends, cramped back seat notwithstanding. Donna, using some unsuspected will power, had not told Dex of her decision to go on the pill. Their relationship continued to develop as it had over the past year. They were siblings, very best friends, and sexual playmates. They loved each other deeply, but it was a much different love than that between Dex and his mother. Dex and Donna did not build their lives around each other, as many love-struck young couples did. An outsider visiting the family would only rarely see evidence of any unusual sibling closeness. Karen and Mike observed and discussed this, and it helped to reduce the shock of the impending sexual union between the two teens. It greatly eased their major fear - that the two would fall so deeply in love they would have to be life partners. The Dex that began his Sophomore year was dramatically changed from the shocked, despondent adolescent that fled from the death of his parents. In the past year, his ability to help some people, Kristen and Jenny in particular, had taken the edge off his overwhelming guilt. It did not, however, diminish his drive to help any female who had been harmed by a man. He did not actually search for victims, but his perceptions were so acute he could sometimes spot them after just a casual encounter. Dex had never truly been shy, but during his Freshman year, his incredibly busy schedule and his reluctance to engage in typical teen horseplay made him seem a bit aloof. As the new school year began, he was much more open and gregarious at school. Donna, the other women in the family, Margo, and Donna's friends had a lot to do with that. He had experienced complete acceptance and easy camaraderie with all of these females, and was no longer reluctant to initiate interaction. With the boys in the school, acceptance was assured, as it was a certainty Dex would be the starting point guard on a pretty good basketball team. In a nutshell, there had been nothing in the past year to shake Dex's confidence or to increase his guilt, and it showed in his personality growth. Physically, Dex seemed out of place walking the halls among the acne and the braces. With just a little change in style of dress, he could have passed for a young teacher. He had reached his full mature height of 6'2", and his martial arts training and his weight work had added a lot of solid muscle. He was still slim - he always would be - but his shoulders and arms clearly identified him as an athlete. The football coach had tried valiantly to recruit Dex as a receiver, but fall was a heavy time for martial arts competitions, and Dex declined. Dex's attitude toward and relationship with girls would have been fertile ground for a psyche treatise. Uniformly friendly, courteous, and at ease, he nevertheless was yet to go on his first real date. Largely because of his involvement with Bitsy, he had regularly attended school dances, and rarely sat out a dance. It was just as rare for him to dance more than two numbers with the same girl. Obviously, his relationship with Donna gave him access to female companionship and, recently, sexual release. Still, he was surprisingly disinterested in the preliminary mating rituals common to fifteen year olds. The idea of any kind of binding relationship with a girl had no appeal to him. Girls, of course, sense these kinds of things. His apparent 'safety' made Dex incredibly desirable as a casual companion. ------- Margo Santee was reaching the point of no return. The incredible events of the spring and summer had brought the barrenness of her life into sharp focus. First, there had been Donna and Dex. The two of them alone had given her a glimpse of the kind of family and love she had forgotten about. The kind she had grown up in but had forsaken for her life with Roger. Then, her affair with her son had unleashed an emotional intensity she thought she had learned to live without. Throw in Jenny's incredible wedding, just after Rick had left for early football, and she felt totally alone and unloved. She had tried once to instigate a romantic evening with Roger. He had fucked her, but after Rick, she saw it for the empty encounter it was. She had already made a trip to visit Rick, and the sex had been intense. Even in the middle of it, though, she sensed that Rick had entered a new life in which she could never play the same role. The sex could still be there in the future, but that one summer was a time never to be repeated. Their union had been critical to both of their lives, but they each had to take the next step on their own. ------- The call came during the second week of school, and Donna happened to answer. It was Rick Santee, and he asked if Dex could get on the line, too. A wide-eyed Donna found Dex studying, and got him on the extension. "What's this about, Rick?" Donna asked. "It's about Mom. I'm really worried about her. Look, I'm assuming you guys know all about what's happened between Mom and I over the summer. She was here for a long weekend, and it tore me up to see what she was like when she had to leave. I'm not worried about suicide or anything, and I don't think she's that much into alcohol, but she is really hurting." "What can we do to help, Rick?" Dex asked. "You guys and your family are the only real friends she has, outside her own family. She sees your family as having it all together. I guess I'm asking if you can go out of your way to spend some time with her, maybe invite her over. The biggest thing you can do is help her decide to get that divorce. She can't decide on her own." Donna was at this point too flabbergasted to speak, so Dex carried the conversation. They discussed how the high school team was doing, and quite a bit about Rick's football and his classes. As the conversation wound down, there was an awkward pause, then, "Donna, are you still there?" Voice cracking, she squeaked out, "Yeah, I'm here." "I know I've apologized to you, but until recently, I never really understood how badly I hurt you. I think I understand now, and I regret it more than I can tell you. And Dex, thanks for the wake-up call. I hate to think I might have come here to school the same asshole I was in April. Well, any help you can give Mom will be great. Thanks, guys." The two extensions were in different rooms, so Dex could not see Donna during the conversation. When Dex arrived where she was, though, she was still staring at the handset, having failed to hang it up. "Whoever said 'Revenge is sweet' didn't know what he was talking about, did he?" Dex asked Donna. She was still mute and motionless as he took the phone from her hand and hung it up. That same night, Donna and Dex shared the call with Karen and Mike. Karen immediately set up a lunch date with Margo and invited her for dinner Saturday evening. ------- The last Friday in September, Karen and Mike were invited out to dinner at friends'. They asked the kids if they would stay home, rather than going to the Emporium for one night. Dex noticed an unusual amount of giggling between Karen and Donna at departure, and Mike clapped Dex on the back in a rather rare move. Dex thought nothing more of it as he headed downstairs to get his weekend homework out of the way. Donna asked how much he had to do, and he told her only about two hours. At exactly the two hour mark, Donna came down to Dex's room and sat on his lap, straddling his legs. This now-familiar approach meant she wanted something from him, and this time she was naked. Her spread legs exposed her pink inner labia, and Dex was momentarily too distracted to wonder what the request might be. He recovered fairly quickly, and in keeping with the sexy teasing they both enjoyed, this time he put his hands directly on her tits, and kneaded them very gently. "I learn fast. I'll bet this means you want something, huh?" "Make me a woman!" There was no clever rejoinder from him this time, only a slack-jawed gape. When the silence continued, she went on. "I'm on the pill. Mom and Dad know all about it. In fact, they know tonight is the night." Blood began returning to the temporarily abandoned parts of his brain, and he was able to respond "So that's why they asked us to stay home, and why things were a little strange when they left!" "Is that a yes?" she asked. "Was there ever a question? Let's shower!" The shower was as playful as always, but a bit shorter than usual. As they toweled off, Donna found that repeated attempts to dry her crotch were ineffective. They sprinted to the bedroom, and snuggled under the covers awhile until their skin warmed from the cooling after the shower. As they cuddled, Donna assured him that this was what she wanted and she could not wait any longer. She explained how their naked times, the encounter with Rick, and the romance of the weddings had her so horny she couldn't stand it. His hands and his mouth just weren't enough any more. Feeling warm enough to throw back the covers, Dex started some serious foreplay, only to have Donna push him back gently. She took his hand and put it on her well-moistened pussy, then gave a few perfunctory strokes to his already rigid cock. "You know I love this part. In fact, it's all we've had until now. Right now, though, I want get past the painful part and feel you in me. Here, roll over on your back on this." She placed a towel under his ass and had him roll onto it. He could not supress a chuckle. "Some horny virgin you are! All this planning!" She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "It won't feel any less wonderful if I keep the blood off the sheets, will it?" Leaning over to kiss her, he said "Sorry! You really are amazing, you know that?" "Well, I've been living around this amazing guy. Now, let's get that amazing cock in me." She straddled him as he lay on his back. Holding his cock upright, she struggled a few moments to get the head positioned properly, then dropped down a bit, popping the head into herself. Dex's mother had been relatively tight, considering that she had given birth and had endured years of forced intercourse. Donna, though, was a completely different matter. His initial penetration felt like someone was squeezing his glans hard with their hand, except that it also felt very, very warm. He looked up and saw a wave of concern and uncertainty cross Donna's face. "Donna, if..." "Don't say it! I know I will stretch and I know it will fit. You're sweet to worry about me, but this is something a girl's just gotta do." With that, she began a wriggling motion, not really up and down, but the result was incremental progress down onto him. It wasn't long before she winced as they encountered more serious resistance. "I'm going to move up and down on just the end for a while. I want to get as loose and slippery as I can before we pop it." She continued the wriggling action, but added a definite vertical motion, making him worry that he might pop right out. She kept this up for about a half a minute, then with no change in expression and no warning to him, she dropped about two inches further onto him. With her face contorted and a couple of tears tracking on her cheeks, she let out a sharp hiss. Dex had a lot of practice steeling himself against the unavoidable suffering of a woman he loved. It did not make this any easier. Donna was no pansy, and the rupturing of her hymen was obviously more painful than most. He could think of nothing appropriate to say, so he took her face in his hands and wiped the tears gently with his thumbs. For almost two minutes, she sat motionless, waiting for the pain to ease. When Donna tentatively began wriggling again, Dex spoke up. "Donna, we don't have to go any further tonight." "Oh yes we do! I've been looking forward to this for a long time. Just because it hurt a lot more than I expected, I'm not giving up." "I know this is a huge night for you, Donna, but I've been looking forward to all the nights that come after. The pain will be done, and we can just relax and enjoy each other." "How do you always know just what to say, you charmer, you?" During this short exchange, she had sunk all the way down. There was still pain, but the stretched and filled sensation was thrilling. If she moved even slightly, the arousal was already masking the pain somewhat. Cautiously, she began more vigorous up and down motions, hoping to work through the pain. After about two minutes, the pain was still there, and her arousal had not increased at all. Her whole body slumped a bit as she realized things were not going to get better. Ever attuned to her moods, Dex knew something was wrong and there was little doubt what the problem was. Not giving her a chance to object, he rolled them to their sides and pulled out of her. Telling her sternly not to move, he got a wet washcloth and another towel from the bathroom, and gently swabbed the blood from her crotch. By the time he finished, Donna was whimpering in frustration. "This isn't the way it's supposed to be," she sniffled. "I've been dreaming about all the neat things we'd do tonight, and I... I just can't." The whimpering changed to full-fledged sobs. Dex just pulled her close until she calmed down, then asked her, "Donna, Honey, do you think all those things will still fell neat tomorrow night - or Sunday - or Monday?" "There you go again, always saying the right thing. Yes, they'll still feel good. I'm just upset that I had to disappoint you tonight." "Whew! That's a relief. I was worried you'd be turned off on sex forever." Once again the mock-angry slap on the shoulder. "Fat chance! You know me better than that." "I think you could really use a little pampering tonight, don't you? Can you tell me where your body lotion is." She told him, and he went off to fetch it and a large towel. Back in his room, Dex treated Donna to a long, tender lotion massage over her entire body. He did not provide the running commentary on her body parts as he had with Kristen, but he did keep up a casual monologue on any subject he could think of. When he had finished both sides, he rolled her onto her stomach again and lightly stroked from her shoulders down over her ass. It took barely five minutes of this and she was out. ------- The usual morning erection felt different as Dex clawed his way up to some sort of awareness. As the initial confusion cleared a bit, he had a brief flashback of his mother sucking him to wakefulness all those months ago. His head jerked up, he saw Donna, and the present reality settled upon him. It was not an unpleasant reality at all, as he saw his naked cousin in enticing profile in the feeble light of dawn. It was doubtful she had sensed his momentary panic, and he decided it was best that she never know his reaction. There was no way he could continue this delightful activity without bladder relief, so he reluctantly eased Donna's off of his cock, and walked to the bathroom. He had a long wait before he softened enough to pee. Fortunately, Donna chose not to torment him. She was sitting demurely atop the covers when he returned. "Dex, there's no way I'm facing Mom and Dad this morning without you having come inside me. I want to try it again." "Um, Donna, I don't want to hurt you. It can't have healed just since last night." "It won't be quite as bad. Besides, I need to do this no matter how bad it hurts." "OK, we can do it, but on one condition." "Oh, oh! What's that?" "I want to make you come a few times first. Then maybe you won't feel much at all." "Would you really fuck an unconscious woman?" "I wouldn't fuck you at all, Baby. You know that." "Yeah, I know. Sometime, though, that may be just what I need." "Well, I'm sure you will tell me when that happens." With that, he kissed her soundly. After a long, steamy kiss, he moved his mouth to her tit, and brought the nipple to life. At the same time, he used his hand to stroke her pussy, exerting extra pressure with the heel of his thumb over her clit. To put sexual responsiveness in automotive terms, Donna was a top fuel dragster. The first few times Dex had made her come, he was amazed. His mother had been responsive, but the joyful task of bringing her off usually took most of ten fun-filled minutes. Several times, Donna had exploded in way less than half that time. It apparently was not a consequence of the newness of her sexual activity, either, as her acceleration had slowed very little over their months of intimacy. Except for the occasional episode when time was limited, the two teens took a relaxed pace in their sexual play. It was normal for both of them to come twice, and Donna often came even more. Thus, Dex had not made an idle boast. He had every reason to believe he could bring her to three climaxes - he had done it several times before. It was more important now than ever, though, as he knew she would be very disappointed if she could not make him come inside her. His own urgency was not trivial, either. Donna must have been quite worked up as she roused Dex, and she quickly went into full writhing and squirming mode. Keeping his mouth on her nipple, he got down on his shoulder and reached his other hand underneath her ass. Sliding his middle finger up her crack from beneath, he was able to stroke her slit from both the top and the bottom, being careful not to stick either finger very far inside her. This was something he had not done to her before. Keeping the movements of both hands in rhythm, her entire crotch area soon felt stimulated. Her bouncing in response became so vigorous, he was challenged to hold on. When she stiffened and convulsed in climax, he was barely able to keep his upper hand over her clit area. The sight and feel of a woman in orgasm had made Dex an addict from the first time he clumsily brought off his mother. His favorite strategy during foreplay was to keep his partner aroused so she never completely came down before the next orgasm started. It was particularly thrilling with Donna because of the way her supple young body moved during her throes, and the erotic little moans and gasps she uttered. This morning, he had threatened her with three warm-up comes, but he intended to enter her after the second. As soon as he could pry her tensed legs apart, Dex moved down and began lapping at her labia with his mouth. To avoid accidentally bringing her down through sensitivity, he avoided her clit at first. He reached one arm up to caress a breast and stimulate the nipple, being very cautious again to give it time for its sensitivity to ease. Getting into a steady rhythm seemed to be the most effective technique on Donna, and he fell into in quickly. As he lapped with his tongue, he paid more and more attention to her clit. After several minutes, her movements became erratic, signaling she was on the way. When she seemed to have almost lost control of her breathing, he focused on the clit, sucking and rubbing it vigorously with his tongue, all the while rolling her nipple with firm pressure. The second orgasm was considerably stronger than the first, almost foiling Dex's plan with the strength of her movements. While it was barely under way, he kept his thumb rubbing over her clit while he moved up, struggling to keep her clenching legs apart. She was at maximum lubrication, and he was at maximum hardness, so initial penetration occurred with ease. Once barely inside, though, the extreme tightness came into play again. Remembering her use of small rotating and jiggling motions, he tried to duplicate them, and could fell himself sinking in without directly thrusting. Progress was slow, and her orgasm was waning when he reached the depth of her torn hymen. He watched her face for signs of pain, and saw her wince at his first contact with the torn tissue. He went motionless at the sight, but she had regained some awareness and stammered at him "'S OK! Don't stop! Want you in! 'S OK! 'S OK!" Her face was still a bit tense as he resumed, but he did not see another strong sign of pain. At the point where his glans was well past the wounded area, her face relaxed considerably. "Better now! Gonna do it!" Happy that she seemed more comfortable, but still cautious, Dex worked his way completely in, then began thrusting, but in very short strokes. He wanted to keep his head from touching the wounded area. Until now, he had been totally focused on her pleasure and comfort. Now, he gave in to his own need. Still monitoring her expression for signs of pain, he fell into a very rapid, but very short motion. It was enough. Being left hanging last night, then this morning's activity had put him on a hair trigger. He unloaded into her while holding himself motionless. By the time he finished, his arms were quivering with the effort of holding himself above her. This morning, Dex's little habit of requiring two comes to soften posed a bit of a problem. Pulling out while still stiff would bring the head of his cock past Donna's wound again. He really did not want their coupling to end in a twinge of pain for Donna. If he could soften inside her, he might be able to withdraw with no discomfort to her. As if she was on the same wavelength, Donna raised and spread her knees even farther, then reached down with both hands and began caressing his tender balls. She started moving her hips against him, then told him, "C'mon, Lover. Gotta come again!" "Don't want to hurt you!" He panted back. "I'll hurt YOU if you don't come again!" She teased him. It was a great relief to see her spirit back to normal, and he started stroking again, knowing his own tenderness would not last long. Between her tight channel and her hands, the stimulation was incredible, even with the reduced friction from their combined fluids. His arousal was no longer encumbered by his concern for her, and he let himself sink into the sensations, although he did keep his strokes very short. Within three or four minutes, he stiffened again, and shot another load into her. The second come always left him exhausted, and he rolled them to their sides and lay panting. "Sorry there were only two for you," he was able to gasp out. She hugged herself to him without responding and they lay silent for several minutes. When his shrunken penis slipped easily out of her, she sniffled a bit, and he asked if it hurt her. "No, you goof! You were thinking about my pain all the time, weren't you?" "I know how disappointed you were last night, and I wanted you to have your wish." "God, Dex, sometimes I wish we COULD think about being together forever. You are so good to me!" He didn't respond, except with his hands stroking her back and her ass. ------- The freshly showered teens were the first in the kitchen for the now traditional naked Saturday breakfast. Kristen had not joined them since meeting Dennis. Jenny and Chris came over occasionally, but would not be there today. When Karen came down the stairs, she headed right for her daughter and gave her a big hug. She released her and hugged Dex as Mike took her place in Donna's hug. "Was it good?" Karen asked Donna as she came back for another hug. "I should have listened to the Doc," Donna answered. "She offered to cut my hymen, but I declined. It hurt pretty bad last night. We had to wait until this morning." "You know, I debated whether to talk to you about that," Karen said. "I had the same problem, only your poor Dad had to wait until the third day of our honeymoon, it was so bad." "Hey, it was worth the wait!" Mike interjected, hugging his wife from behind. "Well, at least you were able to enjoy it this morning," Karen said to Donna. "Dex was so sweet and gentle! I'm afraid we're going to have to hold off for a couple more days, though. Sorry, Lover!" Dex merely hugged her in reply. ------- Margo had been invited for an early dinner, as the teens wanted to be at the Emporium for both of Jenny's sets. It took Margo about three seconds to know that Donna's virginity was gone, and she pulled the girl aside. Donna told her all about it while Karen finished dinner preparations. Donna had not seen Margo since Rick's phone call, so she gave the older woman a replay. Margo's eyes were damp when Donna finished, and she could not think of anything to say. "Margo, that certainly is not the same Rick I ran from last spring. Not even the same one I tormented this summer." "Does that mean you're changing your mind about him?" Margo asked. "Could be. Could be," Donna replied thoughtfully. "Sweetie, you have just given me enough hope to keep me going." Margo had met Mike at the wedding, but this was their first extended exposure. Karen could not surpress an occasional smile at the scrutiny her friend was giving her man. When the kids left for the Emporium, Margo got up to leave as well. Karen insisted she stay on, as there was nothing planned for the evening, and they could all relax together. The talk quickly turned to Margo's marriage, and she surprised herself by how much she felt free to reveal to Mike. Karen, of course, knew all about Margo's situation. When the kids came home much later, Margo and Karen were still chatting in the living room. Donna sat down on the other side of Margo, and together they convinced her to stay the night. They got past all the predictable objections about toiletries and sleepwear, and Margo was hard put to appear reluctant. The house was quiet and Donna and Dex were cuddling naked in his bed. She appeared slightly withdrawn, and he assumed it was disappointed over not being able to have sex. "Hey, Donna, don't worry about it. Maybe by tomorrow you'll feel up to it." "Oh, I wasn't thinking about that. I really feel bad for Margo. Dex, um, would you consider, uh, having Margo come down here with us?" She playfully took hold of his cock, and feeling his immediate response, said, "Good, I'll go and get her." She scurried off without bothering with any clothes. When he stopped chuckling, Dex got up and put on some boxers and turned on the small mood lamp on his dresser. Seeing the lotion bottle still on the dresser from the night before, he got two large towels from the bathroom, and spread them on the bed. Up in Donna's room, Margo had just rolled over wide awake for about the forty-fifth time, when Donna entered the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Finding Margo's hand, Donna tugged gently and said, "Come on downstairs with us Margo. You shouldn't be alone." "But..." "You're not interrupting anything. I'm too sore for sex tonight." "But Dex..." "Dex is fine. He loves you, too, and hates to see you hurting. It will just be friendly and loving. You don't have to do anything. We won't embarrass you." Donna was not to be denied, and Margo was pulled to her feet. At the door, she hesitated. She was wearing a rather thin nightgown of Karen's, with nothing on underneath, as she had been hesitant to borrow someone else's panties. "Come on, Margo. Don't worry about it. Your body is gorgeous, but Dex won't rape you if you happen to give him a little show." Feeling ashamed of her timidity, Margo made a joke. "Oh, damn. I was kind of hoping..." Donna giggled and planted a firm kiss right on Margo's lips. They continued down the two flights of stairs with no more comment, until they reached the basement and saw Dex waiting beside the bed with lotion in hand and towels ready. "Oh, I... I... ," Margo stuttered. "Sorry, Margo. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just thought you might both appreciate a nice massage." "It's a real treat," Donna told her. "His hands are like magic. I guarantee you will sleep when he's done." "But I'm not wearing... I mean, he'll see... I..." "I can use a towel to cover you, just like a real masseur," Dex told her. "Th... that would be... Shit! What's wrong with me? There aren't two people in the world I'm more comfortable with!" With that surge of resolve, she threw her gown off over her head, and stood exposed before them. Dex could not resist a soft whistle. "I need a shower. Why don't you start on Donna, and I'll be right out." Just before entering the bathroom, she turned and said, "Oh, Dex, fair's fair. I want to see your package, not boxers, when I come out." As the bathroom door closed, Donna came over and yanked his boxers off. "Better get these off while we still can," she said with a giggle. It was already two late, as she had to unsnap the waistband to clear his rigid cock. Donna was purring softly as Dex worked her shoulders when Margo came out. Dex sat astride Donna's thighs with his cock resting on her ass crack. He blushed at Margo as she checked him out and lay down on her towel. "My turn," Margo said, "and I want EXACTLY the same treatment." Moving over to straddle Margo's thighs, he held himself above her so his genitals did not touch her ass. "Hey!" she objected, wriggling her ass at him, "I said EXACTLY!" Obviously, Margo's earlier timidity was now long gone. Margo emitted a contented hum as Donna giggled, and Dex settled himself down so his balls rested just behind the curve of her buttocks and his painfully rigid pole rested on her crack. For the next half hour, Dex's hands feasted on the luscious flesh of the female backsides before him. Following his usual practice, when he reached the lower back, he moved down to the feet and started upward. In this case, though, that was a time to switch customers. The two women had their faces toward each other, and soon were clasping hands up by the pillows. He finished a thorough working of Margo's ass cheeks, marveling at the feel of her full but smoothly rounded globes. Donna flipped over onto her back just as he straightened up and looked over at Margo with a challenging smirk on her face. When Dex straddled the front of Donna's thighs, she grabbed his cock and positioned it right on top of her mound, spreading her thighs slightly to gently entrap his hanging sac. He worked her whole front down to her waist, making her moan with each stroke on her tits. Finished with Donna's upper front, Dex straightened and looked tentatively at Margo. With a flash of something unreadable in her eyes, she turned onto her back and guided Dex to the exact same position he had been in with Donna. When the bottom of his shaft touched her bare pussy lips, he came all over her belly. Mightily relieved yet terribly embarrassed, he tried to rise to clean up. Margo, however, had other ideas. She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him soundly, then murmured "Thank you!" After cleaning himself and Margo with several apologies that were shouted down by Margo, Dex was able to hold it together while he did her upper front. To this point, he had had intimate contact only with his mother's tits and with Donna's and Kristen's. The three sets had been quite similar, differing only in firmness and degree of sag. He had seen Karen's, which were also rather similar. Jenny's were noticeably bigger and fuller, but he had never touched them. He was now treated to a demonstration of the difference between a B cup and a C+ or D. Margo's tits were very full. At forty, she did not have the firmness of a teenager, and lying on her back, they spread over a large portion of her chest. Dex did Donna's legs, then Margo's. Even though his embarrassing come was not that long ago, he was very hard. Working on Margo's legs did not make it any easier. He had to spread them slightly to reach her inner thighs, and this gave him an enticing view of her bare pussy. His mother's had been bare, but once again, he had a demonstration in the differences between women. Moving back to finish Donna's hips and crotch, he again saw her smirk at Margo and knew there was another test at hand for himself and the older woman. When he had rubbed everything but her pubic mound, Donna sat up and pushed on his shoulders, unquestionably guiding his mouth to her pussy. "Uh, Donna, we'd better not..." "Hey, you've got me so worked up I've gotta come. It seems a shame to have to do it myself. Besides, I want Margo to see how good you are." A look at Margo showed Dex that she was grinning, now fully into the challenges thrown out by Donna. Shrugging his shoulders, he went to work on Donna. Since he was somewhat on display, he wanted to be sure Donna had a real explosion. He also wouldn't mind tormenting her a bit for her impish attitude. In all their other encounters, he had concentrated on making her come multiple times, trying to keep her arousal high after each one. He remembered the few times he had extended the buildup for his mother, and they were the most awesome climaxes he had given her. The big problem with Donna was her hair trigger. She might go right over the edge before he could back off the stimulation. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Dex started in his usual way, licking her whole pussy area with long, firm strokes. He shortened this activity, though, and quickly homed in on her clit. He was about to insert a finger when he remembered her soreness. Instead, he moistened a thumb and began teasing around her anus. About her usual four minute time, she was losing control of her breathing and her body motions, and he removed his thumb, and went back to long, licks. As soon as he thought she had receded enough, he trust his tongue into her hole and worked it around vigorously. This, she definitely liked, but she was not building up. In a sign of frustration, Donna reached her hand to her pussy to rub her own clit. Dex gently but firmly moved her hand away. Instead, Donna started rolling and pinching her nipples. Again, Dex brought her to the edge and eased back. This time, she murmured "No!" The third time, Donna reached over and grabbed the startled Margo's hand, and put it on her tit, moving it around with her own hand, and pleading "Help!" Very reluctant at first, Margo tried, but was unable to pull back from the girl's vice-like grip. Reaching another decision, Margo rolled to her side, and began skillfully caressing and teasing Donna's nearest tit. Thinking he had enough revenge, Dex took her all the way on the fourth ascent. His memory had not failed him. Donna's orgasm was the biggest he had ever given her. After many, many convulsion, she lay inert, breath heaving her chest, sweat gleaming all over her body, and bangs plastered to her forehead. Dex looked toward Margo and told her, "Excuse me a minute. I need to apologize to her." He moved between the two, turned his back toward Margo, and pulled Donna to him in a gentle embrace. "Apologize for what?" Margo had pressed herself to Dex's back as she spoke softly into his ear? "'Cuz he tried to kill me!" Donna panted out. Margo broke into giggles. "You mean she usually comes faster than that?" Margo asked. "Like, instantly," Dex replied. "So, you really were trying to kill her, huh? Well, what a way to go. Sometimes I wish someone would just keep doing that to me until I really was dead. It would be one way out of this mess I'm in." Donna, though still groggy, looked at Dex to find him returning her gaze. She gave a small nod, and the two of them unwrapped themselves and moved over a puzzled Margo. When Dex rolled Margo to her back and moved down between her legs, she started to panic. "No! No! I didn't mean that! I was just joking, I..." At that point, Donna, who had laid herself against Margo's shoulder, kissed the woman soundly, throwing her into shocked silence. By the time the initial shock of the kiss wore off, Dex had spread Margo's legs and administered the first long lick to her labia. "Margo, just relax and enjoy it. We're not going to kill you - just make you very glad you're alive." "But this is wrong! I shouldn't be... oooh!" This last exclamation was in response to Dex thrusting two fingers into her. A big part of Margo's reaction was because of Donna. Margo had no sexual experience with another woman, and because of her strong feelings for Donna, the girl's aggressive kiss had her confused. Donna must have sensed the woman's concern. "It's OK! We're not doing anything wrong. Just think of me as Dex's helper." With that, Donna administered another kiss, this one longer and softer, but more sensuous. Margo's love for the girl overwhelmed her confusion and concern, and is if surrendering, she embraced Donna and entered into the kiss whole-heartedly. She could have lost herself in the sensations of lips and tongues and pressing tits, had it not been for the disturbing but wonderful things happening between her legs. At this point, Dex was happy for his accidental ejaculation earlier. His exploration of this new and different pussy was incredibly arousing. Different smell, different taste, different textures, different responses - all were wonderfully exciting. Margo was obviously primed for this, as it was barely two minutes before he felt the little unconscious shudders and twitches begin. His first thought was to repeat his mult-step assault on Donna. As he feasted, however, he decided that, for the fist come, at least, he would just let it happen and go from there. Amid all the sensual stimuli, he did remember it was Margo's legs he was nestled between. His relationship with her had started off rather contentiously, but he had come to appreciate her intelligence, her sensitivity, and her unsuspected caring heart. Margo was a woman who was definitely not what she appeared to be. Under the carefully crafted trappings of a wealthy doctor's trophy wife was the heart of a woman who could fit comfortably into the Ferguson family. Margo was definitely a member of the small circle of those Dex felt very close to, and a woman with some major hurts of her own. Dex felt it was his responsibility, as well as his distinct pleasure to give his lovely friend something to help her forget her heartache for a while. Donna's wriggling caused Dex to glance up and see her pressing herself against Margo and kissing the woman. Nonplussed at first, at took him only a moment to realize that his cousin felt even closer to Margo. She was the one who brought Margo down here, and had pushed the envelope on their activities all along. He was not seeing evidence of lesbian tendencies, just a desire to help a very close friend. Fueled by a feeling of warmth and affection, he settled down to 'take her to Heaven.' Between Dex's tongue and fingers, Donna's kiss, and the hand that had just started loving her nipple, Margo was on as steep an ascent as she had had since her first night with Rick. The nagging concern about the morality of the situation lingered at the back of her mind, but her love for these two kids, and the overwhelming things they were doing to her body allowed that concern no voice. In only another minute she had to break off the kiss, as she was panting heavily and felt the need to throw her head back and forth. Suddenly, both nipples were on fire as Donna took the other in her mouth. Time lost all definition and her body ceased to exist except for the points being stimulated. She became a being composed of just nipples and pussy as she raced toward release. When it came, it was like every inch of skin was immersed in a warm, tingling liquid and some gigantic being was shaking her over-stimulated body like a rag doll. Margo's uncontrolled thrashing had run out and she was trying to let her body sag, but the same stimulation was back again, and rather than relaxation, she felt more arousal. For minutes, she built toward another release, then the arousal receded. It built and receded again - how many times she did not know. She had a brief, fuzzy thought that this is what Dex had done to Donna. She tried to think if there was something she should do about this, but could not concentrate that much. There was one thing that was clear to her - she wanted to come in the worst way. Still unsure of how long it had been, she finally felt her body stiffen and the waves of sensation roll over her again. Somewhere during the spasming of her muscles, Margo completely lost track of everything. It seemed like just a moment, but when she regained some awareness, there was a heaviness atop her and her pussy felt wonderfully filled. "Dex! No! We can't!" she screamed, or what she thought was a scream. "Yes, Margo! You can! I want you to. He wants it. You want it." Donna was speaking softly right into her ear. "Please, Margo. Make it good." At that moment, Dex began moving in and out, and the feelings in her ultra-stimulated nerves overwhelmed her concerns again. When Dex kissed her passionately, she simply moaned and pushed her hips back at him with the minimal strength she could muster. It seemed like she had just decided that this was really happening when Dex grunted and lurched against her several times. She realized the poor boy must have been incredibly horny after what he did to her, and she felt glad she could give him relief. She mentally started to relax and bask in her own post-orgasmic euphoria, but there was no relaxing because the motion was still there and she felt just as full as before. Somewhat in wonderment, but with increasing awareness and control of her body, she began to participate in earnest. Donna had watched a little of her parents' frantic sex the night of Kathy's death, but this was a close-up view that had her spellbound. She had no forethought that things would go this far, but she had instinctively pulled Dex up over Margo and guided him into her with her own hand. For his part, Dex had not expected things to get anywhere near this intimate, and had resisted when he understood what Donna wanted him to do. Shocked and reluctant, he resisted until she said to him, "I want this Dex. She needs it and has wanted it for quite a while. Take her to Heaven!" Even at his young age, he realized that everything sexual went far better when he followed her lead. He knew Donna would always surpass him in daring and adventure. In a nutshell, he couldn't deny her anything. It took a lot of self-control for Dex to keep stroking after he came because he was very sensitive. It took only about a dozen strokes, though, for the sensitivity to subside so he could thrust with full vigor. Not that he wanted to bring her any discomfort, but he determined there was no way he was going to come this last time until Margo did. With that objective, he set a pace he felt he could maintain for a long time. Margo was now completely aware of her surroundings and in control of her muscles. She put an arm around each of the teens, pulling each in turn down for a searing kiss. As she kissed Dex, she kept Donna's head tight to her shoulder. The thrusting went on for several minutes, as Donna moved her head down from Margo's shoulder to her tit and mouthed her nipple again. Margo had moved her legs up around Dex's buttocks when Dex felt Donna's hand working down between their thrusting bodies. He raised slightly to give her access, a little surprised at the move. He was more than surprised when he felt Donna seek out Margo's clit and begin rubbing it briskly. At Margo's gasp, he picked up his pace and began pounding in and out as fast as he could manage. Once again, the multiple stimulations were too much, and Margo exploded for the third time. Feeling Margo go off first, Donna took her hand out and reached between Dex's legs to knead his swinging balls. Almost at her first touch, he emitted a long, strained grunt and emptied into the writhing woman. As they both came down, Dex's arms were too shaky to hold him above Margo, so he rolled them to their sides, his cock still quite firm and still embedded in her. He hugged Margo to him with a hand on her ass to keep himself from falling out. In a very short time, Donna was pulling their hips gently apart and wiping them down with warm, wet washcloths. They both flopped onto their backs and let Donna attend to them. When Donna finished washing and drying them, she did a little rearranging of the bed, turned off the light, and crawled in so Margo was sandwiched between the teens. Dex turned to his side and pulled Margo back against himself. Donna plastered her front right into the woman's front, entwining their legs. Just as Margo started to say something, Donna cut her off. "Margo, let's not have anything like an apology here. You needed this and we all enjoyed it. We both love you and we're happy to make you feel a little better." "But you and Dex have just barely... I mean it was just last night, and..." "We got what we wanted - each other for our first. We're not engaged or anything like that, so I don't own that lovely cock. It made me feel good to see you enjoying him, and it felt good to see him have a chance at your gorgeous body." "How about we say goodnight." "Okay. If you'll just let me out, I'll get up to my bed." "Nope. You're sleeping right here." "But your folks..." "Shhhh." When they all fell into sleep, there was a surprising amount of unused space in the queen bed. ------- Uncharacteristically, Karen awoke at first light, feeling the urge. Coming out of the bathroom, she noticed Donna's bedroom door slightly open, and wondered why Margo hadn't closed it. She peeked into the room and saw the empty bed. Instinctively, she went down to the basement. Standing in the door to Dex's room, she looked in wonder but little surprise at the three entangled forms. By chance, Margo's bladder became insistent at the same time. Karen watched as she carefully disentangled herself. Dex woke, and started to get out of the bed, but Donna grabbed his hand to pull him back. As Margo moved unsteadily toward the door, she saw Karen, and froze in place. First, she covered her tits and pussy, the moved both hands to cover her face. Karen stepped into the room, picked up the discarded nighty from the floor and took Margo's hand to lead her from the room. Once out in the TV area, Margo turned as if to say something to Karen, but Karen handed her the nighty and said, "You go pee, and we'll talk. Don't worry, everything's fine." Karen was waiting when Margo came out, looking very sheepish. Karen embraced her friend and said, "Come on, Margo. I'll bet you had a wonderful night. Don't spoil it by feeling guilty or ashamed. I spent one beautiful night sleeping naked between those two, and I felt so good in the morning! Let yourself feel the same thing." They made their way to the kitchen, and Margo sat at the table while Karen started preparing breakfast. "But Karen, you didn't do the things I did with them." "Honey, I didn't need to. I have a husband who keeps me completely satisfied. I know how you are hurtin' for some good lovin' and I'm glad they could give it to you. Just out of curiosity, was Dex good?" "God, I can't believe he was a virgin two days ago?" Karen's tongue hurt after she bit it to keep from reacting. The two talked some more as Margo started to relax. A little later, she said, "I'd better go get dressed before Mike comes down." "Nah! He'll just be in his boxers. He doesn't even know you're here." "But this is pretty see thru. Doesn't that bother you." "Well, if you're shy, by all means get dressed. I don't mind giving my lover a visual treat, though, and you certainly are that! I know you won't try to steal him away." "As if I could. You too have the kind of marriage they write romance novels about. God, I wish I had the guts to get a divorce." Mike took that moment to walk into the room, wearing just his boxers as Karen had predicted. He sat across the table from Margo and took her hands in his. "Margo, we don't know each other all that well, but I suspect you know everything about me. We are going to supply the guts you need. We know the most honest, caring lawyer in the country, and I am setting up an appointment for you tomorrow. It might be a lot easier than you think." "Oh, I..." Just then, Dex walked in and put his hand on her shoulders. "Dammit! I'll do it. Thanks for giving me the courage, Mike." ------- Marty, of course, protested that she didn't do divorces. Mike and Dex, of course, insisted she was the only lawyer they would let their friend see. Marty, of course, finally relented and scrambled to get up to date on divorce law. With help from Marty and Carl Plonske, who easily collected damning evidence of infidelity, Margo got a quiet, uncontested divorce. She intentionally gave up the house and the Cadillac, insisting on cash and support for Rick through college. The settlement was not exactly generous, but it was acceptable, and it was clean and quick. She rented a nice, but not extravagant apartment, and bought a used Oldsmobile. She put all her jewelery with true gems in a safe deposit box, and put her furs in storage. The divorce would finalize January 15. Margo spent a celebratory weekend with Rick at school. ------- Chapter 13 (Fifteen years earlier) Life was good for Dex. When things are going so well, why can't they stay that way? When Dex first started accompanying Jenny and Chris to the Emporium, he spent a lot of his time watching the crowd while Jenny sang. After a few nights, though, it became too hard on him to see all the obvious examples of men he thought were mistreating their women. Of course, there were no overt physical acts among the crowd, but he was so sensitized that even common rude or inconsiderate behavior bothered him. The Emporium was not known as a place for heavy drinkers, but very few men's treatment of their women improved with any alcohol intake. The past nearly year and a half had brought Dex very close with five women. His extremely strong protective feelings toward them spilled over to females in general. These feelings led to his only real problem at school. The high school was large, and contained a diverse demographic mix. Excessively macho behavior, however, seemed evenly distributed across the economic and racial mix. Frequently, during routine moving about the school, Dex would encounter boys abusing their girlfriends verbally, often as a show in front of their buddies. On very rare occasions, Dex would see a boy manhandling or even striking a girl. Psychologically, he was unequipped to ignore these occurrences. Physically, he was more than equipped to deal with them. His martial arts training strongly emphasized defusing situations, and using force only when unavoidable. Thus, on several occasions, he intervened and talked down the boys. Given his size and demeanor, this was all it took. One day, walking to lunch with Bitsy from the farthest wing of the school, Dex turned a corner just in time to see a nasty confrontation. Four biker wannabees were watching as another of their group kicked a girl lying on the ground, her face already bleeding. Dex was there in a second, using a painful bent-finger hold to force the boy back from the girl. He knelt next to the girl, still facing the attacker. As he started to speak to her, the boy pulled a knife, bringing gasps and a scream from the six or seven onlookers. Dex was on his feet in a flash. His leg swung, knocking the knife into the air before the boy had it completely in position for an attack. Dex turned to the four companions, and said, "Pick up that knife, take your friend and get him out of here, quickly!" Bitsy was already calling over her shoulder that she would get the nurse. Dex knelt by the victim and told her not to move, taking off his jacket and folding it under her head. The girl wore standard biker chick garb which could not hide the fact that she was very pretty. He found out her name was Connie Archer, and she was a Junior. The nurse arrived and Dex and Bitsy stayed to make sure Connie was OK. An ambulance was called and the nurse told all the onlookers, now quite a crowd, to go about their business. Dex and Bitsy grabbed a hurried lunch and separated for their next classes. Halfway through the class hour, a messenger handed the teacher a note, and she directed Dex to go to the principals office. The principal, Lester Schantz was, unfortunately, at the forefront of the mindless zero tolerance movement that was consolidating its grip on US education. As soon as Dex entered the office, Schantz told him, "Your aunt is on the way to take you home." "Oh. Why?" "You are expelled for fighting." "Fighting? I didn't fight." "You had a physical confrontation with another student. That qualifies as fighting. Expulsion is automatic for that offense." "I did not fight. I kept him from seriously injuring another student, that's all. I did him no harm, and I didn't attempt to." "Don't try to argue with me. The rule is clear. You were fighting, and you are expelled. Now, clean out your locker." Dex was the one who had to restrain Karen when she heard what had happened. She was ready to lay waste to Lester Schantz with extreme prejudice. To her surprise, Dex asked her to take him to the dojo. To his surprise, she called back to work and said she would not return that day, and stayed with him. She waited quietly while he talked briefly with the sensei, then she talked to the sensei while Dex went through an ultra-high-intensity workout. Karen had seen him work out before, but had no idea what he was really capable of. It was impossible for her not to wince when he unleashed thundering kicks against the dummies. His exertions did little to quell her anger, but she could see that it was essential to him. Karen brought Dex home about the time Donna arrived, and the girl went ballistic when she heard the story. Dex got her calmed down, and then asked her to take him to the hospital to see if Connie was OK. He made a couple of calls to be sure where she was, then the two left, picking up a burger on the way. Donna knew who Connie was, but knew almost nothing about her, except for the crowd she hung with. When they walked into the room, a man and a woman, assumedly Connie's parents, were there. As Dex walked in the door, Connie said, derisively, "Well, hello Hotshot! I'll bet you're the big hero around school now!" Donna had learned a lot from Dex about composure, but this was too much for her. Parents or no, she exploded. "Hey, wait a minute! He got expelled for saving your butt! Maybe he shouldn't have bothered!" The mother barely had time to gasp and Donna was out the door. Without hesitation, Dex followed her. "Hey, wait!" Connie yelled at Dex's back, then "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Dex was hugging Donna tightly several doors down the hall when the father came up to them. For a while he just stood quietly, then finally said, "Could we go to the cafeteria and talk?" By now realizing what she had done, Donna tried to apologize, but Gerald Archer waved her off, then put a hand gently on her shoulder. To her credit, she didn't cringe, but started walking down the hall toward the elevators. Over a Coke and some cookies, and after introductions, Gerald Archer took the initiative. "I know you feel bad about what you said in there, Donna, but you are more right than you know. Connie has been a source of unbelievable heartache to her mother and I." "How badly is she hurt?" Dex asked. "One broken rib and two cracked, broken bone in her hand, oral surgery needed on two teeth, and a deep thigh bruise. They are very worried about blood clots from the bruise. If you hadn't intervened, it's no telling the damage he might have done." "Mr. Archer, I really didn't mean Dex shouldn't have helped," Donna said tearfully. "There's no way he could not have, and that's what makes me so angry. He'd do anything for anybody, and that pompous jerk kicks him out of school without even knowing what happened." "Dex, why don't you tell me what did happen?" Gerald asked. Dex gave him the brief but complete story. There was some question and answer, particularly about the session with Schantz. It was Donna who asked Gerald "I assume you know who the boy is?" "Unfortunately. We have lived in fear every time she is with him. Who would have thought the worst would happen in school?" There was silence for a while, then Gerald tried to change the subject. "Dex, I saw you play last year. My son Tim was the center a few years ago. I'm glad to hear you will be the point guard this year." "That was yesterday. Now I'll have to hunt for somewhere else to play." "Oh, you won't be out that long. All you have to do is apply for re-admission and have a hearing before a committee. I'm sure there won't be any problem." "I won't apply!" "What!" Gerald and Donna said this in unison. "What Schantz did was wrong. If that is the policy of the school board, then that is wrong. I did exactly what I was trained to do and did it for the right reasons. If I can be punished for doing the honorable thing, then I don't want to go to school there." "What do you mean what you were trained for?" The teens explained Dex's martial arts proficiency and the defensive, minimum force philosophy he trained under. "Then, I guess you could have hurt him badly, couldn't you?" "He could have killed him like that!" Donna told Gerald, snapping her fingers. Both Donna and Gerald tried for a while longer to change Dex's mind, but he was adamant, and they slumped in resignation. "Um, Mr. Archer," Donna said after another pause, "I need to go back up and apologize to Connie." "No, Donna, I really wish you wouldn't. Connie doesn't think anything she does has consequences. Please, let her stew a while, knowing your honest opinion of her." "Well, I should at least talk to your wife." "I'll take care of that. I'll tell her you wanted to apologize." ------- Returning from the hospital, Dex got into a rare disagreement with Mike. Mike had called Marty, and they were discussing legal action. Dex became quite agitated as he told them, "Mike, you work for the School Board. If you take action against them, they could retaliate. I will not be a part of any lawsuit." Mike felt frustrated and helpless, and kept insisting he couldn't just let this slide. It was Karen who had to settle him down and convince him he couldn't change Dex's mind. Uncle and nephew reaffirmed their love and respect for each other with a hug. ------- Unbeknownst to the Fergusons, Gerald Archer was a force in the local business community. He was the CEO of a small conglomerate of family-owned businesses, and one of the ten largest employers in town. He also had a spotless reputation that he had preserved from three generations of Archers before him. When a young investigative reporter whose work Gerald admired received a call, there was no hesitation. By the time Gerald outlined the story to her, she could barely take notes because of her excitement. At the same time the news story was brewing, Marty was showing another aspect of her resourcefulness. Coincidentally, the two women's paths crossed at the home of one school board member. Both were researching the validity of the policy Schantz had invoked, and they decided to team up. Schantz was interviewed with a camera in his face, and could not have looked worse. He denied there was a knife, claiming it was made up by the students to cover for their classmate's actions. "Turns out this kid is some kind of karate-ninja nut. I can't have dangerous students like that running around my halls acting like vigilantes!" The TV piece and the article were both beautifully assembled. The reporter included a short clip of the sensei explaining the philosophy he taught. Marty had leaked Bitsy's name as a witness, and the reporter really went to town on that choice bit of human interest. She even made the leap that it was Dex who paid for Bitsy's orthodontia. That was never verified, but it didn't matter. Bitsy on screen was awesome. A few seconds of Dex making a steal and going coast to coast for a layup didn't hurt the audience appeal, either. The fact that the policy had never been presented to the school board, as required, and had been released only in teacher's meetings at the school was covered, citing school board minutes and referencing the interviews. The wrap-up had questions to Schantz about how badly Dex had injured the assailant, and what the assailant's punishment was, since the boy had been charged with a assault by the police. It finally came out that Schantz had neither found nor punished the boy. Schantz mumbled something about the assailant being punished enough already by the beating he got. The final shot showed a hospital bed with someone in it (not necessarily Connie) overwritten by a list of Connie's injuries. The expulsion lasted three days before the Superintendent forced Schantz to give in. Fortunately, all of Dex's teachers defied policy and allowed him to make up all his work. Donna had brought home all his assignments. On Connie's first day back in school, Donna found her in the cafeteria and apologized for unloading on her. Two days later, a red Mustang pulled up to the Ferguson house at dinner time, and Connie came to the door with flowers. She thanked Dex profusely, then apologized to everyone for her remark and accepted the invitation to stay and eat. Over an hour later, Connie left, looking definitely perplexed at what she had experienced. That Sunday, Dex was invited to the Archer home for supper, and rather reluctantly agreed. Donna dropped him off, and he was to call for a ride home. When Mrs. Archer greeted him at the door, she thanked him, then made a remark about Donna's comments. Dex blinked in surprise, but said nothing in response. Within minutes, there was another snide reference, and Connie told her mother how Donna had apologized as soon as Connie got to school, and that they had become friends. Mrs. Archer shot back that Connie didn't need friends who would talk to her like that. Courtesy came naturally to Dex, and his training reinforced his natural politeness. There are limits, however, to what any fifteen-year-old can take. Before they had even left the entryway, and before Gerald had joined them from upstairs, Dex said, "Mrs. Archer, Donna is my very best friend and the finest young woman you will ever meet. It would be better for Connie to have friends like Donna than those who beat her up. If you are this angry at Donna, my presence here will be uncomfortable for everyone. Thank you for the invitation, but it would be better if I left now." Dex was all the way down the long circle drive of the mansion and out the gate before Gerald came downstairs and found out what had happened. After a short but extremely heated discussion with his wife, Gerald drove after Dex and caught him a few blocks away. Gerald took Dex for Dinner at a restaurant and they talked. Dex was hard put to understand how a man like Gerald, whom he genuinely admired, could have a wife and daughter who were so screwed up. Surprisingly, Gerald unburdened himself on just that issue. He told Dex how his wife had succumbed to the wealth and was acting more and more like the worst of royalty. He believed Connie's problem was that she had never had any limits set on her behavior, and the brutish biker types she hung with filled a need for some limits and some consequences. He realized how perverted that sounded, but the most expensive shrinks had agreed on this point. Tabling the family talk, Gerald quizzed Dex thoroughly on his interests and his future plans, and they talked business in general. Because of his natural interest, the many sessions spent with Chris, and the activities of his little group at school, Dex was able to make quite an impression with his grasp of business concepts. The meal ended with an offer of a summer job at one of Archer's companies. Dex expressed his preference for the brokerage firm, and Gerald gave him a contact name and a personal note on the back of a business card. ------- Connie Archer's world was in chaos. She had a strong submissive streak, but it was never evident to her parents through all her rebellion. The boy she hung with provided the control she instinctively sought. It was sometimes brutal, but even that seemed to meet a certain need. Now, her boyfriend had really hurt her, and she had been rescued by a guy she considered both a jock and a nerd, two forms of life she scorned. Of course, her big brother Tim had been both, but that was different. Connie had battled furiously to attend public school, rather than the boarding school her mother was set on. It was her front line of rebellion as a young teen. She was tired of being different and longed for what she considered a normal life. At thirteen, she was madly in love with her big brother Tim, who was heading off to college. Tim loved his sister, but took on a definite big-brother role - almost a second father. When Tim left for college, young Connie decided she had lost true love forever, and it didn't matter what boy she was with from then on. Connie's rescuer's cousin was painfully square, but Connie found she liked the girl. She still could not believe she had actually made a visit to the Ferguson house - the Cleaver residence, as far as she was concerned. The visit had been upsetting, mainly because there seemed to be no tension or struggle between the family members. And then the parents had seemed more like love-struck teenagers with each other! To top it all off, Dex had later walked out on Connie's mother! Almost more than the rescue, Dex's simple act of walking out drew Connie to him. This was strength she could relate to, strength she could barely muster for herself. To everybody's surprise, she went with her father to the opening basketball game, the first she had attended since Tim graduated. Before the holiday break, Connie had completely abandoned the biker chick duds she had so carefully accumulated over the last two years. Connie and Dex were by no means an item, however. In fact, they hardly spoke. They shared no classes and were in different lunch periods, so there was nothing to draw them together. Dex had no idea of Connie's interest in him, and he certainly did not reciprocate. It would be too strong to say she worshipped him from afar, but she did keep track of his activities and became a faithful basketball fan. She even attended a regional martial arts meet to watch Dex compete - he did not know she was there. In this rather strange environment, Dex had his first 'normal' teen-aged date. Normal, that is, with the girl's father pleading with him to ask his daughter out, and the girl doing the driving. They went to an Addison basketball game on Saturday afternoon, had dinner, then went to hear Jenny sing her early set. Dex had no idea if Connie liked basketball or country music at all. He almost hoped she did not, because he dated her out of respect for Gerald, and was not anxious to encourage more dates. A funny thing happened that Saturday in early November. The Connie that spent the afternoon and evening with Dex was one that her family and classmates rarely, if ever, saw. The brittle, rebellious attitude never left the house. She looked for all the world like a preppy coed, and was witty and vivacious the entire time. Dex discovered an active mind and excellent conversational skills. If she disliked basketball or country music, she never let on. The clincher, though, was a strong underlying need that Dex could not quite identify, but that made her an automatic object of interest for him. ------- Going into basketball season, Dex had acquired two enemies, Lester Schantz and Mrs. Archer, an influential friend, Gerald Archer, and a girlfriend of sorts, Connie. He had also acquired more money in his trust fund through some astute investments. About halfway through his freshmen year, Dex had started working on his little group of brainy friends to focus on something other than the usual nerdy interests. Dex's earliest discussions with Chris had sparked a keen interest in the business world, and particularly the financial world. After some initial reluctance but strong support from Bitsy, now acknowledged as the group's co-leader, they formed a little lunch-time investment club. The six members were each assigned $10,000 in pretend funds, and instructed to invest it. Bitsy acted as the broker, recording all trades. Each person was given a market sector to do research on, just as in a brokerage firm. Imagine the flap when they first unfurled the Wall Street Journal on a cafeteria table! By this time, all of their reputations were locked in, and they couldn't care less. Much to the delight and amazement of several parents, the kids all took to the club with a passion, and, since the market was relatively healthy at the time, all of them made nice 'profits.' The week after the wedding, Dex sat down with Marty and showed her the record of the 'trades' he had made. He then asked Marty to invest $20,000 of his fund money in some stocks he had picked. Having enough interaction with Dex to know how serious he was, Marty agreed, and made the trades. By Halloween, due to unquestionable luck and good timing, Dex's stake had increased to $31,000 in value. After the first month, Marty started shadowing Dex's trades with some of her own money, and was very pleased with the result. Dex's request to to put another $20,000 in his stock account was not even questioned. ------- Through the many discussions with Chris at the Emporium on Friday and Saturday nights, Dex had picked up Chris's entrepreneurial yearnings. It was Dex who first suggested that Chris form a company to market albums that Jenny could record, and perhaps stage concerts. Chris was enthralled with the idea, but their discussions highlighted the cold reality of no startup capital, and too little exposure for Jenny, so far. Nevertheless, the idea stayed at the top of both of their minds. They began stealing as much of Hoss's time as they could get to pick his brain about the recording business. ------- Angeline had a good family in France, and she got along well with them. When the Thanksgiving break came at school, though, she wanted to visit Jenny and her family more than anything. When Jenny and Donna met her at the airport, she looked around in obvious disappointment as she asked why Dex wasn't there, causing Donna and Jenny to share a meaningful look. Angeline arrived on Tuesday evening, a day before the worst rush, and with another day of school for Donna and Dex. The reason Dex was not at the airport was that he had not returned from basketball practice when the girls had to leave. They all stopped by the Fergusons' to drop off Donna and say hello. Dex was downstairs studying when he heard the commotion upstairs. As he emerged from the stairway, he was hit full force by Angeline, who jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck, and her legs around his waist. She said nothing, just hugged, and Dex swung her around playfully. Dex stopped, expecting Angeline to drop down, but she showed no sign of letting go. Chuckling, he sat on the sofa and pulled her across his lap. When she looked up at him, there was none of the usual mischievous glint. She said, simply, "I missed you!" and kissed him warmly. The two sat like that for several more minutes, until Angeline reluctantly climbed off to leave with Jenny, planting one more kiss on Dex. No sooner were the girls out the door, then Donna pushed Dex back onto the sofa and took Angeline's former place. "Told 'ya!" she exclaimed, as Dex just shook his head. ------- This was Angeline's first family Thanksgiving meal, and she was impressed. It was a squeeze with thirteen adults (the Boggs, Chris and Jenny, Ron, Karen's parents, Margo), but it never dented the good humor, nor the quality of the food. At the very beginning of the meal, Kristen announced her pregnancy, and it took quite a while for the hubbub to subside. No one ever figured out how the timing was done, but just as dessert was being prepared, a cab pulled up and the driver delivered two bottles of top-quality champagne. It was from Gerald, with a very nice thank you note to Dex. Of course, that required another retelling of the whole saga, causing Dex no end of frustration. Angeline's gaze at Dex moved way past adoration at that point. After the meal, Margo was talking with Jenny and Angeline together. "Both of you girls are used to much more luxurious dining, aren't you?" she asked, somewhat baiting them. Jenny was the most vociferous in her response. "Margo, none of that matters. Now I have love - I would never trade." Angeline was a little more thoughtful. "You know, Margo, I have never heard Karen apologize for anything she didn't have or anything that was old or worn out. I think think these people really know about this Thanksgiving. How about you Margo? Wasn't your husband wealthy?" "Yes, I had more things than I knew what to do with, but the Ferguson's have more of what counts. I could have gone with my parents and brothers and sister, but these are more my family than anyone else." Many knowing smiles were exchanged the rest of the evening as Angeline firmly attached herself to Dex. ------- On Friday night, the basketball team had a game against a strong team from the neighboring state, part of a pre-season exchange between the two conferences. Angeline had never seen a basketball game, but there was no way she would miss it. Dex had an excellent game, as he usually did. He was a slasher, constantly driving toward the basket for either a score or a dish off to a teammate. It was early in his career, but he started something he did every game. One of the first times he touched the ball, he drove hard toward the basket, sending the defensive player sprawling. He got the offensive foul, but none of the defenders wanted to try to stop him thereafter. It was to become his signature move, and his fans developed a unique 'falling bomb' sound for when he did it. Dex was so quick that even much shorter players could not stop him in the backcourt when he wanted to penetrate. He was an excellent rebounder - despite being a good but not great leaper. His quickness and footwork let him always be in the right position, and his strength meant he had the ball once he touched it. Angeline probably had no idea what was happening, but her eyes never left Dex the entire game. It had been pre-arranged that Donna, Dex, and Angeline would go to the Emporium for Jenny's second set, and that Angeline would spend the night with Donna. Angeline thought Dex's Jeep was a real adventure, and was practically bouncing with excitement when they pulled into the Emporium She had moist eyes most of the time Jenny was singing, except when Dex asked her to dance. Back at the house, the girls were just settling into the room with the twin beds, when Donna gave Angeline a hug and said simply, "Go!" The tiny girl practically flew down the stairs. As she reached the basement, she heard the shower running and could not believe her good fortune. She dropped her night clothes and entered the bathroom quickly to avoid causing a draft. Then she pulled back the corner of the shower curtain and stepped in with Dex. One several occasions, Donna had come into the shower with Dex. In fact, it was one of her favorite types of foreplay. Thinking it was Donna joining him now, Dex was preparing a tickle attack, or some other form of retaliation, when he was encircled from the back by impossibly small arms coming from an impossibly low angle. He realized immediately who it must be, but then two impossibly small hands found his penis. He had the crazy thought that this must be why pedophiles are pedophiles. Very gently turning around, the look on Angeline's lovely little face erased any thought of pedophilia. This was a woman, and she was in serious love with him, or at least serious lust. Dex was by now fully erect, and his cock seemed to be the only part of his body Angeline was aware of. She began working on it with both hands as if it was a race to ejaculation. He was first bemused by the whole situation, then uncertain how he should respond to her obvious infatuation with him. Ultimately, he responded as a normal fifteen year old male with a highly stimulated cock. He erupted, and she pulled herself to him, taking every surge against her chest. Even though he was shaky from his come, Dex reached back and shut off the water, then moved her over to sit on the back edge of the shower tub. He knelt in front of her and thrust his face into her crotch with the same urgency and abruptness with which she had attacked his cock. She apparently needed no warmup, as the vocal encouragement, in French, started with the first broad swipe of his tongue. This, the fifth pussy he had been close up with, was decidedly different from any of the others, but he took no time for exploration. He assumed the same need to get him off quickly applied to her own need, and he zeroed in on her clit immediately. Sensing no tenderness or recoiling, he gave it the full treatment while using a finger in her hole. Either she was a natural firecracker or she was incredibly strung out, because she achieved the fastest orgasm he would produce in his entire life. When recovered from her come, Angeline became very affectionate, and showed a little of her usual playfulness. She turned the water back on and gave Dex a now-redundant thorough washing, and he eagerly returned the favor. They dried and scurried to the bed, where they cuddled for a while just waiting to get warm. "I could not believe you were in the shower. You showered after your game." "It was warm in the club and I got a bit sweaty. It was also rather smoky. I like to go to bed very clean." "Ah. All your women like that also, no?" Dex just chuckled in response. They cuddled silently for a few more minutes. In his usual atrocious French, Dex asked "Pourquoi?" This time, she did not even giggle, but drew in a big breath and let it out with a huge sigh. He continued, "I'm sorry you cannot tell me in French. Maybe it would be easier." "It is not difficult to explain. It is impossible. I can not choose who I love. I know I am older. I know I am always far away. I know it makes not sense for me to love you. These things I know, but my brain does not my heart control. You are the best man I know, Dex Madison." "Oh, Angeline. You are my little French doll, but it would not be good for you to fall in love with me. You must have many men after you in France and in New York." "Many silly boys and a few disgusting men. None of them could I love. To fall in love is not something a person chooses. It is something that happens to one, like a disease. But maybe there is no cure." "Is it me, Angeline, or is it this whole family, and all the love that fills this place?" "Ah, you see many things, Dex. My family is good. There is love and there is care. But here, there is more. There is contentment. There is so much trust in each other." "Maybe you should get to know Ron better." "Ron I like, but there is not the spark." She then took a teasing tone. "So, you want to get rid or me to your cousin, eh?" Dex could just reach her tight little butt, and gave it a mild slap on one cheek. "I am not trying to get rid of you - it's not like I have you." "Oh, you have me, all right! I know what you say, though. You are not ready to commit to one woman, yet. I probably will not be the one when you do. Dex, just love me now. I can handle the future. I am no virgin, and I need you in me." "I don't want to end up hurting you. Will this make it harder for you?" Deflecting the heavier mood with some levity, she answered back, "I hope this will be very, very hard for me, soon," as she stroked his flaccid penis. This was not some starry eyed freshman, Dex realized, but a mature young woman, very much aware of her emotions and desires. This realization was important to him, because he was ready to take her even if she had been that besotted freshman. Angeline was a force in all ways, including sexually. She did not have the voluptuous assets of a Margo or a Jenny, but she seemed to ooze desirability from every pore. Dex was really no match for her, and he knew it instinctively. Dex had already made her climax once, but that had almost been retaliation. He wanted to sample all of her miniaturized charms. He started with their first prolonged kiss. If he had any doubt of her feelings for him, they were seared into his brain through her lips and tongue. This was definitely no naive girl. Those perfect little tits had nearly popped his eyes that day at the pool. Now was his chance to learn everything about them. The puffy tips, where the entire aureolae swelled and protruded, were completely new to Dex, and he found them incredibly erotic. He spent minutes laving, then sucking and nibbling. She became highly aroused with the attention to her nipples, and began begging him to enter her. He tested her moisture with his fingers, and found it plentiful. Dex had been concerned that her small size might carry over to her vagina, and cause problems in penetration. She was definitely tight, but not restrictively so. The only problem was the stimulation was so great as he worked his way in, that he feared he would not last long. He took an extra long time reaching full depth just to prevent early ejaculation. The leisurely progress was not what she had in mind, but her vocalizations indicated the delay was not unpleasant. They were in the standard missionary as Dex worked his way in, and the difference in their heights became almost comical, with her mouth right about at his Adam's apple. She was so insistent, though, that changing positions was not a possibility. He began doing everything he knew with his cock, trying to arouse her as much as he could. Even though he had come earlier in the shower, Dex could not hold out very long with her tightness and the intensity of her movements. He let loose, not worrying yet about her orgasm, but managed to keep right on thrusting. He gritted his teeth against the sensitivity and was rewarded by his shaft rapidly stiffening to full hardness again. "D... did you come?" Angeline asked in wonderemnt. "N... never m... mind. Don't s... stop." Breathing heavily from temporary exhaustion, Dex could not reply, but began accelerating his pace. Within another minute, he was practically vibrating in and out of her. After thirty seconds of that frantic pace, he was about to give up when he achieved the desired result. She arched her back so strongly that she lifted him right up, then began flopping about as if in a seizure. Her internal clenching was as strong as her gyrations, and it pushed him over the edge as well. He struggled to maintain enough motion to help extend her orgasm, but as he felt his strength running out, he rolled them over so she was on top, and managed to pull some covers over them and get the pillows positioned. Fearing a tearful, emotional aftermath, Dex was immensely pleased to feel, more than see, a contented smile when Angeline achieved some body control. She made some small wriggling motions accompanied by purrs for a bit, then spoke dreamily. "You are a woman's dream, Dex Madison. Thank you." "I was afraid I was a little rough - not romantic enough." "Hmmmm. Taking out all of my bones is very romantic." She was so light atop him that they fell asleep without moving. In the morning, they made love again. This time he sat on the bed cross-legged, and she impaled herself on his lap facing him. With her legs wrapped around him, a back and forth motion for her produced exquisite sensations and very deep penetration, and he used his hands to move her. A key advantage of this position was that their faces were on the same level, and they could look at each other and kiss as they fucked. After a long, gentle, session, they showered together. While drying off, she told him she had been waiting for one of the famous naked breakfasts. It did not please her to hear that because of her presence and Ron's, everyone would be clothed today. ------- When Angeline darted away for her night with Dex, Donna decided she needed some closer fellowship with her second brother, Ron. He had come in about the same time as the others, and was already in bed. Slipping in beside him, Donna woke him up, and he was first confused, then startled. "Wha... Donna?" "Mmmmm Hmmmm. I feel the need to get real close to my bro' tonight. Scoot over just a little." In typical Donna style, she lay practically on top of him, and hugged him with her free arm. "Sis... this isn't a good idea." "S'OK. Mom and Dad don't care, and I really want to. We're just going to cuddle, anyway." "Please, Donna. I can't. It's just..." "Aw, come on. You're not that shy with girls. I know you're not a virgin." "It's not girls, it's... I just..." With a flash of insight, Donna realized the problem and practically tore herself away from him. "Oh, Geez, Ronny, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I wouldn't do anything to make it worse." "You can't help it, Sis. Just by being you, you make it worse." "We were always such good buddies, Ronny. You never treated me like a little sister." "I always wished you weren't my sister at all." "Did it get better when you went away to school." "Yeah. Actually, I'm OK. It's not like I'm pining away or anything." Unable to resist, she shot back, "Why not?" in a mock-angry voice. It had the desired affect, and he chuckled. He then pulled her back to her former position and hugged her. Convinced that he was all right, she snuggled in for a long talk, and then a good sleep. In the morning, she just kissed him and went back to her room without any other displays of affection. ------- Saturday night, the threesome was at the club again. Upon arriving home, Angeline was about to plead for Dex's bed again, when Donna startled her. "Any chance we could both sleep with Dex tonight?" "Oooooh! I would love that. I had no idea you would want that." "Well, I..." She was going to say she had shared him before, but clammed up. Donna should have known Angeline would be ahead of her. "Aha! You and Dex have slept with another woman, haven't you? Who was it?" When Donna told her, she was impressed, and had to hear more of Margo's story. Dex's eyes nearly popped out when both girls walked into his room, stripped, and dragged him into the shower. That set the tone for the night. At Donna's suggestion, he repeated the dual massage from the night with Margo, and scrupulously did exactly the same things to both girls. Each girl assisted the other when Dex was fucking her, and the resulting climaxes for both were off the charts. Even as small as the bed was, there seemed plenty of extra room as the lovers fell asleep. Massaging Angeline was pure delight for Dex. Not that Donna was not, but Angeline's body was remarkably tight and muscular. Both cousins asked her about it, and she explained that she had been a gymnast until she became 'too old' at sixteen. Angeline did not have to fly back until Monday, and both Jenny and Donna insisted she spend Sunday night alone with Dex. She made heroic efforts at staying upbeat and cheerful as they made love, but in the end, she succumbed to a very tearful farewell. ------- The brother of one of Mike's teacher friends was a partner in a local hotel, and got the gang a good rate on a party room on a weeknight every Christmas. That Thursday night in mid-December, Margo was invited to join the Fergusons, and she somewhat reluctantly agreed. There were drinks, hors d'oeurves, dancing, and a small band. During the band's breaks, Hank Ballard played the piano. Margo knew Hank from the wedding. Because of Hank's heavy schedule of teaching and playing at the Emporium, she had not run into him since. Seeing Hank play was almost comical because his large hands dwarfed the keyboard as he played. There was no mistaking his talent, though, nor his love of playing. Not only was he a musician, he was a natural, irrepressible comic. This was a miracle because he was still deeply hurt by betrayal and divorce some five years before. Margo had danced a few numbers, but many of the men seemed hesitant to approach her, possibly concerned about their wives' reactions. She had worked hard to change her image from flashy to wholesome after the divorce, but there was no hiding nature's gifts. Just as Hank finished his last number before the band started again, he saw Margo sipping on a drink, watching him. He bolted to his feet and began a frantic, exagerated search around the ceiling of the room. Unable to help laughing at his antics, she spoke to him. "I'll probably be sorry I asked, but what ARE you doing." "Where the Hell is the mistletoe when you really need it? Here's the best looking girl ever to grace this hotel, and there's none of that free kiss stuff anywhere. Oh, well, just my luck! Say, would you dance with me, instead. The band knows the theme from 'Beauty and the Beast.' That would be perfect, don't you think?" By now, she was laughing so hard, he had to help her out to the floor, after taking her drink and setting it aside with a flourish. As soon as they started dancing, he quipped, "I sure am glad you missed the turn to the Debutante Ball." She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry - my mistake. It was the Miss Universe tryouts you were looking for, wasn't it?" Margo made the mistake of looking him right in the eyes. They were a brilliant blue, almost irridescent. She forgot to even laugh at the last quip. His hand seemed to cover her whole back. It was a good thing because right then her own knees were failing in their support assignment. A part of her mind wondered if he would even need both hands to encircle her waist. She looked down and saw that his feet were also large, yet he danced smoothly with almost no effort. One of the least timid souls on the earth, she could barely bring herself to look back at his eyes, which seemed riveted on her. When the dance finished, they finally got around to names, and exchanged pleasantries for a few moments. As the band started the next number, Hank took her hand daintily, bent over, and kissed it. He then did a very theatical deep bow, sweeping an arm to the side and crossing his feet. "Lady Margo the Beautiful, it has been the honor of my miserable life to dance with you! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!" He then stood at attention in front of her, clearly waiting to be dismissed. Almost choking with mirth, she stammered "I... I hoped you would ask me for another. You dance very well." All his repartee failed him at her request. In fact, it took two openings of his mouth to ask her for another dance. This time, he said nothing, just kept looking at her. The change in his demeanor from the first to the second dance surprised her, but he still held her firmly and danced with ease and grace. When the second dance ended, she knew she had to take the initiative. "Hank, I get the feeling you are loafing. Let's crank it up this time, and I'll try to keep up." They did crank it up, and they got noticed. Mike and Karen had been sitting out, talking to their respective friends, and Karen dashed over to Mike, practically shouting in his ear. "Honey, look! That's their third dance! Would you believe it? Ohhhh, isn't that neat?" "Sweetheart, calm down, please. That latchup is just too weird. Even Cupid couldn't pull that off. They're just dancing, OK?" "You're right, off course, Dear. They're just dancing. Surrrrrre they are!" With that, she scurried over to the band leader and spoke excitedly in his ear for several seconds. That done, she moved over close to where the two of them were dancing. When the song ended, the sound never stopped as the leader bridged, somewhat raggedly, into the obvious intro to Holiday Polka. As Margo and Hank made to separate, Karen was right on them and almost physcally forced them to keep dancing. With the polka, Hank became a veritable dervish. Margo was totally off balance at first, and knew nothing of polkas. She was, however, a very good dancer and soon picked up the steps. Before long they were both embellishing, not even noticing that everyone else had stopped dancing. When the rhytmic clapping started, they noticed, and blushed, but by now there was no stopping them. At the final flourish, he told her to hang on to his arms, then grabbed her around the waist with both hands and spun her out, up, and around with her feet above his shoulder level. After a complete circle, he had to keep his grip after setting her down. She was dizzy, and not just from the whirl. The watching crowd clapped, yelled and whistled, momentarily drowning out the sound of the band bridging into the Tannenbaum Waltz. Both dancers started to relax, but cries of "More, More, More!" drove them back to dancing. "This time, we're on my turf, Buster, so hang on!" She made good on her boast with a flowing, classic waltz step. Once they were in a comfortable rhytym, she asked him, "Can we not show my panties to the whole crowd again, please?" "You're wearing panties?!" He exclaimed in exagerated shock. "If I'd known that, I wouldn't have bothered showing you off." She actually stumbled, she laughed so hard. "See that? I told you! It's magic," Karen told Mike with excitement. "Sweetheart, I love your excitement, and you're a good friend to Margo - to Hank, too. But this is Hank we're talking about. With Margo? Come on! Not even in a fairy tale." The applause was nearly as loud, but without the yells and whitstles, when the waltz was done. Everyone flocked around to congratulate the two, many introducing themselves to Margo for the first time. Hank didn't play for any more breaks the rest of the night. He and Margo sat and talked until the cleaning crew was waiting patiently for them to leave. Karen couldn't resist a solid dig to Mike's ribs as they waved goodbye to a blushing but beaming Margo. Before they left, Margo and Hank knew of each others' marital failures. Hank had no children - another heartbreak piled on him by his ex, who couldn't be bothered. He, of course, knew of Rick, and had even had him in class during Junior High. When it was obvious they finally had to leave, Margo invited him for dinner the next night. "I'm sorry Margo, I have to work." "Work? On Firday night? You're a teacher." "I play in the band whenever Jenny sings." "AHA! No wonder you're so good at the polka! What do you play?" "Um, I guess tomorrow I'll play drums." "You mean you play other things?" "I, um, play whatever they're missing." "You're a surprise a minute, aren't you? Here's my phone, Hank. Let me have yours. I really want to see you again. I haven't had so much fun in years." With that, they went their own ways. ------- Margo was at the Emporium the next night, although Hank would not have recognized her if he had looked right at her. She stayed through two whole sets, surprised at how much she enjoyed the music. Jenny was great, and Margo wondered why she was still doing a local club. The dance floor was constantly full. The dancing was lively, and the dancers were obviously having fun. She made a painful comparison with the countless Country Club and convention dances she had been to. Her dance training was one of the things that attracted Roger to her, for he was an accomplished dancer, also. She was always lucky if she got three dances with him. She made up for it by dancing with many men, and sometimes, she was ashamed to remember, by drinking away the hurt. Mostly that Saturday night, she watched Hank. Yes, his hands were huge, making the drumsticks seem almost like toothpicks. During normal activty, as he moved about, she did seem to focus on them. There was no question they were out of proportion. As she examined the rest of him carefully, though, she liked what she saw. He was not skinny, and she knew from personal experience how incredilbly strong he was. She couldn't avoid a tingle as she thought back to the night before and that incredible lift and twirl, followed by the panty joke. His shoulders were broad and square, and his neck, though long, was well muscled. His impressive Adam's Apple was only normal for his booming voice. He was completely into the music, no matter what the song. He quickly entered that trance-like state she had noticed from many other backup musicians during a number. He was an excellent drummer, delivering the steady, driving, hypnotic beat so essential to most country songs. One piece was almost a jazz cross-over with several solo riffs, including one for the drum which Hank played impressively. She became almost hypnotized as he manipulated the various pedals, snares, sticks, wire brushes, cowbells, temple blocks, and other paraphenelia of the drummer's little world. For one blue-grass number, he played the banjo. For a comedy routine, he picked up a string bass. She knew he could do credit to Bach on the finest pipe organ in town, having heard him at the wedding. Margo knew Roger was a virtuoso surgeon, but it had never brought him closer to her. On the contrary, the O.R. was HIS place, and he shared nothing about it with her. As she sat and listened, it was like the music and Hank became one and drew her in. Her family had not stressed music, so she had had no training. She loved music, though, and her dancing was all about music. She had been to concerts and operas by the dozens, and enjoyed them all. But this! She felt like it was right in her gut. Was she going country, as she was sure her Country Club friends would taunt, or was it just the drummer? Wait a minute! She didn't have any Country Club friends! Those few who barely qualified as friends had dropped her like a hot stone after the divorce. She realized now they had never really accepted her anyway. She didn't have the proper background. She was a pretender to their lofty circle. Now, the Fergusons were her friends, and their circle was accepting her more and more. These were good people - real people. And her family! She was closer to her parents and her siblings than she had been in twenty years. Sometimes those relationships were all that kept her together in the worst of the lonely times. ------- Chapter 14 (Fourteen years earlier) Just after Christmas vacation ended, Donna had manipulated a boy in her class into asking her out. Jared Perdue, her date, was a lock for valedictorian, and Dex thought he was a really good guy. He did not look like your typical nerd, but he was shy enough about dating that he had managed but three dates so far in his life. He was a freckled redhead who had curly hair and a face that looked more mannish than boyish. He was a math whiz and also had high SAT scores in the physical sciences. Jared and Donna had once been lab partners and had shared a number of classes the last two years. They had been eating lunch together in a group the whole school year. The first date was just a basketball game, but it was a start. Jared was also an accomplished musician, being the primary male soloist in the school choir, and good enough at keyboards to briefly consider majoring in music. Although he hid it from his parents, he had a long-time desire to play in a rock band, and spent many of his spare hours on his own synthesizer. The two cousins talked about Donna's new beau, and it was clear that Donna, while not yet head over heels for the boy, really liked him, and was very comfortable with him. Dex had an inkling that she wanted to have some experience with boys other than himself before she headed for college. It was impossible for him not to feel a twinge of jealousy, but he was well aware how hypocritical those thoughts were. He never expressed anything but enthusiasm and sincere support for Donna. He told her he would understand when it no longer felt right for her to sleep with him. She protested that she was nowhere near that point with Jared. Dex knew, though, that patience was not at the top of Donna's long list of good qualities. Jared was only shy when it came to dating, and Donna quickly brought him out of that shell. He immediately asked Donna out again, and within two weeks, they were an acknowledged item. Jared's parents, particularly his mother, were very proud of him and extremely protective. There was no question that he was overly sheltered. It was a tribute to his intelligence and love for his parents that he never rebelled, but had acquired a surprisingly sophisticated appreciation of sexual matters for having zero experience. Donna had found another boy who wanted an intimate relationship with her, but made no long-term assumptions. Jared's reasons were different from Dex's, but he was almost as appealing a partner as was her cousin. Besides, she could go to the Prom with Jared. ------- A big part of the education Donna gained from dating Jared was an appreciation of how fortunate she was to have the parents she did. Jared first came to Donna's house for a Friday supper before heading to another basketball game. Karen and Mike had him comfortable in minutes, and before the couple left, he was laughing and showing his sharp wit as if he had known the family since childhood. A week later, Jared brought Donna to his house. His mother had not invited her for a meal, so she was strictly Jared's guest. Betty Perdue did spend some time visiting with the teens during the forty-five minute visit. While too polite to make any overt comments, Donna could not miss the distrust and borderline hostility the woman harbored toward her. Fortunately, Jared's father, Matt, and his fifteen year old sister, Kelly, were very warm and receptive. Kelly, in fact, risked her brother's wrath by staying practically on top of the couple the entire visit. In the car leaving his house, Jared apologized for his mother, but Donna assured him she was not upset. She teased him that she could see why he hadn't done much dating. To herself, Donna wondered how they would ever get past Betty for the sexual encounters she had already decided she wanted with Jared. "Is your mother real touchy-feely around you, Jared?" "Um, yeah. I guess. Why?" "I mean, does she touch you and hug and kiss you so much it's sometimes embarrassing?" "How did you know? Kelly teases me about it all the time." "You, my friend, have a major problem. You mother is in love with you. She considers you her man, just like your father, only without the sex." "I probably shouldn't say this, but there's not much sex with her and Dad, either." "How do you know that?" "Kelly's room is a thin wall away from theirs, and she is a light sleeper. She gives me a blow by blow, and there's not much to report." "You and Kelly get along pretty well?" "Yeah, she's a good kid. We're good buddies even if she is younger." "That's great. Dex and I are that way. Is your mother just as protective of Kelly?" "Yeah, and it's rough on her. As you saw, she looks pretty mature, but Mom still thinks she's eleven." "How did your mother take your choosing a college away from home?" "Hooo, boy! That is still a hot topic around home. She moans about it all the time." "Good for you for getting away. It has to be done some time. So, how do you react when your Mom gets all affectionate?" "Um, I try to under-react and get away as soon as possible." "Do you love your Mom? Do you like her?" "I do love her. Our family is close, even if Mom and Dad don't have much of a love life. I wouldn't want to hurt Mom." "Why don't you give her a wake-up call?" "How do you mean?" "Well, if she sits beside you and rubs your thigh, rub hers. If she hugs you and rubs your back, hug her and rub hers. If she rests her hand on your chest, do the same. Get the idea?" "Wow! That would take some guts. I don't know if I could do it." "Tell me, is she more affectionate with you than with your Dad?" "Hmm. Hadn't thought of that. Yeah, I guess she is, now that you mention it." "Look, I don't mean to cause family problems, but I think you've already got them. I think you should sit down with your Dad and Kelly, and tell them what you're going to do, and why." "But that's stuff we never talk about at home." "So? Is that a good thing?" "I guess you tell your folks everything, huh?" Jared asked. "Pretty much. I'll tell you, it feels good to have everything out in the open." "Know what? I think your idea is worth a try." Jared took Donna out to dinner, then they went to the Emporium to hear Jenny. When she took him right backstage and he got to mingle with the musicians, he thought he was in heaven. His interest was in rock, but he was impressed by the skill of the musicians, and the obvious appeal the music had for the crowd. Hank sensed the boy's fascination, and told Donna to bring him to his house for a jam session while they worked on new music. Jared said he would bring his synth along, and insisted on setting a date. ------- Dex's sixteenth birthday was in early January. There was a very nice party on the following Sunday, that being the only available day because of Jenny's singing and Dex's basketball. Lots of people stopped in to wish him well, and Angeline called at the height of the celebration. Angeline had spent the last four days of the holiday break at the Ferguson's, coming back from France early. By unstated agreement, she had slept with Dex every night. Donna and Dex had talked extensively about Angeline, and Donna kept emphasizing that it was good for Dex not to focus on just Donna. She also emphasized how much it relieved Karen and Mike's concerns about Dex and Donna getting too monogamous. The major birthday event for Dex was obtaining his driver's license, which he did on his birthday. When the party was over Sunday late afternoon, he took Connie on a date, using Mike's car. Once again, Donna was very supportive of the date, even though she fucked his brains out when he came home. Dex could not describe his relationship with Connie. This was only their second date, but they had been interacting more often at school, and Connie had joined his fan club at all his games. This was a huge concession for a girl who had previously mocked all jocks. Dex found Connie complex and fascinating. Mercurial was the best description of her personality, in total contrast to her father and brothers, who were reserved, analytical types. She could have been a top student if it had interested her. As it was, she got very good grades without even trying. She was a complete extrovert when with a group, but Dex sensed a deep submissive streak which frankly frightened him. As for why he dated her: he had to admit to Donna that it was partly to help her stay away from the group that had hurt her. He was sure that on her own, she would fall back into the same patterns. ------- There was one stressful point at Dex's birthday party - Margo and Hank were both there. Their relationship, or lack thereof, had become the dominant soap opera in the Ferguson world. Margo had fixed dinner for Hank after their meeting at the Christmas party, and he had taken her out a few days later. After that, nothing. There was no animosity between them, in fact, Margo was quite obviously in love with him. Hank was infatuated with Margo, as well, but he had shut that off from his mind. A week after their three encounters, Margo unburdened herself to Jenny, who later confronted Hank. "Hank, Margo has it bad for you, and I thought you liked her, too. Why haven't you called her again?" "Jenny, Honey, I don't want to start seeing Margo when I know nothing can come of it." "What do you mean? Why couldn't something come of it?" "Come on, Jenny! We're just too different. I'm a farm boy who likes music. I teach and I play and I don't want to do anything else. She was married to a wealthy surgeon. I drive a pickup and she had a Cadillac. I'm country and she's country club. Can you imagine her at the Emporium? Or me at the Country Club? Besides, she's a beauty queen, and look at me! Sylvia called me a scarecrow when she walked out on me. 'Beauty and the Beast' only works in fairy tales." Jenny had tears in her eyes when she asked, "Hank, do you really think of yourself as a scarecrow?" "Oh, I'm OK with how I look. It's just that Margo would start to think of me the same way Sylvia did after the newness wore off. She would be embarrassed to be seen with me, too." "So you're afraid of getting hurt again?" He let out a long sigh. "Yes, Honey, I am. Look, I loved Sylvia just like you love Chris. She ripped my heart out, and I couldn't take that again. It's better for both of us if we just cool it." "Didn't you enjoy being with Margo?" "Yeah. Yeah, I did. That makes it harder, but all the more important that I don't let it go any farther." ------- Jenny went straight to Margo after her talk with Hank. Margo alternated between anger and despair. Anger that Hank would assume how she felt about him. Anger that he thought she would be so shallow. Despair that there seemed nothing she could do about it. When Jenny left, Margo reverted to her major outlet in times of deep emotion - she wrote verse. Margo had only a year and a half of college, but she had taken several poetry courses in that time. She knew that what she wrote on her own was not fine poetry but it gave her an outlet that nothing else could. Over the years, she had filled several notebooks with what she thought of as doggerel. The verses covered nearly every significant event or emotion in her adult life. Turning over a new page, she entered the title 'Scarecrow Man, ' and started writing. The words flowed as easily as the tears streaking her cheeks. She wrote of the scorn of his spouse, and the rejection of his love and goodness. She chronicled ridicule because of his hands and feet. In later verses, she changed the focus to her own appreciation of his strength, his humor, and his caring nature. The final stanza finished with the lines "I'm gonna love him just as much as I can, 'Cause I'm satisfied whenever I am, In the big, strong, loving hands of my Scarecrow Man." Margo fell into a fitful sleep after finishing the last verse. ------- Karen felt ashamed of herself, but for once she decided the ends really did justify the means. She was visiting Margo's apartment, trying to comfort her, when she saw the loose leaf tablet with 'Scarecrow Man' on the top sheet. When Margo left the room momentarily, Karen ripped it off and folded it into her purse, trying not to look guilty. ------- Jenny had agreed to help set up the little confrontation, but absolutely refused to join in. She wanted to help Hank, but her love for him was too deep to witness the embarrassment. Karen and Donna waited in the car until Jenny signaled them. Hank had just entered the shower. Mother and daughter eased into the Master bedroom while the shower ran, and waited for Hank to finish. Guessing that he was toweling off, they stepped through the open archway, nearly causing him a coronary with their greeting. "What the Hell?... Oh. I bet you've got a message for me, huh?" "You got it, Buster," Karen answered, and went on. "Two of the finest people I know are suffering; one from a broken heart, and one from a stone head." "Hey, if this is about Margo, couldn't we talk somewhere else?" He was holding the towel around his waist and looking very uncomfortable. "Nope! We need your full attention, and we wanted you off balance." "Hmmmph! You got me off balance all right. Look, Margo and me would never work. We're just too different." Donna jumped in here. "Hank Ballard, stop assuming you know who Margo is and what she thinks! She is a girl from an ordinary family who happened to spend twenty years as a trophy wife, and regrets every minute of it. She is dying for a real loving man, and you need a loving woman just as bad. There is obviously a connection between you two, but you're too chicken to follow up on it." "But we ARE different," Hank protested. "Can you see Margo at the Emporium, or me at her Country Club?" "I've got got news for you, Hank," Karen told him. "Margo HAS been at the Emporium - every single night you have played since you two danced at the Christmas party. Look, I stole this from her apartment. She wrote it after Jenny told her how you felt." With that, Karen laid the paper with the poem on the vanity and she and Donna walked out. After drying and dressing, Hank came to the apartment and found Jenny. "I guess you helped with that little stunt, huh?" She hung her head and nodded. "But you didn't come in with them. Why?" "Hank, I couldn't stand to do that to you. That's their style, not mine." "But you must agree with what they said." "You know I do. I've told you that before. I've found out what real love is from Chris - and from you. I know Margo and I really like her. You're missing out on that kind of love with her. It hurts me to see you run away from the happiness you deserve." ------- Shortly after the conversation between Jared and Donna about his mother, Jared had asked his father take a walk with him. On a surprisingly pleasant January evening, the two headed out for what was sure to be a jolt to Matt. Jared was a very perceptive, analytical young man, and he took the problem of his mother to heart. He appreciated Donna's suggestions, but feared damage to the overall excellent family relationship if he pushed his mother. His alternative approach depended completely on his father. "Dad, just to get the big shock out of the way, I want to talk about sex." Before Matt could even sputter, Jared continued. "I don't want to ask you for information, or anything. I want to tell you about a looming problem in the family, and then ask for your help." Matt was still unable to respond. "Before very long, I am going to want to sleep with Donna." This did get a reaction from Matt, although to his credit, he limited it to a dead stop of their walk and a pale, shocked expression. He resumed walking for several seconds before he spoke. "Jay, I'm not even going to lecture you about right or wrong, and I'm not going ask if you've thought this through. I know you don't jump into things. This is a bit sudden, but Donna's seems like a wonderful girl. You could do much worse. We will have to be careful to keep this from your mother, though." "Thanks, Dad. I knew you could handle that part. Oh, and Donna and I are not planning on marriage or anything. We're great for each other right now, but we're not even going to the same schools in the fall." "The hard part, Dad, is that we're not going to keep it from Mom. Donna shares absolutely everything with her parents, and insists I do the same. I think she is right." "But your Mom will never be able to handle that. It will really tear her up." "I know, and we need to change that. That brings up the tough part of what I want to talk about. Dad, this is hard for me to say to you, so please just listen for a minute. First, Mom has a crush on me - a definitely sexual crush. I think the reason is she's not getting much sex from you. She is at or just beyond her sexual peak, and I think she is so horny she can hardly stand it. With her it translates into irritability, jealousy, and suspicion." "Son, I can't believe your mother is sexually attracted to you. It just doesn't seem like her." "You don't have to take my word. Just watch her for a couple of days. What I really wanted to ask is for you to take the pressure off of me. Keep Mom so busy sexually she doesn't have time to think about me." "So, my son is giving me advice on my sex life?" Matt had to call on all his restraint and his love and respect for his son to keep from exploding. He walked in silence for half a block before he spoke again. "Remember, Jay, we've been married twenty years. We're not teenagers any more." "But her sex drive is stronger now than when you got married. Geez, Dad, I'm not asking you to do something distasteful. If I chose to respond to Mom and have sex with her, I would consider it a privilege." "Jared! How can you even talk that way?" "Oh, come on, Dad. You know I never would. I'm just telling you how I honestly feel about Mom. Frankly, I don't see how you can crawl into bed with her every night without wanting to make love." "I... I guess a lot of the excitement has just gone out of it, Jay. Tell me, how is this supposed to be helping you?" "Two ways. First, if she has the hots for you, she won't be so jealous when I sleep with Donna." "Oh, come on. I can't believe she could really be jealous." "Okay. What if some guy slept with Kelly. Would it just be fatherly concern, or would you be jealous? Be honest." Matt just walked on and never did respond. Finally, he asked, "What do you think I should do?" "Start making love to Mom as often as you possibly can. Besides that, throw in some romance. Take her out on dates. Buy her sexy lingerie. Try massages. Different positions. Tell you what; it's Tuesday. Friday night, fix it so Mom will let Kelly go with Donna and I to the game, then with Dex and us to the Emporium. We will stay overnight at Donna's, and you take Mom to dinner, dancing, and a hotel. Have a sexy nightie waiting in the hotel room and some champagne. Tell her you were just reminded what a sexy wife you have and that you've been neglecting her." "She won't like the idea of Kelly dating so young. And staying over with Donna and Dex!" "Hey, nothing will happen, I promise. She can call Karen Ferguson for assurance. You take charge and tell Kelly she can go. Once you sweep Mom off her feet, she won't care any more. Besides, if you don't let Kelly start dating now, she's going to go off behind your back. None of us want that." "You know, you've got me thinking. It has been a long time since we had a date or did anything extravagant. It might be fun." "Good. Dex will be calling to ask Kelly in less than an hour. Let's go back and get ready." "Uh, you haven't told me the second way it will help you." "Well, if Mom is constantly aware of how great sex can be, she won't be so against her son getting some." Back at the house, Matt Perdue showed his decisive side. Jared had jolted him, forcing him to face a problem that had been lurking in the back of his mind for some time. Within a half hour, he had first determined that they had nothing on for the weekend. Then, he had called and found a great weekend deal for both Friday and Saturday nights in a room with a jacuzzi. He made dinner reservations at the hotel for Friday night. He then asked Jared if they thought they could stay two nights at Ferguson's. Assured that would be fine, he asked if Jared minded if they came to the Emporium Saturday night. Matt had already told Betty what they were doing for the weekend, not giving her a chance to object. When Dex called for Kelly, Matt absolutely stuffed Betty's immediate objection, telling an amazed Kelly that she had a two night date. ------- Friday evening, Betty Perdue was still concerned about her children, and totally mystified by Matt's behavior. He had never before just told her they were doing something, nor had he ever before overridden her on the childrens' activities. She felt good, though, because Matt had ordered her - another first - to go buy a new dress and shoes and visit the beauty parlor. She had trouble remembering the last time she had been this dolled up. After checking in and taking the elevator to their room, Betty's concerns about the children and about Matt's behavior evaporated. Her first sight on entering the room was a large bouquet. Almost sprinting to the flowers, she read the card: 'To my lovely wife - too long neglected.' This earned Matt a hug and kiss. Releasing the hug, she saw the bed. Her nipples actually tingled when she saw the sheer, lacy peignoir draped over the pillow. When Matt led her to the bathroom where the step-in jacuzzi was located, the tingle migrated south. Matt was of two minds the whole evening. On one hand, he was chagrined that his teenaged son had to shock him into this little getaway. Mainly, though, he was thrilled to see all the things that had attracted him to Betty in the first place on display as she floated through the evening. This was an upscale hotel, and the food and dancing were excellent. She really got into the romance of it, never mentioning the kids during the dinner or the dancing. Much later, back in their room, Matt filled the jacuzzi and poured champagne for each of them. He undressed and stood beside the tub, then noticed Betty still in panties and bra with a strange look on her face. "Honey," she said, "We, uh, aren't naked around each other much any more." "Does it make you nervous?" "It's silly, but it kind of does." She said this as she finished undressing. "Well, get used to it. I'd almost forgotten how it excites men to see you naked. I'm going to want a lot more of it, starting now." This earned him a kiss as they stepped into the tub. In the water, she snuggled back against him and asked the question he knew was coming. He had carefully prepared an answer that was the truth, if not the truth that triggered their outing. "Honey, why tonight, all of a sudden." "You know, Darling, our kids are growing up and starting to find romance. Seeing Jared with Donna has reminded me of how it was when we were dating and just married. Those were great times, and I decided we could have them again, just like our kids." Contrived or true, it didn't matter. Betty bought it in a big way, spinning around and laying a fierce, slightly teary kiss on him. From there on, the jacuzzi time escalated through kisses and caresses to Matt eating her out as she sat on the edge. This was something they had rarely done, and not for a long time. She was so aroused by her orgasm that she dropped onto his lap and impaled herself immediately. This was something completely new for them and the overall sensuality of the situation brought him off after only about three minutes. The history of sex for them recently had been many minutes of him thrusting before completion. This change was slightly sobering for him, but she seemed to think it was great. "Whatsa matter, Big Boy? Can't take it anymore?" After they dried off, he hurried to the bed and laid the peignoir carefully over a side chair, making certain they went to bed naked. They snuggled and talked for quite a while before she reached down and started stroking him to hardness. He rolled her to her side and she guided him in from behind. This time, their thrusts were languid, and his hands were constantly busy caressing her. When he sensed her getting more aroused, he moved his caresses to her pussy, homing in on her clit after a few minutes. He was able to make her come first, and they fell asleep in that position after he unloaded. ------- In the morning, Betty had just finished peeing when he pulled her into the shower with him. As they washed each other, she looked at the lush pelt between her legs, and asked him, "Do you think you will want to do me with your mouth again soon?" When he nodded eagerly, she said, "Well let's make it easier for you to get at me. Would you like to help?" No fool, he hurried to get the shaving gear, and together they trimmed her pubes. Instead of lotion when they were finished, he made use of the improved access immediately. To her offer to return the favor, he said he wanted to save his shots. Out of the shower, he handed her the diaphanous garment, and told her that was all she was allowed to wear for breakfast. He donned only a silky pair of snug boxers, and called room service. At the rap on the door, she jumped up to hide in the bathroom, but he held her in her chair and cajoled her into just keeping her legs together and covering her breasts with her arm. He was totally surprised and she was beside herself with glee when a young woman wheeled in the breakfast cart. He became more than just surprised as the swelling in the front of his boxers became obvious as the breakfast was set up. He blushed and she tittered as he signed the check. Her laughter ended abruptly as the door closed. She jumped up and pulled down his boxers, then bent over the back of the nearby sofa and flipped the lacy garment up over her waist. Breakfast didn't even have time to cool much as they indulged in a real quickie. ------- Matt had not told his wife what was on for Saturday evening, so they spent the day shopping and lunching until they hit a Western wear shop just before closing. After dinner, they dressed and headed to the Emporium. Betty was genuinely happy to see her kids, and they all had a great time dancing. Betty danced with Jared and Dex, and Donna danced with Matt. As Donna and Matt finished dancing one number, he said, "I assume you had a hand in Jared's little discussion with me?" She admitted she did. "Well." he continued, "'Out of the mouths of babes' doesn't exactly fit here, but I have to thank you. I am amazed at the change in Jared's mother." "Do you think she will be less hostile to me, now?" "I'm sure of it. Just give it some time." ------- After the Emporium, Betty and Matt enjoyed another romantic soak in the jacuzzi, followed by sweet love-making in bed. In the morning, Betty again wore just the peignoir. When the rap on the door from room service came, this time it was Matt who went for a robe. Betty, of course, would have none of it, and sat grinning as Matt went blushing to open the door. The joke was on her, though, as this time a young man wheeled the cart in, jaw dropping when he saw Betty's breasts, which she had neglected to cover. She tried to cover up after the fact without being too obvious about it. Matt was almost doubled over with laughter as he signed the check after a very leisurely set up by the young man. "I wouldn't even have had to tip him, would I?" he chortled as the door closed. He had hardly gotten the words out when Betty tackled him back onto the bed. She yanked down the boxers and took his softness into her mouth. This, of course, eliminated the softness, and she squatted over him and lowered herself down. Only when he was fully engulfed did she take off the peignoir and toss it away. The couple had had more intercourse in the last two days than in the previous month, and she was a little sore and he a bit tender. These negatives were instantly forgotten, however, as she began her up and down motions, and he thrust back against her. Using both hands, he grasped her tits firmly and worried the nipples with frequent squeezes. When her breathing became labored, he sensed it was not just from arousal and rolled them over so he was on top. With him supplying the motion, her arousal escalated quickly, and in another few minutes, they were both spent from their orgasms. In an unprecedented show of romanticism, he carefully propped her against the head board, then brought breakfast over to the bed and began feeding her. The first bite offered her was met with wide-eyed wonder, which turned to glowing contentment from there on. After a few more bites, she reached out and grasped his limp penis and just held it gently. "Baby, that's kinda slimy and there's no way it's getting hard again right away." "That's OK. I'd forgotten what a nice toy this makes." She spent the rest of breakfast re-discovering every aspect of his organ. He, in turn, 'accidentally' dribbled food onto her breasts a few times, requiring thorough cleaning with his tongue. By the time they adjourned to the jacuzzi for one last soak, she had gotten him hard, although they went no further than caresses, hugs, and kisses before dressing and checking out. ------- When Betty and Matt got home, both kids were watching TV. They jumped up and greeted their parents warmly, many questions obvious on their faces. Betty, looking quite uncomfortable, took the overnight bag and hurried up the stairs. When she was gone, Matt extended his hand for a high five, and Jared obliged him. He then did the same to Kelly, who, after a moment of confusion, slapped his hand with a huge grin. "Kelly, Honey," Matt said, "I think we'll either have to move you to a different room or get you some ear plugs." It was hard for a redhead like Kelly to blush, but she managed before bursting into laughter. Matt motioned for the kids to follow and he led them to the Master bedroom where Betty had just begun unpacking the suitcase. He snuck behind her and lifted the filmy peignoir, holding it high. "Look what I bought for your Mom to wear for breakfast in the room." "Matthew!!" Betty practically screamed, reaching in vain to grab the offending garment. "Way to go, Dad!" Jared said. "Hey, Mom, I'll serve you breakfast in bed if you'll wear that." "Jared!! Ohhhhh! You men are just awful. You're embarrassing me to death!" She managed to look angry for a few seconds, before disintegrating into laughter in Matt's arms. Poor Kelly was in danger of neck strain and lockjaw from gaping back and forth between her family members. ------- After her delightful weekend, Betty took over. Monday evening at supper, she informed Matt she had signed them both up at a health club, and he should pick the three best times that week for them to go together, stressing the 'together.' After just two visits, she decided they would no longer shower at the club, but come home and shower together. Matt, of course, raised no objection to that. However, after losing most of Sunday afternoon following their first dual shower, they started going to the club in the evening just before closing. This allowed them to follow up on the inevitable tittilation from the shower without taking a chunk out of their day. ------- The little bathroom encounter with the Ferguson women had hit the mark with Hank, and Jenny's tearful plea had hit him just as hard. He had read over Margo's poem a dozen times. If these verses told how she really felt about him, then Karen's accusation of 'stone head' was too mild by half. He had screwed up big time. He had hurt Margo, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. His first impulse was to call her immediately and set things right. Remembering how they had met, though, he decided to render his apology with some drama and style. Digging in his own stack of country tunes with no lyrics, Hank looked for something that would fit with Margo's poem. After an hour of experimenting, he had found a match, and set about crafting 'Scarecrow Man.' A few days later, Hoss heard him rehearsing it with Jenny. "Don't you dare play that here until you get it copyrighted, Man. I think you've got a hit there." Hoss then helped Hank through the process of copyrighting and listing with ASCAP. Of course, Hank called Marty for help, and of course she objected that she had never done this before. Of course, she did a thorough job after much study. ------- Jenny willingly helped Hank set up his own little drama. She made sure Margo would be there on Saturday night, and told Karen to sneak in so Margo didn't see her. Near the end of the first set, Jenny pointed out where Margo was in the crowd, and Hank left the band and went around behind the crowd so Margo could not track him. He approached her and asked her to dance just as the intro to 'Scarecrow Man' started. Margo was so overwhelmed it took her a couple of phrases to recognize her own words. When she did, she stopped dancing and stared at Hank in amazement. "It's copyrighted - words by Margo Santee, music by Hank Ballard. Hoss thinks it's a hit," he told her. They both just stood and listened, as Jenny put everything into the song. By the second chorus, the crowd was obviously loving it, and at the conclusion, there were shouts of "More! More!" Hank led Margo to an abandoned table in the back and sat down with her. "Margo, I've been stupid. I'm very attracted to you, but I assumed how you would react to me, and I'm afraid I have hurt you badly. I don't know how I can apologize, but can we start over?" Margo had still not said a word, so he led her back to the dance floor and they danced the last number of the set. Karen, watching from backstage, was practically bouncing up and down with glee. They went back to the table and talked for the whole hour between sets. Hank took her backstage and they listened from there as Jenny led off the second set with 'Scarecrow Man.' The number started on a very melancholy sound, punctuated by steel guitar wails. After two stanzas, a long bridge section introduced a more positive, upbeat sound. The repeated chorus was joyous with an almost rock beat. The audience reacted even more strongly than in the first set. Margo insisted on waiting for the set to finish. Hank was actually an extra tonight, so he followed her to her apartment, where they talked for three more hours. They snuggled comfortably on the couch, but went no further that night. ------- Dex was present for the unveiling of 'Scarecrow Man, ' and immediately said to Chris, "Now, you've got something to start your company with." From then on, the two stole every hour they could to plan and strategize. ------- Margo was nervous about her phone call to Rick after her evening with Hank, but she just had to talk to him. She led right off by telling him she was seeing someone. "That's great, Mom. Does he treat you like a queen? How far along is your relationship?" She knew he meant 'was she sleeping with him, ' but she was thrilled with the first question. "He treats me wonderfully, and we haven't been to bed yet. He's been hurt in the past, and didn't think I could really be interested in him. I am very interested, though, Rick." "Well, I can see how a guy couldn't believe he was lucky enough to have you, Mom. Any chance I know him?" "I think so. It's Hank Ballard." "No kidding? He's a stud!" "Huh?" "We had an exhibition basketball game with the high school varsity against teachers from all over the district. Hank killed us. He is so strong it was like trying to move a tree. I found out later that his little high school could only get nine guys out for the team, but won the Class C championship in their state. They lost to the Class A team in overtime. Hank had basketball scholarship offers, but he had to help with the farm, so he got his degree a semester at a time." "Rick, I find out something new about him every day, it seems." "Mom, all I care about is that he loves you like you deserve." ------- Margo's final decree came, and she was ready to move into Hank's house. She realized, however, that she faced a campaign to convince him that she truly wanted him, and was not going to run off in disgust after a while. As it turned out, her campaign centered around songwriting. While talking about 'Scarecrow Man' the day after its introduction, Hank asked, almost joking, if Margo had any more poems she had written. "Only about a hundred," she replied as Hank's eyes practically bugged out. They quickly got together her pile and his pile beside Hank's piano, and started trying to match them up. Margo was at first reluctant to open her private writings to anyone else, but when Hank quickly produced two more impressive songs, she lost her inhibitions. Jenny joined in the effort, singing each portion as they put it together. Margo and Hank did nothing else for ten straight evenings and a weekend, and came out of it with nine numbers. A brief audition for Hoss had him practically reaching for the phone to start production of an album. Hank carefully had Marty put all the new material through the registration process, and Jenny began introducing a new song every week. Almost without exception, the audiences approved. The couple of numbers that didn't go over as well were re-scored and the lyrics tweaked, and seemed to work better. ------- At the end of their feverish period of composing new songs, Margo and Hank were both ready to get serious about their relationship. Their teamwork had been incredibly smooth, and neither seemed to have to go out of their way to make it work. They both respected the other so much it was just natural. Margo, of course, was ready for a wedding long ago. It was Hank who had the wounds to be healed. Through the whole creative period, they had done nothing more than cuddle a bit, and kiss briefly. There was no stated agreement to keep things low-key, just a common understanding. Both would have liked much, much more, but each for their own reasons understood that the gradual approach was best. Margo was thrilled that they finally were together, and did not want to do anything to resurrect old fears in Hank. Now that her goal was in sight, she could be patient. Besides, she did not really feel frustrated. The feeling of working in partnership with her man was a wonderful revelation to her. Hank had always understood implicitly that it was a woman's world, and man's duty was to take care of his woman. His mother had instilled that view in him, and Sylvia certainly did nothing to make him question it. Hank was a complete gentleman, and took pride in taking good care of his women. Jenny, of course, put a huge hole in his world view, demanding absolutely nothing from him, and showering him with gratitude for every kindness. Margo completely destroyed the view. She was certainly not submissive or dependent - far from it. Yet, she somehow made him feel that he was the center of her world. It took him several days to realize that was how he had felt about Sylvia - he had loved her deeply. No dummy, he had to accept the proof that Margo loved him just as deeply. His puzzlement over why she loved him that way lingered, but that fact that she did was no longer in doubt. That he felt the same way about her had really never been in doubt, just his willingness to admit it. One night, after a strenuous session that completed a brilliant song, Margo stood behind Hank as he was still seated at the piano. She rubbed his shoulders, then kissed his neck and said softly in his ear, "Hank Ballard, you are really amazing." Before, Hank had always shrugged off the numerous compliments Margo laid on him, but this time, he put his hands over hers, laid his head back against her tummy, and told her, "Margo, I'm beginning to believe you really mean that." "Is that so hard to believe? Just look what you've accomplished in two weeks. Look how we've been able to work together. How could I not believe it." "I still worry that we are so different." "Different, how? Sure, I took a twenty year detour as a trophy wife, but that never was the real me. I was just too greedy to admit it and get out. Hank, let's quit avoiding the truth. I fell in love with you by the second dance that first night. How do you feel about me?" At this, Hank pulled her around to sit on his lap on the bench. "Margo, I wasn't joking about the mistletoe that night, either. I just haven't been willing to admit to myself that I was in love with you, too." "Are you willing to admit it now? Are you done with all the fears? Can I stay the night?" After only a slight pause, Hank responded, "No, not tonight." Shock and disappointment were just starting to register on Margo's face when he added "How about every night - forever?" For an instant, Margo didn't know whether to slug him or kiss him. Then she realized that if Hank could joke, he was feeling relaxed and confident, and that was a very good thing. Kissing won out, and they shared the first between them that had lasted more than a brief peck. To her amazement and absolute delight, he reached an arm under her legs and another behind her back, and stood straight up. As he turned to carry her up the stairs, he saw Jenny standing in the door of the office/nursery, hand stuffed in her mouth to stifle the sobs that came with the fountain of tears she was dropping. Within seconds of the master bedroom door closing, the whole Ferguson world would know of this major victory as Jenny raced for the phone. Hank carried Margo up the stairs with as little effort as he would a sack of groceries, her head snuggled tight to his neck. In the bedroom, he set her gently on the floor. No sooner had her feet touched the floor than Margo began unbuttoning his shirt. "Margo, I, uh..." "Shhh. I want to do this. You've got these silly worries about how your body looks because of what that stupid bitch Sylvia said. Well, you're a beautiful man inside and out, so let me enjoy you." He stood quietly, heart beating rapidly and breathing ragged, while she finished. He did help by kicking off his shoes and stepping out of his jeans. He could not helping sucking in his breath as she knelt down and grabbed the sides of his briefs. When she pulled them down, she was the one who sucked in breath. "Oh, God, Hank!" After a moment's pause, she muttered, "Merry Christmas, Margo!" Margo stayed on her knees and stroked his impressive organ until it rose to full hardness. Then she stood and rubbed her hands slowly over his chest, teasing the nipples momentarily. Her voice husky, she told him, "Hank Ballard, you're my man, and I couldn't be happier." Then, with remarkable speed, not wasting any time on seduction, she shed her own clothes and stepped back a few feet to give him a good look. He could only moan at the sight of her. She took his hand and led him to the shower. Once the water was warm, Margo insisted on washing Hank first. He had to bend down for her to reach his hair, and she pulled his head against her chest. As she stretched to reach his neck and shoulders, she was amazed at the size and firmness of his muscles. It was as if his upper body was made of bundles of steel cords. His legs were more of the same. In fact, she never found an ounce of fat on him anywhere. This shower seemed to be more about discovery than about relief, but she felt the rest of the night would go better if she took the edge off for him. She told him so, then followed through. She used just her hands, and nearly came herself as she felt the sheer power of his body tensing and pulsing again and again. For his part, Hank could not grasp the fact that this lovely woman wanted to be his life partner. For weeks now, he had refused to let himself dwell on what her body looked and felt like, convinced he would never get to know it. Now, as soon as his strength returned, he could not stop stroking and caressing her wonderful curves. After drying off and determining which side of the bed belonged to whom, they hugged close together while they warmed up. Margo told him, "Hank, it's way after midnight and you have to teach tomorrow. I want to make love, but let's do it just once, missionary, OK? I'm so happy just being here with you that I wouldn't even care if we just fell asleep. This is right where I want to be." Hank made sure she knew he did not want to take a pass. He kissed and stroked her for several minutes, making sure she was well prepared. As he positioned himself at her gates, he told her "This was another reason Sylvia called me a freak. For months before the breakup, she wouldn't let me near her. It was only the first two years that we had any kind of a sex life. Even then, it was pretty routine, and she always complained I was hurting her." "Well, Lover," Margo told him, "That all just changed in a big way. I've got a big appetite, and that awesome thing doesn't scare me one bit. It gets me so hot I can hardly stand it." Those were the last intelligible sounds from either of them for a while, although they were by no means silent. The first time entry took a while because Hank really was large - thick as well as long. For Margo, though, it was not a hardship or even a severe challenge. The seemingly endless stretching and the eventual plumbing of unexplored depths almost put her into sensory overload. Hank was very deliberate and tender. When he finally hit bottom, he held steady, but that was not what Margo wanted. She began thrusting against him, and he started to reciprocate with long, steady motions. After only a dozen strokes, Margo went off, moaning, sobbing, and throwing her head back and forth. Her throes were too much for Hank, and she had not yet started to subside when he began pumping, grunting mightily with each blast. Emotionally and physically exhausted, they rolled to their sides, panting. Margo had brought two small towels and she grabbed them from between the pillows so they could clean up. When they were again lying quietly, Hank said, somewhat apologetically, "That was awfully quick." "Not your fault, Lover. I was that one who went off so fast. I couldn't believe how you felt inside me. God, I am so lucky! I'm going to forget all those sex-starved years in a hurry!" Hank didn't respond, just pulled her even closer to himself and dropped off to sleep. ------- Hank woke up just before the alarm was due, and turned it off. He propped his head on his hand and just drank in the view of Margo. She was lying mostly on her back with one shoulder and one bare nipple uncovered. Her hair was spread over the pillow and her classic features bore an expression of absolute peace and contentment. He could not help catching his breath. Either that small sound or the intensity of his gaze wakened Margo. After a second of confusion, her face broke into a radiant smile. "Is this real? Am I really here at last?" "I thought I was the one in a dream," he replied. "Why don't you touch, not just look. Then you'll know how real it is." He reached his free hand to her cheek and just held it as she turned her head and kissed his fingers. Then he stroked down over her neck to her shoulder, and finally to her breast, which he squeezed gently. "Oh, Hank! You can't believe how I need your touches. Lovers are supposed to enjoy each other's bodies. Little things like snuggling and holding hands mean so much. I... I've never had them, and I will never be able to get enough. You know, the chorus of 'Scarecrow Man' isn't just words to me." "I'm glad you feel that way, Darling. There's no way I can keep my hands off of you. Um, I'm afraid there's not time to show you how I really feel this morning." "Oh, you just did, and it means almost as much as the sex last night. Here, I'll get up with you." "Huh uh! I want to carry the vision of Sleeping Beauty with me all day. Stay right where you are." It was eight before Margo awoke again, this time to Jenny opening the bedroom door holding a tray with breakfast. "Jenny, how sweet!" "You can't believe how happy I am for you two. I was starting to worry that Hank would never figure it out." "Believe me, Honey, I had a lot of sleepless nights worrying about it. I don't think I'll ever have another one, though. Uh, Jenny, have you got a T-shirt or something I could put on. Not that I'm shy, but..." "Oh, sure. Be right back." When Jenny returned she had Amy, and she sat on the edge of the bed and played with the baby while Margo ate her breakfast. When Margo finished, Jenny said, "Oh, don't get up! I'll take that." When she had removed the tray, Jenny lay down on the bed in Hank's spot and sat Amy on her tummy. "Thanks so much for breakfast. I kinda needed that," and Margo giggled. "It was delicious, too." "You're very welcome. Is it OK if I lie her with you for a while? You know, I never once got to do anything like this with my mother." Margo almost lost it. Impulsively, she rolled toward Jenny, put her head on the younger woman's shoulder, stretched her arm across her and hugged. "Jenny, Honey, I was never a world class mother, but if you want to think of me that way, I would be proud. You are about the sweetest person I've ever known, and I would love to be your buddy. You can lie here with me all you want." Margo made good on her statement, as the two of them stayed on the bed for over an hour, chatting, laughing, and keeping Amy amused. At one point, Jenny said, "You know, Margo, the songs you and Hank compose are really good. I can really get into them when I sing, and I can feel the crowd loving them. I think we can go places together, the three of us. We're a good team." "I never intended my verse to be songs, Jenny, but I'm glad you like them. It's incredible to hear something I wrote performed like that. I think you need to make an album and start to get some exposure." "Chris and Dex have been talking for months about forming a company to sell albums and do concerts. Dex insists the time is now." "I'll have to tell you about it sometime, Honey, but I've learned to listen to that young man." ------- Chapter 15 (Fourteen years earlier) Within a week of the bedroom conversation between Jenny and Margo, Doggerel Productions came into being, at least in concept. Dex, Chris, and Jenny skipped the Saturday brunch to meet at the Emporium with Margo, Hank, and Hoss. At the beginning, there were several comments about 'if only we had the money.' Dex finally told the group that he was sure he could find the money. He encouraged them to just focus on what they wanted to do. Although skeptical, everyone seemed to accept the possibility, and they started to plan in earnest. Once again, Marty's name figured prominently as the first topic of discussion was the formation of a company. It was Margo who suggested the company name, and it gained immediate, enthusiastic acceptance. Chris was the one who insisted they not get bogged down in the business mechanics, but focus on the product. Everyone agreed they were ready to cut an album. How to do it, though, generated a lot of discussion. To Hoss's great pleasure, Chris proposed they call the album "Jenny, Live at the Emporium," and that they record it right there. Hoss said he knew a local sound engineer who could make it happen and make it commercial quality. They talked quite a while about costs of producing and distributing the album. Margo proposed, and Hoss energetically agreed, that Jenny needed to go on the road. Hoss had connections with owners of similar clubs across the country, and he was sure he could get Jenny scheduled into many of them. This would not be a big money generating approach, but it would get her exposure and sell some albums. They talked about marketing strategies in the towns she would visit, and settled on royalty free play for Jenny's songs in exchange for promotion of her shows. There would have to be at least one country radio station in each city to make it work. Hoss also said he would contact some promoters and producers he knew, and encourage them to go and see Jenny's road show. Hoss provided lunch from the Emporium's kitchen, and the discussion continued, arriving inevitably back at the subject of money. Dex was asked if he could really find investors. Chris had been developing numbers for weeks through discussions with Hoss, and came up with about $175,000 to get a reasonable supply of albums and finance a summer tour of about twenty clubs. Dex told the group of his carefully thought out plan. He would provide $250,000 dollars for 35% ownership of the company and a seat on the board. He also stipulated that the 35% would be split: 7% to Mike and Karen and 3.5% each to Donna and Coach, leaving 21% for himself. He wanted the shares registered in those names so they could not be changed. Everyone was amazed that Dex had that much to invest, so he told them why. He also said he knew Mike would never take money from him directly, and this was a way for Dex to repay him. If profits were high, they could repay Dex his original stake if they chose. Jenny was particularly excited about assigning money to her new family, and she and Chris endorsed the plan enthusiastically. Hank and Margo both said they would invest some of their savings. Dex told them to hold onto their money. They should be part owners of the company anyway, and if it did well, they would benefit handsomely without any risk. Hoss pointed out that royalty from performances of Hank and Margo's songs by other artists should go susbtantially to them. Hoss regretted he could not invest, but he was maxed out with improvements to the club. Chris assured him he would have an ownership percentage. There were many other details and percentages to be worked out, but they were all handled with amazingly good spirits. It is doubtful that any of them expected their venture to be a gigantic success, except for Jenny, that is. She seemed confident there would be a lot of money to share with those she loved. Jenny also suggested something that would be a cornerstone of her career. She said she was so thankful for the help people had given her, she wanted to help someone else right away. She wanted to find a talented singer who had suffered some bad breaks or had never had a break. The prospect could work as a backup, something Jenny had not used before, and perhaps do some solos on occasion. Hoss was all for the idea. He thought backup singers would add to the appeal, and a new find could replace Jenny at his club someday. In mid-afternoon, the meeting broke up so Jenny and Hank could get ready for the night's performances. Dex and Chris headed off to call Marty. ------- Once the plan was agreed upon, Doggerel seemed to take on a life of its own. Dex had a major task convincing Marty to invest his money, and she insisted on many sessions with the others, and numerous visits to hear Jenny sing. In the end, she agreed, and as soon as the corporation was properly registered, it was funded, and Marty became the corporate counsel. ------- It was inevitable that Donna would compare Jared to Dex. In fact, comparison was a major reason for dating him in the first place, although she became more and more fond of Jared as they saw more of each other. She was very glad she had started the relationship. The comparisons between the two boys were interesting. The most obvious, of course, was the physical difference. Jared was a good four inches shorter than Dex, and did not have Dex's muscles. Jared was well-built, though, and certainly not a klutz. He had never gone out for sports, but was coordinated enough to play pickup games satisfactorily. He was a very good dancer, and kept in good condition with a running program he had started a year ago. Jared's color was striking, with freckles covering his entire body. Jared was two years older, but Dex seemed older, both in appearance and behavior. Dex had a good sense of humor, and he used it frequently. He never came across as morose or overly serious, but he never completely let go to the point of being giddy. The idea of Dex in a food fight, for instance, just would not register. Jared, on the other hand, would quite likely be the instigator of a food fight. He was known to let completely loose on occasion, and he was an absolute blast to be around when that occurred. Jared's natural comic streak bordered on the Hank Ballard category. Dex and Donna theorized that Jared had perfected his comic abilities as a way to deflect some of his mother's more overbearing attentions. When Donna was with Dex, she experienced overwhelming feelings of security, along with deep love and care and, obviously, arousal. Dex's strong hands did marvelous things to arouse her, and his mouth absolutely took her apart. With Jared, Donna felt drawn into the sheer joy of being young and alive. As strong and sensual as Dex's hands were, though, Jared's were unbelievable. It was as if his soul poured out through his fingertips. It took only a few dates before Donna encouraged Jared to explore her body. At his first touch, Donna was hooked, and forgot about pacing things gradually. She wanted those hands on her all the time, everywhere. She felt she was the luckiest girl on earth, able to choose between the comforting nest of Dex's strength and the electrifying stimulation of Jared's hands. For Donna, Dex would always be her rock, while Jared was, at least for now, her muse. ------- Donna was ready for sex with Jared by early February. However, the experience of involving her parents in her union with Dex was so gratifying she was determined that her relationship with Jared would follow the same path. She knew it would not be easy at Jared's end, but he was attacking the problem aggressively with his father. She was anxious, but could still visit Dex's bed to take the edge off. One other thing was still on Donna's mind - making love with her father. She still wanted it, but since she had been sleeping with Dex, she realized more and more how difficult it might be for Mike. It was just about the end of January when one night she waited for Karen and Mike to settle into bed, then crawled in between them, naked. This time they were still awake and Mike picked up on the reason for her visit right away. "Baby, I think I know why you're here. Now that you're eighteen and have had some months with Dex, you want me, right?" "I sure do, Daddy. It doesn't have to be tonight, but I am kinda horny. Mom, is it OK if I borrow your man's hands?" When Karen gave her OK, Donna pushed her back up against Mike and brought both of his arms around herself. She put one of his hands on a tit, and the other between her legs. Mike tried to pull the hand off her pussy, but she held it in place. "Daddy, I know you must be awfully good with that hand. Don't be afraid to show me, please! I have a feeling that's as far as you and I will get. I don't want your cock in me any less than before, but I realize what a difficult step it would be for you. I want you to know I am OK with whatever you and Mom decide. Mom, if you decide yes, you can be with us if you want. Now, do me, Daddy. Please!" As soon as she was sure Mike was going to get to work instead of pulling away, Donna reached over and into his boxers and took a hold of his cock, which was already rigid. Then, she used her other hand behind Karen's neck to pull her mother's face to the tit that Mike wasn't caressing. Karen, just as Mike had, recoiled at first, but Donna's pleading was so sincere she acquiesced and began sucking and nibbling on the nipple. Just the circumstances of her visit had Donna pretty worked up. Throw in the fact that it was her father's hands and her her mother's mouth, and there was no way it would take long. Mike never got as far as pushing a finger into her, just rubbing her clit. As she rapidly approached climax, she unconsciously started pumping Mike's cock. When she squealed, stiffened, and shuddered, Mike joined her and soiled his shorts. Donna was so energized that her recovery period was remarkably short. She sat up and pulled the covers off of Mike. She then pulled down his cum-sticky shorts and used them to wipe off as much of the sperm as she could. Next, she knelt over Karen and pulled off her panties. Brazenly, she felt her mother's pussy and found generous lubricant. "Come on, Mom. Daddy's all ready for you, and you're ready, too. I'll bet you both need it after that." Puzzled and concerned, Karen was nevertheless highly aroused and unable to resist her daughter. Donna helped her straddle Mike, and held her father's cock in position for her mother to settle onto it. Donna pushed Karen forward so she lay on top of her husband, then with a hand on her mother's back, she began rocking her back and forth. Mike and Karen soon took over the motion themselves, Mike raising his knees so he could thrust better. Donna kept her hand on her mother, stroking and caressing her back and kneading her ass cheeks. She kept kissing both their faces and whispering endearments and encouragement. When Karen and Mike had been at it for almost ten minutes, Donna sensed some difficulty getting Karen over. She put her finger right down at their joining and picked up their juices, then brought some to Karen's anus. Karen objected, but Donna quieted her and repeated the process until Karen's rosebud was dripping. She then rather quickly and energetically thrust her finger into her mother and began moving it in and out in rhythm with Mike's strokes. It took only a few finger thrusts for Karen to lose it in a major, major come. Donna kept thrusting until Karen completely subsided. She withdrew her finger and cleaned it on Mike's discarded shorts. Mike had not come, despite Karen's throes, and this was not acceptable to Donna. Moving toward the foot of the bed, she put both hands between their legs and began pulling rhythmically on Mike's balls. He gave a huge gasp at her first touch, then groaned constantly as she increased the stimulation. He erupted with a bellow, and she reveled in the bouncing and jerking of his stones as they struggled to empty themselves a second time. While her father was still gasping for breath and her mother had barely moved, Donna dashed to the bathroom for wet cloths and towels, and carefully cleaned them up. She helped Karen roll off, then positioned herself between the two of them, her back laying against Mike, and face to face with Karen, tits smashed together and legs entwined. "Thank you so much Mom and Dad. Now, I don't want any worrying about right or wrong. I love you both so much. You are both so awesome and loving and sexy. This has been wonderful for me, and I want to fall asleep enjoying it." They all had to get up early for school or work the next morning, and shared some brief snuggles before rising. Donna never again raised the question of intercourse with Mike. There were, however, numerous other occasions of very intimate sexual contact, always with both parents participating. ------- Into February, Betty and Matt Perdue visited their health club together one Sunday afternoon. Kelly was at a friend's house, and Jared was downstairs on his synthesizer when they returned home to shower. As they came into the house, they hung up their jackets and grabbed something to drink. As they were standing in the kitchen, Matt moved behind her and carefully pulled down her warmup pants. This caused a little surprise, but no panic, as she still had on exercise shorts. Besides, he nuzzled her neck as she stepped out of the pants. After a few more sips of their soft drinks, Matt took off the jacket of her warmup suit, for which she thanked him. She was still quite warm from exercising, and the barely five minute ride from the club offered little chance to cool down. It felt good to dress down a bit. She was considerably more hesitant, though, when he took the drink from her hand and lifted her T-shirt off over her head. "Hey, are you planning to strip me in the kitchen?" "What a marvelous idea!" "But Jared's here. What if he comes upstairs?" "Well, that sports bra is more coverage than a two-piece swimsuit anyway, so what's the problem?" "You're turning into a dirty old man, you!" "Your fault, you sexpot!" She flushed a little, then grinned and continued drinking. Pretending to take his glass to the sink, he suddenly pulled down her shorts, leaving just some fairly translucent panties covering her. "Matthew, what are you doing. This isn't funny anymore. Jared..." "... would get a great look at his sexy Mom. Can't you just imagine him coming up the stairs and springing a hardon when he sees your pussy hair showing through those panties?" Betty gasped and blushed deeply, but her nipples hardened instantly, apparent even through the sports bra. Her shorts were still around her ankles, so she put down her glass and pulled them back up. She then grabbed Matt and practically dragged him up the stairs. At the door to the bedroom, he stopped. "You go ahead and undress. I'll be back in a minute." Hurrying back downstairs, Matt grabbed Jared's jacket and cap from the closet, put them on, and sprinted back upstairs. He eased the door open and watched until Betty was down to just her panties, then stepped in. Altering his voice, he spoke up, "God, Mom. You sure are a sexy woman!" Betty shrieked, throwing an arm over her bare breasts and a hand over her pussy in the classic pose. Before she had a chance to respond further, Matt pressed on as Jared. "I'm sorry, Mom. Don't be embarrassed. You're so beautiful! Let me look at you, please! All those times you've hugged me and caressed me, it's made me so excited. Come on, take your hands away for your son. Let me see all of you." Betty felt panic, but she also felt goose flesh rippling all over her body, and her nipple was like a rock against her covering hand. Matt shouldn't be joking about this! It's wrong! It's indecent! But she was so worked up she could snap. As she was trying to get control of herself to make him stop, he got more aggressive. He took her hand and gently pulled it away from her breasts. "Oh, Mom! Your tits are so beautiful! They're so nice and full, and just look how the nipples are popped out! Does that mean you're excited? 'Fraid I don't know too much about women. I've just got to feel these." With that, he put a hand under each tit and hefted them, jiggling them just slightly. Then, he ran a thumb simultaneously over each nipple, causing her to shudder and almost collapse. Still taking advantage of her combined confusion, shame, and arousal, he dropped to his knees in front of her and quickly pulled down her panties. "Mom, I've never seen a pussy before. It's really something!" He put his hand against her inner thigh just above her knee, and gently stroked upward. Reflexively, she opened her shaking legs a bit, and he was able to stroke right to her labia. As his hand made contact, she shrieked loudly and crashed into an orgasm. Amazed at her reaction, he struggled to his feet to support her as she thrashed about, gasping and crying. He was at first concerned that he had gone too far, then decided he should continue the role playing. Carrying he to the bed, he lay her back on it. He finished removing her panties, then pushed his own pants and underwear down his legs and off, leaving on the jacket and hat. He lay on top of her and entered her before she was fully aware. "Oh, Mom! That was so awesome! I'm so happy I could do that for you. I've dreamed of this for so long! Now I'm actually making love to my wonderful, sexy mother. This is unbelievable." With that, Matt started thrusting in earnest. There was no problem with lubrication, as she was totally wet. He noted briefly that neither of them smelled the best, but he could not retain any concern over that. Still wearing the jacket and cap, he soon was drenched with sweat. He held himself above her so the fabric of the jacket would not irritate her and kept up his imitation of her son. Betty was still highly aroused and not completely in control of herself when Matt entered her. She did realize what he was saying, though, and the conflicting emotions his words triggered enhanced her arousal. After barely three minutes of stroking, Matt could tell she was going to go off again soon. "Mom! Mom! Come for me again. Oh, this is so great! I can make my sexy Mom feel so good! I can't hold out long myself, Mom. Come! Now!" And she did, literally screaming her release and threatening to wrench his cock off with the strength of her clenching and the violence of her convulsions. He blasted into her several times and she was still thrashing when he finished. He threw off the cap and was able to get out of the jacket and T-shirt. They were angled across the bed and he did not want to move her, so he brought the pillows down, pulled part of the spread over them, and snuggled down with her. Within a few minutes, Betty returned to reality and started sobbing against Matt's chest. "Why did you do that to me?" she wailed. "I'm so ashamed!" "Why?" "Why? I've lusted after my own son and you ask me why I'm ashamed? You must think I'm terrible!" "No, I think you're wonderful, and loving, and passionate." "But... but... my son! It's wrong to feel that way about him." "Can you stop how you feel? Have you ever done anything wrong with him?" "Matt, why are you doing this?" "Baby, I have to apologize. For the last few years, I have neglected you sexually and romantically. I think your need for affection caused you to focus even more on Jared. Of course, mothers are always attracted to their sons anyway, just as father's are to daughters." "You mean you get hot for Kelly." "You'd better believe it! Haven't you noticed how uncomfortable I get sometimes when she is looking particularly sexy." "Sexy? But she's just a young girl." "Baby, take another look. That is a full-fledged woman, with all the right parts in a very nice package. I've been meaning to talk to you about Kelly. I think if you don't start treating her more as a woman, we could have problems with her." "I... I... but she's my baby!" "And she could have her own babies. Kelly is a really good kid, but she is at a dangerous age. Well, I didn't mean to get in a big discussion about Kelly here. I'm glad your feelings about Jared are out in the open. I'll bet you've been dealing with a lot of guilt haven't you?" "Mmmm Hmmm." "Well, I hope it helps to talk about it. Tell me, Sweetheart, would you like to break Jared in?" "Break him... ? Matt! You can't mean that! That's incest!" "Now, now! Don't get upset, Baby. Just think about it. Jared will be wanting to have sex soon, probably with Donna. Do you remember how awful I was our first few times? Maybe it would be good for Jared not to have to suffer through that. Maybe it would be good if he could make Donna happy the first time." "Do you really think she will let him take her to bed?" "They're both eighteen and bound for college. Today, there's not much saving it for marriage anymore. I'm sure they're headed for bed together." "Oh, Honey! It's hard to even talk about doing it with Jared. It's so against everything I was taught. Hey, are you just offering this so you get to do it for Kelly? Is that what this is about?" "No, Baby, that's not it at all. I would not take Kelly's virginity. It's different for boys than for girls - it means a lot more to a girl." "How could you stand it if I had sex with our son?" "A while ago, it would have driven me crazy. Now, I don't think he is a threat to our relationship. I hope I can keep you satisfied from now on." "Hmmmm. I'm sure you can, Lover. You know, some of my feelings toward Jared were from frustration, but I don't feel frustrated at all, now. Jared wouldn't want to go to bed with his old Mom, would he?" "In a second, Baby, in a second. Whew! I think we'd better get that shower we were headed for." "Yeah, and get this bedspread off to the cleaners." Her giggle indicated the depth of her concern for her bedspread. ------- After Matt's little role-playing episode, the changes in Betty were more rapid than Matt or Jared could have hoped. Donna had been right - there was a very passionate, very sexy woman imprisoned in Betty's proper housewife persona. Matt was amazed, but very, very happy. The waning trend of his own libido reversed, partly because of the improvement in his physical conditioning, but mostly from the increased stimulation provided by Betty. Sticking with his personal goal of no more than two days without sex was no physical strain at all. One Saturday morning, Betty came into Kelly's room to get her up. "Get up, Sleepyhead. It's time for us gals to do some serious shopping." "Shopping? Ohhhh," Kelly said groggily. "What're we gonna buy?" "We both need some different stuff. We don't have anything sexy to wear." "Sexy!? You're kidding, right?" "No, Honey, I'm dead serious. You need some more revealing school clothes, that is, if you want them." "Want them? Of course I do." By this time, Kelly was fairly jumping into clothes. She was so excited, she had stripped bare in front of her mother, something she never did any more. "Your Dad was right, Honey," Betty said in the few seconds Kelly was naked in front of her. "Right about what, Mom?" "I quote, 'That's a full-fledged woman. She's got all the right parts in a very nice package." "What?? Dad said that about me? I don't believe it!" "Yep. He said that right after he told me how excited you got him sometimes." "I... I... get Daddy excited?" She was almost in tears. "I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to, honest." "Hey, hey! It's OK, Honey. I know you didn't do it on purpose, and there's nothing wrong with it. I have to apologize for not talking about a lot of things with you before. We, you and me, are going to buy clothes to help us excite our men on purpose." "You mean Dad? And Jared? Isn't that wrong?" "Kelly, Honey, you need to learn what things excite men so you can learn to use them properly. Who better to practice on than the men who really love you and will never hurt you." "Wow! This is... this is... Oh, God! Let's go! Let's get breakfast at McD's." It is hard to say which the girls enjoyed more, the shopping, or the command performance fashion show they put on for the boys when they came home. Of course, there were several pieces of underwear and sleepwear and just plain slutwear that were not included in the show. In the bedroom later, Betty donned a very sexy nighty that would be called semi-opaque. It was silky and flowed tightly around her curves. The darker tips of her tits could be made out, as could her panties. ------- On Sunday morning, Betty and Matt were about to head down to the kitchen when Betty reached for her robe. "Huh uh. No robe," Matt told her. "Honey, I can't go in just this! It shows everything!" "Well, almost," he replied. He walked up to her, knelt down, reached under the nightie, and pulled off her panties. "Now it shows everything. Well, sorta shows it." "Matt, this is crazy! What will the kids think?" "Jared will probably spring a hardon. Kelly will probably lose her lower jaw. Come on." With that, he physically propelled her from the room toward the stairs down to the kitchen. She objected and struggled, but he kept whispering seductively in her ear and pushing her along. In the kitchen, Betty set about gathering breakfast makings, looking nervously back toward the stairs, then even more nervously at her nipples clearly protruding behind the silky fabric. She was scared to death of Jared seeing her like this, yet the inside of one thigh was already moist from her arousal. Matt scoped her out from the doorway, noticing how obvious her ass crack was from behind. When she turned toward him, he sprung his own hardon at the sight of her dark bush hinted at through the fabric. Glancing up, her nipples were even more visible. Jared was the first of the children to appear, and he stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of his mother, unsure of how to react to what he saw. One reaction required no thought, as he hardened instantly at the view from behind. His instincts were excellent, because he let out a long, low wolf whistle, causing her to turn around in alarm. He stopped in mid-whistle at the view provided by her frontal exposure. Betty panicked. "Jared! Oh, Matt, I can't!" She started to head for the stairs, but Matt caught her with an arm. "Baby, it's OK. Isn't she stunning, Jay? This is one of the other things she bought yesterday. One she didn't show you last night. One of the least revealing, actually." She was at the point of tears when Jared spoke up. "Mom, don't be upset. You look so beautiful and sexy! Thank you for letting me see you like this. If... if you feel a little embarrassed, just look at me. I'm the one who should be." Jared's light robe was pushed out alarmingly in the front, and Betty looked right down at the bulge. "Oh, my! Oh, my!" is all she could say. Kelly had just entered the room, caught Jared's comment, and could not stifle a giggle then a gasp as she saw Jared's front. Suddenly regaining confidence and control because of her son's plight, Betty straightened and turned to her daughter. "Look, Honey. It's not just Jared. Check out your Dad's bulge, too. Looks like we achieved our objective, huh?" Without saying a word, Kelly turned and tore up the stairs. The other three looked at each other in puzzlement. Jared took the opportunity to sit down and try to hide his erection. Betty now went into full-blown tease mode. She pulled Jared's chair out slightly and plopped right in his lap. "You know, Sweety, your dad accused me of being sexually attracted to you. I'll have to admit he was right. It's good to know that it goes both ways, though." She wriggled her bottom against his rod a few times before giving him a quick kiss and standing up. Betty was no sooner on her feet than Kelly re-entered the room. She had changed into a light green baby doll that was absolutely stunning against her milky, freckled complexion and her red hair. The perfect color match was hardly noticed, though, as every eye fastened on her quite visible tits, and the surprisingly lush reddish bush showing through the barely existing panties. "Um, Kelly... ," Matt started to object. "Don't you say a word, Lover! You started this, now live with it. Isn't she gorgeous?" Matt's only response was a moan, as he, too, dove for the meager covering of a chair at the table. ------- Previously unbelievable things began happening at an incredible rate at the Perdue home after that little lingerie show. That very night, Jared was nearly asleep when Kelly crawled into bed with him and plastered herself to his side. "Hey, Bro' would you have gotten hard from me if Mom hadn't already made you that way? Did I really look that sexy?" Nearly giving Jared a heart attack, she reached down and felt his cock, then gave a satisfied hum as she rolled practically on top of him. "Mom said it's good to learn to be sexy around men who love you and would never hurt you. Can you help me learn, Jay?" They talked, cuddled, and did some light petting for over an hour before Kelly reluctantly returned to her bed. One morning, Betty awoke with a painfully full bladder only to find Matt already sitting on the toilet of the Master bath. She hurried to the hall bathroom, only to hear the shower running. Her need far too urgent for modesty, she went in and sat, only then seeing through the glass shower door that it was Jared. To his shocked "Mom?" she told him, "Sorry, Sweety. It's an emergency," as she released her stream. Under her breath, she cursed the slight clouding of the shower glass that denied her a clear look at her son's package. Hurrying back to the bedroom, she tackled Matt and practically raped him. One weekend morning, Kelly came down in her usual T-shirt without a robe. As she sat slightly turned toward her father, he could that the robe was not all she was without. She had pulled up the T as she sat and spread her legs slightly to give him a great pussy shot. She was grinning from ear to ear. Despite the surprise and the lust, he had to maintain the upper hand somehow. "Are those headlights because the chair is cold on your bare bottom, Honey?" "Head... Eeek!" and she slapped her hands over her tits. Then realizing how ludicrous that was, she exclaimed in mock anger, "Dad!!" After that, they both laughed and she came and sat in his lap to give him a hug and a kiss. "I'm so glad you're my Dad, you sexy thing, you!" The frequency of the little flirtations and intimacies increased as the weeks went by. Before long, Betty could honestly enjoy the sexual tension between herself and her son without feeling possessive about him any longer. ------- After Jenny's comments at the initial meeting about helping another singer get started, Dex remembered a young woman who sang beautifully in their little church back home. Miraculously, because of his emotional state that terrible night, he remembered being surprised that she was the wife of the young deputy who helped him escape from the town. With Coach's help, he found the couple, and he, Coach, and Jenny were thrilled that they had. Despite Randy, the husband, being a good, honest cop, the young couple had been hounded from the town after Dex's parents died. They had been barely scraping by with Randy working as a security guard and Michelle clerking at Wal-Mart. They worked opposite shifts to avoid child care costs, and the separation on top of all the other strains was putting their marriage in jeopardy. When Hank, Hoss, and Jenny heard Michelle sing, they immediately wanted her. She had the timbre, pitch, and power to be a top-notch performer. She lacked platform presence, but had a strong enough personality that they were not concerned. After some discussion, the little family was moved into Hank's basement, which needed only a few touches to be adequate as a short term apartment. Dex talked to Carl Plonske and convinced him it was time to hire an employee. Carl had his sister Susan interview Randy. She told Carl if he didn't hire Randy, she was certain she could get Randy into the Police Academy. She thought Randy was a natural law officer. Hearing that, Carl hired him. Having Michelle living in the same house was ideal, for Jenny and Michelle spent hours each day practicing. Margo thouroughly enjoyed herself watching Amy and Michelle's son, Jeremy, that is, when she and Hank weren't busy composing. ------- Spring break was a very big time for all the people in Dex's circle. First of all, Hank and Margo got married just before break. Despite the best efforts of Karen and Jenny, they insisted on a quiet civil ceremony. They were not able to turn down the reception that Hoss staged on Sunday afternoon, though. Rick was in town on break, and Roger even made a brief appearance, probably at Rick's insistence. Having Roger show up turned out to be an extremely important event for Hank. He had no doubt of Margo's love, but his previous wife's rejection of his looks still hung over him. When Roger stepped up for an introduction, Hank could not help but watch Margo closely. Roger could easily have played the dashing surgeon on any TV hospital show, and Hank felt a little intimidated. Margo, however, clung to Hank and her face radiated genuine pride and a little smirk and she was almost bouncing up and down on her feet. As Roger turned away, an involuntary shudder ran through Margo. "Are you cold, Honey? You shivered," Hank asked her. "No... no, that wasn't from cold at all. It just hit me that except for loving friends, I could still be stuck with that instead with you where I belong." Sylvia's ghost was sent into oblivion for Hank after that little scene. One other aspect of Margo's behavior at the reception was just as meaningful to Hank. All of the people who attended were fairly plain, unpretentious folks. Even in that group, though, Margo's parents and siblings came across as bumpkins. Throughout the whole afternoon, Margo treated them with total warmth and respect. Hank's mind bounced back and forth between what a fool he was to doubt her feelings for him, and how incredibly lucky he was to have her. The psychological change in Hank at the reception was important for Doggerel records, as well. He was able to incorporate some side-splitting, self-deprecating humor into the show they were preparing. He could now do comedy about his looks with no aftereffects. After all the introductions had been made and everyone had eaten, Karen and Jenny dragged the couple to the dance floor as recorded music came over the speakers. They whirled through three numbers, ending in near exhaustion as everyone applauded. As a little surprise, Jared started the intro to 'I'm Still His Little Girl, ' the song Jenny had done spontaneously at the wedding. Jenny picked up the mic and sang it again, with a similar effect on Hank and most of the others. ------- During spring break, Angeline and Ron both worked with the crew. Ron turned out to have an excellent feel for putting on a show, and he suggested numerous changes and additions. Angeline was recruited to add violin parts to the album and to accompany them on the rapidly assembling tour. The recording schedule was set up for weekends so she could fly out. Jared was a very pleasant surprise for Doggerel. Not only did he have an excellent tenor voice, but he was professional caliber on keyboards. He, Angeline, and Michelle were formed into a little backup singing group, and Hank used his few free hours to score parts for them. At no little expense, Angeline began flying out every weekend, and the addition of the backup singers at the regular performances made a big difference. Jared took to country music eagerly, and Hank had him learn the keyboard parts to Jenny's entire repertoire. Hank and Jared would prove to be invaluable on tour as there was not enough in the budget to take an entire band along. The two of them would be able to fill in for or augment local bands as needed. Hank, of course, could play any instrument. Jared also proved to be an effective sound engineer. He had filled that role as a volunteer both at church and at school for a few years. This was another skill that would prove invaluable on tour. ------- Just after spring break, Donna and Jared sat down with his parents for the big discussion. On a night when Jared was singing backup and when Hank let him sub on keyboards, Jared asked his parents to come to the club. Afterward, he and Donna sat down with Matt and Betty at their house. "Mom and Dad, we've got something serious to discuss. We have decided it is time for us to have sex together." Even with the changes that had occurred, this was a major jolt to Betty. Matt, of course, knew it was coming. To her credit, Betty reacted rather calmly, asking what Donna's parents would think about it. "I've already told my folks. We're very open with each other. They suspected this was coming, and are happy for us." Trying to buy time to regain her composure, Betty asked, "Don't kids usually use Prom Night for the big event?" It was Donna who responded, "I don't think that's a good idea. We wouldn't enjoy the Prom nearly as much if we were all worked up about our first time together afterwards." "There's more," Jared said. "I'm going to tour with Jenny this summer, and Donna and I will be sharing a room while we are on the road." "Does this mean you are going to get engaged?" Betty asked. "No, Mom. It means we love each other, but are not committed long term. We can learn from each other and make each other happy right now. In the fall, we're going our separate ways. We've made no commitments beyond that." "This is all very hard for me to deal with," Betty said somewhat shakily. "I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can handle you two sleeping together at our house." "That's OK, Mrs. Perdue, we can respect that. We can use my room," Donna told her. By this time, Matt had snuggled up to his wife and was caressing her in support as she continued talking after a long, thoughtful pause. "I know you are both eighteen, and will be encountering a lot of sex in college. I can't believe you're telling us about this, but I really appreciate it. Donna, I haven't always been very friendly to you, and I apologize for that. I see that you are very good for my Jared. I think you should drop the 'Mrs. Perdue from now on - it's Betty." She sat quietly again for a few moments, then, "Oh, Hell! You can sleep over in Jared's room any time you want." Then, feeling a need to lighten the mood, she added, "I can always use the help with breakfast." There was a lot of hugging and a few tears from Betty as they broke up for the evening and the teens headed for Donna's house. ------- Dex and Donna had arranged ahead of time to swap rooms for her initial tryst with Jared, and the couple disappeared quickly down the stairs. Dex was just leaving the bathroom upstairs when Karen asked him to come into their room and talk a while. She held back the covers for him to slide in on the other side of her, and the three of them talked for quite a while. "Are you feeling down about Donna and Jared sleeping together?" Karen finally asked. "I would be lying if I said I didn't feel anything. But look, I have been able to enjoy four different women. It is good for Donna to have someone else. I think it will make it easier when she goes away in the fall." "Don't you think she will miss Jared a lot?" "Oh, she'll miss him, but she doesn't consider him her long-term lover." "Yeah, she's told us that. Do you think she means it?" "Right now she does, and I don't think that will change." "Well, she could certainly do worse. I wonder who she will end up with at the altar?" Karen mused. "There's really not much doubt about that," Dex insisted. "Huh, who?" both Mike and Karen asked at once. "Rick, of course." This brought down waves of disbelief followed by another long discussion. ------- Once down in the basement, Donna turned to Jared and began taking off his shirt, not waiting to get into the bedroom. He chuckled then told her, "You take off one, then I get to take off one, OK?" She removed his shirt, gave him a quick kiss, and stood while he reached for her sweater. Instead of lifting her sweater, though, he knelt and pulled down her slacks, being very careful to take her panties with them. "Oops!" he exclaimed in mock chagrin. "Cheater!" she shouted at him as she tried to pull her panties back up. This was impossible because he had planted his foot squarely on them between her feet. Seeing the futility of trying to retrieve her panties, she managed to wriggle one foot free of her garments without even taking off her shoe. Having gained solid footing, Donna pushed the still kneeling Jared hard, sending him sprawling on his back. She was on him before he hit the floor and had his pants open in a flash. She fished out his cock, which had hardened at the sight of her pussy. Her original intent was to jack him off, but the situation was so stimulating that she crawled up over him and stuck him into herself. To his absolute shock, she settled herself all the way down after only a few strokes. Without saying a word, she began a vigorous up and down motion to the accompaniment of his gasps and groans. Not surprisingly, he let loose after only a few strokes, then lay panting as he stared at her in disbelief. "Now see! If you'd played nice, your first time could have been nice and slow and romantic. Because you cheated, you got raped instead. Aren't you sorry?" "Hell, no! That was unbelievable. As soon as we get showered, we can do it the romantic way." "Well, if you don't quit cheating, we may never even get into the shower." "And that's supposed to scare me?" No vignette could have described the relationship between Donna and Jared any better. They seemed to strive for spontaneity and revel in unpredictability. They seemed to spew off joy when they were together, so much so that even Betty noticed it early on, before she began to loosen up. So, the fact that one of the dramatic moments of Jared's life happened quickly and almost by accident caused no stress to either of them. After Donna's 'threat, ' their mutual undressing devolved into a giggle-filled wrestling match on the floor. Jared's sticky, still hard cock flopping around was a source of great merriment to Donna as they scrabbled at each other's clothes. Jared had managed to work his pants off and had gotten on top astride her. He was intent on removing her sweater when he realized their position. He stopped dead for a moment, then leaned down and kissed her fervently. With both still clad above the waist, they locked into a searing kiss, with him stretching out atop her. Almost as if by a signal, he moved his cock to her opening, and she reached down to insert him. The giggling and joking had stopped now, and they were both in serious lust. He instinctively began plunging in and out of her with the longest strokes he could manage. The floor was certainly not a bed, but the carpet was reasonably thick, and Donna was not noticing much about her body except where Jared's cock was embedded and where their lips were locked. As always, orgasms came quickly and easily for her, and the present stimulation brought her off even more quickly. Jared was blown away at the sight and feeling as she thrashed beneath him. He was convinced this was the most satisfying achievement of his life. Because he already had one cum, he did not follow her into climax. After a brief pause when she started, he resumed his stroking. Jared was a neophyte at sex, but he was a person very attuned to feelings and sensations. It did not take him long to sense exactly what gave Donna the most pleasure, and he concentrated on those movements. From the readings he had managed to sneak past his parents, he knew that brining a woman off twice was the sexual equivalent of a grand slam. He was sure he was going to do it. Although he had never told Donna, Jared was certain that she and Dex were sexual partners. He considered Dex one of his best friends, and he admired him greatly. Dex's physical presence, however, had made Jared worry about how he himself would compare when he had sex with Donna. Now, watching her writhe below him, and knowing that he was about to take her even farther was a tremendous confidence boost. For a man, confidence flows directly to the cock, and Jared gave Donna a first class ride. This time, when Donna came, there was no holding back for Jared, and soon, they lay panting side by side on the floor, still clothed above the waist. In typical fashion for them, there were no mushy endearments as they regained strength. Instead, Donna started to giggle, and they were soon laughing uproariously. Sweater, T-shirt, and bra were soon added to the random pile of clothes strewn across the TV room, and they at last entered the shower. There, the horseplay was suspended for a while as they explored each other in a freer environment than they had ever enjoyed before. When they finally reached the bed, and after the initial warmup snuggling, Donna told him, "Lover, I already knew you had magic hands. I just found out you have a magic cock, too. Now, show me what you can do with your mouth!" Donna had absolutely refused to indulge in oral sex with Jared until they could 'do it right, ' as she put it. Now, things were perfect, and she coached him through her first oral orgasm of the night. She ended up having to breathlessly beg him to stop before he killed her. As with just about everything else, Jared was a quick study around her pussy. After quite a long recovery time, Donna murmured into Jared's neck, where her face was nestled, "Jared, you are a great lover!" He blurted out "Am I as..." before he cut himself off. Of course, Donna, even half conscious, would not let that slide by, and he eventually told her he knew about her and Dex. He also assured her that it did not upset him in the least. "I almost wish I could have the same relationship with Kelly. I really love her, and I think she feels the same. If she ever asked me, it would be hard to turn down." ------- The beginning of sex between Donna and Jared was extremely important to Dex. Angeline would now be in town every weekend, and they would be traveling together the whole summer. It had been decided that Dex and Randy would both tour with the group as bodyguards and helpers. They, along with Donna and Margo, were the non-performing members of the group, and would be charged with much of the arrangements and sheer grunt work involved in the travel. Dex loved Donna as much as ever, and increasingly, he loved Angeline as well. Donna had been very gracious in sending Angeline to him on her previous visits. Now, however, Dex had feared the choice he would have to make between the two girls. Knowing that Donna had another partner was an enormous relief. Dex and Donna talked openly about the situation and assured each other they were happy with the arrangements. ------- Chapter 16 (Fourteen years earlier) April and May turned out to be the launching pad for what Dex would always remember as one of the happiest periods of his life. Activity around the fledgling Doggerel Productions was absolutely frantic. Chris came to the Perdue house, and in conjunction with Jared's parents, laid down the law about 'grades first.' He told Jared that he would be kicked out of the Emporium or Hank's house if he did not finish his homework before he got there. He also said, completely serious, that if Jared somehow missed valedictorian, they would replace him on tour. Dex had wisely not gone out for track that spring, and had told his sensei that he would be sporadic with classes and would not compete until the fall. With Donna happily spending weekends in Jared's bed, Dex and Angeline were free to sleep together the weekend nights she was there. Many times, it involved nothing more then Dex holding her close as she collapsed in exhaustion. Their morning wakeups usually made up for the lack of late-night sex. Angeline had arranged to get out of the one Friday class she had, and always flew in late Thursday night. The second weekend she was there, she got up Saturday morning and told Dex she did not like having everyone dress for Saturday brunch just because she was there. Having said that, she left the room naked and went upstairs. Karen was in the kitchen, and did a bit of a double-take when the little naked doll appeared. "Karen, the way you all eat naked together Saturdays is a beautiful thing. I love you all so much, and I want to be a part of it. Will Mike do it?" "I'll make sure he will, Honey. I'll have to help him, uh, prepare first, though. I know just how he will respond to seeing you like that." They giggled together as Karen shucked her clothes and headed up the stairs. Angeline fairly skipped back down to Dex's bedroom and told him, "No clothes this morning. I made it right." The four of them had just gathered and Mike had barely succeeded in wrenching his gaze from Angeline's extraordinary nipples when Chris and Jenny walked in unexpectedly. They were clothed, of course, and Chris froze at the sight of Angeline, who had stood and walked forward to greet them. "No more clothes just because I am here," she said with a broad smile. "Now I can be a real part of the family!" Jenny hugged her friend, then towed the nearly-catatonic Chris off to shed their duds. When everyone had settled down, Angeline explained how casual most Europeans were about nudity. She told them how wonderful it was that they all felt so free to share their bodies. She complimented the whole family on how healthy and trim they all looked. ------- Donna, of course, quickly heard about the Saturday morning event, and went straight to Karen. "Mom, it would be really good for Jared if he could join us naked. Would it bother you terribly?" "Oh, Honey! I don't know if I want this to get out of the family." "Angeline is no more family than Jared." "Yeah, but Jared's a guy, and I'll be... uh, I guess fair's fair, isn't it?" "Uh, huh." "You know, Donna, it's a little different with Angeline. She's French, and they are much more casual about nudity than Americans. It's not really the same with Jared." "So you don't want him to see your body, huh?" "Oh, Honey, I'm just a little confused, I guess." "Look, Mom. I love Jared, and you know what a great guy he is. He'll never be your son-in-law, so I can see why you're a little reluctant. I would really like to help him be as free and confident with sex as we have all become. It would be a neat gift to remember me by. He would never, ever tell anyone that he saw you, so it won't ruin your reputation or anything. If you will do this, then Jared and I will go to breakfast at his house some Saturday naked. That should be a blast." "OK, Honey. You win. It won't affect your Dad much, and I doubt Angeline will care. I assume you will sleep in your room tonight, right?" ------- Donna did not mention any of this to Jared. When they awoke Sunday morning, she gave him an immediate blowjob, which was not anything new. When she started jacking him off again in the shower, though, he asked her why. "Well, Lover, breakfast this morning is naked, and I want to give you a chance of not springing a boner when you see Mom and Angeline in all their glory. Believe me, that's some real glory, too." Almost as soon as she said this, he spurted all over her. When they finished washing and were drying, he was still erect. "You're kidding!" she exclaimed, but went happily to work again. "Now, your penis won't be straight, but your legs may not be either, from the way you look." She laughed gaily, but he was still too stunned for any rebuttal. When she practically dragged him into the kitchen, Mike and Karen were there, and Karen's back was to them as she worked at the counter. Karen turned around rather stiffly, and her voice shook a little as she said, "Good morning, Jared. Maybe it will make you feel a little better to know that I am very nervous, too. Every other man that has seen me naked has been family, so this is hard for me." In a credit to his maturity and composure, Jared replied, "Karen (he had long ago been ordered to call her that), you are even more beautiful without clothes. If I am the first outside the family, than it is a huge honor for me." "Ah, he is a real man for the ladies. I see why you like him, Donna." This came from Angeline, who had just walked up the stairs with Dex right behind her. Jared spun around at her voice, and even the three cums were not enough to keep him from going partially erect. Extremely embarrassed, he flushed and quickly sat down at the table. Angeline stepped behind Jared, put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. "Do not worry, Cherie. We women are not offended when men show their appreciation. Donna should have helped you be less, uh, sensitive." "She, uh, did. Three times!" "Ooh la la! How do you Americans say? I guess I've really got it, no?" That threw the room into laughter, with even the red-faced Jared joining in. It was barely ten minutes before Jared was joining in the conversation with his usual wit. At one point, though, he became quiet and looked very pensive. It was Karen, across the table from him, who inquired what was the matter. "Oh, nothing's the matter. I was just thinking how unreal this is. At Christmas, I'd had exactly three dates in my life. Now, I'm sleeping with this gorgeous babe, and having breakfast naked with three knockouts." He paused and returned the smiles sent his way. "Mike, you know a lot more about this than I do, so tell me if I'm wrong here. When it comes to sex and love, us guys don't have much say, do we. I mean it's like they lead us around by our, uh, cocks, and all we can do is follow." "Mon Dieu!" Angeline exclaimed in feigned shock. "Our secret is out! And he is so young, too! What will we do?" All previous hilarity paled in comparison to the gales of laughter that overtook them all. As they were leaving the table, Karen approached Jared, still looking a bit nervous. He sensed the reason and told her, "Karen, don't worry. I would never say anything that would reflect badly on you. I respect you too much. I want to thank you again for the privilege of seeing your body. Mike is a very lucky man!" ------- Hank and Margo's original composing frenzy had yielded nine numbers, and it was typical for an album to have at least twelve. During spring break while everyone was together, there was a great deal of discussion about how to fill out the album. An obvious answer would be to record some existing numbers, but there was general reluctance to pay royalties to other companies. One slot was filled with an a cappela medley of old Southern gospel songs with no royalty rights outstanding. While not as 'country' as the rest of the album, it ended up sounding spectacular. The backup group augmented by Ron made up a mixed quartet, and they improvised some intricate harmonies to the basically simple tunes. Refusing to give any details, Ron and Jared said they had a unique instrumental in the works, and convinced the group it would be finished in time. This left one slot, and Jenny pressed for Michelle to do a solo number. The only problem was there were no unused new compositions. Michelle's voice had a more sultry quality than Jenny's and Ron suggested a country style 'torch' song. Ron's opinions had already become respected by the group, and Hank and Margo set to work. Hank did find the start of some appropriate music, so it was up to Margo. A week and a half later, everyone was satisfied with "A Hold on You." The fourth weekend after break, Ron and Jared revealed their instrumental, and it was a smash. Ron had clicked past "Hee Haw" on TV, then clicked back because he heard some 'classical' hoe-down fiddlin'. The driving beat and frantic two-note fiddle acrobatics stuck in his mind, and he got to thinking about some interesting variations. He talked to Jared, and the two worked in Jared's basement whenever they could, causing Donna to complain that her brother was stealing her boyfriend. They enlisted Angeline right away, and she worked tirelessly on the fiddle part. The number stayed true to the hoe-down sound, but added numerous key changes and theme changes. Although the fiddle predominated, Jared's synth was the underlying instrument, and synth, banjo, string bass, and drums all did riffs. Jared had showed some unexpected genius in the innovative sound he built around the constant themes. Ron would voice an idea, and Jared would make it work. The most stunning was a twenty second section of chromatically ascending chords to which Angeline had crafted a jaw-dropping fiddle part. The piece was two and a half minutes of frantic sound, and at the first rehearsal, Hank, Hoss, Jenny, and the band were dumbstruck. Jared had named the piece 'Hoe-down Fantasia, ' but even he wouldn't try to defend that. Other suggestions included 'Hoe-Down Down Down' and 'Hoooo-Down.' Hoss claimed the winner, however, with 'Moonshine, ' and the album was complete. Jenny pointed out that the album name was no longer right, and it was changed to 'Jenny and Friends at the Emporium.' Throughout April and May, all twelve numbers were recorded, usually with a live audience. Hoss provided a buffet for the patrons who helped with the recording, and most seem to love the chance to clap, yell, or applaud on command. ------- It was a Friday night in April, and as usual, Donna and Jared arrived at the Perdue home late after Jared finished Jenny's second set. All week, Donna had been working on Jared, telling him they should show up at Saturday breakfast naked. He had at first scoffed, then expressed fear, and finally realized Donna would keep at him until he did it. Good-natured one-upmanship was no small part of their relationship, and Jared tried to take charge on the way home by insisting that Kelly join them. Donna thought that was a wonderful idea, and they plotted how to get Kelly involved. Her plan put the pressure squarely back on Jared. Back at the house, they put the Kelly plan in motion. As with many middle class homes, the Perdues had a finished basement with a TV room, a bath and a bedroom. Donna and Jared had taken to using the basement bedroom when Donna slept over. That night, they showered together in the downstairs shower, then stayed naked. They both went quietly to the upstairs where Kelly's bedroom was. Making sure the parents' door was closed, they opened the bathroom door slightly and turned on the light so it spilled toward Kelly's door. Jared went into Kelly's room, leaving the door open so a little light shown in, but not enough to read by. "Hey, Kel, he said softly, as he sat beside her on the bed and shook her shoulder gently. "Whuuuh?" was her sleepy response. "We want to talk to you downstairs. It's important. Come on down." Jared then stood and walked slowly from her room, shaking slightly as he exposed his bare backside. Kelly could not be certain through the sleep haze, but she thought her brother was naked. She had been about to ignore Jared and fall back to sleep, but the possibility that she saw correctly brought her awake in a hurry. By the time she reached the basement stairs, Kelly was quivering in anticipation, positive now that she had seen correctly. She rounded the corner at the bottom and came to a staggering stop in one of those classical comedy moves. There stood Jared and Donna facing her, holding hands, naked. From the shoulders up, Jared had no more freckles - he was a uniform red color. Before Kelly could speak, Jared started to rise, capturing his sister's attention, and delaying speech a little longer. Jared started to turn but Donna held him in place. "Hang in there, Lover. Let her get a good look. It's what she wants." Donna had jerked him off in the shower, but only once. She wanted to calm him down but not prevent him from reacting totally. It looked like she should have milked him at least once more. "God, Jay, is that just from me looking at you?" Kelly was able to ask at last. "Yeah, Kel. Besides, you look awfully sexy like that. When you undress, I'll probably go off." "When I... what's this all about, anyway?" Donna answered, "When your folks come to breakfast tomorrow morning, we're going to be there naked. We want you to join us." "Oh, wow! I don't know!" "We know it will be hard to show yourself to Jared and your Dad. We figured if you strip for Jared tonight, it will be a lot easier in the morning." "Yeah, and I know you've already flashed Dad, so this should be the hard part," Jared added. "Uh, yeah. Why are you doing this?" "Your family has done a lot more sexy things lately, haven't you?" Donna asked. When Kelly nodded, Donna continued, "How are family relationships now compared to before?" "Oh, wow! I can't believe how much better things are, especially between me and Mom. We talk about stuff now, and she's my friend." "Well, if you can all get naked together, I think the communications will be even better, and you will all be closer still." "You don't think they'll freak out?" "Nope. They'll be shocked, but they'll go along. Face it, your Mom is dying to see Jared's package, and your Dad won't be able to take his eyes off of you." "How can you stand to have Dad see you?" "Oh, that will be kinda hard, but he's the one who's made this all happen. He deserves a little reward." Donna giggled briefly before she continued. "That's one reason I want you naked with us, Kelly. If you are, he will hardly notice me." "But... but you're beautiful!" "Haven't you looked in the mirror lately, Kelly? Besides, there's always a special attraction between family members." "Is... isn't that wrong?" "It's biology, Kelly. It's natural and unavoidable. What you do about it determines if it's wrong, and I'm not sure if anything two adult people agree on is wrong." Jared had been silent for a while, but now spoke up. "Kel, we would really like to have you with us in the morning. To be honest, I'm dying to see your body right now. If you decide you can't do it, we would ask you to stay in your room in the morning until we tell you're it's over. If you decide to undress now and join us, we'd love to have you sleep with us tonight." "You mean... ?" "No, Kel, we wouldn't expect you to do anything you didn't want to." Now it was decision time for Kelly. She stood for over a minute, mostly staring at Jared's cock, but occasionally scanning both of their faces. Eventually, she reached up under her sleep shirt and pulled off her panties. Taking a deep breath, she then lifted the shirt over her head and stood motionless, lower lip quivering. "Thank you Kel," Jared told her. "You really have a beautiful body. It's a privilege to see it." Everyone was awkward for several minutes, then Kelly said, "Oh, excuse me," and ran to the bathroom. After a few minutes, they heard the shower running. A little later, Kelly came out rather timidly and just stood outside the bathroom. Predictably, Donna loosened things up by starting to talk about how the morning would go. They all set on the old sofa that faced the TV, and discussed various possibilities of what could happen. It wasn't long before Kelly was entering right in. After a pause in the conversation, Kelly said to Jared, "Hey, Bro, I thought that thing would go down while we were talking. You should be used to seeing me by now." "I may never get used to that, Kel. I have to confess I have a lot of fantasies to catch up on." "You do!?" Kelly asked in disbelief. "I thought... uh..." "You thought you were the only one with fantasies, didn't you?" Donna asked her. "You've wondered about your Dad's and your brother's cocks a lot, haven't you?" Kelly covered her lowered face with her hands. "Hey, hey! I told you before that's just natural. Don't be ashamed of it." "Do you think about your Dad and your brothers? And Dex?" "You bet I do. You're lucky, Kelly. You get to learn a lot younger than I did." After her last comment, Donna got up and went into the bathroom, returning in a moment with a damp rag and a small towel. Jared knew immediately what the towels were for and objected. "Donna! No! We shouldn't." "Jared, she's going above and beyond to help us. She's so curious about boys it almost drives her crazy sometimes. She deserves a lesson. Besides, it will feel good for you, won't it?" "Uh, OK, go ahead." "Oh, I'm not going to do it. Kelly is." Jared objected again, but of course could not withstand Donna - not that he really wanted to. Donna began a thorough lesson on male genital anatomy, reminiscent of what she had done for Jenny months ago. This time, though, the student eagerly did hands on exercises. As Kelly followed Jared's instructions and stroked her brother, she gazed adoringly in his eyes. "Does this feel good, Jay? I hope I can make it good for you." "Oh, God, Kel! You can't believe how... watch out!" Donna had been watching carefully, and had the towel ready to avoid any mess. At the first spurts, Kelly had withdrawn her hand in surprise, so Donna took over stroking, gently explaining to Kelly how she needed to help him finish properly. "You know, Kelly, it's just like if you pull your hands away from your pussy just when you first start to come." "Donna, I... !" Kelly reacted in shock. "Oh, come on! You do it. I do it. Everybody does. As a matter of fact, you look pretty strung out right now. Let us return the favor." "You mean? Oh, no! I couldn't. It's..." "Hey, you did it for Jared. Let him do it for you. He has magic fingers. Come on, let's all get it bed and be comfortable." Kelly was quickly learning, as had everyone else that knew Donna, that she one way or another got what she wanted most of the time. They were soon in bed with Kelly in the middle. Donna just held her hand and calmed her as Jared started by caressing his sister's nipples, something he had done briefly before. When Jared dropped a hand to Kelly's crotch, Donna took over on one tit, causing Kelly to jerk in alarm. Donna spoke reassuringly to her and they continued the dual stimulation until Kelly went off. Having learned well from Donna, Jared stayed with it and helped work his sister to a second, much larger explosion. They all fell asleep cuddled together. Donna was the only one unsatisfied, but she sensed it was more important to treat Kelly just right that night. ------- Jared had set an alarm clock so they could be in the kitchen before either parent. They assumed Betty would be the first one down and had done most of their planning on that assumption. All three were very nervous heading up the stairs. Donna, to her own surprise, was concerned about Matt seeing her. Only immediate family males (this included Dex) had seen her naked before. Both Jared and Kelly worried about how they would react to their parents seeing them, and whether their parents would go along and strip. The three teens had to wait about twenty minutes before they heard someone coming down the stairs, at which time they all nearly panicked. They sat nearly frozen as Betty walked into the kitchen and nearly collapsed back against the doorjamb. "Oh, God! What are you all doing? Please, Matt will be down any minute. Kelly, how could you... ?" Donna stood and came over comfort Betty. "Betty, so much has happened in your family - so much wonderful stuff. We want to see you take the next step." Following their plan, Jared stood up and let his mother see his erect cock. Kelly moved to the other side of Betty, dropped to her knees and pulled down her mother's panties as Donna lifted the nightie. "Wait! No! Don't! I can't!" "Betty," Donna said rather firmly, "How long have you wished you could see Jared's package?" "I... Oh... This is... Ohhh!" Betty was shivering slightly, but her nipples were completely distended. With her last exclamation, she seemed resigned and raised her arms to help Donna. When his mother was naked, Jared stepped up to her and took her hands, then kissed them in an unplanned but very moving gesture. "Mom, thank you so much. I've wondered just as long. Your body is lovely." Betty was very much off balance, but still able to worry. "Donna, what about Matt? He'll see you." "Does the bother you Betty? Do you not want him to see me?" "Ohhh! I don't know! And Kelly!... Donna, how can you let him?" "Betty, it makes me very nervous. But Matt has taken the lead in changing things in this family. My relationship with Jared has benefited. If this is a little reward for him, I am willing. At least I hope he considers it a reward." "Oh, he will for sure! I... I guess it's OK." Kelly spoke up. "Mom, can you get Dad to strip?" Betty was recovering rapidly enough to become mischievous. "Let's not leave it up to him. Donna and Jared, you sit at the table, sort of covered up. Kelly, we'll yank his pants down as he walks through the door." Matt was not really sleepy when he walked in, but neither was he concentrating fully. He and Betty had been at the club the night before, followed by their usual shower and sex. Matt was feeling content and happy. Suddenly, he felt his pants being yanked down, then heard a giggle and a gasp. He saw Betty to one side, just rising to her feet, naked. Then he turned his head to see his grinning daughter, equally naked, on the other side. His cock reacted before his mouth, and he jammed his hands in front of his crotch as he exclaimed, "Kelly!." His eyes then traveled to the table and he became even more alarmed. "Oh My God! Donna! Betty, what the Hell?" Betty moved in front of her husband and hugged him, hiding him from the others. "Donna spoke up: "Betty, take him upstairs and, uh, reduce his sensitivity. Might have to do it twice." In the bedroom, Betty pulled off Matt's shirt, shushing him three times as he tried to talk. She dropped to her knees and sucked him off fairly quickly. He had been standing until then, but had to sit on the bed. Regaining his breath, he asked, "Mind telling me what's going on?" She explained what the kids had said. "But Donna's here!" "Don't you think you'll like looking at her?" "Uh, yeah, but she'll..." "Ohhh," she mocked, "Ashamed to have your son's girlfriend see your cock? Look, you have worked wonders in our family, especially with me. I have a feeling, though, that Donna is behind it all. Let her have a little reward. You're man enough." "But what if I get hard?" "Do you think she's never seen that before? It'll just be a bigger reward." His only response was a moan. "'Course, the way Kelly looks, I don't know how you can avoid a hardon. Aren't those tits incredible, the way the freckles are spread right down to her nipples?" Here, she giggled, then said, "Oops! Guess you need some more relief, huh?" When he got back downstairs, Matt struggled to keep his hands at his side as he walked into the kitchen ahead of Betty. He could almost feel the two girls' eyes on his penis, which was for now limp and exhausted. Kelly came up to him and smiled warmly, then gave him a peck on the cheek while whispering in his ear "I'll be careful not to touch you for now, Daddy. I'll save that for some other time." That, of course, was too much for his borderline self-control, and he was suddenly half-hard, even though he was still so tender it hurt. Betty was watching her man carefully, and stepped right in. "Kelly, give your poor Dad a break. This is hard enough for him, anyway." It was Donna who first caught the unintentional pun, followed quickly by Kelly. The ensuing laughter was good, removing much of the sexual tension. Donna, feeling she owed it to Matt, stood up so he could get a good look at her, then came over to him and said "Matt, don't be upset if you get excited. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I can see Jared inherited a lot of good things from you. You have done an incredible job of opening up your family, and everyone is proud of you. If you get hard, us girls will just be that much more jealous of what Betty gets to enjoy. Of all the turning points at the Perdue home, that breakfast was as big as any, and established a tradition almost as strong as at the Fergusons. ------- The logistics of the tour took shape in May. The tour group was four couples: Margo and Hank, Michelle and Randy, Donna and Jared, and Angeline and Dex. Ron would be at many of the shows, and of course, there were the two children, Amy and Jeremy. Jenny, of course was always there, but Chris would seldom travel with the group. After much discussion and anguished soul-searching, Chris had decided to keep his job. He would spend money traveling to weekend shows and a few Thursday nights when he could take off Friday. Dex had suggested the company pay Chris a salary so he could quit, but Chris was not quite ready for that leap of faith. Jenny was not happy about having to go on the road without Chris's support, but she appreciated his cautious concern for their future. She personally did not see much risk if he had quit, because she was by far the most certain that their little venture was headed for success. Dex had said he probably was not needed on the tour, but he was shouted down. They all appreciated his financial help, and Jenny still remembered the ugly incident at her debut. She felt two bodyguards for the group was not too many. Angeline also lobbied hard for Dex's inclusion. Dex did insist on paying for his and Donna's housing and meals. The tour had been planned out to do three or four cities in ten to twelve days, then return home for a few days. After much discussion about transportation options, two vans were purchased, one a twelve passenger model, and the other a cargo van. Using the vans and staying in moderate motels proved the most cost-effective option. For the five different trips planned, there were only three driving stretches of more than a day. Besides keeping Jared company, Donna felt a strong obligation to earn her keep, and she worked tirelessly on all the small details that make a trip livable. She went so far as locating and talking on the phone to managers of groups, two of whom proved to be very friendly and helpful. Cell phones were a relatively new technology, and four of them were acquired for the group. Carl got them two of the highest powered walkie-talkies available, and CB radios were installed in both vans. ------- With the album completed and the travel logistics falling into place, the troupe was feeling almost euphoric. Any realist should have known that not everything can go that well. During the second week in May, Michelle came into Jenny and Chris's apartment late one night after they were already in bed. After knocking timidly and being asked in, Michelle came to Jenny's side of the bed and lost it, throwing herself sobbing into Jenny's arms. Between the sobs, Michelle stammered out, "I... I... g... guess I h... have to q... quit!" At this stage, losing Michelle would have been disastrous, but Jenny reacted as gently as she could. "Randy's having trouble with your success, huh?" "Y... you knew?" "Yeah, Honey, we all knew. Dex has been spending a lot of time with Randy, and Chris has talked to him a lot." "I... I'm a-f... fraid I'm g... going to l... lose him. I'll quit f... first!" Jenny just hugged her friend until the sobbing subsided. Chris had left the bedroom and returned with drinks for all of them. "We haven't made love for so long I can hardly remember. You know, Randy wanted to be a cop his whole life. When they fired him and black-balled him, it wiped him out. We scraped by for the last year and a half. When you brought us here, it was like a miracle to me. Randy, though, feels strongly that he has failed in supporting his family, and I had to rescue us." "You still love Randy, don't you?" "Oh, yes! I always will. That's why I would rather give up singing than lose him. Jenny, my parents were as bad as yours, just without all the money. Randy stood up to them many, many times, and we got married as soon as it was legal. We lived with his folks while he was in the academy. He's always treated me like a queen. He still treats me fine, it's just that he's always so down, and there's no more sex or romance. God, I miss it so much!" "Michelle, I hate to tell you, but quitting won't necessarily save your marriage." "Why not?" "Well, Randy always wanted to be a cop, but you've always wanted to sing, haven't you? I'll bet you've dreamed of something just like this." "Um, yeah. That's why this is such a miracle." "OK. If you quit now, how are you going to feel five or ten years down the road when you hear me on the radio; or when you see me on TV with another up and coming singer doing backup?" "Ohhh! That would tear me up." "And who would you blame? Randy would be the one who stole your dream. Is your love strong enough to stand that? Randy would know it too, and how strong would his guilt be?" "You make it sound so hopeless. What can I do?" Jenny and Chris spent another hour with Michelle and got her to hang in there a little longer. It was late and a school night, but Jenny had to call Dex. Dex in turn roused Coach from his bed, and the two pondered how to help the couple. Coach, and especially Dex, felt a tremendous obligation to Randy for the way he helped the night of Dex's parents' death. The problem was, all the talking and reassurances had not pulled Randy out of his depression and self-loathing. He was doing his job for Carl, but Carl was just as concerned about his mental state. Dex came up with a crazy idea which at first sent Coach into howls of laughter. Dex kept pushing, though, explaining his reasoning, and Coach had to agree that he could think of nothing better. It was Tuesday night, and it was important to act quickly, as Michelle might be in no shape for the weekend gigs if something wasn't done. Now, it was even later at night, but Dex called Jenny back and laid out the plan. She in turn, roused Michelle and got her amazed agreement. Wednesday morning, Dex made an early call to Carl, who immediately agreed to cooperate. Dex got Karen to write him an excuse for 'family business' for two hours over lunch time, and went off to school. Jenny was left to make the arrangements. Right around noon, Carl sent Randy to pick up some documents at a suite in one of the better hotels. When he knocked, Jenny opened the door and pulled him in. Seated in the sitting room were Dex, Coach, and Chris. Coach started talking before Randy could realize what was happening. "Randy, we all love you and Michelle. Dex and I, in particular, owe you a lot for your help getting us out of town. We know what it cost you, and we wish we could pay you back." "Unfortunately, you are about to do something extremely stupid." Puzzled, Randy asked, "What I am about to do." "You're about to make your lovely, talented wife give up her singing career." "Hey, wait a minute! I've never said anything to her about quitting." Jenny spoke up here. "Oh, yes you have. Every time you've not bothered to be there for the debut of a new song. Every time you've failed to congratulate her for a great performance. Every time you've sat around like a zombie, moping about how you've failed. Every time you've failed to make love to your wife, even when she needed it so badly she was in tears." "Hey, come on, now! That's private stuff." Gentle Jenny was in a rare mood, now, and lit into Randy pretty hard. "Yes, I know it's private, and I'm sorry. But this is too important to all of us to worry about your privacy right now. Michelle is about to quit so she won't lose you, and that would be a real blow to our company, and a disaster for Michelle personally." Not waiting for Randy to say anything, Chris took over. "Randy, when we leave, Michelle is going to join you here. The two of you will stay in this room until one of three things happens. The first option would be for both of you to tell us that the situation is hopeless, and Michelle will have to quit." Jenny spoke up again. "Randy, if that happens, just think ten years down the road. What will happen when Michelle hears me sing and wonders what might have been for her. Or, she sees some new star making it big while she cleans house. You can't imagine how much she loves you, Randy, but that can change to hate just as easily if she feels you stole her future from her." "But, I'm not stealing anything from her," Randy objected. "Yes, you are!" Jenny shot back. "Success means nothing to her unless she can share it with you. You won't share it with her, and she has decided it's not worth it. The sad thing is, even if she quits, you'll never have the kind of relationship you started out with." "Oh, why not?" "Because you will feel guilty and she will feel cheated. How will you get past that." Chris picked up again. "The second option is for you two to agree that divorce is the only answer." "I don't want to divorce her! I've wanted her forever!" Jenny again responded. "You might as well be divorced right now. You don't have any kind of a life together any more." Randy just stared at her without saying a thing. Finally, Randy asked, "What's the third option?" Chris answered him. "The third option is the one we're all desperately hoping for. It's for you to wake up and realize you're the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in town. It's for you to become her biggest fan and start acting like a guy who just won the lottery." "But I can't help how I feel!" "Then start acting the way you should, and pretty soon you will feel different. Randy, are you afraid Michelle will leave you if she makes it big?" "I... I guess I've thought that at times." "The way you are now, would you blame her?" "God, what a mess! What should I do?" Jenny again: "Besides the things we've mentioned, you've got to start making love to her again, a lot! When I get done with a good performance, you know what I need more than anything else? I need Chris to fuck my brains out!" Chris could not help speaking up here. "And Randy, you do not know what you're missing if you don't give her what she needs then." After these comments, no one spoke for quite a while. Randy eventually said, softly, "I just don't know! I just don't know!" Chris told him, "You know the options. You and Michelle can't leave here until we hear from both of you that you have agreed on one of them." Randy snorted a little. "What if I just walk out." "I don't think you'll do that. You won't have any clothes." "What?" "Yup! When we leave, we're taking your clothes and Michelle will be left here naked. You can get anything you need from room service, and the hotel knows not to actually come into the room unless you tell them to. There is a large stack of small towels in the bathroom so you can shower, but nothing big enough to rap around you. Oh, and the bedroom is locked until you both tell us you are ready for bed. No covering up with sheets." Randy was angry now. "If you expect me to strip..." "We are leaving right now. You know Dex could make you do it, so just get it over with. The last thing Dex wants to do is use force on you, believe me, but he will because we all think this is your last, best chance." After the appropriate bluster, Randy eventually handed all his clothes out the door. Michelle entered and handed her clothes out to the waiting Jenny. She, of course, knew what was happening and brought a small case of cosmetics, including shaving gear for Randy. ------- The first few minutes for Michelle and Randy alone together were almost surreal. The situation was so far from their experience that neither knew how to act. Early in their courtship and marriage, they had reveled in being naked together, so it shouldn't have bothered them now. However, nudity represented a level of openness and intimacy that had slipped away from them in the last two stressful years. On top of the nudity, they were in hotel a suite that was luxurious beyond anything they had enjoyed before. The forced openness of their encounter was, of course, the major reason they had been brought here by their friends. Dex knew, whether analytically or instinctively, that being naked together would require a level of honesty that was essential to their recovery. He had suggested, and the others agreed, that this 'all or nothing' approach was the only hope. With his mother, with Donna, and with the family, Dex knew how much relationships had improved once the clothes were discarded. All of the theory meant nothing to Michelle and Randy once they were left alone. Simple questions dominated their thoughts: what to say, what to do, was it OK to look? Michelle did not hesitate to look - it had been far to long since she had seen his body entirely. They had only been in town for several weeks, but Randy already looked better. The strain of scraping by and hating his work had shown plainly on his face before the move, and his athletic body had looked slack and toneless. Now, she could see the muscle improvement. The face, however, looked worse, if anything. As far as what to say - she decided he would have to be the first to speak. When the door closed after Michelle handed out her clothes, Randy was angry. In fact, he wanted to be even more angry with his friends, but the truth of what they had told him kept getting in the way of his anger. Now, there was only Michelle here with him, and he could never be angry with her. Randy's feelings for Michelle ran incredibly deep. When he had discovered her, practically imprisoned by her parents, it triggered a very strong protective streak deep within him. He was very quickly committed to protecting her for life. Over the years, his greatest joys came from sheltering her from abuse and freeing her from the clutches of her parents. Randy's view of the world was very clear and well-structured. The man of the house was the protector and the provider. He was responsible for how well the family lived. The degree to which the wife had to assist in providing reflected on the husband's success as a man. This was not dominance in his mind. In fact, he was always gentle and solicitous of Michelle. His treatment of her was so opposite of her parents' that she was constantly overwhelmed. Over a year before Jenny found her, Michelle had had to go to work at Wal-Mart, and Randy had been devastated. He had not tried to stop her, because indebtedness was another indication of failure as a man, and they had been on the brink of real trouble. Her job had practically ended their sex life, however. Randy worshipped Michelle, but he had felt himself no longer enough of a man to be worthy of her body. Their conflicting schedules had actually made it easier on him. There had been less time to have to fend off her obvious desire for intimacy. For well over a year, he had been his usual kind and gentle self with her, but the only intimacies were perfunctory hugs and kisses. His ego problem was so severe, he had gone they entire time almost without arousal. Now, he had a job he felt good about. They were with people he enjoyed, whom he could respect, and who cared about them. He was making as much as he did on the police force. The problem was, Michelle was making just as much, and there was a strong possibility she could be making many times what he was. In his eyes, his manhood was diminished ever further than before. For the first ten minutes alone, Randy either sat or paced, scrupulously looking away from his wife. It had been a while since he had seen her naked. When the sex first stopped, Michelle had tried every tease and enticement she could think of to arouse him. When nothing succeeded, she felt shamed by his lack of response, and quit trying. Finally, knowing he could not avoid contact forever, Randy turned and looked at Michelle. He could remember years past when the sight of her even partially clad produced an instant erection. She was standing face on to him, and she looked very appealing. She had not lost the things that aroused him. He was the one who had lost something. He noticed something different about himself this time - he wished he could get aroused. "I guess you knew about this, huh?" Randy asked, breaking the silence. "Yes. It was all planned out late last night." "Why last night." "Because I went to Jenny and told her I had to quit." "Why did you have to quit?" "I thought I had to quit because my working had cost our marriage." "What do you mean? We're still married." "Not really. We live together, but we might as well be brother and sister." Randy could not respond, and sat with his face in his hands. "If you quit, you'll end up hating me, won't you?" Randy finally asked. "Wouldn't you have hated me if I'd made you quit the Police Academy because I was too afraid?" Randy's eyes popped open at this question. "Were you afraid?" "Of course I was! It took months before I could sleep at night." "But you never let on." "I loved you too much to spoil your dream." This hit Randy like a punch in the gut. Was she accusing him of not loving her enough? How could she think that? In a lame attempt at self-justification, he told her "It's not the same. I'm supposed to provide for our family." "Oh? Where is that law? Show me chapter and verse." "But, I..." "Pretty soon you will be the only provider for your family. Your family will be just you, with Jeremy on weekends." "You mean you'd divorce me?" "I'm convinced there's only one way to save our marriage, and I think you know what it is. Our marriage is dead right now, so a divorce would only make it official. My quitting would just put off the inevitable." "So, it's all on me, huh?" Randy asked. Here, Michelle desperately wanted to be comforting, but her instincts told her this was the time to be strong. "Well, what do you think I could do to make things better?" she responded. Silence reigned again for almost thirty minutes as each of them sat thinking. They were as far away from each other as the room allowed. Anger against Michelle was impossible for Randy. Anger against Randy was definitely possible for Michelle, but the longing was so strong, the anger never won out. There had been so much emotion over the last year, she was determined to put up with anything that happened if there was even the slightest chance of getting her husband back. The afternoon dragged interminably. They turned on the TV. They chatted about insignificant things. Mostly, they kept to themselves. He watched her when she moved about, willing his penis to react, but it never did. They ordered supper, and he was his usual polite, considerate self. This time, she found the small courtesies deepening her sadness. They promised so much, but there was nothing more. After dinner had been cleared, she felt the need to keep some kind of discussion going. "Randy, don't you realize you're doing the same thing to me that you rescued me from with my folks." "Whaaat??" "You were so wonderful! You rescued me from a virtual prison. Now, you're trying to put me in another prison." "What are you talking about? I would never do that to you! How can you even say that?" "As long as I was just a wife and a mother, everything was fine. When I became a bread-winner, you didn't want me any more. Now, I could be a star, and you want me even less." "But I DO want you!" "No, you don't. You want the wife and mother, not the Michelle who can earn money - more money than you. I know you don't mean it that way, but you have a wife/mother prison for me. It's different from the prison my folks built, but it's still a prison. You're punishing me for getting out of my prison, just like my folks did." "But I'm not punishing you! I wouldn't... I couldn't?" "Then is it because I'm not attractive any more? I can make the guys at the club whistle and drool, but my own husband won't touch me. Isn't that punishment?" It suddenly hit Randy: Michelle was accusing him of abusing her. This was about the worst thing she could say to him. His feelings about how to treat women were about on the same level as Dex's. Maybe that was why Dex had tried so hard to help him out. He had never, ever thought of his actions as abuse, and it made him almost physically sick. They rest of the evening was without conversation. The TV was on, but Randy had no idea what was showing. At bedtime, they both talked to Jenny, as required, and the bedroom was opened. Jenny could tell that things were no better, and spread the word. Randy gave Michelle the customary goodnight peck, but he did not stay in the bed for long. For most of the night, he alternated between sitting and pacing. He closed the bedroom door and tried some TV, but that did not make the time go any faster. His mind never stopped whirling. One minute he tried to convince himself that he was not guilty of the abuse she claimed. The next minute he reeled under waves of remorse for what he had denied her. He tried to work up enthusiasm for her singing career, but he still felt like a failure. Too exhausted to pace at one point, he gained enough control of his feelings to do some analysis. What did he want? Did he want to stay married to Michelle? The answer was a resounding yes. What would it take to do that? Sex. Supporting her career. Sex. Being happy for her success. Sex. Doing everything he could to help her succeed. Sex. How could he do these things when all he felt was his own failure? What had Chris said? Do the things you should, and eventually you will want to do them. He wanted to be with Michelle for the rest of his life. He would start doing the things she needed, even if he had to pretend. She deserved it. He would not abuse her any more. The sex still worried him. He could not just command it to stand up. What he could do, though, is give her a chance to arouse him. He had kept her at arms length, and he would stop that. He would act affectionate. He did love her, and he would start to show her with his actions. It was not hard to touch and feel her. Why had he been avoiding it? In the pre-dawn hour, Randy staggered to the bed and collapsed, his mind still whirling through the things he would do. Driving all of his thoughts was the firm commitment - he would not abuse her. She would have her dream if he could make it happen. Michelle's sleep had been less than restful. She woke several times to nightmares of herself and Jeremy struggling to exist without Randy. She worried if she had been too harsh. She longed for the feeling of him close to her and inside her. She did not want Jeremy to be an only child, but could not imagine having a child by anyone but Randy. Thoughts and emotions tumbled through her before she could fall back again into fitful sleep. When Randy finally came to bed, it woke Michelle, and she gave up the struggle for sleep. Staggering to the bathroom, she filled the tub and soaked for a while. Getting a razor from her cosmetics case, she did her legs and her pits. As she was about to put the razor away, she had a thought, shrugged her shoulders, and began shaving her crotch. With nothing but time, the slow pace of inexperience was not a concern, and when she was finished, her genitals were bare for the first time since puberty. She had left only a small patch of hair above her cleft. In the hours they had been at the hotel, Michelle had become fairly comfortable without clothes. Her shaved pussy, however, somehow heightened the feeling of exposure. She could not help noticing her crotch as she tried to sit and relax. By now, it was dawn, and she knew there was an exercise show on TV. Being sure the bedroom door was closed, she found the show, and began moving to the music. The thumping of the music carried through the bedroom door and pulled Randy from his shallow slumber. As he hauled himself to wakefulness, he felt better than he had in some time. The ego problem was not gone, but he had decided on a plan of action. He would treat Michelle as she deserved, despite how he felt. He would not abuse her. Opening the door, he saw Michelle doing her aerobic dance, her back to him. He watched for a while, berating himself for ignoring such a lovely woman. At about that time, she bent forward to touch the ground with her legs spread, and he saw her bare labia. For some reason, the view of her pussy peaking from between her ass cheeks was particularly erotic. To his own surprise, Randy's libido had been strengthened enough by his resolved course of action to allow blood to flow to its designated action station. Michelle was totally engrossed in her dance when she felt hands on her hips. She shrieked and stiffened, then felt Randy's hard cock against her ass crack. "OhMyGod!" she shrieked, then reached behind her to grasp his cock. She pulled him three or four steps to the arm of the sofa, and bent over the arm as she pulled him into herself. She was not well lubricated, but that problem diminished rapidly as he started to work his way in. When he bottomed out, she broke into huge, wrenching sobs, raining tears on the sofa. At first, he was startled and confused, but when she pushed back at him, he knew she wanted him to stroke. The sobbing did not stop as he fucked her with building intensity for a few minutes, before releasing into her with a massive grunt. He was barely finished spurting when she pulled off, spun around, and hugged him fiercely, still sobbing. "I th... thought I... I'd never f... feel that a-g... gain," she stammered out between sobs. He could only return her hug, too near to sobs himself to attempt to talk. The housekeeping crew was going to have a bit of a challenge with the fluids they drizzled on the carpet, but they noticed neither the dripping nor the stickiness pressed between them. When Michelle's crying finally subsided, she told him they needed a bath, and towed him by his semi-hard cock into the tub. There, she lay back against him until the water cooled, luxuriating in the exploration of her body that he was at last enjoying. All the while they sat in the tub, she kept her hand back between them, firmly ahold of his member. As they toweled off, he stared at her bare pussy. "Honey, we have an awful lot to talk about. First, though, I want to try something new." With that, he led her to the bed, lay her on her back, and knelt between her legs. She spread open, expecting him to enter her, only to gasp at his first broad lick of her labia. She had given him blowjobs in the past, but this was his first time for cunnilingus. He was completely inexperienced, and had, in fact, always considered this perverted. So many things were happening, though, and the sight of that bare pussy was so enticing, that he could not resist. It turned out to be easy to figure out what to do, as she left absolutely no doubt what felt good. He knew where her clit was, of course, and soon concentrated there, bringing her to her first in a very short time. He stayed with it, and brought her off again after several more minutes. Pleasuring her had aroused him again, and he entered her before she was fully recovered from her second come. This had the effect of keeping her arousal at a high level. She was able to lock him into a passionate kiss, the first in over a year. This brought more tears, but not enough to dampen the intensity. The one previous cum had hardly dented his accumulation, and it did not take many strokes for him to explode again. "Randy, is it over?" she asked when they lay facing each other, recovering. He told her of the commitments he made during the night, then he had a question. "Is there any danger you could get pregnant?" "No danger, but a very, very good chance," she giggled. "Huh?" "There's been no need for the pill for quite a while, and it's about the right time. It's OK! If I've got you back, then I want another baby. Besides, Jenny's off the pill, and I think it would be cool to have them about the same time." They lay talking for quite a long time, then ordered breakfast from room service. Randy ended up feeding Michelle most of her breakfast because she refused to relinquish her hold on his cock. After breakfast, he held the receiver as she dialed Jenny. "Jenny, you can come get us out of here. We're going to be OK?" "Have you made love?" was Jenny's first question. "Twice!" and Michelle giggled. There was no sound from Jenny's end for a while, then she said "Tell you what. Why don't I bring you some clothes, but not take you home. Go out and do some shopping and eat out, maybe see a movie. Stay in the hotel another night, and I'll pick you up tomorrow." That plan was eagerly accepted, and they enjoyed a relaxed lovers' day. When they returned to the motel in the evening, Michelle insisted they strip immediately. "If this is what it takes, Honey, I may never wear clothes again. Oh, and if you'll do that with your mouth again, I'll have my hair permanently removed." ------- By Friday night, the mood in the group had brightened considerably. Randy was making an honest effort, and had apologized to everyone. Michelle had a new glow about her, and it showed in her performance. During 'A Hold on You, ' she just oozed sexuality, causing jaws to drop all over the audience. True to his word, Randy was backstage when she finished, and she dragged him into the 'nursery' room and they had a frantic fuck. 'A Hold on You' had already been recorded, but the difference in Michelle's intensity was so remarkable, a recut was scheduled. ------- Chapter 17 (Fourteen years earlier) When the summer tours started, they were Dex's first experience with long-haul road travel, the longest basketball trips having been no more than four or five hours. Of course, the drive to the Fergusons' after his parents' death was fairly long, but that was just part of one ugly memory. After conversation died out on the longer drives, Dex found himself indulging in some introspection - not something he was accustomed to. At home, he was always tightly focused on his tasks, and was committed to helping people, especially women. This left little time to think about himelf. Mostly, now, he thought back over the last two years, and the choices he had made. Generally, he was happy with his choices, and could not think of major things things he should have done differently. Much of his thinking time was devoted to the people around him, and he always felt himself incredibly fortunate. If he could have designed ideal parents, they probably would have been inferior to Karen and Mike. Oh, he might have had them with more money, but only for their own benefit, not his. He knew from his acquaintances at school how fortunate he was, as he was never able to join in the seemingly universal complaining about parents. For his part, he had resolved never to do anything to bring shame or hardship upon them, and he felt successful in that effort. Just being an ideal 'son' did not seem sufficient to him, though, and much of his hope for Doggerel was for a good payout to the Fergusons. Donna was the perfect sister, and so much more. That kind of best friend and lover, he could never have dreamed up. For all of Karen and Mike's generosity, love, and care, it was Donna who was most instrumental in re-directing him from his grief and guilt. They were soul mates of the strongest kind. The overall effect Donna had on his psyche would be hard to measure. She had been the one to draw him into interacting with her friends. She had been the one to draw out the tale of his abuse and his relationship with his mother. Dex had been inexorably drawn to Kristen because of her abuse, and came to love her as a friend and an aunt. Being able to help her exorcise the demon of her ex was among the high points of his new life. He knew the bond between them would endure. Coach was the most significant person left from Dex's old life, but that was not why Dex felt so close to him. Coach had been the only person in the entire town who had consistently tried to help Dex and his mother. Their common love of basketball, and the tragedy and loss in both of their lives also served to bond them together. The fact that Kristen and Coach had found each other, partly through his own efforts, was almost too good to be true. Witnessing their happiness together always made Dex rather emotional. The Bitsy Blomberg experience had been an instinctive reaction to mistreatment. She was now one of his closest friends at school, and a leader in his little groups of brains. He always felt a little guilt over Bitsy because he could never feel any romantic attraction to her, though he knew she had strong feelings for him. With her orthodontia and some attention to her looks, Bitsy was actually pretty. She was, however, painfully thin. Dex had discovered that Bitsy was very athletic. With his encouragement, she was now a promising volleyball and softball prospect. Margo had entered his life in the strangest of ways. Her intelligence, her strong personality, and of course her looks, made her irresistible. When he sensed that she had also suffered a form of abuse, she became one of his close friends. Chris had quickly taken Dex under his wing, and the two had a strong brotherly bond, especially strong since they began sharing their common interest in business. Jenny had two reasons for Dex to include her as a special person. First, of course, was the injustice she had suffered from Adrian and from her parents. The second was her marriage to Chris. On top of all that, Jenny was among the most naturally likable people on earth. On her part, she would be forever grateful for the sex education from Dex and Donna. Dex easily accepted Hank. His willingness to help Jenny would have been enough, but his marriage to Margo sealed it. Angeline pretty much invited herself into Dex's circle, and then into his bed. Not that he wasn't happy to have her. She was the kind of irrepressible personality Dex was drawn to. He often felt sorry that he did not completely reciprocate her professed strong feelings for him. He did love her, though. A frequent concern of his was how their relationship could end without heartbreak for Angeline. For this summer, though, he was grateful for the companionship and the sex they shared. Dex's association with Randy had been minimal, but Randy had taken a huge risk on Dex's behalf. Dex had a very strong sense of obligation to anyone who helped him. When he heard it had cost Randy his career, Dex was even more determined to do everything he could for Randy and his family. It turned out that Randy had played basketball on the high school team before Coach had arrived on the scene, so there was another connection between the two. Jared's initial connection with Dex was through Donna, and he was important to Dex primarily because he was important to Donna. They two young men had relatively few common interests, but Jared's personality made it easy for Dex to be comfortable with him. As Jared's importance to Jenny and Doggerel grew, Dex naturally took more interest in him. Connie was on the fringes of Dex's life, and was a bit of an enigma. Dex genuinely liked her, and their dates had been good for both of them. He felt their relationship could become very strong if given a chance. In his mind, he had difficulty deciding how much of his feeling for Connie was due to her dangerously submissive personality. He felt compelled to spend time with Connie to keep her from the abusive 'friends' she had fallen in with. The school principal, Connie's mother, and the Frankels were the only ones on Dex's short list of enemies. His teammates, his group of 'brains, ' most of his teachers, his current coach, his sensei, Marty, Carl, and Susan he could count among his large group of friends. All in all, Dex was satisfied that he had done his best for the people he cared most about. For Bitsy, Kristen, Jenny, and Connie, he had either rescued them from abuse or helped in their recovery. He believed the shares of Doggerel he had purchased for Karen and Mike, Donna, and Coach would eventually bring them significant income. Though none of them expected anything from him, his own sense of gratitude made him determined to help them. People were not the only thing on Dex's mind during the long driving hours. He was very aware that this magical summer represented the end of one phase of his life. Donna would be going away to college. Jenny's tour schedule would probably expand, and Dex could not travel with her. Come September, he would be separated from many of the people and the things that had filled his life the last two years. Of course, some important parts of his life would still be with him: school and his little group of friends; basketball; martial arts. The people would not really be gone, he just could not be with them as much as he was used to. Dex spent surprisingly little time thinking about the future of his sex life. Angeline would be back at Juliard for one final semester, and after that, she would probably go back to France. He knew instinctively that his relationship with Angeline was not for the long term. There just weren't enough commonalities between them to bridge the age and culture gaps. The infatuation and the sexual attraction were intense right now, but it would take more than that. Dex had not slept with Donna since her first time with Jared, but he would greatly miss her companionship when she left for school. He had always known that sex with Donna was a temporary gift. He knew, no, he hoped, she would soon find a long-term love interest, possibly at school. Interestingly, she was going to the same school as Rick. It was also the same school Chris and Ron attended, though, so there was no particular romantic significance to her choice. Dex was convinced Donna and Rick would eventually marry. Rick was the only one of his male acquaintances with the strength of character to fit with Donna. Rick had much to grow out of, and Dex felt that his own contributions to Rick's growth were a gift to Donna. Dex did spend time thinking about his own growth. It was hard to even remember himself as the distraught fourteen-year-old that arrived at the Fergusons' two years before. The biggest difference was all the people he could now share love with. Men like Mike, Coach, and Hank had largely erased the disastrous image of manhood and fatherhood left by John, Sr. He had complete assurance, now, that he belonged, that his family genuinely cared for him. It was impossible for him not to realize the difference in maturity between himself and his contemporaries. The poise developed through his training and competitions was further enhanced by his basketball success. Add to that his size and muscular development, and he stood out in any group at school. He was increasingly aware of this and more willing to use his status for good, especially in his protective role. Even though he had put a lot of thought into it beforehand, it still startled Dex to realize he was a part owner of a company, and that the bulk of his fund was invested in that risky venture. His opinion of Doggerel's chances for success had not changed, though. Jenny was the key, and from everything he could tell, she only got better and better. The possible loss of his investment in Doggerel never occupied much of Dex's thinking time. Over the past year, he had gained complete confidence in his ability to work the stock market. He knew he could grow his remaining funds over time to meet his education needs. How much had the two years healed Dex from the tragedy of his parents' death? Time had inevitably dulled the pain from the loss of his mother, but only to the extent that he could go longer periods of time without thinking about it. The women he had helped had each added a layer of insulation from the consuming guilt he had carried with him to the Fergusons'. The guilt was still there, but he felt he was redeeming himself little by little each time he helped another abused woman. If anything, his determination - his compulsion, actually - to intervene for abuse victims was stronger than ever. Change was inevitable, and Dex's natural optimism caused him to anticipate it. The last two years had been filled with loving, concerned people who had helped him grow and recover. The people would not be gone, but he would be much more on his own after this summer. ------- When at last the troupe was on the road, the first leg was only a half day's drive. The motel arrangements were in order, and there was time for setup and sound check at the club. By design, this was a club Hoss was very familiar with, and it had the best sound and the best band. Part of the contract with each club called for a three hour rehearsal paid for by the club. At this first stop, all of the regular musicians were adequate, and Jared's synth was used for fill-in and the specific numbers that required it. The first road performance went off smoothly and the release of tension back at the motel was almost tangible. One detail Donna and Margo had not thought of was food after the performance. Fortunately, there was a Denny's near the motel, but the late night meal became another logistical task for each day. Margo and Donna stayed at the hotel to watch Amy and Jeremy. They would work it out so at least one could attend each set, but the first night both babysat. ------- The first stop was Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and there was much to discuss on the all day drive Sunday. Randy and Dex took turns driving the cargo van so the musicians could always be together. Many changes and additions to the program evolved during the long hours on the road, and sometimes, entire days of travel virtually flew by in animated discussion and singing. By the second driving leg, they had purchased a small battery-powered keyboard to provide accompaniment in the van. ------- Angeline and Michelle very much wanted to ride shotgun when their men were driving the cargo van, but both men knew the value of the discussion and rehearsal in the passenger van. Quite often, Dex and Randy were together in the panel van, and their conversations did much to help Randy continue to adjust his attitude and strengthen his ego. Randy had no particular musical talent, and no experience in sound or electronics. However, he was a very detailed person and a tireless worker. Dex, knowing that he himself would be back in school in the fall, and suspecting the tours would go on, let more and more of the responsibility fall to Randy. By the end of the summer, Randy would be a competent and confident road manager, as well as a bodyguard. Dex and Randy also established a strict daily workout schedule, and Dex coached Randy in some of the martial arts techniques most valuable for their security duty. Randy had been able to take just a few classes from the sensei before the tours started, but these had been focused on the philosophy of minimum force and conflict avoidance. Randy accepted these principles readily, since his police academy training espoused many of the same approaches. He was naturally athletic, and Dex found that he enjoyed being in the teaching role with a good pupil. Most of the motels had some sort of weight equipment, and soon, the entire troupe was exercising regularly. ------- Many of the security precautions that Carl had developed for his seminar program were ideal for a road tour. After her one nasty scare, Jenny took the lead in making sure all of the musicians followed procedure religiously. The most basic rule was that they all stayed within the stage and backstage areas, and stayed together once the clubs began admitting patrons. Arriving at or leaving a club was also done in a group, with the van pulled as close as possible to an entrance away from the patron entrance. Much of Jenny's appeal as a performer grew from her personality, and she did not want to seem remote from her audience. They soon developed a twenty minute or so 'walk-around' during the gap between sets. Generally, this involved the three women visiting tables and greeting customers, with both Dex and Randy accompanying them. Jenny's ability to make instant lifelong friends never failed her, and Angeline always generated smiles. Michelle was at first a bit stiff with the crowd, but Randy saw this and began holding her hand as they kibitzed. By summer's end, Michelle was as relaxed as the other two. On one of the early nights, Jared saw a table of three young women, and asked Randy if it was OK for him to dance with them to the recorded music that was playing between sets. After conferring with Dex, Randy told him he could, but only after the girls had finished their 'walk-around.' Jared's idea was so well received by the female part of the crowd, that Hank soon joined in and it became a regular feature. Both were excellent dancers and were able to employ their humor to delight their partners. It was generally agreed that the women should not dance with the customers. ------- For the most part, the summer tours accomplished what the troupe had hoped for. The additional polish and sharpness that came from repeated performances could have been realized back at the Emporium. The flexibility and resilience to perform at a high level in drastically different, sometimes less than ideal circumstances, could only be learned on the road. City by city, performance by performance, Jenny and her troupe became real pros. Hoss had worked some of his contacts and found a promoter who caught the show on the road. Hoss had made sure Ron and Chris were both at the same performances, and there were some substantive discussions. The next logical step for Jenny was a straight concert tour, rather than the club settings she was now limited to. The first scheduled concert was set up at home in late August, followed by a series of two or three concerts a month in major cities. The newly negotiated concert schedule had a definite time limit imposed because in early July, Jenny announced she was pregnant, Due in early January. She would not perform between Thanksgiving and February 1st. The promoter was upset, and asked how she could jeopardize her career this way when it was just getting started. Her retort was classic - she would not let her career dictate what was best for her family. If people liked her singing, they would like it again after her maternity break. ------- Most of Dex's time on the tour was spent working as a typical roadie. There were few incidents that required his or Randy's intervention as bodyguards, and the few that did occur at clubs were handled quietly. The one major incident occurred on the road between stops. One Sunday morning, they were due to leave on a nine hour drive to the next stop, where they had a Monday night date. At departure time, a massive storm system was dumping sheets of water, making driving impossible. Flooding of some roads on their route kept them from leaving until well after noon. The decision facing the troupe was whether to drive through to their destination, arriving about midnight, or to pick an intermediate stopping point. Unfortunately, the only significant towns were on the early part of the trip. This would leave them a fair distance to travel on a performance day, something they tried hard to avoid. They decided to drive through. Within about an hour and a half of the destination, a potty stop was unavoidable, and the vans pulled into a typical gas station/convenience store. Late that Sunday evening, only a disheveled, bored-looking, thirty-something man was running the store. The vans had been topped off, all toilet visits were completed, and several people were checking for acceptable snacks, when a car screeched to a halt in front of the store. Four overly jovial, tough-looking, twentyish men tumbled out and headed for the store. Simultaneously, the clerk muttered "Oh, no!" and Dex and Randy began moving to protect their charges. Donna, Michelle, and Jared were still in the store along with Dex and Randy. Margo, Angeline, and Jenny had just left the store, and were strolling toward the vans. Hank was in the passenger van watching the babies. "Randy, get them out!" Dex hollered over his shoulder as he dashed through the door to cover the three women out in the open. Dex was between the women and the men well before the men reached the door. He told the exposed women to hurry to the van, and stood his position, trying to look as casual as possible. Randy shouted to the clerk to lock the door and call the sheriff, then held the door open for the other three to exit. "Excuse us, Gentlemen," Randy said as they stepped past the four men waiting to enter. Intoxicated men seem compelled to challenge other men for possession of the other men's women. Inebriated male brains seem to view an escorted woman as an ideal target for proving manhood. Booze and boredom certainly were driving this quartet, and the ribald remarks, along with some attempted grabs, started as soon as the escaping group passed. Randy shot a quick glance toward Dex, then turned his back toward the ruffians and shepherded the women along with a hand on each of their shoulders. "Hey! Don't walk away. It's a slow night and we want some company," one of the men spoke loudly. "Sorry, guys. We've got a long trip ahead of us, and we need to get moving," Randy replied, turning back toward them as he spoke. "No, you need to stay right here. Them's some fine lookin' women there, and we want to get acquainted. I mean, there's just you and them two kids for all that good-lookin' pussy. Don't seem fair, do it?" It was the same apparent spokesman again. The last two sentences convinced Dex and Randy they had a serious problem. They had to decide quickly whether to try to subdue the rowdies here or to get in the vans and take their chances on the road. Two large vans against one decrepit sedan seemed an advantage, and flight rather than fight was usually best with innocents involved. Almost simultaneously, they both nodded toward the vans. Whether from an instinct for tactics or from just plain lust, one of the men had broken from the group and headed toward the passenger van. The sliding side door was open, and everyone was hurrying inside as quickly as possible. The tough broke into a run, and it looked like he had a chance to grab Donna, who was waiting for Michelle to climb in. Jared had stayed behind the women, and hearing the running footsteps, turned to offer whatever protection he could. He took a step away from the van, anticipating the impact from the charging tough. "Get outta my way, kid!" the oncoming man bellowed. As he was about to ram into Jared, Hank came flying out of the passenger door. He grabbed the tough's arm, literally stopping him in his tracks. Somehow, Hank had the restraint to tell the guy to move away from the van, but the response he got was "Fuck you, Pops! Outta my way!" That erased Hank's need for restraint, and he grabbed the arm with both hands, spun around and flung the would-be attacker several yards across the lot, where he landed in a stunned heap, grabbing at his shoulder. "We've got to slow them down from following us," Dex told Randy, who was right next to him. "Go for the knees!" Following his own instructions, he turned toward the spokesman, who had charged angrily after seeing his friend manhandled. Timing the man's stride, Dex kicked his forward knee just as his weight was coming down on it, dropping him in a screaming heap. Randy's kick was not as precise, but he did put down his target. Number four, sensing this was no longer a winning deal, stood back and swore loudly, before coming to the aid of the spokesman. Everyone else was in the passenger van. Dex told Randy to take the cargo van alone and get on the walkie talkie, then jumped into the copilot seat of the passenger van. Hank was already in the driver's seat. As soon as they were on the road, Dex got in communication with Randy. "Randy, I don't know if they'll try to follow us. You run screen and stay between them and us, no matter what happens." Randy had had the usual police driving courses, and had done very well in them. This was a whole different kind of assignment, though. After a brief pang of fear, he remembered that his family was in the passenger van, and a cold fury took over his thinking as he tucked in behind the lead van. They traveled almost an hour, going as fast as they dared on the deserted two-lane road. Tension was starting to ease as they neared their destination and the attackers had not appeared. The road had just turned into a long, straight, uninhabited stretch, when Randy squawked, and told them there were lights coming up fast. It could have been any vehicle, but everyone sensed it was them, and the tension was back big time. From his police experience, Randy had excellent recognition of vehicles, and as soon as it drew close, he identified the sedan the four had arrived in. He began a long, tense, dangerous dance, pushing the lumbering van to its limit as he blocked the progress of the toughs. After about fifteen minutes the strain began to tell on him, but they were still over twenty minutes from relative safety. Taking a chance, he squawked Dex. "Dex, have Hank ride one wheel as close to the shoulder as possible. I'll ride your left quarter. I can't keep up this dodging much longer." "But they could get right up behind us, then," Dex replied. "They won't try to ram you with that heap. If I see any threat, they're in the ditch." They had barely held their new formation for three minutes when the sedan pulled up on Randy's right, behind the other van, having to ride the right-side wheels on the shoulder. The back right window of the sedan rolled down, Randy saw a barrel pushed out, and he reacted instantly, turning into the sedan. The other driver stomped on the brake, trying to slow down and get out from the van's push toward the ditch. Radny braked hard as well, trying desperately to keep contact as he moved the sedan toward the ditch. The scraping of metal and the squealing of braking tires continued for seven or eight seconds before the sedan lost purchase on the shoulder and went over the edge. The two vehicles had slowed to perhaps twenty-five or thirty by this time, and the ditch was not particularly steep here. Randy, however, did not spend any time worrying about the condition of the sedan or its occupants as he hurried to catch up to the other van. He told them what had happened, and Dex offered to get on the CB and try to raise law enforcement. In the fifteen minutes it took to reach their motel, the group had calmed somewhat. They called the sheriff from the motel, having not reached anyone earlier. It took Randy, Hank, and Dex until the wee hours to clear things up, and they argued hard to put off questioning of the others until morning. The issue of leaving the scene was dropped when a shotgun was found in the back seat of the sedan. None of the four toughs were injured further from their excursion into the ditch. The sheriff in their home county was well-acquainted with two of the four. All in all, the professionalism of Jenny and her friends received its biggest test as they performed that night. News of their adventure had percolated through the town, and there was a large and enthusiastic crowd for a week night. Everyone in the group made it a point to privately thank Randy. The incident, frightening as it was, marked a turning point for the troubled man. He was finally able to see his own role as essential, even though less visible and less lucrative than his wife's. Step by step, he became Michelle's most enthusiastic and adoring fan. ------- When the promoter had seen Jenny's show, he had recommended they add some more variety, perhaps some comedy and more physical movement on the stage. Up until now, Hank and Jared had interjected some banter, but it was mostly impromptu. They started working on some set routines they could use for a larger audience. One particularly funny one had Jared arguing the merits of a rock and roll version of one standard country song, while Hank defended the country rendering. They combined some very funny lines with some great musical touches. When they sent a tape to the promoter, he was delighted. 'Moonshine' was a tremendous hit whenever it was performed. One day Dex and Margo were talking about Angeline, and Dex mentioned her gymnastics background. Margo got a thoughtful look, and left Dex standing in puzzlement. At the next rehearsal period, the onlookers were totally stunned when, near the end of 'Moonshine, ' Hank came up behind Angeline and grabbed her around her waist. While she still sawed frantically at the fiddle, Hank lifted her up to sit on his shoulder. She sat there for two or three phrases before Hank grabbed her booted ankles. Still playing, she straightened her legs, supported now only by Hanks hands. Steadily, he lifted her straight up until his arms were almost straight. She played a few more bars to the end of a segment, then extended her arms, fiddle in one hand, bow in the other. Dex let her drop, catching her around her waist again before letting her down to the stage. "Oh My God!' from one of the band members was the only comment other than numerous gasps. Angeline herself, went rushing backstage, yelling over her shoulder "Dex, I need you!" In the small dressing room, Angeline bent over a dressing table and pulled down her jeans and panties. "Now, Dex!" was all she said. Frozen in shock and indecision for a moment, he then looked nervously around the backstage area. "Dex, that made me need you right now! Please!" Shrugging off concern over being seen, he struggled to extract his already extended cock and moved behind her to take hold of her hips. He put his hand over her pussy, but before he could do anything she ordered him "No! Not that! In me! Now!" He had felt enough to know she was indeed wet, so he placed himself at her opening and began to push. Entering her was always a tight fit, and now her legs were held together by her clothes. She was not to be deterred, though, and somehow spread her knees apart enough to let him work his way in. He was not even all the way in when she began pushing back against him, grunting with each motion. Angeline was obviously on the fast track to orgasm. Dex reached around for her clit to help her along, but she objected that she did not need that. "Just fuck!" was her breathless admonition. Pounding back against him, she spat out words between grunts and pants, just disconnected words, but expressing the adrenalin rush from her acrobatics. After a minute or so, the words changed to French. It was almost as though Dex was not there as a person, just a breathing dildo. She seemed in a frantic world of her own. Unbeknownst to the involved couple, Margo had picked up on what they were headed for. She went to the door of the dressing to guard their privacy, but could not resist watching them. What she saw almost made her go and fetch Hank. She managed to keep her cool, but was already thinking about after the performances. The explosion that shook Angeline seemed to keep her shaking forever. She somehow managed to keep her noise down to moans and whimpers, but the convulsions just rolled on and on. Perhaps the fear of discovery heightened her intensity. For Dex, fear of discovery had the opposite effect, and he did not come. So preoccupied was Angeline that she did not notice until she from habit reached for some tissues to clean herself and discovered no sperm. To her startled complaint, Dex told her this was for her, not him, and besides, the rest of the rehearsal would be better for her without the mess. She described in detail how she would repay him later. ------- At the beginning of August, the troupe started its last and longest trip. The second night out, Dex helped Angeline from the van and steered her toward their room. Angeline put a hand gently on his arm and said, "No, Cherie, not tonight. Donna is waiting for you and she will explain." She gave him a searing kiss and went over to grab Jared by the hand. Dex could see her explaining something to him. In the room, Donna saw Dex's puzzlement and was expecting it. Her first instinct was to deflect it with a humorous comment, but she thought better of it and sat him down for a serious talk. With a quick flash of memory, she straddled his lap, facing him. Grinning at the now-familiar pose, Dex pulled her into a hug with her head on his shoulder. "OK, so it's serious. Can you talk this way, Donna?" "Hmmm. Rather not talk, but we really should. Um, Angeline and I have been talking a lot." "About what in particular?" "About the end of summer. About us - you, me, Jared, Angeline - all going our separate ways." "Yup, we always knew this was coming, didn't we?" "Yeah, Dex, we knew. But knowing and actually facing it are two different things. This last year has been wonderful for me, with you and then Jared. The feelings of security and belonging are going to be hard to give up. I know you and I can never marry, and I still don't think Jared is the right one for me, either. I know all these things in my head, but God, it's all going to stop in a few weeks!" "I think Angeline had some ideas that you would be her husband some day, despite all the differences. She is more realistic about that, now, and she knows you do not feel the same way." "Hey, I love Angeline a lot, and I've tried to be honest about my feelings and about the future." "I know. She knows. And that's the problem. We know all these things, but they were always 'someday' threats.' Now, they're going to happen, and we're scared." Donna didn't cry, but she clung to him even more tightly for a while, and was silent. He stroked her hair and her back gently. "We decided we had to do something to make it easier to part when school starts. Neither of us wanted to give up the sex or the thrill of sleeping with someone. So, we came up with this idea: for the rest of this trip, we are going to switch off partners every night." "You'll have to explain to me how that's going to help." "Right now, we are like two married couples. Separating for school is going to be kinda like a divorce. If we are sleeping with two different people, the marriage bit doesn't seem as strong. We think it will help." "OK, I see your point. But, aren't you afraid you'll just end up missing two guys very badly." "I already will, Dex. I already will." "You know, I've already slept with both of you girls. This will be the first time for Angeline and Jared. Is Jared OK with this?" "We didn't ask him." "Ahhh!" "Face it, Dex. What is the chance he would be against it? Haven't you noticed there has been a real attraction building between them. I think tonight will be a thrill for both of them. You know I picked Jared because I wanted experience with more than one boy. Well, this way, he can have experience with two girls. I'm happy I can do that for him." "Will it be over for good between you and Jared?" "Yes, we've agreed on that. We won't have sex again in the future. Dex, do you want the sex to be over between us, too." "No way. I don't want it ever to be over. 'Course, I know that's not realistic. Someday, you're going to find your mate, and someday I might, too. Until then, I will always welcome you." "Well, then, welcome me now. I've missed being with you." Donna started dropping clothes as she headed for the shower, and Dex was close behind her. The shared shower had become a ritual with them in the several months they slept together, and they fell back into their comfortable routine. Washing each other was a key part of the ritual, and both felt a little emotional as the tender ministrations were renewed. Snuggling in bed after toweling down, Donna sniffled a little, and Dex just held her without saying anything. He knew she would tell him what she was feeling when she was ready. "It's different with you, you know?" she told him after a while. "I do love Jared, and there's excitement between us, and lots of fun. We've never let things get too serious or emotional. I think we both wanted to avoid that. With you, it's very emotional. You don't just make love to my body. There's a deeper connection." "Know what I want to do tonight, Dex? I want to spoon with you inside me. You can come if you want, but I just want to fall asleep that way. Is that OK?" "Donna, you know anything we do together is OK with me." She stroked him briefly to make sure he was hard, a task which did not take long. As he entered her from behind, she was not completely lubricated, but they took it slowly, and he eventually reached full penetration. Instead of stroking, he wrapped his arm over her, kissed her shoulder and neck, and lowered his head to sleep. They joined each other in contented slumber in a very few minutes. ------- If Dex had been surprised by the girls' plan, Jared was completely blind-sided. He had thought about the impending end of summer, and the thought was painful. He had, however, kept himself from falling head over heels with Donna, mainly by constantly reminding himself that this was temporary, and she did not want him long-term. One of the personality traits Jared shared with Dex was extremely strong control of his own emotions. Dex's control had developed in response to the abuse, and was strengthened by his martial arts discipline. Jared's control developed as a way of coping lovingly with his mother's extreme protectiveness. Jared's control of his own emotions was put to the test now, as Angeline explained the plan to him. "So, Jared, I need to stay here with you tonight. If you just want to sleep, that is OK. I would like to make love with you if you want to." It took Jared a moment to get his mind around the situation. Starting when he saw Angeline naked at the Fergusons' brunch back in the spring, he had been fascinated by her. Working with her in the backup group and perfecting 'Moonshine' together had increased his interest in her. Many times Jared had mused over how much better a match Angeline was for him than Donna was. Angeline was Dex's girl, though, and Jared would not allow his interest to progress further than fascination. Now, everything had changed, and this delightful creature was inviting him to make love to her. No, it was more than that - she needed to be made love to, and made love to extremely well. She was the one most hurting because of the changes coming. Thanks to Donna, he felt up to the task. He could not make her forget Dex, and he would not want to, anymore than he wanted Donna to forget him. He could, however, give her something to ease the heartache she must certainly feel. "Angeline, I must confess something. Making love to you has been something I have not let myself dream about. If you are willing, there is nothing I would like better." It was Angeline's turn to be surprised, and she was wide-eyed and speechless for several seconds. "You mean, you were attracted to me already?" "There's not a man breathing who isn't attracted to you, Angeline. You must know that. But, yes I have been attracted to you for some time." "Ah! Since that breakfast, maybe?" Angeline asked with a mischievous grin. Without waiting for an answer, she started to undress, laying on the seduction rather heavily. She was hurting inside, but somehow, this made her feel better. When she was naked, she started on Jared's shirt, but he pulled her into a hug and kissed her firmly. They held the kiss until she pulled back and murmured "We need to shower." He undressed quickly, and they conducted their initial explorations of each other under the warm caress of the spray. When they had finished washing each other, she knelt and took his cock in her mouth. To her surprise, he knelt down with her and took her face in his hands. "Angeline, I need to come, and I want you to do that for me. It will make it easier to take good care of you. You are the one who is hurting the most, and I want to do everything I can to help your pain. The rest of tonight is for you." When he perched on the edge of the tub, Angeline was glad she had kept hold of his cock. She doubted she could have found it again through her tears. Once in bed, Jared did his best to use everything Donna had taught him. Donna had told him over and over that his fingers were magical, and he started caressing, kneading, and teasing every velvet-over-steel inch of her smooth, tight body. He focused in on her nipples and tantalized both of them with his fingers. When Angeline's nipples could get no harder, and her breathing was getting a bit ragged, Jared moved one hand to her pussy and began a thorough, sensuous exploration. He kissed her as his hand explored, and he kept his other hand busy on her nipple. The triple stimulation was having an immediate effect, and in mere minutes, she was squirming and moaning. Jared avoided her clit on purpose, wanting to prolong the rise of her arousal. She was completely convinced of the magical properties of his fingers, and was very near to climax without any involvement of her clit. When her breathing turned into full-fledged panting, he moved to her clit and rolled it between thumb and finger, just as he was doing with her nipple. That was almost like flipping a switch, and she came hard, ending up sobbing as she came down. She was at such a high emotional level, she could not have articulated why she was crying, just that the release was badly needed. One orgasm was just the start, as Jared was determined to leave her completely senseless when they were done. While she still felt some aftershocks, he rolled them so they were face to face. He used his lower hand on her pussy, and with the upper hand he grabbed her ass. This allowed him to hold her close and to stimulate both her clit and her anus with his fingers. Patiently squeezing and tugging on her labia until she could stand his touch on her clit, he began stroking with both hands, working one finger slightly into her nether hole. By this time, she was mostly laying on top of him with his hand under her, and she clung tightly to him as her second climax overtook her. Perhaps only a woman who has had a woman lover can understand how a man feels when he brings a woman to orgasm. To the giver, the event is a combination of mystery, passion, and surrender. Only the completely hard-hearted can fail to feel tenderness along with the tremendous ego boost. The simultaneous orgasm is much heralded as the ultimate in love-making, but there is much to be said for being fully aware as the woman soars through her climax. To Jared, Angeline was so appealing in extremis that all he could think of was more, more, more. He was hard, but in no danger of ejaculation. To give her a breather, he laid her on her stomach and began a thorough tongue bath all over her backside. When she was fully cognizant of his actions, she hummed contentedly as he stroked with his tongue. Finishing her backside, her turned her over gently and laved her torso first. He then started on her toes and worked up, keeping pace on both legs. At the top of her thighs, he spread her legs and gave her pussy a thorough treatment. Moving his mouth to her clit, he was able to trigger orgasm number three without any other stimulation. Not quite ready to give up, he kept his place between her legs and put his hands to use. He inserted one, then two fingers in her cunt, and reached up to tease a nipple with the other hand, all the time sucking and lashing at her clit with his mouth. Because she was barely conscious, the fourth orgasm took much longer than the others, but he ignored the little cramping and soreness that was developing and kept on going. When she finally came yet again, he appeared to have achieved his goal of leaving her senseless. He was almost reluctant to enter her in her limp state, but his own need had become severe, and he somehow knew she would be disappointed if he abstained. It did not take him long once he was in her, and some little quivers and squeaks from her convinced him that some part of her knew what he was doing. It might have been yet another come, because what took him over was a series of rippling spasms in her cunt. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to pull her over on top of himself and fall asleep with her there. ------- The night of her Aunt Kathy's death, Donna had watched her parents making love for longer than she ever let them know. Since that time, the position they were in as she watched had been her favorite. Sometime during the night she woke and felt Dex tight up against her back with his now soft penis pressed against her bottom. Donna fingered herself for a few minutes until she felt ready for him. Then, she bent forward at the waist so her torso was perpendicular to Dex and raised her top leg. She reached between her legs to first fondle him, then stroke him as he started to firm up. About the time he started to harden, Dex woke up. They had done this enough so he knew what Donna wanted, and it wasn't gentle lovemaking. To her, this was a celebration of life and sex, and it needed to be energetic and intense. As soon as Dex was hard enough, Donna put his cock against her entrance, and Dex started to push. He placed his lower arm along her back and got a grip on her shoulder. With his other hand he grasped her raised thigh from between her legs. He was then able to stroke with real force, pulling her back as he pushed forward. Once he was fully buried within Donna, Dex lowered her leg and reached his freed hand up to her breast. At times in this position, he would keep his arm between her legs and use his thumb on her clit. Tonight, he sensed that would not be necessary to get her off, so he focused on stroking as hard and as fast as he could manage. Because of his extreme sensitivity to anything that smacked of abuse or dominance, Dex was naturally cautious about using his strength during sex. He knew how strong he was, and he had a deep fear of inadvertently hurting his partner. It had taken a lot of talking by Donna to convince him that sometimes she wanted it hard and fast: she would not break, and she would let him know if it became too much. Hard and fast is exactly what Dex gave her. Because he was lying on his side, he almost got floor burns on his hip from the sheets, his motion was so fast. Donna had gotten herself started and her usual quick trigger did not fail her. She came in only a few minutes. While she was still shaking, Dex tried something different. Without losing penetration or rhythm, he got her face down on the bed, and was able to stroke from atop her. He kept up the same pace and even lengthened his strokes a little. When he grabbed a pillow and put it under her crotch to raise the angle of her ass, he could reach even deeper inside her. It took quite an effort to keep going when Donna was in an orgasm because the spasming of her vagina was so strong. Not only was it highly stimulating, it actually took more effort to push into her. Dex knew from other times with Donna, that after she came once, she would likely come again before he did. He considered the best of all his comes to be those triggered by his partner's orgasm. With that in mind he let himself go after a couple of minutes, openly pleasuring himself with her cunt. Donna, for her part, was not feeling deprived or taken advantage of. Every thrust sent loud signals through her whole body, and she could feel herself racing toward another peak. When Donna came, it was much stronger than her first, and her internal spasms had the predictable effect on Dex, practically wringing the sperm from him. For tonight, Dex was content to leave his cock hard and embedded in her, unconcerned about his customary second come. They rolled carefully back into the spoon position and were soon back to sleep. Morning found Dex and Donna in a very tender mood. Because of their late-night exertions, they decided to shower again, then they went to the motel's cafe for breakfast. Jared and Angeline came into the cafe as they were eating, and the atmosphere was quite strained for several minutes. None of them knew how to deal with this totally unprecedented situation. It was not even clear from their actions who the couples were. Eventually, love and care for each other won out, and they all began to relax and converse. When they finally left the cafe, the two girls disappeared for quite a long time. Dex was relaxing back in the room when a tearful Angeline came in. "Cherie," she started haltingly, "My heart breaks, but this I must do." Dex just looked at her in complete puzzlement. "I will not come to your bed anymore." At Dex's gasp, she quickly added, "It is not because I do not want to. It is because Donna and I think this is the best way to end it. We knew it must end, did we not?" At this point, she really broke up, and Dex pulled her onto his lap and hugged her close. Regaining some of her breath, Angeline continued, "You have given me so much, Dex. These months have been wonderful for me. When school starts, we would have to end it. Now, you have Donna, and I can have Jared. Jared and I are not in love, but he is a good friend and we can help each other get over the breakup. You and Donna have each other, as you did before." "So, Donna is telling Jared right now?" "Yes. She wants us all to come over there." When the four were together, they mainly discussed how the 'rearrangement' would be viewed by the rest of the group. Donna was sure that only Randy and Michelle did not know of her relationship with Dex, and she would talk to them. Jared asked if they did not want one last night with their former partners, as a goodbye. This had been the girls' original plan, and it would have happened at the end of the tour. Angeline was the one most affected, and perching in her familiar spot on Dex's lap, she explained. "Jared, you made last night good for me. You cannot make me forget Dex, and I cannot make you forget Donna. For me, it will be easier if I am not again reminded by one more night with Dex. I will look forward to being with you only, and that will help the pain." ------- For the remainder of that last tour, Dex and Angeline spent a great deal of time together, as did Jared and Donna. That time, though, was never in bed. Both couples had become the deepest of friends, and they wanted to be sure the cessation of sex did not rupture their friendships. It was very easy for Dex and Donna to resume sleeping together, although the specter of parting in September was made more frightening by their increased closeness. The realignment strategy worked very well for Jared and Angeline, also. Their only problem was they became much more attached to each other than either had expected. They shared a love of and talent for music, and they both had energetic, outgoing personalities. Over the summer, they had developed a constant teasing banter between them that sometimes had the rest of the group in stitches. One day while Angeline accompanied Dex in the cargo van, she was unusually subdued, and Dex asked her about it. "Are things not going well with you and Jared?" "Oh, no. There is no problem with Jared. We... Ohhhh, Dex! I... I... I feel unfaithful to you!" This brought her to tears. Because her feelings for Jared were growing so strong, she felt like she was betraying Dex. The forced breakup had been sudden, and in her mind, finding so much enjoyment with Jared was somehow being unfaithful to Dex. The drive that day was fairly long, and Dex spent a good deal of it convincing Angeline that any happiness she could find with Jared or any other man was what he wanted for her. ------- Hoss's idea of promoting Jenny's performances through Country music stations had proven very effective. Newspaper spots and a few billboards were added by the promoter in preparation for Jenny's first all out concert. The concert hall seated about three thousand, and was comfortably full for the performance, many of the attendees having seen her at the Emporium. The setting was so different from the clubs, that it was a bit disconcerting at first. Having the audience set back so far rather than right at her feet made Jenny a little uneasy. The seasoning from the summer tours paid off, though, and it took only a few bars before she was in full stride. Just before intermission, Jenny sang 'Scarecrow Man.' The crowd cheered spontaneously at the intro, and rose to its feet at the end. Jenny then launched into a brief monologue. "I have a confession to make to you folks. I am not a country girl. Far from it. I was raised right here in the city. I studied music in New York city at that school with the French name." At this point, Angeline pranced forward and played the first phrase of 'Le Marseilles' to laughter from the crowd. "That's Angeline Rouchard, our violinist. She's French, and she went to that same school." Angeline bowed and stepped back into her place. "No, I'm not a country girl, but I love country music, and I want to tell you why. I had some very bad things done to me, and I was left alone and broke. A big man with a huge heart took me in. He loved country music - he called it 'heart music, ' and he taught me to love it, too. Tonight, I'm singing from my heart, and I hope it touches yours." She paused for some subdued applause. "Well, I certainly don't want the mood to get too serious, here," Jenny continued. "You've heard Angeline playing along with the singing tonight, and now you've met her. Let's give her a chance to show what she can really do." With that, Jared started some utlra-low-octave, almost 'Jaws'-like chords that formed the intro to 'Moonshine.' It had been played heavily on local radio, and the crowd recognized it instantly and jumped to their feet. The driving, frenetic piece swept musicians and audience alike along as it pounded through all the thematic variations and the riffs. Very few knew what was coming for the finale, and there was a huge collective gasp when Hank lifted Angeline to his shoulder. She had added a little shriek on the strings to punctuate her ascension, and this enhanced the drama. Applause had just started for her little stunt when Hank began to lift her overhead. The crowd was stunned into absolute silence for the time she was overhead. When she dropped to the stage, the eruption was so loud the last few bars were totally drowned out. The cheering and general commotion persisted until the musicians had left the stage for the break. ------- After the concert, Jenny was as agitated as anyone had ever seen her, and everyone was sky high. The promoter was completely satisfied, and told Jenny they needed to fit in at least ten concerts before her leave. In a gut-wrenching scene, Angeline came up to Dex and said, "Dex, I needed you again after 'Moonshine." She apparently wanted to say something else, but could not get it out and just walked away. Angeline and Jared both made plans to be at all the fall concerts. There would be some travel expenses, and some difficulty with class schedules, but replacing them for the relatively short concert schedule would have been difficult. Besides, the loss of 'Moonshine' would leave a big hole in the concert, and Jenny could not imagine anyone but Angeline doing that fiddle part. Hank had notified the school district in July that he was taking a sabbatical, and would be available only as a substitute. It was essential for him to be at each concert site ahead of time, so he would have had to miss many school days in the fall. He was confident the tour schedule would resume again in February. Hank and Margo had talked about it a lot, and were committed to generating as many new songs as they could in preparation for another album. Hank assumed it was beginner's luck that three of their first batch of songs had good sales potential: 'Scarecrow Man, ' 'A Hold on You, ' and 'But What About Me.' 'But What About Me' was particularly interesting because Hank had written it as a cross-over - more pop ballad than country. Margo had written the poem the first time she discovered that Roger was fooling around on her. It bemoaned the loneliness and neglect she felt, picturing her luxury home as just an opulent prison. A local soft-rock station had picked it up, and it had just appeared on the playlist of the first out-of-town station. Hoss had told Hank again and again how much bigger the pop market was than the country market, and how big the rewards could be if they could crack it. ------- Angeline had to leave the day after the concert. She insisted that everyone accompany her to the airport, including Dex. Somehow, she kept her composure as she boarded, smiling through one last wave to the dozen friends who saw her off. None of the others knew that she was still red eyed when her flight touched down at La Guardia. ------- Dex had a conflict and could not drive with Karen and Mike as they took Donna off to school - at least that was the story he told them. He had been very busy the last two weeks buying a car for Donna. He had called a surprised Rick to get information on registering and parking a car on campus. He had done all the paperwork and pre-paid all the fees so Donna only had to use the car. He had even covered the insurance. Dex had kept the new car at a neighbor's, and left right behind the others. He stayed far enough behind them so they could not see his face. None of them knew about the car. Mike had not been able to afford cars for either Chris or Ron, and having to depend on the bus or rides from friends meant they did not take the six hour trip home very often. Dex hoped the car would let them see Donna more frequently. It was a predictably emotional scene when Dex pulled up beside Mike in the dorm parking area and handed Donna the keys and a file of documents. Karen and Mike were just as happy as Donna, and it made the ride home much less somber. This was the third child they had taken off to school, but because of the way their relationship had evolved since Dex's arrival, they would miss Donna more than the boys. ------- There was another week and a half before school started for Dex. Knowing the emotional challenge he faced with both Donna and Angeline gone, he concentrated on re-establishing a full schedule of drills, workouts, and shooting buckets. Idle time was his biggest enemy for the next week, and he found every possible way to eliminate it. He took Connie out for a full day at a nearby Renaissance Festival. Two days later, he took both Bitsy and Kelly to the large amusement park just outside the metro area. He spent a good deal of time with Chris, going over the company's progress. He met with Marty and worked out some additional investments he wanted to make. One way or another, he managed to reach bed exhausted every night until school started. ------- Chapter 18 (Thirteen-fourteen years earlier) Dex sat almost sideways in the back seat and leaned into the corner. He much preferred driving to riding, but the women had insisted they do their share, and beside, it was Margo's car. It was the last weekend in September and Margo, Karen, and Dex were headed on their way to see Rick play and to see Donna. It was late Friday afternoon, and they were almost halfway through the six hour drive. Dex would drive the last three hours after the women split the first three. Jenny did not have a concert this weekend, so Margo was free to leave. Mike had duty at the high school football game, and Hank had been on the road a lot getting bands set for upcoming concerts. Dex had done a couple hours of schoolwork while he rode, and had only a little more to clean up Sunday night at home. All in all, it was a perfect time for the three to visit family at school. Karen and Margo had not wasted a minute of the trip, talking non-stop about every subject they could think of. The two had become as close as sisters over the past year, and shared literally everything. Dex's presence inhibited them not a bit, either. "Margo, Dex told us something a last spring that absolutely floored us. It was when Donna first slept with Jared, and I was wondering out loud who Donna would eventually marry." "Were you and Dex laying in bed together when you asked that," Margo teased. "Oh, you know how we are. Yes, we were laying in bed and Mike was there, too." Finished with her retort, she continued her original thought. "Anyway, Dex said that he was sure Donna would marry Rick." "Well, you know that would be the answer to my prayers. Honestly, though, I have as much trouble believing that as you do. Rick says he is completely cured of Donna. Dex, why are you so sure?" "Hey, Donna could meet some other 'Mr. Right' any day, so it's not a sure thing. It's just that Rick is the only guy I know who has a strong enough personality for Donna." "But so far, all they've done is fight. Donna embarrassed Rick so badly he didn't want to ask her out any more." "Yeah, but that will turn out to be the smartest thing Donna could have done. Rick probably doesn't know it yet, but he is looking for a strong woman. When he gets tired of the coed football groupies, he is going to think about Donna, and she'll look awfully good. She has established that she is his equal, and he will want that." "Boy, that hardly sounds like the Rick I sent off to school, but I could see him starting to change that way." "I'm sure your relationship with him that summer had a lot to do with it." "Hmmm, that seems like another lifetime, now. Karen, how long has it been since I thanked you for getting Hank and I together." "Oh, I think it's been almost an hour, now." The two women laughed heartily. "Seriously, Karen, I still can't believe how good we are together. That man has so much love to give - I am just so lucky. And then the music... ! Who would have thought anything like this could happen. I don't know if we'll ever make much money off of it, but in a way, I don't really care. Just the thrill of working so well together on it is enough. Hoss, and several others, though, seem to think it will pay off big." "Mike and I have never had the chance to produce something like that together - it must be a real thrill." "Hey, what do you mean? How about three wonderful kids?" There was silence for an unusually long time before Margo spoke again. "Dex, maybe Karen doesn't want to ask, but what's up with you and Connie. You seem to be going out with her a lot." "Oh, Karen knows everything that happens. You know how we talk about everything. I like Connie more and more every time I see her. She is bright and vivacious, and she has a mischievous streak that keeps me off balance. We have a great time together. And before you ask, not yet." "What? Oh! How about her mother?" "That makes a relationship kinda hard. I still haven't felt comfortable going to their house. Fortunately, Connie's fine coming to our house. She gets along great with Karen and Mike." "We like having her around. You know, she's not the only one he goes out with, though. He's seen Kelly Perdue, and two of Donna's school friends." "You mean some of Donna's friends didn't go to college." "Yes, they're in college, just at the local branch," Dex responded. I've known them since I first got here, and they've always been nice to me." "That counts a lot with you, doesn't it?" Margo queried. "Doesn't it with everyone? Cheryl, especially, has a real confidence problem. She was fine when Donna and all her other close friends were around, but now, her support system is gone." "She's the, uh, full-figured one, right? Is she living at home?" "Yeah, and that's the big problem. Her mother is always on her about her weight, and she's not nice about it. It's like overeating is Cheryl's only way of rebelling against her mother. I think she really has to work at it to keep her weight up." "I can't believe any girl would really do that. How do you think you can help her?" "I guess just like Donna and her other friends did, by just accepting her. She is a lot of fun to be with." "So the jolly fat girl image is true, huh?" "Hmm. I guess. She's not all that fat, though. Not nearly as bad as she and her mother think she is." "But her self-image is zero?" "No higher than that. I wish there was something more I could do to make her feel better about herself." "As I recall, you and Donna did a great job with Jenny's self-image." "Oh! Yeah. Not sure how that applies to Cheryl, though." Margo spent another half hour probing into Dex's personal life. He really didn't mind. He was used to sharing freely with Karen and Mike, and Margo had a way of coming up with very meaningful observations. As another person who had suffered in her own way, Dex respected her feelings and opinions. After he took over the driving, he kept pondering Cheryl's problem and Margo's comments about how they had helped Jenny. He remembered his mother, and how important it was to her that he appreciated her body. His father had been so successful at making her feel unattractive. Kristen had reacted the same way. When he had started her working out and dressing sexier, she had progressed rapidly. Bitsy's father refused her anything that would enhance her looks, even decent clothes. One of the abuser's main targets must be the woman's self-esteem, and that is closely tied to her body - her sex appeal. How could he help Cheryl feel better about her body? ------- Dex had talked it over with Karen and Mike, of course. Mike was hesitant, raising the same objection Karen had with Jared. "But, Dex, this has been a family thing. I'm not comfortable opening it up to just anybody." "I know, Mike, but Cheryl needs some help, and I think this could be important. Getting her to stay overnight while her mother is gone is a perfect opportunity. It will be just the four of us for breakfast, too." "Are you going to have her sleep with you?" "That's up to her?" "Sex?" "Again, that's up to her. The main thing is to have her feel accepted and good about her body, with no one beating on her to lose weight. She was so good to me when I was just a lowly freshman. I really would like to help her. I've talked to her for hours on end, but it's going to take something more drastic." "Come on, Honey," Karen got her two cents in. "It's just her and her nagging mother - no dad, no brothers. Give her a thrill with some prime man flesh to look at, and to look at her." "God, it's almost as bad as when Donna was still here!" Mike complained jokingly. "It's not as if I had a choice, is it?" ------- Cheryl lived barely two blocks away, and came over as soon as Karen got home, while Dex was still at practice. She had already finished most of her schoolwoork at home, and offered to help Karen with supper. Supper was the usual comfortable, chatty event, although Cheryl did notice that Mike was less talkative than usual. After everyone pitched in with cleanup, Dex and Cheryl headed downstairs. Cheryl had spent quite a bit of time in Dex's little basement 'kingdom' and felt completely at ease there. That is, until now, because Dex went into his bedroom and emerged moments later completely naked! She was still staring at him, speechless, when he told her, "Your turn. You can just leave your clothes on the bed, for now." It was a good thing Cheryl was sitting down, because she surely would have fallen down, otherwise. For a long time, she could not speak and just stared at Dex, mainly at his crotch. Realizing just how stressed out she was, Dex asked her, "Am I the first naked guy you've seen, Cheryl?" She gave a barely perceptible nod. "Well, I can see how it could be quite a shock. Are you all right?" Still unable to answer, she was visibly shaking now. Dex began to wonder if his shock approach had been too much, too soon. Deciding to calm things down a little, he picked up a VCR and inserted it, then sat down beside Cheryl, close but not touching. "I picked up this movie I thought you might like." Over the last two and a half years, Dex had been naked in front of quite a few women. That did not make this event easy, but it was manageable. As the movie played, he was able to keep up a fairly normal level of light conversation, usually commenting on the movie. Cheryl remained tongue-tied for over a half hour before she finally spoke. "Dex, stop the movie. Please." He complied, and turned toward her with a questioning look. "Dex, why are you doing this?" Leaning back and looking thoughtful, Dex responded. "Cheryl, you are one of the nicest people I know, and I consider you a good friend. You know something about my past, and how I feel about women being abused." "Abused? But I'm not abused." "There are many forms of abuse. Your mother is abusing you." "What do you mean? She's never hit me or even been unreasonable about my going out or anything." "No, I know she hasn't, but she has abused you psychologically. Tell me, Cheryl, how much time do you spend naked?" "Just enough to shower and change clothes, why?" "How often do you wear sexy or revealing clothes, nighties, or whatever?" "I don't have any stuff like that." "Why not?" "With this body? I just want to keep it out of sight as much as possible." "So you think your body is disgusting?" "Of course it is." "Why do you think that?" "Well, isn't it obvious? Just look at me!" "Cheryl, I've looked at you thousands of times. Have I ever looked disgusted?" "No, but you must be thinking it." "Nope. Not even once. What's disgusting about your body?" "My weight, of course." "Anything else?" "Uh, no, not really." "Look, Cheryl. I'm going to tell you what I think. Just listen for a minute, and then you can tell me I'm crazy, OK?" "Um, OK." "One of the things my father did to my mother was constantly belittle her looks. I've discovered that other abusers do the same thing. Your mother is doing that to you. I suspect with her it is a form of control. She wants to make you look like she wants you to. Maybe she thinks your weight is a reflection on her, I don't know. Whatever the reason, the abuse is so bad you would move out if you could. Am I crazy, so far?" Cheryl first gave him a wide-eyed stare, then dropped her gaze and shook her head slightly. "Now, most people who don't like their weight are constantly talking about losing it. In the years I have known you, I have never heard you say word one about dieting. I checked with Donna, and she agreed. That tells me that you don't really want to lose weight." "Hey, wait a minute!" "I'm not saying that to be critical. Let me finish. Being overweight is one of the few ways you have of fighting your mother's control. If you slim down, she wins. Her abusive control is so bad for you that you cannot stand to see her win that way." "Th... that's crazy! Do you really think I would put myself through this just to beat my mother? Do you have any idea what it's like being shunned and ignored because I'm too fat?" "How many diets have you been on?" This time, Cheryl broke into tears. Dex got the tissue box and set it beside her, but did not try to do anything else until she calmed down. "Tell me, why did your parents divorce? Why did your brother and sister move away as soon as they could?" Cheryl just shook her head slowly several times before she said anything. "They escaped. I got left behind to take all her shit, didn't I?" Dex just waited as she sat with her face in her hands. "Okay, how is my undressing for you going to help?" "You have been told so many times that your body is disgusting, you're sure that I'll be disgusted. When you see that I'm not, that I enjoy looking at you, it will be a start at feeling OK with how you look. It won't stop your mother from haranguing you, but you might stop believing her. Once you can start ignoring her, you can decide if you want to do anything about your weight. You'll know it's for you and not for her." "Wow! You've really thought this through, haven't you?" "Cheryl, you're a very good friend. You have no idea how much it meant to me the way you accepted me when I first came here. If there's anything I can do for you, I'm going to give it a good try." "Even if you end up showing your, uh... , but I never show you mine?" She showed the first touch of levity since supper. "If that's what happens, it was worth a try." "If I undress, you won't try to do anything else, will you?" "Cheryl, you know me better than that. I would never do anything you didn't want to do. I'd like to do things, believe me, but that's always up to you." "You'd like to, really? That's hard for me to believe." "I'm not your mother. I'm your average horny teenager, and you're a well-endowed woman. Why should that surprise you?" "Well-endowed? Hah! Talk about flattery! But thank you for saying that. God, Dex! What you've said about my mother is so right on. I'd love to get out from under her, but I just don't know if I can do it." "You don't have to do anything. I was just trying to help you with a little shock therapy." "It was that, all right!" "Yeah. Well, should I go put my clothes on?" This was the decision point for Cheryl. She would love to see more of him. She wished he wasn't sitting next to her - it was too hard to see his crotch without being obvious. If she said yes, the pressure would be off of her, but she would lose the only chance she'd ever had to learn more about a man. She had to pee, and that would give her another minute to think. Sitting on the toilet, she rested her head in her hands again, and almost shook with indecision. After wiping, she stood and reached down to pull up her panties. Bent over, she stopped herself, then sat back on the toilet. She took of her shoes and socks, the pushed off her jeans and panties before standing up. She faced the mirror over the sink, and frowned at the all too familiar protrusion of her belly. Scowling slightly, she riffled her fingers through her pubic hair. This was one concession to vanity - one her mother didn't see. She had it trimmed close. She looked at her generous thighs, then turned around and looked back over her shoulder at her ass. If there was one part of her body she was almost proud of, it was her ass. It was substantial, but surprisingly tight and smooth for her weight. All of her clothes were chosen to accentuate it. Facing the mirror again, she pulled off her sweater and unhooked and removed her bra. This bared the part she hated most to look at - her midriff. Here, there were noticeable folds and creases of excess flesh. Her boobs were not as large and pendulous as most heavy women she saw, and she wondered if they would seem small if she lost weight. Losing weight. The thing she thought about constantly, but never worked at seriously. Was Dex right about why she didn't? She had started gaining in eighth grade when her father had left. Even as a child, she had never been slim; 'sturdy' would be a good description. Still, there had been no loose flesh or soft spots until the breakup. Her mother had started on her with almost the first pound she gained, and had never let up. Cheryl was eighteen now, and could go and live with her father. She truly loved him, and enjoyed her weekends with him. She was not quite sure why she had not made the move already. He was paying her tuition and giving her some living money, even though his support responsibility was over. Well, enough musing. She chuckled as she remembered that she had showered at home because she was so body shy she hated to be naked at someone else's house, even in the shower. Now, she was going to walk out naked in front of a boy - a man, really. But this was Dex, and she somehow knew it would be all right. While waiting to see what would happen with Cheryl, Dex had been teasing his penis lightly. Assuming that she was going to come out naked, he wanted the best possible chance to spring a hardon. He didn't want to get hard now, just get a head start. She was in there quite a while, and he almost overdid the teasing. When she came out, she was naked, as he had expected. He could see her fighting to keep from covering herself. She was trembling, and her face was bright red. Standing up quickly, he said, simply, "Thank you, Cheryl." "Thank you?" "Yes. Showing someone your body is a gift, and I thank you for it." "Ohhh!" She had not known what to expect, but this certainly wasn't it. She felt a small thrill from his words. He was making a twirling motion with his finger, and she figured out he wanted her to turn around. Struggling to control her muscles, she complied, almost feeling relieved as her tits and pussy were no longer exposed to him. When Cheryl turned back to face Dex, she almost fell over when she automatically looked toward his crotch and saw his cock growing in front of her eyes. Her first reaction was disbelief, then a sense of warmth at her core and stiffness in her nipples. She was able to blurt out "Why?" "I told you I was a horny teenager, and you have a very sexy ass." Days later, Cheryl would look back on that visit and wonder if she was imagining it, there were so many new and unbelievable happenings. Dex sat her down and they finished watching the movie, during which time, Dex receded to flaccid state. After the movie, he practically hauled her up to the kitchen for a snack. Despite his assurances that Karen and Mike would stay upstairs, she jumped at every sound from the second floor, and did not relax until they went back downstairs. Of course, the whole experience was not exactly relaxing, anyway. All evening, Dex had flashbacks to Kathy, and the similarity to her reactions. There were major differences, of course. Kathy was a mother, and was aware deep down that she had an attractive body. Cheryl was a totally inexperienced virgin who was unhappy with almost everything about her body. Still, the impact of his attentive looks and a few positive comments was similar, and the lesson was strongly reinforced in Dex's mind. When it came time for bed, Dex offered her the chance to sleep with him. After the initial shock, she objected, and he explained that they would not even have to touch each other unless she wanted to. The few hours naked had been just stimulating enough for her that she was able to at least consider it. In a burst of curiosity and self-confidence she agreed. When he made her go up and fetch her own bag, and then told to forget her nightwear, she almost backed out. Eventually, she was nervously perched on one side of his queen bed. She was surprised and a bit frustrated that Dex fell asleep quickly after they talked for a while and said 'goodnight.' All evening, they had not touched, except for hands, and she wondered if this meant he did not want to touch her. Other than her father, she had never experienced a close hug with a man, and with Dex so close, she found herself yearning for some intimacy. With a boldness born of long frustration and fueled by all the new experiences of the night, Cheryl moved over close to Dex. He was sleeping on his back, and shocking herself, she lay right against him with his arm between her tits, her pussy right against his hip, and her arm across his chest. She shook as she lay her head on his bare shoulder. She almost panicked when he stirred awake, and started to pull away. He quickly got his arm around her and pulled her back tight to himself. He said "That feels wonderful!" and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. It must have been an hour that she lay against him like that. She could not sleep, but was loath to leave her position. Finally, from exhaustion and some stiffness, she rolled off of him and managed to drift into troubled sleep. ------- If the evening had been shocking for Cheryl, the morning was unbelievable. It was almost easy to go about her morning routine naked with Dex. However, when it came time for breakfast, he stunned her by saying it would be naked. "B... but your aunt and uncle!" "They'll be naked, too." "Oh, no! I can't! That's too much, Dex." "Sure you can. Look, it's a chance to see another naked man, and Mike would very much like to see you. Just do it. You'll be fine, I promise." She really liked Karen and Mike, and they were always wonderful to her. Her curiosity was at an almost painful level, and she was feeling a boldness that was totally new to her. Dex gave her no time to think, but put a hand right on her ass and propelled her up the stairs. She was unable to resist. As had been pre-arranged, Karen and Mike stood side by side facing the stairway as the young people came up. What had not been pre-arranged was Karen's finger tickling Mike from his asshole to his balls from behind. She timed it perfectly so he started to swell as he got a good look at Cheryl. When Mike started to flinch away, it took only a slight hiss from Karen and he knew what was expected of him. Karen took her hand away and greeted Cheryl warmly while Mike tried to regain some control of his organ. Cheryl was at first unresponsive, her gaze fixed on Mike. After a few seconds, Dex saw that Cheryl's posture noticeably straightened and she seemed to gain confidence. There was the power of sexual approval again! Over breakfast, Mike apologized for his response, and Cheryl spoke openly of how much it meant to her. She promised to keep everything that had happened secret. When they were relaxing after eating, she broke into tears. When Karen comforted her, Cheryl explained that she was just so overwhelmed by the openness and the warmth - she had never experienced anything like it. She asked if she could come some other Saturdays, and arrangements were made. ------- The following Friday, Cheryl called Dex, told him an amazing tale, and asked him to help her with a little shock for her mother. When she got home Saturday, Cheryl had put away all her nightwear, leaving just one light robe for emergency purposes. She slept naked that night, and walked casually to and from the bathroom night and morning. In the morning, her mother saw her and freaked. Cheryl kept her cool, came down to the kitchen, and began fixing breakfast. Her mother continued the harangue, and Cheryl just decided to stay naked. It turned out she never dressed until she had to go to class on Monday. Some of the things Berverly Fischer, Cheryl's mother, said were vicious, and Cheryl amazed herself by not breaking into tears. Several times she was about to call Dex for support, but resolved to gut it out alone. She told Dex the images that strengthened her most were of his and Mike's cocks saluting her nakedness. More than once she was about to brag about her ability to stiffen cocks, and accuse her mother of being unable to do the same. Her respect for the privacy of Dex, Karen, and Mike prevented her from giving them away. In fact, Beverly never made the connection between her overnight stay with Dex and her newfound exhibitionism. ------- On Saturday morning, Dex waited a couple of houses down the street for the signal from Cheryl, waited another five minutes, then drove up to the house and walked to the door. Inside, Cheryl was puttering naked in the kitchen while Beverly sat drinking coffee. When the doorbell rang, she exclaimed in mock surprise "Oh, is it that time already? Dex is taking me to the mall and I'm not ready!" "Well, for God's sakes, go get your clothes on. I'll get the door." "That's OK, Mom. Finish you coffee. I'll get it." "Whaaat!!? Cher-yl!! You can't! Get back here right now!!" Cheryl paid no heed and cheerfully opened the door, apologizing to Dex for not being ready. "Well, if I get this kind of greeting, I'll make it a point to always be early," Dex said with a grin. Cheryl guided him into the house, leaving him at the foot of the stairs while she went up. Making sure her mother couldn't see, she stopped a few steps up, bent over and spread her legs. She had not told Dex about this, and it produced the expected bulge in his jeans as he got a good shot if her newly bared labia peeking through. Beverly had stood up in her panic, but was still transfixed by what Cheryl had done. Dex played his role perfectly. "Morning, Mrs. Fischer. Gee, it's so great to see Cheryl feeling better about herself. She's had such a self-image problem I'm amazed to see her show herself like that. Isn't she something?" "But... but... she's so fat! How can you think it's great for her to expose her body when she looks like that?" "Oh, she doesn't look that bad. Besides, she's Cheryl. She's a great person and a really good friend. I feel honored that she'd let me see her." "I don't know! I've tried so hard to get her to lose weight, but she doesn't even try." "Hey, maybe this is the first step. If she doesn't feel good about herself, she'll never have the drive to lose weight." Beverly did not know how to respond to that statement, but she didn't have time anyway. Cherly came down the stairs in skin tight jeans and topless. As she walked into the kitchen, she slowly pulled a moderately tight sweatshirt over her unsupported tits. "Cheryl! You can't go out without a bra!" "Sure I can! I haven't worn one much lately, and I'm starting to hate them." With that, Cheryl and Dex walked out. Once in the car, Cheryl slumped in her seat. "God, that was hard!" "You were great, especially that unscheduled flash!" This brought a giggle from her, as she reached into her purse and pulled out her bra. "Huh uh!" Dex told her, putting a hand on her arm. She stared at him, grinned, then put the bra back and shook her tits at him. "I've created a monster," Dex complained in mock despair. ------- The third weekend in October, Donna drove home, having found an acquaintance who graduated a couple of years earlier to accompany her and share the gas. After catching up with her parents, Donna hauled Dex down to the shower as the start of an intense night of catching up. They alternated tender periods of hugging and sharing with several sexual encounters. Cheryl knew this was concert weekend so Chris and Jenny would not be at breakfast. By arrangement, Dex left the front door unlocked, and Cheryl eased her way in, stepped out of her shoes, and dropped the long coat that was her only garment. As she reached the doorway to the kitchen, Donna's back was turned, and Cheryl simply said "Welcome home, Donna." Hugely startled, Donna spun around for the real shock. No one had mentioned what had gone on between Dex and Cheryl, and Cheryl was the last of her friends Donna would have expected to see standing there naked. The significance of her friend's nudity hit her immediately, though, and she charged into her and they hugged and jumped around in glee, Donna ending up in tears. They both seemed to realize they were hugging naked at the same time, and stepped back red-faced but still holding hands. Donna insisted on hearing the whole story, which included the latest episode that Dex had not heard. "Last weekend I had all I could take of Mom's shit, so I spent three nights with Dad. I stripped for bed and never dressed except when we went out to eat." "Wow! How did he react?" "He was wonderful. Instead of Mom's criticism, he was very supportive. He was embarrassed and concerned whether it was right, but he didn't scold and he didn't say anything about my weight. He stayed home with me all day Saturday and we talked about everything." "Did you get him naked?" "It took until Sunday morning, but yes, I did. And yes, he got hard, and it looked like he was going to burn up the way he blushed. But it made me feel so sexy and so good. You know what really got me, though - made me bawl? When I left, he thanked me, just like Dex & Mike did." "Wow! I go away for a couple of months and my body-hating friend turns into an exhibitionist!" "Thanks to Dex and your family. Dex, you just knew which buttons to push. You know, I even feel different walking around campus. I've been friendly all year with this one guy, and I think he's working up to asking me out." "Cool!" "I made a big decision while I was with Dad. I'm not taking any more from Mom. If things don't change, I'm moving in with Dad. It will be a lot tougher getting to school, but it will be worth it." "Sounds like you might as well pack." "You know, it's funny. For some reason, she fears my leaving more than just about anything. Tomorrow, I'm giving her a deal: if she'll be naked whenever I am, I'll stay with her and lose 25 pounds at 2 pounds a week. Otherwise, I'm gone." "Wow! Cheryl, you're incredible. I just can't believe how much you've changed!" ------- Cheryl hung around all day. Late in the evening, she asked if she could stay over. Seeing Donna's expression, she quickly added, "Look, Donna, I'm sure you and Dex have been sleeping together for quite a while. I don't want to interrupt your plan - I want to join you. I'm not ready to go all the way, but I'd love it if you guys did." It took Donna a moment to pick up her jaw. Then, she got everything set up for another dual massage episode. Dex and Cheryl did not have intercourse, but she experienced just about everything else. Dex and Donna did. ------- There was a tense time at Thanksgiving, more so for Angeline than for Dex. Angeline came for the holiday, and in a tearful get-together with Dex told him that she and Jared had slept together at the tour stops, and that she was going to stay with him for the weekend. Dex was as comforting as he could be, assuring her that he was mainly interested in her happiness. Then, she told him that she had taken a job with a provincial orchestra in France, and would be starting as soon as she graduated, just before Christmas. Jenny had completed her tour seemingly unaffected by her pregnancy. She had worked in some banter about being pregnant, and it had endeared her even more to her audience, if that was possible. After serious discussion with his parents, Jared had decided to skip the next semester and go back on tour. A full schedule had been set up starting in February, and there was much anguish over who would replace Angeline. Early in November, the album was picked up by the first major distributor. This was essential to making serious money, and Doggerel was looking good for some substantial revenue in the coming year. Four songs, 'Scarecrow Man, ' 'But What About Me, ' 'A Hold on You, ' and of course 'Moonshine' were getting rapidly growing radio play, and the first royalty payments were coming in. As Hank had hoped, 'But What About Me' was moving up both the country and pop charts. The spring tour was being booked into major arenas, such as basketball and hockey stadiums. Margo had started a brilliant idea after the first big concert. She wrote out a poem specific to each city on the schedule, and Hank put together a tune for it. Spending a lot of time on the phone with DJs and club operators, they found an undiscovered prospect in each city and invited them to the rehearsal the day before the concert. There, they rehearsed the song for that city and one duet with Jenny. So far, no prospect had failed to appear in the concert, and the idea was extremely well received by the audiences. Hank had made good use of his sabbatical, and there was more than an album's worth of new songs. The plan was to cut the new album in late January so it was available for sale on the new tour. Karen and Mike, Donna, and Coach as yet had no idea of their ownership in Doggerel. It had been decided that the first dividend would not be distributed until the company's anniversary date. After that, normal quarterly distributions would be made. In all the discussions, the word 'if' was never used - optimism was extremely high. ------- Thanksgiving weekend started the basketball schedule with the usual exchange game, this time on the road. There were four Juniors starting and only three Seniors on the roster. They expected this to be very good year, and hopes for next year were already building. Dex was feeling good about his life in general, and it showed in the way he played. There was no doubt it was his team, and he was the quintessential coach on the floor. There were three excellent shooters, so Dex concentrated on penetrating, passing, and defense. Still, he scored fifteen points most nights, and often went over twenty. The team usually scored in the seventy point range, which was high for the shorter high school game. ------- Dex had not actually spent that much time with Cheryl. She had come to four or five Saturday breakfasts, but Dex had never taken her on a real date. His dating time was mainly devoted to Connie. If Dex was uncertain about his feelings for her, she was becoming more certain about her feelings. College looming ahead was a big barrier, though, keeping Connie from admitting her true feelings for Dex. Connie's mother had her lined up for a tony girls' school on the East Coast, and she would be completely separated from Dex. Neither Connie nor her father were in favor of the girls' school, but her mother was winning that battle. Unbeknownst to Dex, when he 'liberated' Connie from the 'biker' gang, he threw her into her mother's control. Dex knew she was submissive, but he had misjudged how submissive she was, and he was not aware that Mrs. Archer had become Connie's dominant. The bikers had been Connie's last attempt at escaping her mother's control. Her injuries frightened her away forever, and there was no one else to take her over. Connie and her mother did not exhibit the kind of sub/dom behavior portrayed in tabloids. Evelyn Archer was far too socially conscious to risk any hint of deviance or impropriety. Nevertheless, the control was there. Gerald Archer was unable to supply what Connie needed in terms of a strong hand, and it was totally against Dex's nature, as well. Evelyn only let Connie date Dex because Gerald was so high on the boy, and because she could mount no plausible argument against him, other than his lowly social status. She was too smart to risk open opposition to Gerald. She could exert her control behind the scenes. What Evelyn wanted was not a slave, but a daughter molded to her specs, and everything she did with Connie was directed toward that goal. Connie truly yearned to be a slave, and Evelyn took full advantage of her need. The physical abuse was limited to an occasional spanking when they were alone in the house. There was a leash and a collar that Evelyn employed just often enough to establish her position over Connie. All in all, Evelyn was able to maintain the image of a normal up-scale family with a rebellious teenager and an overly socially conscious mother. That suited her just fine. From the first meeting, she saw Dex as a real danger to Connie's development, but was wise enough to never appear openly opposed to their dating. She was certain if she got Connie to the right school, everything would work out perfectly and Connie would marry very well. Not knowing what was happening at her home, Dex kept on dating Connie in a very normal high school relationship. Sensing that Connie's departure for college might mean permanent separation, Dex did no push the sex, and they dated the whole school year and summer without ending up in bed. Dex mixed in some dates with Kelly Perdue, later with Cheryl, and with Tracey, another of Donna's close friends. When Donna came home, her old bedroom was never used. Their times together were wonderful, but both could feel their lives diverging as the year went on. They did not bemoan this growth, and in a way, it made their times together more precious. ------- In early January, Angeline was in her second week at her new job with the orchestra. From the first day, she had been struck by the sterility of the music and the colorlessness of the people. After rehearsal one day, another violinist, a middle-aged woman with a haughty air and a caustic tongue, addressed the section. "Look at the brilliant credentials our newest member has. She has already been recorded. I'm not sure we could call this music, but see, there is her name in the credits." The woman, of course, thought this outrageously funny. Angeline snapped. Not only was she being ridiculed, but her friends, as well, and she would not take that. There was a stereo in the practice room, and she grabbed the CD from the woman and started playing 'Moonshine.' She watched with satisfaction as jaws dropped all over the room. When it was over, she just said to the woman, "You could not do that on your best day, could you?" and walked out. Back at her small flat, Angeline called Jenny in tears and asked if they still needed a violinist. Between her own tears, Jenny assured her they did, and that Marty would get started right away on a work visa. Angeline was back with Doggerel before the new album was cut. By late spring, it was obvious that Doggerel was a major success. Jared and Angeline had dropped any cautions about separation, and let their relationship develop. They decided marriage was the best way to solve her residency and citizenship problems. ------- Late winter and spring were wonderful times for Karen, her only regret being that she had to spend so much time at work and away from her grandkids and her new nephew, Kristen's boy. Throw in Michelle's two, who were almost like family, and there was always a baby to spoil. ------- Late March saw Dex being elected to the All-Tournament team at the state basketball tournament. The team had ended up losing in the consolation championship round, so they were 1-2 for the tournament. A week earlier, he had been named first team All-State, a distinct honor for a Junior. Although disappointed with their losses, this was the first State visit for their school in over twenty years, and it was big news around town. ------- One of the happiest days of Dex's life occurred shortly after State when Doggerel's first dividend checks arrived in the mail. It did not take the recipients long to figure out what had happened, and Coach was at the Fergusons' immediately. Donna had just come home for spring break, and they faced him in a group. It was the most joyous battle he ever fought, and it was with great glee that he told them the ownership could not be recinded, only sold. Every one of them swore they would pay back Dex's investment, with interest, but he insisted they not even think about that until he graduated. It was already clear that the next quarterly dividend would exceed the first yearly one, and the way sales were being pumped by the new tour, it was hard to tell how large profits would be in a year. The significance started to sink in when Dex pointed out that even at current levels, there would be plenty to cover Donna's college costs. Chris's school loans were already history, and Ron had received enough to take a good bite out of his, as well. Timing it perfectly, Chris and Jenny dropped in and asked Karen if she would take the job as part-time travel manager for Doggerel, working mostly from home. Chris pointed out that there were no more education expenses, and that their mortgage should be paid off in a couple of years, so his mother did not need to work full-time any more. Completely overwhelmed for the first time most could remember, Karen could only nod vigorously as she bawled openly on her son's shoulder. Kristen and Coach were just as overwhelmed. They were already talking about their second child, and needed to buy a house. This was the extra they needed to qualify for a suitable place. Donna was so happy for her mother, that she did not even think about what it meant for her until in bed with Dex later. Dex was very pleased, but not surprised, by the way all of his family and friends handled their new wealth. Everyone seemed to first focus on securing their current life-style long-term. Jenny and Chris, who would soon be multi-millionaires, did not even move from the little apartment at Hank's, even though the place was now somewhat of a madhouse. They reasoned that they hardly needed a house until the summer tour was over, and they could handle it then. They did, however, set up trust funds for Amy and for her new sister, Crystal. Jared, for all his academic promise, had to decide that touring was his best short-term opportunity, and even his parents agreed. He and Hank were collaborating more and more on the composing end, and he was also showing a flare for lyrics. The comedy routines between Jared and Hank were becoming a signature part of the show. A version of the original 'rock vs. country' skit would be on the third album. Jared and Angeline scheduled their wedding to avoid renewal of her work visa. Their combined royalties for 'Moonshine' and their performance fees assured them of a nice living as newlyweds. All in all, Doggerel's success was treated as a windfall that might never be repeated. No one wanted to be the typical 'shooting star' success who squandered new-found wealth, only to end up in near poverty afterward. ------- The halcyon days continued for Dex over the summer. Gerald Archer had arranged for summer jobs for both Dex and Donna. Dex was a runner at the brokerage house, but he was able to learn a great deal about the workings of the market just from being on the scene. Dex's little investment club kept meeting over the summer, with all the members now working with real money. Dex had fronted Bitsy a few thousand to get started, and she easily paid him back before the summer ended. It was early in the tech boom, and the dot com boom was still in the future. It was a good time for knowledgeable investors, and there was a lot of brain power in the little group. Mike turned down his summer teaching for the first time ever, and he and Karen followed the tour. Karen was able to do her travel job on the road, and had the rest of the time to tend to her grandkids. Donna and Dex had the house pretty much to themselves, and it once again became a gathering points for their diverse groups of friends. ------- One of the few stresses of the summer was getting the much-slimmer Cheryl to put some clothes on when other friends arrived at the Ferguson house. To everyone's surprise, Beverly Fischer had gone along with Cheryl's demand, and spent most of three months naked around the house with Cheryl. The first few weeks had been just plain bloody. Feeling her own strength for the first time, Cheryl had begun returning insult for insult when her mother criticized her body. Cheryl became so good at it, that within a month, all the insults had stopped. After Cheryl eventually lost thirty pounds, there were no more grounds for any insults. It would be too much to say Cheryl and Beverly had established a normal mother/daughter relationship. It was more that Cheryl had gained equality, even though she was still dependent on her parents. The threat of moving out had been as strong as Cheryl had guessed, and Beverly seemed almost desperate to avoid it. There were two incidents during Cheryl's weight-loss period that were amazing, the first one involving Dex. One Saturday morning, Dex arrived at the Fischers' quite early, and Cheryl snuck him in quietly. When Beverly came down for breakfast, naked, Dex was sitting at the kitchen table with Cheryl, equally naked. Cheryl had to restrain her mother from retreating upstairs and once again threaten to move out. Two weeks later, Cheryl snuck her father in the same way, although he remained dressed. The episode with Dex was shocking for Beverly. The one with her ex was humiliating, which was exactly what Cheryl intended. Dex felt extremely happy about Cheryl. She was now dating quite seriously, and her natural ebullience was no longer dampened by her weight concerns. Dex was glad they had never had sex, and that he had managed to help her without her falling in love with him. ------- Jenny had become a newsworthy star after her highly successful spring tour, and was featured in several magazines and tabloids. This was apparently too much for the Frankels, and they called one of the more scurrilous rags with their version of Jenny's story. In mid-July, supermarket shoppers were greeted by the headline 'Rising Country Star Left Grieving Parents In The Lurch.' This, of course, rippled through the entire entertainment press, and Jenny was bombarded by constant requests for interviews. The singing career of Jenny Ballard nearly ended that summer. For all the toughness she had developed during her meteoric rise, Jenny was not prepared for this kind of attack on her character. She gave the only mediocre performance of her life the concert after the first article hit the stands, and talked openly about just going home. Everyone around Doggerel was outraged, but there seemed little they could do to stop the snowball that was building. Any comments in support of Jenny were either ignored or dismissed as self-serving. Dex began the first serious counter-attack when he took Marty the answering machine tape from Jenny's last conversation with her mother. Marty spent a few days checking out various writers, looking for someone both credible and sympathetic. She settled on a freelancer who appeared frequently in a mainline news magazine. Marty brought the writer to town with the promise of an article that both vindicated Jenny and exposed the shoddy journalism of the tabloids. He met with Jenny, Angeline, Hank, Dex, and Susan. Carl refused to talk, citing his confidentiality responsibility, although he authorized Dex to relate the incident in the yard. Just the chance to get the truth out gave Jenny enough strength to keep going. The writer got his article in the next issue and it was picked up by all the wire services. Now, Jenny accepted a few interviews. With the truth out in the open, her natural winning personality shone through. It was a major PR coup, and she rode a wave of public sympathy and adoration to the top of the country charts and well up the pop charts. Dex's answering machine tape and the arrest warrant were the only concrete pieces of evidence supporting Jenny's version. The rest was just personal testimony. The tape, though, was chilling, and reached right to the heart of women across the country. Before she was even three, Amy had her own fan club. Dex once again felt satisfaction that he was able to do something concrete to help a woman who had suffered. Not only that, it had helped to enrich those to whom he felt indebted. The Frankels, in their venal attempt at self-justification, had provided the push that vaulted Jenny to the top. There was one sobering aspect of the incident that lingered on for Chris and Jenny. They realized they were now in the public spotlight, and the fact that Amy was not Chris's biological child was published. They knew that in the future, there could be personal attacks on Amy. They wisely sought counseling help to plan the best way to deal with Amy's parentage questions, and to prepare her for the cruelty she was certain to encounter. ------- Dex took care of a major piece of his future in August - his choice of college. He had seen the circus surrounding Rick's decision, and even as a freshman, had decided he wanted no part of it. Last spring he had already gotten calls and a couple of unannounced visits from interested alums of schools in the general area. The sports press in the metro area talked about him as a prospect for one of the big-time programs. Given his academic record, Duke and Stanford kept being mentioned. Tim Archer, Connie's brother, had become a good friend. He had played center for Dex's high school and was just a year out of college, having played at the same state school where Rick and Donna attended. He gave Dex a detailed account of his own recruitment, and described the life of a player at that level. The player's life did not frighten Dex, in fact, he looked forward to it. The expected recruiting frenzy turned him off completely. Without even telling Coach (Dennis), Dex got together with the head coach at Addison. If he chose a school based on everything but basketball, it would be Addison. He had heard all the arguments about the value of going away to school, but did not think any applied to him. He had no family relationships that needed space. He told people he felt like he spent his first fourteen years away and now he was home. He was on the board of a company that he wanted to stay close to. Through the Archers, he already had solid business connections for future employment. Addison's academic ranking was top notch; they had a ranked business school and a strong statistics department, two of Dex's major interests. The big negative was the basketball program itself. The coach was in his late sixties, a real gentleman, totally ethical, and a good basketball mind. Addison was in NCAA Division I, but might have been better served dropping down. Most of the players were true student athletes, with emphasis on 'student.' The team played in one of the lesser conferences, and had winning seasons less than half the time. There had been one conference championship thirteen years ago, but at the time, that did not earn an NCAA tournament berth. Dex loved basketball, and the fiercely competitive side of him wanted to test himself against the best. He was sure he could get a full ride at any number of Big Ten, Big Eight, or ACC schools. If he went that route, he would have to put the other parts of his life on hold. Over a particularly emotional Saturday breakfast, he laid it all out for Karen, Mike, and Donna. None of them would venture advice, but they all listened and asked questions out of real concern. Just the closeness of that morning was enough to clinch his decision. He would stay in town and go to Addison. It was too early for any official commitment, but Dex informed everyone involved of his decision. He made it clear that it was final, and that he would take no calls or visits from other coaches. Dennis was beyond delighted. His relationship with the head coach was good, and he hoped to have a shot at the job when the head coach retired. He saw Dex's arrival as a key step in raising the program to a higher level. ------- Chapter 19 (Twelve to thirteen years earlier) Everything was in place for Dex to enjoy a storybook Senior year. He was on his way to being a wealthy young man. His home life couldn't be better. He was near the top of his class. His basketball team was favored to make it to State again. He did not have a regular girlfriend, but he could easily get a date at a moment's notice. He was not getting sex on a regular basis, but for a seventeen-year-old, that was not a tragedy. ------- The basketball season started off as promised, with the team easily winning all its non-conference games. More than any other year, Dex was having pure fun on the court. His serious, undemonstrative demeanor had not changed, but he was much more congenial and gregarious before and after games. Dex's firm college decision did not stop the flood of phone calls. It got so bad that Mike installed a second line and distributed the number only to friends and family. The answering machine on the first line was given a curt message declaring that Dex was no longer available if the caller was a recruiter. All calls on the first line were screened. Four different times, college assistant coaches waited outside the locker room after games. Dex was polite, but would not give them any time. The metro area sports press went through a frenzy of decrying Dex's decision. The common theme was that it was a waste of talent that should be on national display. Several pointed out that Dex's high-speed, slashing style of play would be a mismatch in the Princeton-style control game used by Addison's coach. Very few things could cause Dex to lose his cool, but an attack on his family was one sure thing. The sports reporter for the leading local TV station did a spot inferring that Mike and Karen were guilty of bad parenting for not steering Dex to a major school. Judy Morrison, the reporter who had helped Dex with the Schantz encounters, had given him her home number. As soon as he saw the TV spot, he called her, offering an on-screen rebuttal on her station, a competitor to the offending reporter. At 11:30 that night, Judy arived with a cameraman, and Dex did the interview. In response to one question he said "I read and hear a lot of hand-wringing about how sports has become nothing but a business, and there is no pure fun anymore. Well, (he named the reporter) is a perfect example of the problem. He seems to think anything but getting on a top ten team is a failure or chickening out. He must have no idea of how sports could fit in with other things in a fulfilling life." "I love basketball. I will play it anytime, anywhere, against anybody, and enjoy it thoroughly. I don't play just to see my name on ESPN, or land an NBA contract. Maybe you can only understand if you love sports for its own sake." "As for his comments about my Aunt and Uncle - I know for a fact that he has never met them. He has no idea of the hours they have spent helping me weigh all the factors in my decision. I certainly hope he is better at sports reporting than he is at family counseling. If this is an example of his journalistic standards, we may not even be getting our sports news straight." This was the hardest-hitting part of the interview. Judy was almost peeing her pants with excitement after they taped the interview. She had first suggested her channel's sports guy do the spot, but Dex insisted it had to be her. The station ran it on four different news spots the next day, and there was lots of viewer feedback. The offending reporter apologized on the air and tried to make amends with Dex. Dex told him curtly on the phone that he had crossed the line, and he would give him no more interviews. ------- By the first of the year, Jenny was at the top of the country music world, and everyone associated with Doggerel was reaping the benefits. After repayment by Karen and Mike, Donna, and Coach, Dex's investment had tripled. He worked out an agreement to sell back all but 5% of his ownership for his original money plus 20%. He felt guilty receiving so much of Doggerel's profits just because he happened to have the money through no effort of his own. Chris was at first reluctant to accept Dex's offer, but Dex pointed out that they could need all the available profits to stay in business if Jenny's popularity lagged at some point. ------- In late March, Dex again stood at the State Tournament and accepted his All-Tournament award. His team received the runner-up trophy, a bitter disappointment at the time, but a huge achievement for his school. He also repeated his All-State selection. He was grateful when national letter of intent signing day came, as the flood of recruiting phone calls and attempted visits finally ended. ------- As Dex stepped off the platform after receiving his diploma in late May, he thought back to his arrival at the Ferguson's. Mike had been determined that Dex have a high school experience he would remember fondly, and Mike's wishes had come true. Certainly, Dex was happy to be through with High School, but not because he was fleeing a negative environment. Many of his best memories from the period had little to do with school, but together, his various experiences constituted a positive foundation for the next stage of his life. ------- Dex once again worked at the brokerage firm for the summer. This year, he had been assigned to the research department, where he was exposed to the information the firm used to make recommendations to its clients. His time in research was very enlightening. The volume of information available and the skill the researchers employed analyzing it were impressive. The scarcity of automated tools for financial data analysis, though, he found surprising. Also surprising, and disturbing to Dex, was the widespread cynicism of the research staff. By carefully following the recommendations from research through for a few weeks, Dex knew that they were accurate a very high percentage of the time. The reason for the cynicism was that the brokers too often ignored the recommendations and counseled clients from their own opinions. Quite often, this generated more fees for the brokers, but not always better profits for the clients. Early in the summer, Dex got together with Coach and explained the problems involved in analyzing the masses of data. With Coach's training in statistics and Dex's growing interest, they brainstormed ideas on possible computer systems to automate data handling and improve presentation of results. They would get together regularly throughout the summer, eventually coming up with the preliminary design for a commercial product. What they envisioned, unfortunately, was not viable with currently available data acquisition techniques, and was beyond the calculation power of current personal computers. Coach did not have access to the larger scale computers at Addison, so their plans were, for now, put on hold. Dex hesitated for a couple of weeks before addressing his other concern. Finally, he got together for lunch with Gerald Archer and explained the problems he had observed with brokers and research recommendations. Gerald, being a highly ethical executive, was not happy about the possible abuse of client trust. He did not take any action immediately, though. Instead, he assigned Dex to a special project to track broker transactions against research findings. The firm's mainframe computer held all the transaction data, and Dex was given access to it. A few days later, Dex went to Gerald's office, and told him about Coach and their analysis product ideas. After some discussion, Coach was hired as a consultant, and he and Dex had the computer resources they needed to explore their ideas. Their first priority was to address Gerald's concerns, and they were able to give him some actionable data on broker deviations from research recommendations. Although relatively simple, this project was an excellent starting point for their new venture. Gerald was appreciative of the heads-up Dex had given him on broker abuses. He was impressed by the analytical results Dex and Coach had generated, and intrigued by the potential of their methods. By the time he started college, Dex was involved with Coach in a private development project with computer resources and some funding supplied by The Archer Group. ------- By the time summer was half over, Dex was falling in love with Connie. During the school year, he had practically pushed her from his mind. They had very little communication while she was away, and had only dated a few times when she was home. The previous warmth had not been there, and Dex assumed that it was over between them. It had never been a real romance, so he was rather philosophical about it. He was surprised when Connie showed up at the Fergusons' on her first night home. Dex was upstairs and saw her car pull up. When he opened the door for her, she leaped into his arms and started sobbing uncontrollably. Long after the crying stopped, Dex tried to find out why the tears, but she just shrugged it off as missing him terribly. Part of his mind was troubled that there was something more going on, but she would not budge, and he was too glad to see her to push the issue. After their tearful reunion, Connie and Dex were together for ten straight nights. ------- Dex had no idea of the turmoil at the Archer mansion. Evelyn had suffered a major shock when Connie came home and completely refused to submit to any of the previously effective controls. Connie openly told her mother to leave her alone. She was going to be seeing Dex and there was nothing Evelyn could do about it. Evelyn could not understand this turn of events. She knew Connie had been dating, if that was the proper word, Maxwell Wetherby III, scion of an East Coast pharmaceutical fortune. Actually, Connie had been Maxwell's slave, submitting regularly to a wide variety of humiliation and abuse. Evelyn had just assumed Connie's submissive streak was satisfied, and that she was happy. Maxwell was not just a dominant, though, as most of those had rather strict standards governing their treatment of subs. Maxwell was an abuser. He had brutalized Connie in anger several times, resulting in at least three ER visits that Evelyn learned about through the school's parent notification policy. She was willing to overlook those 'minor' indiscretions in the hope that Connie could eventually land Maxwell as a husband. She saw him as the answer to all her social climbing dreams. It was inconceivable that Connie might no longer be submissive. Such turnarounds did not happen, especially when the sub was actively engaged as a slave. Evelyn could only conclude it was the influence of Dex, and her hatred of him grew even stronger. She saw him as the main obstacle to her rightful status on the Social Registry. Despite her consternation, Evelyn was not given to panic. She had enough experience manipulating Gerald and her children to be confident that she would find some way to make sure Connie was back at school in Maxwell's clutches. His whips and chains could wipe out whatever bad happened this summer. ------- Among the things that attracted Dex to Connie was her exceptional perceptiveness. Despite all the bad choices her submissiveness drove her to, she could read people instinctively. In the third week after her return from school, Connie came down the stairs to Dex's room late one evening carrying an overnight bag, and wearing an unmistakable expression. Until now, their dating had involved no more than light petting, but she obviously thought it was time for the big step. Dex happened to be sitting watching the evening news when she came down, and she plopped on his lap. "Dex, I know you're worried about some of the guys I may have been with. I got myself tested, and here's the report. I'm clean. I also got on the pill when I was still at school, so I am now safe. If you are still worried, here are some condoms we can use. Now, will you please make love to me." If not exactly expecting it, Dex was not surprised by her request. Just from the way they had talked their last few dates, there was an implied permanence in the relationship. Following the pattern he had learned to enjoy so much, Dex took her hand and led her to the bathroom. There, he kissed her before starting to remove her clothes. She got into the spirit quickly and began working on him. Connie was built more like Margo than like Donna. She was fairly tall, and had more pronounced curves all over than the Ferguson women. Connie's breasts were heavy enough that they settled noticeably when liberated from her bra. He would later observe that for all their size, they still stood remarkably high when she lay naked on her back. As he washed her, Dex noted that, for all her generous curves, she still had the teenaged tightness to her body. Her thighs and buttocks were definitely more substantial than Donna or Angeline, but they were taut and well-shaped and encased in the same smooth skin that graced her whole body. The day Dex had rescued Connie, he had instantly categorized her as sexy, even in her contrived grungy clothes and weird makeup, and even with a bloody lip and a puffy eye. Seeing her now in all her glory only strengthened his initial impression. It was not just her body that made her sexy - it never was with any woman he had met. It was the totality of looks, movements, expressions, and, for lack of a better term, aura, that made Connie sexy. As he thought ahead to taking Connie to bed, Dex realized that she had undoubtedly been fucked many times. Knowing some of the boys she had been with, he seriously doubted she had ever been made love to. Tonight, he would remedy that lack in her life. Although she did not appear to be nervous, Dex assumed Connie had some apprehension about their first time. He could imagine that she always had some pain and degradation during sex. Submissive though she might be, she could not have looked forward to that. The challenge was to let her know there would be nothing like that from him. A shower or a massage had become Dex's favorite preludes to sex, and he decided to use both on Connie. He also decided to address the dominance/submission, pain/pleasure issues gently but directly. As he was massaging her shoulders and neck, he brought his mouth close to her ear and spoke softly. "Connie, you have a beautiful, sexy body. I want to touch it, love it, and worship it, but I could never purposely hurt it. I will try every pleasurable, exciting thing I know to make sex good for you, but I cannot use pain to stimulate you. I want you to be my lover and my partner, but I cannot make you my slave. I think you know by now who I am and what I am like. I hope your coming to me tonight means you want loving sex, and I long to give you that. If you absolutely need the other, I cannot do that to you." Connie shivered slightly at some of Dex's words. When he stopped talking, she sniffled a few times before answering him. "Guys have always used me. I thought I wanted it - needed it. I don't want it any more! Make me forget it, Dex! Please!" Of the challenges Dex had faced in his life, this one was as frightening as any. This lovely, fragile, screwed-up woman was depending on him for healing that the most expensive psychiatrists had been unable to effect. On top of that, the stakes were very high. This was a woman he wanted a relationship with, perhaps a permanent one. Failure on his part would doom her and leave a huge hole in his own life. He knew he could not be with the old Connie. He had to help her change or they had no future together. Dex was not sure if he had paused in his massage while he pondered his challenge, but he steeled himself to continue normally. Not that it was an onerous task. The intimate contact required for a massage always felt wonderful to Dex, and he was determined to explore and worship every inch of the sexy, naked woman beneath his hands. Dex tried to think as he massaged, going over in his mind what he could do to help Connie, and he came back again and again to the two keys he thought he had discovered about women: self-worth and self-image. He had learned them from abused women, but they must also apply to submissive women. The concept of submissiveness was very hard for Dex to grasp, as it did not seem to have any rational basis. The only explanation that helped him was that a submissive woman was an abused woman who thought she deserved it. Because of several discussions with Margo about dominance and submission, Dex knew he was over-simplifying things. (Apparently, the reading with which Margo filled her many lonely nights as Roger's wife had given her an impressive store of knowledge on psychological and interpersonal matters.) Still, the simplest, most direct approach had always been his style, and he was not confident he could handle anything more sophisticated with Connie. He wanted to be her lover, not her shrink. He would do everything he could to elevate her self-worth and her self-image, and fervently hope it was enough. For the next hour and a half, Dex did serious work on Connie's self-worth, taking her to several orgasms with his fingers and his tongue, and lavishing complements and endearments on her. When it came time for intercourse, he insisted she be on top. He wanted everything they did sexually to portray either their equality, or her superiority. He had resigned himself to not enjoying doggy style for a long time, since Margo had told him that was the position most used by dominants. At one point, Connie wanted to take him in her mouth, but Dex stopped her. Deciding she deserved to know what he was trying to do and why, he told her a blowjob was the ultimate form of submission imposed on a woman. Someday, he told her, when she wanted to blow him out of pure love and sexual exuberance, he would be honored to have her mouth on him. For now, he would do nothing that was associated with her past submissive experiences. ------- Another surprise occurred about the time Dex's relationship with Connie was reignited. Rick called Donna and asked her out. They had seen each other a number of times on campus, but had not really 'gone out.' Donna had dated five different guys throughout the year, but five dates was the most for any one, and she had not gone to bed with any of them. She had worked very hard on her studies and had driven home a total of six times, including the regular vacations. She and Dex had just naturally slept together whenever she was home. Rick's first two years at college were a mixed bag. Football had gone well, he had played quite a bit his Sophomore year, and he would probably start as a Junior. He was doing well in his tough pre-med schedule. His academic success was no surprise, as his High School valedictorian honor was not achieved by just brains. Despite his partying and his attitude toward girls, he had always been disciplined in his studies. Predictably, there was no shortage of girls eager for Rick's attention, but he was strangely uninterested. He found a girl in one of his classes that he first studied with, the started going out with. It was if he had dialed back to Junior High, and he became immersed in a close, but non-sexual relationship for the first time. When Donna came to campus in Rick's second year, he saw her just often enough to keep him aware of her. Toward the end of the year, his interest in his regular date began to wane, and, much to her chagrin, they were no longer a couple when he went home for the summer. The problem was, every encounter with Donna brought back memories. Even the memories of how she had caught him naked no longer brought the same reaction from him. Rather than his embarrassment, he remembered her incredible composure and her sexy demeanor throughout that visit. In Rick's mind, Donna had become the ideal of a strong, sexy woman who could be his equal. Whether as a reaction against his earlier treatment of girls, or because of the late influence of his mother, he longed for a mate he could truly respect, and in his mind, Donna was the perfect fit. As a further measure of his personal growth, Rick realized the challenge he faced convincing Donna's parents of his worthiness. As he began dating Donna regularly, he went out of his way to spend quality time with Karen and Mike. Margo had already been telling them how much Rick had changed, and it was not long before the night of the party that went sour was nearly forgotten. ------- Her unexpected, but very much welcome, new relationship with Rick brought Donna face to face with the one issue she always knew she would have to address: what about her and Dex? From day one, they had both declared they would not be life partners. They had both meant it, and she still did. All during her time with Jared, there had been nothing that forced her to reassess her intentions toward Dex. Jared was never 'the one.' With Rick's first call, everything changed. She knew instinctively that Rick could very well be 'the one.' The issue Donna had to face now was whether Dex was already 'the one.' The fact that they were cousins could be managed by an out-of-state wedding. The risk of birth defects was minimal. Their family and friends would adjust and be supportive. In short, it was up to them - up to her, as Dex would accede to her wishes. As a measure of the strength of their relationship, Donna never even considered making a decision about Dex on her own. As an example of the spirit of their relationship, she caught Dex on his desk chair and assumed the now-significant lap-straddling position. For a moment they just grinned at each other. "A lot of wonderful things started just like this," Dex said. "Do I sense that some wonderful things are about to end like this?" Donna's grin was replaced by moist eyes as the gravity of their discussion hit her. "We... we've always told each other it would be this way. D... do we still feel that way?" "What you're asking is if we want to be engaged to each other, isn't it?" "If we do, this is probably our last chance. We both have potentially serious relationships starting. To be fair to Connie and Rick, we need to decide about Donna and Dex." "You're right, Donna. We have to. Tell me, do you want to be Mrs. Dex Madison? You won't destroy me if you say no." "Ohhh, Dex. I could see a wonderful life as Mrs. Dex Madison. It... it's just not the life I've thought about these past years we've been together. You mean something to me no one else ever could, but I always thought there would be someone else for me. Can you understand that?" "Of course I can, Donna. You're not betraying me. You're saying what we've always said, and I think we were right. I won't deny that it's hard to have to really live with it, now. I've told your folks you would marry Rick someday, you know?" "You what? How could you have known that?" "I didn't know it. It just felt to me like it was going to happen. You two are a great match, you know." "Well, he's certainly not the same Rick I took revenge on two years ago. He's... he's..." "He's Margo's son, now, isn't he?" "Yeah, I guess that's it. You know, she's got to be peeing her panties with excitement about now." She giggled as she said this. "Hmmm. I'm no marriage expert, but a good match with the whole family has got to be pretty important, too. You and Rick would be perfect in a lot of ways." "And you and Connie?" "Me and Connie have a long ways to go, but we're off to a good start." "Don't take this wrong, Dex, but is Connie more your lover, or more of a rescue project?" "I don't take it wrong, Lover. I'm never sure myself, when it comes to women." That simple admission by Dex brought a flash of clarity to Donna about her decision. Since their very first day, she had sensed there was a part of Dex that was unattainable to her, unpossessable. Even four years of maturity and healing had not changed that. Much as she loved her cousin, she feared that unattainable part of him would be a barrier to the kind of marriage she wanted. No, Dex was not the right husband for her, and a load was lifted from her heart. "Um, Dex, you called me Lover, which brings up the big question. Is sex between us over?" "For myself, I don't want it to be. For Connie, though... she has to know she's the only one. If she thought she was not enough for me, all my work on her self-worth would be wiped out. "I haven't been to bed with Rick, yet, but I'm starting to feel committed to him. Oh, God, this is so hard! I know it's right, but..." Whatever else she was going to say was lost in sobs. "Donna, Honey. Only two people who love each other like we do could have the strength to do this. I will always love you, you know that. Not having sex won't change that." ------- Dex thought many times over the next several weeks about Donna's question: was Connie his lover or his rescue project? He never came any closer to an answer. Connie was a very responsive and passionate sex partner, and Dex could never get enough of her succulent body. Her passion, however, was always expressed as frantic clutching or as tears. He had yet to see signs of joy or fun in her lovemaking. He was not surprised that she had become very attached to him - dependent on him. He had expected that, given her submissive tendencies. Dex was in no way discouraged, though, nor any less in love with Connie. She was showing definite progress in many areas. The difference was noticeable watching her walk alone through a public place. She had a new assurance in her bearing, even a hint of flaunting. Dex's comments on her appearance had been constant, and his family helped. In private, he was effusive about her sex appeal. Teasing and light-hearted banter were more and more prevalent in their conversations, replacing the cynicism that was common from her in their earlier dating. ------- While running one morning, some thoughts that had been rattling around in Dex's mind for some time coalesced into a startling realization. Last year at school, Connie had been involved in a submissive relationship, and quite probably an abusive one! It explained so many things. He double-timed home, and had the phone in hand to call Carl when he thought better of it. Connie should tell him herself. Going around her to find out could only damage her progress. That very night, Dex pushed Connie to tell him everything. They were in his bed, with him propped against the headboard. She was on his lap facing away from him, impaled. When he told her what he thought, she came apart, sobbing almost uncontrollably. He had to grab her around the waist firmly to keep her from getting up and leaving. For the longest time, she would not look at him or talk to him. Fortunately, Dex had a flash of inspiration about why she was so distressed. She was afraid he would think her unworthy and would not want her any longer. He had become adept at dealing with her self-worth issues, and once the cause of her upset was identified, he was able to get through to her. They hardly slept at all that night as he pulled detail after detail from her, sometimes nearly sickening him. The next morning, Dex did something unprecedented for him - he called in sick to work. He was not out of reach of Connie for the entire day, even for the most personal bathroom duties. By supper time, he believed she had recovered. He insisted they sit down with both her parents that night and tell them everything. ------- Gerald sat in slack-jawed disbelief as Connie described her hellish year in a flat monotone that Dex recognized so well from his own recountings. Evelyn had radiated hatred toward Dex from the time Gerald had almost physically forced her to sit down with them. Dex watched Evelyn closely as Connie talked, and arrived at two conclusions. First, that Evelyn was sexually aroused by the descriptions of what Maxwell did to Connie the slave. Second, that Evelyn knew about the assaults and the treatment Connie had needed. The one secret Connie still held tightly was the dom/sub activity between her mother and herself, so neither Dex nor Gerald had any knowledge of it. Even though Dex noticed Evelyn's arousal, he had no way to make that connection. From the earliest times, when Connie was just nine, Evelyn had drilled into her the need for secrecy, and that long-term conditioning still held. When Connie finished her painful tale, Gerald said, very softly, "It's obvious you won't be going back there in the fall." At this, Evelyn looked about to stroke out, but held her anger and talked in a reasonable tone. "Oh, Gerald, I'm sure there won't be any more problems like that next year. Connie was so fortunate to be accepted there. We can't throw a way such a privilege just because she fell in with some of the wrong friends." Dex, always reserved, always respectful to his elders, could not keep quiet after that garbage. "Mrs. Archer, I would expect you not to be concerned for Connie's welfare. After all, you knew about her beatings and didn't think it necessary to do anything to protect her." As Gerald gasped, Evelyn focused all her anger into haughty indignation and railed at Dex for three minutes about his impertinence, the tragedy of him dragging Connie down socially, and how much she had sacrificed for her daughter's betterment. Interestingly, she forgot to deny knowledge of the injuries. Dex stared passively at Evelyn all during her tirade. She had barely stopped for a breath when he delivered his second assault. "From the way it aroused you when Connie described her treatment as a slave, Mrs. Archer, I'm sure you knew about that, too, and even approved." "What are you talking about? What arousal?" Evelyn's control was broken, now, and she was shrieking like a guttersnipe. "Your squirming was an obvious sign of sexual arousal, and I could smell you from over here." The part about the smell was a lie, but Dex would have bet anything she could still smell herself, and he couldn't resist. Her aplomb totally destroyed, Evelyn shrieked and ran from the room. "I'm sorry, Gerald. That was disrespectful, but I couldn't help myself. I get that way when people I love are threatened," Dex said into the silence left by Evelyn's departure. "No apology needed, Dex. I am ashamed I am not more that way myself. I have been so ignorant! Connie, come over here, please Honey." When Connie reached her father, he pulled her into his lap and hugged her tightly as they both started crying. Connie was on the verge of telling the rest of the story about her mother's deviance, but just could not get it out. "Dex, you're probably wondering why I'm still married to her." "Gerald, that's your business, not mine." "Well, there are very few people I can even talk to about family matters, and you certainly are one of them. Archer family records go back five generations, and there are no recorded divorces. My devotion to tradition almost cost me my daughter, but it's certainly not worth that. This will probably be bloody, but I no longer care. Connie's really the only thing I have worth protecting when it comes right down to it." ------- Evelyn had been driven to the edge of insanity, or slightly beyond. She saw years of carefully constructed control over her environment crumbling around her; all because her slut of a daughter had the hots for a commoner. Not rational enough to realize it was all over, she could only think about how to regain the upper hand. It had to start with Connie! Connie had stayed at home after telling her tale. She and Gerald had sat and cuddled for a good hour after Dex had left. Knowing that Connie was a pretty heavy sleeper, Evelyn came quietly into her room after Gerald's normal departure time. She carried a tubular control rod with a noose that could be tightened by a squeeze handle at the other end of the rod. She slipped the noose quickly over Connie's head, made it snug around her neck, then began dragging her out of bed by her neck, yelling to wake her up. Connie was in utter panic. Over the past two months she had come to believe this kind of pain and treatment was in the past. Now, she was brutally awakened to some of her darkest fears. She frantically worked her hands under the noose, instinctively trying to protect her neck. This was just what Evelyn expected, and once she had Connie upright, she squeezed the handle a little more, trapping Connie's hands against her neck. Evelyn stepped close, and with one hand, ripped off the scant clothes her daughter had slept in. Tucked in the belt of her robe was a scourge that Evelyn planned to use for discipline. Only once before had Connie suffered the tearing sting of the scourge's tails, but she remembered vividly. Through her terror, she called up images of sex with Dex. She would NOT go back to her old days as a slave. With Dex, she was a princess, and she would not give that up. Not thinking about possible injury, she charged right at the surprised Evelyn. Together, they fell into Connie's vanity, knocking over the stool, and sending various jars crashing to the floor. Connie's hands were still trapped against her neck, so she could not cushion her fall, nor could she do anything to free herself. Evelyn's body softened her fall to the floor, but she was still all but helpless in the noose. Evelyn actually snarled as she crawled out from under her daughter, then dragged her upright and prepared to give her a good dose of the scourge. As he prepared to leave on his normal early trip to work, Gerald felt uneasy about leaving Connie alone with Evelyn. His wife's rage had been so intense, he feared there would be no limit to what she might do. Besides, he would like to just have coffee with Connie and renew their precious fellowship from last night. Gerald had called the office to tell of his change in plans, and was reading the paper over coffee when he heard the crash from upstairs. He reacted quickly and was up the stairs in a few seconds. He did not know where the noise had originated, and stepped into Connie's room just as Evelyn was raising the scourge. "Stop!" was all he said. Authority was bred into Gerald and his voice carried great power. Even in her crazed state, Evelyn could only obey. "What the Hell is going on?" Evelyn automatically shifted into her reasonable, polished mode that had worked so well for so many years. "Gerald, just go to work and let me handle this. This is between me and Connie." "No! You were about to abuse my daughter. It's my business." "You don't understand. She needs this." "Nobody needs that. Take that thing off of her. Now!" The last word cracked like a pistol shot. "Gerald, I'm telling you not to interfere. You will upset everything. Just go. Please." "Evelyn, if that is not off of her in ten seconds, it will be on you. Now do it!" She just stared at her husband, partly defiant, partly confused. Without her realizing it, she had tightened her grip on the handle, and Connie was showing signs of imminent choking. Gerald was not a violent man, and he held a reverence for women similar to what Dex felt. The sight of his daughter's reddening face masked the offender's relationship and gender, though, and he flew into action. He grabbed his wife's wrist that held the handle and gave a sharp twist, causing her to shriek as she let go and buckled sideways to one knee. Gerald scrabbled frantically with the handle for a few seconds until he found how to release the tension. He lifted the loosened noose off of Connie's neck and hugged her tightly, ignoring her nudity. When it occurred to him that he was hugging his naked adult daughter, he let go, and she darted out of the room. He assumed she was embarrassed and didn't want him to see her. There was barely time for Gerald to turn toward his wife and wonder what to do about her when Connie dashed back into the room. To his utter shock, she was still naked, though she seemed oblivious of that fact. She was carrying four shackles. Before either parent could react, Connie fastened a shackle to one of her mother's wrists. Then, showing unsuspected strength and aggression, she dragged the woman to the bed and snapped the shackle to a bedpost. Evelyn was just figuring out that she needed to struggle when Connie had she shackle on the other hand. Evelyn tried to pull away, but Connie slapped her hard right on one breast. Screaming from the pain, Evelyn was unable to prevent Connie from securing her other hand. For all his resourcefulness and ingenuity, Gerald was nonplussed by this situation. His feelings for his wife, long neutral, at best, he now had to admit were mostly disgust. Connie seemed like she was possessed, and he would never have thought her capable of that vicious slap. He eventually made the connection that everything Connie did had at some time been done to her. She was purging demons, and he was loathe to stop her. Evelyn was now pleading with Gerald between moans of pain. Connie looked quizzically at her mother for a moment, then raced from the room again. Gerald righted the vanity stool and was sitting on it watching when Connie returned with a ball gag. She looked over at her father and grinned, taking his position as tacit approval to proceed. Gerald alternated between shock, amazement, and disgust as Connie worked. When Connie approached her mother with the gag, the woman began writhing about to avoid it. Connie raised her hand, obviously ready for another breast slap, and Evelyn froze in place. After the gag, Connie secured the ankles to the other bedposts, leaving Evelyn in a classic spread-eagle. Gerald thought she was done, but Connie grabbed the elegant silk nightie at the bodice and ripped straight down, baring her mother's breasts, one of which was still red from her slap. She pulled the shred's of the nightie off onto the floor, then did a similar job on the panties. Connie stood looking at her mother for a moment, then dashed off once more. When she walked back into the room this time, Evelyn began screaming around the gog as Connie held up six objects that looked like fancy clothes pins. Gerald found the next part hard to watch. He knew his wife was in pain, but what really bothered him was the certainty that this had been done to Connie. Connie got on her knees on the bed near Evelyn's waist and fastened two of the clips to each of Evelyn's labia. The resulting moans were heart-rending. When Connie reached up and put a clip on each nipple, Evelyn let out another piercing scream. After examining her handiwork, Connie made one more trip out of the room, returning with a butt plug and lubricant. Evelyn's back-arching contortions as she tried to avoid insertion of the plug resulted in an extremely lewd display of her genitals, which only slightly delayed the insertion. "Daddy, is there any fresh coffee left down there? I haven't had mine yet. As a matter of fact, I haven't peed yet, either. You go ahead and I'll be right down. Gerald had just sat and watched his beautiful, naked daughter almost gleefully restrain his still physically attractive wife, then attach pain devices to her most sensitive parts. It could have been an incredibly arousing sight, but it was so foreign to his senses that he did not react that way. Now, shakily pouring himself another coffee in the kitchen, he began to rerun the images of Connie, and grew a very unfatherly bulge in his slacks. When Connie came into the kitchen still naked, he somehow was not surprised. She poured herself a cup and sat across from him, giving him a quizzical look. "Daddy, you haven't asked why I'm not dressed." "I think I know, Honey. It's a chance to show your body because you want to, not because you're forced to. And my approval is important to you, isn't it? It's almost a shame to cover your body, it is so beautiful." Connie's beaming smile was almost enough to erase the image of what he had first encountered in her room this morning. She walked over to him and sat on his lap, purposely wriggling her bottom until she was certain of the swollen condition of his cock. "That's what I needed to know, Daddy." "I'm sorry, Honey." "You'd better not be. Dex is always telling I'm beautiful and sexy. I needed to hear it and feel it from my other man." "I wish I had told you more." "You just did, Daddy, you just did." Still on his lap, she hugged him, pulling his face between her bare breasts. He flinched away from the illicit contact, but she told him. "Hug! It's OK, Daddy, really. Love me up a little. We're not doing anything wrong. I need it." The last three words were plaintive enough to push aside his scruples. He tried a few tentative caresses to her back and shoulders and was rewarded with contented hums and by his face being even further engulfed in her lush softness. "Daddy, call Dex and ask him to come over, please?" Connie asked when they had snuggled a few minutes. "With your mother like that?" "Especially with Evelyn like that." Gerald noticed that Connie called her mother by name, and would later observe that she would never again call her anything else. "Dex is the one who has pulled me out of all the horror. It is important to me to finish it off, and he should be beside me." ------- Dex had been instructed to walk right in when he arrived, and he entered the parlor to see a naked Connie cuddled on her father's lap, head on his shoulder, while his hands tenderly caressed her all over. To his credit, Gerald did not flinch or attempt to separate, but just nodded to Dex with a look of pride and quiet contentment. Connie and Dex went up the stairs without Gerald, who had decided to wait in the kitchen. When Connie led Dex into her bedroom, he almost became physically ill as the sight of Evelyn spread-eagled and naked was overlaid in his mind by that of his mother in a similar position years ago. He wanted to leave the room, but he knew that this was an essential healing ritual for Connie, and he had to gut it out for her sake. As Connie retold the events of the morning, she absentmindedly removed the clips. As she talked, he was able to go through a few mental discipline drills and keep her from noticing his distress. When she stopped talking, Connie took the control rod with the noose and put it on Evelyn, snugging it up. She then asked Dex to release all the shackles, again flooding him with painful memories. Threatening Evelyn with immediate reinsertion if she spoke, Connie also had Dex remove the gag, yet another flashback cause. What followed was hard for Dex to believe of his sweetheart. She used the control rod like an expert, getting Evelyn on her feet and into the en suite bathroom facing the vanity. She ordered Evelyn to bend over and used the rod for persuasion. She grabbed the exposed butt plug, wiggled it slightly, then yanked it out with an audible pop that was quickly drowned out by Evelyn's moan. "Now, go! This may be your only chance for a while," Connie ordered as she sat Evelyn on the toilet. The woman did not even protest before releasing a hard stream of urine that seemed to flow for minutes. "Shit, too!" Connie ordered. When Evelyn tried to protest, Connie raised her hand and there was silence. Dex mimicked Connie and stood staring impassively for several minutes before Evelyn gave up and dropped a smelly load into the bowl. When Evelyn had wiped and stood up, Connie shocked Dex even further. "Your pussy hair is history," She told Evelyn. "Do you want to do it, or shall I let Dex have a go at it?" To Dex, she quietly said, "Just remember, Darling, I won't do anything she hasn't done do me, usually many times. Since I was nine!" This nearly brought Dex to tears. Evelyn opted to shave herself, but Connie insisted her anal area was not bare enough, and convinced Dex to hold the rod briefly while she finished off. Dex almost stopped his lover as she next took a bottle of men's after-shave lotion and splashed it liberally over Evelyn's crotch. The resulting scream caused Dex to shudder, but Connie remained eerily impassive. Connie gave Dex the control rod again briefly at the top of the stairs while she ducked down the hall. She returned with another butt plug and a spacer bar designed to immobilize the subject with their legs forced a couple feet apart. It had the effect of totally exposing the genitals to view. Connie helped Dex force Evelyn to bend over the bannister, and rather roughly inserted the new plug. Then they led Evelyn to the kitchen, where they put her on a chair and secured the spacer bar on her ankles. It was then safe to remove the control rod noose. The surreal day continued. Evelyn was given any food or drink she asked for, but was threatened with a breast slap if she said anything else. Her horror at what she heard planned for her that night almost made her faint. ------- Gerald Archer was a courtly man, uniformly courteous and considerate in his dealings with people, and gentle with everyone. That he could stage the spectacle that occurred at nine that evening was inconceivable. Inconceivable, that is, unless one had seen him listening to his daughter's revelations the previous night; unless one had seen his shock on discovering his wife about to whip his naked daughter that morning; unless one had felt the love that flowed as Connie cuddled naked on her father's lap for a good part of the morning. The huge Archer family room was filled with about twenty-five relatives of both Gerald and Evelyn. Ages ranged from late teens to the seventies. Nearly everyone contacted was present, as an invitation from Gerald was always taken seriously. Gerald started talking after minimal greetings and small talk. "Thank you all for coming. I suspect in a while, some may wish they had not, but for me, and especially for Connie, this is necessary." "For five generations, there has not been a divorce in the Archer family. I am divorcing Evelyn." Gasps of surprise filled the room. "The reason for the divorce is some almost unbelievable things Evelyn has done over the last ten years. Things I only today found out about. I frankly admit that part of what you see tonight will be for revenge and punishment. Mostly, though, it will be to help Connie heal from the things Evelyn has done to her." "There is one other thing you should take away from tonight. Being an Archer has always meant something. It means morality, ethics, integrity, and decency in business and in personal life. Evelyn badly failed on morality and decency. Do not fail to live up to the Archer standards." "To those of you from Evelyn's family, please know that we do not blame you for what she has done. Nor do we assume that you are in any way like her. You need to be here so you do not question the correctness of the divorce. If what you see embarrasses you, I apologize." At that moment, Dex guided a small, walk-behind forklift into the room from the hall. On a skid stood Evelyn. She was naked, she was gagged, her ankles were secured in the spacer bar, and her wrists were fastened at shoulder height to a stocks-like contraption the fit around her neck and extended out over her shoulders. Beside the skid walked Connie clad in black leather. Shock did not adequately describe the reaction. There were gasps and some shrieks. A few made to leave, at least two mothers trying to lead teenaged sons away from the sight. Gerald barked out "Stay!" and everyone returned to place out of respect for his position and the force of his voice. Connie began speaking. "This outfit is my strongest memory of Evelyn, who gave birth to me, since I was nine years old. This is what she usually wore as she enslaved me. This morning I woke up being dragged from bed with this around my neck," and she held up the control rod, demonstrating how the noose tightened. She went into a brief but chilling description of dominance and submission. "Evelyn would protest to you that I was submissive, and she gave me what I needed. Well, I was nine, for God's sake. She found a personality flaw in her little girl. Did she try to help me correct it? No, she used it to make me a slave for her own perversions." "This is Dex, the love of my love, and the one who has pulled me out of this mess. What we are doing now sickens him because he hates any kind of abuse. He is doing it anyway, because he knows that after tonight, I will be whole again for the first time in ten years. Dex next wheeled in a tea cart laden with the rest of the paraphernalia they had found in Evelyn's stash. Connie told which ones had been used on her and how. She passed around several clips and spoke to the women. "Ladies, please examine these and see how strong they are. Imagine one of these clamped on your bare nipple, or on your pussy lips." There was a chorus of female gasps. After describing the last item on the cart, Connie paused for affect. "The really perverse thing is, all of this has got Evelyn highly aroused. Just look at her nipples! I want every one of you to walk by her and sniff near her crotch." No one moved until Gerald grabbed the two nearest people and dragged them up to Evelyn. At his urging a line formed and moved slowly past the imprisoned woman. Until now, Evelyn had been silent. As people passed near her, she began moaning softly and quivering. When Tim, her son, came up to her, she stiffened and started shaking, obviously in the throes of an orgasm. When everyone had passed, Dex and Connie began removing everything from Evelyn, which the woman found to be absolutely terrifying. Until now, she had been a naked object, with no control over her own condition, unable to communicate. Suddenly, she was unrestrained but still naked, standing among people who knew her well, many of whom disliked her for her previous arrogance and manipulations. Evelyn instinctively turned toward the stairs, hoping to flee. Gerald, however, stood in her way. She turned and looked frantically at her father. He took off his blazer and held it out to her. She hurried to him and he wrapped the blazer around her before guiding her out the door for her last exit from her former home. ------- The next time Connie and Dex made love, it was almost a Donna-style romp. Connie was so exuberant that Dex asked her for a blowjob. It was the only teary time in the interlude, and they were happy tears. A little later Connie got up on her elbows and knees and thrust her luscious ass right at Dex. "You've been avoiding this. It's OK, now. Really! Everything's OK!" It turned out to be much more than OK as she returned thrust for thrust, moaning, panting, grunting, and urging him on. When she came, she nearly bounced off the bed with the force of her contractions. When he collapsed from exhaustion, she rolled him on his back and lay right on top of him, showing no weariness herself. "I feel like a new person! God, I love you!" ------- Connie continued to improve, exhibiting an effervescence that allowed her to light up a room. At long last it was obvious that she was Gerald's daughter, just from the newly revealed strength of her personality. Dex already loved her, and now he was totally captivated by her. As late August approached, one more important element had been added to Dex's wonderful life. ------- He fancied himself a real biker, now. Of course, with the cops breathing down on him all the time, it was hard to keep a decent bike under himself. Right now was cool, though. He had a full tank and another joint in his pocket for when the one he had just smoked started to wear off. He was headed for an address in the rich part of town that should be a good score. The occupants were out of town, and he could be in and out long before the security service got there. After some good weed, all scores were easy. Just before the turn into the target neighborhood, he saw a chick that looked familiar driving by. Through the marijuana haze he remembered - it was that cunt Connie who got him thrown out of school. Rich bitch! She would never talk to him or his buds after that. Time for a little payback fun. Doing a quick but rather sloppy U-Turn, he caught up to the red convertible and pulled right up beside the driver's door. Grinning through his unkempt beard, he reached out his arm to touch her, steering with one hand. Connie was startled by the loud roar beside her, and instinctively went to her brake. The biker shot past the driver's door, but his attempt to reach her, combined with his impaired coordination, cost him his balance. As he wobbled, the bike bumped the front fender of the car, causing him to totally lose control. He was thrown off and the bike swung under the car's front wheel. Connie was bounced severely as her wheel rolled over the bike. She reached for the brake again and held desperately onto the wheel. The heavy bike jammed the car's steering gear and forced the front wheels into a hard left position. Even at just over 30 mph, the car could not hold the sudden extreme turn and went into a sideways roll as Connie screamed. ------- Dex was at work when his supervisor summoned him and led him out to the street where Gerald's limo was parked. As he opened the back door, it took only one look at Gerald's face and he knew. Still, harboring some faint hope, he asked "Connie?" "She's dead, Dex. Car accident." It took a supreme effort for Gerald to get that much out, and he collapsed in tears afterward. Dex could generate no tears, as all his emotional and sensory systems went into a protective shutdown. ------- In the future, Dex would not be able to totally reconstruct the events of that awful day. How, he never knew, but Karen had heard, and she and Donna were waiting for him when Gerald's driver dropped him off. Wisely, neither said a word, but for the next eighteen hours, someone either had an arm around him or was holding his hand. Donna showered with and and crawled into bed with him that night. Shortly, Karen snuggled up to his other side. Unable to sleep, he got up turned on the TV and both women joined him just as a late night rerun of the local news came on. Dex had not watched or heard anything about the accident, which was a headline item. "Dex, shouldn't I turn it off?" Donna asked. "No, I'm ready to find out more," Dex replied in one of his longest sentences of the day. When the biker, who had survived, was named, Dex let out a long groan, then said "That's the guy I stopped from beating up Connie!" He then dropped his head to his hands and did not move for half an hour while the women caressed him gently. Raising his head again, he stood and told them "You can go to bed, now. I'll be all right. Dex went to his weight bench and spent nearly an hour. Then, he did form drills for another hour. Karen and Donna took turns napping and watching him. When he was finished, Donna told Karen to go to bed, then took Dex into the shower again. Donna led Dex back to bed and made it obvious she wanted to make love. "Donna, no. We're done with that. It's OK" "It's not OK. I hurt so bad for you! This is something I can do. Something I want to do." "But Rick?" "We haven't yet. You know that. It wouldn't matter even if we were married. You need this. I need this." As she talked, she was stroking him, and feeling somewhat ashamed, he had gotten hard. As his arousal grew, it started to accelerate. It was as if all his bottled up emotion turned to testosterone and his whole body began to shake with his need. Donna sensed this and lay on her side bent over in front of him. She guided him into her from behind and he started thrusting frantically right from the start. He was not even fully embedded when he let loose, but he did not stop except for a slight hesitation as he grunted out his first spurt. As he continued to stroke, he was less frantic, but still seemed disconnected from the situation and mechanical in his movements. This was not the Dex who always thought first of his partner. He was using Donna to masturbate, something Dex would never do. It was pure, animal sex, but Donna was not offended. She knew this was what he needed the most, and she felt compelled by her love for him to provide it. Dex's second come left him limp and panting, and there was no movement and no other sound for several minutes. He grew flaccid but did not fall out of her. As his breathing returned to normal, a kind of transformation occurred; it was as if the real Dex returned to his body. Donna was surprised and delighted when she felt him stroking her hip, and she was thrilled when he began to swell again within her. "Donna, I'm sorry. I just used you, didn't I?" "It's what I wanted. What you needed. Care to try once more the right way?" She used her flirtatious voice for her request. "Sure do!" He move to pulled out and change positions. "Dex, no. Just like this. This will always be my affirmation of life position. Do it again just like this. Please?" Dex had never been able to deny a sexual request from Donna, and he was even more compliant now. He was just hard enough, and he started to thrust again. This time, there was none of the mechanical feeling about it, especially as his hands began to roam over every part of her that he could reach. Having come twice, Dex was in no danger of a quick one, and he was out of his fog enough to want Donna satisfied. He didn't actually think about this being his true last time with her. This was not like any of their other times together. This was healing, catharsis, affirmation, and celebration, not just sex. This was a reminder that life would go on, and that there was much to live for. Whatever symbolism was involved, the sex was as it should be between them, and after several minutes, Donna came, hard. Dex kept thrusting as she wound down, but he did not come. Instead, he suddenly broke into heaving, wrenching, anguished sobs. Donna moved back against him and pulled his arms tightly around herself. His cock was still hard within her, and each sob caused it to twitch and move. She held one of his hands over her tit and just waited him out. It was at last fifteen minutes before the sobs ended, and his cock shrank enough to fall out of her. He fell into exhausted sleep, and she ignored the mess of sweat, cum, and tears and stayed motionless with her back against his front. This time, it was Donna who could not sleep. She asked herself if Connie's death was a sign that she should rethink her possible future with Dex. She could certainly break it off with Rick, although she felt real pain at the thought. It seemed like hours that she worked the question over and over in her mind. As weariness began to overtake her, she remembered what had sealed her decision earlier - that unattainable part of Dex. In a flash of insight, she knew that that part of Dex would now be even less reachable, even more closed away after the Connie tragedy. She knew the old guilt would be revived, too. For all his gentleness and consideration, Dex would not be good husband material for some time, if ever. Much as she loved him, committing herself to him would not be the answer. ------- In the morning, an outsider would have thought the old Dex was back, if a little subdued. He was not loquacious, but he did converse rather normally. It was not Saturday, but he walked to the kitchen naked. The others, sensing this was needful for him, quickly undressed, as well. Breakfast conversation was about events and details - the funeral, missing work, etc. ------- After the funeral, Dex had a week and a half before starting college. He spent nearly all of it working, exercising, or, only occasionally, sleeping. In the early morning, he ran. After work, he shot baskets for hours at the schoolyard. His sensei gave him a key, and he usually worked out at the dojo until two or three a.m. He ate breakfast at home and a good lunch at work. A few times, Donna brought him dinner at the schoolyard. The night of the funeral, Donna came downstairs to him and started leading him to the shower. He stopped her, saying, "Donna, no. You need to think of Rick." "But, you're all alone, now." "I may always be alone. In some ways, I always have been. Don't worry. I'm not right for you. Rick is. I'm not good husband material." The replay of her own thoughts shocked Donna. She hugged him quickly, then hurried up the stairs, hopefully before he could see the flood of tears that had started. ------- If Connie had died in a random accident, Dex would have been devastated, but his psyche might have survived undamaged. As it was, the connection with his past rescue of Connie caused a mental linkage to his inability to protect his mother. Dex was an exceptionally composed, controlled, and analytical young man. Yet, he suffered from some irrationalities, as do all humans. In his mind, this was another failure to protect a woman he loved and felt responsible for. The burning guilt that had been significantly quenched in the years since his mother's death was rekindled. ------- Chapter 20 (Twelve years earlier to present) The start of Dex's Freshman year at Addison was eerily like his Freshman High School year. Purposely or instinctively, he filled every minute of his day. With studies, drills, workouts, and the system project with Dennis, avoiding idle time was not difficult. He found himself wondering when he would be able to handle solitude and inactivity again without being overwhelmed by loss and guilt. After his parents' death, Dex had been lost. His boyhood had not been good, but even that was completely taken away. Grief, disorientation, uncertainty, and loneliness combined, trying to smother him. This time was different. He had been enjoying a very good life with nothing but bright prospects for the future, until a key part of that future was taken away from him. As a fourteen-year-old, it had taken Donna's intervention to interrupt Dex's maniacal single-mindedness. That was no longer necessary. One lesson he had learned was his need for support from the people around him. He did not avoid his loved ones in his time of great need. Dex was still living at Mike and Karen's when school started, so he saw them regularly. While working on the project, he often went to Dennis and Kristen's house. He usually visited there in the evening so they could get some work done without his adoring baby cousin monopolizing all his time. Jenny still sang at the Emporium when she was not on tour, and Dex went there often to see his friends from Doggerel. Dex and Gerald Archer had hit it off from their first meeting, and after Connie's death, the two of them, along with Gerald's son, Tim, began getting together regularly. The initial impetus was support for their shared grief, but their common business interests took their relationship well beyond commiseration. Gerald emphasized, though, that he was forever indebted to Dex for giving him back his daughter whole and happy, even if only for a tragically short time. Besides the brokerage firm, the Archer Group included Archer Manufacturing, Archer Holdings (real estate), four auto dealerships, and a chain of golf courses. A more diverse conglomerate was hard to picture. It was the Archer Group, the holding company, through which Dex and Dennis received support for their project and whose computer resources they had use of. Archer Manufacturing was in the process of shifting from traditional appliance parts fabrication to components for the electronics and computer industries. Tim, though only a few years out of college, would soon head up the manufacturing firm. Gerald was extremely interested in the kind of statistical methods he had read were in use in Japan, and wanted to try them at Archer Manufacturing. Dex and Dennis had another project to work on. There was more than enough for Dex to do, and he threw himself into all his activities with his typical energy and focus. Those closest to him were very aware of the difference in him. Donna described it as the real Dex being back there somewhere working the one out front that everyone saw, but staying carefully hidden himself. Years later, a love-struck but frustrated woman would refer to Dex as 'Mr. If Only.' During the fall, Dex had nothing close to a date. He didn't purposely avoid girls, but he was so busy there were few opportunities, and he did not feel like seeking any new relationships. His loved ones understood this, and stayed clear of the subject. Through many discussions, they all agreed that some event at some point would trigger at least the partial return of the Dex they all missed. ------- The first two games of the basketball season were against opponents of similar strength, and Addison won them both. Dex played well - even his mental anguish could not dampen his love for the game, and playing actually had some healing benefit for him. Being new to his teammates, they had nothing to compare with and thought that Dex was just naturally reserved and withdrawn. For the third game, Addison had been selected as a warm-up patsy for a strong basketball school that expected to reach the NCAA tournament that year and was rated in the top ten early. It was an away game, and Addison started out as if lost in jet lag. The score deteriorated to 19-2, and the opponents were yucking it up on the bench and openly taunting and ridiculing the Addison players on the floor. Dex's head coach was becoming angry over all the antics, and Dennis was ready to go on the court and start swinging. During a timeout, Dex told the head coach, "Coach, this is really pissing me off. Will you let me cut loose for a while?" Dex had scrupulously played within the established system, controlling the ball and working for half-court opportunities. "Okay, Dex, what are you going to do?" "Well, first, I'm going to foul some guys out" Turning to his teammates, he said, "Clear out the middle. I am going to drive every play. If they start to double or triple me, be ready for some treys." What happened the rest of that game was an anomaly born of anger, frustration, and the accumulated heartache of the past months. Dex had always been able to focus his emotions and use them to improve his performance, and he unleashed so much emotion this time that he became almost super-human. On the very next possession, Dex eluded his man on the perimeter and drove to the hoop. The opponent's power forward was the worst of the taunters, and he came over to cover. Backing in, Dex juked twice and spun around the defender for a reverse layup and a foul. Two plays later, he repeated the exact same move on the same player with the same result. This time, the opponent swore at Dex and uttered a few racial epithets. Dex had left his patented first-possession charge behind when he left the high-school game. He decided this was a good time to revive it. He scored without being fouled on the next two possessions before seeing the same opponent move to cover the slot as he drove. This time, he accelerated straight toward the defender and leaped as high as he could on contact, driving the opponent to the floor behind the basket as he shot. He was pretty sure what the response would be, and sure enough, the enraged defender came up swinging. Dex easily avoided the blows, and the top scorer and biggest jerk was ejected. Dex got the foul, of course, but the replacement missed one free throw and Addison made the technical. This little flurry had taken only a few minutes of playing time and the margin had shrunk to twelve points. The defense doubled Dex in the middle the next time he drove. Addison did not have many exceptional athletes on the squad, but they did have some very good shooters. As often happens, the actions of one player energize the others, and suddenly, no one could miss as Dex's teammates connected on three straight three-pointers. The margin was now down to nine, but Dex wanted two more opponents out of the game. The next mouthiest was the center, and the first two fouls on him were easy. For the first, Dex triple-faked before going up for a jumper. On the next, he squeezed in front for a rebound and got the over-the-back call. A few plays later, he isolated on the center and backed out to three point range, faking constantly. Behind the line, he got his man up in the air and took the shot, ending up knocked to the floor as the ball ripped the cords. Four point play, third foul. Now rattled, their center fouled another Addison player just before halftime, and was effectively neutralized. The teams went to the locker room separated by only five points. The one other player Dex wanted out was the point guard. He was as quick as Dex, but the quintessential hotdog. Privately, Dex asked the head coach if they could try a box and one to start the second half. The coach had not had so much fun in years, and readily agreed. He announced the strategy to the team and admonished them not to resort to the kind of bad sportsmanship that had gotten them so upset. In the first ten possessions of the second half, Dex stole the ball from the point guard four times. On the last one, Dex got tackled, then slugged. Another ejection. The technical gave Addison the lead. Emotion and momentum are much talked about by sportscasters, and they are real phenomena. With the tide of this strange game turning their way, the Addison team totally changed character. Previously, Addison had never moved the ball across the midstripe in less the seven seconds. Now, they started fast-breaking and throwing long upcourt passes. Everything worked, and at the ten minute mark, Addison led by ten. The opposing coach called timeout, and there was major commotion on the sideline. Their coach was yelling at a tall black youth who was shaking his head vigorously. It was not until later that the cause of the hubbub would be discovered. Addison's coach again cautioned about sportsmanship, then, grinning widely, he said "Let's mop the floor with them!" In a perfect exhibition of the importance of morale and team unity, Addison did exactly as the coach exhorted and won going away by twenty-three. At the end of the game, the opposing coach and all but three of his players stormed straight for the locker room with no attempt at congratulations. The player who had been in the argument with the coach was one of the three who spoke to Dex and the others. The game was televised regionally, and one of the announcers made a beeline for Dex. Dex gave fairly bland, typical answers, but the announcer wasn't buying it. "There had to be some other reason for the turnaround. What was it?" "Well, what did you see out there early in the game?" Dex asked. "You were getting beat very badly. It looked like your team was asleep." "OK. What else?" "Um, I don't know what you mean." The announcer looked baffled. "Sorry. If you didn't see anything else, then you will never understand what happened." With that, Dex went to join his teammates. His game totals were 51 points, including 26 of 30 free throws, 11 rebounds, 8 steals, and 13 assists. He would never again in his career see numbers near those. When Dex left the locker room after showering and dressing, the same player, whose name was Luke Jefferson, was waiting for him. Almost timidly, he asked, "Um, could I talk to you and your coach?" Dex escorted Luke into the locker room and found both coaches. Luke started the conversation. "I was embarrassed by my team today. The coach did a great job on me and my Mom when he recruited me. Now that I'm here, he's pretty much ignored me, and the rest of the team are jerks - you saw what they were like. Today, he wanted to put me in, but I refused. I want to transfer, and I thought it would be better if I had never played. I'd like to play with you guys, even if I can't get any money." ------- Same-year transfers are rare in the NCAA. In Luke's case, his coach was so angry over Luke's refusal to play that he appealed to have Luke's scholarship rescinded for insubordination. Luke, of course, did not fight it, and was able to enroll at Addison for the second semester. He proved to be an intelligent, courteous young man, who was an extremely talented player. With Dex and now Luke, Addison suddenly had two top-notch players, and the ability to change their style of play. The head coach decided it was time for him to step back, and Dennis was appointed head coach. Dennis insisted his predecessor stay on as assistant, at least for the rest of the year. Dennis installed a running style of play immediately, with mixed early results. When Luke took the court in January, however, Addison began to look like a major college power. Dex had not lobbied for the change in style, but he could not have been happier. ------- It was immediately clear to Dex's loved ones that the hoped-for event had occurred. The most debilitating part of his grief had been left on the floor during 'The Game.' Even the day after The Game (Sunday), Karen's little impromptu celebration showcased a Dex that had been missing since August. Judy Morrison showed up toward the end the reception. Dex knew this was not just a social call, and eventually, she told him she wanted to do a story on him. Dex was definitely not interested in any more exposure or notoriety, and he quickly refused Judy's request. She was not a rising young journalist for no reason, however, and she brought all of her persuasive powers to bear. She got his agreement to a TV interview about what really triggered the unbelievable game, and had a camera there in a half hour. She also set up another visit to talk about the article. In the TV spot, Dex talked about respect for the game, and how disrepecting your opponent was disrespecting the game. He pointed out that the opposition had even ignored the after-game congratulations. "When people try to degrade something you value, it sometimes pushes you over the limit. I guess that's what happened to me." "Will we see a game like that from you again?" "No! That was a one-time deal. It wasn't even good basketball." "Really? Why do you say that?" "It's a team game, and I kinda made it a one-man show. I just hope I didn't bring any disrespect on the game myself." "Judging by the national sports press today, I don't think anyone's saying that. I have seen terms like cold-blooded, emotionless, and assassin in the reports. Did you feel like you were on a mission?" "I guess I sorta did. Look, when you get in a zone like that, not everything you do is rational. I was just upset about what was happening and wanted to make it right." "Dex, you've recently experienced the second tragic loss of your life, your girlfriend. Does that affect you at all when you play." Dex just looked at her. He had not agreed to this line of questioning, and was ready to end the interview. Judy put her hand on his arm and just said "Please?" Taking a deep breath to formulate his answer, Dex did respond. "Judy, I thinks it's more the other way around. When I play, it's like a whole different world. A world where the rules are clear cut and I have a lot more control over what happens. If there is any effect, it's that I treasure the time I play even more." "You've always been a martial arts devotee. How does that affect your play?" This was a lot easier for Dex to handle. "Well, the improved physical conditioning is obvious. More than that, though, the forms I practice emphasize focus, discipline, and composure more than aggression. That's really helpful when I've blown a play or there's been a bad call against me." "So that's why you never seem to react on the court?" "I guess you could say that. I kinda reacted the other day, though, huh?" Dex's accompanying grin made a perfect ending, so Judy added a few wrap-up comments and the interview was over. Once again, it ran on all four news shows for that channel, and helped to build a lot of interest in Addison basketball. ------- After his breakthrough game, Dex achieved national notice that was the last thing he wanted. His role in upsetting a ranked team was newsworthy enough, but it was his rather combative interview right after the game that kept the sports talking heads busy that Sunday. The clueless decried his lack of courtesy to the reporter. The more thoughtful pondered what he had meant, and quite a few actually got it. The debate over on-court behavior and taunting lasted for nearly a week before it died out, fueled by Judy's spot when it was discovered by the networks. Just as it was subsiding, the news of Luke's transfer came out, and Addison's name was mentioned in more sports reports that week than in the last ten years combined. The flood of phone calls for Dex made the recruiting barrage seem minor. He took the simple but firm step of referring everything to his head coach. The few cheeky enough to actually come to the Ferguson house got absolutely nothing. ------- Judy did get to do her article, and after several sessions she had copy that was acceptable to Dex. She sold it to a sports magazine, her first big-time byline. The article did cover the deaths of his parents and Connie. He made her rewrite the references to Karen and Mike several times until he thought they were portrayed properly. They battled for a week over the several encounters where his martial arts expertise came into play, but she won out in the end and included them. The thinking behind his choice of Addison was covered in some detail, and the article ended with a recounting of the big game and Luke's transfer. Judy invited Dex to her place for dinner as a thank you when the article was sold. As he walked into her apartment, he was struck by two things. First, her place was spartan. She was clearly a woman focused on something other than her domicile. The second impression was just as clear: he was about to be seduced! That realization froze Dex in his steps. Judy probably noticed only a slight hesitation, but it was long enough for him to do some serious soul-searching. He had not considered a sexual liaison when he accepted her invitation. He had hardly considered sex since August, in fact. Faced with the very real possibility, he was caught off guard. Part of him recoiled from the thought of being unfaithful to Connie. A more rational part wondered if mourning would last his whole life, or how long was long enough to honor her memory. The weeks since The Game had forced Dex into more contact with the outside world than he had ever experienced, and forced him to be less introspective. The increased intrusions through his emotional defensive perimeter had forced some healing. It wasn't that he hadn't sought healing - he was just too focused on coping and forgetting. As was typical, Dex's decision was not based on his relative state of recovery. Judy had helped him greatly in a time of need. Her conduct with him was enough to reverse the contempt in which so many journalists were held. A woman he respected and cared about wanted something that he could provide. Not that he was facing tough duty. At twenty-nine, Judy was certainly an attractive woman - there were few homely female journalists, after all, at least among those who made it to TV. Dex had, of course, noticed her positive attributes, but she had always been 100% professional around him. That, apparently, ended today, judging by her dress. She had on a silky, flowing lounging pajama outfit along with gold sippers. On the job, she was always perfectly made up, but today, she appeared to have nothing on her face with her hair loose and casual. Dex was impressed. Hardly devoid of ego, Dex saw a ripe opportunity. In all their prior dealings, Dex had been the subject and Judy was in charge. He had no idea if she wanted him to take the upper hand, but he knew that's what he wanted. He was genuinely fond of her, and sex with her was an appealing prospect. After exchanging greetings and hanging up his coat, Dex turned to her and enfolded her in a full-body hug, kissing her fervently. She stiffened at first, but it took only a couple of seconds for her to respond in kind. They held the hug for a long time, kissing all the while. He put his hands down onto her ass and pulled her even closer while he squeezed both cheeks. She responded with small wriggling motions and clamped her arms around his neck. He was a little concerned that his hands might be cold, but decided they weren't too bad, and slipped them inside the silky bottoms of her outfit. Not surprised, he encountered nothing but squeezable flesh. Even this escalation was not enough for her to break the kiss, and it intensified, if anything. Deciding he could ramp it up one more level, he pushed the bottoms down so they puddled around her feet. This got a reaction, as she flinched in a brief, protective, crouching motion, then pulled back from the kiss with a questioning look on her face. Enjoying developments immensely, Dex just said "Yes?" She blushed and lowered her head so her forehead was on his chest. He used a finger under her chin to raise her face so he could look her in the eye. "Do you want to give me your little speech now, or when we take a break?" Pounding lightly on his chest in mock anger, she complained. "You're supposed to let me seduce you. You take all the fun out of it!" "Hey, when you've got the mic or the recorder, you're the boss. Now it's my turn. Besides, I promise to put plenty of fun in it for you." "Oh, you do, do you? Pretty cocky, aren't you?" In a moment, she realized her unintentional pun, then broke into laughter. When her laughter subsided, she stretched up and kissed him again, then said. "There are parts of dinner that can't wait. We'll have to hold off for a while" She bent over to pull her bottoms up, but restrained her. "Huh uh! If your ass looks as good as it feels, it shouldn't be covered up." "Do you expect me to serve you bare-assed?" When he grinned and nodded, she exclaimed "Pervert! Do you have any idea how much I paid for this outfit, just to seduce you?" "No, I have no idea." He turned her around and caressed her bare cheeks as he looked at them. "You could have saved a lot of money and just used this. It's priceless." She actually shook at this comment, then stepped out of the bottoms and folded them carefully over a chair arm. She put her hands on the buttons of her top as if to undo them, but dropped her hands, took Dex's hand, and led him to the dining room. As she was sitting down, she suddenly stood back up, walked down the hall, and returned with a small towel, which she placed on the fabric seat of her chair. She saw Dex grinning at her, and said "Stop your gloating! I just didn't want to stain the chair. You ARE a pervert!" Her expression took any possible sting out of her words. The sight of Judy serving dinner bottomless was pleasant indeed. The top of her outfit had not quite reached the bottoms, so she was now completely exposed below the waist. Her ass and then her legs were definitely her best features. Dex had thought this from seeing her in her usual work outfit of short-skirted suits and heels. On her first couple of trips to the kitchen, she seemed like she wanted to cover up, but later on she had enough confidence to add an extra sway as she walked away. The dining table was modish glass and brass, so Judy had to deal with being exposed even as she ate. When she sat to eat, she gave Dex a look that was part irritation and part embarrassment. When he gave back nothing but a lascivious grin, she jutted out her jaw and spread her legs. "Is that what you were hoping for?" she asked sarcastically. "Oh, definitely. I like checking out dessert while I eat the main course." Once again, Dex saw the little quiver. This woman was keyed up! He was going to enjoy taking her to Heaven. Just now, he realized he was very much ready for sex, and he was grateful to Judy for giving him the opportunity. "Um, Dex?" Judy interrupted his short reverie. "About that little speech, as you called it." She paused, then "God, how do you know everything? Anyway, here's what I need to say. I have become very fond of you. I'm a lot older, and I've been around with men. I even got almost to the church steps once. The problem is, I've got my sights on the big time. I won't let marriage or romance get in the way of that. My big break could come next week or not for ten years, I don't know." "What I want is a good, loving relationship that neither of us expects to last forever. I just have a feeling you would like that, too." A mock fierce look came over her face, and she told him "If you say 'no' after the way you've got me worked up, I will write an article wiping out every nice thing I've ever said about you. Got it?" Her gaze at him was first fierce, then softened into uncertainty. "Maybe I'm foolish thinking you'd want to be with me when you must have sexy coeds falling all over you." This was another revelation to Dex. This talented, assertive, supremely confident professional woman was worried about her sex appeal. Thinking about it, he scolded himself for being surprised. From his first encounters with his mother, he had seen how important it was to acknowledge and praise a woman's sex appeal. Probably by blind luck, his teasing, flirting, and stripping her had been just what she yearned for. He walked over to her, turned her chair away from the table, and knelt in front of her. Sliding one hand up under her top to rest lightly on a tit, he said, "Judy, you're right. On campus, I could find plenty of these (he squeezed her tit gently) and these (he ran a finger lightly over her slit) to have sex with. I prefer to make love. That takes more than just this (again squeezing a tit) and this (another stroke up her slit). It takes this (he tapped his finger lightly on her forehead) and this (he laid his hand gently over her heart). On you, this (the tit squeeze again) and this (another slit stroke) are very lovely. This (a forehead tap) and this (hand over heart) are absolutely awesome. Dex looked into Judy's widely staring eyes long enough to see some moisture collecting in them. Then, he put his hands on her ass and pulled her forward until her pussy was over the edge of the chair. With no further preliminaries, he used his tongue to find her clit, then began sucking it and flailing at it with his tongue. He was quite sure she was highly aroused, and would come very quickly. He was more right than he knew, for she stiffened and shuddered almost instantly. He kept his mouth in place long enough to be sure he wasn't quashing her orgasm. Then, he unbuttoned and removed her top and picked her up. She was still feeling some aftershocks as he carried her down the hall. She had not had time to give him the nickel tour, so he took her to the first bed he found and, holding her briefly in one arm, he threw back the covers. Stretching her out near the edge of the bed, he put a hand on her pussy and kissed her. He had no problem inserting first a finger, then two fingers in her slippery channel, and began stroking immediately. He had a brief thought that if he didn't pay some serious attention to her tits, she might think he didn't like them. They certainly were not centerfold material, but they matched her rather thin torso well, and the nipples were unusually large. Breaking the kiss, he took one nipple in his mouth and used his free hand to knead the other tit. This brought her out of her orgasmic torpor, and she began panting and moaning. It was not really competitiveness that drove Dex when he was making love, but he did feel compelled to make sure his partner felt she got the better of the deal. Any appearance of selfishness in love making would seem like abuse to him, and he could not let that happen. As the outcome of this evening had become more certain, Dex had decided Judy should have at least three orgasms before he even removed his clothes, and that looked like an easy goal right now. Guessing that her clit could now take some more stimulation, he put his thumb on it as he continued to thrust with his fingers. With both nipples involved as well, she now had four points of stimulation. Her first come had been quick and fairly mild, and had discharged only a small fraction of her sexual tension. She built up quickly to her second, and after about five minutes, she exploded again. This one was larger, but not the enervating event Dex wanted for her. Quickly, he got on the bed, moved her legs apart, and began licking her pussy with long swipes of his tongue. He reached a hand up to one tit and teased the nipple, causing her to flinch slightly. He backed off of her nipple, just kneading the whole tit for a while until she could stand it again, and settled in for some extended attention. The two comes Dex had brought Judy through did not give him a complete picture of her response pattern, so he could not be sure when she was close to coming. He guessed fairly well, though, bringing her up then backing off three times before taking her over. At the end, he had his mouth on her clit, two fingers in her vagina with his thumb on her anus, and one hand rolling and pinching a nipple. He had to keep this up for a little over ten minutes, and he was suffering a few cramps and sore spots by the time his mission was accomplished. The intensity of Judy's convulsions, the agony/ecstasy etched on her face as she came, and the serenity of her expression as she slid into a semi-conscious state were generous compensation for Dex's minor discomforts. His hand was still on her pussy, with his fingers still embedded, and he just sat motionless and looked at her. It seemed to him that this was the time when every beautiful aspect of a woman was enhanced, and many less attractive features masked. "Dex," Judy murmured in a very small voice, somewhat surprising him that she was conscious. "You timid?" At his slightly puzzled, amused look, she added, "Clothes!" He moved the hand on her pussy a little, generating a slight moan from her. "Got cock?" A few labored breaths, then "Lemme see!" This was great, as far as Dex was concerned. She was witty and playful, even when almost out of it, which bode well for their future sexual adventures. This was not surprising, because she was a very bright woman. He was just glad she didn't become maudlin or overly serious, but would keep the fun in their sex. When he stood naked beside her, she again spoke haltingly. "Yup. Got cock. Nice!" He was tempted to take her right then, but decided she was too out of it, and crawled into bed beside her. Pulling her over against his side, he let her drift off to sleep. Judy was not asleep for more than a few minutes, and gave Dex a soft kiss when she woke up. "I'm sure glad I didn't get married," she told him. "Oh, why's that?" "He was obviously an amateur. Where the hell did you learn that?" "There's no secret. I just needed to find out how much you could take and still survive. You'll do." "You call this surviving? I couldn't even get up to pee right now. "Sure you didn't give me a roofie or something?" "Nah. Those are only for reluctant women. You weren't." "You figured that out, huh? I assume we're not done yet." "Not hardly. I just didn't want to be accused of necrophilia. I like my women at least wiggling when I fuck them." Judy was now recovered enough for full-scale laughter. She was able to haul herself up so she straddled his thighs. Taking ahold of his cock for the first time, she asked "May I?" "You don't even have to ask," Dex replied. Putting his hands on her waist, he helped her raise up so her entrance was over his cock. Judy used her hand to aim him, and settled right down. Too tired to raise and lower herself, she began moving back and forth. This felt very good, but he knew it was not going to take either of them to orgasm. After a few minutes, he sat up and helped her move her legs around him so she was sitting impaled on his lap. By leaning back a little, her back and forth motions provided the proper in and out motion of his cock within her. A new partner always adds an extra level of stimulation to sex, and there was much about Judy that already excited Dex. With her legs spread around him, her grip was not as tight as it might be, but she was naturally rather tight, and there was plenty of stimulation. Within a couple of minutes, he knew he was on his way. Toward the end, he had his hands on her hips and was pushing and pulling her back and forth against his cock as fast as he could. He came before she was even close, but he surprised and delighted her by rolling them into the missionary position and resuming thrusting. Now, the friction was greater, even with his first load acting as extra lubrication. His edge had been taken off and he was prepared to keep going until she came one more time. Using one hand for support, he worked a tit with the other and kept accelerating the pace of his strokes. She got to the writhing, panting, and moaning stage, but he felt she was holding there. Dropping his hand from her tit to her clit, he rubbed it vigorously as his stroking became almost a blur. Just as his supporting arm was starting to quiver from the exertion, she squealed and started thrashing. The spasms in her vagina were enough to trigger him, and he barely managed to finished spurting into her before his arm gave out. Dex rolled off of her and they both lay panting for quite a while. It was Judy who suggested the shower, and they enjoyed the leisurely first-time exploration. At one point, Judy said something apologetic about her tits. Dex playfully squatted and turned her over his knee. After one spank that was more of a pat, he sternly told her that he was with her to enjoy her body, not hear her fret about it. As punishment, he told her, she would have to remain topless for their entire next visit. Assuming he was teasing, she giggled and gave him a hug. Coming out of the bathroom after drying off, Judy reached for her robe, but Dex slapped her hand. She objected that they still had to eat dessert. "So?" was all he said. She blushed, then flounced off toward the kitchen, hiding her grin but saucily showing her enticing ass. ------- Back in the summer, Dex had been planning to get an apartment near campus when school started. Connie was going to move in with him, having enrolled at Addison herself. When she died, the family convinced him it was better to stay with his loved ones for a while. After The Game and the beginning of his affair with Judy, he felt less need for the familiar comfort of his old room and the love of Karen and Mike. They were sad to see him leave, but happy he had reached the point where he could. It was a long drive across town from the Fergusons' to campus, and the extra time each day was welcome to Dex. His new place was a six or seven minute drive and he had a parking pass. He had found a three-bedroom house for rent, and the idea of room for guests appealed to him. He was becoming a bit more free with his money, so the expense was not a concern. With the extra space, Dex's house instantly became a favorite gathering place for the team, and he soon erased the impression of aloofness some of the players had formed. His play was a big factor, but his new social leadership was another reason the Addison squad was clearly Dex's team before the conference schedule began. He established a standing invitation for his teammates' parents to stay with him when they visited campus. With all three bedrooms furnished, a sleeper sofa in the living room, and two more beds in the mostly unfinished basement, he was able to let parents and players be together for their visits. Dex's childhood home rarely had an overnight visitor. At the Fergusons, ' anyone who could find a place to sleep was welcome anytime. Dex thought Karen had the right idea, and from the first, he had the busiest bachelor pad around. ------- Judy was Dex's first dinner guest. Knowing his array of talents did not extend far into cooking, he ordered from a catering service. When Judy arrived, he greeted her warmly, the stood back with an obviously expectant look. "What?" she asked. "Remember when you were bad-mouthing your tits, and I told you you had to go topless next time?" "I thought you were kidding!" "I never kid about tits. Or asses. Or pussys. Or... you get the idea." "But I wore a dress!" "I noticed. That will make it even sexier." "This doesn't seem fair. Last time I was bare-bottomed, and now you want me topless. But you get to wear all your clothes!" "I'll bet you won't talk down your body any more, huh?" She just made a growl of frustration. "You can hang your dress in my closet - last door." Judy was of two minds. Her competitive side hated to see him win like this. On the other hand, this sexual play had rocks in her bra and drool in the thong she wore over her garters. It gave her life a sexual excitement component she had never before enjoyed. Then it hit her - just do it, and get him good when he came to her house. Dex saw the quick smirk when she turned to go down the hall and figured he was in for it. Dex stopped playing and gave a heart-felt whistle when she reappeared. She had never looked better than in the classic stockings and garter she wore. The thong left her ass essentially bare. She knew she looked great, and had worked hard at it. She had assumed he would see her like this briefly as they undressed for bed. The way he looked at her, she decided being like this all night was just fine. Her competitive side hoped he was at least a little tormented watching her. She was doing a little pirouette for him when the doorbell rang. "That's the caterer," he told her. "Caterer?" "You didn't think I could cook, did you? Wait in here." He gently guided her into the kitchen and hurried to the door. Judy went into a severe panic when she heard Dex say, rather loudly, "Just put it all on the kitchen counter." She looked around in a panic, started toward a door, realized it went outside, then opened another. This one opened into the basement and she ducked in and pulled the door shut. She huddled in the dark, having no idea where the light switch was, and afraid to let go of the doorknob. Dex called out "You can come out now!" At this point, she wouldn't trust him with anything, so she slowly opened the door and peeked out to be sure the delivery guy was gone. "I can't believe you did that!" she shrieked in genuine indignation. "I would have been so embarrassed! You've gone too far! I should just get dressed and go home!" "Oh, come on! I knew you'd find somewhere to hide. Besides, she wouldn't have been all that shocked." "She?" "You don't think I'd send a guy in here with you like that, do you?" "I'm not so sure." "Well, the dinner smells pretty good, and I'm already thinking about dessert. Can I persuade you to stay?" She thought 'God, can he pull my strings!' as the code word 'dessert' brought back memories of what he did with his mouth their first time. Dinner was enjoyable, especially when a dollop of sauce dribbled onto her breast. He was beside her in a flash and licked it off, adding a bonus swipe over her nipple. "Now, wouldn't you have been upset if that had happened to your dress?" It took her a few seconds to remember what the fork in her hand was used for. In bed later, Dex kept teasing, but it was the kind she ached for. His oral efforts were again received with great enthusiam, and she eagerly dragged him atop herself and into her. That night, Dex learned that she did not orgasm vaginally. He mentally put that bit of news in what he called his 'Oh, yeah?' file. Someday, she would, he vowed. As she was leaving in the morning, she spied the caterer's receipt on the entry hall table. "So the delivery girl's name was Mark, huh?" "That's 'Mary.' She just writes sloppy." 'Whew!' he thought to himself. "Riiiiight!" Dex had the thought that he maybe should meet her at restaurants from now on. ------- When Judy invited him over again, he did not hesitate to accept. He figured he could handle anything she threw at him, and he really enjoyed being with her. Her witty, active mind made their banter pure fun, and she was a very good lover, eager, but not grasping. Her expression as she opened the door left no doubt there would be something unusual happening. She could not even surpress her smirk for the welcome kiss. When she turned him toward the wall, he couldn't help laughing. There hung a professional looking framed sign paraphrasing a historical phrase: "Abandon all clothes ye men who enter here." She was good! "You can hang your clothes in my closet. Last door." This replay threw her into laughter. "The way I figure, one bare-bottom and one topless means you owe me one naked," she said when she quit laughing. "But I didn't do anything to have to strip for. You know why you had to go topless." "But I didn't do anything the first time when I had to go bare-bottom!" "Except stand there looking sexy as Hell and so horny you twitched." After another good laugh, she pressed. "Way-yell, yah gonna strip fer me, er do I gotta find another stud fer the night?" Laughing at her accent, he said "You win" and turned toward the bedroom. At the corner he could not help a momentary freeze. There was another woman in the apartment! He couldn't say what tipped him off for sure; different perfume, different hair spray, different pheromones, or just sixth sense, but he was absolutely sure she was there. Judy WAS good! What a woman! As he stripped, he tried to do a little preparation. Judy was hoping to embarrass him seriously. For him to win, he could not let that happen. He was sure he could avoid a hardon, but he would have to act as if he were dressed to score a complete win. That would not be so simple. He could not stall for long, so he did a couple of quick mental drills and left the bedroom. Her broad smile as he walked toward her did not quite mask the smirk behind it. She took his hand, snuggled coquettishly to his arm, and said "This is going to be fun! We're eating at the glass table again, you know." Then she giggled. Judy should have been an actress because her timing was impeccable. As they turned into her dining area, she said "Oh, Dex, I forgot to tell you. This is Karla. She a producer at work, and I invited her to join us." Karla was a bright-eyed blonde with longish hair and a typical young professional woman's build, rather like Judy's, but more substantial in the torso. He guessed she was about twenty-five. Her eyes looked scared to death, and Dex feared she would strain her eye muscles trying to look at his face and not his crotch. He got the impression of a country girl new to the big city. "Karla, I'm pleased to meet you." He thought she was going to cry before she finally got her hand out to shake his. Feeling frisky, instead of shaking her hand, he lifted it and dipped his head to kiss it. He kept his hand high as he released his gentle grip on hers, and barely avoided laughing as she tried to retain some composure bringing her hand down. As she lowered her hand, she stole a glance at his crotch. Her face nearly broke into flame as she looked back up to see that he had caught her glance. "Karla, I hope my outfit doesn't bother you. Judy chose it, so I'm afraid you'll have to take it up with her." About this time, Dex stole a glance at Judy. Her mouth was open and he got the impression she had not moved for a while. Not wanting to get caught looking by Judy, he turned his attention back to Karla. Dinner was interesting, to say the least. Dex was surprised Karla was able to eat anything, as tense as she stayed. He was pleased when she finally initiated a topic. "You know you cost me fifty bucks, Dex?" "Oh? How's that?" "I bet Judy $25 you wouldn't strip. Then I bet that if you did, you wouldn't stay naked through dinner." "I can still save you $25. We haven't had dessert yet." He looked pointedly at Judy while saying that. She stuck out her tongue in reply. After dinner, Judy's body language clearly indicated she expected Karla to leave, and Dex saw a delicious opportunity. He guided Karla to the couch and began talking about her work, introducing a new topic every time one was exhausted. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Judy's growing irritation. Finally, Karla realized she had overstayed her welcome and rose to leave. Dex led her to the door as if he was the host, with Judy right behind him. "Karla, are you sure I can't talk you into staying the night? The three of us could have a lot of fun." Dex needed all his self-control, then, as Judy delivered a painful pinch to his bare ass with her fingernails. Karla looked like she might faint and scurried out the door without saying another word. Dex turned from the door with a grin that was definitely not returned by Judy. In fact her face looked like an impending storm. He gave her no time to launch her intended tirade, but wrapped her in a smothering hug as he kept her mouth too busy to say anything. After many long seconds of kissing, Dex lifted her, still upright, and carried her to the back of the sofa. Giving her no time to defend herself, he turned her around and bent her over the sofa back. Her slacks and panties were lowered in one swipe, and he began stimulating her pussy with one hand while the other rested on her back to hold her in place. Dex's aggressiveness totally nullified her own initiative and willpower, and the only action Judy could manage was to shake one foot frantically to get it clear of her pants. By the time she was able to spread he legs, Dex was hard, and she was lubricating nicely. Keying on her reactions so far, Dex made his entry and the ensuing stroking energetic, just short of brutal. He was fucking her, pure and simple. Unlike many men, this was less stimulating to him than his usual more sensual style, and he went on for many minutes. She was moaning and panting, and he was about to reach for her clit when she gave a squeal and stiffened. The spasms that followed were so strenuous she bounced on her feet under him. Not in great danger of coming himself, he thrust even more strongly, and the strength of her climax seemed to escalate. Amazing for a woman who couldn't come vaginally! They moved on to the bedroom and their now usual extended session. Afterward, they agreed that the 'gotchas' should stop. Judy could see the obvious next round and wanted no part of it. ------- Judy called Karen and asked if she could stop by, and Karen turned it into a dinner invitatiion. Judy mentioned she wanted to talk about her relationship with Dex. Judy didn't think anything of the extra cars in the street, and thus was totally unprepared to encounter four women in Karen's dining room, Margo, Jenny, and Kristen besides Karen. Judy recognized Jenny immediately, and was even more puzzled about what was going on. Mike had been told to find dinner elsewhere. She was starting to think this visit was a bad idea when Karen saw her concern. "It's OK, Judy. This isn't a lynch mob, or anything. Dex has helped all of these women and a few that couldn't be here. We think you're good for him, and we just wanted to talk. After his big game and all the commotion, and after he's spent some time with you, we think we've gotten back as much of the old Dex as we're ever going to see." This relaxed Judy only a little, but she talked freely over dinner, describing the relationship from her standpoint. Each of the others told how Dex had helped them, and Judy had to fight for composure a few times. Trying to lighten the mood before they broke up, Judy quipped "I get the feeling that if I hurt Dex, my life won't be worth living, right?" This brought laughter, but she continued more seriously "Actually, if I lost him now, it wouldn't be worth living." Then once again lightly "But please, please don't tell him that." They all parted as good friends. ------- As Judy was getting ready to leave after her next night with Dex, she told him "Karla would love to go out with you. Interested?" "Are you trying to push me off on her?" "Of course not! She's a good friend and she's lonely." "I don't think that would be a good idea, Judy." "Oh, a one-woman man, huh?" Dex just looked at her steadily without saying a word. "God, listen to me! I'm the one who doesn't want to be tied down, and listen to me." "The problem is, Karla is probably looking for a husband. I can't be that, and I don't want to hurt her." The reason for Dex's refusal - "I can't be that" - would tear at the hearts of several women for years to come. Donna had figured it out. He was unable, unwilling, or afraid to commit to a permanent relationship with a woman. In his mind, marriage was all tangled up with death, and his inability to protect against it. ------- The five years of Dex's college career were as busy and as fulfilling as High School had been. The satisfaction he derived was diluted by his emotional scars, but the satisfaction was there. By Dex's Senior year, Addison was the class of its basketball conference, and had made it to the final four of the NIT. There were some NBA feelers, but he did not even consider them. After his eligibility ended, he stayed on as an assistant while he finished his degree, having reduced his course load to accommodate basketball and his projects. The projects had become so active that Dex would have quit school to concentrate on them if it had not been for basketball. It was a time when applications software was exploding, particularly for personal computers, and the Internet was inching toward its big explosion. From the work they did for Archer Financial, Dex and Dennis developed several innovative techniques for analyzing, summarizing, and presenting financial data. Marty had established the habit of regular lunches with Dex, and when she heard the kinds of things he was working on, she did some research on software patent and copyright law. She encouraged Dex and Dennis to register everything they developed that was not obviously available elsewhere. From her research, she knew the case law was still evolving, and Dex had convinced her they were still early in the software boom. Because most of what they built early on was put into use at the brokerage, their registrations were extremely well supported, in contrast to much of the flood of filings in that era. Over the next several years, they were successful in six different infringement actions, only one of which ended in court. Most interested in long-term revenue, they insisted on royalty agreements in each case. Two of the agreements yielded returns to each of them in excess of $1.5 MM. Besides the financial applications, Archer Manufacturing was the test site for a statistical quality control system designed to accumulate data from automated testing equipment. It employed some of the same presentation technology used in the financial software. When he left school, Dex decided to focus on the manufacturing software as a business, selling, installing, and supporting it. After a successful year of operation at Archer, he was able to market it in the area. He reached a total of twelve clients, which was all the time he wanted to commit to that business. From his early investment successes, Dex was hooked on the market. Along with good instincts, he used modeling and predictive techniques he and Dennis designed. Not given to extravagant living, all his money was put to work in the market. There never was a better period for a serious, well-equipped investor, and Dex soon had an asset management problem. ------- Foundations are always an effective tax strategy. When Marty first suggested one, Dex jumped in enthusiastically. The Connie Archer foundation was born with seed money and future commitments from Dex, Gerald, and Jenny equally. It's charter specified that it's funds were to be used to aid women who had suffered abuse, rape, or abandonment. It could support organizations or individuals. Tim Archer, Jenny, and Dex were board members, but an Executive Director was needed, probably only on a part-time basis at first. Marty, predictably, found a candidate. The candidate did not seem ideal at first, but the board interviewed her together on Marty's recommendation. Elise Padilla was at the time employed by County Social Services. She was just out of college with a Psychology degree. She was an abuse victim. She had married the son of an East Coast old money family, a marriage that ended after seven months with a two and a half month hospital stay for Elise. Her in-laws had been fond of Elise, and were generally contrite about their son's crime. He was their son, however, and there was a name to protect. Elise took a substantial settlement to keep their son out of jail. Despite being young and inexperienced, Elise's intelligence, knowledge, and especially her intensity sold the board. She helped launch the Connie Archer foundation while retaining her county job. ------- Judy's big break came a year after Dex left school. When the offer came, she actually considered passing it up because of Dex. It took a very emotional session for him to convince her that staying would violate both her personal commitment to herself and their agreement with each other. Being the resolute party was much harder than he would ever let on, and seeing her on network TV later was equal parts thrill and heartache. The separation from Judy made Dex wonder if he wouldn't be better off avoiding relationships, but within two weeks of her departure he was reminded that for him, celibacy was not an option. Over the next three years, they did manage several visits, forcing them to view their relationship as they had first agreed. ------- Dex had bought the small three-bedroom house near Addison while he was still in school, and continued to live there for two years after graduating. At that time, Archer Holdings was ready to sell to developers an exceptional property. It was a 400 acre horse farm barely into the first ring of suburbs that had been considered the last holdout against civilization for many years. In a show of gratitude and friendship, Gerald offered Dex first choice of parcels at about a third of the developer price. The homestead portion of the ranch contained a large, well-constructed range style home, a barn, and three or four miscellaneous outbuildings. It was at a rather narrow neck of the property that extended from the main access road back to a lightly used gravel road a few hundred yards away. A stream ran not far behind the buildings, and the entire area was heavily wooded. Cringing only slightly at the future tax bite, Dex bought 25 acres surrounding the homestead. Never in his life had Dex lived more than 75 feet from neighbors on both sides and behind, so this was a drastic change. Without knowing just why, he had been drawn to the privacy of the homestead site, the defensibility of the parcel, and the escape possibilities offered by the rear access. At age 25, this was a major investment, and Dex began improving the property immediately. Knowing the value of his own time, he hired an architect to develop a long-range plan and had a contractor start on the important short-term upgrades right away. Again, not knowing exactly why, he had Carl and Randy, now major players in the metro site security market, install a comprehensive series of sensors all over the property. In support of his consulting, development, and investment activities, he had redundant T1 service installed. The seemingly high cost of Dex's new 'estate' was not a significant burden, considering the growth of his portfolio. Just the dividends from Doggerel plus the software royalties could have put him into the new rich portion of local society had he aspired to that. The tech and dot com booms were entering their final frantic, volatile years. Just his longer-term investments in Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, Dell, etc. had already multiplied his portfolio several times. The IPO frenzy that marked the death throes of the boom was in full swing, and effective day trading tools were abundant. His experience with statistical modeling made him feel guilty on occasion for the ease with which he generated money. Utility rather than show had always been Dex's personal preference, and his property, though spacious and well equipped, never looked opulent. Inside, the many rooms were nicely furnished, but most items were recognizable as the best from local package stores. The most expensively equipped areas were his private office, off the Master Suite, the workout area on the lower level, and the hot tub room. The house he had rented in college, and later purchased, had been small and plain, but its one extravagance was a hot tub. It had quickly become Dex's favorite place for relaxation, contemplation, and romance. In the new house, it was prominent and perfectly fitted out. The barn was, over time, gutted and turned into a vehicle storage area. It was an exceptionally sturdy structure, and Dex had it fully insulated and wired. The back portion was left open and a small indoor basketball half court built. The front portion over the vehicles was given a solid ceiling, completely sealed against the rise of fumes. This upper level was not finished, and he was never sure why he had bothered. In vehicles, as in most other things, utility counted most for Dex. The nearest thing to a sedan he ever owned was a Grand Cherokee. Besides that, he usually had a full-sized van, and he did most of his driving in a compact pickup truck. His fleet of vehicles was a constant source of teasing from friends and associates, one he seemed to take pride in. More than just utility, vehicles were also recreational, and Dex quickly acquired a pair each of ATVs and dirt bikes. The woman who could enjoy hurtling through the moonlight over barely visible trails as a prelude to a sexy hot tub romp was sure to become a regular on Dex's social calendar. ------- Since Judy's departure, finding sexual partners was a constant challenge. At any given time, there were four or five women who would have married Dex with an hour's notice. He only slept with one of these women, and the trauma of breaking up with her was something he swore to avoid even at the cost of celibacy. His reunions with old partners Donna and Angeline never involved sex, although he saw them quite regularly. They both had families, Donna with Rick, and Angeline with Jared. Dex was of two minds about marriage. He longed for the closeness a permanent romantic union could bring, but any time he began thinking about it seriously, the old guilt and fear would rise up. His status as an ideal husband combined with his psychological inability to take the step were a never ending topic among the women closest to him. Most of the time, there were one or more women with the same desires as Judy. Sometimes they were older than Dex, sometimes younger, and they varied widely in physical attractiveness. All of them were bright, self-sufficient, and would end up being his life-long friends. ------- About the time he purchased the estate, Dex found a major outlet for his concern for abused women. After helping get the Connie Archer Foundation established and participating, Elise decided to leave her County post and launch out on her own, providing a series of shelters for battered women. She would be the first stop - the escape route for the women. She resigned from the Foundation after obtaining a commitment for a large portion of its funds for her support. She was also able to go back to her former in-laws and secure major funding through their family foundation. Dex was soon heavily involved with Elise's operation, both financially and physically. There was never enough money to provide nice accommodations for the endless flood of women who needed help, and there was always some task requiring his attention. Before long, assisting the shelters became his top non-work priority. Working with the shelters meant working with Elise, which was a truly unique experience for Dex. It was obvious how she had caught the eye of a scion of immense wealth. She had looks and bearing that she could in no way disguise. At the same time, her single-mindedness and determination submerged her sex appeal. Even to Dex, whom she trusted as much as any man, she came across as distant, or at least distracted. Her hurt had translated to a hatred of men in general, and she spent her days defending her charges against the men who abused them - in her mind, against all men. Dex felt that if she had not needed his help so desperately, she would rather he just stay away. Despite her apparent attitude toward him, Dex could not help but admire Elise, and he was strongly drawn to her cause. She was a total monomaniac, driving herself mercilessly on behalf of her women. She was also intelligent and resourceful, able to acquire a number of safe houses and to develop a surprising level of security. Over the next couple of years, Dex gradually wormed his way further into her confidence. From the first, she allowed him to do maintenance and repair work on the properties. The next step was to provide transport, sometimes extracting women and children under dangerous circumstances. The biggest victory came when she allowed a few selected women to stay at Dex's house as a last step before moving to places of their own. It was obvious that Elise harbored no lingering doubts about Dex's trustworthiness nor his commitment to their shared cause. It was not clear how she felt about Dex personally, or whether the issue even concerned her. That was fine with Dex, refreshing in fact. Her fierceness and seriousness, along with dress and grooming, successfully kept her out of his fantasies. Working together but interacting relatively little, they each had an important outlet for their strongest emotional drives. ------- Within a year or two after Dex began helping Elise, he detected signs of the end of the market boom, and he made a relatively early exit, putting many of his assets in long-term fixed interest securities that would look brilliant in two years. He did not completely leave the market, but spent far less time on it. He found renewed interest in his consulting business and took on a few more clients. ------- The big three-oh is one of the times when many people engage in self-analysis. Dex was no different as he drew closer to the date. He considered himself rich in resources and friends. He enjoyed his work, and could have walked away from it at any time if he had not. He wished for the companionship of a life partner, but did not think his life a failure for its lack. His work with Elise allowed him to chip away at his guilt over the loss of the two women in his life, but he did not feel he had yet redeemed himself. ------- Chapter 21 The opposing player took the pass deep in the corner. Dex was in good defensive position and cheated toward the baseline as his man dribbled outward toward the circle - Dex would make him give up the ball with no probelm. Suddenly, he heard the muted opening notes of Pachelbel from the sideline. Momentarily distracted, he missed the pick setting up on his low side, and his man reversed direction and moved behind him to bank in a 10 footer. His teammate Randy was already moving from his place on the bench to the scorer's table to check in for him, Dex's cellphone in hand. This scenario had played out often enough so his teammates all knew what to do, and no one was surprised. He knew that providing this kind of anytime/anywhere access to his customers was a big part of his business success. Still, giving up that bucket and having to interrupt one of his better recent games left him more than a little peeved as he grabbed the phone from Randy on his way to the bench. He walked past his team's bench to the end of the bleachers, looking for a quiet place to talk. With any luck, he could set up a later time for a callback or a visit, and get right back to the game. Occasionally, he could even work through the problem with the customer on the phone, although that could eat up valuable playing minutes. Taking a few deep breaths to give himself time to put on his 'business voice, ' he finally spoke; "this is Dex Madison..." The response left him dumbfounded: "Dex, I need help! I'm hurt, and I'm freezing!" The female voice was shaking and obviously panicky. He couldn't place it at first. "Who... ?" "It's M... Megan... c... can you c... come get m... m... me? Please?!" "Megan? Can't you call the police?" Hearing the name, he was already dashing back through the gym toward the bench, drawing surprised looks from teamates, opponents, and referees alike. "Dex, No... n... no police! Please! I... I... I d... don't know how long I c... c... can h... hold out!" It was December 16, drizzling, and the temperature was in the high 30s and dropping. Grabbing his sweats and jacket from under the team bench, he hurried to the parking lot. "Megan, tell me exactly where you are. I want to keep this line open until I get to you, but in case we get disconnected..." "I... I'm at the F... F... Fairfield M... Middle School b... ball.f... f... field... dug... g... gout. D... Do y... you kn... know... ?" "Yes, I know right where that is. It will take me 7 or 8 minutes. Are you dressed for the cold?" "N... N... No! J... Just a r... robe! C... Couldn't g... get more!" "Megan, listen to me. You have to keep moving! Sit on the bench and rub your feet and legs hard with your hands. I mean hard, so it hurts. Don't stop. Rub with one hand and hold the phone with the other. Then switch hands. Start right now!" Sideslipping dangerously onto the onramp for the four mile expressway dash to the exit near the school, he thought fast for what to do next. "Megan... just rub! Hard! And keep on rubbing, no matter how tired you get! This is very important! Do you hear me?" "Y... Yes. So s... s... scared... c... cold! Hurry" "Megan, I am going to keep talking to you as I drive. You don't have to talk to me. Just grunt when I ask so I know you are still with me. OK?" "Unnnhh" was the only response. He knew it was stupid, but he did a tour guide's detailed description of every steet, building, and signpost he passed. The important thing was to make sure she always heard his voice. He could tell that she was at the edge of collapse from exhaustion, fear, and probably hypothermia. His game was the last on the night's schedule, so it was nearly 9:45. The expressway was virtually deserted, but he knew a speeding stop would be disastrous for Megan. As he babbled away part of his mind went back to Megan's comment "... He's looking." That meant he would have to dodge her husband to pick her up. Part of him almost wanted a confrontation, but he knew that would not help her, and that was his driving concern right now. ------- It was a little over a year ago when he first heard Megan's voice on the phone. He saw the familiar number from Archer Manufacturing, pressed Talk on his cellphone and answered "Hey, String, what's up?" He fully expected to hear his long-time friend and center from his basketball team, Tim "String" Archer. String had been one of his first contract customers, and they had been important to each others' success. As the manufacturing business mushroomed, String still handled all the calls for system support himself. There was a silence from the other end of the line, then a female voice asked "Is this John Madison?" "Officially, yes, but no one has called me that for quite a while. I guess I owe you the courtesy of starting over - "Hello, this is Dex Madison, how can I help you?" "Oh, Dex, huh, from your middle name Dexter - I see that on your card." A very nice voice, Dex thought, animated, melodic. "This is Megan Wallace. I am Mr. Archer's new Administrative Assistant. He wants me to take over all the support contacts, especially now that he is going to be doing a lot more travelling." While feeling a little sad that he would have fewer direct dealings with String, he had to agree that it was time for String to get some help. "It's nice to meet you, Megan, and I hope to see you in person soon." "You will - I have a couple of problems for you as soon as you can get out here." Contrary to so many telephone voices, Megan's matched her appearance perfectly. Dex would have been in love instantly, had he not made sure to check for the ring and reign in his libido when he saw it. 'As usual, the good ones are always taken', he mused. She had the trim, athletic body that appealed to him so much. She could have been a dancer, or a sprinter - she was too tall for a gymnast. Dex was usually at Archer at least two or three times a week. He and Megan quickly developed an easy and efficient working relationship. She was bright, smooth with people, and fastidious about details. He had to stop himself from just watching her as she talked on the phone or moved around the area. 'Class' was the term that kept popping into his mind. Over a period of a several months, he began to notice a few things about Megan that sent ice through his veins. First, she showed up with her arm in a sling after missing several days. A bit later, lipstick could hide the color, but not the swelling of her lip one morning. Still later, she showed up with heavy makeup on her cheeks and eyes - she hardly wore any, normally. By this time, he was sure, and it made him heartsick, especially because he didn't think there was a thing he could do about it. It seemed almost impossible. She had it so together at work. How could she be an abuse victim? For several weeks after realizing the truth, he did nothing but watch. Finally, after first checking with String, he asked her to join him for a mid-morning coffee at a nearby Starbuck's. "Dex, I can't, I just have too much to do..." "I cleared it with the Boss." "But, but... I'm married. I can't go out with you!" "Megan, it's just a cup of coffee, and I really need to talk to you." After several more minutes of objections and insistence, she relented. Over coffee, he bluntly stated, "Megan, I know!" "Know what, Dex?" "I know you are being abused." The shock approach worked. Her mouth worked for a moment with nothing coming out, and her face paled. At first, he thought she might faint. When she finally spoke, she surprised him. "I have a feeling denials would be useless, right? How do you know? Why do you care?" "I have extemely painful personal experience. Someday, I may be able to tell you about it. I was not the abuser, if that gives you any comfort. The signs are burned in my memory so I can never forget. That's how I know. Before, I was helpless to do anything, and it has gnawed at my guts every day since. I like you, Megan, and I don't ever want to see anyone else go down that path. That's why I care." There was a break of several minutes while both sipped their coffee. Finally, she spoke softly: "I have already heard all about what I should do, and what danger I am in. I do appreciate your concern, but it's MY problem. You can't solve it." "I know that, Megan, and that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I promise - no lectures, no warnings, no pressure to get help, no begging you to leave him. I want to offer two things. First, I will be a friend and just listen if you want someone to talk to. I suspect there is no one right now who is even close to safe for you to share with. Second, if you ever need help of any kind, I want you to promise to call me. I won't judge, and I won't say 'I told you so.' Don't say anything right now, just think about it." Dex was rather proud of himself, feeling he had done a good job of hiding the depth of the emotion he was feeling as he talked with Megan. ------- After their coffee, Megan was tense and aloof around him for several days. He was afraid he had screwed up a nice friendship with the captivating woman. It was a little over a week later around noontime when she called him on his cell phone. He was on his way to a client site, but he pulled over into a parking lot so he could give her full attention. It would be the first time in many months he had been late for an appointment. "Dex, uh, is that offer of someone to talk to still open." Assured that it was, she continued. "You were right. There isn't anyone else. My daughter is away at school, and my folks live out of town. Communication with all of them has been strained since my marriage." "Megan, would you rather get together somewhere private?" "Oh, no. I'm sure my husband has someone watching me all the time. Tim, er... , Mr. Archer said I can use his office whenever he is out, and he goes out for lunch a lot. Is it OK if I call you around lunch time?" "From now on, I will make sure I am free every noon." "Dex, he... he hit me again." From then on, they talked at least three times a week on the phone, and they made sure their interactions in person were very short and businesslike. Every conversation was an emotional drain on Dex. The things she told him brought back vivid, painful memories. Holding to his promise of just listening was far more difficult than he had anticipated. It took over three weeks before she told him her complete story. ------- Megan Shaughnessy was the only child of Patrick and Jeanette. Patrick was a promising young Sergeant on the Police Force, and they were a performance-oriented family. Megan was a top student, and as a sophomore, was already making her mark on the swim team. She was an obedient daughter who seemed to have a fine relationship with her parents. Typical of many Irish Catholic families, one topic not openly discussed was sex. In addition, Patrick was quite reserved in his expressions of affection for Megan. Megan, in turn, was more mature in most respects than her peers, and had the figure and bearing of a much older woman. The school's star running back, a Senior, was the quintessential teenaged hunk, with a sister on the swim team. At the first swim meet he attended, he was smitten by the willowy, graceful Megan. Troy was a catch any girl would jump at. He was a nice guy from a good family, not the typical arrogant jock. Megan, ripe for romance and somewhat starved for affection, fell very hard, and Troy was not much more in control. She was not openly rebellious against the values she had been taught, more like in a different world where the only values were her feelings. Her parents' reticence about sex left her unequipped for the hormonal onslaught that engulfed her. Being only fourteen, Megan was not allowed on dates, as such. Both teens, however, went to the same church, and were able to see each other at various youth activities. Troy's sister, a year older than Megan, invited Megan over numerous times, and football and swimming practices ran simultaneously, so there were opportunities. Raging hormones can drive young people to unexpected feats, and one way or another, Megan and Troy got together often enough for her to end up pregnant after seven months. Abortion was not even considered. Troy acted like a man, and was ready to marry Megan, with support from the two families. Megan, though, was yanked from her love-struck trance by the harsh reality of impending motherhood, and began to evaluate Troy more closely. Besides his good looks, athletic talent, and obvious love for her, she did not find enough of the attributes of her dream man. He was definitely a step below her intellectually. He was one of six children in a working class family, and his aspirations did not seem to extend beyond that lifestyle for himself. With maturity beyond her years, Megan understood the impact her pregnancy had on her future, but was not willing to have it doom her to the life of Troy's mother. She decided being a single mother was better than that. The decision not to marry went down very hard with Troy and his family, but Patrick and Jeanette stood firmly behind their daughter. They had gone through the predictable shock and anger, but to their credit, they never considered rejecting her. Painful soul-searching showed them how they had failed to prepare Megan properly, and they were genuinely remorseful. For her part, Megan realized how deeply she had hurt her parents, and committed herself to making it up to them. Baby Morgan won the hearts of her mother and her grandparents, and together they provided a loving environment. Megan finished high school, even making All-Conference her Senior year. There was some scholarship money available for Megan to attend college, but it required her to be a full-time student at a major school out of town. Her parents pled with her to take it, but she was unwilling to put the whole load of support and child care on them. Instead she enrolled in a two-year degree program at a local branch, and took an evening job at a telemarketing firm. After entering the workforce, Megan's life was a living proof of the lament 'The good one's are all taken.' Whether on the job or socially, she seemed to be every opportunist's target. Having Morgan turned away many men who might have been serious suitors. The rest wanted to go out with her with one objective, which Megan thwarted most of the time. Megan's dream of the ideal man never died. When she was twenty-seven, she was engaged to a man who met a lot of her criteria. He treated her very well; he had a good position in the family business, and appeared to be good at it; he was bright and had values similar to Megan's; the family was wealthy, and he was in line for a significant piece of that wealth. One discovery a few months before the wedding caused Megan to re-evaluate her engagement, and to eventually cancel it. It became clear she would always be the second woman in her future husband's life, his mother being the first. All along, she had known the mother called all the shots in the business. Planning for the wedding revealed the extent to which the mother ruled every aspect of her intended's life, with little opposition from him. She addressed the issue with him repeatedly and could get no satisfaction. After breaking the engagement, Megan had several heated sessions with the mother, who was enraged that Megan would have the temerity to walk away from her family. Megan was heartbroken at having to once again abandon her dream, but she never backed down from the woman. The mother came to realize the treasure she would be losing in Megan, and eventually made promises to try to change her mind. In response, Megan told her that even if she kept her promises, the son would still be nothing but a puppet, totally lost without his mother pulling the strings. Depression kept Megan from any interest in men for many months after the breakup, and the caliber of the men who pursued her did not improve, until Craig Wallace showed up. Morgan was just starting her Senior year in High School when Craig came to town on business and met Megan by chance. Craig, a wealthy real estate developer, had been widowed less than a year earlier, and began seriously courting Megan. He was physically impressive, charming, and apparently smitten with her. Perhaps it was the accumulation of years of loneliness and heartbreak. Perhaps it was long-suppressed hormones overwhelming her critical senses. Perhaps it was the skill of a master seducer. Whatever the reason, Megan was unable to see what her daughter and her parents saw, and was married to Craig within two months. Morgan was allowed to live with her grandparents and finish High School, while Megan moved away with Craig. Morgan was old enough at the time of her mother's earlier near marriage to understand and get down on men. When she came to live with Craig and Megan after graduation, she came to despise men. She could not wait to get away to college, and did everything she could to avoid going 'home.' Megan's marriage threatened to sunder the Shaughnessy family, which had always been extremely close. ------- "Megan, have you seen Craig's car go by? What is he driving?" "S... s... ilv... ver L... lexus... T... twice" "Okay, I will watch out for him." At the exit ramp less than a mile from the school, he cranked the heater up as high as it would go, trying to get the cab as warm as possible. He knew where the school was, but did not know the layout. Usually, there is parking quite close to ball fields, so he would have to wing it. It was obvious he would have to go and get her - she did not seem able to run to the pickup. The school was on his left, and he looked around carefully for any traffic. Seeing none, he turned off his lights. The outline of the baseball backstop was still visble against the sparse yardlights that surrounded the schoolgrounds. He drove into the school parking lot and was about to take the narrow paved service lane back toward the ball field when he thought better of it and pulled around the back of the building away from the road and stopped in a corner of two walls. This left him a couple hundred yards from the dugout, but at least the truck could not be seen. He was still chattering away to Megan. He reached up and switched the interior light to the "always off" position, donned his jacket, and reached behind the seat for the heavy wool blanket he kept for emergencies and picnic 'opportunities.' Grabbing a flashlight from the glovebox and leaving the engine idling and the heater on, he climbed out of the truck. Just as he was about to leave the cover of the building and dash to the dugout, he saw headlights wash across the field and ducked back out of sight. Peering carefully around the corner, he saw a silver car crawling slowly up the block, stopping to shine a powerful flashlight between each pair of houses. "D... d... dex! He's h... here a... g... gain! Wh... where are y... you?" "Shh... Megan, keep quiet. I am at the school and I can see him. We have to wait until he goes away." I'm putting away the phone, now. I'll be with you soon." At the pace the car was moving, it would take several minutes before it passed the school. What if he searched the school just as thourougly. What if Megan lost consciousness or ran out screaming before then? Think! Must act quickly! Wait, the blanket is dark wool and not reflective. It's big enough to cover head to foot. 'A cape of invisiblility!' He almost chuckled at the thought. Quickly wrapping the blanket around himself, he moved off accross the back of the school. The left field fence backed up against the playground area, and was the shortest way to the dugout, but the left field line was the direction the car was approaching from. He moved directly away from the car, circling the entire outfield to get to the first base line. The car could not see him until he was behind the right field fence, and the farther away he was, the less chance he would be seen. It was now vital to get to the dugout before that flashlight beam swept the ball field, as he was now sure it would. Despite his excellent condition, the run around the entire field was exhausting. The cold air bit at his lungs, and the waterlogged sod seemed to suck at his feet. Finally, he reached the first base dugout and clambered down the steps. Nothing! As he started back out, he saw the flashlight beam sweep over the infield. He crouched back down to wait, but realized there was no time to waste. Skirting behind the backstop, he reached the third base dugout without catching the beam. He covered the flashlight lens, turned it on and had to steel himself to keep from breaking down when he saw Megan. Megan was huddled at one end of the bench, barefoot. A sodden lightweight long robe, probably cotton, was palstered to her skin. Even in the dim light he could see one eye was almost swollen shut and blood trickled down her chin. She still clutched the cell phone tightly and was literally quaking as she looked up at him but could not even form words. Before he could fully absorb what he saw, the flashlight beam from the car fastened on the other dugout, and played back and forth over it for about ten seconds. The opening of their dugout was away from the direction of the beam, but he knew it would be searched next. They had to move, and fast. She obviously could not run, so he would have to do it all. "Megan, it's Dex. We have to leave, NOW! You have to climb on my back and hang on." He knelt in front of her, grabbed her cell phone and put it in his jacket. Gently taking her hands, he brought them up over his shoulders. As he did so, she uttered a stifled scream. "R... r... ribs!" "I'm sorry, Megan. I don't want to hurt you, but we HAVE TO LEAVE - NOW. Please, just get up on my back. I'll be as gentle as I can." He grabbed her ankles and brought her legs around his waist. Then he looped the blanket completely over her back and head and under her bottom. Pulling the loose corneres in front of him, he more or less had her pinned to his back. She would not be able to hold on much by herself, so he would have to run bent over, sort of balancing her above him. Another problem he could do nothing about - his legs, still in his basketball shorts, would be bare, damp, and probably quite reflective. Now, a critical decision! Retrace his previous route all the way around the field, or take the direct route up the left field line to his truck. The direct route would put him closest to the searching car, but he was pretty sure he did not have the strength for the long route. Without any more debate, he lurched out of the dugout and started up the third base line. To his immense relief he found a tarmac path leading directly back toward his truck. His bent-over position and Megan's weight still made every step an effort of will, but he was able to establish a steady shuffle - sort of a controlled stumble. Megan was moaning loudly with each step, and he desparately wished there was something he could do to ease her agony, but searing images from the past convinced him the best thing he could do for her was just to get her to a safe place. About half-way to the outfield fence, the flashlight beam found them and stayed with them. His immediate reaction was panic, but he had the presence of mind to keep right on moving. The car was still on the road, and Craig would have to drive around the school and find his truck. Besides, there wasn't any man he couldn't handle one on one, even as exhausted as he was. If, however, Craig was armed, that put Megan in even more danger. No, for her sake, he had to escape! It was now just a desparate race. Struggling for each painful draught of air, he let his mind roam back fifteen years, remembering the rage and helplessness that had been his companion so many nights. As he vowed it would not happen to Megan, the rage turned to adrenalin and he somehow found another reserve of strength. The car sped up and the beam disappeared as it went in front of the school. They were now at the outfield fence and only about 100 feet from his truck. Almost without feeling, he staggered the final steps, opened the passenger door and literally dumped poor Megan into the passenger side, causing a heart-rending scream. As he staggered around the front of the truck, he had a sudden inspiration, scooped up a handful of the plentiful mud and smeared it on the license plate. He repeated the process on the back license plate and hauled himself into the driver's seat. Shaking from exertion and almost blinded with sweat, he forced himself to think about the next step. The car would probably try to come around to the back of the school where they sat. The logical way - the only way for a sedan - was the route he had taken. There were basically two choices: try to evade Craig and sneak away without being spotted, or reverse his route and blow right by him. The second choice risked a chase and lots of complications. Dex slammed the truck in gear and moved off to try to complete a circle around the school, turning on the headlights briefly to see what obstacles he faced. There was no paved access back to the road the way they were going, but he thought he could get through. Since it was raining when he left home for the baskeball game, the truck was already in four-wheel drive. There was still no sign of the car coming around the other side of the school, so he turned the lights back on. Megan groaned loudly as they lurched over the parking bumbers at the edge of the paved back lot. As they rounded the far end of the complex, he saw a low retaining wall between them and the road. There was no way he could climb it at the near end, but it tapered off to only a foot out near the chain link fence against the side street. The soggy ground worried him, and he knew he was making a mess of the sod, but he had to think only of escape right now. At the far end of the yard, he eased the front wheels up to the low wall, dropped into super low gear and gunned the engine. Instead of the front end climbing over the wall, he felt the stones give way under the wheels. The all terrain tires scrabbled for a hold in the resulting mud and rubble, and eventually they found better purchase on the upper level. Turning back toward the main school entrance drive, Dex cringed as they plowed through a small plot of evergreens and low shrubs. About this time, he saw car lights in the back lot and quickly turned his off. He knew they could be seen because of the yard lights, but doubted any identifying features were visible. His truck was totally nondescript - a four year old Ranger. Just to be sure, he pulled his jacket up over his head like a hood to hide his features. Megan was out of sight, huddled down on the bench seat. As he gunned it accross the remaining lawn, the car stopped and two men got out. They stood in mometary frustration, then dove back into the car. He saw it backing hurriedly as he passed the end of the building and banged over another set of parking bumpers. Now on the exit drive, he dropped back into driving gear and turned right back toward the expressway. Heading away from the school, lights still out, he tried to think out the next step. He desparately wanted to get home, but that was a good twenty-five minute trip from here, and he was really concerned about Megan. He had not seen the car's headlights behind them, and assumed they had not spotted the truck. The neighborhood they were driving through was an old section of the city with old fashioned alleys. Quickly turning into the first side street, he found an alley and pulled sideways across the short driveway slab behind a garage with no lights on. Deciding that he himself was all right for the ride home, he turned his attention to Megan. She was conscious, but as if in a trance, mostly rapped in the blanket, still shaking violently. "Megan, I need to get you to a hospital. Which one do you use?" "NO, Dex, NO! I c... can't! He'll f... find me and make m... me go back. P... p... lease, j... just t... take me h... h... home with you!" "But you're hurt!" "NO, P... PLEASE!" He understood her reaction completely and painfully, but he could not take the risk - risk to her physically and risk to him legally. "I'm sorry Megan, but we have to take you. He won't take you back, I Promise. Now, we have to get that wet robe off you. I'm sorry, but I have nothing else with me but the blanket. Can you get the robe off by yourself?" "B... but... n... nothing u... u... under!" "I know, but you are in danger! Reaching across, he unwrapped the blanket from her torso. He turned her back to him, accompanied by groans, and peeled the robe down off her shoulders and upper arms, then carefully pulled each arm out, no small feat as wet as it was. Soon the robe lay puddled around her hips. Taking the sweatshirt, he gently dabbed her upper body as dry as he could. "Megan, you need to lift up so I can get the rest of the robe off." She whimpered, but struggled to lift her bottom just enough to slide the robe off and onto the floor. He did the best he could to dry around her hips, thighs, butt, and crotch, then wrapped the blanket tightly around her. Crawling onto the floor, he dried her legs and feet. Finally, he wrapped the sweatshirt around her wet hair and laid her down with her head on his right thigh. It must have been 85 in the cab, and he was badly overheated, but Megan needed all the heat she could get. He was very concerned about the danger of hypothermia. Dex needed to have everything planned out before he started to move. Rick Santee, Donna's husband and a Family Practice physician, was on his basketball team and probably not home yet. Dialing Donna's number, he told her the situation briefly, and she, wanting to be in on what was happening, three-wayed into Rick's cell phone. Dex outlined the situation for Rick, and asked if he could help at a hospital. Luckily, the hospital Rick used most was only a few miles from the school. Rick put him on hold and set up a three-way with the ER admitting clerk. The initial reluctance to deviate from standard procedure disappeared when she was told it was a serious domestic assault case. She agreed to get Megan into a closed treatment room, rather than the usual curtained areas. She also agreed to register her under an alias, which they concocted on the spot. Dex gave her his credit card info and a description of his truck, and he estimated their ETA. The 911 call did not go as smoothly because he insisted on speaking to the patrol Seargent in charge. Sensing the delay, he left the alley and started for the hospital, choosing to stay off the freeway. When he was finally connected to the Sergeant, he was glad to hear a woman's voice, and elated to find out that it was Susan Plonsky. When he told her the situation, she immediately dispatched a car, and patched him through to the officer. Dex provided descriptions of his truck and of Craig's Lexus. He asked for a female officer to take Megan's statement, and Susan said she would take it herself. The conversation was just ending as he pulled into the ER unloading area. After what he had read and heard about the state of the health care system, he did not expect the battlefield-like precision than greeted his arrival. In less than a minute, he was standing alone by the door of the truck, Megan having disappeared into the bowels of the ER. Just then, the patrol car drove up, cutting its flashing lights. After introductions, he left the officer to park his truck out of sight from the arrival area. Upon entering the ER waiting room, nearly empty of patients, a pleasant-faced fiftyish woman greeted him. She took one look at him and led him down a hall to what turned out to be the orderlies' locker room. She handed him a set of scrubs and some static-free OR booties, and told him to shower and change. He did so in record time, feeling a bit strange in the scrubs with nothing underneath. The clerk was waiting with a cup of coffee when he emerged. He had taken one sip when a nurse hurried toward them. "Are you Dex." When he acknowledged that he was, she asked "Are you family?" When told that he was just a good friend from work, she looked troubled but said, "Well, it's against policy, but she is demanding that you be with her and she is very agitated. We don't want to sedate her because she may be concussed. Please, come with me." Approaching the waiting room, they heard raised voices. As they passed through, he saw an imposing looking man arguing with the officer, who would not permit him to enter the treatment areas. A smaller, nattily dressed man stood by the door with a bemused look. Dex assumed the larger man was Craig, and he was glad for the scrubs disguise as the hurried past the confrontation. Megan was being treated in a closed, OR-like room beyond the regular treatment areas. The nurse stopped him at the door, entered, then returned with a scrub cap and a mask. He put on the cap, but kept the mask around his neck so Megan could easily identify him. When he entered the room, his first reaction was embarrassment. Megan was on her back on the table, with only her groin covered by a small surgical drape. He spoke, "Megan, I'm sorry. I'll be right outside until they can cover you up." "Dex! No! Don't go! I'm afraid Craig will come for me. Stay with me please! I'm so afraid!" The doctor looked up and just motioned for Dex to come to her, then said one word - "Mask." As he pulled up the mask and stepped closer, his embarrassment turned to shock and anger. Her face had been cleaned up some, but she looked like a prize fighter who had just lost by knockout. Only one eye was open enough to see, and it was fastened on him. The rest of her was bruises everywhere, except for her feet, which had some nasty cuts. He moved to take her hand, but the doctor had her arm raised, checking her ribs. He went to her head and put his hand gently on her hair. He told her he would be right there. No sooner had he spoken than there was a shout, and running feet in the hall. Craig burst through the double swinging doors, yelling, "Where is that ungrateful bitch? She's coming with me!." Megan screamed and tried to get off the table on the far side. The doctor reacted quickly and held her in place by basically lying across her and grabbing the other side of the table. In all his years of martial arts training, Dex had rarely had to use his skills in a true threat situation. Now, he reacted from training and instinct, stepping toward the advancing Craig, and raising his arm as if for a punch. Instead, he ducked down and kicked at the knee of Craig's main weight-bearing leg. The resulting loss of footing caused Craig to throw out his arms for balance. Dex grabbed his right arm and bent it sharply behind his back. He was about to push hard in anger, causing more pain and probable dislocation, when his training took over. He pushed at the back of Craig's knees with both of his own knees. He used the momentary loss of stability to push Craig hard to the floor, arm still painfully pushed up toward his shoulders. Craig had just begun yelling threats and profanity when the officer, bloody-faced and staggering, came through the door with weapon drawn. Dex said the single word 'cuffs' and the officer hostered his gun and knelt to grab Craig's free hand and put the cuffs on. The officer could not get up, and sat down with his head between his knees, trying to recover. Craig was yelling louder now, and in anger and frustration, Dex lifted up sharply on the cuffed hands, changing the shouts to a scream. He had to release and jerk upward twice more before the yelling stopped for good. Dex knelt with his knee in the middle of the prone man's back. He yanked off his mask and tied it securely over Craig's eyes, then wadded up his cap and stuffed it roughly into the attacker's mouth. He noticed with satisfaction the blood on his hand when he brought it back from his captive's mouth. By now, the officer's head had cleared, and with Dex's help, he dragged Craig to his feet and lead him out of the room, calling in for backup and transport as he went. Dex felt the receding of his adrenalin levels and the onset of the shakes. He thought of Megan and struggled fiercely for control of his body. As he walked toward her, her eye was fixed on him, unblinking, and she was shaking violently. The doctor had slumped to the floor, and the nurse was backed against a storage cabinet, motionless. "Nurse, blankets, quickly," Dex yelled at her. She jerked to awareness and pulled an armload of blankets from the cabinet. The doctor had come to life, also, and the three of them covered her and packed them tightly against her body. Dex crouched over her head with his mouth by her ear and began talking soothingly, assuring her that everything was alright and she was safe now. Coming out of her shock, she whimpered, "I'll never be safe. He'll come back!" "He's going to jail, Megan. He attacked a cop. He won't be back." "He'll get out. He's got friends everywhere. I've got to get away from here." "Megan, there are more cops on the way. They will protect us. He can't get to you." She whimpered and objected some more, but gradually stopped shaking and settled down enough so her exam could continue. Dex looked fixedly at her face as they uncovered every part of her. Prodding for broken bones, cleaning cuts and scratches, and recording every bruise on a chart. She screamed loudly when they turned her over to examine and clean her back. They suspected two cracked ribs and a broken clavicle, but needed X-Rays to verify. She made such a fuss they allowed Dex to come along and hold her hand through her time in Radiology. Again, he concentrated on her face when they had to bare her for the shots. As they were coming back to ER, Sergeant Susan Plonsky arrived and greeted Dex warmly. There was going to be a wait for the X-Ray results, so she wanted to take Megan's statement right then. Megan objected loudly when told Dex could not stay with her, but he promised to be just outside and that he would prop the door open so she could see him. When Susan finished with Megan, she came into the hall looking shaken. "I've been doing this a long time, but these domestics never get any easier. You understand why you couldn't be in there, don't you? I can't risk contaminating your statements. I want everything done perfectly on this case. Did she tell you what happened before she ran off?" "No, it was all she could do to give me directions." "Well, I'll tell you when I'm done with yours." She shivered as she said it. "OK. from the top, tell me exactly what happened." They sat on two chairs brought outside the room. The door was propped open so Megan could see Dex, but she could not hear them. The statement took a good half hour. ------- They had just finished when her shoulder radio sqawked. She responded and listened for a moment then swore as she signed off. "Dammit! The son of a bitch has made bail! State law says he has to spend the night, but some judge has signed the order." "Megan warned me he was connected." "Well, she wasn't kidding." "How much time do we have?" "They're pulling every possible stall they can, legally. I'd say about ninety minutes. There's no need to worry, though. We can protect her here." "If he has the kind of friends he seems to have, someone will know where she is at all times. To her, it will seem like he still has her. No, we have to get her away from here. Can you have someone shadow him when he leaves?" "Done! Where will she go?" "My place. I've done this before - acted as a safe house for abuse victims." "I don't know. This is not by the book at all." Dex didn't reply but excused himself, told Megan he would be right back, and hurried to the locker room for his cell phone. Returning, he dialed, then dialed some more, then a third time, much to Susan's puzzlement. When he had someone on the other end, he identified himself, spoke a meaningless string of words, said, "Please speak with Sergeant Susan Plonsky," and handed the phone to the Sergeant. Susan's eyes got large after a few seconds, and she briefly told about Megan's rescue and Dex's desire to take her home." Handing him the phone back, Susan said, "I guess it IS alright for you to take her! How did you get Elise Padilla's number? Only one female deputy chief on the whole force knows how to reach her." Elise was a well-known, some would say notorious, battered women's advocate. She oversaw a string of shelters, halfway houses, and safe houses. Her security was like the CIA, and that was why Dex had to dial through two dummy exchanges to reach her. She had a number of influential backers, including Dex, although he did not consider himself influential. After an agonizing trial period, she had used Dex's place as a halfway house for some of the stronger of her charges. Using the home of a single younger man was unprecedented. Dex did not want to discuss any details of his relationship with Elise, so he moved on to logistics. "The doc will have to hustle with the treatment. Do you have a camera?" "The patrol with the evidence camera should be arriving about now." "Good, be thorough, even if it is very embarrassing." "We know. A female officer will take the shots." "I am going to put a cap and mask back on. You and the officer first on the scene are the only ones who have seen me. Only you know I am taking her. Can we keep it that way?" "Don't you want an escort and some regular patrol checkups?" "No. For now, we have to assume everything recorded at the station is available to Craig. Can someone get into her house and get a few things for her?" "Oh, boy, that would take a court order." "Will you try that? Make sure to get a different judge than the one who sprung him. We haven't much time." Susan called her Lieutenant and told him the particulars. Together they got from Megan a quick list of priority items and where they were located in the house. She did not have a key with her, of course, so she told Susan where she had hidden an emergency key outside. Only she and her daughter knew of this one. "Morgan! OhMyGod! She's coming home from school tonight, late. I don't know what Craig will do to her. She said she would arrive about 11 or 11:30. We have to stop her!" They got a description of Morgan's car and her probable route and Susan contacted the State Patrol. That was all they could do for now. "Megan, I need to run home, get some clothes on, and bring back my van. I know you don't want me to leave, but we can't take your things in my pickup in the rain. I'll hurry as fast as I can." She objected, but Susan promised to stay with her. He made it back in barely an hour, much to Megan's relief. The court order had been delivered minutes before, and he and Susan hurried off to the Wallace house. They got in with no difficulty and worked as far down the list as they dared, piling clothes in a heap in the back of the van. The state patrol had found Morgan, and Megan had talked to her. They grabbed some of her possesions, as well. Morgan had been directed to drive to the hospital and not go home. When they arrived back at the hospital, Megan's treatment had finished, and she was much more alert. Her ribs were bandaged, and she wore a sling for her clavicle, which was cracked, but not completely broken. They brought her some clothes from the van, and they checked her out of the hospital. Susan and Dex thought they should wait for Morgan, but Megan wanted away from any chance encounter with Craig as soon as possible. The argument became moot when Morgan screeched up to the ER unloading area, and charged through the door. She was about to hug her mother when Dex reached out an arm and said, "Careful! She's pretty banged up." This earned him a glare, and it took Megan a few minutes to explain who he was and why he was involved. Morgan was obviously not happy, but they would have to settle that later. For his part, Dex had been rather surprised that the daughter bore little resemblance to her mother. She had attractive features, but her coloring was different than Megan's. She had a larger frame and she was rather pudgy. What struck him most, though, was that her general look screamed 'butch.' That was not going to make things any easier. "Megan, why don't you ride with Morgan and follow me. The seat is probably more comfortable, and the two of you can catch up." "Where are we going?" asked Morgan. "To my place." "Wait a minute! Why should we go there? Why would you do this?" Susan was still standing with them, and she pulled Morgan aside and talked to her for several minutes. When Morgan returned, she looked resigned, but not convinced. By the time they got to his place, it was pushing 1 am. On the way, Susan had called to say that Craig was at home and had raised holy hell when he found the women's things missing. Dex was scrupulous about keeping his five spare rooms ready for immeidate occupancy. It had proven valuable more than once. He decided to give them the two rooms on the main floor connected by a bathroom. They were at the opposite end of the house from his master suite, and he generally tried to give his guests a feeling of separation and privacy. Megan was nearly out on her feet, so they took her right to her room. Dex left and Morgan helped her mother into bed. When Morgan came back out, Dex showed her quickly around the place, just covering the essentials. Her eyes lit up at his nicely done hot tub room, then she exclaimed, "Damn, I don't think I have a suit in any of my stuff!" "That's OK. I have several women's suits in that cabinet beside the tub. Or, if you want to soak naked, just let me know and I will stay away until you are done." This brought a quizzical look, then a grin, the first pleasant face she had shown him. "I don't suppose you bother with a suit yourself, do you?" "Not usually. Once in a while on a social occassion, but, uh, not always then, either." This actually induced a giggle. They had not gone down to the walkout level, and she asked what was down there. He led her down the stairs and showed her the three additional bedrooms, the second family room, the kitchenette, the storage area, and finally, the gym. She stopped short and emiited a 'Wow' upon entering the gym. Besides the usual weight machines and aerobic devices, he had a hanging bag, and three different kicking or striking targets. "Do you use all this?" "Pretty much. I work out very religiously." "Mom told me how you took out the asshole. I wish I could have seen that!" She put her hand gently on his arm in a very feminine gesture that surprised him, given her appearance. "Dex, I have not even said 'Thank you' and that is very ungrateful of me. Thank you and please accept my apology. I also apologise for being so suspicious back at the hospital. It just all hit me so fast, I..." "Hey, no apology necessary. If you hadn't been watching out for your Mom, I would have been disappointed. I take it her marriage has been rough for you." "Let's save that story for another time, OK? Maybe when you decide to tell me your story." "Fair enough. I'll bet you're starved. I know I am. Let's see what we can find. Unless you need to get to bed." "Nah, I'm a typical student night owl. Let's eat." They chatted while they ate, and he found her to be very intelligent and a pleasant conversationalist. She was a Junior, majoring in Psychology, and had just turned twenty-one. His original impression of 'pudgy' he considered fairly accurate. Her extra weight was evenly distributed, though, and her overall appearance was quite appealing, definitely feminine. Except for hair and makeup, nothing else about her fit the butch look. He carefully did not touch the subject of boyfriends and she did not offer anything. When they finished, he asked if she wanted to use the hot tub, but she declined. He then said he would be using it, carefully adding that he would not be wearing a suit. As they parted, he suggested she leave the connecting bathroom doors open in case Megan had a nightmare. He told her that it might be good to crawl right into bed with her mother, if she was comfortable with that. ------- Chapter 22 The next day was frantic, starting with an intriguing early-morning encounter. Dex had been inclined to bag his dawn workout because of the short night. He had to remind himself how essential the workouts were to his ability to handle stress, and he knew there would be plenty of that in the following days. Assuming he was alone at the early hour, he wore just his usual brief, flimsy running shorts with the built-in supporter. He had finished the weight machines and was completing a vigorous session with the hanging bag when he was startled by a movement at the door. Spinning around, he saw Morgan leaning against the jamb and blushing brightly. Bare-legged and sleepy, wearing just a tee-shirt, she looked somehow lovable standing there. "I... I'm sorry to startle you. Mom's been real restless and she woke me up again. I heard a noise down here and got curious. I'll go back up and leave you alone." That was what Dex really wanted, but he felt Morgan wanted to stay. "No, you don't have to leave, that is unless you want to. I don't mind you watching if you can stand the boredom. I really do want to finish, though, if that's OK." She brightened noticeably at his invitation. "I need to do about fifteen minutes of form drills, and I need to ignore you during those. After that, we can chat while I am on the treadmill." She parked on a weight bench and watched quietly. He was rather self conscious because of the extremely stylized movements he was going through, but managed to block out her presence. For her benefit, he did cut the drill somewhat short. When he was putting on his running shoes, she sat on the stationary bike adjacent to the treadmill. Her T-shirt lifted and he could clearly see her panties. She seemed oblivious and started talking. "Boy, I would hate to be on the receiving end of one of those kicks." "Luckily, I have not had to use them much." "Did you kick the asshole? How come he's still alive, then?" "I didn't kick him full force - just enough to knock him off balance." He climbed on the treadmill and started it up. She started pedaling lazily on the bike. He raised his voice above the motor noise and asked, "You can't even say his name, can you?" This triggered an animated conversation on her feelings about her mother's marriage. It had come close to ruining a very close mother-daughter relationship. Morgan had been the one who relented, sensing her mother's need for male companionship. She had endured living with them the summer after her senior year of high school, but had left for her first semester of college as early as she could. She only came 'home' at Christmas and twice in the summer, just to avoid being around Craig. Early in her mother's courtship, she had tried to warn her that he was somehow wrong, but Morgan could not dent her mother's infatuation. The conversation went on very nicely for his twenty minute run. When he shut off the track, she followed him up the stairs, and even down the hall to his room. At the door, he stopped and said, "Uh, Morgan, I need to shower and get dressed. Do you want to watch?" She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment, and turned to walk away. He caught hold of her arm and held her back. "I'm sorry. That was mean. I'd like it if you came in and waited. I'm enjoying our talk." She looked at him uncertainly, but he lead her by the elbow into his room and parked her in a side chair. "I'll make it a quick shower." As he showered he thought about her. He did rather like her, but the lesbian look bothered him. Somehow doubting it was real, he decided to push her to find out for sure. Getting out of the shower without wrapping in a towel, he gathered his shaving gear and positioned himself against the counter, hiding his genitals from view. "Morgan, come on in here and we can talk while I shave." When she saw him, she gasped and stopped in her tracks. Feigning chagrin, he told her, "Oh, I'm sorry! Since you aren't into men, I didn't think this would bother you." "H... h... how did you know?" "Morgan! You've been very careful to adopt the look. That isn't an accident, is it?" "No, I, uh... You're right. It's on purpose." "So you're not bothered by me standing her like this?" "No. It's, uh, fine, I..." "Morgan! Something tells me you are at least bi. Two somethings, actually." He could see her nipples pushing against the thin T-shirt. She stared at him in open-mouthed uncertainty for a moment, then looked down at her breasts and slapped her hands over them. As she turned to walk away, Dex grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist, then cut her off from leaving the room. "Come on, Morgan, stay and talk to me." "That was really mean! You embarrassed me! Why did you do that? I kinda thought you liked me." "Morgan, I do like you, and I don't want you to be angry. I have this thing about friends, though. I don't think they should pretend with each other. I want us to be friends, I thought you were pretending, and I had to find out. Are we OK?" "Yeah, you rat! We're OK. And you're right. I'm not really, it's just that..." "You don't need to explain. Let's save that for later. Say, if you want to shower, why don't you do it here. That way you won't disturb your Mom. I have a robe you can use." He saw her make to decline, then her expression changed and she agreed. "Wait right here for me, will you?" she asked. He made the bed and generally straightened up, still wrapped in the towel. He had just pulled some clothes from his drawer when she called out, "Dex, can you come here and find me a hair brush?" He nearly cracked up when he saw her standing in his exact position, only with her near arm covering her breasts. She said, "I thought that since you are so old and not married, that you might be gay. Something tells me that you are at least bi. A rather large something, actually!" He quickly looked down at the definite bulging in his towel, then broke into laughter, as did she. She turned her back to him and slipped on the robe. She may not have realized the nice side views he caught in the mirror. He went back to the bedroom and slipped on shorts and T-shirt. When she came out, he told her, "That stunt took some nerve, didn't it?" "Didn't yours, too? It's just easier to be friends when we're even on gotchas." "Now wait a minute! Mine had a serious purpose." "Hey, Buster, with me, payback IS a serious purpose!" That brought them both almost to their knees laughing. They spontaneously held hands as they went to the kitchen to find some breakfast. She was still in the oversized robe as they ate, and seemed unconcerned about how well it concealed her. For his part, he worked to avert his gaze from the accidental gaps. Over coffee, he told her he was glad they could be friends and that they needed to work together well to help Megan. She agreed, and they sipped in silence for a while. "Dex, you don't have to try so hard not to take advantage of the gaps in my robe. If I was worried about it, there wouldn't be any gaps." "I'm guessing that men trying to see your body has not always made you feel good, has it?" "Damn! Are you a psyche major, too? You're right, though. At least with these extra pounds, they hardly try any more." "Oh, I don't know. Was it really hard to put on that weight?" "Whaaaat!!?" She simply spluttered for several seconds then just stared at him. Finally, she shook her head slowly and softly said "Here I thought I had myself all protected and safe. You've shattered all my defenses in just an hour." "Morgan, around here you don't need extra padding or a butch do to feel safe. I don't know how long you will be here, but if ever you don't feel safe, tell me. I will do whatever I can to change it, OK?" "Dex, I have never felt safe around a man before. I think I do now, but don't be upset if I still get a little wierd sometimes." "Believe me, I know just what you are saying." "Yeah, I'll bet you do. Remember, I AM the psyche major. Will you tell me your story now?" "Let's wait until your Mom is ready and I will tell both of you together." "Shit! Now that these extra pounds aren't doing their job anymore, I've got to get rid of them, and fast. Can I work out in your gym?" ------- Megan felt awful when she got up early Wednesday morning, and Dex and Morgan were both as attentive as possible. Morgan helped her with her bathroom necessitities and she went right back into bed. Dex knocked on her bedroom door, and was invited in. She tried to smile, but it looked more like a grimace. Her speech was also affected by the hugely swollen lip. "Dex, I don't know how I can thank you!" "I'm just happy I could help. I'm especially happy you're going to be all right." "I sure don't look all right! I hate to have you see me like this. I guess you saw a lot more last night, though, didn't you." "I'm sorry about that, Megan. I didn't want to embarrass you, but..." "You didn't. I hurt so much and I was so afraid, I just had to have you there. I didn't care what you saw. I knew you tried not to look, though, and that was so sweet. "Uh, are you two getting along OK." "Mom, I'm just as grateful to Dex as you are. We're doing fine together. Hey, he talks to me, and I like it!" "Oh, I'm glad! Honey, I owe you a huge apology. I should have listened to you about Craig. I was the one who let it come between us. I drove you away from home, too, didn't I?" "Don't worry about that now, Mom. He's history, you're safe, and we're together. Let's not let that change again, OK?" Megan sniffled before answering, "No, let's not ever let it change, Honey." Dex broke in at this point. "Megan, remember how I promised not to lecture or try to get you to see lawyers, or whatever? I kept that promise, didn't I?" "Yes, you did, Dex. I might have been better for me if you hadn't." "Would you have listened, and would you have trusted me enough to call me last night?" She sniffled harder, and just shook her head. "Megan, will you be angry if I end that promise now?" "I couldn't be angry with you, Dex, and I think I had better learn to listen to you. You can tell me what to do. I will listen, really." "That's good, because there are a lot of things we need to do, and some of them will be difficult. Here's the first one: I want you to call your parents, right away." "Oooooh! That is a hard one! They felt the same as Morgan about Craig, and I wouldn't listen to them, either." "Will they hold it against you when they find out they were right?" "That's not like them. I think they will just worry that I am OK." "Good! Call them and see how quickly they can get here." "Oh, no. Can't I wait until I'm healed up before I see them?" "Megan, what would it say to them if you invited them out right away?" "That all I cared about was having them with me?" "Is that what you want them to think?" "I... I want things to be the way they were before." "Morgan and your Mom and Dad have been the most important people for most of your life. Right now you have to start rebuilding your life. You want your important people helping you, don't you?" "You're right, I do! I don't think they can come today, though. It is a long drive, and last minute flights are too expensive for them." "I'm going to tell you this right now, Megan. I am going to do many things for you in the next while that are going to cost money. Believe me, I can afford it, and there is nothing I would rather do with the money. If you want to thank me, I will accept that and feel good about it. Please, though, don't question whether I should spend the money. Can you agree to that?" "I may never be able to pay it back, though." "I am not expecting that. If your folks can come, I will have tickets at the airport for them. If they come, I don't want them to stay more than two nights, though. You can blame me for that, but I think it will be best. One other important thing. I am going to set about getting you a quick divorce. You won't mind that, will you?" In response, the tears began flowing freely. "Mom! You can't mean you want to stay married to him can you?" "No, Honey. It's just that if I divorce him, I won't have anything! I can't support us and put you through school on my income." "You don't have anything now, Mom, except for what little he doles out. I'll bet he even has your paychecks coming into the account by electronic deposit, doesn't he?" Megan nodded at her daughter. "And he won't let you have a credit card or an ATM card, and he gives you just the checks you need, right?" "H... how did you know that?" "Mom, ever since I suspected, I have been studying abuse. Your case is a classic. Dex saw everything right away, didn't he?" "Ohhhhh! I have been such a fool! I wanted married life so badly. I... I thought I could handle it all. I thought it was worth it." "Mom, we will manage on our own. I know we will find a way. Just get rid of him, please!" Megan grabbed her daughters hand with her right hand, the one not in a sling, and squeezed. "You are such a wonderful daughter! How could I have ignored you? My biggest worry is paying your tuition next quarter." "I am not going back to school next quarter. I need to be near you, and I think I will learn more here. Besides, I have some personal things I need to change before I can go back." "Oh, no, I don't want you to miss because of me!" "It's because of me, too. I will tell you all about it in a few days. Now, let's call Grandma and Grandpa." Megan's father was able to switch days with a colleague, and they could leave immediately. Dex called the airline and got everything arranged for them to pick up the tickets at the airport. They would be arriving late morning, and would fly back Friday morning. His next call was to String, explaining briefly what had happened to Megan. He got String to personally cancel the automatic deposit of her checks. String asked to talk to Megan directly, and assured her she was on paid leave until she was physically able to return. Megan insisted on coming to the table for breakfast. She was obviously very uncomfortable, but companionship seemed more important to her than pain relief. Morgan fed her, insisting she eat more and more so she would not get nauseous from the pain pills. Dex left an urgent message for his lawyer, Marty. They put Megan back in bed, and he sat with Morgan and outlined his ideas for a divorce settlement. Not being at all sure it could be done, he wanted all charges against Craig dropped in exchange for an uncontested divorce. He was sure the assault on her could be dropped if she withdrew her complaint. The stickiest problem was the attack on the officer. The DA would need a strong incentive to drop that one. If Megan's comments about Craig being connected were true, the chance to uncover corruption and bag some serious mobsters could be enough. They talked long and hard about getting a financial settlement. Morgan was inclined to forget it to avoid risking the whole divorce. Dex did not want to leave them without some reasonable compensation, besides the punitive aspects. He decided on 15% of assets with a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $1,000,000. As they talked, they realized Craig probably would show up as insolvent, with his real assets safely hidden. Morgan told him of the times someone would hound them for payment, usually not something large, then suddenly Craig would end up with an expensinve new car, or a watch, or clothes, always paid for with cash. Dex added a stipulation that if Craig did not pay the $1,000,000, he would have to certify his assets to the court, leaving him open to perjury charges later. Being in the software business, Dex was technically very sharp. However, he had close friends from school who were unquestioned wizards, two of them hackers of the first order. He felt that with some help, he could find Craig's assets anywhere. With this confidence, he added a clause covering hidden assets discovered later. If such undeclared assets turned up, both the miminum and the maximum were to be doubled, and interest charged on any monies illegally withheld, not to mention probable perjury charges. They suspected fear of disclosure of these assets to the authorities would be a huge threat, since they were increasingly certain of their illegal origins. As they talked, they both liked the agreement. Of course, without a cooperative DA, it meant nothing, and there was every chance Craig would not accept it. Megan was awake again and wanted to be up and at least somewhat dressed. When Morgan was finished helping her, they showed her the proposal. It was obvious the idea of divorce was still painful to her, but she appreciated their work. She had never shared any facts about her husband with Dex in all their conversations, and he had not asked. Now, she told him that she and Craig lived as if he had access to $20-$25 million in funds. From his short foray into the house, Dex thought that estimate reasonable. Thinking of the rather meager stack of Megan's possessions they were able to liberate, he became angry. Megan had said she had not much more of any value. With an already E-mailed draft in hand, Marty was quite animated when she returned Dex's call. Dex insisted on using the speaker phone, and introduced everyone. Marty protested she was not a divorce specialist nor a criminal lawyer. Dex insisted she was the smartest lawyer in town and it would be good for her to diversify, and besides, she had handled Margo's very nicely all those years ago. Megan said if Dex recommended her, she was happy with her handling the case. Exhausting all her protestations, Marty finally admitted excitement at the prospect of working this agreement. She had some solid connections at the DA's office, connections she knew to be incorruptible. It was Marty who suggested they try to get some verbal evidence. Dex was concerned about both the legality of recording phone conversations, and about connecting with Craig from his home number. At this point, he was completely anonymous, and they all agreed it was best for Megan if he stayed that way for a while. They worked out a plan to use one of Archer's numbers as the cutout, forwarding it to Dex's line. Craig would have to be the one to call because they were going to record the conversation at Dex's house, and there was better legal support for recording an incoming call. Marty wanted to be there to do some quiet coaching. Dex persuaded a reluctant Megan to wait until her parents arrived and let them listen in. He kept stressing the importance of their complete immersion in helping her. This would all be very hard on Megan, but she insisted she could handle it. They chose three to four that afternoon as the target time frame. It was decided that Megan would call from the cell phone she took from the house. She would give Craig one minute to call back on the cutout number because they wanted to catch him completely off-guard, with no chance to bring in a lawyer. Thus rattled, they thought there was a better chance he would say something incriminating. Marty would stay at Dex's until the call was completed. If he refused the immediate callback, they would not try again. Morgan was delegated to pick up her grandparents, all agreeing that Megan should neither leave nor be left alone. Dex insisted she drive his third vehicle, a Jeep, and avoid the two he had used the previous night. He was very concerned about efforts to track down Megan. Patrick, Megan's father, was a police lieutenant, and he would know if they were being followed. He led Morgan to the converted barn that had been part of the original property before he had totally rebuilt the house. Her jaw dropped on seeing the array of vehicles stored inside. ''Boys and their toys!" she quipped, to which he could only respond with a grin and a shrug. He gave her an extra cell phone, took her keys to stow her car out of sight, and sent her off. ------- Morgan had remained extremely close to her grandparents, especially after Megan's marriage. They even tried very hard not to react to her lesbian personna. Their meeting at the airport was emotional but brief, as she had arranged to pick them up at the curb, again for secrecy reasons. Before pulling away from the curb, she filled Patrick in on Dex's security concerns. He was alarmed, but appreciated the cautious steps they had taken. Jeanette, Megan's mother, was even more alarmed, but many years as a policeman's wife had given her the composure to retain control. The conversation was very animated, most of it centered on Dex: who he was, why he was involved, what Morgan thought of him, and could they trust him. Patrick had insisted that Jeanette sit up front with Morgan so he could keep an eye open for anyone following them. Morgan was so enthusiastic in her descriptions of Dex, that Jeanette told her, "Morgan, dear, you sound like you really like this guy! And you're even blushing!" "Oh, Grandma, I've barely known him for twelve hours. I will tell you, though, in that time I have had more intelligent, enjoyable conversation than with any man ever, except Grandpa. As far as liking him, I do, but I suspect he only has eyes for Mom, if anyone." As they approached the house, Morgan cautioned them, "Now remember, hugs are not a good idea, and she can't kiss with her lip the way it is. She looks just awful, but, fortunately, there won't be any permanent damage. I... I'm so glad you could come. I just hope things between all of us can get back to the way they were before... before the asshole came along." Jeanette gasped slightly at her crude reference, but then chuckled and assured Morgan they wanted the same thing. Megan was standing in the foyer when the rest of her family arrived, with Dex nowhere in sight. The reunion was predictably emotional, with horror at her injuries mixed with joy at the breaking down of the wall that had come up between them. After about fifteen minutes, Patrick asked, "Morgan, where is this young man, and why hasn't he joined us?" "He's down in his room giving us a chance to be by ourselves. He's very big on family. You know, he was the one who insisted Mom call you." "I know, and the price of those tickets! Can he really afford this?" "Please, don't even mention money to him. He would be offended. He made that very clear to us." "I guess I am puzzled why he is doing this." "He has some very strong reasons. There is a big story from his past that he has not told us about, but it seems to affect everything he does. He has housed other abused wives here as a kind of halfway house." "A single man? That's unheard of!" "Just look at this place, how ideal it is as a hideaway. And they would be very well protected. He had the asshole on the floor helpless in about three seconds." "He fought? With Craig?" "Yeah, Mom will go over the whole story when the lawyer comes over a little later. I tell you, I saw him working out this morning. He must really know this martial arts stuff! Tell you what, I'll go get Dex and Mom and I will let you talk to him alone for a while." The first meeting with Megan's parents lasted about a half hour. He accepted their thanks quickly and told them directly why he was doing this, without revealing his personal story. He described his business, and told them briefly of his highly profitable investment efforts, trying to allay their concerns about costs, and not revealing the source of his original investment funds. He told them of his sports career and his committment to martial arts and fitness. Predictably, it was Jeanette who sprung the shocker. "Are you in love with our daughter?" Dex just stared at her before nodding slowly. "I was smitten with her from the very first moment. I knew she was married, though, and I promise you, I have done nothing to compromise her marriage nor even told her of my feelings. When I discovered she was being abused, I concentrated on being a friend and a safety net. Mrs. Shaughnessy, this..." "Please, please! Jeanette." "Jeanette, this is not the time for my feelings for Megan to be considered. We are in a stressful and possibly dangerous situation. Getting her safely free with some hope for the future is the only thing I want to think about." "And you can do that? I mean, just suppress your feelings?" "Because of the kind of martial arts training I have had, I can usually keep my feelings from interfering with what I need to do. That is the only reason Craig is still alive today." It was Patrick who spoke next. "Then you really are good enough to have killed him? Morgan said she thought so." "I'm afraid so. I have never done it, and in fact rarely struck anyone in anger before. Look, we are going to go over the entire story in detail with the lawyer in just a little while. Let's talk about it more then, OK?" The meeting was broken up cordially when a call came in on Dex's cell. Expecting a business crisis, he was already walking toward his bedroom work area when he answered. It was Seargent Susan Plonsky, inquiring how Megan was doing. Expressing his appreciation for her call, he took the phone to Megan, who chatted with Susan a few minutes, then gave it back to Dex. Megan had mentioned the meeting with the lawyer and the proposed conversation with Craig. Susan wanted to be present, and Dex was so impressed with her above and beyond concern that he agreed. He insisted, though, that she arrive in her own vehicle, either in civvies, or with her uniform covered. Since she was not on duty yet, she agreed readily. Then Susan told him the big news. The DA's office was so incensed at Craig's illegal early release they had found an equally upset judge who had authorized a phone tap. The DA was also tracking his whereabouts, and he had been home alone most of the day so far. The justification for the tap was suspected bribery in the police department and/or the courts. Dex doubted their hopefully incriminating conversation with Craig would fall under the authorization, but it was still good news. ------- They all had a quick, late lunch and jointly overrode Megan's objections to her napping before the meeting started. The other four chatted amiably while making preparations for the meeting, now up to seven people. Cell phone reception at Dex's was perfect, but he had to simulate a marginal connection. They experimented with various electrical devices to create interference and with various possible shields to impair the transmission, finally deciding just to stand by the running microwave to make the call. They would not be using a speakerphone as that was too obvious to the caller. Dex had a device, much like a tap, that recorded both sides of a conversation without interfering with the actual transmission. This tap in turn would be amplified so the others could hear, keeping it low to avoid feedback. Jeanette roused Megan about two o'clock and Marty's car pulled in shortly afterward. Dex was surprised to see another woman with her, but was more than happy when introduced to Nicole DeVries from the DA's office, who would be handling Craig's prosecution. Marty had already presented the proposed agreement to her, and she was eager to talk about it. As soon as all the introductions were done, she addressed the group. "The DA's office would love to do this deal. The only possible sticking point is officer Stan O'Connor, the one who was attacked last night. He's a good guy and a great family man, so he is sympathetic. Naturally, though, his pride is hurt and his buddies are on him to nail the guy for the sake of the force. I hope I was not presumptuous, but I have him standing by just down the road. I think if he heard the entire story, he would be happy to sell it at the precinct. What do you think, Megan?" "Ohhhh, I don't know! There are already so many here. I didn't think I would have to show my dirty laundry to a whole crowd." It was Jeanette who jumped in. "Morgan, Dear, everyone here cares about you. You have tried so hard for so long to hide everything. If you let it out now, you can be free of it." Megan agreed with her mother, and they summoned officer O'Connor, who was waiting with the Sergeant. In another five minutes, all nine people were situated in the family room. Megan was extremely nervous, and it was Patrick who brought her onto his lap on the sectional, then had Morgan and Jeanette sit tight up against them so they could touch her. Patrick shot a brief look of embarrassment toward the other two cops, then just wrapped his arms gently around his daughter, encouraging her to start her story. As is so often true, Craig's abuse of Megan started gradually, taking two years to reach the point of physical pain. The emotional domination and extreme control had been there almost from the honeymoon. He had acquired a trophy wife; she was his property, and he would do whatever he wished with his property. Over the last six months, he had forced her to be naked around the house more and more often. At first, it was for his own arousal, leading to kinky sexual bouts. Lately, he spent more time belittling her, ridiculing details of her body. Several times he would call her at work, instructing her to undress as soon as she got home and stay that way. Last night was one of those nights. He arrived home quite late, and had a man with him. When Megan saw the man, she became frantic, trying to get to the bedroom to put some clothes on. Craig tackled her on the stairs and threw her down hard. He dragged her to her feet, and when she covered herself, he slugged her in a rage. She curled up in a ball on the floor and he kicked her several times. He stood over her yelling, ordering her to go to the powder room and clean up, then get back there and serve them dinner like a wife was supposed to. On the hall table across from the powder room, Craig had left his cell phone. This made her think of Dex and she decided to run away. She would have gone out naked, but she had a light robe hung on the back of the powder room door. She was woozy from the beatings and in a great deal of pain, but she would rather have died than put up with any more. It was several minutes before Craig got suspicious and found her gone. She had tried to flag down two different cars for help, but no one would stop. Running almost blindly, she found her way to the school and into the dugout. Dex then recounted his part of the story, with others adding details. At the end, there was complete silence for at least a half minute. Stan O'Connor was the first to speak. "Hell, my few bruises and my pride are nothing compared to what you went through, Mrs. Wallace. I'll take care of the guys at the station, and the charges will be dropped. The only sad thing is that piece of shit should be in jail, or worse." "We believe we will get him there on a much more serious charge, Stan. Cutting him loose now could actually help us do that. Thank you for helping us out," said Nicole. "Yes, thank you, Officer," echoed Megan. "Um, I'd appreciate it if no one called me Mrs. Wallace ever again. I am not his anymore." For the conversation with Craig, Megan would have to sit by herself, away from the others so they could listen without causing feedback. Paper and notecards were all ready for writing suggested questions or comments for Megan. Every single person told her they were with her and to be strong. This was her way to get back at him. She stood by the microwave as planned, and tried to shout over the noise and the static. She followed the suggested script exactly, repeating the number twice, and threatening twice to only answer in the next minute. Dex's unlisted line rang in less than twenty seconds, and the recorder and speaker were turned on. "Megan, where the hell are you? I want you home right now!" "That is not my home anymore!" "What are you talking about, you stupid cow!? Of course it's your home. It is until I say it isn't! You got that?" "I can't come back, Craig. You hurt me!" "You only got what you deserved for defying me. You were embarrassing me in front of a very important friend." "What? I was the one embarrassed! You wanted a strange man to see me naked. You can't do that!" "I can do whatever I want! You're my wife. If I tell you to show your bare cunt to my friend Alex, you will damn well do it. Next time you'd better not give me any lip, either!" Megan saw Nicole gesturing frantically, but was a step ahead of her. Instead of the retort she wanted to make, she asked "Alex who?" and Nicole gave her a thumbs up. "Alex Kolchek." Nicole pumped her fist vigorously. "But that's none of your damn business, you hear. You will undress for whoever I say whenever I say. And if I tell you to blow them or fuck them, you will do that, too, understand?" "How can you say such awful things? Why would you do that to your wife?" "Because I can do anything I want with you and you can't stop me. Why do I want a cunt like you around if you won't help me with important business? I'd be better off rid of you, too." "You are rid of me, Craig. I will never be back in that house. I am getting a divorce." "Divorce? Ha! You can't divorce me. You don't have any money to fight my lawyers!" "I've got people who care more about the right thing than about money." "Oh, sure! I'll spend your do-gooders into the ground ten times over. You forget your stupid divorce talk and get back here." "You can't spend anybody into the ground from jail." "Jail? What a joke! I've got too many friends to ever go to jail. They never even got me into a cell last night. Just wait until I find that orderly or cop or whoever it was that jumped me!" "Why? He was just defending me." "Nobody gets in my way, you hear? Now, are you coming back, or do I have to find you and drag you back?" "No, I will never be back!" "I knew I shouldn't have let you go to work. I should have just paid the tuition for that fat dyke daughter of yours and kept you home where you belong. Now you think you can defy me. You either get back here or you are dead!!" Megan sat frozen, unable to reply. Dex reacted quickly, taking the phone and speaking in a heavily disguised voice, "Thank you for your statement, Mr. Wallace. All of us listening here were very enlightened by it. I am certain the recordings will expedite our upcoming negotiations. Who should I contact as your legal representative?" He heard dead silence for several seconds before the connection was broken. Nicole broke the stunned silence by asking if it was wise to provoke him or tip him off. "I would much rather not have him know we were listening, but I believe his death threat is real. I had to try to diffuse it by letting him know it was public. Also, it should knock him totally off balance and cause him to make a mistake. My guess is he killed a previous wife, or had her killed. Can you check that out, Nicole or Susan? And can you keep feeding us the dope from the phone tap?" "I'm sure you know that is illegal, but I'll find some way around it, I promise!" Marty pulled Dex aside and told him, "Nicole is as straight as they come, but she still has a big heart, too. There aren't many people I would tell you to trust, but she is one." Dex went over to Nicole and thanked her, then asked about her reaction to the name Alex Kolchek. She told him he was a major player around town, and they were desperate to hang something on him. Megan sat limp and ashen, cuddled by her parents. Everyone stopped to applaud her on her gutsy performance as the gathering broke up. ------- As she was preparing to leave on Wednesday, Nicole mentioned that Craig would be arraigned the next morning at 11:00. Megan heard this, and was adamant that she wanted to be there. Dex, Morgan, her parents, and everyone tried to talk her out of it, but it seemed to be critically important to her. "I have been on the taking end for four years. Thanks to all of you, I feel I am in control now. I want him to see I am not afraid. Please, don't argue with me. This is so important. If I stay huddled here, it's like he is still in control." After that plea, they started planning how to stage the event. Dex wanted to remain anonymous for as long as possible, so he would not be with the group. Morgan, Marty, and her parents would accompany Megan, while Dex sat elsewhere in the room. To avoid being followed, arrangements were made for Megan and Patrick to cab in to the courthouse from a suburban mall. Stan offered to run screen on the return trip, in case they were followed. Dex would pick them up at a retail loading dock after they were dropped off at the mall by the cab. Morgan and Jeanette would drive in and park near the courthouse. This arrangement gave them greater flexibility in possible escape situations. Nicole reluctantly agreed to let Megan hand Craig's lawyer the first written copy of the settlement offer that he would see. It was Susan who first mentioned press coverage, and Nicole picked up on it immediately. She would inform her media contacts of a potentially interesting confrontation. Craig was relatively prominent in the community. ------- Thursday morning, Dex was only moderately surprised to see Morgan already in the gym when he arrived there just before six. She had obviously been up a while. Her hair was neat, she wore shorts and jogging shoes, and she had on a bra under her T-shirt. "Dex, I was serious about losing the extra fat. I don't want to take all your time, but can you show me the best way to get started." "I'd be glad to. I'm honored you took the time to pretty up for me, but I did enjoy the way you looked yesterday, especially the panty peekaboo show." "Oh, you!" She ran at him and pounded playfully on his chest. In defense, he hugged her tightly, causing them both to freeze a moment before sheepishly disengaging. With no more joking, he suggested a series of exercises and the best settings to get her started. They worked out together in relative silence. She stopped and just watched during his form drills. He broke concentration once during the drills, and she blushed fiercely when he caught her gently teasing a nipple. As they were leaving the gym, she picked up a pile of clothes from a nearby chair. "Uh, Dex, can I shower in your room again? I brought clean clothes just in case." "Sure! I'll let you shower first." "I can tell you haven't lived with a woman for a while. You go first - I'm sure you will take half the time I need." This time, there was none of the sparring from the first morning, although there was obvious sexual tension due to the suggestiveness of the situation. When finished and dressed, they shared coffee again before rousing Megan and her parents for breakfast. ------- Fortunately or not, Megan looked her absolute worst on Thursday morning. Being the third day, her bruises were their most colorful, and she decided on no makeup to display them to best advantage. Dex left first in the van, and Patrick and the three women followed in the Jeep. Dex employed the 'follow from ahead' technique to keep a close watch on them while not appearing to be at all connected with them. He parked the van a good distance away from their rendezvous with the cab, then trailed the cab carefully into town. Everyone arrived at the courtroom without incident. Nicole and Marty waited outside and they walked in as a group with Megan and her family. A TV crew was outside the room, and filmed their greeting and their entrance. Nicole had apparently negotiated for no preliminary interviews. Even with the general commotion, Craig noticed the entrance, and his face clouded in anger. Megan, holding onto her father's arm, stared straight at him while walking to a seat right behind the prosecutor's bench. When the bailiff read the case, Dex moved down as close behind Craig as he could, staying on the aisle. The charges were read, the plea taken, there was a short discussion of bail, and it was over. Just as the next case was being called, Megan rose and crossed the aisle to hand the document to Craig's lawyer. Craig made as if to rush at her, but the lawyer restrained him, then took the document. Megan looked right at Craig for a moment, then turned and walked up the aisle, her entourage hurrying to follow. They had been in the courtroom barely five minutes. The camera crew was shooting as Megan emerged from the room, and the others stepped back. She stood and let them get good footage of her condition. She was asked several questions, and answered very carefully. Questions about the nature of her injuries were answered, but not about how she received them, referring only to the official charges. Apparently, part of the TV crew had been in the courtroom, because she was asked what she had handed to the lawyer. Saying it was a divorce settlement proposal, she refused to be more specific. Craig came out of the room during the interview, and once again, the lawyer used force to move him away from the scene. Dex noticed Alex meeting up with Craig farther down the hall, and saw them in an animated exchange, looking back toward Megan. Megan had been instructed not to look at Dex, but she did throw him one quick glance when she saw him hovering down the hall. It appeared all their travel precautions were unnecessary, there being no sign of any pursuit all the way home. When she got in the van at the mall, Megan let go and sobbed uncontrollably for a while, Patrick doing his best to comfort her. Back at the house, she did not argue about getting into bed for a nap after a quick and almost conversation-free lunch. With Patrick and Jeanette on hand for protection and care of his patient, Dex felt free to spend the afternoon on business. He did not leave home, but dealt with several problems that had piled up in the last two days. He also took the time to alert his clients about the current demands on his time. Dex normally spent less than half his time working for clients, and it produced far less than half his income. Over the last several years, he had perfected his own portfolio management computer system. With the help of the best communication lines and data feeds available, he had come through the massive market downturn without a single losing month. His numbers at this point exceeded the most ballyhooed mutual funds. He had no real need for his consulting business, but he believed it kept him current and better able to evolve his own systems. It also provided enough income to cover current expenses, leaving his entire portfolio to work in the market. If all these rational reasons had not existed, he would have continued consulting anyway, simply because he loved solving problems and helping worthy people succeed. ------- Supper was delayed until after the evening news. Everyone gathered in the family room, where Dex had brought in an extra TV so they could see both stations that had sent crews. On one station, Megan appeared in the opening ten minute recap of local news. The coverage last about 40 seconds, and stated that prominent local developer Craig Wallace had been arraigned on domestic assault charges, and for assaulting an officer. This was done as a voice over of Megan emerging from the courtroom, and then Craig emerging. This was followed by a close-up of Megan's face as she listed her injuries. The other station had a full hour of news preceding prime time. They kept running a teaser about the case throughout the first half, then spent a full two and a half minutes in the back half describing the case. They listed the charges and described the events at the hospital. The divorce proposal was mentioned, but no details were given. Craig's lawyer was quoted as saying that make-up was cheap and the charges were bogus. He stated the guy that had kidnapped Megan was responsible for any injuries. The announcer stated that Megan's whereabouts were unknown, as was the identity of the man mentioned by the lawyer, who the announcer referred to as Megan's rescuer. "Kidnapped!!?" Megan shrieked when the segment was over. They all worked to calm her down and assure her it was just legal posturing. At just that moment, Marty called, almost unable to speak from laughter. She could not believe they would even think of such a lame defense. She talked to Megan and had her chuckling before the call was over. Dinner was very upbeat and conversation flowed freely. Megan even managed to joke about her audition for TV stardom being much different than she would have liked. For the rest of the evening, Megan was always touching at least one of her family. After the high from the news show finally wore off, they had to nurse her through several episodes of depression or outright fear. She was fading fast, but insisted on watching it all again on the late news before finally collapsing for the night. ------- Chapter 23 Friday morning, Morgan emerged from a downstairs bedroom just as Dex was coming down to the gym. She looked just like the first day, if not a bit more weary. Dex stopped when he saw her and raised an eyebrow in question. "Hey, you said you preferred the panty show, didn't you?" Saying this, she raised her T-shirt and waggled her hips at him. He gave a mocking wolf whistle and laughed. Getting serious, he asked why she was sleeping downstairs. "Mom had a really rough night - constant nightmares. Grandma finally insisted she sleep in Mom's bed and I should find somewhere to get some rest, so I came down here. I don't want to risk disturbing her to get my running shoes, but I can do the rest of the workout barefoot." She brightened considerably as they worked out, and once again she stopped and just watched his form drills. He did not look at her this time, but he would have seen her squirming, even though she kept her hands away from her breasts. The next machine she used clearly displayed the new damp spot at her crotch. ------- At breakfast, Dex told Megan's parents he hoped they understood about the short visit and that he was glad they could come on such short notice. "Well, Patrick has to work Saturday and Sunday for the friend he swapped with, anyway. Dex, these two days have been so wonderful. The reason we're here is terrible, but you've helped bring our family back together again. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, and your generosity." "Patrick, why don't you see if you can get free for a week or more in the near future, and you and Jeanette can come for a longer stay." Just then, the phone rang, and it was Tim. He had wanted to call the night before after seeing Megan on TV on the late news, but deferred because of the late hour. "My God, Megan, I had no idea! How are you doing?" "Oh, thanks for calling again, Tim. I'll be OK. I feel pretty rough right now, but it will get better every day." "I'd like to stop and see you this weekend. We'll really miss you at the Christmas lunch today." "Oh, no!! I forgot all about that. I wasn't quite finished with all the planning!" "Don't worry about that. It's all taken care of, believe me. You had done such a wonderful job, there wasn't much left to do." "Tim, I've got to go now and have a big argument, but I'll be there. See you later." Megan had seemed like a different person that morning, her experience at the arraignment having obviously helped her immensely. Hanging up the phone, she turned toward the others in the most defiant stance she could manage with one arm in a sling and her face still pretty immobile. Dead silence greeted her, until Dex threw up his hands in a surrender gesture, and everyone broke into laughter. "I'll get working on some secure transportation," Dex said. "I'd bet anything someone is watching for you to show up there." He went off to call Carl and set up a vehicle shuffle like they had done for the arraignment. As it turned out, they could drop off Patrick and Jeanette and go right to the mall where the vehicle swap was set up. Carl would have a nondescript sedan waiting at the loading dock of a friend's store. He would move Dex's Jeep there after they left in the sedan. Randy would be at the mall to check for anyone following Dex and the women as they made the switch. The airport goodbyes were emotional, but not dragged out. Both for Megan's endurance and for security, they did not park and enter the airport, just dropped the parents off at the curbside check-in. ------- Megan made a grand entrance to the Archer cafeteria, as the entire body of employees rose and cheered when she walked in. Morgan stood and watched with unabashed pride as a virtual receiving line formed spontaneously, with people abandoning their lunches to greet her. Amid the goodwill of Megan's entry, a muscular young black man, Russell Barber, hurried up to Tim and whispered frantically in his ear. Tim motioned to Dex and the two of them followed Russell to Tim's office. "Mr. Archer, you've got to fire me! Right now! Please!" Trying to recover from his shock, Tim protested that Russell was doing a fine job in their transportation department, and besides, it was Christmas, and Russell had two kids and a wife to think about. It took ten minutes of pressure before Russell would divulge the reason. "I'm supposed to watch Mrs. Wallace, and call a number and tell whatever she does. I've had to do it for a long time, now. There's never been anything to report, except for coffee once with Mr. Madison, here. I had no idea anything like this would happen. I can't call them, but if I don't they'll... they'll... I... I... uh, I've done some things I didn't want you to know about. The only way I can not hurt Mrs. Wallace and keep my kids safe is if you fire me." "They threatened your kids, too?" At Russell's nod, Tim continued, "Russell, we know about the drugs. We know how hard you struggled to get off of them, and we know you're clean." At this point, Dex entered in. "Tim, give me a few minutes, then have Russell make the call. We can use this to track who's behind it, and Russell will not be exposed." After a few more minutes of discussion, Dex went off to call Carl and the Police, and Tim and Russell went back to the lunch. About twenty minutes later, Dex came back and told Russell to make the call. Megan and Morgan were not told about the episode, and seemed to enjoy the lunch immensely. Morgan had been aware of some of her mother's previous work places, and was thrilled at how much better this was, and with the high regard in which Megan was held here. She was greatly impressed also with Tim, and the constant attention he paid to her mother. Neither woman was aware of the car that followed them when they left the party, nor of that fact that it was followed by both Carl and Randy and intercepted by the Police well before they reached the mall. While on the short walk through the mall to pick up Dex's Jeep, he received a call from Karen on his cell. He spoke in very short sentences, turning his back to the women. He still had not learned, though, how sharp a woman's hearing could be when faced with attempted secrecy. Megan overheard him say "I'm afraid that would be too much for her," and grabbed the phone from his hand. "This is Megan Wallace. What does Dex think would be too much for me?" When Megan and Karen finished the conversation, they were all headed to the Ferguson's for dinner. Megan would take a long nap before dinner, and Rick would be there to give her a quick checkup. Once again, Dex gave his surrender gesture as Megan glared at him. She couldn't keep it up long, though, and finally kissed him on the cheek before they headed for the car. ------- Karen and Mike had done a major remodeling job several years ago with Doggerel earnings, rather than moving, so the first half-hour of the visit was spent on a tour for mother and daughter. Donna was there already, and dragged Dex off to the new study. Pushing him into the swivel chair, she straddled his lap in their long-familiar communicating position. Motherhood had done good things for Donna's looks, expanding her in the right places, while her strict exercise program had kept her nice and tight. The hug they shared before any words were spoken was sensual, but its main effect on Dex was to evoke memories of past times with Donna. His very brief reverie ended with Donna's question "Mother or daughter?" "Huh?" "Come on! Don't act dumb with me! Mother or daughter? Daughter has the hots for you, but I'm guessing you've been drooling over the mother for some time. Right?" Chuckling and shaking his head, Dex replied, "Megan is a good friend who really needs my help. She's still married, remember. I've known Morgan for three days, now. No wedding announcements, yet, OK?" Heaving a huge sigh, Donna told him "I know, I know. There are never any announcements. I just worry that even when you find the right one, you won't do it." "I found the right one once, remember?" "Dex, that was twelve years ago! I can't believe Connie would be happy with you being single. You know how guilty it makes me feel seeing you still alone, don't you? " "Hey, we've been over this too many times already. You and Rick were made for each other. Your marriage is a shining example. You and I were right to go our separate ways. Stop this crazy guilt. It's MY demons that are the problem." "It's just that I love you so damn much! I want you to find the kind of happiness I've got. It hurts to see you alone." "I love you too, Donna. I'm not exactly pining away, you know!" "Well, I think between mother and daughter you should have a keeper, here." With that, Donna got up to join the tour. Mike was still teaching, but school was out for the holidays, and he and Dex watched one of the bowl games that seemed to happen every day as New Year's approached. Morgan joined them after a while, and assured Dex that Megan was sleeping soundly until dinner. ------- Dex should not have been surprised that everyone showed up. Rick was the first, followed shortly by Kristen and Coach. Morgan, it turned out, was somewhat of a basketball fan, and had heard of Coach. When Margo and Hank were introduced, Megan's eyes about popped out, and both mother and daughter were floored when Jenny and Chris walked in. Dex once again held up his hands in surrender, and the guys moved off together while the women told how they were connected to Dex. The dinner was a typical Ferguson do, with rarely less than three different conversations going, and seldom a gap of three minutes between all-out laughter. At one point, Megan was sitting quietly with huge tears running down her cheeks, when Karen noticed. "It... it's just that I thought only old-time TV families were really like this. It's great to see this is all real. It gives me something to hope for. You guys (nodding at Margo, Hank, and Jenny) are rich and famous, but you're just here like a happy, loving family." This triggered a more sober time of Kristen, Jenny, and Margo telling their stories. As Kristen talked, Megan reached her good hand across the table to grasps Kristen's in a show of shared sympathy. Before Dex left the Ferguson's, every one of the women had cornered him for a grilling on any romantic possibilities with Megan or Morgan. They didn't seem to care which one, but seemed more desperate than ever that Dex find someone. Megan was unaware of the gauntlet of well-meaning women Dex had to run, and was amazingly energized through the whole evening. She and Morgan both gushed non-stop all the way home about his family, and how impressed they were with all of them. She was definitely weary when they reached Dex's after ten, and headed right for bed. ------- It was eleven o'clock Friday, and Dex had been pondering the events of the day. He was concerned that the threat level was higher than he had anticipated, but happy with the steps that had been taken. He decided they really had done their best for Megan. Morgan was watching TV when he told her he was off to the hot tub. "Buff, I presume?" she asked. "Of course." "See ya." He was deep in thought in the hot tub room as he slid off his underwear. He jumped when Morgan said "Told ya!" He saw her standing naked in the doorway, and stammered out "Told me what?" "Told ya I'd see ya. All of ya." Even in his surprise, he could not stop the laughter. She joined him, then stepped into the room and did a slow 360. "Thought you might want to see all the extra padding before it's gone." Still chuckling, they stepped into the tub. "Morgan, have you always had this exhibitionist streak?" "I don't know. Maybe so. Everyone wants to be accepted and appreciated. I feel like you appreciate me. So, I just want all of me available for your appreciation." "Oh. Um, that's not from Psyche 101, is it? There must have been lots of guys who would appreciate the view I just had." "Nope! They'd only appreciate what they thought was coming next." "Don't you think I have those thoughts? Didn't you decide I wasn't gay?" She was sitting across from him and raised her leg to throw water in his face with her foot, giving him a brief pussy flash as she did it. "I sure as hell hope you do! But I get the feeling you'd let me decide if there was going to be more. And you'd appreciate just this even if there wasn't any more." "Thank you for not recognizing me for the dirty old man I really am." This earned him another splash and another flash, which was completely his intention. She noticed the direction of his gaze and, feigning anger, dove across the tub and pounded playfully on his chest. "Hey, are you trying to destroy my illusions of the first real gentleman I've met?" Holding her arms straight against his shoulders, she stared at him with playful mock anger. It was a losing struggle for him to look at anything but the very nice tits hanging right in his vision. Ending her stare with a giggle, she made to rise to her feet, dropping her hands to brace against his thighs. In doing so, her hand bumped the head of his cock, which had leaped to full erection. She gasped and lurched backward to fall into her original place, face frozen in shock. "I'm sorry about your illusions, Morgan, but below the waist, no man is a gentleman." "But, I didn't, I mean..." "I know, I know. You were just being playful. But being in a hot tub with a sexy naked woman is tough on a man's self-control. When she dives on top of him, it's just too much." "Me? Sexy? But I'm fat and..." "And your nice figure is barely disguised. Sexy involves a lot more than weight, you know." "I'm sorry. I'll be more careful not to..." "No! No! No! Don't be anything but your playful self. I'm having fun. I'm sorry to offend you with my arousal, but that's my problem, not yours. Be yourself." He was afraid the mood was already lost, despite his encouragement. She struggled to regain her composure as Dex continued. "Morgan, I don't mean to pry, but you haven't had any experience with men at all, have you?" "Of course not! Who'd ask a lesbo to the prom, anyway? It's the way I wanted it. Or thought I wanted it." "And now you're not sure?" "That little stunt the other morning got me all hot." "I know." "How could you know?" He didn't answer, but held his nose high and sniffed loudly. "Ohhhhhh! You're terrible!!" She dove at him again, and this time he grabbed her firmly around her soft waist and held her away from himself. She braced herself against his arms and they stared for a few seconds, then she started to shake and her face broke. He took a chance and pulled her across his lap, wrapping his arms around her. She was pressing his cock down rather painfully, but he didn't want to do anything to spoil the moment. He pulled her face down to his shoulder and just rocked her gently as she sniffled. When the sniffles stopped, he asked her, "You want more, don't you?" She nodded against his shoulder. "How much more?" "All of it." "Are you sure? We've known each other just a few days. We can't claim to be in love yet." "In three days, I suddenly saw how much I had missed. I like you a lot, Dex. Maybe even love you. I want you to teach me and make me a woman." "But I can't promise to marry you or even be with you for a long time. I don't want to end up hurting you." "The only way you'll hurt me is to let me leave here as stupid and unloved as I came. You wouldn't want that, would you?" Some of the playfulness had already come back. "And I want to start my education with a thorough investigation of that thing poking my bottom. In the literature it is called a phallus or an erection. In the vernacular, I believe it is commonly referred to as a cock, a dick, or a hardon. Do I have it right so far?" "A+ for your first assignment, Miss... ? God, Morgan, I don't even know what you use for a last name! I'm betting it's for sure not Wallace, huh." "You got that right! Let's not even worry about what it is. Maybe you'll change it for me, anyhow." She giggled, but his shoulders stiffened noticeably. When she felt it she spat out, "Shit! Me and my big mouth!" and started to cry. He stroked her back to comfort her, and she was able to say. "Dex, I was just kidding, honest!" "Hey, Psyche major! Ever hear of a Freudian slip? That's why I worry about hurting you. If you give yourself to me with any hope of this being permanent, then you will be hurt if it doesn't happen that way." "So you won't teach me? You won't make love to me?" "I didn't say that. I want to in the worst way. I think we need to make sure that if we never see each other again after tomorrow, or next week, or next month, we won't be scarred for life." "Dex, I'm already scarred for life. I kinda think you are, too. I think we can only make each other get better, not worse, no matter what else happens." He stood up, setting her down gently, stepped out of the tub, held out his hand to her, and said "Come on." She had her eyes locked on his partially erect cock, and asked distractedly "Where?" "We're going to bed. Together." "Oh, goody! Shouldn't we dry off first?" "There are plenty of towels in my bathroom." "OK, let me go to my room and get my stuff." "You've got your stuff." He playfully squeezed an ass cheek. Now quit stalling." "I'm not stalling! I'm not stalling!" She grabbed his hand and towed him toward the bedroom. In his bathroom they toweled down. He found her a new toothbrush and they brushed their teeth together, grinning at each other in the mirror. When they had rinsed out the brushes, she got a worried look and said, "Dex, I gotta pee." "Yeah, me too. You go ahead." "But... I... You... !" She put on a mock cross face, stamped her foot, said "Meanie!" and wiggled off to the toilet room. He saw her start to shut the door and called out "Uh! Uh!" It didn't take long for her to start and she went a long time. She was very red-faced when she emerged. "That was a test, wasn't it, you rat!?" He just laughed and went to relieve himself. When he turned after shaking himself off, he practically bumped into her. Grinning, she waggled a finger at him. "Toilet seat down from now on!" With that, she skipped off to the bed and dove under the covers. He followed her, sat on the edge of the bed, and bent over to kiss her. She instead grabbed him around the neck and gave a little squeal. "Dex, whatever else happens, I have had more pure fun in three days than I can ever remember. Thank you!" Then she did the kissing, threatening to break his neck or mangle his lips in the process. Breaking away momentarily, he asked her, "Morgan, are you on the pill?" "No, but I just stopped Tuesday. Maybe that's why I'm extra horny. I want the first time with no latex. Does this mean we are going to do it?" "I don't think we can stop it, do you?"' "Then don't try!" She threw back the covers, spread her legs, and pulled him on top of her. "I want it now!" "But..." "You can show me about foreplay later. I'm a horny twenty-one year old virgin with no more patience, and I'm already dripping just thinking about it. Please!" This was not the way he had pictured it. Of course, he had not really pictured it at all with Morgan. She was needy and insistent, and he was not without his own need. He eased into her gently and found her to be very wet indeed. He began to work his way slowly, but she wanted none of it. She muttered "No hymen!", grabbed his ass cheeks and began pulling him in vigorously. He thought he saw slight flashes of pain, but she did not acknowledge any discomfort. In a surprisingly short time, he was all the way in, and paused to kiss her. She kissed back and said "Do me!" As he started thrusting, she started talking: "OhMyGod! OhMyGod! Unbelievable! What was I waiting for? What was I thinking? So good! So good! Oh! Oh! Oh!" Very quickly she was thrusting back at him. He was concerned that his ride would be very short, and he didn't want that for her. Despite her grabbing and thrusting, he throttled back to a pace he could maintain a while longer. When he felt himself nearing the peak, he would hold steady against her and rotate his hips. While rubbing their pubic bones together this way, he got an idea, and slid his right hand down between them to rub her clit. At the same time, he took a nipple in his mouth and began licking and sucking. As she felt him raise up slightly, she objected to the loss of contact. When he found her nub, she hissed, then hummed softly. She reacted strongly to his manual and oral efforts, stopped talking, and began emitting low moans as her squirming increased. As her agitation rose, he began stroking with a long, slow motion. His position was awkward, putting a lot of strain on his left arm, but he could tell the motions were increasing her already high level of arousal. The discomfort helped to ease his own urgency, giving him confidence he could take her all the way. Having no previous knowledge of her reactions, he gradually accelerated the pace of both the stroking and the rubbing, until he feared he might drive her into the head of the bed. He was beginning to worry whether he could hold the position long enough when she went suddenly over the edge. She let out a prolonged 'eeeeeeee' sound as she stiffened under him, then started to shudder violently. He kept his finger and his mouth in place for several more seconds, but as his hand was shaken loose by her tremors, he slipped both arms around her and started driving into her with fast, hard thrusts. He made sure to push firmly against her pubic bone at the bottom of each push. At the height of her convulsions, she had no use of her arms, but as the intensity abated, she hugged him tightly, emitting a soft grunt each time he bottomed out. Now able to concentrate fully, he felt himself building rapidly. She wormed a hand between them and cupped his balls, pulling gently on them in rhythm with his motions. With that extra stimulation, he lasted less than ten more strokes before erupting. Not willing to give up the feeling, he kept pushing into her as he came, and even afterward until the sensitivity almost turned to pain. She was still experiencing little aftershocks, and he wanted to extend her pleasure as long as possible. When at last neither could do anything but sweat and pant, he made to raise himself off of her. She did not want the contact to end and clutched him more tightly. He got his elbows positioned to reduce the pressure on her and raised his head to kiss her. They looked into each others' eyes for quite a while before Morgan finally spoke between gasps for breath. "Oh! My! God! Dex! Is... Is it always like that?" He kissed her lightly but said nothing. "Why would any girl want to be a lesbo?" Both were practically thrown into coronaries when Megan's voice from the doorway answered, "Because they've never, ever experienced anything like that." She made several loud sniffles, and continued, "I never have!" "Mom, I... I... What... Ohhhhh, nooooo!" "Honey, Honey, it's OK. I'm not angry. That was so beautiful. I just wish, I... I..." Megan was holding tightly to the door jamb, and looked decidedly unsteady. Dex got up off of Morgan and dashed toward her, flinging their love juices from his still firm penis as it swung with each step. He got to her before she collapsed and carefully supported her by her good arm. "Megan, let's get you back to your bed. You're exhausted." "No, I don't want to go back there alone. Let me stay here, please." When Dex had gotten up, Morgan had dashed to the bathroom. Now she returned, walking awkwardly and holding a small towel between her legs. She had another towel in hand, and squeezing her legs together to keep her own in place, she gently wiped off Dex with it. Straightening up, she spoke to her mother. "Mom, I'm sorry if I wasn't there when you needed me. I won't leave you alone again. I promise." "It's OK, Honey. I was just restless." "Come on, Dex, let's us get some clothes on." "No!" from Megan. "No clothes. Help me get this shirt off." She had one arm held tightly to her by her sling. She had on an old dress shirt with the sleeves cut off. Neither Dex nor Morgan moved a muscle as Megan unbuttoned it with her free hand. She said "Please! I can't quite get it off myself." "Um, I'll just go..." Dex started to stay. "No, Dex. Don't go. Help me." In great puzzlement, both finally helped her ease the shirt off. The wrappings around her damaged ribs acted somewhat like a pushup bra, causing her breasts to stand out straight. One was almost covered by the sling. "Dex, my panties. Take them off." "Megan, I don't think..." "Please, you do it, Dex." Now more puzzled than ever, he bent over beside her and reached around with one hand. Grasping her panty top on both sides, he was about to pull them down when Megan said sharply, "No, Dex. Kneel in front of me and pull them down. Please!" Suddenly, Dex knew exactly what was going on. He motioned for Morgan to take Megan's good arm and support her mother, while he knelt close in front of Megan. He did not take hold of the panties, but brought his hands to the outsides of her hips, then slowly moved them down, all the way to her ankles. Except for in the emergency room, where he had tried not to look, he had never before seen more than her lower legs beneath her skirt or robe. Now, he drank in the smoothness, firmness, and elegant shape with both his eyes and his hands. The sight of several large, angry bruises on her thighs and several bruises and scratches on her feet angered him, but could not detract from the perfection of her lovely limbs. When he reached her panties stroking back upward, he circled his hands around to her ass cheeks and spent a few minutes rubbing them. He glanced up at Morgan, and she gave him a small nod and a beaming smile. Thus encouraged, he slipped his hands inside Megan's panties in the back and gently kneaded here globes. Megan responded with a contented hum. Putting his hands back on Megan's hips, Dex began kissing and licking her lower belly just above the panty top, causing her to suck in her breath. Sliding his hands inside her panties, he began working them down slowly, kissing and licking newly exposed skin and then hair as it appeared. He looked up and saw Morgan staring at him. Catching her eye, he flicked his gaze to Megan's exposed breast. She had not followed his eyes, so he repeated his eye movements several more times. Finally, she followed his gaze and he saw her eyes widen. She looked very uncertain, so he kept on switching his gaze. At last, he saw acceptance, and she brought her hand up and cradled her mother's breast. Megan let out a little cry of surprise, but Morgan nuzzled her ear and spoke soothingly to her. By now, Dex had worked the panties completely below Megan's crotch. He let them drop to the floor and helped her lift her foot out of them. He pulled back and just stared at Megan's exposed crotch. She was at least as beautiful as he had always imagined. "Megan, how about we get you over on the bed where it's more comfortable?" "I... I stink. I need to bathe, but with these stupid bandages, I can't get wet." Dex didn't have to say a word and Morgan was off to the bathroom to start filling the tub. "We'll help you, Megan. We won't get the bandages wet." Dex's tub was a fairly large Jacuzzi, designed to easily hold two. Morgan stopped filling it at about eight inches of water. Dex brought out a stack of several towels and some shampoo. Both helped the injured woman into the tub, and sat her down. There was just room for them to kneel on either side of her. Dex told them to wait a moment, left the bedroom, and returned with a large bowl. Dex had Megan get up on her knees and wrapped a large towel carefully around her bandaged areas. He knelt on his right knee in front of her with her injured left arm against him. He had her lean over his raised left knee with her head hanging over. Morgan caught on quickly that they were going to wash her hair. Using the bowl, she proceeded to wet the hair down and shampoo it. She took her time rubbing and stroking, eliciting satisfied hums from her mother. While Morgan was still shampooing the first time, Dex felt Megan's hand gently grasp his penis. He gave a slight jerk, which Morgan felt. She looked at him, looked down, and broke into a broad grin. After two soapings and rinses, Morgan dried Megan's hair, and wrapped another towel around her head. Dex sat Megan back on her haunches, causing her to reluctantly release her grip on him. Dex started simultaneously draining and refilling the tub to keep the water fresher while Morgan used a barely wet washcloth to clean the areas above Megan's bandages. She gave Dex a little smirk as she worked on her mother's breasts. Dex helped Megan up on her knees and they washed her lower torso, hips, buttocks, and thighs. Dex handed her a rag, indicating she should wash her crotch. "You do it, Dex!" He didn't hesitate, but used his bare hands, rather than the rag. She wriggled and moaned as he did a thourough job on her, front and back. They sat Megan down flat in the tub, and lifted her lower legs to wash them. After they finished rinsing her, she backed up against the end of the tub and pulled her knees up, leaving more open room. "I want to watch you wash each other!" Morgan acted as if she knew what was coming. Dex was still on his knees, and she turned him to face Megan, and started washing him from behind, without a rag. To her credit, she washed his upper body first, but he could tell she was anxious for the main event. When it came, she reached around him with one hand and stroked his shaft while reaching between his legs with the other to massage his balls. He grabbed the edge of the tub, threw back his head, and closed his eyes. He expected her to have her fun for a few strokes, then finish washing him. When he realized her intent, he objected. "Morgan, Honey, you'd better stop that or I might come!" "Well Duh-uhh!" she responded with a giggle. Megan reached out her hand and gently held the head of his cock in her fingers, teasing it lightly while her daughter stroked. It was not long since he had come in Morgan, but the time before that was quite a while. After about two minutes, it was Morgan who announced, "Duck, Mom! Here it comes!" Instead of ducking, Megan closed her hand over the head, catching the spurts as they came out. Morgan dragged him back and got in front of him for her turn, giving him no time to recover. Still shaky, he gave her a very sensuous washing. Enjoying the sensations, she leaned forward over her mother and rested her head on Megan's good shoulder. Dex was sorry he had just come, the urge to take her from behind right there was so strong. He was not completely soft, and he teased her by pushing himself into her crack as she bent over. As he worked on her pussy, he began teasing her anus. She reacted so strongly, he lathered up his finger and gently wormed it into her. As he kept up the double stimulation, he saw Megan raise her arm toward Morgan's hanging breast. With this added sensation, Morgan peaked very rapidly, saving her mother's ear by lifting her head as she screamed out her ecstasy. She collapsed backward onto Dex while still shuddering, and he had to react quickly to withdraw his hands without hurting her. He just wrapped his arms around the nearly-comatose Morgan, and smiled over at her teary mother. No one moved or spoke for several minutes until Morgan roused. The rinsed off, got out of the tub, and toweled down, both of the others helping Megan. "Mom, let me help you back to your bed. You must be exhausted." "Wait, Honey. Dex, a king bed will hold three, won't it?" When he told her it would, she continued. "It would mean so much if we could all sleep here together. Can we do that?" They both agreed and helped her into the center of the bed. "Mom, I'll run and get you some clean panties and a shirt of some kind." "No! I'm not going to wear clothes here anymore!" "What?" "Get in here with me and let's talk a while." When they were in bed, with Dex on her injured side, she started talking. "For years, being naked has been a cause for fear and shame because Craig forced it on me. I thought I never wanted to be naked again if I ever got away from him. Tonight, I was up and I saw you two running down the hall, naked and laughing. I couldn't understand how you could be so happy with your clothes off. I... I'm sorry, but I had to follow you to the room and see what was happening. I was even peaking into the bathroom when you were teasing each other in there. I barely got out before you got in bed. I hope you're not angry at me for eavesdropping, but it just changed everything. Besides the relief that my baby really wasn't a lesbian, I longed for the kind of joy I saw when you were having sex. Sex has not been that way for me, and I felt this longing." "I was frightened because of all the bad stuff with Craig, but I had to know if I could have some of the joy. That's why I let you know I was there, and that's why I had you undress me. Thank you both so much for helping me feel so wonderful. Craig always made fun of my body and made me feel ugly. When you took my panties of, Dex, it was like you were worshipping my body. I just cried." "Megan, I have to confess I have worshipped your body since the first day I saw you." "I kind of knew that, but you never did or said anything about it." "Would it have made things any better for you if I had?" "No, it might have made me feel worse because of what I was missing." "I was afraid of that. That's why I struggled so hard not to let anything show." "Thank you. Thank you for appreciating my body. Somehow just suspecting how you felt helped me bear up." "Isn't he sweet, Mom? He even treats fat girls like he worships them." "Megan, it's going to be over soon. Craig will be history. I think you need to keep your mind off of what happened with him." "That's why I want to stay naked. Being naked and feeling happy and appreciated will be the best thing to get rid of Craig's ghost. Will that be OK with you, Dex?" "Talk about your all-time stupid questions, Mom. Will it be all right with him? Hah!! If you aren't going to wear clothes, then I'm not, either." "God! You'll both have to agree to stay out of my sight for a few hours a day so I can earn a little money, OK?" "And I move that Dex be required to be bare-assed, too. All in favor?... The motion is passed." "Hey, it's my house! Doesn't that count for anything?" "Nope!" With a stage groan, he lamented, "Guess I'll just have to turn up the thermostat." They all broke into laughter, even Megan, whose laughter turned inot a groan. "Guess I'd better stay a sourpuss until these ribs get better. That hurt!" That ended the conversation as they both comforted her. They lay on their sides and caressed her all over, trying to avoid areas with known bruises. In a surprisingly short time, her breathing settled into the pattern of deep sleep. Thinking the day was finally over, Dex rolled to his back and settled in. He hadn't taken three deep breaths, when the covers were pulled back and Morgan lay right on top of him. "Can you stand my weight on you if we talk a while?" "No problem, as long as I can worhip a bit." He caressed her buttocks as he said it. "Mmmmm. You make me feel so good about myself. At the same time, you make me angry with myself for letting all this fat build up." "Hey, there's not all that much fat. And you failed in disguising the sexiness." She didn't reply, but kissed him. "Dex, this has all been great. We've done a lot of joking and kidding along with the wonderful sex. Could we do just serious talk for a while?" "I think we should. Let me start with a tough question. How do you feel about your mother wanting in on the sexy stuff?" "I'm actually thrilled about it. I love Mom so much. You can't believe what she gave up to make a life for me. Right now, I feel so terrible about this lesbian shit I put her through! I guess I was getting back at her for not listening to me about the asshole. She didn't deserve that from me. I got my just desserts, though. I was at least as miserable about it as she was." "Then you're not jealous?" "I don't have any right to be. I know I don't own you. I think you have loved Mom for a long time, haven't you?" He grunted in assent. "Then you deserve some dream fulfillment, too. I won't deny some natural female possessive feelings. But this is my Mom we're talking about. I am realizing more and more how much I love her. If you two ever wanted to marry, I would honestly be happy for you." "Whoa! Whoa! I don't think that issue is even on the table. Yes, I love her, but she is a very fragile, wounded person right now. Getting her well is the only priority, and I don't mean just the ribs and the cuts and bruises. Besides, I am not the best life partner prospect. I've got my own demons, and they're pretty nasty." "Dex, what about when she wants you to make love to her? She will, you know." "I haven't had much time to think about that, but it concerns me. I don't know which would hurt her most. Doing it or refusing her." "The Hell with that! Would do you want to do?" "That's just it. A man always wants to. If I just did it to whoever I wanted whenever, I would be no better than Craig, or than... uh, never mind." "Dex, I think it's time I heard your story." "No, Honey. Megan has been asking for a long time, and it wouldn't be fair for you to hear it first." "Then lets get it done right now." They both gasped because it was Megan who spoke. "Mom!" "Megan! How long have you been awake. I'm sorry, we were talking about you. We didn't mean to upset you." "Upset? All I heard was wonderful love and concern. It was so sweet I could barely keep quiet. You have both made me feel so special! Dex, I think it IS time to hear your story. Please, tell us what happened to you." Morgan started to get off of him. "Morgan, please stay right there. It will be easier with your soft, warm body against me. It will remind me that there is good, and that there is love." He proceeded to spill his heart out as he seldom had before. He spent almost two hours, telling every event he could think of, even some things he had sworn to never divulge. He shared his feelings while the events unfolded. He did not try to stifle the tears, and they responded in kind. They asked questions, lovingly, and reassured him at the most fearful points. At one point when he could hardly speak, Megan told him, "Dex, I just wish my ribs were well. I want so badly to be up there where Morgan is!" At long last, he had run out of words, and almost run out of tears. Morgan raised her head up and kissed him, then told him. "Dex, you are afraid of marriage for two reasons. First, you are afraid something would happen, and you would not be able to protect your wife. You have lost two women you loved, and you can't stand the thought of losing another. Second, and most terrifying to you, you are afraid there is some of your father in you." Dex gasped loudly at her last statement, and his body went almost rigid with tension. "Dex! Dex! Please! Don't be afraid. There is absolutely nothing of your father in you. It could never happen. I know this with all my heart." "She's right, Dex. I knew it the first time I met you. You could never, ever hurt a woman. Morgan, help me." She rolled onto her right side. "Help with what, Mom?" "Dex and I are going to help heal each other. Get him hard and get him into me, please!" "Yesss," Morgan hissed, as she slid down his body and took his penis into her mouth. She apparently had studied well because her effort was not that of a first-timer. He was hard enough for insertion in a very short time, and he rolled over and positioned himself behind Megan. She bent her left leg and raised her knee into the air. As he touched his hand to her pussy from behind, he found her lubricated and ready for him. "Megan, I'm afraid to hug you because of your ribs." "It's OK. Right there is the only touch that matters to me now. Get it in me, please." Morgan had gone around the bed to the other side of her mother and knelt by her crotch. She took Dex's cock with one hand and spread Megan's labia with the other, allowing him to enter her quite easily. They both moaned as he penetrated her entrance. "Megan, are you protected?" "Tubes tied. And I'm clean, too. They called with the results from the other night." He scolded himself for not thinking of that. "Won't it hurt your ribs if you come?" "Don't know. Good way to die. You just come. I probably won't." Three thrusts later, he was not all the way in, and she was proved wrong. She shivered violently and whimpered before going limp, panting heavily. Hearing her whimper, he started to pull out. She was able to reach her good hand between her legs and grab his balls to prevent his retreat. It was not arousing, but accurately communicated her determination. "Don't go! Don't go! It wasn't bad," she panted. "Oh God! How? I've never come like that! So quick! Ohhhh, Dex!" Afraid of all her tender spots, he caressed her back and ran his fingers through her hair. He did not move otherwise until he heard her breathing become steady. Morgan was still kneeling in the same place, so Dex reached for her hand and guided it toward Megan's breast. Almost by reflex, Megan pulled her daughter down onto the bed beside her and put her own hand on Morgan's breast. Impossibly, this show of affection hardened Dex's cock to an unbelievable state, and he started thrusting. He wanted to be gentle, but the need overtook him, and soon the bed was bouncing with his force. If Megan felt any pain, she hid it completely as she kept mouthing encouragement, begging him for more and more. She came again, shuddering around him and moaning, but never stopping her response to his thrusts. When he exploded, she may have had another small climax, but he was too insensate to know for sure. He did hear Morgan give out a small shriek, apparently coming by her own hand. Megan breathed out "Oh God! I didn't know! I didn't know!" and the last thing Dex remembered was the two women crying softly. ------- Chapter 24 This week was certainly testing Dex's discipline. When he awoke Saturday morning, still spooned behind Megan, the urge to go back to sleep was almost overwhelming. His groin was still pushed tight against her bottom, and when he pulled back, he had to break the slight adhesion from their dried fluids. He decided to use the downstairs bathroom, and grabbing his shorts and shoes, he left the room as quietly as possible. His loosening up took longer than usual, and he could not seem to shake the fog. He went through his normal even-day routine and was on his last weight machine when Morgan appeared naked in the doorway. "You're up awfully early," he told her. "And you're out of uniform," she responded. "What?" "The pants, get rid of them!" "No, that wouldn't be smart. Without proper support, I could put myself out of commission sexually for a while. You wouldn't want that, would you?" "No, but damn! My main reason for getting up at this God-awful hour was to watch it swinging around while you worked out." "Whatever happend to the belligerent dyke who moved in here Tuesday night?" "That wasn't me. That was some idiot pretending to be me. Please, Dex, you won't hurt yourself on your form drills. Take them off for me!" He relented, and started his drills completely naked. It was a bit strange at first, but he soon realized it actually seemed to heighten his focus. The thing that hampered his focus was an occasional glimpse of Morgan with her hand jammed between her legs, a look of intense concentration on her face. When he finished his drills, he picked up his shorts and shoes and sat on the end of a bench to put them on for his treadmill session. He was just lifting his leg to pull on his shorts when Morgan sat in his lap facing him, and put a hand firmly around his penis. "Morgan, let me do my running and get cleaned up. I'm all sweaty!" In answer, she gave him a sweeping lick up his nose and over his forehead. "I know. You smell like a man, and it's got me just dripping." His cock was rapidly gaining maximum height. "I can't believe what a fool I've been. I just love watching your body move and your muscles flex. Every time your ass got tight I practically gushed. When you pumped your arms and shoulders I just had to have them around me!" She put him at her entrance and began easing her way down, just as tight and just as slippery as the previous night. "Are you still safe, Morgan?" "No, I'm a deadly femme fatale and you are doomed. But there is no danger of pregnancy. Hug me tight! Break me in half!" She began moving herself up and down on him. He put both hands on her ass, pushing his fingers into her crack, and making sure one finger was pushing lightly on her anus. She trembled as he started using his grip to aid her up and down motions. She ran her hands almost frantically over his slick back and shoulders, squeezing the muscles as she encountered them. Her breasts were by now flopping around vigorously, but he was able to capture a nipple in his mouth. He sucked hard to keep a grip on it, then bit firmly with his teeth. She went off like a rocket, rendering his hearing one-sided with her scream. He squeezed her even more tightly as she bucked and heaved atop him. He would probably need antiseptic on his back from the claw-like grip she had on him. As she came down, she gave a throaty growl and wriggled all over, then hugged him some more. "Oh, Dex, I love it! I love it! I love it! Thank you for making me feel so good! Hey, you're still hard! Didn't you come?" "You shot off pretty fast there, Girlie. Must have been from all the rubbing while I did my drills." This bought him another growl and more wriggling. "Maybe it's just as well. I think we'd better use latex from now on, unless you decide to get on the pill." "Always thinking, aren't you? Oh, Dex! This is all so wonderful! Can we just go on like this forever? Does it have to end?" "I know what you mean. But nothing lasts forever. We just have to try to keep the good stuff with us, no matter what else happens. How about a hot tub to freshen up?" In answer, she clamped more tightly around him. To her surprise, he stood up with his cock still inside of her and walked out of the gym. She put her legs around his middle and hummed with the stimulation from each step. He managed to get her all the way upstairs and into the hot tub, and sat down with her still impaled. "You just keep coming up with ways to make me feel wonderful, Dex!" "But we haven't even really made love yet!" "Huh?" "I mean where we take it nice and slow, and I keep bringing you right to the edge, then back off a little, then back to the edge, and on and on until you are screaming for me to take you over, and..." "Oh, God! Here I go again!" And she shook through a small orgasm. Panting, she was able to stammer out "If you do that, it will probably kill me!" They just sat and soaked for several minutes until, simultaneously, they both made to speak. After chuckling and some back and forth debate as to who should talk, Morgan said solemnly "I think the three of us need to talk about what is going to happen with us. Wonderful as the sex has been, I feel a little guilty about being with my Mom's man." "I know what you mean. I don't want any of this to tear any of us apart from the others. Let's talk when your Mom is up. In fact, we should go and see if she needs some help." ------- Dex and Morgan walked into the bedroom with their arms around each other, and gently wakened Megan. As she opened her eyes, Megan saw the two standing cuddled together. Impulsively, she reached out her good hand and grasped Dex's penis, now hanging limply. She didn't say anything, but gave a little contented hum as she fondled him sleepily. Waking enough to recognize the pressure on her bladder, Megan released Dex and held out her hand for a boost to her feet. Once standing, she took his hand and towed him to the toilet room. Sitting down, she used her good hand on his ass to pull him tight up to herself, burying her face in his pubic hair as she released her stream. Finished peeing, Megan released Dex to wipe herself, but before reaching for the paper, she put her face in her hand and moaned softly. "Ohhh, Dex, I'm sorry. Why am I acting this way?" Morgan knelt down by the toilet and cradled her mother's head. "Mom, it's OK. You're starved for intimacy. You found some, and you can't get enough of it, that's all." "Megan, I love your touch and your hugs. There's nothing to be ashamed of," Dex added. "You're sure? I feel so foolish!" Dex had never done anything like it in his life, only read about it, but he acted quickly. He straightened Megan up on the toilet and used his legs to spread hers farther apart. Then, he squatted down, aimed his penis right between her legs and released a stream into the bowl. He didn't have a whole lot stored up, but the effect was there. "Now, you don't have to feel like you're the foolish one any more, do you?" "I need a bath," was Megan's response after the shock wore off. "We can use the hot tub," Dex told her. "But I want to be soaped up just like last night," Megan retorted with a mischievous note, "especially where you peed on me." Both women giggled at this. Megan's part of the previous night's bath was rerun, this time taking her all the way while cleaning her crotch. It was the start of a day where Megan seemed to panic if intimate contact with Dex was broken. At breakfast, Megan needed her one good arm to feed herself, and seemed flustered for a moment. She was sitting on Dex's left, and made him get up and switch. When they were seated again, she grabbed Dex's right hand, pulled it to her crotch, and pushed his middle finger into her vagina. "Wiggle it!" she ordered as she grinned at him. From then on, she ate as if starved, interrupting only for an occasional gasp. Dex did fine eating with his left hand. ------- There had been relatively few times for deep, serious thought in the past three hectic days, but Dex had the skeleton of a plan in mind for freeing Megan from her plight. For the first time in his life, he was going to step beyond what was legal, and he was somewhat surprised that he felt not a shred of concern about it. As soon as the three of them finished breakfast, he persuaded the extremely reluctant Megan that he had to be alone for a little while, and he made a conference call to Carl, Randy, and two hacker buddies. He carefully described Megan's situation and his suspicions about Craig's hidden assets and their probable origins. He explained the legal exposure and invited any of them to opt out if they were concerned - none did. Dex laid out two objectives: finding Craig's assets, and setting up to transfer them out at a moment's notice. These were not trivial tasks, but all four men seemed eager to dig in. He emphasized several times that the budget was open. He did not want any possible breakthrough delayed waiting for approval from him. Carl's combined PI and security business had done very well over the last decade, with Randy now a partner. Michelle's singing career had been successful enough that Randy could buy in to the business with Carl. Dex knew both of his hacker buddies lived quite well, and suspected that had little to do with their stated occupations. More, he did not want to know. They were good friends with whom he had swapped significant favors over the years, and he trusted them completely. Carl and Randy would focus on a variety of bugging and tracking devices, while the others would work from the Internet side and phone side. The next conference call was set up for Christmas eve day Unbeknownst to Dex, Carl left immediately for Craig's house, looking for opportunities for surveillance and bugs. In a stroke of luck, the house next door was for rent. It was as large and expensive as Craig's, but Carl readily signed the minimum 90 day agreement. Before noon, he had two motion sensitive cameras watching the lot, set to signal the main office when they were active. Craig left his house in mid-morning, but Carl was unable to determine security system status in a short time. As an interim move, he fastened ultra-sensitive transmitting microphones to five different first floor windows that he could reach. With the receiver right next door, his quick test of calling Craig's phone produced surprisingly clear reception. The microphones, though small, were visible, and there was definite risk of detection, but Carl had a gut feeling it was important to hear what happened today. Later, he would get inside and install more powerful, hidden mics, as well as putting a tracker on Craig's car. After hanging up with the four men, Dex dialed Marty. She was used to Dex calling at all hours, so she was not upset at hearing from him on Saturday morning. "Let's get a restraining order against Craig." "Why now? We talked about it before, but you didn't want to." "The snatch attempt yesterday, or whatever it was, gives us the extra ammunition. Besides, I want to keep doing things to piss him off and keep him on edge. See if you can have the order delivered on Tuesday." "It should be no problem. We'll use the same judge that got the order to enter his house for the clothes, and who ordered the tap. Uh, do I detect a sinister plan hatching in your devious mind?" "Could be. Could be. We'll have a long talk next week, OK?" ------- When Dex returned from the phone calls, they adjourned to the family room for the heavy conversation they all knew was necessary. The love between Dex and each of the women was undeniable. Dex, for his part, though, was unwilling to commit to either of them for the long term. Eventually, both women understood that they were not ready for such a commitment, either. Morgan's insights were priceless, pointing out to Megan how her starvation for affection was distorting everything, even her feelings for Dex. The intimacy she had shared with Dex made her feel love for him, and the love was real. Part of it, though, was the love of intimacy and sex which had been so long starved. That love also focused on Dex because he had unleashed the feelings. When long discussion finally drew from Megan the admission that she had harbored feelings for Tim almost since she started working for him, her attitude changed dramatically. The three of them agreed to share and enjoy the things they had missed for so long with no strings attached, and with no guilt. They committed to doing whatever they could to meet each others' needs and to help each other heal. Perhaps it was Dex's reaching the big three-o, but the pressure from his loved ones and his own concerns over his single status had been increasing. Beautiful examples of what he was missing were all around in his family, so the incentive was there. The old guilt and fears just kept pulling him back whenever he seemed on his way to a permanent commitment. Knowing that Tim was in an even worse situation was scant consolation for Dex. After the debacle with his mother and his sister Connie's death, Tim had remained as gunshy as Dex about long-term relationships with women. The aftermath of Evelyn's exposure and disgrace had been long and bloody, leaving both Gerald and Tim terribly wounded. Since then, Tim could only see greed and the desire for control in the women he met, and he had enough personal experience to verify his suspicions. Almost ten years older than Dex, he had come to regard himself as a life-long bachelor. Dex's and Tim's individual demons had strengthened the bond between the two, despite their age difference. The consultant-client relationship, their joint work on the foundation board, and basketball all brought them together frequently. Dex was closer to Tim than to any other man, even those in his family. Hearing of Megan's potential romantic interest in his friend, Dex forced himself to erase the many fantasies of himself with Megan that he had indulged in over the past year. In a way, it was a relief to him that he might not have to face a decision on Megan. The possibility that his friend could finally settle down with this wonderful woman made him forget his own plight temporarily. ------- When the intense discussion was over, the rest of the morning was relaxed and unstructured, and Megan's obsession with sexual contact was undiminished. On the sofa as noon approached, she lay on her back with her legs over Dex's lap as he caressed her feet and her calves. After they talked a while, she dropped one foot to the floor, opening her crotch to him. At the same time, she scooted her ass closer. She didn't have to say a thing because he knew what she wanted and immediately put his hand on her pussy. For the next fifteen minutes, he stroked, fondled, poked, and squeezed her genitals as the three of them chatted. About the time Dex noticed that Megan's labia were getting much slipperier, she stopped talking and lifted her other leg over Dex's head to the back of the sofa in a show of her flexibility. Her expression was a mixture of lust and apprehension until he turned slightly and got both hands busy on her crotch. Hearing Megan start to whimper and moan as he stimulated her, Dex got on his knees and brought his mouth to her pussy, eliciting a huge gasp. It hit him as a shock that this lovely, sexy, mature woman may have never had a tongue on her pussy before. With that insight, Dex glanced over and saw the look of awe and lust on Morgan's face, and realized this was new for her, as well. He motioned her over, and she scurried to kneel beside her mother, caressing Megan's face and hair, and kissing her lightly. Because of the long buildup, Megan was primed, and it took only a couple of minutes to send her to a writhing, bouncing climax. Taking only long enough to make sure Megan's orgasm had its longest possible run, Dex got down on the floor on his back right next to the sofa. Morgan was on her knees facing her mother, and from a rather awkward angle, he was able to turn her and spread her knees apart. As soon as he thrust his head between her legs, Morgan picked up on what was happening and cooperated fully, squealing as she sat her pussy right down on his mouth. She was facing his feet, and instinctively leaned forward to give him the best angle of attack. Morgan was well on her way already from being in on her mother's come, and Dex soon had the pleasant problem of trying to keep contact as she writhed and twitched above him. She was obviously aware of the sixty-nine position, because after about a minute, she bent farther over and began stroking his cock. Just as she stretched out to reach him with her mouth, though, Megan squatted over his thighs and said "Honey, I bet you had this in you once already today. Let me have a turn." Not at all offended, Morgan, realizing her mother's lack of mobility, held Dex's cock upright. Megan was able to use her good arm on the sofa for support, and after a little struggle, impaled herself deliciously on him. Dex was suddenly faced with some frustrating choices. He had a limited number of appendages, and so many enticing places he wanted to use them! With his cock and his tongue committed, it was really just his hands he had to decide on, so for a while he kept them working on Morgan's ass cheeks where they had been. With Megan sitting over Dex's crotch, Morgan had to be fairly upright, making it harder for Dex to reach her clit with his mouth. That determined the best use for one hand, and with a little experimenting, he was able to get his finger on Morgan's clit. He noticed the rise in her arousal almost immediately. Being a very task-oriented sort, Dex was happy just thrusting his hips upward into Megan, pushing his tongue into Morgan, and rubbing Morgan's button for a while before it hit him that he had just as good a use for the other hand. Megan gave a long hiss when his thumb first touched her pussy, and started a constant little hum when it settled on her clit and started moving. The part of Dex's brain that was not yet drowned in testosterone thought how simple the old 'rub your tummy while patting your head' trick seemed from where he was now. The complexity bothered him not at all, though. The thrill of playing two clits was mind-boggling, to say nothing of the feeling of Megan's silky sheath around him. It did take just enough thought, though, to keep his own arousal somewhat in check. Morgan made it after three or four minutes of Dex's tongue and finger together. Not wanting to interrupt Megan's progress, he didn't try to support Morgan as she came, so after shuddering a while, she collapsed sideways onto the floor. Megan was worked up, but not yet on the verge of another come. Dex cranked up the intensity and used the hand freed up from Morgan to tease her nipple. He could see signs that she was tiring, and was just thinking about changing positions when Morgan sat up and took Megan's other nipple in her mouth. Megan's signs increased rapidly after that, and Morgan must have bit lightly on the nipple because Megan suddenly went off like a rocket. She actually convulsed so hard her legs straightened enough to lift her right off Dex's cock just as he started to ejaculate. Dex was torn between the relief of a really good come and the mortification of seeing himself squirt all over the women and a bit of the carpet. By the time he got ahold of his cock to control the direction, he was down to the final dribbles. Morgan had reacted quickly to steady her mother, but could not help breaking into laughter as she did. Megan was out of it for a little while, but joined in the laughter as soon as she had control. Embarrassed and momentarily put out at Morgan for laughing at his expense, Dex had to bring himself up short. This was a good thing! They were having fun with sex! It was certainly worth a little ego submersion for that. Ever perceptive, Morgan had the perfect quip. "Dex, you just can't do it cowboy any more." "Why's that? I like it that way." "You come so hard you blow the poor woman into orbit!" They all laughed uproariously until Megan winced from the pain in her ribs. As they calmed down, Megan started leaking crocodile tears, then sobbing openly. Dex and Morgan held her from both sides, not having to ask why she wept. ------- This time, they did go to the hot tub to clean up. Megan was really frustrated because she had to sit on a little booster that Dex rigged up to keep her bandages above the water. What she desperately wanted to do was sink down right to her chin, but... They had been in the water barely five minutes when the doorbell rang. Dex told them to stay put, that he would send whoever it was away, and that he had a robe in the hall closet. Still tying the robe as he opened the door, he was more than a little surprised to see Donna and Jenny. "I'll bet you're here to make sure romance is blooming, huh?" he quipped in greeting. Donna hugged him anyway and Jenny gave him a peck on the cheek. Then Donna expertly undid his robe and held it open, grinning in approval. "Are they dressed the same?" she asked with a smirk. "Yeah, we were in the hot tub. I'll get them something to put on." "Oho! So, you were all naked before you went in there! Must have been an interesting night!" Donna appeared about to say more, then sent a glance toward Jenny and added "We'll wait right here." Dex had taken only a few steps, when it was Jenny who called out "Dex, wait!" He turned to see Jenny lift the sweater over her head. Donna caught on quickly, and shed her clothes almost frantically. The sight of the two naked was not new to Dex, as there were still occasional naked brunches at the Fergusons'. It was still a source of immense pleasure, though, and always seemed as thrilling as first discovery. Jenny looked better than when Dex first saw her all those years ago - much better. Triple motherhood had only left her more voluptuous, not worn looking at all. As befitted a star, her bearing was regal, portraying confidence but not arrogance. She knew her looks were important to her career, but Dex was sure she would take just as good care of her body if she was a stay-at-home mom. Openly watching as they disrobed, Dex waited while they stored their clothes, then led the way back to the hot tub. He entered the room first, saying "I couldn't chase them away, so I brought them along. Perfectly timed with the responding gasps from Megan and Morgan, Donna and Jenny stepped through the door grinning, producing even louder gasps. It took a few minutes for things to calm down, as Donna explained that being naked together was not new for her family. The next surprising thing was Morgan breaking into tears. Donna, predictably, asked what was wrong. "Well, on my best day, I could never look as good as any of you three, but I am so upset at myself for blimping out like this. I'm ashamed to be in here with all you gorgeous people." Morgan was not fishing for compliments, but she did get reassurances from all the others. When she had calmed down, conversation settled in, with Dex mostly just watching and listening. "Both, huh?" Donna directed this question at Dex during a conversation lull. His only response was a blush. "What do you mean?" Megan asked Donna. "Yesterday before dinner, I asked him if he was interested in mother or daughter. Now, I see he has slept with both of you." "How?... That obvious, huh? Well, I'm not sorry, and I doubt Morgan is either," Megan said with a hint of belligerence. "Good! The last thing I would want is for you to be sorry. If Dex thought you would be sorry afterwards, he wouldn't have done it." "You know," Megan was able to say, "I thought I was impressed with your family last night. Now I'm in awe. I've never seen such feeling and such trust between people." After a nice soak, they all cooperated to fix lunch, still naked, and spent a leisurely time eating and chatting. The conversation continued normally as Donna and Jenny eventually dressed to leave. "Jenny," Morgan said, "You never cautioned us not to talk about this. Couldn't it damage your career if word of this kind of thing got out?" "First of all, I don't really care," Jenny responded. "But, if Dex had thought there was any chance of your talking, he wouldn't have let us undress, would he?" ------- While Dex and the four lovelies were enjoying their soak and their lunch, a much different confrontation was occurring across town. Craig was home, stewing over Friday's lost chance to track Megan's whereabouts, when Alex stormed right in. "I heard about the screw-up following your wife." "Well, they're your men. I can't help it if they're incompetent! Were they arrested." "Of course, not. There's no evidence of any crime. Whoever has your wife accomplished their objective, though. Craig, just sign the fuckin' divorce agreement!" "No way! I'm not letting that bitch get away, and I'm sure as Hell not giving her any money. Besides, she's the best piece I ever had and I want to keep her around." "Listen, your pride and your dick are going to screw up a real good thing, here. The DA is going forward with the charges. You could actually do some time." "I thought you had everything locked up with the Police and the courts. I thought I was protected." "Yeah, well, we can't pay off everybody." "Then wipe 'em out!" "Look, we took a big chance with your ex. I'm not getting that exposed again." "But you need my deals. I've handled a lot of cash for you. I can't do that from jail." "That's why you're going to do the divorce and make this whole thing go away." "No! I won't let her go! I'll kill her first." "You'll have to do it without my help, this time. My boss is real nervous about all the publicity and legal attention on this one. I... Fuck!! Come on!" Alex dragged Craig out to his car before continuing. "We need to check for bugs. The cops might be hearing everything we say." "Shit. What happened with all those great payoffs you're always braggin' about?" "You don't worry about payoffs. You just do what you're told and sign the divorce. If you don't, our deal is off. Got it?" ------- It was about five o'clock, and several miles across town from Dex's place, Kirstin Blum was checking herself out in the bathroom mirror after finishing her makeup. They were headed for the big Christmas party her husband Gary's company threw every year, and she was scared stiff. It was not the party that frightened her, but Gary's reaction to how she looked. Kirstin was up 40 pounds from her wedding weight. She had looked beautiful and voluptuous in her wedding dress, but she was by no means trim even then. After her second child, Courtney, who was now six, she had not lost the pregnancy fat, and had gained little by little to get where she was now. Gary knew when he married Kirstin that weight would be a constant fight for her, but he was deeply in love with her. After Sean, now eight, was born, she worked hard with his support and encouragement, and within a few months was back to her wedding weight. After Courtney, though, it was a different story. When she hadn't trimmed down after several months, he changed from encouraging and supporting to demanding. Over the years, he added insults and ridicule. With the inevitable erosion of her self-esteem, any incentive to reduce was overwhelmed, and the gradual gains began adding up. In the last year or so, Gary's behavior had become much worse. She often wondered if he was seeing someone else because of the way he seemed almost repulsed by her. She had become a virtual prisoner in the house because he did not want anyone to see her. The second car was uninsured and the keys hidden from her. When he was home, he took all the calls and restricted who she could talk to. She had no credit cards, and all the bank accounts were now in his name only. To the verbal abuse, he had started to add some physical intimidation, mostly shoves, grabbing an arm tightly, or shaking her by her shoulders. Occasionally, he would swat her on the bottom, but he had not yet hit her anywhere else. This party was a big deal, and she was actually amazed that he was taking her, though she suspected there was strong management pressure to have all spouses present. Given a rare shopping opportunity, she had chosen carefully to make the best of her looks. She had on a dark green dress that went well with her naturally light blond hair. The sleeves were three-quarter length to hide her fleshy upper arms, and the hem came well below the knee. A flowing hip-length over-jacket helped to further camouflage the fat rolls she knew were there. Her very pretty feet were show-cased in open pumps. Calming herself as best she could, Kirstin walked into the bedroom to face Gary. "Do I look OK?" was all she could squeak out. "Jesus, Kirstin, you look like a God-damned green blimp!" While she was still reeling from the vehemence of his rejection, he walked around her and squeezed hard on a roll of fat along her back. "Look at that!" he yelled as she winced. He did a similar grab at her ass, then moved in front of her and used both hands to bounce her heavy tits up and down. Just as she broke into all-out sobs, he delivered the final blow. "I'm night taking you with me. I'd be too embarrassed. Besides, I don't think the ballroom door is big enough for you to get in!" With that shot, he stormed off down the stairs and drove off angrily, well before the baby sitter arrived. The baby sitter was a very pudgy fifteen year old who loved Kirstin's kids and felt sorry for the abused woman. When Sean let her in, he told her his mommy was crying upstairs and his Daddy had left. Without even talking to Kirstin, the sitter called her father and asked him to come pick them all up. Walking upstairs, she knelt beside the shattered Kirstin who was huddled on the floor, shaking in her grief. With difficulty, she got the woman up and functional enough to pick out a few essentials for herself and the kids before the sitter's father pulled up outside. At the sitter's house, Kirstin was able to call to get the battered women's number she had heard about so many times from her mother. She was afraid to stay at the sitters' or at any relative's house because Gary might find them. She called the number and a pickup was arranged within the hour. She was warned they would have to sleep that night in a large open room with almost no privacy, but she was willing to put up with that. While waiting to be picked up, she was thrown into even deeper depression watching the sitter's parents. The mother was at least as heavy as Kirstin, but her husband treated her kindly, even showing affection on several occasions. The woman on the battered women's line was right to warn Kirstin about the sleeping accommodations, because they were indeed minimal. The women running the place were all very nice, but obviously harried. They explained several times that all their closed rooms were filled. They hoped they could find Kirstin a better place in the morning, but for now, this was all they had. Kirstin tried her best to be appreciative through her grief and shock. With the three of them, there were over a dozen cots already set up in the space that appeared to be an old warehouse. There was a bathroom with several stalls, but only one shower. Two TVs were set up at opposite ends of the room, and there was a rag-tag collection of books, games, and toys on some shelves along one wall. One thing that seemed to be in good supply was food and drink. A large refrigerator was well-stocked, and a fresh pot of coffee was always brewing. A commercial heating table was turned on, and kept filled with sliced turkey roast, green beans and potatoes. Bread, jam, snacks, and candies were in a cupboard next to the frig. Kirstin was surprised that they had to sleep in overflow space so early in the evening. One of the staff told her that Christmas was the absolute worst time of the year for them, as every domestic problem seemed to be amplified, and abusive men seemed pushed to the limit. As it turned out, Kirstin saw five more women and several children drag in until the wee hours. Being a naturally compassionate sort, she was soon helping to set up cots and even changing a couple of infants. ------- After enjoying more relaxation, conversation, and light sexual play for the the late afternoon, through supper, and into the evening, Dex decided a replay of a long-ago dual massage would be a great preparation for bedtime. The plan almost had to be abandoned when they realized that Megan could not really lie on her stomach. Leave it to Morgan to come up with the perfect solution, though. She had them sit up and lean forward over their raised knees, with Dex in front, reaching over their shoulders to do their backs. Dex started with Morgan, and Megan suggested at least she could lay on her stomach and get a proper massage. "Not on your life!" Morgan replied. "We're doing this together. Besides..." She did not have to finish her sentence as she cradled Dex's cock in both hands as it hung practically in her face After that, Megan could hardly wait for her turn. Megan's ass was unreachable from this position, and she insisted it had to be thoroughly massaged. Her solution was to lie on her side, and while not the most convenient, Dex was able to enjoy her delicious rear curves once again. When it was time to do the back of Morgan's legs, she stayed on her side as she had been for her ass. Dex, however, had a more titillating idea. He had her lay on her back, then raised one leg straight in the air and worked it from ankle to ass. This position spread her pussy open to the air, and he could smell the effect on her. While doing the second leg, she realized how close their crotches were, and refusing to heed his objections, got him hard and into her cunt. As a minor retaliation, he held perfectly still as he worked on her leg, before pulling out to her vigorous objections. Not one to miss an opportunity, Megan inserted Dex's still hard cock as he did her first leg, causing Morgan to claim unfair advantage. It was certainly harder to work their hamstrings when he was pressed close, but sometimes a guy just has to tough it out. Following tradition, the last stage of each massage was a thorough tongue-lashing of each clit. It was a good thing mother and daughter were not competing for the best orgasm, as neither was aware enough to measure her own. Dex could not help thinking back to the other dual massages he had enjoyed giving; Donna and Margo, Donna and Angeline, and Donna and Cheryl. The chance to compare the bodies of two women in that way was a real privilege to him, and for mother and daughter, Megan and Morgan had some surprising differences. Everything about Megan was trim and graceful, in fact grace was the one adjective that most came to mind about her. Morgan's body evoked feelings of strength more than grace. She was not massive or muscular, but every dimension except height was larger than her mother. Also, where Megan exuded elegance, Morgan oozed sexuality. Even her excess weight could not detract from her elemental appeal. Having almost lost count of his comes in the last twenty-four hours, Dex felt no need for more intercourse that night, and the women seemed to agree. Not even bothering to shower off the lotion used in the massages, the three collapsed in an intimate heap under the covers, and none stayed awake more than five minutes. ------- Carol Jensen groaned as she saw her husband Rodney come down the stairs and plop in front of the TV. He wore only a fairly short T-shirt and socks. He had been doing this more and more often, recently, although he usually waited for fourteen-year-old Jessica to retire to her room for the night. Rodney was a man whose appearance was average in just about every way, although he was thinner than most. Carol did not realize it, but his penis was noticeably smaller than average, as were his testicles. She had no idea why, but for the last few months, he had kept his pubic area shaved smooth, causing Carol to think of a little boy when she saw him exposed. "Rodney! Jessica's still up. Get some pants on, please!" "How many times have I told you? This is my house, and I can dress however I want. She needs to learn about a man sooner or later, anyway." Feeling feisty, she dropped her skirt, and was starting to pull down her panties when he noticed. "Hey, you stay covered up. Why would I want to look at your bare fat ass parading around? At least I've got something impressive to show off. Now, if you can get little miss cock tease to drop her panties, that would brighten the scenery for sure." "She's not a cock tease and you know it! She dresses very modestly. I wish you'd stop exposing yourself to her before she suffers psychological problems." "Oh, quit with that bullshit, already, and quit sheltering her. She wants it, and I'm going to be the one to give it to her, someday." "Rodney!" "Now you've woken the big guy. Get over here and take care of him." "But you haven't showered yet, and..." "Carol! I'm not asking. Get over here, or else!" She knew all too well what the 'or else' entailed, and trudged slowly up to him, wondering why she always ended up this way. She dared not hold her nose, but steeled herself against the unpleasant odor and taste, then used all her acquired skill to bring him off in his usual 90 seconds. She had learned to hold his rather small load in her mouth, and he was usually too out of it to object to her leaving quickly after he finished. She hurried to the powder room and spat his goo into the toilet, then used the mouthwash that she kept handy in all three bathrooms. Hurrying past the TV room to get to the upstairs, she saw that he was now gently masturbating to the porn channel. From painful experience, she knew what this led to, and cautioned fourteen-year-old Jessica to lock her door. Carol lay awake for what seemed like forever until she heard Rodney coming up the stairs. Soon, there was the feared knocking on Jessica's door. He knew how to get the locked bedroom doors open, and had reacted violently at Carol's attempt to install better locks. When Jessica yelled for him to go away, he started shouting at her to open up. This time, Rodney broke the pattern, and instead of using the pick he kept atop the door jamb, he stood back and kicked it open to Jessica's scream. "It isn't right to try to keep you father out. We're a family. We're supposed to share everything. Now come on, let's see how Daddy's little girl is growing up. Drop those panties for me. See, I've been thinking about you, and look how big he's gotten over you. Doesn't that make you proud?" By this time, Jessica was screaming non-stop, and Carol was running out of her room, dreading what was sure to happen, but compelled to try to protect her daughter. Jessica panicked and made a run for the door. She managed to squeeze past her father, but he made a grab for her pajama bottoms as she passed, and she stumbled and fell in the hallway. He kept ahold of her bottoms, and managed to pull them off, along with the panties she wore underneath. This was a new escalation in the mounting horror that had taken over their home, and Carol forgot her own fear and threw herself on Rodney's back, yelling all the time. "Rodney, stop it! Do you want to go to prison for rape! This is crazy! It's sick! Please! Please! Stop! Jessica's a good girl! Don't do this to her!" Rodney spun around, arm raised to strike his wife. As he spun, she was thrown to the floor awkwardly, her nightie up around her waist and her panties exposed. Instead of hitting her, he gave a little growl and fell to his knees. He ripped the crotch of her panties open and began viciously thrusting his cock into her. Carol was bone dry, and every thrust hurt, but she had almost become used to it. Although she was not aware of it, it was a mercy to her that Rodney's erection was quite thin. She dreaded every second of this, but at least it was her and not Jessica. She also knew that Rodney became quite docile after raping her. This time, he had not even hit her beforehand, so she perversely felt lucky. Following the usual pattern, Rodney blew in less than two minutes, giving only a couple of modest squirts. Then, after his rage and two ejaculations, he seemed to wilt, and staggered off to bed without another word. Carol roused herself quickly, cleaned off, then hurried to the basement. She came up with two suitcases, and cuddled up to Jessica, who was sobbing in the TV room, still bottomless. "Sweetie, fill these up. You can't stay any more." "Aren't you coming with me?" "Not yet. I'll be all right." "Are you going to wait until he puts you in the hospital? Or worse?" "No. I... I just can't go yet." "Mom, please! I'm afraid for you!" "I can handle him. He won't be as bad if you're not here." After more hugging and pleading, Jessica gave up and went to her room to pack. She wanted to call the battered women's number right then, but Carol convinced her that Rodney would sleep late, and she would have time to escape in the morning. ------- Fifteen-year-old Eric Kasten was jarred awake by a shout from his father and a poorly stifled scream from his mother. His father had just staggered in drunk, and the script from here on had been played out far too many times. Eric found himself wishing has father would die in a drunken crash some night, but then realized he would probably take some innocents with him. Waking quickly because of fear-generated adrenalin, Eric hurried toward the master bedroom. Ordinarily, he would not enter when both parents were there, but he sensed that this was worse than usual. Sure enough, Sandra, his mother, was frantically trying to dodge her husband's drunken lunges. When she was staggered by a wild but lucky swing, Eric stepped between them. Ignoring his father's foul-breathed curses, Eric put a hand into the man's chest and tried to talk him down. This had only rarely worked without Eric suffering some injury, but still he tried out of inbred respect for even the miserable excuse for a father that he was saddled with. When Sandra groaned loudly behind him, something snapped in Eric, and when has father swung at him, he ducked, then delivered a sharp kick to the man's groin. His father doubled over, then vomited all over the carpet and fell face down into his mess. Eric pulled back to kick again, but the man was motionless, and he turned his attention to his mother. Once he got Sandra to her feet, Eric looked her in the eye and asked "Now?" Sandra gave a huge sigh and tearfully nodded her head. He had been pleading with her for months to get away, but she had always stalled him off. For the past few months, the abuse had accelerated until they were sometimes beaten even when his father was sober. Eric's father had been surly and short-tempered as far back as Eric could remember. About three years ago, he had lost his job, and when he found another, it was for considerably less money, and quite a bit less than his wife earned. This, apparently, he could not tolerate, and he turned into a veritable monster. Knowing they had many hours until the man regained consciousness, Eric and Sandra set about packing and taking things to Sandra's car until there was just room for them to sit. Sandra had the number of a battered women's shelter, and they discussed whether they should call then or wait until morning. They decided to set an alarm for six, certain there would be no danger of the father rousing until well after that time. ------- The staff at the battered women's receiving station tried to enforce lights out at eleven, but Kirstin could not even start to get to sleep. Once her kids were out, she wandered to a dimly lit seating area by the TV at one end, and found two other women there with similar insomnia. In the inevitable conversation, she discovered that she at least suffered minimal physical punishment compared to the others. In spite of her own anguish, she found herself feeling real sympathy for the two, one of whom had visible bruising on her face. ------- Chapter 25 Sunday morning, the three of them were relaxing in the family room with coffee, naked and snuggled together. The TV was off, no one was reading anything, and no one spoke. When the phone rang, Dex groaned as he extricated himself from his comfortable sandwich position. The women heard him tell someone to call back in ten minutes for an answer. When he came back from the phone, instead of sitting back down between them, he knelt on the floor in front of them. "I have something hard to ask you. That was Elise Padilla, and the Christmas craziness has started. She has two women who have just escaped their husbands, and need somewhere to stay. I have never been a first stop safe house before, but she knows you two are here, and thought that would make it acceptable. One woman has a fifteen year old son, and the other has a boy eight and a girl six. On top of that, she has a very angry fourteen year old girl who needs out of her house, and Elise does not want CPS involved. For some reason, the mother wants to stick it out at home. I want to concentrate on helping you, Megan, but these people are in need, too. What should I do." "Dex, you don't even have to ask! Of course you should take them. After the way you helped me, how could I do otherwise. It will be good to help someone else, and it will give Morgan a chance to practice some real psychology. Oh, Honey, I shouldn't speak for you, should I?" "Oh, I totally agree. Damn! We'll have to get dressed, won't we?" At that they all broke into laughter - Megan's ribs were bothering her less today. They set about planning where everyone would stay and determining what food should be laid in. Elise had barely called back and arranged to bring out their guests when Jeanette called to talk to Megan. When she hung up the phone after several minutes, she looked rather sad, but it took several tries for him to find out the problem. Her parents had wanted to come visit for Christmas, but with the house now full, she had to tell them it wouldn't work. Dex thought for a minute, then told her, "Why don't you ask them if they can come for several days and help us with the crowd?" "But where will they sleep?" "You will have to tell them up front that you and Morgan are sleeping with me. Can they handle that?" "Ooooh! You know what? They'll just have to. There's no use trying to hide anything from them. It's the best thing to happen to both of us in a long time, and they should just be happy about it. I think they want to be here badly enough to agree to almost anything. We probably should have had them stay through when they were here before." "My fault. I had no idea how things would work out between us, and I selfishly wanted us alone to work it out. I can fly them out again if they agree to come." "If Dad can get the time off, they will be happy to drive. And don't blame yourself. I was happy to see them leave, too. I just feel so much more ready now." The Shaughnessys agreed to the sleeping arrangements after surprisingly little reaction. They seemed eager to help with the troubled families. Their happy little naked threesome would boom to eleven souls by Christmas day. Dex suddenly remembered that his house was without a single decoration, and in fact, he did not have any in storage. They talked about this problem and decided decorating would be a good activity for the whole group. Sandra and her son Eric were the first to arrive. They had her car and it was packed with all the belongings they had packed the night before. Sandra was fortyish and fairly attractive. She was trim, almost thin, with a face that could be quite pretty without the bruises and red-rimmed eyes she sported. Eric was of average height and slender build with very active, penetrating eyes. His posture spoke of discouragement and defeat, and he avoided looking directly at any of them as they settled in. They barely had Sandra and Eric in their rooms when Elise pulled up with the rest of their guests. Kirstin was in her late twenties and looked as totally miserable as anyone Dex had seen for a while. She and her children, Sean and Courtney, had fled with almost nothing of their possessions. Sean looked belligerent, while Courtney appeared constantly on the verge of tears, shrinking back whenever Dex came close to her. Jessica was in the minivan with Elise and Kirstin's family. She was obviously angry with the world, and ready to kill anyone who crossed her. She had with her two suitcases of clothes and personal things. Everyone worked to get people placed in their rooms, then Elise huddled with Dex, Megan, and Morgan. She was effusive in her thanks for taking these people in. It was Megan who took the lead, saying she was happy for a chance to return something for the help she had received. Dex then told Elise there were a couple of important items they needed to cover. "First, Morgan, will you be willing to act as if you were the owner here?" "I don't understand what you mean." "We are going to have to give these folks quite a bit of direction, maybe even lay down the law. I think they will take it better from a woman. They need to know that Megan is one of them, so she is not the one to do it. In others words, I want you to be the heavy. Can you do it?" "Wow! That's a tall order!" Elise interjected "Dex is right, Morgan. If you can do it, it will be a big help." "Sure, I'll do it. It will seem strange ordering these older women around, though." "I don't think Sandra and Kirstin will be any problem. It's the kids who may react poorly to a man, particularly Jessica and Sean," Dex responded. Elise again spoke up, "Dex has them figured out. Morgan, if you can, you should focus on Jessica. You have the most similarity of experience. You may be the only one who can get through to her. You said there were two things, Dex." He told Elise about the sleeping arrangements. Something passed over her eyes when she heard it, but she did not react strongly. They discussed the best way to tell the guests. "Well, I've got to run," Elise told them. "This probably isn't the end of our Christmas rush." She hugged each of them, Megan gently, and Dex fiercely. When Elise had left, Morgan teased Dex with "Hey, Stud, you've got one more woman madly in love with you, haven't you?" "Who, Elise?" "Oh, pulling the innocent act, huh? Of course, Elise! You mean you really didn't know?" "Hey, I just help her out. I've been doing it for years. We've never dated or anything. You must be imagining it." "Sure! That's it - I imagined it." ------- Now that everyone had arrived, the real problems loomed. Feeding everyone was just a matter of logistics. Making sure they had something to keep them entertained was another matter entirely, particularly the two young children who had nothing with them. There were TVs all over the house, and a number of movies on DVDs, even a few for children. There were both of the leading video game players and a good assortment of games. There were four locations with Internet access, as well. He had Morgan assemble everyone in the family room and lead everyone on a tour. Sandra and Kirstin each had a room downstairs, and Courtney had a small bed in her mother's room. Eric and Sean were in the third downstairs bedroom, which had two sets of bunks set up. Eric was not thrilled, but took it well. Jessica had the room that had been Morgan's, and the other upstairs room was held open for Megan's parents. While standing by the hot tub room, Morgan devised a little signal system on the fly. She mentioned that often, people preferred to use the tub naked. When there was a towel on the doorknob, it meant no clothes. Anyone was welcome to come in, but they had to be naked. There was some nervous laughter at that arrangement. Without even consulting Dex, Morgan asked Jessica to accompany her to the grocery store. Dex gave her a thumbs up and slipped her a cell phone and an ATM card before they left. Dex took Megan aside, and asked her to sit down with Kirstin and find out what they needed most for a potential two to three week stay. He wanted Kirstin to go out and buy the things for her kids, feeling she needed the boost in their eyes. She, however, was terrified of leaving the house for fear her husband would find her. Dex put in a call to Susan Plonsky and told her the situation, offering to pay extra duty charges for an officer to escort Kirstin. He was rather surprised when Stan O'Connor called back five minutes later. Stan laughed at the idea of payment, and said he would be there in thirty minutes with his wife and two kids in their van, and they would take Kirstin and her children shopping. Kirstin could hardly believe it, but agreed that they should be safe. Her eyes grew very large when he told her she could not come back to the house until she had spent at least $200, and he expected her to spend $400. She protested she could not afford that, and he told her it was from a fund set up for just her situation, handing her four $100 bills. That left Eric as the only unoccupied child. Dex felt an obvious sympathy for him from the similarity of their situations. Making sure Sandra approved of his slightly illegal plan, he asked Eric if he had ever driven an ATV, whereupon the boy practically dragged him to the barn. They rode sedately around the property, letting Eric get a feel for the machine, and returned to the barn after about an hour. While still sitting on the parked vehicles, Dex addressed Eric. "Eric, how do you feel about your mother?" "I feel bad for her. She has had it rough." "Do you love her?" "Well, sure! She's my Mom." "Do you let her know that you love her?" "I guess. I mean, I'm not much good at the mushy stuff, but I try to be nice to her." "Well, I have a huge challenge for you. Your Mom is at a low point in her life. She thinks no one cares about her, and you are the only one who can do much to change her mind. I want to challenge you to treat her like she was your best girl." "What? You mean holding hands, hugs, kisses, and all that stuff?" "Exactly. Be with her every second you can. Make her chase you away so she can go to the bathroom. Watch whatever she wants on TV with her. Pull out her chair at the table. Open doors for her. Never, ever walk in front of her. Compliment her." "Geez! That is a challenge. I've never done a lot of that stuff. Do you think it will help?" "I guarantee it!" He gave the young man a brief sketch of his own experience, to Eric's wide-eyed amazement. "One other thing. I'll bet you wouldn't mind spending some time with Jessica, would you." "Fat chance! I think she'd scratch my eyes out if I got too close. What a bitch!" "Hey, she is a very hurt young lady. Just as hurt as you are, but she shows it a different way. I will guarantee you that if you treat your mother well, especially when Jessica can see it, she will make a move toward you before long." "How can you know that?" "Because women are attracted to a man who treats women well. You just watch. Think you can pull it off?" "Yeah, I want to try. I really do love, Mom. I just don't show it much, I guess." "Good man. Now, tonight is going to be a big test. She is at her lowest right now. I want you to act like her parent tonight." "What do you mean by that?" "I mean like tucking her into bed. When you think she is in bed, go into her room, after knocking, of course, and sit on the edge of the bed. Give her a little kiss on the forehead or the cheek and tell her you love her - be sure you say it, okay? Touch her - stroke her head or her back or shoulders. If she starts to cry, hug her. If it gets bad, get in bed with her, snuggle up close and hold her tight. Stay all night if you have to. Be her man for tonight." "Wow. Isn't that wrong or illegal or something." "Tonight, you don't worry about anything but helping your mother, okay? Do whatever it takes to get her through to morning. Listen to me - if she wants it, tonight it is not wrong." "If... if I'm holding her close, I might get, you know..." "Yes, you will probably get hard. So what?" "It would be embarrassing. And wouldn't Mom get pissed?" "So put up with a little embarrassment for her sake. And she's far more likely to be thrilled than pissed." "You're kidding!" "Nope! Think about it. Right now, she's sure she is totally unappealing to men. If she knows she has given her handsome son a hardon, what do you think that says to her?" "That somebody is interested?" "Right! Now, you've had some fun. Spend the rest of the night glued to your Mom. You won't be sorry, I promise." "Thanks, Dex. For the ride and for the advice. I... I never got anything like this from Dad." "Neither did I, my man, neither did I." ------- Morgan had not as much asked as ordered Jessica to come with her. The silence in the car was not the friendly type, but she decided to wait the younger girl out. She tuned the radio to a station she knew was popular with younger teens. At the grocery, she made a point to send Jessica for specific items, even letting her choose some of her own favorite snacks and soft drinks. At the checkout, she asked if there were any magazines she liked, and they added two to the pile. Jessica said nothing, but Morgan heard her gasp when the cashier mentioned the total. Morgan had pulled cash from the ATM before shopping, and paid that way. After they loaded the car, Morgan said she was thirsty and the food would be okay for a while so they stopped at the Wendy's next to the market. She told Jessica to order what she wanted because it was a while until supper. When they sat at a table, Jessica asked why Morgan wasn't getting anything to eat. Morgan used this as a lead in to tell about her weight, her lesbian facade, her hatred of Craig, and the rift between her and Megan. Jessica finally began to converse, asking several questions. After telling her story and recounting Megan's rescue, she told Jessica about the sleeping arrangements. "So you both have to sleep with him so you can stay there?" Morgan could not resist laughing. "Are you kidding? I practically had to rape him to get him to make love to me! And it's mostly about being tender and loving with each other. Sleeping cuddled up to someone makes you feel safe and loved." "You mean you wanted him to have sex with you?" Jessica asked incredulously. Morgan told her of her change of heart and mind about men. "Tell you what, you be down by the gym at 5:30 tomorrow morning, and see if your panties don't get damp from watching him work out!" Jessica just looked at her wide-eyed. "I know you're kind of young for some of this talk, but you don't mind, do you?" When Jessica shook her head, Morgan leaned toward her in a conspiratorial way and told her, "We had to get dressed before you came. We hadn't had any clothes on since Friday night." "He wouldn't let you get dressed?" "No, silly! We wouldn't let HIM get dressed." She giggled. "It was my Mom's idea to go naked first." "But why would she want to be naked around him?" Morgan then told her more about Craig's enforced nudity and Megan's desire to have someone who appreciated her see her body. "Ohhh, I just couldn't do that. And you wanted to see him naked? Gross!" "Jessica, have you ever seen a naked man?" The girl started to tremble at that question. "Hey, hey! I think there's something you need to tell me, isn't there?" It took more persuasion, but the story finally came out. "Didn't your Mom do anything about it?" "Yeah, she'd get real mad at him, but then he'd beat her up. I couldn't let that go on." "So you bailed out to save her?" "Yeah, but she should be out, too." They chatted a few minutes longer, then headed home without the stony silence of the outbound trip. ------- Eric was lost in thought as he walked back to the house and down the stairs. He used the bathroom and went to the door of his mother's room, where he heard soft sounds of crying. When there was no response to his soft knocking, he slowly opened the door and walked in. Sandra was on her stomach with a pillow held over her head, alternately crying and moaning. Eric had felt sympathy for his mother before, but he was suddenly aware of the intensity of her anguish. He could not understand why she would be sad to be rid of the jerk that was his father, but there was no question how she felt about it. He remembered Dex's advice to treat his mother like his best girl. He'd never had a best girl, but he knew how he would like to treat one. Being careful not to startle her, he called to her rather loudly and waited until she lifted the pillow and looked up at him before sitting on the edge of the bed. She didn't say anything, but put the pillow down and lay her head on it, looking up at him through reddened eyes. That day had been filled with pain and anxiety for Sandra, but her adrenalin had been kept up by the beating, the hurried packing, and the flight. Once they were situated in this strange new place, Eric had gone off with their host, for which she was glad, but then everyone had disappeared and she was alone. The isolation and hopelessness of her situation suddenly came crashing down on Sandra. She was not a depressive person, but she felt depressed now. The anger was all used up and there was nothing left. She tried to nap, but the images just kept flooding her mind, so she buried her head, trying to shut out the light and the sound. The images would not leave. After what seemed like a sleepless forever, she heard Eric's voice. Not feeling up to helping him with anything, she pulled her head out into the open and looked up at him. Almost shaking from nerves, Eric rather clumsily reached out and stroked the hair back from her forehead a few times. Her eyes at first registered surprise then closed tightly as the flow of tears increased. He leaned over and planted an awkward kiss on her cheek and told her softly, "I love you, Mom." Now, her eyes opened wide and stared at him. He had run out of Dex's specific advice, so he was on his own. He stammered out "I... I'm sorry I haven't told you more often, but I really do." Now he was definitely beyond Dex's advice, for Sandra lunged upward at him and got a stranglehold around his neck, hugging him with all her strength. Eric had touched her head - he hardly ever touched her! Did this mean he was concerned about her? He said he loved her! Then he said something else she did not quite hear through her amazement. He had always been a good boy and respectful to her, but displays of affection were rare. In fact, he hardly showed any emotion at all, especially around her husband. Eric took his share of beatings, but he took them stoically with no reaction at all, further enraging her husband. Sandra knew he tried hard to conceal his pain so she would not notice. Suddenly the only thing she could think was that someone cared - her son cared. She was so desperate for contact that she lunged at him and hugged him with everything she had. Eric was bent over and twisted around in a most uncomfortable position, but he did not want to break her hug. Hoping she would not be offended, he put one arm around her waist while holding himself up with the other. Trying not to jerk too hard, he lifted her enough to scoot her back farther from the edge, then stretched himself out so he was lying right beside her. Eric had moved her and lay beside her! He was strong - his body felt reassuring beside her. He was hugging her, just hugging. Not trying to paw her sexually or take her clothes off, just holding her like she was important, stroking her back gently. She was SAFE! She could let go! The images stopped swimming in her head, replaced by beautiful nothingness. When he got stretched out beside his mother, their bodies were still awkwardly positioned, so Eric gently made small movements to get their heads and limbs arranged as comfortably as he could. He had just gotten positioned so he felt no pain or excess pressure when he noticed she was sound asleep, breathing heavily but smoothly. He was thrilled that he could make her feel better. She had not said a word, but the weight of her chest rising and falling against him said he had made her feel safe, and that was what counted. After a while, Eric drifted off himself and he had no idea how long they lay together, although the numbness in one arm meant it had been a while. Someone was knocking on the door, telling them supper was ready, and that sounded like a splendid idea to him as he tried to remember when he ate last. His mother had obviously not heard anything as her breathing was still deep and regular. He decided to let her sleep and began gently disentangling himself. She sensed him leaving her and tightened her grip on him. He began talking to her, telling her about supper, and assuring her he would not leave her. She roused herself and sat beside him on the edge of the bed, never letting go of his hand, and spoke the first words since he came to her, "I have to pee." He managed not to chuckle, realizing she was still not completely with it, and helped her to her feet and toward the bathroom. At first, she seemed like she was going to drag him in with her, but with an almost desperate look, she let go of his hand and went in, to his total amazement, leaving the door slightly open. He was embarrassed to hear her peeing, but held his place, afraid of her reaction if she did not find him in the same spot. He was certain by now that she was not herself, but in some kind of trance, especially when she came out of the bathroom without having touched her hair or her face, both of which looked quite awful. Not waiting for her to grab his hand, he put his arm around her and led her to the stairs. Unable to fit beside her, he dropped behind her, making sure he kept contact. His hand dropped from her back to her bottom, but she did not react. He left it there, enjoying the feel of her muscles flexing as she climbed. Only their three hosts and the girl were in the dining area when they arrived. The two women threw them concerned looks when they saw his mother's condition. Dex caught his eye and nodded slightly. The girl just stared at him with a look he could not read. He got his mother seated, and pulled his own chair close to hers. He asked about the other woman and the children, and was told they were all at Chuck E. Cheeses with the family that had taken them shopping. All through the meal, the girl seemed to be staring at him as he tended to his mother, sometimes having to feed her. When he would glance at the girl, she would look away. She seemed to have attached herself to Morgan, either right beside her or watching her closely. When the meal was finished, Morgan asked Megan to go and talk with Sandra, while she talked with Eric. Sandra looked panicky when Morgan pulled Eric away, but Megan talked calmly to her. Jessica was right behind Morgan as she walked Eric out of earshot but still in sight of his mother. "How long has your Mom been like this? When did it start?" Eric looked warily at Jessica, then turned his back to her and whispered so only Morgan could hear "This is kinda embarrassing to talk about in front of her. She doesn't like me and she gives me the creeps." Morgan whispered back "Eric, I need to ask you just to forget she is there and talk to me. She is even more upset than you are and I think hearing this will help her. Will you do it, please?" Taking a deep breath, he turned back and told Morgan how he had found his mother and what had happened afterward. He blushed heavily throughout, especially when Morgan asked him what he had said and how they had laid together. "Morgan, I need you to help me. She needs to take a bath and get cleaned up. She never lets herself get like this." "Why don't you help her?" "But she'd have to undress and everything. I'd feel like a perv." "Wouldn't you like to see her naked?" "Come on, don't ask me that!" "What if she wanted you to help her? What if she wanted you to see her?" "But she's so out of it now. When she feels better she might be angry or at least embarrassed. I'm afraid she might even be upset about me holding her on the bed. Won't you help her?" "Sure I will." She gave him a big hug, causing him to blush even harder. "You're a loving son to be so concerned about her feelings. You come and get me when you think it is time for her bath." In his ear, she whispered "Thank you, Eric. You didn't disappoint me." Eric went back to his mother, and led her into the family room where they sat in front of the TV. Morgan thanked her mother, then turned to Jessica. "You looked puzzled, Jessica." "He... he didn't do what I expected at all." "I had to learn this the hard way, but there are a lot of good men around - men who respect women. Dex is one. My grandfather is another, and you will meet him tomorrow. Eric is another." "But he's just a kid!" "Nope. He's more of a man than your father, don't you think?" The girl did not respond, just wore a very puzzled look for quite a while. ------- Kirstin's kids hit the house like a tornado, bouncing around and babbling about the fun they had with the O'Connors. They ignored Dex and chattered at Megan and Morgan. Dex hurried outside and caught Stan before they drove off, insisting they come in and meet everyone. Tracy O'Connor was a vivacious woman who probably always wore a smile. She was overweight, somwhere between Morgan and Kirstin, but showed absolutely no self-image problem. Their kids were about the same age as Kirstin's, but with the girl older than the boy. Morgan and Megan were effusive in their thanks, as was Kirstin. Tracy was outspoken and told them how much they enjoyed being on the helping side after all the negative stuff Stan had to deal with. He gave her a hug and told everyone he agreed. Eric came and said hello briefly, apologized for his mother, and hurried back to her. Tracy followed him to the family room and introduced herself, completely ignoring Sandra's non-responsive state. The mayhem continued for a while after Stan's family left. Megan suggested Kirstin put the kids in the hot tub to take the edge off of having to go to bed, and she readily agreed. They had bought swim suits, but dispensed with them for the occasion. When she had the kids down, Kirstin wilted in a chair and began to weep quietly. Megan was with her in seconds, putting her good arm over Kirstin's shoulder. Morgan sat on the other side. When asked what the problem was, she blurted out "Tracy's overweight and Stan loves her and treats her so nice! She's not as bad as me, but Gary just hates my fat body. How could I let myself get like this?" Drawing the tearful woman out carefully, they found out that Kirstin, while always being voluptuous, had kept her weight around 135, which she thought looked good on her. Gary must have thought so, too, because that was her wedding weight. After Courtney, she could not shed the last 12-15 pounds, and he began to ride her mercilessly about it. The more he criticized, the more depressed she became, and the more she ate. The heavier she got, the more physical he became. He never actually hit her, but the grabbing and shaking were frightening. His domineering attitude got worse and worse until she could take it no more. Morgan grabbed Kirstin by the hand and almost dragged her off to the hot tub room, locking the door behind them. "Now strip," she ordered as she quickly removed her own clothes. "Noooo, I can't. I look so awful." "Says who? Look, I'm no runway model, you know. Gary's got you hating your body and that's bullshit. Now get those clothes off and enjoy being naked. That's an order!" Kirstin just stared at Morgan for several seconds, but finally undressed and the two of them settled into the water and had a very nice chat. When thirty minutes were up, Kirstin was reluctant to get out when Morgan told her it was time. As she stepped up and out, she got a stricken look. "Morgan! I don't have anything to wear downstairs. I don't want to put my dirty clothes back on." "Sure you do! Here!" and she tossed a giant towel, taking one for herself. "Oh my, it doesn't cover much. And Dex and the boy are out there!" "So let's give them a thrill." "You're so naughty! You know, I used to like to show off, back when I was proud of my body." "So be proud now. Forget the weight and act like you don't give a damn what you weigh." Kirstin nervously followed Morgan out the door and turned toward the downstairs, only to be caught and almost knocked down by Morgan. Her towel nearly fell off, and she frantically re-tucked it between her breasts. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, girl! We need to get something to drink and be a little sociable." "But... but... like this?" "Sure, why not? You're home! Relax and dress how you like, or not!" She leaned over conspiratorially and said "Let's give young Eric a hardon!" eliciting a gasp from Kirstin. "You might, maybe, but not the way I look." "Hey, he's fifteen. Any square foot of naked female flesh can cause a hardon." Kirstin even giggled a little at that. As they entered the kitchen, Morgan winked at Dex and he barely hid his smirk as he spoke. "Kirstin, I'm glad to see you're relaxing and enjoying the amenities of our establishment. Seriously, this is your home for however long you need it. Feel free to walk around in whatever makes you comfortable, even nothing if that works for you. No one will mind." "Nothing? I couldn't even do that at home. Gary ordered me to cover up my fat." "Well, I, personally, would never be stupid enough to tell a woman to put clothes on if she didn't want to." Grabbing a diet soda for each of them, Morgan towed Kirstin to the family room and parked them both directly across from a bug-eyed Eric. Kirstin went through the entire red half of the spectrum and grabbed at the folds of her towel with both hands to make sure she was as covered as possible. Morgan, on the other hand, just casually crossed her legs, causing the towel to ride up so most of her ass was exposed. She bounced her top leg gently as she addressed Sandra. "How are you doing, Sandra, Honey. Are you feeling more relaxed now?" "I... I feel okay. I... I can hardly remember anything from this afternoon. I guess I was out of it. Wh... why are you in towels? Did you just shower? Don't you have robes?" "Oh, we just went in the hot tub on the spur of the moment, and didn't take any clean clothes with us. In fact, our dirty clothes are still lying there in a pile." "Ohhh, that sounds relaxing. I wish I had packed a suit." "Suit? We wore our birthday suits. Hey, come on back in there with us. It will feel good." She nudged Kirstin, and got up to take Sandra's hand. Kirstin caught on and took Sandra's other hand. Eric had hardly moved, except to follow all the naked skin with his eyes, especially the momentary pubic flash Morgan gave him when she stood up. Sandra was reluctant, but still too much in a trance to resist. She did look back over her shoulder and call Eric's name once. Morgan told her Eric would be fine, then yelled to Eric to find a snack in the kitchen. Morgan checked to see where Eric was, then dropped her towel just before going last through the door to the tub. Eric entered the kitchen red as a beet to find Jessica with her mouth agape and Dex and Megan doubled over with laughter. Seeing they were not laughing at him, he finally grinned and shook his head. "Boy, she is something!" was all he could think to say. "She is all of that," Megan said. "But this flirting business is all new to her, and she is discovering how much fun it is." "What do you mean, new to her? She must have gone out with lots of guys, as sexy as she is. Oops, sorry. Guess I shouldn't say that to her mother." "Oh, that's okay, I'm happy about it. You should say it to her, though, if you dare." "What do you mean? Will she get angry?" "Hardly! She might attack you in, uh, other ways, if you know what I mean." "Geez, maybe I'd better watch what I say. What do you mean, she's new to flirting?" "Jessica, didn't Morgan tell you all about it this afternoon? Why don't you fill Eric in?" "Uh, no, uh, I, uh... Are they all naked in the hot tub?" she desperately changed the subject. "Sure. Say why don't you join them. I would if it wasn't for these bandages. In fact, I'll go with you. I'll just have to stay on the edge." Not waiting for a response, she took the girl by the hand. "Wait, I can't! I mean what if somebody..." "Oh, these guys wouldn't try that! Besides, we can lock the door from the inside. Come on." When the door was closed on the tub room, Dex held his palm toward Eric, indicating high five. Eric did the slap, then asked, "What?" "Buddy, you were a real man today! I am so proud of you. I don't know what would have happened to your mother without you." "Uh, thanks. You know, it made me feel good! She really needed someone. Thanks for all the advice, too." "She didn't need someone, Eric. She needed you, and you were there for her. Are you ready to sleep in her bed tonight?" "Yeah, I think she will need it." "Good. Wow, listen to those women yucking it up in there. You know, Morgan is very smart. She is doing a lot of this joking and stuff to take the women's minds off their problems. She isn't too far from her own problems, though," and he proceeded to tell a bit of her story. "So she is just learning how to flirt, huh? Wow, she is good at it for a beginner!" "For a woman, it's as natural as breathing, and don't forget it." They went to the family room and watched ESPN until they heard the tub room door open to a chorus of giggles. Dex whispered to Eric, "Brace yourself, something is up!" Sure enough, in came Morgan with Megan and Kirstin on either side. They where humming 'The Stripper' and attempting a ragged kick step, wrapped in their towels. After about three bars, it collapsed into a laughing hug. Sandra stood quiet but smiling several yards behind the 'dancers, ' and Jessica was peering out of the tub room door, only her head exposed. "Eric, turn away so Jessica can run past. She's afraid of being seen," Dex said softly to the boy. Sure enough, they both turned and heard the girl running quickly past behind them. Making sure Jessica had time to get clear, Eric jumped and went to his mother. "Mom, you look so sexy in that towel! You need to get in the kick line, too. Come on! He put his arm around her bare shoulders and brought her arm around his back. "Morgan, help us out here!" He called. Morgan yelled for everyone to get in line, then got on the other side of Sandra. Dex put Kirstin between Eric and himself with Megan on his left. Naturally, it was Morgan who started humming the music and got everyone kicking pretty much in rhythm. This time, they kept it up. "Come on, get those legs up, girls. Show me some kick!" Morgan urged, setting the example herself. Kirstin objected "But if I kick too high, I'll show my, uh..." "So what if you flash some pussy? There's no one out there to see it. The guys can't see a thing unless your towel falls... Oooops." Her towel came untucked and she barely caught it before it hit the ground, turning away from Eric. This ended the kick line, as everyone collapsed in laughter, except Sandra who wore a bemused smile, and Eric was once again crimson-faced. As they were all recovering, Morgan saw Jessica standing in the hallway, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, and hurried over to her. She tried to joke with the girl and loosen her up, but could not raise a smile. "How can you not care who sees your body?" Jessica asked. "Oh, I care. All these people are nice, and appreciate me. They wouldn't hurt me. If I show a little more than usual, who cares?" "Even the guys?" "Especially the guys. Dex is the gentlest man you will ever meet, and did you see how Eric treated his mother?" "Yeah, I was surprised. I didn't think men did that kind of stuff. I mean, affectionate like." "Real men do, Honey, and the best men are the best at the lovey stuff." "I don't know! It's just so different." "Tell you what. What do you sleep in?" "Um, pajamas, usually." "Okay, I want you to come to breakfast tomorrow in just your pajamas - no robe." "Oh, I don't think I can. It wouldn't feel right." "Yes, you can, and you will. Speaking of pajamas, I think it's about bed time." In the family room, the others were scattered around, just relaxing. Kirstin came over and sat right next to a surprised Dex. "I can't believe I'm sitting here with a man I just met, wearing only a towel and not even nervous." Dex took her hand, entwining their fingers. "I'm just glad you are here. I hope my place can make a difference in your life. I want you to relax and feel safe and forget all the bad stuff." "Can I really just wear whatever I want. I mean, if I come to breakfast in just a T-shirt, nobody will care?" "Oh, we'll care, but not in a bad way, right Eric? Say, how short is the T-shirt?" "Oh, You!" And she slapped his arm playfully. "Just for that, I'll wear a big, bulky robe! Oh, Darn! I don't have a robe with me!" "Whew! My big mouth almost screwed up a fun show. How about you, Sandra? Are you coming to breakfast in just a T-shirt, too?" He knew he was taking a chance with her, but decided to try it. "Yeah, Mom!" Eric chimed in. "That would be cool. You look good in that towel, so why not?" Sandra did not say a word, but just looked at her son, wide-eyed and blushing. They got up and headed down to their rooms. Kirstin still sat next to Dex, but she was now quiet and gave out a huge sigh. "I'll bet you want to ask me something, don't you Kirstin?" "Do you know everything about women? Yes, I do want to ask something. It's pretty personal. Um, do I look totally repulsive?" "What!? Who the hell told you that? Oh, I'll bet it was your husband, wasn't it? Well, you don't look repulsive at all. We both know you don't look your best at this weight, but you still have some very attractive features. Is it, uh, too personal if I talk about them?" "N... no. You can say anything nice about me that you want." "Well, you have a very pretty face. It's very expressive and your eyes kind of flash. Of course it's much prettier now than when you came, because now you're smiling some. Did you know you could probably be a hand or foot model? They are very nicely formed - rather delicate. Your skin is very smooth and you have almost no blemishes. Of course, you have very impressive boobs. I'll bet they were gorgeous even when you were thinner, weren't they? And your hips have a sexy wiggle when you walk. Oh, I'm sorry, did I upset you?" "Yes, you did, but in a good way. I know those are all good things about me, so I know you're not making them up. Thank you for noticing. Gary can only see the fat." "Kirstin, as we sit here tonight, do you see your marriage getting fixed up, or do you think it's over?" "Oh, Dex, I don't know what to think. He is a good provider and good with the kids. We were great together until all this started. It was like something changed all of a sudden after Courtney, and after I couldn't lose the weight." "Do you still love him?" "I try to tell myself I don't, but I can't lie to myself when I'm lonesome in bed at night. Yes, I do still love him." "Do you think he can change?" "Well, he changed once. I mean, for years he was gentle and caring, and he never, ever did anything physical to me. Maybe he can change back again." "Okay. Now, I think we should declare this house a Gary-free zone. That means you don't talk or even think about him any more while you are here. Does that make sense?" In response, she reached over, turned his face toward her, and kissed him soundly. "Why couldn't I have found someone like you instead?" "Next time, you will" "Next time? There are no next times for fat divorcees with two kids. I've seen the statistics." "Then figure out how to beat the statistics. You can do it." "I think you believe that, don't you?" "I believe good people can achieve almost everything they set their minds to." ------- Dex had to check on some Email to prepare for the week ahead. Even though it was Christmas week, there were several customers that needed attention. The last three days, he had done nothing business-wise. As soon as he left the room, Megan and Morgan came in from the kitchen and sat on either side of Kirstin, all still in their towels. She put an arm around each of them and squeezed, forgetting Megan's injuries. At the grunt of pain, she apololgized profusely. "It's okay, Kirstin. It didn't hurt that much, and there is no permanent damage. Don't worry about it." "Thanks. It's just so wonderful to have someone I can hug! I'm a touchy-feely person, but there's been no one I could be affectionate with but the kids for so long." "Don't you have some good friends you get together with? Sisters? Mother?" Megan asked. "Let me answer, Mom. Kirstin, I'll bet he never let you go out with any friends. And I'll bet your family was upset when they found out about the abuse and hates him so much you hardly ever see them. Is that about right?" "I... I never told you all that. How did you know? From Elise?" "No, no one told me. You need to realize, Kirstin, that there are definite patterns in abuse cases. Every woman thinks she is unique and all alone, but it isn't true, right, Mom?" "Yes, Honey. Dex would keep telling me these things about myself, as if he lived at my house. He kept telling me it was typical, but I couldn't believe him. We both had to learn the hard way, didn't we?" "So, when I talked to Elise, she knew just what I was going through and what was going to happen?" "I'm sure she did. Don't feel bad about it, though. One of the things abusers do is isolate their victims from as much of the outside world as they can. They want them like prisoners." "I was sure a prisoner. If my Mom hadn't found Elise, I would still be a in prison. Hey, please don't be angry with me, and if you say 'no' I will understand. Is it okay if I flirt with Dex a little." Megan responded. "Oh, Kirstin, of course it's okay. We don't own him. Do you want to sleep with him?" Morgan blurted out "If she does, we'll have to start a sign-up sheet!" She and her mother both giggled over that comment. "How can you be so casual about all of this?" Megan took the lead here. "We have had some wonderful sex with Dex. He is a fantastic lover. But we had a long talk and agreed that for now, we all need loving companionship more than long-term commitment. Morgan and I love each other, and that makes it easier for us to share him. It makes me happy to see him give her pleasure." "You mean you watch each other? I didn't think stuff like that really happened." "It's not kinky or anything. In fact, it's beautiful and loving. Morgan, tell her some of your story." When Morgan finished, Kirstin spoke right up. "I was starting to have some of the same thoughts! I know I like men. No, I love them! It's just that nothing was like I thought it should be. I didn't feel good after sex lately, only used. In fact, he never made me feel good at all. Dex makes me feel good when he just looks at me. Just now when he took my hand and then teased me in a sexy way - I was ready to jump him right there. I want to feel good, and I haven't in so long. I... I'm not ready to have sex with him, though, but a little flirting and touching would mean so much." "Kirstin, you have our blessing. We know what you are feeling, and we want you to feel better." ------- Eric was nervous as he followed his mother down the stairs. He was amazed to realize he had rarely seen her so scantily dressed. He had meant it when he said she looked sexy. He didn't know why he had never thought much about how she looked. Sandra was nervous as she walked down to her room. The idea of going to bed alone tonight terrified her. She remembered the nights she had wished she was alone. Now that she had her wish, she did not even want to go to bed. "Mom, do you mind if I sleep with you tonight?" She wanted to shout out her relief. Yes, she did want him in her bed. But did she dare ask him? What must he think of her? "I would rather not be alone tonight, Mom, if it's okay with you." He needed her company! Of course she couldn't refuse him that. Trying to feign a little reluctance, she told him it would be fine. "I'll let you use the bathroom first. I need a shower. You're all clean from the hot tub." Sandra looked distracted as she walked into the bathroom. She finished her preparations, wrapped the towel around her again, and went to her room. When Eric came in a bit later, she was sitting on the edge of the bed, still wrapped in her towel. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mom, I thought you would be in bed by now. I'll come back after you've changed." "No, no, don't go. Come sit by me and talk to me." When Eric sat down, she grabbed his arm and pulled herself close, then rested her head on his bare shoulder. She thanked him for his loving attention that day, and apologized for being so out of it. She opened up a lot about the abuse and their escape. She apologized for not getting them out sooner. He had his arm around her lightly, caressing her bare arm. She occasionally patted and stroked his thigh. They stayed like that for almost a half hour, sharing more than they had in years. After a long pause, Sandra gave a large sigh. "Eric, will you do something for me right now?" "Sure, Mom, what do you need?" "Will you sit here and look at me while I change?" "Whaaat? You mean you'll be naked?" "Yes. Will you, please?" "S... s... sure, but... !" Not waiting for her courage to weaken, Sandra stood and dropped the towel. She walked across the room to her suitcase along the far wall, then bent over with her bare ass toward her son, and rummaged around for several seconds. Finding what she was looking for, she turned and walked slowly back toward the bed, arms at her sides. When she was about five feet from him, she fumbled with the nightgown in her hand, raised her arms, and let it slide down over her body. She walked around the bed, turned off the lamp and got in. Eric was slow to emerge from his state of shock. As he turned to get into bed, he was mortified to feel his erect penis sticking out through the fly of the boxers that were his only garment. When he was under the covers, he lay still, too stunned and too embarrassed to do or say anything. Sandra, rather than being embarrassed, was energized. She turned on her side facing him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Honey." "Th... thank me? For what?" "For being willing to look at my body, and especially for that nice, big, signal of appreciation!" "Oooh, I'm so sorry, Mom. I didn't even know it..." "Don't you dare be sorry! I'm certainly not. I'm thrilled! My son is quite a man, and you can't imagine what it means to know my body can excite you." "But why did you do that? Weren't you embarrassed?" "I was a little, but I had to do it." She went on to tell him of the humiliation and degradation she had been through the last few years. She told how encouraging it had been to be naked in the hot tub with the women, where they were all just natural and having fun. No one said anything about her body. The one thing she still needed was his acceptance of her body. She needed to know that he didn't find her ugly or repulsive. "When you told me earlier that I looked sexy, it sent a thrill all through me. I had to find out if you meant it." She giggled. "I'm so happy to see that you did mean it!" "Geez, Mom, you are sexy. I can't believe it took me so long to notice." "Maybe because I didn't act sexy around the house. Your father beat me down so much I hardly felt like a woman. And maybe it was because you were too respectful to let yourself think about your mother that way." "Yeah, Dex kinda said that." "Dex? Has he been giving you advice? Did he tell you how to take care of me today?" "Yeah, he told me some stuff. Is that okay? I should have thought of it myself." "He's a good man. You listen to what he says and forget anything you ever heard from your father. You weren't doing just what Dex told you, either, were you?" "No, and I won't need any reminders from now on. I'm going to watch out for you all the time." "Honey, from now on, you're my man!" She leaned over and gave him a more-than-motherly kiss. ------- They had been asleep for hours when Eric was awakened by a pitiful moaning sound and felt the bed shaking. Forcing himself to alertness, he could tell his mother was trembling so hard it shook the whole bed. He was rational enough to guess that she was dreaming of being beaten or sexually assaulted. He was afraid if he touched her it might exacerbate the nightmare. If he spoke loudly enough to wake her, it might take her a long time to recover. Acting on instinct, he started talking softly right into her ear. Telling her anything soothing that came to his mind about being safe, about not being hurt anymore, about how he loved her, about how beautiful she was. He had to talk for a good minute before he noticed any decrease in her distress, but he kept it up until her breathing settled into deep sleep. When it was over, he found himself shaking. He was angry and frustrated, not knowing how he could help her. At that moment he felt more love for her than he could ever remember. ------- Chapter 26 Unable to get back to sleep after trying for some time following his mother's nightmare, Eric went to the bathroom and walked out into the lower family room area. As he did, he heard sounds from the gym and walked that way, pausing at the first point where he could see the exercise area. Dex and Morgan were working on weight machines, and Jessica was sitting on a nearby bench, watching. Dex wore only some running shorts, Morgan was in a T-shirt and panties, which he could see clearly the way she was laying on a bench, and Jessica wore a robe. He was tempted to join them, but was intimidated by Jessica's presence with himself in only the boxers he slept in. He was debating what to do when a hand on his shoulder nearly sent him through the roof. Kirstin spoke softy, "Good morning, Eric. I'm so sorry I startled you." "Oh, good morning, Mrs..." "Mrs. Nothing! I don't want to think about my marriage anymore. Besides, we're practically naked, so why be formal. It's Kirstin." Like Morgan, Kirstin wore a T-shirt. "Then, good morning, Kirstin. You did startle me, but that's okay. Why are you up so early?" "Oh, I hardly slept last night, and I heard a noise out here. How about you?" "Umm, well, uh, Mom had a nightmare, and I couldn't get back to sleep afterward." "So she screamed so loud she woke you up? Funny I didn't hear her." "Well, I, uh, she, uh..." "Ohhhh! You were sleeping with her, weren't you?" "Hey, it's not like that! She needed someone with her is all." Eric was suddenly engulfed in a big hug. Realizing what she had done, Kirstin stepped back and apologized. "I think that is so sweet! I wish my son was old enough to comfort me like that. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm just a hugger." "That's okay. You just surprised me is all." In the few seconds of that hug, something changed in Kirstin. Since she got here, everything had been relaxed, friendly, flirtatious. At home, she had not been naked for years except a few minutes in the shower. She could soak in the tub while Gary was at work, but she had even lost the desire to do that. Nervous and ashamed as she was at the start, the time with the women in the hot tub was so thrilling it had her pussy dripping. And then, walking around in towels in front of the men! And the kick line! And the talk with Dex! And Megan and Morgan! Eric blushing at the sight of her! When she first went to bed, she was so high there was no way she could sleep. She brought herself off twice, but it helped only a little. When she did drift off, the dream came, the one where she found herself naked in church, or at school, or at a family gathering. Always before in the dream, she was panicky to find something to cover up with, or somewhere to hide. Often, Gary would be there to yell at her, or her father. Of course, her father would never yell in real life, but that was her oft-repeated dream. Only this time, it was not the almost-nightmare that had rerun so many times before. This time, she was strutting naked in her high school body, adored and proud. Gary was sad because he could not get through the crowd to see her, while her father escorted her. They were at the big Memorial Day picnic Gary's company threw, and she was the star. It must have been five times she fell asleep, only to awake frustrated because she had been torn from that wonderful picnic. Every time, she found her sticky hand in her crotch. The brief hug with Eric was her first feeling of a bare male back in many months, and it was like an electric charge. Lately, when he bothered with sex at all, Gary either demanded a blowjob, or just stuck it in from behind with no other body contact. He said he couldn't stand to be so close to the fat. She wondered if Eric noticed, almost hoped he did, but her nipples had popped instantly at the feeling of the first male body in a long time pressed against her boobs. Eric was a sweet young man. He obviously cared for women, the way he treated his mother. He was young, probably a virgin. He would love to see a naked female, even a fat one. She'd bet he would never say anything negative, no matter what she looked like. Dex had said 'wear what you want, or nothing' and Morgan had set up the towel signal for the hot tub. Morgan had also told her to be proud of her body and forget what she weighed. Maybe she could finish that picnic dream here. Why not? Her life had fallen apart anyway. Nothing she believed had worked. Why not do just what she felt like for once? Certain he must now see her nipples through the T-shirt, and just as certain that he must be able to smell her, Kirstin somehow kept her voice from shaking as she said "Say, Eric, instead of standing here, let's go up to the hot tub." "Oh, okay. Let me get my suit on and I'll meet you up there." "No! Uh, can we just put a towel on the doorknob?" "What? Oh, you mean? Geez, I don't think I could..." "I'm sorry, I guess you wouldn't want to skinny dip with a fat lady, would you?" "No, that's not it! It's just that I'd be..." "If you're worried about a hardon, I've got news for you - it's too late." Eric looked down in alarm and saw that, indeed, his boxers were hugely tented. It was only a minor relief that it hadn't popped through the fly as it had last night with his mother. "Come on! I'll show you all my fat and you show me your hardon and we'll be even, okay? Please?" Through the crushing embarrassment, Eric remembered his mother's need to be looked at and accepted. He took Kirstin's hand and they went up the stairs, she almost skipping, he barely able to walk. Her skin began to tingle all over in anticipation of him seeing her, and it seemed like there were a hundred steps up. Once in the tub room, she shed her meager garments in a flash, then watched him. He turned his back to pull down his boxers, then held his hands over his cock. "Eric, please! I want to see it. Don't be shy! I really want to!" Somehow finding the will power, he dropped his hands, only to be greeted by a gasp from Kirstin. "What's wrong?" "It... it's so big!" "But you're married. You've seen, uh, cocks before!" "A cock is all - one. And yours is just as big. Are you, um, unusually large?" "I haven't seen other guys, you know, hard, but compared to guys in the locker room I'm pretty average." "That son-of-a-bitch! He was always bragging to me about how big he was." They got in the pool, sitting across from each other. "I know you're embarrassed, but it makes me feel good when you get hard for me." "I know." "You do? How did you know?" "Well, I, uh just sort of figured that, uh..." "Oh no you don't! Something happened with your mother, didn't it?" "Hey, that's private stuff. I can't talk about that!" After much persuasion and promises of secrecy, he told her of the previous night's encounter. Her eyes were moist when he finished. "I feel exactly the same way. You realized that when you agreed to come up here naked, didn't you." He nodded, and she went on. "Thank you. Tell me, does my fat bother you?" Wondering later why he had done it, he wisecracked. "Yeah it bothers me! It bothers me so much I'm about to come right here in the tub!" Kirstin jumped to her feet, ran over to lock the door, got back in the tub right beside him, and started stroking his cock. "Kirstin, I don't think... unnnngghh!" He blew after about three strokes. As he was coming down, she pulled his head to her ample bosom and hugged him, rocking back and forth and humming in contentment. She took one of his limp hands and placed in right on her breast, helping him knead it. Eric eventually got his breath back. Without moving his head, he gasped out, "Thank you, Kirstin. There's been so much stuff going on, I was about to burst. Um, can I, um, do anything for you?" "You sweet, sweet man, you! Do you know how?" "Uh, no, uh, I've never done..." "Well, I'm the lucky gal who gets to give you your first lesson, then!" She sat up on the edge of the tub and had him kneel in front of her. Seeing him there brought her up short for a moment: she was a faithful married woman! Was this adultery she was committing? Everything up to now had happened so fast! Eric's was the first cock other than Gary's that she had seen or touched since high school. Was she supposed to feel guilty? Now this boy, man really, she corrected herself, was staring at what was supposed to be her husband's exclusive property. Could she go through with this? Should she? Husband? Probably not for long, she thought with a real pang of anguish. Well, dammit, her pussy was her property anyway, not his. Gary ignored it, but Eric was flat out worshipping it. Eric deserved to do whatever he wanted with it. To Hell with Gary! Kirstin spread her legs and began showing him the parts of her genitals. He tentatively touched each part as she exposed it, obviously fascinated with what he was learning. "Uh, Kirstin, um, ah, the guys are always talking, you know, about, um, eating out a girl. Could I, uh, try that on you?" "Oh My God! You want to do that? I've never had it - he thought it was gross. Oh, God! Try whatever you want." "You'll have to tell me if I'm doing it right or wrong." With that, he started just kissing around her pubic area. On her thighs, he could only taste the slight chemical tang of the tub water, but he could definitely detect an earthy, slightly pungent odor. He had, of course, heard all the locker room jokes about stinky finger and the fishy smell, etc. In fact, he was wondering why he was so impetus in asking to lick her. Would he be able to stand it? Did men really do this a lot? Being the considerate sort that he was, Eric thought about Kirstin's elated reaction when he mentioned eating her out. In just a day, he had learned a lot about the rewards of putting up with some discomfort or inconvenience for the sake of a woman. So far, there was no smell or taste that bothered him, and he was sure it would make her happy. Eric worked into it gradually, with kisses first, then tentative licks. The hair around Kirstin's pussy was thick, but the the texture was silky, and it was almost the same light blonde as her head. Genital grooming had obviously not been a priority for her, as the hair was rampart all over her crotch. It took a little experimentation with his tongue and fingers before Eric found the best way to penetrate the blond forest, but before long he was probing between Kirstin's labia to increasing agitation and vocalization from her. If the taste wasn't any worse than this, he would have no trouble doing this. In fact, the whole process was so stimulating that he himself felt right on the brink again. "Uh, uh, l... l... lick my clit! Aaaaahhh!" He barely touched it and she came, jamming her fist into her mouth to keep from screaming too loudly. He was so startled by the event that he pulled back, causing her orgasm to end too soon. She looked at his beaming face, and could not even think of criticizing. She just hugged him tight and rocked some more. He must have sensed something, because he asked "Shouldn't it last a little longer than that?" She then explained about keeping contact, about sensitivity, etc. He insisted he wanted to try again and she was in no mood to argue. This time, he had her stretch out on one of the benches surrounding the room, and he knelt with his head right between her legs. Kirstin encouraged Eric to push one, then two fingers into her, and he just naturally knew to thrust in and out as he licked. She took longer this time, but when he sucked on her clit, she exploded again, much harder than before. Remembering her advice, he kept mouth contact as long as he could. When the convulsions grew too violent, he used his hand to rub the area, stimulating her as long as she could stand it. He put his arms around her and cuddled her when she became too tender to touch. She instinctively reached for his cock and found it fully hardened again. Still rather weak and shaky, she sat up, pulled him to his feet, and took him into her mouth. He gasped loudly as she went to work on him, using both her mouth and hands. When she tickled the area right behind his balls, he came apart, blasting so hard into her mouth that he sank to his knees after the first few spurts, the rest dribbling onto the floor. Together they somehow got back into the tub, cuddling and talking softly. "God, are you good at that!" he finally exclaimed. "What, the blowjob? I've been forced to do them for years. I got good at it so I could get it over with. This is the first time in a while that I wanted to give one, and I wish it could have lasted longer." "Sorry! It was just too much. Wow!" "If only I was fifteen again, I would have made you my boyfriend for sure. And I could have had you, too. You wouldn't believe how good I looked then." "Oh yes I would. You're a beautiful woman. You can't hide that." "You sound just like Dex." "I take that as a compliment!" "You should. I bet you think I can lose this fat, don't you?" "Sure! If you decide you want to." "Just like Dex again. Well, I am going to. I'm starting a new life, and I'm not going to do it in this flabby old body." "That's great, Kirstin. Can I ask a favor?" "After what you did to me, you can ask anything you want!" "After you lose the weight, will you skinny dip with me one more time." "May first, right here. Mark it down, okay? I'll set it up with Dex." "Um, can we do this some more while we are both staying here?" "I'll be dragging you out of bed at five every morning, stud!" They soaked in the tub and made like lovers for a while. She encouraged him to caress her tits and play with the nipples. At one point, she brought his face over and showed him how to suck and nibble gently on a nipple. She shivered through a small orgasm while he was doing that. While Kirstin was gently fondling his testicles with one hand, Eric lifted her other hand and held it out, turning it over and around. "Did you know you have really beautiful hands?" he asked her. Any other time, she might have burst into tears at his comment, but she was so awash in feelings and emotions, she just hummed and gave him a hug. When they could take no more of the heat they toweled off and prepared to leave. As he wrapped the towel around his waist, she slapped his hand. "Nope! We're streaking!" He knew protests were useless, so he dropped the towel and picked up his boxers from the floor. They were laughing softly as they reached the bottom of the stairs, only to turn the corner and run smack into Morgan and Jessica, literally. Morgan was the first to recover, and blurted out, "Well, I'll be damned!" Jessica gave a huge gasp and froze in place. Eric jammed his hands in front of his crotch and turned to start for his room. Since he was practically in Morgan's arms, she grabbed him and whispered in his ear. "Please, stand here and talk to us. Act natural. Let Jessica see you all she wants. She needs this. Please!" He sputtered but stayed in place, somehow finding the courage to face the others and drop his hands. Kirstin helped by holding one of his hands. Morgan had taken a firm grip on one of Jessica's hands to prevent her from running away, although movement of any kind was beyond the girl for the moment. Morgan drove the conversation, but Kirstin soon caught on to what was happening. Before long, even Eric was into the act, creating a completely casual, gossipy gathering of friends. Kirstin first addressed Jessica directly, asking her about Dex's workout, and whether she had done any of those exercises. Jessica managed a short answer, arms crossed tightly over her chest, pulling the robe close around her. Dex had apparently been watching it all for a while, for he finally came by and went up the stairs, greeting everyone as if there was nothing unusual going on. This put Jessica back in gape mode. Kirstin raised the ante by saying "Morgan, that bastard husband of mine has been bragging all these years about how big his cock was. I didn't know any better until I saw Eric's. He's only fifteen, and his is as big as Gary's. Can you believe that?" "I guess guys are as sensitive about the size of their cocks as girls are about their boobs. Jessica, was your Dad's penis as big as Eric's?" Jessica moaned and tried to pull away. Morgan pulled her close and reassured her they were all friends and cared for her. She then told the others of Jessica's ordeal with her father. Eric spoke up immediately, "Jessica, I'm sorry. I'd better go. I don't want to be like your father." Jessica actually muttered something meaningful. "No, no, don't go. I mean, unless you want to. At least you aren't trying to get me to undress." "I wouldn't do that." "Well, Jessica, you still haven't answered the question. How does Eric's penis compare with your Dad's?" "It... it's just different. His was always standing up and hard, not soft like that." Having had two ejaculations, and being very nervous, Eric had managed to stay soft through the conversation. "You mean like this?" Morgan began stroking his shaft, leaning over to whisper in his ear "Don't move, please. Let this happen. I promise to make it worth your while. This is helping her so much. Please!" She took his arm and put it over her shoulder as she stroked him to full hardness. "Now, how does that compare?" "Oh, God!" She was shaking a little, probably from the bad memories. Morgan gentled her, and told her, "It's okay, Honey. Eric won't try to make you do anything you don't want to. No one here will. A man's erection should be a wonderful thing to a woman. I'm so sorry it has been terrifying for you, but believe me, you will learn to like it. I'll bet your panties are a little damp, aren't they? I know mine are. Now, how does Eric compare?" "He's... he's quite a bit longer, and a lot thicker. And his, uh, things, uh, hanging there are way bigger." "There's something important to learn here. Many abusers are trying to compensate for a real or imagined shortcoming, like a small penis. Jessica, Honey, would you like to touch it?" "Oh, oh, no! I couldn't. I don't want to!" "That's okay. Eric, I need to ask you another favor. Stay naked through breakfast, will you? I'm going to get Dex naked, too. Jessica, I want you to get used to dicks swinging around so you won't be afraid of them any more. Pretty soon, when you see one, you will get excited rather than afraid. Can you do that, Eric." Morgan's request didn't register on Eric at first, probably because it was too outrageous to get his mind around it. Then, it sank in that she was serious, and the horror set in. There were all those women. Of course, three of them had already seen everything. The one that counted, though, almost stopped his heart. "But what about Mom?" "Let's go explain it to her. Kirstin, get dressed and go down to Dex's room and tell him what I want. I want only the men naked. Come on, Eric." Morgan had to practically order Jessica to go up to her room, and it was comical how the girl kept looking back at Eric as she climbed, almost stumbling at her last view of him. Kirstin made her own interpretation of Morgan's orders, and scampered up ahead of Jessica without bothering to dress. She had only been drunk a few times, but that was the closest she could think of to what she felt right now. It was euphoria, it was arousal, it was embarrassment, it was fear of rejection, it was pride, it was... she didn't know what all it was. She was just afraid it would stop if she covered up. She had a brief thought of the skinny girl behind her on the stairs having to look at her flabby ass, then thought 'screw it.' She felt too high for anything to bring it down. Dex would see her. She desperately wanted him to. He would not be disgusted, she just knew it, and she needed that approval from him so badly it almost hurt. Morgan didn't play fair. She had ahold of Eric's still-hard cock and led him to the bathroom nearest his mother's room. After shutting the door, she began stroking him in a leisurely rhythm and began talking. "Eric, I know you're horrified at my request, but I think it could be the biggest help for these women, not just Jessica. Besides, most of the women have seen you already. The only ones that haven't are my Mom and Carol and your... Ohhhhh!" It caught Eric as much by surprise as it did Morgan, but she felt the quick, final swelling in his shaft, and was able to keep the spurts from going all over. He was completely overwhelmed by the feelings and totally lost control of his body. "That's it, Baby. Just thinking about your Mom seeing this beauty got to you, didn't it. That's so sweet! God, you're a stud! Just look at this pile! No wonder - how do you close your legs with the size of those balls? I'll bet Kirstin got you off at least twice from the way it looked, huh?" "I know you're scared to death of getting hard in front of everyone. Have you come enough times so that won't happen? Tell you what, I'll keep stroking you while we talk here, and if it gets hard again, we'll take care of it again before we go talk to your mom." At the mention of his mother, the orgasm that she had thought was over revived enough to produce two more small dribbles and to cause his knees to buckle. Morgan continued her constant stream of talk while she made an honest effort to get him hard again, but to no avail. It was definitely playing dirty, but when she asked again if he would go to breakfast naked, he couldn't even object. Eric had thought it was tough standing exposed in front of Jessica, but now he was so nervous he almost passed out. When they entered her room, Sandra was still asleep. Morgan woke her gently, making sure Eric was not in her line of sight. After making sure Sandra was awake enough to understand, she told her what she wanted from Eric. Sandra blushed, and asked, "Oh, how could he ever stand that?" "How would it make you feel, Sandra, to see him naked in front of all those women?" Sandra just stared at Morgan for quite a while until she saw Morgan break into a grin. "I see you approve. Thanks." "How..." "Your nipples answered for you." "Ohhhh! Uh, where is he now?" "Right here, Mom," and he walked around in front of her. "Kind of like last night in reverse, huh?" When Morgan asked, Sandra explained what she had done. Morgan gave her a hug and told her how touching it was. "Mom, I won't do this unless you tell me you want me to. I can't do it without your help. Should I do it?" Sandra nodded her head vigorously. "We'll give you fifteen minutes warning before breakfast. Come just like you are." "But this is pretty thin, and I don't have panties on, and my nipples..." "So? You'll have a lot more on than the men. Look, we've got one screwed up little girl here. I know you have your problems, too, but if we can keep her from growing up terrified of men and nakedness, it's worth a little embarrassment. Besides, you have nothing to be embarrassed about! You look sexy in that nightie." "See, I told you, Mom." ------- When Kirstin knocked on the Master Bedroom door, it was Megan who told her to come in. She got raised eyebrows and nothing else from Megan at her nudity. "Megan, Morgan says Dex is supposed to come to breakfast naked." Megan responded, "Oh, we shouldn't do that with a houseful of people! That was for when we were alone." "Not you, Megan. She wants just the men naked," and she went on to explain about Jessica. While Kirstin was talking to Megan, Dex came out of the bathroom, toweling off. He was taken aback by Kirstin's presence, but he had seen her naked in the basement, and wasn't too concerned about his own nudity. For her part, Kirstin could look only one place until Dex cleared his throat. When Kirstin explained what Morgan wanted, though, Dex couldn't stifle a reaction. "She wants what? I want to hear this from her, and it had better be good. Megan, I think your daughter has gone round the bend." Kirstin scurried off, and returned, still naked, with Morgan in tow. Morgan proceeded to explain what had happened with Jessica, and it triggered memories in Dex's mind of similar reactions from his mother early on in their sexual relationship. His skepticism diminished, but he was still reluctant, and, frankly, a little terrified. "Morgan, I know I've been naked with women a lot in my life, but that was always with family or close friends. I just met these women yesterday!" Morgan looked for an instant like she might get angry, then turned to Kirstin. "How come you're still naked, Honey? And why haven't you covered up anything?" "It... it feels good to be naked. I haven't been able to for so long!" "But you just met us. You hardly know us!" "I... I'm comfortable here. I feel safe and accepted. Um, do you want me to get dressed?" "That's OK, Honey, you can run around naked here all you want. I'm just trying to make a point with Dex." "I get it. I get it," Dex exclamined. "You want the women to be comfortable with naked men, and not afraid. So, Eric is really going to do this? In front of his mother, and Jessica?" "Yup!" "Damn! I guess there's no way I can chicken out, then. Morgan, if this turns out to be a flop, you're cut off, got it." "Riiiiight!" ------- Morgan orchestrated breakfast carefully, making sure Jessica was seated before either of the men entered the room. She was pleased to see Jessica wearing just her pajamas, having shed the robe. Eric and Sandra came in hand in hand, and this time, she was in the supportive role, although Eric was able to hold her chair as she sat. Morgan wondered if it was safe to let Eric handle anything, the way he was shaking. She had set this up, but still found herself amazed that the boy would have the courage to do this. When she saw him constantly glancing back at his mother, and saw her adoring gaze fastened on him, she thought she knew the reason. Eric was doing this for Sandra, and all the other people mattered very little to him. Morgan had asked him to do it for Jessica, but that was just the idea starter. She found herself thinking that with love that strong between them, these two, at least, would be just fine. Dex breezed in last, greeting a blushing Sandra as if nothing was unusual. Kirstin was eating up every moment of this, and laughed and joked with Dex. She tried the same with Eric, but he was not able to enter in. Morgan directed the men to do all the serving, making sure to expose Jessica to as much swinging meat as possible. The girl was unable to eat for the first ten minutes, she was so fixated on Dex's member. It was only when he sat down to eat that she even noticed her own food. Her expression was mostly fear, but Morgan was sure there was some fascination there, too. Jessica didn't say ten words through the course of the meal, and by the end, her attention had switched almost exclusively to Eric. Dex found himself thinking back to all the Ferguson naked brunches. This wasn't the same, at all. He knew Morgan wanted to promote the feeling of family and belonging, but it could never be the same. He wished he could believe this was really going to help. He admired and trusted Morgan, but somehow, it just didn't feel right. After he finished eating, Dex asked Morgan if he could sit in her chair, which was right next to Jessica. The girl looked frightened when he sat down. "Jessica, I know you are still nervous around me, but I have a proposition for you. I have to visit two clients today. It should only take a half hour at each one. If you would come with me, we could stop by afterward and see how your mother is doing. Would you like to do that? I promise to keep my clothes on!" The uncertainty of conflicting urges was evident on the girl's face, and she said nothing for several seconds. Kirstin spoke up before Jessica could answer, "Dex, I would like to go along, too. Would that be okay with you, Jessica?" Jessica just nodded. Morgan walked behind Kirstin and squeezed her shoulder in thanks. Kirstin reached up and patted her hand. ------- Back in the bedroom, Dex had collapsed in a chair, looking totally drained. Morgan, concerned about his reaction, found him that way when she came in and stripped a few minutes later. "Was it really tough?" "This is absolutely nuts! I think I was less wrung out after a championship game." "I can't believe that after all those naked family brunches this would affect you so much." "It's not the same at all, Morgan. Those family brunches were, and still are, some of the best times in my life. Maybe it's because of the way I started with my mother, I don't know. Being naked with people you care deeply for leaves you even closer when you walk away. This? It's kind of a mockery of something meaningful to me." "God, I didn't mean to do that to you, Dex." "Back home, we were all naked, we all loved each other, and it was a way to share openly. It was relaxed and happy. Here, I am more like a display piece." Mimicking a carnival barker, Dex did a little parody. 'Ladies, here we have an example of male homo sapiens in its natural state. Notice that its sexual organ is limp and non-threatening. From its friendly and helpful demeanor you can be assured that it presents no danger of rape, assault, humiliation, or any other misogynistic acts often attributable to its species. You may notice small twitches of the penis. You may also notice an occasional slight rippling in the scrotum. These are merely symptoms of the specimen's extreme anxiety at having its genitals exposed for your inspection. These small movements indicate a struggle. The organ's natural impulse is to spring fully erect at the stimulation of your gaze. However, the specimen's libido is depressed by the humiliation of its circumstance as a display model.' Morgan was doubled over with laughter when Dex finished, but quickly sobered up and became sympathetic. "Dex, the first part of your little spiel is exactly what I'm trying to get across to the women." "I know. I was listening. And I agree." "As for the second part: is nudity really that difficult for you guys?" "You women have a huge advantage in the nudity department, besides being so damned beautiful to look at. Sure, you have your tits out in the open, and your nipples get hard. But your sex is hidden in that natural fig leaf called a muff. Us guys, on the other hand, have it all out in the open to start with. And if we happen to get excited, well, everyone knows." "As an example, imagine if your pubes were shaved, and you constantly had your legs spread and your pussy thrust forward." "Strippers do it all the time, you know," Morgan quipped. "Right. Well, that's how it always is for us guys. When a woman is just standing with no clothes on, it's nudity. If she spreads her legs and exposes her labia, it's pornography. With guys, our dicks are always exposed, so essentially, a naked guy is always pornographic. Well, at least if he gets hard, it's pornographic, for sure." "Wow! That's an angle I never thought of. Maybe that's why you can see lots of bare tits and bushes in regular movies, but very few dicks." Morgan observed. "And also because it's harder to get men to show theirs." "So what's the big hangup with you guys. Why is it so hard? Uh, no pun intended." "Fear of a hardon is a huge factor. Think of all the times your nipples get hard, except from cold. Well..." "You mean like when I'm watching your bare butt flex during your form drills?" Morgan interrupted with a giggle. "Hey, I'm teaching here. No wisecracks from the class! As I was saying, those are the same times when a guy is in danger of getting hard." "You mean you sometimes walk around hard all day?" Dex could not hold his serious demeanor after that one, and laughed heartily, to the irritation of Morgan, who had not intended it as a joke. "Let's not use you as an example. You're probably three times as horny as the typical woman." "I guess I'm supposed to be insulted by that, huh?" quipped Morgan, sticking out her tongue. "Anyway, what's the big tragedy about getting hard? I sure don't mind it." Ignoring her last phrase, Dex tried to answer her question. "Guys have strange feelings about getting hard in front of women. Being aroused always feels good, on the one hand. On the other hand, your sexual adequacy or inadequacy is completely revealed. There is also an element of shame at not being able to control your arousal. I think it's safe to say a hardon in front of a group of women is at the top of most male lists of fears." "It doesn't bother you in front of me, does it?" Morgan asked coyly. "No, not at all. But with some guys, it's even a problem with their lovers. The male ego is no myth, you know. We have this exalted image of our own sexuality, and we're reluctant to have the truth known in case we come up short of our image." "Wow! That's pretty deep stuff. Sure you weren't a psyche major?" Becoming serious again Morgan told Dex "Lover, it seems you're making a lot bigger sacrifice than I knew by waving that beauty around for us gals. I do appreciate it, really? What I saw at breakfast tells me I'm on the right track. What do you think?" She knelt in front of him, lay her head on his thigh, and began playing with him. "I hate to admit it, but I think it had some effect. It was really only Sandra and Jessica who hadn't seen me before, so it could have been worse. I'm not sure Sandra knew I was there after the first glance. She couldn't take her eyes off of Eric. I guess if I helped support Eric so he could help heal his mom, that was worthwhile." "As for Jessica: I think that is going to take some time. God, she is a sweet kid! I feel so angry about what has happened to her! I hope I'm helping a little." "Now that's the Dex I know and love!" Morgan said softly. "And then there's Kirstin, our local exhibitionist. She would love it if we made the whole house a 'no clothes' zone, wouldn't she? It's like seeing a whole new woman pop out in less than a day. I don't think she has any idea what a wonderful person she is. We have to be careful that some thoughtless remark about her body doesn't set her back. Have you seen the look in her eyes sometimes? It's like she's just waiting for a rejection." "What about tomorrow?" "Oh, boy! Your grandparents will be here then, you know." "Does Grandma terrify you?" "No. She's a great lady. I guess I can handle showing her my dick." "Lover, thanks so much for talking to me like this. I really wasn't aware of just how strongly you felt about this, and I'm sorry. I... just saw a way to help Jessica and the others, and went for it." "And that's the Morgan I know and love," Dex parroted her earlier comment with just as much feeling. "Remember, a lot of the turnaround for your mother and your Aunt Kristen started with you dropping your pants. You can't build the same beautiful relationship with our women as you did with them, I know that. And they aren't undressing with you, so there's not the same openness." "Do you think you can just stop comparing this morning with your family brunches? This," and she gave his shaft a long, loving stroke, "can start THESE women on the road to recovery, too, you know. Can you just take a different kind of satisfaction in that?" "Damn! They ought to just give you your Ph. D. right now and be done with it so you can get busy changing the world. I guess if I care enough about these women to give up my house, I can just wave my dick around, too, and stop feeling bad because it ain't like home." "Exactly. Unfortunately, you are pretty much a specimen. But at least these lucky women get the best specimen of the whole damn species!" She had just engulfed Dex's cock in her mouth when Jessica's voice called timidly from outside the door. "Morgan? I need to talk to you." "Damn!" Morgan said in a whisper. "I guess it's my turn to sacrifice for the cause, huh?" As she walked out to tend to Jessica, Megan came in. Seeing Dex's condition, Megan said "Ooooh! Her loss, my gain, huh?" Megan took his hand, pulled him up, and led him to the bed. She kicked off her panties and bent over, supporting herself with her good arm. Dex urged her up onto the bed on her knees and moved up behind her. With one hand, he rubbed between her spread legs, and with the other he stroked all over her back and hips. Not having a spare hand to guide him into herself, she turned her head back and said "Just do it. I need it now and hard. Please." As he inched into her, she was able to lower her head to the bed, being careful of her injured arm and side. When fully inserted, he held on to her hips, careful not to move her around too much as he thrust. With her having just one arm for support and he having to use both hands to steady her, the only point of stimulation was their genitals. Dex made the best of the situation, thrusting, rotating, changing speeds. Her arousal grew, but he could not get her over. When he could hold it no longer, he held steady as he came, and used one hand to rub her clit. He kept up the rubbing even as he started to shrivel, taking her to a climax at last. Instructing her not to move, he left her in that lewd position, returning with a wet towel to clean her tenderly. When he was done, he pulled her up onto her knees and back against himself. He rubbed her mound and pinched her nipple while nibbling on her ear. She threw her head back and reached her hand back behind his neck. She had another small orgasm before they broke apart and he finished dressing. Neither of them saw Morgan and Jessica back away from the doorway just before being discovered. ------- After breakfast was finished, Eric had stayed to help Dex clean up. All the women had left, except Sandra, who stayed right in her chair, never taking her eyes off her son. When Eric was finished, he took his Sandra's arm and led her to the stairway. This time, Sandra insisted Eric precede her down the stairs, her eyes fastened on his flexing ass. Once in the room, Sandra spoke up. "Honey, can you stay and talk with me for a while." "Sure, Mom. Be glad to." Eric pulled some clothes from a drawer. "Uh, Honey. Could you, uh, not get dressed yet? Please?" "Oh. Uh... Geez!" Eric turned his back as his penis suddenly swelled to full hardness. "Eric, Honey, don't be ashamed to let me see it. You know how I feel about it, don't you?" Eric turned around and slumped wearily onto the bed against the headboard while Sandra sat in the side chair. "Honey, you went through the whole breakfast and didn't get hard. Why now?" "Um, uh, it's you looking at it, I guess." "But I was looking at you at breakfast, too." "Yeah, but here it's just us and... I don't know. It's been longer since I... uh..." "Since you came? Did you have to masturbate before breakfast? Is that how you got through?" "Well, I... uh... Mom, I need to tell you something. I was in the hot tub with Kirstin early this morning. That was before the bit with Jessica that Morgan told you about." "Oh. And you were naked? And she made you come?" "Yeah. Twice." "Ah. Did you have sex with her?" "No, I didn't do that. I... I haven't done that yet." "I knew that, Honey." "Are you mad about my being with Kirstin?" "No." Sandra hated to lie to him, but how could she justify being jealous. He was not her husband, or even her lover. He certainly deserved any chance he could get to learn about sex from someone who would be good to him. She considered Kirstin to be a very nice person. "Do you think you were helping her?" "I don't know. I hope so. She sure seems a lot different than last night." "So you had to come two times to keep from getting hard at breakfast?" "Uh, three, actually." "Who?... Oh, sure. Morgan, right?" Sandra hoped her true feelings were still hidden from him. She told herself to stop the silly possessiveness. Herself, unfortunately, was not listening. Mother and son talked for a while, not about the past, but about getting back to work and to school next week. "Will you be OK staying here for another week or two, Honey? I know it's not very convenient going back and forth to school. Honey? Eric?" He was asleep, and Sandra's heart felt about to burst looking at him. Her baby boy! But so much a man! Her man! He had gradually slid down to lay flat on the bed, and she walked around to climb up behind him. Standing beside the bed before climbing up, she barely won the struggle with herself to keep from throwing off her nightie, her only garment. Once snuggled tight to his back, she found enough of the coverlet loose to pull over them both. Her conscience won another fierce battle as she kept her arm around his chest, rather then reaching lower to grasp the now-soft penis she so desperately wanted to hold. The sleeping pair had to be wakened for lunch a few hours later. ------- Dex did not want to leave Kirstin and Jessica in any public place while he serviced his clients, and they agreed. They both had brought something to read, so he left them in the van with the engine running. Neither visit took much more than the estimated half hour, and they set off for Jessica's house. As they neared the location, she became very agitated. Barely a block away, Dex had to swerve to avoid a car careening around the corner, the driver's face set in an angry scowl. "That's Dad," Jessica shrieked. "Hurry! Something's wrong! I know it!" Dex stopped a block away to cover his license plates, a trick he had used during a few other pickups. Jessica was terribly upset at the delay, and wanted to get out and run to her house. Kirstin had to restrain her. At her house, Jessica was out the sliding side door before the van came to a complete stop. Dex slammed it into Park before they were stopped, causing the tires to squeak and throwing Kirstin into the seat belt. As he sprinted to catch up with Jessica, he wondered how close he had come to triggering the air bag. Dex caught the girl with her hand on the doorknob. He hated to use force on her, but he did not want her charging in to a possibly traumatic scene. To her credit, she didn't scream when he took both of her arms, but she did struggle and plead with him to let her go. Kirstin came puffing up to the door and took Jessica into her arms, gentling her as best she could while Dex went into the house. Thinking instinctively of the kitchen, he headed that way, only to be stopped frozen in memory by the sight that greeted him. Jessica's mother, Carol, was lying against the cupboard with her head at an odd angle. She had on a bra and the remains of her panties, the entire crotch having been ripped away. Some fluid had dribbled from her vagina onto the floor. Just as Dex felt a wave of nausea rising, Carol moaned and started struggling to get up. She had not seen him yet, so he backed out and hurried back to the front door. He told Jessica her mother needed help, and he didn't want her to see him until Jessica could explain. The two women dashed toward the kitchen. He stood there almost ten minutes, not enjoying the cold, before Kirstin came and got him. As Kirstin introduced him, Jessica and her mother were still arguing about whether she should leave or stay. Dex could take it no more, and finally blurted out "Mrs. Jensen, sixteen years ago I saw my mother lying almost like you were just now, only she was dead! I have come to care for Jessica a great deal, and I am not going to let her go through that. You may hate me, but you are leaving here. Do you want to help with your things, or should we do the best we can?" Carol said nothing, but got up and headed for the bedroom. She began frantically emptying drawers and grabbing hanging clothes. Kirstin had found the supply of garbage bags and threw things into them. Jessica hurried off to her former room to retrieve a few more things she wanted with her. Dex was just at the foot of the stairs, heading back up for another load, when Jessica screamed. She and Kirstin had passed Dex on their way out with a load. Dex was out the door in a couple of seconds, and saw the same car stopped behind the van, and the same man, just as angry, storming toward the girl. Dex was between Jessica and her father before Rodney could reach her. Dex stood perfectly still with his hands on his hips and didn't say a word. It was perfectly obvious what was happening, and Rodney did not even bother with any stupid questions or threats. Dex was considerably larger, and had put on a very menacing look. Rodney glanced once at the van's license plate, then stomped back to the car and tore off down the block. Jessica was frozen in place, and starting to get the shakes. Dex was about to move to comfort her, when Kirstin came up behind the girl, shaking her head at Dex. He knew she was right, and just watched as the ever-more-surprising blonde calmed the girl down. When Dex saw that Jessica was taken care of, he stood ramrod straight, threw his head back, and raised his arms to shoulder height, holding the position for a good twenty seconds. "Dex! Are you all right? What were you doing?" Jessica asked when Dex broke his position. Carol had reacted to Jessica's scream, as well, and was halfway to the street by this time. "It's just something I do learned to do to get control of my anger, Honey." "Anger?" "I've wanted to kill your father since I first heard what he did to you." "Why didn't you? It would only take one of those kicks." "If he had touched you, I might not have been able to stop myself. That's not something I want you to have to live with, though. Me, either." Less than thirty minutes later, they were pulling away, a jumble of boxes, bags and garments thrown into the back of the van. Kirstin sat in the front passenger seat, with Jessica and Carol in the second row. After a few minutes, Carol touched Dex's arm tentatively. "Mr. Madison?" "Dex, please." "Uh, Dex. I don't hate you. I'm grateful for your help. I haven't been allowed to make a decision for so long, I couldn't make the big one. I know I should have made it long ago. Sorry!" "I'm happy you're out and safe and back with your daughter." "You'll like it at Dex's house, Mom. It's a happy place and everyone is so nice." Hearing this, Kirstin looked over at Dex and gave him a hidden OK sign. Dex called Rick and asked if he could possibly come out and check Carol. He also asked him to bring three blood test kits for STDs. "I couldn't have anything, Dex! I've only been with... Ohhh! The bastard!" ------- While Dex was helping Carol Jensen escape, Craig Wallace was throwing one of his increasingly frequent tantrums. Alex Kolchek was again the recipient of his ire. "What do you mean, you haven't found out anything? Is this guy a fucking ghost, or something?" he screamed. "Craig, we're looking everywhere! At the hospital, he never told anyone his name, and he wore a mask most of the time. Somehow, my police contacts have been shut out of all information on this one." "Great! Just when I need it most, you're just some ordinary hood who don't know nothin' and can't make nothin' happen!" "Watch your fuckin' mouth. I don't need that shit from you. You're not as indispensable as you think, and don't you forget it." "Craig, you're turning into a loose cannon. If you don't get control of yourself, my boss might figure you're more risk than you're worth. I guarantee you won't like the result of that!" "Are you threatening me? If you'd just find the bitch and her boyfriend, everything would be OK. Is that too much to ask for all the money I've handled for you?" "How would everything be OK? You've still got those two charges against you, and if you go to trial, you're history. There are guys waiting in line to handle our money, you know. Are you going to sign that divorce deal, or not." "No fuckin' way!" "Then you are heading into deep shit, my friend." ------- Patrick and Jeanette were there when Dex and the women reached the house, and Jeanette proved an absolute wonder at organization and crowd control. By the time Rick arrived, Carol was bathed, shampooed and fed, resting as comfortably as possible in bed. None of the women objected to the blood tests, and Carol had only painful, but not dangerous, bruises. As Jeanette was working on dinner, Dex thanked her for taking charge so well. "You are entirely welcome. Thank you for allowing us to come with so much going on. I want to make sure you aren't sorry." "I could never be sorry to have you around, Jeanette." He planted a kiss on her cheek from behind. ------- Just after dinner, Dex retreated to his bedroom office for a little contemplation. Simple acts of goodwill seemed to be piling up to complicate his life as it had never been before. There was no way he would have refused to help Megan, and he did not regret it for a moment. Neither did he regret taking in the other women. Now, however, he was faced with a potential homicidal maniac in Craig. With all of the wounded women in the house, there were more complicated psychological interplays than he could ever hope to untangle. And this naked breakfast thing! Absolutely unbelieveable! He had committed to another day of it, and he would not back out. But Carol did not know about it, and he was not sure how she would react. The Shaughnessys did not know, either. He hoped Patrick would not feel strange being clothed when he and Eric were naked. Patrick and Jeanette were also owed a thorough discussion of the relationship between Megan, Morgan, and himself. Indeed, this would be Dex's most complicated Christmas ever. At the same time, he felt a lot of satisfaction over the good things that had already happened. It was as if he was chipping away at his ever-present load of guilt, and the whole situation energized him, rather than frightening or depressing him. ------- Chapter 27 Later Monday evening, Morgan asked Patrick and Jeanette to come down to the Master suite for a chat. When they were all gathered, Morgan told them that they never wore clothes in the suite, but had put them on for their benefit. Both parents laughed. "She's not joking," said Dex. "I wanted to talk to you because there are some things happening that I know you do not approve of. I respect your beliefs and I appreciate your willingness to be here and not say nothing, even though I'm sure you are troubled. "First of all, about the three of us sleeping together and me having sex with Megan and Morgan. We have talked about this at length, and it is something we are all comfortable with. We all love each other. We are not 'in love, ' and there is no commitment for marriage or lifelong partnership. We are trying to heal each other. Morgan had absolutely no experience with sex when she came here, for reasons you know. She has discovered a whole new part of her life, and is hungry to experience as much as she can as fast as she can. She is a marvelous sex partner and we have had some awesome times in the short few days since she arrived." "Megan has had relatively little experience, almost all of it bad. I am trying to show her that it can be good." "Mom, let me tell you, Dex makes it way beyond good! I'm sorry if I embarrass you, but you need to know how we feel about these things." Dex continued, "For the other women here, sex has been much like it was for Megan, frightening and not at all enjoyable." He went on to tell the stories of each of the women. "Whatever else happens while they are here, I want them to leave with a more positive view of sex. It is essential if they are to find a better life with a new husband. Morgan is the brains behind most of what is going on, so I'll let her tell the rest." Morgan told of her efforts to make the atmosphere playful, flirtatious, and risque, and related what progress each of the women had made. She told what she knew of Kirstin and Eric's skinny dip, and described the scene at the stairway that morning. Jeanette gasped several times, but made no comment. "Grandma, Eric is a brave and caring young man. At his age, there is no way I could have done what I asked him to do. He did it to help Jessica, a girl he is sure does not like him at all." "I understand what you are saying, dear, but it is just so far from how we live and what we believe." "I know, Grandma, but remember, what these women have lived through is far from your experience, too. Very far! Mom can vouch for that. What I'm doing - what we are doing - is not prescribed or recommended by any of the experts. I am making it up as I go along, but I think the main principle is correct. You've heard the term 'penis envy?' - Oh, come on, Grandma, you're not that innocent. I've seen the way you look at Grandpa, and I bet you spend a lot of time playing with his." Jeanette gasped, choked and ended up coughing until the tears came. Megan hugged her and comforted her, laughing all the while. "Mom, it's okay. It's wonderful that you guys enjoy sex. I'm jealous of all the good sex you've had over the years. That's why I can't waste any time catching up." At this point, Patrick leaned over and kissed his recovering wife. "You're absolutely right, Morgan. You can't believe how good she's made me feel all these years." Jeanette at first gave him a glare, then as she recovered, she blushed and gave him a playful slap. Morgan continued. "Anyway, instead of 'penis envy, ' these women suffer from 'penis terror.' My theory is based on something called immersion therapy. I want the women to be seeing penises all the time. Only these penises are attached to gentle, caring men. Men who help them, talk to them, and treat them with respect. Hopefully, the terror will disappear little by little." "How in the world are you going to do that?" Jeanette asked. "We started this morning. I had Dex and Eric come to breakfast naked." Jeannette looked like she was going to faint. "Oh, My God! You can't be serious! Dex, how can you stand to do this? Isn't it humiliating." "Humiliating is what these women have been through. It certainly isn't easy for me! You know my story and how badly I want to help these women, though. I believe in Morgan. I think she is brilliant and that her ideas have a better chance of success than anything else that has been tried. If it means one of these women will find a happy marriage, I will go bare-assed around my house forever." "Oh, my! Well, you certainly don't expect Patrick to go naked, do you? Patrick, what are you doing?" Without her noticing, he had removed his shoes and unsnapped his slacks. He was now standing and starting to pull them down. Jeannette grabbed at his hands to stop him. "You can't expose yourself to your daughter and your granddaughter! It's not right!" "Jeannette, you know I love you dearly, and I wouldn't do anything disrespectful to you. I have been sickened for many years by what some of these turds have done to their women. I was sickened by what I heard tonight. If Morgan and Dex think this will work, then I'm with Dex. I'm willing to show my dick to help these women. The hard part is showing it to Megan and Morgan, and I'm going to get that over with right now. Please don't be angry, Darling. I can't wimp out when the other guys are so brave. Show me you're with me. Pull my pants off." As he was talking, he had removed his shirt, and stood looking expectantly at his wife. "Oh God, Patrick, you're asking too much! Don't do this!" "Mom, he's still all yours. You'll just be sharing a look with some women for whom it could mean a lot. Come on, you can be as brave as Dad. I've seen it." Jeanette sat motionless for several seconds, then reacted as if someone had flipped a switch. The hesitant, refined, Jeanette was replaced by a lusty, brazen one. "Patrick Shaughnessy, you are an exhibitionistic old fool, but I've always supported you in your crazy schemes and I won't stop now. Let's get the big guy out where the girls can get a good look." The girls giggled gaily at Jeanette's changed demeanor. She knelt in front of Patrick and helped him step out of his slacks. She then adopted a dramatic voice and pronounced, "And now, Ladies, for you viewing pleasure - the rrrreeealll Patrick Shaughnessy!!" With that, she yanked down his shorts, put her arm around his ass, and moved her body aside so the girls could see. Cupping his balls with her free hand, she bounced them lightly and asked "What do you think, girls? Did I luck out, or what?" "Wow, Grandma, I'd play with that all the time if I had it. It's gorgeous." "Talk about being treated as an object," Patrick muttered. "Now, Patrick, you challenged me, and you should know by now that is not a good idea. So, watch this, girls," and she took him into her mouth. "Jeannette, stop that. Don't do that or I might get... Stop it! Now! Please!" Pulling him from her mouth but stroking him vigorously, Jeanette told him "Hey, I thought you didn't want to be a wimp. What's the matter? Afraid to let your offspring see what started them?" The girls were too stunned to do or say anything, just gawking as he started to rise. As if she had a remote control box, Jeanette somehow got her husband on his back on the floor, his now-erect cock sticking up impressively. She reached up under the long skirt she was wearing and after a few wriggles, kicked away her panties. At this point, Megan realized what was happening and took Morgan and Dex by the hand. "Come on, let's give them some privacy!" "Stay right where you are! If my husband is going to be an exhibitionist, let him give a real exhibition!" She straddled him and spread the skirt out. They could see her hand reaching between her legs to guide him into herself. "You... unh... have to be... ohhh... careful about... ssss... getting an old... mmm... Irishwoman horny!" Dex touched each girl on the shoulder, nodded toward the door, and left the room. The girls watched spellbound for a moment, then Megan got on her knees and moved to her mother' side. She unzipped her skirt, and was struggling to lift it over Jeannette's head with one hand when Morgan caught on. Jeannette looked around in almost a panic when she felt herself exposed, but, sensing Dex was gone, went back to bouncing on her husband's cock. She raised her arms for the skirt to come off, and Morgan took advantage by pulling her sweater off as well, leaving the older woman in just her bra. It was Morgan who almost reverently removed the bra and began caressing Jeanette's breasts, drawing louder moans from her grandmother. Megan knelt over her father's face and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips. "I love you, Daddy." Then she gave him an intense, lover's kiss while rubbing his chest and playing with the hairs. Jeanette almost freaked when Morgan first touched her, but the girl kissed her gently and told her to let go and enjoy it. Too caught up in the sensations to resist, Jeanette put her arm around Morgan's shoulder. Taking this as a signal, Morgan dropped her face to Jeannette's breast and began sucking. At the same time, she began rubbing Jeanette's clit with her finger, causing the older woman an immediate small shudder. Noticing what Morgan was doing, Megan moved back beside her mother, putting Jeanette's other arm over her shoulder. Megan began stroking all over her back and her ass and whispering endearments. They kept this up for a couple of minutes until Jeannette showed signs of approaching orgasm. Megan dropped her hand to her father's balls and began lifting and squeezing them in time with his increasingly urgent thrusts. "That's it, Daddy, come for me! Shoot it into Mommy!" His moans became louder, joining in chorus with his wife's. Jeannette came first, shuddering so hard she would have fallen but for the girls' support. Seeing her mother's arrival, Megan kneaded her father's balls more vigorously, causing him to blast off instantly. Husband and wife shook and lurched in their ecstasy, only kept together by the girls. When Jeannette's tremors finished, the girls gently laid her forward on top of her husband. Morgan, ever the pragmatist, scurried to the bathroom and brought back a towel which she stuffed under their groins to save the carpet from staining. Morgan helped Jeannette straighten her legs so she was stretched out on top of Patrick, his cock still embedded in her. No one spoke for a long time as the girls caressed the exhausted couple. It was Jeannette, her head laying on Patrick's chest, who stammered out, "Oh, God, Patrick, what have we done?" "Mom, you have given us something to strive for. We want the kind of love we just saw. It was so beautiful." The tears tracing down Megan's cheeks attested to her feelings. Morgan chimed in. "You guys are awesome. I always knew that, but now I see it in a new way. This is what husbands and wives are supposed to have together, isn't it?" She too was showing the intense emotion she felt. Stroking Jeanette's bottom, Morgan told her, "Grandma, the way I touched you doesn't mean I am a lesbian. I'm definitely not. I just saw a way to be part of it. Thank you for letting me help." "Oh, Sweetie, I never believed the lesbian part. You made me come like never before. Thank you." There was another period of silence while Jeannette's breathing became regular. Then, "My God, Patrick, you haven't gone soft! What is going on?" "Honey, the love and the sex are so heavy in this room! It's amazing!" "You're what's amazing, you old Irish stud, you!" She got her self upright over Patrick, still holding him within her. "Megan, it's your turn. I want you to make love to your father." "Whaaat?" Megan and Patrick yelled at once. "I know Patrick wants it - he always has. His cock just grew even bigger when I said it!" She leaned over and gave him an intense kiss. "I'm sure every girl dreams of making love with her father - I know I did. Our family has been through a lot of hell, but we've come through it. This will close the book on all the bad stuff and seal our love for each other." "Oh, Mom, I couldn't. He's yours, and you two have been completely faithful all these years." "Yes, we have been faithful, and yes, he's mine. I want to give him to you as a gift, and I want him to have you as a gift and a reward for his faithfulness. I know he would never ask and would never think of taking another woman. So I'm asking you to do this. I want it. Please, love your father!" "Oh, God!" As her mother almost swooned in disbelief, Morgan jumped to her feet, got Megan standing up, and quickly undressed her. Patrick's eyes shone as he watched his daughter's lovely body revealed. Jeanette stood up, effluent trickling down her leg. Together, she and Morgan led Megan to her place astride her father. Morgan made to stimulate her mother, only to find she was already dripping. She steadied her as Jeanettte held Patrick's cock in position for insertion. Megan, almost in a trance, lowered her bottom, taking his cock into her little by little, moaning constantly. Patrick was as lost in disbelief as was his daughter. "Oh, my Baby! My beautiful, beautiful Baby. I can't believe this! I never thought... Oh, this is like a dream!" "Yesss, Daddy! Ohhh, ohhh! It's a dream come true!" As she sank down, she kept exclaiming. Patrick brought his hand up to her right breast, and feeling his touch, she leaned forward into his hand. With his other hand, Patrick began stroking her leg and hip, being careful of the bandaged area. When she had settled down all the way, Megan leaned forward, holding her weight on her good right arm, and began rocking back and forth. Patrick responded with his own rythmic thrusts. Jeanette knelt by Patricks's head, kissing him and stroking his face and chest. "Jeanette, Darling, are you sure you're okay with this?" Patrick panted out. "Oh, you wonderful man! You're still worried about me at a time like this? I am fine! Much more than fine! I am so aroused I can hardly stand it. I am so proud to see another woman, especially my daughter, getting so much pleasure from you. I knew you were an awesome lover, but I love seeing it proved. Ohhhh, I love you so much!" Megan's breath was starting to break up as she approached orgasm. Almost without warning, she stiffened and went into her convulsions. Seeing this, Jeanette got on her knees and supported her, taking the strain off her arm. After gasping for a while, Megan resumed her rocking motions. "Daddy, I want you to come in me. I want to feel what made me all over my insides!" Patrick let out a huge groan. "Oh, Baby, I don't know if I can. It's so soon." Hearing this, Morgan dashed into the bathroom, returning with a tube of lubricant, but without her clothes. "Don't worry, Grandpa, we'll get a good come out of you for Mom!" She lubed up her finger, pulled Patrick's leg out and up, and wormed her finger into his crack, looking for his anus. Finding her target, she started working her finger in, bringing a gasp and a jerk from him. When she had her finger as far in as she could, she curled it up and started moving it around. Not knowing exactly what she was doing, she encountered a lump she hoped was his prostate, and stroked it with her fingertip. Apparently with great beginner's luck, she found her target. After only a few strokes, Patrick yelled out loudly, and heaved upward sharply, almost bucking Megan off. As he ejaculated, Morgan kept her hand in place, struggling to follow his thrashing. She stopped stroking as he subsided, but kept her finger inserted. Her father's violent up and down motions were so stimulating, Megan crashed again, ending up limp after they both came down. Fearing for her injuries, Jeanette helped her daughter roll off onto her back. Morgan pulled her finger out and used the towel to wipe her grandfather's shrinking member. She then sat and played with it as it shrank, bouncing the balls gently, and twirling the shaft in her fingers. She ran her fingertips lightly over the head, but it was too sensitive, causing Patrick to reflexively shrink back. She murmured her apology, and kept up her fondling. "Morgan, Baby, if you're a beginner at sex, I can't imagine what you will be like when you learn how. God, you wrung me completely out! Where the Hell did you learn that?" "I read about it somewhere, but you were my first chance to try it. Guess I had beginner's luck, huh?" "No, I was the lucky one! Hey, what happened to your clothes?" "I couldn't stand being the only one dressed. I'm, uh, working on the fat. I'll be sure to show you when it's all gone." She did not release his genitals through the conversation. "Is this bothering you, Grandpa?" "It sure is! But I'll take that kind of bother any time... Uh, if you're hoping to get it hard, I've got bad news for you - I think it's hopeless. I'm just not that young any more." "Hah! You're still a super stud, no matter how old you are. I just saw you fuck my two favorite women almost senseless. Ooops, sorry for the language, Grandma." "Sweetie, after what we just did, how can I worry about a few four-letter words? Besides, that's exactly what happened, isn't it, Megan." Megan was only able to manage a grunt in response, and Jeanette and Morgan broke into laughter. "Grandma, are you sorry about what happened?" "No, Sweetie. I hardly believe it, and I can't understand why it I did it, but I am definitely not sorry. I feel such a closeness between all of us. It's something I always wanted but didn't know how to get." "Mom, can I have him again when I get well? I want to love him without worrying about my injuries." Megan could barely get out her request. "You sure can, Honey. You have to let me watch, though." They stayed where they were for another twenty minutes, chatting and basking in their love. Patrick and Megan were flat on their backs. Jeanette sat beside her daughter, caressing her. Morgan sat beside Patrick, never losing contact with his genitals. Predictably, it was Morgan who got them all up and heading for the hot tub, refusing to let them cover themselves on the way. ------- When he left the Master suite as Jeanette mounted her husband, Dex headed right for Carol's room and knocked on the door. When he was invited in, he found Carol in bed, with Jessica lying beside her on top of the covers, still clothed. He inquired how she was doing, and they just chatted for a few minutes. "Carol, we are doing some things here that you need to know about. They are done for a reason, and Jessica is a big part of the reason. You may find them upsetting. If you feel you cannot stay here because of them, I will help you find another place. I would ask you to keep an open mind until you have heard the reasons, though. I think it would be very bad for Jessica if you took her away from here now." "Carol, yesterday morning, Eric and I came to breakfast naked. In fact, we did all of the serving." "What? In front of Jessica? She's underage! That's wrong!" "Carol, how many times has Jessica seen a penis?" "What do you mean? She has never..." "Mom, they know." Carol seemed to deflate when she heard that. "Carol, when you see a penis, what is your reaction?" "You can't ask me that! That's personal! Maybe we had better just go somewhere else." "Mom, I'm staying here. I wish you would stay with me." "I'm not trying to be nosey, Carol. This is important stuff. How do you react? Do you get aroused?" "No, I don't. It's not exciting to me." "Are you disgusted? Do you want to look away?" "Well, yes, but I can't. He..." "He makes you look at it, doesn't he?" She just nodded. "When you see a penis, you are afraid, aren't you? Terrified, even?" She nodded again. "That's why we men are going to be naked at breakfast for a while." He went on to explain Morgan's theory, taking several minutes to explain it. "Carol, do you trust me not to hurt you?" She said she did. "Do you think I care about you - want the best for you?" She agreed again. "Good! I'm going to take my clothes off now, and we can talk some more." "Oh, no, don't! It wouldn't be right!" "Mom, let him! You need to see how big it is!" Realizing what she had said, she blushed and covered her face. Not waiting for any more response, Dex undressed, taking his shorts off first. He wore no underwear. When he was exposed, Carol's eyes grew large and she sucked in her breath. "See Mom! Dad was lying to us about how big he was. Even Eric's is bigger than Dad." "Are you really large, I mean compared to other men?" "No, I'm not. I'm a little bigger than average, but there are many a lot bigger." "Oh, my! I had no idea. H... how can you sit there like that? Isn't it terribly embarrassing?" "It is difficult, but I want so much to help all of you women that I will do anything it takes. Morgan believes this will help, and I believe in her." "Why do you care about us so much?" Dex gave them a brief, but emotional version of his story, leaving them both obviously moved. "How do you feel about my penis now, Carol? Does it make you afraid?" "No. No, I'm not afraid. I... I was at first, but we've just been talking, and I know you won't hurt me." "How about you, Jessica? Does it make you afraid?" "Uh, huh. It still does, a little. I know you won't hurt me and everything, but it still makes me think about when Dad..." "It's alright, Jessica. It may take a while, but I can tell you are feeling better. You couldn't even look at me when you first came here, could you?" "No, and I'm sorry." "No need to apologize. It's not your fault. Never forget that. Now, can I come over and lie between you on the bed?" "Oh, my, I... I..." "Carol, we'll just talk like we are now. Nothing else. I just want to show you there is nothing to be afraid of." Again, not waiting for any more response, he climbed onto the bed from the foot, crawling up between the two and lying on his back with his hands behind his head. Jessica had scooted way over to the edge to avoid touching him. "Jessica, are you okay? See, it just lays there and won't hurt you." The girl just stared nervously and said nothing. Dex asked Carol a number of questions to get her talking, and managed to get her into a reasonable conversation. She avoided looking at his penis as she talked. After another fifteen minutes he asked, "How do you feel about my penis now, Carol?" "I'm not afraid of it. This is a very strange situation, but I feel safe with you. There's a big difference, though. Yours is soft. His was always hard. He forced me to suck it, too." "Do I need to get hard so you can relax with that, too?" "Oh, my!" She actually started to tremble. "Y... you w... would do that for me?" "Only if it will help you. I meant what I said about wanting to help any way I could. Would it help you or just make you frightened?" "Oh, Dex! It has been so long since I have had any choice about sex. I... I used to love sex, but he made it so ugly I..." She paused, staring intently at his penis. "C... could I, um, ohhh..." "You can touch it if you want to, Carol. You can do anything that will make you feel better." Carol turned to Jessica and said "Honey, will you leave us..." "No, Carol, don't make her leave. She is more afraid than anyone. She needs this more than anyone. Please, let her stay." "But she is too young for this." "You're right, she is, but it was forced on her and you can't turn back the clock. She can't be innocent any more, but we don't want her to be afraid." "It's okay, Mom. Do whatever you want. I saw Morgan make Eric hard this morning. It... it was pretty neat." "You saw that? Oh, my! How could that boy stand it?" "He was awfully embarrassed, but I heard Morgan ask him to do it for me, and he stood right there and got hard. I almost felt sorry for him." "I had forgotten there were caring men around. Eric is quite a young man. And Dex, you are quite a man. Did you mean it? May I?" "Carol, have you ever heard of a man turning down a chance for a hand job?" This brought the first genuine smile from the wounded woman. She sat up and looked apprehensively at her daughter before reaching out and taking his penis in her fingers. She acted afraid of it for a while, but eventually started to handle it with more confidence. Exerting every ounce of willpower, Dex had managed to stay soft. Keeping up a constant dialogue with Carol helped some as well. "This is so strange, Dex. I mean it's not frightening or even intense. It's just... it's just, uh, friendly." "Sex should be the friendliest thing two people do together." "With him, it was like a contest. We never talked. He just pounded away. If it hurt me, it seemed to make him come faster." "Carol, are you planning to go back to him, or are you going to get a divorce?" "I couldn't take Jessica back there!" "What about you? Could you go back?" "Until now, I thought I could. Just being with you like this shows me what I have missed. I want it, and I can never get it from him. No, I won't go back." "Good, then let's not mention him any more. Don't even compare things with what he did. The idea is to forget him. Okay?" "I hope someday I can forget. You're right, though, I'll try not to think about it. Um, could, uh, Jessica, uh..." "I mean it, Carol. Anything that will help either of you feel better. If you want to touch it, Jessica, you are welcome. I have to tell you, it is going to get hard soon. I don't want you to be frightened when it does." "Jessica, Honey, come over here close to Dex. I know you are young, but he is right. The bad side of sex has been forced on you and there is nothing I can do about it. This is the fun, happy side. Come on, touch him with me." Jessica inched over closer on her knees. At first, she reached out with one finger and barely touched him, pulling her finger back as if burned. At this point, he was only starting to harden. With her mother's encouragement, she wrapped her hand around him, causing him to rocket to full extension. She gasped, and would have pulled back again except for her mother holding her hand in place. "D... did I make it do th... that?" she stammered. "Something you need to know, Jessica, is that most men find beautiful young girls very, very sexy. I admit I do. Just the thought of you touching me almost made me hard. I would never do anything about my feelings because it is wrong. Not all men would care that much. You have to always be careful about your affect on men." "You think I'm beautiful!?" "Come on, girl. You know you are. You look in the mirror every day, don't you? You have guys hitting on you at school, don't you?" "What, um, do you think is beautiful about me?" Sensing a girl dying for compliments, Dex decided to crank up the intensity. "Do you want me to tell you? You won't be embarrassed?" "Yeah, maybe. But that's okay." She was now fondling him without even thinking about it. "Okay. You have a very pretty face. Your features are symmetrical and nicely proportioned. Your eyes are quite large and have a nice sparkle to them. Your nose and ears are just the right size and shape. Either you have had good braces or you are lucky enough not to need them because your teeth are bright and straight. You have nice wide shoulders, and your hips have blossomed beautifully. You have a round butt that sticks out nicely and wiggles in a sexy way when you walk." Jessica looked at him with wide eyes and gaping mouth as he continued. "You move very smoothly, like a dancer or an athlete." "H... how do you notice all those things." "I like women! I like to look at them. I remember what I see. Now, Jessica, you always wear loose tops, and I haven't had the privilege of seeing you naked, so I can't say much about your breasts. Morgan has told me a lot about your breasts and your pussy and other things. She thinks you have a wonderful body." "Oh, Gee! She did? Wh... what did she say?" "You mean you want me to say it out loud?" Jessica nodded, eyes still wide. "Well, okay, I'll just repeat what she said. Your breasts are like half an orange in size, and very firm. The nipples get quite long when they are hard, and they point upward a little bit. Your tummy is so flat it almost isn't there, and you have a cute 'inny.' Your butt and your legs have great muscle tone, and you can see the muscles ripple when you move. Maybe I'd better skip what she said about your pussy." "N... no. I want to hear what she thinks." "You have quite a bit of hair above your slit already, and it looks very soft. There is almost none on your pussy lips and they are very visible. The lips are thick and cover the inner lips completely. Your slit is quite long. There are more things I could say, but you get the idea we think you are a very attractive young lady." "Wow! Thank you." "My pleasure." "Dex, are there, um, any bad things about how I look?" "Oh, Honey, we don't want to worry about those. I mainly notice the good stuff about women." "So there are some bad things?" "There are some things you could change to make yourself even sexier." When she said she wanted to hear them, he dove right in. "Okay, and remember, you can fix all of these. First, you don't look people in the eye enough. Second, your posture isn't at all proud. Third, you seem afraid to flirt. Now, before you say anything, I know why you are this way, and maybe some things can even be fixed here in my house, okay?" "Gosh! You notice so much! If... if I stand up straight won't I look too tall?" "Do you think Megan looks too tall?" "Oh, no! She's just beautiful!" "Well, there you go." "Um, about looking in the eye. I guess I am just shy." "But people don't see it that way, Jessica. They think you either don't respect them or are afraid of them. It makes them feel bad either way. Eric is sure you don't like him at all." "Oooh! I don't mean it that way. Eric is a sweet guy. I don't want to make people feel bad. Um, I guess I don't know how to flirt." "Oh, yes you do. Every woman does - it comes with the pussy when you're born. Tell you what. You watch Morgan and Kirstin. They are natural flirts. You'll see things they do. Will you try something for me? Tomorrow, wear a sexier top around the house, maybe were some shorts - it's plenty warm in here. And put a piece of string on your finger. Every time you feel that string, think 'I am beautiful and sexy! Just look at me!' 'Then push your head as high as it will go, throw your shoulders back, and swing your ass as hard as you can when you walk. Will you try that? I'll remind you every time I see you." When the conversation with Jessica wound down, Carol said sadly, "God, I hate to think how you would describe me!" "I would describe you as the goddess that is jerking me off so well I am dangerously close to coming. You'd better stop now. Carol, really, you shouldn't do that!" Hearing what he said, Carol got a glint in her eye and started stroking more vigorously. She took Jessica's hand and placed it on his balls. "Hold them gently, Honey. I am going to make him come. They feel neat when he is spurting." "Carol, we shouldn't..." "You said anything that helps, didn't you? Well, I declare this necessary treatment. Shut up and take your medicine." He gave up and watched their faces as Carol brought him closer and closer. She was intent, almost maniacal. Jessica looked awed. When he came, their faces blurred out, he came so strongly. He heard a gasp from Jessica and something like a growl from Carol. He had at least five strong spurts and a few decreasing dribbles, then he just relaxed, feeling spent. "Wow. Mom, you were right! They jumped every time he squirted. Th... that was wild. Look how much stuff is all over his front!" "Oh, Dex! Thank you so much." "You're thanking me?" "Yes, yes! You let me be in control. I could do what I wanted, and I wasn't afraid of you hurting me. It felt so good!" "It sure did!" All three laughed at that. "Jessica, how are you feeling?" "I've got a lot to think about. I'm for sure not afraid of you any more, and thank you for helping Mom - this afternoon and now. I... I don't want Eric to think I don't like him." "Dex, can I ask you another big thing? I'll understand if you say no." "You've got to ask first, Carol." "Will you sleep with me tonight? I don't mean have sex, just sleep in the bed with me." "Will that help you?" "Oh, yes! Going to bed with a man has been a time of fear, and waking up hasn't been any better. I would love to have just one 'normal' night sleeping like a happy couple. It would help me forget so much bad stuff." 'I would be happy to do that for you. Let me see what I can arrange." ------- Dex found no one in the hot tub, and went to the Master, where Morgan attacked him as he entered. "Where have you been? I'm so horny I'm about to burst. Eeeew! What the hell? Have you been wasting that good stuff jerking off?" He found out that Megan had gone to sleep with her parents, then he told her of his session with Carol and Jessica. "Well, the jealous lover in me is furious, but the head psychologist of this recovery center is ecstatic. Lover, you did a marvelous job. Can Carol wait a while? I need a good loving in the worst way." "Why don't you go talk to her while I shower and find a condom." "Oh, that's right. Damn, I should have gotten a prescription today when Dr. Santee was here." When Morgan returned, Dex was waiting in bed, already hard. "What did you do - play with yourself again?" "Nope! Just the anticipation of your body is enough to get me hard." She gave a growl and straddled him, holding his cock ready to impale herself. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Condom! You'd better put it on so you learn how." "Why? I'll just let you do it." "What if you want sex with someone else before you get safely on the pill." "Who else would I do it with?" "What if Jeanette had invited you to take a turn?" "Ohhhh! I hadn't thought of that." "And I bet you'd love to break in a virgin." "He is kinda sexy, isn't he? But I love you!" "I know, but remember our agreement. We are not committed to each other. Much as I love it with you, it would be good for you to experience some others." "I guess, but right now, I want to experience this. How do I get this stupid thing on?" Once he was safely sheathed, she settled right down onto him. "Mom and Grandma did it this way, and I've been dying to do the same thing ever since." She began bouncing up and down, giving him barely a chance to work her nipples. He thrust back in rhythm as well as he could, marveling at her energy and enthusiasm. Having come not too long before, and wearing the condom, Dex knew he would have good endurance. He decided right then to fuck her until she dropped. Forsaking her nipples, he brought his hands to her ass, putting a finger on her rectum and wriggling it in a little. He kept wriggling in sync with her up and down motions, pleased to hear her breathing get more erratic. It took about five minutes before she came hard, falling down on top of him. Using some tricky contortions, he got behind her and got her up on her knees while she was still limp from her orgasm and he was still inserted. He began thrusting hard and fast, hoping to catch her not too far from her peak arousal and take her over again quickly. She didn't respond much for the first couple of minutes, so he used one hand to work her clit, speeding things up considerably. He had to fight a bit to stay away from his own peak, but in just another five minutes, she came again, not quite as hard this time. While she had not yet started to come down, he pulled out carefully, holding on to the condom. He put her on her back and got his face between her legs, licking her twitching pussy in long, slow strokes. Now, he had her moaning constantly and throwing her head back and forth. He used his fingers and tongue to bring her close three times before taking her all the way over, this time in a crashing climax that left her almost unaware when he entered her. Using long, slow strokes, he kept her at a high level for another five minutes, by which time she revived enough to start responding to his thrusts, hugging him and wrapping her legs around his. He accelerated his pace little by little until he was pounding her frantically, sweating profusely. The part of his mind that was still functional could not believe she could take this much, yet she was giving as much as she was getting. He stopped worrying about bringing her off again, and just let himself ride to completion. When it came, he felt her vagina spasm around him on his last few thrusts. Too spent to hold his weight off of her, he rolled them both over, staring wordlessly into each others' eyes. "Brute!" she eventually said. "You tried to kill me!" "Isn't that about what you wanted?" "God! I didn't know that was possible, so I couldn't even wish for it." "Does that make up for deserting you for the night?" "Hell, no! But it makes me let you out of here alive." She giggled. "Are you going to be awake enough to talk to Jessica. I suspect she has some serious jabbering she wants to do." "Same thing with Carol, probably. Let's take a quick shower and wake up a little." ------- Leaving the Master, Dex regretted leaving Morgan, but after sending Jessica off to Morgan, he had a very rewarding time with Carol. She insisted on being naked along with him, and she blushed painfully as she undressed with the lamp still on. He felt both sadness and anger when he saw the bruises, both old and new. As they settled down, she was shy and stayed away from him. He took the initiative and pulled her over to lie against his side, his arm around her. She soon relaxed and rested her head on his chest, playing with his chest hairs. Once she was relaxed, she started talking, and poured out her heart. They talked, she cried, he kissed her eyes, she hugged him, they talked, and on and on for almost two hours. Toward the end, she was fondling him and playing with his pubic hair. He brought his face over and kissed her on the lips, softly, with some licks and nibbles. She responded in kind for a time, then pressed into him, kissing hard with tongue. "Carol, has a man ever given you oral sex?" "Oh, no, he would never do that." "How about before him?" "There was no one before him." Saying nothing more, he rose up and started kissing down her body, taking his time, and mixing licks and nibbles with the kisses. He worked on her nipples quite a while, slipping his hand onto her pussy as he did. He stopped his slow journey and moved his mouth right to her pussy, causing her to arch her back so violently he could hardly keep contact. He sensed she was ready and went right to lashing her clit. causing her to explode with an intensity he had rarely seen. Keeping contact with his tongue, then with his hand, he kept her bouncing and quivering for well over a minute before she went completely limp. He pulled himself back up in the bed and hauled her inert body directly on top of himself. The weariness overtook him and he was asleep in mere seconds. Carol awoke sometime in the night, her disorientation turning to disbelief, then to tears when she realized where she was. She had to pee, and when she returned, she snuggled up to Dex, rather than back on top of him. She held his testicles, not moving her hand, as she fell back to sleep. Dex awoke at his usual time and was about to go for his workout when he realized what Carol would think. She had wanted a full night and a pleasant awakening. He could sacrifice one workout to help her. He eased out and used the bathroom, then went back to sleep. When he next awoke, he was more than a little surprised to see her kneeling over him giving him a very nice blowjob. "Carol, you don't have to do that!" She pulled off just enough to say "My choice" and went right back to work. He reached out and stroked whatever he could reach and just enjoyed the feelings. She knew what she was doing, and it made him sad to realize she probably became proficient to get the ordeal over with. He couldn't stay sad for long with the feelings she was causing, and any thought or emotion but pure pleasure and impending release was soon wiped from his mind. She did not hurry, but gave him the same treatment he had given Morgan, making him unconsciously thrust into her mouth seeking the final stimulation. After one very frustrating time when she backed off, he uttered "Witch!," earning him a muffled giggle in response. When she brought him off, she swallowed everything, continuing to suck and lick until he had to pull her off because of the sensitivity. She immediately sprawled on top of him as she had been last night and heaved a huge sigh. "I have never laid like this before. It is so... so intimate. I just love it!" "Carol, I thought you hated sucking your husband." "I love sucking a real cock, but only when I want to. I won't ever see his grubby little weenie again, and I am going to enjoy any real man's tool I can get my mouth on." "Well, thank you for a truly wonderful orgasm. Uh, Carol, please don't turn slutty with your newfound freedom. It can easily happen as you try to make up for what you have missed. Not only can it complicate the divorce, but you can end up with someone not worthy of you again." As he talked, he was stroking her tenderly wherever he could reach, hoping this would take the sting out of his words. "I know you feel you have been cheated, and I know you want to experience more of this kind of intimacy. It is hard to think about waiting, and a divorcee's chances are not always good. You have to keep asking yourself 'is what I had better than nothing?' I suspect your answer would be 'no.' So many abused women end up in the same situation again. I don't want that for you. I encourage you to study abuse. Find out what was typical and what was different about your life. You would be surprised how many things are the same with the four women here." "Dex, you are sweet to make me feel so good while you tell me these hard things. I can never forget them because of where I am now. I... I don't think I have ever really made love. I want to experience it so badly. Do you think... ?" "Carol, I feel bad that you have missed out on something so important, but I just don't think it would be right for me to make love to you." "You do with Megan." "Yes, I do. I have loved Megan for quite a long time, so it is not the same. I like you, but I cannot say I love you. That makes a huge difference to me. I hope you can understand that. In a way, I feel I would be taking advantage of you, and I am not sure it would be the best help for your future happiness." "It makes me feel good just to know that you have thought about it so much, that you would even consider it with a Plain Jane like me." She emitted a loud yelp as Dex stopped stroking and gave her a sharp slap on the ass. "Ow! That hurt! What was that for?" "That was for thinking of yourself as a Plain Jane. I hate that kind of thinking. Being realistic about your looks is one thing, but relegating yourself to nothing status is not acceptable. Weren't you listening to what I told Jessica? Don't you think those things apply to you? She is very obviously your daughter. There isn't one thing about yourself you couldn't improve if you set your mind to it." "Look, Carol, you are leaving a bad marriage, and you want to find a good one. The competition out there is rough, and the really good men are quite rare. If you go out there as Plain Jane, what do you think your chances are?" "Now you're making me depressed. I am Plain Jane! I can't change my face. I can't afford bigger boobs. I can't shrink my butt or my thighs." "Hell, there's absolutely nothing wrong with your face. Jessica inherited her lively eyes from you, and your features are nice and symmetrical. I can definitely feel your boobs pressing against me, and that's all it takes. As for the butt and thighs, you CAN shrink them if you want to badly enough." "But I can't afford expensive gyms or spas." "Running is cheap. I bet Jessica inherited her muscular legs and ass from you. Why don't you start running together? Wouldn't that be great bonding? Carol, tell me honestly, haven't you seen women with far from perfect bodies who were flat out sexy." "How would I notice that? I'm a woman, not a man." "Bullshit! Women notice everything about women. That is about the only thing about women I know for sure. Sorry for the strong language, but you were trying to con me." "I... I won't try that again. God, Dex! The way you're all worked up, I think you believe I could be sexy. Could... could you help me get started running?" "I would be delighted." They talked for a while longer, with him constantly encouraging her. They had to get up when breakfast time approached. ------- Chapter 28 Monday evening, while the Shaughnessy's were reuniting in new and wonderful ways, and Dex was starting the healing process for Carol, Eric and his mother were watching TV. They had been practically joined at the hip since breakfast, with Eric spending every minute looking out for her. When the news ended, she was the one who stood up first, pulling him to his feet and heading for the stairs. Sandra sent Eric to the bathroom first, and she puttered in the room a bit, still dressed. When Eric returned from the bathroom, she had him sit on the side of the bed, then casually undressed in front of him, taking time to fold or hang all her clothes nicely. Completely naked, she faced him, told him she would be right back, and walked out. It was only about ten feet to the bathroom door, but Eric was still amazed. Returning from the bathroom, Sandra was just as deliberate as she found and donned her nightie, then crawled into bed. When Eric was able to move enough to undress and get in bed, she moved right up against him and stayed that way as she drifted off to sleep. Sleep came harder for Eric, and it seemed that he had just drifted off when Sandra started shaking and moaning again. This time, he knew what to do, and he was able to calm her down. He was still angry when it was over, but instead of getting up, he pulled her close and put his arms around her. She was still asleep, but instinctively snuggled up to him. This was the most intimate contact he had ever had with her, as he could feel her breasts against him, separated only by the thin fabric of her nightie. ------- Sometime later, Eric was awakened by a gentle hand on his head and a soft kiss on his cheek. He was momentarily confused, as his mother was still cuddled close to him. The smell of a different woman was what began to rouse him, and he turned his head to see Kirstin standing over him, impressively naked. His immediate reaction was embarrassment because of the way he was sleeping with his mother. After a moment, though, he felt only pride that he could care for her. After all, Kirstin had said she was jealous, so she wouldn't think badly of him. Eric went into the bathroom and had just started a good pee when Kirstin walked in with a devilish grin. He was defenseless as she said "Let me" and took ahold of his penis, playfully moving the stream around the bowl. Inevitably, he started to harden as she played. He had to lean farther and farther forward to allow her to point him down properly as he got harder, until his sphincter took over and the stream was shut off. He had released a lot, so he was not in any discomfort from a still-full bladder. That's not to say he was comfortable - Kirstin seemed dedicated to preventing that. He had the strange thought that maybe he would use up some physical limit of blushes, and nothing would bother him any more. When he looked up and saw the expression on Kirstin's face, he forgot all about discomfort. She looked like a kid who had gotten every single thing from a long Christmas wish list. "Kirstin, how come you're so excited about helping me pee?" "It's the chance to be that close, that intimate. It's what I've always wanted and never got enough of. Now, you get a chance to be intimate and help me with a little chore. You're going to help me shave." "You mean your legs? Your pits?" "Nope. Did those before I woke you. I hope you're planning to eat me out again, and I saw how you had to hunt through all the hair yesterday." "You mean you're going to shave it all off?" "No, I'm not quite that brave. Besides, I think leaving a little hair is sexier." She put a folded towel on the edge of the counter and hopped up to sit on it, picking up a scissors. "First, I'm going to shorten it all. Hold your hands to catch the hairs so they don't fall on the floor." As he followed her snipping and managed to catch most of the hairs, Eric wondered briefly if any of his friends would believe this tale. It only took a moment before he mentally chastised himself for even the thought of telling anyone. That would hurt Kirstin, and he didn't want that. He didn't want to hurt any of these women, even the prickly Jessica. As he thought further, the friends who came to his mind somehow seemed more juvenile than they had before. Eric's wildest fantasies could not have dreamed up the next fifteen minutes. Kirstin handed him a washcloth, a razor, and a can of shaving foam and told him it was his job from there on. She told him where she wanted bare and where to leave the hair, and ignored his protests that she could reach it just as well. Terrified of cutting her, he worked carefully, asking her all the time for directions until she was satisfied. "This part I could never do myself," Kirstin proclaimed as she knelt on the near edge of the tub and leaned forward to brace her hands on the far edge. Her knees were spread far apart, and her anal area with its light covering of hairs was wide open to him. "Don't worry, I washed real good back there earlier. Get all the hairs." 'One more step beyond weird!' he thought to himself as he carefully cleaned her up. Figuring she was due a little teasing herself, when he was finished, he ran his finger around the edges of her rosebud, almost causing her to fall into the tub. "I'll clean this up later," Kirstin almost panted as she got up from the tub edge, grabbed his hand, and headed out the door. Only a few feet outside, she said "Oops," dashed back into the bathroom, returned with a tube of skin lotion, and continued towing him to the hot tub. The tub room door was barely shut and locked when Kirstin engulfed him in a massive hug. "You are such a man! I told you I was jealous of your mother yesterday. Well today, it's even worse." Kirstin lay down on a bench, spread her legs, and held the tube out to him. "I think this will be better than shaving lotion. Put it all over where you shaved me." She certainly could have done this herself, but he knew by now that that had nothing to do with it. Intimacy was the key word, and she wasn't taking any halfway efforts. When he got to her anus with the lotion, he again circled around the opening, causing her to hiss loudly. Pleased with the response, he continued, and she started to squirm. "Oh, Eric, that's so nasty, but it's... Oh! Don't stop!" In contrast to his buddies, Eric was somewhat repulsed by the limited porn he had seen. To him, it was too close to what his father did to his mother, and it troubled him. As a result, he was not well versed in the variations of sexual play and kink. His next action was pure instinct, as he squirted a glob of lotion from the tube and put it right on her rosebud, worked it around, then worked his index finger slowly into her. "Ah! Ah! Ow! Ohhh!' was all Kirstin could say. "Does it hurt? Should I take it out?" "Oh, no! Keep going! Hurts good! How did you... ?... In and out, now! Please!" Kirstin had pulled her knees up and was holding them tight to her boobs, giving Eric a better angle to plunge his finger in and out. She was going through strong shakes and twitches, causing her fleshy ass cheeks and thighs to quiver. Her pussy was perfectly exposed and he brought his other hand to it. After her trim, her clit was easy to get at, and he went right for it. It protruded enough so he could roll it between his fingers, and this put her at an even higher level of arousal and vocal output. Just before her huge climax hit, he was plunging his finger in and out of her rear entry so fast he feared he would injure her. Kirstin's convulsions were so violent this time that Eric could barely keep his hand on her pussy to keep her stimulated, and he was over-stimulated himself. Unable to control himself any longer, he pulled his finger out of her and used that hand to jerk himself off as he kept stroking her pussy with the other. Just as she started to calm down, he came, letting the jets fall on her belly and her crotch. At about the same time, she let her legs drop down, and he collapsed forward with his face between her tits. "Kirstin?" he murmurred. "Huh?" she managed to grunt out. "That intimate enough for you?" A moan was the only response she could generate. They eventually managed to drag themselves to the water, and Kirstin finally managed to speak. "Sandra is so lucky to have you, and you are taking such good care of her. Did you see how she watched you at breakfast yesterday? I don't think she ate a bite. It was all she could do to keep from playing with herself." "Really? You mean..." "Yup, she got all excited looking at you. For a while, she forgot all about the beatings and everything but that beautiful cock swinging around as you worked." "Gee, I thought I was doing that for Jessica." "Well, it was for me, too. All the women loved it." "It didn't seem to phase Jessica, though." "Does that disappoint you? Do you like her?" "She for sure doesn't like me, so that doesn't make any difference. I guess she could be really cute if she didn't slouch around and look angry all the time." "Eric, how far are you willing to go with your mother?" "Huh?" "She is going to want more and more intimate things from you. You have replaced your Dad as her man, only you are a much better man. She is starting to get things from you that she has never had, and she is going to want more and more." "What more can we do? You saw how we were sleeping." "Have you kissed, I mean lovers' kisses? Have you touched each other sexually." "Oh, I couldn't touch her like that! That would be wrong." "Sweetie, I'm not sure what right and wrong mean to your mother right now. Everything that has been done to her by your father was wrong. What you are doing to her now feels wonderful, so it must be right. That is the only right and wrong she knows." "She wouldn't want to, uh... would she?" "I think she is headed that way, yes. I know I would be." "You mean you would want to..." "I want to right now, but I won't. Your mother should have the chance to be your first, if she wants it, and I guess I still have some hope for my marriage." "Oh, God, Kirstin, what am I going to do? If we do that, what will she think later?" "See, that's one of the reasons she will want to. Everything you've done is for her, first. She knows that, and it makes her want you all the more. I don't know what to tell you, but you need to think about it and be ready. Right now, though, there is something I can do." Kirstin happily reduced Eric's chances for an erection at breakfast, and he made sure she was well-compensated for her efforts. ------- The appearance of a third naked man at breakfast caused a definite stir. Jeanette stayed very close to Patrick. It appeared to be a sweet show of support, but a careful observer could soon see that it was pure pride in her man. She loved having the other women see what she had. Patrick was obviously nervous and embarrassed, but his natural presence and self-control carried him through. The presence of two additional women bothered Eric at first, but both greeted him and complimented him on his courage and on his body. He blushed brightly, but looked happy. The real blush came when Jessica walked over to him, put her hand on his arm, said a few words, and flashed him a thousand watt smile. His own smile broke suddenly and became shock as he turned and hurried from the room, barely avoiding running. It was several minutes before he returned. Just as on the previous day, the men did the serving, and Patrick entered right into the spirit, stepping close and talking amiably as he served. There was less gaping than the day before, but the glances and brief stares were constant, and not just at penises. As expected and discussed, there was an awkward time when the young children saw the naked men. They were told the men had lost a game. Courtney accepted that, but Sean insisted he was a man, too, and was naked the rest of the meal. ------- Morgan noticed that Eric seemed a bit distracted during the meal, and made a point to talk to him about it later. When she stopped to think about it, what the boy was doing was unbelievably brave. His love for his mother must be incredible. Come to think of it, she felt the same way about her own mother, now that the tension between them had been erased. Morgan didn't know it, but Eric had followed Dex to the Master suite after breakfast, not even going downstairs to get dressed. When Morgan got to the room, they were sitting in the chairs, talking earnestly. As soon as she saw them, she shucked her clothes, which didn't take long since she wore only two garments. Eric was stunned, and even Dex was surprised. "Morgan, what?..." Eric started to say, as she walked up and knelt in front of him. She took his face in both hands and kissed him. "This is an official 'no clothes' zone, you know, Eric. Besides, I was just thinking about how incredibly brave and caring you are. This is a chance for me to pay you back a little. At least, I hope you think seeing me naked is a good thing. "Hell, yes!" Then Eric blushed at what he had said. He seemed about to say something else when his blush deepened and he hunched forward to cover the hardon that he had grown. "Eric, Eric, it's OK. I've seen it, remember? Besides, by now you should know how we women feel about erections on nice guys." "Yeah, I know, but it's still tough. I don't think I'll ever get used to showing myself." "Jessica gave you one at breakfast, didn't she?" "You saw that, huh? I guess you see everything. She was nice to me for the first time, and, well, I couldn't help it." "You think she's pretty sexy?" "She looks nice, but I can't tell much from the way she dresses. I, uh, like to watch her walk, though." "Well, I'm working on the clothes part. You'll get to see a lot more of her soon, believe me." "Say, Morgan, how much longer are we going to have to do breakfast like this?" "Now that you've done it twice, what does it matter?" "Well, the first time, I was almost like in a zone, or something, and I just went along. Today, it was actually tougher. It's sort of worse as I get to know the women, you know?" "Hmmm. Hadn't thought of that. Tell you what, I'll watch carefully, especially Jessica. When I think we've gotten the most effect we can, I'll let you guys hide 'em, OK? Hey! I interrupted something when I came in. What's up? Or do I need to leave you guys alone?" Dex had been watching the exchange up until now, smiling warmly. Now, he entered in. "Morgan, I think you can help, here. You can talk in front of Morgan, can't you, Eric?" "I should be able to talk to anyone I can show my hardon to, shouldn't I?" This sent Morgan and Dex into fits of laughter, with Eric joining in after a moment. The chair Eric was in had a fairly wide seat, and Morgan jumped into it and wriggled her bottom until she and Eric were wedged in tight. "I am so proud of you, Eric! You're like a young Dex!" Turning sideways so she was more or less in Eric's lap, she made sure her tits were pressed firmly against him and said "Talk!" Eric told them everything that had happened between him and his mother, and replayed the discussion with Kirstin from earlier. When Eric stopped talking, Dex gave Morgan a very long, questioning look. When she nodded, he addressed the boy. "Eric, I'm going to tell you something that is extremely private. Morgan is one of only a very few other people who know about it. I believe you will keep my secret." With that, he told Eric about his own relationship with his mother. Eric gasped several times, and wept openly when Dex told of Kathy's death. "I didn't tell you these things because I think you should do what I did, Eric. Your situation is not the same. I just wanted you to see how difficult it is say something is always right or wrong. To this day, I don't feel any guilt about what I did with my mother." "Geez, Dex. So many things you said about how you felt and how your mother acted sound like what is happening to us right now. It... it really helped. Thanks. Oh, and I would never tell." "I have to make a phone call. I'll leave you and Morgan to, uh, talk a little more, OK?" With that, Dex walked into the attached study area and closed the door behind himself. "Sweetie, with all the emotion, and even some crying, I'd think you would have gone soft, but you haven't." "Sunday, I had never seen a naked woman. Now, this naked babe is sitting on my naked lap, and I'm supposed lose my hardon? As if!!" They laughed together for a moment, then Morgan got on her knees in front of him again. This time she took him in her mouth and took his balls in her hand. Predictably, about twenty seconds later, she was cleaning him up with her tongue. Eric's head was resting against the chair back and his eyes were closed when Morgan told him. "You're for sure not leaving here a virgin, stud. I think your mother should have first chance, if she wants it. If she doesn't, it's my privilege. Deal? Hey, you got hard again. I guess it's a deal, huh? Come on, I'll walk back to your room with you." Downstairs, Morgan opened Sandra's bedroom door and walked right in, something Eric would never do without knocking. Morgan barely held back a snicker when they found Sandra naked in the corner chair, reading the paper. The startled woman jumped up and turned crimson. Before Sandra could object, Morgan hurried over and put an arm around her shoulder. "It's OK, Sandra. I understand, and I think Eric does, too." "You do? I mean... what... ?" "Honey, right now, the most important thing in your life is Eric, and his acceptance of you. You absolutely need to have him see your body and react to it. You were just waiting for another chance, weren't you?" "I... Oh, I'm so ashamed!" "No! No! No! Don't be ashamed! Be thankful you have a wonderful son who is happy to give you what you need, and who honestly appreciates your body." "You mean, you don't think I'm sick?" "Not at all. You're terribly wounded. You're just trying to do whatever you can to feel better about yourself. Eric, could your Mom and I talk alone for a minute." When Eric had pulled on some clothes and walked out, Morgan continued. "Sandra, I just told Eric that he is not going to be a virgin when he leaves this place. You should have the chance to be his first if you want it." "What!!?? You can't be serious! That's incest!" "Yup. Tell me you haven't been thinking about it every minute since you saw his cock yesterday morning." "I... I... Ohhhh!" Sandra started to sniffle at this point, and Morgan hugged her tighter, meeting no resistance. "Honey, you and Eric have lived through shit that no one should have to experience. But you made it through, and now you need to start over. There are things you can only really share with each other - no one else would understand. I'm guessing you have never really been made love to, only used for sex, right?" The increased sniffles gave her the answer and she continued. "Eric is a virgin, but I am certain he could give you the best sex of your life because he really loves you and is such a considerate person. You need to experience that kind of sex as part of your healing. Is it wrong? What has already happened to you is wrong, for sure. I can't find it in me to condemn two loving people healing each other any way they can." "So you think I should?" "You have to decide that, Honey. I hope I've made you face up to your feelings, at least. If you decide you can't have sex with your son, I want your permission to sleep with him before he leaves here. Come to think of it, even if you decide to, I think it would be good if I took a turn with him after you've broken him in." "Well, at least that would be a good way to end an affair with my son. He would be cured of me after a night with you." Sandra's voice sounded almost bitter, and the low confidence shouted through her words. "Sandra, Sandra! You don't understand! Eric loves you. That would make it more than just sex. With me, he would have sex, and I would do my damndest to make it good for him, but it would be just sex. It could never be the same as with you, believe me. I'm going to put some condoms in the nightstand drawer for you." "He made me have my tubes tied." "Has the blood test report come back yet?" "Ohhhh, noooo! Do you think?..." "I don't know. The results could come today, but don't take a chance, OK?" Sandra just sat shaking her head and sniffling. "Sandra, one other thing I think is important for you." "What's that?" "You need to show yourself to Dex and to my Grandpa." "What!!? You mean, naked? Why?" "You know how thrilled you were when Eric saw you and reacted well?" Sandra nodded. "Well, seeing their positive reaction to you would be just as important. It would do wonders for your self-confidence." "But, I've never, ever shown myself before." "I know. And you've never, ever been chased out of your house before. And you've never, ever been divorced before. And you've never, ever had to start over before, and... I think you get the idea. Sandra, Honey, everything in your life is suddenly different. You're an attractive, talented woman who feels like a worthless reject. Everyone here wants to see you leave someday with your head up, a come-hither smile on your face, your tits thrust out, and your ass swaying. We want male heads to snap around when you walk by. If you can be naked in front of these gentle, caring men, it will be a great start." When Morgan left, Sandra stayed in her chair waiting for Eric to return. Unconsciously, she slumped back and let her legs spread open. When he walked in after a few minutes, she realized the lewdness of her posture and jumped to her feet. "Uh, Honey, are you tired of seeing me like this." "Couldn't happen, Mom!" "But Morgan was naked, and she's young and she's got big, uh, boobs, and..." "Uh, huh. Morgan is really sexy and her boobs are... wow! And Kirstin's boobs are huge. But, they're not you, Mom. It's like, your body is very nice and sexy. But, it's more than that. When I see you, in my mind is all the stuff we've been through together. I love you, and that makes it different - better." Sandra started to cry instantly on hearing his reply. Eric instinctively reached out to comfort her, but drew back at realizing her nakedness. Then, he remembered walking naked with Morgan, arms around each other, and he hugged his mother to himself without reservation. Almost inaudibly, Sandra murmurred "Damn, she's smart!" "Did Morgan talk about this?" "Uh, sort of." "Oh, you were talking about, uh, us, uh... She talked to me, too." Both were terribly embarrassed, and they hugged silently for quite a while. "Say, Honey," Sandra said, stepping back, "Do you think Dex would let you take me for a ride on one of those ATV things?" ------- It was a rare sunny December morning with no wind, and Sandra honestly enjoyed the ride. She had suggested it partly to break the tension of their last hug, and partly to get out somewhere with her son without leaving the safety of Dex's property. She rode behind Eric, arms snuggly around his waist, head pressed against his back. When they stopped to check out a nice view, she absentmindedly let her hands drift downward, and felt the bulge. She moved her hands back up quickly and chose not to say anything to him about it. She could not resist tightening her hug. When mother and son returned to the house after their ride, they were holding hands and laughing like young lovers. Jessica was the first one they met, and she asked where they had been. Upon hearing about the ATV ride, the desire was obvious on her face, but she could not bring herself to ask and turned away. "Ask her to go for a ride," Sandra whispered to Eric. "She's afraid to ask you." Eric stood stock still at his mother's suggestion. Two days ago, he did everything he could do avoid the obviously angry girl. This morning, though, she had thanked him and complimented him. Could she have changed that much in two days? Mortifying as it had been at first, his naked displays had given him a confidence that was completely new to him. He had a concern that his mother might feel left out, but she was smiling and gently pushing him toward the girl. "Jessica, wait! Would you like to go for a ride?" "I'd love to!" There was that same smile from this morning. Who'd of thought she had that smile? His mother knows what she is doing. "Um, you'll have to sit behind me, and you'll have to hold on to me." "Will that bother you?" she asked with a saucy grin. "No, but I thought maybe you..." "Eric, I've been a bitch, I know, and I'm sorry. I wasn't angry at you in particular, it's just that..." "Hey, I know a little of what you've been through." "Yeah, I guess everyone here does, huh?" ------- They had been out about five minutes when Jessica tapped Eric on the shoulder. When he idled the engine so they could talk, she asked "Can't we go faster?" "It's pretty bumpy. I'm afraid you'll get bounced off." She made a sad face, and he continued. "'Course if you'd hold on tighter..." This time, her look was frightened. "Look, Jessica, do you think I would do anything you didn't want me to do?" She just looked at him and barely shook her head. "Then grab on tight and let's fly!" Eric didn't do anything reckless, but he did pick up the speed, and Jessica indeed held on more tightly. After a couple of hard bounces, she seemed to give in and wrapped her arms securely around him, pressing her front against his back. Out at the edge of the property, Eric stopped again to admire the view. He turned to the girl and told her "Jessica, that felt really nice!" He noticed a slightly panicked look on her face, and asked. "What's wrong?" "We've got to go right back! Hurry!" He was puzzled until he saw her squirm in on the seat. "I'll run down the path out of sight. You holler when I can come back, OK?" Wasting no more time, he sprinted off, making sure he was out of sight, and hoping he was still in earshot. In a few minutes, he faintly heard her calling his name, and walked back toward her. "You knew?" "I guessed. Are you OK?" "Yeah, I was so excited about the ride I forgot to go first. Sorry to freak out on you. It's just that he..." Her eyes filled up at this point. "I... I can't talk about it. Maybe you'd better take me back." "You know, I've been walking around you in the morning with my pecker swinging around. Do you think that's easy? Maybe you should trust me and tell me about what happened. I'll bet there's stuff you haven't even told your Mom, isn't there?" "But it's awfully personal!" "More personal than me being naked." When she did not respond for quite a while, he told her "I'm sorry, Jessica, I don't want to put pressure on you. Let's ride some more." "No. No, you're right. I want to tell someone. He... he always tried to catch me peeing and walk in on me. Sometimes, I'd hold it 'til I thought I would burst, waiting for him to leave or go to sleep." "Couldn't you lock the bathroom door?" "He'd get mad and hit Mom if I did." For the next forty-five minutes, she talked and talked, often blushing furiously, sometimes crying, but never stopping. They did not notice, but once Dex looked around a bend in the path, saw that they were alright, and retreated back to the house. When the two teens returned to the house, Carol met them with a concerned look, glancing uncertainly at Eric. "Honey, what's wrong?" "Oh, Mom, it's not Eric's fault. I was just telling him lots of stuff." "Eric, I'm sorry," Carol said to the boy. "I know you wouldn't do anything bad, it's just that trusting is so hard." "It's OK, Mrs. Jensen." "It's Carol. If you're going to show me your, uh... we should be on a first-name basis, at least. How in the world can you do it?" "If I'd had a chance to think about it that first day, I probably wouldn't have. But you know, this last hour made it worth it." Carol gave him a kiss on the cheek before leading her daughter away. ------- Lunch was eventful. First, UPS delivered a large package for Kirstin. She could not refrain from opening it, and found several presents for the kids, and a few for her - all from her husband. She totally dissolved for a few minutes, but pulled herself together and rejoined the lunch. Lunch was also eventful because Jessica did not take her usual place next to Morgan, but came early to the table and sat next to Eric, so he was sandwiched between Sandra and Jessica. When everyone was finished eating, Morgan addressed the group. "Tomorrow is Christmas eve. There is not a single decoration in this place, and most of you have no presents. The project for this afternoon is to correct those problems. We are going on a monster shopping trip. Everyone is going, period. Dex and Grandpa will be with us, and Officer O'Connor will be along for extra protection. Now we need lists." The next hour or so was mayhem as all the lists were compiled. One joyous interruption was a call from Rick's office in which he told each of the three women individually that they came up clean on their STD tests. Eventually, they were all in vehicles headed for the mall, some rather nervous about leaving safety. Jeanette's generalship was proven again, and the mob returned at five thirty laden with a plastic tree, decorations, uncountable presents, and several take-and-bake pizzas. Considering the attitudes of the escapees just two days ago, the mood at supper was unbelievably festive. When the frivolity was at its highest, Dex got a call from Elise, who was obviously in tears, and totally stressed out. She had three more women: two young mothers with infants, and an unmarried seventeen-year-old on drugs, all pretty banged up. With the holidays, she had no one to man the reception center overnight, and she did not want the women there for Christmas, anyway. They all said they were willing to sleep on the family room floor just to get into a home rather than the center. Was there any way?... Dex felt instantly sorry for Elise, and was ready to say yes and figure it all out later. He thought better of it, though, and asked Elise once again to call back in ten minutes. When he put the problem to the group, there was instant agreement to let them come. Kirstin volunteered to go back and sleep at the center, and Jeanette said she and Patrick could go to a motel. Dex quieted everyone down and insisted they were all staying there. He was dispatching Patrick and Eric with the pickup for cribs and futons and more bedding when Elise called back and just disintegrated when Dex said yes. He insisted that Morgan and Kirstin pick up the new guests, rather than Elise having to deliver them. It was quite a shell game with some interesting placements. All of the upstairs rooms had king beds, so Megan said she would sleep with her parents and Kirstin then insisted she could move to a futon in the Master suite. Dex and Morgan agreed, knowing exactly where she would really sleep. Sean and Courtney would be on futons in Dex's master suite office. Carol and Jessica offered to have the younger girl in their room, and there was room for one of the single beds Dex had in storage. Another single was moved into Kirstin's former room, and the two mothers could fight over who got the big bed. Eric would be with his mother, and the bunk room became a nursery. It was fascinating to see Kirstin, especially, take on the role of host rather than refugee. Both Carol and Sandra entered in to help in any way they could, as well. Patrick and Eric were not back yet when the newcomers arrived, but everyone's gear had been moved around and the stored beds set up. Teri and Kendra were the two mothers, both in their mid-twenties, and both with infants three or four months old. Teri had a lurid shiner and a split lip, and was favoring one arm. She was a brunette, fairly pretty, and moderately overweight. Almost one whole side of Kendra's face was purple, and there was crusted blood under her nose. She was a redhead, and a real stunner, evident even through the discoloration. The teenager's name was Sonja, and she was a mess. To start with, she had dyed, spiked hair, and hardware stuck in her ears, lips, eyebrows, tongue, and nose. Her grunge outfit bared her not-too-attractive belly, showcasing a navel ring. There was probably more jewelry in some places not usually visible. Her lip was torn where a blow had hit the ring inserted there, ripping it partially out. She held a gauze pad to her face constantly. To make matters even worse, she was in need of a fix which would not be forthcoming. Sonja was pudgy, and not particularly pretty, although she seemed to have purposely camouflaged her potential best features. Dex had called Rick, and he arrived shortly after the women did. He went to work first repairing Sonja's lip, then checked over the others, finding no serious injuries. He took blood samples for STD testing, and insisted on looking over the babies. The newcomers had virtually nothing with them, so more lists were compiled, and Kirstin and Jeanette headed for a nearby Target SuperCenter, the mall stores having already closed. Sonja absolutely refused to look anyone in the eye. She did not appear angry, like Jessica had been, but frightened, defeated, and withdrawn. She shuddered when Eric tried to say hello, and Dex and Patrick sensed they should give her a wide berth. In a surprising turnaround, Jessica attached herself to Sonja, doing anything she could to help the girl. Morgan reran Sunday night, taking the newcomers on a tour, and explaining all the rules and possibilities. She then told them they were all going to take a hot tub, naked, and they were to leave the clothes they came in in a laundry bag inside the room. There were no real objections, and Jessica casually walked in with the rest, throwing a little grin at Eric, who was watching her. Morgan was watching Jessica and Sonja carefully, and at one point overheard Jessica saying "Don't be afraid of Eric, he's a sweet guy. They all are. Would you believe they've all been naked at breakfast?" Sonja was actually shaking when she heard this. "Hey, it's just to show us that we don't have to be afraid of men. I feel a lot better, now." Jessica said something else too softly for Morgan to hear, but she giggled afterward. Then, she spoke seriously for a long time, and Morgan assumed she was telling Sonja her story. ------- Looking troubled, Morgan was passing through the kitchen after getting the new women settled when her grandmother called her from their room. Still in the hallway, Jeanette told her "Patrick was wondering what the men should do at breakfast, what with the new girls here." "Oh, I'm afraid Chip 'N Dale's is closed, Grandma. He'll have to put his pants on." Neither woman noticed Carol hovering near the open door to her room. Morgan walked in and sat on the bed to talk to her grandparents. Morgan had just started to explain her reasons when Jeanette, who was facing the door, gasped, jumped to her feet and said "Carol? Are you all right, Dear?" Carol stood in the doorway, naked, shaking, and looking about to faint. Her hands were at her sides, but not far from her crotch, and her shoulders were hunched forward. Her expression was a mixture of fear and determination. "N... no... no, I'm not all right. I'm upset that you guys might dress for breakfast. I'm sorry to eavesdrop, but I heard you talking in the hall." "But why are you naked, Dear?" Jeanette asked. "I... I don't know if it will help, but I came to volunteer to be naked with the guys if they'll just keep doing it." "Why don't you tell us about it, Dear, after you..." Jeanette was cut off by Patrick before she could finish suggesting that Carol put something on first. "Carol, sit here. I'll move," Patrick said as he got up from one of the two chairs in the room. "Sh... shouldn't I p... put something on first?" "Well, sure, if you want to," Patrick answered, "but I sure wouldn't mind if you stayed like that." "Y... you w... wouldn't?" Carol stood in obvious uncertainty for a moment, then, to everyone's astonishment, took the offered chair. She sat quite primly, but did not make an overt effort to cover herself. Her voice getting steadier all the time, Carol started to talk. "I understand why you think it should stop, but maybe you don't realize how much good it is doing. Sunday night and last night, Jessica was naked in the hot tub with the women. Do you know, I hadn't seen my daughter naked in three years until just before I came in here now. God, she is beautiful!" It was Patrick again who came up with just the right words: "Well, she comes by it honestly, Carol." Jeanette had been sitting in shocked disbelief since Carol sat down in the chair. Now, she looked at her husband with an even more stunned expression. "Oh... I... thank you... uh... This house has some kind of magic. I don't know if it's you guys undressing, if it's just that you're all such caring people, or what it is. Please, just don't change anything. My little girl is getting better. I feel so terribly guilty for letting things get so bad before she got out. All I can do is beg you to keep doing what you are doing." "What about you, Carol. How are you feeling about all this?" Morgan asked. Jeanette, wondering when this insane gathering was going to end, stared at her granddaughter, wondering why she was keeping the poor woman there. "I feel... I feel more at home after one day here than I have felt anywhere. I mean, look at me sitting here like this. My parents wouldn't even let me do this as a child?" "Did you want to?" "Sure! Doesn't every little girl like running around naked?" "Carol, I appreciate what you're asking, and your offer to join the men is touching, but I'm afraid my little experiment is over, at least for now. But Carol, I really think I can call it a success, especially for Jessica." She went on to describe the crucial changes she could see in the girl, and Carol had to agree at each point. "You know, Carol, what I had the men do was really extreme - kind of shock therapy. We had a special little group, and showing themselves was something that met what you and Sandra and Jessica needed. Now, there's a new group, and they need help, too, but not in the same way. I don't want to turn this into just a male strip show." "Would that be so bad?" Carol giggled. The other three were too shocked to join in her merriment. The fact that she was joking at all was a major breakthrough. Add the fact that she was sitting naked and talking almost naturally made it even more bizarre. "You won't be the only one who misses it," Morgan assured her, and moved to sit on her grandfather's lap. "Thank you for listening, and I can see your reasons, Morgan. This has been... unbelievable." Everyone noticed an extra wiggle to Carol's bare ass as she walked out the door. "Darling," Patrick said to Jeanette as soon as Carol was gone, "Are you OK?" Jeanette shook her head slowly before she could respond. "I just don't believe it! How in the world could she come in here like that? And then she stayed! What is going on here, anyway. And Patrick, you're the one who got her to stay!" "I wasn't being a lecher, Darling, honest!" "Oh?" "I remember what Megan said about needing approval of her body, and I just went for it." "Grandpa, you were perfect. Don't you think she actually looked sexier when she left." "But she was here all that time!" Jeanette exclaimed. "I don't understand how she could just sit and talk like everything was normal." "Everything wasn't quite normal, Grandma. You saw her nipples, and look at this spot where she sat on the chair. Grandpa's right about the approval, though." "When Carol first walked in," Morgan continued, "she was sacrificing her own dignity for the sake of her daughter, and you could see how hard it was for her. She was desperate to see Jessica's progress continue, and she was afraid if the men didn't stay undressed, Jessica might revert to her fears." "When Grandpa said he enjoyed looking at her body, it was like she was driven to get more of the same. Like the other women, her husband had criticized and ridiculed her body so much, she felt totally unattractive. At the first compliment, she just had to have more. She was getting approval of herself as a sexual being, and she couldn't get enough of it." "She likes and trusts you, Grandpa, and being naked at breakfast must be part of the reason. I think you have convinced her that you are safe and caring. In a man, that's something new and wonderful for her." "I still can't believe she could sit exposed all that time in front of us," Jeanette said. "Grandma, your body has been worshipped for forty years, now. You've never had to fight the feelings Carol has had. Or Sandra. Or Kirstin. Just imagine if every one of Granpa's compliments had been a cruel insult, instead." "I... I guess it's hard for me to grasp. Still, to sit there as the only naked person... !" "And if she could have found more to talk about, she'd be here still. I'll bet right now Carol is practically dancing around her room in excitement." ------- Next door, Jessica took off her headphones when her mother returned to the room. "Mom! Where is your robe?" "Didn't take one." "You mean you guys were naked in there all this time? How could you?" "No, just me." "Whaaat? You can't be serious! Mother! That's... that's... !" "It was wonderful! Honey, don't you see? I was there with Patrick, and we talked, just like with Dex the other night! He looked at me, and they were good looks. He liked what he saw! Nobody said anything bad about my body, and nobody made any crude remarks. I felt so special!" She made a little growling sound and did a pirouette. "Ohhhhhh, noooooo!" was all Jessica could say. ------- Kirstin walked into the Master suite at bed time and dropped her shorts. Pushing her newly-trimmed crotch forward almost comically, she said "Lookit!" in a little girl's voice. Dex managed to get out a recognizable wolf whistle around his laughter, and Kirstin finished stripping. The three of them brushed their teeth together, and then she showed some emotion, tearing up slightly. "These little things," she said, "are just so neat! I've missed them so." Kirstin stood at the foot of the bed, waiting to find out where she should sleep. "I'll try not to crush whoever is next to me," she quipped. Dex happened to be behind her at the time, and gave her a sharp little finger snap on her bare ass cheek. She jumped, rubbed the spot, and looked at Dex in puzzlement. "You've come a long way in two days, Kirstin, but you just put yourself down again, and I don't like it," Dex said rather sternly. After just standing there for a moment, Kirstin gave Dex a quick hug. Dex ended up in the middle, and it was apparent that sleep was not on the agenda for a while. "It was really hard in the hot tub with those girls," Kirstin complained. "That Kendra is a damned centerfold." Fearing more retaliation from Dex, she hurriedly added "I'm not putting myself down, but I felt self-conscious with her there. Except for a bunch of bruises, the only flaw I could see was a C-Section scar. I don't understand how someone so gorgeous could end up with a jerk that beats her." Morgan answered. "There is not always a correlation between beauty and self-image. Maybe she thought he was all she could get. Or, maybe she was so in love she didn't see what he was really like. Or maybe he changed. Or maybe she is submissive and the control turned to abuse. A lot could have gone wrong." All three were silent for a while, then Dex said to Kirstin "I'll bet on your best day, you looked like a centerfold, too, Kirstin." She was taken aback, but finally answered. "I was never, ever at what I would call my ideal weight, so I couldn't say that, but thank you for thinking it." After another pause, Morgan said "Dex, Sonja could open a hardware store. You should see her. She has rings or suds in her nipples, her navel, both labia, and her clit hood. You saw the ones on her face and her navel. Her pubes are shaved, and she has several small tatoos in interesting places. I was surprised, but naked, she isn't as homely as I thought at first. The poor kid must have some story. It's going to be rough for a couple of days because she needs a fix. Dr. Santee gave her some medicine that's supposed to help some, but we need to watch her closely." Conversation seemed to be winding down when Kirstin asked in a small voice "Morgan, will you be angry if I end up cuddled up to Dex?" Morgan didn't say anything, but leaned way over Dex and grabbed Kirstin's farthest hand. With unsuspected strength, she pulled the heavy woman toward her so she was laying almost on top of Dex. "Now, cuddle. Play with his cock. Whatever you want. I don't own Dex, and if it will help you heal, go for it. If you want me to leave so you can have sex with him, just tell me, OK?" "I... I just don't understand you guys at all, but I think it's wonderful. For some strange reason I don't want to give up on my marriage yet, so I won't have sex. This sure feels wonderful, though." ------- When the commotion from the newcomers was starting to settle down, Sandra and Eric had bundled up and gone for a walk, just to get some time alone. The weather was still clear and calm, and it was quite pleasant to be out in the crisp air. They ended up walking for well over an hour. When they got back to the house and hung up their jackets, Sandra pulled Eric to the now empty hot tub. He watched as she undressed, carefully folding and piling her clothes. When she finished, she helped him, folding and piling his clothes as he took them off. When they were both naked, she stood in front of him, and gave him one more shock on top of all the others he had experienced the past two days. Sandra placed one hand gently around his rigid cock and the other under his balls. Caressing lovingly with both hands, she said "I'm sure glad you inherited your package from my side of the family, not from your father." "Y... you mean, you saw..." "Sure. I saw my brothers' dicks lots of times, and even my Dad's a few. We were kinda casual about dress around home. Of course, I never saw them naked and hard, but I saw lots of good-sized bulges in pants and underwear. Caused quite a few myself on purpose, too." "You mean?..." "Yup. I teased the Hell out of the poor boys. I was good at it, too, believe it or not." "Oh, I believe it! Notice how I'm always hard when you're naked. Um, so Dad's kinda small down there, huh?" "He's not that small, really. It's just that his doesn't look as nice as yours. When it's hard, it's sort of mean looking, not like yours. Yours stands so nice and straight and proud, and the head is so big and so perfectly shaped. And your balls! They must be twice as big as your Dad's. 'Course, now he has that awful beer belly hanging over." She gave a visible shudder at that recollection. "Eric, you can't believe how proud I was this morning, seeing you naked in front of all those women. Just knowing they were thinking about what a stud I gave birth to made me think I had accomplished something, after all. You are the one good thing I have to show for seventeen years of Hell." "But I'm pretty short, and kinda scrawny." "But not between the legs. Have you seen how Jessica can't keep her eyes off of your crotch?" "Jessica? She's scared of me!" "No way! I bet she has to change panties after breakfast." "Uh, should we be doing this, Mom?" Sandra laid her head against his chest and paused before answering. "After our talk with Morgan this morning, I've spent most of the day thinking. I feel like I've been cheated. Sex with your father was either painful, disgusting, or just frustrating. I want to know what it should be like. Will you do that for me, Honey?" Eric had been half expecting and half dreading this moment all day. The dread was not of the act itself - that idea excited him beyond belief. The dread was of the incest they would be committing, and of the long-term effect on his new love, his mother. Only his talk with Dex and Morgan this morning kept him from bolting out of the room. "I... I've never..." "I know, I know. But you must have done some things with Kirstin." She pressed herself tight against him, wrapping her arms around his back. "I really haven't done much, either, Sweetie, except lay there and get poked at. Whatever you do, I know you will do it with love, and that will make all the difference. Please?" When she kissed him, Eric seemed to come to a decision. He hugged her tightly and kissed her back with little skill but great intensity. As they kissed, she dropped her hands down between them and began stimulating him in earnest. He pulled back from the kiss as if to say something, but she beat him to it. "Come all over my tummy! I want you to." It was no problem for him to oblige, and his stored-up cream ended up streaked from her pubes to her cleavage in a matter of seconds. As he pulsed, she gave a little shudder, then rubbed her belly against his cock as it jerked. This behavior left him totally amazed, to say nothing of almost fainting from the force of his orgasm. If Eric was already amazed, what his mother did next left no adverbs adequate to describe his reaction. Sandra stepped back a pace, then proceeded to rub his semen all over her front, using both hands. Seeing his dumbfounded expression, she kissed him again. "Eric, Honey, please don't think I'm perverted, or anything. There's a reason I did that. Let's sit down in the tub." He gratefully let himself down into the water, but she sat on the edge and just dangled her feet. "Your father used to come on my stomach. Then he would ridicule me because my tits were too small for him to 'tit-fuck' me." "Then why did you want me to come on you?" "Because it's YOUR come, Honey, and I love you. And because I could decide to do it. It's actually very sexy when you don't despise the person doing it. Did you notice that I had a little come when you did? Um, you do know how a woman comes, don't you?" "Yeah, I do. Why don't you get down here in the water and wash it off?" "Huh, uh! I want to feel it on me for a while longer." There was a lot for Eric to think about after this unbelievable encounter. The first thing that came to his mind was the he was going to have sex with his mother, probably a lot. He'd had just a glimpse of the sexual side of her, and realized it was strong and terribly repressed. There was a little twinge of fear as he wondered if she would find him disappointing. Morgan's words came back to him, then, and the fear was short-lived. Thinking back to his earlier session with Kirstin, Eric moved over to kneel in front of Sandra. He pulled her ass closer to the edge and began kissing her upper thighs. Realizing what he intended, Sandra gasped, then said "Wait!" She jumped from the edge and squatted so she could rinse her crotch in the water. Seeing an opportunity, Eric said "Let me!" and pushed her hand out of the way. Sandra got on her knees on the seat facing outward and spread her legs. Eric took handfuls of water and splashed it up on her, rubbing in a pretense of washing. Almost instantly, she was squirming, pushing herself into his hand and emitting little moans. He had been right behind her, but moved beside her and rested one knee on the bench. Now able to reach her crotch from both front and back, he got both hands busy. There was no plan in his mind, but her increasing agitation helped him along. She was almost rubbing herself against his hands, giving him the idea of moving his hands back and forth in unison. The sawing motion that Eric had stumbled on removed the last vestiges of restraint from Sandra. She was soon making a keening sound that lasted a couple of minutes before accelerating into a shriek as her orgasm hit. The lessons from Kirstin had stuck with him, and he kept the rubbing motion on her whole crotch area as she shook and quivered. Her knees slipped off the seat, and he caught her, holding her up by her inflamed crotch. He somehow turned her around and eased her down into the water across his lap. Although seemingly out of it, Sandra grabbed at his hand and pushed it to her pussy, and he rubbed some more, making sure he covered the area of her clit. For at least a minute more, she had little random shudders and jerks as her climax tapered off. Eric had a gut feel what might happen next, and he turned out to be correct. As soon as the last aftershock ended, the tears started, and in a matter of seconds, she was bawling uncontrollably. He cradled her with her face against his chest, rocking her like a baby. One hand was still between her legs, but she had both of her hands clamped on that wrist, and he didn't even try to remove it, just held it still. The crying lasted quite a while before it wound down. As even the sniffles diminished, he spoke up. "Mom, if you're thinking of apologizing, don't! You were ready to explode, and I am so thrilled that I could make you come. The other night in your towel, I first realized that you were sexy, but I had no idea! You're incredible." At this point, he started moving the fingers that were over her pussy as he continued talking. He wanted to keep talking to her - keep her snuggled where she was, and make her feel loved. Anything complimentary he could think of, he said, while his fingers explored. It wasn't long before he felt her twitching a little, and he found her clit and started rubbing it with some force. There was still a lot of sexual tension bottled up in Sandra, and her second orgasm built up rapidly. When she came again, she still had a death grip on his arm, and he feared she would sprain it as she jerked. This one was more violent than the first, but tapered off faster. Coming down this time, Sandra seemed energized, rather than exhausted. Without saying a word, she turned to face her son, put his cock at her opening and settled down onto him. Then, she spoke. "I can't get pregnant, and the doctor called today and said I was clean. Come in me, baby!" She only had to move gently a few times before he unleashed his second load. Seeing a flash of consternation on her son's face, Sandra said "Ah, ah! Remember what you said about not apologizing? Then don't! That was just what I wanted, OK. We're going down to bed, and we can take it slow and gentle all night. I'll bet after you come three or four more times you'll be able to last quite a while." She gave a little giggle, then hugged herself to him. By this time, they had been in the tub long enough for their fingers to start to prune up, so they reluctantly got out. Eric just automatically picked up his pile of clothes, knowing full well Sandra would not let him dress. There was a minor panic at the bottom of the stairs when they saw Teri walking out of the nursery. Teri saw them, but they were not sure she could see that they were naked. Sandra made a mental note to talk to the younger woman in the morning. Sandra's well of tears seemed to have been exhausted, as well as a lot of her energy. They did not do it three or four more times, at least not before falling asleep. What they did do was make it tender and gentle, and Eric was indeed able to last a lot longer. She never came just from intercourse, but he made sure they were at least even on orgasms. Sandra's nightmare did not come that night, nor any night thereafter. ------- Chapter 29 On Christmas Eve morning, Kirstin did not get up for a hot tub session with Eric. When she awoke, she was flabbergasted to find herself alone in the bed. She checked to make sure her kids were still asleep, then used the toilet. Coming back to the bed, she sprawled on her back on top of the covers, spread her arms and legs as wide as she could, and threw her head back. The feeling of wantonness collided with the feeling of freedom, and she admitted to herself that she loved both feelings. In just three days, Kirstin had done things she just did not believe. It almost felt like someone else had taken over her mind. She was fat! Nobody would want to see her naked! Yet, she had spent more time naked in three days than in the previous three years. And nobody cared! Or if they cared, like Eric, it was in a good way. She felt a strong urge to be naked more and more, just to be sure no one was disgusted. Was Gary wrong? Was her body not really repulsive? It must have been several minutes that Kirstin lay there, reveling in the feeling of the air on her inner labia which had been exposed by her stretching. Her eyes were closed and her arms were now extended above her head when she detected someone in the room. Instinctively trying to close her legs, she felt them restrained, and looked up to see Dex gently holding both ankles. "Dex, I, uh..." "It's OK, Kirstin. Were you enjoying the feeling?" "Yeah, but..." "I'm going to let go, but I want you to stay just like you were." When he took his hands away, she flinched, but when he put them softly back on her shins, she somehow managed to keep her legs spread. "Now, stretch your arms back up like they were, too." Morgan was with Dex, but had been silent until now. She asked Kirstin "Not to bring up a bad subject, but did Gary ever see you like this?" "Oh, no! He didn't want to see me naked at all." "How about when you were first married?" "No, he never asked me to show myself, uh... , I mean this is really, um... lewd?" "So, you never exposed yourself on your own to tease him or excite him?" "No, I... I guess I was afraid to." "Hmmm. You seem to like being naked, though." "When I was little, Mom was always after me to get my clothes on. Maybe I never outgrew that. Um, this is embarrassing, you know." "That's not all it is." "Huh?" Dex spoke up now "Your nipples. And your pussy lips. It's arousing, too, isn't it." Kirstin's only response was a moan. "Kirstin," Morgan jumped in, "In just a few days you have impressed us so much with your intuition, your intelligence, and your compassion. You don't realize how strong a person you can really be. For a long time, you have been preoccupied with hiding what you or your husband think are your shortcomings." "The fact that you're now spending so much time naked shows me that you desperately want to be proud of yourself - to be seen but not ridiculed or rejected. Well, we're seeing every bit of you now. Are we rejecting you?" Kirstin looked over at Dex and noticed a bulge in the exercise shorts he still wore. "No, I guess not," she answered through a giggle. "Kirstin, I think we should drop the 'Gary-free zone' and talk about your marriage a little," Dex told her. "You seem to have stronger hopes than you admit about getting back with him. Are you willing to talk about it?" "I... I guess it would be good for me, wouldn't it." "Well, if we're going to talk, I want to be comfortable," Morgan said as she undressed. She then yanked down Dex's shorts, pushed him into a chair, and plopped on his lap. "Hey, I'm all sweaty and smelly from working out," Dex protested. "And you know how much that turns me off, don't you?" Morgan quipped. With a resigned sigh, Dex addressed Kirstin. "Kirstin, you have absolutely world-class tits. Doesn't Gary just love to get lost in them. I could never leave them alone if I were him." "Oh, thank you, Dex. No, he, uh, just never seemed to be that interested in them. Oh, I know he loved how they looked, at least until I got fat, but he never touched them that much. For sure not as much as I wished he would." "Any idea why?" "Maybe 'cause of Jaba." "Jaba?" Dex asked as both he and Morgan laughed. "You know, from Star Wars? That's my private name for his mother." "What does Jaba have to do with Gary and your tits?" "Well, she has those enormous 72 double Qs or whatever, and I think they may have turned him off on big tits." "I take it she's not exactly a nice person." "God, no. Witch, queen-bitch, battle-axe - there aren't enough bad words to describe her. She sits there just like Jaba and bosses everything in her world." "Bosses her husband? Bossed Gary?" "For sure!" "How about your mother?" "Is this where the standard 'do you love your mother' question comes in?" Morgan laughed at that, but Kirstin went on. "My mother is definitely the boss, too. She's not mean like Jaba, though, and about half the size. Mom is basically a kind and considerate person. She just knows how things should be, and isn't afraid to tell people." "How about your Dad?" "Ever hear someone called a 'taciturn Swede?' That's Daddy. Big, strong as a bull, gentle as a lamb, and has a fifty word per day limit." "Kirstin, you're giving me a side-ache!" complained Morgan through her laughter. "I can't believe how you joke about these things. They must be serious to you." "Well, if I didn't joke, I might cry, and what good would that do?" Morgan got control of her laughter, and commented "You're not like your mother. You don't rule your house, do you?" "No. I made up my mind long ago that I wouldn't be like her. At least not that part of her." "So Gary has to be in control, right?" "Yeah, that's the way it should be." "Is he good at it?" "Ahhhhh!" This question stopped Kirstin dead, and she was silent for a while. She continued in a thoughtful tone. "Is this what you're getting at? I'm expecting Gary to be the strong, aggressive one about everything in our marriage. He's been the bossee all his life, and he's not comfortable taking charge. He get's frustrated and takes it out on me." "Hmmm. So, you're taking psyche courses in night school, right?" Kirstin giggled at this, and Morgan continued. "You're right on, Honey. Of course, nothing's ever just that simple, but I think you've nailed one of the big problems." "So what do I do about it." "Here's what surprises me, Honey. The last couple of days, I've seen a strong, 'take charge' side of you. You must have been purposely suppressing that at home all these years. So, we've got a man who's expected to be the aggressive one, but he's not comfortable in the role. We've got a wife who's purposely not being all she could be because she doesn't want to be her mother. There's no reason that marriage should have any problems, is there?" Kirstin let out a kind of a gurgling groan, and protested "But I DON'T want to be my mother. I mean, poor Daddy hardly gets a word in." "So your Dad is a very frustrated, henpecked husband who looks miserable all the time, right? And their house is like a battle zone all the time, right." "Well, no. Sometimes, it's embarrassing. She flirts with him and he paws at her and she giggles and he gets this baseball bat in the front of his pants, and... what are you getting at, Morgan?" "There's this theory that men marry their mothers and women marry their fathers. Let me guess: Gary really likes your mother, right?" "Yes. Until things went sour, they were real friendly. In fact, sometimes I think her flirted with her more than with me." "Aha! So Gary saw your mother as a much better version of his own mother, but still what he needed. So, he married your mother, but didn't get her because you didn't want to be her." Dex let out a groan when Morgan said this, and she thumped him on the chest. "I've never been more glad I was single," he exclaimed, gaining him another, stronger thump. Kirstin asked "So I should be more like my mother? That's what Gary really wants?" "What he needs! See, you didn't want to be your mother because you thought their marriage was dysfunctional and it was her fault. But, it works for them, and they're happy. You married your Dad, and he's frustrated because you're not your mother." This time, Dex's groan was a lot louder, and Morgan didn't bother to thump him. "Well, I got a good start," Kirstin said sarcastically. "I already look like my mother, dammit!" "We need to talk more about this, Kirstin, but I think you've been bottling up the perfect woman for Gary." "Ahem!" Dex interjected. "I want to get back to the subject of those awesome tits." "You men and your fixation on tits!" "Both of you should give thanks every morning for that fixation. Anyway, why isn't Gary worshipping them like a puppy dog?" "I'll bet I know," said Kirstin. When Gary's Dad does what Jaba wants, she hugs his face right into those monsters. I'll bet she's done that to Gary, and it turns him off. How the Hell do I get him over that?" Dex answered her. "If you squash his face into tit Heaven enough times, then fuck his brains out right afterward, his phobia should disappear in a hurry." When the laughter died down, Kirstin lamented "Hey guys, I hate to end on a bummer note, but we're talking like my marriage can be fixed. Right now, it's over, and I can't make the first move to fix it." Morgan was about to say more, but just then Kirstin's eight-year-old son Sean wandered out of the office where the kids slept, rubbing his eyes as he trudged toward the bathroom. Kirstin gave a huge gasp and started to get off the bed in a panic. Morgan had stood up, and now restrained Kirstin, saying "Why don't you give him a nice 'good morning' cuddle? He really is a sweet kid, you know." "But I'm naked!" "Yeah, I think we were talking about that?" "But, but..." Sean, apparently the fastest pee in the west, came back into the bedroom area, now fully aware of his surroundings. There was no way for Kirstin to escape or cover up. She looked frantically at Morgan for a moment, then called out "M... m... mornin' Sweetie. C... can Mommy h... have a hug." The boy seemed uncertain for a moment, then sprinted toward his mother. Morgan hauled Dex to his feet and they headed toward the bathroom to give mother and son some privacy and to take their delayed shower. While showering, they felt a drop in the water temperature, and Morgan said "Courtney" to Dex, who was soaping her back at the time. When they came out of the bathroom, they saw Kirstin sitting against the headboard with her legs extended. Sean sat beside her playing with her fingers and jabbering away. Courtney had apparently decided this was the girls turn to be naked, and she was happily cuddled in her mother's lap with her head on one pillowy breast. Noticing their entry, Kirstin looked up with a teary smile and said "They don't care!" "About what, Honey?" "About the fat." "Nobody does, Honey. You've got to remember that." "Uh, Gary does." "His loss." They chatted for a few minutes while Morgan dressed. Kirstin reluctantly got up and pulled on just a T-shirt. With a smirk, she turned her back to Dex and bent over, showing that her ass cheeks barely winked out under the oversized shirt. Courtney walked up to Dex with a very serious demeanor and asked him "Mr. Dex, are you going to be my new Daddy?" "No, Courtney. You're just staying with me for a while." "Well, can I have a hug, anyway?" This made Morgan gasp, for it was a gigantic turnaround from Sunday. Dex picked up the little girl and shared a warm hug. The feeling of a naked little girl against his own naked skin was not entirely new to him. Years ago, after considerable discussion, Jenny and Chris had brought their kids to the Saturday brunches. Their daughter Amy had early on glommed onto 'Uncle Dex' as her favorite, and the mere absence of clothes could not stop her from leaping into his arms in greeting. Once everyone was at least minimally clad, they trooped off to what was sure to be a most interesting breakfast. ------- Eric came in to breakfast arm in arm with a completely different Sandra than had been seen before. Jeanette knew immediately what had happened between them, and as a credit to her more open attitude, she was not at all judgmental. Instead, she took Sandra's hand and pulled her toward the family room. "I guess I don't have to ask if it was wonderful, do I?" Jeanette said with a warm hug. "Jeanette, thank you! I was concerned you would be upset. I knew you would guess right away. I could probably light the whole house right now. I know it's supposed to be wrong, but, dammit, I haven't felt this good in fifteen years." "Sandra, Honey, in three days, I have seen and done so many things that I always thought were wrong, that I just quit judging. I'm more concerned about all of you women getting better and getting on with your lives." "You know, Jeanette, yesterday morning I watched you almost as much as I watched that hunky husband of yours. I tried to read what you were feeling from your expression. Now, I know just what you were feeling. I think I could burst with pride. For my sake, I wish he was still naked, but I know how tough it was for him." With another hug, they went back into the kitchen just as Teri came up the stairs. Teri carried her baby boy, Matthew, and was dressed in a robe purchased the night before. Morgan had strongly encouraged all the women to come to breakfast in their nightclothes, as a way of building a feeling of home. Kendra came up alone, also in one of the robes. She went right to a place at the table without saying anything, although she looked around to see where everyone was. Carol came in and made a point of greeting the new women. "I'm not sure if Sonja will come out here," Carol told the group. "Jessica is back there with her now, but she had a terrible night." "Should we go ahead without them?" Patrick asked. "Give her a couple of minutes," Carol replied. Sure enough, in just a few minutes, Jessica came down the hall, practically towing a frightened looking Sonja. When Sonja saw the men, she seemed to relax, and walked the rest of the way under her own power. Morgan surmised that from Jessica's comment in the hot tub, Sonja had expected the men to be naked. The degree to which that terrified her told Morgan something of the challenge she faced with the girl. It took several minutes, but Sonja did end up eating quite eagerly. Teri entered into the conversation, but Kendra said almost nothing. It appeared to be quite painful for her to chew, but she put away a decent amount of food. While he was eating his own meal, Dex mused on how different the atmosphere was this morning. The previous two days, it had felt more like a congenial family gathering, if a rather large family. Perhaps because the original women were all sharing a first-of-its-kind experience with Dex taking them in there was a special closeness. For the newcomers, it was more like coming in as the most recent guests in an established operation. There wasn't the same sense of relief, gratitude, or whatever it was. Oh, the new women were all nice people, it was just... different. Morgan had been right to have them keep their pants on. As the meal wound down, Teri announced that she needed to go down and feed her baby. Jeanette asked if she breast fed, and Teri answered yes. Patrick looked like he was about to say something more, but thought better of it. ------- While the men cleaned up after breakfast, the women launched a decorating frenzy. There seemed to be cartons, ornaments, wreaths, and lights strewn everywhere. Everyone seemed to be in on it, even Sonja, and in a surprisingly short time, the house definitely looked like Christmas, and the clutter was gone. The next item on the agenda was gifts for the newcomers, and Jeanette and Morgan took on that task, while Dex went to his office for the scheduled conference call. ------- "I'm guessing all of you have some news for me, right?" Carl, Randy, and Dex's hacker buddies all responded enthusiastically that they had a lot of good stuff. "Before you tell me any of that, let me give you my perspective, and my hopes for an outcome." Dex listed objective number one as Megan's long-term safety and freedom from any threat from Craig. His second objective was for Megan to have some compensation to help her get a good start on a new life. His third objective was the 're-direction' of Craig's suspected hidden assets for charitable use and appropriate compensation for the team. His fourth objective was some positive results for the DA as a thank you for their assistance. In order to achieve objective number one, there were two essential requirements. First, Craig had to be removed from the scene. Second, no one must suspect any link to Megan for whatever happened to Craig. "Define 'removed from the scene, '" Carl asked. "In a cell for good, or in a box," Dex replied. "The box sounds good to me." "Uh, that's not really on our price list," Carl objected. "The only way Craig would be killed would be by his associates, or in some kind of shootout with the cops. None of us will cross that line, I assure you." "What would keep the DA happy?" "Kolchek in a cell or in a box. Now, let me hear some news. First, who, exactly, is Alex Kolchek, and who is he connected to?" Dex was informed that Alex was the top local boss in the big-time mob. That made the secrecy of anything they did that much more critical. "What does Craig do for the mob?" As a developer and broker, Craig used real estate deals to launder mob money. Various parts of the organization bought and sold properties from each other at hugely inflated prices, using dirty money to cover the amount over true market value. Craig benefited handsomely from his normal percentage on a very large number of inflated transactions. One of the hackers added a key new piece of information he had just uncovered. "The idiot is skimming from the mob! He's dirty on dirty." "Megan said he has been getting more irritable and less rational for the last year. Maybe that's why," Dex opined. "I sure would be if I was taking that kind of risk. He started about a year ago. Can you imagine anyone so greedy and down-right stupid?" They all agreed that disclosure of Craig's skimming should buy him a bullet. At that point, they did not have a good way for the mob to 'discover' his perfidy. If they indeed had Craig's death warrant in hand, the question was when to exercise it to best achieve the first two objectives: Megan's safety and compensation. "What are Craig's up-front assets?" Dex asked. "Almost nothing. His house is mortgaged to the hilt, and his car is leased. His bank accounts are nearly empty, and he has no reported portfolio." "That means Megan would get the minimum from the proposed settlement. How about the hidden stuff?" "There's plenty - at least $20 million worth. There are several properties owned by a blind corporation, and one large offshore cash account." "Offshore where?" "The Cayman's, fortunately." "Why do you say that?" "Siphoning a Swiss account is virtually impossible. With most of the Cayman banks, though, a really good hacker has reasonable access." "And the best hackers?" "Practically like having a passbook." This was greeted with chuckles. "So, we could get the money out on short notice?" "I couldn't do it tomorrow, but I should be ready in a week or two. What would help most is for him to make a withdrawal." "The divorce settlement could force that, couldn't it? How about the properties? Could we steal ownership of them?" "Absolutely. Craig is the only stockholder and only executive of the dummy corporation. We could falsify the ownership records to make our own dummy the owner of record. We would have to sell the properties quickly, in case someone started sniffing." "Well, let's get the dummy set up." "Already done." "Who owns that?" "Dead buddy of mine." "As we're talking, it appears the only safe thing for Megan is for Craig to sign the divorce agreement. Agreed?" There were no dissenters. "How likely is that?" Carl played the tape of Craig's tirade from Monday. "Sounds like we're moving in the right direction." They talked a while longer, then Dex wrapped up the call. "Our priorities now are anything we can do to hasten the divorce, making sure we can steal Craig's hidden assets, and figuring out how to expose his skimming to the mob. Let's talk Friday. Great work, guys, and Merry Christmas!" ------- As usual, Dex let Morgan do the talking on anything of importance. He was pretty sure it was no longer a concern to the original group, but he decided to continue the practice for the sake of the newcomers. After a long talk with Dex, Morgan pulled the group together. "When you came to the reception center, Elise got names and numbers of people you wanted notified of your situation. She is very good about following up, so I don't think there are any relatives that think you are missing. This is Christmas eve, though, and it would be a great time to talk to them personally." "When you came here, we told you not to make phone calls for fear of being traced. We want you all to start calling loved ones now. We will use an 800 access number normally used for long distance calls. It shows only 'Unavailable' for the caller ID. It's not that we don't trust your loved ones. It is really for their benefit to truthfully say they don't know where you are." "There is another reason for calling. Every year on the Saturday between Christmas and New Years, Dex has a big party here with dancing and everything. He was thinking of canceling with the house so full, but he decided to go ahead with it and expand the invitation list to your parents or other special people." This brought a murmur of reaction from all the women. "In order to maintain security here for as long as possible, your guests will be picked up at two or three sites and brought here in limos with the windows covered. Again, this is not done to insult them, but to free them from needing to lie about your whereabouts. When you talk to them today, just give the invitation, and describe the arrangements. You will call back tomorrow to see if they are coming." "My guess is you are worrying about what you have to wear to a dressy party. Let me just say that you should forget about that until tomorrow. Now, Dex and I want to talk to you to find out who you are going to call, and who you are going to invite, so see us when you are ready." Teri practically ran to Morgan when she stopped talking. The only person she wanted to talk to and invite was her father, and she got on the phone right away. Carol and Jessica were next in line. Carol wanted her parents, and Jessica wanted to invite her best friend and neighbor. Morgan and Dex debated for a moment about bringing in another teenager, but all of the kids from the Ferguson clan would be there, so they saw no harm. They had to wait quite a while for Teri to finish on the phone. Sandra had no relatives in town. Morgan asked if her parents might be able to come in for Saturday night, but she didn't think so. Eric had decided that seeing his two or three close friends in school Monday would be soon enough. Kirstin wanted her parents and her sister, who lived with her parents. Morgan sought out Sonja, who said there was no one she wanted to know where she was. She was so adamant in her answer that Morgan just told her to let them know if she changed her mind, then walked away. After Morgan explained the calls and the party, Kendra had gone downstairs to feed her baby daughter. When she came up later with the baby, Morgan brought her to a corner of the family room where she and Dex could talk to her. "Kendra, we know next to nothing about you, and that is OK. We will try not to pry, but is there anyone you want to call or invite to the party?" Kendra shook her head to the question. "Not even your parents?" "I'm just glad I'm out of their reach here!" Morgan and Dex could tell from Kendra's expression afterward that she had not wanted to say anything, so Morgan took Kendra's hand and just held it for a moment. "Kendra, let me just suggest something for you to think about. You could be completely in control if you invite your parents here. It might be a good thing for you. They would not be able to make you leave or do anything you did not want to do. If you said the word, we would escort them out and drive them back to their car. If you want, we will make sure you are never alone with them." "You would do that?" "Absolutely. Wouldn't they like to to see their granddaughter?" Kendra gave out a cross between a snort and a laugh, and said "Of course not, she's just a girl." With that she hugged the baby tightly and rocked back and forth a little. After sharing a long look with Dex, Morgan told the young mother "Kendra, I think we're pretty good listeners, and I think you know we wouldn't do anything to hurt you. You really need to tell someone all about it. Let me or Dex or both of us know if we can help, OK?" With that they both stood to walk away. "No. Wait. You're right. I need to talk." "Shall I leave you two?" Dex asked. "No, both of you stay. I'm sorry if I seemed like a grump today. It's hard for me to believe I can really trust anyone right now. I talked to some of the other women while we were decorating, and I know I can trust you." With that, Kendra spent the next thirty minutes spilling her tale. Kendra's parents were extremely wealthy, both coming from old money. When she said their name, Dex instantly recognized them as at the top of the local social ladder. They had essentially arranged her marriage to a man of similar social stature who just happened to be a total jerk and a misogynist. None of his shortcomings mattered to her parents, as long as the union produced a male heir for her husband's family. The two families were extremely close, even somewhat related. Kendra was beautiful, intelligent, and well-schooled, but her personality was too pliable to stand up to her parents or her husband. She was desperately afraid of what would happen when she left Dex's place. Her own money had all kinds of restrictions and prohibitions tied to it, and she feared she could never get a divorce. Her parents considered the very idea of divorce the worst social calamity of the decade. With all the wealth and power surrounding her, Kendra felt helpless. "Do you know who Jenny Ballard, the singer, is?" Dex asked. "Oh, of course! My parents hate country music, but I have read everything I can about her. I identify with her because of her parents and her rapist's family in France and what they tried to do." Dex could not help but stiffen as her comment brought back memories of one of the darkest times of his life. "Jenny is my cousin's wife. She will be at the party, and I'm sure she would love to talk to you." Kendra's eyes took on the look of an adoring teenaged fan for a moment. "Excuse me for a moment. I need to make a call." Dex said as he slipped away. Dex was back shortly, and asked Kendra. "Why did you say that about your parents and your daughter." "She's not the male heir I was supposed to have, and she's not perfect." "What do you mean?" "She has a lot of problems. They had to take her early and do back surgery right away. One arm may never be right, and there are some other risks. The doctor admitted it was because my husband beat me when I was pregnant." "Oh God!" Morgan exclaimed, and dashed toward the bathroom with her hand over her mouth. She returned in a few minutes looking very pale, and apologized to Kendra. Dex pulled her onto his lap. Several others had witnessed the scene and were moving toward them, but Dex waved them away and addressed Kendra. "Kendra, I have a Sergeant friend standing by to take a complaint against your husband. I recommend you do it. I have some very good lawyer friends, and some very good friends in the press. We can get you free, but you need to take this first step." "Do it please, Kendra," Morgan begged. "If I could do the stuff Dex does, I would find that bastard and kill him!" "I... I'm just afraid..." Kendra almost whimpered. "Listen," Dex reassured her, "I promise you can stay here until you are comfortable leaving. We will get that doctor's report and testimony, and threaten to go to the press with it. That's all it will take, I'm sure. You will be free of your husband and your parents, and you will have a nice nest egg. Will you do it?" Kendra agreed, and Susan Plonsky, who was off-duty, came and took the statement and the evidence pictures. Dex decided Kendra should have no contact with her parents. He called Marty, his lawyer, and as soon as Kendra was officially Marty's client, had Marty inform the parents of what was happening. Of course, they would hear anyway when the husband was arrested. Marty made a suggestion, and got hospital information and dates from Kendra. She then called back and told Dex to take Kendra and hurry to the hospital. An employee was waiting to take Kendra's signature for release of her records to Marty, who would meet them there. Kendra almost refused to leave, but Morgan was able to persuade her, and the three of them sped off to confused looks from the others. Kendra was shaking so badly she could barely sign the release forms and greet Marty. Back at Dex's, she collapsed on her bed, with Morgan, Megan, and Jeanette taking turns staying with her. From that moment on, Kendra's baby girl had more attention than any baby in town. All of the women had naturally wanted to get at the babies, but had held back in deference to the mothers. Now, all the restraints were off, and it seemed like a competition for who got to hold her and change her. Matthew also benefitted from the unleashed mothering instincts. ------- As soon as Dex and Morgan returned from the hospital with Kendra, Morgan cornered him. "OK, you had something to do with Jenny and her rapist's family, didn't you?" "Why do you say that?" "I may have only known you for ten days, but I've spent a lot of time looking at your face. I saw something really dark cross it when Kendra said that." "Morgan, there was a kidnapping attempt on Jenny's daughter Amy. You may have read about that. I helped foil the attempt." "So what did that have to do with the rapist?" "Who said it had anything to do?" "Your face, Lover. Your face. Now, give!" Among the secrets in Dex's life, this was one of the last that he held tightly. It was dangerous for Jenny and for Amy to let the details out to the public. It had been just under two years ago, and every detail was imprinted on his mind in painful clarity. He considered for a long time whether to tell Morgan. His family all knew, and all of Carl's people. He had a hunch Morgan would hound him until he told. If not, she would bug any family member she could corner, and he did not want that. This was Christmas Eve - not the time to dwell on something like this. Still, it was on his mind now, and not likely to be wished away. He led Morgan to his bedroom office, locked the door, and began the tale. At thirteen, Jenny had started bringing Amy into her shows. The girl was a legitimate phenom, her voice just as good as her mother's at that age. Amy was an instant hit. She had Jenny's winning personality, although the physical resemblance was not there. Amy's tall, coltish, raven-haired form next to Jenny's blond voluptuousness was almost humorous, that is, until they started singing. The timbre of their voices was so beautifully matched, even experts had trouble telling who was on which part. In truth, they often switched around just for the sheer fun of it. Dex had traveled to a concert with the troupe, his first in quite some time. He was leaving the backstage area with Jenny and Amy after they had freshened up, done interviews, etc. The concert hall was practically empty, especially backstage. Melissa, called only Mel if one valued ones health, was one of Carl's staff doing bodyguard duty that night. Jenny had forgotten something in the dressing room, and Mel had gone back the forty feet or so to get it, knowing that Dex was with the women. As a rigidly obeyed policy, neither Jenny or Amy was ever without a bodyguard when in public. At a bend in the long hallway leading to the outside door, three men were suddenly on them. The snatch team, for that's what it was, had apparently studied Jenny's behavior patterns and knew it was common for mother and daughter to leave with one escort. Dex smelled chloroform and felt a hand reaching for his mouth and caught a brief impression of the same happening to Jenny and Amy. Hundreds of times, he had drilled on evading attacks from the rear, including attempted chloroform smotherings. Without conscious thought, he kicked his right leg high into the air while dropping his arms down forcefully. The immediate effect was to drop his head from the attacker's grasp before he was affected by the vapors. While he was still spinning, he bellowed out for Mel. This move was designed primarily for rapid escape, but did offer the possibility of an offensive kick by swinging the left leg up and over once the shoulders were on the ground for a base. The kick was blind, but the attacker, probably totally unprepared for any kind of expert resistance, was in the right place to catch Dex's foot in his face. It was not a disabling blow, but bought Dex some precious split seconds. The follow-through of the kick carried Dex all the way around to his knees, and he sprang to his feet, already moving toward Amy. She was limp in the arms of a black giant who was turned away from Dex, just looking over his shoulder at the unexpected commotion. Dex's feet had broken hundreds of cinder blocks and splintered hundreds of beams, but had never done serious damage to a human. Now, his training screamed at him 'shorten the odds, ' and he turned the momentum from his lunge off of the floor into a straight-on, full-force kick. His foot hit the giant square in the lower back, and Dex knew from the feel of the contact that the man had taken his last step, and probably his last breath. As the huge man crumpled, Dex was concerned that Amy would be injured by his inert body, but there were still two attackers to deal with. The one who had tried to knock him out looked like he made his living doing Green Beret posters. He was as tall as Dex and considerably beefier. The would-be kidnapper had regained his balance and was poised for a charge at Dex. A quick glance toward Jenny gave Dex an impression of a swarthy man with big shoulders in the process of easing Jenny's limp body to the floor. Making a quick tactical decision, Dex just had time for a kick to the outside of the swarthy man's knee, dropping the man beside his victim. Without stopping his motion from that kick, he went into a roundhouse in the direction of the charging Poster Man. The kick did not land, but only because the attacker pulled back, stopping his charge, and giving Dex time to prepare for the knife he saw in the man's hand. Swarthy Man made a combination moan and growl, and Dex glanced sideways just in time to see him push off the floor, then have his head explode in to deafening roar of Mel's weapon. "On the floor, Motherfucker, or you're next!" Screamed Mel as she came up behind Poster Man. The man may have been armed, but he was faced with proven lethal opponents in front and behind. On Mel's screamed orders, he dropped the knife and kicked it away. He raised his hands slowly and moved them toward the back of his head for the classic prisoner position. "Ah! Ah! Arms straight out!" screamed Mel. "Now, turn toward me! SLOWLY! Good! Now, left hand! Unbuckle and drop your pants! SLOWLY!" Poster man was by now convinced that he was outmanned, and things went more smoothly from there on. Mel made him cuff himself, then Dex carefully relieved him of two more knives, one at the back of his neck and one in an ankle sheath. Mel made him lean his face against the wall with his far feet out, leaving him practically helpless. There had been several times earlier in his life when Dex had used his skills to protect himself or his loved ones. He had always been able to follow the code taught by his sensei - minimum force, eliminate the danger, and no more. This should have been the time to let the law take over, and that would have saved Dex a psychological scar and a lot of unpleasant dreams. But two of his precious women were lying unconscious and possibly injured on the floor. The repressed fury from all of those other encounters welled up and drove him into action. Screaming as loudly as Mel had, he demanded of Poster Man who had hired him, who was the target, and where was the pickup. His demands were greeted by silence. "Are you getting paid enough to end up a cripple?" Dex yelled. Still silence. "I don't have time to wait. Which leg would you rather do without?" "Je ne parle Anglais! Je ne parle Anglais!" Poster Man yelled in the first words from his mouth. Dex lost it! "Bullshit!" he screamed, and with a kick, he broke the man's lower leg. "Now! What kind of vehicle and where! Tell me! Then we'll talk about who hired you! Now!" Only his fury allowed Dex to keep control of his stomach for what he did next. The man was now writhing on the floor, but still not talking, and Dex took the broken leg in both hands and moved the ends of the bone against each other. Mel was not as successful at controlling her bile. Poster Man passed out, and Dex was on him immediately, slapping his face to bring him around. This time, he gave up the pickup, and Mel was able to dash off to intercept it right outside the door. On the way she called for medical help for Jenny and Amy, and Dex turned back to his captive. Mel brought in the driver, who, seeing the condition of the rest of the team, was eager to give up what he knew. He did not have the whole story, but Poster Man, apparently the leader, was unwilling to sacrifice any more for a lost cause. The paramedics were only mildly upset at Dex for refusing to let them treat the man until the interrogation was finished. They even held off calling the police. "How did you know he spoke English?" Morgan asked, interrupting for the first time. Dex was grateful for a little tension release, and he told her about Angeline. "I know just enough to recognize bad French," he explained. "So, what did all this have to do with Jenny's rapist?" It is said that money can buy anything in America, and that must be even more true in France. The family of Adrian LeBrieux, the man who raped Jenny and impregnated her with Amy, had used their immense wealth to obtain a decree in France granting Adrian legal custody of Amy. They had somehow obtained a DNA sample from Amy, and had established Adrian's parentage - of course, that fact was never under debate. Adrian had hired a team to kidnap Amy. The pickup car was to take her to a helicopter, which would land on the LeBrieux yacht, just into international waters. Mel sped off on her own in the pickup vehicle and captured the chopper pilot, who was actually the least culpable of any of the five-person team. The man whose back Dex had broken did survive, but killed himself later in a prison rehab center, unable to face life in prison in a wheelchair. The others went away for varying long sentences, the leader taking a permanent limp with him. Amy suffered a cracked rib when her captor fell on her unconscious body. Other than that, neither mother nor daughter suffered any other physical damage, and neither had witnessed the carnage or Dex's brutality. No verification of the LeBrieux involvement in the attempt ever surfaced in the press, although rumors were rampant and widely believed. The State Department intervened because Adrian's father was a former French Cabinet official, and an important diplomatic contact. Dex got into a no-win legal skirmish with State, insisting he was going to tell all. Marty's negotiated price for Dex's silence was the vacating of the custody decree by a high French court. Earlier, State had intervened to have the rape charges dropped after seven years, leaving Adrian free to visit the U.S. As far as Dex knew, Adrian had never contacted Jenny or Amy, but it was a constant concern that the kidnapping attempt had not closed the book. "Your expression when Kendra mentioned the kidnapping was definitely one of great distress. How come?" Morgan asked. "You did something heroic and necessary for your loved ones. You should be proud!" "The first thing that always crosses my mind is 'How could this happen? What if I hadn't been there? What would have happened to Amy? What if it happens again and I'm not there?' I had nightmares about that for quite a while - still do, occasionally." "I had even more nightmares of that man's head exploding, and the feeling of the the other man's spine cracking. Those are not things you can get used to, and I had never seen anything like it before." "The other reason is that I broke my discipline and brutalized a man. I've reconciled myself with breaking the black man's back. It was necessary to disable him, and I had no time for anything else. Breaking the other man's leg and torturing him was way beyond anything I had been taught - anything I believed in." Morgan stared intently at Dex for quite a while before she spoke again. "Dex Madison, there's a lot I've still got to learn about you!" Then, she dropped her slacks and panties and started working on Dex's belt. "I think we'd better do something to try to get you back in the Christmas spirit, don't you?" ------- Before the discussion with Kendra had started, Eric got approval from Dex, and took his mother for an ATV ride. A few minutes out, he stopped the machine and made her drive. They came right back, and Eric found Jessica and Sonja, and asked them to come for a ride. Sonja refused, but Jessica happily went along. Sandra took the sight of Jessica riding behind her son on the second machine without too much jealousy, and the three of them had a pleasant ride. ------- The rest of Christmas Eve was relaxed and peaceful. Dex had decreed that presents would be opened Christmas morning, and that was fine with everyone. Dinner was delicious, thanks to Jeanette and Carol. Everyone found something to do and seemed content to just enjoy the good will. Sonja was still distant and uncommunicative, but she did nothing to disrupt, and did not really spoil the spirit. ------- Sandra and Eric were watching the downstairs TV on low volume later in the evening when Morgan came down and told them "Hot tub in five minutes. Towel on the door. It's mandatory." Sandra was immediately concerned, and asked "Who... ?" Morgan put a hand on Sandra shoulder and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "It's nothing that will be a problem for you, Sandra, I promise." Sandra and Eric undressed in their bedroom. Sandra put on a robe and Eric some shorts, and they headed to the tub room, to be greeted by Dex, Morgan, and Kirstin. Sandra recoiled at the sight of Dex, but Morgan was by her side reminding her of what she had told her Tuesday morning. Guessing what the problem was, Dex left the room for a moment, and Morgan and Eric took off Sandra's robe for her and got her into the water before Dex returned. A few minutes of casual chit chat helped Sandra relax, and Morgan revealed the reason for their little gathering. "Us gals are in for a special Christmas treat. We are going to get full body massages! Dex is a ranking expert on sensual massage. Eric will be getting his first lesson, but I'm sure he will catch on quickly. Now, you guys go and get everything ready, and your customers will be there in ten minutes." Sandra was too surprised to ask anything before the guys left, but then she expressed her concern. Between Morgan and Kirstin, they probably could have talked her into anything, and before the ten minutes was up, she was almost as eager as the others. She had a slight failure of courage when it came time to drop her robe in the bedroom, but Dex's warm smile when she revealed herself helped her relax. There were three large towels laid crosswise on the bed, and a pan of hot water warmed a bottle of oil on the nightstand. Morgan took the spot closest to the headboard with Kirstin in the middle, and Sandra watched what the others did then got on her towel face down. Dex went to the foot of the bed and knelt by Sandra. She lifted her face to look at him, and he gave her a gentle kiss. "Sandra, I'm so glad you felt free to join us. Are you very nervous?" "Um, yeah, but I'm OK. Are you going to, uh, rub me?" "That's what I wanted to ask you about. Would you rather have just Eric massage you, or can we rotate around so both of us do all three of you?" "Oh, maybe I..." "Mom, let Dex at least start on you. I'm just learning, and you'll get a much better massage. Besides, it would be a nice treat for him to feel how nice your body is." "Eric's right, Sandra. If I start out, you can ask for just Eric to do any part of you that makes you uncomfortable." "What parts, uh... would... ?" "Sandra, this is a full-body massage. That means we will rub every square inch of you." "Even, uh... ?" "Yup, even there." "Ohhhh! What if I get, you know?" "Sandra, that's the point. That's the reward for me and Eric." Sandra said no more, so Dex started teaching Eric with his mother. The first step, before their hands were oily, was to do the head and the scalp. They worked out a rotation where Dex would demonstrate how to do one area, then have Eric take over. Eric would move to the next woman, and Dex would repeat what Eric did on the first woman. So Eric was kind of the warm up, and Dex the main event. From the contented sounds the women made, it was all main event, as far as they were concerned. After finishing the heads, arms backs, and legs of all three women, Dex again knelt by Sandra and asked "Sandra, Honey, is it OK if I start rubbing your bottom, now?" She hummed out an assent, and they continued. When it came time to roll over, she was a little more hesitant, but did not object strongly. As Dex worked on her legs, she seemed very concerned about keeping them close together, but he didn't mention it. When Sandra's torso was next on the schedule, it was Eric who spoke to her. "Mom, Dex needs to rub your breasts, now. Just let him. It will feel really good." By now, she was in a dream-like state, and it was doubtful she would object to anything. As first Eric, then Dex, paid special attention to her nipples, sucking on them for a finale, she became agitated and vocal, bringing her own hands up to play with them when Dex finished. Eric was about to massage Kirstin's belly when she roused from her own dream world and objected. "Eric, just skip that part, OK?" Dex heard this and would have none of it. In fact, when it was his turn, he spent extra time on the soft flesh around her middle, talking reassuringly as he did. Before the grand finale, the hips and crotch, Dex whispered briefly to Eric. Eric had not yet gone down on his mother, and the prospect had him rock hard. He worked the oil in all around her hips and eased her legs open to tend to her pussy. As the pretense of massage gave way to all-out stimulation, he brought his mouth to her, causing her to cry out in surprise. The other two women had found the energy to raise their heads and watch, but Dex broke the sequence and began on Kirstin, leaving only a grinning Morgan as a spectator. Sandra was the first to come, letting out a strangled squeal, and shaking the whole bed as she bounced. Eric stayed and cuddled her until it was his turn to move on to Kirstin, then left her panting and moist-eyed. Morgan, seeing Sandra's condition, stopped Dex as he was about to start on her, and pushed him toward Sandra. "I'll get lots more chances," she whispered to him. Once more, Dex knelt by Sandra's head and kissed her gently. "May I do that too, Sandra? Please?" Seeing a slight nod, he abandoned any attempt at massage, and sucked a nipple into his mouth as he began stroking her inflamed labia with his hand. He was about to move around so he could use his mouth on her pussy when she grabbed ahold of his hard cock. Not wanting to upset her in any way, he gave up on the oral approach. Seeing that Morgan had not been taken care of, and feeling that he owed her, Eric went down on her immediately, forgetting all about oiling and massaging the area. Morgan was momentarily taken aback by his abrupt approach, but quickly entered into the spirit as he started licking her. It turned out that Morgan and Sandra peaked almost together. When Sandra was regaining her breath she called for Eric. Morgan, still quite limp herself, guessed what Sandra needed and whispered to Eric to go and fuck his mother. She then got up, pulled Kirstin to her feet, and led Kirstin and Dex to the shower, leaving Sandra and Eric alone. With the shower running, the three of them stood and watched as Sandra grabbed Eric's hand as soon as he was in reach, and pulled him frantically down on top of herself. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, then reached for his cock and led him into herself. Once he was fully embedded, she grabbed both his ass cheeks and started pulling him toward herself as she bucked up against him. She was pushing and pulling so hard she was lifting her shoulders off the bed. Eric let loose before very many of her frantic strokes, and she raised her crotch right off the bed, lifting his weight with her. When he was spent, she wrapped him in a tight hug and just rolled slightly from side to side as if rocking a baby. Kirstin was standing as if in a trance and whispered "I've never seen that before!" "Unless you feel like leaving the room, you're going to see some more of it real soon," Morgan told her as they all moved into the shower to wash off the oil. When they stepped out of the stall, mother and son were gone, leaving a robe and some shorts in the chair by the door. "Do you think they'll be all right together?" Morgan asked Dex. "You mean more all right than they were last week?" Dex responded. "I see what you mean. It's just that their new relationship could cause as many problems as it solves." "I often wonder how it would have resolved between Mom and me," Dex mused. "If we had made it here, and she had gotten a divorce, we would have faced just what Sandra and Eric will have to address." "Somehow, even with the problems looming, I can't wish that they hadn't found this." ------- Chapter 30 Christmas morning was controlled by the kids. Not that this was negative, as their exuberance seemed to infect everyone. There was no way breakfast was going to happen before gifts were opened, so once Courtney and Sean had managed to round up everyone, the fun began. Naturally, the kids got the biggest haul, but there was something there for everyone. Dex and Jeanette had collaborated on generic cosmetic and toiletries items of good quality for all the women. Carol and Jessica found extra packages with full sets of running gear, including outdoor wear. Jessica also got a package from Morgan that Morgan suggested she open later in private. Kirstin cried quietly over some very nice items from Gary, including a card with the imprint 'You Don't Know What You've Got 'Till It's Gone.' Patrick was acting as Santa, and had been instructed to leave a stack of envelopes until last. He handed these out to all the women and had them open them all at once. General disbelief greeted the certificates for a session at a local spa for Saturday morning. Morgan, still acting on Dex's behalf, told the women "Sorry about the 7am time, gals. We had to negotiate to get them to move around some other appointments. We leave here at 6:30, and we will be driven by two bodyguards that we trust completely. Dress to go shopping afterward. Anything that you don't have for the party Saturday night, you can get at Claudette's. We have a group appointment for 1:30." "Breakfast will be served at the spa, and we have lunch reservations for noon, so you will be there all morning. You can get hair done, facial, manicure, pedicure, legs waxed, pussy trim, mud bath, massage - anything from their list of services. Oh, and an expert baby sitter will be here overnight Friday, so no worries about the kids." "I want to talk to each of you about what to wear at the party. If you happen to have something appropriate with you, fine. I suspect, though, that my idea of appropriate may not be the same as yours. I want every one of you to go all out to look sexy, maybe even a little slutty. If that concerns you, let's talk. Merry Christmas!" Morgan was the only one who knew about the spa and the shopping beforehand, except for Margo, who set it all up. Morgan had told Dex repeatedly that he was crazy to spend that much money, but he was adamant. He told her it was a one-time thing that he thought of as part of the expense of the party. He also thought it could be a single event that would have great healing benefit for all the women. Morgan had to agree on the last point. It certainly addressed the self-image problem head on. Patrick and Jeanette came up to Dex immediately and she asked him "Do you want me to dress slutty, too?" "Couldn't happen. You'll look classy no matter what you wear." Having said that, Dex gave her a quick kiss. Patrick wanted to pay for his women's portion of the expense, but Dex rejected that, also. Just a few minutes later, Dex was sitting at the end of the sectional, just watching the happy mayhem around him when Kendra came and sat beside him. "Dex, I have at least 25 expensive cocktail dresses in my closet, some very sexy. It seems a shame for you to have to buy dresses for all of us. If only there was some way..." "Hold on Kendra." Dex grabbed a nearby phone and dialed Carl's home number. "Hey, Carl! Your kids done opening presents yet?" Carl was still a bachelor. "You mean, no kids you know about, right?" This was another common joke between the two. "Hey, I need a B&E job done." He held the phone away from his ear, grinning at Kendra. "Yeah, I know that's not on your price list, either. Well, here's the deal." He went on to explain what Kendra had told him. Dex listened as Carl apparently asked a question, then turned to Kendra. "Is there anyone in the house you can trust?" "Sure, my maid, Ilyana. She's a good friend. In fact she knew about Elise, or I might still be there. She distracted my husband while I slipped out a back door. I had the baby and a purse, and not even a heavy coat. That long walk down our drive was terrifying. My husband must have seen me on a security camera or something, because he came running out just as I got into Elise's van. I've been hoping ever since that he didn't know Ilyana was in on it." "Do you have her home number? I assume she's not at your house on Christmas." "Not my house any more!" Dex could not help noticing the similarity between her objections and comments made by the other women. Separating completely from a painful past was a first priority for all of them. Kendra did not know the number, but knew the approximate address. Dex did not have her call just yet, but asked Carl to call back when he had a plan. The plan was elegantly simple. Schedule a garment storage firm to pick up the dresses the maid had set aside. After an appropriate bribe, have one of Carl's people drive the truck with the dresses to Dex's. Of course, it all depended on the maid still having access to the house. It took until later in the afternoon to reach Ilyana, but she was still employed, and was eager to help with the plan. With all the dresses built for Kendra's tall, full movie star figure, the next challenge was to find a way to tailor them on short notice so some of the other women could wear them. "No problem, I'll just alert the network," Dex said, as he dialed Karen. ------- For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, everyone just did Christmas things. The guys and Morgan watched some football, and the children were never without someone to play with them. The ATVs were so busy Dex was concerned over his gasoline supply. Between games, Dex took Sean for a ride with him, guaranteeing daily pleas for more of the same. Sonja was again invited to ride, but again refused. She still didn't enter in with the group, but Morgan noticed that she was much more actively watching what went on around her. About noon, Sonja came up to Dex and handed him the envelope with the spa certificate. She said she just wasn't interested, and would not be attending the party, either. She did say it was a very nice gift, and apologized for rejecting it. That, in itself, was a big step for her. When she had come back for the second visit, Jeanette had insisted on a proper Christmas turkey dinner, and she had little problem stretching to feed the extra three mouths. Dinner was served about two o'clock, and food for the rest of the day was strictly by grazing. ------- After dinner, Dex was once more sitting on the sectional, watching the activity around him. Children were usually only in his home for short visits. He had never lived with them before, and was rather surprised that their presence was more stimulating than irritating. The fact that Kirstin had done a fine job raising them did not surprise him. He had a feeling she could not have done it without at least some quality assistance from Gary, her husband. Kirstin seemed very reluctant to give up on her marriage, and maybe she was right. Maybe there was a chance. In all the hustle and bustle of the last few days, Dex had not spent much time thinking about 'exit strategy.' He had invited all these women into his home because his compassion gave him no choice. At some point, all of them would leave. He had not considered the possibility that there might be a constant stream of others to replace them. At the top of Dex's mental list, as he reviewed the prospects for the women, was Megan. But she was the biggest question mark, and he had to put her aside for now. He was doing everything he could for her, anyway. Sandra, in his opinion, had the best short-term prospects. She was the largest breadwinner in her family, and had great support from Eric. She would be all right. From what he could tell, mother and son did not face a serious physical threat from the husband and father. If pushed for an opinion, Dex would have to say the Kirstin would get back together with Gary. He was sure it would be a drastically different relationship than before, and he felt good about his role in bringing out the new, stronger Kirstin. That was only two of the women. Once the divorce was taken care of, Carol and Jessica would face a tougher time. Carol did not have professional skills like Sandra, and had not worked for quite a while. The threat from Rodney was hard to measure, and Dex could not let them leave until they felt secure. Of the newcomers, Kendra had the best immediate prospects. Dex was certain the criminal and legal moves and the threat of public exposure would have her free and well provided for in a short time. Her problem was that she needed to be with someone strong and caring. She simply did not have a resourceful, independent personality. He had promised her an indefinite stay, and he wondered what that might mean. Dex knew next to nothing about Teri, except that she was a pleasant woman who was deeply in love with motherhood. He fully expected that she would share more of herself over the next few days. Sonja. He felt just a little tricked by Elise for getting Sonja into his house. He had not expected to be a recovery center for runaway teen addicts. Yet, Jessica had more or less taken on Sonja as a project, and if nothing else, Jessica would benefit tremendously. There seemed to have been one event that had had a great impact on the recovery of each of the original women. He hoped that event was on the horizon for Sonja. Dex's wandering mind was about to head in a new direction when Megan sat down very close and laid her head on his shoulder. "I've missed you!" she said. "What do you mean? I've hardly left the house since you got here. Except to go with you a few times." "You know what I mean." He certainly did. Seeing her move from his bed to her parents' room had not been easy. Especially when there was legitimate doubt about whether she would ever be back in his bed. "I want to go back to work Monday." Oops! There went any hope Dex had for things settling into a routine. "But Tim said to take all the time you need." "What I need is to get back to my life. The good part of my life, at least. Dex, I can never thank you enough for what has happened here. Having this time with Mom and Dad was unbelievable, but they're leaving. If I keep hiding out here all day, it will be almost as if I was still his punching bag back at the house. Besides, now that I have to wear clothes, it's not nearly as much fun." This last was said in a playful tone intended to ease the impact of what she was saying. "You'll have to be protected, Megan. There's still a lot of danger." "Do you really think he would try anything?" "No doubt in my mind. I've heard some recordings that you haven't." "Can I hear them?" "If you insist, but I think it would be a bad idea." Megan thought over what Dex had said, then stayed with the main subject. "Can you protect me?" It looked like tomorrow would be hectic, planning to protect Megan. But wait! Tomorrow would already be hectic. If the extraction of Kendra's clothes came off as planned, his house would be a veritable zoo. There was no way he could leave with that going on, and it was not likely he could accomplish much here. Saturday would be completely filled with party preparations. This had to be handled now, Christmas or no. It took only a couple of phone calls, and Tim and Carl were on their way over. When they arrived, Dex called everyone together for introductions. "Folks, I want to introduce a couple of my best friends. Ladies, I guarantee you, these are two of the good guys." He knew there was no need to mention that they were both single. He had observed that upon meeting a man, a woman's gaze went first to the eyes, then to the ring finger. "Tim, here, is better known as String, for obvious reasons. He is my best client, Megan's boss, and the over-the-hill center on my basketball team." He ducked the super-slow roundhouse that he knew was coming. "I've known Carl, here, for fifteen years. He runs a security firm, and his people will be driving you Saturday morning, and will be driving your guests in and out Saturday night. We need to meet for a while, but when we're done, be sure to get acquainted with them. Oh! Both of them will be here Saturday night." ------- Finding a secluded meeting place was not an easy task with the house this full. Dex took Tim, Carl, Patrick, and Megan to his bedroom office and they all managed to find somewhere to sit. Patrick was far less happy about Megan's decision than Dex was, and the first fifteen minutes was spent with Megan doing most of the talking. Tim had no objection, even considering the potential danger to his staff and his property. It became obvious that the feelings between Megan and Tim were not one-way. Carl then gave his opinion on Craig's state of mind and the danger he represented, none of which made Patrick feel any better. After he and Dex exchanged a long, questioning look, Carl told them about the suspected skimming, causing Megan to gasp in surprise, and Patrick to shake his head in disbelief. "Megan, you know I would never put you in danger intentionally, don't you?" Megan nodded at Dex's question. "Well, I think we are between two bad choices, here. For one thing, my place, and your presence here, cannot remain secret too much longer. So, at some point, the danger could come to you, and the others, right here. If you go back to work, there is no question you are more exposed. However, with careful planning, we can offer you good protection." "I'm afraid you are not truly going to be safe until Craig is out of the way. The first critical thing is to get you divorced. When you are no longer legally his wife, one incentive to act against you has been removed." "Uh, Dex, am I just making him angry asking for money? Maybe I should just bail out and start over." Even with his safety concerns, Patrick did not like that option, and told Megan so. "The point I was getting to," Dex continued, "was that we want to push Craig into having no choice but to sign the agreement. He is already close to that, with Alex practically ordering him to sign, or else. One more incident, and he might have to sign at the point of a gun." "Are you saying you would use her as bait?" Patrick asked. "I'm afraid there is an element of that, yes," Dex admitted, "but as I said, she is not entirely safe here, either." Megan was tearing up at this point, and Patrick motioned for her to come sit on his lap. Once cuddled, she seemed to gain confidence. "I want to go to work," she insisted. "It's one of the best things in my life." She smiled warmly at Tim. "If I can't work, I feel like he is still winning." Patrick spoke up quickly. "Then let's figure out how to best protect her. I'm going to try to get a couple of more weeks off, and get a courtesy carry permit. That should be no problem. Megan, will you hold off until I can come with you, armed? And Tim, can you find a place for me to hang out during her work days?" "That's no problem, Patrick," Tim responded. "I have one important question, though. What about Russell?" Tim's question was a day spoiler. They had to assume he was still being blackmailed to report on Megan's activities. "Actually," Carl interrupted, "having Russell report isn't all bad. It makes it look like she has just healed and gone back to work normally, and it lets us stage things a bit." "What do you mean?" "If Russell reports, Craig will assume he is reporting everything. He could have someone checking up on Russell, but that is highly unlikely. We can have Russell call when we want him to. That gives us an advantage." "I guess I need to talk to Russell," Dex said as the group broke up. Before calling Russell, he called Susan at home and told her of Patrick's need for a permit and a weapon. She assured him it could all be done the next day, and she would bring the weapon to the party. The call to Russell, especially on Christmas night, was not nearly as easy. Finding Russell's home number was not a big problem. Getting him to agree to talk in front of his wife was a bigger problem, but he did agree, and Dex headed for their home. ------- In a preliminary discussion, Dex learned that Russell was a record-setting high school running back whose college and even pro hopes were dashed by an injury at the very end of his Senior season. Recovery had been arduous and painful, and that was where he got hooked on drugs. In his early teens, Russell had been in a boxing club, and it was his old coach who helped him get straight. Now, he worked out regularly, and had sparred with some prominent local fighters. He bragged that he didn't get called on as a sparring partner much any more, because he had gotten too good for the fighters. He was thinking of entering some bouts, but the domestic resistance had kept him from it. Hearing of Russell's fighting abilities, Dex developed a plan on the spot. He asked Russell if he would be willing to act as a bodyguard for Megan while she was at work. Patrick would be there, as well, and they would both be in instant communication with Dex, Carl, and Randy. "But what about the threats?" Russell blurted out, then realized he had spilled the beans to his wife, who up to that point was not aware. They all spent an anguished half hour recounting the events surrounding Megan, leaving Mrs. Barber badly shaken. "Dex, I just can't take any chance that my family is in danger. I think Mr. Archer is just going to have to fire me for our protection." For a couple of minutes, Dex worked the problem over in his mind, then asked Mrs. Barber "How long could you and the kids be happy at Disney World, or at some other resort?" "With those two rascals? Maybe an hour! Seriously, I couldn't handle it alone." "Then who?" "Mama thinks they're angels and can't seem to get enough of them." "Could she go with you?" "Sure, but how can we afford that?" "The money is my problem." "I don't want to be away from Russell that long, and I'll be afraid for him." Here Russell spoke up. "Honey, Mr. Archer took a chance on me. He and Mrs. Wallace are the finest people I could hope to work for. I feel so rotten about what I had to do! This is a chance to make up for it, and to prove myself, too. I've got to do it." The discussion did not end there, but after several more phone calls to Tim and Mama, and a long session on Travelocity, Russell's family was scheduled for an early morning flight on Monday with an open return. Dex told them it could be up to a month. The cost of rescuing Megan was climbing rapidly, but Dex's determination to win for her was as strong as ever. ------- When Dex returned from the Barbers', he found Tim and Carl still there, relaxing with the others. He realized it made sense, since Carl, though a bachelor, was certainly interested in women. For his part, Tim seemed glued to Megan, with Jeanette chatting with both of them. Dex was happy to see several of the women comfortable with Carl. He hated to do it, but Dex had to pull Carl away from the women for a while. Protecting Megan was not the only concern. Getting her safely and secretly to and from the office would also require a lot of planning. The transportation concerns extended beyond just Megan, as well. Sandra needed to get back to work, and Eric, Jessica, Sean, and Courtney would all start school in a week. Dex was quite sure there was no real threat to Sean and Courtney, but the two teenagers could be in danger. Carl and Randy had half a dozen people who worked for them, either as employees or stringers. Between company and private vehicles, there were a dozen different ones that could be used. The only serious threat from 'professionals' was to Megan. Sandra's and Carol's husbands would not be hard to handle for any of the possible drivers. Sandra needed a car for occasional trips out of the office during the day, so an on-call arrangement was worked out for her. Eric and Jessica went to different schools, but could be transported easily by one driver. The secrecy of Dex's place became a prime objective, so every trip was in two stages. Dex had three vehicles, and Morgan's, Sandra's, and Patrick's were there, so the same vehicle would never be used for the home stage more than one day during a work week. This kind of complexity had not occurred to Dex when he took in Megan or the other women, but he took it in stride, wincing only slightly at even more expense. This discussion was relatively short, and Carl was able to get back to the women, where he and Tim stayed until bedtime. ------- As breakfast was finishing Friday morning, Teri again excused herself to go downstairs and feed Matthew, her baby, who was sitting on her lap. This time, Patrick spoke up. "Teri, I know you don't know us well, but whenever you feel like it, feel free to nurse him in front of us. I, for one, think a mother nursing her baby is one of the most beautiful sights on earth." Teri absolutely disintegrated. Her sobs and shakes were instantly so violent that Kendra reached over and took the baby, who was becoming agitated due to his mother's distress. Jeanette was closest, and knelt beside Teri, trying to comfort her and to find out what was wrong. "H... h... he thought it was d... disgusting!" Teri wailed out when she gained minimum breath. "He s... said my t... tits were ruined! He kept telling me to use a bottle like normal mothers. I couldn't! All my life I've been waiting for a baby I could nurse. Oooooooo!" This triggered another round of wailing from her, and stunned silence and more than a little anger from the others. When she once again had some breath, she looked at Patrick and asked "Do you really think it's beautiful?" "Absolutely. Let me tell you one of my fondest memories." Patrick knelt on the other side of Teri, who was looking at him wide-eyed. "Whenever I was home and it was feeding time, we would both undress. Jeanette would sit between my legs, leaning back against my front, and feed Megan while I loved them up. That was one of the things we were saddest about when she couldn't have more babies." Teri went through another bout of crying. It is very hard to predict what extended stress, repeated pain, and long-frustrated desire will cause a person to do. What happened next with Teri was totally unexpected, but in a way perfectly logical, and utterly beautiful. She took her baby back from Kendra, took Patrick by the hand, and dragged him down the hall, making a constant keening sound all the way. Jeanette hurried to follow them while everyone else sat in stunned silence. In the Shaughnessys' room, Teri handed the baby to Jeanette, and stripped, boo-hooing all the time. She pulled Patrick toward the bed, tore off his T-shirt, and tried to pull off his shorts. Between wails, she kept saying "Please! Please! Please!" as Patrick resisted her tugs. "Teri, we can't do this!" Patrick told her. "I'll hold you while you feed him, but please, put your clothes back on!" It was as if Teri was in a trance. The mantra of wails and pleas went on, as if she had not even heard Patrick. He pled with her again, with no more acknowledgement, except to sound even more desperate. "Jeanette!" Patrick called out, sounding near panic. Jeanette had been watching in shock, barely able to hold onto the baby. Pulling herself together, she whispered in Patrick's ear "Patrick, do it for her." "Darling, no! This is too much! It's not right! Megan was one thing, but this..." "Patrick, this could be a turning point in her life. Let's help save her and worry about right and wrong later. This is not sex to her anyway. It's pure love, and she is dying for it. I'm really frightened for her." Patrick knew his wife was right, and he felt deeply for the distraught young woman pleading with him, but his values and scruples had already been stretched and shattered in the last two days. His devotion to Jeanette was complete, and the thought of holding this naked woman he hardly knew made him feel like an adulterer. "Darling, no. I can't do this!" He told his wife, while Teri's trance seemed to deepen. "What happens to her if you don't?" In his many years of police work, Patrick had dealt with many drunk and drugged out people, their brains so overwhelmed by chemicals they seemed in another world. Teri was as disconnected from reality as any he had seen, and he knew Jeanette's concern was warranted. Barely in control of his limbs, he got on the bed against the headboard. It took an extreme effort of will to spread his legs, knowing that in moments, an unfamiliar bare female bottom would be resting against his barely-covered penis. Teri followed Patrick onto the bed, moving jerkily, still wailing. She pushed herself against him frantically, and he had to forcefully move her into the right position, cringing at the full contact as she settled back against him. Teri held out her arms toward Jeanette, who handed Matthew to her. The baby was the only one perfectly comfortable with what was happening, and he started feeding with a vengeance. Patrick, for all the emotion and wonderful memories this evoked, didn't know what to do with his hands. This was not Jeanette, or even Megan. Just the feel of the skin of her back against his chest made him feel guilty. To embrace or caress her nudity was unthinkable. Looking at the scene on the bed, Jeanette was nearly overwhelmed. She had just been the strong one, driven by concern for the young mother, and urging her husband to do the necessary thing. Now, the release of tension left her drained. Just then, Patrick held out a hand toward her and said "Undress!" Flooded with memories, she complied immediately, snuggling as close as she could to Patrick's side as the still-crying mother lay against him. Jeannette's head was on the shoulder away from Teri's, and she began whispering encouragement and endearments in the ear of her distraught lover. Neither parent had noticed Megan following them down the hall, but she had witnessed the whole scene through the not-quite-closed door. As she watched, she pictured herself in Teri's place, feeding the infant Morgan, and wished it could have been. Then, she chided herself. No one could have given more freely and lovingly than her parents. This kind of father-daughter contact just wasn't dreamed of back then. It didn't mean the love was any less strong. It took several minutes, but gradually Teri's wailing dropped off to just ragged breathing. Just as Matthew seemed to be working harder for the milk from the first breast, Teri gave a jerk, and seemed to return to the world. "Where?... OhMyGod!... OhMyGod!... OhMyGod!" "Shhhhh. It's OK, Dear. You're safe. Just feed your little boy." "How?... I mean, did I... ?" "Don't you remember anything, Dear?" "I... I remember both of you kneeling beside me. Then... I don't know. Did you bring me here?" "It's more like you brought us here, Honey," and Jeanette described what had happened. "Ohhhh! I feel so ashamed!" "Ashamed of what, dear? That you've had a terrible time? That you needed some loving so desperately?" "But he's your husband! And we're naked! And..." "And you weren't aware of any of that, Teri. We were very frightened for you. We're so glad to see you back to yourself." "I... I'd better get up now. I should put my clothes on." "Let's not disturb Matthew until he's finished? Is this upsetting you, now that you know?" "It... it's like a dream! But he's your husband!" "And I know how wonderful it feels to be where you are. Just enjoy it for a little bit, Dear." "Ohhh, thank you, Jeanette." For a while, the only sound was Matthew's contented sucking, then Teri spoke up. "Patrick, the part you said about loving them up..." "Teri, I couldn't do that. That wouldn't be right." "You know," Teri said in a teary voice, "I was completely pure when I got married. I had every girl's dreams of earthquakes and lightning flashes when I finally made love. As far as I can tell, that's all a load of crap. What I got was used and ignored. He literally hasn't touched me since the baby, except with his fists and his feet. To tell the truth, it's almost a relief." "I expect I will spend the rest of my life as a single mother. That's OK. I've got Matthew, so I have something to show for it. We're only going to be together here for a few days. You guys have so much love - any fool can see it. Can't I please have a little of it? Let me feel loved just once." "Teri, you are loved. It's just that Jeanette and I have been faithful so long, I..." Jeanette didn't say anything, just took Patrick's near hand, and placed it on Teri's tummy, below where she held the baby. She got on her knees, reached around him, and brought the other hand over to meet it. Then, she kissed him soundly and whispered in his ear "We'll sort out right and wrong later, remember? She's right. We've got so much, and she needs it so badly. We won't be hurt. It might even strengthen us. You know what to do. Do it, and make it good!" Patrick knew he could never win an argument in this area. He also knew she was right. Calling up all the will power he had, he began slowly moving his hands over Teri's belly, her hips, and her thighs, then gently caressed the baby, as well. His touches were met with gasps and moans at almost every motion. She laid her head back on his shoulder, and after a while, turned her face to his neck and gave him little kisses. He kissed her face softly, moving little pecks all around her forehead and her eyes. "Teri, you know what's going to happen to me soon, don't you?" "God, I hope so. I don't think I'm as repulsive as he says. Patrick," Teri asked in a pleading voice, "do you think they're ruined?" "Teri, I shouldn't... umph!" His protest was cut off by a firm nudge in the side form his wife. With almost imperceptible pressure, he cupped the unoccupied breast from beneath. He caressed it lightly all over, and when he passed his palm over the nipple, Teri shuddered, temporarily dislodging the baby from his food supply. "'sOk," Teri gasped out. "Happens a lot when I nurse. At least that dream was for real!" The loving up continued until the baby showed signs of satiety. "Jeanette, isn't there more?" Teri asked. "Please? I feel like I'm going to burst!" Even Jeanette was uncertain about this step, but after only a moment's deliberation, whispered in his ear "Finish her off!" Patrick knew this was coming, but the guilt was almost unbearable. Turning to his wife, he hissed back "That's too much. I just can't!" This froze Jeanette for a bit. Poor Teri would probably leave happy with what she had already, but in a way, this was for them, too - a memory trip. Patrick must be really suffering from guilt over what he had already done. She had to admit she was glad he had refused to touch the young woman's pussy. The problem was, this wasn't ending like the memories, and that left her feeling empty. Jeanette had a quick image of her granddaughter kneeling beside her as she rode her husband. Morgan had masturbated her, and it had been unbelievably intense. Patrick had a lot of guilt to deal with. She could share some of it with him! Teri first gave a gasp of surprise, then a loud moan as Jeanette's hand found her pussy. Just about the time the baby let go of the nipple with a little smacking sound, Teri had all she could take, and went into a huge climax. Thinking quickly, Patrick supported the baby from behind her while Jeanette worked to extend Teri's pleasure. Teri sagged exhausted against Patrick when she finally stopped quivering. Her first sight was Jeanette kneeling naked beside them with a rag on her shoulder, burping Matthew. When she had the strength, Teri sat up and turned around to face Patrick. She got a good look at his hard cock, which sprang upward through this fly as she pulled off of him. He grabbed a pillow and put it over his lap just as she gave him a gentle kiss. Sitting cross-legged and seeming unconcerned, Teri looked longingly at Jeanette and said. "Mom died. She never got to do that with her grandson." Teri's father was actually her step-father, but he was the only one she had known. He had married Teri's divorced mother, who was several years older than him, when Teri was quite young. She told them quite a bit more about herself, content to let Jeanette enjoy the now-sleepy Matthew. When the conversation reached a natural end, Teri asked them. "Uh, do you suppose we could... ?" To Patrick's great relief, Jeanette cut her off. "Teri, Dear, whenever you want, we will sit and hold you while you feed Matthew. I'm afraid, though, that we'd better keep our clothes on. I think you should feed him out where other people can enjoy the sight, too, don't you?" "Ohhh! Do you think they want to see it?" "I'm sure of it." "Then... then he was the only one who thought it was disgusting?" "The only one I have ever heard of." "Bastard! Uh, Patrick, are they ruined? You never answered me before." "Teri, on you, a bra is not only unnecessary, it's criminal." Blushing deeply, Teri gave both of them a kiss, then dressed, took her baby, and left the room. As she closed the door, she found Megan standing in the hall. "Did you see everything?" When Megan nodded, Teri continued "I guess you know how awesome your parents are, don't you?" "I sure do! The reason I'm like this," motioning to her sling, "is that I forgot for a while. If you want to really see awesome, watch." Megan opened the door a crack as she said this. "You mean, you've seen them?" Teri whispered. "We'll talk." Was all Megan said. In the room, Jeanette tore the pillow from Patrick's lap, and wrapped one hand around his cock as she kissed him. Then, she turned her back to him and slowly settled herself down onto him. Patick repeated everything he had done to Teri, adding his own frantic thrusts and groans to the finale. The couple slid down so they were lying on their sides. Patrick was still embedded in his wife, and his hand cupped her breast as they lay dozing. In the hall, Teri closed the door, stared wide-eyed at Megan and said "Yes, we've got to talk about that!" ------- About ten o'clock in the morning, Dex got a call from Carl saying the clothes had been picked up and were on the way. Dex alerted Karen, and wondered what he had let himself in for. The police, either in an exercise of holiday cheer, or cowed by the name on the warrant, had waited until Friday morning to pick up Kendra's husband. He would probably be bailed out very quickly, but it gave the maid, who was already at the house, a chance to liberate many more of Kendra's things. The bottoms of the big hanging bags used to transport the dresses were filled with lingerie, shoes, purses, and as much of Kendra's best jewelry as the maid could find. She filled extra hanging bags with casual wear and coats, and carried out a laptop computer. The maid had already prepared a resignation letter, and left it on the entry hall table with her keys. She followed the van from the property in her own car. After a phone call from Carl to Dex, she got permission to follow all the way to Dex's place. The arrival of Kendra's things at the house was just the first tumult of the day. The women were in awe of Kendra's things, while Dex deliberated where to store them. After a few more calls, he owned several of the storage bags, and the men moved the things not needed today into the back area of the barn. Kendra's reunion with her friend and former maid was jubilant, with the beautiful redhead abandoning the reserve she had always displayed before. Things got more crazy when the tailoring crew pulled up outside. Everyone was gathered in the entry area to see what was going on when a long dark-haired streak burst through the door yelling "Uncle Dex! Uncle Dex!" Amy leaped up to wrap her legs around Dex's waist, and made a decent attempt at breaking his neck with her hug. Dex kissed Amy's neck and started a little ritual they had played many times, "Aren't you getting a little old for this kind of greeting?" "Whatsamatter, don't you like the feeling?" "Way too much! Way too much!" Dex replied "Be even better without the stupid clothes, huh?" Then "Ouch!" as Dex swatted her tight little bottom. Showing great reluctance, Amy got down and stood snuggled under Dex's arm as her mother Jenny Ballard, Margo Ballard, and Karen came through the door, followed by a woman they didn't know. Dex and the other men were then dispatched to haul a dizzying collection of sewing machines, cutting tables, ironing boards, and even an old-fashioned dress form down to the basement. The three teenagers had been standing watching Amy in open wonder. She walked over and said "Hi! I'm Amy." "I... I know," stammered Jessica. "Darn! It sure would be nice to be able to introduce myself some time. I didn't mean to be rude, but I had to say hello to my favorite uncle. So, you're Jessica, right. And Sonja. And the famous Eric." "Famous?" Eric asked. "I'm just mad that I didn't hear about breakfast until the good part was over," Amy teased, and Eric reddened predictably. "H... how?" "Oh, the women in our family have conquered the speed of light, like Star Trek. Information goes everywhere, instantly." Morgan wasn't around to see, but she would have been thrilled. Jessica moved closer to Eric, put her hand through his arm, and told Amy. "Eric was really brave, and he helped me a lot." "Oh, I know, and I shouldn't tease. Don't worry, Eric, you're a hero!" Amy mirrored Jessica's position on Eric's other side and kissed him on the cheek, having to bend slightly to do it. "Hey, this place is crazy. They won't have to do your dresses right away, so let's go ride the ATV's. Sonja, you can ride with me, OK?" When faced with such an invitation from a bona fide celebrity, Sonja could not continue her previous refusals, and nodded her agreement. Sonja rode behind Amy and seemed reluctant to touch her, holding onto the seat instead. After a few minutes, Amy insisted Sonja drive, and wrapped her arms tightly around the older girl, almost paralyzing her. ------- Back in the house, the basement quickly became a women-only zone, not that any of the men wanted anything to do with the cacophony of chatter and laughter washing up the stairway. As soon as the teens came back from their ATV ride, Jessica was summoned down for her dress fitting, while Sonja looked almost wistfully after her. The other three teens sat at the kitchen table and had a snack, with Amy babbling away constantly, Eric getting in a few responses, and Sonja saying nothing. Amy asked Sonja why she wasn't getting fitted for a dress. Sonja flushed and said she wasn't interested in the party. "Oh, that's too bad. Mom and I are going to sing a little. Uncle Dex insists." "Hey, how about a hot tub, you guys?" Sonja looked at Eric with panic on her face and just shook her head. "I, uh, want to watch this bowl game," Eric told them. "You girls go ahead." "Oh, darn! Well, let's us girls go, Sonja." Amy gave the older girl no choice, taking her hand and leading her away. "I hear you've got this neat signal where you hang a towel on the door." Amy sensed Sonja's reluctance, and pointedly did not look as they both stripped. Not wanting Sonja to think she was repulsed, she did look up as Sonja stepped down into the water, red all over. "Pretty weird, huh?" Sonja said. Amy could not know that this was her first personal reference since arriving. "Boy, it must have taken guts to get those done!" Amy commented with tact beyond her years. Sonja stopped in mid-step at the unexpected positive words. There was light one-sided conversation for a little while, then Sonja actually initiated a subject. "It... it must be wonderful to sing for all those people." "I love it! Do you sing?" "Oh, I... I used to. When I ran away, I sang with a grunge band to earn some money. When I was a kid, my parents... uh, that's old history." Sensing that Sonja wanted to say more, Amy didn't push, but asked "So, you probably don't care much for our kind of music, huh?" "Oh, yes! I love it! I know everything you've sung!" "Both parts?" "Uh, huh!" "Great! It's nice to meet a fan." Just then, Jessica stuck her head in the door, then quickly came in, stripped, and joined the other two. "Now," Amy told the others, "It would be perfect if Eric was here with us." "You mean, you would... ?" Jessica asked in amazement? "Sure! We're a little different about clothes around our house. In fact, our whole big family is. I've been in here lots of times with different people - never wore a suit. Should I see if he wants to join us? I did miss those breakfasts, you know." "Oh, no, I... I..." Jessica had risen from the water and was reaching for a towel. "Sorry, Jessica. I didn't mean to frighten you. Let's just us girls talk." Jessica and Amy talked after that, but Sonja was back to her silent mode until the were all drying off. "Amy, are you guys really going to sing at the party?" "Sure. It's always a lot of fun. We try some new stuff and just goof around. Sure you don't want to come? I'd like to have you there." "W... would you come down with me and see if there's a dress?" When Morgan saw the three girls coming down the stairs, she practically ran to them and said, "Sonja, there's a dress here that would look great on you. Why don't you try it on?" She nearly fell over when Sonja agreed. Morgan abruptly hauled the seamstress away from working on Carol, whispering hurriedly in Carol's ear, and the other women quickly closed around Sonja. Morgan stood back and introduced herself to Amy. "Hi, Morgan. Mom told me all about you. So, you're like the head shrink here, huh?" "Well, if you're after my job, you just won it. How did you get Sonja down here?" "Unfair advantage. She's a fan, and I said I would like to have her at the party to hear us sing." "Well, you're great. Sonja just took a huge leap. You probably know more about her than any of us." Amy filled Morgan in on what little she had found out. ------- Dinner was rather late that night, as the tailoring did not finish until about six o'clock. By some slight of hand, Kendra's collection of dresses had been reworked to accommodate everyone, even the short, thin Sandra and the ultra-voluptuous Kirstin. The seamstress and the others had expressed shock that Kendra would allow the obviously expensive garments to be altered. She told everyone, with a great deal of emotion, that she never wanted to go to the places again where she wore them. Seeing her new friends able to enjoy them would bring her more happiness than she ever had wearing them. She told the seamstress not to think of them as dresses, but as raw cloth to do with as she pleased. Because Megan, Jeanette, Carol, and Jessica were all fairly tall and slimmer than Kendra, they were surprisingly easy to fit, requiring mostly taking in. The shorter, rounder Teri was more of a challenge, as were Sonja and Morgan. Teri ended up in a backless number whose front was held in place by a clasp behind her neck. Sandra required almost a complete remake. By a stroke of luck, there was one loose, flowing, scoop-necked creation that the seamstress was able to vent in key places to encircle Kirstin's bosom. The end result displayed her spectacular cleavage to even Morgan's satisfaction, ensuring that no one, at least no male, would notice anything else about the dress. The exhausted seamstress and her still-enthusiastic helpers packed up the paraphernalia and the men hauled it to the cars. The women insisted on a parade of their new dresses for the men, and Dex could not believe how good they all looked, even without hair-dos, make-up, proper shoes, etc. Sonja looked uncomfortable, but paraded with the group, although she did not attempt any of the flirty gestures some of the others employed. Dex had thought ahead, and a stack of pizzas was delivered just as the parade ended. ------- Early in the evening, Teri found Patrick and Jeanette and told them it was feeding time again. They followed her to the family room, where several people were spread around, and had them sit close beside her. She leaned against Patrick, pulled up her T-shirt, and let Matthew at his unsupported feeding station. She asked, and Patrick put his arms around her. When she glanced around the room, she saw nothing but smiles, and lay her head back against Patrick's shoulder and closed her eyes in contentment. ------- Right after dinner Friday night, Sonja came up to Morgan and asked if they could talk. Morgan knew Sonja had undergone a big change in the afternoon, and was hoping this was a chance to talk seriously. Morgan led her to the Master suite, and promptly stripped as soon as she got in the door. "Why... ?" Sonja started to ask. "Oh, this is an official 'no clothes' zone. I'll make an exception in your case, though." "No, I... it was neat when we were in the hot tub that first night - today with Amy, too. I... I don't look very good. Is that OK?" "Sonja, you've been here what? - three days? You should know by now, that no matter what you look like, we want you to feel free and comfortable." "Yeah, I know. I'm just so used to being made fun of." "Won't happen here." Sonja stripped down and nervously brought up her subject. "I feel so foolish here with this hair and all this stupid junk all over me." "Has someone said something about it?" "Oh, no! No one would. Well, the little kids did, but that's OK. With that big deal at the spa tomorrow, and the party, I'll look stupid compared to everyone else." Sonja had already exceeded her total vocal output since arriving, and Morgan was elated. It was like the finger in the dike had been removed. "So, you want all the jewelry out?" "Yes, but if I do, it'll be like my parents will win." "So, you had it all done to get back at them, huh?" "Yeah. And the hair, and the drugs, and the guys." Her story unfolded. Sonja's parents were extremely legalistic fundamentalists. Her older brother had thrilled them by becoming a minister of their little sect, and by releasing of couple of albums of his singing. Sonja had been singing in church since she was a toddler, and her parents expected her to follow her brother's path. An older sister, the second child, had played the game until eighteen, then disappeared. Sonja could not play along, and nine months ago had run away to the streets. With no money, she had earned her keep singing with a band, and with sex. She was living with one guy, but available to his friends, as well. They had become disenchanted with her and expressed their displeasure with their fists. Hearing about the battered women's shelter had probably saved her from jail or the morgue. From Sonja's telling, it seemed her life had been all rules, with little or no compassion or tenderness, and borderline brutal punishment. She said the first true kindness she had ever felt started when she met Elise. When she first had all her piercings and her punk hairdo, she had arranged a meeting with her parents, just to shock them. They never asked how she was feeling, where she was sleeping, or anything. They just told her people in churches all over the area were praying for her, and started to pray right there in the restaurant. They didn't even notice when she snuck out. "So, now, you're keeping all the junk for your parents' sake, huh?" Morgan asked when Sonja stopped the tale. "Whaaat?" "Well, if you won't get rid of it because they'll feel like they won, then they're making you keep it." "Oh, wow!" was all the astonished girl could say. "Sonja, Honey, you can make your own identity without having to go out of your way to upset your parents. When you were on the street, you were actually still under their control, don't you see? If you want to stay punk, do it for you, not to spite them. If you don't want to be punk any more, don't let them force you to stay that way. Hold on a minute." Morgan knew where Dex's phone numbers were kept. She called Donna, told her the problem, and asked if it was OK to talk to Rick for a minute. Rick told her there was no problem removing all the jewelry, as long as they had a way to cut the metal, and had the right antiseptic. Telling Sonja to wait again, Morgan threw on some clothes and went to find Dex. When she came back a few minutes later, she told Sonja "Hon, here's the deal. Everything we need is here, or we can take you to the Emergency Ward. Those are the only ways of getting rid of them before morning." "Here, definitely! I won't go to the hospital!" "OK. There's one other thing. Grandpa will have to do it with me. He is the best one with the tools, better than Dex. If one of us women tried it, there is too much danger of hurting you." "Oh, Morgan, I was naked around so many jerks! A sweet man like Patrick won't bother me at all. Let's do it right now! I don't want to be weird any more." Morgan asked if Sonja wanted to put on some of her clothes or rap up in a towel, and Sonja chose the towel. Morgan left again, and returned with Patrick, a pliers, a long-handled manual cutter, a Dremel, antiseptic, gauze, and cotton. Sonja decided she wanted to start at the top, so the eyebrow ring was the first to go. The manual cutter was strong enough for the metal, but there was too much danger of jerking and causing injury, so they had to use the electric. By holding the ring or the stud firmly in the pliers, they could cut through it with the high-speed cutting head. It was apparent from the first ring that there would be some interesting moments, since the vibrations from the cutting wheel were transmitted directly to Sonja through the metal of the jewelry. Sure enough, the nose bar was easy, and the lip ring had been taken out by Rick. The tongue stud was very hard because the vibration tickled, and caused her to reflexively retract her tongue. Also, the antiseptic pain was sharper on her ultra-sensitive tongue tissue. When Patrick touched the cutting wheel to the first nipple ring, Sonja let out a piercing 'eeeeeeeee' sound, and shuddered through a small come. "Oh, God! What happens when we get down there?" she gasped, motioning to her crotch. "Maybe we'd better go to emergency," Morgan offered. "No way! It's, uh, not all bad," Sonja said with unexpected humor. "That was more than I got from most of the jerks I've been with." When Patrick knelt over Sonja's pussy, she told him to leave the clit ring until last. The studs through her labia were bad enough, though the first part wasn't all bad. Between Morgan and Patrick having to cooperate to hold each lip out and expose the stud, and the usual vibration, Sonja got lots of stimulation. Unfortunately, she screamed in pain when the antiseptic was applied. The clit ring was the thinnest of them all, but it seemed to take forever to cut through it. Sonja came three times, jerking the ring away from Patrick as he cut. It was hard to tell if she was more aroused or frustrated. Morgan laid her body right across Sonja's and let Patrick apply the antiseptic when the last jewelry was final pulled out. The poor girl whimpered for several minutes from the pain and the pent-up emotion. Patrick had gotten hard, and Morgan teased him about it. "I'm not made of stone, girl, as you well know." They hugged warmly as they chuckled over the tension-breaking exchange. Morgan knew exactly what her grandmother would be doing about ten minutes from then. When Patrick left, Morgan undressed, grabbed a T-shirt for each of them and took Sonja to the hot tub. When Sonja was able to resume conversation, she thanked Morgan and said the pain was pretty much gone. ------- Chapter 31 Morgan was sitting in the hot tub with Sonja after the rather exhausting removal of Sonja's body jewelry. "Sonja, I think you should invite your folks to the party tomorrow night." "Oh, they'd never come. Between the dancing and the booze, they'd freak out. Besides, they'd be all over me, trying to drag me back home and everything. I want to enjoy the party." "Think about it, Honey. This is your turf. They would have to abide by the rules. And they couldn't make you do anything or go anywhere. We checked with our friend at the DA, and they can't make you go back. This is your biggest chance to establish your independence." "You know, that would be kinda cool. I really could be in charge, couldn't I?" "You bet! And we could work it out so Jessica, or Eric, or Amy, or somebody was always right with you, so they couldn't corner you alone unless you wanted them to." "I'll do it, but I'm sure they won't come. Will you help me with what to say?" In a poignant demonstration of how much she had changed, Sonja wanted at least Jessica, Carol, and Mogan to be with her and hear her conversation with her parents. Dex set up the same system he had used with Megan's call to Craig, and almost everyone gathered round to listen and to encourage her. Dex used the same 800 LD service to place the call. When the phone was answered, Sonja spoke in a surprisingly confident voice. "Anna, this is Sonja. Get Fred on the phone, too." "What's this Anna and Fred business? You will address you parents respectfully, young lady!" Sonja snapped out "Anna, stop that and get Fred on, or I'll hang up right now." There was some sputtering, but pretty soon there was silence followed by a man's voice saying her name. Several of the onlookers made silent applause signals to her and she responded with a big smile. The questions and comments from the other end started again, and again she cut them off. "Listen. This is not a conversation. I am going to tell you a few things, and give you a chance to come to a party tomorrow night. If you want to find out any more, you will have to come here." "First of all, I am safe, and happier than I have ever been in my life. I am in a large, beautiful home with several other battered women..." "Battered?" her mother practically screamed over the phone. "Anna, just listen. If you want to find out more, you'll have to come out here. Now, as I was saying, I am here with the nicest, most caring people I have ever met. There is a huge party here tomorrow night, and you are invited." She went on to tell about the dress, travel arrangements, etc. "There will be dancing here, and there will be liquor served. There is a special rule just for you two. If you make one complaint about the booze or the dancing or anything, or one judgemental remark about anyone here, you will be escorted out the door and taken home immediately. If you don't see me tomorrow night, I don't know when or if you ever will. I will probably just do what Sarah did. I will call back in fifteen minutes with instructions if you decide to come." Sonja put the phone down quickly, and sagged to her knees. Morgan got to her first, with Jessica close behind, and they both hugged her and cooed encouragement to her. "They'll never come," she said. "Do you want them to?" Morgan asked. "Yeah, I guess I do. I got sent to a counselor once, and she talked about closure. I need that." Morgan made the call later, and gave the pickup instructions as Sonja listened in disbelief. ------- Karen was staying overnight to be the baby sitter, and that caused even more rearrangement of sleeping quarters. Everyone was keyed up in anticipation of the next day, but they also realized it would be a short night, and things quieted down quickly. ------- Dex and Morgan had time to finish their workouts before they roused the other women for the big day Saturday. The departure for the spa was predictably chaotic, but good spirits prevailed. Sonja even came close to showing enthusiasm at a couple of points. There was some redness on her face where the piercings were, but everyone assured her some make-up would cover it nicely. Once the mob had departed, Karen, Patrick, and Dex shared coffee in the kitchen while Eric caught up on some sleep. Dex spent a good part of the morning on the phone with Carl, Russell, and Tim. At the end of their conversation, Dex could tell Tim was fumbling a bit, wanting to ask him something. "String, Buddy, just go for it. I can guarantee she won't turn you down." "How did you... ?" "Sometimes, even us guys can figure it out, you know." "But I thought maybe you two..." "No, she's all yours. And I tell you, Buddy, if you don't marry this one, you are the world's most hopeless case. I can honestly say I wish she and I were a couple. That is one incredible woman! I don't have to warn you not to hurt her, because I know you never would - unless you walk away from her. She has had feelings for you since she started working there, but did nothing because she was married." "Well, it's the same with me. You think this divorce deal is going to happen soon?" "Within a few weeks at the most." ------- About 3:30, the women returned. The shopping trip had been reduced to just shoes, hose, and other accessories. Kendra had even shared her impressive collection of jewelry with the others. It had already been a long day after a short night, but most had been able to catch naps between sessions at the spa. Because of concerns about hair, there was no question of anyone napping now, and the party guests would start arriving about 5:30, anyway. Dex's house had an open plan in the central area, with a very large entry area opening into the gigantic family room. All of it was hardwood floors, and the family room furniture had been moved back a bit to provide the greatest possible open space for dancing. The caterers had brought in a few dozen chairs to allow most of the expected 60-70 guests to spend at least some time seated, especially when they were eating. A synth, a couple of guitars, and an electronic drum set were on hand for when it was time for Jenny and the others to sing. As it did every year, the guest list started with Dex's family. It included the original Doggerel crew plus three musicians who had become regulars. Carl and Randy would be there, along with their three employees who would do the driving, one of whom was Mel. Gerald and Tim Archer always attended. Susan Plonsky and Stan and Tracy O'Connor represented the police force, while Marty and two associates who worked with Doggerel were on the list every year. The biggest surprise to Dex was Elise. She had been invited every year since Dex had been working with her, but had always declined. Dex had to assume her change of mind was because of 'her' women who were staying with him. He did remember Morgan's comment about Elise being in love with him, but he was not ready to believe that. There were a couple of surprises that Dex himself had arranged. Everyone but Kendra and Sandra had parents scheduled to be brought in. Dex had flown in Sandra's parents, and had invited Kendra's former maid, Ilyana, as a guest. ------- It worked out that Sonja's parents, Anna and Fred, were in the first limo of relatives to arrive. Only Donna's family and the O'Connors among the drive-in guests had arrived. All of the 'residents' were in the entry area. Morgan had asked them all to stay as a group whenever new arrivals appeared. The driver had phoned ahead, so everyone knew who would be coming in the door. No identification of Sonja's parents was needed, as the dress and demeanor made them obvious. When they saw Sonja, they stopped as if frozen, as well they should. The spa had done a masterful job, salvaging most of the length of her hair, and dieing it all very close to her natural color. The makeup and the dress had done so much that even Sonja was astonished at how good she looked. "Sonja, thank God you've gotten rid of that Devil's jewelry. But your hair and that dress! You still look so worldly." This was the greeting from Sonja's mother. Sonja totally ignored the outburst. "Anna, Fred, this is Morgan, the psychologist in charge here. These women," and she pointed to the others, "have all escaped abusive situations. Morgan and the others are helping them put they're lives back together." "It looks like she's training them to be dance hall girls, from their dress," Anna remarked. "Officer O'Connor," Morgan called out loudly, "We need you to escort this couple back to the limousine, please!" "No, wait!" These were the first words from Fred. Morgan could not be stopped. "You were clearly told the rules before you came here, and you violated them in your first minute. This is a party of celebration and new starts. I will not let you ruin it with your narrow minded prejudices." "Young lady, you can't talk to us like that." "I most certainly can, and I can throw you out on your tight little holy-roller asses, too! Not only have you violated our rules, you have shown everyone exactly why you drove Sonja to a life that almost killed her." Fred spoke again. "Please. We'll leave. You're making a spectacle." "You're the spectacle. You haven't seen your daughter in what, six months, and how much warmth and concern for her do you show? You're too worried that the lovely dresses some of us are wearing don't meet your purity standards." Both parents were now looking for somewhere to retreat to, but Morgan was really rolling. "You fancy yourselves experts on Hell. Bullshit! These women, including your daughter and my mother, have been through some hells you couldn't imagine. And did you care?" "Jessica here is fourteen, and barely escaped being raped by her father. Her third night here, she invited your daughter, a stranger who looked terrible and acted surly, to share a bedroom with her and her mother because we were overcrowded. In the middle of the night Sonja woke up with the shakes and night sweats because she needed a fix and wasn't going to get it. It was Jessica, not even recovered from her own hell, who held Sonja and helped her through the night." "I believe 'love' is one of the most common words in the Bible, but you seem to have cut it out of yours. Jessica showed her love for an unlovely stranger. You're obsessed with cleavage and skirt length instead. Stan, get them out of here!" Before Stan could usher the two out, Morgan whispered in his ear for several seconds. His eyes grew wide, but he nodded uncertainly. When he shut the door after ushering the stunned couple out, he turned to speak to them. "Talk about love! Morgan has more love for you two than you deserve, in my opinion. Or maybe she's just doing it for Sonja's benefit. Anyway, she said if you want go back through that door and start again, everyone in there will act is if your first entry never happened. It's up to you." Inside, Morgan was giving the same message to the equally stunned onlookers. "Sorry about losing my cool, folks, but I care too much for these women to see them shit on like that. Uh, it looks like a few of you maybe need to repair your makeup. Oh, and everyone make sure Sonja is never left alone with those two if they come back, OK." Morgan was busy greeting two other sets of flabbergasted parents when, to everyone's surprise, Anna and Fred re-entered. In a consummate acting job, Morgan was introduced and greeted them as if they had never met. This time, the couple was very quiet. ------- "I hope I didn't ruin your party," Morgan said to Dex when she got a minute to talk to him. "It livened it up some, that's for sure. You were really rolling there. Can I assume that was a very calculated performance?" "Well, it started out that way, but I kinda got into it. Their attitude pissed me off." "You know, you could have kicked them out very discreetly. Why the public outburst?" "First of all, I didn't want them gone. Sonja needs to have them here. I made a scene because Sonja has never in her life had anyone stand up for her. I wanted her to feel completely in control of them, and I was hoping they would screw up. Do you think any of the other folks will be afraid of me?" "Not after you talk to them, I'm sure." At about that time, the second limo arrived, carrying the surprise guests Dex had arranged. Dex felt a little sorry that Sandra's exquisite makeup got smudged by tears, but it was clear that she thought it was a small price. Kendra was just as happy to see her friend, dressed up for the first time in her presence. By prior agreement, Morgan and Dex circulated separately. They concentrated on evaluating the parents who were there and their relationship with their daughters. They also worked at getting interaction between the women and the other guests. After their discussion the other morning, Dex was particularly anxious to see Kirstin's parents, and when he did, he barely stifled a laugh. Helga, Krstin's mother, looked like a pudgy, smiling Valkyrie. She did not appear fierce or pugnacious, but she entered the room with that 'I'm here - everything's under control' attitude. Dex wondered briefly if he would have to help the caterers defend their turf from Helga's attempt to take over. There would certainly be no doubt in Helga's mind that she could do a much better job. It was no wonder that Kirstin showed the strength he had seen in the last week. "Well, Teri's going to be all right. Her future is taken care of," Morgan told Dex as they passed each other during dinner. To his questioning look, she explained. "She and her step-father will marry as soon as her divorce is final." Dex just closed his mouth in the process of asking if Morgan was smoking something. As if Morgan was prescient, Teri came up to them towing a man behind her. Almost breathlessly, Teri told them "I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I want to go home with Daddy!" Her step-father, Mark, spoke up and told Dex and Morgan that he had just gotten a report from a detective he had hired to follow Teri's husband. Her husband was gay. The marriage had been a useful disguise, but it was now clear that he would be relieved to get a divorce, and posed no more real danger. Morgan gave Dex her now-familiar 'See, I told you so' look. He would not have guessed Teri would be the first to leave, but he was happy for her, and confident that she would be all right. It surprised him that he felt a pang of regret. She had only been at his house for four day, after all! After asking if Teri needed any help packing her things, Dex and Morgan wished her well and received warm hugs in return. Throughout the evening, they saw Teri practically bouncing up and down as she told one after another of the other women about her departure. When she approached Jeanette and Patrick, she became tearful, and Jeanette spent a little time whispering something in the young mother's ear. Carol was an example of a woman who definitely did not marry her father. It was as if she had looked for the opposite. He was a fairly large man who had the air of military command about him. Dex felt, after some conversation, that he was very supportive of his daughter, and would be a great help getting her back on her feet. ------- As the last of the guests were making return visits to the dessert table, the recorded dance music started. Keeping up what had become a four-year tradition, Amy made a bee-line for Dex and made sure they were the first dancers. By the time the second number started, there were eight or ten couples dancing. Dex made the rounds of the women in his family, keeping an eye on Morgan, who seemed to be making the rounds of all the men. It took him a while, but he finally put it together that every man asked Sonja to dance immediately after a turn with Morgan. Dex did not know if it was the emotion of the abused women in his house for the last week, or what it was, but he found himself in another of his introspective moods as he danced. He was happy for the lives 'his' women had found. Both Donna and Angeline had solid marriages with happy, well-adjusted children. Angeline's career had gone very well, as had Jared's, but they had stolen some of Jenny's magic and somehow kept their family life their top priority. Because of the the reaction of the LeBrieux family against her helping Jenny, Angeline had had to decide, painfully, that it was not wise for her to ever return to France. This was the only significant blot on the happiness she had found, and she remained the ebullient little cyclone that Dex had shared a bed with for those happy months. It had taken Donna and Rick most of his undergraduate career to work out a proper balance between their strong personalities, but the resulting partnership was an inspiration to everyone who knew them. Donna had majored in business, and had shared Rick's determination to establish a private family practice without the usual long residency. They had delayed parenthood longer than either would have liked, but were reveling in it now. Rick had a long list of families wanting him to become their physician of record, and his biggest problem was finding new partners who met his standards. Rick was on Dex's basketball team, and the two were great friends. Rick had thanked Dex more than once for his intervention for Donna all those years ago. As for Margo, Dex was certain she represented the epitome of 'ageless beauty.' Margo was not one of 'his' women in the same sense as Donna or Angeline, but their bond was very strong. He felt he had helped to unleash the untapped intellectual treasure that Margo had subjugated for all the years of her first marriage. He, for one, was not surprised that she was now one of the most sought-after lyricists in the popular music business. Judy was not at the party, and had only made it to one over the years. He could not help thinking of her, though, as he worked through the list of women important to him. An extended weekend visit from Judy a few months back had been Dex's last sexual encounter until the incredible night with Morgan and Megan. Judy was still happily married to her career. He proudly watched her a number of times doing spots on a cable news network. When she knew ahead of time, she would always email him about her upcoming appearances. When that wasn't possible, she sent him video clips. The role that Dex and Donna played in preparing Jenny for her life with Chris was one of Dex's warmest memories. The times he had been able to protect Jenny and Amy were more than enough to validate all his years of training. The fact that he could provide the capital to launch her career counted as one of his proudest moments. And Karen. Karen and Mike represented to Dex the model of enlightened parenthood. If he ever had kids..." And that line of thought took Dex in a direction his mind had been drifting in more and more recently. He had helped all of his women along the way to happiness - but with someone other than himself. It was not that he felt jealous, for he knew instinctively that each had made the perfect choice for them. It was just that he was beginning to wonder if that perfect choice for him would ever come along. Of course, she had once, in Connie... Damn it! He could not keep going in that direction! He knew it was not just his grief for Connie that would keep him from that perfect choice if she ever did come along. It was the old guilt and fear. His time with Megan and Morgan had heightened his awareness of what was missing in his own life. His infatuation with Megan had led him to picture her as his perfect choice, and his handful of sexual encounters with her had been terrific, even in her injured condition. Now, though, it was apparent that her heart was with Tim. Her times with Dex had been therapeutic, and neither would ever regret them. But once again, he had helped one of his women to find the right life for her. Once again, it wasn't with him. Morgan was a force, both sexually and intellectually. She ranked up there with Margo, Judy, and Elise among the strongest women he had ever known. Unfortunately, the picture of the two of them together forever just would not come into focus. With a surprising touch of bitterness, he wondered what lucky man he was grooming Morgan for. All of these thoughts took only split seconds in real time as Dex was dancing with Donna. She, of course, did not miss what was happening, and when he looked back at her, she said "I'm glad!" "What about?" "That it's finally time." Dex didn't try to say anything, just pulled her a little closer. How she knew what he was thinking, he would never understand. That she knew exactly, however, he had no doubt at all. ------- Teri could not believe that just four days ago she had fled home with her baby, the clothes on her back, and not much more. It had been the absolute low point in her life, and looking ahead from Tuesday night, she saw nothing but loneliness and despair. Matthew was her only bright spot. Now, her father was here with news that was shocking, but somehow liberating. She had started to believe her husband's scornful comments about breast feeding and what had happened to her body. Only the thrill of Matthew's mouth and little hands on her, and the sense of communion with her child kept her from giving it up for the bottle. Suddenly, she could discount all the criticism, and even the punches. The incredible morning session with Patrick and Jeanette had almost wiped out the hurt, and her father's news finished the job. Her father. She could not imagine how he could have been more loving and caring if he had been her real father, rather than her step-father. He had been her buddy all her life, and the rock for her and her mother through the horror of her mother's death from cancer. Now, here she was at this unbelievable party, wearing a dress far more expensive and far more sexy than she had ever dreamed of. Her whole back was bare, and she wore no bra under the soft, silky material of the scanty top that covered her breasts and not much else. It had been hard to come out of her room at first, but all the positive comments about how she looked had her tingling with excitement. The feeling of her father's hand on her bare back as they danced had almost caused her knees to buckle. During her third dance with her father, the tightness in her breasts became painful, and she knew it was time to feed Matthew. From now on, she would probably always see herself naked leaning against Patrick as she nursed. That memory was so vivid and so precious! She stopped dead in mid-step when the image of Patrick changed to that of her father. "Daddy, come downstairs with me. I have to feed Matthew." "But Honey, that's not..." "Please, Daddy. Keep me company." She gave him no option as she towed him toward the stairway. Her father, Mark, stood and watched as she picked up the baby from his crib and changed him. In her bedroom, she set the baby on the bed, then took off her confused father's coat and tie. Mark managed to resist a little when she pushed him down onto the bed, but by now, her demeanor was almost frantic, and he was uncertain just what he should do, so he went along. So excited her hands were almost shaking, Teri spread Mark's legs apart as he sat against the headboard, then sat back between them. She was somehow able to undo the clasp behind her neck, letting the top of her dress fall around her waist. To Mark's gasps, she picked up Matthew, leaned back, and began nursing. "Teri, Honey, I don't think..." "Does this disgust you, Daddy?" Teri asked, still fearful of the reply. "Oh, no, Honey. But I shouldn't..." "Daddy, I need this! Please!" She proceeded to tell him of her husband's opinions and how they made her feel. She did not tell him about the session with Patrick, but described her dream. "Daddy, make my dream real! Please! Hold me! Love me up! I need it so bad!" Mark was faced with one of those moral crises that can end up changing lives. His daughter was hurting and was asking for his help. He had always been there eager to help, but why was she asking for this? Had the trauma of her abuse and rejection made her unstable? Did she fully understand what she was asking him? The real problem was that Mark wanted to touch her in the worst way - he always had. Teri had so much of her mother, his dead wife, in her. When her mother died, Teri had been engaged. Mark had fantasized then about asking Teri to marry him, rather than her intended. How desperately he wished he had had the courage then. Did he have it now? But would it be courageous to grant her request - to give in to his own urges? Or would he be just taking advantage of her weakness? She was not his biological daughter, but he had adopted her. He was fourteen years older than her; would she even consider him? With a start he wondered how this had turned into a debate about marrying his daughter. She had only asked for some loving touches while she nursed. Give her that and worry about the future later! Trembling with emotion and wiping off the perspiration on the bedspread, Mark slipped his hands around Teri's tummy, below her waist, on her dress. He left them there, afraid to move them. Teri, though, wanted more, and holding the slurping baby with one arm, she took Mark's hands and pulled them up to touch her skin, humming in contentment at first contact. Mark felt himself start to harden and started to panic. Her bottom was tight up against him! She would certainly feel it! Just as he was about to pull his hads away and push her off, she spoke. "Daddy, does that mean you like the feeling?" "Oh, I'm so sorry, Honey, but..." "No! No! No! Don't be sorry! Be happy! I am!" Giving him no more time to think, much less move, she took one hand and place it right on her unoccupied breast, holding it firmly in place with her own. "Now, Daddy! Love me up! Everywhere you can reach! It's my dream!" "Your d... dream?" "Oh, yes, Daddy! All my life I've wanted to be right here." Suddenly, there was no more moral crisis, and Mark's hands began to explore his own dream. ------- Megan had danced two or three times with Tim, but with her arm still in a sling and her ribs still tender, it was quite tiring for her. Morgan saw her sit down and made straight for Tim, who was about to sit next to her mother. Pulling Tim onto the dance floor, Morgan told him "I think it would be good for us to get better acquainted, Tim. I have a feeling you are going to be a big part of our future." Morgan said as they danced. "Word gets around fast, doesn't it. I hope that meets with your approval." "Oh, no doubt. If you're Dex's good buddy, that's the best endorsement you can get." "So, are you going to be the one who finally lasso's the Dexter?" "I can't say I wouldn't like that, but I don't think it's that likely. I'm just enjoying what I can right now. Say, who are you to worry about Dex's still being single? I can't believe some lucky girl didn't land you long ago." "Oh, it wasn't for lack of trying - trying much too hard in most cases. No, Dex and I both have our demons, and, well... hey, this is a happy night. We don't need to spoil it digging up the sorry past." "So, I should warn Mom to take it real easy and not push you too hard, huh?" "Morgan, there's no comparison between Megan and those other sharks. Since she came to work, we have gotten to know each other, with no thought of any possible romance. I respected her long before I admitted any feelings for her. She's still married, you know, so we still have to be careful." Hugging herself tight to Tim for a few seconds, Morgan said "Well, I think Mom is finally due for some real happiness, and you're just the guy who can give it to her." ------- Sonja had danced about three numbers when her parents, who had been shadowing her for some time, approached her while Eric was with her. "Sonja, is there somewhere we can talk privately?" Anna asked. Assuming they wanted to preach at her about dancing, the last thing Sonja wanted was a private talk with them. Eric was watching Sonja's face, and saw a strange smirk cross it. "Well, the only possible place is the Master bedroom. Oh, there's one hard and fast house rule, though. The Master bedroom is a no clothes zone. We'd have to talk naked." Eric thought he had developed a lot of self-control over the last week, but it was tested to the limit just then. Fred actually laughed. "We're trying to be serious. Don't make crude jokes it." Sonja had been joking, of course, but her father's all too familiar attitude angered her. "I'm deadly serious. That's the rule." "That's... that's the most obscene thing I've ever heard," Anna sputtered. "Well, take it or leave it! What's the matter? Can't you pray over me without your clothes on?" Sonja turned on her heel and walked away, with Eric hurrying behind her. "You witch! You damned near made me pee my pants! I don't think you need anyone riding shotgun for you any more, do you?" "Eric, I don't think I could have done that without you standing there. I needed you. I need all of you. Thank you! Oh, by the way, I really was joking. I just couldn't let them know that." ------- After Sonja's outrageous comment, Anna wanted to leave, but Fred seemed to take control. Several who were watching them closely saw Fred move through the group, talking to all the battered women, and most of their parents while Anna pretty much stood by him looking totally pissed. If it wasn't for the angry woman at his side, Fred would have seemed like a normal, interested guest. Of course, they never went near the liquor cabinet or the dance floor, although Fred did stand and watch his daughter dance when he wasn't talking to anyone. ------- Anna and Fred were watching Sonja dance with Randy. Dex was quite close to them, and heard Fred heave a large sigh and say to Anna "Dear, we've got to talk to Sonja." "Well, she obviously doesn't want to talk to us. Can you imagine her nerve even saying that to us?" "Are you willing to let her just disappear like Sarah?" "The Lord will deal with her sin. It's only up to us to be righteous." "But what about you? Don't you miss your daughters?" "I thought Sarah believed, but she apparently doesn't. It's obvious Sonja is not a believer. Why would I miss them when they've chosen the lives they have. I just thank the Lord for Frank." "So you won't go and talk to her?" "You must beg the Lord to forgive you for even asking that! How can you even think about being naked with your daughter? With me? Fred, sometimes I worry that your carnal desires overwhelm your faith." Fred did not respond, just watched his daughter for several more minutes. Heaving another big sigh, he spoke again. "I'm going to talk to her. I wish you would join me. I don't think she really means the no clothes part." "But what if she does?" "I am not willing to just walk away and lose another daughter without trying. You can pray for me or damn me to Hell, as you choose." He turned and walked toward the dance floor before she could muster a response. Sonja did not believe her father's request at first, but felt a tingle run through her when he repeated it. It was not enough to make her sacrifice her evening, though. She had danced with several men who treated her as if she was special. Her self-worth was at the highest point in many years, and she was not about to abandon that to be preached at by her father. On top of that, Amy and her mother would be singing soon, and there was no way she would miss a single note. "Fred, I am having too much fun dancing to leave now, and Amy is going to sing in a while. If you still want to talk after that's all over, find me again." She turned away from him, then feeling devilish, she turned back and asked him "Is Anna ready to strip, too?" Her back was already turned when Fred's face registered first shock, then anger, before his shoulders slumped and he walked back to his wife. ------- Dex saw Elise standing by herself and stopped dead in his tracks. She must have come in late because he had not seen her earlier. In fact, he had looked and had been disappointed that she was not there. He remembered her voice on the phone Tuesday evening, teary and almost panicky. Now, if he had not been looking straight at her face, he might not have recognized her. Morgan must have spent the whole night with one eye on him, because she came up beside him and whispered "Isn't she lovely? Why don't you ask her to dance?" From the first time he had met her over five years earlier, Dex was aware that Elise was a very attractive woman. She, however, must have majored in sexless grooming along with her psyche degree in college. Even when she worked for the county and had to wear business clothes, she had been an expert at disguise. When she went on her own with the shelter movement, she only brought out her business clothes when she was asking for money or appearing in court. Baggy jeans, shapeless sweaters or sweatshirts, hiking boots, careless pony tail, baseball cap - this was the 'uniform' in which Dex was used to seeing Elise in cold weather. She was tall and naturally slim, and that had deteriorated in the last couple of years to downright skinny. Her cheeks had become noticeably sunken and the dark circles under her eyes more prominent. Elise's dominant personality trait was intensity, which came across as acerbic and demanding to everyone but her women. Dex's mental image of Elise was 'fierce.' He was in awe of her drive and her dedication, and he respected her organizational and leadership abilities. They shared a goal of helping battered women, and he was happy to be her partner in that. Now, Dex saw this runway model wearing Elise's face looking at him from across the room. She was wearing a short black dress that fitted her snugly and revealed unsuspected curves. There was no way he could know of the scheming and cajoling that went into her appearance at his party. Morgan had, of course, started it, enlisting Margo's help. It was probably only because of extreme stress and exhaustion that Elise had yielded. The dress Elise wore was left over from her courtship days. She had begrudged the time at the beautician's, but Margo was not easily dissuaded, and Elise subconsciously yearned to once again look appealing. On her way to the party, she had been delayed by another crisis, and had nearly given up and gone home. It was the fear of having to deal with Morgan that made her show up. Barely hearing Morgan's words in his surprise, Dex walked over and asked Elis to dance. He was totally unprepared for her reaction, as she caught her breath and her face first went pale, then flushed. She looked unsteady on her feet and Dex's impulse was to reach out to support her. Afraid his touch might make matters worse, he stood awkwardly with his hand outstretched. Morgan had been watching, and hurried to Elise's side upon seeing her distress. She put an arm around Elise's waist and guided her into the seating area of the family room where the chaise was vacant. Naturally concerned about Elise, Dex started to follow, but Morgan looked back at him and shook her head. He went to the farthest point where he could still see them and just waited to see what would happen. About five minutes later, Morgan came over to him. "I know this may be impossible, but we need to keep her here tonight. That poor women is on the edge of breaking down completely." "Believe it or not I have a solution, at least for tonight," Dex told her. "I booked Sandra's parents into a two-room suite. I planned to surprise Sandra later and have her stay overnight with them. I hadn't planned to send Eric with her, but there is certainly space. Let's go and talk to them." Sandra was overjoyed at the prospect of some time with her parents, and agreed there was no danger from her husband. When she heard why they needed their room, she found Eric and he agreed to go with them. Sandra was very concerned for Elise, and wanted to know if they should pack right away so Elise could use the bed. Morgan talked to Elise again, and Elise insisted she wanted to stay for the party. She must have known that she was not in good shape because she did not argue about staying the night. "Morgan, did I do something to cause this?" Dex asked. "You didn't do anything wrong, Lover. A lot of the problem revolves around you, though. Let's talk later." Morgan made the rounds of her grandmother, her mother, and Karen, and arranged it so Elise was not alone for the rest of the evening. Dex wanted to do something to help, but from Morgan's comment he concluded that Elise could not handle his attentions just then. ------- Every one of Dex's guests had heard Jenny, and Amy, sing many times, but this informal time at the party was special. It was as if they were all participating in a casual family sing-along, but with bona fide stars. Every year, there were a couple of new numbers that the guests were the very first to hear, sometimes not even in their final publication versions. There was lots of group singing, and Hank and Jared did a lot of improvising, leaving some guests gasping for breath from non-stop laughter. There was no way any person or corporation could afford entertainment like Dex had that night, though a number had tried. Loyalty had been a hallmark of Jenny's life and her career since Hank took her in, and she reserved this kind of intimate encounter for those she cared deeply about. Every person who had been a guest at one of Dex's holiday parties made the next year's event the one unmovable event on their calendar. Most of the battered women probably did not appreciate the enormity of the privilege they enjoyed. Afterward, they certainly did. When Jenny had launched into her first song of the night, Anna had dragged Fred bodily over to Morgan and insisted they be taken to their car. Morgan told them it was not fair to make the drivers miss the show, so they would have to wait. This did nothing to dispel the dark cloud that had covered Anna's face since Sonja's joke and Fred's attempt to talk to their daughter. After about a half hour of singing and hilarity, someone requested one of Jenny's and Amy's duets that had been at the top of the charts for months, and others took up the call. Jenny nodded to the musicians and everyone clapped as the familiar intro started. Amy leaned over and whispered something in her mother's ear, and Jenny made a circular motion to the band, indicating that they should keep repeating the intro. Amy walked over to where Sonja was standing flanked by Jessica and Eric. She grabbed Sonja by the hand and pulled her up to the front. "Which part do you want, Sonja?" "But, I can't..." Sonja's knees were practically giving out when Jessica started a chant of 'Son-ja, Son-ja, Son-ja... ' which Eric quickly picked up up on. Soon, everyone but Fred and Anna was chanting, while the poor girl stood in slack-jawed astonishment. Amy whispered in Sonja's ear "Come on, I know you can do it. You could be the next Michelle, or Shauna, or Louisa," naming successful singers that Jenny had discovered and helped on their way. Sonja's next glance was at her parents, and she still seemed unable to get control of herself. Morgan saw where Sonja was looking and rushed up to her. "Sonja, remember our talk last night. They don't control you any more. This is independence day. You can sing whatever you want. Go for it!" That was all it took. Sonja nodded at Amy, and said "Lower!," then started bouncing in rhythm as the intro repeated for about the tenth time. When they started singing, Sonja was obviously shaky, but she was right on pitch and followed Amy perfectly. After a half-dozen phrases, her confidence grew, and the excellent quality of her voice came through. When Amy made a little flipping motion with both index fingers, Sonja nodded her head and switched to the high part. At the end of the number, the place erupted. Sonja looked like her knees were about to give out again, and her eyes were wet. "Come on, Sonja, stay with me here. You're my first big discovery, and we're not done yet." Amy motioned for Angeline to join them and said a word to the band. They launched into a popular trio number, with Sonja singing Michelle's part. She had been telling the truth when she said she knew all their music. When the second number ended, Amy gave Sonja a hug and looked toward the other two teens, who came running up to help Sonja back to her place. The impromptu concert went on for another half hour, with Sonja watching as if in a trance. ------- Because of the early start to the party, it was still relatively early in the evening when the musicians packed up. The recorded dance music came on again, the snack and dessert tables were refreshed, and the guests settled down for some serious socializing. Dex knew from experience that folks would gradually drift off over the next two hours or so. Sonja was sitting in a chair, joyous tears running unashamedly down her face. Jessica and Eric were still with her and Amy had joined them. Nearly every guest had stopped by to congratulate her. What was left of the once-imposing Hoss Blackledge waited quietly to talk to her. Hoss had undergone quadruple bypass surgery a year earlier, and had taken the doctors' warnings to heart. He now stood tall and slim, having shed about 75 pounds. He still had a full beard, but it had gone prematurely white from his ordeal. He still ran the Emporium and still worked with Doggerel. It appeared he had his eye on some new talent for his club. The ever-vigilant Morgan saw Fred and Anna heading toward Sonja, and intercepted them. "Sorry, folks. Sonja doesn't need to deal with you two just now. Let her enjoy the moment." "But we need to..." "No! If you were about to preach at her, I can't let that happen. If you wanted to congratulate her, well, you haven't earned the right." "Now listen, young lady, we're her parents, and..." "Bullshit! You were her jailers, but she's free now. I intend to protect her from the likes of you." "But we tried to raise her like..." "Listen! I consider you two to be abusers just as much as the asshole that beat up my mother." "Your language! Please!" "That's the only name I ever call him, and I'm not about to change it because it bothers you. It describes him perfectly, and you two are no better. Now, leave her alone. When things calm down, I'll let her know you want to see her. If you're still around, it's up to her." ------- Some time later, Sonja was still wired from her singing and the effusive praise for her performance when Morgan told her her parents wanted to speak to her. Sonja grudgingly followed Morgan, pulling Jessica and Eric along by the hand. Fred was by himself, with Anna standing across the room looking daggers at her husband. Fred's repeated request to speak to her in private was not a welcome interruption. Everything that had happened that night, however, had done so much to strengthen her that she was not about to let him bring her down. "Sure, Fred. Let's talk. It will feel good to get out of these clothes, anyway. Oh, I assume you've talked Anna into it, too." She knew that was impossible, and the slump of his shoulders verified it. "No? Well, it's all or nothing. That's the deal." "But, she..." "Look, Fred. I have to give you credit for coming here tonight. You probably had to drag Anna, right? Because you at least tried, I will keep contact. I will have a lawyer call you with her number. When you want to speak to me, call her, and I will get in touch." "But why are you doing this?" "I will only talk about whys when we are all three face to face and naked. Otherwise, we can talk on the phone about my health and what I am doing, and that's all." "Sonja, please! Don't do this!" "That's all I'm offering, Fred. Goodnight, and thanks for coming out." Sonja saw her parents heading out the door to a limo, and collapsed into a chair. The tension in her back and her neck was so bad she rotated her head around, trying to loosen up. Eric had been watching her exchange with Fred, and without thinking about it, came over and started rubbing her neck. It took a few seconds for Sonja to realize what was happening, but then she stiffened. Eric pulled back quickly. "I'm sorry, Sonja. I just thought..." Her reaction had been instinctive, but when Sonja stopped to think about it, she could see know reason to recoil from Eric. He was a good guy and treated her like someone important. "No, I'm sorry, Eric. Guess I'm just jumpy. Boy, that felt good. Where did you learn that?" "Oh, Dex taught me a little.' "Could I get some more of that? Back in the room?" "Sure. Mom and I are leaving to spend the night with her parents, but I think we'll be here a while yet." Sonja took his hand and led the way to the room she shared with Carol and Jessica. In the room she asked "Now, what do I do to get some more of that great rubbing?" "Well, the best would be for you to stretch out on the bed." "Okay. Oh, I hate to mess up this dress." Completely masking the concern she actually felt, she took off the dress to Jessica's total shock, then stretched out on her stomach on the bed. Eric started working on her head and neck, and the three chatted whenever Sonja wasn't sighing or moaning from the good feelings. "You were joking about your parents having to be naked to talk to you, right?" asked Jessica. "I was at first, but I got to thinking. After sex outside of marriage, or fornication as they call it, nudity has to be next on their list of horrible sins. I really don't care if I ever see them again. So, if they want to see me, it's going to be terrible for them." "Why?" "I guess because most of my life at home was terrible for me. Call it revenge." "Wow! But why would you want to be naked, too?" "For Fred to see me would be more sinful to him than exposing himself. For Anna to see Fred looking at me would be... God, that would be great. Say, Jessica, undo my bra so Eric can do my back, would you?" Their conversation continued until Sandra came looking for Eric because it was time to leave. ------- All the time he was saying goodbye to his guests, Dex was wondering how Elise was doing. She had stayed around for the singing, but had disappeared soon afterward. Morgan finally came by and told him that Elise was in bed in Sandra's room, hopefully asleep. She held up a cell phone, showing that Elise would not be disturbed by calls for help. "You can't believe how hard it was to get this from her. I have the numbers of two of her helpers, so we can deal with any emergency that comes up. Did you know that that woman has not even had a day off in three years?" "I guess I can believe it. Say, what did you mean earlier about me being a big part of her problem?" "Later, Lover. In bed. Kirstin will be back in her old room tonight, with Kendra, and her kids are on the floor of the nursery." ------- When all of the guests had left and the minimum necessary clean up had been accomplished, Dex and Morgan took a quick shower and collapsed into bed. Morgan lay still only for a moment before rolling on top of him, obviously ready to talk. "You wanted to know about Elise? Well, here's the problem. Not only has she worked herself practically to death, she is lovesick." Letting out a groan, Dex asked "And I caused that?" "You didn't cause it, except by being you. It's pretty complicated, but this tough, brilliant lady has built up this fantasy of herself with you. When she found out you were with Mom and I, it started to eat at her. Add that to the holiday stress, and she's hanging right on the edge." "That doesn't explain why she almost collapsed when I asked her to dance." "Near as I can tell, there are two reasons for that. First, the possibility of fantasy fulfillment was more than she could handle in her run-down state. On top of that, she has this enormous fear of men that jumped up and bit her at the thought of being held by a man." "Even me? But if she's in love with me..." "I didn't say it was rational, did I? Sure, she's a psyche major, but that old 'physician heal thyself' bit came about for a reason. I think you know how deep the scars on these women can be. A handshake is the only contact she has had with a male in, what, five years?" Dex thought about it and realized that was true in his case, and he was probably as close as any man. It was then that he felt a tear drop onto his chest. "Is that for Elise?" "Mostly for me." "Why?" "Because my little time with you is ending." "Why do you say that? I don't want you to leave." "Dex, Elise is the perfect woman for you, and I need to help her get ready for you." "Why would you do that? I'm not in love with Elise?" "You've been helping women find their perfect partners all your life. Now I'm going to help you. It's my gift for what you've done for Mom and me." Dex was almost reeling from the impact of her words. They were such a replay of his own musings on the dance floor. "But I thought you and I..." "Part of me wants that more than I can tell you. But we both know we're not the perfect ones for each other. I've known you less than two weeks. You and Elise have years of shared history." "I don't understand how you can... ," he started to protest. "Yes you do. Donna, Angeline, my Mom!" Again, right out of his own thoughts. "Morgan, I told you, I'm not in love with Elise." "I think that's just this weird mental control you have, because you should be. You just haven't allowed yourself to think of her as a candidate for romantic love. I think if you're honest with yourself, you'll admit you love her for her strength, her commitment, her leadership, and what she does for the women. Once you let yourself think of her as a desirable woman, you'll see that the other feelings are there, too." "But if she's afraid of me..." "For the first time in your life, Lover, you're going to have to try courtship. You and Elise have so many things that link you together. You've got to give it a chance to work." The conflicting emotions racing through him almost paralyzed Dex for a while. Was Morgan right about his feelings for Elise? Was Morgan ever wrong about anything? If it was true, how could he have missed it himself? Morgan was correct that his image of Elise was unique. She was among the very few people for whom he felt total admiration. Looking back, the sound of her voice when she called Tuesday night had jolted him with the first signs of vulnerability he had ever noticed in her. His image of her had changed at that moment. The sight of her dressed up at the party had made him wonder if he had the wrong image altogether. One image Dex knew he had right was Morgan. He had seen metamorphoses in his life, but none to rival hers. She was right, he was not in love with her in the life-commitment sense, at least not yet. Given some more time, he suspected he could feel that way. He both pitied and envied the man she eventually chose, and there was no doubt she would do the choosing. Deciding he had enough of introspection and self-analysis, Dex focused his attention on Morgan, wondering if this would be their last time together. He did not want it to be, but it was up to her. If it was to be the last, he wanted it it to be memorable. It seemed much more than a week and a day ago that Morgan had first laid atop him like she was now. So much had happened since then. She had changed so much, and Dex had to admit that he had changed, too. What had not changed was the silky feel of her back and her ass as he began caressing her. Nor had the enticing, instinctive small movements of her body that seemed to stroke every inch of his skin with every inch of hers. He was hard in nothing flat, and she, ever eager, sat him to position him for entry. "Morgan. Condom." "Damn! You know, I never could understand how some teenaged girls just didn't seem to care if they got pregnant - almost seemed to want it. Well, right now I understand it. If I didn't have so many things I wanted to do, I'd say to Hell with the condom and take my chances. I have a feeling you wouldn't let me, though." As Morgan reached over to the night stand and brought back the packet, she said softly "You're thinking it too, aren't you - that this is the last time. Don't be sad, I'm not. Right now I'm the world's luckiest ex-dyke. I've got incredible memories, my Mom back, a cause I believe in, and a chance to help a perfect couple find each other." ------- Chapter 32 When Dex woke up early Sunday morning after his big party, Morgan was nowhere in sight. Ignoring the sudden pangs of loneliness, he did his bathroom chores, pulled on his workout shorts, grabbed his shoes and a towel, and headed for the gym. He had finished loosening up and was starting some lat pulldowns when he saw Morgan come round the corner towing a very reluctant Elise. Morgan had found some shorts that sort of fit Elise, and given her one of the thousand or so T-shirts that seemed to infest the house. Poor Elise's face and her bare arms and legs could only have been brighter red from second-degree sunburn. "This silly girl has been neglecting this gorgeous body of hers, and penance starts today. What's the best way to start for someone with zero muscle tone." It seemed like Morgan was going out of her way to embarrass Elise. "Please, Morgan, can't I at least fix my face and my hair a little bit," Elise pled. Morgan was staring pointedly at Dex, and he figured out that she was trying to cue him. "Elise," Dex said when he realized his expected role, "you don't have to worry about how you're dressed around here. Before too long, Kirstin will come wandering in, and I'd be surprised if she had anything on." Elise's eyes widened at that revelation. "You certainly aren't under-dressed compared to us," Dex went on. "You are going to be staying here for a while..." Elise tried to object at that as Morgan beamed at him. "Uh, uh! That's not negotiable. You know in your heart that if you don't get some serious R&R, you're headed for shock treatments and all that other good stuff. Right?" Elise nodded her head. "Around here, Elise, you don't need your uniform." "My uniform? What... Ohhhh!" Elise covered her face with her hands and shook her head sorrowfully. "Was I that obvious?" "Don't worry about it. Come on, I'll show you the machines." "I know all of them. I used to work out religiously before... uh, when I was younger. I... I really looked good, then." Dex did not miss this opening. He took a chance and reached out to take both of her hands in his. "Elise, you are beautiful now. I guess I just never let myself think about it before. But seeing you last night and now like this... Wow!" Morgan had gone over to a machine and started working out, probably sensing the other two might need to talk a little. Elise was blushing again from Dex's compliment, but she took his hand and led him to a sofa not far from the gym. Dex could not believe he actually felt slightly self-conscious around her in only his workout shorts. Elise seemed to have regained most of her usual composure. "Dex, I'm sure Morgan has told you how I feel about you. Can I ask you something?" When Dex nodded, she went on. "Why have you never asked me out, or even tried to find out more about me?" After a moment's thought, Dex answered her. "The most important thing to me was winning your confidence. I didn't want to do anything to cause you to doubt my desire to help the women." "And you thought if you made a move toward me I would not react well?" "That is the impression I had, yes. Apparently I was wrong." "You were wrong, but it disturbs me that you saw me that way. Do other people?" "I couldn't answer that." "Excuse me a moment." When she returned, she had Morgan in tow. "Morgan, I want your brutal, unedited impression of me. I won't consider it a kindness if you sugar-coat anything." The tough-minded Elise seemed to be back with them. Morgan protested that she would rather not, but Elise insisted. "Look, I've probably been driving away the only man I wanted for years. If I am that stupid, I need to know about it before I mess up other things, as well. As a fellow psyche major, lay it on me. Please!" "Okay, you asked for it! You are a perfect example of a monomaniac. Your work is literally your life. Your driving force is still hatred for the man who did this do you, translated to hatred for all abusers. You do care for the women, and they love you, but they are not what drives you." "You have no tolerance for the ineffective bungling of other groups helping the abused. You are gunshy of appearing feminine because you think that makes you more vulnerable. The result is that you come across as fierce and combative to anyone but the victims." "Lately, you have become even more stressed than usual from a combination of the frustration of not being able to fix everything, sheer mental and physical exhaustion, and a sense of what you are missing. Your feelings for Dex have deepened the sense of loss." Morgan walked over and knelt in front of Elise. "Please, I want to be your friend. Don't be angry for what I said. I love Dex, and I happen to think you two should be a couple. But the way you are today, you will not make it together. Do you understand?" "Oh, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at me because what you say is so true. I've been out here several times lately, and each time, I leave with the feeling that I can't go on like I am now." "Well, let's get to the workout before everyone in the house is up." But that was not to be because, as predicted, Kirstin came into the gym area, wearing nothing but the smile she displayed upon seeing Elise. She plopped down next to the amazed woman and wrapped here in a hug. "Are you OK, Elise? I was so worried last night! Oh, I'm sorry! I forget I don't have clothes on, sometimes. Let me go put something on." "No, Kirstin. Don't get dressed just for me. I... I... sit here and talk for a minute. You look so much better than a week ago." "Oh, I feel like a different person. I mean, my marriage is still in big trouble, but..." "I take it running around naked has something to do with how good you feel." "Oh, yes. Don't think I'm some weird exhibitionist. Please, it's not that at all. From the first night we were here, there were little flirty, sexy things happening. You know how I felt about myself when you dropped me off. That same night I did a kick line in nothing but a towel, then I sat around and talked in that same towel. It's like a different world, here." "Gary made me cover up all the time. He was ashamed of my body and didn't want to see it. The first morning, I went skinny dipping in the hot tub with Eric." Kirstin waved off Elise's surprised look. "He understood how important it was to me, and he was really sweet. I made him 'streak' back downstairs with me, and we ran into Morgan and Jessica. We just stood and talked as if everything was normal. Dex walked by and just said hello. I tell you, it made me feel so good! I'm way overweight and nobody cares! My body is accepted here, not rejected and ridiculed. I promise, I won't go around like this forever, but right now, it's like this huge boost every time I show all of me and nobody says anything bad." "Are you going to work out like that?" "Sure. The mirrors help remind me how much work I have to do. Dex doesn't seem to mind, and it gets my adrenalin up for the workout. My new life has started, and I'm not living it fat." "Did you know Gary wants you back?" "Yes, Mom told me she talked to him." "You know going back almost always leads to more abuse, don't you?" With a large sigh, Kirstin replied "Yes, I know. But I've learned a lot I think will help." She replayed the Christmas Eve morning conversation with Dex and Morgan for Elise, who listened with growing fascination. "Wow!" Was all Elise could say at first. "Morgan is really something! So, you think you can be a different person?" "I already am different. Neither Gary or I were getting what we needed. I know I can give him what he needs, now. I can change things. What do you think, Elise? Should I give it a try?" "Kirstin, Honey, I'm afraid I'm not a good person to ask. I get so angry at men who abuse their wives! It's hard for me to imagine them changing. It's hard for me to see why you would want to go back." "After talking to all these other women, I found out a lot. Gary is nowhere near as bad as their husbands. For years, he was a good husband. Maybe not too imaginative in the sex department, but I can fix that." "Wait! You mean you had sex here?" "No, I didn't. I still think I can make it with Gary, and I don't want that kind of guilt in the way." "You think Gary has never strayed?" "Somehow, I don't think he has. Anyway, something changed him, and I'm hoping he can change back. He's always been good with the kids, and he never beat me like those other guys. I'm not just going to move back in. There's got to be some kind of test or something. I'll bet Morgan comes up with just the right thing." "Kirstin, do you think Morgan and Dex are in love?" "Well, they love each other, but I don't think it's the marrying kind of love. Why? Ohhhh?" Elise's composure had left her again as she turned scarlet. "Geez! You and Dex would be perfect!" "Wh... why do you say that?" "You both drop everything to help a woman in trouble, for one thing. You both seem to have everything organized and planned, but when things fall apart, you always figure something out. You're really in love with him, aren't you, Elise?" "Well, he's not in love with me, Kirstin, and it takes two to make a couple." "How do you know he's not?" "Because I've been skillfully making sure he didn't think of me as a woman for the last five years, that's why," Elise answered with undisguised bitterness. After she said this, Elise was struck by the role reversal that was going on. A week ago, she was rescuing a completely shattered Kirstin, and just a couple of minutes ago, Kirstin was confiding in her. Now, this same Kirstin, naked but completely at ease, was ministering to her! Still uncomfortable with Kirstin's nudity, but overwhelmed by the blonde's concern, Elise wrapped her in a warm hug. For Elise, sitting down at the first exercise machine was interesting, to say the least. The first sensation was deja vu. Something no one in this town knew was that Elise was a two-sport athlete in high school. She had played softball in the spring and field hockey in the fall. Both sports had required a good deal of strength training. Working out was part of Elise's whole 'before' life which she had tried to purge from her consciousness. Not that her childhood and teen years were bad - quite the contrary, in fact. In her mind, the early years were times of great promise and potential. Promise that was pounded into the ground by that monster's fists and feet. She could not think of the early years with the anguish of the unfulfilled promise, so she didn't think about them. Elise's parents were as much victims of her abuse as she was, in a real sense. They had lovingly nursed her through her recovery and had done everything they could to help her heal. Now, though, they were a huge part of the 'before' life that brought pain when she thought of it. As a result, she seldom saw them and talked to them by phone only on special occasions. The next thing that made her first attempt at working out in eleven years interesting was her own weakness. Confidently, she had set the weight at a number a little over half of what she remembered from her high school days. That she was barely able to move it was a disheartening shock. At that moment, Dex knelt beside her. "It's a shame that you have let that lovely body deteriorate the way you have, but you can't fix it in one day. If you're too aggressive at the start, you'll just get sore and won't make any progress." Having said that, Dex set the weights at a level that was embarrassingly low. Dex's attention brought up another interesting sensation - the scantiness of her attire. She wondered if maybe Morgan had not purposely given her a shirt that was quite thin and fit rather snugly. The minimal bra she had worn to the party was worse than useless for working out, so her tits were free. The shorts, on the other hand, had wide leg holes, and she suspected the panties she had worn would be visible in some workout positions. Elise looked over at Kirstin, who was on her back doing pullovers, seemingly unaware that her genitals were completely open for public inspection. Morgan wore only a T-shirt and panties which she could now see clearly. Dex's shorts hid little. How could they be so free and unconcerned about their bodies, while she fretted like a teeny-bopper? A resulting sensation Elise felt was the old familiar anger. HE had robbed her of the ability to relax and enjoy the comfort of people who cared for her. HE had turned her into the gaunt shadow of her former self that she shied from in the mirror every day. The anger caused her to push too hard against the weight, producing a slight strain she knew would be sore for a few days. Perhaps the strongest sensation Elise felt was her even stronger attraction to Dex. Previously, she had come to love him because of his character and his personality. This was the first time she had seen his body on display and in action. Her love for Dex from a distance was safe, ethereal, even pure. That was part of the reason for her reaction to his invitation to dance at the party. Suddenly, her fantasy love was exposed to reality in a way she couldn't handle in her run down state. Now, here was her fantasy lover literally in the flesh. The things happening to her nipples and her groin were things she had tried to deny in her years of hurt and anger. There was no denying them now, as Dex pounded the dummies with his feet and hands. ------- After a breakfast where Elise was the center of attention, she sat next to Dex in the family room. "I feel like such a slob wearing nothing but borrowed shorts and a T-shirt." "Would you believe me if I told you that you look more appealing right now than any time I have seen you, except maybe last night?" Dex asked her. Elise stared at him with wide eyes, and said "I think you mean that, Dex. I did a great job hiding my sex appeal all those years, didn't I?" "No, you couldn't hide it - nobody's that good. You just made it perfectly clear that everyone was supposed to ignore it." "I didn't want YOU to ignore it. I thought you weren't interested," Elise said. "I didn't know that. I didn't let me self think about you sexually." "And you can do that? Yeah, I suppose you can, from all your training. Well, I still feel self-conscious." "Describe to me what all the others were wearing at breakfast," Dex told her, trying to make a point. Elise got the idea, and was quiet for a moment. Then, with a mischievous smile, she tried for some points of her own. "I hear you guys did the ultimate in casual breakfast attire for a couple of days there." Delighted at this flash of humor from the troubled woman, Dex though a moment before replying. "Yeah, that was one of Morgan's wilder ideas." "It must have worked. I have never seen women's attitudes change as fast as the ones you have here." "I hope being here will help change your attitude, too, Elise." She didn't respond to this, so he continued. "Back to the fetching outfit you're so worried about. What did you wear to breakfast when you were living at home with your family?" "Uh, yeah, I see what you mean," Elise said in a subdued voice. Dex filed her reaction away for later investigation. "Dex, I need to get back to work. Will you take me home, please?" Elise asked. "No! I'll take you home, but only to pack your things to stay here." "I'm OK, now, really." Dex put his arm around Elise and pulled her close to himself, and she started hyperventilating almost immediately. He released the hug after only a few seconds and she slumped back into the chair. "I... I thought I was," she said, almost inaudibly. "Will you trust me to take you home to get your things?" Dex asked, and Elise just nodded. They found some boots and a jacket for her, and Dex warmed the Jeep before they departed. On the way, Dex apologized for causing her distress. "I had to show you how much you need help. I promise, I won't do that again." "I feel like such an idiot, Dex. I really want so much more, but I just can't. What's wrong with me?" "You've been trying to give more of yourself than you have to give." Changing the subject, Elise asked "Where in the world am I going to stay, Dex. Your house is packed." "Not sure, yet, but don't worry. There's always room for one more." "I'm, uh, not ready to, uh..." "I don't expect you to, Elise." "You've got Morgan there, anyway." "No, not any more." This revelation by Dex was met with silence. ------- If Dex had predicted the appearance of Elise's apartment, he would have been dead on. It was spotless, but almost empty. As they entered, she looked at him and gave a shrug. By the time she had packed what she wanted, it was coming up on noon, and they stopped at a restaurant for a light lunch. Dex had told Elise quite a bit of his story, but not all of it. On the other hand, he knew next to nothing about her, and he had never thought it wise to probe. He had never spent this much continuous time with her, either, and he thought this might be a good time to learn a little more. After they had ordered, he said "Tell me about Elise Padilla. By the way, your coloring does not match your last name, so I want to hear about that, too." "Oh, my father's family goes back to Spain. There are a lot of light-complected Spaniards, even quite a few blue eyes. As for the rest, well, it's not the stuff movies are made of." Elise's proud parents had re-mortgaged the house to send her to a highly-regarded college out East. While there, she met, and at age 19, married a man from an immensely wealthy family. In an accelerated version of Megan's experience, the wedded bliss hardly made it to the honeymoon suite. Eighteen months later, her marriage ended with a month in the hospital and three plastic surgeries. With the benefit of a healthy civil settlement from her wealthy in-laws, she acquired a psychology Masters degree, and took a job with Social Services in their county. She quickly became disgusted with their wrong-minded approach, particularly to abuse cases, and went looking for financial support. Fortunately, her remorseful former in-laws gave her some seed money and the benefit of their connections, and her personal drive did the rest. In just five years, she had become THE contact for battered women in the metro area, and well-known nationally as an advocate for the abused. "I'm afraid there isn't much else to tell. I guess you know what my life has been like since," Elise finished up. Not wanting to dwell on anything negative, Dex complimented her. "If I ever need plastic surgery, tell me who your surgeon was. The results are perfect." "Uh, thank you," she stammered. "Only one was on my face. The other two left visible scars." On the point of asking where the other scars were, Dex thought better of it. There was much more he wanted to find out about Elise, but just then, their food arrived and he let the conversation move to lighter subjects. ------- In the few hours Dex and Elise were gone, Morgan had put the network to work. Sonja was bound for Jenny's, Kirstin and the kids were going to the O'Connors', and Carol and Jessica would be staying with Carol's parents. For at least a few days, Carl would provide a bodyguard for Carol and Jessica. Teri had left from the party the night before. Elise would have Carol's room, and Morgan would stay with Kendra. It was likely that Sandra and Eric would be back in their own house before he had to start school. There were a number of tearful goodbyes, and by supper time, Dex's guest list was a little smaller. He was amazed how close he felt to each of them after such a short time. The emotions in his house had been at an incredibly high level for a week. Each of the women had come to him with an all-time load of negative emotions. Those who were leaving were not necessarily happy, but at least they took with them some optimism and the knowledge that someone cared. Of that, Dex felt proud and happy. ------- It was going to be after supper before the O'Connors could pick up Kirstin and her kids, so Morgan gathered Kirstin, Elise, Dex, and herself in the master bedroom to talk about Kirstin's marriage. The first question was whether she really wanted to get back together with Gary. She did not hesitate, but gave an emphatic 'Yes.' Elise pointed out once again how very few marriages were healed after the wife was forced to flee. She recounted incidents from her own work where going back had resulted in very serious injuries, going into detail on her own saga. Elise's husband, whom she referred to as Max, was into dominance and submission, something he carefully kept secret until after the wedding. Upon hearing this, Dex had to call on every reserve of control to listen without reaction. It couldn't be the same Max that had tormented Connie, could it? He would ask Elise in private, later, but paying attention now would take all of his willpower. Max was handsome and charming, and swept Elise off her feet. She was not totally naive, but Max was very, very good. On top of that, Max's parents were very fond of Elise, especially his mother. There was no hint of Max's dominance kink during their courtship, and Elise had always wondered why he courted her when she showed not the slightest sign of submissive tendencies. The initial cohabitation portion of the marriage lasted only three months before Elise fled back home. She absolutely refused even the more playful and erotic forms of D/S, and she could see Max's frustration building to a frightening level. During this first period, he hit her several times, especially in the two weeks before she fled. Elise was with her parents, her college prize abandoned, for three more months before an apparently chastened Max came out to win her back. It was a credit to her desirability that Max kept his promises of normality for most of eight months, giving Elise a taste of life among the rich and famous, and allowing her to finish a semester of school. Ever perceptive, Elise began noticing clues that there was still the other side of Max. She was able to follow him one night, and found him at a very private club to which she was not admitted. She sat and watched the club for three nights before she was able to intercept a woman leaving alone and question her. When she found out it was a D/S club, she drove straight to the airport, leaving absolutely everything but her purse behind. Max had hit her toward the end of her second stay with him, but she had not even had as much as handcuffs put on her. Her revulsion at any kind of restraint or purposeful pain was total. She simply could not abide it, whether against herself or someone else, and she was strong enough to refuse him and make it stick. This time, it was Max's mother who flew out after a few months. She convinced Elise and her parents to come stay with them for a few days and discuss the divorce which she now admitted was inevitable. Elise did not want to go anywhere near Max, but the woman had always been exceptionally warm and gracious to her, and as long as her parents were there, she relented. Showing the class and breeding that Max had somehow failed to inherit, his parents hosted Elise and her parents royally while they sadly worked out the settlement details. At the time, Elise got the distinct impression that they had been through this before. The agreement was all worked out and a preliminary decree had been granted, all without Elise seeing Max face to face. Before they left for home, Elise wanted to say goodbye to a couple of good friends she had met at school. It was a nearly fatal mistake. Max must have been watching her comings and goings, because she had just left her car at the remote visitors' lot at the school to catch a shuttle to the dorm where her friends lived. She was the only one at the shuttle stop when Max accosted her. At first, he pled with her not to divorce him, but he quickly sensed this was futile. Without warning, he hit her with a roundhouse that knocked her out. She mercifully knew nothing of the ensuing beating except the pain afterward. There was no doubt in Elise's mind later that he had fully intended to kill her. He was only prevented from succeeding by the arrival of another car containing some visiting parents. It was four days before Elise could even respond to police investigators. At the point of identifying her attacker, she held back in deference to Max's parents, whom she genuinely liked and admired. She was not looking to blackmail them, and they seemed to understand that, because they offered a very generous annuity settlement when they were first allowed to talk to her. She accepted only on condition that he get extensive and intensive counseling. "So you see, Kirstin, my journey was not the same as yours, or Megan's, or the other women. I did not experience the constant beatings, although the intimidation was there." "You were strong enough to do the right thing and get out," Kirstin said rather sadly. "Yes, I was, and it still almost killed me," Elise lamented. "I believe I understand what happened to you, though, because the unspoken demand was always there. I could never truly relax and enjoy companionship and intimacy because I feared what it could turn into. His perversion ruined my marriage even though I never let him humiliate me." "Elise, aren't most of these men controlling and dominant right from the beginning?" Kirstin asked. "Almost without exception," Elise responded. "Well, that's what gives me hope that I have a chance. Gary and I had some really good years. I know now that our sex life was pretty blah, but he was good to me, and never showed any signs of what he did the last few years. I love the Gary I married! If there's a chance I can get him back, I'll forget the bad stuff." Morgan spoke up now. "Please, Kirstin, don't just move back in with him. It won't change anything." "Oh, I know that, and I've been thinking about it a lot. I want a plan that will make him realize just how awful it was. And I want some just plain punishment, too. Is that mean of me?" Kirstin asked. "It's not mean, it's essential," responded Morgan, who seemed to have taken over the lead after Elise finished her saga. "Do you have any ideas?" "I've been thinking back to those breakfasts where the guys were naked. It would be great punishment to make Gary do that for a while." Kirstin couldn't help giggling at the thought. Morgan surprised Kirstin with her strong answer. "No, Kirstin, that would not be a good idea. We did that for a very specific reason. We were trying to take away the women's fear of men's penises. We showed them they were not weapons of pain or abuse because they belonged to gentle, caring men whom the women liked and respected. I honestly think it worked." "If we made Gary do that, the women would know he was an abuser, and seeing his penis would not be reassuring at all. Another reason is that we want these women to forget their nightmares. Punishing another woman's tormentor would not serve that purpose." "Gee, I hadn't thought of any of that. Sorry! Guess I just want to get even," Kirstin said apologetically. Elise spoke up again at this point. "Kirstin, one of the things abusers seem to fear is the disclosure of their actions. Maybe a good approach would be to make him explain himself to a number of people. It should be very humiliating for him." "Great idea!" Morgan jumped in. "Not only that, but he should have to convince them that things will be different. Unless you get recommendations from all these people, Kirstin, you should not go back to him. In other words, he has to convince them to convince you." "Oh, wow! Now we're getting somewhere. Who would these people be?" "I want to do it, for sure," Morgan told Kirstin. "I think Elise should, and Dex, too. As a victim, I think it would be good for my Mom to be involved." Elise chimed in here. "I have a feeling Sandra and Carol and the kids would be willing to talk to him, also. He needs to sit through the stories of these other victims. He needs to realize the miserable group he had fallen into." "Great! And my Mom and Dad, and my sister Karina. They'll be a tough sell, even though they liked him all those years." Morgan spoke up again. "You'll be staying with the O'Connors. Let them talk to him, too." "You know," Kirstin mused, "this is a great idea, but somehow it still seems too easy. He is a salesman, after all, and convincing is his business. I'll still have some doubt whether he is sincere." No one said anything for a little while, as Kirstin sat with a thoughtful look on her face. Suddenly, she jumped to her feet. "I've got it! He has to do the interviews naked!" Dex and Morgan laughed openly while Elise looked shocked. Morgan finally spoke. "Kirstin, I think that's a little over the top." "Why?" "First of all, why would he do it?" "Because he wants me back." "Does he want you that badly?" "If he doesn't, I don't want to be back." "And you're willing to risk that?" "I won't risk going back to the way it was." Kirstin's tone was adamant. "Besides, he won't lie with his dick hanging out, will he?" "But it will be so humiliating for him," Elise objected. "Humilitating!!" Kirstin shouted. "You, of all people should know about humiliating.!" And she launched into a tirade of all the ways Gary had humiliated her, rambling on for over a minute. When she wound down and glanced at Elise, she looked stricken and knelt down in front of her. "Oh, Elise, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you. Please, forgive me." "No, it's OK, Kirstin. I understand how strongly you feel. And you're right about the humiliation part. He deserves it. It's just that all this nudity is so foreign to me." "And it's foreign to Gary, too. That'll make it even better! You know, I like this idea more all the time. Will you guys help me do it?" Trying to hide their skepticism, the others agreed to help her, and they got down to planning the details. By the time they were done, Kirstin had hand-written a carefully worded letter to Gary. It explained that she wanted to get back together with him, but things could not be the way they were. Kirstin laid out the requirements for getting back together, making it clear that he would have to talk to four groups of people, and convince them to recommend their reuniting to her. She warned him that failure with any group would mean divorce. At the very end she dropped the bombshell, stating that if he did not answer the door naked and remain so, the group would leave, and the divorce would proceed. There were more details about when he had to make his decision, etc. The others were still amazed after all the planning, but Kirstin's determination was infectious. When she laid down her pen, there were tears in her eyes, and Dex pulled her into his lap where he cuddled her while the conversation continued. After a few more minutes, Kirstin was squirming constantly on Dex's lap, and he asked her what was wrong. To everyone's shock, especially Elise's, Kirstin jumped up and pushed off the sweatpants she was wearing. She sat back on Dex's lap, grabbed his hand, and shoved it into her uncovered crotch. "God, Dex! I feel like I'm going to bust! Please, don't make me do this myself. It will only take a minute. Please!" Dex should no longer have been surprised by anything Kirstin did, but he was definitely knocked off guard by this request. He looked toward Elise almost in a panic, then saw Morgan nodding at him. He understood. It was the rejection problem again. Trying not to let Kirstin feel his reluctance, her began working his fingers into her slit, which he found to be already quite moist. Kirstin had told the truth - she was very worked up and it did not take long to make her come. Surprising himself at how much he was blushing, Dex wasted no time on preliminaries. Wrapping his free arm around her middle to hold her in place, he went right for her clit, catching just enough moisture to make sure there was no abrasion. Kirstin teased her own nipple, and in only two or three minutes, she came hard, straightening her legs and arching her back so she bridged from the floor to Dex's shoulders as she convulsed. Recovering from her climax, Kirstin seemed to realize what she had just done, and teared up again. "Oh, Elise, you must think I'm just awful!" Showing more tenderness than she had before in her rather self-absorbed day, Elise stood, took Kirstin's tear-lined faced in both hands, and kissed her lightly. "Kirstin, Honey, what has happened to you is what is awful. I can only imagine what you are going through, now. It's OK!" Feeling better after Elise's reassurance, Kirstin turned and kissed Dex soundly, then hugged and kissed Morgan before heading toward the door. "Kirstin!" Morgan called out just as the blonde reached the door. "Here!" and she tossed her the sweatpants that had been left on the floor. Kirstin did not even blush, just giggled. She pulled the pants on, turned her back to the three, and gave a few saucy shakes of her generous ass as she disappeared. "Elise, I hope... ," Dex started to say in apology. "Dex, I should be disgusted and scandalized at what you just did. But I remember Kirstin from just a week ago, and it's like night and day. I know you only did it because you didn't want her to feel rejected, right?" Elise's had a hint of a plea in it's tone. "And because he could see my expression clearly," Morgan added. "Morgan, I... I never would have guessed that sexual things would have such a big effect on these women." "Well, it shouldn't surprise us psyche majors. A lot of literature emphasizes how much more sex plays a role in women's lives than in men's." "I'm afraid my psyche department was so heavily feminist they skipped that part. I have read it, though," Elise told her. At this point Dex told them he had something to look after, and walked out of the room. The two women sat quietly for a moment. "Did you wish it was you in his lap?" Morgan asked Elise. Gasping, Elise tried to respond. "Oh, I... I... I've never done sexy little things like that, and certainly not with anyone else around." "Well, Dex is the guy who can show you lots of sexy things if you let him." "Morgan, how can you talk about Dex with me like that. I would think your heart would be breaking." "It does hurt not being with him, but I love him and I just know you are right for him in a way I never could be." "I... I guess I don't understand love like that." "Yes you do. I saw how you reacted when you heard that Mom and I were sleeping with Dex. That must have hurt like a stab in the heart, but you hardly reacted." The two women left hand in hand to see where Dex had gone. ------- Sunday evening, Carl called to review the arrangements for the next day. They decided to have Russell call his contact as soon as Megan entered the office, feeling that would be the best way to deflect any possible suspicion of him. Patrick had his borrowed weapon, but was concerned because it was not the one he was used to, and it had been a long time since he had needed to qualify. Susan had promised to set him up some practice time Monday evening. ------- Sandra, Kendra, and Megan all spent a lot of time Sunday talking to Elise. Megan's escape had not come through Elise, but she felt the same gratitude as the other women. It was once again interesting to watch the victims turn into caregivers. Dex was coming to understand how powerful that phenomenon was in speeding the victims' healing. When Tracey O'Connor came to pick up Kirstin and the children, Morgan pulled her aside. "Tracey, there are some things you need to know about Kirstin. She's, uh, turned into a bit of an exhibitionist. There is a chance she night walk right out in front of Stan butt naked." "You're kidding!" "Nope. If she does that, it's very important how you, and especially Stan, react." "Well, I think I'd be pretty upset." "I can understand that. For the sake of Kirstin's healing, can you talk to Stan and try to do something?" "You mean, flashing might actually help her?" "Yes, we've seen it make a difference here. What I want to ask you to do is this. Try to act appreciative of her body. Don't act horrified or even offended if you can avoid it. Later, you, personally, could talk to her privately and ask her not to do it again. You might say something like 'Stan likes it way too much.'" "Wow! I think I'd really like to know what's been going on around here," Tracey exclaimed. "Maybe I should just join Kirstin and give my stud a real thrill!" Morgan worried no more about Kirstin's impact on the O'Connor household. Tracey had agreed to drive by Kirstin's house to drop off her letter. When they got in the car together, Kirstin reached across and gave Tracey a hug. "Tracey, i can't believe you're taking us in like this. I mean, we've only been together a couple of times. You're a saint." "That I ain't!" laughed Tracey. "I'm looking forward to having you there. I thought we really clicked from the first night." "Yeah, I was so out of it that night, and you guys just picked me up so much. It was a life-saver! And now this!" "Kirstin, I just thought we had a lot in common, with the kids, and our, uh..." "You can say it, Tracey, our weight. You're not as bad as I am, though. There's one other thing about our weight that's different, too." "What's that?" "Stan doesn't care about yours. He treats you like a queen all the time." "Yeah, he does. I can't believe how lucky I am sometimes. Say, what's in this letter, anyway?" Kirstin explained the whole plan in detail. "You're kidding! And you want us to talk to him like that? Wow!" After a moment she started giggling. "What's so funny?" "Oh, I guess it's fair that I get to see all of your husband. Morgan told me you may be flashing my hubby." "Ohhh, Tracey! I'm sorry! I guess my reputation is getting around. I promise I'll keep my clothes on at your house." "No! No! If it's important to you, dress like you want. I've just got one concern. Once Stan sees those awesome boobs of yours, he'll never be satisfied with mine again." "Never happen, Tracey. He only sees you." The two rode for a while in silence. They drove past Kirstin's house to see if Gary was home, which he was. Tracey parked two houses down and offered to drop the letter off. She put it between the front doors, then unexpectedly rang the doorbell and dashed back to the car. They were pulling away laughing when Kirstin looked back and saw the door opened. When the laughter died down, there was another long silence, before "Tracey, thanks so much for doing that, even that extra excitement with the doorbell. Um, you seem kinda thoughtful." "I've just been thinking. You're right. Stan loves me so much, and he doesn't seem to mind about the weight. Well, it sounds like Gary didn't mind once, either. Not that it was your fault, or anything, but I'm not giving Stan all the reasons I could to stay faithful. I could lose twenty pounds without killing myself, but I haven't honestly tried for several years." "Have you got any workout equipment at your house, Tracey?" "Sure. Stan's got stuff down there he uses all the time." "Well, I started working out and watching my eating at Dex's. I'm going to make Gary very, very glad I came back. It sure would be easier to get in shape with a buddy." "You got it, buddy!" ------- When things were settling down after Kirstin's departure, Morgan took Elise aside and briefed her on what had happened with the shelters during the day. There had actually been no new arrivals, and only one departure, so activity was light. Elise's volunteers had really taken up the load. It wasn't enough to make her truly comfortable, but it at least prevented greater anxiety. "Elise, you've got to get an assistant." "But there's not enough money!" "There's never enough money. There's not enough Elise, either. We've already proved that." "Um, do you have someone in mind?" "I've been talking to Kendra, and her former maid sounds like a great candidate. Let's talk to Dex tomorrow about the money. Maybe the foundation can come up with a little more. ------- Later that night, Elise had slipped on a nightie and had just returned from brushing her teeth when Dex knocked on the door of her new room. When she heard it was him, she had a moment of panic over her attire, but ended up laughing at herself for her stupidity. "Elise, I wanted to make sure you were comfortable in your new room, and tell you how happy I am that you are here." She looked uncomfortable in her scanty garment, but was struggling not to show it. "I also have something important to ask you. It may be a shock to you, so please sit down." Dex took Elise's hand and sat her down on the bed, sitting beside her. He paused for a long time, trying to figure out what to say. "Maxwell Wetherby the Third?" Dex blurted out without preamble, saying the name of Connie's long ago Master and abuser when she was at school. After giving Dex a stricken look, Elise gasped out "Oh, God, Dex! How did you know? I kept it secret - I agreed!" Silently lifting the covers and motioning Elise to get into bed, Dex sat beside her and told her the story of Connie. At the end, she took his hand as a sign of comfort, cursing herself because she dared to do no more. ------- Emotionally exhausted after telling Elise more of his story, Dex fell wearily into bed. It seemed like a lot more than ten days since he had last slept alone. He had to admit he wished for someone in his bed again - it was easy to get used to. Unexpectedly, he found himself thinking about Elise in bed beside him. He knew she would not present the luxuriant sleekness of Morgan. That wasn't really what he thought about, though. He could not really imagine her naked in bed with him, given her current state of mind. What he thought about was just her close beside him. Now that he felt free to think of her as a woman, the desire to hold her, comfort her, protect her was very strong. He had felt this before, with his mother, and with Connie. With every woman Dex had slept with, there was always the satisfying sense of sheltering, and they had all expressed the feeling of safety with him. But Donna, Angeline, and Judy were all strong, self-reliant personalities who reveled in his shelter, but were not desperate for it. Elise was certainly strong and self-reliant, too, but she had the huge specter of her abuse and near death that fueled Dex's protective instinct. It was with a start that he realized that those were the same feelings he had for Connie. He did not have them for Morgan. He did for Megan, but he had never allowed them to develop. The improbable connection through Maxwell Wetherby still had his mind in a whirl. Dex had never met him, but he felt like he knew him intimately through the two women. Somehow, that connection seemed to pull him strongly toward Elise. Was he falling in love with his lovely, troubled friend? Had he been in love with her for a while and just suppressed it? The string of questions faded out as he drifted off to sleep. ------- Chapter 33 Monday morning brought a special kind of excitement because of Sandra, and especially Megan, going back to work. There was general agreement that the extra precautions for Sandra were probably unnecessary, and they certainly would be dropped as soon as a restraining order was obtained. In fact, it was likely they would be back in their own house before the week was out. Megan was another matter entirely. She seemed to be the only one who was not convinced that strong measures were necessary. Dex and Patrick had no doubt at all. Elise joined Dex and Morgan in the gym on her own. Both of the others noticed that her face and hair had obviously had some attention. Dex would have bet long odds that this early hour would not be permanent with her, given her obvious difficulty waking up. Fully awake or not, she lit into her workout with determination, and, largely because of Kirstin's absence, everything was very business-like and focused. Elise once again could not help being focused on Dex as she observed parts of his routine she had not seen the previous morning. "It's enough to make your pussy drip, isn't it?" Morgan whispered in Elise's ear when she caught her obviously staring at Dex during form drills. After her eyes widened and her face reddened dangerously, Elise managed a little smirk, surprising and delighting Morgan. Because of the obvious tension that almost crackled from Elise, Morgan had not been sure whether or not Elise might harbor a streak of prudery. It concerned her because she definitely felt she was the one bringing Elise and Dex together. Although she had no doubt that Dex could free Elise of any such hangups eventually, she did not want the budding relationship slowed down. She also genuinely cared for Elise, and did not want her encumbered by any such nonsense. The little smirk gave Morgan the first, welcome glimpse of the worn-out woman's lusty side. Two weeks ago, nine adults for breakfast would have seemed like a mob to Dex. Today, there was a definite feeling of emptiness because of the new friends that had already left. Sandra seemed quite nervous, while Megan seemed almost giddy. Probably, Dex thought as he observed, the fact that she was going to see Tim was the cause of Megan's excitement. After everyone helped clean up, Sandra finished getting ready, and came up to get in the car, the driver of which had come in for a cup of coffee. In medium heels and a skirted suit, and with her party hairdo nicely refreshed, Sandra looked very trim and professional. "Just a minute, Sandra," Morgan called out as Sandra headed for the door. Morgan grabbed Eric and pulled him with her to stand in line ahead of Sandra. "Remember your little drill. You know, the one I told you to think about when you were at work. Come on! Say it." It was hard to tell which was Sandra's biggest problem, confusion or embarrassment. It seemed she really didn't remember, and now, everyone was watching her. Morgan was enjoying this way too much, but she honestly felt it was important to Sandra, as she moved next to the woman. "First step, head up! Say it!" As if in a trance, Sandra straightened her posture noticeably and squeaked out "Head up." "Next step, tits out! Say it!" This almost brought Sandra to her knees. "Morgan, I can't..." Sandra looked around in a panic, particularly at Harv, the driver. Morgan then did a hilarious parody of a drill sergeant, dressing down the quivering Sandra. "Soldier, it's a war out there, and I WILL NOT let you go out unprepared! Now, you will stay here and repeat this drill until you get it right, understood?? Now, do it and say it: Head up! Tits out! Ass Swinging! What's wrong with you soldier! Do you want to be the first casualty out there?" Her usual instincts were once again proven correct, and Morgan soon had everyone laughing and chanting in unison "Head up! Tits out! Ass Swinging!" Sandra just stood in confusion and terror until Eric came up, put an arm around his mother's shoulder, and spoke in her ear for several seconds. He led her back from the door a few steps, turned her around, and patted her lightly on the butt. To everyone's astonishment, insecure, uptight-appearing little Sandra strutted to the chanted cadence of her friends, joining the chant and, doing a reasonable job of executing the actions. After a few steps, she was right in front of Harv, and seemed to realize what she had just done. She barely had time to drop her head into her hands when she was mobbed and congratulated by literally everyone. When things settled down, Harv held up his arm for Sandra and led her to the car. He was not a stranger because he was a driver at the party. In fact, he had driven Sandra, Eric, and her parents to the hotel that night. He had also danced twice with Sandra at the party. After helping her into the car and driving away, Harv could see that Sandra was too embarrassed to even look at him, so he took the initiative. "Mrs. Kasten, I hope I'm not being too bold, but I would love to take you to lunch today. I have a suit, and I clean up OK. Would you do me the honor?" At first, Sandra could only stare at Harv with wide eyes. As she was about to refuse politely, she had the thought that if Morgan found out Sandra had refused, she would kill her. Eric, too! Mustering a flirtatiousness she didn't know she had, she smiled at Harv and said "After that ridiculous little show back there, you still want to be seen with me?" "Mrs. Kasten, that was..." "Once more with the Mrs. Kasten, and I'll get out and call a cab. It's Sandie!" 'Where the hell did that come from, ' she asked herself. Sandie? No one called her that. It was so... informal. Well, so was her little strut back at the house. What's the difference? Harv's a stranger, so what if he writes her off as a complete ditz. "OK, Sandie, then. That ridiculous little show, as you call it, I thought was sexy as Hell - uh, pardon my French. I could tell it took a lot of guts to do it, but you have some awesome friends, there." Sexy? Her? You mean it wasn't just Eric saying that? Sandra - Sandie - was more than a little confused, now. In an attempt to get things back to where she could understand them, she asked Harv "How did you get stuck with chauffeur duty, anyway?" "I asked for this, specifically." This was not at all what she expected to hear, and it certainly didn't help stabilize her little world, which seemed to be topsy turvy this morning. "Oh, so you can choose your assignments?" "Not always. I had to do a little arm-twisting to get to drive you." "You... you mean someone else wanted to?" He must be shinin' her, now. There was no way that could be true. "What all do you do at that company, anyway." Harv seemed uncertain how much to reveal, but decided she was worth it. "Well, you see, Carl and I are old buddies from Forces. We went through some nasty places together. While he was starting his security business, I went and got business and accounting degrees. When he got so big the paperwork was too much for him, he looked me up. Now, I keep him and Randy honest and out of trouble with the IRS and everyone. I still get to do some of the fun stuff once in a while. I'm actually a small partner in the business, too." It was good for Sandie that they had arrived at her office, because her head was in too much of a spin for any more conversation. They agreed on a time for lunch and Sandie walked into work after missing a week, strangely unconcerned about how she would catch up. ------- Even though Megan seemed as excited as a schoolgirl, preparations for her going to work were much more sober. Patrick was nervous as he strapped on his borrowed weapon, and Jeanette was trying to hide her discomfort. No one bothered with one more attempt to dissuade Megan. They finally understood that not only was she determined, it was the right move. The vehicle switch went off smoothly, and Megan arrived at Archer to welcoming banners and general good will. Patrick was shown his temporary office, than sat down to talk with Russell at length. Russell had made his call within five minutes of Megan's arrival. It was a hard thing for him to do, but he understood the plan. Patrick had decided to try for Captain during the selection process coming up in a few months. Although much less formal than the sergeant selection, for example, it was still civil service, and there were still tests. He cold make good use of the hopefully idle time guarding Megan to study for his testing. So, he had arrived at Archer with a gun under his arm and a briefcase in his hand. ------- Dex had decided to stay home for a while after the two women left for work. He had some things to take care of at Archer later in the day, but he had neglected his portfolio for too long. He had been in his office for about an hour when his lawyer, Marty Granville, called, asking to talk to Megan. He told her Megan had gone to work and made sure Marty had the number. Marty then told him that Nichole from the DA's office had managed to move up Craig's trial date to January 16, an unheard of acceleration. More evidence of the suborning of judges, court calendars, etc. was coming to light since the flap after Craig's arrest and release. Craig was now the victim of revenge by an honest judge. Whatever the motive, Dex was delighted. This would put even more pressure on Craig. Before hanging up to call Megan at work, Marty asked to talk to Kendra, and Dex went to fetch her. When he brought her into his office and told her who was on the phone, she looked frightened. Without thinking, he sat in his desk chair and held out his arms to her. With no more thought than Dex had given it, Kendra sat in his lap, leaned against him, and took the phone. Marty told Kendra that her husband's and her family's lawyers would be in her office in a half hour. "Here's what I am demanding for you, Kendra. A cash settlement, life-long, 100% medical coverage for your daughter," - Kendra broke into tears at that and barely heard the last demand - " and a sizable contribution to the Connie Archer Foundation, designated for Elise's shelters. That contribution will be large enough to support one full-time employee." "C... can you really get all that? They'll have all those people..." "Honey, you just ask Dex. I've got more balls than any gang they can bring in here. Besides, we've got right on our side. And I moved my personally autographed photo of Judy Morris right over my chair." "You mean the TV reporter? How do you know her?" "Honey, ask Dex about that, too. I'll talk to you later. I've got to hurry and put the whoopee cushions on all my guests' chairs." She was laughing heartily when she hung up. "When can I meet Marty?" Kendra asked. "She is something else!" "You've got that right. I owe her a lot." "Sounds like I will, too. And I owe you a lot, too." Still on his lap, she wrapped him firmly around the neck and gave him a sound kiss. Feeling him stiffen slightly, she told him. "Don't worry, I know you're Elise's man." "So that's generally accepted, now, huh?" he asked. "Don't you want to be?" Kendra retorted. Dex just gave her a squeeze in return. After an easy pause, she spoke again. "Do you know, Dex? I can count on my fingers the number of minutes in my whole life I have sat in a man's lap like this. I love it!" Sometimes emotions blindside a person and there is no defense. That happened to Dex right then, and the tears came spontaneously. He didn't resist, just let them flow for a while, sure that Kendra knew. She snuggled against him for several minutes, then took his face in her hands, kissed both of his eyes, and left the room. ------- The meeting in Marty's office was much heavier on comedy than on pathos. She stood as the secretary ushered in four people, categorizing them in a few seconds. There was the over-the-hill partner, obligatory to anything involving blue-chip clients. The evidence of plastic surgery and hair implants was obvious. The seller was obvious in his carefully matched clothes and jewelry and his impeccable coiffure. The brains was the pencil thin brunette with the slightly distant look in her eyes. Last, of course, was the gopher who would end up making everything into an acceptable legal agreement. With plain intent to be noticed, Marty reached over and switched on the recording system in the room. "Ms. Granville, certainly recording isn't necessary, here," objected Partner. "Why do you say that?" "Well, often negotiations move more quickly when there is a bit more, uh, flexibility to discuss freely." "First of all, there will be no negotiations, so I am a bit puzzled by the presence of all four of you. Secondly, I am aware of your firm's approach to, uh, less-structured negotiations." "What do you mean by that remark?" Partner insisted. "I was referring specifically to Sussman v. Crowley,..." Marty named two other cases in which that partner had been citied by the Bar Association for questionable negotiating practices. Seeing his objection cut off, Partner started on another tack. "All right, you may record. Now, as to your demands, our clients obviously cannot accept such outrageous and unjustified terms." As he spoke, Marty had picked up Judy Morris's card and begun turning it in her fingers. She made sure the name paused in plain view at each rotation. Brains, at least caught the full import of Marty's actions. "Oh!" Marty said in fake relief. "Guess I can make my early lunch date after all, then. I'll send my secretary in to show you out." She bustled out and pulled her giggling secretary away from the conference door before they collapsed together in a laughing heap. They had barely regained composure, when Partner came hurrying out. "Ms. Glanville, could you spare a moment for a clarification?" Marty agreed and re-entered the room with him. "Are we to assume," Partner asked, "that your client will just drop all demands for a settlement if we do not agree with your demands?" "Yes, that's right." "So, she will just let the matter die?" "Oh, of course not. As you know, I have strong connections in the entertainment industry. With a few consultations, I have estimated the value to my client of book and movie rights for her story. Women's networks like Lifetime and Oxygen are just crying for movies like that. Of course, Hollywood writers tend to embellish a bit, but..." She ended with a theatrical shrug. "Decently-written exposes on the evil deeds of the filthy rich uniformly make the top 100 book list, and a third make the top 25. With that poor baby..." She rubbed her fingers together in the universal symbol for lots of cash. "Anyway, I based the demand for Kendra's personal compensation on the estimated net value of those book and movie rights. As for the baby's long-term care; my friends at the DA seem quite confident a criminal charge of fetal endangerment will stand against the husband. That generally portends a generous settlement in the subsequent civil suit. Again, with that poor little girl in the courtroom..." "Unfortunately, without this settlement, we will lose the contribution to the battered women's shelter that rescued Kendra. She is committed to helping them all she can from the proceeds of her story, though, so we hope it sells well." "If there's nothing else, then... Oh, I am having lunch with Judy Morris, the TV reporter, Wednesday noon. She has been talking about expanding one of her stories into her first book. I think she will see the potential of this one." Marty made a show of picking up her few papers and striding toward the door. Just outside, she ducked her head back in and said, "Oh, I'm sure you understand that money in the bank is the only valid indication of agreement." Marty was telling the truth about Judy being in town, and she wondered how Judy would react to finding her accustomed rendezvous with Dex no longer a possibility. ------- Craig's lawyer protested a busy calendar when he eventually notified Craig of the new court dates at around noon. The truth was, it took him that long and a couple of stiff shots to prepare for the verbal blast he knew he would have to absorb. Wallace had been a pretty lucrative client for several years, with all the deals he completed. Lately, though, he seriously doubted it was worth the aggravation. Craig met and exceeded the lawyer's negative expectations, raging on for a couple of minutes, using mostly words proscribed by the FCC. The lawyer was astute enough not to even think of a face to face meeting, so he spent the time with the phone held away from his head. He wondered how a man who had once seemed so urbane and in control could have deteriorated to this level. ------- About 2:30 in the afternoon, Randy called both Dex and Patrick to let them know Craig's car was headed in the general direction of Archer. Neither had any doubt of his destination, and Dex asked for reports every five minutes. Dex called Susan and told her he suspected Craig might show up at Archer, violating the restraining order. She told him they could only respond to a call from the premises stating that Craig was already there. Making sure a patrol was within a couple of minutes was the best she could do, and she would. The next five minute report had Craig still on course, only eight to ten minutes out. Patrick went to Tim and told him what was happening. He recommended that any employees outside or near the entrance be pulled back. Tim was surprised at the implied danger, but Patrick assured him they were just being extremely cautious. The next five minute report left no doubt, and Patrick stationed himself so he could see the parking lot entrance. He carried a cordless phone that was part of the Archer system, ensuring proper identification of the location of the call when he dialed 911. Everyone had rehearsed how to do things by the book so Craig could not weasel out. In their state, violation of a restraining order was technically contempt of court. The judge alone had control of the length of confinement. There was little drama in the actual event, for anyone except Craig and the arresting officers, that is. True to his recent behavior, he went ballistic when the female officer accosted him. She called for backup, which happened to be another woman. Megan had been hanging back and saw Patrick laughing with glee. Unable to resist, she joined him, and soon was laughing, as well. By some miracle, Craig refrained from a physical confrontation, and one officer expertly cuffed him and took him away while the other came in to get a statement. The questioning of Patrick and Megan was cordial, even friendly, and finished in less than fifteen minutes. Afterward, Megan was strangely energized, and seemed to dance around the office for the rest of the day. ------- Supper at Dex's house Monday night was almost giddy. Susan had called just as they were sitting down. From a friend in the sheriff's office she had heard that Craig was in jail for the night for contempt, with no recourse. On top of that, Jeanette had twisted Harv's arm with about two ounces of pressure to get him to stay for dinner. Sandra was acting like a teenager on her first date, as he held her chair and was generally attentive. Dex addressed Harv, whom he knew relatively well. "Hey, Harv, thanks for doing chauffeur duty. How was your day?" "Well, after I dropped Sandie off at..." "SANDIE!!??" about six voices yelled at once. Harv blushed deeply while Sandra became incandescent. "I thought that was your name!" Harv said, turning toward her. "Well, I..." The rest of Sandra's attempted reply was drowned by a gale of laughter from the table. When things settled down, she once again delighted the crowd with far more than her usual personal revelation. "H... Harv was calling me Mrs. Kasten, which was the last thing I wanted to hear any more. I don't know... Sandie just popped out." She looked almost on the edge of tears, and Morgan was behind her chair in a flash, hugging her around the neck and speaking softly in her ear. "Sweetie, being Sandra hasn't been much fun, lately, has it? If you want to start over as Sandie, that's just fine with us." ------- When dinner was over, the men headed for the TV where yet another bowl game was playing, except for Patrick, who headed for the Police shooting range. Sandie was still in her work clothes and went down to change. Morgan saw this, and waited about ten minutes before heading down after her. She knocked on Sandie's door and walked right in, catching her in bra and panties. A pair of jeans had been pulled to her knees, and a wool sweater lay on the bed waiting for her. "Nope! Huh, uh!" Morgan exclaimed as she walked over to prevent Sandie from pulling up the jeans. "You need to show the most Sandie you can without wearing a swimming suit. Shorts. Sleeveless top. That's what you need." "But it's winter," Sandie tried to object. "Dex keeps the house plenty warm. Besides, it wouldn't matter. You're dressing for effect, not for comfort. One of the little sacrifices us gals have to make sometimes." "Morgan! He'll think I'm brazen!" "And..." "But I hardly know him. What will he think?" "He'll think you look even better than his first impression. Look, Dex tells me Harv is a super nice guy who made a terrible choice in a wife and ended up getting raped for it. As far as anyone knows, your lunch today was his first date in four years. What does that tell you?" "That he likes me? But I don't know if..." "You can throw him back later if you don't want him. You have to make sure you hook him, first." "That sounds kinda mean," Sandie objected. "I know you, Sandie. You could never be mean to him." "Wh... what if he doesn't like how I look." "Then you'll find out now, rather than later. Besides," and Morgan led Sandy, still clad in only underwear, to the mirror, "what's the real chance of that? Do you really think all of Eric's compliments are just from teenaged hormones?" Morgan deftly removed Sandie's bra to a gasp. Her smallish but firm tits did very well without the support. Her body was lean and tight all over, but without showing any knotty muscles. Her hips were slim, but her ass was well filled out, and her legs looked like they were made to run. Morgan had to settle for a nicely fitted golf shirt, but she did win on the shorts, and absolutely forbad shoes. She almost had to push Sandie out of the room and up the stairs. ------- While Morgan was forcing Sandie into casual seduction, Eric sat next to Harv in front of the TV. "Harv, I want to thank you for what you're doing for Mom. She looks so happy today!" "I have to confess, Eric, that I'm not doing it out of the goodness of my heart." Eric looked at him in confusion and a little concern until Harv continued. "Your Mom is one fine little woman, and I asked her out for purely selfish reasons." Letting out his breath in relief, Eric said "Yeah, Mom's great. She's been through a lot of crap, and she deserves a good man." "Well, I think she's already got one. I'm just hoping there's room for another." Eric spent a little time blushing silently, then asked "How come you're not married, Harv?" "Made the mistake of buying the package without checking out the contents well enough." "Yeah, I think Mom knows what that's like." A few minutes later, Sandie came up the stairs, followed by Morgan. Sandie was almost staggering as she walked toward Harv, and Eric quickly stood to make room for her beside Harv. She looked as cute as could be, and Harv watched her, slack-jawed, all the way to her place. Morgan was able to hide her laughter behind Eric as he walked toward her. They scooted around the corner, and Eric held up his hand to her for a high-five. "I assume that was your doing," he stated without any question. "God, she looks good!" At that point, his eyes became liquid. "Are you jealous?" Morgan asked. "To be honest, a little," Eric confessed, "but mostly just thrilled for her. I never thought I would see her happy again, and now look!" Morgan didn't say anything but embraced the boy and delivered a very passionate kiss. ------- "Elise, would you like to go to a movie with me?" Dex asked as the others were leaving the table. Elise returned that biggest smile of her stay and said she would love to. When Dex asked what she would like to see, she told him he could pick anything, since she had not been in a theater in years. Dex had learned the first rule of movie dating 'When in doubt, pick romantic comedy, ' and found out the best place and time. During the drive and the film, Elise was relaxed and talkative, much more so than the day before. A lot of the conversation was about the women or the film, but that was fine with Dex. Every little bit that she opened up seemed to reveal something more that appealed to him. He was constantly amazed that he could ever have thought of her as one-dimensional. Without asking, Dex took her to an ice cream shop afterward. "Dex, this place is so sinful!" she exclaimed. "You mean you don't like it?" The resulting little ultra-feminine play slap on the arm thrilled Dex. He chided himself for being surprised by it, but he had spent too many years thinking of Elise as almost asexual. Discoverying that she was most definitely feminine brought him immense satisfaction. When Elise ordered the child's portion, Dex decided not to say anything. There were better ways to build up her body than just with fat. He also knew enough about women to be aware of the verboten topics. Just before they stood to leave the ice cream shop, Elise told Dex "I maybe shouldn't admit this, but this is my first date since... before. I've really had fun. Thank you." On the way home, Dex ventured onto potentially dangerous turf. "Elise, tell me about 'before.'" After a dead silence, Elise answered softly, "There's, uh, nothing special to tell. It was just... you know." "Was it bad?" "Oh, no. It... Dex, please!" Taking a risk, Dex put his hand over hers and apologized for upsetting her. "Elise, I'm really not trying to ruin a nice evening. Let me just ask one thing. You're a psyche major. If Morgan had heard our last little exchange, what do you think she would say about you?" He waited just a moment for that to sink in, then started talking about the activity at the shelter that Morgan had briefed Elise on before supper. She seemed eager to get past the sticking point, and entered right in. Conversation was back to the earlier lightness when Dex pulled up to the front door to let her out before storing the Jeep in the garage. Instead of getting out to open her door, which he was pleased to see her wait for, he put his hand over hers again. "Elise, we are in a very strange situation. I think I know how you feel about me. I need to tell you that I am discovering a lot about my feelings toward you. I have cared deeply for you for a long time, and just never acknowledged it. Now, I can no longer deny it. I can tell for certain that I want our relationship to go forward." "I know that too much contact stresses you right now. I just want you to know that I will wait for you to decide when you want to be more affectionate or more intimate. I will look forward to it. I would love to share a hot tub with you, in any mode of dress you are comfortable with. I would love to share my bed with you." Elise gave a little gasp at that. "If we did no more than sleep in the same bed, it would make me very happy." Elise was unable to respond, so Dex got out and escorted her into the house, then stored the Jeep. When he returned to the house, he saw Elise towing Morgan toward her room. ------- Arriving at the Police range right after supper, Patrick went through the expected courtesies of greeting fellow officers. He had not been on the visiting side of this situation before, but had been a host a few times. Being a naturally congenial fellow, the meeting and greeting was easy. His gibes at himself about his age and lack of current shooting practice got him instantly accepted as a good buddy by the ten or so shooters and staff that were present. The shooting went much as Patrick had expected. In the days when he was required to qualify, he had always done so easily, but had never made marksman level scores. His best shooting had come the few times he had been through a reaction course. When Patrick was on patrol, the standard in his department was still the revolver. Nowadays, almost all departments had standardized on automatics, which is what had been loaned to him. After a couple magazines of full-stance sight-aimed shots, Patrick spent the rest of his time on crouch position and draw-and-shoot. Trying not to think of the possibility, he knew any defense of Megan would likely require quick reaction and minimum decision time. Toward the end of Patrick's time, a man a bit younger than him with a definite look of command about him appeared behind his shooting station. On finishing the last clip, Patrick turned for an introduction. "Been a long time since I did that," the man said, extending his hand. "I'm Paul Martenson. Thought I'd drop by and offer to by a fellow L T a drink." "Well, as the visitor, I think that should be my privilege," Patrick countered. "I hope you weren't expecting an argument on that offer," Paul responded with a laugh. Paul led the way to a nice bar nearby where they took a booth and chatted over beers. Talk ranged over the usual subjects; department politics, department politics, and department politics. Paul Martenson had been the mob's highest-placed Police Department information source for several years. His prospects for advancement to Captain were excellent, promising his handlers an even richer source. Paul had entered the force with a degree in criminal justice and a graduate degree in public administration. He was destined for command from day one, but actually performed very well in all his stops on the way up. He married a beautiful, intelligent woman whose ambition matched his own. She did not drive him to the rogue side. Rather, he was driven by his own desire to please her and enjoy more of the good life himself. The progression into the pocket of the mob for Paul followed the classic steps. It started with a series of favors from ordinary businesses - the kind of favors cops have to be constantly vigilant against. Once in an obligated position, the requests for small bits of information started. The money grew as the demands grew, and Paul started to envision a retirement lifestyle well beyond what he could hope for on his salary alone. Being more astute than the mob's usual source, Paul was able to work out better relationships than the mob was used to. As far as he knew, Alex Kolchek was currently the only person who knew his identity. Everything else was handled by code names. The telephone was rarely used for his contacts any more. Anonymous email was much more secure. A habit Paul developed early on irritated the mob, but since he did produce results, they let him get by with it. Paul was a dedicated loner. He was very reluctant to involve anyone else in his information gathering. He also delivered only final results, with no record of how those results were obtained. This meant there were never any 'freebies' - bits of information the happen to fall out in the course of investigation. Once again, because his results were of uniformly high credibility, the mob let him operate in his own way. Paul had received an information request for the whereabouts of Megan O'Shaughnessy Wallace just after Craig's arrest. Alex wanted it as a bargaining chip to help keep Craig in line, as he was becoming increasingly hard to manage. Almost by accident, Paul had heard of the visiting lieutenant receiving the courtesy permit. The name could not have been a coincidence, and a little research revealed the father-daughter link. He came to the range for a chance to follow Patrick home, assuming Megan was in the same place. Tailing was not something Paul risked doing often, but it was preferable to enlisting a mob goon. He was confident in his ability, and had a chance to put Patrick off his guard. Besides, with no one else knowing he was on to Patrick, no one would know if he failed to follow him successfully. In his usual fashion, he would transmit the current residence of Megan O'Shaughnessy Wallace and nothing else. Unbeknownst to him, Patrick returned from an evening of shooting and pleasant camaraderie having given up the location of his daughter. ------- While Dex and Elise were still at the movies and Patrick was still shooting, Morgan talked Sandie into a hot tub, then the two sat wrapped in towels in Sandie's room. There, Morgan sprung the question that had been eating her up for days. "Sandie, I'm asking your permission to sleep with Eric. Not tonight! I suspect you need him pretty badly right now, huh?" "Morgan, you seem to know me inside out. You know, yesterday I would have had a real problem. Oh, I know intellectually that we cannot be a couple. It's just that I barely found the only real loving I've ever had, and it would have been hard to let go so soon." "And today? With Harv on the horizon, it's easier?" "Oh, I'm not foolish enough to think I'm going to marry Harv, or anything. It's just knowing that he's interested that let's me believe that when Eric finds someone, I won't have to be all alone. Uh, when... where... ?" "After you're gone tomorrow. Right in your bed. You're not worried about what frightened you before, are you?" "Oh, you mean comparing myself to you? No, you were right. It's different between Eric and me. Say, Morgan, things don't just happen like with Harv, do they? I mean, one day and it's forever?" Stilled stunned at Sandie's lack of worldliness, Morgan wrapped her in a warm hug. "They sure do, Hon. All the time. Why don't you just treat it like it's forever until one of you decides it's not? How does that sound?" "It sounds... too good to be true." "You just never know. Here comes Eric. Don't say anything to him about tomorrow, OK?" Eric entered the room and stood quietly by the door as Morgan released her hug and came toward him. She transferred her hug to him and whispered in his ear, "She's just about on top of the world, right now. You guys should have your greatest night ever." She broke the hug and walked out. At first, Eric just stood and smiled at his mother. He couldn't help it - her expression was such a choice combination of woman in love and happy little girl. It made his heart ache, but in a good way. What was it about this place? He had always taken pride in tight control of his emotions. Since coming here, it seemed like every time he turned around, he was doing something he never let himself do before: showing affection, crying, getting hard. Getting hard? Now that he thought of it, that was not a problem he had struggled with much before. That first afternoon with his mother seemed to have opened the floodgates on his emotions. Love, lust, embarrassment, respect, sympathy; he seemed to be swimming in them at Dex's house. And he didn't mind at all! When he thought about, the emotion he felt right then was anger - anger at his father. With all the other harm the man had done to his son, he had robbed him of the ability to enjoy his emotions. Eric's anger could not hold out long against the combined love and lust that were flooding him as he looked at his mother. He walked over to her and brought to her feet, then moved her so she faced the mirror. From behind her, he very slowly loosened the knot between her tits that held up her towel. Leaning in to kiss her on the neck and ear, he held the towel by both ends and began to lower it very slowly, exposing her little by little from the nipples down. Sandie's breath became a little ragged as the descending towel exposed her tits. As it dropped to her waist, Eric sank to his knees. When her ass cheeks were exposed, Eric kissed each one, then swept his tongue up the top of her rear crack, producing a sharp gasp. "Honey, what are you doing?" "There's this sexy statue here, and I'm checking it out carefully. Don't you like it?" A low moan was the only answer. Dropping the towel to the floor, Eric rose back to his feet, still behind her. He trailed his hands from her ass cheeks all the way up. When he was standing, he reached around and rolled her nipples between his fingers. Sandie gave a little squeak, shuddered, and bent over at the waist. He dropped his hands around her middle to keep her from falling over and waited until she could stand again. Once Eric was sure his mother could stand by herself, he began moving his hands over her whole body, as if inspecting the feel of her skin. He kept it up for many minutes, always moving both hands together, and always avoiding her pubic hair. Sandie stood is if in a trance, seeming to be lost in the sensations. Her only reactions came when he traversed a ticklish spot with his caresses. When he had all the stimulation he could take, Eric reached around and put a hand on the inside of each thigh. He moved his hands upward until they pressed against her labia. Sandie let out another squeak, but this time, she spun around in his arms and pushed down the sweatpants he wore. Grabbing him around his neck for support, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. "Please, Honey, I need it!" These were Sandie's first words in a while. Always shy about his short stature and slight frame, Eric was not given to shows of strength. Right then, however, testosterone and adrenalin combined as he effortlessly carried his mother's even smaller frame over to the bed. When Sandie was on her back on the bed, she reached frantically for his cock. Her legs still hung over the edge, and he still had on his T-shirt, but her only concern was getting him inside of her. As Eric pushed into her, Sandie opened her legs wide to ease his way. As soon as he was fully embedded, she used her legs around his ass to pull him rhythmically against herself. He was highly aroused, but so was she. When, after just a few strokes, he let loose, she was right behind him. Eric had watched his mother turn into a whole new woman in the last week, but she still surprised him. Barely giving them time to recover, she jumped up and pulled him out of the bedroom and up to the hot tub. He was too stunned to laugh, but the sight of her with one hand trying to keep his come inside her while the other pulled him along was priceless. She charged into the tub room, not bothering to check if anyone else was in there. Once inside, Sandie stopped worrying about effluent and grabbed her son and danced him in a circle. "Honey, Honey, I never knew life good be so good!" He joined in and swung her around vigorously before taking off his shirt and leading her into the tub. "You really like Harv, don't you, Mom?" "Oh, yes, Honey!" "Well, I like him, too, Mom. He's a great guy." For some reason, probably having to do with euphoria and hormones, Sandie had not thought about the problem of having a sexual relationship with her son while she hurtled into a potential love affair with another man. She hadn't thought about it until then, that is. Suddenly, it hit her full force, and it looked to Eric like she was about to pass out. He pulled her into his lap and held her tightly as she started to shake. "Mom! Mom! Everything's OK! Mom!" It took quite a while for her to stop shaking, and even longer to manage speech. "Honey, I... I didn't even think about us! I don't want to hurt you!" "Hurt me how? If you pass up a chance with a guy like Harv, THAT will hurt me. You deserve a life with a good man." "But what about you? I mean us? I mean... ohhhhh!" "Mom, if we never make love again, I'm still the luckiest kid in the world." "You're no kid! You're my man!" That was all Sandie could get out before the tears started. They flowed for some minutes as mother and son snuggled on the seat of the hot tub. They talked until they were overheated, and continued in bed for another hour. The relationship crisis Morgan had foreseen was encountered and largely resolved that night. When the talking was done, they made love again. ------- When Elise and Dex returned from their date, Elise made a beeline for Morgan, and literally dragged Morgan to her bedroom. Once in Elise's room, Morgan sensed she needed to calm things down a little. She managed to get Elise into the hot tub with her, naked, but with the door locked. As Elise dropped her robe and stepped into the water, she lamented "Not much to look at any more, am I?" Somehow stifling a laugh, Morgan responded "I'll trade bodies any time you want." Realizing how silly she was being, Elise relented a little. "I used to be proud of how I looked." "You still should be, Lady. Only another woman can say this, but you do need to put on ten or fifteen pounds. Even with that, I'm delighted for Dex." "For Dex? You don't think he'd be turned off?" "Elise, Elise! Think about what you just asked, then think about what kind of man Dex is." Elise lay her head back and was silent for a while. "I can't believe how insecure I feel about my body - my looks, my sex appeal." "OK," Morgan responded, "Let's talk about Sandra, I mean Sandie, about Coral, and about Kirstin." She went on to point out the image problems those women had, and what caused them. "But I'm supposed to be the one helping them," Elise objected. "And who helped you? Didn't Max deride you all the time, just like Carol's husband. Wasn't he always trying to humiliate you?" "Yes, I... but I'm..." "You're super-woman, right? It should all just roll off. If it bothers you a little, you should be able to get yourself over it, right?" Morgan was really laying it on. Again, Elise was silent for a long time. "Elise, you should talk to a professional, someone who can help you through this." "I'd rather talk to you, Morgan. You're smarter, and you care a lot more." "Well, thank you for your trust, Elise. I'll talk with all you want, but I'm not sure you shouldn't see someone else. And you're right. I do care. A lot." Morgan managed to get invited to sleep in Elise's bed with her that night. The light was hardly out before Elise spoke up. "Dex asked me about my life before Max. I couldn't even answer him. That part of my life was good. Why have I shut it out." Morgan thought for a moment, then answered. "I'm sure you remember the Murchison theory of cognitive barriers, don't you? Well, I think maybe..." ------- Preparing for bed, Dex did some more reflecting on the day and on the women. Kendra would be taken care of, except for the one thing she needed most, a strong, good man. He wished there was something he could do about that, but he had done everything possible. Sandra seemed to have stepped into a fairy tale. Her day with Harv was certainly the stuff of story books. Of course, she was still married, and she was still afraid to live in the house that was mostly hers. Tonight, though, he doubted if those negatives even registered on her. Every one of the women who had come to him in distress now had good prospects, except maybe for Carol and Jessica, and they were at least safe and cared for. This night, there was no doubt what Dex wished for himself. The way Elise had grown on him in just two days startled him. Morgan really must be a witch. How else could she know what would happen between them? He found himself anxious for the alarm to ring so he could see Elise again in the gym. He started to wonder if she and Morgan were still talking, but the thought lost out to sleep. ------- Chapter 34 Tuesday, the next to last day of December, started with a mix of humor and tenderness. Dex was already in the gym when Morgan and Elise pretty much staggered in. He almost laughed and was about to ask why they had bothered, but he noticed a hint of contentment showing through the sleep fog on Elise's face. That was definitely a good thing, so he held his peace. There was no question the two would be returning to bed after breakfast to replace the sleep time they must have talked away through the night. To their credit, neither woman was grouchy, and they showed admirable determination as they finished their workouts. Not thinking it necessary to tell anyone else, Jeannette had invited Harv to come early for breakfast. She had become so comfortable herself with the 'family casual' mode of dress for breakfast, that it never occurred to her that it might cause some embarrassment. Yesterday, her first day of work, Sandie had done her hair and makeup, then eaten breakfast before donning her work outfit. Since the ultra-shyness of her first day, she had worn just a rather revealing nightie to breakfast. Reminiscent of Kirstin, the freedom to join the group so scantily clad seemed to be important to her. Only Jeannette was in the kitchen when Harv arrived. She wore only a nightie, as well, but it was more demure than the one Sandie preferred. Harv was drinking coffee and chatting amiably with Jeannette when Sandie emerged from the stairway with Eric right behind her. Sandie saw Harv and gasped. Her sound made him look toward her and jump to his feet. Although Sandie was probably unaware of it, as she came out of the stairwell, the patio door to the deck was directly behind her. The morning light through her flimsy garment gave the impression that she was naked, surrounded by a halo. Her surprise was such that Harv was given a momentary visual snapshot of the beautiful tableau before she could cover up and duck back behind the wall of the stairwell. There being no universally accepted measurement scale for embarrassment, it would have been hard to say who was the most affected. Jeannette realized instantly that she had made a big mistake. Harv felt terrible for Sandie, and was ashamed of the unmistakable twitching in his crotch that the view had caused. Sandie was temporarily incapable of thought. Only Eric seemed able to keep things together. Jeannette started to cry as she dashed after Sandie, further confusing Harv, and she literally bumped into Sandie, who was standing only a couple of steps down, out of sight. As Jeanette started to apologize, Sandie put her hand over the distraught older woman's mouth and actually gave her a mischievous smile. Now totally confused, Jeanette stood motionless as Sandie made the sign for silence. "God, Eric! I had no idea," Harv lamented. "She must feel terrible! Damn, things were so nice, and now she won't want to speak to me! Why? I mean the nightie and..." Eric carefully explained about the self-image issues and how well Sandie had responded. "Shit!" Harv exclaimed with feeling, "now I've probably set her back! I just hope I never meet that asshole husband of hers. I don't think I'd like jail very much." Eric tried to assure Harv that it was not his fault and that Sandie would not be angry at him, but with little affect. "I'd better call and see if I can roust out another driver. I don't want her to be late, but she won't want..." Harv was interrupted by Sandie's voice. "You mean you don't want to drive me any more?" Still in just the nightie, Sandie walked right up to him and looked him in the face. "Oh, Sandie, I'm so sorry, I didn't..." Harv started. "I'm not! I learned an awful lot about you just now, and it's all good." Wrapping her arms around him, she ordered him "Hug!!" The others who joined the two at breakfast had no need of sugar, syrup, or jam to sweeten their toast, coffee, or whatever. When it was time for Sandie to leave, Morgan was about to put her through the drill again, but Jeanette saw it and frantically pulled her granddaughter aside and gave her a quick review of what had happened. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Morgan just hugged Sandy and wished her a great day. Barely outside Dex's gate, Harv pulled over and parked. He looked straight ahead, marshaling his thoughts to say what was on his mind, but Sandie beat him to it. "Do you think I'm a brazen exhibitionist?" "I think you're delightful, unbelievable!" She beamed, and there was silence for a little longer. "So, Eric told you why I was, um, barely covered for breakfast." "Yes, he did. You're a gutsy girl, Sandie. It's hard to imagine what you've been through." "You, um, weren't turned off by how I look in the morning?" There was a hint of a plea in Sandie's voice. "Turned off!? What I wouldn't give to see that sight every morn... Shit! Me and my big mouth! I'm sorry, Sandie." "Harv, if I can show you everything, don't be afraid to tell me everything, OK?" After another pause, Harv dove right in. "You know, sometimes in the Service, a guy would meet a girl on leave and come back married. I never understood it. Now, I'm starting to." "Harv, somebody very wise told me to treat this like it was forever until one of us decided it was not. I'd like to stick around until you're tired of me." "Tired of you? Couldn't happen, Angel!" He hadn't meant to say 'Angel, ' but that was the impression still on his mind from the sight of her earlier, and it just popped out. ------- As he signed for his belongings at the jail early Tuesday morning, Craig was working hard to keep his anger in check. There was still enough rationality left in him to know that blowing up on county employees would get him nothing but another night's stay. The cost of bailing his Lexus out of the impound lot was trivial compared to the wad he habitually carried, but it was one more piece of fuel for his anger. The leisurely pace of the lot attendant was like throwing lighter fluid on his ire. After barely kissing a hydrant with his bumper as he peeled away, he pulled over and forced himself to calm down before continuing. Craig was a promoter, a deal-maker, a closer. Contemplation, particularly of himself, was not in his nature. If it had been, the changes in him over the last year or so would have alarmed him. When he had started his little skimming tricks, he had felt invincible. Several years laundering for the mob had made him rich, and he was sure he was absolutely indispensable to them. By the time he realized how stupid and trivial his skimming was, it was already a death sentence if discovered. Even without contemplation, the reality of his situation had finally sunk in, scaring him badly. He had become a frightened bully, a species ranked among the most despicable on the planet. Megan had been a convenient outlet for his bottled up fear and rage, and her escape and fighting back had accelerated his deterioration. Alex Kokchek was very tough. Only the very tough got to be metro bosses and stayed there. Craig Wallace was his find - his creation. It had been acclaimed as an innovative approach to laundering, and the association had been extremely profitable for all parties. Though dapper in appearance, Alex was a reserved, calculating sort. Meticulous planning and covering all angles where what had brought him his success. Alex and Craig had become friends of sorts. At least, they spent a fair amount of social time together. Being the boss, it was not comfortable for Alex to socialize with underlings, and he knew few people who were not in the business. Craig was more an associate or a contractor than an underling. Besides, he had in spades the hard partying personality that Alex lacked but secretly envied. Just two weeks ago, Alex's nice setup had started to unravel when Craig's bitch boogeyed on him. Not that Alex gave a shit about Craig's wife, except that he never got that long-promised roll with her. Why her escape had Craig so bent out of shape, he could not understand. Sure, she was choice, but Craig had always seemed as cavalier about his women as Alex himself was. Hell, he had his previous wife offed without a tear. Well, whatever was screwing up Craig's head, Alex had to get things back on an even keel quickly. He did not want to see the money flow stop. It was now expected of him, and it would be Hell trying to set up a new arrangement. It did not help that Craig had stewed all night in jail, but Alex had been under strict orders not to pull any more legal strings for a while. He was waiting rather glumly for Craig's call, as he had received word of the release. "Why the hell didn't you get me out?" Craig yelled, not even waiting for a 'hello' when Alex picked up his call. "Dammit, Craig, not on the phone. Your office, right away." "Hey, wait!" "I said, not on the phone!" For some reason, Alex had not considered the possibility of Craig's office being bugged, so he talked freely when the two met there several minutes later. "We let you sit in jail because you didn't follow orders. We're not going to jeopardize our judge on you any more when you're thinking with your dick." "That was humiliating!" "What's humiliating is when they fish your body out of the river. This shit has got to end! Either you sign that deal and get over the cunt, or our business arrangement is terminated. I think you know what that means!" "But she'll get half a mil!" "No she won't, she'll get one mil! You can afford the money, but we can't afford anyone checking your assets. You got that?" "Dammit, Alex! You need my deals! We've got a sweet thing going here." "I know that as well as you do! But you're making way too much noise, and attention is the last thing we want. Now, you have the million in your lawyer's account before the banks close today, and tell him you're ready to sign. That's not negotiable! Do you understand?" "After all the money I made you, you're just selling me out like that?" "Craig, it's a business, remember. You're starting to look like less of an asset and more of a liability." Craig followed Alex out the door, and Alex tried to soften the blow a little as they approached his car. "Here, just to show you it's nothing personal." Alex handed him a slip of paper with 'J.D. Madison' and Dex's address on it. "What's this?" "Where she's staying. I just found it out. Now, don't do anything stupid, got it?" As Alex drove off, he nodded to two men parked in sight of Craig's car. The two settled in for a long day of tailing Craig. Randy had been monitoring the bugs and called Dex as soon as he lost sound from Craig's office. Dex called his hacker friends immediately. This was their perfect chance to discover the codes and procedures to hijack Craig's Cayman account. ------- Morgan was a little upset with herself. Ten days ago she was a virgin and thought she was fine with that. Now she was climbing the walls just because she hadn't had a cock in her for three days. She was very tired after her extended talk with Elise the night before. Her mind told her she should just go and take a nap. Her mind also knew it would lose out to the hormones that were pulling her toward Eric's room. It was a while after breakfast, and Eric had gone back to his room, presumably to get some more sleep. When Morgan eased his door open, she saw him sleeping on his side toward one edge of the bed, facing the center. Dropping her clothes, she was about to slide in with Eric when she mentally swore at herself, then put her clothes back on and headed to Dex's room. He was in the office on the phone, so she took a condom from the nightstand, then went back for two more without him noticing her. Back in Eric's room, Morgan laid the packets on the stand, undressed again, then slid carefully into the bed with her back to his front, close but not touching. Not quite sure what to do next, she amazed herself by deciding that a nap would be great, and waking up should be very interesting. She was asleep in less than a minute, her soft snores mingling with Eric's. ------- Dex was a bit startled to see Elise standing in his office doorway when he hung up from his hacker friends. To his quizzical look, Elise said "Can I tell you about 'before?'" He guided her to the loveseat and sat beside her. Still being careful of her reactions, he held out his hand palm up. She gave him a wan smile and put her hand in his. "I take it you had a good talk with Morgan last night?" Dex asked. "Mmm Hmm. I keep telling you all these sad things about me, but do you know I haven't had a close woman friend since my college roommate?" "Well, you couldn't pick a better friend than Morgan." "I wish I could get over this feeling that I'm coming between you and her," Elise lamented. "Has Morgan said something about that?" When Elise shook her head, Dex pressed further. "Have I let on I thought you were doing that?" Again, she indicated 'no.' "From our very first time," Dex explained, "Morgan and I were clear about no commitment and no regrets. I meant it, and I believe she did, too. That doesn't mean it's easy, but we both think it's right. Look, I met Morgan two weeks ago tonight. I've known you, what, five years or more? Morgan and I shared an intense week or so, but you and I have a lot of life experiences that draw us together." "I'm sure you and Morgan have talked about my demons. I think she knows those demons would have kept me from ever marrying her." Dex saw the implied question in Elise's eyes, and it tore at his guts. He put his head in his hands with his elbows on his knees and sat motionless for a while before softly saying "I know what you want to ask. I just don't know the answer, yet." Both were silent a while longer before Dex sat up, took her hand again, and told her "Hey, you came to talk about happy things. Tell me about 'before.'" For an hour and a half, Elise told the story of an amazingly typical All-American girl. Family, girlfriends, boyfriends, scholastic honors, music, sports, scholarships, the whole nine yards. At the beginning, her recounting was reserved, almost apologetic. As time went on, she became more and more animated. Sometimes, she took his hand in both of hers and bounced it up and down in excitement. That reminded him of Amy as a little girl. At other times, she had a faraway look and a contented expression. A few events evoked tears during her telling. Only a couple of times did she exhibit any bitterness. It took no effort at all for Dex to listen to every word and examine every expression. Minute by minute, his whole mental image of Elise was being redrawn. The new version was almost hypnotic in the way she drew him in. Along with the strength, brilliance, caring, and determination he admired so much in the old image, he could now see & feel the imagination, the gaiety, the loyalty, and the joy of the new image. Had she really hidden this image from him, or had he just been blind? Elise eventually fell silent, and Dex took a small chance. He put his hand under her chin and turned her face up toward his. "I am so glad to finally meet you, Elise Padilla!" That was probably the perfect place for a tender embrace and a loving first kiss. That was definitely what Dex wanted, and he was pretty sure Elise did, too. He had promised to let her take the lead, however, and he would keep his promise. His hand on her face was already a new level of contact. For just an instant, she seemed to move her face toward his, but only lowered her eyes and blushed. Claiming the need for a bathroom visit, she was the one to break the moment. ------- It was some time past mid-morning when awareness very slowly returned to Eric. He had just established enough motor control to effect a small stretch, and was thrown into drowsy confusion when his leg encountered another body. That hastened his waking enough so he could first wonder why his mother was still home in bed, then clearly remember her floating out the door on Harv's arm earlier. Morgan! Smell, aura, logical deduction: for whatever reason, Eric was absolutely certain she was beside him. Two things happened instantly upon recognition of his bed partner. A great feeling of warmth welled up in his heart. His mother had been his introduction to sex, and she would forever be exciting in a unique way. Morgan, however, was his introduction to open, uninhibited sexuality. Her healthy, luxuriantly padded body would forever pop first into his mind at the word sexy. There was more than sexuality to Morgan, however. The care and the respect she had shown him and his mother caused him to love her like few people he had known. Along with the feeling of warmth welling up in Eric's heart, an even stronger welling up occurred at his groin. Just a week earlier, his erection would have been cause for shame and a little self-loathing. No longer. He pushed his crotch forward, pleased that his cock encountered what could only be Morgan's ass. Moving the rest of his body forward, he reached his upper arm over her, and carefully worked his hand around until it cradled her bare tit. Having learned the positive results of boldness from his mother, he wriggled himself into maximum contact along her length. Eric realized with a little dismay that his shorts and shirt prevented the skin to skin contact that he really wanted. Unwilling to remove the hand from her tit, he contrived to unsnap his shorts and push them down with his underneath hand. That accomplished, he pushed his cock down so it pushed upward against her crack, almost coming from the thrill of that contact. The extra motion from Eric's disrobing and repositioning was enough to rouse Morgan. In the middle of her stretch, she breathed out "Oh, Honey, I knew you'd be good. Still stretching a little, Morgan sat up and reached for a condom, then turned and rolled Eric onto his back. "I'll put this one on, then we'll teach you, OK?" she told him, almost panting in anticipation as she tore open the packet. Morgan had the condom over Eric's tip and was about to roll it down when she stopped and pulled it away. Grabbing his T-shirt, she pushed it up and worked it off over his head and arms. "I hope this isn't a favorite," she said as she wrapped the shirt around his cock and stroked vigorously. Her decision had been correct, as he soiled the shirt after twelve or fifteen strokes. Keeping the shirt around him with one hand, she leaned over his face. "I would have done it with my mouth, but I wanted to kiss you." The searing kiss Morgan laid on Eric should have fried his circuits. Instead, he returned it kilowatt for kilowatt, and reached his hand to her pussy. Sensing her mood correctly, he skipped the teasing caresses and tentative probes. He grasped both her labia together and pulled on them while squeezing firmly. When she squealed through the kiss and pushed her crotch down onto his hand, he rolled a nipple with the other hand. The dual stimulation had Morgan squirming around, emitting little squeals and moans. On impulse, she moved over his crotch and held his cock at her entrance, ready to impale herself. "Morgan! Morgan! I love you like crazy, but I'm not quite ready to marry you, yet!" "Oh, damn!" She scrabbled around impatiently, looking for the condom she had set down. Failing to find it in the first three seconds, she lunged over to the night stand for a different one. Her hands were shaking as she got it on him with more determination than technique. Technique was still not her concern as she got back in position over him and worked her way down. It had now been a few minutes since Morgan had milked Eric, and the activities since, even putting on the condom, had worked his arousal to the verge of coming again. Fortunately for Morgan, his aggressive fondling of her, on top of three days of celibacy, had left her with a short journey to ecstasy, as well. When Eric was barely sheathed enough to prevent falling out, Morgan started moving up and down rapidly. By the time she was all the way down on him, his mouth fell open in disbelief at how fast she was moving. His awe probably helped forestall his ejaculation for a while, but there was nothing stopping Morgan. In a short time, even for her, she clamped down hard on him, then shook vigorously. Just watching her would likely have taken him over, so erotic was the sight. Her internal movements around him made it for sure, and he jetted forcefully into the condom. All of her energy had gone into that climax, and Morgan collapsed forward onto Eric's slight frame, stretching out to lay completely on top of him. After they panted in chorus for a little while, Eric began running his hands very lightly over the slopes of her ass cheeks. "I think I said this once before, but you're just like Dex." "I hope you still mean that in a good way," he responded. After a bit of silence, he asked "Is it going to be tough for you, always having to compare every guy to Dex?" "Hmmm. He was my first, and maybe it wasn't good to start right out with the best. Could make for lots of disappointments, couldn't it?" "Am I a disappointment?" "Not in the least. Not in the least. Especially your recovery powers!" With that, she began wriggling against him with the clear intent of bringing him back to hardness. "God, Morgan! You could give a corpse a hardon! Uh, let me get the condom off or we'll have a mess here." Giggling, she made him work to get unsheathed, refusing to stop or even ease off on her sexy writhing. The filled condom was no sooner off than she sat up and gave him a fresh one. Her stimulation had worked beautifully, and it was time for his first lesson. Her less than expert tutelage was not improved by her impatience to get him back inside her, but it did get it securely on. She just knew she was in for a good long fuck after his two ejaculations with her and the high probability of a couple the night before. Morgan was in no way disappointed when Eric was finally ready to enter her again. She got on her hands and knees and he knew right away what she wanted. Once they were coupled, the vigor of his thrusts belied his slight build, and it was indeed a long ride. What surprised Morgan more than his vigor and endurance was his natural inventiveness. Instead of just stroking, he used all sorts of sideways and rotating motions to get the greatest possible sensation, stimulating her delightfully in the process. They had only been going a short time when Morgan dropped her face to the bed and began rubbing herself with one hand. It took about five minutes for this to have the desired result. Eric knew she had come, but he was still a ways off himself and he wanted her to get even more out of it so he kept up his pace. After another few minutes, Eric was at a frustrating point of extremely high stimulation without the assurance that he could actually produce another ejaculation. He wanted very badly to come, but felt he just could not get over. Almost in frustration, he started pounding in and out of Morgan as fast and as hard as he could. As soon as he sped up, she responded by hammering back against him and uttering a loud grunt with each thrust. The entire encounter had been more physical than tender, but now it had turned into pure, unadulterated rutting. At maximum speed and impact, Eric kept it up for another frustrating minute, beginning to doubt he could make it over. Morgan, however, had hit takeoff velocity and lurched into a gigantic climax. Her vaginal walls pulsed around him so hard he was literally wrung out, and managed several smallish squirts before the two of them collapsed sideways in a barely-conscious heap. Eric recovered first and began once again tracing his hand lightly over Morgan's hip, her shoulder, and her thigh. When he wandered delicately down to the slightly matted hair on her mound, she roused and gave a contented little moan. "Does that bother you, Morgan?" "Bother? If you ever end up in bed with a girl who is bothered by that, run as far and as fast as you can! You don't want her." "It's not like I'm expecting to be in bed with lots of girls, you know. I'd never even been kissed before I came here." "Well, we're kinda in the same boat, you know. Let me tell you, your hands tell me you really like women. I'll bet you spend a lot of time doing this to your Mom, too, don't you?" "Hmm hmm! She really likes it, too." "Girls can tell you really like them and will treat them well. They'll come to you, believe me." "With all the jocks around?" "Don't you worry about the jocks. A lot of girls are too smart to fall for the puffed up egos. Girls want a good time. They want to feel special. And they want to be in control. Remember that and you'll be picking and choosing." Eric convinced Morgan they'd better put something on as they went up to the hot tub, but the clothes came off instantly once they were inside. In the water, he spoke first. "Morgan, you really don't mind being with a younger guy?" "Do you know who Angeline is?" "From 'Moonshine'? Sure! What a little babe! She danced with me once!" "Well, when she was 21 and Dex was 16..." "You mean... ?" "Sure thing. 'Course that's not for public disclosure. Eric, one or both of us will be leaving here before long. I want to see you some more. I for sure want to feel you at least once without that stupid condom. Deal?" "As if you had to ask!" ------- Morgan and Eric managed to get themselves together for lunch, and the others scrupulously avoided any comment about their morning. While they were eating, Megan called in a high state of excitement. She had learned that there was a basketball game tonight, and she was going to go and watch. She wanted Elise to go with her. Patrick did not want Megan exposing herself any more than necessary, but Megan insisted it was very necessary. He grudgingly agreed, but only if he could go with them as her bodyguard, then he invited Jeanette to join them as well. By the time everything was sorted out, the six of them were scheduled to go to dinner right from the game. Dex and Tim would shower and dress in clean clothes at the school. Dex watched Morgan during the byplay and could tell how much she wanted to join the group. He was about to suggest that she and Eric come along, but thought better of it. There was a definite ache inside him as he thought of how much the incredible young woman put others ahead of herself. ------- As lunch was finishing, Elise was obviously fading fast. Dex took her hand and led her to her room. He very much wanted to lay beside her and hold her as she slept. He could sense that she wanted the same thing, but she gave no sign, so he left her to her nap. Much of the rest of Dex's afternoon was taken up by accounts of Craig's activities. The hackers thought they had been able to capture enough codes and recorded instructions to do a transfer from his Cayman account. When the million was deposited to the lawyer's account, they said they were certain they could retrieve that money, if necessary. Carl believed strongly that Craig was preparing to leave the country. Without hearing or seeing anything specific, he was going on instinct. Dex trusted Carl's instincts, but he wondered if Megan was now in more or less danger. After he had made the money transfers and a trip to his bank, Craig's car was tracked to a shopping mall, where it stayed. This might have been a warning sign, but no one knew what to make of it. Lexus dealerships typically were located quite near malls, and everyone assumed it was in for servicing. ------- It looked like the pressure caused by Craig's behavior had eased off for Alex. The money had been deposited with the lawyer as he had ordered. It looked like Craig was going to get back on track, and Alex was immensely relieved. He was still uneasy about Craig knowing his wife's whereabouts, not that he cared what happened to the bitch. After all, if she hadn't gotten out of line, everything would be normal. Well, maybe not. Craig had changed in the last year - much shorter fuse, lots fewer laughs. Alex had just taken the first sip of his aperitif after a good dinner when his cell phone rang. There were only a few callers who came through as 'Unavailable, ' and he was hoping against hope it wasn't his boss. It was. "Alex, you have a problem that must be cleaned up immediately. The Craig Wallace arrangement will have to be terminated." Alex stiffened at the words, knowing that meant Craig himself must be terminated. "But he is going ahead with the agreement. The money has been deposited," Alex objected. "We know that. That might have saved the arrangement. Unfortunately, we have discovered that not all resources have been properly channeled, and the agreement is broken." That was code for skimming! The idiot! How could he be so stupid? Alex did not like killing in the first place, and Craig! This was worse than he had feared. "I... I will make the proper contacts," Alex said, regretfully. "No, you will take care of it personally. Tonight." "But the risk..." "Alex, your arrangement with Craig was brilliant and it has been profitable. But he has gotten out of hand and the noise level has become too high. Your sources in the courts have already been damaged. You let things get out of control. Now, your credibility requires that you personally handle this." The actual meaning was painfully clear to Alex: if Craig saw morning, the best Alex could hope for would be demotion. "Oh, and Alex. The general public must, I repeat, must be unaware of the end of our association. No more extra attention!" That code phrase meant no outsiders killed or injured, and no property destroyed. The dinner that seemed so fine minutes ago now sat like lead in Alex's stomach. Killing Craig would be hard. Having to do it on the spur of the moment without proper planning meant putting himself at risk. Unpleasant and dangerous as it was, he had no choice. It was an order, not a suggestion. The other problem nearly put Alex in a panic. Craig was probably planning to kill his wife, maybe even tonight. The restriction from above against outside deaths had been very clear. He had to make sure it didn't happen. All his hard work and faithful service, and now this! Calling upon the strength that had been his trademark, he phoned the tail he had put on Craig, thankful once again for his paranoid streak. Alex was already leaving the restaurant as he found out where Craig was currently located. He kept a clean piece in a hidden compartment under his car, and he hoped he could retrieve it without ruining his suit. The tail told him Craig was waiting near a school where a basketball league was being played. That could only mean his wife was there, and he intended to take her out. The school was thirty minutes plus across town from the restaurant. Damn! He didn't dare take time to change clothes. ------- Craig's mood had become steadily more surly all day. It had taken all his willpower to make the bank transfer, but he believed Alex's threats. He transfered first to his own account, then later to the lawyer's. Instead of the the million, he had taken out a million and a half. At the bank, he had converted a hundred grand to cash, and two hundred more to traveler's checks. For three months, he had been making tentative plans for an escape, and after today's encounter with Alex, he knew he had better make it good. There was no way he was going to just walk away until he settled with Megan. After he killed her, he would go straight to the airport and buy a ticket with cash under an assumed name. At a shopping mall, he had paid a kid a $500 to boost a car for him, and he would leave it in long-term parking. Two small bags of essentials had been transferred from his Lexus to the hot car, which he'd had to keep running since he acquired it. The kid had shown him how to start it, but he was not sure he remembered. It was about 7:45 pm, and Craig had been sitting in the car for an hour waiting for the basketball game to end. Knowing where Megan was staying, it had been easy to follow her home from work. He had almost missed on the vehicle switch, but it would not have mattered, anyway. At the long driveway into the Madison place, he had parked for a long time, trying to decide on the best way to get to her. Even as angry as he was, he could not see the profit in just driving right in and accosting her. It had been less than an hour of watching the Madison place when he saw a car coming down the drive. By then, he had pulled far enough back so he wouldn't be noticed. He had no binoculars, and it was already dark, so he had to assume that Megan was in that car, and he followed carefully. When the Jeep he was following pulled into a school parking lot, five people, including Megan, got out, to be met by a tall man who had been waiting in another car. The three couples walked into the gym together, and it increased his rage to see Megan walking with the tall man. Craig was thinking enough to reason that there would be a game starting at seven, and it would probably last an hour. His best chance to kill her would come as she left after the game. It was a pleasant night for late December, but too cold to stand outside for an hour. Craig found a dirt track into the grove of trees that stood between the school and a residential neighborhood. He pulled the car in and settled back to wait. It gave him a chance to inspect the automatic he had purchased a few years ago but never fired. Having served a hitch in the army, he was comfortable with weapons, but had not used one in a long time. The long wait in the car also gave Craig time to work up even more anger at Megan. Because of his fear of Alex, his anger somehow never focused there. Megan was a convenient target, and everything that had happened to him the last two days was centered around her. Nothing would set things right but seeing her dead. Wanting to make sure he didn't miss his chance, Craig got out and moved to the edge of the trees nearest the gym entrance. The parking lot was narrow, barely forty feet across, giving him a reasonable shooting distance. The entrance was well lit, and she should stand out clearly. He moved to a slight angle away from the closest approach, giving him a little longer shot, but perfect back lighting. ------- Speeding across town as fast as he dared, Alex's mood was no better than Craig's. It was not fair to put him in a situation where he had no time to prepare properly. Other people were much better at executions than he was. What was the big deal if an 'innocent' got whacked? As he fumed, he knew the futility of railing against his superiors - he had been on the ordering side often enough himself. The important thing was to get his mind on task and kill Craig before he got to his wife. Estimating he was less than five minutes from the school, he called the tail and, after getting a detailed description of where Craig was, told them to get lost. Minimizing knowledge of the hit was implied in his boss's order to do it himself. It was after eight o'clock, and he hoped he was not too late. Parking a couple of houses back into the residential area, Alex hurried to the main street where he could enter the trees. Remembering the tail's description, he stayed on the road until he saw the dirt track with a car idling about thirty yards in. He cursed the fact that he had entirely wrong shoes for tromping through the woods, something he was not adept at in the best footgear. Luckily for him, the ground under the grove was cleared, and there were almost no loose branches or twigs lying around. ------- Dex and Tim had showered in record time, actually too quickly to cool down completely. Both were so anxious to get back to their women that they weren't concerned. Because theirs was the early game they had not eaten at home, and they were all headed out for a meal. Randy had lingered before heading home, choosing to just don his sweats and shower at home rather than endure the middle school's minimal locker room. Patrick and the three women were chatting with Randy when Dex and Tim came out of the locker room, but Megan and Elise broke away and came to greet them. "Look at macho man, here - no jacket!" Elise taunted Dex. Still warm from both the exertion and the shower, Dex habitually left his coat in the car. He was secretly pleased that Elise felt free to tease him that way. Another little sign of her loosening up. Randy was well aware of the concern for Megan's safety. From his now many years of bodyguard duty, he instinctively preceded the group out the door to the parking lot. Seeing Randy's action, Patrick hurried to follow him out. Once outside, Patrick's past training took over and he and Randy moved a few yards away from the door at opposite angles. Randy faced toward the trees that screened the school from the neighboring houses, and Patrick toward the open athletic field that adjoined the gym and the parking lot. Neither Randy nor Patrick considered it to be a high alert situation, so all of their actions were relaxed and casual. The women sauntered out the door in animated conversation, followed by Dex, and then by Tim, who had held the door open. ------- Craig saw Megan in the doorway, but cursed as another woman moved into his shooting line and stayed there as the three women moved casually out into the lot. Fortunately, the woman who was in the way turned back to say something to one of the men, exposing his target. As Craig took a half step forward to take his shot, one of the men screamed 'Gun! Gun!.' Then the crazy fucker started running toward him! Well, he would get Megan first, then take care of that asshole. He turned back toward the women and raised his gun to take the shot, only to see Megan going to the ground beneath another woman. People were moving everywhere, going down in heaps, and something was flying through the air toward him. He had a faint impression of the man farthest away going to a kneeling position, but the meaning did not register. ------- Dex waited for Tim, and they were a step or two behind the three women when Randy screamed out "Gun!! Gun!! In the trees!!" "Megan!! Get down!" Dex yelled at the top of his voice. That the gunman was Craig just came into his mind without question. Having no idea why, he flung his gym bag toward the edge of the trees. He had an impression of Randy moving jerkily toward the shooter, but he had no time to focus on Randy as he himself was lunging toward the women. Dex's mind was already into its adrenalin-induced overdrive state. His first thought as he lunged was that he hoped Patrick had brought his weapon. After that, his thoughts were taken over by images of Megan, alternating with those of his mother lying mortally wounded against the cabinet. He felt a flash of fear, realizing that he was putting himself in the line of fire. The fear was instantly overwhelmed by his mental screams: 'No! Not another one! I can't let her die, too!' The last of the fear was washed away by the certainty that he would rather die himself than have to live with the death of another woman he believed was his to protect. All of those thoughts raced through Dex's mind in the one long stride it took him to reach the three women. As he got there, Megan was going down, literally being tackled by Elise. Jeanette had been momentarily frozen, but from the corner of his eye, Dex saw Tim wrap his arms around Jeanette and pull her down to the rough gravel, shielding her with his own body. With the mind in overdrive, events often stand out in vivid detail, and Dex felt more aware of what was happening around him than he could ever remember. He heard Randy screaming at the top of his lungs and the sound of his steps moving toward the trees. With his own body pressed against Elise and Megan on the other side of her, Dex had the weird thought that he was hugging Elise for the first time. His initial concern had been for Megan, since he knew she was the intended target. Knowing that Elise was now protected, as well, gave him a feeling of contentment that whatever happened next, his load of guilt would not be increased. ------- When he reached the idling car, Alex turned straight toward the lighted area that must be the entrance to the school. Trying to walk silently, he kept scanning back and forth, looking for Craig. He had just spotted Craig, about ten feet ahead of him at the edge of the trees, when shouting broke out. Everything in Alex's meticulous nature told him to get the Hell out of there right away. He could take the idling car and let Craig fend for himself. The only thing weighing against that right and proper course of action was cold fear. Too many years in the mob gave him too many examples of the price of any disobedience. At this point, Alex fell victim to Paul Martenson's habit of revealing only the information that was asked for and paid for. He had no clue about an armed bodyguard for Craig's wife, or he might indeed have fled and taken his chances. Assuming he would be the only one armed after he shot Craig, he felt he could hold off the others and retreat without being identified. The car behind him provided the perfect getaway. A man was running toward them from the entrance, and Alex could see Craig's head turned that way. Gun already in hand, he took a long, careful stride forward, putting him only five or six feet back. He saw Craig look back toward his wife and raise his gun. Forcing all thoughts of who or why from his mind, Alex raised his own gun and fired at the back of Craig's head. ------- Patrick had been in the same jovial mood as everyone else after a very entertaining win by Dex, Tim, Randy, and their teammates. Randy's actions upon leaving had jarred him back to the reality of Megan's danger, but he was not on high alert as he walked away from the entrance on a sidewalk that bordered the gravel lot. Randy's yells of 'Gun! Gun!' sent Patrick's hand frantically scrabbling for the zipper of his jacket, then for the automatic under his left arm. He got the weapon free and the safety off after minimal fumbling, and remembered to retract the slide to chamber the first round. As Patrick's hands readied his weapon, his eyes scanned the trees, and he spotted the outline of a man, then almost thought he spotted a second. All this time, his mind was screaming 'Oh! No! No! Megan! Megan!' They couldn't lose her now when they were just so wonderfully reunited! He couldn't let that happen! Instead of panic, the many long-ago years of training kicked in and the professional peace officer took over. Patrick went to the kneeling position, and aimed his weapon at the figure he was certain of. The reluctance to fire until certain of a threat that was drilled into all peace officers held him back momentarily. His uncertainty was ended when the figure stepped forward slightly and raised what was obviously a gun. Before he could squeeze of his first round, Patrick heard two almost simultaneous reports. There WAS a second figure! Pointing at the frontmost shape, he began squeezing in a steady rhythm, moving from left to right toward the still indistinct impression of the second shooter. He kept firing, holding steady at his targets, even through another shot from the trees and the scream of a car alarm going off. He did not keep count, but hoped he had stopped short of emptying his eleven shot clip. ------- As he squeezed off at Craig's head, Alex was alarmed to hear Craig's gun go off. He barely had time to worry if he was too late to stop Craig from killing his wife when gunfire started from across the lot. Instinctively, he turned his head to find the shooter and raised his weapon to defend himself. As he moved, he heard the thud of two bullets hitting Craig's collapsing, lifeless body, then another report, and then he felt a massive blow to his stomach just as he got off a shot. Another hammer blow drove him backward, and as he fell, his mind screamed 'This is wrong! I wasn't shooting at them!' ------- No sooner was Dex in place to shield Megan and Elise than noise overwhelmed his senses. From the trees came the sound of two shots that were almost simultaneous. Before there was any reverberation from those shots, Dex felt a stinging sensation in his back, and a steady pounding of gunfire started from the other direction, punctuated by one more shot from the trees and a car alarm going off. While registering alarm at what might have happened to his back, Dex felt great relief that Patrick was indeed armed, and was defending them. His women were safe! ------- Chapter 35 After perhaps eight shots, Patrick began yelling over the whooping and horn blasts of the car alarm, "Two shooters! Two shooters! Stay down! Stay down!" The sound of Patrick's voice caused Dex to turn his head to watch the action. As Patrick reached the trees, Randy yelled out "Gun! Gun!" again. In silhouette, Dex saw Patrick raise his gun with both hands and there were three more quick reports. After Randy's yell and the last three shots, Jeanette screamed, which turned out to be the only sound any of the women made until it was over. Apparently hearing his wife, Patrick bellowed out "We're OK! We're OK! We're OK!" There followed twenty or thirty seconds of silence, then Randy called out "It's over! You can get up!" The owner of the shrieking SUV must have been waiting at the door for an all clear, because he dashed out with his fob and brought a merciful end to the clamor. He stood looking in dismay at the two windows that had been taken out by Alex's stray shot. Out at the tree line, Randy was gaping at the two bodies in front of him. "Holy Shit, L.T.! That was some shooting!" "All those years! All that practice! I never even broke leather when I was on patrol," Patrick said in obvious disbelief. "Well, it sure came back when you needed it," Randy said, still shaking his head. "Makes all that work more than worth it, I'll tell you!" "Uh, Patrick, I'm not sure if that second fucker was really going for his gun or just reaching for help," Randy said almost apologetically. "Wouldn't have mattered! I was ready to shoot on any movement. He comes for my family, he gets no mercy." They stepped gingerly around the body for another minute, then Patrick observed "Damn! This guy's dressed like he was going to a board meeting!" "I'll be damned! That's Alex Kolchek you just wasted. What in the Hell... ? My friend, I am afraid you and me are going to be sitting across from a lot of suits and badges for a long time on this one!" "Just glad I don't have to do the paperwork," Patrick quipped, and they both laughed. "Say, Son, you've got some balls charging at these guys like that!" "I hate being a sitting duck. If some guy wants to waste me, I want to make sure he's a damned fine shooter." This produced an even louder laugh from the two. Jeanette was on her feet, but badly shaken. "H... h... how can they laugh at this?" she almost sobbed. Dex was at her side in a flash. "Jeanette, if Patrick couldn't laugh, he would have a severe case of the shakes right now. It's a tension release. A hug from you would be another great tension release - go to him!" The words were barely out of Dex's mouth when Elise let out a shriek. "Oh, God! Dex! No!" With that, she fainted and crumpled in a heap. "What the..." Dex started to say as he spun back toward her. He scooped her up off the gravel and held her across both arms with her head on his shoulder. "I think I see the problem, Buddy. You've got blood on your back," Tim told him. Dex then remembered the stinging sensation after the first gunshot. They later deduced that a bullet had hit the gravel not far behind Dex, smashing a stone and sending three shards into his back. Two of them had gone in quite deep, and produced enough blood to give Elise her scare when Dex turned away from her. Dex told Megan which pocket he kept his keys in, and had her fish them out. Tim took them and opened the Jeep so Dex could set Elise down on the seat. He knelt on the running board beside her until she revived, then reassured her that he was all right. She went from relief that he was OK to embarrassment at her overreaction to renewed shock as she remembered what had happened. By that time, all the players, refs and spectators from the current game were either out in the lot or looking out through the doors. Randy's earlier police training returned to him, and he and Patrick set about cordoning off the scene, including where Dex, Tim, and the women had gone to the ground, and the spot where the bullet had hit the ground behind Dex. With action of any kind finally stopped, shock set in on all of them. Apparently, someone in the gym had called 911, because within three minutes, the first siren came screaming up the street. Before ten minutes had passed, there were five squads and a paramedic truck in the lot. The coroner's wagon took almost thirty minutes to appear. Over his objections, the paramedics decided Dex needed attention first, and they ended up stitching one of his wounds. The women had cuts and scratches from the gravel, and there were three pairs of slacks that would have to be replaced. The elbows on a couple of nice jackets took a beating, also. Back in cop mode, Patrick had taken off his holster, ejected the clip from his automatic, and wrapped the strap around it all. He carefully handed it to the first officer to arrive on the scene. Over the next hour, the parking lot and adjoining street filled up, as everyone up to and including the chief put in an appearance. The FBI was not at all happy that it took a half hour for anyone to think of calling them. They made up for it with even more than their usual attitude when the three agents got there. The inspiration to call Marty had hit Dex as they were working on his back, and she and Nichole arrived almost together. Marty huddled with both Patrick and Randy, and was retained to represent both of them temporarily. No one had yet commandeered cell phones, so Dex called the house to give them a brief rundown, then he called Carl. Marty heard that no one had eaten, and went to the nearest fast food and brought back several bags which were emptied in record time. The bugging of Craig's home and office was not legal, nor was the tracking beacon in his car. Because of Megan's legitimate residency, the house wasn't much of an issue. The existence of the other electronics was best not revealed, however. The knowledge of Craig's hidden assets the team had gained was certainly not to be divulged to the authorities. Carl was adamant that Megan should spend the night in the house as if she lived there. He also wanted to be there himself to retrieve any important documents that would help with appropriating the assets. He was certain there would be a warrant to search the house by morning. The idea of returning to the house did not go over well with Megan until her parents and Tim all agreed to stay with her. It was a foregone conclusion that Patrick would be very, very late getting home. For some reason, the Police chose to classify Randy as a combatant, as well, and he also had to stay. The others were allowed to go after an hour and a half, with appointments for interviews the next day. Even the people who were inside at the time had been forced to remain until identification and statements were completed. ------- Tim brought Megan and Jeanette back to Dex's to get what they needed for the night. Jeanette optimistically took Patrick's things, too. Morgan spent a few minutes talking quietly with Elise, and Elise could be heard ordering her to go with her mother. Obviously concerned about her friend, Morgan was even more worried about her mother, and hurriedly packed a few things. When the Shaughnessy women had left with Tim, only Dex, Elise, Sandra, Eric, Kendra, and Harv were left in the house. Harv had come over for protection when Dex and Patrick had both gone off to the game, or at least that was the cover story. Elise was obviously very troubled. Morgan had been her caregiver so far, but she was not there. Dex, more than a little shaky himself, knew he had to provide the strength for her. He took her hand and led her toward her room, but halfway down the hall, she stopped him. Lip quivering and unable to look him in the face, she asked "Dex, is that invitation still good?" "Invitation?" "To sleep in your bed?" "Absolutely! But are you ready?" "I don't know! But if you want me, I'm not spending another night away from where I want to be. Especially not tonight. Wait for me just a minute." In a remarkably short time, Elise came out in her robe and took Dex's hand. In Dex's room, Elise was very tense, but she also seemed relieved. She used the bathroom first, and when Dex came out, she was under the covers. When he slid in to join her, he was rudely reminded of his wounds. It did not seem likely he would enjoy his usual face-up sleeping position that night. Turning on his side to face her, he said "Elise, there are so many things I want to say to you, I hardly know where to start." "That was going to be my line, Dex." "First of all, it was incredibly brave the way you tackled Megan. You moved even faster than I could." Elise was silent for a long time. Dex did not know if she was embarrassed by the compliment, or what the problem was. Eventually, she spoke softly. "My first year with the County, I had been working with one abused young mother for weeks. I tried again and again to get her to leave, but she couldn't do it. I pled with her to call 911 if things got bad again. She didn't. Her husband shot and killed her and the baby." "About a year ago, I got a woman out and helped her find a lawyer, get an order for support, and everything. Despite all of my pleading, she went back. He shot her to death. I think that's when I started going downhill." "Dex, I don't know if you can understand this, but I couldn't let it happen again. If it was me that died instead, that would be better. I couldn't live with another of my women dying like that." Understand it? He had lived it! She had played back to him his own thoughts as he lunged to cover Megan! He was too stunned to breath. His whole life, smart people had told him that he was not the only one who suffered from guilt and fear; that his guilt was unreasonable, irrational. No matter what they said, he had felt isolated, forced to deal with it by himself. In a few sentences, everything changed. No illusion of isolation could exist any longer. He was not alone. He had seen a picture of his own soul in that of the woman he loved. Yes, loved. The last possible doubt had been swept away. Elise lay on her back. Dex leaned over and kissed her very softly on her lips. "I love you, Elise!" "Oh, Dex! Do you mean that? I... I couldn't stand it if you didn't!" "Yes, Elise, I mean it. I think I have loved you for a long time, but never let myself think about it or admit it." "Y... you know I love you, Dex. With all my heart. I had lost any hope that you felt the same way. Wh... why tonight?" "What you just told me," Dex answered. "Those were my exact thoughts as I tried to cover Megan. I would rather die myself because I couldn't stand the guilt if she did. Ever since my mother died, I have felt guilt - I should have been able to stop it. I was supposed to be protecting her, and I couldn't." "Elise, my first thought was that you were wrong to feel that way. Those other deaths weren't your fault. You shouldn't feel guilty because you couldn't stop them. Then it hit me - if you were wrong to feel that way, so was I. All these years I have been wrong. I just could not see the truth until I saw myself in you." "Besides all the other wonderful things about you, Elise, you can understand me in a way no one else ever could, and maybe I can understand you that way, too. I think Morgan saw that right away." Elise looked at Dex with wide, moist eyes for long moments before she spoke. "Tonight, on the ground in the parking lot, you held me. Death was very near, but I felt safer than ever in my memory. I had the overwhelming feeling I was where I belonged. Dex, hold me!" "Will you be OK?" "If I shake, just hold me until I stop. Don't let go!" Almost awkwardly, she turned to face Dex and pulled herself tight against him. She had put her arm around his back, touching one of his wounds, but there was no way he was going to let her know she had hurt him. Hopefully, she would read his flinch as a sign of emotion. Dex carefully slipped his lower arm under her and hugged her tightly with both arms. Her breath became ragged, and the shakes started, but she tightened her own grip. He spoke soothingly to her, but still she quivered, and he feared she would hyper-ventilate. Music was not one of Dex's strengths. He had better than average appreciation and recognition, but no performance skill. For some unknown reason, he started humming one of Jenny's old songs. Whether Elise could recognize the tune or not, the act itself had a rapid calming effect. Within a few phrases, her breath steadied, and after a few more, the shivering stopped. As she finally became still, the tension seemed to drain out of both of them. When the tension and Elise's fear were gone, neither of them had anything left. Dex's humming petered out in the middle of a line, but she was not even awake to know it. This was the perfect time for a dramatic first coupling, but the shootout had ensured that it was not going to happen right then. It was probably fitting that Dex's declaration of love was not immediately consummated with sex. The last few days of their relationship had not been centered around sexual attraction, after all. Elise's distress, Dex's concern, and Morgan's perceptivity and her self-sacrifice had been the triggers that brought them together. There was no doubt about the sexual attraction between them. From Elise's end, it went back years. For Dex, the attraction to Elise had seemed to unfold hour by hour over the their last few days of constant togetherness. Elise, like Megan, had the tall, trim, athletic body that Dex preferred over all the others that he loved so much. Over all the years of his working partnership with Elise, he had avoided noticing all the lovely little features that now seemed to be assaulting him constantly. Sex would most certainly happen, but it could wait. For the moment, the simple fact of being together and of sharing in common something so central to each of their psyches was more than enough. It was more than just sleep. It was shared renewal. ------- Some hours later, Dex awoke. They had drifted off with the reading lamp still on, and his face was inches from his love's. He lay there looking at her, his mind, now somewhat refreshed, racing back over the incredible last two weeks. He had done it! He had rescued Megan, and now she was free. Not only free, but headed for the kind of life that had eluded her before. But he hadn't done it alone. He had not been the one to kill Megan's monster. He had not been the only one to protect her when the shooting started. Others had played key roles in her liberation, and it did not diminish his satisfaction! The idea that a team of people had effected Megan's freedom should not have been hard for Dex to grasp. After all, in basketball, he had always been the consummate team player. With the women, however, he had always felt a unique responsibility, not shared with anyone, driven buy his guilt. His look into Elise's soul had shattered that sense of isolation and uniqueness. When Dex thought of the six other abused women that had moved through his life since Megan's rescue, there was another revelation. Morgan had been the driving force in turning their lives around. Certainly, he had contributed in some key ways, but she was the leader of the team. He felt no loss of satisfaction over the results just because he wasn't doing it all. In fact, he felt ashamed that it had taken him so long to appreciate the need for a team effort. Two weeks! In the clarity of the wee hours, and with the new insights into himself, he could see the events of the last two weeks chipping away at the life he had carefully constructed over the twelve years since Connie's death. He suddenly understood the concern for him that he always saw on the faces of his loved ones. He had regarded those looks with bemusement, and sometimes with irritation. Now he understood them. They were right to be concerned, and his heart swelled at the evidence of their love for him. What had really happened in those two weeks? As he was acutely aware from her gentle breath against his face, he had found his soul mate, the true love of his life. He knew that with absolute certainty. But he knew it was even more than that. He saw the faces of Megan, Kirstin, Sandra, Carol, Teri, Kendra, and Sonja. The stream of faces didn't stop, and he saw others, as yet without names. He knew what the faces meant. He was redeeming himself, face by face, life by life,... The little snooze Dex had fallen into probably didn't last but a few minutes - he couldn't be sure. When he opened his eyes, Elise was looking at him fondly. The cautious, methodical Dex who had who had built a successful business and a large portfolio by carefully managing risk was replaced by the spontaneous, slashing, risk-taking point guard Dex. "Marry me?" popped from his mouth without conscious thought, but with a sense of contentment he had never felt before. At first, Elise's eyes just widened in surprise. Within seconds, they filled with tears, and she was only able to nod her head vigorously a few times before she was overtaken by huge sobs. Dex just held her as she shook, understanding at least some of what she was feeling. For her, this was the fulfillment of a dream she had thought impossible - a dream that had been shattered at that shuttle stop years ago; a dream she had relegated to nothing more than fantasy as her love for him grew. But as wonderful as was the dream come true, there was more. There was the sharing of the burden she had tried to shoulder alone. There was the knowledge that her soul mate understood without the need for explanation. The sobbing went on for some minutes, with Dex just holding her and caressing her hair. When Elise regained some control, she lifted her tear-streaked face to him and whispered. "Dex, we haven't even made love, yet!" Kissing both reddened eyes, then her lips, Dex answered. "I'm not worried about that. I know when it happens, it will be perfect." Right answer! That is, if he had been seeking a new flood of tears. When the second crying session ended, a seemingly different Elise emerged. She sat up in the bed and lifted her nightie off over her head. Dex could see that it required all her control to expose herself, but she was almost frantic in her determination. As she scooted herself out of her panties, she talked to him. "I have gotten myself off every night for years dreaming of you making love to me. I am not going to let my silly fears rob you of the kind of wife you deserve. Make love to me! Now!" "Are you sure this is what you want, Elise?" "It's what I've always wanted!" Dex could sense the tension as Elise pressed her bare body against him, but she relaxed as he drew her in and their mouths met in their first serious kiss. As the kiss went on and on, any remaining fear was replaced by need-driven passion, and her body seemed almost to vibrate against him. With obvious reluctance, she broke the kiss and clawed at his shorts, trying to remove them. When Elise had exposed Dex's hardening cock, and was able to grasp it, the last vestiges of fear or shyness were gone. She rolled to her back and spread her legs, pulling him into place with her hold on his hardness. Bracing himself, he put his hand on her pussy, only to find it fully lubricated already. She didn't say anything, but everything about her was telling him 'Hurry! Just do it!' and he felt the same need. Using both hands, Elise guided Dex into herself, pushing at him for more penetration when he had barely entered her. When he started to thrust against her tightness, she pulled on his back in rhythm. He was hardly more than halfway into her when the emotions and the long-held fantasies combined to throw her into a climax. Easing farther into Elise stroke by stroke, Dex felt different than with every one of the other wonderful women he had shared sex with. It took a moment before he understood why. There had always before been a sense of regret that this could not be forever. This time, it WAS forever, and the regret was gone. Reveling in the most emotional sexual experience of his life, he began moving in and out with abandon until a cautionary thought jolted his from his bliss. "Elise, are you protected?" He asked, stopping his motion. "Sh... should be OK. D... don't care. Do you?" she was able to gasp out. The question hit Dex like an electric charge. While still motionless, he began spurting into her, groaning and shaking with each pulse. The realization that he actually did not care was as shattering as the force of his gigantic ejaculation. The aftermath was relaxed and gentle. Still not recovered from the stress of the night before, they used the bathroom and cleaned up a bit. Then they snuggled and explored tenderly until they fell asleep again. ------- When Elise woke again, it was light, and Dex was not beside her. She chided herself at her slight irritation when she assumed he was working out. A small noise from the adjacent office caught her attention, and she walked in to find Dex sitting in front of a screen of airline flights. She thought only briefly about her nakedness before accepting the invitation of his open arms, and snuggling down into his lap. "Is it too early to call your folks?" "My folks! But I haven't seen..." "Sweetheart, yesterday you thrilled me with your stories of 'before.' What we started last night should be a continuation of those wonderful years. Isn't this a perfect way to re-connect with your parents? They need to be the first to know about us, and I want them to fly out today." It took some discussion before Elise understood the importance Dex put on family, and before she came to the place where she wanted them to come out herself. The phone call was a healing milestone for her. "Mom, I'm getting married!" Elise blurted out when the phone was answered. Apparently recoiling from a barrage of questions, she said "Wait! Wait! How soon can you guys get packed and get to the airport? Plan to stay until Sunday, and you'll find out everything." After some discussion on both ends, she gave her mother the flight information and the pickup arrangements. After hanging up, she collapsed in Dex's lap in another barrage of tears. Not usually impatient, and not enamored of ceremony, Dex next did something quite out of character. Knowing Margo was the woman with connections, he roused her from bed. "Margo, before I say anything else, will you promise secrecy?" It took a little back and forth, but he got the promise. "Do you have a jeweler friend who would make us a ring this morning? Preferably early? I won't argue about price." He had to hold the phone away from his ear before understanding that Margo would call him back. "Dex, we can't... ," Elise started to object. "I'd love to take you just like this, but you might want to comb your hair or something." This was the first time Elise had experienced Dex's teasing. She was about to make a show of indignation, but the import of the occasion was too much for her. She jumped off his lap and ran to get her robe. She was heading out the door toward her own room when Dex stopped her. "Jeans. Nothing fancier, OK?" Throwing him a pout, she couldn't work up a real objection, and nodded as she dashed off. Dex waited for Margo to call back, not wanting to get caught in the shower when she called. She had indeed found someone, and they needed to be there at eight o'clock. He asked if she could also wangle a late dinner reservation for four at a nice place, and agreed to wait until later for that. He also promised she would be the third stop to show the ring, after Karen and Donna. There was plenty of time before the ring appointment, but Dex wanted to have breakfast out. Just before leaving, he knocked on Sandra's door and told Eric what was happening when he staggered to the door. ------- Dex did everything he could to make the rest of the day a whirlwind fantasy for Elise. The setting of the stone and the resizing of the ring took barely an hour. Elise was not a bit concerned that it was a ready-made setting and not custom. From the jewelers, they went to Karen's, Donna's, Margo's, Kristen's, Jenny's, Angeline's, and finally to Megan's. Elise almost got used to the tearful reactions from each of the women, and felt that she truly had a huge new family by the end of the morning. Tim looked longingly at the ring when Elise displayed it. He put his arm around Megan and declared that it was going to happen for them, but they had to take a little time for the sake of appearances. Megan's smile left no doubt of her agreement. Despite Dex's objections, Elise took back her cell phone from Morgan. She promised that major changes would be made, but that she was again able to handle the calls. They stopped by the Police station for brief follow-up interviews before picking up Elise's parents. ------- Dex felt a restaurant was a much better place to break the ice with Elise's parents than in the car, so he drove to one close to the airport. It was a fairly strange meal because at first, Dex was more relaxed with them than Elise was. Her relationship with them had become so distant that they barely knew of her work, and of course had never heard Dex mentioned. Learning that they had worked together for over five years was a great relief to them. They did not consider Elise to be flighty or impetuous, but were not sure how well they still knew her. It was not Dex's intention to put pressure on Elise, but he knew she had to take the lead in bridging the gap with her parents. Fortunately, she wanted the family restored, and as the conversation went on, she was very contrite about her neglect of communication with them. Dex helped by explained his perspective on Elise's 'before' and 'after' lives, and the difficulty she had reconciling them. All in all, after nearly two hours and a large stack of napkins, a very good first step was taken. The fact that no actual strife or controversy had hindered the relationship made it easier. All that was needed was the parents' forgiveness, and they were eager to grant that. Although it was not his intention, Dex would definitely enter their family with hero status for bringing back their daughter. ------- Back at the house, they were greeted by Harv helping to load Sandra's and Eric's things into a pickup. Her restraining order had come through, and they were moving back home. Elise's parents watched the tearful goodbyes rather quizzically before she gave them a full explanation. A watershed event occurred about mid-afternoon. Elise got a string of calls for help, and it appeared another holiday flood was on. Her mother sensed what was going on, and insisted they take in some of the women, offering to cook. As it turned out, the fancy New Year's Eve dinner never happened, and Dex's house was once again a hectic haven for distraught women and children. ------- Epilogue The schoolyard shootout, as it came to be called, received national attention over the holiday. CSU was fairly confident in their reconstruction of events by the next morning. Patrick was pretty shaken up when he realized that Alex had indeed had no intention of harming them, and may have saved his daughter's life. One after another, though, his Police, DA, and even FBI compatriots lined up to reassure him. Their message was simple. Craig was Alex's creation, and Alex was as responsible as anyone for the threat to Megan. Besides which, Alex deserved his fate for a long list of other transgressions. Within the law enforcement community, Patrick was accorded hero status. He was invited to speak to the current academy class, validating the rigorous weapons training they were put through. He had a feeling his election to Captain back home was now assured, and he promised Jeanette he would retire as soon as his new salary grade was secured. The mob apparently saw no reason to seek revenge on Patrick or anyone else. They were unaware of how much of their activities the hackers had uncovered. Dex and his team had long discussions on how to help law enforcement 'discover' the information they had unearthed. Dex was very thankful that he and Elise were minor figures in the shootout. Public exposure was not a good thing for the shelter movement. Elise never spent another night in her apartment, and they kept it under lease as an additional refuge, and as temporary quarters for employees and volunteers. Because of state law, and because there had been no pre-nuptials, Megan inherited Craig's assets. She became the owner and president of the property holding company, which was no longer secret. Dex's hacker friends realized the possibility of Craig's lawyer just pocketing the million that had been deposited, assuming no one knew about it. They transferred it back into Craig's account, thus making it Megan's property. The Cayman account was not easy to penetrate, but it was eventually transferred to another off-shore account that had been set up. Equitable payments to Carl and Randy and the hackers were done into still other off-shores. Because the money in that account had never been taxed, Dex and Megan agreed that it would be used only for donations to charities, primarily the Connie Archer Fund. With the offshore money and the endowment from Kendra's settlement, Elise had more than enough to fund some full-time positions. Ilyana, Kendra's former maid, was very interested, and became assistant director. Carol was eventually hired as administrator, and showed a real heart for the work. Freed of the burden of every call, Elise was able to focus on truly helping the women. She retained Morgan as a paid consultant, and the two went on to break some new ground in the field of abuse recovery. Judy Morris made Megan's tale the basis for her first book. Then, of course, there was the wedding. Dex and Elise would both have preferred to see the Justice of the Peace. Neither had any illusions of that possibility. Since Elise had been gone for twelve years, her parents did not insist on having the ceremony in her home town. They happily turned the whole thing over to Margo and Jenny, and the event definitely made the society page. Predictably, the honeymoon was abbreviated due to a house full of rescued women. Neither the bride nor the groom was distressed by that. Right there with 'their' women was where they both felt they were supposed to be. ------- Author's Note: I want to thank all the readers who sent me emails. I tried to reply to all who were not anonymous. A surprising number of my replies were sent back as undeliverable, and I regret that. There were several who responded after every chapter. Believe me, that would have been an incentive to go on, had I ever suffered any inclination to quit. About the story: Well, that was a lot longer than I expected when I first outlined it. It ended the way I had planned, and it started the way I had planned. Somehow, a lot more occurred on the way than I had anticipated. The story was not written chronologically. I did major segments when inspiration hit. A lot was written before the first chapter was ever posted, and the next two or three chapters were almost always waiting for final editing. There were a few spots of misidentified characters for which I apologize. These probably occurred because of the time separation in writing the various segments. This is not intended as a big apology, but I do want to acknowledge, as some of you have pointed out, that there was some unevenness in the telling. On a predominantly adult website, striking a balance between character development, plot development, and sex is a definite challenge. Inclusion of a large number of characters was generally well-received, but not universally so, at least not the relative amount of ink given to some of the less central ones. Another difficult issue is prurient appeal versus plausibility. Since we all live with the painfully plausible most of our lives, interesting fiction should draw us at least to the limits of plausibility. A number of you were quick to point out where you thought I had gone beyond those limits, and I appreciated your opinions. In defense, I would argue that plausibility is in the imagination of the reader. More than anything, I wanted to write a story that interested me, that sometimes aroused me, and that sometimes made me cry. It was not intended as a definitive work on abused women, but they do provide strong emotional material for a number of stories found here. Farewell for a while, Shrink42 ------- The End ------- Posted: 2003-11-03 Last Modified: 2005-11-28 / 11:16:16 am Version: 1.10 ------- http://storiesonline.net/ -------