Chapter 1

My alarm clock buzzed way to soon! We two bedmates stirred and slowly rose to greet the dawn and Larson.

"I didn't hear you come in last night, officer." I said. She smiled and raised an eyebrow as we struggled to get out of bed.

"Y'know, April, I have to admit that you and your cousin do look very cute standing there with no clothes on."

I got up and wiggled in front of the mirror.

"Well... I think so too!"

Even Jennifer started giggling and actually took off her stupid robe to reveal... aha... pretty pink undies. We stared at her amazed at what girls grow up to become. She saw us staring and turned nearly as pink. She adjusted her bra and pulled her panties up tighter.

"Well...my boyfriend likes it." Our eyes were getting wider, folks!

"Does he see you like that?" I asked, suddenly feeling very stupid.

"C'mon, April, you know about this stuff, besides, I'm not going to say anything else."

Suddenly a male intrusion from beyond the door!

"Okay all you boys and girls, time to get ready and come down."

Apparently Dad was taking the day off. My brain must already be on vacation. Somebody has to drive us to the airport and I'm sure he really wants to see us leave, say goodbye and all that. There were lots of noises, people in the hallway outside my room and people downstairs moving things around.

"MMM... I smell something good!" Marissa exclaimed. Breakfast! I began to pull on my new hot red undies. Jennifer laughed and asked me if my boyfriend sees me like this and I replied that I thought she wasn't talking anymore. No comment. Maybe I looked weird, they were a little big, especially the bra! Anyway, we hurried and did our bathroom thing, finally to join the crowd heading to the galley. This was intense! Everybody and I do mean everybody was fluttering around, busy, busy, busy! Before I really could grasp anything we were in the car heading for the airport.

"Bye America!" I yelled out the window. Maybe I meant 'buy American', naah, that's a Chuck and Stubby type of joke.

The airport looked huge and it was very noisy, odd that I should think it would be quiet. Confusing! There was so much going on. We went through all the check in stuff. I giggled as we went through the metal detectors.

Finally we sat down at our gate and Mom went and got us some orange juice. Seeing her coming with our drinks combined with our general excitement, everybody, and I do mean everybody under 21 made a beeline to the potty. It was great fun! Even Kathy, who usually made such a big deal about how grown up she was, got into the spirit of things. We all sat nervously and, hey, there it is, our boarding call!

"Flight 47 non-stop to Paris boarding at gate 12," the loudspeaker crackled. Mom and Dad kissed us all.

"Bon Voyage!" they yelled as we walked toward the tunnel leading to, what? Now I was getting nervous! As we stepped into the plane itself we were greeted by a kindof pretty woman who welcomed us aboard. I noticed that the door to the pilots place was open and I looked in. A uniformed man and a woman dressed the same smiled at me. A few signs were around and I saw they were in English and, I assumed, French.

When we got to our seats in about the middle of the plane I was pretty shaky. Kath was no help at all, seeming kindof lost in the haze somewhere.

"Want to sit by the window, April?" Uncle Jon asked, smiling. Of course these guys were all old pros at this, even little Marissa.

"I guess so, okay..." I said tentatively. I plunked my butt down and looked out at the wide expanse of wing. Kathy sat down next to me and Illana sat next to her. Jon, Ellen and Marissa were directly in front of us, I'm not sure where Gil sat.

Big sis started going through some stuff she found inside the pouch of the chair in front of her. She took out an airline magazine, a couple of gum wrappers with French ingredients printed on them and a little bag.

"I wonder what this is for," She said, holding the latter item in front of me. Illana giggled and I thought I heard more than a few other plane mates do the same.

"Oh, you won't need that!" Marissa chuckled turning to face us. Finally it was time for the old "seat belt" and departure announcements, just like the movies. Here comes the invisible captain's comments! The flight attendents assured us of a comfortable flight and demonstrated the plane's safety stuff. For some reason the big emergency sign caught my eye. I noticed that I was the person seated by the exit window! Hmmm.

We started to move slowly and I could see the airport buildings passing by. I thought I saw Mom and Dad waving from one of the airport windows but maybe that was just wishfull thinking. We started going faster and faster! It was amazing, I was actually getting pushed back into my seat! I remembered about G-forces in science class and it was interesting actually experiencing them. Suddenly, I didn't feel so good. I thought I felt the plane bounce and lift a few times then uuupppp! Jeez, it felt like a very fast elevator! The ground went away, all I could see was clouds and the stupid plane was still bouncing.

"Iss ittt sssuposed to do that?" I asked nobody in particular.

"I don't know," Kathy said, making every effort not to look out the window. My gut was moving along with the aircraft and I figured out what the little bags were for! Very handy, actually. Big Sis followed my example, probably for the first time ever. The adults were concerned about our reaction. Uncle Jon said that things would be better once we got to our proper cruising altitude and got pointed in the right direction. Almost like an echo, the pilot came on the scratchy P.A. and talked of 40,000 feet. Hmmm, now that's comforting! Not only was my gut messy, but now I was beginning to get claustrophobic. The plane seemed to close in on me.

I was full of dire predictions. A little voice inside me said, "C'mon, April, people do this all the time, don't panic, it's okay."

I soon found out that my uncle was right, sortof. The plane stopped bouncing sortof and both Kathy and I settled down. I looked out the window and saw the sun reflecting off the clouds and it was beautiful! The checkerboard pattern of farmland, the roads and buildings of towns moving below was really something!

"I think I like this!" I said to no one in particular.

"I'm glad you do," a female voice replied. I looked over to see the smiling flight attendant who asked me and Kath if we were okay. I was a little embarrassed that she heard me talking to myself. "Like a snack and a drink?" she asked, "I'd really like you to be comfortable." I forgot how long a flight this was and decided that this might be a good idea. Actually, we all had something. It was neat to eat on the plane. Hey, that rhymes! Time just flew by, ha-ha. I was getting so used to it, I fell asleep, I guess.

"April, April, look!" I heard somebody say. Taking a quick peek out the window, I had to rub my eyes and look again.

"Wow, what is that?" Stretching out below me were buildings and they were everywhere! Almost in answer to my question a crackly voice came on the P.A. and announced, "We are now flying over New York City, probably the most impressive landmark we'll see on this flight."

Kathy was scrunched over looking like a little kid and mushing me in the process. Normally I wouldn't care for this but she deserved to see it too.

"That must be the ocean," I said pointing to a patch of blue in the distance.

"No, Hudson Bay, the ocean is pretty close though," an unknown female voice replied. I looked to see our flight attendant, who asked us if we were ready for dinner. I replied that I was. Wow, it was dinnertime already! Whoops, nature began to call, frantically. I got directions to the potty and squeezed past everybody and I do mean everybody to get to the aisle, a real chore.

Ah, I finally get to the place. Sure was intereresting to... um... go... accompanied by the musical roar of jet engines and wind, not to mention the bouncy bouncy. I noticed it was time for a little shave again and found myself wishing it didn't grow back so fast. Is there a way to get rid of it permanently? Squeezing my way back to the window seat, it seemed that my delicious dinner was at hand. Wow, time flew and hunger was. Big Sis ate kindof tentatively, apparently still a little green with the experience of flying.

"Any good?" I smiled.

"Not bad, under the circumstances," she replied. I felt fine but famished and dug in with both hands. Hmmm... could be a little spicier. Our homebound relatives were quite agitated as they talked about returning to the old hearth. Uncle Jon came by and reminded us that we were landing in Paris, staying overnight there and then getting a train to the coast. Everybody, and I do mean everybody started getting chatty except me, I was feeling sleepy and a bit homesick. Looking at Kath, I smiled and felt better. "My link to reality," I thought.

"Blanket?" The flight attendent held out a large, fuzzy blue cover. I found it real hard to believe, but I was getting drowzy! Just think, I'm going France on a long plane trip, very exciting, and my eyelids are heavy. How can that be? Well, it really seemed to be a long day... Ugh, I'm tired! Looking out the window I saw what was probably water, the Atlantic Ocean, but it was starting to look like black ink, sparkling in places when the moonlight tickled it. "Well," I thought, "sleeping at night is what I usually do."

I looked at Kathy again and noticed she was finishing her milk from supper. Grinning at me, she said, "Nite, April." I smiled back and pulled the blanket up around my gorgeous bod. I guess she knows me better than I thought. I grinned at her, kissed my hand and touched her on the cheek.

She giggled with delight proving to me without a doubt that the thin air was getting to her. I thought about brushing my teeth, taking a bath and all the other nightly stuff I do. How about changing into my favorite nightwear? All of it seemed out of the question. As I began to to doze again, it felt like I was a baby back inside Mom's tummy. The plane was dark, warm and rocking gently.

"What?" I sleepily whispered. Aunt Ellen had commented about something, but I couldn't really hear her. My ears were fuzzy with sleep. Things were quiet, even the roar of the engines was fading away and I began to drift...

"Huh? What?" Kathy was laughing hysterically.

"You almost jumped out of the plane, April!" she screeched. All my relatives in the vicinity were grinning.

"At least 10 feet straight up!" Aunt Ellen commented, "Must have been some dream!"

I didn't remember any dream. What was different here? Oh, I was laying back, my head on a little pillow shielding my eyes from the light streaming through the window.

"Someone slept well," the flight attendant observed as she pushed her cart down the aisle, "Care for some breakfast?"

"I guess so," I said, not quite sure of my surroundings yet. "Can I go to the bathroom?" I asked, absolutely sure I sounded like a little bitty girl.

"I'll go with you, April," Marissa announced. I was really happy to be doing something with my little chum again, even something as strange as a potty call. It's really amazing how close you can feel to somebody when you sleep in the same bed for awhile, then, when you separate, the lonliness comes back even stronger. Anyway, we both went into the little bathroom at once. Space was a little tight, but we managed.

"Gonna shave again?" Marissa giggled, eyeing my five-o'clock shadow.

"Absolutely!" I shouted, probably a bit too loudly.

When we both emerged, a middle aged man glared at us kindof funny and I sortof blushed. Did he know what we were talking about?

"Americans are weird about some things," Marissa whispered.

"I really hope you like where we live!" I smiled at her not understanding what she meant.

"Huh? Why wouldn't I?" Gross, there's that stupid shrug again!

We returned to our seats in time to eat a delicious meal! I was feeling odd, like I had a long night. Suddenly the plane flipped up and I had to move fast to save my juice. Kath almost lost it!

"Whoah!" she exclaimed.

"We will begin our final descent to Paris in 15 minutes," the P.A. crackled, "please fasten your seat belts, extinguish all smoking materials and place your loose belongings under the seat in front of you."

It also mentioned that it was sunny and 82 degrees. The entire message was announced again in French. The flight attendant came to remove our meal stuff and check our safety situation. She smiled and wished me a wonderful stay.

As the plane began to imitate a bad elevator, down, up, bounce etcetera. I began to notice how greasy I felt.

"I definitely need to clean up!" I said to nobody in particular. Kathy was staring straight ahead and gripping the armrests. We were definitely going down. I could see the oddly tangled streets of Paris and began to think about the amount of history generated here, realizing how neat it was to be in such an interesting place! Kathy sighed as the wheels hit pavement. I noticed her hands gripping the armrests and understood what people meant when they talked about white knuckle flyers.

"You can let go now." I said to her as the plane came to a stop. She just glared at me.

Chapter 2

It seemed like forever before we were allowed to go to the terminal. Marissa, the professional plane passenger, assured me that this was not unusual. When we finally did emerge, I got the feeling that I was walking the plank. A vision of old pirate movies flickered through my brain, scary but exciting.

"Does everybody, and I do mean everybody, speak French here?" I asked nobody in particular. Aunt Ellen smiled.

"Of course, April, it's our native language!" She went on to say that almost all children from Gilbert's age on down were required to take English as a second language and many were fluent in it. "Adults also, especially those involved in business or other cosmopolitan work.

"But we'd all rather speak French!" Uncle John added.

We made our way to the luggage area and waited for our stuff. The older kids seemed subdued and just kindof hung around like damp laundry on a washline. Uncle Jon was less than thrilled and urged them onward. As we gathered everything together I became aware of how alien this place really was. The languages of the world were everywhere! On signs and on lips of the airport patrons were French, English, German, Spanish... amazing! This was truly an international airport! One of the locals wheeled our bags out on a cart and we emerged into the warm sunlight of Paris!

The warm, fragrant air made me dizzy and I felt a sense of awe and wonder. The spirits of Charlemagne, Napoleon, Descartes, Manet and all seemed to haunt this place. It was busy here! There were lots of cars, busses, taxis and bicycles, millions of bicycles. Uncle Jon directed us to a waiting limosine and remained at the curb to supervise the loading of our bags.

"Where are we going to stay?" Kath asked nobody in particular. Aunt Ellen told us that we were staying at the U.S. embassy, "Your uncle's home away from home", for a couple of days. She said we would probably get a tour of the city from one of the official embassy people. "You'll see the real Paris!"

I was not ready to see what there was to see, feeling pretty gross at this point and I replied, "No sights yet, let's do showers and naps first!" Amazingly enough, everybody and I do mean everybody, grunted in agreement, the thrill was gone, at least, temporarily.

The limo pulled up in front of this big building. It was definitely official government issue with all the security stuff. Luckily it seemed like Jon and Ellen were well known and we got to our assigned quarters without delay. I had to room with big sis, but I was too worn out to protest. It was nice enough, good view of outside, two big beds, the usual ho-hum furnishings and official art. It was a hotel. I immediately removed every stitch of my travel clothing, bounded on to one of beds and streeeetched my beautiful self like a cat.

"Do you have to do that now?" Kathy whined, "I don't want to see you naked on this trip!"

I told her I was just getting ready for the shower.

"We seem to have a bathroom here for that!" she plopped down on the other bed, face down and groaned.

"What did you say?" I asked.

"I said, you don't have to be blatant about it," she replied, angrily. As I shook my booty to the bathroom she commented, "Well, at least you aren't doing that goofy shaving thing anymore!"

I turned, grabbed my vulva with both hands, stuck out my tongue and did a little curtsy. Why did I even bother with her, it was a wasted effort. I finished my cleanup with the government's soap and it felt great! The big mirror on the door greeted naked me with the usual reflective honesty. I saw a toothy grin. My wet hair cascaded down over my shoulders and tickled my nipple thingies. I giggled with the pleasure of the moment and my bottom began to tingle. This was beginning to get a little too intense. I wrapped my hair up in a turban made with the plain white towel and posed in front of the mirror. "April you are feeling very hot right about now!" I thought to myself.

There was a knock on our door.

"You got that, Kath?" I yelled. A more persistant knock echoed about. I repeated my question, but the knock just got louder. "Okay, coming!" I yelled. I emerged from the bathroom and saw Sis fast asleep. I looked through the little security hole and saw a good looking, maybe high school aged, boy dressed in a uniform and he had our luggage. "Yesss!" I said, swinging the door open. What a weirdo! He just stood there and stared at me.

"Hhhere's yyyour bbb...." he stammered.

"Huh?" I asked. Maybe there were too many suitcases or something. I went out and started bringing 'em in. "They really ought to look into the kind of people they have to work here." I thought to myself. What was wrong with this dude? He stood and watched me, finally bringing the last suitcase in.

"Thanks a lot!" I said sarcastically. He seemed to wake up from whatever daze he was in.

"I'm s...sorry." He said.

"I'm from Chicago and it's taking me a while to get used to the way people are here." He obviously thought I was French or some kind of foreigner and I wondered why he got that idea, but he was obviously very nervous and I didn't want to get involved in a conversation. What was that word? Oh yeah..., "Merci." I said. Before I could dig around for a tip he kindof half smiled and left.

"Dammit, April!" I heard a voice behind me, "What are you trying to do?" I turned and smiled at Kathy. "Getting our luggage, yours too!"

"Ugh! She grunted and began to dig through her bags. I looked down at my suitcase, the one with the disposable razor I bought and the stubble on my vulva caught my eye. "Oh." I said and shrugged.

We dug through our bags a little, remembering that we were only here for a few days. Kath was not happy and it was no use trying to explain myself to her. Y'see, I saw no reason at all to put anything on. It wasn't cuz I wanted to irritate her, it just felt great, relaxing, terrific, like it usually does, and neither Mom or Dad were anywhere near here! If I told her that, though, she'd just get more upset and it just wasn't worth the trouble now. Was she going to snitch? Hmm... Good question. Anyhow, we both stretched out on our chosen beds and apparently took a nice long nap.

"Wake up, stupid!" came a noise from nowhere. Ah, my dear Sister calls, I love the sound of that voice! "Get dressed for dinner please!" Dinner, wow, had I been asleep that long?

"Hi, Kath, got up kindof late, huh?" she said that she'd been up for awhile and had taken the liberty to get out some clothes for me.

"Seen my new razor anywhere?" I asked. She wondered why I thought of that. "Just look!" I said, raising my arms up and tracing the shadow lines of stubble, then tracing a line around my bottom.

"Aargh, you and that goofy shaving thing again!" she screeched, "Why do you do that?"

I smiled and said that maybe I'd do it later, after I found my impliment, but I was hungry now. I put on the clothes she got out and sat around waiting for her to change in the bathroom, of course! She even locked the stupid door!

"Why do you do that?" I whispered at the barrier between us.

Things got a little more relaxed as we began to wander the hallowed halls of the embassy.

"Where the heck are we?" Kathy asked.

Suddenly, out of nowhere almost, a door we passed opened, and someone grabbed my older sibling, covering up her eyes.

"Guess who?" a male voice echoed around the big hallway. She was freaked! A little squeal pushed its way out of her mouth.

"C'mon Gilbert, stop clowning around!" Uncle Jon said from inside the room. "Come in, girls," he said, as he walked over to the doorway.

Jeez, this was some neat place! It was like an entire suite of rooms which made the Anders area look pretty humble. Everybody, and I do mean everybody was sitting around smiling and greeting us. Kathy glared at Gilbert more in shock than in anger. Our eyes met in surprise. This was a side of our cousin we'd never seen. Who would have suspected that he was goofy? They all came up and gave us little hugs and welcomed us to France.

"Ready to eat?" Aunt Ellen asked, smiling at our obvious awe at the size of the place. I felt like a rube, a tourist.

We made our way down to the huge, ornate dining room and had our first French dinner. It was different, but very good. They offered us wine and I thought "What happened to the famous 'just say no' anti-substance thing we heard at school on almost a daily basis?"

Almost like he read my mind, Uncle Jon said that wine was the common drink here and that if we wanted some we should feel free to try it. I was amazed, even little Marissa had a small glass of it!

"It's just one of the things you may have trouble getting used to," he observed. Kathy decided to have a little, which really surprised me.

"Okay, I'll try it," I said tentatively. I stared at the pretty red color in my glass, then lifted it to my lips. Hmm...It was good, good but weird.

"Like it?" Illana asked.

"Um... I guess so." I replied.

"A toast to our visitors!" Goofy Gil said, rising from his seat, "I hope our American cousins love us and our ways, and return home refreshed!"

"Here, here!" Uncle Jon exclaimed. Everybody, and I do mean everybody rose and clinked glasses while smiling at us. Kath shrugged and we joined the festivities. I felt great, weird, but great! It was a feeling of freedom, I think, casual, loose and wonderful. I never felt like this at home and I don't really know why. Maybe cuz Mom and Dad weren't here to tell me what I can't do, maybe cuz I didn't have to worry about school or friends or anything. I've just gotta remember and bring the feeling home to share with Lana, the Kid and everybody!

The next couple of days were very busy! We went on what Aunt Ellen called "a cook's tour of Paris". Uncle Jon had to work at the embassy, so he wasn't around much. It was tiring but fun! We went to all the famous places you could imagineand I found it tremendously interesting. Kath and I both bought one of those disposable cameras and took loads of pictures. The people were pretty friendly, which surprised me cuz I'd heard that they don't like Americans. A lot of them spoke English too! The third day we decided to go shopping. I wanted to get a new swimsuit cuz I was tired of my modesty special, as I thought about it, maybe a new robe too. But first, we ate lunch at this neat little cafe. Actually, it was kindof nice having a meal away from the embassy. Kathy was horrified, as usual.

"I went to use the bathroom and there was a man in there!" she whispered.

"What was he doing?" Marissa giggled.

"Going to the bathroom!" Kathy exclaimed.

Marissa smiled and shrugged. "I guess that's good," she said and looked at me obviously puzzled.

"Boys have to go sometimes too, Kath," I said.

"I know that!" she snapped back, "But in the men's room, not the women's!"

"Huh, the what?" Marissa asked. Frankly, I was a little surprised, but I was ready for anything.

"Never mind!" Kathy snarled.

"Did you go?" I asked.

"What do you think?" she crabbed, "I didn't have a choice!" I giggled.

"Oh." Actually, I'm glad we came here instead of one of the USA fast food chains that I saw.

Now, to shopping! It's... um... interesting. We went and got a bunch of stuff. It seemed like most of the youngsters needed at least some kind of garment. I guess my folks had given my aunt and uncle some cash to hold for us, good thing, cuz I didn't bring much and I don't think Sis did either. Most everyone bought things like jeans and T's. I got a short cotton bathrobe, bright, very hot!

"Way too short," Kathy said. "Mom'll have a fit!" Ah, then we went to the swimsuit place! It seemed like our relatives were pretty bored in here. Big sis rolled he eyes.

"Look at these suits," she exclaimed, "there's nothing to 'em!"

Yeah, I saw that she was right. They were pretty small, even the one piece ones. There was even a rack where they sold bikini bottoms with no tops, odd... Anyway, Kath kept looking around and finally came up with this grey cotton one piece number. It was cut waay up there, nearly to the rib cage, but it was pretty straight other than that. Illana said that it was a German suit, at least that's what she called it.

"A lot of people from Germany come to the beach and they wear those," she smiled. "It's a tan through."

I regarded it with suspicion. "Huh?"

"It's so thin that it doesn't inhibit tanning," she replied.

I turned to sis and told her to buy it, but she wanted to try it on first. Marissa, acting as translator, asked the salesperson if Kathy could try on the suit. I guess she provided the French equivalent of "sure", and directed her to the back of the sales area. While she was gone, I looked around some more. Guess what? I found the suit! It was shocking, it was great, it was dangerous, it was the reddest red I'd ever seen, wow! It was a simple one piece, but the piece was, well, it had no bottom almost, but a very modest full cover top. I couldn't help but think of what Lauren and the G.W.G. were wearing at the pool. You could see a lot of girl in those suits, but this was something else!

"It's called a thong, April." Aunt Ellen said. "They're pretty popular here, but I've never tried one." She took it off the rack and gave it a close look. "All they really have is a little string of fabric in the crotch and I would think its uncomfortable, but who knows?"

Illana came up and told me that the salesperson was asking if I'd like to try it on.

"Would I ever!" I had dreams of completely frying the brains of the hometown rustics. I met Sis coming out of the changing room and I was quite impressed. This German suit was so tight and thin you could see every hairy inch of her. I smiled and she turned a little red.

"I'm embarrassed," she whispered, "I can't wear this, everyone can see my butt!"

I smiled again. "Everything else too!" I thought, but didn't say out loud. She walked out to model, trying to hide as much of her as she could.

I hurried to the dressing room, literally tearing my clothes off and squeezed myself into the red thong. Posing in front of the mirror I was amazed at how pretty I looked, but I also realized something else.

"Goody, I have to shave to wear this suit." It barely, almost didn't cover my bottom and it was red, red, red! I bounded out to the sales area. Aunt Ellen beamed.

"Wow, April, you look terrific!" she said. "But you really have to shave your hair a little."

You can guess Kathy's reaction.

"You can't wear that, April, we can see your whole bottom!"

I giggled. "I can't wait to wear it at the pool!"

She insisted that I was going way too far this time.

"You'll get raped for sure, all the boys will be after you!" I giggled and wiggled my hips.

"Think so? What'll happen to you when that suit gets wet?" I asked innocently.

"Aargh, you're disgusting!" she replied. Yesss, we bought them! Big sis expressed her opinion all the way back to the embassy.

"I can't believe it, an eleven year old girl with a thong!" I began to see the logic. While we ate dinner I commented that I thought Mom would kill me. Kathy responded that she didn't think Mom would be thrilled with the German suit either.

"She never has to know," I said. Kath covered her mouth with her hands and nodded.

Uncle Jon joined us for supper and asked us if we wanted to break in our new suits in the embassy pool. Now that was an exciting prospect! We all scurried to our appointed places. Kath, of course went into the bathroom.

"Hurry up, Kath, I've got to shave!" I snarled impatiently. She came out German and I commented that she had a great butt, needless to say, she turned beet red. I quickly removed every stitch, lathered up some soap and got to work. I could see Kath peeking.

"I still don't understand, April, doesn't it feel funny?"

"No, it feels great!" I did several sommersaults out of the bathroom and slid into my suit, which held me like a tight glove. We both grabbed towels and Kathy wrapped one around her bottom.

Greeting us were a swimsuited Jon and Ellen. The rest were in... underwear! Marissa didn't even have a shirt on. "Let's go." Uncle Jon said. As we entered the pool area I noticed there were no locker rooms. Apparently you were supposed to drip up to your room to change. A sign was posted with the usual pool rules in English and French. Strangely though, in big red letters, was a sentence that said, "SWIMSUIT REQUIRED". I really wondered about that, so did Kathy.

"Why do they have that?" she whispered.

"Search me," I said. Sis uncovered herself and slid into the water and the rest of us followed closely behind.

It was great! the temperature was perfect for swimming, warm, but not uncomfortably so and there wasn't anyone else here yet. I began what I laughingly call 'doing laps'. I'm really not very good, but it is pretty relaxing and I absolutely love my new suit. Sis pulled up next to me. She's a much better swimmer but never bragged about it. When we got to the far side, away from the crowd splashing in the shallows, we stopped and lolled around.

"They're swimming in underwear!" she exclaimed, gesturing with her head toward the relatives. "Weird, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess." I gurgled. "And Marissa's getting her little breast buds already, I'm surprised she's not wearing a shirt or something."

I really didn't want to get involved in this so I changed the subject.

"How's the new suit?" Kathy giggled. "Actually, I feel completely naked in it!" She giggled again. "I'm afraid to get out of the water! How's yours?"

"Love it, can't wait to wear it at home!"

"April, we can't wear these there!" We both kindof chuckled nervously.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed.

"What's wrong now?" I looked in the direction her finger pointed. There they were, two high school male interlopers, one of whom looked suspiciously like our bellhop, sauntering in fully dressed. They proceeded to remove their clothes, all of them mind you, and slid into some pretty skimpy swimming duds. Amazing! Whoops, they were looking our way! Kathy quickly ducked under the water and swam to the shallows, being very careful not to expose any part of her except her dopey head but I stayed where I was.

Bellboy waved. "Hey, I know you!" he yelled. They started walking over and Kath was watching very intently. I grabbed the side and pulled myself abruptly out of the water. The boys were obviously impressed by my suit. Their faces lit up like crazy as I went over to them and smiled. We sat poolside and talked for awhile. Eventually I noticed Kathy slowly climb out at the shallow end, looking down every step of the way, probably to see how much of her bod showed through the paper suit. Quite a bit, I could see her pubic hair from here!

"...and that's my big sister." I said, pointing in her direction. I could see her glaring at me. I smiled to myself, she was just going to have to deal with it. Miss Modesty grabbed a towel and pulled it around her, covering as much as she was able, but she couldn't hide everything. Here she comes now!

The lady scurried up trying to ignore their and my admiring glances. The boys stood up and introduced themselves and both of us were impressed by how polite they were. One was our bellhop and the other was a French lad who worked in the same capacity, obviously summer jobs. It really was enjoyable just sitting there and talking to them, even though it was hard to understand "Jack", the Frenchman sometimes. Big Sis was so taken by the conversation that her towel slipped off and she didn't even notice! I couldn't help contrasting these two with the boys we see at home. Even the best ones seemed downright crude.

After awhile Uncle Jon waved us in and all four of us jumped and swam to the shallows. He actually seemed to know the boys and talked with them about us. They knew the whole family and we all had a nice little conversation till we dried off a bit.

"Let's go," Aunt Ellen said, and off we went.

Later, when we settled in our beds, I stretched out in my favorite nightwear.

"Great huh?"

"Pretty neat, really," um... Cover Girl responded.

"Wonder what Karabay Beach, or however you say it, is like?" I asked.

She didn't respond so I looked and noticed that she was asleep. I sighed and rolled over smiling cuz she hadn't said a word about me and my birthday suit. It was hard but she was learning... maybe someday. Well, g'night.

Chapter 3

We both woke up refreshed and on time, unlike the other days we spent in Paris. Beside exchanging a few morning pleasantries and time in the bathroom, Sis and I didn't talk much even though I never gave a thought to changing out of my favorite nightwear. Maybe cuz we both dreaded packing all our stuff up one more time. But, then again, we were finally going to get the train to Karabay or Caraway or wherever and we were excited about it. Who knows? Who cares? I'm hungry, and we were told we couldn't eat until our stuff was ready. We crammed it in the bags quickly, actually, I almost forgot that I wasn't wearing anything.

Kathy finally spoke. "Y'know, you're not real appetizing like that, at least to me."

I guessed that was a hint of some kind but at least she qualified it. I thought I looked positively delicious and I bet a lot of other people would too! In any case, I slid into an extremely unexciting bra and started working some more.

"Dontcha think you should cover that up too?" she asked, pointing downward. "You don't have hair there like you're supposed to!"

Well... I selected an equally boring pair of panties and my astoundingly sleepy travel suit and put 'em on.

"How's this?" I yawned.

"Why, April, you are stunning that way!" she cooed.

Heading down the hall, carrying most of our stuff and wondering what happened to the bellboy was a trip, literally. We practically wiped out on the baggage piles our relatives had left there.

"Hi, ladies, C'mon in!" Gil exclaimed with a grin. As we proceeded hence he announced our presence to whoever was paying attention. Uncle John emerged from somewhere and told Gil to help us with our bags. "Ready to eat, girls?" Gil asked as we we walked back to our quarters to get the things we couldn't carry. Kathy gave him her best little girl smile. Ugh!

"Naw, I'm on a diet," I replied. I put my hands on my hips, or what passed for hips. "I gotta watch my figure y'know!"

She glared at me again and I decided it was time for her to start wearing sunglasses, her stare was getting irritating. We picked up and walked back.

"Think they have any lo-cal or light food?" I asked as we sauntered forth.

"April...!" Kath snarled.

On our way to the dining room, we encountered our favorite bellboy going up to do his duty. He smiled and wished us well. Big Sis reacted with a huge blush! Crossing her arms to emphasize her closed mindedness, no doubt, she said, "Nice talking to you." I blew him a kiss, which he returned in full measure. I smelled the wonderful aroma of breakfast and my mouth got moist. Was I drooling? I had a big, decidedly high-cal meal, it was awesome!

"What about your diet?" Gil asked with a concerned look.

I smiled. "This is it!"

We went outside only to be greeted by another gorgeous day in Paris. We stood at the drive in front of our 'transport' and watched the porter load up. Everybody, and I do mean everybody, was very excited. Marissa was bouncing off the walls, er... air walls, happy to be going home. Uncle said that we'd have to hang around the city for awhile, cuz we had a late train. So, we arrived at the station, checked in and took care of our bags. After doing that, we all went out and hung around as a family. It was a lot of fun and I was sortof sorry to see the arrival of dusk.

"All aboard!" or the French equivelent thereof, and we were in our seats and ready to go.

"Get ready for a ride, girls," Aunt Ellen said, "I don't think there's anything like this in the States."

We began to move foreward slowly through the rail yard and I was amazed at how busy the station was guessing that a lot of people here travel this way. All of a sudden, Choooom! We took off! Wow, like a wingless airplane! I was impressed.

It was getting darker but I could still see the French countryside as we shot through it. As usual I was stuck sitting with my lovely sister.

Suddenly, a savior arrived, a voice from the void, "Kathy, can I sit with April?" We both turned around toward the origin of the interruption and I was filled with happy anticipation.

"Sure," Big Sis answered, probably as thrilled to be rid of me as I was to be rid of her. So, Marissa and she changed seats. Kath plopped her eighth grade butt down on the vacant place next to Illana.

It was great to have somebody intelligent to talk to! We discussed how much fun everything was, held hands and generally goofed around. I looked out the window and noticed it was pretty dark now. I heard Illana and Kath... um... conversing.

"I hope you like the beach, cousin," Illana said.

"I like beaches a lot!" came the reply.

"This is... um... different from what I think you're used to," she said.

"A beach is a beach is a beach, I love 'em all!" Kath replied. I asked Marissa what her sister was talking about but she hadn't been paying attention and I didn't feel like explaining.

The train stopped and, whoops, I must have dozed off! I heard Uncle Jon telling me we had arrived. Almost trancelike, I headed for the exit, the tail end of our family group. As I stepped off the train and on to the platform, I noticed that the air smelled different. Little Marissa turned to me.

"Smell that?" she asked as she sniffed the air. "Its the sea!"

I also noticed that it was a little cooler and there was definitely some lightning in the distance. A touch of thunder echoed faintly around the dark empty platform and I was a little scared.

"Let's load up before the rain hits," Uncle Jon suggested. Jeez, I never even noticed the unloading of our luggage, what a space queen! We all got busy throwing our stuff wherever it would fit. "Nice to have my chariot back safe and sound!" he exclaimed, patting the vehicle like it was a metal dog or something.

We rode a short while and pulled up before a pretty little white cottage-looking place and everybody and I do mean everybody started cheering wildly. The storm was moving closer as we very quickly moved everything inside.

"Nice thunder," I said to Gil as we shared a load.

"Thunder?" he said. "The storm's not that close yet." He smiled at my foolish tourist ways. "The waves are pounding the beach."

Now this was neat! I began to realize that the world had a whole lot more to it than I had ever imagined. I wish Dad and Mom could be here! I was a little sad thinking about home and everything that happened. I wondered about Kristina, Lana even Dayne Smythe. Gross, I'm even wondering if Kearns got caught with his 'zine yet! I can't believe I'm homesick already.

We finished carrying everything in and I just plopped down on the floor.

"Isn't this great?" Kathy asked. I responded by slapping her palm in acknowledgement. Aunt E. came over and asked if I missed home, she had my number! I wonder how she knew? Big Sis smirked and shook her head.

"Better get used to it, Baby Sister, we're here for a while."

Speaking of numbers... ring... ring, was that the phone? Ellen told me to think about all the fun I would have, and that, after all, Kathy's here too. Oh joy.

"Telephone for you, Kathy," Gil said, and pointed in the direction of the device. Hmmm... Could it be...? "Oh Hi, Mo...o...om!" She crooned. Wow, did I jump! How did they know that we'd be here now? Almost like he read my mind, Uncle J. said that he had told them when to expect us and that we'd probably appreciate talking to them. I tried to hear more of the conversation but Sis kept frowning and waving me away. I got closer and closer. "Wait your turn, stupid!" she growled. I guess I started to cry a little, I was so excited.

Finally, my turn! "Hi Mom!" I yelled through my sobs. I told her everything we did, omitting the swimsuit purchases, and repeated the same for Dad. Both of them seemed concerned about my crying and all. They also seemed strangely excited.

"Someone here wants to talk to you!" Mom said.

"Hi, April," I knew that voice! I knew that voice! Kristina!

"I can't talk long, but I want to tell you that I'm okay, still very tired and weird, but okay."

"Whoopie!" I screeched as I did a little dance. "I love you, Kid, I just don't know what else to say."

"Come see me when you get back, okay?" she said in that meek voice of hers.

"Hi, darlin'!" someone spoke, "the French haven't carried you off yet I see."

It was the one and only Lana King. I giggled. "Almost."

She went on to tell me some interesting things. The big Jester trial would be up in January, and we all have to testify, but they particularly want to hear what Dayne has to say.

"Kristina just got sprung yesterday, and she's...um...different." I asked what she meant. "Well, she doesn't really remember much about anything, and she's changed her looks a little."

"Is that good?" I interjected.

"I don't know." She told me that all the cops were gone, we wern't under surveillance anymore. "Guess what?" she asked.

"What!" I yelled impatiently.

"Coach Malone is undergoing treatment for pedophelia!" I remarked that I supposed he needed some kindof help after what happened.

"No, no, April, he likes little girls, I mean really likes them!"

"Oh, I always knew he was a pervert."

Lana said it was time for her and Kid to split.

"Bye, sweets, don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she said.

"I can dream, can't I?" I replied.

Mom returned and wished me a great vacation. "Oh, your test results came back."

I didn't care much and I said so.

"They were... um... interesting."

"That's good, I guess... Want to talk to Kath again?" It was kindof strange but I didn't want to talk anymore. It was great to hear from my two buddies though! Seemed like everything was returning to... um... normal at home. Accompanied by the roar of the storm I said my good byes and handed the phone to Kathy, who repeated the adios'. I sighed with satisfaction and told everyone about my exciting call.

"It's great when everything works out well," Gil said.

"Want to see your new home, girls?" Aunt Ellen asked.

As we walked from room to room I noticed how neat and simple everything was. The house was much bigger inside than it looked outside, the only problem I could see, it only had one bathroom! Big Sis asked where she was supposed to sleep, kindof half glaring at me. Auntie told us we were both set up to sleep on the enclosed porch off the kitchen. Glancing toward the windows, as if to remind us of the raging storm outside, Kath asked if it wouldn't be a little wet tonight for that. Our hostess just smiled and led us through the kitchen. We walked through double glass doors into a room that looked like, well, the inside of a goldfish bowl. There was glass everywhere, even on the cieling!

"We'll pull the draperies, of course," she said pushing a button, and bingo, all covered up! The thick cloth drapes even muffled the sound of the storm. I was impressed.

"Looks good, eh Kath?" I said excitedly.

"Praise the Lord for window coverings," she replied with a sigh. The other relatives poked there noses in and asked where we wanted our stuff.

"Just drop it anywhere," I answered. Actually, I was kindof dissapointed that I wasn't going to be with Marissa and Big Sis was apparently not thrilled by the prospect of being stuck with me. Almost as if she read my mind, my little cousin smiled.

"Sometimes on nice nights we all come down here to sleep."

"Speaking of sleep", Gil added, "I think its about that time." We all pretty much agreed. Uncle Jon pulled the couch out into a bed, showed us a dresser to put our stuff in and then everybody, and I do mean everybody, bid us goodnight.

"There'l be a bit of a wait for the bathroom," Aunt Ellen mentioned. "Since you are guests, you get it first, but try to be quick about it." So they all sauntered off somewhere and left us to our own devices.

"Go ahead, April," Kathy said as she began to arrange our stuff. She pulled out my new robe and tossed it to me. "April," she called as I began to walk hence to my self-cleaning. "I know you'd rather be with Marissa, but let's try to get along, okay?"

I gave her a quick 'thumbs up' and continued on my way. Actually, I knew she was right, sometimes I was kindof hard on her. But, then again, did she have to be so typical all the time? I started thinking about how she reacted to me. Hey, maybe I was the weird one! Who knows?

"Hi, ladies, er...lady!" a male voice rang out. Gil emerged from the shadows and asked where Kathy was. I replied that she was putting our stuff in order. "Mom won't like that," he said. When I asked him why that should be, he told me she had expected we would bathe together so the bathroom would be as free as possible. Oh goodie! I can't wait to spring this one!

I got out of my travel garb as fast as I could, dropping it, my robe and my modesty in a pile on the floor. I turned on the faucet flow and decided that the water was warm enough but it smelled sortof strange and tasted even stranger. Not surprising, I suppose for a foreign country. I looked in the mirror. Hmmm...I was getting a bit of a five-o'clock shadow and I left my razor in the... um... guest room. Checking under my arms, I saw a bit of a forest taking root! Maybe I should just let everything grow. I tried to picture what I would look like and I decided maybe my pits should stay hairy, just to be different.

Anyway, I mulled over my choices as I did my entire night pre, current and post-bath routine. The whole thing was very refreshing and I was all set for a bit of slumber. I picked up all my stuff and headed out almost knocking my uncle down in the process. He smiled and asked me if everything was okay, especially the water. He also mentioned that Kath and I should do this together to save both time and water. I smiled and agreed also saying I'd remind Kathy.

"I'll see everybody in the morning". I said, cheerfully. He chuckled. "I hope not, Gil, Illana and me all have to go to work!"

"Huh... they have jobs?" I asked.

"Yes, part time. I expect them to do their share," he replied. "I wish I could say the same for my job, being part time, that is." He then bid me goodnight and headed into the bathroom tugging at his shirt buttons. Jeez, all dads are the same!

"Kathy, wake up!" I said as I shook her arm a little.

"April?" she responded sleepily. I told her it was time to take a shower. She jumped up and I told her to take her time cuz unc was in there first. She settled back on the bed.

"Y'know we are supposed to shower together." I cringed, preparing for the inevitable.

"What!" she shrieked, "No way!" I smiled cuz I knew what was coming next. "April, why are you carrying your new robe around?" she whined, "There are strange men here y'know."

I slunk down and peeked out the doorway, then turned to her and frowned. "Really, where?"

"Come off it April, I'm starting to think you are some kind of pervert or something!" she continued. "Jeez, your boobies are really coming in!"

"What, these?" I replied while grabbing the effected areas. Hmmm... there was a little more there than before! She asked me how I knew Uncle Jon was in the bathroom. "Cuz I ran into him after I took my shower," I replied.

She shook her head and began heading to her bath waving her robe and muttering something about child rapists and such. I got tired just watching her and I began to drift off to sleepyland. Whoops, forgot! I dug my razor out and did a number on my... um... tender parts. Yep, my underarms will stay hairy, for now anyway.

Chapter 4

Oh man, I mustof went to sleep! I saw light streaming in through the drape separations, not pale like moonlight, but yellow-orange like good morning. Kathy must have draped something over me, cuz I felt something slip off when I moved. I could still see the razor with dried shaving cream and hair stubble on it. Big Sis was still out of it, lying covered and facing away from me. I smelled what seemed like breakfast odors. Once my eyes cleared I saw a note taped to the glass doors that lead to the kitchen area. I quietly got up and wrapped what proved to be my robe around my beautiful self. The note said:

Girls, I had to take Marissa to the dentist. Everyone else went to work. Breakfast is ready, just heat it up. Be home soon. Aunt Ellen.

Well, well. I was sortof hungry, but I was more interested in looking outside and wondered if anybody'd mind if I snuck out for a minute. I tiptoed to the door, moved the drapes a little, checked that Sis was sleeping and slowly pushed the door open. The odor of the sea was very intense and delicious! Although the morning air was a bit chilly, the sun was quickly warming things up. There were a lot of little water pools, probably from the storm and the light reflecting in them made the whole area shimmer. It was awesome and I was happy to be here!

Looking around, I saw that I was surrounded by a quaint little white metal fence about three feet high enclosing a little backyard type of area. My glance moved upward and I saw the sea! It was a little rough. There were lots of white capped waves which seem to go on forever, amazing! But my view was partially obscured by some sort of building in our yard. On closer inspection I saw that it contained... showers, with no door or curtain on them! My guess was that they were there to wash off the sea salt. I wondered if I dare go over the fence to the beach. Hey, why not? I pulled my robe close around me cuz it was still a little chilly and the sea breeze didn't help. I stepped over and walked the short way down.

Wow! What kind of place is this anyway? I saw flat sandy beach and more flat sandy beach. It was everywhere and I couldn't see where it started or ended. There was an eerie feel to it. What made it really weird is... I was the only living thing there! Well, I guess unless seagulls count. I moved my robe and sat my bare butt in the sand. It was cold! I giggled with shock. Everybody and I do mean everybody must have flown the coop! I continued to survey the area and I was beginning to have some really neat feelings about this place, it was definitely awesome! Suddenly I felt something touch my shoulder. I turned quickly and found myself staring into the eyes of a girl about my age, with the most neatest curly light brown hair I've ever seen, wearing a light blue version of Kathy's German suit. She smiled sweetly and said something in a language that was neither French or English, in fact, I had no idea what it was.

Nervousness from the first sensation of being touched made me shift backwards away from her, pulling my robe away. Needless to say, I felt kindof vulnerable. I shrugged, smiled and said, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand your language!" She responded with just about the weirdest accent I ever heard! It was sortof Englishmen-type English combined with her own language, whatever that was.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you spoke German."

I replied that this was the first time I'd heard any, but that I did know a little Spanish from school. "By the way, my name is April." I stated, "What's yours?"

She smiled and told me what a pretty springtime name that was. "Mine's Ute, but I prefer my middle name which is, Jessica, or Jess as my friends call me."

Hmm... Why would a German girl be named after a state in the U.S.? Utah, eh, why Utah?

"I am from Cologne, and am here on holiday with my family," she said. I told her where I was from and she looked at me puzzled. "You are from the U.S.A.?"

I wondered why that was so surprising. In response I got up and recited the pledge of allegiance, a ditty I always had some doubts about. For one thing, God, as I understood, has very little to do with politics or government, and liberty... well, I feel more free here than I ever did at home and it has nothing at all to do with my parents not being here. The newcomer started to giggle, we definitely have a girl here!

A voice rang out from down the beach and I looked and saw a boy shouting and waving. He was yelling "Ute, Ute!"

"I must return to my place, it was very nice meeting you, April," she said. "We will be here for some few weeks and I hope to see you again, good bye." She gave me a little hug before she left.

I smiled and said, "Bye, Ute... um... Jess, talk to ya later."

The chill of the morning was still with us so I pulled my robe tight around me again and began to walk back to breakfast time. I noticed Kathy walking toward me dressed in her regular clothes. She looked flushed. Was she mad about me taking off like that? I prepared for the worst. She scurried up to me and stopped suddenly. Her eyes took in the full impact of the beach and the atmosphere of the place.

"Wow, this is amazing!" she exclaimed. She asked me who I was talking to so I described my encounter. She seemingly ignored my description and was getting more and more excited. "April, this place is so weird, unbelievably weird!"

I thought, "Now what?" I grant her that, it certainly has a different feel to it.

"April, I turned on the T.V. and people were doing it right there while I was watching!" She seemed almost out of control.

"Doing what?" I rightly asked.

"C'mon, April, don't make fun, you know what I mean!" I moved slowly trying to look sophisticated, but decided that I must check this out. She half whispered, "They were having sex on T.V.!" What a great time to pull a fast one on Kath! I tore open my robe, pulled it off, threw it on the sand and started wiggle dancing.

"Lights, camera, action!" I yelled. She turned bright red! Boy, was I surprised, you can tell, I'm sure. She turned and walked away muttering about how, someday I was gonna be a rape victim or something.

Maybe I did go a little overboard this time, well, it was chilly so I donned my robe and sallied forth, eventually catching up with her.

"I'm sorry, Kath, I couldn't resist that one," I said, apologetically. It was hard to believe, but she actually ignored me! We hurried to the house, naturally zooming toward the T.V. I couldn't hide my excitement... er... curiosity. Girls are only allowed to be slightly curious, not excited. Everybody and I do mean everybody always expects me... um... us, to be the most perfect little ladies, shrinking violet, blushing types. Well, surprise, surprise!

The T.V. was still on and there was a couple and they seemed like normal folks, almost mom'n dadlike. Unfortunately all they were doing is sitting in the kitchen speaking French. I figured that any minute now they would begin shrugging and yelling at their offspring. Well... well, The guy just turned and faced the camera. I had to giggle, he had kindof a little thingie. All of a sudden Sis jumped up and hit the off switch.

"Aw, c'mon, Kath," I whined, "it was just getting interesting!"

She pointed at me and frowned, "Well, little girls like you, me too probably, shouldn't be watching stuff like this, besides, I think Aunt Ellen, or somebody, is home." The telly died immediately. I guess little thingies are hazardous to broadcasting.

Marissa came bounding in beaming and I was amazed at the way she was always changing. Sometime she acted much older and minutes later she was just a cute little girl. She was very young right now.

"I don't have any cavities!" she announced to all present. I hugged her and voiced my congrats on this achievement. Aunt Ellen came in carrying bags of groceries. I realized that we never ate breakfast and mentioned this. Aunt seemed a little perturbed.

"What were you doing all this time?" she asked, sounding a whole lot like Mom. I decided this was a Kathy question. I looked at her. She frowned at me as if to say that she was tired of taking the "oldest child" rap. "Organizing our stuff." she replied. I grinned. Sis was always very good with problems like this. We decided we would have brunch, and everybody and I do mean everybody, pitched in.

While eating a very nice meal we discussed our plans for the day. Kath and I listened with interest as our relatives told us about Gil and Illana's holiday jobs. Gil worked on a maintenance crew in the local town and Illana was an apprentice auto mechanic nearby. Needless to say, we were impressed! I guess they work five days a week, but get out at around two-o'clock. Uncle Jon's work schedule varies. Nobody is ever sure, especially him.

"Well, what can we do today?" I asked. Aunt Ellen mentioning my discovery that it was a little chilly for beaching, and probably would be all week because of the usual weather trend I figured could be generated by the storm we just had. She suggested that we hang out in town.

"It's a neat place, April!" Marissa commented. By the end of the day, I had to admit that she was right. We spent many fun hours in town all week. Pretty uneventful except for the entire night time bathroom situation. Uncle Jon gently insisted that Kathy and I shower together all the time! He said that water was pretty much at a premium, not like at home, and reminded us that, until it got warmer, there was only one place available. Sis just kindof sat and glared at me. What did I do? I smiled and shrugged of course!

The first night we did it was a doozy!

"Go ahead, April, I'll be there in a minute," Kath said. I smiled and removed my garments, happy to get rid of them, actually, and started toward the door. Something hit me on the back. I turned to see my new robe crumpled on the floor and Sis staring at me. I glared at her as I picked it up and slid it over my sweet self. I turned and began my trek, my robe billowing out behind me. I absolutely refuse to tie it!

In the bathroom I removed my wrapping and looked at myself in the full length mirror. I raised my arms up. Hmmm, getting a nice forest in the hollows! My chest was growing nicely, thank you, and my nipple thingies were standing straight up. I smiled and decided that being a girl was very neat. As I lathered up my bottom for trimming, the door opened and Kathy walked in, her robe wrapped tightly around her.

"Do I have to watch you do that goofy shaving thing?" she moaned.

"'Fraid so," I replied as I slid the razor over my delicacy, "You should try it!"

"Not on your life!" she replied, and went on to say how stupid it was to shave your "private parts" and not under your arms. I decided to change the course of the coversation.

"Okay, sweetheart, let's see what you've got!" doing my best Groucho Marx imitation. She kindof pleaded with me to get in the shower.

"How 'bout a bath instead?" I asked.

"No!" she yelled, and began to hint strongly that I might be gay. "You really enjoy looking at girls with nothing on, don't you."

"I like to see everybody and I do mean everbody naked." I replied. "I bet we all would be much nicer to each other that way!"

She answered that maybe I was bi-sexual.

"Actually, Sis, I'm non-sexual, well, not really, but my lack of outfit has nothing to do with sex at all."

I was really getting tired of this conversation. I finished my shaving and admired my work in the mirror while running the washcloth through my legs.

"Whee, that's cold!" I exclaimed. I turned the water on and stepped into the tub. "Let's go, ma'am!" I yelled to Sis from beyond the curtain. Suddenly it parted and there she stood! I giggled. "What are those?" I exclaimed, pointing at her increasingly shapely chest ornaments. Even in the steam of the shower, I could see her turn bright pink. "Hey, I never gave you permission to bring your pet squirrel in here!" I said, staring at where I thought her vulva was. She was truly turning red now, I think that meant she was getting mad. I turned the shower head on her and told her to cool off.

"I'm not going to talk about this any more!" she snarled.

We showered in silence, got out and dried off. Sis made sure her back was to me at every possible moment. I thought that maybe I was getting a little too rough.

"I'm sorry, Kath, but I really wish you'd loosen up a bit." She continued to hide behind her towel but seemed a little better. "I really wonder how brave you actually are, April," she said. "Or are you just a very foolish person?" She didn't seem to be angry, sortof sweet actually, like a worried big sister.

"I want to change things, I want to change things a lot!" I said. Everybody, and I do mean everybody, seems so grim all the time, and ashamed of what they were born to look like."

She actually smiled! She said that I had a mighty goofy way of going about it. I began to walk out the door.

"Put on your robe, do it for me, please." She held it out to me, still holding that stupid towel around her, and in her gesture I saw a vision of the old way of doing things desperately trying to hang on to itself.

"Okay," I smiled. "I'll do it this time." I put it on and demurely tied it around my waist. On the way back I ran into Marissa and Illana who were obviously on their way to the bathroom. Guess what? Neither of them had a dopey robe on! I was a little shocked, not so much by the sight, but by the realization that I didn't have a monopoly on naked. I noticed that the older girl was letting her arm pits grow a nice curly crop and that she trimmed her bottom quite close. I was about to warn them that big sis was still busy. Naah! I was sure the encounter would be interesting. Even though I was curious about their lack of attire, I wasn't really certain of how to react or discuss it with them.

"Are you cold, April?" Marissa whispered.

"No, not at all," I replied.

"Then why are you wearing a robe?" she asked, puzzled.

"You don't have to wear anything here if you don't want to," I smiled in response. This was indeed going to be a fun little vacation!

I jumped into bed, flipping the flopping robe to the floor. A short while later, big sis came sauntering in, wrapped tight, of course. I asked her if our cousins were getting anxious waiting for her to finish her dirty work. She mumbled something as she reached for the light. All of a sudden, darkness. I thought I heard the rumble of thunder outside. Rats! Not another storm, now we'd never get to the beach!

"Nite, Kath."

"Nite," she mumbled.

Chapter 5

I awoke to Kathy's complaining.

"You sleep too much, April!" she exclaimed, already dressed. She said I barely had time to say goodbye to the folks who were going to work. I tumbled out of bed, pulled my robe around me and followed Kath into the kitchen where everybody and I do mean everybody, was looking spiffy and a delicious odor filled the air.

"Where's Marisa?" I asked, looking around. Usually she was bouncing around the kitchen looking pretty chipper.

"She probably took a little walk on the beach." Aunt Ellen replied, serving me up some grub. "It's nice this morning."

I asked about the storm I'd heard and Uncle Jon replied that it had rained a bit, but that it was no big deal. Illana reminded him that she had to be at work a little early so the up and away shuffle began. Clang! A huge noise rang out across the table. Kathy had dropped her fork in mid-bite and was staring at the door to our room.

"Jeez, Kath, good thing it missed the plate!" I exclaimed, as I turned around to see what was so interesting.

"Hi, Sweetheart, we were just wondering where you were," Aunt Ellen said, "I see Emile is back this year." She promptly introduced Emile to us and mentioned that he was just beginning to speak English, so we should go easy on him. Yep, he was obviously a boy, easy to tell cuz he wasn't wearing anything! Marissa? She wasn't wearing anything either. The amazing thing was, Kath and me were the only people in the room that had any reaction to this. I was surprised. After all, they had been walking around outside, which at home would bring either dire consequences or nasty giggles. For most, it would be unthinkable. Our relatives just went about their business.

I looked at Kathy with wide eyes. Her expression was unreadable and she was trying not to look but I saw her peek several times. Gil walked over to the boy, shook his hand and said something in French. "The beach should be pretty nice today." Gil observed, talking to no one in particular. Uncle Jon began to usher the working class out the door while the new arrivals sat down and stared at the breakfast food, apparently hungry.

They happily chatted away while Ellen dished out the grub. While they ate I took the opportunity to study Emile. Big Sis did the same, trying hard to hide her glances. He was probably about my age, light brown hair, brown eyes, cute face. At home he would maybe be a candidate for the G.G. based on his girl appeal. What was strange though, his thingie seemed to have some extra skin on it or something. I mean, I saw Carl, I've seen my Dad and then there's Tommy Kearns' famous piece of literature, but I've never seen anything like this. I wonder how you ask about it? For his part, the new boy reacted with shyness to our obvious interest and it was very cute!

"C'mon out to the beach, April, and meet some more friends!" Marissa said excitedly.

"Not until you kiss Dad and your family goodbye, finish your food and help with the cleanup!" her mom insisted.

Emile looked confused and, of course, shrugged his shoulders. His pretty buddy apparently translated the grim message and both of them began to eat furiously. Ellen tapped Marissa on the shoulder and pointed to the soon to be departing workers. The little girl frowned, quickly rose from her grits, ran over, hugged everybody and returned to continue wolfing down. It was cute! Wondering how Kath was doing, I looked over and saw that she was eating slowly, trying to keep her eyes on the plate. I started to say something to her but thought better of it.

The after meal cleanup went well.

"We'll be right outside, April!" Marissa said excitedly.

"Can I come too?" Big Sis asked.

I looked at her and smiled, "No! Absolutely not!" and I stuck my tongue out at her. She responded by giggling and shaking her head. The little kids were gone like a rocket! We headed toward our sleeping quarters, which are apparently the favored exit to the beach.

"Aunt Ellen, will we always have tons of sand in our room from everybody coming through to the beach?" Kathy asked.

"I don't want to be scrunching around in there all the time," Ellen responded by saying that we all are supposed to take showers before we come in. "I have no use for briny, sandy children in the house!" she said. We are also supposed to wear the sandals that are in the cubbies by the showers and walk in the grass. "This usually takes care of the problem." she added. Neither of us noticed whether the kids had anything on their feet. I suppose we were too busy looking at the rest of them. Auntie mentioned that she might join us outside after taking care of a few things.

The mood was light as Kath and I trotted into our... um... room. Of course the window coverings were pulled away and we had a pretty good view of the shower place and part of the beach. No people were visible, at least from here. Big time eighth grader pulled the drapes and, amazingly enough, began to remove her clothing. She was down to her undies and I felt I just had to comment.

"Getting pretty loose aren't we?" she glared at me and said, "You see me every night in the bathroom, unfortunately, besides, I don't feel like moving all my stuff around." I smiled as I got all my stuff off.

"I'm glad, Kath," I said, "Maybe the things I'm talking about all the time are beginning to work!"

"April, I absolutely refuse to get in another goofy discussion with you!" she smiled back and we talked about our stay so far, how fast the time seems to be going and how we were looking foreward to beaching. I held up my fire red suit and said to the air, "Hmmm, pretty small."

Kathy squeezed into her German suit and mentioned that she might never wear it at home. I reminded her that we both said we'd wear 'em. As I eased mine on, I noticed her shaking her head.

"April, I can see your whole bottom in that suit!" I smiled and shrugged in typical French fashion telling her that my new friend, "Utah" had a suit a lot like hers. "You have a friend named after a state?"

"Didn't you hear me the first time I told you?" Ugh, I went over it again! "You like dirty television programs more than me, not real surprising. That's why you don't remember this!"

She rolled her eyes. "I don't want to talk anymore, April, let's just go outside."

Our section of sand wasn't busy, but we both had our towels wrapped skirtlike around our waists. Sis must be having a bad influence on me, I was actually nervous about my thong! We watched Marissa and friend, both suitless soaking wet, building a very neat sand castle. They saw us and waved. I began to wonder about what the little girl said regarding not having to wear anything.

A little beyond them was someone lying on a towel. As we got a little closer I saw who it was.

"Hi, Jess," I said hesitantly.

"Looks like she forgot to put on her German suit," Kath whispered. She jumped up with a start, her chest bouncing all over the place! She smiled and apologized, using as much English as she could muster.

"I'm sorry, I must have fallen to sleep." My eyes moved beyond her and I noticed a lot of other people lying in the sun, who had also forgot their suits.

"April!" she said, "This must be the sister you were speaking of." She gave me a little hug and shook Kathy's hand, which was shaking plenty as it was, in fact, she had unknowingly dropped her towel some way back. I removed mine and lay it down next to Jess'. We talked while watching the interesting scenery, which even my new chum found fascinating. Like I said back home, you can't see too many penises. As for Kath, she seemed to find the sand more interesting.

"It's easy to tell people from the U.S.A." Jess stated matter of factly.

"Oh, how?" I responded, "They're the only ones who wear suits!" She went on to say that her family and nearly all of her friends rarely wear anything in the summertime, even at home, and can't remember ever doing so. Needless to say, I was so impressed, I decided to show off. I stood up and slid right out of my thong! I didn't know why I had problems earlier. It just felt so good here on the beach with the warm breeze and the sun heating me up! My new friend was fascinated by my slick bottom.

"You look great with no hair on your vulva," she said. "I really never much cared for it growing there, maybe I can do, later."

Kathy was, not surprisingly, in a bad way. She shook her head, got up, walked over to where her towel was, grabbed it and began to walk toward the house. Jess watched her with concern and looked at me questioningly. I joined her in a shrug. But Sis was about to have a much bigger problem. She was in so much of a hurry, she ran right into Aunt Ellen. Blam! Guess what? Auntie forgot her suit too! I wish I was within hearing range, it was an interesting encounter fer sure!

"Kathy's an unusual girl," Aunt Ellen said as she deposited her towel next to mine and sat down. "She ran right into me and then kept going like nothing happened." She shook her head and stretched out on the sand.

I introduced her to Ute, who had decided to go for a swim. We watched her bouncing butt as she made her way to the water, felt it with her foot, looked at us, waved and jumped in.

"This is definitely a different sort of beach, Aunt Ellen," I commented, studying her naked body. So this is what look like when you get older. She was a bit saggy everywhere and her nipples and the brown part around them were very dark. There were some strange little line marks around her navel and her vulva was easy to see through her sparse, light pubic hair. She had a few of those ugly blue veins on her thighs. The mature lady sat up looked around and smiled at me.

"But it is a nice one isn't it, April?" she asked.

I noticed that the beach was filling up with people, only a couple of which wore swimsuits. This was getting to be very enjoyable! I stretched like a cat, loving the feel of the warm breeze on my beautiful self. Everybody and I do mean everybody began to take an interest in the kids' sand castle which was reaching awesome proportions.

"Aunt Ellen, is Marissa right about not having to wear anything here?"

"True enough," she replied, explaining that they had wanted to tell us, but were afraid that we would have been too nervous. "Jon felt that the best way to get used to it is to do it right off, without anticipation."

We discussed the issue of being dressed and undressed for a while.

"I won't wear another thing!" I exclaimed happily. She seemed pleased and asked about how Kathy would react. I shrugged and shook my head. "She has a hard time being naked with me, even," I said.

"Maybe she'll change over time, April, a lot of people have a hard time with this, especially Americans."

It was absolutely wonderful to be in a place like this! We talked a little more and went for a swim. Jess and I found each other in the sea of bodies. We horsed around, wrestling and dunking, typical kid things. Our fun was soon multiplied by the presence of the master castle builders. The water felt chilly but refreshing as it coursed over my naked skin, and I wondered why everybody doesn't swim this way, it was very easy to get used to, but salty it was. The other people around us shared in our good time. After awhile, Aunt Ellen asked if we wanted some lunch. Jeez, was it that time already?

"By the way, April, we got our post... er... mail, and you have a few letters," she mentioned. I was excited cuz the mailman usually forgot about me.

"Really?"

It was definitely time to eat lunch! I gave Jess a huge hug and told her I'd see her later. I gave Emile one also and said how nice it was to meet him. Marissa was all giggles. She was, well, actually anyone in the area could if they cared to, watching his nether regions beginning to stand at attention, if you catch my drift, after the hug. He was a little embarassed, but didn't attempt to immediately hide himself.

Actually, I thought it was kindof neat that I was the cause of all this and I really shouldn't be too surprised. He was younger than me but not by much, obviousy having considerable arousal potential. Marissa said something to him in French which did embarass him and gave some of the spectators cause for a little mirth. He kindof slinked off and laid down on his towel, making a point to not look our way. I felt bad so I walked over and kissed him on the forehead. He didn't freak like I thought he would but turned and smiled at me. It was very neat! Aunt Ellen saw the entire episode and seemed displeased by Marissa's actions. She directed us back toward the house, and, as we walked I turned around and saw her talking to the boy. Eventually Ellen caught up to us and I asked her about what went on.

"Marissa can be a very little girl sometimes..." but refused to elaborate.

We finally got to the little outbuilding area and I continued on toward the house. "Gotta shower and put your sandals on, April." Marissa loudly reminded me. I loved it! Showering outside, especially with mutual backwashing, was so relaxing, I just wanted to do it forever! Aunt Ellen, followed by a sheepish boy, joined in the fun. It was definitely getting crowded but I didn't care. The more the merrier, as they say!

"I brought all of your things, children," she said, dropping them on the nearby lawn, "please bring them with you."

I thought I heard a lot of movement from the living room as we burst into the sun place where Kath and I spent the night. Kath? Oh yeah, that's right she's here, I almost forgot. What was she doing?

"Hi, everyone, how was it?" she said, trying not to look at us. Wait, I know what she was doing!

"Interesting program on T.V., Sis?" That made her notice! She frowned.

"I fell asleep and really didn't watch."

I knew a lie when I heard one!

I decided it was just extraordinary living naked like this. For sure I have to bring this home, its wonderful!

"I'm not wearing another thing!" I exclaimed again, speaking to everybody, and I do mean everybody. After lunch cleanup, I took the letters and excitedly showed them to Kathy who promptly showed some to me.

"From the folks, Emily and Roger." She smiled, probably for the first time today. I decided to go back to the beach and read mine there. I got the okay from Auntie, so I grabbed my towel and zoomed out.

The place had emptied out some, probably for lunch, which I guess was good. Let's see... one from the folks, one with no return address, one from Lana King and one from, I don't believe it, Tommy Kearns! Actually it was weird. I was a little sad cuz everyone seemed so far away at that moment. Let's see, which one first? T.K. fer sure! Start from the bottom and work my way up. I ripped it open and read. It turned out to be a "Hi, how are you?" letter. Unusually pleasant for such a jerk and I wondered why he wrote it. My folks' letter was a typical "miss you, things are fine here" kind of dad'n mom thing. They enclosed copies of some of my test scores which were illustrated by line graphs and I saw that in most of the categories my blip was very high, in fact, in some, it went clear off the page. Ho-hum, maybe I had a good day. A sentence later on in the letter jumped out at me and made me feel very cold all of a sudden. "When you get back, you'll have to testify in court, sweetheart."

I folded it up quick and shoved it back, not wanting to think about it, a news clipping fell out and, over the headline in magic marker, "Please be careful, sweetheart!" in Dad's writing. The headline read, "Jesters Released, Lack of Evidence Cited."

"This sucks!" I whispered nervously. My naked little body was shivering a little as I remembered things and I wanted to get rid of this piece of stuff, but I stuck it back in the envelope. The next letter, the unmarked one, was very scary! It was more than scary, it was downright frightening.

"See you when you get home, cunt." That's all it said. It was typed on a single sheet of white paper and was not signed. I didn't like the tone of it, and what is a "cunt"? Does this name fit me for some reason? Boy, I really get some great mail! I was going to crumble it up and throw it in the ocean but decided to wait. Maybe someone somewhere would find it useful. Having no pockets or anything, I pause here for a yippie!, I decided to stick all my letters in the folks' envelope cuz it was the biggest and I sighed to nobody. "Reality intrudes on the best of fantasies."

Then I tore open Lana's letter with a vengeance. What's this? Three pictures fall out! Here's one of New York standing in her backyard. Oh my, she's not wearing clothes! Shocking, no? She's blowing a kiss to any friendly onlookers. I can think of zillions of boys who'd get nightmares here. Thomas Kearns, where are you right now? Whoops, She has not a single pubic hair and she looks beautiful! I turn it over and see she's written a note on the back asking if I like her new look. Hey, I invented the genre, at least locally. She says she hopes I feel exactly like she does right now. Yep. She continues to say that, unfortunately, she has been disqualified from playing on our girls basketball team because she transferred from out of state and forfeited her eligibility, so, she's decided to try out for the boys team! Oh man, those guys will try to slaughter her! She mentioned that her brothers all wish me well and to be careful, "Don't get caught with this picture in the states, kiddie porn y'know." She also warns me to "leave those French boys alone." I really miss Lana, one lady with a lot of guts!

Here's a photo of the Kid. Wow, what a difference! She's let her hair grow long, long, long and she's wearing, oh no, a dress and makeup! She definitely doesn't look like the Kid I remember. Let's see what she says on the reverse... hmmm... hanging around with Stubby, no surprise there, and feels more like a girl. Well, we all do. How can we not? She's worried about going to court cuz she really doesn't remember much about what happened and doesn't want to tell half truths. The only time she's contacted anybody other than Lana is to write to me. As it was, they wrote it sitting on a park bench near the famous basketball court. She wishes me well and says "Call me when you get back." You can bet on it!

The last picture is of Dayne Smythe! Looks like the recovery is going nicely although there's still a hint of scarring. I don't know if it's good or not, but she's getting some of her "glamour girl" look back. I flip it over and see that she mentions that she's going to try to come back to school. Great! Ah, Dayne, you don't have to thank me anymore! Hmmm, even her mode of dress is back to normal, one of those rare people who actually looks good in their Sunday clothes. Apparently she's still undergoing some heavy treatment by doctors, a situation I'm sure the Kid shares.

"Maybe I'll see you at the pool sometime." My brain flashed on my ultra red thong and I thought that maybe I'd be the last person she'd want to be seen with there. But, then again, considering the hot undies she wears, she might want to borrow it.

I stretched my unclad self out on the sand and looked up at the remarkably blue sky over the water.

"I really do miss everybody, and I do mean everybody!" I said to noone in particular. It sure would be great to be lounging in my backyard like this with everybody else. I'm kindof jealous of Lana cuz she does it all of the time with her whole family. I realized I'd never seen my parents with nothing on and I tried to imagine it, a very difficult image. How about a harder one, my conception? Try as I might, I could not picture them doing that! Actually I have a hard time imagining me doing that, and Kathy, now there's one for the record books! What's it really like anyway, does it hurt?

As I continued to speculate along these lines... April, my sweet, I believe you're getting a little aroused. All of a sudden, smothering darkness, I couldn't see and could barely breathe! I grabbed at the soft covering, or whatever on my face and it began to assume the shape of a towel. There, at the other end of it was Gil and, man, he was hanging out all over the place! I was about to tell him what an idiot he was but I was speechless, all I could do was stare. Coming up behind him were Uncle Jon and Illana, looking pretty much like naked people do everywhere, but Gil was absolutely gorgeous and I most definitely was aroused! He looked me over and said he was glad I seemed so comfortable.

"Uh huh," I muttered, feeling like the village idiot, not comfortable at all. I definitely did not like the feelings I was having but I'm not sure why, not used to them maybe. Anyway I felt very vulnerable being looked at and I guess I slunk down a little to cover myself. Uncle Jon and Illana sat down next to me and started up some conversation about the days' events, and I started to feel a little more like my old self. Actually it started to feel very nice sitting here in the lengthening shadows of afternoon talking with everybody. After a while Aunt Ellen came out and mentioned that dinner would be done in about an hour or so. My stomach growled in anticipation and I smiled with appetite, yummy!

It seemed like our little group had become a social magnet. We were joined by several other adults, most of whom were very friendly, none of whom spoke English. I felt a little lost and decided to join Emile, Marissa, and a few other kids who were working on a sand castle that would soon take over the entire beach! As I was talking I realized that virtually all of them at least understood my language a little. As the construction continued, I noticed the approach of Big Sis out of the corner of my eye. She trotted up to the water, felt it with her foot, walked in and began swimming around. I had to admit that her German suit made her look pretty good, although a little hairy. I decided to join her. Throwing caution to the wind, I ran to the sea and flung my nude beauty to the fish, hoping that none were carnivorous.

"Hi, Kath, what's up?" I asked, swimming up to her. She responded, "It seems like nobody here wears anything!"

"Well, actually its clothes optional." I said, and I went through the whole conversation I had with Auntie earlier. She asked if Dad and Mom knew about it and I told her that I didn't think so. "They'd just die if they saw you running around like that!"

"Well, they're not here!"

"Well, some things are stupid no matter who's here!"

"C'mon, Kath, take off your suit, try it, its very nice!"

"Not on your life!"

Suddenly, a voice behind us. "When will you two get along?" It was Gil. Kathy came kindof unglued. She couldn't talk, especially when he headed toward the shallows, stood up and walked the rest of the way. I noticed that she was looking at the same things I was. She caught my eye and we both giggled like little embarrassed, teeny girls.

"He really was driving me nuts before," I said.

"Yep," she replied, and headed toward the shallows herself mumbling something about dinner.

Chapter 6

The sunset was impressive as we made our way toward the house, following Gil at a distance. I noticed that the beach party had broken up and everybody and I do mean everybody was heading home probably for the same reason we were. I told Big Sis I really didn't understand why she wore the suit.

"After all, I can see your butt pretty clearly, and, if you turn around, well, when that suit gets wet it doesn't hide much!"

"Stop it, April." she replied. "You'll have to take it off and take a shower outside before you go in, y'know." I didn't hear her reply.

When we got to the house, Gil was already busy with his shower. We watched him intently and I was beginning to feel funny again. Oops, He saw us! How could he not? Superman laughed.

"Anyone want to scrub my back?" We pretended not to hear or even notice. "C'mon, I can't reach it!" He tried to reach his back, contorting in all sorts of ways, acting so goofy that I had to laugh. I heard the rest of the family approaching, what the heck...

"C'mon Kath, let's get'm!" I rushed to the shower, grabbed the soap and started washing the rear of cuz Gil.

"Why, thank you!" He smiled, "Your turn."

I faced Kath as he soaped up my hindquarters and waved her in. Sis had her hands covering her mouth in horror but cuz and I were both laughing so much she started giggling. Is fun contagious or what? Hey, maybe she'd even join the party. She started acting kindof strange, moving closer, than moving away, undecided. She even began tugging at her suit straps! Probably the oddest thing though, was that the... um... excitement I had before was gone. I was just having too much fun! Hmmm...

The rest of the family arrived when we were almost done. Kathy moved away really quick and I could see her adjusting her suit even though it was starting to get dark. Actually I was a little nervous myself until I saw them laughing at us. Then everybody and I do mean everybody, except Big Sis, got in. Oops, we were wet all over again! This was absolutely great! Anyway, we all grabbed towels and clogs, heading for what had to be another delicious French dinner. Everybody and I do mean everybody had kindof forgot about Kathy. We fussed around the kitchen for awhile before I realized she was missing. I wandered into our bedroom and snuck a peek. Oh no! She was in the shower with her suit on, adjusting the temperature, hard to tell in the decreasing light of evening. Well, well, she tugged at her straps and off they came! She proceeded to peel the whole thing off. Ah, she still has that squirrel! Doesn't she know wild creatures don't make good pets? She's looking around like she heard a noise and I do see something moving up from the beach, a small shadow. Suddenly, a light shines by the enclosure. Sorry Kath, you've been caught... um...red handed! Gee, I never noticed the light before and I'm sure she didn't either. It really is a good idea to have one but I wonder who flipped the switch.

Emile, the phantom, carrying something as he walked from the beach, seemed to appreciate the sister scenery. I could see the silent screech as she saw him watching her. She did the old grab swim suit and hold it in front of you routine, except that it was sortof balled up and her pet kept peeking out. The lad seemed baffled by the entire situation. He apparently said something and Kath pointed at a little table, losing most of her modesty in the process. He put some unidentifyable items on the table, shrugged and walked away into the shadows carefully watched by a wet lady trying to regain her covering. Why she should bother with it is beyond me. Talk about wasting energy, I should call the EPA or somebody! No I'm not going to say I saw the whole thing, not now anyway. I watched with increasing fascination as she modestly soaped up. Marissa came in and joined me.

"Time to eat, April," she said." Why is Kathy acting so funny?"

I shrugged, of course, and followed my buddy into the kitchen. A few minues later a very quiet Kathy handed me my letters and ate in silence. I smiled and said my thanks. It was kindof a quiet dinner. I know that it wasn't really fair for Kathy to put such a damper on things, but I must admit that I'm glad she actually took a shower outside. I truly hope she is okay with this whole situation, not just cuz she could cause me big trouble at home, but cuz feeling great about the way her body is... well... she can't do anything about it anyway, but it's just the best thing anybody can feel.

The rest of the evening was pretty calm. The adults watched some T.V. while Gil, Illana and I had a little computer fun. Actually I don't understand why everybody and I do mean everybody is so mystified by this computer stuff, dressing my dolls is much harder. Yeah, believe it or not, I still like doing this sometimes and I don't feel funny about it at all even though I'm almost twelve years old. I've seen you adults play with your toys and I'm not impressed. I'll keep my dolls, at least they're not dangerous. Anyway, this electronic stuff is a snap! It's even starting to bore me a little.

Weird! I don't know where Big Sis and Marissa went... hmmm... talk about strange bedfellows! I thought I heard the sound of rain on the roof and went into our sleeping room to check it out. Yep, light rain, even though the sky looked clear earlier, strange weather here. Stranger still were Kathy and Marissa sitting on the floor talking! They hadn't said much to each other before this. They saw me come in and Kath clammed up while turning away almost like she was trying to hide. The little girl smiled.

"We were just talking about the way things are here." I returned her smile. "Looks like it's raining again," I said.

"Just a sprinkle!" she replied. "I gotta go get ready for bed." She came over and gave me a hug and kiss, then did the same to Kathy. The old one stretched out on the floor and sighed.

"We go back home in a about a week or two," I said. She sat up and stared at me. "I really don't know if that's good or not, April, I really don't know."

We sat for awhile and listened to the rain. I got up and closed the drapes. After what seemed to be a long time, Sis got up, smiled and said, "Ready for showers?" I eyed my towel, something was up, but I knew not what.

"I already took one outside," I said.

"I know the rules, y'know," she grumbled, "But I still feel kindof gritty."

I told her I really wasn't interested and since my nightsuit was already on, I just got under the covers. Ah! One neat thing about never wearing anything, you're not perpetually changing in and out of stuff and the one you wear is never out of style or boring and you don't have to do laundry! Kath walked out shaking her head. She is acting weird, almost like she wanted me to shower with her or something. I think I heard her triumphant return, but I'm not sure. I was more than a little groggy, too much fresh air as Mom would say.

I awoke with a start to find that it was still dark and raining, but harder than before. Why did I stir from dreamland? I remember thinking about that gross letter, I think I had a nightmare.

"Kathy?" I whispered. No response. I called a little louder and still quiet. I was getting spooked so I looked over to her bed, seeking security from night terror. Hey, I'm still a little girl, y'know, I'm entitled! She wasn't there! "This is not good," I said to whomever might be listening and I got up to look around. Nothing. I snuck around the house whispering her name. Nope, not a soul around, or at least, not one up and moving.

So... back to square one, go back to our room. It was then I noticed that our drapes were wet on the bottom by the shore exit door. Hmmm. I peeked hence, but it was dark and raining just enough that I really couldn't see, in fact, I started to get a little wet. Uh Oh! I can hear Mom yelling, "April, either close the stupid door or go out!" She does it even now, probably cuz I still violate this rule. I guess some people never learn, but we... um... youngsters respond better to reason as opposed to screaming. Is pubic hair somehow linked to the brain?

The floor keeps getting wetter, so to avoid getting in trouble, I step out in the rain. Wheee! It's not exactly warm, in fact, it feels like my smooth self is being pelted by icicles. I start walking and kindof looking for footprints. Unfortunately its not raining hard enough to get rid of the indentations from before when everybody and I do mean everybody walked around out back. It gets pretty dark here too and it is difficult to see anything at all. I approach the beach wondering what Sis could possibly have in mind, she's just not the spontaneous type. It seems to be a little lighter by the water, maybe from reflections from sources unknown. I hear the waves crash on the shore and suddenly realize that I'm getting used to being rained on and it feels pretty neat. Only clothed people have to hide from the rain. Fabric feels yucky when it gets wet, soggy, clingy and all. Think about swimsuits. Don'tcha hate 'em! Hmmm... there's a shadow lurking in the direction of Jess' place, so I begin meandering that way. Gee, I hope there's no electricity in this storm. Here I am, the tallest thing in the area, a lightning rod fer sure, I'm not real interested in being fried.

If it is her, I wonder what she's up to? I suppose it would be a bad idea to go up and confront her. Then again, maybe it's somebody or something else. I'll just sneak around up toward the houses a little. Most of them seem to be set up like ours. As I creep further I see something odd. There's dim light coming from a window directly behind the phantom. Every other dwelling is dark, at least from the back side. I have to check this out! Moving to a clump of bushes quite near the area, I begin to wonder if anybody's seen or heard me but it doesn't seem so. I get a good view from here. At the window is this guy, probably a little older than me, and he's just staring... weird! It's hard to tell exactly what he's staring at. He's not moving or doing anything at all besides that. On the beach, looking over the water, is a fully dressed and very soggy Katherine Mariette Anders. She seems nervous and keeps looking around, but for some reason, doesn't look behind her. If she did she would undoubtedly freak, seeing that guy and maybe me also. Wow, she's taking her clothes off! She pulls her T-shirt up and over her head and I can see her white boring bra, typical. She looks around some more and I whisper "C'mon, get on with it!" She must agree and unzips her modesty cut off jeans, thus exposing her poor taste in panties to the world, they look to be a bit off-white, and big, no bikini-cut girl this. I'm absolutely fascinated!

I glance up at the window to see what my buddy is looking at. Still hard to tell. It looks like the sentinel hasn't moved an inch. Oops, the old bra straps are loose and falling, but she's still holding it up by her chest and looking around. Just about anybody else here would think that this is truly goofy behavior but they just don't know her well enough to know how normal she is acting. She finally lets the stupid appliance drop! C'mon Kath feel it, great, right? She stretches her arms over her head and looks absolutely beautiful, almost like a mad mermaid. But will this be an all the way thing? She inserts her thumbs under the elastic band of her bottoms then stops and pulls them out. Dragging her wet stuff, she moves closer to the shadows of the houses and looks around again. I can nearly reach out and touch her from my hiding place but she's too occupied with who knows what to notice. The lady puts her thumbs in again and slow...ly yanks 'em down. Yes! Welcome to the club dear sister. I look up to the lit window and notice that it has been darkened and the interloper no longer spies.

Kathy's still acting very strange. So, what else is new? She starts strutting up and down in the shadows,stretching and doing something else. What the hey? Oops and double oops, I know what she's doing and I don't know if I should be watching it. Let's just say she's enjoying more than the rain on her stark bod. Yeah, I've done similar things, but not recently. Hmmm, maybe I should... Naah, I'd get caught for sure and then I'd just have to do some major explaining to Sis. Y'know maybe, just maybe, feeling the world on your full skin could arouse especially the first time you do it. Who knows? I try to remember what that's like when I notice Kathy thrashing about on the muddy sand. I decide to take this opportunity to sneak off smiling to myself about what a sandy mess she will be. I gotta admit seeing a blatant, graphic and personal act by your sister is a little disquieting. I will never talk about this, ever! Unless she brings it up, of course. I begin to wonder how I am going to get back to the house without being detected. Roaming about in the dark, slopping around in who knows what, in the rain, no less. I need to dry up and clean off.

I check it out. Kath is still enjoying the night air so I begin to sneak away, undoubtedly scratching my naked self on the bushes which I'm finding are definitely well suited for that purpose. Clear of foliage I begin to move more quickly. Man, it's dark out here! Taking a quick look back, it's obvious that nobody is following. Excellent! Wheee, it's raining harder and the water feels so neat running down my bod! I plod past the outside shower building and approach our humble dwelling. Ah, the door looks sweet! I push on it, rats, it's stuck! How could it be? I'm sure I left it a little open like Kathy did. I fiddle with the knob. Suddenly the curtain is pulled back and a little girl's face appears. She, all of six years old or so, smiles at me, waves and shrugs. What's going on? Wait, this girl was playing around with us on the beach and it begins to occur to me that, I am at the wrong house! I put my finger to my lips, "Shhhh...".

Waving goodbye, I begin to stalk hence, noticing that I'm one house short of where I want to be. Wait a minute, a shadowy form walks slowly down the beach almost directly on my route, Kathy! "Freeze!" I think to myself. The naughty phantom walks right by me, continues to our abode, pushes the damned door open and enters. Now what? As I approach I hear the lock turning. I'm a dead demi-woman! Maybe the front door is open. Nope. I start getting frantic. Wait, I'm a mess fer sure! Perhaps a towel and some clogs from the outside shower will help. Do it.

As I return to my former location, idiotically drying myself off in the pouring rain, a whisper, "April, what are you doing?" It's nervous breakdown city, the girl's trapped! I look up and see a smiling Marissa, framed by her dim night light poking her nose out the upstairs window.

"The door's locked," I whispered. She begins to move. "No, wait!" I said a little louder, "I'll climb up there."

After mucho near disasters and scraped skin, I was inside and quietly explained what was going on, omitting just about all the Kathy stuff. "Are you okay?"

"Your towel is red," my little chum said. I saw what she meant, pure white the wrap was not. Gross! What is it about storms anyway? It was that time of the month again, regular as rain..

"Looks like I've got my... um... periodic visitor," I told her. "Guess I have to get dressed now huh?"

Marissa smiled sweetly, like she always does, and started to dig around in her dresser. "Here, April." she whispered as she tossed me something. Of course, since it was dark in there, the projectile hit me in the nose. It was a tampon. "I've got pads also," she said, "I haven't started periods yet but Mom told me to keep 'em here just in case."

I studied the tampon a little puzzled. Yeah, I'm not a dope, I know how to use them... I think... Marissa, sensing my confusion, gave me a graphic explanation.

"You just stick it in, take off the plastic part, and, when you need to change it, just pull the string." I wondered aloud where she got so much information. "Oh, they told us all about everything at school," she observed, "Mom and Dad talked about it too."

"Everything?" I asked, a little shocked.

"Yes, April," she replied, apparently beginning to loose patience with me.

I decided to try the tampon with encouragement and aid from my little bud, I... um... drove it home. It felt a little strange at first and we had to turn on her little desk lamp. How do you get it in?

She giggled and commented that it was easier to do cuz I had no hair down there. My small valet whammed it home, bingo! I felt violated, but it's not such a horrible sensation, besides, I discovered another excellent reason to shave. Anyway, we went down to the bathroom and showered, mainly to clean me up and to ditch the reddish towel. "Just throw it in the garbage, April." she suggested. So be it. I mentioned that it would be a lot easier to explain my absence to Sis if I could sleep in her room. Needless to say, she was thrilled, actually, so was I and she never asked for the reason.

We climbed in to her little bed. No way, Jose', too teeny! I didn't want to sleep piggyback so the floor would have to do and we spread her blankets thus, hence, whatever. We goofed around awhile and then lay quietly.

"I'm surprised you didn't know more about tampons, April," she said. That statement was the beginning of my real sex education. We got into a discussion that would curl yer toes, especially if you are a pubic haired, American big person.

I said, "Gee, I didn't know that!" to almost everything she said. "Where did you learn all this stuff?" I asked, very curious.

"School," she said, matter-of-factly.

This was turning out to be a tremendously interesting discussion. I asked if her Mom and Dad knew she was aware of all this.

"Sure, they told me some of it."

Boy, back in the States I was sure you could be arrested just for thinking about some of it, and if you told a kid... well... execution is a real possibility.

I fell asleep with some strange, interesting and... um... hot dreams. Marissa was definitely amazed at my ignorance, and ignorance is just what it was too. "You really don't know how condoms are used?" I remember her saying with a stunned look on her beautiful puss. Well, if a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, I now have a lot of knowledge. Where does that leave me, in less danger? How about all the other people in the U.S. or the world who are as uninformed as I was? No wonder so many kids get pregnant, they haven't got a clue if they've had the same sex classes as me, talk about crimes against humanity! So much for a good education, preparation for life in the real world etcetera, etcetera. The BBC will put an end to this fer sure! I need to plan this whole organizational scheme sometime soon, before somebody I know makes a huge mistake.

It's been quite a night and I'm really curious about what Kath will be like in the morning. I looked over at the little girl sleeping next to me. As her soon to be womanly chest rose and fell with her breathing I was overcome with how beautiful she is, how beautiful everybody and I do mean everybody is, even Big Sis. I wonder why we are always so ignorant about it, why we insist on covering ourselves when we don't need to, why we aren't more truthful about what we really are. Worried a little bit about how good the tampon would work, I got up gently and opened the dresser drawer where she was digging around before. Ah! Here's a pad, excellent!

It was interesting to see that there were a few panties there, considering the standard attire around the old domicile. I grabbed what seemed to be the oldest ones, although it was hard to tell in the dark. Smiling to myself, I glued the pad like always and hiked 'em up. They were loose enough to fit over my... um... womanly-becoming butt. It sure felt strange to be actually wearing something for a change. It was less than thrilling but I really didn't want to get Marissa's bedding all bloody.

Returning to bed, I noticed the little girl had turned to face me. What a sweet angel she is! I tried to feel the tampon inside me and found It was hard to do. I squeezed my vaginal muscles open and shut a few times and decided maybe there was some sensation, impossible to say whether it was really there or I just imagined it. I wonder what a penis would feel like inside me? You must forgive my speculation, but I'm certain that every girl on the planet who knows about things asks this question. I'm just as sure that boys wonder about their part in this. Actually, it's kindof unfair and very stupid that it's okay for menpeople to openly talk, joke and show interest in sexual stuff, but not okay or a bit sleazy for us to do the exact same thing. We need a new kind of understanding. There are too many things that separate us. Why can't we talk? Boys and girls, but not just them and not just this. Catholics, Jews, blacks, whites, homosexuals, heterosexuals, old, young... everybody and I do mean everybody has more in common than they think. All this goofy divisive stuff is made up anyway. People are what they are. Sounds like a pubic hair crisis to me! Maybe I'd shave 'em all and make 'em walk around the beach nude for a few weeks! I thought about Kathy. Would she be ashamed if she knew that I saw what she did? Now there's a stupid question! In a better world, in my world, she wouldn't be freaked at all. Time for a change! Actually, time for a little shut eye. I looked at Marissa again. She looked so sweet I gave her a little kiss on the forehead, caressed her hair, and she stirred but remained asleep and I thought I saw her smile.

"Have the best life ever!" I whispered to her, "I love you!"

Chapter 7

"Why are you wearing those, April?" Marissa said as I looked at her, dazed. I stretched my now semi-nude bod and tried hard to grin through my sleepy fog.

"Cuz I didn't want to turn your white sheets red," she giggled, apparently fully awake, and pointed to the effected area of my attire.

"Those are still as pink as they were when I wore 'em at your house." I yanked 'em down and noticed a few small spots on the pad. The little lady rolled closer and stuck her head down there.

"Maybe you should change it now," she began to fish around in my... um... nether regions.

"That tickles!" I giggled." She gave me a rare, serious look.

"I'm looking for the string!" she proclaimed with enough explorative intensity to embarass Lewis and Clark. I asked her if there were any rainbow trout in there but she ignored me.

Suddenly her eyes lit up "Here it is!" I saw her hanging on to the end of a little reddish string, truly amazing. Most people I know would be incredibly grossed out by this whole thing. Anyway, she gave me another tampon and we both began to make our way to the bathroom. Needless to say, I asked her if I could have another pad, grabbed it and the undies on the way down.

We did our grisly bathroom business and entered into the busy, delicious kitchen. I was half expecting comments, or at least a stare because I, enthusiastic as anybody about being naked, was wearing a bit too small panties but nobody seemed to notice! We sat down to eat and had the usual workday conversations.

"Where's Kathy?" Illana asked, "She's usually here by now."

The others agreed so I got up to look in on her. Quietly peeking in I saw that she was still asleep, which didn't really surprise me. I decided that she deserved to be left alone for once.

"Why don't you call home today, April?" Uncle Jon suggested. "It's been awhile since anyone's heard from you and your sister."

I smiled and agreed that today was officially deemed 'home contact day' Conversation with the homefolks wasn't good enough though, I needed graphics!

"Anybody have an instant print camera?" I asked. Gil disappeared for a minute and came back with a little imposing looking box.

"Point, shoot and wait," he said abruptly.

"Merci," I responded. Of course the plan was to send pictures as were sent to me, whatever Kath wanted to do was up to her. What ho, a knock on the back door! Jeez, Grand Central Station, people going out the front and coming in the back. I said goodbye to the workforce and hello to Emille and Ute, smiling and wearing nothing, as usual, no comment regarding my adopted attire either.

We all sat down and ate some more.

"Would you trim me today, please?" Jess asked out of the blue.

"Huh?" I grunted. She motioned to her bottom, a bit hairy, but not extremely so.

"Sure, if you take some pictures of me to send home," I replied, partially in jest, holding up the box. Marissa and her boyfriend listened to us intently, but really had no idea what we were talking about. Aunt Ellen said something to them in French.

"I don't know about you guys," she smiled, "I just told them you were going to help each other for awhile."

She went on to say that she removed hers a few years back but it just got to be too much trouble.

"Itchy too!" Jess replied that she thought I looked so pretty without my hair and she wanted to be like that too. Almost in reply, I stretched my arms over my head to reveal my armpit forest.. well... maybe saplings.

"Now that's European!" Ellen laughed.

"I've got some too!" Jess exclaimed and raised her arms up. Ah, maybe a few flaxen strands.

"I'm almost ready for pictures," I stated. I wanted to be first in this cooperative effort. Meanwhile, Marissa secured permission to go to her friend's house and the two of them bounded out. Aunt Ellen, Jess and I figured out how Gil's camera worked as we cleaned up the breakfast remains. It's funny but handling cameras makes me nervous. I'm always afraid of breaking them but I'll tear into a computer in a minute. Actually, I really hate typical family type pictures, so maybe we'll make an artistic statement here.

"C'mon, Jess, lets do it," I said as I rose and headed for the front door. I didn't want to go through the back and deal with Sis even though the little kids went through there. Hmmm... wonder if they woke her up? Aunt Ellen informed us that she had to run errands but would be back for lunch. "Be good, okay?" I replied that we always were but I couldn't help but think about my very naughty sister, tsk tsk.

"I need something radical for Lana... how about a tree shot?" My chum giggled as I removed my borrowed undies and began climbing up a small flowering tree hoping that tampons don't slide out. She snapped a few and it was time to descend and gaze. Ah, Perfect! I told Ute what a great job she did and in just a few minutes we got pictures good enough to send to everybody and I do mean everybody.

Let's see, Mom and Dad can get the one where I'm almost completely hidden by flowers only my smiling face and a bit of leg are visible. I will not send them the one where I'm sitting in the crotch of the tree cuz you can also see the crotch of me... ha-ha. It really is very pretty, almost like there is a halo of flowers all around me, but I'm clearly not wearing anything and they would find that less than thrilling for sure. That's for the Kid. Dane gets the last shot we took. I'm partially hidden by the tree trunk from the waist down but you can see the rest of me. Lana gets the awesome one.

A slight breeze blew my hair out and showered me with flower petals! The angle of the picture makes it look like some of the flowers and branches are actually growing out of me!

"Stunning, Jess, beautiful!" I exclaimed. I even found one for Kearns, if I decide he deserves it. Kindof an interesting photo. I might be naked, but maybe not. Sortof peek-a-boo, you can't really tell. So, why am I considering something for bonehead? I'm not sure... he seems to be treating me a little better. Is this gross or what?

"Hi, what are you two doing?" I looked to see Kathy in her everpresent robe rubbing the consequences of too much sleep out of her eyes. We showed her our handiwork and she seemed impressed.

"What are you going to do with them?" she asked.

"Send 'em home," I replied.

She shook her head slightly. "You know a lot of people would consider them to be dirty."

I frowned. "Huh?"

"No way!"

"Take some of me to send with, on the beach," she said. So we set it up. It really was kindof cool there, even though I slipped the panties back on, I guessed from the rainstorm's aftermath. What resulted were a couple of wistful, even sad shots, with the semi cloudy sky and the waves of the sea as backround.

Then Kathy did something that I couldn't believe. Is this my sister? She climbed up on some large black rocks that were partially covered in the water.

"This one is for me to keep." she smiled. Sis opened her robe and her beautiful breasts came spilling out! She pulled the robe down on her shoulders facing us and it was clear she wore nothing else. The effect of this in addition to the wind tossing her hair around was astoundingly powerful. Jess shook her head in amazement and took the shot. Kath stood up, re-wrapped and came down off the mountain. She smiled when she saw the pictures and put 'em in her pocket. Then she hugged both of us and, without saying a word, walked down the beach toward the site of her secret event of last night. We were a little shook as we headed toward razor time.

This whole process went very fast maybe an hour or so.

"You are a dynamite photographer, Ute Jess!" I said.

" Dynamite?" she asked, giving me a puzzled look. "What does this mean?"

"Um... very good, excellent." I replied, forgetting for a minute that even English speaking Europeans have trouble with our expressions sometimes.

She beamed, "Why thanks, April, you two were... um... dynamite subjects."

We went in to the house and headed to the bathroom.

"Let's get the stuff and do it in the kitchen, the light's better there." I suggested. She sat on a stool and waited as I gathered what I needed.

"Your sister is different," she sortof half yelled so I could hear in the bathroom.

"Oh, she's different all right!" I responded as I arrived with the goodies. I asked her to open her legs up a bit more so I could see what I was up against, so to speak. "Sit on the edge of the stool, please." Hmmm... not too bad, her little curlies were nowhere near as thick and long as mine would be. I started in with the scissors. "First, the trim," I said. "Now I hope you know that you might be a little itchy and raw... um... sore for a bit."

She smiled and said that it would be okay. I mentioned that this really wasn't hard to do and if she wanted to do it herself I would be happy to watch and give her advice.

"I'm sure I'd cut myself." she replied. I nodded in agreement, remembering doing exactly that myself and began to trim away. Soon a pile of culy hair began to accumulate under us some of which became airborne every time I moved.

"I better stop for a bit and sweep some of this up," I said. Wonder what a barber charges for this? It would be interesting to ask one. I continued snipping away eventually getting to crunch time.

The shaving cream oozed out thick and smelling like lime. Isn't that lime stuff yummy? Mmmm. Jess giggled as I lathered her up. The mirth was contagious. Do any men do this? Bet it's a lot harder for them! When the BBC starts, assuming we have interested men... er... boys, they'll have to... um... go all the way. No hairy insanity allowed! I did my best Bogart imitation and growled.

"Don't move, sweetheart!" She was all smiles as I scraped away her emerging adulthood and squealed as I wiped her clean bottom with a warm washcloth and dried her off with a towel.

"That was fun!" she giggled.

"Let's go to the bathroom and check you out in the long mirror," I suggested, "Maybe you won't like it."

We proceeded to the can, where she observed herself from nearly every possible angle.

"Very nice, very pretty, I love it, so smooth, clean!" She rubbed her hands around on it and giggled. I regarded her with the cool eye of a professional vulva shaver.

"Hmmm... no cuts or scrapes either," I said. "But it is a little red. I wonder how your family will react?"

She said that they wouldn't care one way or the other. In fact, some of them might be impressed enough to try it themselves. I shook my head, remembering the reaction I got, and actually still get from Kathy.

We went back outside and noticed Kath wading around in the distance.

"Why does she keep her robe on, is she cold here?" Jess asked.

"She nearly took it off before. Who knows with her?" I shrugged as any good French person would. It was sortof cool on the beach today though. "How does your bottom feel?" I asked her. She laughed in response, plopped down in the sand face up and pulled her legs up over her head.

"Dynamite!"

Suddenly, I noticed something.

"Hey, who is that guy?" As I looked toward Big Sis, I saw a shadowy figure sitting pretty close to the estimated spot of Kathy's nightime revelry. The form looked male, it was hard to determine cuz the distance was too great to see exact detail but he, she or it seemed to be wearing swimming trunks just like the boys back home. I was nervous, Kath was approaching his location and Jess noticed my concern.

"Oh, that's just Jeremiah," she said. "He's an American boy who comes here with his parents often." She tried to explain that he had some kind of mental problem but, she didn't think he was a danger to anybody. "All he does is sit and stare."

"At people?" I asked. "At anything and maybe at nothing," she replied, adding that she talked to his parents a few times and discovered that they seemed okay but sortof sad. "Like most Americans, they usually wear clothes all the time."

She wasn't sure why they came to this place. I looked for Sis and didn't see her right away.

"Kathy's acting weird lately," I said, "Let's see if we can track her down." I started to walk and Ute Jess joined me.

As we got closer, I noticed that Ms. Eighth Grade was sitting and sortof talking to this odd lad. This is really not that unusual. Sis is pretty friendly and talkative, even to people she doesn't know. Without a doubt she is probably thrilled to see somebody with a swimsuit on. Naturally, actually unnaturally, her blossoming womanhood was well protected under her tightly wrapped robe. I wonder if he would be completely freaked by our presence, one shaved and one pantied little lady prancing about.

We ran over and stood by Big Sis, who was just blabbing away. It was like he didn't even see us! He just drew circles in the sand as Kath rattled on and on. One thing I did notice, this dude was one hot number! His hair was a little lighter than mine, probably sun bleached and he had soft, nearly feminine features with very long eyelashes. He would look just ducky hand in hand with the gorgeous dames of the GWG at home and I'm sure they'd love it! While we stood there enraptured, he barely moved.

"Um... hi, I'm April Amanda Anders and this is my friend, Ute... ah... Jess." I stuttered. "How are you today J... J... Jeremiah?"

Nothing. I heard a door open and close and detected some movement from the house behind us. We were being approached by a middle aged woman in an almost exact copy of my famous modesty suit, little skirt and all! I fought off the urge to go back, curiosity, as usual, bit me on the butt!

The woman smiled very tentatively as she stood before us. Kathy, who was pretty much ignoring us fine young ladies, suddenly stood up almost as though she was preparing for hostilities. The newcomer said something in French then Jess responded in French, while Sis and I looked at each other. Man, I felt like a moron, Ute spoke three languages!

"Ah, I should have known you were American," The woman said, observing my ill-fitting undies and Kath's robe. I felt even dumber, if that's possible. "You've been around here before," she said to Ute Jess, trying unsuccessfully not to stare at the unusually smooth, definitely budding German. She mentioned she was happy to find English speaking people, mainly because it's easier to communicate. "I have to think too much when I speak French and my thoughts are a little hard to translate."

Big Sis told her a little about us, all our pertinent data. The woman seemed excited by all of this. Her family lived in the next state directly East of us. The atmosphere was getting a bit less tense as the conversation continued.

"My name is Corrine McCann, my husband is Sleeping Steve and this is Jeremiah," she said, "but you can call us Corry, Steve and Jerry."

I snuck a peek at the boy. It was almost like he didn't even see us, something had caught his eye down near our house and he was staring at whatever it was.

"C'mon son, it's about time to go in now," she said and virtually picked him up.

"We'd better go too, April," Kathy suggested, "It's probaby close to lunch." The three of us began to saunter off and I turned to see the McCann's at their back door. I yelled goodbye and Corry waved.

"He's really cute and sweet!" Kathy observed.

"He wears a suit too!" I added.

"He never talks," Jess said, "I've seen him around for a few years and all he does is stare."

Sis looked at me suspiciously.

"Where did you get that underwear?" I giggled and asked her if I looked cute in it. She noticed Jess' clean bottom and rolled her eyes. "Oh no, not another one!" I told her I was a little dressed cuz I had my period. Then she asked me why I didn't sleep in our room.

"Well, I was bleeding and couldn't find my pads so I went to the can where I found Marissa who asked me to sleep in her room and said she had the necessary supplies." I asked her why she slept so long and she replied that she had a hard night. I don't doubt that she did.

As we approached our place I saw Auntie and she had everybody, and I do mean everybody, with her. Let's see Ellen, Marissa, Emille, Gil and Illana were all walking toward us carrying a basket, some towels and a blanket. It looked like we were going to have a picnic! Seemed a good day for it, sortof cool, partly sunny. There weren't many beachgoers here right now anyway. We sat down and laid it out. Quite a spread! I asked if anybody minded if Jess stayed.

"Only if you introduce her," Gil chuckled, peeking at her bare bottom.

As we ate I asked about Jeremiah. Aunt Ellen raised her eyebrows.

"Oh you were at the McCann's?" She gave kindof a funny look to Gil and Illana.

"Why doesn't he talk?" Jess asked. The three oldies intermittently talked, mentioning that they knew the folks in passing but that it seemed they didn't really want to be known.

"They really aren't much like us," Aunt Ellen said, gesturing at her own suitless bod. Looking at Gil and Illana I asked, "Hey, why are you home?"

"For the picnic!" they answered. Silly me. Anyway, they said the boy has some sort of mental illness, schizophrenia, where he lives pretty much in his own head and never comes out. Auntie also mentioned that the family seemed to enjoy their privacy.

"They seem sortof sad," Kathy observed, "at least the mom."

We all just kindof sat thoughtfully for awhile. Ute Jess pointed down the beach.

"Look, its my brother, Kurt."

He came up to us and said something in German. Jess corrected him, apparently saying that he should speak English to us.

"Are you coming home now?" he asked and frowned like a classic little brother. His sister stood up and old Kurt giggled a little when he noticed her clean bottom. "You look like me now, Ute!" he exclaimed with a hint of pride.

"Why don't you both stay for our picnic?" Aunt Ellen suggested. "In fact, feel free to call your mother on the phone and invite her too, we have plenty of food."

The Fatherlanders seemed happy with this and Jess went with Auntie to call. Meanwhile, we had decided to set up our grub and accouterments on a small area of grass closer to the house after deciding that nobody was interested in eating... um... sandwiches. Ha ha. Well, Marissa thought it was a good joke.

"They'll be coming soon!" Ute announced as she ran up to us. She was followed by Aunt Ellen, carring more food. We continued our preparations enjoying the time we had together. I have been constantly amazed by how peaceful and friendly everybody, and I do mean everybody, is here! It's almost like they ban obnoxious people from the area.

"Look, here comes Mom, Rheinhardt and Astrid!" Kurt yelled as he pointed down the beach. Some of us walked down to greet them and I was pleased to see I wasn't the only dressed person. Baby Astrid, borne in her mom's arms, was wearing a diaper! Jess' mother wasn't quite as competent in English as were her offspring. She seemed to understand, but couldn't verbalize. When we got to the picnic area there were hugs, kisses and greetings galore. It turned out to be a really neat event, probably the most relaxing and interesting party I've ever been at. I inadvertantly looked down the beach. Strange...

Jeremiah was standing there in his everpresent swimsuit, staring at us.

"Look, Kath." I said and pointed to him.

"He's come out to join us!" sis exclaimed. Before anyone could stop her, she went over, took him by the hand and brought him to our blanket. Apparently, everyone knew who he was and greeted him warmly. Kath brought him some food which he slowly ate. He remained mute, but I thought I saw the beginnings of a smile.

Illana and Gil excused themselves and returned to work, I suppose, and we continued to talk and enjoy the day. It began to get a little warmer and the beach was crowding up. I told Jess' mom what a great photographer she is.

"Get out the pictures, Kath!" I exclaimed. As she did, her robe fell open a little and she was slightly exposed. I was shocked, my reaction was very strange. "Kathy!" I shrieked. She noticed me staring.

"What!" she shrieked back, glaring at me without making an attempt to cover herself. It was just so out of character for her. Anyway, the photos were a big hit, unlike Jess' newly shaved bottom. Her mom saw it and raised her eyebrows a little. M'girl smiled, said something in German and moved her hands as if to hide the effected area and the older woman kindof shook her head. I've seen that expression before. Beyond a doubt she was thinking, "I don't know about this younger generation!" in German, of course. Actually I wanted to drop trou to give my friend a little moral support but I was still nervous about my period. Yep, it was time to go in and check on that situation.

My rising was almost like a signal. Everybody and I do mean everybody, began to collect themselves in preparation to go. I noticed the shadows on the beach lengthening and I guessed it was almost that 'getting ready for supper' hour. As I approached the house I smiled to myself. This place is so neat, it's hard to find the right words to describe it. Ah, the bathroom looks so friendly when your flow is heavy! I looked in the mirror after I was done, checked out the growth under my arms, caressed the razor stubble surrounding my bottom and jumped around to make my chest bounce. "April, you're a big girl now!" I whispered.

"Do you want to call home now, April?" Aunt Ellen asked. "This would probably be a good time." She pointed to the phone as she fussed with the dinner arrangements. I wasn't sure how to call home from here so she dialed it up for me. Suddenly I froze. I thought I heard Mom's voice, "Hello...?" What could I say? Home seemed such a remote and foreign place so I went for a simple, "Hi Mom."

She was thrilled with that and yelled for Dad to get on the other line. I really wanted to talk about being constantly nude, how wonderful it felt, but they'd never in a million years, be able to deal with it. I gave a very undetailed description of people, things'n stuff, tourist information. They seemed happy with this.

"How's your sister?" Dad asked, "May we speak to her?"

I felt weird, the phone became strangely heavy in my hand... bizarre!

"Kathy!" I called a few times.

"She's not in yet, let me talk while you go find her," Auntie yelled. I said as much to the folks and told them just a bit about the pictures I was sending out.

Finally, I said "Bye, see ya' in a couple of weeks!" trying to sound cheery. I really wasn't sure how to handle having to get dressed all the time, I really wasn't. The thought was overwhelmingly depressing.

I walked outside to help look for Sis. Whoops, there she was with Jeremiah, walking arm in arm with him and he was actually looking at her! First time I've ever seen him looking at something specific. Would you believe it? I felt a little pang of jealousy. Man, I hate that emotion!

"Kathy," I yelled, "telephone!" She glanced back and held her index finger up, at least I thought it was her index finger, hopefully telling me "in a minute".

The boy's mom saved the day! She came rushing out of nowhere making a fuss over her son and apparently giving Big Sis some grief. Kath slowly started back toward me.

"Hurry up!" I screamed, maybe a little too stridently. When she finally got here she seemed dejected as she pulled her robe tight, and tied the tether. "Mom and Dad want to say hello," I said.

"What's wrong with you anyway?" She just shook her head and went inside. I followed, curious about what was going on with Jeremiah.

I listened in on part of the conversation and It was just as cordial as mine. Kath, it seemed, was nearly as thrilled about going back home as I was. That was the feeling I got. I offered to help with meal preparation, but Auntie told me that we should take this time to write our letters and send our pictures so she could get them in the evening post... er... mail. It's always a pain when your stuff from vacation arrives home after you get there! Why would anyone want to read about your adventures when they could hear you talk about them in person? Sis motioned to me to get on the other phone and we all said our jolly goodbyes. Kath handed her phone to Aunt Ellen.

"Let's get writin'," I said. "Meet you on the beach!"

"Too dark," she replied and I wondered whether she was referring to her mood or the state of the sun's angle on the horizon.

I decided to be nice for once and agreed that maybe it would be better if we did it in here, "Not as much sand..." I commented.

We departed to our sleeping area and worked on our... um... correspondence. I heard the workers return and realized that soon it would be suppertime. We wrote like crazy, trying to avoid the bleak feelings that seemed to be creeping in. By the way, I actually did write to Kearns, deciding that he's not a total loser and thinking maybe he'll let me see his magazine again!

"I'm not looking forward to going home," Kath said out of the blue. I reminded her that we still had two more weeks here yet.

"I'm really starting to like it in France," she said, "It's so... um... loose, and everyone is so friendy and happy n' stuff."

I smiled to myself. It's hard not to like this place, unless, of course, you have a severe body hang-up. If you do, this is a perfect locale to get rid of it. My sister has an enormous problem here but it always seems that, when she is nuts over some guy, she goes all out of balance and everything she believes is up for grabs. Jeremiah is the culprit, methinks!

We finished our quiet dinner and went to church so we wouldn't have to wake up early tomorrow. Yeah, we've been there regularly like we're supposed to. Kindof hard to get into it though cuz it's all in French! I wonder if the church is opposed to being naked like this. Why should they be? After all, isn't the body a beautiful thing to have and to celebrate? Does the creator make shamefull things? I know they have great difficulty with items sexual, a subject they always tiptoe around or condemn outright but this is not about that! I always thought it strange that they center on one human function all the time. But, then again, at home it seems like businesses center on it to sell their stuff and you hear about it on T.V., magazines et al, all the time. It's not real sex though. They never actually show it as such, it's either a sick joke or a nasty, and they never really do it anyway, it's all fake. Why is the truth so unacceptable? I'm sure you're shocked that an eleven year old girl is pondering such things and that makes you part of the problem! Well, I'm almost twelve. So there!

The bleak mood hanging around was beginning to bother me. After our bathroom antics were over and we were ready to bed down, I'd decided that I'd had it. Jeez! Would you believe Kathy is still uncomfortable showering with me?

"Kathy, Kathy, Kathy," I said groaning, "how can you say you don't want to leave here, when you seem so unhappy all the time?"

She glared at me and rolled over so I couldn't see her.

"I really like Jeremiah and I don't know why," she said quietly. "He responded to me today and I'm having a hard time understanding everything about him." She continued to say that his mom is upset with us coming around, thinking that it's hard for her son to deal with. "Actually, I think it's hard for her to deal with! I think he enjoys being with me... um... us."

I told her that I sortof felt sorry for him.

"No, That's not what he needs! He needs... well... I'm not sure what he needs, but it isn't feeling sorry!" She turned over and looked at me with an intensity I'm not used to seeing from her. She softened a little and changed the subject.

"Y'know, I never thought I'd get used to everybody running around without clothes on, but it really isn't so bad." I straightened the elastic on my pantes cuz it was beginning to really dig in to my waist.

"Then why don't you take yours off too?" I asked. I brought up the photo incident of this afternoon and mentioned that she seemed very close to doing it then.

"Yeah, I guess I got pretty loose with the atmosphere of the place and all," she commented.

"You are so pretty and have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of or shy about!" I exclaimed. Everything was quiet for a minute.

"Why don't you like me, April?" she asked. I was amazed!

"What?" I yelled a little too loudly. "I like you fine, but sometimes you do some weird things," I said.

"I do weird things... I do weird things? she replied incredulously. It was hard to tell her my opinion without hurting her, something I never really want to do.

I mentioned that she was just too... um... average triying too hard to fit in, to be indistinguishable from other people except here in France where it might do her some good.

"I'm just not as strong as you, April. Sometimes I just feel scared and all alone, just knowing that everybody's watching me and laughing." I looked deeply into her eyes and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'm not."

"I really do want to try being naked like you but I just can't!" she said.

"Why is that?" I asked, getting very curious.

"Cuz it turns me on," she replied.

"Huh?"

"C'mon, April, you know what I mean."

I took a minute to digest that, based on what I saw the other night.

"Dear Sis, it turns everybody on, in all kinds of ways!"

I decided she had sexuality and sensuality totally confused, she was, of course, a victim of the American way. I wanted to ask her how she could be so certain about this sensation, maybe to get her to admit to the other night and talk through it, but I held my tongue.

"I'm only a thirteen year old girl," she said, "I'm not supposed to experience this kind of thing, no less talk about it."

I brought up how she said she got excited at the beach or the pool at home sometimes.

"Nothing like this, not at all!" she exclaimed.

"Remember during school when I woke up all wet and excited...you told me all about it...remember?" I asked.

"Yeah, I remember, but it's harder to deal with when it happens to you, you remember that, okay, April!" She was getting pretty upset, I thought I heard her sniffle a little. I liked to think that everything would be okay once we got back to our normal lives in the U.S.A., now I'm not so sure. I got up and tugged at the elastic again! Jeez, clothes are a pain in the butt, literally! Kathy sighed as I kissed her on the forehead again.

"You gonna be okay?" I asked with concern.

"I suppose," she replied.

Chapter 8

The days of our vacation seem to be passing more quickly, I suppose that's cuz there are fewer of them. Luckily things got a little cheerier. Kathy's dark mood moderated some and we actually began to have a good time again. I joyfully noted the passing of this month's period and happily removed my undies.

Ah, free again! The razor stubble on my bottom, however, is beginning to be a real pain. I wonder if there's any way I can have it permanently adiosed. Would I miss it in my future adultlike life? What would my husband say if confronted with a hairless wife? Forget it! I want to stay bald always! Anyway, Big Sis seems to be making more headway with her mute beau. Apparently she's come to an understanding with 'mom', but as far as it goes, she's being as quiet as her new buddy. We haven't had any more heavy conversations or weird experiences, almost like we're avoiding them on purpose. Tragedy, however, has struck. The hair under my arms seems to have stopped growing! Oh, I have a noticeable crop, alright, but it's so thin.

Everything is just moving along, not exactly with gusto, but smoothly enough. Aside from her snapshot peek-a-boo routine, Kathy still refuses to remove her stupid German suit, robe or street clothes. Anyway, we've met more of Marissa's friends as well as some adults who hang around occasionally with Jon and Ellen. Illana had some guests over and we had some interesting discussions about world problems as well as the usual teenage stuff. I noted with a smile that we all had quite a bit in common, a couple of them even had bottoms as bald as mine! Gil's people, ah... Gil's people were... um... fascinating. You can't see too many... uh... you know what I mean, and even some of them were bald! Gee, I wonder how they do it? Be interesting to watch, I'm sure! "April, you shouldn't be thinking about things like that!" Oh shut up. I wonder how I'm going to get boys in the BBC? They are absolutely essential to the program. Don't laugh, a lot of them seem to be even more embarrassed than girls are! In any case, I never met a bunch of neater, more open, gnarly folks in my entire life! It was almost like everybody, and I do mean everybody, was part of one big family. Kath and I even learned more about circumcision, or lack of same, than we really wanted to know. And now we begin our last week on the beach...

It certainly was a weird feeling. Here it was, Monday morning, and we leave for the land of the free on Friday at just about this time of day. Seemed like everybody, and I do mean everybody had this on their minds.

"Thanks very much for taking care of us here," Kathy said at breakfast.

"It was the absolute greatest of vacations!" I exclaimed. All of our French relatives agreed that our visit had been more pleasant than they had expected.

"I enjoyed your country as well," Gil added. "It has enormous potential hidden behind its obvious problems."

I told them about beginning my own body love crusade, without giving too much detail. Uncle Jon explained that there are naturist groups in the U.S.A. but most are very structured.

"You seem to be obsessed with groups, clubs, committees, organizations of all sorts," Gil commented, "I find it odd that you need one for an activity as simple as this."

I was suddenly struck by the thought of how alone and fragmented life seemed in the U.S.A., everybody, and I do mean everybody, stranded in their specialized little groups. I decided that I would expand my crusade, make it as inclusive as I could. Being nude here with all of these people was so... well... honest. What are people afraid of anyway? It was interesting that Kathy was following the conversation. She didn't say anything but it isn't like her to hold her tongue when she disagrees, maybe she's beginning to see. I'd absolutely love to have her on my side! In a lot of ways she's pretty influential in the hood.

"Maybe we can have Kathy and April as our guests at the grotto," Gil mentioned as the workers prepared to issue forth into the real world. "Perhaps."

Uncle Jon replied, "As long as things don't get too out of hand."

Gil shot his dad a look of disgust which was clearly echoed in Illana's face.

"Gimme a break!" he exclaimed in pure American. You could tell he spent time in the U.S.A., the inflections were correct, he made his meaning clear. They walked out the door continuing their thinly disguised hostility. Actually I was amazed. This was the first time I'd felt any animosity among the relations here. It was refreshing, finally just like home!

"What's the grotto, Aunt Ellen?" Kathy asked. Auntie explained that it was a place in the woods further down the beach where the teenagers gathered and had parties. She had never seen it but had heard it is a beautiful area. We continued our breakfast quietly. Big Sis seemed intrigued by this grotto place, she's really into hangouts.

"Why was Uncle Jon unhappy about it?" I could've guessed the answer to this one! "Jon is nervous about young people's parties and the mayhem that could occur." She went on to say that our sweet uncle was a bit of a party boy himself in his youth. "We... ah... well, you could say we... um... met at one and had... um a... well... fun." I think I understand, some things never change!

We did the morning cleanup and prepared to hit the beach. Kathy squeezed into her German suit as Marissa looked on with interest.

"It's a lot easier without that," She observed. Sis, amazingly, smiled. "I'm not quite ready for your ways, Marissa, but I am beginning to understand them better."

Actually, I was surprised that she stripped in our presence even though she kept her back to us pretty much. I looked in my drawer and found my redder than red. As I pulled it out my letters from home tumbled to the floor. I held my suit up in front of me, did a little wiggle dance and grabbed the stringlike bottom.

"This doesn't cover much!" I exclaimed. Marissa and Kathy both giggled like crazy. Big Sis pulled her suit in real tight against her bottom, like folding it into a little string exposing a lot of her pet squirrel.

"Maybe I'll wear one too, April!" she laughed. Yeah, sure. I eyeballed my letters. Picking them up, I sorted through and pulled out the strange one. "What's a cunt, Kath?"

"Huh?" I asked her again, noticing Marissa shrug. Sis looked at me funny.

"Well, everyone in this house right now has one and two of the people who left don't." She caressed her pet squirrel through her suit. "Here's mine. Why do you ask?"

I showed her the letter and her mood changed. I saw fear sweep over her face. She hugged me, suggested that I call Jennifer Larson as soon as we got home, and told me to please be careful.

"I wonder who sent something like that?" One thing I hadn't thought of but really scared me is somehow maybe the Jesters might know I was here. How is it possible? I decided not to bring that up now, Sis was nervous enough as it is. I kindof looked over my shoulder and I noticed that Marissa had left. Good, I'd rather not discuss this with her. I shuddered as the images of my nightmare came rolling back like a movie almost.

"Let's go out, April," Kath said as if to break the letter's hold on the moment.

We sat out on the beach after checking the water. It seemed kindof chilly today which somehow was appropriate, the sky was a bit overcast. Marissa trotted up, said to nobody in particular that Emille had to go somewhere today and plunked her little bottom down next to us.

"I wish I could go to the grotto too," she whined. Man! I felt like an adult in my reaction! I had to look down to make sure I wasn't getting that old pubic hair madness.

I said, "Maybe when you're older they'll let you go." I looked around, astounded. Who said that? I even duplicated the vocal tone of the harried mom, unbelievable! The little girl started drawing in the sand and soon we all were into it.

"Here's my famous butt print!" she laughed, planting same with gusto in the middle of her drawing. "And now this..." she said, pushing her vulva against a pile of sand. She began to complain about how itchy it was and began to pick the sand out. I smiled and remembered a similar event in my life. I was glad there was nobody here trying to make her ashamed. Some people don't know how good they have it! It was cute and even Big Sis was smiling.

Kathy stood up with a start.

"Look!" she said and pointed toward the Ute direction. There, walking slowly toward us was Jeremiah, complete with ugly swimsuit. We all stood in awe as he sauntered up and sat down soundlessly as usual. He looked up at an astonished Kathy and smiled! As we watched, he began to draw in the sand. He scratched out the figure of a girl and then a much bigger one with a swimsuit on. Underneath he scrawled with barely legible lettering, "goodbye, good luck, have fun, thanks."

I swear Sis had tears in her eyes as she gave him this enormous hug! She kissed him on the lips and whispered something in his ear. I was getting jealous. Jeez, I really hate being left out of things! I hugged him too but I felt kindof strange, kindof like a second banana or something. Little Marissa didn't have a clue, absorbed by her sand thingie which was beginning to look like a large vulva surrounded by all kinds of nutty things while she continually picked the abrasive stuff out of her bottom, some of which had probably moved to her cervix by now.

"Interesting work, kids."

I jumped!

"Gee, Aunt Ellen, I didn't know you were here." I eyed the lemonade she carried on a tray and smiled. Oh no, here comes Jerry's Mom! She came up to us just as we started on the drinks. Jerry even accepted some of the liquid delight.

The newcomer looked intently at Kath and said, "I really should thank you, Jeremiah has changed for the better since you've been here." She looked at all of us and said what a pleasure it's been to have such wonderful neighbors. The Mrs. had some lemonade and we had a neat conversation. The boy seemed to follow it, but remained silent. What do you really think, Jeremiah? I'd like to know.

It began to drizzle and everybody and I do mean everybody, began to head for shelter, our party was kaput. I looked at Sis.

"Sad, no?" She shook her head 'yes', but her eyes were strangely shiny. Maybe I'm too young for this stuff. I don't understand it at all. Looking back toward the wide beach, Aunt Ellen shot me a conspiratorial look and a quick grin.

"Kathy, why don't you go over for a visit right now? You don't have to hurry back, but be here by at least Friday morning. Okay?"

Gross! What is this, honeymoon time? I could swear I saw Sis blush, even through the increasingly heavier rain. Wheee! It was getting chilly! When we got to the house I looked back to see my sister in her see-thru suit. She was hesitant, turning her head both ways at the beach. After what seemed to be hours, she turned and walked away. At lunch, everything seemed to close in on me. I actually missed my eighth grade company and I never thought I'd get depressed with no clothes on.

"Jealous, April?" Ellen asked as we cleaned up the lunch stuff.

"No!" I exclaimed from my green funk. I did not want to talk about it! She said she had to make a couple of phone calls. "Well I'm going for a walk!" I growled.

It was raining pretty hard but I didn't care. The vastness of the beach stretched to the limit of my sight and beyond. I felt betrayed, conspired against and I didn't walk that direction. Am I going to cry? I hoped the rain would camouflage it. I really didn't care where I was going, I just kept moving on, getting wetter and wetter, wishing that I knew what was going on with Kathy and feeling bad about feeling bad.

No, it's not like me to feel sorry for myself and I won't! Hey, where in heck am I anyway? This must be one long hike! The trees are growing much closer to the shore and there seems to be more rock and less sand. What happened to all the houses? Whoa! I'm also a lot higher than I was. Is that the sea down there? I'm feeling better doing one of my favorite things, exploring! The chill of the rain is easy to forget and Sis can't possibly be enjoying herself as much as this. I shudder with the delight of the moment. Here I am a free and unbound daughter of Eve, a girl-spirit of the dancing rain! I run with passion, a beautiful fawn, into the woods, and nothing can hold me, nobody can bind me. I laugh out loud and say to myself, "Is this what heaven is like?" Almost in answer a bolt of lightening cuts through the sky overhead, boom! I roll in the tall, dripping grass and prostate myself before the wonders of nature coursing around me and through me.

"I love you, God, thank you for this! Sitting upright I notice a beetle crawling in the grass nearby. I must be going nuts like everybody and I do mean everybody says! I lie down on my back and put the bug on my tummy. Heehee that tickles! It explores my body even as I explore it.

Out of the corner of my eye I notice a little rabbit sitting out the storm under a bush. I carefully place my insect back where it was and go to see my other new friend.

"Hi, baby bunny," I whisper, "you can crawl on my tummy too if you want to." I got down on my front and crawled very close and we were watched each other for a long time. Ever see an animal smile? It was almost like we recognized each other! I got up, twirled around till I was dizzy and raised my hands to the sky. "I want this for everyone!" I yelled. The trees were so vibrantly green in contrast with the grey of the storm clouds and I felt I just had to go kiss a dripping leaf. The chill of the raindrop made my lips quiver and the taste of natural water from the sky made me giggle.

Suddenly I hesitated. I began to understand Kathy a little better and I was getting very interesting sensations in my nether regions I looked around nervously. Should I or shouldn't I? What if somebody sees? I started to walk around maybe looking for a more private place. What ho, looks like a path through the forest! It goes to grandma's house maybe? She'd be absolutely appalled as would everybody and I do mean everybody at home. "April, stop playing with yourself, Good girls don't do that!" Huh? What? As I padded down the increasingly dark and forested path, I brushed my fingers over the area in question.

Boom! Was that thunder from inside me? I scanned the place again and I felt strange. Why should I be embarrassed about these definite sexual feelings? They are so powerful, it feels like I'm being touched by God. I've had it! I'm a beautiful, holy, sexual and very wet naked human female with a job to do. Mmmmm. I continue along the way, walking and working, but soon I just have to stop and sit. Mmmmmm. "I will be twelve in October," I said to the woods. "That's almost a teenager, and they always have problems with this!" Jeez! I'm feeling guilty for something that's part of me, I'm turning into... um... Kathy?

Man, look at this place! I was in, like, some kind of valley between hills. It was dark here... and look! In front of me was a little waterfall about five feet wide cascading into a small pool and slightly visible behind the stream was an ominous opening leading to... where? Probably hell. Is God like a parent saying, "I saw what you did!" Shut up, April.

Curiosity led me to the splash pool. It seemed that the water from above was draining out some holes in the pond wall. That's why no streams were visible on the surface. I stood in it, hm... chilly, and made my way around to the back of the waterfall. The pool extended in through the opening and it seemed to be first, a little warmer, then a lot. Looking in I saw... paradise! Nothing I've ever experienced surpasses this! It was like being inside of a topless mountain. Abundant, large and very green plant life emerged among the dark rocks and the water cascaded down forming a small white water stream. Naturally I followed it's course! It's destination seemed to be another pool but this one was much deeper, warmer and made for great swimming. I couldn't resist jumping in. Pulling myself out, I sat on a dark rock which seemed unusually comfortable, almost made for sitting on, and scanned the area. It was obvious that I wasn't the first human to discover the place. There was evidence of past bonfires. Whoever built them had taken great effort to conceal the activity, probably to be environmentally proper, but the pieces of charred sticks and clear areas of fire-browned vegetation was evidence that someone had been here. I was awed by how neat this place was! Other than the occasional bird call, insect buzz or rain drop it was totally silent, very weird! The heaviness of natural beauty was all around me and I was becoming absorbed by it. I stared at my fleeting reflection in the pool and I realized once again how beautiful I am. My now very long, very wet dark hair dripping down my shoulders partially hiding my ever expanding chest, the little tufts of brown peeking out from my armpits, the pretty folds of my amazing vulva shining with wet highlights made me rejoice in the eternal girlness that I am. I sighed with the experience, content and ready for whatever happened next.

"Woof-woof." Huh? I looked behind me and saw a medium sized dog approaching. "Hi, pup." I whispered, "Are you dangerous?" At the moment it seemed more interested in answering nature's call than in investigating me. I watched and discovered what I should name it. " Hi Boy!" I called. I could tell by his jingling collar that he belonged to somebody. He wasn't shy, trotting calmly over to me and putting his head on my lap. The dog fur felt so soft I nearly jumped out of my skin with the sensuousness of it.

As I stroked him, I was able to move the tags over. One looked like some kind of French medical certification and the other was a shiny brass emblem engraved with the name, Roux. Almost in response to my observation, I heard a voice emanating from somewhere in the general direction of the dog's emergence. "Roo...Roo...Roo." It was a master calling his pet. The animal lifted its head, raised its ears and cocked its head to one side, very cute! But he stayed put for some reason.

Roux was a neat pup and it seemed a shame to deprive his owner any longer.

"C'mon, Roo," I commanded, "let's go find your friend." He happily followed me into the foliage. It suddenly occurred to me that this dog was behaving almost exactly like a boy does when he has a crush on you! The similarity was downright scary! Hmmm... Stubby and the Kid. Whoa! Roux bolted ahead and disappeared behind some tall plants before I could react. I tried to move quickly after him but was soon bogged down by the thick vegetation.

"Roo, come back!" I called. I drew aside the green curtain, noticing a remarkable earthy, floral odor which made my head spin a little. "Ah.... choo!" Someone said something in French in front of me and I desperately wanted to see who it was. "Ah... choo!" My eyes just wouldn't clear from the sneezes. I felt the touch of a hand on my shoulder and the brush of fur against my knee. What's this? A wet tongue brushed the back of my thigh and made me shiver. "Ah... choo!" Eyes don't fail me now! I opened them as wide as I could manage and through the sneeze tears I saw... I saw... A smile and deep dark eyes, wild curls of sandy hair echoed sparsely on a lithe body and, yup, there it was, a penis!

"Adam?" I asked dreamily while wiping my face clear. He said a bunch of garbled words out of which I heard a "merci".

"Do you speak English?" I asked, still a bit bleary eyed. He shook his head and, naturally, shrugged. Great. Now what? I plunked my naked butt down on a smooth rock and took a good look at this guy. He stood his ground and regarded me. I became very aware that there was more to beauty than girlflesh, painfully aware.

I was getting some interesting sensations from below. Our glances collided and I realized how naked I really was! Even though he obviously was no rapist, I covered my vulva with my hands and I felt a warm blush course through my body. I wondered how he could possibly ignore the massive erection he was getting. I had to smile to myself about the massive power I had. How do they do that? Kearns entered my mind for some reason, probably cuz Adam here kindof reminded me of the jerk, same age, same build, similar hair. He pointed at himself and said, "Jock " or something. Was that his name, maybe? I didn't raise my hand, needing it for defense as it were.

"April," I said, smiling.

Suddenly I was seized with the urge to touch this guy. Where did that come from? I wanted to. I so very much wanted to! Jeez! Eleven year old girls don't want to do anything like this, at least that's the impression I get from the pubic hairs of the world. Yet here I was practically oozing and vibrating all over this rock! Maybe I'm the rapist! I wondered what time it was and realized I didn't care, I wondered if it was still raining and realized I didn't care. I had no idea what I wanted. Mixed up, confused, I felt the tears down my cheeks like the waterfall splashing in the distance.

"Jock" squatted down in front of me and looked deeply into my eyes. I have never felt more exposed in my entire life! He reached up and touched my moist cheek. He kissed his finger and touched my lips with it, then rose and gave me a little hug. I could feel his erection brush against my chest and I thought I was going to explode! There was a little voice in my head getting louder and louder. "April, this is your vagina. It's mighty empty down here. Why don't you arrange for a visitor?" How do you do that? How do you tell somebody that you want them, especially when he doesn't speak English? Do I really want this to happen? Who is this guy anyway?

I wanted to hug him back, but I was afraid that if I moved I would slide off my rock, from the gallons of goo I'm sure was pouring from me. I reached for him and suddenly I had the feeling that my mind and my body were in two different places. The boy/man held my hands and gently lifted me up. He accepted my hug with grace and a smile. I giggled. "Boy... who would've thought..." I reached down to touch his amazing object while simultaneously wondering why I felt compelled to do it. Very weird! There were a lot of odd ideas banging around in my head. Rats! I just got my hand where it wanted to go and he pulled away! He gave me this positivly beaming smile and shook his head.

In response I shrugged. "Why not?" I asked, fully aware that he didn't have a clue, but my disappointment mustof been very obvious. He pointed at me and gestured with his hand. Oh, I get it. He was saying, "Little", "April is too little." He bent over picked up a stick, pointed at me again and drew a house in the dirt. It was my turn. I pointed in the direction where I had began, my relative's house. He took my hands, gave me just the sweetest kiss on my lips, gestured toward the way I'd indicated and waved. I get it, "See you later." He walked away with Roux, turning occasionally to wave, then there was just me.

I felt so lonely and the tears were coming again. There was nothing left to do but to leave this place. As I returned to the beach I noticed the rain was more of a mist now, and it was beginning to get dark. I looked back to the site of the encounter half expecting to see an angel with a flaming sword guarding the entrance. I moved dreamlike, part of the fog an American phantom in France.

"April, April!" A small voice, spirit in the clouds maybe? "April, I thought it was you, we all were worried, let's go home."

I hugged Marissa passionately, it had been a hard day. She looked up at me quizzically and caressed my hair with a worried expression.

"Why are you crying, April?" I didn't know the answer to that.

Chapter 9

We finally returned to the home digs. As it was, it seemed that I had walked a long way. Everybody and I do mean everybody, had come home from work or wherever. Supper was ready but they were apparently waiting for me to return before the meal could begin. They each hugged me and expressed their relief at finding me safe. Uncle Jon was a bit upset and kept asking me where I went and why I went there. Aunt Ellen, maybe as a result of intuition, was more sympathetic.

"Just as long as she's back and okay, Jon." She looked at me and her expression was strange, like she had all kinds of different feelings and didn't know which one to express. It was time for me to make a statement cuz everybody and I do mean everybody was sitting there just sortof staring at me.

"I didn't feel so hot and I needed to take a long walk."

Illana mentioned that sometimes she felt a need to do that too and the youngsters of the group all nodded their heads in agreement.

"Well, at least let us know which way you're going and about how long you expect to be gone, a realistic estimate," uncle Jon said. "Like your sister, April, she called and said she was staying over at Jeremiah's and expected to be home in the morning."

I told myself, "It's okay, its okay," but I felt the pangs of jealousy and they hurt! Was I turning green? My Aunt said, almost as if she was trying to shake me out of my mood, "Let's all go souvenier shopping tomorrow!" Everyone smiled in agreement, but I was confused. How about their jobs? Apparently they were all taking a couple of days off, which they had discussed in my absence. Hmmm... I wonder what I was doing when they were talking about it? I grinned remembering the events of the very strange and beautiful day which now seemed to have happened eons ago, if it ever did at all. My relatives interpreted my expression as a positive sign for shopping and it does sound like a good idea, now that I think about it.

We did the dinner cleaning while cheerfully discussing stuff we planned to buy and Gil started talking about the grotto tomorrow night. Uncle Jon gave his reluctant permission for Kath, Gil, Illana and me to go.

"Only if all the packing's done!" Marissa was unhappy about it, she came up and gave me a hug. "April, I don't have much time left with you!" I looked in her eyes and realized what a beautiful and neat person she was, a good friend. Crying was the only thing to do. I gently brushed her hair from her forehead and kissed her lightly on the lips. "I'll see you again, promise!" We had a general family discussion about the final day's logistics and retired to the computer where I adapted a two person game so that all of us could play. As usual, Gil was astonished that this could be done.

Soon, it was shower time. "Who will you shower with?" I asked Illana. She slowly turned, and melodramatically pointed at her brother.

"As long as he promises not to slap me on the butt with his wet towel or make any comments regarding breast development, hairy legs or acne!"

"Who me?" he cried in mock indignation.

"Yes, you!" They started to wrestle around, ignoring the adult comments about their childish behavior.

"Let's go, April," Marissa said, tugging on my hand. Actually it was getting a little gross watching the naked wrestling match. As we trotted to the bathroom, the sweet baby lady asked me if I would sleep with her in her room.

"Why don't you come down to mine?" I asked with a lump in my throat. "Kathy's not around."

"Okay!"

We decided to take a bubble bath and it was perfect. It was great fun! Why do I still like this little girl stuff?

"Ever wonder what it's like to be a boy?" she asked, making herself a soapy sculpted beard.

I giggled and said, "Well, if you're a boy, you forgot something!" I helped her out by forming a lopsided bubble penis which kept trying to ooze down her legs. I told her everybody and I do mean everybody probably wonders what it would be like to be the other gender.

"It must be funny to have a penis around all the time," she giggled.

"Well, they don't disappear like yours keeps trying to do!" I laughed. I told her I thought vulvas were much prettier but penis' were very... um... interesting.

"It's so neat not wearing clothes," she said, and I flashed on "Jock" and his erection.

"Oh, absolutely!" Was I becoming April, the sex kitten? I was really starting to wonder about myself, but maybe this was only part of growing up.

Marissa got out her box of delicious powder, preparing to rub us in with it but I told her I wanted to shave first. I got out my stuff and began to lather up. She jumped up and down excitedly and asked me to put some on her.

"Hee... hee, that tickles!" she squealed. "Shave me too, April."

I decided to do my legs even though, for some reason, the hair didn't grow much there, maybe I was putting off the inevitable, stalling my cuz. I really wasn't sure about this. Eventually I had to deal with it. I looked at her excited face and turned my fine blade on someone who has never been anything but a baldy. She watched me work and didn't even move around, well, maybe a little. Ah... done! We giggled as we wiped each other off and grabbed for the lilly-of-the-valley powder. I layed down flat on the floor, looking at the cieling and she began to spread the stuff. It was weird! As her talc-white hands caressed my chest I felt the nipple thingies rise and harden. They looked like little brown marbles. Boy, did it feel good! Her hands kept moving in little circles, down, down, down. I sighed when she got to my bottom. Mmmm!

"Okay, flip over!" she said. "Hey! Are you sleeping?"

"Huh?"

"Flip over, please!" She grabbed a towel and rubbed my butt with it mumbling that I was still too wet down there. She repeated rubbing the powder in on my backside. Mmmm!

"Okay, my turn!" I insisted.

Marissa layed face down next to me and we looked at each other giggled nervously. I sat up and grabbed the powder, spreading it up down her back. "Your skin is soooo smooth!" I said, trying to duplicate her circular movements, but adding a bit of grab to make it more like a massage. I hesitated when I got to her butt, beginning to realize that I was getting more interested in doing this than I wanted to be. I pondered the twin mounds of flesh and nothing I've ever seen looked prettier.

"C'mon, April!" she urged. Time to continue. I enjoyed touching her smooth, springy hindquarters and spreading it apart to reveal the deep division in the center. I pushed some powder up and down the inside.

"April!" she squealed. "Hee... hee, that really tickles!"

Jeez, what was I doing and why was I doing it? Marissa flipped over and I was face to... um... face with her vulva. It looked strangely appealing and I was very uncomfortable. I wanted to touch her in the worst way, the desire was almost uncontrollable. It was downright scary how aroused I was. Rats, am I gay? She pulled her legs nearly up to her chest exposing her entire bottom at once.

"Cmon, April, tickle me some more!" she giggled. This was too much! I told her to put her legs down and then continued massaging from the top down. Her baby nipple thingies were as hard as mine. I did a quick brush over her vulva getting more powder on the inside of her thighs than anywhere else..

"April, like this... " she whined, grabbing a handfull of powder and rubbing it on herself like crazy. I saw her fingers moving inside, out and around. Suddenly, I felt mine doing the same thing. Mmmm. We looked at each other, stood up and hugged. I felt her hands embrace my butt and pull hard so our bodies were as tight against each other as they could possibly get. I felt her vulva pressing against mine, amazed at how damp it was.

"Wish I was a boy right now," she giggled. I grinned. The idea was interesting but, actually, I was quite happy with the way things were.

"Are you two quite finished?" yelled an irate voice beyond the door. "Not yet," I thought to myself, "but definitely getting there." It was Gil, and I couldn't help but wonder what he would've thought had he just walked in on us and I pulled away from a reluctant Marissa. Jeez! I felt like one of those women in Mom's romance novels, who, for some reason, pulled away from their date and said, "I think we better go now." I suggested as much to my little, but shocking, chum who was giggling like crazy.

"Okay, April," she whispered. I opened the door after a couple of minutes., had to regain my composure, y'know. I felt terribly exposed as I looked on the impatient face of my male cousin. Illana was standing behind him, shower ready. "Hmmm... smells great in there!" she commented, "lilly-of-the-valley isn't it?" Did I see a funny glance from Gil as we walked passed them? Was I actually feeling guilty about this whole event?

The prospect of sleeping in Marissa's bed, or even in the same room suddenly scared me and I didn't understand why. She flashed that sweet smile of hers and asked me what was wrong. I tried very hard to smile back, but it was probably more of a grimace.

"Nothing," I lied. As we took our bed positions I couldn't help but wonder if adults really knew the extent of sexual feelings their offspring were capable of. I was more than confused. I enjoyed Marissa's actions... Mmmm... incredible! I like looking at girls with nothing on, and boys, I love them naked too. The weird thing is, just seeing them that way doesn't give me a tingle, well, maybe a little one.

It seems that only when they react to me that way or do something that way do I get... um... overwhelmed. I, April Amanda Anders, must be a pervert! All the stuff that happened to me in the past, the... uh... interesting stuff, started flooding back into memory and I realized that I was no passive lump even though I try to make believe that I'm not guilty, yr' honor, I's just a pur lil girlie. I didn't do it, no, not me! These desires ain't mine, I'm just a kid and we're supposed to be pure and innocent. I looked at Marissa and knew I wanted to touch her some more and I wanted her to touch me. I felt guilty but I really don't understand why I should. Her pretty eyes opened and she looked at me, smiling. I was getting in way over my head! But who could I talk to, Dad, Mom, Kathy, a priest, a teacher, Dr. Whoosits? They'd be horrified.. ugh... child sexuality, too much T.V., I suppose. Could I discuss it with my cousins? Marissa has the knowledge but not the understanding, I think. Gil and Illana are too old. I'd be afraid they'd make fun of me or make it seem like no big deal or something. The adults around here would probably snitch on me. You know how they are. They make these subtle inferences that they all seem to understand, a sortof pubic hair language, a conspiracy of nuts. Maybe it is wrong to be naked all the time. I got out of bed and went down to the bathroom. Ah! There was me in the mirror, all of me. I did my wiggle dance and shook my now incredibly long, dark hair. I arranged the tresses so they covered my rapidly expanding chest. "April, you are so beautiful like that!" I whispered to myself. Everything will be okay, I hope. After all, I was a living lilly-of-the valley explosion!

"You are pretty, April." Whoa! I hate it when someone spies on me! I turned, ready to strike and there was Marissa and that doggone smile of hers.

"Why are you down here?" she asked.

"You wouldn't want to sleep in a wet bed, would you?" I asked sarcastically. She shrugged and told me that everybody and I do mean everybody has accidents sometimes. I replied that it didn't seem to be that kind of wet but I don't think she understood. The darkness and heavy floral scent was beginning to get to me.

"Let's go back upstairs." I said matter of factly. As we went I was painfully aware of that feeling again, instead of getting better it was getting worse! We hit the rack again and I decided to keep control of the situation by avoiding her as best as I could. I turned my back to her and pretended to sleep.

Everything was fine until I felt Marissa's little fingernails scratching my back. Rats!

"You sure you're okay, April? You seem so serious ever since bathtime."

I wanted to tell her all about what was going on, how my head was about to blow apart from information overload. Jeez, now I'm a computer!

"I don't know if I want to play now, Marissa, I'm a little tired." I said, knowing what a lie that was. She began to lightly brush the inside of my thighs and running her fingers up and down my bottom. That's all folks! I started to giggle and rolled over to face my little pal. If its tickling she wants then tickling she gets! I held her behind so she couldn't move and began a light, quick finger movement over her vulva.

She shrieked, laughed and made a grab for mine. Needless to say, I made sure she didn't miss the mark. We both were giggling, shrieking and wrestling around all over the place. Suddenly I found myself underneath little girlflesh, my chum's body pressed hard against mine and I was staring into her great divide. I could feel Marissa's breath caressing me and I knew she had to be in a similar position, apparently we had unknowingly flipped head to foot. It was hard to see in the dark. It was one of those accidental things... maybe. If either of us moved down... well, I for one, knew what would happen.

"C'mon, tickle me, April, tickle me!" she squealed. I began to move my fingers lightly around the sides of her belly and observed them writhing across her back. How soft and smooth her skin was!

"Tickle, tickle..." I heard her sigh and I felt a stream of warm air wash my nether regions. Man, she must have been almost touching me with her lips! I was in a fog and the desire was so intense I could feel my body getting flushed with the heat of it.

"MmmMarissa... kiss me!" I swooned, "Kiss me... right now!" For a moment it almost seemed like I left my body. I was standing above and looking at the whole scene and it was disgusting! Who was saying these things, who was doing these things? Not sweet Marissa, the pretty little French girl a year younger than me, couldn't have been April Amanda Anders, alleged genius. No, not us. It was horrible to think about, but, jeez, it felt like... um... heaven and I wanted her to touch me... desperately.

Oh no, a knock on the door! Did I hear Aunt Ellen's voice?

"What's going on in there? If you don't quiet down and go to sleep, April has to come back downstairs." We froze into a most interesting tableaux and Marissa yelled something in her own language, readjusting her position to face the entrance. Ah, those French words! Apparently the little girl decided her Mom, satisfied with her daughter's response, had gone back to bed. She quickly turned, sat on my stomach and began to move slowly back and forth, kindof like riding a horse. I could feel her soft vulva rubbing against my ribs.

"I do love horsey rides!" she whispered excitedly. "Don't you? Me and Emille do this all the time."

"What else do you do?" I thought to myself.

"I like it when he's on top, then I can kiss him and tickle him more."

I almost unconsciously began to caress her chest and belly.

"Tee... hee," she giggled, "stop it, April!" My imagination took over and I saw her lips caressing a little penis or was it my lips caressing a much bigger one? I wasn't sure and I didn't care. Tommy Kearns and his stupid magazine flashed through my head, Kearns... Kearns... Kearns. I began to pull her foreward until she was bucking around on my nipple thingies, her vulva, on the upswing, nearly touching my nose and she offered no resistance "I wonder if little ones can lubricate?" I asked myself. That's a dumb question. I remebered personal experiences which verified that indeed they do.

Suddenly she stopped moving about an inch from my face, reached down and began to rub herself in small, slow circles.

"You should see how Emille does it," she giggled, "it's funny!" Yeah, I bet.

"How do you do it, April?" I desperately wanted to say that I don't do it or have never done it. I remembered this afternoon and my walk. Yep, I did it all right, I've been doing it for as long as I can remember and I very much wanted to do it again... right now! I felt embarrassed, maybe a bit ashamed as I watched her move her fingers in out and around.

"Wheeee!" She threw her head back and giggled. Oh, gross! Um... maybe... maybe not. Marissa's vulva was up against my chin and she began to move up and down in time with her finger strokes. "Wheee, good horsey, woooo!" I could smell a combination of flowers and something else... um... I can't really say what except that it was strangely pleasant.

C'mon, April, you're lying to yourself, you know darned well what that other odor is! I don't believe what's going through my head now. I just can't believe it! Wonder what it tastes like? I just couldn't help myself. Yep, I stuck out my tongue just a little bit, it didn't quite reach her little bald folds. I was going crazy! I just absolutely had to find out, I had to! It was almost like she wasn't Marissa anymore, just folds of skin I was aching to taste.

I grabbed her behind and pulled her toward me and my tongue went inside her. Mmmm. "Aaa... pri... ll!" she shreiked "What are you doing?"

I prayed she didn't attract any parental attention. She jumped up immediately and put her hands on her hips.

"Did you put your tongue in there?"

Now, wait a minute here, this seemed to be an angry voice I was hearing. If ever an emotion was out of place, this was it, I thought she was enjoying this. If I said "yes" would she spread nasty rumors? The idea occurred to me that they would be absolutely and disgustingly true. How could I say I didn't do the deed? Lying was definitely not my style at all, cuz, y'know, the truth usually gets out anyway and it almost always sounds worse than it is if you try to.. um... avoid the issue. There might just be a way of not saying anything, but, then again, that's a kindof lie too. That feeling was now a memory, looks like trying to save your skin is more important than it. Why, why did I do something so gross? I was amazed! I was always hearing it, "mind over matter ", "mind over matter" from everybody and I do mean everybody. Suppose some things in me don't hear it, or hearing it, ignore it. I suddenly realized how selfish I had been.

Suddenly I could see the rumpled bed of my disgrace!

"Who the heck turned on the light?" I growled. I saw Marissa standing by the light switch.

"I know what you did, April," she whispered and pointed to her smooth bottom. "I felt it right here!" She put her hands on her hips and glared at me.

An angry Aunt Ellen sortof whisper yelled outside the door, "April, you'll have to sleep downstairs now!" I was pleased that she hadn't just walked in. What would she have said?

"I'm sorry if I hurt you," I called out, as I began to make my way downstairs with tears in my eyes, convinced that I had raped my very own favorite cousin.

I entered my bed alone and it was hard not to think about what Kathy was doing now. I actually was glad with the realization that, day after tomorrow, everything would be a... um... happy memory.

It was difficult to determine the time, or how long I had been sleeping. My entire day was one long time disruption. Interesting how the flow of time seems to be based more on our experience of it rather than the movement of hands on a clock. Ah... the speculations of a rapist are useless.

My pillow was damp. Had I cried myself to sleep? Hard to say why I'm awake now. Whoops! Could it be the little knocks on my portal, dreary, getting more insistent with my delay? Big Sis? Too small a noise, she has bigger hands and no patience.

"Can I talk to you, April?" sighed a tiny, dark voice. I opened the door to see a little girl, Marissa, standing naked, electrified by the aura of the nightlight in the kitchen and holding by one arm, her teddy bear. I sat up in the bed when she came in. Maybe the gendarme or whatever they call a cop here, was hiding just around the corner. Rape is an ugly crime.

"I'm sorry about what happened," she said.

"No, I'm sorry," I replied. "I must've left my brain in the bathroom."

She went on to say that she was the one who caused everything! "I asked for it and I got it," was her explanation. She was just surprised to actually have something in there. "It was the first time for that," she continued, "and it felt... um.... um...strange. It felt... um... good and I wanted you to do it again and then I wanted to do it to you."

I was a bit shocked. Marissa was experiencing nearly the same feelings I was at the time, nice to know you're not alone. She asked if we could promise not to tell anybody, and I agreed with a sigh of relief.

"Marissa, you know we were having sex, don't you?" She nodded her head. "We were real close to doing a lot more than we did." She nodded again. I asked her why it got so out of control, and of course, she shrugged. After a moment of silence she added, "Emille and me never get much farther than tickling."

"Maybe it's just cuz we like each other or we're just not used to the... um... feeling." I said. Little Sleepy Eyes smiled that smile, got in next to me and I watched her fall into the netherland.

"Jeez, I'm screwed up!" I thought to myself as I drifted off.

Chapter 10

"Wake up, you two!" A voice emerged from the middle of a mediocre dream. Of course it was Kathy. I gazed up squinting at the light and just knew she had opened the curtains. Something felt heavy on one side of me and I noticed that a ten year old, who last night seemed much older, was partially draped across my fatigued self. Maybe it was all the emotional ups and downs of yesterday or the long walk, but, whatever it was, I was tired.

"Miss me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. It was easy to see that old Kath was eagerly awaiting questions about her sleepover but I was not willing, at this point, to give her the satisfaction. However, curiosity was getting the better of me and actually waking me up. I ran my hand gently across Marissa's back and she sleepily smiled.

"Hi, April! Oh, hi Kathy, how was your night?" Rats! I didn't want to deal with this so blatantly now. I saw Big Sis' eyes get wide and sparkly and it was perfectly obvious that she had enjoyed herself. I wondered if she did sortof what I did. Nah, the eighth grade whiz was, as they say, pure as the driven snow. Or was she? I flashed on her famous beach incident. Hmmm. She just said one word, "nice". Nice was it, what's that supposed to mean?

Aunt Ellen's voice came booming out of the kitchen.

"Come on girls, let's get moving!" This did not sound like the announcement of a cheerful person. "Everyone has to get dressed for souvenir shopping."

Ugh, clothes again! I almost forgot how much I dislike, no, hate, to cover up but I'd better get used to it again. My two roomates decided to eat the way they were, one fully dressed, the other not at all. I wasn't certain about my attire but underwear was definitely out! Slipping on jeans and T I became aware that my tummy could use a little priming and breakfast was exactly it. I emerged in my armor just in time for Aunt Ellen's lecture to Marissa about quiet at bedtime and why she had to get dressed now. When I walked in everybody and I do mean everybody stared at me.

"Hope you guys got enough sleep last night," Uncle Jon mentioned. "Shopping shouldn't be a crabby activity."

Kath said that she had a great time and thanked the adults present for the opportunity. I kindof hoped that she would've lost her modesty by now, especially since she had been away from me. No luck, she had all the proper textiles in place. Marissa disappeared and returned wearing a very cute sunsuit. Sometimes clothes are okay I guess, they can make neat decorations. I was aware of a subtle difference with my relatives compared with the people back home. It was almost like... um... confidence or something, maybe the way they carried themselves. They seemed more comfortable in an off handed sort of way, different even from the French I saw in Paris and elsewhere. Maybe naturism is good for your whole way of life.

We cleaned up and began our trip to town. Kath and I decided to pool our moola and shop together. We established a meeting point with the others and sauntered off. It never occurred to us that there was a bit of a language barrier. Ultimately everything worked out cuz money and shopping are a universal tongue, I guess. The shopkeepers at al were very nice to us once they realized that we were serious buyers with dollars. Eventually we found stuff for everybody and I do mean everybody, good things, not junk.

Sis needed to use the bathroom, so I hung around a tobacco shop near the facility.

"Don't forget, Kathy, it's not gender separated!" I yelled to her. She turned and rolled her eyes at me. I secretly hoped the john was full of cute guys aged thirteen to... uh... sixteen, all using the facilities in typical male fashion. I remembered spying on Carl doing it and giggled. Boredom was. There were some of those neat carved white pipes in the window and I'm always interested in art objects. I went in and checked them out. Goodie, There were more in the display case! I tried to imagine somebody hard at work with a carving knife chopping into solid blocks of this chalky white stuff. Hmmm...Here's a skull, a lattice of some kind, a ship, a female, anatomically correct I must add. My eyes were full of pipes. I remembered the eighth grader and I peered in the general direction of the public rest room. Whoa! How did I miss the magazine rack? The magazine rack, maybe I could find something worth a glance for the trip home.

The closer I got the more excited I was. This was no ordinary periodical section, sports fans, that was further down the aisle. I was in Kearnsean heaven! These were sex magazines, baby, boy, were they ever! How could I not check them out? It was amazing how fast I forgot the guilt of last night. I nervously looked over my shoulder, absolutely certain that someone would stop, violently tear the rag from my hands and give me the lecture of my life which I wouldn't understand cuz it would be in French. Nobody even noticed. Was I scandalized? These things didn't even have those dopey security covers like you see in the U.S. sometimes, and, unlike Tommy's tome, these people were really doing it! I was astonished! Where were the cops? I believe, officer, that my little girl morals are in jeapardy.

Yeah, sure. Arrest those nude and rowdy folks, Lock up the pornographers and throw away the key, give 'em death! So much for freedom of expression. I had the desire, the money and I would find the time fer sure. I grabbed what I thought were a couple of the hottest ones. The counterman took my money without even blinking and I turned and walked quickly toward the entrance nearly capsizing Kathy. "What exactly are you buying in here?" Gross! She sounded like Mom. I looked in the direction of paradise rack and pointed. Her hair stood on end.

"Omigod, April!" Her eyes got wide and she covered her mouth with her hands in horror.

"Bet you never met a seventh grade girl pervert before," I said as I nonchalantly walked passed her and out the doorway. Uncomfortable with the possibility that my relatives would see the treasures I'd... ahem... uncovered, I pushed them deep into the bags of stuff I carried.

Kath shook her head. "Just what will you do next, Idiot?"

I smiled and said, "Gee, Kath, I'm not sure but it'll probably be more interesting then things most people come up with."

We walked toward the rendezvous point in fertile silence.

"How far will you go with these goofy ideas of yours?" she said, her voice dripping with disgust.

"As far as I can," I said with a Groucho Marx bounce of the eyebrows. I almost spilled the beans about Kearns and his "only in America" imitation sex book, but I remembered my sortof promise to him. He should see mine... um... figuratively speaking. Everybody and I do mean everybody deserves a look at what real sex looks like. Knowledge, as they say, really is power after all. Nobody should be scandalized, or even the least bit embarassed. Our bodies do what they do and that's all there is to it. One function is like another, equally important, healthy, necessary and whatever.

What happened with Marissa, my desire encountering "Jock" and all my other solitary sexual dalliances are taking on a new perspective. I know it's unkidlike, also unAprillike, but I would like to talk to an experienced adult, even a hairy one. Who said that? Me, a girl who prides herself on exploring new horizons, can't really figure it all out. In some ways, maybe a lot of them, I'm still very young, maybe too young to handle this kind of thing. I glanced at Big Sis and she looked young too, and seemed to want to stay that way. What will I do next? I honestly don't know, but a little voice inside that never lets me alone keeps telling me to go, go, go. But where?

We met up with the relations and enjoyed lunch at yet another cute French cafe'. They had several big bags of unknown merchandise. "Items we need for the grotto." Gil commented. Illana nodded, smiled and said she was looking foreward to a good party. Marissa and the adults sortof sulked, apparently grotto talk was getting to them. It's too bad my chum can't join us for this, maybe it's too late for her to be up or something.

We finished up lunch and departed to wherever. Uncle Jon suggested it might be fun to visit everybody's and I do mean everybody's work place.

"My office isn't much to see, I just rent it here for the summer," Uncle Jon commented. "I usually work in the embassy in Paris, right where we were last month."

He was right, although it was cheerier than I thought it would be. It was decorated nicely and he had some beautiful paintings on the walls.

"All originals done by a local artist," he said. I found one that I really liked. It was a picture of a little naked girl lying in a dark forest looking up at the sky. I couldn't stop looking. "It's me on my beach walk!" I thought, "It's a picture of me!"

His secretary, Camille, was very nice, but only spoke French. One thing I've discovered is that I'm actually beggining to pick up some of it, me, the language cripple. We walked over to the municipal place were Gil spent his daylight time, and I was amazed at how crazy it was.

"Busy day around here," Gil remarked. "looks like I should've worked instead of taking off time." His co-workers seemed pleasant enough and many of them seemed to be about the same age. It was kindof interesting to see a town's operations going on, the 'behind the scenes' stuff.

"This is like the business end of the area, there are a lot of beach dwellers who come here to take care of the practical things they need to do," he added. Kathy smiled.

"I'm not used to seeing all these people with clothes on," my cuz responded by shrugging and saying that naturists were a minority in France. "Even so, the majority of people here do not find the practice of it uncomfortable or disgusting, body display doesn't disturb them at all."

I kindof resented his superior attitude sometimes, but I thought about how folks at home would be about this and it sortof depressed me. How can we be so smart in some things and so stupid in others?

It was exciting! We got to meet the mayor and some of the town council, many of whom spoke English. The boss, in fact, spoke it very well. He welcomed us warmly and gave us signed certificates making us honorary citizens. I couldn't help but think how neat it would be to actually live here! Kathy was also impressed.

"Oh, I'll be back for sure!" She exclaimed, shaking the hands of the officials. Illana was getting agitated, really wanting to show us the auto shop and Aunt Ellen was getting a little irritated with her. As we left Gil explained his job.

"This and that," he said. "Sometimes paperwork, and other times we go out in the field to do maintenance and whatever."

It was pretty quiet in Illana's garage. An old guy came up and shook our hands. He was dressed in greasy, stained coveralls that had a name patch over one pocket. His name, apparently was, "Guy". Hmmm... I wonder if the workers here are called by gender rather than name. Does Illana have coveralls that say, "Gal"?

Anyway, he bagan to explain something to us in French as he took us around and showed us all the car fixing stuff. I was quite impressed with Illana's toolbox and it's gleaming contents. I grabbed and messed with a few of her neater tools.

"Illana is really a pretty good mechanic," Uncle Jon said. "She keeps our car running."

She kindof blushed with her father's praise and said that she was the only female in the shop who actually worked on the vehicles.

"Guy said earlier that they just cleared a bunch of cars out and that's why it's so quiet." She introduced us to some of her gritty partners in grime, as it were, all of whom were friendly in a dirty sort of way. This was definitely a French speaking shop. I decided I liked mechanical things and maybe I could learn more about them. I told Illana about my interest and she seemed pleased.

"It doesn't seem like there are that many cars to fix here," I said, "don't you get bored?" This town wasn't exactly a traffic watch area. She said that actually, they were pretty busy. People were always coming and going from the cities to the North, especially during the summer.

"We always have something to do."

I noticed as we left work that evening was coming on fast and my stomach told me it was suppertime. What a weird and busy week it's been! My clothes were really beginning to feel alien and I couldn't wait to slip out of them.

"How about an American tradition for dinner?" Uncle Jon asked.

"Huh?" I grunted.

"A surprise," he responded. He drove for awhile and eventually pulled in to a parking lot lit by a very familiar yellow glow.

"Oh no!" I giggled, "It's the golden arches!"

"Burgers and fries for everyone!" He laughed. Naturally we got the stuff "to go" and home we went.

After we doffed the trappings of... ah... civilization, except for Big Sis, of course, we held our chocolate quasi-shakes to the sky and toasted our wonderful hosts and their great guests. It was a neat supper, not tasting exactly like it does in the U.S., but close enough to cause a feeling of homesickness. We talked about everything, well not exactly everything, but most things about our visit and the day's activities and there were lots of wet eyes about our departure.

Later, Kath and I showered in silence and she showed no reluctance in undressing. Strange... because her modesty or lack thereof, was not bothering me.

"What's wrong, Kath?" I asked.

"I really don't feel like going back home," she replied. "But, then again, I do. This house, beach, town, country, it's like... not real or something."

Ignoring the water cascading over us, I gave her a huge hug and felt her chest touch mine, felt her pet squirrel brush against me and I let out a little sigh. She smiled as she greeted my embrace with one of her own.

"Thanks, April, I needed that!"

We retired to our respective beds and the darkness of the room seemed warm somehow. I've decided that I sortof like the night time now, in a way it's like being naked. Seems like people are more honest. Strange... when nobody's wearing anything and you can see all of them, or when they are hidden by the dark and you can't see them at all both cause the truth to come out. Sis started talking, her head turned away from me, about her experiences with Jeremiah and his family. Seems that they come here cuz the property was owned by an uncle who died and willed to them. They aren't naturists at all, although the dad occasionally beaches naked.

Kathy got the feeling that her short presence around the boy and his family was helping everybody and I do mean everybody live through their situation better.

"Are you in love with him?" I asked.

"I don't know what that means at all," she replied. "do you?"

I remembered all the intense sexual awakening I've experienced lately and wondered if she ever went through anything like that. If she had, it would be hard to picture, but there was her little beach walk and a few past conversations. Right then and there I decided that love and sex were not the same thing but were related in some way, like Marissa and me maybe.

"Kath, I haven't got a clue," I answered.

"April, how are we ever going to be able to go home?" I responded that I didn't think we really could anymore. She asked me what I meant and I said that, at least for me, this trip has been so full of adventure, my emotions have been so stirred up and people have been so pleasant. Going home is, like, um... being sent to Siberia or something Nothing against Mom, Dad or anybody else, but I think I'm going to feel like I'm buried up to my eyeballs in concrete.

"Maybe it's too free, April," Kathy responded.

"No, Kath. I think we are supposed to be this free all the time and it seems so awesome to us cuz we're normally not."

"Would we get bored with it, April, after awhile?"

I rolled my eyes, good thing it was dark! I asked her if she was more bored now than when we got here.

"I get more excited every minute!" she replied. "I think that endless possibility is a lot neater than putting limits on things."

I asked her to think about growing up. "Doesn't it seem to you that adults seem very big on inventing limits for themselves and limits for us too?"

She agreed. "It's almost like a habit they can't break. Sometimes it seems like they don't even think about what they are doing."

I went on to say that some boundaries are good to have, but you can't let it get out of control so that in any situation you face you try to measure how big the fence is rather than trying to open the gate so you can see the fascinating things in your neighbors yard or wherever.

"Well, how do we stop doing it?" she asked.

"Easy, just say no... heh heh... put a limit on limitation." I answered. She asked my why I was able to think about things so clearly and actually try to act on my musings. "Cuz I'm right!" I said, trying not to seem obnoxious.

"Kathy, when are you going to take off that stupid robe! After all, it's dark, nobody will peek at you when you sleep, especially here! Nobody worries about how you look with no clothes on." She responded by saying that some days she really wanted to and other days she felt too shy.

"Kath, everybody and I do mean everybody here loves you or, at least, likes you. Why don't you go with your feelings?"

"Is this that important to you?" she asked.

"Yes! I'm going to paradise, Sis, and I really want you to follow me there and make of it whatever you can for yourself, not what somebody else decides for you in advance."

She got up and I heard her walking around, suddenly the light went on. She walked over to me smiling nervously. Slowly, she opened her robe and removed it. I'll be with you, April, at least some of the time, the rest of the time I'll be wondering why me, an eighth grader, is following her little snot sister" I gave her a big hug and kiss.

"Please be careful. little lady, this feels a little too good!" I smiled as I noticed, even in the dim light, her nipple thingies starting to swell up.

"Can we do something about this?" I asked indicating the pet squirrel that had chosen to nest in the strangest of places.

She shrugged, "Good night, April!" I grinned, turned over and slept.

Chapter 11

We started our last full day in France properly, with a breakfast picnic outside! When I considered our conversation last night I was kindof disappointed that Kathy got dressed. Did I ever mention that, since her first embarassment, she insisted on taking the outside shower with her suit on? Gross! Anyway, the conversation turned to the famous grotto party tonight. Uncle Jon asked Gil and Illana if they were going to help set it up again this year.

"No it's up to the others this time. " Gil responded. "I wonder what they'll do?" Illana added.

As the conversation continued it seemed as though the adults were warming up to the party, actually becoming enthusiastic about it, the topic of the day I guess. Anyway, as we cleaned up, I decided that I'd kindof like see Jess, maybe get her address or something.

There was a knock on the door just in time to interrupt Marissa's grumbling about her not going tonight. Her face lightened considerably when she saw Emille walk in. I couldn't help but imagine them having a tickling session. What would it be like with a boy? Hmmm... Lost in thought was I.

"April."

Turning my head back to the doorway I saw Ute Jess. I was stunned! She obviously had been to the hairstylists' cuz her long, long, long honey brown hair was now a cascade, a waterfall of little tight curls draping down over her shoulders and partially hiding her nipple thingies. I wasn't the only person impressed. Everybody and I do mean everybody stared. Gil rose up and sauntered over in a playboyish sort of way. He held her hand then kissed it and said something in very smooth French. I'd never seen Jess blush before!

"C'mon, Gilbert, quit clowning around!" Aunt Ellen said, rolling her eyes. Illana started laughing hysterically. Uncle Jon grinned. "She's a bit too young for you, son."

I asked what Gil said. Marissa, busy with her buddy, shrugged.

"He said that such a beautiful lady should run away with him and... um... they could enjoy each other's company."

Jess just stood there not knowing what to say and I got a definite idea that Gil was only a little bit goofing around.

"I'm sorry I embarassed you, but you really are very pretty." he said in English. She blushed again. Let me tell you, when you turn pink with nothing on it's very hard to hide!

I decided that now would be a good time to change the subject. I asked my aunt if everything was done that she wanted done. My permission secured, I asked Ute if she felt like wandering around.

"Don't get lost this time, April." Uncle Jon said with a hint of fatherly concern. I assured him that I wouldn't, not this time.

There was a touch of chill in the air on the beach. The sun was warm, but a cool breeze blew giving me goosebumps. Jess said that she knew we were leaving tomorrow and that she would really miss seeing me. We traded addresses and I told her again how neat her hair looked. When it moved in the wind I couldn't decide whether she looked like some kind of Venus or a Medusa. Whoa! Classic female image problem. Am I a good girl or a bad girl? It didn't take me long to decide.

"I think we're the angels on the earth." I mumbled.

"Pardon?" Ute asked. "Why are you looking at me like that, April, is my hair really that nice?" She mentioned, to my growing interest and excitement, that her Mom did her hair and maybe she'd do mine if she had the time.

"I would love to try it!" I raced back inside to ask permission cuz she said it would take a few hours. My guardians were pleased that I told them this time and they willingly consented.

Away we went down the beach. I saw Kathy and my two older cousins leave, probably going grotto preparation hunting or whatever and the two little kids went out to the beach with the adults in tow, I thought I saw them go in the water. We entered Ute's house only to find a very busy situation. Her mom, for some reason, had a house full of little boys. She greeted me warmly and said something in German which Jess translated as an apology for the noise and boys. My friend and her parent then had a conversation in the same language.

"Sit down, April, Mom'll do your hair like mine, if you do hers like mine and if I promise to watch Kurt, Astrid, Rheinhardt and everybody else here."

What did she mean, "Do hers"? I asked as much and Jess pointed to her clean bottom. Hmm... I've never done an adult before, maybe I should start charging! Then again, I was a bit nervous about it. She said that her Mom was originally unhappy with the shaved but slowly started to appreciate it.

"Okay," I said hesitantly. I called Aunt Ellen to make sure once again that it was alright if I wasn't back for awhile and I sat prepared to become "April Curlytops". It would've been neater if it hadn't taken so long. Actually, while waiting for the permanent stuff to work I got to watch Mrs. Ute feed the baby. I've seen pictures of nursing moms but they don't really do it justice, fascinating! I almost asked if I could try it myself. As far as I can tell, I'm capable but unfortunately, or fortunately, I have no milk flowing. The baby would be eating air and become incredibly gassy. The idea of having a child was sortof appealing. Hmm... how about a name, April Junior?

Jess' mom said something to her and my chum left for a few minutes only to return with a scissors and an electric razor.

"Is this good?" she asked. "I've never tried it with a machine, I hope it works okay."

I went on to inquire why her mom doesn't do it herself. They had an animated discussion that had me wishing I could speak their language. Ute commented that her mom just didn't know how, but once she was shown the proper way, she would do it herself if she like the look and feel of it.

"Well, how do you feel about it?" I wondered aloud.

"Oh, I just love it!" she answered, "I think the way I am is why she decided to try it."

I looked at the task at hand, tough! Mrs. Jess had been working on this garden awhile, probably her entire life so far. This was no pet squirrel, this was a snarling grizzly bear! I mentioned that I wasn't certain that I had enough time but Jess assured me that my hair would be bound up for quite awhile yet. Actually all these little curlers were beginning to drive me nuts, but I looked at my buddy's curly locks and decided it was worth it.

"Ready?" I picked up the scissors.

"Ready!" the adult exclaimed in perfect English. She handed her eldest a sleeping baby, gave her some Germanic instructions, and sat down in front of me. I was still a little uncomfortable doing an adult so I waited around a bit for Jess to come back. Ah, here she is! I gently pulled the older woman's knees apart and saw nothing but hair.

"I know you're in here somewhere..." I mumbled while trimming away. It was amazing! I had to stop every once in awhile to remove the wiry snippets. Finally I chopped down enough to see the outline of her vulva and I motioned for her to put her legs up on the arms of the chair so I could have access all the way down. I looked at a smiling Ute and thought about me watching my parent get a trim. Ha, no way!

What an interesting group of people this is, with no body shame at all! The electric razor buzzed away and soon she was as clean as the baby she had just nursed. The lady stood up, regarded her newly bald bottom and brushed her hand across it. She smiled at me and then at Jess babbling something in German.

"She likes it very much and says thanks, she'll know how to do it next time." her daughter translated. I smiled back and shook her hand as I mentally accepted her application to the BBC. I hadn't thought of adults joining, it never occurred to me that they'd be interested in another stupid kid thing. I guess I'd welcome them if they behaved themselves and accepted the club's philosophy, which I still have to contemplate. I was sortof surprised by the little kids who were very good with Jess while her mom and I were doing this. Of course they looked on for a bit but soon lost interest.

I was impressed because these might be the kids of the future, for whom the human body was no big deal. It would be hard to sell them something by draping some hunk over it or tell them how smelly, ugly or obscene they are. How unAmerican can you get! Point number one of the BBC should be; the body is more than a sum of it's functions, it is what we are, to be ashamed of it is akin to suicide and an insult to our Creator.

"Hey, April, want some lunch?" Jess brought me a plate with some interesting looking food on it. "Saurbraten from our dinner last night, it's good!"

All of us went out to the beach and enjoyed a bit of the Fatherland. It really was very good even though my hair was still uncomfortably wired for sound and I was starting to feel like... um... the lady in "Bride of Frankenstein". After we ate, the boys went swimming and we bare bottom ladies caught a little sun.

Eventually, baby Astrid woke up from her nap and Ute's mom shagged us all inside. Jess said that it was time for my curlers to come out. The tedious process began and I tracked its progress in a little mirror Jess brought. Ugh, I looked like overcooked spaghetti! I guess my thoughts were easy to read cuz the lady kindof laughed and the daughter giggled and said they weren't quite done yet.

"Don't worry, April!" Ute assured me. Then they attacked me with the hair dryers! The boys cheered, the girls smiled and the baby cooed. I grabbed the mirror. Whoa! I shook my head and my hair bounced like it never did before.

"Look in the big mirror in the bathroom, over there, April, down the little hall."

I went in, turned on the light and checked it out. O boy, this was hot, this was gorgeously extreme, this was me! I did my wiggle dance and posed again and again. I was, as they say, a stunner! The play of the little curls on my tanned body was just beautiful!

Wait, I just realized something, I don't have tan lines! The locker room at school and pool should prove interesting, unless, of course, I use the booth curtains like everybody and I do mean everybody else. I turned to see the other women smiling at me and I gave them big hugs.

"Thank you, thank you!" I exclaimed.

"You really are very beautiful, April," Jess observed. I grinned all set to go home and take on the suburban world, but I thought, they'd never be ready for me in suburbia!

I felt that familiar sensation in my belly as the plane reached for the heavens, like an elevator on the rise. Kathy and I hugged each other and cried as we began our trip home. France was now a dream of the past and we talked about all the things that happened, well, with certain omissions. We remembered the tearful, hugs and kisses, the goodbye's and thank you's of our family as well as our new friends a bit too fondly.

The grotto party... ah the grotto party was a perfect end for a perfect stay. It was the prettiest place in the world and the place where I'd first met Roux and Jaques in a jealous funk. Both of them were at the party and it turned out that he was one of Gil's chums. All of us ate, drank, sang and talked into the wee hours. All the fake walls among us broke down. Jess came as did Marissa, the latter just for a short while, and I made my peace with a little chum. Even Jeremiah seemed to enjoy the experience, his presence assured by some fast talking by Kathy. Of course I insisted that Jess get some pictures and she promised to send me some. Did I mention that Big Sis finally slipped out of her suit? She disappeared behind some bushes and emerged with the textile tied around her waist.

"I feel a little funny," she said, "but very nice!"

"I told you so. I told you so," I replied and she laughingly pushed me into the warm pond. I wondered how many experiences of a lifetime can one person have. I looked over at Kath in the seat next to me and noticed she was asleep, the tears still wet on her face. She was beautiful! I caught the reflection of my new hair in the window and smiled through my own tears. "I'm a dead girl." I thought to myself.

I woke to the pilot's excited announcement that we are currently flying over the continental United States. "Wunnerful," I muttered. Kathy stirred in her seat but didn't wake up. Somehow I pictured a jailer with an enormous key. Was that an iron grate slamming shut? I guess it's time to prepare to become the immoral-perverted-child rapist-nudist-lesbo-preteen-whore-slut that people here would certainly believe me to be if they only knew...

I thought of my friends here at home as lights in the dark morality desert and hoped I could light a fire in more and more of them. I believe that Kathy, even Kathy, has fundamentally changed. The experience of true freedom does that I think. Political liberty, if we even really have that here, isn't enough. We need to get out from under the social dictatorship that holds us fast and establishes limits only an idiot could agree with. It's so nice to free yourself and dance in the wind! Why not? We are beautiful in every part of us. If there is a devil, his greatest victory is in convincing us that we should be ashamed of what we are.

Well... C'mon, I'll take that sucker on! You, you proud jerk, you are the ugly one! It's hot as hell down there but I bet you get dressed every day like the idiot you are! I am a pretty child, a child of God, a lover from head to toe and you, Satan, are a foul joke that isn't funny. I just get angry sometimes at what we stop ourselves from becoming, a pubic hair crisis fer sure! I'm starting to believe that the BBC is more necessary than nice. Somebody has to do something.

"April, are you awake?" a voice next to me mumbled sleepily. "Yeah."

"What are you doing?"

"Thinking."

"Well, you do that too much, we've had quite a time, let's get some rest, okay?"

"Okay."

Chapter 12

Am I dreaming? I'm looking into Mom's face and she's smiling, touching my cheek. I hear her voice from the distance, "Wake up you sleepyhead!" There's Dad standing behind her with some luggage. What sort of dream is this? I struggle out of my seat, wide awake, to see that Big Sis is already moving around. I give both parents huge hugs and kisses, glad to be back in a way.

As we walked with our luggage in tow, Dad said, "What is that smell, Lilly of the Valley? I grinned from ear to ear. The folks seemed to be in a tremendous hurry but both us weary travelers were dragging a little. My sense of time was completely destroyed by jet lag. How long does it take to readjust? "Your hair and your suntan are really stunning, April!" Mom exclaimed. Dad looked at both of us.

"I never realized how pretty my girls are, and you both look so relaxed too!" he said. Kathy caught my eye and grinned. I returned the gesture as if to say, "If only they knew..."

I asked where the car was and Dad pointed to a big limo heading our way.

"Figured you girls needed some stretching room after your flight."

It's funny but after a long trip you want to sit and relax even though that's all you've been doing for hours before. I couldn't decide how I felt except that I was very uncomfortable with clothes on. It also wasn't hard to understand one of the benefits of being driven in a limo, the driver takes care of your stuff! It was a little ways to our house from the airport and I guess I fell asleep cuz I couldn't remember watching any scenery.

We pulled into the driveway and I noticed the lights shining from nearly every window and the jam of cars on the street, some of which I recognized.

"Jeez, they're having a party for us!" Big Sis observed. Well, that's why they were in such a hurry.

"Don't worry about your luggage," Dad said, "we'll take care of it."

Rushing through the front door, we were deafened by the yells of, "surprise!" and "welcome back!" etcetera. Everybody and I do mean everybody was there, my U.S.A. relatives, I mean. I put on my "hello" smile and made the rounds with Kath in tow. It was gross! There was Uncle Jimmy, who I swear was always trying to... um... get some jollies from yours truly, and his wife, Aunt Pru, the immense. Cousins Billy and Georgie were screwing around like they always did, but it was always nice to see the grandmas and grandpas.

Kathy always said how she wished they came around more often, a statement I agree with. They have such interesting stories to tell, and we can see where we came from, sometimes they're really fun to joke around with too! After seeing all these people and talking to them about our trip, I for one, decided I was getting tired of going over and over with the same stuff. Where are my chums? Geez, I hope they're here!

My eyes wandered as my oldest cousin, Phil, started talking to me about how far behind us Europeans are.

"It's just incredible how superior they believe themselves to be, and they don't even realize how much we Americans decide what happens in the modern world!"

"Uh-huh." I thought. Geez, is that Roger in the corner over there with those girls? Hey! I've seen all of them before. Looks like Kath has some recourse from this boredom anyway. Wouldn't it be great if we modeled our new swimsuits for the crowd? Just kidding. I took pity on Big Sis and motioned to where her friends were standing. She smiled, giving me the 'thumbs up'.

Suddenly I was blind! Hands from nowhere covered my eyes.

"Guess who?" I heard a throaty, obviously disguised female voice say.

"The wicked witch, I'm sure!" I replied.

"Close, very close!" came the response. I asked if I could hint and got a positive answer. "Ever seen the Atlantic Ocean?"

"Yep."

"Do you have white-blonde hair?"

"Nope."

Strange, I could've sworn it was Lana...

"Are you Tommy Kearns?" I giggled.

A different, definitely male voice answered, "Never!"

There seemed to be a lot of laughing at this point. The hands dropped away and I turned around to see... female chest!

"Whoa!" I gasped, looking up into the eyes of... Lana King, grown about a foot taller! What was really striking was the color of her hair, it was an amazing, fiery magenta red! I looked up in awe, she looked almost like my swimsuit. "Wow!" I exclaimed.

"Wow, yourself, Frenchie!" We hugged like crazy! "Look who else came to see you, babe," she said, literally picking me up off the floor so my feet were waving in the breeze and turning me around.

I saw Kristina, a kid no longer, she was a dress wearing, chest dangling, long hair hanging full blooded woman!

"Wow, is that you, Kid?" I asked excitedly. It was easy to see that it was still her, that typical little girl smile emerged.

"Hi, April, how was your trip?"

I told everybody and I do mean everybody how wonderful it was, but that it was great to see them all again.

"How's Dayne?" I asked. Kid told me she might actually be okay enough to be back in school this year. Apparently she was invited to this party, unfortunately, she was on vacation.

"Hey, remember me?" It was the male voice interrupting, like they always do. I looked to find a smiling neighbor, Mr.Thomas Kearns. I rolled my eyes.

"Who invited you?" I asked him. Yeah, I was being kindof a jerk, I definitely didn't want anyone thinking I was interested in my neighbor, you know darned well I'm not! Well... that's not entirely true.

"C'mon, April, you're crazy about me, I know you are!" I looked at him and kept looking, suddenly realizing that everybody, and I do mean everybody was looking at me! It was like they were expecting me to say something witty right away, to really zing this creep. I couldn't believe it, I was tongue-tied! The boy seemed as surprised as my chums and, actually, so was I. Very luckily a voice cut through the suspense.

"You look tired, April, but your hair is absolutely stunning!" I smiled as the blonde lady came our way.

"Hi, Officer Larson," I twittered. "I'm happy to see you." I remembered the nasty letter I got in France and mentioned that I had something for her. She smiled and thanked me, apparently thinking that it was a piece of memorabelia or something.

I asked if anybody had heard anything else about Dayne Smythe.

"I guess she's doing okay," Kristina answered. She continued saying that our damaged beauty queen seems to have been gone all summer. The Kid actually went over to see her and was met by a neighbor there to water the house plants who gave no further information. Apparently the Smythes' are taking some kind of extended vacation.

The party was beginning to thin out and we girls went outside. The Kid looked around and giggled.

"Remember what happened out here, April?" I looked at her seriously. "Let's do it again!"

"What?" I repeated myself and continued to push the issue. "Lana is naked in her back yard all the time!" I said, irritated by the flack I was getting from someone I thought knew better.

"So...?" Lana commented, "That doesn't mean we can do it everwhere!"

"Or want to do it at all," Kristina interjected.

I proceeded to tell them about the proper attire on the beach in France, everywhere else in the area for that matter. They were amazed and shocked, especially when I told them that Kathy finally succumbed. They asked me if there was any 'trouble' with the boys around and I replied that they would've both been very impressed. I reminded them about my Bare Bottom Club idea and they both reminded me that they thought I had lost my mind.

I was astonished at how much things had changed around here. Kid told me that I have a way of making people do weird things that they wouldn't ever otherwise do just by being around them. Well, okay, I don't mind being a catalyst, but she was frowning when she said it and I didn't care for that at all. It also bothered me that Lana and her new hair was not being particularly supportive of me and my new hair. Ah, yes, back in the U.S.A.! I just smiled my American smile.

There was people noise on the back porch. Big Sis and her crowd emerged jabbering noisily. Kathy waved but otherwise ignored us except for one of the group who walked toward us. As the shadowy figure came closer, I knew who it was.

"Hi Kearns, how are you?" I asked.

"Oooo, Tommy, I can't wait to play you one on one!" Lana interrupted. Now that's the Lana King I know and love! "Are you blushing dear?" she continued, "You'll be bleedin' when I get done with you!" She walked up and sortof measured her height against his and I saw that she had a good three inches on him. "

You'll never make it, the guys won't accept it!" he said.

She glared at him and said "How about you?" Neighbor boy shrugged, obviously uncomfortable and trying to avoid discussing it.

I asked what was going on and they both said it was a "friendly" rivalry about varsity basketball.

"I have to be a boy this year," Lana stated, "Now that's depressing!"

She asked Kearns if he had an extra jock strap and maybe an old hot dog to fill it. Tom on the spot said the right thing, "It'll come up when it comes up and there's no point talking untill then."

Geez, Kearns the diplomat, so many changes here! Will the sun come up tomorrow?

My two girls went back in the house in search of goodies leaving Tom and I alone in this part of the yard. He looked around for a minute and then hesitated. Strange behavior for a person who feelied my bottom at the end of the school year! I was about to ask him what the problem was when he held me by the shoulders and gave me a little hug! What was this now?

"Thanks for the picture, I'm real glad you're back," he said, smiling, still glancing over his shoulder. I asked him to come to my room for a bit and assured him it was okay.

"I brought you something from France." He was curious as to why I just couldn't go get it myself. I did a little girl routine that Illana told Kath never fails with guys. I looked up at him with eyes wide, stuck my finger in my mouth, shuffled my feet and said, "b'cuz..." It worked! He was mesmerized, for a second anyway.

"Okay, let's go."

We went in and started up the stairs, running straight into Mom, who of course, didn't think this was such a great idea. "You have other guests to see." she said with a slight raise of an eyebrow. Ah, another pubic hair lie! We all know she is referring to the possibilty, however remote, fer sure at this point, of "funny stuff"... um... you know.

Actually I was proud of Mom cuz she made that great leap of imagination realizing that her darling little girl may really be one hot number instead of the innocent little twit everybody wants her to be. Good thing Marissa's a long way from here! I was tempted to go and annouce my activities in graphic detail to everybody and I do mean everybody, now that would be Interesting! Maybe I could model my new swimsuit?

"Just for a second, Mom, I want to show him something from vacation."

"Well, okay, but I'll be watching..."

We quickly bounded up the stairs and went into my abode. In a way, it was nice to be back in here. I dug through the luggage while Tommy looked on with interest. I found my new suit and held it up for him to see.

"Like it?" I asked.

"Gee, it's red," he said, "Wait, let's see it." I handed it to him and he checked it out.

"April, you can't wear this at the pool, it doesn't have a bottom part! C'mon, Where's the rest of your suit?" I smiled coyly, shrugged and gave him the magazines. He paged through them while I looked on, commenting that... well... they were really doing it. He sucked in a ton of air.

"Whoa!" he commented, "Man, they actually sold this to you?"

"Yep, no problem, and by the way, this is all there is to the suit. If you want to see me in it, I'll try it on right now."

"What?" In a flash, I had pulled off my t-shirt and began searching for the clip on the back of my getting bigger bra. "You wanna help me with this, Kearns, I'm out of practice."

His expression was priceless! It was like somebody had just punched him in the jaw. I hesitated, maybe I was being unfair. Tommy was, after all, brought up in these United States where boys are boys and girls are girls and never the twain shall meet. Well, maybe it's time for the twain to come in!

"Okay, Kearns, think about why you are uncomfortable now and think about how dumb it is that you are, okay?" I said, "Think about how much power I have over you just by taking off my shirt, it's truly and amazingly dopey!" I was talking but I don't think he was listening. I asked him if he heard what I said and he asked me if I was trying to drive him crazy or something which, I suppose really is kindof a compliment. I responded that I was trying to drive him uncrazy. "What exactly is wrong with admiring me, Kearns?"

"I don't mind, really, as long as I can admire you too. Do you know what a real girl looks like, Tommy?" He looked at me sheepishly.

"Are you trying to embarrass me, April, like you did when you got the tent?" I reminded him that this was my room and we were alone in it. I went over and closed the door, hoping that the folks were busy with one relative or another. I told him that he had sex and appreciation all mixed up.

"Besides, nobody knows what we're talking about in here now, it's private, just between us, please don't be embarrassed." He asked if this is what Carl and I did, and that he heard, but didn't believe, that we did... um... it. I responded that I was very tired of this hanging over my head.

"Yeah, we saw each other but that was about it, and, y'know, he responded a lot like you are now." He moved closer and whispered, "Can I tell you a secret, April? Please don't say anything to anybody!"

"Kearns, if you could read my mind a whole lot of people would be in big trouble, including me!" I told him that a lot of people seem to want to confess things to me for some reason. I have no problem with holding my tongue, ever.

He told me that he'd always looked at me like I was a weird little kid and that he had a sortof crush on Kathy for awhile. He told me that he was starting to like me, a lot and couldn't ignore or make fun of me any more.

"I'm really glad you're back, April," he said, "but if my friends knew about this, I'd be dead." Jeez! How could I forget about the GG's? Some friends, eh? He talked about the social pressure there was to have a gorgeous eighth grade or older girlfriend and to be... um... involved with her in all kinds of ways.

"I'm getting a little sick of it," he said. I flashed him my broadest smile and gave my luxurious locks a tousle. This felt good, very good! I told him I was proud of him, sincerely, and that he should keep thinking that way then I gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"I'd like to model my suit for you, but we'd better wait for the pool cuz Mom'll probably be up here any minute."

He was in a daze. Why are boys so prone to that? He got up like a robot, walked to the door, turned, smiled and twisted the knob.

"You forgot these, Tommy," I said as I tossed him the magazines.

"Thanks, April," he said, "I will see you I hope."

I waited for awhile before I headed for the hills, I had to search out the infamous "cunt" letter, Jennifer Larson's souvenir. In the hall I ran into one of my little girl cousins, who was giggling mysteriously.

"Hi, Mandy," I said, "what's so funny?"

"I can see your undies, April!" she laughed. Whoops, double whoops! I forgot to put my shirt back on. Oh no, people will see my bra! We can't have that, everybody and I do mean everybody will know I have breasts... or maybe some well placed tissues! Disaster, scandal at the Anders house, April is a girl!

The little girl followed me into my room as I proceeded to become decent again, thank the Lord. Mandy pointed at it and told me that her mom wears one too.

"But she hides them." Then she asked me why we have to wear 'em. "I just wear undershirts." she stated.

I told her that you don't really have to wear 'em and that I really don't like 'em very much. Realizing the little kids, boys and girls, are very curious in a scientific sort of way, I decided it was time for Mandy to know the truth about her future. I popped the snap and tossed the harness on the bed. Mandy was wide eyed. "

What are those? Will I have 'em toooo?" I sat down and explained the situation as best as I could.

"You mean you feed babies with them like dogs do?" I smiled and nodded. She smiled too.

"That's nice, I like dogs!" I couldn't help but give her a hug.

"Mandy, I wish all the people in the world were like you!" She touched her little hands to her chest and smiled. "Someday?"

"Sooner than you think, Mandy." I replied.

Chapter 13

I no longer felt like stuffing myself back into a stupid bra, or a t-shirt for that matter, but I wasn't interested in offending the idiot morals of the Americans downstairs. Let's see, where's that shirt? Interesting... there was kind of a female oneness present between the little girl and me, a kindof unspoken communication, a certain vaginal pride maybe. Whenever I feel it, I'm strong and... um... joyous. But it doesn't come with all women at all times, just with very few when we're more or less alone, not sexual at all. I already know what that feels like, fortunately or unfortunately, but something else...

Anyway, we made our way downstairs to see that the party was beginning to break up. The timing was perfect! People were getting ready to leave but nobody had actually left yet so Mom wouldn't be upset with me for staying upstairs as long as I did. Lana, the Kid and I made a date for the pool tomorrow and said our goodbyes. Eventually everybody and I do mean everybody was gone and quiet weirdly descended on the house.

We cleaned up and prepared for bed but it was strange to think that I would be alone in the shower, not to mention in a room and a bed. I started to imagine how good it would be if families were a little closer physically here and I smiled a little bit.

I actually put my new robe on and went down to the bathroom ready for wet cleanliness and, no doubt, a shave if I was going to wear my thong to the pool tomorrow. It was quiet, sad, seeming like the water running down my body was just exactly and only, that. Maybe the fatigue from the flight was getting to me. Who knows? But it's so different from France, even the air seemed heavy and oppressive. As I showered I remembered Larson's reaction to my letter which I retrieved from my luggage after talking to Mandy.

"Looks like someone's keeping track of you, April," she frowned. "Watch around you and if you see anything that seems odd, get away as fast as you can and call me at the station."

She told me she would call in for an extra patrol to come around periodically. I shuddered to think that the Jesters were out there waiting for me and I felt helpless. So much for the "land of the free." If I can't walk around how and where I want to, I'm not free, and if I'm not then you're really not either.

My musings were interrupted by someone entering the bathroom and it scared me a little.

"Who's there?" I asked meekly.

"Okay if I come in?" asked Kathy's voice.

"Sure," I sighed in relief, "in fact, I'm glad you're here."

The shower curtain opened and there she was, standing with nothing on, ready to get clean. It looked like she'd been crying, her eyes were wet and a little red. She gave me a hug and said that she missed me very much.

"This is depressing," she said with a little tremor in her voice, "it's not like France at all." She went on to say that she wished she was happy to be back and felt guilty cuz she wasn't. We showered in silence.

We dried off and she watched with interest as I got out my new shaving gear which I'd found as I unpacked my gear. The cream can made a sputtering noise but provided a little cloud of foam.

"Now that we're back home are you going to shave your pits?" Kathy asked as she observed me soaping up my bottom.

"Uh-uh," I replied. I told her I wanted to see how everybody, and I do mean everybody reacts at the pool tomorrow. Gross! I think the blade is dull cuz it keeps snagging. Ouch! Sis looked concerned, but smiled nonetheless.

"What's it like to be bare down there?"

"Terrific!" I exclaimed. "C'mon, Kath, it hasn't been that long a time you've had that hairy bottom of yours, you're only twelve years old!"

"Nearly thirteen," she corrected me. She asked if I minded if she went with to the pool and I agreed with the condition that she actually wore her German suit.

She giggled in affirmation, remembering the deal we made in France about this. I wiped myself off. Wheeee! The washcloth was cold! I nearly screamed with delight.

"Shaving makes you a ton more sensitive!"

"So I see," she replied. I commented that she seemed to finally agree about how neat being naked is and asserted that having a baby fuzz bottom was just as neat.

Goodie, she picked up the scissors! Well...maybe I'll trim it a little."

She began to snip away and the curly brown tufts hit the floor with great ceremony. Soon I actually caught a glimpse of eighth grade girlhood! I mentioned that she seemed to have a small brown birthmark and pointed to it.

"Gee, you sure were hairy! Will I look like that next year?" It was a joke, but she, with very little sense of humor, took the comment seriously.

"Probably," she responded as she looked at her trim job in the big mirror from every possible angle. "It's a little uneven, April."

I moved toward her, razor in hand, and offered to fix it.

"No way!" she exclaimed, "I'm not having you touch me down there!"

I wanted to tell her how experienced I am at doing this, but shrugged and commented that if she shaved it all off, there wouldn't be anything to be uneven. She waved me off and trimmed a bit more.

"I can't believe I'm naked in the bathroom with my little sister and she's watching me chop all my pubic hair off!" she muttered. "My bottom's itchy already!"

I rolled my eyes. "It can't be itchy yet!" I mentioned that now, half bare, anyway, she could face the world in her German suit without this huge dark patch.

Big Sis grinned, "That's right!" she exclaimed. "But what are you going to do, huh? An eleven year old girl with her butt and everything else hanging out of a thong suit is downright obscene!"

I had to do it, for my own sanity, I just had to. I pointed the shaving cream can and felt my finger press against the button. Before Kath could respond, I had covered all her... um... porno parts. Did she kill me or scream for Mom? Amazing, she looked in the mirror, giggled then actually watched herself do a little wiggle dance! This was too much for me. I picked up my stuff and started for my digs.

"If you're so big on shaving, do yer pits, will ya'."

It was hard, very hard to pry myself away from the familiar smell and the fluffy softness of my bed. Geez, it was almost noon! I heard a giggle out in the hall.

"Time to get up, baldy." I sleepily smiled and told Kath to come in and she did, with no comments about my lack of nightwear or my bare bottom which was sticking right out there. I sighed and said I'd better get dressed and what a horrible thought that was. I looked toward my window and saw the sun streaming in, shimmering with reflection off the drapes moving slightly with the whisps of an endsummer breeze. It was actually a bit depressing, but strangely enough, Big Sis' presence lightened my mood some.

It occurred to me that France had been a turning point in my relationship with her. Was it possible that we could become friends? Hmmm.

"Okay, Kath, I'll be down." In a way I was glad for the extra sleep after the long plane trip and the party, but I really didn't like getting up at lunchtime. Noting my hunger, I prepared myself for the return to good old U.S.A. food.

During lunch, we had a kindof weird conversation with Mom about our trip. It was weird cuz of all the stuff we had to conceal. I don't think she knows about the naturist stuff that goes on, otherwise she would never had let us go. She did, however, comment on the fact that we seemed to be getting along better together.

"I talked to your Aunt Ellen this morning, and she said everyone misses you two and she hoped you had a great time."

"She called just to make sure you got back okay," Mom continued. Sis and I looked at each other.

"Did she say anything else?" Kathy asked.

"Not really, no."

A knock on the door saved us from further conversation, maybe some comments from Marissa... Jeremy...?

It was Lana and the Kid wanting to know if I was ready for the pool. Hmmm. I'm not sure I am. Was I strong enough today to withstand the firestorm I was going to cause with my thong? Then again, it depended on who was there. Then again, again, I felt I should stick to my principles. I wanted to prove to everybody and I do mean everybody that swimsuits were a lot hotter than no swimsuits.

"Sure," I said, "Let me get my stuff." I asked Kath if she was going and she informed me that she had a few things to do first but that she'd be there later.

I went upstairs to my room and pulled out my suit. I held it up at arm's length... hmmm... it's certainly red enough. The lack of suit on the bottom made me blush a minute. Am I nuts to wear this or what? The folks would absolutely kill me if they saw, especially if I was inside it! Ahhh, maybe nobody will notice. Who'd see an eleven year old princess with hairy armpits wearing a super-red suit that her entire bottom hangs out of? Since when do I care about it?

"April, are you coming down or not?" Lana yelled from below.

"Yeah, in a minute." I gathered up my red and grabbed a beach towel from the hall closet. Here we go!

As we prepared to leave, Mom said she needed to talk to me later. I hate when she says that and doesn't tell me what it's about cuz it almost always means there's a problem somewhere. Kathy winked, giggled and said she'd see me later. Dad looked up from the morning paper and grunted his goodbye as I kissed him on the head.

My two friends had apparently become closer in my absence. They were talking away and pretty much ignoring me, which was fine. After all, I had to prepare myself mentally to shock suburbia!

"Too comfortable, stuck in the same rut, everybody the same," I thought out loud, "they deserve to be set on their ear sometimes." Apparently my ravings got the attention of my chums. They asked me what I was saying and I responded that I was tired of the boring things here already.

"You're always so serious, April!" Lana replied. "Have some fun for a change!"

I gave her my best mischievous grin, "Okay."

We entered the "girls" locker room, and I felt stupid after all the unisex there was in France. Apparently the warmth of the day had attracted a lot of swimmers, at least a lot of... um... girls. Rats! The modesty booths were all occupied.

"How are we going to change?" I smiled sarcastically, "The stalls are all filled up!"

Lana looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "You hated those things before!" Kristina shook her head and said that they already had their suits on.

"We thought you were putting yours on up in your room before," she continued.

"I think it's time for our beauty pageant!" Lana yelled, jumping up on the bench. I sat down and watched, absolutely fascinated by the strip tease New York slithered through, so did a bunch of booth rats, old and young as they emerged from their hovels. More than one muttered, "Disgusting!" or quickly pushed interested young ones toward the pool door.

I commented on her dancing ability and her new suit. It was... um... small and she was... um... big.

"Oohee, my teeny lime bikini!" she squealed, jumping off the bench and, sure enough, her suit top didn't follow.

"Whoops!" She yelled, covering her chest with her hands in mock embarrassment.There was a gasp from the crowd and curious questions from little girls who'd obviously never seen breasts before.

"Mommy, what are those things?" Lana put her hands down to give everybody and I do mean everybody a better look.

"Young lady, please put on your top, you are offending my daughter," one mom demanded. I looked and saw the sweetest little girl, she wasn't offended, she was curious. Lana stuffed herself back in just as I began to peel off my sweaty togs. I stopped to watch the Kid try to imitate Spider Butt. I was amazed at her nerve, especially when I noticed her suit was none too large either. It was a stark white two piece number that wasn't cut as high, or low, as Lana's, but for the Kid it was a radical departure.

"That's pretty sheer, Kid," I commented.

"It's a tan-thru," she replied.

"See through." Lana chuckling, corrected her.

Kristina giggled. "Maybe a tiny bit."

I'd removed every stitch and jumped on the bench to wiggle dance.

"Here's my suit!" I yelled. "This is what I wore every day in France!"

They didn't believe me. A blue suited lifeguard, female, unfortunately, came strutting in.

"A lady complained about some kind of disruption or something in here. What exactly is going on?" She glared at me.

"You... please don't walk on the benches, please put on your swimsuit, you're supposed to use the booths for changing anyway."

It was obvious that she was blaming me for this whole thing. I got off the bench and sheepishly began sliding into my thong. Lana tapped her on the shoulder and, as she turned to face the big girl, it was obvious that she was a little intimidated by Lana's size and shrunk back a bit. New York explained that it was just a minor misunderstanding, that we were being good little girls and that we apologized for any trouble.

"Don't worry about us, my sweet," she said, "just go out and save some lives." The bluesuit was apparently less than thrilled with Lana's condescending approach but seemed satisfied with the explanation. She was just about to the pool entrance door but turned around when she heard a gasp from Kristina.

The Kid was impressed with my red suit! Her mouth opened and closed a few times and nothing came out. Lana, however, spoke for her and several other onlookers. I always wonder why people are drawn like flies to events such as this. Maybe it's cuz their lives are so boring... who knows.

"Whoa!" she exclaimed. "That's really... um... red!"

I shook my long, brown curls and adjusted the little string that was the suit bottom. It seemed awfully small. The life guard stared at me from the doorway, her expression unreadable. Kristina giggled.

"April, that suit doesn't have any bottom!" I took it all in stride, even though I was becoming embarrassed by everybody, and I do mean everybody looking at me below the waist. I saw my reflection in the little mirror by the sink, noticing my pretty little butt, the violently red string halving it and my still curly hair cascading down my back. The effect was devastating, I was a babe!

Chapter 14

My confidence returned. "I'm not spending another minute of this beautiful day in a stupid female locker room!" I moved toward the doorway but it was blocked by the bluesuit.

"That is absolutely obscene!" she exclaimed as she pointed at my nether regions. "You'll get in deep trouble wearing that here, missy."

I didn't care for her tone of voice or, for that matter, her attitude. This lady was maybe all of sixteen and pretty enough if she would stop scowling. There wasn't a doubt in my head that this was pubic hair city! I was tempted to ask her if she wanted to borrow my super-red sometime, but I wanted to swi, not fight. I wrapped my towel around me like a dress which seemed to soften the guardian of public morals and sometimes swimmers somewhat.

She stood there pondering for a minute, "Okay, you can go, but watch it!"

We stepped out and surveyed the scene, lots of people here today! Good, there's a little area that's empty.

"Let's go over there." I said to my chums as we walked around looking to drop our stuff. Lana and the Kid made a show of adjusting their suits and I noticed that several people were watching.

Actually it was kindof funny seeing these old guys checking us out, trying to avoid being caught by their wives, the younger guys and boys, pretending not to be looking our way but taking a lot of quick glances. It isn't funny, it's dumb! We are three pretty girls, summertime flowers. Go ahead and look, maybe your life will be better if just for a moment, a little beauty never hurts. Sexual thrills? It's okay, it's natural, it's what's supposed to be, but if we were all naked, you could look and move on to more rewarding things rather than having your imagination torture you with what's under our suits. It's a swimming pool, after all, not a passion pit. What's wrong with these people anyway? When I'm a wife I will be different. I'll teach my kids and my beau the truth about things. Caught in my musings, I just realized that the ladies were in the water.

"C'mon in, April!" Lana yelled as she clung to the side wall.

It was time. I let my towel fall and treated myself to a long, extended overhead arm stretch. New York stared at me, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping. I smiled.

"What are you looking at?"

"Didn't you say you spent a lot of time on the French beaches? You don't have any tan lines!" she gasped. "Where'd all that hair in your pits come from?"

I tossed my head so my hair went flying in the breeze. I told her that things are a little different in France, at least, were we stayed, and that bodies don't really bother anybody.

That's when I heard some whispering and giggling behind me. I turned to see what was going on and, lo and behold, three boys, probably fifth grade or so grinned at me with embarrassment.

"What's up, gentlemen?" I asked, standing over them with hands on hips. I knew darned well what was up and it was time to do a little... um... educating. They didn't say a word and started heading poolside.

"Hold it!" I ordered and gave them my best older girl stare. "I asked you a question." I walked over to them and told them to have a seat. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lana and the Kid watching me. I tossed my head again and my curls went flying. The gentlemen were impressed, gaping at me as I sat down in front of them and smiled the sweetest smile I could work up. I told them that I heard all the giggling and that I was pretty sure I knew what it was all about.

"Be honest now, you were amazed at my beautiful behind." To emphasize my words I yanked on the thin line of material covering my... um... girlhood and let it pop back, which it did with a resounding, thwack! Their red faces, nearly as red as my suit, told me I had 'em.

A few long minutes of silence ensued during which I did my best to look hot, shaking my hair, stretching every which way and all, hoping that my apparent confidence appeased their fear and got them to talk. I think it was having the reverse effect Finally one was brave enough to speak... um... sortof.

"Wwwhat happened to your suit? Wwwhy are you showing your butt to everybody?" This breaking of the ice was apparently a signal for the beginning of nervous chuckling male comeraderie, yuk, yuk. Gross! I got up and turned around so they could get another look, modeled my suit sortof.

"Don't you like it?" I asked.

"You aren't supposed to be showing it to everybody!" the brave boy asserted. Much to my joy another spoke up. "Your... ah... vagina too."

I wondered how that could be, it was covered up. No way was it wide enough to peek out. I looked down to see if this was happening, nope, but my vulva was obviously present as was their ignorance regarding female anatomy.

"Listen, I don't even like wearing a suit to swim or do anything in the summertime." I smiled at their astonished eyes.

"Naked?"

"Try it, you'll like it! Hey, don't any of you have sisters or something?"

They all nodded in the affirmative and I asked them if they'd ever seen them with nothing on.

"No, I don't look," or words to that effect came from all three. I rolled my eyes and insisted on honesty.

"C'mon, you sneak a peek, don't you?" I saw the sheepish look, jeez, boys are all the same! I told them that I knew they looked, every chance they got. "You peeked at me before and, ah... there you go again, I caught you this time! You have to be sneaky cuz we are pretty to look at but somebody told you it was bad, right?"

They all just kindof stared at me but I could tell that what I said was affecting them, all three were sitting still and actually listening. Who would have enough courage to speak?

"Girls aren't so different, we like to look at you too! It's even harder for us, though, cuz the pressure to not look is a lot more." I continued, "I'm sick of it, aren't you?" I told them I knew how hard it was for them to talk to me. "You are fifth graders, aren't you?"

They seemed relieved that I'd sortof changed the subject. I guessed right, they went to the same elementary school I graduated from and I'll probably see 'em around junior high this year.

We had a nice discussion about school and they were amazed that I was a seventh grader. Suddenly, for some reason, their jaws went slack and it seemed like they were gazing at the sky.

"What's goin' on, sweetheart?" I turned and saw Lana and the Kid standing behind me. The big girl's hair looked even redder when it was wet and she was towering over everybody and I do mean everybody, muscles shimmering, her chest beginning to peek out of her bikini top. She looked... um... imposing. I had to look twice at Kristina cuz her sheer white suit concealed about as much of her as a double layer of plastic wrap would. She caught me staring, grinned and blushed from head to toe.

We three hot ladies were too overpowering for these three boys and I kindof felt sorry for them. I was assuming that my two buddies would sit and talk with us, while remaining sensitive to the situation. I didn't want to scare these guys, actually, I was recruiting them! Everything worked out pretty well considering the circumstances. We talked for awhile, the six of us, more the girls than the boys who seemed to be comfortable with just watching, and we went in the water and goofed around a little. I couldn't help but be struck by the fact that they seemed so... ah... backward, that's the best way to put it, compared to girls even younger than they are. I'm beginning to believe, after being with them for awhile, that they are brought up ignorant which is a shame, no, worse than that even, it's true child abuse! They just don't know about girls. Why is this such a fearsome thing? Right here and now, we three were teaching them that we are really more alike than they obviously believed before. These guys were learning and enjoying.

"Going after babies now, eh, weirdo?" A sarcastic voice sounded behind us and I knew we were in trouble. It was Lauren followed by several other GWG's with a couple of GG's in tow. Lana rose out of the water and I noted with delight that she was about an inch or so taller than our antagonist.

"Looks like you're gonna show 'em your tits in a minute." Lauren joked. "That suit and that ugly dye job are definitely stripper-style!"

"Hey everybody, we're gonna see something interesting over here in a minute!" Lana glared at her for a minute and I could see her muscles ripple with tension. We also were beginning to acquire an audience, a whispering, giggling crowd, some of whom were old enough to know better. The Kid grabbed New York's hand. "Not now, Lana, take it easy." she pleaded. One of the GG's studied Kristina.

"Hey, look, you can see hers, what there are of them, already, right through the suit!"

I was glad that my red had an abundant top, nothing like civilization at its best. I wondered how ugly this was going to get.

"I always knew you guys were pigs, running around showing yourselves to everybody, you bitch teasers! C'mon, give us a peek, give us a show!" I saw Lana's fists clench, the murderous look in her eyes, I realized how far away France really was, and how much I missed Marissa, Illana, Gil, Ute Jess and everybody and I do mean everybody else. I was waiting for Kristina's far away stare, her martial arts concentration, but it had yet to appear. She seemed, for all the world, a lost little girl again. They began that goofy staccato clapping and yelling for us to take it off. Jeez, this was bad and wasn't getting any better! Suddenly, out of the blue a small male voice.

"Hey, we're not bothering you, why don't you leave us alone!" It was one of our fifth grade co-conspirators! They all swam up between Lana and the enemy, soon followed by a couple of what looked like fifth grade friends.

"Oooo... tough little man!" Lauren laughed. "I know you want to be a hero so you can see those titties!" She looked at us jeering.

"If you perverts want to go play kindergarten doctor, who are we to stop you! C'n we watch, please c'n we?" I suggested quietly to my allies that we get out of the water for now.

"Yeah, go do your whoring somewhere else, we're decent in this pool!"

I mumbled that nobody here had any idea what decency really was. We turned and waded our way to the side without looking back. As we hoisted ourselves up to get out of the water, I realized we should have been watching over our shoulders.

I heard loud giggles, laughs and sighs.

"My God, look at that!" I heard a swoosh and suddenly I was airborne! It happened so fast nobody had time to react. I felt a hand pull my thong away and I saw it belonged to Lauren. She was actually carrying me around the pool!

"Anders ass for sale, line up now!" she yelled and kept yelling. We were now well away from my friends, who had made it safely ashore. I struggled and was able to turn around. This was a major mistake cuz with my red pulled away, my entire self was exposed!

"Ooowee,oooweee!" The big girl yelled as she turned me around like a jewelry display case while running her hand up and down my bottom. I got my hands free and grabbed as much hair as I could get. She shrieked and literally threw me in the water. I swam for dear life. Suddenly, ouch, I ran into something. My eyes automatically travelled upward and I beheld an angry, familiar face, our blue suited lifeguard. She pulled me out and led me to our entourage.

"I want to see all of you in the office now!" she snarled. The fifth graders scattered except for the original guys.

"Why didn't you help me?" I asked Lana and the Kid.

"They grabbed us and told us that they'd handle it!" New York grumbled, pointing to the lifeguard.

"They handled it alright!" Kid said. "They thought it was pretty funny!"

Some guy came in and had us sit down among several blue suits of both genders. He introduced himself as the pool director.

"Sheila warned me about you!" he said, "I know things got a little rough..."

"A little rough?" I interrupted.

"All you girls, stand up a minute," he said, and we complied. "Now what the hell do you expect wearing suits, and I use the term loosely, like that?" He pointed at Kristina. "I can see you have a mole on your... um... bottom."

"I can count your curly little hairs down there... you might as well be naked!" I smiled at that one, pretty much being that a few minutes ago.

"I like the rear view better!" one of the male guards said and everybody and I do mean everybody started giggling. "You," he pointed to Lana, "at least have a real suit on, even if it is a little small."

One of the alleged 'ladies' in the guard group suggested that The Kid and Lana switch suits for a better look at her tattoo!

"And you..." he pointed to me, "are a disgrace! What the hell kind of suit is that? Your parents should be locked up for allowing it, it's one of the most obscene displays I've ever seen!"

"How old are you anyway? You don't look like one of those stringed beach beauties on those travel commercials, this is the midwest, this is a decent, civilized Christian town!"

"Don't you dare come in here dressed like that again, in fact don't come back in here, period, none of you!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, here he was blaming us for what happened! We looked at each other, amazed and speechless, this was definitely sexual harassment! It was easy to see that the boys were upset and near tears waiting for their turn on the rack. My eyes were blazing!

"Hey, don't get on these guys too, okay, they're just fifth graders wearing regular suits."

He replied that it was up to him. They decided to stand with us and would fall likewise.

"That's not fair, you jerk!" Lana screamed. "Kick Lauren and her pals out and leave us alone!"

He threatened to call the cops so Kid and I held New York back.

"Let's go," Kristina suggested, her lips trembling.

As we left the office, we were greeted with hoots from our "audience". The scary thing is, Lauren and company were not doing any encouraging this time. We apologized to our young friends and thanked them for their help. The courageous one said that his mom was picking them up soon anyway, so getting kicked out was no big deal but I still felt miserable for involving them.

"Hey, Lana, why not invite them over sometime?"

"What?" Both N.Y. and the Kid said at once. The boys were confused. The thought occurred to me, "now I know how Dayne felt at the dance." but this happened on purpose and I felt was close to getting raped.

We walked over, picked up everybody's stuff and headed for the stupid girls locker room under the watchful eyes of the friendly pool staff. Our young buddies split off and headed for the stupid boys locker room, but I wasn't ready for them to leave, they gave me a secure feeling. 'Twas strange, just...boys. I noticed that they were carrying a bag of stuff.

"Hey, you guys have a locker?" I asked.

"Nope." I looked over my shoulder at the audience and noticed the most exciting experience most of them will ever have was over. They were once again good, quiet, modern suburban Christians minding their own business. I smiled excitedly at the boys.

"Then come with us!" I whispered. "Hurry up!"

They countered with, "We can't go in there! What, are you crazy, Aren't we in enough trouble?"

I reminded them that we were expelled already as I pulled one into the shower area, as did my girlchums, much to the surprise of two little girls who were wringing out their suits.

"Is your mom here?" I whispered to them. They giggled and tried unsuccessfully to hide their tiny bottoms with their hands. They answered that their mom was waiting outside and asked, looking at our new friends, what they were doing in here! I walked into the stall area to check it out.I poked my head out the exit door to see a woman looking anxiously at the door. She asked if there were two girls showering and moved toward me.

"No, don't come in!" I told her there was a slight water problem, but that me and my friends would help them. "Maybe ten or fifteen minutes more," I said and she was agreeable.

It seemed a good idea to wait and make sure mom would absolutely stay out, at least for awhile. I don't think too many mothers, no matter what the sex of the babes may be, would approve of nude gender mixing, regardless of the kids' ages. Maybe they know instinctively that these little innocent ones are as sexually interested as they are, or once were until they are brainwashed with this female shrinking violet garbage. Maybe if they let the cat out of the bag, they'd see that it's nothing to lose sleep over.

I returned through the stall and locker area and heard a lot of joyful noise coming from the showers. There was a water fight going on! As soon as I emerged I was hit with a face-full of warm water. When my eyes cleared I saw Lana holding an empty dripping bucket.I wondered where she got it when I got sprayed from behind by a shower head aimed by one of the boys. The little girls were in the spirit of things. They forgot their modesty and were walking around suitless without trying to cover up and tossing handfulls of water at everybody.I noticed something odd.

"Hey, all of you usually shower with clothes on?" Only two folks here were properly unclad! I told the little girls that their ride was outside and they both gave me a worried look.

"You're not going to tell her what we're doing in here, are you?" I kissed the speaking ladykin on the forehead and smiled at both of them.

"No way!" They giggled and proceeded to spray water at me.

I watched the boys and saw how fascinated they were by the femmekiddies. There was nothing nasty about it unless you consider curiosity a bad thing. Lana came over and asked me what the boys' names were. I shrugged and realized I'd never asked them. She stood in the middle of the room yanked off her top and tossed it a corner where it landed with a resounding plop. It seemed like time stopped.

All eyes were on Lana, who replied, "What are you staring at, this is the girls locker room isn't it?" and winked at our lovely intruders. The brave one, who had the cutest light brown hair, gasped.

"Whoa!"

"I thought you guys were kidding!" Lana glared around the room in mock seriousness. "Now that I have everybody's attention... Who the heck are you gents anyway?"

"I'm Mmmike." Mr. Courageous stammered. It was even harder to get names from the other two. The one with reddish curly hair turned out to be Bill. Tom had very thick dark brown hair and a pierced ear.

While we were prying this out of them, the little ones, who seemed to be as interested in the topless Lana as the boys were asked me to wash their hair.

"Mom wanted us to, but we can't do a good job ever cuz we don't get all the soap out." I agreed and grabbed the nearest person which happened to be Bill. I began to soap up number one and told Bill to start on number two. He was very nervous, but the little girls' shrieking and laughing calmed him a little. The others resumed goofing around while we continued to help the kids.

"We better hurry up, Bill, cuz we have an impatient mom outside and we want her to stay there!" They didn't have their clothes with them, so we wrung out their swimsuits as dry as we could get 'em, and entered the locker room.

"Do we have to put our clothes on?" one whined.

"I don't want to get dressed!" crabbed the other. I told them I knew exactly what they meant, but that mom would get real mad if they didn't. They saw the truth in this, squirmed into their wet stuff and headed for the door. One of them smiled at me.

"That was fun!" the other gave Bill a big hug and said, "Bye!" Just then the door opened a crack and a mom called to her children. We were just in time!

With my fifth grade helper in tow I approached the mahem beyond. As I walked I fiddled with my suit but I had to stop at the bench for a minute. Seems like my hips were a little more womanly than they used to be and I couldn't move and remove at the same time. Bill stared open mouthed at my quite visible chest.

"C'mon, Bill, don't tell me you've never seen anything like this before!" I continued to tug and off it came. I smiled and said I needed to wash the chlorine off me. I urged him to do the same, I'd even help him if he wanted. He tried to look at me but not look, if you know what I mean.

"I.... I'm nervous about this, April." He really did look... um... devastated, like a scared little boy and I felt sortof bad. Conversion and education were my goals, not shock or fear. I grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into the wetfest. Our entry seemed to be a cue of some sort. Girl suits began to drop. Lana pulled off her bottom and threw it against the wall, exposing her thin whisps of pubic hair. I giggled as I studied her bottom.

"See you dyed all of it!" She pranced around crowing, "Ain't it fine?" Kristina still maintained her bit of modesty. She quickly slid out of her suit under a shower near the corner of the room where the steam seemed to cluster so it was kindof hard to see her. The boys were absolutely paralyzed and just stared at us goofing around with nothing on.

"Go ahead and look," Lana said to our captive audience, "but turnabout is fair play!" I suddenly realized, silly me, why they were so nervous about this. I whispered to Lana that they probably were in an... um... excited state, and were very embarrassed about it.

"They are pretty young, aren't they," she replied, "Can that still happen?"

"Hey, so are we, pretty young, I mean," I said. "I don't want to freak them out, but I really want them to learn about girls from head to toe, all boys need to know about us but nobody ever gives 'em the truth. It's not fair to make 'em find out on their own!"

New York smiled. "Not fair in reverse either!"

Kristina saved the day, sortof. Everybody and I do mean everybody was just standing around waiting for something to happen when she emerged from the shadows, dripping, unclad, looking as young as the boys almost, walking up to Mike holding a bar of soap.

"Please wash my back, I can't get to it!" She looked so sweet! He hesitated and looked at his companions hoping for approval, I guess. He looked at me and shrugged.

"Must be French." I thought to myself as I echoed the gesture and smiled. He reached out a trembling hand, grabbed the soap, nearly dropped it, and began to rub the Kid's back... well, sortof.

She turned, smiled and said, "You've got to touch my back with the soap, it won't jump off the bar if you hold it close enough, wait..." She took the bar, went around behind him and began to scrub in earnest.

Lana glanced at me in amazement. Kristina isn't normally this bold, yet here she is, washing this lil' dude. Was this a turning point? Mike mumbled agreement, not wanting to be shown up by a girl, no doubt, took the tool of the trade from Kristina and scrub, he did. We each grabbed our own personal valets and got our backs washed, but they balked at reaching any lower and absolutely wouldn't do our front side!

"It's just skin, it's all skin." Lana protested, but to no avail. Things stayed tentative for a bit until the violators of our feminine secrets decided we weren't going to have them arrested or anything and began to actually enjoy the experience.

I announced that it was our turn. The boys had definitely warmed up to us and we were having a great time!

"Get those suits off!" I demanded. They looked at each other again.

"C'mon," the Kid pleaded, "it's okay, we took ours off."

"Yeah, but this is the girls shower!" Bill responded. I walked to the center of the room with a bucket of water. I dumped it with great ceremony. "This is now declared the human locker room, for humans only, no dogs or lifeguards allowed!"

"Um... well... um, maybe." Bill stammered. He slowly tugged on his suit and it slid to his ankles. I looked at him admirably and smiled as broadly as I could.

"Doesn't that feel great?" I asked. Apparently the boy wasn't so sure, he was, it seemed, having a bit of an excitability problem, which seemed to be going away. I wondered about this but thought that this would not be the time to discuss it. I remembered something similar happening with Carl. The other two were staring again!

"Bill...!" Tom exclaimed horrified.

"This is very cool, you guys!" he responded.

"You're not chicken, are you?" Being compared to poultry must be a supreme male insult. The other two flashed an indignant look to all present, dropped their trunks and we scrubbed them into the non-chlorinated world of respectability.

"This really is cool!" Mike said, smiling through the suds.

"Whoa," I made the quiet sign with my finger across my lips. "I think somebody just came in!"

The look of terror in the eyes of the boys was priceless. They scattered to grab their suits, unfortunately the clothing had been mightily mixed up. Bill found his, but Mike was squeezing into my thong, which had somehow appeared in here, and Tom hefted up Lana's bikini bottom! I had to get to the other room before I collapsed laughing! I saw a shadow moving among the lockers, and then another.

"Hi, April, how'd it go?" I almost had heart failure until I looked up and saw Big Sis. I replied that it was long story and warned her not to go into the shower yet. Another girl emerged.

"Jill, this is my sister, April," she announced. Jill smiled, but I think she was a little shocked by my naked body. I smiled back.

"Aren't you guys going to change?" I said and looked at the stalls. Maybe this was my chance to get rid of these horrible, drooling male interlopers, unfortunately, the girls had changed at home and the cubicles were unnecessary. I heard a male voice from beyond the outside door.

"See you in the pool Kathy, Jill!" It was Roger.

"Kearns came with us too," Kathy said, obviously studying my reaction. We had a short conversation and I looked around for Jill. Uh... Oh, she was standing at the entry to the shower, frowning. I quickly ran over, practically disembowling myself on a bench. Yes, there they were, five young people, sitting on the floor, water streaming down them, talking.

"No, you aren't the Lana King are you?"

"How is it at junior high?"

"Does Mrs. Owanzingi still teach fifth grade?" It was great to see them being natural, the beginnings of the BBC!

"What are they doing in here!" Jill snarled. I replied that the men's locker room showers were broken and they needed to get the chlorine off.

"They're naked!" Jill screeched.

"Yep, and clean too!" I replied, noticing that they must have given up trying to put male bodies into female suits. Big Sis saved the day by grabbing her and pulling her toward the pool entrance doorway.

I heard her say something like, "My sister is... ah... different, we can talk about it later." Jill mumbled about not wanting to see naked boys or something, liar! I began to realize that we'd better get the guys out soon, not only cuz more ladies were beginning to appear, but also cuz their mom may very well be waiting, something parents are never thrilled with!

"Let's get dried off and ready to go," I suggested. The others agreed, but seemed sortof sad about it. As we sat on the benches, drying off as slow as possible and rummaging through our stuff, we talked about our shared experiences. Tom remarked that he never, in his wildest dreams, could've imagined something like this.

"It's great, I love it!" said Mike.

"Awesome!" stated Bill.

"I told you so!" I, as an elder proclaimed, "It's not such a big deal is it?"

We began to dress and the boys watched us with great curiosity, asking about breasts, bras and things like that, questions that were happily answered. We didn't mind at all, but Kristina blushed a little in the process.

"Will we get hair on our bottoms soon?" Tom wondered. Lana responded that her brothers didn't till at least eighth grade. She sighed, "If you really want to be real hairy, I suppose, but I trim mine down real close, Kristina doesn't have that much to begin with and April shaves hers all off."

I was kindof surprised.

"Nobody's talked to you about these things?" I asked. They all responded in kind.

"A little in school sometimes, but I'm afraid to ask questions about it. I don't want people to think I'm dumb or weird or anything," or words to that effect.

I told them that body things make adults very uncomfortable.

"Put 'em on the spot as much as you can, maybe they'll grow up someday. You really need to know this stuff!" I stated that the big people I know could never have done what we just did and could never talk like we are right now, cuz somehow they believe that the body is not a nice thing to have, that it does bad, uncontrollable things, that it's creepy, smelly, embarrassing and most of all, that girls and boys should not be together unless they are properly dressed and supervised. "They can't or refuse to change the familiar past they grew up with."

"They mostly can't deal with us having bodies and... um... nice feelings," I continued, "They can't even handle their own. I kindof feel sorry for them in a way.

Bill mentioned that he was kindof surprised by what we looked like naked.

"My Dad has some... um... magazines..."

I didn't let him finish. "They lie!" I exclaimed, "Most of us don't look like that at all and if we really felt good about ourselves and saw each other as we really are more often, those people from those things would have to find another line of work!" Whoops! "Hey you guys, grab your stuff and jump in a booth, fast!"

We were under attack from both ends. I heard the entry door open from outside and people coming into the shower area from the pool. Why, oh why, did they all jump into the same stall? Luckily, the interlopers came and went with nary a glance. None questioned the occupied modesty guard and the boys were very quiet.

"Okay, all clear." I whispered as I knocked on the door. Kid suggested that we get 'em out quick before something else happens. We approached the exit and Lana took a peek outside.

"You won't tell anybody about today, will you?" she asked. "I know that boys like to brag about their... ah... exploits. I have three brothers, y'know!"

They all replied that they never would. She took some paper and a pen out of her handbag, wrote something, and handed it to Tom.

"My phone number, if you want to play a little ball, swim, or goof around with my brothers n'me, gimme a call." They all thought this was an awesome idea.

"Wow, I can't believe it, Lana King!"

Kristina peeked out the door and said she saw an irritated looking mom pacing around the boys locker room door.

"Maybe my Mom should come in after us!" Mike laughed, and I gave him a huge hug.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed with a neat sparkle in his eyes. We all hugged each of them. It was awesome!

"Back in France," I thought to myself. Man. I forgot to watch the door! Three little girls stood open mouthed in the portal.

"Oh, hi, April!" the biggest one cooed. It was Mary, whatever her name is, I remembered Marissa's buddies. "Aren't these boys?"

I smiled and said that indeed they were. She said we better get 'em out before her mom came.

No doubt about it! To do it we needed a distraction. I asked her to go ask the nervous lady who is walking around outside the boys locker room where the playground is, knowing full well that it was around the other side of the pool. I was hoping nobody else would show up in the near future, from any direction! Mary and her chums did as I asked. Coast temporarily clear, here we go! Ah, success is sweet. Mike's mom frowned as she regarded her errant, late riders.

"Where were you?" she growled.

"Around back talking to our friends," he responded sheepishly. She regarded us with irritation and maybe a little awe.

"How old are you girls anyway?" she asked, looking at the taller by the second, Lana.

"Seventh grade this year," Kristina answered. I guess that was a good comment.

"Mom" rolled her eyes and told her charges to head toward the car. The summer breeze felt wonderful and I giggled as Bill turned and winked at us.

Chapter 15

We began our trek home with mixed emotions. Everybody and I do mean everybody was angry about what happened in the pool, but found the experience with the boys afterward absolutely awesome.

"It's really nice to actually talk to boys for a change," Kristina observed.

"They really aren't like people tell you they are," I agreed that having nothing to hide behind makes you more genuine as a person. She said.

"It's still kindof scary though, with sex and all."

"Sex isn't scary, Kid, it's just not easy for us to understand."

"It's more cuz we don't know what it is."

"I know what it is." Lana said and we both looked at her in shock. She went on to say that in New York she was sortof involved with somebody.

"Did you do it?" Kid asked.

"Sortof..."

"What do you mean, sortof?" I replied. Lana stated that they did everything but... and it wasn't that good cuz nobody really knew how to do what they were doing. I asked what his name was but she just smiled and said she'd rather forget the whole thing.

We continued walking in silence.Arriving at Kristina's we were greeted by her mom who asked us why we were home so soon. We made up some stupid adult friendly answer and hung around for awhile doing things that junior high girls do, making absolutely certain that it was all 'G' rated, censored for adult ears and eyes. Kristina, looking around to make sure she was out of adult earshot, said that if her folks heard about the pool incident or the boys in the locker room they would send her to boarding school.

"So would mine," I replied.

New York agreed. "My parents are neat being in art and all, but they aren't that neat. I'm real surprised we didn't get caught."

Eventually we said our goodbyes and headed on down to the King bunker.

"You gonna have our fifth graders over sometime?" I asked.

"If they call me I might," she responded.

"Don't forget, they're sixth graders now!" Kristina, of all people, mentioned that they still seemed a little young.

"I guess I don't remember what it was like back then."

Lana went on to say that she was a little worried about getting her parents in trouble again. "That stupid kiddie porn thing! Sometimes it seems like we're still being watched by the gummint."

"Yep, it was a real nightmare."

We were quiet for awhile.

"Did you really have sex with somebody?" I whispered. She smiled and gave an almost imperceptible nod of her head. I asked her why she didn't like it or didn't seem to and she responded with a worried look that I've never seen on her face before.

"If I tell you about it, please don't laugh or say anything to anybody, and don't dislike me for it, okay?" This sounded cryptic, heavy, hard for her to talk about and I wondered why. I stated that I was her friend and everything was okay with me. "I keep secrets secret."

"April, it wasn't with a boy."

I let these words sink in as we walked and knew I could relate very well to what came next.

"I really don't know if I'm homosexual or not," she said with her eyes shining with tears, "I really did enjoy what happened, but I don't want to!"

It was hard not to speak of my own experience, but now really wasn't the time. Maybe when we get to her house we could discuss the matter cuz it's hard to concentrate when you're strolling down the street.

"Let's talk by your pool," I suggested nervously. She gave me a little girl wistful, sad look and said that it wasn't a good idea. "Cuz everybody's home and I'd just die if they found out somehow!"

Jeez! Are we all homosexual or bisexual or something? She said this was the absolute first time she's said anything to anyone about it, but she really needed to talk.

"April, you are the smartest person in the universe, maybe you can help me."

I didn't think so. Sometimes I seem pretty sure of myself, maybe I'm even a little pushy but I gotta admit I'm lost with this sexual stuff even though Marissa told me all about it but that was really just the outside body part of it, it's so hard to make sense of what goes on inside! I remembered again what I did and it made me even more uncomfortable and unsure.

As we walked she told all and I was really amazed at the similarities of her experience to my own.

"I was nine and my best friend, Stacy, was ten," she started. "We were alone in my parents' New York flat, goofing around 'n stuff, watching the snow fall and pretending we were boyfriend and girlfriend, sometimes one sometimes the other."

"We'd been alone before and my folks trusted us when they went out on their artistic things."

I asked her if it was fun and she said that it really was cuz Stacy and her had been very chummy almost forever and they'd played like this lots of times, but today things were a little crazier.

"We started hugging and kissing, just playtime at first, but it wound up going way, way past that."

We stopped walking and sat on the parkway at the corner, fairly close to the King's stockade fence and Lana started whispering, I could barely hear her and I was amazed by her... um... embarrassment or shame maybe, she was usually so brash and outspoken. But, then again, I wasn't shouting my experience from the rooftops either.

"We started wrestling and giggling and touching each other all over and, by accident, her t-shirt got pulled up and I saw she had a bra, actually only sortof one, it was a teeny training type. She asked to see mine, and, even though I said I didn't have one, she grabbed my shirt and pulled it up, needless to say, I had to retaliate so I grabbed at her... um... undie."

Did I really want to hear all this? I was beginning to get a significant knot in my belly.

"It was a backsnapped number and I just pulled it down some, heck, what did I know about these things?" She sighed and went on to say that Stacy didn't try to cover herself, in fact, she popped it off completely! "I'd seen breasts before."

"My parents and some of their friends are not shy, but I never saw such small developing ones and I was stunned by how pretty they looked, like just little swellings of skin! Her brown areas were expanding though and her nipples were sticking out... well... you know about what that's like."

"Yeah, I can picture it pretty well." I responded. Lana continued by saying that her friend was kindof surprised by the fact that she didn't have anything developing yet and both of them wondered how it felt to have a baby actually getting food from there.

"She started touching her new toys and urged me to try it, that maybe I could be the infant in our little game. I was a little grossed out and nervous, but I started licking and sucking on her slowly at first, making small noises and playing with the nipples, amazed at how hard they were getting. She was giggling and telling me how neat it felt, then she started to lick me..."

I put my finger up to my lips in a 'shhh...' gesture as I noticed an old bald guy, struggling with his dog, approaching quickly from down the block. Lana stood up and said that maybe it was just as well, that she didn't want to gross me out any more today. Actually, I was far from grossed out. It was great to realize that I was not alone with my own experience and Lana's description of these events was helping me to sort out my own mind. I also had another feeling that I didn't want and I was kindof disgusted with myself. I don't think I need to discuss it. The big girl smiled at me nervously, almost like she knew.

"Hi, Mister Carson." I said as I reached down to pet his dog, Constance.

"How are you, April?" he replied, struggling to maintain his hold on a very excited mutt. He looked at Lana curiously and mentioned that he'd never met her before. I casually introduced them and said that she was pretty new to the neighborhood.

"You must live at the stockade," he joked. "Nice to meet you!" He asked how things were in our young lives. Actually, I had spoken with him many times before and had found him pretty interesting, and like most... um... older people, very tolerant and curious about younger folks like us. I gave him an honest answer.

"Getting older, Mister Carson, faster than we want to." A flash of concern flickered across his face and I noticed a sparkle in his eyes, the kind of light you usually only see in... um... children or the very intelligent or in neat old senior citizens. I'm sure Lana saw it too.

"It's not enough only to grow," he said, "you have to mature. Seek good advice wherever you can find it, but don't follow it exactly, fit it to your situation and then try it out." He continued to say that the best advice was living example.

"Watch how people you admire, doesn't matter who or what they are, live and discover the reasons they live that way. Look for those whose lives match their spoken beliefs, there's nothing more vital than personal integrity, but first you have to decide what's really important." He smiled and said that he had to get his impatient dog home. "She likes her treats!"

He wished us luck and struggled off. Lana stared at him with wide eyes.

"What an interesting guy!" I said that my general feeling was that most oldsters are kindof like that.

"Maybe cuz they've seen a lot come and go in life and they do find out what's important and what isn't. Mister Carson treats... um... kids with sincerity, appreciation and respect. He doesn't seem all that interested in telling us what to do or anything... um... bossing us around, treating us like we don't matter," Lana agreed. She said she actually felt she could include him in our earlier conversation. "I don't think he'd be crazed like younger adults would."

"Maybe not." I commented. She seemed happy that he'd interrupted us, probably cuz doing her past over was a gross and scary experience she'd rather tuck away again right now. I know how she felt exactly!

We began to walk slowly toward the famous, King's Castle, saying very little.

"Talk to ya' soon," Lana promised as she entered her parents' amazing abode. Her tone of voice was flat and her cloudy eyes were filled with the misery of the hidden, remembered images of uncertainty. I hugged her, kissed her full on the mouth and told her it was okay and I thought I saw a smile glimmer through the moving phantoms that haunted her.

"I really need to finish my story, April," she whispered with urgency in her voice. I responded that I was pretty sure I knew what happened, or some version of it anyway.

"Do all girls have these problems?" I thought to myself.

"Whatdidyasay?" Lana asked, "I couldn't hear you."

Guess I'm gonna hafta think a little quieter. I told her that I thought she probably should and I didn't think it was all that creepy.

"Can you get out after supper?" I asked. "If you can, c'mon over, okay." I suggested that we go to the park and she agreed. I held her hands, and looked into her eyes for a long time. It shook my confidence to see her this way cuz she had always been a hero of mine sortof.

I walked home lost in thought, feeling lonely and a little scared. I didn't hear the car pull up near me. A male voice broke my trance, "Hey, you!" I turned to see an old beat up heap of junk containing three people. "C'mere!"

I didn't know him and I stayed where I was.

"I said c'mere!" I started walking faster toward my house, kindof glancing back every once in awhile. They were following me! I began to run and they just drove faster until they were in front of me. An ugly teenage boy jumped out and stood blocking my way. I felt tingles of terror begin at the base of my spine.

"Please move," I pleaded. Everywhere I went trying to get around him, he stepped in front, like some kind of game. He laughed and I noticed he needed dental work... like... right now! I don't think he was very big, but he seemed like a giant. He grabbed my wrists and I couldn't move!

"What do you want from me!" I screamed, hoping everybody, and I do mean everybody in the neighborhood would hear.

"Aren't you April Anders?" he asked. I wasn't going to tell this clown anything!

"Don't you even know your name, cunt?" Hmmm... where have I heard that term before? The guy started to giggle and pull me toward the car, "You'll find out what I want from you, precious!" He quickly let go of my wrists, grabbed me around the waist and pulled me toward him, rubbing himself against me. It was absolutely disgusting! I prayed for an answer, a fast one and it came, something I really hated to do but I needed to get away from this jerk. I gripped him tight and moved toward him as he pulled me. My knee went up and made contact. Just like on T.V. the idiot wilted, let go and fell to the ground, clawing the grass. I took off like a rocket before the other occupants in the car could react.

Without looking back I ran up the front stairs of my house and turned the doorknob. Rats! It was locked! Remembering my space under the porch in the back yard, I zoomed back there to hide in the shadows and spider webs. Scared tears welled up as I heard a familiar car slowly moving down the street. It stopped at my house momentarily, then sped off with tires squealing. I sighed in relief and let stress tears flow.

"That was close!" I said to myself as I emerged, ascended the stairs and tried the back door. It too was locked, but luckily it had swelled a bit and never really closed all the way. I was inside! There was a note from Mom taped to the fridge informing us that she had gone to play cards and if she wasn't home before us, we should defrost some ground beef for supper. I did what I was supposed to do and quickly called Officer Larson's number.

After a few rings she answered, "Larson, homicide..." in a very dry tone of voice. I began telling the story, sobbing it actually.

"That you, April, slow down!" It was quiet at the other end of the line as I finished. I could hear a sigh and her voice was gentle. "April, they're trying to intimidate you, but you didn't bite, that's good."

I gave her a description of who and what I saw.

"Did you get the plate number?"

"Sure, I can't forget that!" The picture in my mind was clear, I saw the plate and it was weird.

"Jiggle 1," I said. She told me to be careful and not to go out alone. "Someone's going to have an interesting night!" she growled. We said our goodbye's and I felt a little more secure, but I looked out the front window a few times anyway.

It was pretty hot in the kitchen and probably everywhere else in here cuz we don't have air conditioning, no doubt the suburban crime of the century. Without giving it a second thought, I slipped out of my clothes and went to the bathroom to do the usual as well as hang up my swimming things, which actually were dry by this time. Whoops! I carefully folded up my thong and raced upstairs with it. I dug around till my modesty suit emerged and I traded places, careful to hide red under a big pile of undies. It was uncertain how long my lie about swimsuits would last and I mulled over that idea while going down to the bathroom to hang the old suit next to the towel. Every once in a while I felt the shiver of fear again. I plopped down on my bed, put on some tunes and tried to relax. I caught sight of myself in the big mirror and was suddenly amazed by how much I'd changed over the summer. My hair was long, still very curly and a little sun-lightened. I sat up and shook it, it felt so neat to do! My entire body was evenly tanned. "With no white lines!" I said to myself with delight.

It was hard not to notice the girl look to my face was changing, evening out sortof. I held my breasts in my hands and smiled with the the thought that there was actually something to grab! I regarded my clean, tan vulva with interest.

"The inside sticks out a lot more than it used to, I can sortof see my clittoris," I said to myself. My hips were wider and rounder and my butt was absolutely gorgeous! I kissed my reflection and wondered about desire.

"Who wants me?" I whispered. "What will I do if somebody really does, somebody male, that is." I thought about all the boys I knew, the men I knew. A lot of them were jerks, like the gang people, but some of them... well... they seemed just as confused, or more so, than I am. "Do you want a boy to touch you, April?" I said. "Well... do you?" I answered myself by saying, "I'm not sure, but do I want to touch them?" I thought about Marissa. "Well, the problem is solved if I'm gay, but I just don't think I am."

"Do boys even like me? Do I like them?" I waved my hair around and danced for myself. I am beautiful! The mirror told me so.

I heard the front door being unlocked and opened.

"April, are you here?" It was Kathy with a key. I yelled that I was upstairs and she screamed back, asking if it was okay to come up. Before I could respond, I heard two sets of little feet on the stairs. My door swung open and I heard a surprised sigh. Big Sis had brought her friend, Jill, home. They both stared at me looking at myself in the mirror and dancing around with nothing on but the highlights from the sun streaming in through my open window. I looked at Kath and frowned. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Jill wants to talk to you about today."

"Mmmmy brother is a lifeguard and says you can come back to the pool whenever you want." she stammered.

"Was he there earlier?" I asked.

Apparently he wasn't, there was a shift change that I never really knew about. Everybody and I do mean everybody was uncomfortably silent. I sat on the bed.

"It's... um... kindof... um... hot up here," Jill stuttered. I lied out full on my back and stretched. "I'm not hot." She looked over m' georgeous bod.

"I... ah... can see why," Kathy suggested we get some pop. Sounded good. I followed them down to the kitchen where we grabbed stuff and sat down at the table. Jill couldn't take her eyes off me.

"Who were those boys?" she asked. I said I didn't know until later who they were. A look of shock passed over her face and I heard a deep sigh.

"I told Jill all about you, but she didn't believe me," Kathy chuckled. Jill shook her head.

"Amazing, absolutely amazing!" I thought to myself that I could tell her some "amazing" things about Kathy too, but in the interest of family peace I kept my mouth shut. I was also determined to keep my experience at the pool as well as my near abduction, rape or whatever secret. After all, I did want to leave home alone sometimes.

Jill started asking the usual questions, but she spoke to Kathy, not me! Y'know what I mean, about being naked, hairy pits, unhairy bottom, the entire bit and I was getting bored with it, but I prodded myself cuz I needed support, or at least, understanding wherever I could get it. Sis was really very nice about it, she actually seemed to be pushing the idea of naturism, even though, as she said, "I really am not as free as April is."

She mentioned that she did, in fact, go nude in France a little. Yeah, very little! She also noted that boys were much different there, that not wearing clothes never seemed to pose any problems and that this was really a very interesting situation. Jill's response?

"I bet!" Sis said that she kindof wished she was still there.

"Thinkin' about Jeremy are ya'?" I joked. She turned beet red and her friend tuned in to it.

"Soooo... Roger's not the only one eh Kath?"

We all had a good giggle about that one! I decided that I probably should go up and get m'new robe just in case Mom or Dad came home, so I got up to do that and I noticed Jill was staring at my nether regions.

"April, one question," she said trying to smile, "Looks like you're old enough, your breasts are very... there... and you have that hair under your arms..." She paused for the inevitable observation, "How come you don't have any... down there?"

"It's... um... symbolic, long story." I said, discreetly rolling my eyes.

"It's weird, but, y'know, it really is sortof pretty," she replied. I yelled from the stairs that maybe she'd like to try it sometime, that it feels awesome! I didn't hear any response.

Somebody came in the back door while I was digging for my robe, it wasn't the folks cuz they usually hightailed it up here or yelled hello or something. I decided I better wear something cuz my name is pretty much mud everywhere and I wasn't interested in adding to the muck. I glided down the stairs to see Jill, Kath and Tommy Kearns sitting around talking. I was happy to see him but I wasn't sure how eager to be.

"Hi, Tommy," I smiled, doing my girlish best to seem nonchalant. Of course I knocked over my pop with my stupid elbow as I sat down! Why does this always happen? It reminded me of Irving at the school dance. Everybody and I do mean everybody jumped to avoid getting sticky and wet, except, naturally, me. My robe was now baptized!

"Nice goin' lil' seventh grader!" He commented as he helped me mop up. The others were no help at all, they were laughing too hard. "Hey, where's your two shadows?" I assumed he was referring to Lana and the Kid.

"Home, I guess."

He asked why I left the pool so fast today.

"I wanted to see that suit you were bragging about!" I didn't want to get into that pool thing again! One sure way to get his mind off it flashed through my brain. I zoomed up to my room, dug my red out and squeezed into it. Ah! The mirror doesn't lie, I am beautiful! I stopped by the bathroom, deposited my robe in the proper receptacle and grabbed the biggest towel I could find to wrap around my bottom. Actually, I got one large enough to wear as a dress or sarong or something and I blasted back downstairs.

"What's this, showing off big towel day?" he smirked. I shook my curly locks for a full effect and I saw that typically male look, dazed. I was getting more amazed every minute. I couldn't believe the power I had! But I haven't really got a clue as to how or why it works, but it does, every time!

"You all ready?" I asked coyly, sticking my fingers in my mouth like a little girl. I slowly unwrapped and I thought Kearns was having a heart attack! He got this glazed expression and turned white as a sheet, not even noticing the fits of laughter from the peanut gallery. He swallowed hard.

"That's some... ah... um... suit, April."

"What happened to the... ah... bottom of it?" I snapped the teeny bit of fabric in response.

"Right here!"

He was trying very hard not to look at the string but wasn't having much success.

"You didn't wear that at the pool did you?" He asked in a quivering voice.

"Yep."

"It's... um... ah... um... red, isn't it?"

"Yep."

"Maybe you should... ah... take it off before your folks come home and see it."

"Maybe."

Jill, laughing, said that maybe I should take it off before Tommy sees it.

"Really?" I bowed my shoulders and covered myself with my arms in mock modesty.

"Ooooo... I'm sowwy, pwease don't 'ook." I cooed in baby talk. Even Kearns started laughing with the others, even though he was still blushing. Now was the time for the kicker! Pretending I had an itch, I inched the strap off one shoulder and then did the same for the other.

I stood up and said, "Gee, this is a great suit, it stays up all by itself!" Grabbing it by the straps I yanked the whole suit down around my ankles and gingerly stepped out of it.

"Whoops, almost tripped!" I said as I lay red out on the table and begin to fold it. The shocked look on the faces of everybody and I do mean everybody was worth the price of admission! Kearns folded his arms on the table and buried his head in them mumbling that he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Something astounding on the table under him I suppose. Jill looked away, shaking her head. Kathy looked angry.

"April, you idiot! Maybe you are an exhibitionist, parading around naked like that in front of Tom and Jill, jeez!"

I gave her an innocent look and said that everybody and I do mean everybody suggested that I take off the suit before Mom and Dad got home and I took your advice." There was a knock at the front door and I raced in that direction.

"No, April!" Kathy shrieked. But I was closest and already standing up and even though she tried to grab me, I got there first and swung the door open.

"Hi, April, your sister invited me over," Roger said, not yet noticing that there was something different about me.

"C'mon in sir, I'll see if she's available at the moment."

"April!" Sis growled.

"Ah, there she is now, sir," I said, being very businesslike. I turned and walked to the stairs, looked over my shoulder, did a little girl wave and bounded up to my room. Old Roger's jaw was nearly banging the rug!

"Whaaa...!" He exclaimed. I giggled all the way there. Yeah, maybe it wasn't fair but it sure was fun!

Chapter 16

I must have dozed off lying on my bed listening to some tunes. Somebody had covered me with my robe and had slipped my red in one of the pockets. There was a note by the radio which said, "Don't do me any more favors, April! Actually it was pretty funny, though but you don't want Mom to catch you parading around with or without your suit, she's probably home now!"

"Hugs 'n kisses, Kathy."

Sleepily sniffing the air I knew Mom and probably also Dad were home cuz I could smell something cooking and I could hear the clomp of feet coming up the stairs. Time once again to move fast! I slipped my red under my bras and pulled my robe around me just as Dad poked his nose around the corner.

"Hi, sweetheart, still tired from the trip?"

I smiled at him kindof sad that I couldn't tell him all I've been up to. I said that I was a little tired and he came in to give me a hug which really felt good. I've decided that all hugs are great! The source or reason doesn't matter, they always feel good. Body contact, the nature of the beast perhaps.

"Did you have a few adventures in France?" he asked.

"Sure," I replied, telling him about a few of the people we met, slumming on the beach and so on. Nothing... um... interesting. He smiled and said that he was glad we had fun.

"Hope you didn't have too good a time..." he added cryptically.

I wanted to yell to the world, "Yes, I'm still virginal!" Instead, I pulled out my innocent little girl routine which works without fail on virtually any adult in the U.S.A. I giggled sweetly and asked him how a person could have too good a time.

"You really are a sweetie and I'm glad you don't have any problems from your bad experience with that boy last year." Huh? Where did that come from? I absolutely will not deal with that anymore! It was no big thing! I wondered how he'd feel about my... ah... relationship with Marissa, or wandering around nude with teenaged boys or getting my picture taken and sending... um... child pornography through the mail, not to mention shaving the vulva of an adult person! How about the stuff that happened today? Nah, this hairy man would go berserk! Time to change the subject, now! This will get him out of here fast.

"Dad, excuse me but I need to change clothes." Ha, ha, another thing that always works! He zoomed out like a rocket. Actually, I didn't care whether he stayed or not. He's seen me before but I just felt it was time to end the conversation quickly, like now!

I looked wistfully toward my undie drawer and decided I wasn't in the mood for undies so I just pulled on some shorts and a T. Time to eat, I suppose.

I pulled up to the table and steeled myself for Kathy's nasty stare and sarcastic comments. I guess Mom noticed my attitude, she told me to loosen up and enjoy a nice family meal for a change. Dad smiled, Mom smiled and I smiled... heh, heh... everything's peachy. Sis started giggling and said Roger thought I was cute. I bet. Both of us started laughing like crazy!

"Has he met your pet squirrel yet?" I chuckled. Kathy turned a little red.

"Never!" she screeched.

"He might just want to pet it a little," I continued. I heard a deep sigh and she was now the color of my thong.

"Why, Kathy, I didn't know you had a pet squirrel," Dad commented, "it's nothing to be so embarrassed about."

"When did you get it? How did you train it?" Mom asked. Kath and I laughed so hard I thought we were going to choke!

"Never mind," Big Sis blurted out in between deep breaths. "It's real soft and furry too!" I giggled. "I really want to rub it all over me!"

"Forget it!" Kathy shrieked. Needless to say, the folks realized they were involved in some kind of private joke that they didn't get, and they were through playing along. Mom glared at us and continued to eat while Dad just shook his head.

Things were quiet and pleasant for a bit. We discussed family stuff between bites, then, out of nowhere, Mom spoke.

"Hope you didn't make any plans for tomorrow, April."

Whenever somebody in authority said something like that to me I knew I was dead, didn't even have to comment or ask.

"Don't look so glum, it'll only take an hour or so this time."

What did she mean, this time? She said that my doctor, the shrink, had transferred my case to a 'high number' specialist, Doctor Monika Saur, and I had an appointment in the morning. Huh? I didn't even know I was, or had a case. What's with this high number stuff? Maybe she does ten digit long division in her head. This was a done deal, I suppose. I sulked and made sure everybody and I do mean everybody knew it.

"You might find her interesting, April," Dad said, "she grew up and went to school in Germany, she's only been here a few years." Great.

"Wonder if she has a pet squirrel too?" Kathy giggled. I didn't doubt it in the least. The folks both glared at Big Sis.

"Will you stop with this squirrel business!" Dad yelled.

"I've already got rid of mine!" I giggled and we both started laughing again. Mom decided it was best to ignore the whole thing and begin the after supper clean up. I began to help, when I heard a knock on the back door.

"Hi, Lana," Dad said as he opened the door, "come on in." She entered, sat down and began to talk basketball with him. He raised his eyebrows when she said she was going to try out for the boys team, being otherwise ineligible. Kath, in between soapy plates, laughed and told her she'd never make it.

"The boys'l resent it and nobody'l want to play us." Dad waved Kath's comment off. "That's the least of the possible problems she'll have," he said, "I'd hate for you to get hurt or embarassed, Lana. he commented. Spider Butt responded that she just wanted to play ball and that Coach Randall told her she could if she was successful in the tryouts. I was the only one who wasn't cluck-clucking about all of this and the dyed-red head was getting a little crowd weary. I announced that we were going to the park and began to shove Lana toward the door.

"Please be careful, girls," Dad said, "lots of creeps out there!"

"Okay." I yelled. I knew a whole lot more about creeps than he realized.

New York was strangely quiet until the fragrance of fertile summertime surrounded us, emanating from the park just ahead.

"Can I finish my story, April?"

Actually, I was in more of a mood for this now, full belly maybe. She looked around to make sure we weren't near anybody and sat down with her back against a big gnarled tree. I stretched out on the grass in front of her. This might take awhile and I was glad for long summer sun.

"I think I left off with being the baby in Stacy and my little game," she whispered. "Like I said before, she was giggling and telling me how good it felt and the more she told me that the more into it I got." She looked down, shook her head and told me that Stacy started moving around a lot and making kitten noises.

"Kitten noises?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"She was like... um... mewing or... um... purring," Lana explained, "then she asked if we could switch jobs."

"Huh?"

"She wanted to be the baby now."

"Oh." New York said she was uncomfortable with that idea cuz she didn't have much of a chest at the time. Stacy said she didn't care, she just wanted to try it and Lana reluctantly agreed.

"It felt strange, April, having her licking and sucking on me like that." She said she didn't get much feeling from it other than a litle pain but her friend seemed to like doing it and it wasn't too bad. "Then she told me that she was a bad little baby, had wet her pants and that I had to change her!"

I cleared my throat and told her to be quiet for a minute cuz there were a couple of people walking our way. Luckily, they didn't stop, or even hesitate, a couple just out for a walk I suppose. She whispered so faintly I had to strain to hear her.

"It's okay, they're gone," I said. "Well, I told Stacy that I never changed a baby before and we both were giggling like mad. She said she knew how and that she'd change me first."

Lana continued saying that they didn't have any diapers, but her friend suggested that they just pretend and use panties instead, "So I went and got some old Disney print ones. They were a little small, but they'd work."

I asked her how she felt about doing this and she replied that she was nervous at first cuz she'd never was... um... naked with Stacy before.

"Anyway, we were all set. I plopped down on the couch with my head up a little on a pillow, she unbuttoned my pants, pulled the zipper down and stuck her hand in to feel if my undies were wet."

I jokingly asked her if they were and she stared at me like I was some kind of idiot.

"You are wet, Lana, real wet!"

She grabbed my hand and stuck it down there. She was right, but I had no idea where the moisture could have come from.

I was amazed at how seriously Lana had taken this event, it's so unlike her. Then again, I thought of her age at the time and about my own experience with a similar situation and apologized for interrupting. Her friend had apparently decided that baby needed a change.

"She pulled off my pants and felt my undies again." She looked around and whispered, "I started to think that I was really going to like being changed."

I smiled to myself, remembering my own strong feelings, even though I still wasn't so sure about what I thought of them. Stacy grabbed the elastic top and began to ease Lana's panties down.

"She stopped when she had them at my knees, almost like she wasn't sure whether she should be doing this or not, then she looked at my bottom and giggled."

I guess New York was really getting into the game. She told me that she began to kick, whine and demand to be changed. Stacy took my undies off all the way, grabbed a tissue and began to... um... wipe me. The lady was being so detailed, I was beginning to picture it clearly and I was getting sortof embarrassed. I told her that she didn't have to tell me all this, but she just went on, saying that if I knew what happened, maybe I could help her understand but I didn't think so.

"At first it tickled a lot," she said, "but then it started feeling better and better. She lifted my ankles up, like I've seen a lot of moms do, and gave my bottom a little pat. She tried to slip the new undies on, but had 'em backwards and knotted up, I was still poking out everywhere."

I shook my hair in the warm breeze and bathed myself in the golden glow of a sun sinking quickly toward the horizon. I was definitely overdressed for this wonderful late summers' eve! I desperately wanted to bathe in this air. Stretched out in the grass, I rolled right into Lana, knocking her off balance. She giggled and told me maybe I should go out for football.

Stacy pointed at my sorry state of dress and laughed at my blushing little bod. I told her I couldn't believe she was so embarrassed by something like that.

"Like I said, I was never naked in front of her before, in fact, I was never naked with anybody my own age before that I can remember! I'd finally decided that I'd had enough and demanded a turn changing the baby."

She said that her friend smiled, plopped down on the floor and kicked around.

"I got off the couch, not bothering to adjust my diaper, unzipped and felt inside her pants" Lana shook her head in disbelief. "They were wet, way wetter than mine! She just kept whining for me to change her, so I pulled her pants and her undies down at one time."

The big girl's graphic story was beginning to get to me, the tingle had definitely started and it irritated me for some reason. "I just couldn't believe what she did next!" Lana exclaimed a little too loudly, "She seemed to forget about our game, grabbed me and pulled me down on top of her, and I swear, April, my fingers sank into her vagina knuckle deep! I gasped with surprise ashamed of my own act.

"Well, maybe not that far, but they did go in and I was surprised at how wet and slippery it was inside there. Stacy let out a shriek and held me tight against her, my arm was trapped and I felt I couldn't move, my fingers sank in deeper and I think I actually stretched her hymen. But, April, here's the bad part, her skin felt so good against me and I was really enjoying it." She looked at me as if anticipating a response but I was too awed by the story to say anything.

"Don't look at me like that, April, please!" she said almost frantically. I had to say something.

"What happened next?" I asked more out of fear than curiosity.

"It seemed like forever, but we finally separated and sat up, giggling nervously and looking at one another. She stood up reached her hand down and began to rub herself." Lana admitted that she had done this to herself a few times, "I think most girls do."

"A few times?" I commented. She shook her mane and shrieked, "April...!"

I guess I shouldn't interrupt. Bad habit.

"But it was different watching someone else do it." she observed. "Here's the gross part, though," she continued, she stopped doing it to herself and started doing it to me! I felt her fingers moving around outside and inside, it was very naughty and it was very neat. I was so shocked and I just let her do it! After a while I stood up too, she stopped touching me and we looked at each other and giggled again. I had an almost overwhelming desire to feel her skin against me again, uncontrollable, y'know.

"Yeah, I know!" I thought to myself.

"I slid the knotted little panties down, grabbed Stacy around the waist and pulled her hard against me so I could feel her vulva pressed against mine. We started moving against each other slowly and atomic bombs started to explode in my head, lightning was shooting up my back and it was like... um... my whole bottom was on fire or something, I mean April, it was just... well... I was just overcome." She hesitated, shaking her head and I thought I saw her eyes wet. I asked her what happened next.

"Well, we separated and both were... like... embarassed to look at each other. It was very weird, seemed like we were in a hurry to get dressed. Then we sat, quietly and watched T.V. till Mom and Dad got home." I moved closer to her and put my hand on her shoulder. "What's the point of this, chum?" She looked at me with tears in her eyes. Instead of Lana the brash, powerful, urban brat, I saw a confused little girl. It scared me a bit cuz it was so much like staring into the mirror.

"April, am I weird?" she whimpered quietly. "I don't want to be homesexual."

I wondered if I was strong enough to tell her of my own confusion. Could I help her at all? The truth of that old saying about the blind leading the blind became obvious. She was so sweet and so troubled, tormented by feelings that neither of usunderstood. I was getting terrified.

"You aren't the only one." I said with a trembling whisper.

I hoped I wasn't making a huge mistake when I told her, less graphically, about Marissa and me. I was afraid she might joke about it but she just looked at me with ever widening eyes.

"Are we all like this, I wonder?" she asked.

"I don't know, Lana." I replied. "Maybe sex doesn't have a ready made target when it starts, maybe you have to learn it the hard way like everything else."

The gentleness of twilight closed in on us as we left the park and headed back to suburban reality, which seemed less and less real with each step. It was a place of absolute certainty where my pal and I could never belong, not really. We were scared and alone and I wondered about other people our age. It was hard to imagine someone like Kathy or Lauren, folks like that with these problems. How about boys, Tommy Kearns for example? I don't know enough about them at all. I may have... um... high numbers as they say, but I'm not that smart, something I've always known anyway.

We got to Lana's place and we both knew there wasn't anything left to say now. It was time for me to go home. I looked into her eyes again and saw a strange fatigue, a reflection of me. I gave her a hug and I felt her breasts brush my head. She had grown a lot taller this summer!

"Weird or no, I love you, Lana!" I whispered. She smiled and responded with a hug of her own.

"Not weird at all, sleep well, m'dear."

We didn't want to part, but I let go and walked away into the increasing darkness. The street light flashed on and I turned to wave, but she had gone inside and I felt a strange emptiness in my gut.

Mom met me as I walked in the door and asked me the usual where did you go, what did you do questions. Of course I said I was with Lana at the park, no reason to fib about this one.

"I still don't know about that girl," she said, "I hope she's not a bad influence on you." She mentioned that I had a strange phone call. "The pool director said it was okay for you and your friends to come back but suggested that you be more careful next time."

I sortof smiled and decided that someone had friends in high places.

"What did he mean by that?" Mom asked with a worried look on her face. I told her that we got a little rowdy there today and found ourselves kicked out. She frowned and expressed her disappointment. "I don't want you turning into a brat, April. I better not hear anything else about your poor behavior, or I'll start taking away a few things until you behave like the adult you are becoming."

Swell. I always wanted to be an average suburban American woman, I really did! Do I want to cast doubt on this desirable role being prepared for me? I mean, really, how could I pass up such a wonderful opportunity? Ugh! She reminded me that I had to see Doctor Saur tomorrow. Great this was turning into one heck of a mother--daughter encounter! All this stuff was just adding to my fatigue so I mentioned that I was a little tired and after three goodnights to three family members I stepped up to the bathroom for shower time. I shook my head grimly as I lowered my pants, noticing the red spots that indicated my favorite monthly occurrance.

"This is not good," I said to myself as I went through the whole hygenic routine. Back in my room, I disgustedly grabbed some undies. The wind pushing my drapes smelled like rain and I thought I saw some lightening on the horizon. "Good evening for a storm," I said to myself, as I plopped down in bed.

I woke up crabby but nobody better give me that all knowing grin and mention my period and my mood in the same sentence! I refuse to use that as an excuse for treating people rotten, never! Actually, I was less than thrilled about seeing another psych person and I had a bad dream about Mom finding my thong suit. I can see it now! The nightmare shook me up bad enough to cause me to dig it out and slip it on, looked just peachy with my panties all sticking out the bottom. I decided on the solution. Now where's that tampon I got from Marissa? Aha, got it! I put it in the pocket of my robe and hopped to the old bathroom hoping the wrap covered my red in case anybody else was over there. I opened the door and there was Dad doing one of my favorite things, shaving.

"Hi, April, you're up early," he said amidst the scrapes. He kindof caught me off-guard cuz I hadn't seen a clock. I grunted in reply.

"A little unhappy today, huh? Is it..." I yelled. "Don't even say it, Dad!"

He just smiled and shook his head. He made a grand gesture with his hands after he finished.

"All yours."

I forced a smile through clenched teeth.

"Thanks."

I stripped to the skin and grinned at my reflection, then considered the red pad stuck on my undies and decided I was bleeding pretty good. Fiddling with the tampon, I tried to remember how to do it. Finally, I stuck the sucker in, cleaned my panties a bit and hung 'em on the shower rod. It was now time to do the rest of my bathroom things, eat breakfast and prepare myself mentally for the interrogation to come.

Dad left for work. As I did my usual goodbye I couldn't help but wonder why I always got these early morning appointments. It seemed like things were better after the sun went down, easier to think clearly or something like that.

"I think you'll like this doctor," Mom said as she wrote Kathy a note about where we would be, "We spoke to her while you were in France, and we were very impressed."

As far as I'm concerned, seen one, seen 'em all and I said as much. Anyway, we got in the car and putted away to... um... wherever.

Chapter 17

Luckily, there wasn't much of a wait. In came the doctor, a short, slim, rather plain looking, twenty-ish woman. Her dark hair was pulled into a long pony tail which seemed to go forever down her back. She had the most interesting eyes I'd ever seen, a kindof luminous pale blue that seemed to glitter and I was impressed by her lack of typical medical clothing. She was dressed in a simple blue pleated skirt and a very sheer, tunic-like cream colored blouse. It was quite obvious that she didn't feel like wearing a bra today, and I had to smile in spite of myself.

"Hi, I'm Doctor Saur. You must be April." She grinned and held out her hand, which I shook strongly.

"Nice to meet you," I said, trying to look well adjusted. She suggested that maybe we should get started and hinted that Mom should go back to the waiting room and I couldn't help but notice Mom peeking at the doctor's lack of underwear and trying to keep her emotions unreadable.

"This shouldn't take long," Saur told Mom, smiling and mentioning that she liked to keep things casual. I believe she noticed where Mom's eyes had been wandering and seemed to shrug it off as she strongly hinted that it was time for us to be alone.

My female parent slowly slinked out of the room and I was alone with my free-breasted shrink. She smiled at me and just started talking. We had the strangest conversation. She didn't ask anything about me, we just discussed the state of things generally, kindof like Lana and I would do then she called on the intercom and had Mom sent back in.

Zooming through the door like a hurricane, Mom tried to hide the worry on her face.

"Is everything okay?" she panted.

"Your daughter is extraordinary, Mrs. Anders. Her vocabulary, logic and methods of expression are easily college level. There is no way April should be doing regular junior high work and I strongly recommend advanced placement at the very least."

Mom smiled and I groaned inwardly. At my school the a.p.'s kept their status secret, nobody knew who they were although everybody, and I do mean everybody would do some guessing. It was definitely a nerdy thing to be, and, even though I was considered a nobody, it was better than being... um... "gifted".

"How about it, April?" Saur asked.

"No!" I yelled, probably too loudly.

"We could always transfer you to Crown Prep," Mom suggested, referring to the very expensive and super bad news private school nearby.

"Absolutely, no way!" I responded. She replied that we would have a family discussion about this tonight. Swell. My life was over! I felt a little betrayed by my supposed new friend and I was irritated. The fact that I felt it was time to change my feminine hygene device wasn't helping.

"Is there a bathroom here?" I snapped. I got a little... ah... paranoid as I went and cleaned up in the little room indicated to me. I heard Saur tell Mom that she'd like another hour or so and Mom replied that maybe it'd be okay seeing that she did have a little shopping she had to do. It sounded like another hairy conspiracy to me! But when I came out they asked me nicely if I'd like to stay.

"Strictly up to you, April," the doctor observed. I trucked out my compliant little girl smile and nodded.

"Sure, okay." Now what?

The tone of the discussion changed after Mom left. It got heavy. The subject was my personal life and I really guarded my conversation, especially about my most recent past. I was amazed at how much she knew about me, but I wasn't sure I could trust her.

"You can be open with me, April," she said, "I'm not allowed, by law, to discuss this with anyone. It's called, doctor-patient confidentiality."

I had to admit that her way of relating to me really did make me want to talk, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was some kind of trick. However, I was well aware of some things I really needed adult help with. In any case, I decided not to volunteer anything but to be truthful if she really asked or brought up an area that made me uncomfortable.

Mostly we talked about when I was a little kid. She asked if I minded her taping the conversation so we could have an easier session and so she could remember eveything.

"I guess I trust you enough," I replied. Doc seemed very curious about how I got along with my family back then and how they treated me. I went on and on, amazed at all the stuff I remembered. Suddenly, the intercom blared.

"Mrs. Anders is here, Doctor Saur." She pushed a button on her tape machine and another on her desk. I heard a buzzer from somewhere and Mom walked in. The doc smiled.

"Thanks for the extra time. It was great talking to you, April, hope to see you again soon. Please consider advanced placement, I'm certain you're tremendously bored with regular schoolwork."

"How was it?" Mom asked. I responded that it was okay and that I'd come back if everybody and I do mean everybody thought I should. She said that she'd make another appointment.

All the way home I kept picturing myself as a dweeb, an a.p. wearing those various items of necessary gear like pocket protectors and stuff. Ugh! I have to admit though, school was getting a little boring. Later on, after dinner, I reluctantly agreed to try the smart kid's route. The famous family meeting did me in as usual.

"Just what are you laughing at?" I moaned at my giggling sister.

She cackled some more. "I always knew you were one of... them!"

I sighed in resignation.

"Kathy!" Dad yelled.

I started messing with the computer, probably more out of boredom than for any other reason. Typically, the machine made life a lot more interesting.

"Why are you squirming, April? Quit bouncing around before you break something!" Mom yelled. Suddenly I became aware that I was uncomfortable, I'd been wearing my thong all day! Gross! I started to wonder how I was going to wash it. Hmmm...maybe I could do it in the showers at the pool. Anyway, it started to feel like the only thing left to do this evening was to go to bed. I was tired! Maybe cuz of my psycho appointment, who knows? In any case, I made my way upstairs in sortof a daze, hearing footsteps behind me but not really interested in whose they were. I got to my room and turned to see Big Sis approaching.

"Sorry I said what I said and how I acted," she commented, "A lot of times I wish I had your brains." She seemed sincere and I smiled at her while adjusting my crotch. It was impossible for Kath, or any other onlooker to miss the gesture.

"Undies too small?" she giggled.

"Naw, thong too tight," I replied.

"Normally, April, I would ask someone why they were wearing their swimsuit around under their clothes, but I just don't want to get involved in another one of your goofy things and so I'm just going to go back downstairs, okay?" Big Sis turned and headed toward the stairs while I opened the door to my bedroom.

Whoa! I got hit with a blast of cold air and I noticed the wind really pushing my drapes around. Suddenly the whole place was bathed in white light then... boom! My ears were ringing and my heart was zooming, that was too close! I looked out to see these enormous dark clouds, the classic summer storm out of nowhere and I heard the weird wail of a siren. What the...?

Then I saw something in the distance that I've only encounteed on t.v. and in nightmares, "Oh man, it's a tornado!" I shrieked. I heard someone yell from the stairs, "April, get the heck down to the basement, now!" Just then the power went out and I heard a strange sound, kindof like a railroad train. The urge was so strong to go to the window, I just had to see it, just had to!

I felt my body lifted and noticed that Dad had picked me up and was carrying me toward the stairs. He literally growled at me!

"Dammit, April, I said come downstairs, we're going to get hit!" I was really surprised by how strong Dad was, swooping me up that way and I felt good snuggling against him. He ran down the stairs nearly falling a couple of times and then zoomed to the basement. It was dark and scary down there like it always has been, the violence of the storm and the worried looks of my relations were not helping one bit.

"Don't worry," I said, "tornadoes don't always..." I never finished the sentence. The house shook and the sound of breaking glass gave us all something to scream about. The visitor was here, and I hoped he didn't stay long.

Some thoughts poured through my head as I snuggled against Dad and I remembered things I didn't care to remember, that horrid night in Malone's garage, the dead lady I touched, Dayne with her lips sewn together, Kristina motionless on the floor and that stupid Jesters symbol. Life often is too terrifying for a seventh grader like me. I held my man until the storm subsided. We rose, trembling, and went upstairs.

It was freezing! The cold aftermath of the storm poured through the broken windows.

"Not too bad so far," Dad said with a weird shakiness to his voice. Mom and Kath seemed to be just staring around like they couldn't believe their eyes. The sirens were whining outside, but these were from emergency vehicles, I could see their revolving lights. Dad mentioned that he wanted to go outside and take a look. He reached in the closet and tossed us each a jacket, then pulled his on.

"Maybe you guys should get some blankets out and find a place to rest," He said, smiling at us, "everything will be okay."

We went to work and when we were done the windows were blocked up and the bedrolls were set, things were locked down pretty good. Keeping busy seemed to make us forget the terror of the storm a little. I heard lots of people talking outside, but their voices were too muffled to recognize.

There was a knock on our door and I heard Dad say that he didn't want to scare us.

"It's only me, no bad guys," he chuckled. Scare us? Ha, funny. He came in with a curious look of relief on his face. "We are okay!" he said. "Just cosmetic damage, broken windows, but the roof's still on." There was a flashlight shining behind him.

"Everybody okay?"

Hey I know that voice!

"Hi, Officer Larson, we keep running into each other."

She smiled at me and told everybody and I do mean everybody that this event had caught the world by surprise, and that damage was severe but not critical.

"Reports of injury but no death," she said. "Oh, by the way, have you got room for your neighbors? Their house sustained too much damage and I don't really think it's safe for them to stay the night, especially with no power."

Which neighbors? Why, the Kearns family of course! Mom smiled and said they didn't even have to ask for shelter.

"People are always welcome here," she stated. The homeless K-Klan hustled in with their blankets trying to look normal but I could still see the terror in their eyes. Tommy tried to kindof hide from Kath and me cuz I think he was crying a little bit and we all know boys don't do that. Ugh! We set up in the basement, almost like a camp-out, complete with a lantern in the middle of the floor. I fell asleep amidst quiet adult conversation wondering what would happen next. What a weird summer this has been!

Man, what is going on? I woke up in a cold sweat and sat up in the the absolute darkness, apparently our light, which was pretty dim anyway, had gone out. There were no sleep sounds or lumpy shapes near me and I guessed I was stuck in a corner somewhere, praying that all my friends were okay. It was cold and scary down there and I couldn't see anybody! I plopped back down and tried to sleep but I kept re-living Malone's garage, I thought I saw that big guy lumbering toward me in the dark.

"Stay away or I'll scream!" I whispered.

"April, is that you?" asked a shadow as it sat down beside me.

"It's me, Tom. "Can I come over here by you? It's too scary, too many spider webs and stuff where I am."

I sighed in relief. "I was scared here too," I responded. "But I'm not anymore. Go ahead and lie down." I heard him heed my instructions and everything was silent again. He started tossing and turning. "C'mon, Tommy!" I whispered.

"The floor is a lot colder over here!" he responded. "Where's your blanket? You brought it with, didn't you?"

"I forgot."

"Well, you'll just have to slide in here with me then." Suddenly it got real quiet again.

"Get in here!" I moved the blanket so he could get under.

"Really?" he whispered.

"Really!" I said.

He got in, but stayed well away from me.

"Hey! You'll take the covers lying that far away, I'm not going to bite you, Tommy Kearns!"

"Really?"

"Really!" He still just laid there, the idiot.

"Tommy, I'm cold now too. Will you snuggle with me?" I thought I heard him sigh.

"April, I always think you're joking about stuff. I would love to snuggle... but is it allowed?"

"Yeah, it's allowed. In fact, I demand some body heat in payment for your being over in my end of the basement!" I put my arms around him and we got real warm real fast it was beautiful!

"Tommy?" I whispered. "Are you crying?"

He didn't answer. I don't know if I wanted him to.

We were still for a long time, or at least, it semed like it. Sometimes when it's dark, you can't sense things like you usually do and you have to depend on... um... other things, I can't explain it, like nighttime things. It seems that most people either can't, or aren't interested in developing this feel for the night. But I love the warmth, the closing in feeling, the mystery and the uncertainty of it. I felt Kearns squirm a little against me.

"You okay, Tommy?" I whispered.

"Getting a little warm," he replied quietly. I suggested taking off the blanket.

"No, bad idea," he replied.

"Maybe we could move apart a little," I added, realizing that I was getting a bit toasty myself. He replied that it might work but I detected thinly concealed sadness when he spoke. He didn't want to stop snuggling and neither did I! I suddenly remembered something.

"Tommy, do you always sleep with your clothes on?"

"Um... no, I usually just have my underwear on or pajamas in winter."

I told him I don't wear anything to bed unless I have my period, like now.

"What?" He kindof whisper shrieked as he moved away from me a little.

"It's not contagious, Kearns. You couldn't menstruate if your life depended on it!"

He very seriously said that maybe we shouldn't be talking about these things. I almost laughed out loud.

"Sleep in your undies, my hero, I promise I won't look, actually I can't see in the dark anyway and don't worry about my blood, the flow is pretty light today and it's not contaminated or anything."

I began to remove my overthings as quietly as I could and suggested to my bedmate that he do the same. The thought did occur to me that I was out of my mind.

"Can we really do this, April?" he whispered.

"Really." I replied.

"Really?"

"Really!"

"I'm afraid I might be... um... embarrassed."

I wondered by what, we couldn't see anything.

"Y'know, embarrassed!" Ooooh, silly me, now I get it! He was referring, of course, to his natural male tendency which I understood to be pretty much uncontrollable. I kindof shrugged to myself and thought that it wasn't a problem, I mean, sometimes it's hard to distinguish a sensual situation like this, from a sexual one which this is not, especially when you've been brought up in U.S.A. suburbia where neither is acceptable for, well... underage people who aren't supposed to enjoy, consent to or even experience them. Why are they so surprised when we get screwed up? I wondered how I could tell Kearns I sortof understood, it was just one of those things.

"It doesn't matter, Tommy, you shouldn't be ashamed of anything. It'l be neat to feel the warmth of our skin touching." I heard a sigh from my bedmate as I snuggled against him after struggling to remove all but my undies. Silence was.

"Hey, Kearns!"

"Huh?"

"Your skin feels amazingly like cotton." He tried to weasel out of it and it wasn't hard to understand the reason. "You have an erection already, don't you?" Actually I was kindof pleased, honored even. This was the first time I had personally caused one that I was aware of and I had to stifle my bubbliness about it cuz I don't believe Tommy would understand my reaction, sexual feelings ain't for de yout y'know, spoils our innocence. I felt movement from the borderline.

"Thomas Kearns, are you removing your clothes in my presence?" I asked giggling.

"Um... yeah." he responded.

"Then come back and snuggle with me!"

"Are you sure it's okay?" he asked.

I grabbed a handful of male and pulled it toward me, the feeling of flesh touching flesh was paradise even though he was holding himself very stiff.

"Is that okay?" I thought I heard muffled sobbing and I gently asked if he was okay. "I've never felt like this, April."

"Sexual?" I asked.

"No, not really, um... sortof... um, I really don't know but it's awesome. I can feel your chest pressed up against me and your heart beating and your warmth... I just can't explain it."

Typically April, I had to reply to this "unexplainable" situation with an explanation.

"I guess our bodies are us, there isn't anything else, we are really friends now."

"I'm smiling and bawling at the same time. I'm confused." he sniffed. "Is this a wrong thing to do, us together like this?"

"Everybody and I do mean everybody, at least almost, would probably say it was, but I say it isn't. They're wrong and I'm right, I know I'm right but people have a hard time accepting the truth sometimes. "What do you think about it, boy?"

"All I can think about is how awesome this is." I gave him a little kiss on what I guessed to be his forehead and he responded with a long sigh. "Can I tell you I like you, April, I like you a lot?"

"I like you a lot too!" A longish silence intruded on our dialogue."April, you asleep?"

"No."

"How did you ever get to be like this?" I smiled inwardly, "I was born like this, Tom, and so were you!" He hugged me and caressed my curly locks for a little while and we said goodnight. I couldn't wait till we were discovered by the pubic hair brigade in the morning!

"April, wake up!" I heard a harsh whisper and felt a firm touch on my shoulder. I gazed bleary eyed into the face of Kathy and responded with a grunt. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

"Huh?" I replied, still dazed by sleep. She pointed at my bedmate so I turned and looked. He was so sweet, as close to an angel as I'd ever seen, how could I not continue to stare in wonder!

"Cute, eh?" I said, gesturing at the prone, slumbering lad.

"Adorable," she whispered, rolling her eyes. Sis' grip got harder. She shook me a bit trying to get my attention. I carefully shed my blankets so I wouldn't wake the little guy up. Kathy, giving me that wide eyed stare of hers, motioned that we should go upstairs. Everybody and I do mean everybody else was still sleeping, hard night I guess.

We found our way up, out of harms way, and began the first smatterings of breakfast.

"Hope it warms up in here. Hey, what's with this Kearn's stuff?" Kathy whispered. I suddenly realized that I was a little chilly myself, which was not surprising since I was only wearing my undies.

"Lookit how stiff your nipples are!" Sis giggled like a little girl. Apparently my anatomical situation distracted her from... um... the other one. I said I'd better go up and get my robe and she agreed.

"But you better change too, your clothes are really a mess!" Naturally, we went to our respective rooms and remedied the problem.

The prospect of getting dressed never thrilled me. Kathy walked in as I was laying prospective attire out on the bed.

"What exactly did you do last night? I thought you hated Tommy Kearns and now you're sleeping naked with him right in front of everybody! Did you sleep with him, April? Did you?"

Uh-oh, apparently the distraction was no longer in effect. I noted a definite feel of jealousy here, maybe not cuz she was in love with Kearns, but cuz she didn't have the experience or something like that.

"Yeah, I slept with him, Kathy, but we didn't have sex, we just snuggled and talked, stuff like that."

"Let me get this straight," she commented with a hint of nastiness in her voice, "you were lying naked under blankets with the eighth grade super stud and completely innocent of well... y'know."

"Absolutely." She groaned and mumbled something about how much trouble I could've been in if she hadn't woke me up. I smiled as I pulled my robe around me, regular clothes would have to wait. Not only was my period gone, but I had another night to remember and I felt so good!

We went back downstairs and continued with breakfast prep, noticing some strirring of life downstairs and heavy equipment noise outside. Life was returning to the disaster area! Kathy gave me a strangely intense look, as though she was trying to see my soul.

"Was it neat?" she asked with a smile.

"Very!" I responded with a grin. She hugged me hard and gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"What'll we do with you, my little sis," she sighed.

And so the bustle began. Eventually the whole cellar crowd emerged, busily cleaning, bathrooming and organizing, calling employers, insurance companies, friends, familiy the whole world it seemed. Bingo! The lights went on and a hearty cheer issued forth from the victims. Kath and me received appreciation for our fine and timely breakfast as everybody and I do mean everybody, their immediate concerns taken care of, sat down to eat a leisurely meal. Tommy, looking sheepish, fought for the chair next to me. I grinned and winked at him.

"Sleep okay, Tommy?" I asked.

"Great... great basement!" he responded much too loudly, staring at his plate to avoid all the looks he was getting. Kathy giggled the whole time and was beginning to irritate the adults.

"You okay, son? You're acting a little strange." Mr. Kearns observed.

"Fine, good." Tommy answered. It was cute! All during the meal and the cleanup he took every opportunity to be physically close to me. It was apparently very noticable cuz his parents and mine began to try to put some distance between us.

"Could you please leave April alone and come over here?" I could tell by his thinly concealed grin that Mr. Kearns knew something was up, but his wife didn't seem to have a clue. Do men understand these things better?

Everything was finished and the visitors prepared to depart. Tommy's Dad suggested that we go downstairs and straighten up.

"I think everything's done down there," Mrs. Kearns observed with a tone of impatience in her voice. He smiled and said that he just wanted to make sure, then I could've swore he winked at us.

"Looks pretty good to me," sayeth the innocent boy as we surveyed the old cellar. I smiled at him and asked if he knew the real reason his dad sent us down here.

"Huh... to clean up I guess." Jeez what a klutz!

"He wanted us to have a nice goodbye," I said. He scratched his head.

"Why do we have to come down here for that?" he asked. It was clear to me that the lights are on but nobody's home.

"C'mere, Mr. Kearns," I said, consciously letting my robe slip open a little bit. Hey, gimme a break here! From my... um... vast sexual experience, if you could call it that, I have discovered that exposed female flesh can sometimes act like a magnet to iron as far as men are concerned. I'm also aware that it can have the opposite effect as well. In any case, I wouldn't be ignored or misundertood. I giggled to myself because it also seemed like they aren't really aware of this themselves. He doesn't really know it, but I am... well... I definitely... um... am... uh... well, I'm interested. The electricity shooting through me is... well... shooting!

I hugged him as gently as I could under the circumstances and it felt wonderful. Pulling away, I looked up at him and he smiled, not one of those goofy junior high stud grins, but a real smile! He hugged me back and we looked into each others eyes for a minute, then we did it again, but it was hard to say who the originator was. We gazed again, but this time our heads got closer and closer.

Everything was a blur and I could feel his breath caressing my lips and suddenly pressed against them was warm flesh and I thought was going to explode! We pulled apart and looked at each other again. His eyes were glazed over and I began wondering what he saw, wish I had a mirror.

"Nice, Tommy, very nice!" I sighed. He mumbled and stammered like he had a head injury or something. I heard the basement door open. "Bye, bedmate, don't work too hard!" I whispered softly in his ear as Mom yelled down asking if everything was okay. He stroked my shoulders down my arms and held on to my hands.

"April, you are really... um... you...um... I just don't want to go home now." He was struggling to find the words, almost physically dragging them out and I think he was getting embarrassed.

"Better unhand me, sir, Mother is on the way!" I said, noting the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Who knows how she would react to this?

We went upstairs without a word, trying to avoid that suspicious parental stare. As the neighbors left, my new chum turned.

"Bye, April, see ya' around." I saw a rosy red glow start at his cheeks and spread over his whole face when he looked at me. I just smiled at him and waved. He was nearly to the sidewalk and I realized how much I already missed being close.

"Bye, Tommy, goodbye, see you around fer sure!" I yelled and waved for emphasis. Suddenly everybody and I do mean everybody was staring at me strangely. Whoops, my robe had come undone a little from the gesture and they were seeing a little more girlflesh than they were used to and the boy turned bright red! It was odd cuz not that much of me was on public display. I dealt with the embarrassed and frozen looks on the faces of friends and family like I always do, completely ignored it. Some of the city workers from the cleanup crew seemed to find me fascinating but they quickly went back to their jobs as did the rest of us.

Ugh! The stupid tornado destroyed what was left of the summer. There was a lot of rebuilding and tidying up to do and everybody and I do mean everybody pitched in to help. Not that I minded, but jeez, summer's supposed to be fun for a kid! There was nothing interesting to do cuz the storm wrecked the park, the pool, lots of houses and other junk. It was really amazing, before I knew it there was only a week remaining before I started seventh grade.

Chapter 18

A few neat things happened. I got letters from Marissa and Ute Jess which were both great. Jess even enclosed instructions on how to curl my hair again, something I really wanted to do before school starts, to look real hot, y'know. Reading this stuff and looking at the pictures they enclosed made me think about how much I missed them. Kathy got a letter from Jeremiah which she was guarding with her life. Needless to say, I was curious, but no, no way would I get to see it. She must think everybody and I do mean everybody has as much of tendency to snitch as she does but my imagination ran wild through all kinds of interesting possibilities, none of which would make the old folks smile. It was very hard, though, to picture Kathy having sex with anybody, even herself, regardless of her beach event I inadvertantly saw. Had to be a trick of some kind.

Anyway, Kristina dropped by to check on how we were doing storm aftermathwise. It was weird, we didn't have a whole lot to say to each other and I don't like her new, ultrafeminine thing at all! She still hangs around with Stubby and Sid... um... Chuck, sorry old boy. She did have one piece of info that interested me, seems like Dayne Smythe is back in town and planning to start school when school starts! I wonder about what she's been through this summer and decided that she would have enjoyed France very much.

Lana came over a couple of days later, seeming strangely subdued.

"My brothers are killing me!" she said. "They've decided that for me to play on the boys basketball team, I had to become superman or girl or something!" She invited me to a special swim party at her house on Saturday. "You don't have to bring a swimsuit," she said, "but you can bring a friend or two, just be careful about who they are if you know what I mean."

She chuckled a little and then got serious, asking me in a solemn tone if I was going to see my shrink again. I asked her why she wanted to know.

"Could you ask her about homosexuality in girls?"

I put my hand on her shoulder and gazed into her eyes, it was pretty intense.

"Sure," I said, "I'm kindof curious myself." I told her about Dayne, Kristina and all.

"It may be an interesting school year," she observed. I have yet to really tell people about my being condemned to total nerdom in advanced placement. They'll find out soon enough. No chance that my registration papers were lost in the tornado, our house wasn't destroyed and Mom sent them out yesterday.

Man, time goes so fast school starts the day after tomorow and I don't know if I'm ready for it. Hmmm... seventh grade, it shouldn't be too bad based on what I've heard. I asked Kathy how it is.

"Okay, I suppose. No big deal, but I wasn't in the nerd class!" Boy, that cut me to the quick! She had regained the obnoxious edge she lost for a bit and I began to miss the sister she was in France. It seems so long ago! Maybe it has something to do with being an eighth grader, seems that they rule the world or whatever.

"Y'know, April, I'm in eighth grade now." She was always saying and if Mom and Dad were in earshot when she brought this up, I thought I could hear some like... chuckling. I have to admit, though, usually she wilts in a crisis but she handled the tornado like a champ, maybe it's cuz she's in eighth grade.

Anyway, I asked her if she wanted to go to Lana's tonight and we all know what her response was... yep, I already mentioned it. She suffixed it by saying that she really can't spend her time playing with us kids anymore.

"Oh," I responded. She mentioned that she was going to the movies with Roger and a few others. Is there any doubt regarding what grade these chums were in? I threatened to read her letter from Jeremiah after she left and she made a fist at me, shrieking like a little girl. Dad intervened.

"What grade did you say you were in, Kathy?"

She bounded off with a grunt as he reminded me that I had to go see Doctor Saur in an hour or so. Rats, I forgot! So much to do. I ran to the bathroom cuz I needed a shave desperately. It was still amazing to me that I wasn't being hassled about my arm pits. Actually there wasn't that much there, but still... I practically ran over Mom.

"Why are you in such a hurry, April?" she asked.

"Gotta go to the bathroom!"

Out of the blue she started talking about Lana, almost like she was wondering if she should take back her permission to go to the pool party. "Will her parents be there?"

"All the Kings will be there!"

"I don't want to hear about any trouble."

"You won't."

"That's what I'm afraid of!" I closed and locked the john door, hoping she'd leave soon.

"Who are you going with?" she asked. She had me there. I hadn't really thought about it. We had already went through curfew and how I was getting home and all that. Maybe the Kid will be my date, I'd sure be interested in finding out what had warped that brain of hers. Suddenly, I had a thought I wasn't about to mention to Mom, Tommy Kearns.

"Probably nobody," I responded. She mumbled something and went off somewhere.

I yanked off all my clothes and smiled at my reflection in the mirror realizing it was so nice to be naked again. My chest was getting bigger and the brown parts under my nipples were really something to see. I touched the hair growing under my arms and found it to be delightfully soft, not wiry like the stuff encroaching on my vulva. What's this? A pimple sprouting on my cheek! Oh well, nobody's perfect, but I wish I hadn't seen it. All the curls fell out of my hair and it was straight once more so I promised myself to have it done again some day soon, maybe with Ute's instructions. Looked down past my belly button, I realized I had to trim with the scissors before I razored.

"Way too long!" I said to myself as I started clipping away. As I lathered up I remembered the first time I did it and smiled to myself.

"April, you've grown some!"

As I worked I became painfully aware of some very pleasant sensations in my nether regions. Actually I was getting pretty sensitive down there these days and I was beginning to worry. I have to admit that sometimes, no, strike that, most of the time, I... um... took care of the problem. Did my activity with Marissa really turn me into some kind of sex fiend? In any case the electricity was flowing like crazy!

"No, I don't have time now!" I yelled at my bottom. It responded with more jolts, so I wiped off the excess shaving cream with more intensity than I probably should have.

"April, you really want to do this with somebody, don't you," I whispered to my reflection. One quick, deep sigh later and I was done and decently attired once more, slightly depressed, I may add, nearly always feeling that way after doing this. I wonder why?

I went downstairs thinking maybe I could goof with the computer a little, but I inadvertantly looked out the window and saw Kearns sitting in his backyard. I zoomed out and propped myself on the fence but felt kindof stupid cuz he wasn't alone. You can't see his whole yard from our window and three girls that I vaguely recognized from school were sitting on his porch stairs.

I could tell by the way they glared at me. Anybody want to guess what grade they were in? I knew Tommy was a high status, maybe the top, G.G., being a basketball star and all, but I also knew he was worth saving. Well, I refused to be intimidated, kindof smiling the girls down as I said hello to my neighbor. Kearns showed a lot of class. I think he was in a bad spot here, but he didn't let the stress bother him.

"Hi, April!" he smiled. "C'mon over!"

I told him I didn't have much time, but he looked so sweet I had to cross the barrier between the houses. He introduced me to his friends, Jamie, Melissa and Caroline, none of which were thrilled with me. I heard their off hand comments, all made looking down their noses.

"Is she a sixth grader?"

"Aren't you Kathy Anders' baby sister?"

"She dresses pretty casual, doesn't she?" I chuckled through it all, cuz I had the trump card.

"Tommy, want to go to a pool party at Lana King's later?" I heard an audible groan from the peanut gallery.

"Lana King, isn't she the seventh grade girl who wants to play on the boy's varsity basketball team?"

Who are these people anyway? Lana would eat 'em alive! Tommy grinned broadly and told me he'd come over later after he checked with his parents. I blew him a kiss as I left and I could hear the groans all the way to my house. Hope I didn't get him, or myself, in trouble. Being on the junior high "bad list" can stay with you even in high school and these girls looked like the types to attack when pushed too far, but I had no idea what "too far "was.

I realized that my bottom was a bit scratchy, probably cuz I haven't scraped it for awhile. I've already taken care of the other itch down there and I relieved the new one, discreetly or so I thought.

"Tight underwear?" I heard a male voice ask. Hey, I wasn't wearing any but I wasn't going to tell Dad that. He reminded me that it was almost time to go to my appointment. Ugh!

As we sat in the waiting room, the folks tried to make pleasant conversation but all I could think about, with increasing excitement I must add, was Kearns with nothing on. Who ever said girls aren't... um... aroused by sight never talked to me! Am I turning into a loose woman or what? In any case I just mumbled when they tried to include me in their meanderings. The receptionist looked bored as she announced our arrival in the intercom. Dr. Saur came out of her office, smiling and looking very professional, she even had on a white medical coat to hide her exposed chest, no doubt. Dad and Mom got up to accompany us to the treatment room, which irritated me.

"Jeez, I'm not a little kid!" I said.

"That's true, sometimes we forget," Dad replied as both sat back down. "But I've never really met the doctor and I am interested in what's going on." They seemed kindof sad about my outburst and Saur tried to brighten things up by telling them she didn't think we'd be long. I bet.

After the usual cordialities and parental departure, we got into the meat of the matter.

"Anything you want to talk about, April?" I decided that I should get right to it and find out what Lana, wanted to know. The question also applied to me so it definitely should be part of 'anything'.

"Can we talk about... um... sex, Doctor Saur?" I asked meekly. She smiled and said that we absolutely should sooner or later. "What is it that you want to know about?" I frowned, wondering if I could trust her not to say anything to anybody. I even felt kindof funny about her knowing, even if she didn't snitch.

"Will you tell anybody about this?" I asked, frowning. She asked me what the mystery was all about, reminding me that she was bound by law as well as her medical ethics pledge, not to tell.

"April," she guardedly asked, "have you been abused in some way?"

"No!" I exclaimed so loudly that I startled myself and began to look around to make sure nobody heard. I asked her to please not record this. She replied that noone could hear us and that she hadn't even started her recorder yet.

Okay, so I began and I used Lana's story, not mentioning a lot of the super graphic stuff. Now, I've seen enough television to know that when a kid talks about a friend's problem, everybody and I do mean everybody with pubic hair on their bottom just knows fer sure that it's a smokescreen. That the problem is really the kid herself, but she just doesn't want to admit it. I wanted to make absolutely certain that Doctor Saur knew I wasn't describing something that happened to me, but I wasn't sure if I would succeed. After the tale ended she smiled and said that my friend seemed kindof impulsive.

"Yeah, but is she a homosexual?"

"April, I'd have to talk to her before I made that kind of judgement," she said.

"So you really can't say?" I asked, trying to pry more info out without seeming too interested.

"It would be very unprofessional of me to speculate."

She asked me why I seemed so tense, after all, this was my friend's problem and we had discussed it to the limit of her medical opinions. She moved her head closer to me.

"Why is this so important to you? What do you think about it?" I was becoming agitated and I could feel the tears beginning to form in the corners of my eyes. "What's going on here, April?" Please tell me, that's why I'm here in this white coat, that's why I have all these certificates on the wall."

I really began to cry in earnest from the memories of France and Marissa streaming back to haunt me. Saur grabbed a tissue and gently soaked up the tears, then gave me a little hug.

"Talk, April," she whispered.

"I'm afraid!" I whimpered.

"I'm sure you are, but you don't have to be," she said, brushing my hair back. Well, I tried to be tough, something I can never pull off very well and now... um... three people know what went on that night and I hope Marissa forgives me for telling.

"Am I... um... gay?" I asked through the tears.

"April, sexual desire is a wonderful thing, not only because it feels so good, but also because we desperately need it as a species."

"I know that!" I spat out, feeling that she was changing into a condescending adult before my very eyes.

"I think you understand this but you don't feel very positive on a deeper level. Many, many people, especially here in the United States, don't like to accept the fact that we are born with it. The sexual feelings of children, yours included, are definitely either ignored, conveniently forgotten about or cruelly suppressed so you begin to feel guilty, ashamed, weird... and this feeling stays with you for a lifetime unless someone or something intervenes."

"So?" I said. She asked me how Marissa was about what happened and I told her I think she was just shocked that I did what I did but was okay with it. She told me that the sexual drive, like any other growing appetite, needed to expand and experiment in order to find it's final form.

"Bisexual desire and experience is more common than you think among people your age, both genders too, I may add. No, April, based on what I already know about you, which is quite a bit, I don't think you're a homosexual. However, a little guilt seem to be hanging on from your experience and maybe, if possible, you could talk to Marissa about it or some adult you can trust other than me."

I was amazed! "So, you're suggesting that I go up to an adult and say I was sexually involved with my ten year old girl cousin? Swell! Marissa's in France. How can I call her from home and keep it a secret?" She responded that I really had to deal with this, that she was concerned because I was concerned.

"I want you to take a little test for me, okay?"

I agreed and it turned out to be one strange experience! I just had to answer questions by filling in the little circles, typical standardized test type of thing. Weird stuff! Then we discussed sexuality some more, actually it was pretty interesting because she said she was brought up in Germany and people in continental Europe seem to be better at accepting reality in this department than they are here.

"A lot of young people, maybe even you, are victims of misguided, well meaning, but misguided morality. Psychologically speaking, it's hard to say what's right and it's even harder from a moral perspective, but I tend to be a realist here."

I told her that my parents would be absolutely horrified to hear what we were discussing.

"Maybe at first," she replied, "but they do love you very much and are aware that this subject has to be dealt with. Maybe they'd be a bit shocked about how much you know and what you've done, but I think, eventually, they'd accept it. They are well aware that you must have this knowledge, perhaps even this experience!"

Well... that's all, folks! We said our goodbyes and made another appointment. Things were quiet on the way home cuz I felt I had to think about the things Saur told me. When we got back, whom do you think was standing on our porch talking to Kathy? Thomas Kearns, that's who! He was holding a big beach towel undoubtedly wearing a swimsuit under his cutoff jeans. I didn't realize it was this late! Mom glared at me.

"So, you're going to Lana King's with Tommy?"

I decided to play dumb. "Sure, why not?" I asked. Dad kindof half smiled and looked at Mom.

"I think it's okay, in fact, it's nice that April and Tom are friends now."

I was elated! Is this a green light or what? I felt like giving Dad a huge kiss!

She looked at him with a guarded expression and he said, "Look, Dear, we're going to have to deal with this sooner or later, April's not a little girl anymore and Tom's a nice enough guy."

He looked at me pointedly, "April, have a great time, but please be careful, okay?"

I thanked them both profusely all the way into the house, grabbing my towel from upstairs, I headed out to the porch.

"Got your suit?" Mom asked, cryptically raising an eyebrow.

"Want a ride?" Dad asked, still smiling.

"Yep," I lied, "and nope." I truthed.

Chapter 19

On the porch, the two eighth graders were talking about the upcoming school year. When I opened the front door and stepped out, Tommy smiled and waved and Kathy stood with her hands on her hips and sortof glared.

"Hi, April, it's okay if I go to Lana King's. It's cool that she has her own pool cuz the public one was sortof smashed by the tornado. Now I know why they have that big fence up, insurance, right?" I giggled to myself, little did he know... I touched him on the shoulder and smiled.

"Great!" Kathy looked me in the eye. "Don't mess around with those girls you met this afternoon!" she said with a very serious tone to her voice. I shrugged my shoulders and asked why I would want to do that.

"You just hanging around with Tommy is gonna irritate them. They're some of the... um... to use your term, GWG's of the eighth grade and you have their main man here!"

Kearns rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, but loud enough so we could hear, "Not this crap again!" Then he spoke normally, "What is it about you girls that this stuff is so important?"

Big Sis retorted, "How about you? You only hang around with sports guys!"

"I am a sports guy and we are usually in the same place at the same time."

"With the same girls too!" Kath grunted.

"Not right now I'm not," he said with a grin and a glance in my direction. Jeez that little look, it made my legs feel like rubber! I grabbed the railing to steady myself. Was I madly in love with this... um... person or what? She turned on her heels and went inside with a grunt. Guess seventh graders and all boys just would never get it. Too bad, huh.

We went in and said our farewells so that the folks could give us the once over, they seem to like to do that, and we began our trek. I was wondering how to tell my chum what to expect at King's house.

"How's the magazines, Kearns?" I asked.

"What?"

"Read any good books lately?" He turned bright red. "My dad found 'em." I looked at him in horror.

"Oh no!" Actually, I kindof wanted to check them out again myself, in the privacy of my own room, of course. We said almost simultaneously, "And we had a little talk."

It was so cute! Everybody and I do mean everybody gets the famous "talk" on occasion, must help pubic hair growth or something. I asked him how bad it was.

"Not horrible, the usual stuff." He returned to his normal color.

"You didn't tell anybody you slept with me did you?" Whoa, this was the wrong question! He turned red again and stuttered something that sounded like a negative.

"You remember how nice it was, don't you?" He touched my hand.

"Yeah, it really was." We stopped and looked at each other for a minute, then walked on silently. Lana's loomed before us and I could hear noise from beyond the fence.

"Tommy, you like surprises?"

"Depends..."

"Well, you're about to get a huge one!" He looked at me quizically all the way up King's front porch. "What do you think of my new swimsuit?" I asked with a sortof giggle.

"I haven't seen it," he replied with a shrug.

"Well, you won't now either!"

He gave me a strange look. "What do you mean by that?" he said. I giggled some more and knocked on the front door. I was really enjoying playing this game with my... um... date, even though it probably wasn't fair, but he'll forget all about it shortly.

"Sir," I thought to myself, "you are about to witness what most boys, probably men too, for that matter, can only dream of."

Lana answered the door, clad in one of the classic King family robes, and gave me a little hug.

"Aha, blonde and green again, I see." I laughed, noticing she had returned her hair to normal.

"But, of course, milady, I kindof missed it after all," she responded. Then she noticed who I brought and looked at me intently. She whispered in my ear.

"This is Kearns, right? Is he okay, really?"

I shook my head in the affirmative.

"At least, I think so."

She directed us to come in and said we were the first arrivals. Tommy was funny! I knew he'd be impressed by Lana, but I never expected this! He was like a zombie or robot or something. Just kept looking up at probably one of the only girls in school that was taller than him, and staring with his mouth open. If we didn't put something in it soon, he'd be drooling!

We kindof waltzed into the house which was not exactly like the other houses in the neighborhood.

"Wow, this is some place!" Tommy said looking around in amazement.

"He speaks!" Lana exclaimed.

"Rolls over too!" I added. Her parents came up to greet us and admonished us to eat, drink and enjoy ourselves. We were already doing the latter, and thanks to the proximity of food and beverage we were about to do the former as well. Our pretty hostess suggested we go out by the pool, it being such a sunny and warm day. Kearns asked where he could change. Whoops, here it comes!

"Change?" Lana said.

"Anywhere you like, dear boy!"

"We don't really like to change, though," I added, unless it is absolutely necessary."

He looked at us with surprise.

"What do you do then, swim in your clothes?" Lana and I both giggled like crazy!

"Noooo," we laughed.

"What is option number two, sir?" Lana said through her chuckles.

"Huh?" He commented and suddenly the whole thing dawned on him and he turned red again. "You don't mean... Do you swim naked?"

"Not only us, but you too!" I added. He shook his head in disbelief.

New York calmly put down her drink, stood up and peeled off her robe. Wow, she'd done some body work! Her muscles were superb, she was literally breathtaking.

"Hey, you shaved again!" I yelled.

"Why, yeth of courth," she responded, coyly sucking on her fingers and swaying her hips, little girl like. She was beautiful all smooth from head to foot. The boy's reaction to this was... well... typical, he was trying so hard not to look! Lana caught my eye and I think we were thinking the same thing, that this was unfair. New York's eyes softened as she moved toward a very confused Kearns. She gently pushed his hair back and put her other hand on his shoulder.

"Look at me, Tommy, it's okay. You can't tell me you've never seen anything like this before. I'm sorry if I freaked you with the seventh grade strip tease routine, I don't know what I was thinking." She crouched down so they were eye to eye and gave him a little kiss on the forehead. "Better now?" she asked.

"Should I put my robe back on?"

"Um... um... no!" He mumbled, voice cracking.

I removed my garments with a lot less flair and joined New York in front of our man. Lana stood up to get a better look at my armpits.

She giggled, "Cute, April, very cute! But... oh my... look, there's nothing there!" She crouched down again, regarding my bottom with interest. Suddenly, a voice rang out from the peanut gallery.

"Are you two nuts? Or are you trying to drive me nuts?" Kearns shook his head in disbelief.

"Actually, we want you to join us." I said.

"What? I can't take my clothes off!" Lana and me started to discuss the whole issue of being nude and I realized she still thinks the BBC is a goofy idea.

"What'll we have, three or four members?" she asked sarcastically.

Kearns listened with interest and finally said, "I think you've both lost your minds, people around here would never accept you doing anything like that!"

"How about you, Tommy, want to join? The benefits are right in front of you!" He looked us over slowly and shook his head. "I just can't believe I'm doing this! April, I've never seen you like this before and Lana, I've never seen you at all, not this closely anyway and... God... I've never seen anything prettier in my entire life! It's just... well... too much!" He buried his head in his hands.

We arranged our chairs so he was between us and gently caressed him.

"Are you okay?" I asked, starting to be a little concerned about this experiment of mine. He looked at me and smiled.

"You're kidding aren't you? This is... this is... well, I don't know what this is, but I don't want it to stop, ever!" Lana and I glanced at each other again and smiled.

"Why don't you be like us, my man?" she asked, "After all, we're going to be team mates, right?" He said he'd heard something about that but that it's not all that easy, that you don't just sign up. She put her hands on her hips indignantly and strode over to the basketball court.

She picked up a ball, did a neat dribbling sequence and zoomed toward the hoop. She did a ballet style spin and began this tremendous leap. The slam dunk that followed was almost boring by comparison. Her rippling muscles and streaming platinum hair reminded me of those pictures you see of female warriors. Kearns gazed in disbelief, he actually stood up and clapped! "Whoa, that was awesome!" She sauntered over to him and smiled.

"Wanna defend, sucka?" I could tell by the intense look that she was dead serious and we were impressed. The lady that stood before us could easily rip someone like my nemesis, Lauren, to shreds! Lana gave real meaning to the term, "hardbody".

"C'mon, play or pay!" She gestured at Kearns' shorts, obviously desiring their removal. He once again said that he couldn't do that. "Okay, then..." She tossed him the ball and told him to get after it.

He played and he had to pay. He smirked at first, thinking about how easy it was to play against girls, no doubt. I would imagine the eighth grade GWG's were pretty lightweight competition, all giggly and whatnot. At first, he played like Lana was no threat. She... um... tied him in knots! Eventually it was star versus star, a very interesting and exciting game, but the early lead paid off. New York even backed off a little and she clobbered him without even breathing hard.

"Wow, you've got to play with us!" Kearns exclaimed, "We won't lose a game this year! Lana was very sportsperson-like about the whole thing, she gave him a huge hug. "Good game, Tom, thanks."

"How often do you get one of those from an opponent?" I asked, moving over and hugging both of them and suggesting that it was time for a swim. We were interrupted by Bryan, Victor and Sam, who came strolling out of the garage. They looked at Kearns.

"Hey, how about a fourth for a game, you and me against Vic and Sam?" Bryan picked the ball up and started bouncing it around. Our hero just stood there amazed as the King boys removed their robes. Lana ran toward them yelling, "Hey how about me!"

"Nah, we're sick of playing girlie ball!" her brother exclaimed. She groaned and jumped on him, soon they were rolling around on the grass. Tommy was absolutely astounded by this. "How can they do that?" he asked, wide eyed. I replied that it was just a bit of sibling fun. "They goof around like that all the time!" He said that there was no way he could ever wrestle with a girl, even if both had their clothes on.

Suddenly... Splash! Lana was in the pool with her three brothers jumping in after her. Tommy went over and started shooting baskets by himself, soon to be joined by the dripping male Kings. Ah... but are there any female ones? I always thought they were called queens! Ha, ha. Anyway she came trotting over to join me, dripping wet and unhappy with her brothers.

"Men! How did they get to be the ones with the muscle?" Funny, here she was absolutely stunning with this rippling flesh and she's complaining. She looked at me seriously and asked me quietly what the shrink said today. I tried to explain as best as I could, realizing that Saur really gave me more information than I was previously aware of now that I thought about it. Her smile of relief was neat and I was happy to lighten her burden, at least for now. I suggested that maybe she'd like to see the doc herself.

"I'm sure your folks would think it was okay," she said that both her parents had seen therapists in the past. "If you are so worried about it, do it! Saur's not allowed to tell anybody what you talk about."

"Maybe I will..." she said, still uncertain.

Mister King emerged with a cooler and a bag of snack stuff, directing us to help ourselves and telling his darling daughter to put her robe on and receive more guests. Lana promptly complied and I followed, grabbing one of her brother's robes from the ball area, just in time to see an amazing lay in shot by my hero. I blew him a kiss and he smiled back. Well, at least he'd finally taken off his pants, but that ugly swimsuit of his had to go! New York opened the door to reveal the presence of Kristina, Sid... um... Chuck, Stubby and the fifth graders, Tom, Bill and Mike. I was happy to see them and for starters gave Kid a huge hug.

"It is really neat to see you again, April!" she said with enthusiasm. "Hope we have a great school year!"

I shook the hands of the seventh grade boys, who seemed speechless viewing the decor, not to mention the beauty of their hostess. The young uns were very excited.

"Wow, what an awesome place! Cool!"

I thought I overheard Kid whisper to Lana, "I don't know about how this will work out."

Sid overcame his trance just long enough to say, "What's with the robes, is it bathtime or what? We forgot our rubber duckies." Stubby, always pushing in to Chuck's jokes pointed to the younger boys.

"I thought these were them. Ha ha." The objects of this funmaking took it with a lot of class, they just glared at the perpetrators. Everybody and I do mean everybody exchanged the usual pleasantries and we made our way outside for refreshments and relaxation.

I noticed with pleasure that the basketballing had come to an end and all four participants were swimming around. I also was well aware of the fact that suits were generally not allowed in the King's pool. Yep, there it was, Tommy's ugly suit tossed in a lump at the water's edge. I yelled to the hero that he should come out and meet our new arrivals. He pretended not to hear me, so I motioned to Lana that we should take matters into our own hands, we doffed our robes and jumped in! The water felt beautiful washing over me, so warm, so... um... wet. I never thought I'd do this again after France, but here I was, and I just wanted to float around and slip into daydreams. However, I really wanted to teach Tommy to be comfortable with this and I swam over toward him. "Yikes!" he exclaimed when I touched him on the shoulder.

"April, you probably shouldn't come this close to me." I gave him an innocent look, which prompted New York, who had just paddled over, to roll her eyes.

"Why would that be?" He mentioned that we were giving him a problem. I looked at Lana and then I looked down into the water, she smiled with understanding. Suddenly we were both submerged at the feet of Kearns, glancing up we noticed the nature of the problem which, indeed, he had. Once again on the surface we smiled at our boy, who was changing colors like a rotating prism in the sun. He was apologizing!

"I just can't help it!" he exclaimed with a pleading tone in his voice, "I don't mean for it to and I'm real sorry." He turned away from us mumbling something about how girls just don't know what it's like.

"Ooooh yes we do, it's only not as apparent!" I said, caressing his shoulders.

"Actually, I'm flattered," Lana added, joining the massage team, "It's a nice feeling to see that you are having an effect on somebody."

I echoed her sentiment in spades!

"Seriously, Tommy, we're sorry about your condition and you don't have to get out until you really want to. We both really want you to get used to doing this cuz it's so awesome. It feels good, doesn't it?"

He grudgingly admitted that it did. Bryan, Sam and Victor swam over to us thinking we had some kind of problem and Lana tried to give a gentle explanation. They understood.

"Is that all it is?" Bryan commented.

"Happens to me all the time!" Victor added and Sam nodded in agreement, "Keep swimming, it'll go away. By the way, I think you managed to completely freak your friends!"

I looked over to where the guests had been and saw that they moved to the edge of the pool, staring. Ah, the adventurous spirit of youth! The fifth graders, Tom, Bill and Mike immediately got the message. They yanked off their duds, and with a shout of pure joy, joined us in the water. Soon all present were splashing around having a great time. Bill swam up to me and said that he never thought they'd ever swim like this again. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"Me too! I love you guys!" This is just what Kearns needed, it seemed. He was goofing around and I had to smile about it. Chuck and Stubby stood and stared, loose jawed at the drama unfolding before their eyes but I couldn't see the Kid. Oh, there she is, back by the tables untying her shoes. I decided to get out of the water and go see the landlubbers.

I pulled myself out at the feet of two dazed boys.

"Hi, guys, nice that you could come!" Wheee, the cooler air gave me goosebumps, over every inch of my body! Stubby continued to stare, which, actually, I preferred to that looking but not looking stuff I usually get, what I was getting from Sid... uh... Chuck.

"Er... Hi, April, nice to... um... see you... er... that is... um... could I ask you something?"

I walked over and grabbed a towel.

"Sure, I replied, "but would you dry my back off, please, I can't reach it and I'm getting chilly."

He stood there holding the towel and stuttering, ignoring my dripping back.

"C'mon Sid!" I pleaded. There was no reaction, an absolute first for somebody who never wanted to be called by his father's name and let you know about it immediately. I soon found out why. A very wet and very pretty Lana King emerged from the deep.

"Hey, Kid," I yelled, "Where did you get these zombies from?"

Out of the shadowy void behind the tables padded little Kristina, modestly wrapped in her towel. Lana gave her a hug and asked if she could borrow her towel a minute. Kid flashed that cute itty bitty smile of hers and blushed when she handed her wrap to wonder woman. We giggled at the boys' inability to focus their gaze in any one place. Ah, someone else is coming forth, a beautiful, Tommy Kearns, without his "problem"!

"This is awesome!" he exclaimed, noticing and greeting the new arrivals.

"Hey, are you guys chicken, or what?" I rolled my eyes at the comments of such a brave and experienced naturist! He regarded us standing there, turned toward the zombies and asked them if we weren't the prettiest sight they'd ever seen.

At this point, I notced the pool was empty. Tom, Bill and Mike had come over, curious about what was happening. I asked Lana where her brothers were.

"They fled to the four winds like they always do!" she laughed. Chuck glared at the fifth graders.

"Aren't you guys a little young to be looking at naked girls?" Stubby nodded in agreement but added that they probably were okay with it cuz being just little people, they couldn't have... um... problems.

I'd just about had enough.

"Now look," I said. "You guys have a chance of a lifetime here and you sit there gawking and talking down to people. Stop with the baloney already, will you? Be as honest with us as we are with you." I went very close to them. "Look," I said as I slowly turned around, "this is me, this is all of me. Be happy with that, please." I pointed at the sky which was filled with the beautiful colors of a late summer dusk. "It's a beautiful night and we are all part of what makes it so."

Suddenly, little Japanese lanterns blinked on and the swimming pool light made the water shimmer, it was like our own fairyland! A fragrant Southern breeze caressed us gently. Chuck and Stubby slowly peeled off obviously terrified. I smiled and hugged both of them as did Lana and the Kid. The boys warmly shook their hands. Kristina's boys were in absolute shock.

"That was okay wasn't it?" I asked. Chuck, trying to hide all he could with his hands, expressed his discomfort. New York giggled. "It'll be easier next time!"

"Next time?" Stubby asked. Everybody and I do mean everybody cheered.

We had more guests later most of whom joined with us, some were reluctant. They were folks Lana had met while I was in France. Unfortunately, the younger naturists had to leave, the fifth, actually now sixth, graders. I wondered how they had come to be here in the first place so I asked. Apparently Mr. and Mrs. King had the parents over for a visit earlier at Lana's request, textiled of course, and convinced them to allow the boys to come. I was surprised that she had remembered and cared enough to invite them. It turned out to be a great party!

We all goofed off for awhile. The usual junior highish stuff was made awesome by our lack of attire. I was amazed at how comfortable we all became. Later on, the elder Kings picked up some pizza and we had a nice nightime snack. It was almost like a family gathering or something. We all seemed to feel... um... together. I took the opportunity to discuss the BBC and the interest ranged from Kearn's, "What a great idea!", to Lana's "You're nuts!" I promised to set it up and let 'em know when and where we could meet. The cool darkness of nightime was closing in, it was getting late. Mr. King brought his portable phone out and announced that we should feel free to call for a ride if we needed it. A collective sigh flew into space, it was time to get dressed, it was time to go home.

The guests began to leave, almost unanimously saying this was the party of the century. Lana, Kristina and I inadvertantly found ourselves together in the same place at the same time.

"I hate to bring this up," Lana whispered, "but I was wondering if anybody's heard about the trial we have to testify at."

The End