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Message-ID: <31819asstr$996988203@assm.asstr-mirror.org>
From: "Bill Morgan" <morg1058@chartervt.net>
Subject: {ASSM} NEW from Morgan: ALLISON, 3 of 4; M/F Rom
Date: Sun,  5 Aug 2001 01:10:03 -0400
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Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories
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<1st attachment, "Allison 3.txt" begin>

The following is a work of fiction regarding sexual
relationships.  If you feel that it is illegal, immoral, or
otherwise improper for you to read this, then DON'T READ IT.

* * *

Allison

Copyright Morgan, 1988, 2001.  All Rights Reserved.

Please note the original copyright date.  This story was
basically written 13 years ago.  As a result, you may find
references to, e.g., "antique" computers, and so forth.  I'm
afraid you'll just have to live with it; it's too tedious trying
to keep up with the latest and greatest in technology in general
and computers in particular.

Incidentally, you will find occasional entries, _word_.  The
reason for this is that MS Word's Auto Format function puts a
word preceded and followed by an underscore in italics; that's my
intent.  Similarly, *word* results in the word appearing in bold
face.  If you use Word's Auto Format, it will take care of
things; if you don't, you at least know why it's there.

More of my works are posted on my site <www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/Morgan/www> If
you like it -- or if you don't -- please let me know at
morg105829@aol.com.

* * *

Chapter 13

It was a cold evening in New York when their flight landed at
Kennedy International Airport.  Ali stretched and yawned having
slept during most of the flight east.  There was a layover until
their Swissair flight for Zurich departed and she took the time
mentally to review their plans for the upcoming trip.  As soon as
they had decided to spend January in Switzerland, Ali had called
her old friend, Karl Gaudli, who lived in Zurich.  She had met
Karl years earlier when she was in Switzerland making a skiing
movie.  She knew that Karl and his wife had a daughter who was
now eighteen and an outstanding skier.  She had been a member of
the Swiss national junior ski team.

When she reached Karl, she filled him in on what had happened to
her since they had last communicated.  When he learned she was
now married to Bill Clifford, Karl let out a low whistle.  For
some years now he had been with one of the major Swiss banks. 
The Clifford name   and money   were well known to him.  Finally,
she got to the purpose of her call: "Karl, would your daughter,
Karen, have any interest in being our guest for a month of skiing
in Zermatt?  Bill's son, Brian, will be with us."

Karl said it sounded like fun and promised to relay the
invitation.  Subsequently it was accepted.

Although she had told Bill about the plans they hadn't said a
thing to Brian.  They were supposed to meet him in the Swissair
first-class lounge at Kennedy.  After quickly checking in, they
went to the lounge, and Ali's heart was in her mouth.  The last
thing she needed was another scene -- this one in public.

While Bill was checking in with the attendant, a young man with
long blonde hair came up to her.  He looked shy, but his hand was
outstretched.  "Mrs. Clifford?  Mom?  I'm Brian."

Ali looked at him and took his hand.  Then she pulled him close
and hugged and kissed him.  "Hi, Brian," she whispered.  "Merry
Christmas, and thank you so much!"

Brian Clifford was tall and very slim.  He was twenty years old
but Ali didn't think he weighed over 155.  He looked puzzled and
said, "Thank _me?_  For what?"

She smiled her sunshine smile and said, "For calling me Mom. 
Brian, I love it and would be very proud if you wanted to call me
that.  Honestly, though, it's far more than I dared hope!"

Bill had finished the process and joined them.  He shook hands
with Brian and then hugged him.  Ali thought, _At least this is
starting off a lot better than the last time._  Their flight was
called and they boarded the Boeing 747.  After a magnificent
meal, Ali took down a couple of blankets, slipped off her sweater
and put Bill's hand on her bare breast.

She slept through the overnight flight, awakening as they were
entering their final approach to Zurich.  She quickly slipped
back into her sweater, grinned at Bill, and folded the blanket. 
"Bill, that was so nice!  Thank you so much."

He grinned at her and said, "You thanked me nicely, I won't even
complain about my sprained wrist.  I sprained it keeping it bent
around you all night."

The plane rolled to a stop at the gate and they disembarked.  For
reasons best know to itself, Swissair considers Geneva to be the
air gateway to Zermatt.  However, there is excellent train
service south from Zurich connecting with the mountain train at
Brig.  Moreover, they were meeting Karen at the Swissair
first-class lounge.

As they walked down the concourse and turned towards the lounge,
Ali's heart was again in her mouth.  She had started off very
well with Brian and hoped she wasn't going to screw things up
now.  As they were about to go in, she realized she had no idea
what Karen Gaudli looked like.  Entering the lounge, they were
greeted by an attendant.  Just then, a beautiful slender blonde
girl came up to her and said, "Mrs. Clifford?  I'm Karen Gaudli.
My parents asked me to give you their warmest regards."

Ali breathed a sigh of relief.  This was almost too good to be
true.  She introduced Karen to Bill and then to Brian.  "Brian,
Karen is the daughter of very dear friends of mine.  She lives
here in Zurich and is going to be skiing with us in Zermatt.  She
was a member of the Swiss national junior ski team, so I think
she'll probably be able to keep up with you," she said with a
grin.

Turning to Karen, she asked if she was all set.  All she had with
her was a knapsack.  Everything else was checked through to
Zermatt with the railroad.  There the hotel porter would claim
her baggage for her and bring it over to the hotel.  They went to
the Swissair baggage claim and retrieved their things, taking
them only the few feet required to reach the railroad baggage
checking facility.  Then they went down to the railroad station
below the Zurich airport and boarded their train for Brig.

As they ate lunch in the dining car, the train wound through the
mountains that repeatedly slice east and west across Switzerland.
 When they went back to their compartment, Ali went to sleep
leaning on Bill's shoulder.  As she dozed off she could hear the
young people talking across from her.  They changed to the
mountain train at Brig and began to wind south up into the
mountains.  The glacier at Zermatt fed a small stream that became
one of the headwaters of the Rhone River.  When they reached
Zermatt it was dark and they were only a few miles above the
Italian border.

They were greeted by a driver from the Hotel Zermatterhof. 
Riding down the small main street in the battery-powered car,
they pulled up at the front entrance and quickly checked in.  Ali
and Bill were shown to their suite while Brian and Karen were
shown to their respective rooms.  The two young people thought
they would look around the town while Bill and Ali just shook
their heads and headed for bed.

That night, Ali kissed Bill and whispered, "I owe you.  Lie on
your back."  He did and closed his eyes.  Ali used her fingers
and lips to bring him to a raging erection and then lowered
herself down on it.

He smiled with his eyes closed and murmured, "What are you
doing?"

She leaned over and kissed him passionately.  "I'm fucking
myself, silly.  What do you think I'm doing?"  Just then she came
and brought him over the edge with her.

The next morning the four met for breakfast in the dining room. 
Ali decided that she and Bill were in fine shape but the young
people didn't look too good.  She raised an eyebrow and asked,
"What time did you two get back to the hotel last night?"

Karen smothered a yawn with her hand while Brian shook his head
and replied, "Not early enough, it seems."

They started a pattern that they continued for the next ten days.
 Bill and Ali would be met by a guide they had retained and in
consultation with him they would decide on a mountain for skiing
that day.  Then they would take the appropriate lift and start
skiing.  Inevitably Brian and Karen would disappear in the
direction of the expert terrain.  At noon the four would meet at
one of the mountainside restaurants.  If it was sunny they would
sun themselves on the deck while they sipped beer, cider or wine.
 Then the couples would go off separately again not to meet until
the end of the day.  Then they would have a sauna and a massage.

Ali watched closely when Karen and Brian caught up with them at
noon.  They were always laughing and joking, but Ali was certain
she was seeing a familiar light in Karen's eyes.  Occasionally,
they would go out dancing with the young people after dinner but
more often they stayed at the hotel.

Then on the morning of the eleventh day at breakfast, Brian came
up to their table.  Ali saw Karen sitting alone at another table.
 Brian took a deep breath and said, "Dad, could I speak with Mom
alone?  Would you mind eating with Karen over there?"

Bill shrugged and went over to join Karen.  Ali looked at Brian
expectantly.  "What is it, Brian?"

"Mom... Mom, I slept with Karen last night," he blurted out.

Ali just looked at him calmly.  "Was it good?  For both of you?"

Brian looked at Ali strangely.  "What do you mean, 'for both of
you?'  I don't understand."

"Brian, boys and girls are different.  Men can get off a lot
faster than women can.  On the other hand, women can cum far more
often than men can.  That's why a male prostitute is essentially
a contradiction in terms.  A woman can take far more men than a
man can have women.  Do you understand?"  She smiled at him
warmly and said again, "Was it good for both of you?"

Brian looked sheepish.  "Mom, I guess it was better for me than
it was for Karen.  I don't know, though.  I really didn't think
about it.  What should we do?"

"Brian, I think I should talk to Karen and you should talk to
your dad.  Brian, your father is one of the world's greatest
lovers and I'm sure you could learn a lot.  I want to talk to
Karen.  But first, what did you and she have in mind?  I'm sure
you didn't come over just to make a confession."

"We thought we could change rooms... get one room with a double
bed.  Could we?"
				
Ali smiled at him again and said, "First, I want to talk to
Karen.  Then, if she's really willing, I'll call her parents. 
Brian, she's our guest and the daughter of a good friend.  I'm
responsible for her and I have to take that responsibility
seriously.  Is that all right with you?"

It was obvious Brian wasn't happy, but it seemed to be the best
arrangement he was going to get.  He went over to the other table
and Karen came over to join Ali.  She was blushing as she sat
down.  She said, "Mrs. Clifford, Brian told you... about us?"

Ali put out her hand and took the girl's hand in hers.  "Yes,
Karen, he did.  Tell me, was it good for you?"

Karen looked puzzled.  "Good?  I don't understand.  I think it
was good for Brian."

Ali shook her head and said, "No, Karen.  I know it was good for
Brian.  I asked if it was good for you?  Tell me about it.  What
did you do?"

It was all Ali could do to keep a straight face.  It was so
obvious that this girl's English -- which was perfect -- was
lacking in a sexual vocabulary.  Ali glanced at her watch.  They
had finished eating by this time so she said to Karen, "Come up
to our room with me."

She went over to the other table and said, "Bill, could you tell
the guide we'll be going up the mountain late today?  Say, at one
o'clock?  And how about if you and Brian do some of the things
that men find to do while Karen and I have some girl talk?  And,
Bill, if you need anything from our room you better come up and
get it now."  They had their ski wear on so Bill came up to
change into more comfortable clothes for walking around town with
his son.  He left Ali alone in the suite with the girl.

Ali took off her ski wear and stood in front of Karen almost
naked except for her bikini pants.  Karen looked at Ali, shook
her head, and said, "My father said you were very beautiful.  But
words fail: it's like saying the Matterhorn is big.  It's true,
but it's inadequate.  Mrs. Clifford, you are gorgeous!"

Ali smiled her thanks and put on her jeans and chambray shirt. 
Then she sat down and looked at Karen.  "Karen, we were talking
about you.  I asked if sleeping with Brian was good for you. 
What did he do and what did you do?"

Karen was obviously uncomfortable.  Somehow seeing Ali nearly
nude had eased things for her in some fashion.  She said, "Brian
stroked my... my breasts?"

Ali nodded and said quietly, "In English, they are sometimes
called boobs or tits.  But yes, in the dictionary, they are
breasts.  Brian stroked them and then what happened?"

"Then he took off my pants, spread my legs, and put his thing
inside me.  Then it was all over and he went to sleep.  And I
guess I just tossed and turned."

Ali shook her head and asked, "Is that all?  Did you touch him?"

"There wasn't time.  He was hurting.  He needed to get inside me
quickly.  So I let him."

Ali said softly, "Karen, that was terrible.  You must love him
very much.  Do you?"

Karen's eyes widened in amazement.  "I do love him.  But why did
you say that?"

Again Ali shook her head.  "Because if he did that to a girl in
the States, she might have slapped his face.  For damned sure she
wouldn't ever care to see him again.  Karen, Brian left you cold.
 I'll bet when he was finished you were shaking.  You wanted
something more, but didn't know what, but he was already asleep.
Is that what happened?"

The girl's jaw dropped as Ali was speaking.  "How could you know
that?  I was vibrating!  I didn't know what to do.  What could I
do?"

This time Ali grinned and said, "You could have punched him in
the ribs, woke him up and told him, 'Do me!' or you could have
done yourself.  It's not very satisfying but it sure beats
tossing in bed all night.  Karen, did you ever sleep with a boy
before Brian?"

Karen reddened and said, "Once.  It was awful.  It really hurt! 
But what do you mean, 'Do me?'  What does that mean?"

Ali explained that it meant the man spread the girls legs and
licked her cunt and nibbled on her clit to bring her to orgasm. 
She then explained female masturbation.  Karen's eyes widened as
she listened.  Finally the girl said, "But that's not nice!"

"What's 'not nice' about it?  I'll admit it's not as nice as both
of you cuming together.  Karen, I want to tell you something.  As
far as I'm concerned, Brian's father, Bill Clifford, is the
greatest lover alive.  Last night, for example, Bill came in me
three or four times, and I must have cum a dozen times or so. 
With a father like that, there's just no excuse for Brian.  As I
said, you must love him or you wouldn't be here now.  You would
be on the train headed back to Zurich."

She smiled warmly at the girl and took her in her arms.  Then she
held her away and said, "Karen, would you like to have a suite of
your own with Brian?  One like this?  However, if we arrange it,
you must promise me to kick him out of bed if he can't perform
better than he has.  It's called incentive: If he's good, he can
sleep with you beside him in the bed.  If he's not, he sleeps on
the cold floor.  What do you think?"

Karen giggled at the thought of Brian sleeping on the cold floor.
 Then she said, "But Mrs. Clifford, that would be cruel!"

Ali said, "No, Karen.  It's not cruel, it's called an incentive.
Now, would you like a suite like this one?"  The girl agreed
instantly.  Ali called the front desk and made arrangements for
the two to be moved to the suite down the hall from theirs.

Then she called Zurich and explained things to Karl.  He said he
had hoped Karen would be nice to Brian but he didn't expect her
to be _that_ nice.  Finally Ali explained that they were going to
be in a comfortable suite.  She said finally, "Karl, it's a lot
better than trying to do it on the mountainside somewhere."  He
laughed and agreed it was.  Ali hung up the phone.  "I guess it's
all set then.  Karen, would you mind getting undressed?  I would
like to see your body."

The girl quickly stripped off her clothes and Ali gave a soft
whistle of appreciation.  Karen's body was magnificent.  She
nodded and Karen got dressed again.  When she was again seated,
Ali said, "I think I'm going to murder my stepson!  Karen, you
have a body a man should worship!  And he just takes you like a
sack of potatoes.  His father would disown him if he knew!"

She then spent the next couple of hours telling Karen about
handling men and how she should behave.  When it was over, she
realized that Karen had spent a great deal of the time blushing.
Ali reassured her there was nothing she described that she and
Bill didn't do regularly.

Then she said, "Karen, you and Brian need to experiment with your
bodies.  Everyone is different.  Try different things.  Talk
about it.  Find out what you both like best.  Bill and I sort of
like everything.  Whoops, I almost forgot!  It's like second
nature to us now.  Karen, every night regardless of how many
times we've made it or how, when we're ready to go to sleep I
snuggle as close to Bill as I can get.  My head is on his
shoulder.  His arm pulls me close to him and his hand is cupped
over my boob.  Every morning when I awaken his hand is still
there.  Sometimes he awakens first and squeezes my boob.  If I
waken first, I squeeze his hand.

"Karen, there is nothing as nice as lovemaking first thing in the
morning when you're not even fully awake yet.  It's so nice and
slow.  It's the greatest way in the world to wake up.  Try it.  I
think you'll like it."

That afternoon, as she and Bill were riding the lifts, she told
him about her talk with Karen.  Then she said, "I told her you
were the greatest lover in the world and you would kill your son
if you knew what he had done."  She hadn't yet told Bill about
the beginning of the story.  She said, "Bill, he felt her boobs
-- and they are simply magnificent, by the way -- stripped off
her pants, took her, and went to sleep.  He was sleeping while
she was still tossing in frustration.  The poor kid is so
innocent she had no idea what to do.  She thought that was the
way it always was."

"What did you say to her?" he asked with a smile.  He had been
shaking his head as Ali told the story.

"I told her to punch him in the ribs, wake him up and tell him to
do her."  She grinned at Bill and said, "And as for you, Dad, you
better be sure he knows how!  I'll be damned if I'm going to give
my stepson lessons in how to eat a girl's cunt!"  They were
riding a chair lift at the time.  Bill pulled her close and
kissed her softly.  The kiss lingered and he heard her make warm
noises deep in her throat.  Bill promised he would talk to Brian
before dinner.

That evening, Bill went down to the young people's suite and sent
Karen back to Ali.  Ali had hors d'oeuvres and a small bar set
up.  She knew liquor was very expensive in Switzerland so she and
Bill had brought in a duty-free supply.  She made Karen a
martini.  As she had guessed, it was the first one the girl had
ever had, but she sipped it appreciatively.  They made small talk
and then Karen said, "You told me about a man doing a girl.  Can
she do a man?"

"Yes, she can.  Would you like to, Karen?" Ali asked quietly.

"I think I would like to try," she said earnestly.

Ali gave her instructions and finished by saying, "Karen, I like
the taste of Bill's cum.  In fact I love it!  However, I heard
there's a very continental way: wash it down with champagne. 
I've heard that Dom Perignon is best."  With that she went to the
Minibar and took out a chilled bottle of the fine champagne and
gave it to the girl.  "Karen, you can keep it until the
opportunity presents itself, if you care to try.  Otherwise, just
drink it to celebrate."

The four had a magnificent dinner together.  Ali noticed that
Brian had dressed for the occasion and had even been to the
barber to have his hair trimmed.  She frequently had to cover her
mouth with her hand to mask a grin as the boy tried his best to
express his concern for Karen and her feelings.  For her part,
Karen just glowed.  After dinner, they adjourned to the small bar
for coffee and cognac.  Ali was looking at Bill and when she
caught his eye she licked her lips.  Karen and Brian excused
themselves early, pleading weariness.

That night Ali went down on Bill.  When he finally exploded in
her mouth, she jumped out of bed and went to the Minibar.  She
opened a bottle of Dom Perignon and poured glasses for each of
them.  She took a sip and said, "Yum!  The rumor is right."

Bill had been watching her with amusement.  "And what, may I ask,
is my bride doing?"

"I told Karen that if you go down on a man and take his cum in
your mouth, rumor has it that it washes down beautifully with Dom
Perignon."  She came back to the bed and climbed in beside him. 
She was surprised when his head went under the covers.

Moments later she could feel his mouth on her cunt and his teeth
nibbling at her love bud.  She spread her legs wide and raised
her hips.  She started to moan as he worked on her; her hips took
on a life of their own and began to move by themselves.  Finally,
she came in a flood of cum which he lapped up.  He licked her dry
and then moved back up in the bed beside her.

He reached for his champagne glass still sitting on the night
table and took a sip.  "Yum," he declared.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"Your love juices are great washed down with champagne, too," he
said with a smile.

 The next morning at breakfast, Ali and Bill each took a table
for two.  When the young people came down, Bill motioned Brian to
come over while Karen joined Ali.  Ali smiled at the girl as the
waiter came for their breakfast order.  Karen was now eating an
American breakfast rather than the usual Swiss breakfast of
croissant, butter and cold cuts.  Ali asked, "How was it?  Karen,
it had to be better than the last time.  You are positively
glowing!  What happened?"

The girl's eyes were dancing.  "Ali... Mrs. Clifford, it was
magnificent!  I came for the first time!  And then for the
second, third, fourth....  It must have been at least a dozen. 
Brian was so good!  He did me!  And then I did him.  And I tried
the champagne and it was wonderful.  But you were right: the very
best was this morning.  Last night after our lovemaking I
snuggled as close to him as I could and put his hand on my boob."
 The girl smiled warmly and added, "He says I'm more than a
handful!  Then this morning he woke me by squeezing my boob
gently, just as you described.  I just spread my legs and he
eased into me.  He was slow and soft and gentle.  Then I came
again and again and again."  The girl grinned and said, "I was
like the Swiss artillery firing salutes.  I just didn't stop! 
Then the girl's face became serious.  She said, "But then, Ali, I
fainted.  I was unconscious!  Do I need to see a doctor?"

Ali took the girl's hand and squeezed it.  "I think you should
probably see a doctor about birth control pills -- unless you
already have them.  Do you?"  The girl shook her head.  "As for
the other, you experienced your ultimate orgasm.  Karen, it's a
sensory overload.  You just couldn't take any more and everything
cut out.  It didn't hurt, did it?"

The girl relaxed and said, "Of course not!  But I thought I was
in good physical condition.  Ali -- may I call you Ali?  You are
like no mother I've ever known.  You're like an older sister I
can confide in.  Do you mind?"

Ali squeezed her hand and said, "Of course I don't mind.  Karen,
you're one of the most beautiful girls it's ever been my good
fortune to meet.  I would love to be your older sister!  Now what
about your physical condition?"

"Ali, I hurt in places I didn't know I had places.  And I thought
I was in great shape!"

Ali smiled and said, "Don't worry about it."  She looked at the
girl and asked, "How did it compare to the first time you were
with Brian?"

Karen grinned.  Ali thought her grin was cute.  She also decided
that grinning was very un-Swiss.  Then the girl said, "It was
like heaven compared to hell!  I understand now what you were
telling me."  Then she looked at Ali carefully and then whistled
softly.  "Ali, you were telling me it's like this for you night
after night after night.  You were, weren't you?"

"I certainly was!  That's the way it is for Bill and me every
night... and most days.  Now do you see why I was upset when you
told me about Brian just leaving you writhing while he went to
sleep?  The creep!"

Karen suddenly looked very serious.  "Ali, please don't be angry
at Brian.  He just didn't know, either.  Last night he was
magnificent!  He said his father had been talking to him.  Now,
Ali, what should I do tonight?"  Ali talked with the girl and
told her more about their bodies and lovemaking.

The following day they didn't see Karen or Brian.  The second
morning Karen came into the dining room alone.  She smiled at
Bill and joined them at their table.  Ali smiled back at the girl
and asked her how she was.  Bill excused himself to let the girls
talk.

All Karen could do was roll her eyes.  "I'm destroyed!  Ali, I
wanted to talk to you so I dragged my aching body out of bed.  I
complained to you about my body hurting two days ago?  Now, I
just ache all over."  She blushed prettily.  "Ali, my boobs are
now so sensitive that last night I came when Brian just caressed
them.  He wasn't even near my cunt!  Ali, how do you do it?  You
look magnificent.  I'm younger than you are and thought I was in
better condition, but it just shows how wrong I can be.  I really
just came down to tell you we're still alive -- but barely.  If
we sleep all day, I may have Brian in condition to meet you two
for dinner, if that's all right?"

Bill came back to the table and they both smiled warmly at the
girl as she made her way back to the restaurant door.  Ali could
see she could hardly walk.  As she disappeared from sight, Ali
took Bill's hand in hers.  She said, "Bill, she's a very
beautiful girl.  And it looks like you're going to have a Swiss
daughter-in-law."

Bill smiled and squeezed her hand.  "And all thanks to the wicked
stepmother."  He smiled and said, "I had to provide him some
coaching after that buildup you gave me.  Thanks, darling.  Now
how about some skiing?"

That evening they had decided to go to the hotel next door for
dinner and dancing.  Ali insisted that Bill wear a dinner jacket
and he called Brian to tell him.  Bill turned back to her and
said, "Darling, I'm not sure he has anything other than beat up
old army pants.  Formal for Brian is wearing shoes!"  Ali just
smiled.

When they met in the lobby, Ali noticed that Brian's hair was
even shorter than the previous time.  He was wearing a dinner
jacket and looked very handsome.  Karen was gorgeous.  Ali
noticed the girl just glowed with happiness.  The evening was one
of the nicest she could remember.  At one point Karen and Bill
were dancing, leaving Brian and her alone.  Brian leaned over and
kissed Ali on the cheek.  She rubbed her cheek gently and looked
at him.  "Brian, thank you.  But what was that for?"

"That was for being the best mother a guy could possibly hope to
have!  I thought I was a man of the world.  But I almost blew it
with Karen and she's as beautiful as you are."  He looked at her
and she was surprised to see tears in the corners of his eyes. 
He took her hand and held it.  "Mom, Dad says you are absolutely
the greatest.  Karen says so, too.  Mom, you won't believe some
of the things she does with me!..."  He interrupted himself and
grinned.  "Yes, you will!" he said.  "Karen says you taught her
all of them.  Mom, no wonder Dad looks so good.  He's never
looked as good as he does now!  Never!  And it's all you.  Mom,
all I can say is thanks.  We're really trying.  Incidentally,
Karen told me that sleeping with her head on my shoulder and my
hand on her boob was your idea.  She calls it a boob, by the way.
 She says you sleep that way with Dad every night.  Is that
true?"

Ali smiled at him warmly and said, "It sure is!  Brian, I can't
describe how wonderful it feels to snuggle close to your dad --
as close as I can get my body -- and have him hold my boob in his
hand.  I think it's particularly neat here in the Alps, with the
air so crisp and cold.  Then in the morning, he takes me slowly
and it's just magnificent."  She looked apprehensive and said, "I
hope what I said doesn't shock you?"

He grinned at her and said, "Mom, a couple of weeks ago I
wouldn't have been shocked but I wouldn't have known what you
were talking about, either.  After the last few days, I know
exactly what you mean."

He smiled and continued, "Karen and I take turns in the morning
now.  She says it is not fair for her to stay nice and snugly and
warm all the time while I have to get cold.  So she got on me
this morning, instead."  He smiled as he remembered.  "The room
was really cold.  She got on top of me and her skin was covered
with goose-bumps.  Then when I was in her she lay on top of me
and pulled the covers up over both of us.  Would you believe it?
We fell asleep that way?  I was still in her.  For what seemed
like hours one or the other of us would sort of wake up and move
a little just to be sure we were still in place, then fall asleep
again.  It must have been hours later when we finally came."

The next morning Karen and Brian joined them for breakfast.  Bill
was delighted to see them up and about.  Later, they began a
routine they followed for the rest of their stay.  Instead of
Karen and Brian going off together to the expert trails, they
skied with Ali and Bill, primarily on intermediate terrain.  In
the weeks they had been at Zermatt, Ali's skill on skis had come
back to her.  They found a run off one of the main trails that
had been set up with giant-slalom pylons.  Bill laughed
uproariously when he edged Brian's time by a couple of tenths of
a second.  Karen had won, of course, but Ali was a remarkably
close second.

Ali was wearing stretch pants that showed off her perfect legs. 
Karen was feeling very close to Ali by this time -- she addressed
her as sister in German.  She looked at Ali after her run and
after her time was posted.  She said, "I thought the legs are
supposed to go first?  Sister, when are your legs going to go?" 
Ali just laughed -- or tried to.  She was still trying to catch
her breath from the exertion in the thin mountain air.  The town
of Zermatt is over a mile high.  At the highest skiable point --
the Kleine Matterhorn -- the altitude is over 13,000 feet.  The
four had run the slalom course starting at 8,500 feet, or about a
mile and a half above sea level.

They found they enjoyed the skiing more when they weren't
pushing.  Ali had said, "This is a vacation.  What are we working
so hard for?"  Everyone had laughed, but they also started taking
the runs easier.

It didn't stop the horseplay between Karen and Brian, though. 
One day they were on a steep run that cut through a rocky ridge.
On the far side of the cut, the trail took a sharp turn to the
left.  Karen had positioned herself to Brian's left; as he
cleared the cut and began his turn Karen cut him off and ran him
head first into a huge, fluffy snow-bank which was positioned to
safely stop any skier who couldn't negotiate the sharp turn. 
Karen stopped and howled with laughter as Brian almost
disappeared into the fluffy snow with only his skis showing above
it.  As he emerged from the snow, he looked like a snowman with
snow stuck to everything.

While he wiped off his face with his gloves he threatened,
"Karen, just you wait!"

She yelped and launched herself down the trail.  With her speed
and skill there was no way he could catch her, but it did not
prevent him from getting his revenge.  The next morning Ali found
out from Karen that Brian had reached outside their window while
she was still asleep and made a snowball which he put right
between her naked breasts.  He was next to her on the bed when
she awakened with a scream.  He instantly covered her mouth with
his and held the snowball against her boobs as it slowly melted.
Karen said she didn't even mind after the first shock wore off
because the cold snow bothered Brian more than it did her.

Bill was very impressed at how relaxed the two young people now
seemed.  They were always laughing and joking.  Periodically, one
would ski over to the other for a kiss.  He spoke to Ali about
it.  "Honey, what did you do to these young people?  They seem to
be having such fun."

Ali just looked at him and said, "They're just behaving like we
do, dear."

When they finished the vacation, Brian was invited to stay over
for a few more days with the Gaudlis in Zurich.  It was obvious
that Karen ws planning on attending a college in the United
States to be close to Brian; Brian was even talking about
transferring to a different school with a stronger academic
program.  Bill asked Ali about that change as well.

She replied, "Bill, it's simple.  Brian is now a man with
responsibilities.  In fact, I guess you could say that he's
become a man."Chapter 14

Ali and Bill were back in Los Angeles.  Bill was meeting a banker
downtown and Ali was going over her investment portfolio.  She
had just given Barbara Jamison some stock trades to execute when
the phone rang.  It was Jennifer Clifford.  "Ali, welcome back! 
I just got a letter from my brother, Brian.  What did you do to
him?  The little kid seems to be floating in the clouds.  All he
could talk about was Karen who, I gather, is a Swiss girl you
introduced him to.  Who's Karen?"

"Your little brother found an angel!  Karen is a wonderful girl
who's the daughter of a Swiss friend of mine.  She also seems to
be madly in love with your brother.  She's a gorgeous blonde who
was on the Swiss national junior ski team.  Anyway, that's the
story.  But what are you doing?"

"That's really why I called.  I'm still working on the Strip and
the manager has decided I should get rid of my pubic hair so I'm
taking you up on your offer.  I guess it includes bringing my
father to see me dance, if you really insist.  Believe it or not,
I'm the headliner now.  Could you help me?  I guess it's
something I have to do, but I just can't bring myself to do it."

Ali agreed and said that she could come right over.  She ordered
her car out and drove to her old apartment that she had given to
Jennifer to use.  When the girl greeted her at the door, Ali was
immediately struck by how different she looked.  The first time
Ali had met her she had been grim and antagonistic.  The second
time she had been distraught.  This time she was smiling and
relaxed.

She invited Ali in and they had coffee.  Then Jennifer said,
"Ali, could we just forget about the hair?  Since we talked, I
realized how disgusting the whole thing is."

Ali smiled softly and said, "Jen, I want to see you dance.  It's
the price of admission.  Let's do it!"

"Thank you, Ali, very much.  I read the directions for the
infernal machine and already cut my hair short the way the
directions said."  She smiled wryly at Ali and said, "I thought
the kitchen counter could serve as the operating table.  The
directions say I need something firm under my ass."

With that Jennifer slipped off her shirt and shucked her jeans. 
Ali saw the girl had a magnificent body.  Her breasts were larger
than Ali's but perfectly shaped.  The rest of her body was slim,
supple, and muscular in a very feminine way.  Her pubic patch
looked odd -- almost as if she had a short crew-cut.  While Ali
examined the electrical instrument, she saw Jennifer take a piece
of hard rubber and put it between her teeth to bite on.  She slid
up on the counter with her right leg dangling over the edge to
flatten the pubic area as much as possible.

The instrument was all ready for use.  It was a strange thing
that caught a hair between rubber teeth and pulled it out by its
roots.  Ali started to work.  Jennifer remained perfectly still
although the process seemed never-ending and was obviously very
painful.  Once Ali glanced at the girl's face and saw tears of
pain streaming from her eyes while she could see the girl's jaws
locked on the hard rubber.  She was about to stop when Jennifer
signaled her to keep going.  Finally it was done.  Jennifer had
her head propped up against the wall of a closet at the end of
the counter and had been watching the whole process.

When Ali finished, Jennifer took the piece of rubber out of her
mouth and said huskily, "Thank God!"

Ali looked at her for a moment and then helped her off the
counter top, into the bathroom and ran the bathtub.  After
Jennifer gratefully lowered her body into the warm water, Ali
used the washcloth to wash off the sweat that had been streaming
from her body.  Finally she helped the girl out of the tub, dried
her off, and lay her on her back on the bed.  Then she took a
painkilling ointment and spread it on Jennifer's pubic area and
started to massage the girl's body.  There was not an apparent
ounce of fat on the girl -- just smooth skin and supple muscles.
As she worked, she saw Jennifer drift off to sleep.  When she
finished the massage, she covered the girl and darkened the room.
 Several hours later, Jennifer emerged from the room looking
angry.

Ali was startled and asked, "Jen, what's wrong?"

"You're what's wrong, Allison Clifford!  I ask you over here to
do me a favor.  Not only do you handle an impossible chore -- my
God, if a girl asked me to pull out her cunt hair, I would die! 
-- but you bathe me, dry me off and give me a massage to boot. 
Damn it, the only thing you didn't do was kiss me good night!" 
At that Jennifer bent over and kissed Ali sweetly on the lips,
whispering, "Good night, Mom!"

Then she grinned at Ali and held out her hands saying, "Come on,
Mom.  I've got to work on that decrepit body of yours and try to
keep it going for another couple of days!"  With that she pulled
Ali to her feet and led her into the bedroom.

Then she did for Ali what Ali had done for her -- bathing her in
a scented bath, drying her, and then massaging her body with oil.
 As she did she said, "Mom, I was pretty proud of my body until I
saw yours.  No wonder Dad is so happy!  You are out of this
world!"

As she massaged her muscles, Ali was moaning with the pleasure of
it.  She said, "Jen, where did you ever learn to do this?  You're
marvelous!"

Jen replied, "I'm a dancer, remember?  We have more aches and
pains than we can count so we always need a massage.  The only
way you can get a massage, though, is to be able to give one. 
But I'm only an amateur compared to you, anyway."  She finished
the massage leaving Ali asleep.  Then she pulled the covers over
her and kissed her sweetly again, whispering, "Thanks, Mom."

Later Ali was awakened.  As she opened her eyes, she found
Jennifer putting musk oil in her slit and between her breasts. 
The girl smiled and said, "Mom, it's time to go home.  I thought
I would set you up to be raped by Dad as you come in the door. 
Your glorious body is my gift to him tonight."  She grinned and
Ali grinned back.

When she got back to the suite Bill had just returned.  He took
her in his arms and kissed her softly.  As he did he whispered,
"My God, Ali.  What are you wearing?  You smell heavenly -- and
very exciting!" He continued to kiss her.  Soon they were making
love on the floor.  Their lovemaking was exquisite.

Ali knew that Jen was off that night.  The next evening she told
Bill she wanted to go out to a nightclub.  He looked at her
strangely but agreed.  Ali told Fred the name of the club on
Sunset Strip and timed their arrival for Jen's last show at
midnight.  Jennifer had made sure there was a table for them in
front next to the stage.

As they entered, Bill recognized the club immediately as a strip
joint so he looked at Ali strangely and said, "Honey, are you
sure this is really where you want to go?"  She said it was and
they walked in.  A stripper was ending her act as they were
seated.  There were the usual ribald yells and catcalls as well
as a host of lewd suggestions aimed at the dancer.  Bill started
to redden about the ears and glanced at Ali.  She appeared to be
oblivious to the whole thing -- she was not disturbed a bit.  She
even ignored a couple of low-voiced comments obviously aimed at
her.

After they were seated and ordered beer, the MC came out and
introduced the featured act at the club, Jenny.  When she first
came out on the stage, Bill partially rose from his chair.  Ali
took his hand in hers and squeezed it as he said softly, "It's
Jennifer!"

She nodded and whispered, "I know, darling."

The music changed dramatically from the traditional stripper's
beat to music that was slow and melodic.  Jennifer came out
wearing a white terry cloth bathrobe and sat at a mirrored
dressing table.  Then she took a letter from the table and read
it.  As she did, she allowed her robe to fall open and then slide
off her shoulders.  Now she was completely nude and fully visible
to the audience in the mirror.  It was obvious she was expecting
her lover to arrive after an extended absence.  First, she
carefully applied lipstick to her lips.  Then she quickly fixed
her hair and applied rouge lightly to her nipples and her nether
lips.  As she did, she spun around so the audience could have a
full view of her cunt as she spread her legs wide to apply the
rouge.  Then she rose from the chair and began to move as if she
were in a dream.

Ali thought she was extremely good as she moved with grace and
feeling dreaming her way through a seduction.  She lay on the
floor and ran her finger up her slit while spreading her legs
wide to welcome her lover inside her.  Ali noticed that the club
was very quiet with the music setting a mood rather than a beat.
Looking around, she saw the club was packed to the doors but the
audience was mesmerized watching Jennifer on the stage.  Finally,
she reached her orgasmic peak and her loins seemed to explode in
a frenzy of motion.

At one point in her dance she was close to the edge of the stage
directly in front of Bill and Ali.  She went to her knees, spread
them as wide as she could, and leaned over backward, arching her
back as her head touched the stage.  Meanwhile her slender
fingers were stroking her loins and her now-bare mound.  When she
jumped to her feet she gave Ali a quick wink.

The number concluded with door chimes ringing.  Jennifer seemed
to awaken, grabbed her robe and disappeared from the stage. 
There was thunderous applause that continued as, now wearing her
robe, she came back on the stage to take her bows.  Now there
were cheers and shouts of approval as Jennifer smiled, waved, and
left the stage.  Since hers was the last act in the show, the
house lights came up and the crowd noise started to increase in
volume.  Clearly, many in the audience were talking about the
performance they had just witnessed.

Then Bill looked at Ali and tried to glare at her but without
success.  "You knew she was here, didn't you?"

"She had a problem that I helped her with, Bill.  In return for
the help, I told her I wanted to bring you here to see her
perform."

Ali smiled.  "Bill, when I learned she was working as a stripper
I wasn't happy.  But she is absolutely outstanding!  She had the
crowd in a trance.  You saw the difference yourself: The first
girl we saw was treated the way you expect a stripper to be
treated -- shouts of 'take it off'.  Of course with Jennifer,
since she started without clothes there wasn't anything for her
to take off, but she had the audience absolutely mesmerized."

A few minutes later Jennifer joined them.  She was wearing a very
conservative sweater and skirt.  When she sat down, the waitress
was there immediately to take her order.  Jennifer ordered a
ginger ale and looked at her father.  "Hello, Dad," she said
quietly.

Bill looked at her and smiled.  "Hi, Jen.  You looked very good
up there, although it came as a hell of a shock to see you.  But
why did you ask us to come?"

Jennifer smiled softly and said, "Because Mom wanted to see me."

"Mom?" Bill asked with his amazement audible in his voice.

"Mom," Jennifer repeated even more firmly.  "Dad, there's
something I want to give you.  I gave it to Mom, but I'm sure she
didn't give it to you."  She took out a copy of the letter the
lawyer had written for her renouncing her inheritance and giving
any money due to her to Allison McGrath Clifford or her estate.

Bill looked at it and shook his head.  "Jen, I didn't even know
you were in Los Angeles.  When did you leave Texas, and why? 
What are you doing here in LA?"

She smiled and said, "I'm still in school.  This is how I support
myself."

Her face turned solemn as she said, "Dad, when you cut me off it
was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I was such an
unmitigated little shit!  I think working as a stripper started
off as a form of penance.  Mom already knows the story and I
guess you should, too.  I was so certain I was right and you were
wrong!  I went to USC and UCLA and talked to the kids about Ali
McGrath.  I would order a beer about noon and not get out of the
Student Union until closing time.  It was a game of _Can You Top
This?_ with Ali McGrath stories.  The more I learned the worse I
felt.  Then I got this job.

"Incidentally, Dad, I got down on my knees in front of Mom to beg
her forgiveness.  I did it, not because you told me to, but
because I wanted to.  I told her there was no reason on God's
earth why she should forgive me, but I learned that Ali is Ali. 
Dad, she helped me up and kissed me and just held me close.  God,
it felt good!  Dad, believe it or not, I've reformed.  I accused
Ali of being a whore.  Then I learned at the trial that Ali had
been with two men a total of three times in her life -- and I
believe her.  She was virginal when you and she were married,
wasn't she?"

Bill just nodded and said, "Jen, you can't believe how much I
love Ali.  Let's just say I couldn't imagine being with another
woman.  By the way, I fully expect Ali to replicate your act for
me alone some day.  It's just the sort of thing she would do. 
She claims it keeps me interested!"

Jennifer smiled warmly at her father and said, "Dad, Mom came
over two days ago to pull out my pubic hair.  It's a lousy,
disgusting job.  Yet she was as tender as she could be.  When she
was finished and I was in tears she took me into the bathroom,
bathed me, gave me a massage, and tucked me into bed.  I told her
later that all she didn't do was kiss her little girl goodnight.
So Dad, I kissed her.  I insisted on giving her a bath -- I have
never in my life seen a more gorgeous body, by the way -- giving
her a massage and tucking her into bed."

Ali interjected, "Bill, that was two nights ago.  When I got home
you smelled the musk oil our daughter poured in my slit.  You
took me right on the floor.  Remember?"  She smiled and gripped
Bill's hand.

Just then a tall young man came over to the table.  Ali heard
Jennifer mutter, "Oh, shit!"  A club bouncer moved to head the
man off, but Jen motioned him away.

When he got to the table he looked at Jennifer and said, "Jen, is
it really you?"

"I'm afraid it is," Jen said.  "Steve, I would like you to meet
my parents, Bill and Ali Clifford.  Mom and Dad, this is Steve
Chapman who is also a student at UCLA with me."

Bill rose and shook Steve's hand.  Steve was very tall -- about
six feet three -- with light hair and blue eyes.  He had a very
athletic build.

He took Ali's hand as well and his grip was firm.  Ali said,
"Jen, you're finished for the evening, aren't you?"  Jen said she
was, and Ali said, "Let's go somewhere then.  Steve, would you
care to join us?"

They agreed to meet at the Beverly Wilshire in the coffee shop
downstairs because Jennifer said she hadn't eaten dinner yet. 
When Ali asked why, she smiled and said, "They don't like
strippers with protruding bellies."

When they reached the hotel, they found that the coffee shop was
about to close.  Jennifer had made it ahead of Steve, providing
Ali the opportunity to try to find out who he was.  Jen said,
"He's a guy I see at school.  I guess he's in the graduate
business program.  We started to talk in the Student Union one
day.  I've never told him where I live, my phone number, or even
my last name.  He only learned that my last name is Clifford when
I told him at the club tonight.  He probably won't even showup."

A few moments later Steve appeared.  Ali said, "Steve, it looks
like we'll have to go to our room.  Do you still want to join
us?"  Steve agreed with alacrity.

As soon as they entered the suite, Ali saw Steve's eyes widen. 
He immediately recognized it as the top suite in the hotel.  Ali
asked him if he would like to join Jennifer for dinner.  When he
immediately agreed, Ali ordered steaks for the young people and a
platter of hors d'oeuvres for themselves.  Bill made drinks for
everyone and they sat down.

Steve was looking at Jennifer and said, "Well, I finally found
you!  And I finally learn your last name is Clifford."

He looked at Ali and Bill and said, "I met your daughter about a
month ago and wanted to get to know her better.  I meet her at
the Union -- in fact we had a couple of dates there -- but
nowhere else.  Then, completely by accident, I find her dancing
on the Strip.  In some way, I guess it's her fault, though.  I
was feeling so frustrated because she would never go out with me,
I wound up in a strip joint and then find she's the star there."
He looked at Jennifer and said, "You were absolutely spectacular
tonight.  And your body is spectacular, too!"

Jennifer looked at him closely and said, "Thank you, Steve.  I'm
glad you like it.  You really liked my dance?"

"I've never seen anything like it," he said.  "Where did the idea
come from?  And the dream sequence: Unbelievable!  How do you do
it?"

She smiled at him and said very softly, "I think about you."

"You _what?"_ he exclaimed.

"I think about you.  I think of getting a letter from you saying
you're coming to visit me after we have been apart for a long
time.  Then I think about how I would act, and that's what I do
on stage."

Steve and Bill were utterly stunned by the statement.  Ali only
smiled and said, "Steve, she's saying that she loves you... very
much.  How did you get to be so lucky?"

Steve looked at Jennifer and said, "Is your mother right?  Is
that what you mean?"

Jennifer looked at him with her face impassive.  "Of course," she
replied.

The young man just shook his head.  "I don't understand.  Until
tonight I didn't even know your last name.  You wouldn't even
give me your phone number.  We've never even been out on a date.
How could you possibly feel that way about me?"

Jennifer just gave him a very small smile and shrugged.  Just
then the doorbell was rung by the waiter bringing their supper. 
Steve pulled up chairs, seated Jennifer and sat down himself.  He
was surprised to see that she ate heartily.  He said, "You're not
picking at your food.  You're really eating."

She looked up at him and smiled.  "Maybe that's because I'm
really hungry."  Her smile faded and she added, "I'm glad you
could join us for supper, Steve.  It's not much, but it is sort
of a date.  I'm glad we had at least one before..."

"Before what?" he asked.

"Before you disappear," she replied softly.

"What do you mean, disappear?  Why would I want to disappear?"

She looked at him with her green eyes expressionless and replied,
"Because I'm a stripper.  Because I'm used goods.  Because I'm
just not very nice at all."

Steve looked at her without saying anything.  They finished
eating in silence.  Bill looked at Ali, shrugged, and shook his
head sadly.  Shortly afterward the two young people left the
suite together.  They hadn't said much after Jen's
self-description.

*  *  *

On Monday morning, Bill had to go to San Francisco for the day so
Ali had decided to spend her time reviewing her entire investment
portfolio.  She was particularly pleased with the performance of
ComTech which was now quoted at over ten dollars a share.  Ali
had already tripled her investment.

As she went over the stocks and their prices, the door bell rang.
 Ali rose to answer it and found Jennifer standing at the door. 
A glance at the girl's eyes showed she had been crying her eyes
out.  After she stood aside and motioned for the girl to come in,
Ali realized her eyes were so tear-filled she could scarcely see.
 She guided her to the sofa, sat down beside her and then took
the younger girl in her arms.

That was all Jen needed for her last shreds of control to give
way.  She started to bawl.  Ali had her arms around the girl
trying to comfort her but all it did was to cause the sobbing to
redouble in intensity.  Finally, there was nothing left.  Ali
held the girl away and looked at her.  She realized there still
had not been a single word spoken between them.

Ali looked at the girl and said softly, "Do you want to tell me
about it?"

Jennifer nodded and began to talk in a husky whisper.  Her throat
was raspy from all her sobbing.  It was apparent that the
heartbroken tears Ali had just witnessed weren't the first.  Jen
said, "I threw Steve out this morning!"  Then she began to sob
all over again.  Because of the earlier tears, there was now
nothing left.

The sobs were dry and wracking -- they were tearing up Ali who
just held the girl close.  Finally, she asked softly, "Why did
you throw him out?  Did he hurt you?"

Jennifer pulled away and looked at Ali in shock.  She said,
_"Steve?  Hurt me?_  That's impossible!  It's as impossible as
Dad hurting you, Mom.  He couldn't hurt me.  But I couldn't get
rid of him any other way so I threw him out."

"Aside from throwing him out, how was yesterday?  What did you do
after you left here Saturday night?"

"We went to my apartment... your apartment, Mom.  By the way, I
have something for you."  Jennifer reached into her purse and
gave Ali a check.  It was for four months rent.  Ali looked at
it, folded it and put it under some papers on the table.  The
girl continued, "We got to the apartment and he took me in his
arms and kissed me.  Mom, I just melted.  I knew he should leave,
but all I could think of was the end of my dance.  The kiss he
gave me was the one I dream about -- the one I get from the man
at the door -- from Steve.  Mom, I didn't wait.  I just shrugged
off my clothes and presented my body to him."

Jen looked puzzled as she continued.  "Mom, he didn't even take
me -- not then, anyway.  He went to his knees and started kissing
my body.  I couldn't get him to stop.  I told him it was a dirty
stripper's body -- the only clean thing I could offer him was my
cunt.  He kissed me all over.  My cunt was running rivers by this
time and he was on his knees in front of me.  The next thing I
know, he's doing me.  I could feel his tongue enter my slit and
feel him start to nibble on my clit.  Mom, I almost fell over! 
The sensation was so marvelous, but I couldn't get him to stop. 
Then I came in a flood and he just licked it all up.  Meanwhile,
he's still fully dressed.  Finally, I get him to take me into the
bedroom.  Then he really takes me.  It went on and on and on.  It
didn't really stop until this morning, when I told him he had to
leave.  Mom, he just wouldn't listen!"

Ali held the girl in her arms and saw that she was about to
collapse from exhaustion.  Ali asked her if she had to work that
night and Jen shook her head, no.  Ali led her into the second
bedroom and helped her off with her clothes.  After darkening the
room she pulled the covers up under the girl's chin and kissed
her softly on the lips.

Jennifer's arms came out from under the covers and hugged Ali
tightly.  The girl gave her a warm kiss and whispered, "Thanks,
Mom."

Almost immediately the girl was sound asleep.  Ali returned to
the sitting room and called the UCLA Graduate School of Business.
 She spoke to the Dean who knew her well and asked for the
address and phone number of Steven Chapman.  Moments later she
dialed his number.

The phone was answered on the first ring.  The male voice Ali
recognized said, "Jen?"

Ali said, "I'm sorry, Steve.  It's Ali Clifford, Jen's mother.  I
hope I'm not bothering you?"

She heard a sigh of relief and Steve said, "Don't be silly!  It's
not as good as hearing from Jen, but almost.  Mrs. Clifford,
thank you for the wonderful supper Saturday night.  It was a very
thoughtful thing for you and Mr. Clifford to do."

"Steve, it's none of my business, but what happened over the last
thirty-six hours or so?  How did you get along with Jen?  And by
the way, please call me Ali.  I'm really not that much older than
you are."

"Mrs. Clifford -- Ali -- Jen threw me out this morning.  And that
was in spite of the most glorious day I've ever spent in my life.
 Jen is unbelievable.  All she could do was think of ways to
entice me -- to give me pleasure -- with her glorious body. 
Yesterday afternoon, she even did her dance for me alone.  When
it ended, she took me on the floor.  Then this morning she told
me she never wanted to see me again and ordered me out of her
apartment.  I left, but stayed near the door.  Then I heard her
start to cry like her heart was breaking.  I banged on the door
but she refused to open it.  What's wrong?  How did I hurt her? 
What can I do?"

"Steve, what would you like to do?"

"I want to marry her and take care of her!" he replied.

"Then as a first step, I guess you would like to see her again,
wouldn't you?"

"Ali, are you kidding?  Would right this instant be too soon?"

Ali smiled and said, "Steve, I have a plan if you're interested."
 She then proceeded to outline it.  After hearing it, Steve
agreed instantly.

At four-thirty in the afternoon, Ali entered the room where Jen
was sleeping and sat on the edge of the bed.  She smoothed the
girl's golden hair off her face and lightly stroked her head. 
Jen's eyes opened immediately.  She smiled at Ali and whispered,
"Hi, Mom!"

Ali bent down and kissed the girl softly on her lips.  Again,
Jennifer held her and returned the kiss.

Ali said, "Jen, aren't you getting a little hungry about now? 
Would you like something to eat?"

Jen smiled ruefully and said, "Mom, if you have a horse out there
barbecuing, I'd eat the whole thing, hooves and all.  Could I get
something to eat, please?  I have some money with me."

Ali felt her heart wrench. _She's really so much like me,_ she
thought. _She won't take favors._  Aloud she said, "I thought you
might be hungry so I ordered for you from room service.  It
should be here any minute."

Just then the doorbell rang.  Ali went out and then came back
followed by Steve dressed in a waiter's uniform.  Meanwhile, Jen
had the covers up under her chin, waiting for the waiter to
leave.  Instead, Ali left the room, closing the door behind her.
The last thing she heard was Jen crying, "Steve!"

Much later, Jen came out of the room still nude.  She went up to
Ali and kissed her warmly.  Tears -- but this time tears of
happiness -- were flowing down her cheeks.  She just held Ali who
could feel her cheeks becoming wet with the girl's tears.  "Mom,
I'm losing.  I keep trying to make things up to you but instead
you keep fixing things up for me.  I just don't know what todo!"

Ali grinned and said, "It's selfish of me, Jen.  Good sons-in-law
are hard to find.  Did you and Steve make up?"

"Mom, he wants to marry me!  He insists.  Do you think he really
means it?"

"How was your lovemaking just now?" Ali asked instead of
answering the girl's question.

"Delicious!  Oh, Mom, it was spectacular.  I just exploded time
after time after time!"

"Do you love him?"

"Mom, that's such a small word.  I adore him!"

"Jen, Steve seems like a very fine young man.  But how well do
you know him?  You've spent a good deal of time and effort hiding
from him, but did you ever find out anything about him?  How old
he is?  What his plans are?"

Just then Steve came out from the bedroom.  He had showered and
was wearing a shirt and slacks.  He patted Jen on her bottom and
said, "Jen, why don't you take a shower, too.  Then we can eat."

He grinned at Ali and said, "Your daughter is such a spectacular
lover, we never seem to get around to eating.  And those
beautiful steaks I brought in are ruined.  They were in the hot
cabinet and we never took them out; now they're the consistency
of shoe leather!"

Ali picked up the phone and dialed room service.  As she did,
Bill returned.  He greeted Steve and offered him a drink.  While
they were talking a platter of hors d'oeuvres arrived.  The three
nibbled and talked while Steve waited for Jennifer.  Suddenly,
Steve's mouth dropped.  He said, "I think I've just been the
world's biggest fool!"  He looked at Bill and said, "Sir, I don't
mean to be nosy, but are you the William H. Clifford on the
Forbes list?"

Bill smiled and said, "Guilty, I'm afraid.  But why do you ask?"

Steve looked chagrined.  "Because my father's been after me to
look you up for more than a year and a half.  His name is Dave
Chapman and he says he's a friend of yours."

Now it was Bill's turn.  He looked shocked as he said, "You don't
mean David Chapman from Chicago?"

Steve nodded.  Suddenly, Bill started to chuckle.  It quickly
turned into full-bore laughter, and finally became almost
uncontrollable mirth.  Just then Jen came out from the bedroom. 
Ali noticed that she was wearing her own favorite combination:
tight Levi's and a chambray shirt.  She looked at her father in
amazement as he convulsed with laughter.  Bill looked up and saw
Jen.  His laughter redoubled.  Tears were starting to roll down
his cheeks.

"Mom, what on earth got into Dad?  What's so funny?  What
happened?"

Ali said, "We've just established that Steve is the son of Dave
Chapman of Chicago.  That fact alone seems to have set your
father off.  That's all I know."  She turned to Steve and asked,
"Do you know any more about it?"

Steve was shaking his head.  "All I know is my dad has been
pestering me to look up your husband.  I never knew why.  From
Mr. Clifford's reaction, it sounds like he has some idea."

Bill slowly regained control.  He held out his arms to Ali and
she went over to snuggle.  He looked at her and asked, "Are you
familiar with the _Forbes_ list?  You know I'm on it, but have
you ever read it?"

"No, darling.  Remember me?  When we met I think I had $7.64 or
some such amount.  Any sum of money over one hundred dollars was
more money than the Mint.  But why?"

Bill smiled and said, "Because Dave Chapman and I have been
friends since graduate school.  We always tease each other about
our relative rank on the Forbes list."  He looked at Jennifer and
said, "Because of your mom's investment skill, we're now pulling
away.  I think Dave is about number ten or something.  Anyway, I
knew he had a son and he knew I had a daughter.  Dave always
thought his son and my daughter should meet.  We exchanged photos
years ago, but you never did meet.  He told me his son is a great
guy, even if it was the father talking.  So I told him I would
love to meet him if we were ever in the same city together."

He turned to Steve and stuck out his hand.  "I guess we finally
made it!  Your father is going to howl.  Your first date is a
weekend in bed with my daughter after seeing her perform as the
featured exotic dancer on the Strip!"

Jen was aghast.  "Do you mean to say, Steve is... rich?"

Ali had begun to laugh.  She was howling with laughter, but
controlled herself enough to say, "Stinking rich!  Darling, he's
almost as rich as you are!"

Steve just looked at Jen and held out his arms.  She came to him
and put her arms around his neck.  They were still in their
embrace when the dinner arrived.  Ali winked at Bill, got up and
tapped the two on their shoulders.  The kiss was ended
reluctantly and they both looked at Ali.  Ali was trying to look
stern -- both Steve's and Jen's eyes were glazed.  Ali said,
"Look, you two.  Burning steaks once can happen, but damn it,
you're going to eat these.  Now knock off the necking and eat
something before you both blow away!"

The two sat down at the table and Ali went back to sit with Bill
on the sofa.  They watched as the young couple ate automatically
and just looked at each other.  Bill commented, "Ali, you could
substitute sawdust for the food right now and neither of them
would know the difference."  Ali just squeezed his hand and
grinned.

Steve was looking at Jen.  He grinned at her and said, "I
remember seeing a picture of you years ago.  You were the leggy
little kid with braces and the all the bodily curves of a
straight stick."

Jen grinned back, "And I remember you.  You were that
insufferable fat kid in the yachting costume posing against the
backdrop of a Lake Michigan marina.  I remembered showing the
picture to Dad as the perfect illustration of a guy I would never
be caught dead with."

Steve leaned towards her and she kissed him softly.  The
electricity between them was visible to Ali and Bill.  Ali
whispered, "They're a beautiful couple, Bill.  What do you
think?"

"I think it's the funniest thing I've ever heard of.  Those two
kids must have spent the best part of fifteen years avoiding each
other like the plague.  Listen to them now!"

They heard Steve tease Jen, "By the way, is your body still as
straight as a stick?  Aren't there any curves at all?"

Jen pretended to glare at him, and then pertly stuck out her
tongue.  "I think I'll do my dance at our wedding."  She looked
up at him brightly, "As a matter of fact, I think it's a great
idea!  The bride begins in a wedding gown, slowly strips and then
goes into the dance.  But,  darling, aren't the people in Chicago
a little... stuffy?"

The banter continued throughout their dinner.  Ali and Bill just
watched and enjoyed it.  Ali was snuggled close to Bill who had
her breast cupped in his hand.

Steve glanced over and saw them.  "Hey, you two!  Watch that
stuff.  There are some impressionable children in the room."

Ali grinned and stuck out her tongue.  Then she unbuttoned the
bottom of her shirt and placed Bill's hand directly on her bare
breast.  She arched her back and her nipples, now engorged,
protruded from under the fabric.  She sighed, "Bill, that's so
much nicer!"  She relaxed against him while Steve and Jen just
grinned at them from across the room.

The young people finished eating and got up from the table. 
Steve closed up the table and wheeled it out into the hall. 
Meanwhile, Jen went over and kissed Ali.  With her arms around
her neck, Jen whispered, "Mom, I love you.  Steve and I are going
to bed now."

She went into the bedroom and Steve followed.  Ali heard the door
latch click.Chapter 15

The next morning Ali and Bill were having breakfast when Jennifer
came out of the bedroom wearing one of the hotel's short terry
bathrobes.  She came up to Ali, kissed her, and said, "Good
morning, Mom!"

Ali smiled at the girl and said, "Jen, you've been telling me
that you owe me.  Do you really mean it?"

The girl looked shocked.  "Of course I mean it!  Why?  What can I
do for you?  Anything at all!"

Ali smiled her sunshine smile.  "Jen, it seems you've adopted me
as your new mother.  Nothing has ever made me happier or more
proud.  Now could you unbend your pride a little more and
apologize to your father, too?  Darling, you hurt him far more
than you did me.  And he's known you far longer, too."

Jen looked startled.  She turned and gracefully went down on her
knees in front of her father.  "Dad, can you find it in your
heart to forgive me?"  Tears began to run down her cheeks as she
said, "I know I hurt you.  I also hurt your wife -- my new mother
-- who I now know loves me.  In spite of all I've done to her,
Dad, she really loves me and forgave me!  Could you forgive me,
too?"

Bill got up from his chair.  Ali could see the moistness in his
eyes, too.  He lifted Jennifer up and held her in his arms.  He
said, "Pumpkin, I've always loved you and always will.  You're my
little girl.  Now are we back on speaking terms?"

"Oh God, yes!  Thank you, Dad!"

"Then would you please do me a favor?  Tear up that letter and
the copy on file?  Jen, I'll tell you a true story.  Your mother
is probably the best money manager in the world today -- doing it
in her spare time, of course.  She's making money far faster than
we can possibly spend it.  Can't I get you to take a couple of
bucks from time to time?  It would be a big help to both of us if
you took some of it off our hands."

Jennifer looked from her father to Ali and then back.  Then with
a bright grin she said, "Well, as long as you recognize the
sacrifice I'll be making.  And we understand I'm only making the
sacrifice because you're my parents and I love you both so damned
much.  Okay, Dad, I'll take some of your excess money."

Ali got up and kissed Jen warmly.  She said, "Jen, welcome back,
darling.  We've missed you!"

Ali called and ordered breakfast for Jennifer.  Then she asked
Jen what she and Steve were planning.

"Mom, I guess I'm flying out to Chicago to meet Steve's parents."
 Jen looked worried as she said, "Mom and Dad, I forced Steve to
make me a promise.  The only way I'll marry him is if he allows
me to tell his parents I've been working as a stripper.  Dad,
because his father's a friend of yours I'm also going to tell him
how I tried to destroy your marriage -- as well as the finest
person alive, my new mother.  If they say no -- and they should
-- I told Steve I'll be his mistress for as long as he wantsme."

Bill looked at Ali and said, "Darling, why is it I think she must
be your daughter?  That's exactly what you would do, isn't it?" 
Ali just smiled and gripped his hand.  He asked, "Jen, when do
you plan on leaving?"

"I guess in a couple of days.  I told Steve I'm not going to quit
my job until I come back -- and then only if we're going to get
married.  I told him that as his mistress I would continue to
work.  He can bring his friends over to see what he's sleeping
with.  The boss won't like me taking a leave of absence but
there's not much he can say.  He claims I'm really packing the
house."

Ali asked with a grin, "Bill, could you go out and play with
Steve?  Do the things little boys do when the girls aren't
around?  I have something very important to do with our daughter.
 And she's the only one we've got."

She turned to the girl and said, "Get your tail in gear!  Take a
shower and get dressed; your breakfast will be here in about five
minutes.  Now scoot!"  Ali gave the girl a pinch on her bare
bottom under the short skirt of the robe.  The girl yelped,
rubbed her bottom, but ran for her room.

Bill took Ali in his arms and kissed her.  "Darling, you still
never cease to amaze me.  You have transformed that girl.  And,
darling, she really loves you!  I think she loves you more than
she loved her real mother -- honest!  You're much more loving and
warm.  Now what are you two going to be doing?"

Ali grinned and said, "Just girl things.  As I said before, you
and Steve go out and play like good little boys.  Bill, I'll bet
you can clean his clock on the golf course.  How about that?"

Bill grinned and went to take a shower.  Then Ali called the
office and Judy Jeffries answered.  "Judy, it's Ali.  Something
very important has just come up.  I need the entire staff in the
office to meet with a new client in the conference room in an
hour.  Are Ginger and Sandy both in town today?  I really need
them both to be there, too."

"Ali, they're in town and should both be in.  But you know how it
is when you make your living on your back with your legs spread!"
 Judy yelped and said, "Oh God, Ali, I said that and then moved
my own legs -- it's excruciating!  I guess I'm not fully used to
taking Mike yet.  Now I understand why Sandy could hardly walk! 
I'm not in condition yet, but I'm sure trying!  We'll see you
soon, Boss."

Jennifer came out of the room closing the door softly behind her.
 Like Ali, she was dressed in tight jeans and a chambray shirt. 
She shook her head in mock disgust.  "Men!  They just can't take
it.  Mom, Steve took me this morning and then just rolled over
and went back to sleep.  What can we do?"

"Get a vibrator?" Ali asked innocently.

Jennifer hugged Ali and said softly, "God, I love you, Mom!"

The breakfast cart appeared and Jennifer quickly devoured a huge
breakfast.  She said, "I'm all set, Mom.  What now?"

"Now we get going.  Come on."

They went out front where Ali's convertible was waiting, then
roared off and headed downtown for Ali's office while Jennifer
just reclined her seat back and soaked up the sun.  Her hair was
blowing in the wind and the girl seemed to love it.  She seemed
completely unconcerned about their destination.  Ali parked in
her reserved space and they went up to her office.  When they
reached the thirty-eighth floor and got off the elevator, Jen saw
the office entrance and stopped in her tracks.

"Oh, Mom!  It's gorgeous.  My God, what an idiot I was.  This law
firm is for real!  But what are we here for?  Do you need to get
something?"

Ali just grinned and the two went in.  Judy was behind her desk
and Ali winked at her.  She asked, "Are the others in the
conference room?"  Judy said they were.  Ali told her to lock the
door and come on back.  Then she led the way back to the
conference room and opened the door.  The girls were talking but
quieted as soon as Ali appeared with the new client they had
heard about.  Asking Jen to take a seat, she then went to her
usual place at the head of the table.  Both Sandy and Ginger
looked at Jennifer with mixed emotions showing on their faces. 
The dominant emotion was scorn.

Kathy and Joan served coffee and the girls waited for Ali to
begin.  She smiled at Jennifer and said, "Jen, from the looks my
partners are giving you, you're as welcome here as a skunk in
church."  She turned to Ginger and Sandy and said, "Please do me
a favor?  My daughter has reformed.  And I mean, my daughter! 
Please give Jen a chance?"

Ginger and Sandy both got up and went over to where Jennifer was
sitting.  Although Jennifer was looking abashed she rose to greet
them.  When she held her hand out diffidently, Sandy, reaching
her first, took it in a firm grip.  "Jennifer, we've never
formally met.  I'm Sandy Harris, one of your mother's reclamation
projects.  I'm very happy to meet you.  I want to apologize for
being so hard on you at the trial."

Jennifer extended her other hand and gripped both of Sandy's. 
"I'm not!  Sandy, I am very proud to know you.  What you did was
the bravest thing I have ever seen in my life!  You were
sacrificing yourself to try to save the marriage I was trying so
hard to destroy!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being
so good!"  Jen pulled Sandy to her and hugged her tightly, then
kissed her on the cheek.

Ginger came up and Jennifer took her hands.  "Ginger, I've heard
so much about you!  In the brief time in the courtroom I didn't
realize how gorgeous you are.  Mom tells me your mother is
prettier than you are.  But seeing you, I just can't believe it.
And you, too!  You helped save my mother's life and my parents'
marriage.  I owe you and Sandy both more than I can ever repay. 
You are both brilliant attorneys."

Ginger had been holding Jennifer's hands and looking first at her
figure and then into her eyes.  She said, "And you are beautiful,
Jen.  You've changed...  You..."  She turned to Sandy who nodded
and then to the other girls who nodded too.

In chorus, the girls all said, "Jennifer, you look well fucked!"

Jennifer reddened and then began to laugh.  She held up her hands
in a sign of surrender.  "I give up!  If I do, it's because I am.
 I'm not yet in my mother's class, but I'm working hard."

Ali smiled as the girls sat down again and looked at her.  Now
the earlier tension had been broken.  She said, "I called Judy
and asked her to get you all in here to meet a new client.  I'm
serious.  Our client is Jennifer Clifford.  Because the work has
to be done immediately, our fee will be substantial.  However,
she's rich as hell!  She can afford us.  Jen is going off to meet
her potential in-laws in Chicago.  I say potential because my
daughter is working as a stripper...  No!  As an exotic dancer;
she's not a stripper because she's naked when she begins her
act..."

"She's Jenny!" Joan exclaimed.  "Jen, I've seen your act.  I
never thought...  You are absolutely spectacular.  You have the
finest exotic act in the country today."  The girl grinned and
said, "I saw it written up in one of the trade papers.  But no
one knows who you are."

Jennifer smiled and thanked Joan for the compliment.  Ali said,
"She'll be stripping soon enough.  It seems her fiance, Steve
Chapman, is the son of one of Bill's buddies, Dave Chapman.  Dave
is somewhere in the top ten on the _Forbes_ list, too.  I don't
know if we're talking about a marriage or a merger," Ali said
with a grin.

"At any rate, we have to get my daughter a trousseau -- and fast!
 It's got to be completed in only two days.  I want you to take
her measurements and go hunting.  Meanwhile, I'm going to take
her over to Henry at the studio and have him do her hair.  When
she goes off to Chicago with Steve, I want her to look like the
daughter of one of the richest men in the world -- which she is.
She's also a Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton and a doctoral
candidate in political science at UCLA.  She intends to tell her
in-laws she's a stripper.  I want to blow them away first. 
Understand?"

Ali smiled, and turned to Jennifer.  "Jen, get undressed.  I want
my colleagues to see you and take measurements."

Jen looked at Ali with a bewildered expression but got up and
quickly stripped.  The girls looked at her appreciatively.  Kathy
said, "My God, another candidate for partner in the Firm!  Ali,
your daughter is exquisite!  Her body is almost as perfect as
yours."  They started to take measurements and looked at her
carefully to fix her coloration in mind to use for color
suitability.  Finally, they agreed Jen could wear any color or
style at all.  Ali went to her office to call Henry while Ginger
and Sandy made assignments.

The girls scattered and Jen came into Ali's office.  Ali hung up
the phone as the girl looked around.  "Mom, this office is
spectacular!  Do you know what I would love to do?  I would love
to have Steve take me on your desk with the backdrop of the
mountains and the sea.  It would be so wonderful!"

Ali slowly shook her head.  "Dear, you're a little late.  I think
nearly every girl in this office has been taken on my desk with
the drapes open -- at all hours of day and night.  Since it's
mine, it most particularly includes your father and me.  Why do
you think I rented this office, anyway?  Jen, I rented it after
we were married but before we had ever made love," Ali said with
a soft smile.  "I wanted your father to take me here so badly!"

"I don't know what to say.  Why did you ever forgive me?  My God,
I couldn't have been more wrong about you.  It's embarrassing to
meet your staff.  I never had the opportunity to say anything to
you about it before, but Sandy and Ginger were brilliant in the
courtroom.  Mom, did Sandy realize the risk she was taking with
her career?"

Ali looked up at Jennifer and the girl could see tears forming in
the corners of Ali's eyes.  "Jen," she said, "Sandy was prepared
to go to prison.  When I came in the next day she had letters
written resigning from the Firm, from the California bar, and she
was going to surrender herself to the District Attorney later
that morning.  What can you say about people like that?"

"Mom, you can say they love you... very much!  They're smart
girls."  She cocked her head and said, "What now?"

They went off to the Alliance Studio and Henry Hall.  When he saw
Jennifer, he turned to Ali and said, "Ali, what's going on? 
Where do you find these beauties?"

"Henry, this is my daughter, Jennifer.  Do you think you can make
her look like the daughter of the fourth richest man in the
country?  And while you're at it, can someone try to do something
for me, too?"

Henry laughed.  Ali's hair was trimmed, restyled and treated with
moisturizers to counteract the effects of all of the sun she had
been getting.  Meanwhile, Henry lavished his attention on
Jennifer.  The girl's hair was more brown than Ali's but more
gold than Barbara's.  When he finished, it was glorious.  As they
were leaving, Ali reached into her purse and took out an
envelope.

She gave it to Henry and said, "Look!  Enough is enough!  I've
been freeloading for months, Henry Hall, and it's not my style. 
If you don't accept this check, I can't come back ever again. 
And I really want to!"

Henry looked at the check and his eyes bugged.  It was for ten
thousand dollars.  He looked at Ali and said, "Ali, this is
ridiculous!  What are you doing?"

She grinned and said, "Remember when I said her part is that of
the daughter of the fourth richest man in the country?  It
happens to be true -- he is.  By the way, he's also my husband."
She blew him a kiss, grinned and added, "Bye, Henry."  He just
shook his head.

As they were walking over to the car, Ali stopped short.  "My
God!  I forgot about the weather!  February in Chicago can be
murder.  The girls will have to take all the things back -- I can
see them with great Southern California clothing!"  With a
grimace she added, "Oh well, it's too late now."

After driving back, Ali parked the car and they went up to the
office.  When they entered, Ali shivered.  Strangely, the office
was very cold.

They went to the conference room and found the girls sitting
around the table wearing sweaters and jackets.  Sandy grinned at
Jennifer and said, "Jen, as a stripper, you're going to earn your
money.  You'll be stripping here in the cold.  Ginger remembered
Chicago in February can be the coldest place in the country --
particularly with a northeast wind coming in over the lake.  We
powered up the air conditioning to start to get you in shape."

Joan got a warm sweater for Ali to wear as she sat down to watch.
 One after the other they presented outfits for Jennifer to try
on.  They were all beautiful, the colors were right and they fit
her perfectly.  One was a cashmere dress that was utterly
exquisite.  It had a crocodile belt, and Ginger placed a
magnificent string of pearls around the girl's neck.  Then Judy
presented her with a full-length natural mink coat.  With the
temperature in the room as cold as it was, Jen wrapped herself in
the coat with the collar up high around her face.  Ali sat in her
chair and watched in amazement as the fashion show continued. 
Kathy even had a mink-lined storm coat for her to wear as well as
storm boots.  Joan produced a three-section mirror so Jen could
look at herself from all angles.

When it was over, tears were streaming from Jennifer's eyes.  She
hugged and kissed each of the girls then looked at Ali and said,
"Mom, this is a tribute to you.  It's also one hell of an
accomplishment by your people.  Where they found these things, I
have no clue.  All I can say is the chief of costume design at a
major studio couldn't have done as well, let alone done it so
quickly.  What it says to me, Mom, is they love you very much."

Sandy grinned and said, "Bullshit!  We love money.  Wait until
you get our bill."  Then she looked serious.  "Jennifer, your
mother says you've changed.  It certainly appears that you have.
All we can say is, good luck.  If the guy is the right one -- and
it sounds like he is -- we'll be attending your wedding soon."

Ali had left the conference room and made a call.  Then she asked
Joan to get the temperature back up to normal.

Rejoining the others, she stood in the corner of the conference
room looking at them.  Shaking her head she said, "Guys, that was
absolutely spectacular!  You outdid yourselves.  Ging, I had
completely forgotten what February in Chicago is like, but you
didn't.  I don't have the slightest idea where you got these
things, but thanks.  I owe you."  Turning to Jen she said,
"Gather up your toys, Jen.  Fred will be downstairs in about five
minutes."

 Jen grinned at Ali and started gathering up bags and boxes.  The
girls all had armfuls as they all helped carry the purchases down
in the elevator.  When they reached the street level, Fred was
standing by the car and ran around to open the trunkcompartment.

Soon the two women were driving back towards the hotel.  Ali
looked at Jennifer and took her hand in hers.  "Jen, I have a
small gift for you -- an engagement present from me."  She gave
Jennifer a small, beautifully wrapped box.

Jen unwrapped it and found a gold Rolex identical to Ali's own. 
She looked at it and gasped, "For me?"  Then she turned to Ali
and put out her arms.  Ali took her in her arms and heard the
sound of sobbing.  She pushed the girl away just enough to be
able to look at her face.  Tears were running in rivers, and Jen
was struggling to get close to Ali again.  Ali just held her
tightly and listened to her sobs.  Finally, she hiccuped and
pulled away.

She looked at Ali with tears still running down her cheeks.  She
said, "Mommy, I love you so much.  I just realized some of what I
owe you.  You do things for me that no natural mother would do. 
You don't have to.  And all this in spite of the fact that the
very first thing I did when I met you was to try to destroy your
life!  And I almost succeeded.  Now you give me this watch."  Jen
took it out of its box and looked at it.  She looked at the back
and broke down in tears again.  Engraved on the back were the
words, "Jen -- with all my love, Mom."

She looked up at Ali and said, "Mom, I'm going to knock 'em dead
in Chicago.  I think it just penetrated my thick head.  You know
I don't care -- at least, not now.  I'm perfectly happy to be
Steve's mistress.  But you know Dad would care, you care, and I
guess I would, too, eventually.  Mom, I'm going to make you very
proud of me."  Ali held the girl and could feel her tears in her
own eyes.

When they returned to the suite, Jen put on a fashion show for
Bill and Steve.  Even though the two men -- like men everywhere
-- didn't know anything about fashion, they knew a beautiful
woman when they saw one.  Jen finished her show with the tan
cashmere dress and the mink coat.  When she had her face buried
in the soft fur collar she had raised around her head, Steve went
over and kissed her.  She kissed him lovingly and they both heard
the bells and felt the electricity.  With her head on his
shoulder and her lips only inches from his ear, she whispered,
"Darling, now I have something snugly to keep me warm when you
get tired of me."

Steve kissed her again and whispered, "Honey, that's how you'll
know it when I'm dead."

Ali watched the young couple with tears in her eyes.  Bill winked
at her and said, "Honey, thank you so much!  And by the way, that
was a great idea you had this morning!  I cleaned Steve's clock
on the golf course today -- and I shot a seventy-five!" Ali
hugged and kissed him and congratulated him on his achievement.

Ali looked again at the young couple and then climbed on Bill's
lap.  She kissed him and murmured, "Darling, I'm so proud... of
all the Cliffords."

The next day they drove out to the airport and put Steve and
Jennifer on an American flight to Chicago.  Steve was in a state
of shock looking at the elegant young woman by his side.  Ali
whispered something to Jennifer just before they boarded; the
girl grinned and nodded.  When they boarded the plane and found
their seats in the first class section, Jen took down a pillow
and a blanket from the overhead compartment.  She wrapped herself
in the blanket and appeared to be about to go to sleep.  But then
she took Steve's arm and put it around her.  Only then did he
realize she had stripped off her top and was bare to the waist
under the blanket.  She cupped his hand and put it on her breast.
 Then she leaned over and kissed him, murmured softly and went to
sleep holding his hand in place.

_Good heavens,_ he thought, _What have I lucked in to?  This girl
is perfect!_

*  *  *

Several nights later, Bill got a call from Dave Chapman.  Dave
spoke in awe-filled tones of his first meeting with Jennifer. 
"Bill, Steve's so in love with that girl, I don't trust him to
drive a car.  He'll drive right through a wall!  My wife, Judy,
is trying to figure out how to get Jen to meet all of our friends
in the least possible time.  Bill, Steve is our only child and
you know how mothers are: No girl could possibly be good enough
for their darling.  But already Judy loves Jen like the daughter
we always hoped for but never had.  She showed us some of her
publicity pictures from the club where she works.  All I can say
is my son is getting the real article.  Your daughter is utterly
exquisite.  Judy wants to meet Ali soon to discuss weddingplans.

"Incidentally, maybe I should apologize to you and your wife. 
Steve and Jennifer insist on sleeping in the same room.  Except
from what Judy and I hear through the walls, they don't spend
much time sleeping.  I hope you don't mind, Bill?  She's your
daughter, so I felt I had to tell you.  Not that we could do
anything about it, you understand.  Steve made it very damned
clear that they sleep together or they move out of our house and
into a hotel."

Bill just chuckled.  "Dave, I'm glad you like her.  Ali and I
think she's a pretty nice girl.  And we're both very fond of
Steve.  Ali's comment on Steve to Jennifer was, 'Grab him, Jen! 
Good sons-in-law are very hard to find!'"

"Bill, there's one more thing: Judy can't get over your daughter.
 She looks like she just stepped out of the pages of _Vogue._ 
But at the same time, she's warm and friendly and kind.  And she
radiates happiness -- it's a joy just to watch her.  She's
anything but the kind of girl you would think she would be.  What
have you done with her?  The girls around here with money -- a
small fraction of what she's got, by the way -- are the most
arrogant, obnoxious bitches imaginable.  Do you know, my wife is
trying to figure out how to brag about Jen's dancing?  Oh, and
Jen calls Judy, "Mother."  She explained that Ali is Mom.  Judy
loves hearing it and utterly adores her.

"You would howl listening to the kids still go at it, though:
When they're not making love, they're teasing each other.  Steve
kids Jen about her figure: He teases her about still being a
stick -- some stick!  She teases him about being a pompous
sailor.  There I think she has a point!  But, God, are they in
love!"

Bill hung up the phone.  He took Ali in his arms and kissed her.
"Darling, you've done it again.  Judy Chapman is actually proud
of Jen being an exotic dancer.  She also looked like she just
stepped out of _Vogue._  Ali, all I can say is thanks."Chapter
16

Ali entered the office late one morning in March.  She had been
on the phone to the people at ComTech that morning; there was a
board meeting scheduled for the end of the week.  The company
also had a computer operations problem and Ali mentioned the work
that Joan Fredrick had been doing for her Firm.  She agreed to
see if Joan could be available to come east with her to take a
look at their systems.  When she walked into the conference room
and looked at the girls, her eyes were sparkling in spite of the
frown on her face.  Joan was pouring coffee; all of the other
girls were in bad shape.  Ali asked, "Joan, do you charge extra
for playing Florence Nightingale ministering to the wounded? 
What's happened to the rest of you people?"

Sandy pretended to prop one eye open with her finger.  "Ali, Jack
got a promotion and a raise yesterday.  So I took the chance and
told him about my raise.  And he took me... and took me... and
took me."  She grinned and added, "Ali, I'm thinking of marrying
him and then encouraging him to take a mistress so I can get some
sleep!"

Ali just grinned and shook her head.  "Virginia Jamison Conrad,
what's your excuse?  You're already married."

Ginger had her arms folded on the table with her head resting on
them.  She opened one eye and said, "I made the mistake of
teasing Charley about getting old last night.  I think he found a
gray hair or something.  Anyway, he set out to prove to me he's
not."  She grinned sleepily and added, "You know what Ali?  He's
not!  It was utterly glorious!"  She closed her eyes again.

"Kathy?" Ali said.

Kathy smiled sleepily.  "I got carried away last night.  I fixed
a very fancy dinner to celebrate Ken's last class in law school
before spring break.  I even bought some of the cognac you
recommended.  And Ali," she said sleepily, "I even washed him
down with Dom Perignon early this morning."

Judy just held up her hands in a sign of surrender.  "Ali, I'm
still trying to get in shape.  I can't even get my thighs back
together yet!"

Ali said, "Okay, enough is enough.  I need your help again. 
Fortunately, the work is for Joan who seems to be the only one of
you left alive."

She looked at Joan and smiled sheepishly.  "Joan, I think I
should have kept my big mouth shut.  I volunteered your services
to ComTech.  They're having a major problem with administrative
systems; I told them you're the world's leading authority on
computer-based administrative systems.  Anyway, they've asked if
you could come East with me."  Ali now looked embarrassed. 
"Joan, we're supposed to leave tomorrow morning.  Can you do it?
Do you want to?"

Joan's eyes had lighted up and were now as big as saucers.  "Do
you mean Ali, I get to fly... to Boston?  With you?"

"That's exactly what it means.  Joan, we're going to have a
problem, though.  You're a Southern California girl, aren't you?"
 Joan said she was.  "The problem is that this is winter in the
East," Ali continued.  "They can get thoroughly miserable weather
this time of year.  Are you sure you want to go?"

Joan was sure.  The girls had quickly come back to life and were
listening attentively.  Ginger said, "Ali, could we do a Jennifer
on Joan?  I thought we did a pretty good job for her.  Could we
try it again?"

Judy grinned and said, "It's a chance for revenge!  Ali, Joan
spilled the beans to you about our pool, didn't she?  About who
had cum more times the night before?  Did she tell you, though,
that it was a steady source of extra income for her?  I think she
has one of our computers programmed to come up with the answers
somehow.  Anyway, it's a chance to get back some of our money."

Ali held up her hands.  "No, it is not!  She's representing the
Firm.  Moreover, there's going to be no problem persuading the
IRS that these are specialized clothes she would not need in the
normal conduct of our business.  Joan's wardrobe is a Firm
expense.  And by the way, this is a top firm and I expect her to
look the part.  Now get with it."  Turning to Joan she asked, "By
any chance do you ski?"

She said she skied a great deal up at Tahoe.  Ali knew she was
going to be tied up over the weekend on Cape Cod, so she
suggested that Joan plan on going skiing in New England.  Joan
thought it was a great idea.  The girls scattered to do the
shopping.  Whatever she needed had to be acquired that day.

At four o'clock they got together again.  It was a replay of
Jennifer's experience.  Like Jennifer before her, Joan was
stripped to her pants.  Ali saw once again what a perfect body
the girl had.  The outfits were magnificent.  Joan looked like a
very young senior executive.  Her ski wear and leisure clothes
were sensational.  Finally, they were sitting around the table
with drinks Joan had insisted on making for them.  Everyone was
exhausted.

Sandy and Ginger left the room and came back a few moments later
with a big box which they presented to her.  Sandy said, "Joan,
this is separate from the rest.  It's a gift from the junior
partners in the firm, Ginger and me.  We know we yell and scream
at you constantly.  Your response is an inevitable warm smile or
grin... and a level of support every other lawyer in practice
can't even dream about.  Unlike our senior partner who goes out
of her way to tell you girls how well you're doing, the junior
partners tend to take it all for granted and just grump.  Joan,
we really do appreciate it in spite of the way we usually act,
and hope you like our gift."

The girl opened the box.  Inside was a full-length nutria fur
coat.  Ginger shook it out and held it for her to try on.  Joan
shrugged into it.  Tears came to Ali's eyes watching the girl
pull the coat tight around her face and snuggle in the fur the
way Jennifer had done.

Tears were rolling down the girl's cheeks.  "Ginger and Sandy, I
don't know what to say!  Needless to say, I've never had a fur
coat in my life before.  It feels so light and warm and
wonderful.  Thank you so much!"  She kissed them both; Ginger
found a tissue and wiped Joan's eyes.  As she did, Ali could see
that Ginger's eyes were running, too.

The next morning Joan met Ali at the Admirals Club at American
Airlines.  "How do I look?" the girl asked.  As she had done with
Jennifer, she had taken Joan to Henry's studio.  His styling of
her hair was perfect.  She was magnificent -- in some way the
hair style featured her gorgeous green eyes.  She was wearing
tight jeans and a chambray shirt under her new fur coat.  She
looked stunning and Ali said so.  Joan said with a grin that the
Levi's and shirt were the firm's official casual uniform.  Ali
enjoyed the flight to Boston because Joan was enjoying it so
much.  The girl had seldom flown anywhere and never flown
coast-to-coast.  She had never flown first class before, either,
so the trip was obviously a big thrill for her.  Ali took joy
from the girl's excitement and enthusiasm.

Ali was impressed with the way Joan so professionally took charge
of ComTech's administrative problem.  She acted, spoke and
dressed like the senior systems professional she truly was.  The
ComTech people, all of whom were East-Coast trained, were
impressed.  She left on Friday for Sugarloaf in Maine while Ali
stayed on for the weekend Board meeting.  They agreed to meet
Tuesday afternoon at the Admirals Club in Boston for the flight
back to Los Angeles.

Joan was sitting in the club waiting when Ali arrived.  Ali was
amused at the looks Joan was attracting from the predominantly
male clientele in the club.  Looking at Joan's face it was
instantly apparent that the weekend had been a success.  Joan was
reading and hadn't seen Ali come in.  Ali went up to her and said
very softly, "Hi!"

Joan looked up quickly and beamed.  She jumped to her feet and
hugged Ali close.  Suddenly, the girl looked embarrassed and let
go as if Ali were scorching hot.

"What's wrong, Joan?" Ali asked softly.

"That was familiar, Mrs. Clifford.  I'm an employee, not your
daughter."

"It's still Ali," she said, taking a seat beside the girl, "and
sometimes I feel like you are.  Joan, I couldn't be more proud of
you if you were my own daughter.  In fact, I think that's the way
it should be."  Ali smiled softly and added, "Besides, it felt so
good when you hugged me.  Joan, you smell so fresh and sweet and
look so beautiful.  Anyway, looking at you it seems like your
weekend was fun.  Want to tell me about it?"

Joan began and continued the narration after they boarded the
plane and were in the air headed for home.  It seems she had met
a young man on the ski slopes and then had run into him again in
an arcade that had a lot of computer games.  They had played
together, eaten together, and skied together.  They had not slept
together, though.

Joan said, "Ali, it was like no weekend in my life.  First of
all, for the first time ever, I was the rich kid.  Usually, I'm
traveling on the cheap."  Suddenly Joan's lips pursed together
and she seemed to be angry, but Ali noticed there was still a
glint in her eye.  "Speaking of which, the reason I have money is
I went to make a payment on my giant collection of student loans.
 Ali, the total of my loans is exceeded only by the National
Debt.  Do you know what happened?  There aren't any!  I went to
make payments and found they are all paid off!  Now who could
have done a thing like that, Allison McGrath Clifford!?"

Ali pretended to look contrite.  "I'm sorry, Joan!  I didn't
realize!  How was I supposed to know that the loans were a
surrogate security blanket?  Now I guess you feel all exposed
because they're not there any more?"

Joan beamed and her eyes flashed.  "No!  Now I feel rich.  Ali,
for the last two months, there's been money left in the bank at
the end of the month.  It's delicious."  She grinned and said,
"But back to my story.  I was staying at the Sugarloaf Inn in the
best room they had.  I was feeling as rich as a Clifford!  I was
eating at the good places and didn't even have to ask which beer
was the cheapest.  Anyway, I met this guy who is just super. 
He's in medical school in Boston and now he's off for six weeks
of vacation.  He graduates this June after one more six-week
rotation when he goes back.  Anyway, he may come out to see me in
Los Angeles."

Ali was interested.  "What's his name?" she asked.

Joan looked embarrassed.  "It's Bill.  Believe it or not, I don't
even know his last name.  He never said, or if he did, I didn't
catch it.  I have his phone number and he has mine, as well as my
address."

Joan continued to bubble all the way back home.  When they were
met by Bill and Fred with the limousine and Joan was driven home,
she said, "This is absolutely the perfect ending to a perfect
trip!  My God, what will the neighbors think -- being taken home
in a limousine."  She kissed Ali on the cheek and ran in ahead of
Fred who carried in her luggage.

Bill had been watching and listening during the ride back.  Ali
said, "Bill, that is one great girl!  Would you believe she's all
alone in the world?  Whatever she has, she's done herself.  My
God, tending bar topless because it paid more and she needed the
extra money for the tuition at Cal Tech.  What do you think?"

"I think she's the kind of girl my wife loves.  I think she
reminds my wife of her own struggles.  That's why there's a
little more money in my wife's bank account to cover a few
payments she made on some student loans."  Ali beamed at Bill
with her sunshine smile.  He kissed her softly, and then with
increasing passion.  Her blouse was unbuttoned and Bill was
caressing her breasts when Fred returned to the car and headed
toward the hotel.

*  *  *

On Friday morning ten days later Ali was in her office when Joan
Fredrick knocked and came in.  The girl looked embarrassed.  Ali
asked her to sit down and buzzed Kathy for coffee.  Joan looked
even more embarrassed when Kathy served her as if she were a
client.  Ali waited for the girl to get around to telling her
what was troubling her.  Ali saw the girl take a deep breath and
look up at her.  "Ali -- Mrs. Clifford -- could I take a two-week
leave of absence?"

Ali looked at the girl, then looked startled, and finally,
embarrassed.  She ignored being addressed formally.  But without
answering the girl she buzzed and asked Kathy to come into the
office with her pad.  Kathy came in and sat on a side chair with
her pencil poised.  Ali said, "This is a staff memo, Kathy.  To:
Employees of Clifford & Jamison; From: Managing Partner; Subject:
Vacations.

"Paragraph: It has been brought to my attention that the Firm has
no formal policy on vacations.  Accordingly, the following is our
policy: (1) All initial employees (Mrs. Carlson and Misses
Fredrick and Jeffries) are entitled to four weeks paid vacation
per year.  After five years employment, they are entitled to six
weeks.  (2) All employees subsequently hired will receive two
weeks vacation the first year, three weeks in years two through
five, and four weeks after five years.  After ten years service,
these employees will be entitled to six weeks vacation.  (3) The
differential treatment of the two classes of employees is in
recognition of the extraordinary efforts of the initial employees
in establishing and building the Firm in a manner that creates
the opportunity for the others.

"Kathy, type it for my signature, show it to the other partners
and distribute it to the staff."  Kathy was looking at Ali with
an expression of shock on her face.  Ali couldn't resist teasing
her.  "Thanks Kathy.  But please don't let your mouth hang open.
It spoils your beauty."

She turned to Joan as Kathy left the office slowly shaking her
head.  She smiled and said, "I'm sorry for the interruption,
Joan.  You were saying something about a leave of absence?  Why
don't you just take two weeks of your vacation instead?  Where
are you going?  And by the way, young lady, just in case you
think I'm over the hill, I did hear you call me Mrs. Clifford. 
I'm going to ask Kathy to buy that whip she has been talking
about and I plan to start using it on employees who are proving
to be slow learners.  Am I clear?"

Joan just shook her head.  "Ali, you are too much!  The fact is
I'm going up to Tahoe with Bill.  He's out here now.  We had fun
skiing Sugarloaf so I want to show him how we ski in the West. 
He's never skied our powder and the snow in the mountains is
supposed to be fantastic right now."  She looked at Ali with
concern on her face.  "Ali, I apologize for the lack of notice. 
We only made arrangements yesterday.  I wanted to do it in two
weeks, but we couldn't get reservations and Bill has something
else he needs to do."

When Joan left, Ali called the other girls into her office.  At
the end of the day there was a staff meeting in the conference
room where Joan was given yet another wardrobe of Western ski
wear as well as some very attractive clothing for apres ski. 
Joan just shook her head in amazement.

On the Monday morning when Joan was due back from her vacation,
Ali made it a point to get to the office early.  She was amused
to find that the rest of the girls obviously had the same thought
-- they were all in the office waiting for Joan.  Ali had a very
warm feeling looking at them.  They were all such beautiful
girls.  Moreover, it was obvious that they looked on Joan as a
beloved sister and they were waiting for a report on the vacation
with her new man.  When Joan came floating in and sat down, Ali
thought she looked beautiful.  It was obvious she was now
desperately in love.

Judy Jeffries, Joan's best friend in the Firm, was the first to
speak.  "Don't hold out on us, Joan!  How did it go?"

Joan just smiled.  "It was marvelous!"  She smiled warmly at her
friends and added, "And thank you so much for the wardrobe.  I
wore everything.  Those dresses!  We went dancing and Bill
thought I was exquisite.  And I'm in love!  Desperately!"

"Well, don't keep us in suspense!  Are you engaged?"

Joan's face fell.  "No, I'm not.  In fact, I did something
terribly stupid.  I asked to meet his parents.  Bill brightened
and said he would like to talk to mine first.  He has something
to ask them."  Joan's face fell and she wailed, "But I don't have
any!"

Ali looked at the girl and realized she had come to love her like
a daughter.  She said, "Joan, would you allow me to be your
mother?"  She smiled and added, "I was a professional actress,
you know."

Joan looked up, stunned.  "You!  But Ali, you couldn't..."

Ali's face fell and Joan ran over to her.  She realized she had
hurt Ali's feelings -- the very last thing she wanted to do.  She
said, "Ali, what's wrong?  What did I do?"

Ali tried to smile and said, "That's okay, Joan.  As a matter of
fact, I can hire a good character actress for you -- one who's
used to playing mother roles.  I'm sure someone like that would
be a lot better than I could possibly be."

Joan had been studying Ali's face as she spoke.  "Ali, are you
saying you would like to play my mother?  You can't be serious!"

Ali looked up at the girl and Joan saw tears in the corners of
her eyes.  She said, "No, Joan.  I don't want to _play_ your
mother.  I want to _be_ your mother.  May I?"

Joan reached out her arms and Ali stood up.  She enfolded the
smaller girl in her arms and hugged her tightly.  The girl felt
so warm and smelled so fresh and clean.  Then Ali felt a wetness
on her cheek and looked down at the girl.  She saw tears
streaming down Joan's cheeks.  "What's wrong, honey?  Why are you
crying?"

Ali realized that in spite of the tears, the girl was trying to
smile.  Joan said, "Because I'm so happy."

The other girls were looking at them and Ali realized there was
great warmth in their eyes. _They understand,_ Ali thought. 

"Ali, you know I'm an orphan.  I've been an orphan since I was
fifteen.  My father was killed when I was twelve and my mother
died when I was fifteen.  I lied and forged papers so I could
work and keep our little apartment.  I ducked to stay away from
the damned state social service agencies."  She looked up at
Ali's face and her eyes were glowing.  "Ali, no one has held me
like this for nearly ten years.  God, have I missed it!"

Then she dropped her voice and whispered, "Thank you for holding
me, Mom!"  Ali kissed the girl softly on the cheek and Joan held
her tighter.  They planned for a dinner at Joan's apartment the
following Thursday night.

*  *  *

It was Tuesday morning the week of the dinner when Ali drove into
the office.  She was late that day and went right into her
office.  The morning coffee period was over by the time she
arrived; everyone was at her desk.  Workmen were in the office
resetting partitions to create an office for Sandy as big as
Ginger's and were adding additional outside offices.  The firm
needed room to grow.  Already Ginger and Sandy were interviewing
applicants for the professional staff.  In fact, Ali remembered,
she had an interview with a candidate that afternoon.

There was a knock on the door and Joan came in.  She had two cups
of coffee in her hands.  She gave one to Ali and kept one for
herself.  One glance showed Ali the girl was upset.

"What happened, Joan?  What's wrong?" she asked.

"Ali, I owe you a lot of money," the girl said softly.  "I wanted
to tell you before you found out yourself.  Your brand-new
daughter is a disgusting slob.  Did you look at the edge of your
desk and the carpet below it?"

Ali hadn't but did.  There were spots on the floor as if
something had been spilled.  The top of her desk was inlaid with
leather.  Right in front of where Ali normally sat there was a
large stained area.  It was apparent efforts had been made to
clean it but had failed.  "What happened?  What is it?"

Joan turned red.  She said, "Ali, it's blood... and it's mine." 
The girl's eyes started to tear as she continued, "I guess I'm so
ignorant, it never occurred to me I might bleed so much when he
took me.  I'm sorry.  I'll buy you a new desk and pay for new
carpeting in the office."  The girl tried to smile as she said,
"We're expanding so we're going to need more carpeting anyway...
and we're buying furniture..."  She got up to leave the office
and return to her own.

Ali had been looking at the girl intently.  As Joan rose to leave
Ali's eyes widened and she said, "Sit down, young lady!  Did you
lose your virginity last night?  Here in my office, on my desk?"

Joan's head had been downcast.  She raised her chin and sat up
straight.  Ali could see tears flowing down her cheeks.  "Yes,
ma'am, I did.  I'm sorry."

Ali jumped out of her chair and went to the girl.  She lifted her
up, held her in her arms, and then led her to the sofa.  Ali was
shaking her head as they both sat down.  "Joan, I vividly
remember the conversation that we had before the Christmas dance.
 You didn't date, but it never occurred to me you were still a
virgin.  I assumed you were sleeping with Bill when you were in
Tahoe.  Obviously, you didn't.  Do you want to talk about it?"

"Ali, it shouldn't have happened!  At least not the way it did,"
the girl said, trying to grin.  I had the damned guy.  We were
here in the office last night, and it was a beautiful night.  You
know, of course, that your computer links with Ginger's and now
with Sandy's.  Well, I got pretty good with a computer game --
and pretty cocky, I guess.

"Anyway, you can take turns using a single computer.  That's what
most people do.  If you have a major-league system -- and we do
-- you can get trickier.  We have a program called Falcon.  You
link the computers and have dogfights between F-16's.  Since the
aircraft are the same and the computers are the same, it gets
down to the skill of the operator.  I guess pride goeth before a
fall... and the loss of virginity.

"Damn it!" she said, looking up at Ali.  The tears had stopped by
now.  "I had him, too.  It was my own damned fault!  Bill was in
here and I was in Ginger's office.  Ginger has been complaining
about a sticky mouse for weeks.  The stupid thing costs no money
-- a couple of bucks is all -- and I was going to replace it, but
hadn't gotten around to it.  Anyway, I was on his tail and all
set to burn him when the damned mouse sticks!  I lose him and
before I got it going again, he burned me.  And school was out."

"What were you playing for?" Ali asked.

"The winner got his wish," Joan replied softly.

"What would you have done if you had won?" she asked.

Joan looked at her and smiled wryly.  "I would have asked him to
take me on your desk with the drapes pulled back with the full
view of the mountains and the ocean."

"What did he ask for when he won?"

"The same thing," she replied with a small smile.

"Then what are you mad about?  You got the same result."

Joan smiled ruefully, "I wanted him to be my slave, though.  I
didn't want to be his.  Not yet, anyway."

"Did he know you were a virgin?"

"My God, no!  He would have run all the way back to Boston."

"How was it?" Ali asked softly.

"The first time hurt.  The next one was good, and the third time
was marvelous."  Joan smiled softly.  "Mom, I'm sure not in the
same league with the rest of you.  I came for the first time last
night.  It was so wonderful!  I don't know what to say."

"Joan, I have one question.  Why didn't you wait?  Why now,
before he has a chance to meet your mother?"

The girl's eyes fell.  "I don't think it's going to work, Mom. 
And I love him so!  I felt I had to take a chance and I took it.
I'm sorry."

Ali took the girl in her arms and hugged her.  "I can't get over
the fact that you were a virgin until yesterday.  By the way,
what did Bill say and do?"

Joan said, "It was kind of funny.  He was inside me and his cock
had just reached my hymen.  Before he knew what had happened, I
had my legs around his hips and just pulled him into me.  The
thing parted and that was that.  Later, when he saw the blood all
over us, the desk and the carpet he almost died!  Then he just
held me tight and kissed me.  Ali, it was so nice."

The girl was leaving the office but turned and said, "Ali, do you
and Bill hear bells and feel electricity flowing when you kiss?"

"Every time!" she replied smiling warmly at the girl.

* * *

Later that morning she got a call in the office from Bill who
said, "Guess who just called?"

"Who?" Ali replied.

"My phantom son, Bill.  He called this morning.  Believe it or
not, he's out here in Los Angeles on vacation.  He got in a
couple of days ago.  I called up Jennifer -- woke her up, of
course -- and she and Steve will join us for dinner tonight. 
Will you be back at the regular time?  Bill's coming over this
afternoon.  I haven't seen him in nearly a year so we have some
catching up to do."

Ali said, "I have a candidate to interview.  It should be over
around four and I'll leave then.  Does that give you enough
time?"

Bill agreed that it did and they hung up.Chapter 17

That afternoon Sandy escorted a young woman into Ali's office. 
"Ali, I would like you to meet Constance Foster.  Connie is
finishing this year at USC Law School.  She comes to us highly
recommended by Ginger and Charley, among others.  She's in the
top five in her class."  She turned to the girl and said with a
smile, "Enjoy your chat with our phantom partner."  She quietly
closed the door as she left.

Ali was impressed with the girl's appearance.  She smiled at her
and then looked over the notes Sandy and Ginger had made on the
girl's resume that Sandy had handed to her.  She said, "Connie,
I'm sure you must be pretty well talked out after meeting with my
two partners.  I have two questions for you, though.  First, what
do you think of our merry band?  Second, why are you sonervous?"

At the second question the girl was so startled she nearly jumped
from her chair.  Ali was looking at her closely and saw a look of
fear come into the girl's eyes replacing the nervousness she had
sensed when the girl came in.

Connie Foster was another tall girl -- five feet nine.  She had
blonde hair and brilliant emerald-green eyes like Joan and
Ginger.  Her blonde hair was more silver than Ali's gold.  She
had a light tan and a perfect complexion.  Ali noticed that the
business suit she was wearing was inexpensive but conservatively
styled and most appropriate for a young lawyer.

The girl said, "Mrs. Clifford, before answering your questions
may I ask a couple of my own?  First, I'm very impressed with
your Firm.  But where are the rest of your people?"

Ali laughed merrily and put her finger in front of her lips. 
"Shh!  That's part of our secret.  There is no 'rest.'  I think
you've seen us all.  There's only Ginger and me, along with Sandy
who's the litigation partner.  Then we have Kathy Carlson who's
secretary to the three of us, assisted by Judy Jeffries who
doubles as receptionist, telephone operator, and travel agent. 
Then there's Joan Fredrick who makes it all work.  We're it, I'm
afraid."

The girl looked puzzled.  "But there have to be more people!  I
have a good idea of your client list and your billings.  You have
to have a support staff of at least fifteen."

Ali just shrugged.  "I'm sorry.  We don't.  We just muddle
through.  But you didn't answer my question: What do you think of
us?"

Now the girl smiled.  "I don't know what to make of it.  It's
more like a sorority than a law office.  I have never seen so
much kidding and teasing -- at all levels.  When I visit some
other law offices I sense fear on the part of the support staff
toward the partners -- and sometimes even toward the young
professionals.  There's none of that here.  The people seem to
like each other..."

"Why did you stop?" Ali asked.

The girl's head had come up and she was looking at Ali
thoughtfully.  "Because as I said it, I realized it's not true. 
It is not like, it's... love!  Of course," she said with a
brilliant smile, "That's it!  Your people actually love each
other.  I gather something's going on with Joan, isn't it?  Damn
it, now I see!  It's like a family.  Something's going on with
Joan and the rest of the family is helping, isn't it?"

Ali smiled and nodded.  "How about the second question?  When I
asked, Connie, the nervousness I sensed was replaced by fear that
I saw.  What's the trouble?"

Ali was surprised as the girl got up from her chair, apparently
to leave.  Ali rose, too.  The girl looked at her and said, "I'm
sorry for wasting your time, Mrs. Clifford.  I thought it could
work but I forgot you were an actress.  You can spot an act in an
instant and my act isn't nearly good enough."

Ali said firmly, "Sit down, Constance!"  The girl was startled by
Ali's tone.  Her eyes widened as she quickly sat down again. 
"You're not going to get away with that, young lady!  I hate
mystery stories.  Now what are you trying to hide?"

Ali saw the girl swallow hard but then looked her straight in the
eye.  "I didn't want you to know that I earned my way through
school working as a stripper out on Sunset."

She was astounded at Ali's reaction -- or rather, the lack of
one.  Ali looked at her as if she had told her the sun was
shining.  Ali asked, "Which club, Connie?"  Connie told her and
Ali brightened.  "Good heavens!  My daughter worked there.  Do
you know her?  She danced as Jenny."

This time the girl's jaw dropped.  "You're Jenny's _mother!_ 
That's impossible!  But..."

Ali picked up her telephone and called Bill to tell him she would
be later than she expected.  Then she went to the girl and took
her to the sofa.  The girl allowed herself to be led -- she was
moving as if in a daze.  Ali looked at her and said, "Connie, how
did you get away with it?  Jen -- her name is Jennifer Clifford,
by the way -- was recognized by a schoolmate after less than two
months.  How have you maintained your secret?"

The girl was just shaking her head in utter amazement.  She
pulled herself together with an effort of will.  Looking into
Ali's eyes she saw warmth, friendship, and genuine interest.  She
said, "I always wear a dark wig and contacts to change my eye
color."  She began to relax and her lips formed a small smile. 
"No one ever thinks of a law student as having a body.  I started
as a cocktail waitress when I was only seventeen.  I had fake ID.
 Then I started working topless for more money, and finally moved
up to being on stage.  But Ali, you couldn't be Jenny's mother
unless you gave birth at the age of five!"

Ali smiled and said, "You're right, of course.  Jen's my
husband's daughter.  But Connie, I couldn't love her more if she
were my own, and I'm convinced she loves me, too."  She smiled
warmly at the girl and said, "Another question: Why?"

Again the girl's head came up straight and she said, "Because I'm
an orphan.  My parents left me a little money, but that was all
gone by my second year in college.  Stripping pays well."

"One more question, Connie," Ali said, "And then I'll quit.  Do
you like men?"

"I beg your pardon!" the girl responded, obviously startled.

"I asked if you like men.  Let me explain.  I've heard some
strippers are lesbians.  They don't like men.  The girls here all
do, as you'll find out if you haven't already.  Do you?"

The girl smiled warmly this time and said, "Hell, yes!  And Ali,
I say that in full realization of the fact that I've been as
chaste as a nun for at least four years now -- purely by
necessity, not by choice.  Between trying to study and working
almost every night, if a guy got me into bed I would be asleep
before I could even spread my legs!  But it's been awful!  There
are times I want a man so badly I hurt.  And being a stripper
sure doesn't help!"

Ali smiled at the girl and on impulse leaned over, gathered her
into her arms and hugged her.  She said softly, "Connie, welcome
to Clifford & Jamison!"  She moved away and checked her watch. 
It was just four o'clock.

Then she picked up her phone and buzzed Kathy.  "Get the troops
into the conference room, order hors d'oeuvres, and tell Joan she
has to keep her clothes on.  We have company."  She went back to
where the girl was seated, winked, and said, "This is going to be
educational, Connie.  By the way, I'm having dinner with Jen
tonight.  May I tell her you'll be joining us?"

The girl smiled and said, "Please do.  Tell her Cara sends her
love.  That is... was... my stage name."  Suddenly, her face
fell.  "Oh, my God!  I can't quit.  At least, not now.  Mrs.
Clifford, I got carried away.  If you've heard of a hand-to-mouth
existence, I'm it.  I can't quit until I start work, and I'm not
sure I can even then."

The girl was sitting on the sofa.  Ali pulled up a chair and
said, "Why not tell me about it.  First, how much are we going to
be paying you?"

Connie reddened.  "I don't know, Mrs. Clifford.  You and I were
supposed to talk about that."

It was Ali's turn to look embarrassed.  "Wait until I get my
hands on Sandy!  She never mentioned a word of it to me."  She
smiled at the girl and asked, "Connie, what do you think would be
fair?"

"Could...  Could you pay me $40,000?  Or at least $35,000?  Mrs.
Clifford, I'll be honest.  I intend to work here.  What we're
talking about is when -- and whether -- I can afford to quit my
job.  Could you make it $30,000, anyway?"

Ali got up and went behind her desk.  She put on her fake reading
glasses, got out the Firm checkbook -- even though almost all of
the company checks were computer produced -- and made a big
production of going over the books.  She looked up at Connie who
was watching her anxiously.  "How much do you owe on your
education loans?" Ali asked.  Her tone of voice was flat,
displaying no interest in the answer.

"Mrs. Clifford, that's the problem.  When I graduate, I have to
start paying them off.  Right now I pay a little, but mostly they
even capitalize the interest.  I owe nearly $150,000 with the
interest that's been capitalized."

Ali scribbled a check and tore it out of the book.  She went back
to where Connie was sitting and stood looking at her.  "Connie,
we can't afford to pay you more than $75,000 to start.  I think
that's roughly competitive with the other firms who are competing
for the very top graduates."

The girl's jaw dropped as if she had been hit in the back of the
head.

"And Connie, would you please take care of this for me?  When I
paid off Joan's loans, I was chasing all over the whole damned
city trying to find some of those dumb banks.  Here.  You'll have
to pay off your own silly loans!"  She gave the girl a check for
$150,000.

The girl looked at it, gasped, and suddenly started to cry.  Ali
sat down next to her and held her.  The girl put her arms around
Ali and hugged her, while the tears flowed down her cheeks. 
Finally, she pushed away.  Ali saw that the girl was genuinely
beautiful.  In spite of the tears, there was a smile that lit up
her face. _Another sunshine smile,_ Ali thought.

Connie said, "Mrs. Clifford, thank you!  From the bottom of my
heart, thank you!  You can't know..."

Ali smiled her sunshine smile.  She said, "Connie, I can.  The
day I married Bill Clifford less than a year ago I was literally
starving.  I had less than ten bucks in the bank and owed about
$50,000.  But I didn't have a job and hadn't been able to get
one.  My parents are dead, too.  Connie, that day, after my debts
were paid I broke down and cried.  Bill held me and comforted me.
 Believe me, I do know."  She smiled warmly and said, "Connie, I
hope you'll feel at home here."

Her smile turned into a grin as she said, "Welcome to the
three-ring circus!  Now come on!  Let's join the others."

She took the girl to the conference room where the other girls
were sitting around the table.  The hors d'oeuvres were sitting
in the middle of the table.  As Ali entered, Joan turned to her
and pouted.  "Ali, you're no fair!  Kathy said I couldn't wear my
waitress uniform."

Ali turned to Connie and asked, "What will you have to drink? 
Incidentally, Joan's waitress uniform is a tiny white apron about
the size of a postage stamp, net stockings, and spike heels --
that's all.  She's even shaved her pubic hair."  Ali said, "Joan,
I'll have a martini.  Kathy, call Fred and have him pick me up at
six, would you?  Connie, what about it?"

The girl was just shaking her head in bewilderment, but said
finally, "I like scotch."

Joan brightened and said, "At last!  A class drinker in this sea
of plebeians!  Do you like single malts, Miss Foster?"

"I love them, Joan.  But please call me Connie.  Do you have
any?"

Joan stiffened and pretended to be affronted.  "I _beg_ your
pardon?  Is the Pope Catholic?  Do we, indeed!  When I counted
last, there were over twenty different brands.  May I get you my
favorite?"

The girl just shook her head in amazement and agreed.  Joan
poured her a Cardhu on the rocks.  Connie tried a sip and said,
"Joan, this is nectar!  What is it?"  Joan smiled and told her.

Ali stood up at the end of the table and said, "I want you all to
welcome Connie Foster who will be joining us as an associate as
soon as she graduates from University of Southern California Law
School this spring.  Connie has been supporting herself through
school working as a stripper.  In fact, she's working at the same
club as Jen.  She was concerned that we wouldn't hire her if we
knew how she has been supporting herself.  She doesn't know us
very well, does she?  Connie, you've been talking with my
partners and associates.  It's time you got to know them.  It's
still not too late to stay clear of this funny farm.

"First, there's my fellow name partner, Virginia Jamison Conrad.
Ginger took the position that men only want women as depositories
for their sexual fluids.  They don't respect women for their
brains.  Connie, Ginger wore grungy brown contacts to hide her
eyes -- not just for dancing, the way you do.  She dyed her hair
a horrible mouse-brown, and even wore padding around her body to
hide her figure.  She came out of it and is now married to
Charley Conrad, as you know.  Poor Charley's perpetually
exhausted these days.  He claims he was trapped into marrying a
nymphomaniac.  I don't know if it's true, but it could be. 
Ginger?"

Ginger grinned, got out of her chair and did a deep curtsy -- so
deep she was almost sitting on her back foot.  She had pulled her
skirt up to her hips revealing her perfect tanned legs.  She then
bent her body forward so that her forehead touched her out thrust
leg.  "Welcome, mademoiselle!"

"Mrs. Conrad, I can't comment on what Mrs. Clifford said about
you, but I do know I have never seen such muscle control or
conditioning in my life!  Your physical condition is marvelous!"

"Miss Foster, you haven't started here yet.  There is one rule
here that's ironclad.  Kathy, would you bring in the training aid
Ali told you to buy?"  Kathy scampered out and came back with a
coiled bull whip.  She passed it to Ginger who said, "Miss
Foster, this is a bull whip.  It is to be used on slow learners.
It's a compromise.  Ali was going to replay _The Texas Chain-Saw
Massacre._  It's to be used on anyone who calls her Mrs.
Clifford, or me, Mrs. Conrad!"  Ginger pretended to glare at the
girl who started to giggle.	

Ali turned to Sandy.  "Connie, this is Sandy -- formerly Sandra
-- Harris, soon to be Sandy Benson.  Sandy worked downstairs in
litigation.  However, she was as prickly as a cactus about
women's rights.  After a weekend with Jack Benson, she's never
been the same.  Sandy?"

"Connie," Sandy said, "there's one minor thing Ali overlooked. 
It's how Ginger came out of her shell and how I joined the human
race.  I'll give you a hint: Her initials are Allison McGrath
Clifford.  The short answer is, we adore her."

Ali said, "These other turkeys are Kathy Carlson, Judy Jeffries,
and Joan Fredrick.  They provide what we laughingly refer to as
support.  Mostly, they sit around, drink coffee, and try to
recover from the previous night's lovemaking.  All except Joan --
until last night.  Now she's gone, too.  Previously, you could
have gotten into a pool she runs.  It's just as well, I guess. n
I found out awhile ago she uses her computer to cheat... somehow.
 Anyway, girls, what do you say?"

Joan looked at Ali with a twinkle in her eye.  "Can we audition
her for partner now before she joins?  We wouldn't want to have
to blackball her later."  The girl looked puzzled.  Sandy got up,
went over to the girl and whispered into her ear.  Connie
reddened slightly but then grinned.  She looked at Ali who
grinned back and gave her a thumbs-up sign.

Connie got out of her chair and walked to the front of the room.
She turned up the volume on the PA-system speaker so the music
filled the room, then took some papers out of her briefcase to
use as a prop.  She ignored the girls but moved in time to the
music, appearing to be alone in the room.  Idly, she took off her
watch -- the only piece of jewelry she was wearing.  She stepped
out of her shoes, then undid the buttons of her blouse.  The
strip show continued until she was completely nude.  Meanwhile
she continued to move gracefully in time to the music.

Connie's body was magnificent with slim hips, beautiful legs, and
full firm breasts.  Finally, she leaned back and with her hands
together reached down in front of her.  She drew her slender
fingers up over her slit and then flowed them gracefully up the
full length of her slim body.  She leaned over backward with her
back arched, as she sensuously ran her long fingers up over her
breasts.  Then she raised her leg quickly; it appeared to make a
vertical circle and the girl ended by going over in a slow-motion
somersault.  Completely nude, she bowed the way Ginger had,
ending with her forehead touching her thigh.

The girls exploded into applause and Connie jumped to her feet. 
She stood in front of them without embarrassment.  "Do I pass?"
She looked down at her groin and then at Ali.  "Ali...  I guess
it has to be Ali -- I don't like the looks of that whip -- should
I shave my pubic hair?"  The girl's pubic patch was dark. 

Ali realized that she had dyed it to match the wig she wore on
stage.  She said, "Now I see how you did it, Connie.  The natural
color of your pubic hair is just a little darker than the hair on
your head.  I'll bet it's beautiful."  Ali grinned and said,
"I've never heard of a girl worrying about her pubic hair growing
back in a different color."  She looked around the room and said,
"Girls, what's the verdict?"

All the girls were crowded around Connie giving her kisses of
welcome.  They did not even give her a chance to put her clothes
back on.  Finally, she emerged from the crowd and came over to
Ali carrying them with her face glowing with happiness.  "Ali, I
guess the answer is that I passed the admissions test."

"Get another drink and bring it with you back to my office.  I'll
gather a plate of munchies," Ali said.

They left the girls and went back to Ali's office with the girl
carrying a drink in one hand and her clothes in the other.  Ali
grinned and got a coaster for her glass.  Connie quickly slipped
back into her clothes and then sat down.  She looked vibrantly
happy as she said, "I guess I've just been through my initiation
into this sorority."

Ali laughed and sat down near the girl.  She placed the
appetizers on the coffee table and Ali just looked at the younger
girl.  Finally, she said, "You feel better now, don't you,
Connie?"

"Do I ever!  One question, though, Ali.  What's the repayment
schedule on the loan?  I never bothered to ask.  You know what I
make, so I just assume you handle it as a payroll deduction.  Is
that correct?"

"No, it's not correct," Ali said with her face impassive.  "It's
a signing bonus.  Connie, we like our people to be relaxed, and
you can't relax if you're sweating every penny with creditors
calling all the time.  As I said earlier, I know.  Besides," Ali
said with a grin, "Joan gives me hell if I ask her to set up a
payroll deduction.  She hates them.  And good computer people are
very hard to find.  You have to humor them."

Connie sat looking flabbergasted.  "Ali Clifford, do you know
what you've just done?  You've given me two years pay in a single
check!  And I don't even start work until June.  This is the most
ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"

Ali jumped up with a start and muttered, "Damn!" She went to her
desk, pulled out her checkbook, scribbled a check and brought it
back.  She didn't even bother with the window dressing of her
reading glasses this time.  She gave the check to Connie and
said, "I almost forgot.  My partners would shoot me if I did."

Connie looked at the check and found it was made out to her for
$20,000.  She glared at Ali and said, "Allison McGrath Clifford,
what in hell is this?"

"Oh," Ali replied brightly, "that's your initial clothing
allowance.  Connie, you wouldn't believe what it costs to dress
like a bright young lawyer today.  Ginger and I were shocked when
we did it last year.  Of course, there's been some inflation. 
Isn't it enough?"  As Ali looked at her, she saw the girl's face
crumple and tears start to flow down her cheeks.  Ali noticed the
girl was beautiful in spite of the tears.  _She'll do!_  Ali
thought.

Connie looked at Ali and tried to focus her eyes through her
tears.  She said in a low voice, husky with tears, "Ali, why are
you doing this to me?  I can't take it any more!  Really, I
can't."

Ali went to the girl and sat beside her on the leather sofa.  She
took her in her arms and listened to her cry.  She could feel the
girl hugging her tightly.

As she felt the girl calm down, Ali whispered, "I'm sorry,
Connie.  Really I am.  I didn't mean to upset you.  I guess I
have been with Bill for nearly a year now.  I had almost
forgotten how lonely I was after my parents died, just struggling
to survive.  It's a bad habit we have, I'm afraid.  All of us are
hopeless where it comes to teasing.  We can't seem to resist. 
And subtle?  As a group we're about as subtle as a Mack truck!  I
am sorry.  And I do apologize.  Will you forgive me?" she asked
softly.

"Could you kiss me, please?" Connie replied, so softly Ali wasn't
sure she had actually said the words.  Ali kissed the girl's soft
cheek and stroked her hair gently.  Connie pulled back slowly and
Ali could see that the girl was beaming.  "Thank you so much,
Ali!  It was exactly like what my mother used to do when I was a
little girl and needed comforting -- just as I needed it now. 
But why did you give me that second check, Ali?  Seriously, why?
No one does that."

"As I said, we're as subtle as trucks.  We also have the
sensitivity of clams."  Ali smiled softly and added, "But we
really do mean well.  The fact is that under that nonsense, there
is a reality.  Face it: A business wardrobe is expensive.  We're
well known on the Pacific Coast as a firm, thanks primarily to
Ginger and Sandy.  We do have an image to maintain.  I think a
major reason for our success is many client people see us and
want to emulate us.  My partners _do_ have it all.  You said so
yourself.  I think you'll agree they're both beautiful girls, and
you are certainly in their class.  You are easily as beautiful
and, I gather, as smart.  Connie, I do strange things sometimes.
You should know, I don't need money from the Firm to live on..."

Ali stopped as the girl's eyes became as big as saucers.  She
said softly, "Ali, is your husband William H. Clifford? _The_
William Clifford?"

Ali grinned and said, "I'm happy to say, yes.  Connie, I love
Bill Clifford desperately, and he loves me.  In addition to being
his wife, and being a sometime lawyer, I have another part-time
job: I manage money.  Ours.  Bill says I'm pretty good.  The fact
is, we really can't spend it fast enough.  It just grows.  So
when I meet someone like you -- a girl who has had to work hard
for everything she has, who struggles to get ahead -- I try to
help."  Ali smiled softly and held out her arms, "Please, say
you'll accept it?  I want you to understand the spirit in which
this is offered.  Will you?"

Connie started to brighten and finally was beaming.  She went to
Ali's arms and embraced her.  "Ali, thank you.  That's all I can
say.  I came in today hoping against hope I might get a job
offer.  I had talked with Sandy and Ginger and loved them.  And
they're so much like you.  They're relaxed and friendly and... 
Ali, they're confident in themselves.  And they both have men
they adore and who adore them, don't they?"

Ali smiled broadly, "You're absolutely right.  In both cases,
they would do anything to make their men happy.  And I mean
absolutely anything.  They have fun here.  We all do. 
Incidentally, I should warn you about something.  Maybe you might
want to keep your job.  It will give you something to do in the
evening.  This place closes tight as a drum every night at five
except sometimes like tonight when we have a little party.  I
know the normal practice for young lawyers is to come early and
stay late.  We sort of come late and leave early."

Ali shook her head.  "I'm getting carried away.  We receive
information from the bar association regularly about the business
side of the practice of law.  We are probably the most profitable
law firm in Southern California.  Not the biggest, but the most
profitable.  Sandy and Ginger carry triple the case load of the
average partner.  We have big clients who recommend us to other
big clients.  Boeing rates us the best firm they use.  We deliver
superior results, and they pay for results.  When we started our
talk, you mentioned and we talked about our support staff..."

Just then Kathy stuck her head in the door.  "Ali, I'm headed
home."  She grinned and said, "I may peel another carrot tonight.
 Do you need anything before I go?"

"Kathy, just one thing.  Do you know any good legal secretaries
who might like to work here?" Ali asked.

Kathy beamed. _"Do I?_  Ali, I could make a fortune!  If I even
hinted that we have an opening, there would be a line stretching
from here to San Diego.  Do you mean to say we're going to get...
help?"

Ali grinned back.  "I guess so.  Of course, the pay will come out
of yours mostly, but with some from Judy's.  Now get your
overworked ass the hell out of here.  And leave the Dom Perignon
alone!"

Kathy stuck out her tongue and quickly closed the door.  Connie
had just looked at them with a bewildered expression on her face.
 When Kathy left, she looked at Ali with a question in her eyes.
Ali grinned and told her the meaning of the reference to a
peeling a carrot, and the girl started to laugh.  Ali liked the
musical sound of her laughter.  Then she explained about Dom
Perignon.  Connie reddened and then laughed again.

Ali was now very relaxed.  She liked this girl very much.  She
said, "There are two more things.  First, you've probably noticed
that none of the girls wear bras.  Speaking for myself, when I
first met Bill my... severe diet... had left me as flat as a
board.  He loves to caress my breasts and I love to have him do
it.  I never wear a bra so he has easier access to my tits.  It's
obvious you don't need one for support, but it's strictly up to
you.  I only mention it so you'll know none of us care.

"The second point is your pubic hair.  You mentioned shaving it
off.  I can see how it would avoid the coloring problem, but I
understand it's absolutely awful when it starts to grow in again.
 It itches like hell!  Anyway, I have an idea."  She smiled
warmly at the girl and said, "Have you ever heard of a hair
stylist named Henry Hall?"

The girl's face looked blank for a moment, but then there was a
flash of recognition.  "Do you mean the guy who's won a bunch of
Oscars?"

Ali smiled and nodded.  She told Connie about Ginger's dye job
and how Henry had dyed her hair back to its original color.  "Let
me ask you.  You're a performer.  What do you think of Ginger's
hair color now?"

"It's absolutely gorgeous!  It's like fire!  But why do youask?"

"Because only between half and two-thirds is her natural color, I
guess.  The outer one-third or so is Henry's dye job.  Can you
tell the difference?"

The girl's jaw dropped.  "Do you mean to say that her hair is
partially dyed?  I would never have believed it!"

"He is good, isn't he?  Anyway, Henry loves to do strange things.
 He's a good friend.  Would you like me to ask him about dying
your pubic hair back to its natural color?"  Connie looked
startled but then grinned.  "I'm sorry, Connie.  I got ahead of
my story.  Henry confines his services to film work -- and our
firm.  Every girl here has been over there for hair styling. 
It's a fringe benefit I forgot to mention.  What do you think of
his work?"

The girl's mouth formed an 'O'.  "Of course!  I never noticed. 
But that's the hallmark of truly outstanding hair styling, isn't
it?  You're completely unaware of the fact that it has been
styled.  The girls all just look beautiful!"  The girl then
looked sharply at Ali and added, "All the styles are designed for
bed, aren't they?"

Ali blushed but nodded.  "That's Henry and me, I'm afraid.  I've
always been amazed watching a woman spend tons of money with a
beautician to have her hair arranged in a style that requires her
to have it up in rollers or something stupid when she goes to
bed.  She has her hair set to attract a man, but then looks like
the Wrath of God when she gets into bed with him.  Does our
girls' styling bother you?"

"Of course not!  My God, no wonder the girls all look so lovely!
I'll bet they get all kinds of bedroom exercise every night!"

Ali laughed and told her about the pool Joan used to run.  Then
she said, "I forgot something else -- our health club membership.
 It's another Firm benefit."  Ali glanced at her watch and said,
"Oops, I've got to run!"  She stood up and held out her hand.

The girl stood but instead of taking her hand, she stepped close
and took Ali in her arms and hugged her tight.  Ali felt a soft
kiss on her cheek as she held the girl.  Then she heard the
faintest whisper in her ear, "Thank you, Mom!  It's been so long
since you've held me."

The girl stepped away and Ali could see her eyes were glistening
with tears.  She realized her own eyes weren't dry either, as she
said softly, "Thank you Connie, and welcome!  I think I love you
already."

Connie said, "Ali, I'll do my very best.  I feel like I'm the
luckiest girl in the world starting work for the finest law firm
in the world."  Her voice dropped again to an almost inaudible
whisper, "I won't disappoint you, Mom!"

Ali winked and left the office.

To be continued...

* * *

Comments and constructive criticism are sincerely welcome.  Let
me hear from you.  morg105829@aol.com

_Allison_  Copyright 1988, 2001 by Morgan.  <morg105829@aol.com>

All rights reserved.  No part may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any electronic means, including photocopying,
recording or by any information and retrieval system, without the
written permission of the author. <1st attachment end>


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