Ahead of the Curve - Chapter 25: Vulnerable (Mf anal creampie oral menstr rim)

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Chapter 25: Vulnerable

A knot of boredom was beginning to creep into the hours which passed on school days after my daughters, and Audrey, were off to school, lingering heavily until the evening returns which marked the end of their afternoon practices. I'd spent years doing almost nothing in those hours, but I'd only begun to notice how much I seemed to simply drift aimlessly, waiting for the world to bring me some sort of enjoyment, whether because my daughters were home or because my young lover had finished her other commitments and had time again to spend with me.

That Friday, January 16, I became aware of how much that boredom had begun burning a raw spot in my stomach. It was like I switched off my inputs and idled until someone came around to turn me back on again. I pondered a dozen ways to change that as I sat on the couch, the television spitting out silly, over-the-top exuberance from one sports commentator or another about some player or team or situation which meant nothing to me. I kept it on only so that I didn't feel so completely alone.

I could have tried starting a new business. I didn't need the money, of course, but I'd had many decent ideas over the years, and I felt sure I could make my fortune all over again if I only spent some time developing my concepts. But none of them caught me with any serious hooks, and I let those ideas slide away as I sipped a scotch. I debated becoming a gym rat, but never had that been a lifestyle I wished to explore. I could surely use more exercise, but the will to get up and go run or lift or even simply stretch was not there. Hobbies, of which I had few, were barely a passing thought that day. I had toyed with the idea of building a workshop and learning electronics or woodworking or robotics, but the effort to jump start that process was not forthcoming. My butt began to grow numb from sitting in one position too long. I was fairly used to that sensation from years spent doing little more than idling.

A text from Audrey around the time I knew her lunch period took place gave me a different idea.

The guidance councilor just gave me great news! UoH accepted me! I'm starting in the Fall!

My heart soared for Audrey. I had no doubts that the University of Houston would allow her to enroll at sixteen later that year, but to get confirmation of it must have been a wonderful moment for my lover. She'd get a full ride, I knew, given her unique combination of athletic and academic talents, and her life as a young college student would be starting on schedule, which is to say a couple of years ahead of a normal teen's expectations. Audrey was certainly no normal teen, and her hard work would have her set to graduate with a four-year degree well before she was old enough to legally drink.

Audrey's message pulled up in my thoughts an idea I'd kicked around for some time but never acted upon. I had earned a Master's degree in Applied Technologies by my mid-twenties, then became burned out on coursework and felt ready to earn my fortune with my brains. I'd lucked out over the years and did just that, but my thirst for knowledge, for learning, had slowly grown to a dull ache in my thoughts, like I was ignoring something which could take up a great deal of my time while also scratching an instinctual itch. Going back to college was something I'd rarely seriously considered, but with Audrey only months away from starting her freshman year at the University of Houston, I realized this might be the perfect push towards doing something more than idling while I missed Audrey each day.

I waited to look too deeply into things. Before I committed to such a significant change in my life, I wanted to talk to Audrey about it. Would she relish the thought of me being in classes again at her new school? While she explored her newfound responsibilities and possibilities? It would certainly challenge me, I knew, to attend classes again, but would it also challenge our relationship? I wasn't really sure. Things would be hard enough with Audrey's age and trying to keep private our personal moments, and, too, I worried that I might be intruding on an experience which Audrey deserved to savor without me adding more pressure to the mix.

Texting her back, I shared my joy at her news but told her nothing about my thoughts regarding my own enrollment.

But I knew my heart was setting quickly on the idea. I started to browse the University of Houston website and the various programs on offer. The idea of studying history was obvious as a focus. I had no desire to go through updating my understanding of technology with all the changes even in the years since I'd sold my business and retired. I wasn't looking to monetize what I learned. Instead, I had the opportunity to expand as a person, to learn how people in the past dealt with situations large and small, how human successes and failures led to the world we knew on that day. I'd long been a reader of non-fiction histories, biographies, and cultural explorations. It seemed like the perfect way to expand my mind and stop my idling ways.

- - -

My head was filled with excited thoughts of becoming a student again when Gwen and Vic came home around seven, Simone one step behind my youngest daughter. The girls greeted me quickly and I asked if they would like takeout for dinner. All agreed that Mexican was a good choice and I called in an order, including a meal for Audrey as well though she would still be at practice until almost eight-thirty that night.

The three girls were quickly in suits and splashing and laughing in the pool outside. I watched just a moment, smiling to see my daughters' behavior trending so nicely into friendship. I hoped that maturation of both my girls ensured the stressful angst and meanness, especially from Gwen's side, was in the past and that they would only grow more fond of each other as friends as the days passed.

Simone seemed like a nice enough young woman. Muscular, dark-skin with a single pale blemish on her right shoulder. I saw her several times touch Vic's arm or hand as they swam and played. It was a clear interest passed from her to my daughter, and the delight on Victoria's face told me how much she enjoyed her girlfriend's attention.

And, best of all, Gwen wasn't ruining it for them. She played and swam, as well, but she also gave them a bit of space to whisper and giggle together, not breaking in like she might have done in months past. My heart warmed right through.

- - -

The girls chose to eat out on the patio and so I joined them there after our delivery had arrived. I left Audrey's meal in the fridge and ate, mostly in silence, as the girls alternated bites of beans or tacos with excited conversations about softball and dance and even boys, though the latter subject was somewhat teased a bit by Vic. She was nice about it, generally, but there were a couple of moments when I knew Gwen was feeling her heartbreak over Pete, her face sinking just enough to show her pain.

It wasn't really a place for me to moralize, though. The girls were all old enough to work out such things together without my interjections, and the subject passed on into music and Facebook memes.

My phone buzzed and I answered it while standing and walking back inside. Audrey's photo was centered on my screen. "Hey, Love!" I breathed with excitement, trying to keep my voice low so as not to be overheard by the girls outside.

"Hey. Just getting home. Give me maybe thirty minutes to shower?"

"I'll do my best to wait. I've got dinner for you if you're hungry."

"Later, maybe. My stomach's a bit twisted right now..."

"That sucks," I replied.

"It does, yeah, but I'm feeling okay and I can't wait to see you, Darren..."

"Well, then go hurry on with your shower and ring me when I should come over."

I heard the smile in her tone, "I will, Love you."

"Love you."

- - -

The inside of Audrey's bedroom had, as a sort of skeleton beneath layers of other accents, the look of a pretty standard, sterile guest room. The furniture, the layout, the general lack of loose things on walls or atop dressers or tables. A simple queen bed with its head along one wall, a dresser opposite, a small closet door beside the nightstand, two lamps.

Over top, though, were at least a few signs that Audrey had moved in. I saw her clothing in loose but still somewhat organized piles on the floor and in a chair. A laptop was cockeyed on the edge of a short stool. Her school bag was leaning against a wall, a few stacks of books and magazines dotted around. A jacket and a pair of sweatpants hung over the wooden frame at the foot of the bed. A few fluffy, colorful pillows were spread along the top of the bed, the covers half-drawn down and revealing a fractal-patterned sheet featuring rich reds and bright greens.

The room smelled like her. Audrey's perfume, sure, but also of her warm flesh, her sweaty clothes, the strawberry-scented shampoo in her hair. I would have known those scents anywhere.

She'd told me when I'd arrived that Joyce and Herman were out visiting friends and we might have an hour or so of real privacy.

My hands and hers moved more quickly even than our lips, our bodies pressed together, touching, caressing each other. Audrey's desire was raw and more urgent than usual, and it fed my own like stoking a fire. She pushed my slacks to my ankles and before I had another notion, Audrey sucked me in, swallowing my length and bobbing her head back and forth.

I drew her up after some time, nearly tearing her clothing from her body as the urgency spread through us. I pushed her onto her back, legs off the bed, and held her knees wide and up.

Audrey's pussy was trimmed and neat, pink and swollen. A small, white string hung from inside, her labia slightly spread open. I leaned down and smelled her, the perfect combination of sweet soap and musky arousal and a hint of her metallic discharge. God, Audrey's scent was so arousing! I saw her stomach rising and falling quickly, her eyes watching me, excitement and anticipation on her face.

Gently, I pulled the string from her opening, Audrey shuddering, the tip of the cotton damp and bright red. I grabbed a tissue from the nightstand and sat the tampon aside. Kneeling again, I ran my tongue along Audrey's slit and loved the way she moaned in a deep rumble. She seemed to push herself down against me, forcing my tongue through folds and openings, her pungent flesh becoming iron on my tongue.

Audrey's hardness throbbed for attention and I swirled it, her body rising in jerking rolls. I lapped up and down her sticky slit again, then circled her clit. I could taste her blood easily, and if anything, it turned me on even more to have such a private, intimate part of Audrey's body in my mouth.

She came in long moans, "Ohhnnnnn... Ohnnnnn... Ohnnnnnnnnnn... Oh, Darren... Mmmmmm..." and suddenly, just past the peak of her release, Audrey pushed my head away and jerked her hips back. "Oh... so... sensitive," she breathed, gasping and still writhing a little.

"Okay," I grinned. I suppose when her eyes opened and swept to my face, Audrey saw her menstrual blood on my skin. Her flow was moderate and surely it had coated me while I ate her lovely young pussy. If it made her feel self-conscious or disgusted, she didn't show it. No, in fact, Audrey pulled me over her, letting my hard penis rest just outside her sticky opening, and brought her mouth to mine.

Audrey tasted herself for long moments, our tongues swirling and hands caressing chests and genitals. I was so caught up in our kiss, I barely noticed her fingers drawing me into her, spreading her menstruating vagina with my cock, Audrey moaning with me in unison as we started to mate.

Her pussy was sticky and wet, my length coated with her blood, my fingers dancing between us, stroking her hard clitoris, bringing her to a second orgasm as I rose towards my first. We rutted moderately, the urgency calming into a trance-like rhythm, my orgasm close but the pleasure so great that I rested towards the edge, but not over it, not yet.

Audrey's orgasm flushed out and, once more, she pushed me from her. "Oh, God... My pussy is sore!" She said with a mixture of pleasure and discomfort on her face. Audrey kissed me again, then breathed, "But I want you to cum inside me so much!"

"I'm close," I whispered into her ear, "stroke me until I'm right there..."

Her hand wrapped around my bloody length and felt my balls drawing up. Audrey's fist flew, sticky and slick, just inches from her open vagina. Just as my release rushed in and I felt thick cream pulsing up my shaft, I grabbed my cock from her fingers and slid it deep into Audrey's cunt.

I jerked and exploded, spurting, kissing, fondling Audrey's tits, cumming, spurting, flooding her menstruating pussy with my cum. My head felt heavy and dizzy and distant, all my awareness focused on the lightning bursts where Audrey's body and mine touched, on the burning, swollen flesh releasing seed into Audrey's cunt.

I thrashed and fell over her, trying to hold still, to not hurt her sore flesh more. Audrey's arms wrapped around me and our lips joined again. I throbbed small globs of semen into her pussy as I slowly softened.

Carefully, gently, pulling out, I slid beside Audrey and cradled her head against my chest. We'd stained the sheets, though much of the red blood was lost in the similar color on the fabric. I whispered to Audrey sweet nothings, not even really aware of what I said but sure I meant nothing but to show my affection for her. I heard similar, wonderful words from Audrey.

"Suppose we should shower," Audrey said after some time.

I smiled, "Agreed."

"It wasn't so bad, Darren. My blood on your tongue."

"A special treat for me... Sorry you're so sore..."

"I kinda get that way on my period," Audrey said quietly, "I usually can only cum once... but you made it twice as nice..."

"Like I said, I always want to be with you, Audrey. No matter what. Even if only to touch your hand. I prefer, though," I laughed lightly, "to do something like what we did just now, though."

"Me too," Audrey agreed. She looked down her body and ran a couple of fingers through her trimmed pubic hair. It looked sticky and there were a couple of small matted spots sticking in clumps. "Definitely need a shower..."

- - -

We showered together and teased each other a bit as we cleaned up, sharing kisses. I deliberately did not play with Audrey's pussy, hoping she wasn't so sore as to need a break that night or in the morning. I really wanted to enjoy my lover as much as possible.

I did caress her ass a lot, and Audrey rather enjoyed it, standing for long moments under the steaming water as I squeezed her buttocks from behind, her backside stuck out, her hands against the shower's front wall. I dared pass a finger down her cleft and felt her anus clench as I swept by. I'd never really touched Audrey there before, her pussy so wonderful as to barely notice her equally-arousing pink-and-brown wrinkled hole. I teased it a bit, and when Audrey didn't resist, I carefully lodged the tip just inside, holding it there and letting her get used to the penetration. Slowly, so slowly, I slid deeper, then withdrew, then pushed in again.

Audrey began to pant, but then her hand swept back and she held my wrist, saying, "I really love that, Darren, but..."

"Maybe later?" I finished her question.

"Yeah... Definitely later..."

"Mmmm," I purred, withdrawing my finger and sliding my hand over Audrey's firm young ass while kissing her neck under the rushing water.

- - -

Changing the sheets to a more modest peach fabric and remaking the bed, Audrey decided she was hungry at last, and while we were settling into the living room in front of a basketball game on the television, Joyce and Herman returned home from their visit. Joyce looked quite drained as Herman helped her into the room, the woman still recovering from her recent mild heart attack. We greeted them and talked, briefly, about the couple they had visited that night, old friends from Herman's days working in the city newspaper industry. The two soon excused themselves and disappeared into the master bedroom.

Audrey finished her meal while I sipped half a scotch. She leaned against me when she was through, burping once before laughing while I did the same. "I've never done that, by the way," Audrey told me quietly.

"Huh?" I replied, confused as to what that meant.

"The butt stuff. Never done it."

"Oh."

"Not against it, as I'm sure you guessed," Audrey assured me, "just... you know..."

"Only what you want to do, I promise. I hope you like it..."

She grinned and I could hear it in her voice, "Why, because you like it?"

"I do like it, very much, but I don't need us to do it, Audrey. Not ever, if you don't enjoy it."

"Thanks. I know," she responded, "but I know about what happens, and... I'm curious enough to try it. Especially with you."

"So you and Travis never..."

"No!" she exclaimed then laughed and shook her head. Audrey said, "I never suggested it, and I promise you there was no way he would even consider it. Clearly, it was a sin to him to even acknowledge butts and what you might do with one. You should have seen him the time I accidentally farted in front of him."

I laughed, "I'd rather not, though I expect he wasn't too pleased."

"Not pleased, no."

"Well, you never have to worry about me, Audrey. Fart as much as you wish."

She giggled, "Well... I'm not gross or anything, but, you know, it happens sometimes."

"Trust me, I know."

"But, uh," she said, getting back to the point, "butt stuff... You clearly know a lot more about it than me. I've just seen porn."

"Never tried pushing your finger in there?"

Audrey shrugged against me, "Once or twice. Never found it terribly interesting."

"Ah," I said, just a little deflated as it sounded like maybe this wouldn't be all that fun for Audrey.

She added quickly, "But with you... it was definitely different. It mattered that it was your finger. Kinda... liked it... to be honest."

I warmed again, then smiled, "Your ass is incredibly tight, Audrey... I barely got my finger in you..."

She giggled again, "I guess that's a good thing?"

"Usually, yeah," I agreed, "though... it can make it hard to have anal sex... if you are too tight..."

"Oh," she purred, "and how would a girl go about finding out if she's too tight?"

I smiled and petted the side of Audrey's breast through her shirt, "With my help, obviously."

- - -

Audrey was clearly quite horny. I knew her pussy was still sore, but her hands and lips and whispered naughty words after we returned to her bedroom made it clear she wanted to explore our intimacy further that night. After we kissed and petted a while, I told her to go void her bowels and, if she wished, a quick shower to clean things further. I assured her that it didn't need to be soaped into rawness, that I would be too turned on just to play with her there to worry about such things. Audrey blushed just a bit, but she nodded confidently and told me she'd be as quick as possible.

Meanwhile, I searched the obvious places in the room for something we might use for lubrication. I suspected Audrey's tight little hole would need more than my saliva to stretch open enough to fuck her there.

A small bottle of lotion fit the bill, scent-free and mostly just smooth moisture which rubbed quickly into my fingers when I tested it. I'd have preferred a lube made for such activities, but it would do, I thought.

While I waited, rocking my legs, sitting naked on the edge of Audrey's bed, I saw her clothes of the day crumpled in a layered pile on the floor. On top was her shirt and I pulled it to me, inhaling the damp, cool sweat deeply before noticing something even more interesting in the pile.

Half-hidden inside the tight athletic pants Audrey often wore at practice were a moist pair of crumpled lavender panties. I pulled them free and saw a spot or two of leaked blood but also creamy discharge in the gusset, the smell of iron and brine and warm flesh were rich and wonder as I sniffed the fabric.

Audrey's giggle caught me out, and I paused my sniff to see her smiling and shaking her head. "You really are perverted for the way I get stinky..."

"Yes... I love your scent, Audrey. All your scents..."

She stood naked, her young breasts swollen, pink nipples tight and hard. Her trimmed pubic hair was a small patch above her swollen slit. I saw a string once again hanging against her thigh. My god, was she beautiful. I simply forgot the lovely panties and let them fall to the floor as Audrey stepped into my embrace. Our kiss was passionate and needful, full of excitement and lust and love. Audrey writhed over and under me as we petted and licked and caressed each other.

She came to rest on her stomach at one point, and I was over her. My lust consumed me and I pushed my face down, down, right between her soft, muscular buttocks, my tongue swiping along her cleft and teasing her anus in slow movements.

Audrey's thighs steadily spread until I had much better access to her ass. My hands holding her curvy flesh, I held her open further as I rimmed and kissed Audrey's wrinkled sphincter and the lightly-hairy, somewhat-darker flesh surrounding her beautiful, pinkish-red-and-brown butthole.

I ate Audrey's ass gently even as my mind and body anticipated what was to come. I worked saliva into her butt, using my tongue to push through the tight ring. Over and over I probed and licked and caressed Audrey's special place, her moans measured with an edge of uncertainty.

It was surprisingly easy to work my finger deep into Audrey's ass, her wet, squishy insides so warm on my skin. I probed and pushed, soon moving in and out steadily. Audrey didn't resist my penetration, and after a moment, it was clearly quite pleasurable for her. The teen's hips pushed back to my rhythm, pushing me deeper into her rectum. Over long minutes I fingered Audrey's ass, opening her, and soon a second finger was inside, clamped tightly though and almost as much as the teen could take.

"Put your cock in..." she breathed suddenly, "I want to try..."

I needed no further encouragement, but I did think, just in time, to slather some of the lotion onto my dick and then spread globs of it on and in Audrey's butthole, making it more slippery than with saliva alone.

Plunging into a furnace, that's what it felt like. Surprisingly yielding but incredibly tight, Audrey's anus stretched around my cock and within seconds, we were rutting steadily, my penis burning inside Audrey's ass. I held her waist and thrust into her, over her, humping down against her body, my feet together, Audrey's spread. I could feel her shuddering, her cries thankfully muffled in her pillow.

I lowered myself over Audrey and slowed, wanting to savor our anal coupling. I let my weight press down on her body with my dick held mostly still by her anus and buttocks. I slid one hand under her and caressed her breast, making Audrey writhe and force her butt to roll against me. My other hand snaked down her hip and under her, barely able to reach her clit. I knew she was sensitive, so I was very gentle in my movements on her erect flesh.

So, so slowly, I fucked Audrey's ass, carefully massaging her clit and breasts. We made love like that, as much as one could make love during anal sex. Audrey turned her face back and breathed, "Ohhh... Darren... Ohhh... Oh, yes... I'm so close... So close..."

My hips rolled up and back, slowly, feeling each movement along my shaft like the tease of a knife's edge, her ring so tight it was pinching my flesh so delightfully. In and out, in and out, my finger gently circling Audrey's clit.

The long, drawn-out orgasm she had then was unlike any I'd ever known. Her body rolled just barely, writhing but not with urgency. She pushed her ass back towards me in long, extended motions. I heard her moaning, once more muffled by the pillow. Her anus twitched, giving away her release. I felt her clit strain and start to throb. I leaned down and kissed the back of her neck while she slowly climaxed, biting her flesh lightly, my weight almost completely on her young, shuddering body.

My release came in a rush but from no urgency. Audrey settled and slowed and I brought my hand from under her to hold myself up slightly on one side. I felt her anus clenching tightly in a rhythm which suggested Audrey was intentionally milking me. "Can I cum in your ass?" I had just breathed, on the edge of orgasm.

Her reply, "Please...," sent an animalistic thrill through me and released my flood. I felt it throb out in long, thick pulses. My seed filled Audrey's ass in delicious spurts. I jerked against her at the end, straining, trying to empty every drop into my lover's bowels.

We rolled together afterwards, no thought to the possible mess we might be making on the sheets. No, we were caught up in our intimacy. I told Audrey, over and over, how much I loved her, how much I enjoyed what we'd just done.

She purred and kissed me and said it felt just as good for her. "It made me... vulnerable, in a way... more than in my vagina..."

"Vulnerable," I repeated, holding Audrey's head on my chest, mine on a pillow.

"I kinda hurt, at times... I felt vulnerable... knowing it might hurt more... that you might go too deep or maybe tear me open... but," Audrey said as she looked up at me, "I trust you with my life, Darren... And I trust you with my ass... You knew just how to make it feel so, so good... I love that you came in there, too," she said lightly, "kinda really turned on knowing I have your cum in my ass right now..."

"Mmm..." I felt perfectly sated and loved, "me too..."

"So," she whispered, "I see why there's so much anal in porno movies... It does feel good..."

"So glad you enjoyed it."

"Oh, yes," Audrey replied, "not saying, you know, I love it more than in my vagina... but... still... Mmmm."

- - -

It was just a little confusing to wake up in Audrey's bed, especially since she was not right beside me. I stretched and threw back the covers, slowly waking. The smell of last night's anal sex met me like a rich but muted ripeness, an odor not repulsive or gross, but one suggesting I should probably shower before finding my clothes and then Audrey.

I was quick on the cleaning and in moments, headed out towards the sizzling sounds I heard coming from the kitchen. Judging from the light outside, it was just past dawn, and as she often did, Audrey had gotten up earlier and was in the process of making breakfast before anyone else had risen.

She wore a loose pair of light-blue and white pajamas, her hair wet like she'd already showered, hanging in dense waves down over her shoulders. I crept behind her and lightly kissed her neck, drawing a shudder from her body, and then I wrapped my arms around Audrey and hugged her to me, her perfect ass pressed up against where my cock was stirring despite the early hours and despite the effort expended the day before.

"Mmm, morning, lover," Audrey purred, "Almost have breakfast ready..."

"You're my breakfast," I whispered.

She giggled quietly, "Well, you can't eat me right now... I've got bacon grease on my fingers."

"I don't care," I mused.

"But I do, and, besides," Audrey said, "Herman and Joyce will be stirring about now..."

I relaxed my grip on her body, forgetting there were others in the house with us. "Ah. Right..."

"Forget you weren't in your home?" she asked.

"Perhaps... sorry."

Audrey stretched her neck to one side and kissed my lips a moment, then said, "Never apologize for wanting to be with me, Darren..."

"Anything I can do to help?" I asked, releasing Audrey from my embrace.

"Get out the oh-jay from the fridge?"

"Can do," I said.

Moments later, the breakfast was ready, coffee and orange juice in glasses, as Herman and Joyce made their way, both looking sleepy, to join us as the morning rushed in and bright sunlight lit up the world outside.

We made light small talk and then Audrey suggested she wanted to get some exercise. I thought it was odd, given she had hours of it during the week with practice, but I didn't object, recognizing that I was the one who really needed to get in some cardio. My dick was a little sore, yes, but honestly, the muscles in my stomach and legs were feeling the intimate exertion from the day before. If I was going to try to keep up with Audrey, in all things, I needed to do more to keep my body in better shape.

I wanted to stop by my house first to check on the girls. I excused myself, telling Audrey I'd be happy to drive us where she wished to go if she could give me a half hour or so to stop in with Gwen and Vic and Simone and then change my clothes. We kissed quickly with Herman and Joyce watching, and I headed back to my house.

All three girls were awake and in the living room, eating bowls of sugared cereal. I greeted them, giving both Vic and Gwen brief hugs. Victoria followed me as I went towards my bedroom and I knew she wanted to talk. I closed us inside and sat lightly on the edge of the bed.

Her grin was broad and her face was flushed.

"So," I asked my daughter, "have a fun night?"

She twisted a bit, smiling, "Maybe..."

"Well, good," I replied, realizing that my youngest daughter was no longer a virgin, "so all is well?"

"Uh-huh..."

"Anything on your mind?"

"Oh, I dunno," Vic said coyly, "suppose not... just... wanted you to know..."

I opened my arms and my daughter stepped in for a hug. "Happy for you, Vic."

"Thanks!" she said with enthusiasm. "Uh... We're gonna swim in a bit... can we order something for lunch?"

"You know the rules..."

"I know... I've got enough to cover it for us... just making sure it's okay..."

"Go for it. I'll probably be out..."

She held her arms around my neck and said, "Good night for you, Dad?"

"Uh-huh," I replied, repeating her words and tone as best I could.

Victoria giggled, "Well, happy for you," she said, matching mine, as well.

"We're going out for some exercise shortly, don't know when I might check back in today. Can Gwen give your girlfriend... uh... Simone... a ride back to her house later?"

Vic shrugged, "I dunno... hadn't asked."

"Ask her," I suggested, "and if she's not willing, ring me. I can get her home. We don't want to risk the wrath of her parents after you two have had such a nice time together..."

"Okay, I will."

"Gwen okay?"

Vic shrugged again. "Suppose so."

"Go get her and send her in..."

"Okay. Love you, Dad... uh... and thanks... for letting me have last night..."

I grinned and kissed Vic's cheek, "You're welcome."

Moments later, her sister came into my bedroom wearing a thick, tightly-clasped robe. "Hey, Gwennie... uh.. Gwen."

"Morning, again, Dad..." she said with a sleepy smile, "have fun with Audrey last night?"

"I did," I replied, unwilling to go into detail, "good Friday for you?"

Gwen shrugged and said, "It was okay... mostly by myself, you know... with those two doing their thing."

"They seem to have enjoyed themselves, at least Vic did..."

"Yeah, they fucked," Gwen said quickly, then she blushed and added, "Uh... I mean... were intimate."

"Better," I replied, "though, at least that was a proper use of that word for a change."

Gwen giggled and we hugged a moment. I repeated to my eldest my plans for the day. "Did Vic ask you about giving a ride to Simone later?"

"Yeah... I'll take care of it."

"My thanks."

"No problem. Uh... Dad?"

"Yeah, Gwen?"

"I, uh... I want to go hang out afterwards... with some friends."

"Okay... you know you don't really need my permission, but I appreciate you letting me know... where you going?"

She glanced past me as if she was looking at herself in the small mirror near my closet. "Not really sure, just some friends wanting to get together with me... Pete will be there, I think..."

"Ah... well, you remember what I said about him."

"I know... I just... Do you think I should talk to him, Dad?"

"I dunno, Gwen... That's really something only you can decide. I said my piece about him before... If you want to talk to him again, that's your decision."

"Okay... I kinda want to, you know... I... I kinda miss him..."

"Perfectly normal," I assured my daughter, "but don't let that longing lead you into something you don't want to do. Missing someone is normal, but what he did to shame your sister is not..."

"I know. I won't forget. I just... I dunno, I'm kinda torn."

I pulled Gwen to me and wrapped her in my arms, kissing her cheek, then saying quietly, "Relationships are hard, and former ones often harder, just keep your wits about you and don't just give in to something because you fear being alone or without. Give things a day or two and see if what you really want sits right with you before you... jump back in to anything, okay?"

"I'll try."

- - -

The jog along the city's largest man-made park-bound lake was harder than it should have been. Audrey set our pace and it was clear she was holding herself back to let me keep up with her. Before we'd gone a full mile, I was sweating profusely despite the cool January day, my lungs burning and I had to stop beside a bench, resting my arms on the back, to catch my breath. Audrey jogged in place.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"Don't be," she said, somehow without sweat and still maintaining her quick-step rhythm, "feeling it a bit myself right now." I wasn't sure if that was true or just spoken out of sympathy, but either way, I needed more time that just a few seconds to gather my will to push on again. I sat heavily on the bench and stretched my legs out in front of me.

"Listen," I said, trying to prolong the break, "I've been thinking about something, and I want your thoughts..."

"Sure, what is it?"

"You're going to uni in the Fall, and, I thought, well... maybe I might like to go take some classes, myself. You know, another degree..."

I watched Audrey's face as she heard my thoughts. She maintained an even expression. "Some classes? Like what?"

"Oh, I dunno. I've always wanted to study history again. I really loved those classes in my past days as a college student, and I read a lot of such things. I thought, maybe, I might take some courses along those lines."

"Hmm," Audrey said, pursing her lips. I felt pangs of disappointment that Audrey's reaction was rather muted, and perhaps, negative, but then she smiled and told me, "That would be great! You're too smart to spend so much time doing nothing."

"Ouch," I replied, though I knew she was right.

"You know what I mean. You have all the money you need and more time than interests, I think... This sounds like a great idea!"

"So... it won't bother you to be, you know, having your first college experiences tied to an old guy like me doing the same?"

Audrey stepped over my legs, straddling me but not sitting down. She leaned forward and said evenly, "I never want you to call yourself that again, Darren. Please... I hate that you think you're old. You're not. You're perfectly you. Nothing less. And, no, it won't bother me. I want you with me in all things, Darren. It's exciting to share this with you!"

I didn't dare kiss her in public, but I held her hand a moment and felt heartened by her acceptance. "Alright... Maybe tomorrow I'll take another look at the options. I suppose I should start trying to get my records together pretty soon."

She nodded and it was clear with the increasing jumpiness of her in-place jogging that she really wanted to get going again. I dragged myself to my feet, knees weak but a little more solid than before. My lungs still burned but the discomfort had receded. "I'm ready," I told her in half-truth, "another lap?"

Audrey grinned and moved ahead, leading me on another measured jog which I knew would leave me even more out of breath than the first leg. Regardless, I'd have done anything to be with Audrey. If that meant getting in shape through burning lungs and screaming muscles, I was going to do it. Almost immediately, my legs felt heavy and my breathing was ragged and strained, and yet, despite my temporary pains, all I could think about was just how fortunate I was to be in Audrey's life, wherever she may lead me.