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{\title Friends and Benefits}{\author eknight}{\operator eknight}{\creatim\yr2005\mo5\dy28\hr22\min26}{\revtim\yr2005\mo5\dy28\hr22\min26}{\printim\yr2005\mo5\dy5\hr19\min38}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages15}{\nofwords4606}{\nofchars26259}
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}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5713671 Chapter Two
by be287m
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7163971 I dreamed of long black hair that night. It wrapped around me and enfolded me and cushioned me. I kept trying to grasp it in my hands but the silken }{
\insrsid15809439 threads}{\insrsid7163971 just slipped and slid on through.}{\insrsid5713671
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7163971
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7163971 Morning found me hung over, though not as bad}{\insrsid12066083 ly}{\insrsid7163971 as I\rquote
d expected. Bad enough to call into the office and claim a sick day. My boss asked if it was the bug that was going around and I said yes, so he wished me well and told me to stay in bed. I did}{\insrsid15809439 so}{\insrsid7163971
for most of the morning, just staring at the far wall when I couldn\rquote t sleep. Hunger an}{\insrsid15809439 d boredom finally drove me out}{\insrsid7163971 shortly after twelve.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800 In the kitchen, I found Sherri\rquote s card on the table and my wallet on the counter. W}{\insrsid15809439 hy was my wallet on the counter}{
\insrsid8263800 ? Oh yeah. I\rquote d paid Sherri while we were standing there, just before she called the agency on the kitchen phone to confirm her arrival. Then I\rquote d apparently }{\insrsid15809439 forgotten to put my wallet back in my pocket}{
\insrsid8263800 .
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800 I opened it up. Nothing was missing. Sherri had been moving around the kitchen while I sat mired in sorrow and she hadn\rquote
t touched it. I let out a deep sigh of relief.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800 I\rquote d been lucky, I realized. I\rquote
d invited a complete stranger into my house to engage in an illegal activity, while I was too drunk to do much to protect my stuff or defend myself. }{\insrsid12066083 I was l}{\insrsid8263800 ucky}{\insrsid12066083 in who actually showed up}{
\insrsid8263800 . }{\insrsid1522492 Incredibly}{\insrsid8263800 lucky.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800 I got some coffee and a bowl of cereal and sat down at the table. I picked up Sherri\rquote s card and read it again. I was surprised. She\rquote
d written down the rates for \'93social evening\'94 and they were }{\insrsid1517788 a third}{\insrsid8263800 of what a \'93full\'94 hour cost. In fact, they weren\rquote
t too much higher than what shrinks cost, if I could believe what Sharon had told me she was paying. I idly wondered }{\insrsid12066083 what her shrink had said about me}{\insrsid8263800 .
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8263800 I didn\rquote t wonder long. I didn\rquote t want to get into another self-pity party like I had over Alicia. }{\insrsid15865183
It still hurt, but it only hurt w}{\insrsid15809439 hen I thought about it. So I }{\insrsid15865183 avoid}{\insrsid15809439 ed}{\insrsid15865183 thinking about it.}{\insrsid8263800
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15865183
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6621665 I spent the afternoon reading }{\insrsid15865183 old favorite novels on the couch and internet porn on the computer.}{\insrsid613180
I toyed with going into work but figured }{\insrsid15809439 that }{\insrsid613180 I couldn\rquote t explain why my recovery from \'93the bug going around\'94 had been so fast. In the end I didn\rquote t do much at all in the afternoon.}{
\insrsid15865183
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid613180
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12066083 I did}{\insrsid613180 start getting lonely }{\insrsid12066083 in the}{\insrsid613180 early evening. Unless I was wo
rking late, I usually called Sharon right before dinne}{\insrsid1472536 r. It was a great way to get }{\insrsid613180 sound and }{\insrsid9259735 a sense of other people}{\insrsid613180
into my otherwise quiet apartment. Far superior than the TV that served that same function when Sharon didn\rquote t answer.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15030570
Instead I made a different phone call.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15030570 It took a little convincing to get the agency to agree to the \'93social\'94 rate that Sherri had mentioned. }{\insrsid1522492
They wanted to maintain the fiction their ladies only provided}{\insrsid15030570 \'93time and companionship\'94 }{\insrsid1522492 under any circumstance}{\insrsid15030570 . It wasn\rquote t until I mentioned }{\insrsid1472536
that Sherri had given me the rate herself }{\insrsid15030570 that the lady on the phone stopped obfuscating and scheduled me an appointment}{\insrsid12066083 for two hours later, making it a late dinner date}{\insrsid15030570 .
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15030570
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15030570 Sherri met me at Union Station. When the District, or the Feds, I was n
ever sure which, overhauled the train station, they added a mall area in the front half. }{\insrsid6769950 The shopping was okay and the food wasn\rquote t terrible. I caught the Metro in and met Sherri at the Center Caf\'e9, which was in the mid}{
\insrsid9259735 dle of the restored Grand Hall.}{\insrsid15030570
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9259735
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9259735 \'93Good to see you, Joe,\'94 Sherri said, giving me a quick hug. I did a quick check of my watch and r}{\insrsid12066083 ealized she was exactly on time}{
\insrsid9259735 . She caught me looking.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9259735
\'93Don\rquote t worry, Joe. We\rquote ve got plenty of time.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9259735 We were a little too close to the entrance and the host
ess asked if we were ready to be seated before I could make a reply. Sherri told her yes and led the way to the table. I dropped back to admire Sherri walking a few steps in front of me.}{\insrsid6192125
Her hair cascaded straight down further than I expected; really three quarters of the way down her back instead of halfway. Her ass was tight and beautifully molded in the skirt she wore. I didn\rquote
t have a chance to look much more before we arrived at our table.}{\insrsid9259735
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6192125
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7276041 Sherri only glanced at the menu before putting it down. S
he looked at me, placed her elbows on the table, and clasped her hands. She arched her eyebrows and waited. Oh yeah. I passed her an envelope which disappeared into her purse after a quick glance at the contents.}{\insrsid6192125
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7276041
\'93So how was your morning?\'94 Sherri asked.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7276041 \'93Not as bad as I\rquote d expected,\'94 I replied. }{\insrsid14905046 \'93Neither the hangover nor the guilt were as bad as I expected.\'94}{
\insrsid7276041
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046
\'93Guilt?\'94
\'93Uhh, well, for, well, getting drunk and calling you.\'94
\'93What\rquote s there to feel guilty about in that?\'94
\'93Because you\rquote re an escort.\'94
\'93So? We didn\rquote t do anything illegal, Joe.\'94
\'93True, but I wanted to.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046 \'93If every person who wanted to commit a crime was in jail, there wouldn\rquote t b}{\insrsid12066083 e anyone left on the outside.\'94}{\insrsid14905046
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046 \'93You needed to talk and I like listening,\'94 she said next. \'93That\rquote s why we\rquote re here tonight, right?\'94 I snorted.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046 \'93I need more friends in D.C.,\'94 I stated. \'93It was either you or a shrink and}{\insrsid6621665 they don\rquote t keep evening hours. Besides,}{
\insrsid14905046 you\rquote re better looking.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14905046
\'93I\rquote m also not bound by the same rules that they are, either.\'94
\'93Rules?\'94 I asked. She leered in reply.
\'93Let\rquote s just say I can\rquote t lose my license for getting involved with a client.\'94
}{\insrsid9310911
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9310911 I sat, frozen. I didn\rquote
t know whether to run away, make a joke, or make a pass at her. Sherri seemed to revel in my discomfort for a moment, but then she relaxed and reached over to take my hand.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9310911
\'93Tell me more about Sharon, Joe.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9310911 I nodded my head }{\insrsid3762673 and let out a deep breath . . .}{\insrsid9310911
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9310911
}\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9310911 {\insrsid9310911 * * *
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9310911
}{\insrsid6621665 Sharon called two days after our \'93ten questions\'94 afternoon to claim her first forfeit.}{\insrsid9310911
}{\insrsid6621665
\'93Joe, can you come to Kim\rquote s party with me Saturday?\'94
\'93What party?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6621665 \'93Kim\rquote s having a barbeque and she\rquote s invited a lot of people. I want to go but Allen might be there.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6621665
\'93So you want me to go as your date?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6514975 \'93No--}{\insrsid6621665 \'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6621665
\'93Good, because Allen would never believe we\rquote re dating.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6621665 \'93I know that,\'94 Sharon said. }{\insrsid8070960 \'93It\rquote s that . . . well . . . I just don\rquote
t want to be standing alone if he shows up with someone.\'94 This didn\rquote t mak}{\insrsid6514975 e sense to me}{\insrsid8070960 .}{\insrsid6621665
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8070960
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8070960 \'93So, you want me to go to Kim\rquote s party with you and stand around with you until he shows up, but not act like we\rquote re together.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8070960
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8070960 \'93Right. And watch the door. I want to be able to flirt with some of the guys that Kim\rquote
s inviting without having to be constantly watching out for Allen. You can let me know if he shows up with anyone before I have to talk to him.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid1707033
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid1707033 Oh. She wanted me to be her wingman. I was glad she couldn\rquote t see me rolling my eyes}{\insrsid7013239 over the phone}{\insrsid1707033 .
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid1707033
\'93Sure,\'94 I answered. \'93I\rquote ll do that. What are friends for?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14760752 The party actually turned out to be }{\insrsid13239870 pretty big}{\insrsid14760752 . }{\insrsid6514975 That was fine since Kim and her roommates were rent
ing a house with a yard. }{\insrsid10252130 There were probably fifty people there and the gender mix was about even. }{\insrsid14760752 Kim had a keg }{\insrsid6514975 out back }{\insrsid14760752
under one tree and her boyfriend was manning the grill almost non-stop. Sharon }{\insrsid10252130 hung around the backyard}{\insrsid14760752 and after snagging my beer, I headed back to the front }{\insrsid10252130 of the house. I joked with some women
}{\insrsid14760752 that I didn\rquote t know}{\insrsid10252130 who were talking with one of Kim\rquote s roommates}{\insrsid14760752 , but my attempts to flirt went over like}{\insrsid10252130
a lead balloon. I quit trying and decided just to enjoy the conversation. Allen arrived about an hour later.}{\insrsid2107762 He was alone.}{\insrsid1707033
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2107762
\'93Joe!\'94 he called. \'93I didn\rquote t expect to see you here!\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2107762 He came over and Kim\rquote
s roommate introduced him to the ladies we were talking with. One of them used the break in the conversation as an excuse to go get more beer and her friend followed. Other folks came in and Kim\rquote
s roommate abandoned us to go greet them. In less than two minutes I\rquote d gone from talking with three single women to none. Allen seemed amused and non-plussed.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3675781
\'93Driving \lquote em away again, Joe?\'94 he joked.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243 \'93Hey}{\insrsid11279327 ,}{\insrsid8913243 t}{\insrsid3675781 hey were here until you walked over. If they }{\insrsid1522492
were driven away, it was by you,}{\insrsid3675781 \'94}{\insrsid1522492 I shot back.}{\insrsid3675781 Allen chuckled.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3675781
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3675781 \'93That wouldn\rquote t have happened if they weren\rquote t so eager to get away from you,\'94}{\insrsid1522492 he countered}{\insrsid13239870
. I glared at him.}{\insrsid8913243 He just grinned back.}{\insrsid13239870
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243 \'93Let\rquote s get a beer,\'94
he suggested. I nodded and led the way to the back. A quick glance around revealed Sharon in conversation with a dark haired Keanu Reeves type on the opposite side of the yard from the keg. Allen\rquote s eyes were only for the beer until we\rquote
d both gotten a glass. Then he stepped back and surveyed the yard.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243 \'93Good crowd,\'94 he commented.}{\insrsid3762673
}{\insrsid8913243
\'93K}{\insrsid1517788 i}{\insrsid8913243 m does know a lot of people,\'94 I replied.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243 \'93True. Most of the old dorm is here. Greg, Tom, }{\insrsid1522492 Patty}{\insrsid8913243 . And Sharon.\'94 His face soured with Sharon\rquote s name.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243
\'93But no Alicia,\'94 I said. Allen took a long sip out of his glass.
\'93No,\'94 he said. \'93No Alicia.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8913243
We settled into silence for a while. Allen was watching the crowd and I was watching Sharon. She noticed us and stiffened, but only for a moment. Then she shifted her stance so that she couldn\rquote
t see us. It placed her a little closer to the guy she was talking to and he perked up and started talking faster. }{\insrsid7344089 I watched Sharon over-exaggerate a laugh at one of his jokes and }{\insrsid1522492 I }{\insrsid7344089
turned back to Allen.}{\insrsid8913243
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089 \'93So what are you doing these days? Now that you\rquote ve graduated?\'94 }{\insrsid478591 I asked. }{\insrsid7344089 He snorted.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089 \'93}{\insrsid12782861 Bartending. Taking it easy. Mostly j}{\insrsid7344089 ust being happy I graduated. Five years is too long.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089
\'93Well, you did change majors four times.\'94
\'93Not everybody knows what they want to do on day one like you, Joe.\'94
\'93I\rquote m not so sure anymore. Grad school\rquote s kicking my butt.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089 That surprised Allen. He stared at me, mouth open, for long enough for me to be uncomfortable.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089 \'93}{\insrsid7431933 \lquote }{\insrsid7344089 Kicking your butt}{\insrsid11279327 \rquote }{\insrsid7344089
?? School was always easy for you! You barely studied for tests and never pulled an all-nighter. At least when we were living together.\'94 I shrugged.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10252130
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7344089 \'93I\rquote ve got good short}{\insrsid11279327 -}{\insrsid7344089 term memory,\'94 I commented. \'93The higher}{\insrsid11279327 -}{\insrsid7344089
level math to understand cosmology, though, . . .\'94 I just shook my head.}{\insrsid10252130
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12782861
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12782861 \'93Math is kicking your butt?\'94 Allen asked again. I just }{\insrsid478591 nodded}{\insrsid12782861 my head.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12782861
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12782861 \'93I\rquote m not sure it\rquote s math at this level so much as magic,\'94 I commented. \'93
I was in class one day this spring and the professor filled an entire blackboard with a single non-linear second order differential equation. He was lecturing without notes and stepped back to look at it and spot}{\insrsid1522492 ted an error he\rquote
d made. One I}{\insrsid12782861 never}{\insrsid1522492 would}{\insrsid12782861 have seen. Then he said, and I quote: \lquote The solution to this equation is obviously\rquote \emdash and then proceeded to fill the next chalkboa
rd with the answer. I knew right then I was toast. There was no way I was getting from chalkboard A to chalkboard B even with a week of study and analysis.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12782861
\'93That bites,\'94 Allen said.
\'93Yeah,\'94 I said. \'93It\rquote s made me really question what I\rquote m doing in Arizona.\'94
\'93You going to stay in school then?\'94 Allen asked. I shrugged.
\'93No point in dropping out. I can\rquote t tend bar worth shit.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12782861 Allen responded with a low chuckle but didn\rquote t get offended. We\rquote d joked too often when we\rquote d been roommates that he was responsible for
}{\insrsid11993886 organizing the parties and I was responsible for making sure they didn\rquote t get out of hand.}{\insrsid920772 He\rquote
d developed more pride in his ability to mix up exotic drinks than he had in his test scores. That had cost him a semester of failing grades, the fall I moved out because I couldn\rquote t stand dorm food anymore. The same fall after he\rquote
d dumped Sharon, I realized.}{\insrsid12782861
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4870902
}{\insrsid11302441 \'93So what are you going to do when you get done \lquote taking it easy\rquote ?\'94 I asked.}{\insrsid4870902
}{\insrsid11302441
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11302441 \'93Dunno. I\rquote ll worry about that when I get there.\'94}{\insrsid478591
}{\insrsid11280548 There was nothing I could say in reply to that, so I didn\rquote t.}{\insrsid11302441
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11280548
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12787611
A couple of other people came up to the keg about then and we spent some time shooting the breeze with them. After a while, I slipped away for a bathroom break. When I came out of the restroom, Sharon was waiting in the hall.}{\insrsid11280548
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid480801
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid480801 \'93So is he with anybody?\'94 she hissed, her eyes constantly flicking toward the main part of the house.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid480801
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid480801 \'93He didn\rquote t bring anybody. I don\rquote t know if he\rquote s involved with anyone or not.\'94}{\insrsid7889082
Sharon just looked at me, studying my face.}{\insrsid480801
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7889082
\'93Honest,\'94 I said.
}{\insrsid16582556 \'93Okay,\'94 she said. Then she motioned toward the bathroom door.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid16582556 \'93If you\rquote ll excuse me,\'94
she said. I nodded at let Sharon slip on by. I returned to the party where I found Allen chatting up a blonde in a tight t-shirt. I decided not to interrupt and just headed back outside. I found a lawn chair and sank into it.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid16582556
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid16582556
I pretty much was left alone for a while. The hubbub swirled around me, but other than smiles and the occasional nod, no one engaged me in conversation. The women in particular seemed to keep their distance. I wondered if my ripped}{\insrsid11279327 -}
{\insrsid16582556 out heart showed. Probably. I knew it wasn\rquote t attractive, but I didn\rquote t know what to do about it.}{\insrsid7889082
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid16582556
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15551949 Eventually Allen wandered into the yard and found me. He had stopped by the keg and }{\insrsid1517788 he }{\insrsid15551949 handed me a fresh glass
before pulling up a seat.}{\insrsid16582556
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15551949
\'93Struck out?\'94 I asked. He looked at me, confused. \'93The blonde.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15551949 \'93Yeah,\'94 he admitted. \'93She has a boyfriend in California. She didn\rquote t get around to mentioning him until I\rquote
d asked her if she wanted to go to dancing later.\'94 We shared the knowing glance of the torpedoed male and smiled.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15551949
\'93That reminds me, why aren\rquote t you in California?\'94 I asked.
}{\insrsid2491384
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384 \'93No point. With }{\insrsid11279327 M}{\insrsid2491384 om and }{\insrsid11279327 D}{\insrsid2491384 ad divorcing, there wasn\rquote
t exactly a home to go back to. Besides, I like it here.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384 \'93Sure beats the desert,\'94 I commented. \'93Why I picked Tucson, I\rquote ll never know. It\rquote s brown, it\rquote s hot, it\rquote s uncultured.
\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384
\'93Uncultured? Why does that matter?\'94
\'93It does if you want to find decent theatre or restaurants.\'94 Allen snorted.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384 \'93I suspect it\rquote s got those, but you haven\rquote t found }{\insrsid4200559 them.}{\insrsid2491384 Besides, you can\rquote
t afford fine dining. You\rquote re a poor starving grad student, remember?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384 \'93Don\rquote t remind me. Actually, I\rquote d be happy to pay for good food if I knew where it was and if I had someone to go with.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384
\'93So ask someone.\'94
\'93Not that simple. My department is overwhelmingly male.\'94
\'93So take a friend.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384 \'93If I h}{\insrsid1522492 ad any,}{\insrsid2491384 \'94}{\insrsid1522492 I said. Allen just looked at me, slowly shaking his head.}{\insrsid2491384
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384
\'93Okay, I know that\rquote s pathetic,\'94 I said. \'93I need to stop whining.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2491384 \'93Damn right!\'94}{\insrsid7221435 I took a swig of beer and didn\rquote t
reply. There was some commotion by the door to the house. Apparently a guy had spilled beer on a girl coming out and made a huge mess of her shirt. Her boyfriend was having words with the first guy and a crowd was developing. It dissipated when our h
ostess Kim intervened.}{\insrsid2491384
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7221435
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7221435 \'93You know what you need, Joe,\'94 Allen opined. \'93}{\insrsid6760615 You need to do two things. First, you need to give }{\insrsid4200559 yourself a}{
\insrsid6760615 treat now. Give yourself something nice so your last good memory won\rquote t be of Alicia. Get laid if you can, actually. That\rquote s always a nice memory.\'94}{\insrsid7221435
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615
\'93No kidding.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615 \'93The second thing\emdash give yourself something to look forward to. A goal, or a reward for meeting some other goal, like finishing your degree. That
\rquote ll help you stay out of the pity party.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615
I paused and thought about what Allen had said.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615 \'93You\rquote re probably right,\'94 I admitted. He nodded, but didn\rquote t tear his eyes off a couple of women laughing together a little ways away.
\'93Any specific suggestions?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615 \'93You want fine dining? Take someone out here, before you head back. I\rquote m sure you can come up with some restaurants you\rquote
ve always wanted to go to in Denver. Hell, go to the Flagstaff House. You\rquote ll remember that for a while.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615
\'93Yeah, that might work.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615 \'93Of course it\rquote ll work. }{\insrsid4200559 I know}{\insrsid6760615 what I\rquote m talking about.\'94 He flashed me
a smile then and I rolled my eyes.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6760615
\'93Yeah, I forget, you were a psych major for a semester, weren\rquote t you?\'94
\'93Two,\'94 he replied.}{\insrsid1857371 I just chuckled. Allen was not always right, but never in doubt.}{\insrsid6760615
}{\insrsid2903488
\'93What you }{\i\insrsid2903488\charrsid2903488 really}{\insrsid2903488 need,\'94 Allen continued, \'93is to get laid.\'94
\'93No kidding. But how do I manage that?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488 \'93For that, you\rquote re on your own.\'94
Allen glanced at the two women who had been laughing and my eyes followed his. They were still talking and one of the girls, a brunette, kept glancing over our way. She was smiling as she did so.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488 \'93You\rquote re definitely on your own,\'94
Allen muttered and then slammed the rest of his beer. He stood and started walking over to the women. The brunette\rquote s eyes twinkled at his approach. I just laughed quietly to myself.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488 I sat and slowly fin
ished my beer, idly surveying the crowd. It had grown thinner and more clumped, as if little magnets had been dropped into an iron filing bath. Maybe they had, I mused. All the unattached women seemed to be in the middle of those clumps.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488 Except one. Sharon appeared at the back door, took one glance around the yard, and strode over to me.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488
\'93Ready to go?\'94 she asked. Demanded really.
\'93Uhhh. . . .\'94
\'93Let\rquote s go.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488 \'93Okay.\'94 I set my near-empty glass down and got up. As soon as I was on my feet, Sharon star
ted walking back toward the house. I quickstepped a couple of paces to catch up.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488
\'93What\rquote s up?\'94 I asked.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2903488 \'93Later,\'94 she spat. We found our hostess, said goodnight with Sharon giving some excuse about early morning plans, and headed to the car.}{
\insrsid2120917 Since she was more sober, she took the driver\rquote s seat.}{\insrsid2903488
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2120917
\'93So what is it?\'94 I asked again as soon as the seatbelts clicked closed.
\'93The guy I was talking to,\'94 she began.
\'93Short black hair?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2120917 \'93Yeah him. }{\insrsid4474355 We were flirting pretty heavily and he even }{\insrsid2120917 suggested a trip to }{\insrsid4474355 Gl
enwood Springs. Then he }{\insrsid2120917 asked for my phone number. I gave it to him }{\insrsid4474355 and then asked for his. He hes}{\insrsid2120917 itated and when I asked again, he said his roommate really didn\rquote
t like being disturbed by the phone ringing and so it wasn\rquote t a good idea for people to call him.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2120917
\'93Huh?\'94
\'93Well, it turns out his roommate is his girlfriend.\'94
\'93Ouch!\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2120917 \'93Yeah. He says they have an \lquote arrangement\rquote and I told him I wanted to talk to her about their \lquote arrangement.\rquote
He started some bullshit story about how that wasn\rquote t a good idea and that\rquote s when I told him to go fuck himself. Then I came looking for you.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2120917
\'93Ah.\'94
}{\insrsid4474355
\'93What is it with guys?\'94 Sharon bemoaned. \'93Why do they have to be such liars?\'94
\'93Not all guys are liars.\'94
\'93Present company excepted, of course.\'94 Sharon didn\rquote t even glance at me as she said that.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4474355 \'93I\rquote m not sure I\rquote m the only }{\insrsid1522492 exception}{\insrsid4474355 .\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4474355
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4474355 \'93True. Allen never lied to me. He just dumped me.\'94 I bit my lip to avoid responding to that.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4474355
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4474355 I gained a distraction when Sharon}{\insrsid1522492 paused to curse a}{\insrsid4474355 t a car that had cut us off. Given her aggressive driving, I didn
\rquote t think it was really the other driver\rquote s fault, but Sharon wasn\rquote t in a mood for me to point that out. I just clenched the door handle until we pulled into her parking lot. As we walked to her apartment, Sharon seemed to calm down}{
\insrsid16259987 . She invited me in and I plopped down on her couch as she got us each a glass of water.}{\insrsid4474355
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid16259987
\'93How\rquote s Allen?\'94 she asked after settling into the chair across from me.
\'93Doing fine,\'94 I replied. \'93We mostly talked about me.\'94
}{\insrsid8870538
\'93Really?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8870538 \'93Yeah, he suggested I do something fun so my more recent good memory isn\rquote t of Alicia. Take someone to the Flagstaff House, for example.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8870538
\'93I\rquote ll go!\'94 Sharon chimed in. I chuckled.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8870538 \'93I can\rquote t afford the Flagstaff House. }{\insrsid11279327 The prices are the highest around! }{\insrsid8870538 You know that.\'94 Sharon shr
ugged her shoulders.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8870538
\'93I\rquote ve always wanted to go to Strings, in Denver,\'94 she said.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8870538 \'93Strings would be good,\'94 I mused. I started thinking about some of the women I\rquote d found attractive in college but hadn\rquote
t been able to date because I was going out with Alicia.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8870538
\'93How about going next Friday?\'94 Sharon asked, breaking the silence.}{\insrsid5717522 I looked at her.}{\insrsid8870538
}{\insrsid5717522
\'93You and me?\'94 I asked.
\'93Sure, why not? Why does it have to be a date?\'94
\'93Well, I\rquote d like it to be a date,\'94 I said.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5717522 \'93But who are you going to find around here that would go on a date with you?\'94 she challenged.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5717522
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5717522 \'93Good point.\'94}{\insrsid11279327 Which sucked, but was accurate enough for me to only feel a little insulted.}{\insrsid5717522
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5717522
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5717522 \'93It\rquote ll be fun!\'94 she added. \'93I haven\rquote t had a chance to get dressed up and go out fancy for a while.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5717522
\'93Me neither,\'94 I admitted.
}{\insrsid8262044
\'93Then let\rquote s do it!\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8262044 \'93Okay,\'94 I agreed. \'93We\rquote ll go out and have a good time.\'94}{\insrsid13249326 Sharon smiled and leaned back, crossing her legs.}{
\insrsid8262044
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13249326
}{\insrsid11424210 \'93Though I don\rquote t know which dress I should wear,\'94 she mused.}{\insrsid13249326
}{\insrsid11424210
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11424210 \'93Wear something that shows off your legs,\'94 I suggested
, teasing a little. Allen had once made a similar request when they were dating and it had led to the biggest blush I\rquote d ever seen on Sharon. This time it didn\rquote t.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11424210
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11424210 \'93I can do that,\'94 she replied without a hint of embarrassment.}{\insrsid3284524 \'93I haven\rquote t }{\insrsid11279327 dressed up really fancy}{
\insrsid3284524 since Allen.\'94 That admission surprised me. I knew that she hadn\rquote t had much luck with relationships since they\rquote d broken up, but I knew she\rquote d been dating.}{\insrsid11424210
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3284524
\'93So you\rquote re going to dress sexy for a night with me,\'94 I mused out loud.
\'93Sure! It\rquote ll be fun!\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3284524 I didn\rquote t know what to say to that, so I asked how her recent dating had gone. She told stories with consistent bad endings. The guy who\rquote
d pinned her to her door, trying to kiss her at the end of the date, before she pushed him off of her. The classmate she\rquote d had a crush on who\rquote d turned out to be gay. A couple of guys who just hadn\rquote t called when they\rquote
d said they would. I nodded and sympathized and shared some of my pre-Alicia dating war stories. }{\insrsid3161298 It got even later as we talked and we finally called it a night. I drove back to my parents\rquote house and crashed, sleeping soundly.}
{\insrsid3284524
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3161298
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3084148 The following Friday found me at Sharon\rquote s door in my suit, ready to go, but feeling mildly uncomfortable. When I\rquote
d dressed up to go out with Alicia, I\rquote d always brought flowers. That wasn\rquote t right for Sharon, but it also felt weird to have my hands empty.}{\insrsid3161298
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3084148
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid3084148 Sharon opened the door and took my breath away. She\rquote d given her long dark hair gentle waves and her makeup was perfect. She was wearing a }{
\insrsid7825090 midnight}{\insrsid3084148 blue silk dress I\rquote d seen only once before with }{\insrsid4200559 a plunging}{\insrsid3084148 neckline and }{\insrsid6820921 a tight waist. }{\insrsid1517788
The color matched her eyes perfectly. The dress}{\insrsid6820921 hugged her hips and ended just below the knee, revealing }{\insrsid7825090 hose and pumps.}{\insrsid3084148
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7825090
\'93Wow.\'94 I said. Sharon dimpled at the compliment.
\'93Glad you like!\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7825090 \'93What\rquote s not to like?\'94 I replied. Sharon just grinned}{\insrsid14362790
. I extended my arm, elbow hooked, and Sharon slid her arm in mine. We walked, almost strutted really, to the car. Two fancy folks out for a fancy night.}{\insrsid7825090
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14362790
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14362790 Dinner was excellent. We let the sommelier pick a bottle of wine for us and he matched it to the food perfectly. }{\insrsid15474550
We laughed and joked and swapped stories about classes and things that had happened the last school year while I\rquote d been in Tucson. I stole a couple of peeks at Sharon\rquote s chest}{\insrsid2502438 , wondering if s
he was wearing a bra, given how tight the top was. }{\insrsid11026048 She only caught me on}{\insrsid1522492 c}{\insrsid11026048
e, and just chuckled at my blush. After dinner, I had coffee while she had port and we continued to laugh and joke until the waiter had asked three times if we wanted anything more. Catching the hint, we headed back to Sharon\rquote s place. }{
\insrsid12128113
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12128113
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid478591 I was quiet on the drive back}{\insrsid15925410 . Sharon }{\insrsid478591 was }{\insrsid15925410 almost glowing in happiness}{\insrsid15403466
, bubbling and almost giddy.}{\insrsid15925410 }{\insrsid15403466 She chatted up a storm and laughed at my jokes. I, m}{\insrsid1522492 eanwhile, just soaked it all up.}{\insrsid15403466 }{\insrsid1522492 I was }{\insrsid15403466 catchi
ng a contact buzz, though there had been no drugs other than the wine. We laughed and kidded and were all too soon back at Sharon\rquote s place. }{\insrsid11026048 We paused just outside her door.}{\insrsid14362790
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11026048
\'93You really look perfect tonight,\'94}{\insrsid12128113 I said, standing a step back so as to not be too close.}{\insrsid11026048
\'93Thanks.\'94
\'93More beautiful than anytime I saw you with Allen.\'94 That got Sharon to blush.
}{\insrsid12128113
\'93Really?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12128113 \'93Really. If I could show him a picture of how you looked tonight, he\rquote d be jealous as hell.\'94 Sharon laughed. Then she glanced up at me with a
playful look in her eyes. She then looked away and bit her lower lip, thinking. Then she glanced back at me and grinned.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12128113
\'93C\rquote mon in,\'94 she said.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12128113 I followed her in and she dropped her purse on the counter and proceeded to her bedroom. Not quite knowing
what to do, I stood in the middle of the living room. Sharon returned a moment later, holding her camera.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8615680
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8615680 \'93Take some pictures,\'94 she said, handing the Nikon to me. I glanced at it\emdash it was a high}{\insrsid11279327 -}{\insrsid8615680
end automatic, well within my skill level. Sharon}{\insrsid478591 walk}{\insrsid8615680 ed over toward one mostly bare wall, }{\insrsid478591 and moved }{\insrsid8615680 a lamp out of the way to give herself a clear backdrop.}{\insrsid1522492 I }{
\insrsid478591 stepped}{\insrsid15403466 back to where I could get a good shot.}{\insrsid8615680
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15403466
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid15403466 Sharon struck her first pose standing partially sideways, knee bent. It emphasized her hip in the tight dress and the lin}{\insrsid141988
e of her thigh. For the second shot, she swept her hair back and tilted her head, drawing my eyes and the camera to her smile. Her third pose was more square to the camera, one leg extended forward. In the fourth, she tugged her skirt up
a little, emphasizing it even more. Shots five, six, and seven occurred as she slowly spun 360, never letting her eyes leave the camera. That occurred in shot eight, which emphasized the curve of her ass. In shot nine, her eyes had turned from playful
to smoldering as she looked back over her shoulder.}{\insrsid15403466
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid141988
I just got a click when I tried to hit shot ten.
\'93The roll\rquote s finished,\'94 I said, starting to rewind it.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid141988 \'93Let me get another one,\'94 Sharon quickly said. She hastened to he}{\insrsid1522492 r bedroom and back, bringing a 36}{\insrsid141988 exposure roll.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid141988
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid141988 \'93We really should get some shots that emphasize your cleavage,\'94 I commented without thinking. Sharon gave a hearty laugh, to my relief.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid141988
\'93Sure!\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid141988 She moved over to the easy chair and sat in it. She leaned back, first, then frowned and sh
ifted forward, resting her elbows on her knees. I took a couple of shots while she tried different arm positions. Then she moved behind th}{\insrsid6623215 e chair and knelt down, leaning against the chair so that }{\insrsid1522492 everything}{
\insrsid6623215 below her waist was hidden}{\insrsid141988 . She }{\insrsid6623215 leaned forward and found an angle}{\insrsid141988
that let the cleavage of her dress gape open just a little more, creating a deep valley of shadow between her breasts. I got three pictures with her tilting her head at various angles.}{\insrsid13382105
I was pleased to note how that subtle motion changed the entire feel of the picture.}{\insrsid141988
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13382105
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13382105
I stepped back and checked the film count. We still had plenty of pictures. Sharon had slid around to sit in the chair. She was leaning back, legs crossed at the knee, gently flexing and extending her raised foot, wh
ich had lost the shoe and was encased only in black nylon. I took a few more shots and then let out a deep sigh.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13382105
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13382105 \'93}{\insrsid6515960 You really are sexier tonight than anytime I\rquote ve seen you with Allen.\'94 That brought a huge smile to Sharon\rquote s face.}{
\insrsid13382105
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6515960
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14040528 \'93In fact,\'94 I continued,}{\insrsid6515960 }{\insrsid14040528 \'93}{\insrsid6515960 the only time }{\i\insrsid6515960\charrsid6515960 he\rquote s}{
\insrsid6515960 probably seen you sexier is when you wore the}{\insrsid14040528 blue teddy.\'94 Sharon laughed and}{\insrsid12335847 then got a mischievous grin. Then s}{\insrsid14040528 he jumped out of the chair.}{\insrsid6515960
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14040528
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid14040528 \'93Wait here,\'94 she said, and then h}{\insrsid14757178 eaded}{\insrsid14040528 toward the hall. I sat on the couch and twiddled }{\insrsid8272695 with
}{\insrsid14040528 the camera for a little bit.
}{\insrsid8615680
}{\insrsid1048812 When Sharon walked back in, I almost dropped it. For}{\insrsid1517788 tunately, the camera had a cord}{\insrsid1048812 which I\rquote d wrapped around my fingers, }{\insrsid1517788 but I didn\rquote t notice immediately}{
\insrsid1048812 because I was busy staring.
She\rquote d changed into the blue teddy.
Dee
p blue silk, with just a touch of lace. Narrow spaghetti straps that expanded into fabric almost seamlessly as her breasts swelled beneath them. High and French cut across the hips, leaving no doubt that she at least partially shaved since there was no
hair peeking out and not much cloth for it to hide under. I reminded myself to close my mouth.
}{\insrsid16529306 \'93Allen alway}{\insrsid1048812 s wanted pictures of me in this,\'94 Sharon said.}{\insrsid16529306 }{\insrsid1048812 \'93}{\insrsid16529306 Let\rquote s show him what he\rquote s missing.\'94
}{\insrsid15164715 I didn\rquote t hes}{\insrsid2690609 itate. Sharon moved over to the blank wall and struck similar poses to those she\rquote d done }{\insrsid1522492 while }{\insrsid2690609 wearing the dress. }{\insrsid15164715
When she stood sideways with one knee bent, her entire thigh exposed }{\insrsid1522492 since the}{\insrsid15164715 teddy was cut above her hip, I let out a low whistle. After a couple more shots, she turned }{\insrsid1522492 her back to me }{
\insrsid15164715 and l
eaned her upper body against the wall, thrusting her ass toward the camera. That pulled the teddy tight, making every curve of her cheeks visible. She tossed her hair to one side and gave me a smoldering look over her shoulder. I snapped that picture t
oo.}{\insrsid2690609
}{\insrsid14757178
\'93We should get some by the chair,\'94 I commented.
\'93Good idea.\'94
Sharon moved behind the chair like before, leaning over the back. This time she was a little higher and the teddy top gaped as she lowered her chest, exposing almost all of her breasts. Her nipples weren\rquote t quite visible, but }{\insrsid16661099
plenty of smooth pale skin}{\insrsid14757178 was.}{\insrsid16661099 After I got the picture, Sharon arched her back, thrusting her breasts forward. The gap disappeared, but her hard nipples visibly poked though the smooth silk.}{\insrsid16278536
She struck a couple of poses with her arms in different positions before moving around to the front and sinking into the chair.}{\insrsid14757178
}{\insrsid16278536
\'93Can you do coy?\'94 I asked.
\'93But of course,\'94 Sharon replied. She sat, feet and knees together, elbows on knees, which showed nothing. I moved forward and tapped the outside of her }{\insrsid1522492 thigh and she got the message and}{\insrsid16278536 turned }{
\insrsid1522492 her legs }{\insrsid16278536 forty-five degrees. I got two pictures with her feigning innocence. Then she leaned back and crossed one leg over the other, mimicking her earlier pose}{\insrsid478591 in the dress}{\insrsid16278536 . I go
t two of those and then checked my exposure count.}{\insrsid1522492 Thirty-four}{\insrsid16278536 shots used.
\'93How about something brazen?\'94 I suggested. Sharon grinned and then paused, thinking.}{\insrsid14630508 Then her face lit up and she chuckled.}{\insrsid16278536
}{\insrsid14630508
\'93How about this?\'94 she said. With that, she slid the
teddy strap off her left shoulder, letting it hang loosely. The fabric fell forward, but not quite enough to expose more than the top of her breast. Sharon then leaned back and placed her feet flat on the floor, slightly spread. She placed her left hand
on her bare thigh, just an inch from the edge of the silk covering her crotch. She rested her right hand on her chest, just under he}{\insrsid1522492 r almost exposed left breast. Then s}{\insrsid14630508
he cupped her fingers slightly, hinting that they were about to slide north. If I hadn\rquote t known it was posed, I\rquote d have sworn she was just about to play with herself, both above and below. I snapped the picture. Sharon licked h}{
\insrsid3762673 er lips. I snapped the second.}{\insrsid14630508
}{\insrsid15164715
}{\insrsid2709237 \'93That was the last exposure,\'94 I said. Sharon sighed.}{\insrsid8615680
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2709237
\'93I don\rquote t have any more film,\'94 she said. That led me to sigh.
\'93Well, I\rquote ll get these developed and see how they turn out,\'94 Sharon stated.
}{\insrsid8615680 \'93Do I get copies?\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid8615680 \'93Of course,\'94 she replied.}{\insrsid5205951 She looked at me like I\rquote d asked a stupid question, so I just shut my mouth. I glanced around an
d my eye caught the clock on the wall.}{\insrsid8615680
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5205951
\'93Wow, it\rquote s late,\'94 I commented. Sharon turned and looked at the time as well.
\'93Yes it is,\'94 she said.
\'93I should probably get going.\'94
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5205951 \'93}{\insrsid10303191 That\rquote s probably a good idea,\'94 Sharon replied. We started walking toward the doo
r. I opened it and then turned around. Sharon was still in only her teddy, but that didn\rquote
t stop her from putting her arms around me and giving me a deep hug. I returned it, caressing her back through the silk. She let out a deep sigh of pleasure.}{\insrsid5205951
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10303191
\'93Thanks, Joe,\'94 she said. \'93I\rquote ve had a great evening.\'94
\'93Me too,\'94 I said. She gave me a final squeeze and then pulled back.
\'93Goodnight,\'94 I said.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10303191 \'93Oh, it will be,\'94 she said, with a twinkle in her eye. I just rolled my eyes in response. I waved and slipped out the door.
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10303191
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10303191 On the drive home, I thought}{\insrsid11029632 a lot about }{\insrsid12476190 what had happened}{\insrsid11029632 . Sh}{\insrsid14040528 aron}{
\insrsid11029632 \rquote s behavior surprised and excited me. I couldn\rquote t tell }{\insrsid10303191 exactly what had caused it}{\insrsid11029632 . }{\insrsid478591 Maybe the wine at dinner, but maybe not. }{\insrsid11029632
I just knew something had changed.
}{\insrsid1522492
}{\insrsid3762673 --End Chapter Two--}{\insrsid1313231
}{\insrsid10971776 \'a9 2005 All rights reserved. May not be archived or distributed other than for personal use without explicit permission from the author.}{\insrsid8870538
}