The Sexiest Part of a Woman, Maria's Perspective  Chapters 1-10 (mf solo 
first oral rom)
By Lawrence David Jan. 2004

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    Contact the author, Lawrence David, at asstr-mirror.org for
    more information. See https://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/LawrenceDavid/www/
    for other stories and to contact me. Permission for posting on 
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    The following is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to any person,
    living or dead, is purely coincidental and entirely unintentional. 
    There may be references to real people in a historical context but
    they are not characters in this story and are not, in any way,
    associated with the central events of this story.
   
    WARNING:
    This story contains material with explicit and sexual content that
    some may find offensive and may be illegal in some regions. 
    You must STOP reading if:
    1. your are underage (below 18 in all cases or 21 in some regions),
    2. this type of material is illegal under any circumstances in your
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    5. you are offended by references to religous entities outside
    	of the context of religous worship,
    6. you have no imagination.

	Thank you and enjoy.  LHD.
	
Chapter 1

"Maria!"

Maria looked to the shoreline and saw Jack waving to her.  She smiled.  She
knew what that meant.  It meant her lover would soon be coming back to her
for more.  They were so much in love!  Maria lay on her blanket watching
Jack.  The ocean was an azure blue with the richest blue sky spotted with
puffs of billowy clouds.  She was at the top of the beach under the shade
of the lush green palms that seemed to block the heat of the sun and
captured the slightest breeze sending it down to caress her body and bring
her exposed nipples to their full attention.

She was naked but completely comfortable for they were the only ones on the
beach, perhaps the only ones on the island.  Somehow Jack had found this
paradise to escape with his love, Maria.  Maria tingled with excitement
thinking of the love that Jack showered on her.  Despite their age
difference, Jack being 28 and Maria being 15, Jack loved her deeply.  It
must have been the sophistication and deep caring love that Maria had
bestowed on Jack.  That he was truly committed to her was certain - he had
given up everything and had taken her away to this Eden.

"Maria!" Jack called again.

Soon, Maria thought with a sigh, soon he will be back for more.  She looked
at him.  Even through the haze, which seemed incongruous in the bright
sunlight, she could make out his naked sculpted lines.  Adonis, Maria
thought, that's who he is! She could even make out the curls in his hair. 
Again, this was odd since Jack had short hair but she simply reasoned it
must be the warm moist tropical air curling his hair.  Her eyes explored
her lover's lower body. She could make out the well-defined muscles of his
chest, abdomen, and legs but, for some reason, looking at his magnificent
manhood she couldn't make out the detail through the haze.  But look!  He's
approaching!  Soon she will have him, she'll be able to enjoy every detail
of his powerful masculine body.  Soon. Very soon now.  She felt herself
getting wet in anticipation.  Soon she would, once again, know the ecstasy
as he hungrily probed her body wanting only her and only desiring to bring
her carnal pleasure.  Soon she would, once again, feel his arms around her
and his heated passionate kisses as he pressed his lips to hers.  Soon. 
She would feel his hands explore her body in the way that only he could.
His touch was that strange paradox of lofty gentle reverence impossibly
coupled with a raging fire of lusty desire.  Soon.  Yes, I see him, he's
almost here. He's speaking...

"MARIA!  It's time to get up!"  her mother yelled up the stairs.  The azure
blue evaporated in a mist to be replaced by the faded flowers of the now
drab wallpaper in her bedroom. Her mother continued "I have to leave for
work, please get up."

"SHIT!" Maria almost shouted when she realized where she was and was even
more defeated as she remembered where she had been.  The fog had parted and
now she was home.  She wasn't on a paradise island with her lover but was a
homely, chubby, 15 year old girl who had no boyfriend, barely a friend at
all.  The sights around her were the same she had seen for years - dull,
unkempt, worn, and tired.  The smells of the house reached her - not
necessarily bad smells but smells of stuffy enclosed space influenced by
fried foods and two women living without men or any desire (or permission
in Maria's case) to attract men.

Maria was an only child and lived with her single mother, Theressa, in a
lower middle class neighborhood in the suburbs of Austin, Texas.  Theressa
had never been married and had Maria when Theressa was 15 years old.  The
family didn't talk about the circumstances but Maria figured out that her
mother had been date-raped but never told who the father was.  Her mother's
miserable experience with a male (not even a man) 'cured' her mother of
seeking male companionship and also made her determined that Maria was not
going to have the same experience.

Maria groaned loudly and rolled over in bed.  She felt the wetness between
her legs from the excitement of her dream.  At least that part was real
Maria thought to herself and considered taking advantage of the situation
until she saw the clock on her night stand. "SHIT, I'm late!"  It was
Wednesday and she had to get to school.

She threw off the covers and ran to the bathroom.  She didn't see herself
in the full-length mirror as she flew by but did see her face in the vanity
mirror in the bathroom. "FUCK! Who am I kidding?" she asked rhetorically as
she realized neither Jack or any other man would be attracted to such a
homely child.  She turned on the shower, quickly forgetting about her
sexually aroused body and showered with utility and haste.

Running back to her room she considered wearing a sweatshirt and jeans
until she remembered the top she had borrowed from her friend Connie.  It
was a bit tight on her but it was a very pretty halter top with lots of
lace around the plunging neckline, in her case showing off her ample
cleavage, and with a frilly lace around the bottom.  It looked nice on
Connie and even if her tummy was a little 'bigger' than Connie's Maria was
sure the boys would be so interested in the cleavage they would overlook
that little detail.  Maybe I can get one of the boys interested in asking
me out - she thought hopefully.  She was sure, from her 'experience' in her
dreams that if a boy asked her out his love would grow for her when she
treated him with her giving and generous love.  She chose to ignore the
fact that her 'experience' was based on what happened in her dreams -
dreams were based on reality weren't they?  Wouldn't a boy love her back if
she showered him with affection and, maybe, 'cooperated' with his desires? 
She pulled on the top and decided to complete the picture with a slinky
pair of high heels she had also borrowed from Connie.

Maria had an urge to see how she looked in the full-length mirror but
decided she didn't have time as she ran into the bathroom, threw on some
makeup, and then ran down the stairs and out the door to catch the bus for
school.  In the back of her mind she knew her mother wouldn't approve of
her clothes or her heavy makeup but she'd never see them.  How was Maria
ever going to get a boyfriend if she followed her mother's rules?  Christ! 
She'd become a nun if her mother had anything to do with it! 

Maria knew this wasn't the only thing nagging at her as she climbed on to
the bus.  The reality of her uncertainty hit as she stepped into the bus
and was immediately barraged with cat calls and whistles.

"Hey, look at this Chico!  Look at all the tits hanging out!"  "Are you
kidding me?  Look at that fat belly hanging out!" and the bus was filled
with the cruel and malicious laughter that only a group of teenagers could
produce.

Maria slunked into a seat and tried to hide behind her book bag as she
looked out the window. "Why did I wear this?" she desperately pleaded to
herself?  She felt her eyes water but then speculated things would be
better when she saw Connie.  These were Connie's clothes after all and
didn't Connie lend them to her so she could look nice for the boys?  These
boys on the bus were always mean anyway - forget about it.  They're just
stupid!  Maria got her hopes up and thought about Connie and how Connie
would help her so she would look better.

The bus arrived at school and Maria let the other kids get off before she
stood up.  She didn't want any more of their taunting or savage remarks. 
She looked out on to the school grounds to see if she could see Connie. 
Maria's heart sank as she moved forward and did not see Connie.  As Maria
came down the steps the other kids had already taken off to catch up with
their friends leaving Maria mercifully forgotten.  Maria kept her book bag
in front of her, hugging it with her arms.  She suffered a few catcalls
from kids she had passed but fortunately didn't need to look at them so
could, to some extent, ignore them.

She finally saw Connie near the entrance and Connie waved to her.  Maria
almost raised her arm to wave but held back to make sure she remained
covered.  As she approached Connie, Maria tried to put on a brave face but
had a sinking feeling as she saw the grim look on Connie's face.

"Hi Maria!" Connie said with forced enthusiasm.

"Hi Connie." Maria replied, not sure if she wanted to broach the subject of
the top.  Connie was about to head in when Maria said "Connie, hold up." 
Maria drew Connie aside so that she could speak to Connie privately.  Some
of the kids passing them on the way into school were laughing and
whispering to each other while looking at Maria.

"What's up Maria?" Connie said trying to look at Maria's face.

"Well, I'm not sure this top was such a good idea." Maria said pulling the
book bag down.  Connie winced when she saw the top on Maria.  Maria
continued "Is there anything I can do to make it look better?"

Connie was obviously trying to find the right words that could comfort
Maria.  Connie must have really struggled because of the amount of time she
took in trying to come up with an answer.

"Well..." she said "It sure does highlight your cleavage!"

"Well, yes, but what about my belly?"

"Um, well, you could pull your tummy in."

Maria tried that and Connie said "Oh yeah, that looks a lot better."

Maria exhaled and said "but I can't do that all day long."

"Well, I don't know what else to suggest.  If you do that when there are
boys around maybe you'll, you know, get someone interested in you." Connie
suggested.

"Yeah, maybe, can you stick with me and give me a signal if you see any hot
guys?"

"Uh, sure Maria.  That's what friends are for." Connie smiled.  "Let's go
before we're late."

The two girls headed to class.  Maria held her breath and pulled her tummy
in when she went into the first class.  She sat down and heard some
snickering around her as she sat down.  When Mr. Reams, the teacher stood
to begin the lesson Maria had to let out her breath. "Oh God!" she heard on
the other side of the room.  Mr. Reams looked over to the other side of the
room and said sternly "You have something to say Juanita?".  "No, Mr.
Reams." Juanita said with a sickening sweetness and some other girls
cracked up.

The morning classes were all the same.  Maria would try to sneak in and
just wanted to get into her seat without ridicule.  By lunch time word must
have spread, however, because despite Maria's and Connie's efforts to keep
a low profile they had to deal with some very vocal taunting from a group
of girls who pushed the kids away from a neighboring table.

Maria just wanted to finish her lunch and get out of there but had to
endure the incessant mocking.

"I don't know when the school decided to let farm animals come to school
but I just hope they're house trained."  The girls roared with mean
spirited laughter.  "Yeah, we wouldn't want to have to moooo've out of the
way of their droppings."

Maria was so relieved to get out of the lunch room and couldn't wait for
the end of the day.  She had hoped that all she had to deal with were the
snickers in the remaining classes but, unfortunately, it was not to be. 
The bell rang ending the second to last class for the day.  Connie met
Maria outside Maria's classroom and the two girls turned to head for their
last class.  As they turned they saw, too late, Juanita and some of the
girls who had been at the lunch table.

Juanita looked directly at Maria and shouted "Well, if it isn't Miss Piggy!
What are you dressed up for Miss Piggy?  You trying to attract some boy
piggy? Don't you know no man's gonna want you unless they need some bacon? 
You just dressed up like some fat piggy ho." 

"GOD! I HATE THEM!" Maria howled in her thoughts. Maria was trembling with
an uncontrollable anger and hatred. "Why do they have to be so cruel!"  she
started sobbing.

"Connie!  Let's get out of here!" Maria finally screamed and turned to go.

"You gonna hang out with the piggy ho Consuela?" The girls laughed at her. 
Connie hesitated.

Maria took a few steps and looked back.  Connie wasn't following.  Connie
was looking desperately between Maria and the bitches down the hallway.
"What's she waiting for?" Maria wondered feeling the fear and anger deeper
in her soul.

"CONNIE!" Maria yelled furiously.  Connie just stood there as if she was
paralyzed.  Maria turned and ran, sobs heaving deep within her chest.  She
ran out of the school and hid behind the dumpster behind the cafeteria. 
She leaned against the brick wall barely able to breathe for her sobbing. 
She doubled over trying to get some air and then simply collapsed and
rolled into a ball crying in heaving waves of pain.

"WHY?  What did I do wrong?  Why does everyone hate me?" Maria sobbed. 
"God!  I just want to die!"

Maria slowly recovered but, in the process, became increasingly angry.  She
was angry at those bitches who made fun of her, she was angry at Consuela
for abandoning her, and she even became angry at her mother for being a
single mom and not being in a position to come pick her up at school.  Why
was her life so miserable?  What did she do to deserve such a lousy life. 
She tried to be a decent person and what good did it do!  Everybody hates
her and makes fun of her.  She's just a big fat joke!  Maria broke down
again.  She just wanted to go home and die! 

She wished she had money to take a cab rather than wait for the bus.  Yeah! 
Too bad she didn't have money.  She'd get on the fucking Greyhound bus and
blow this whole fucking town!  That's it!  I'll see if mama has any money
stashed around the house and get out of here!  Yes!  She had a goal now, a
purpose!  She could survive the bus ride home.  She didn't give a fuck what
the kids said.  She was escaping this pathetic life!

She laid low until the busses came and she was the first one on the bus. 
She sat in the back.  As the other kids climbed on board they were
surprised she was there and were about to make fun of her until they saw
the look in her eyes.  They backed off and sat further forward and
whispered between themselves.  It was very clear she wasn't going to put up
with any shit from any of them. 

Maria felt a sense of power but she knew that power would not last.  The
power came from her anger - an anger so visceral that if it lasted it would
eat her alive.  She didn't think - she was totally focused on getting home. 
She got off the bus and no one said a word.

Maria walked directly to her house and as she went through her front door
it was like stepping through an energy portal of some sort. Her resolve
evaporated as she crossed the threshold.  She was now in her familiar
surroundings and knew there would be no other life for her. It was this
life or no life.  She looked at the beggarly quarters that she and her
mother lived in.  Yesterday she thought it was OK.  Today it's a hell hole. 
How did they live here together and think this was living?  Christ, they
lived day to day.  No fun, no good times, her mother works all day, goes to
night school.  Maria has to do all the chores - she's alone most of the
time.  Oh God!  So Alone!  Maria started crying again.  She fell on her
knees in the entranceway and was balling her eyes out when the phone rang.

Connie!  Who else would call?  That BITCH!  FUCK HER!  Maria stood up and
ran out of her house into her back yard.  She crumbled in the lawn chair
and broke down completely. I don't deserve this.  Why am I so fat? Why
couldn't I be beautiful.  The awful bitches were beautiful - it wasn't
fair!  Shit, I don't have to be beautiful - why can't I look good enough so
kids like me? she sobbed.

"Maria, what's wrong?"

Maria jumped. Jack, her next door neighbor, was home!  Shit! She wiped her
eyes and her nose. "Oh Hi." sob "Um, nothing." sob "I I didn't know" sob
"you you were home."

She got up and started back toward her house and Jack said "No, wait! 
Maria, something is obviously wrong.  Do you want to come over and talk
about it?"

God I don't want 'him' to see me like this.  I don't want him to know about
being called fat!

Maria tried to put on an upbeat face and said "No, I'll be all right." and
headed for the door.  As she opened the door the phone rang.  Maria
stopped. She knew it was Connie again and started bawling heavily. 

Jack ran through the gate in the fence and came up to Maria and hugged her
and said "Maria, tell me what's wrong.  Is it an obscene caller?  I can get
the police to take care of it."

Maria just shook her head and was crying heavily into Jack's shirt.   Jack
lead her through his fence, around to his pool and brought her into his
house. When they got inside the house, Sammy, Jack's dog, jumped up when he
saw Maria and started licking her. 

"At least you like me." Maria thought.  She gave a weak smile at Sammy and
settled down a bit.

"Maria, please sit down and Sammy will keep an eye on you while I get you a
glass of water."

Maria petted Sammy and Jack got a drink of water, gave it to her and then
sat across the table from her.  She was wiping the tears from her eyes and
Jack handed her a tissue.  When she seemed to calm down enough - Sammy was
doing wonders - Jack finally asked "Maria, please tell me what was
bothering you.  I want to help you."

"Oh, it's just stupid! Nobody can help!  At least Sammy cares." 

"Well, I care too Maria.  I know I can't be as good a pal as Sammy but I do
care.  Even if I can't wag my tail."

Maria laughed despite herself  "Yes, you do treat me nicely.  I'm sorry, I
didn't mean to say you didn't care." Shit! she thought. I don't want Jack
mad at me too!

"Hey, it's OK Maria.  I'm pretty thick skinned so you can say anything to
me.  I know you're a good kid so I won't overreact if you want to say
something mean - I'll know you're just blowing off steam - we all need to
do that every once in a while."

"Thanks.  I was feeling pretty crappy but I didn't want to disturb your
peace.  I'm fine now, I'll let you go back to your pool."

"Oh no you don't.  I'm not going to let you off that easily.  Maria, you
were pretty upset and I really would like to help you.  Why don't you stay
for a bit and tell me what's wrong.  You're very important to Sammy and me
and we wouldn't want you to be sad."

"Well, it's going to sound silly when I tell you.  I really feel
embarrassed now." Christ he's going to think I'm stupid little kid!

"Maria.  Aren't we friends?  Have I ever treated you like you were silly? 
I promise I will listen and won't think it's silly - anything that could
get you as upset as you were couldn't possibly be silly - could it?"

Jesus he's so nice Maria thought. "Well,  I guess not.  But..."

Jack looked at her and placed his hand on one of her hands petting Sammy
"It's OK Maria.  I'm a good listener.  Try me."

"OK, but remember you promised not to laugh." Maria was unsure but really
felt comforted by Jack.

Jack held up his hand as if to say "I promise."

She continued "God, I feel so dumb.  It's just that my good friend Connie,
um Consuela, sold me out today."  Shit she still couldn't believe that
Connie did that!

"What do you mean 'sold you out'?"

"Well, some of the bitches, oh sorry, the girls at school were making fun
of me and when I wanted to run away from them Connie wouldn't come with me. 
She stayed with the other kids.  Everybody laughed at me when they saw me
pleading with Connie and she didn't come." Maria felt like shit and wanted
to cry.  Jack got up and got her a tissue and then lifted her up and hugged
her.  "Mmmm, he feels so good. He's so good to me.  I don't deserve him."
Maria reflected.

"Man, that was pretty cruel!  I can understand why you were hurt.  You must
feel awful." Jack said comforting her.

Jack slowly rocked Maria and she felt the anger melt away. She relaxed a
bit and said "I don't know which I feel worse about - the kids making fun
of me or Connie abandoning me."

"I understand, friends are someone you should be able to count on no matter
what happens.  How were the 'bitches' making fun of you?"

"He called them 'bitches' too!" Maria was surprised. But then she thought
Jack was making fun of her too.  He couldn't be so stupid that he couldn't
figure out why they were making fun of her?  She pushed him away and wailed
"Well look at me!  Why do you think they were making fun of me?  I'm just a
fat pig!"

"Maria!  You're not a fat pig!  You're my buddy and Sammy's buddy!  We
aren't buddies with fat pigs." Jack shouted back. 

Wow! He sure was emphatic but is he for real? How could he not think I was
fat?

"Um, Jack, you're not going to try to tell me that you don't think I'm
fat?" she said incredulously.  She liked Jack and couldn't understand why
he was lying to her.

Jack paused for a long time and Maria started to worry that Jack was going
to admit that, yes, she was fat and ugly.  She already knew that but would
be absolutely crushed if Jack said it.

"Maria, before I answer your question I want to know if we're friends."

That question was a shock! "Um, what do you mean?"

"Well, as I said before, a friend sticks with you even when things are
rough right?"

Maria's thoughts flashed back to the pain she felt when Connie abandoned
her. "Sure, a good friend does - or should." she said getting teary eyed.

Jack held her and looked directly into her eyes. "OK, so a good friend can
tell a good friend the truth and a good friend will listen to the truth -
no matter what.  That's what makes friends special - they can talk to each
other about good things AND bad things.  And they comfort each other when
there are bad things.  Got it?"

"Yeah." she said resignedly.  "I get it.  So now you tell me how fat I am
right?"

"No Maria, now I honestly answer any question you ask me.  I promise I will
be completely honest but I want something in return."

Maria was concerned but asked "What?"

"I want you to be my friend and understand that I am telling you something
because I care for you as a friend and I'm not going to lie to you.  You
have to respect that I'm not going to lie to you. OK?"

Maria was happy that Jack wanted to be her friend.  God! She needed a
friend so desperately but still she didn't think she would be able to deal
with Jack thinking of her as fat.  Finally she said "Yes, I understand.  So
do you really think I'm a fat pig?"

"No, Maria.  I think you are a wonderful girl that I can count on as my
friend to take care of my house and my best buddy Sammy." Sammy wagged his
tail when he heard his name.

Jack is so nice but still avoided the question. "But you're not saying
whether you think I'm fat or not."

"You haven't asked me that.  You asked me if I thought you are a fat pig
which I do not."

OK, play the word games she thought. "OK, do you think I'm fat?"

"Maria, you know you are overweight.  I see that you are overweight but I
do not think of you as fat."

Pain spasmed through her like an electric shock! "Overweight is the same
thing!" she yelled and started to pull away.

Jack stopped her and held her saying "No, 'fat' is a derogatory term,
'overweight' is a measure of weight relative to the normal distribution of
weight in our population.  You weigh more than the average but I would
never, ever, call you fat.  A friend wouldn't do that."

Big deal! it doesn't change her appearance or change the fact that boys
won't like her. "But it's the same result.  No one likes me." she got to
the heart of the matter.

"Maria, who do you want to like you?  I like you, Sammy likes you, your
mother likes you, and I'll bet Connie likes you."

"Mother!  Christ that's a good one!" Maria reacted to that statement "Sure
you like me 'cause I do things for you.  My mother doesn't like me and I
now know that Consuela doesn't like me either." she started to cry again.

Jack persisted "Maria, I'm not going to debate what I don't know for sure
so let me tell you what I do know.  I know I like you for more than the
fact that you take care of my place.  I let you take care of my place
because I like you and I can trust you.  Do you think I would give anyone
the freedom to run in and out of my place like I give you?"

Maria stopped and thought about that. It was true that, in this
neighborhood, you didn't let just anybody into your house. And Jack not
only trusted her to take care of his house but did pretty much let her have
complete freedom including use of his pool. "No, I guess not.  That would
be pretty risky in this neighborhood." she admitted.

"OK, so can we, at least, agree that I like you."  Maria nodded. "OK,
Maria, do you think I'm stupid?"

Maria was dumbfounded by that question.  Shit Jack was a genius! "Huh, what
do you mean?  Of course I don't think you're stupid.  In fact, you might be
the smartest person I know."

"Well thank you for that Maria.  So if I'm not stupid and I like you then I
must like you for a reason right?"

As bad as she had felt she had to admit the logic made sense. Maria
chuckled and said "I guess so."

"So Maria, if I can find some things to like about you don't you think
other smart people will find things to like about you?"

"Sure, if they're as smart as you." Maria countered.

"Ah, so the things that are most attractive about you are so well hidden it
only takes an incredibly brilliant person like me to see them?"

God I love listening him Maria thought warmly. Maria laughed "Yes, I think
that says it pretty well."

"Well, I think you give me too much credit but, let's just say for the sake
of argument you are right.  Only a massively intelligent person could like
you."

Maria cracked up and, getting caught up in the absurdity of the
conversation, said "Yeah, a superman brain would be required to like me."

"Well then.  Isn't that something to look forward to?"

Shit he was confusing. "Huh?  What do you mean?"

"Well, we've established that whoever is going to like you is going to have
a superman brain, like mine for instance, so isn't that better than having
a stupid person like you?  Isn't that better than having the 'bitches' like
you - I suspect they don't have superman brains do they?"

Jesus what a ludicrous idea! Maria was really laughing now "um no, they
have B-B sized brains only B-Bs are smarter."

"Well there you go then.  We just need to find you a superman brain
person."

Maria was feeling much better but even with that was not going to fall for
this one. "Yeah, right!  In my school?  And if we did find such a person
they might like me but they'd like the 'bitches' better."

"Why do you say that?"

"They look sexy and I look like, well, you know..." Maria hesitated knowing
how she looked and it definitely was NOT sexy.

"Maria, do you know what is the sexiest part of a woman's body?"

Christ! Does he really have to ask? Maria blushed. "Do you want me to
answer that?"

"Sure, take a guess.  I'll give you three guesses and I'll bet you don't
get it."

"What's the bet?  I'm sure I can guess in three guesses."  Maria was
embarrassed to answer and was trying to stall for time.

"I don't know, what do you want to bet?"

It's such a silly idea that she could find someone to like her she'd pick a
silly prize "Well, if I win I can bring this 'friend' over to your pool."

"Deal! and if I win?" Jack paused and thought about it and finally said "If
I win you have to bring your mother over for a dinner and a swim."

Yeah right!  Maria's mother wouldn't come over to a man's house even if
Maria's life was threatened but, again, what did Maria have to lose? "Deal
'cause I know I'll guess."

"OK, enough stalling.  What are your three losing guesses?  What IS the
sexiest part of a woman's body?"

Maria thought about what she might have that could excite men "Um, her
breasts - men like big breasts."

"Nope, some men like big breasts but that's not it."

Hmmm, Maria would like to have a nice ass that wouldn't gross out the boys
so offered "Great ass!  Men talk about how a woman's ass looks when she
walks."

"Nope, that's not it.  Some men do like to look at a woman's ass but in
both of these cases it doesn't explain why men marry women with small
breasts or lousy asses."

Maria wasn't going to let this one slip by without pointing out the obvious
"You mean 'fat' asses."

"Fat, lumpy, skinny, name the shape - Men marry women with all different
shaped asses so that's not what's sexiest."

Maria was perplexed now, what Jack had said was true.  Jack continued "One
guess remaining and then I win!"

Maria was determined and despite her embarrassment blurted out "You do not
win!  It's a women's pussy!" she blushed when she said it but was sure it
had to be the right answer.

"OK, so how do you explain why some men marry women when they've never seen
their pussy - it does still happen, even in the 21st century."

"I don't know.  I guess they marry thinking that's how they'll get to see
the pussy." she said tentatively.  Men are instinctively driven to want
pussy aren't they?

"Well, nice try but it not right.  Men fall in love with women and, very
often, it is before they see or do anything else with the women's pussy."

Maria was not going to yield yet "So what's the right answer?  I'm not sure
there is one."

"The right answer, my dear Maria, is the advantage 'you' have over the
'bitches'."

Maria was really confused now.  What the fuck could she possibly have that
was better than the bitches?  Maria hated the bitches but, in all honesty,
had to admit they looked better than she. "What?  I don't have any
advantage over them.  They have good looks, they have the boys, and they
now have my friends." Maria started to choke up.

Jack hugged Maria and conspired "Well, let's see if we can change that
shall we?" He continued when he felt Maria respond to the challenge "The
advantage you have is that you have more of what makes a women truly sexy
than they do - or, at least, you could have."

Shit!  The only thing she has more of is fat. Sarcastically she questioned
"What, more fat?"

"No dear, you have a very beautiful smile and that, my dear Maria, is the
sexiest part of a women."

Maria was stunned.  Is he for real?  She liked the idea that he, at least
said, that he liked her smile but couldn't believe he was serious about
this being the sexiest part of the body. Jack continued "I might add,
although I only have this on second hand information, that might also be
the sexiest part of the man as well."

Maria shook her head no and said quietly "Smile?   I don't think so.  I
smile and boys don't come pawing me.  The 'bitches' smile and they have
boys all over them."

"But, do the boys paw them because of their smiles or because of their
breasts, asses, or pussies?"

Damn!  That's what she had been telling him! "Well that's my point!  They
get pawed because they have better breasts, asses, and, um, pussies than I
do."

"But that's because the boys haven't seen your smile."

Maria was beginning to think Jack was crazy. "Sure they have!"

"Oh yeah?  So when the bitches were making fun of you today did they see a
smile then?"

"Of course not!  I was pissed, and then I was hurt, and, and..."

"and you ran away with tears in your eyes and a frown on your face. 
Suppose you smiled instead?  What would happen then?"

"The bitches would pick on me even more!"

"Are you sure?  So if you cry they don't pick on you any more?"

Jack was right about that but smile? "Well, no, they still pick on me." she
said sheepishly.

"OK, so if you smiled what effect would their teasing have?  They wouldn't
seem to be affecting you because you're smiling.  The people watching would
either think you're mental or they'd see that the bitches are just
powerless little twerps that are just mean but without any purpose."

Maria had to agree with that assessment "Well they would think I was
mental."

"But what about your superman brain person?  What would he - or might it be
a she?" Jack suggested questioningly.

God!  I don't want him to think I'm a lesbian! Maria answered sheepishly
"HE might not think I was mental but he'd still think I was fat."

"OK, Maria, let's get this out of the way.  Sure.  If there were two of you
and one of you lost 30 lbs and you both smiled at your superman brain 'man'
he probably would go to the thinner you.  OK, but there aren't two of you. 
There's only one.  And that 'one' looks pretty damn nice when she smiles -
all too rarely I might add."

Maria paused for a long time thinking about what Jack said.  She finally
said "Jack are you really telling me the truth?  Do you think I look nice
when I smile?"

"Yes Maria, you look a thousand times better when you smile."

Maria felt a warmth flow through her.  She loved the idea that Jack would
think she looked good. Jack resumed "Think about when you are attracted to
someone.  In fact, think about your friend Connie."

That bitch! Maria groaned.

"You've seen her happy and sad.  When does she look more appealing?  Think
about the kind of smile she has when you think you really want to be with
her."

Maria thought about Connie and when they were close.  She could see Connie
smiling.  It was a warm welcoming smile.  The thought of that smile of a
friend made Maria feel good.

Jack persisted "Also think about when she wants to be with you or not be
with you.  Does she prefer to be with you when you're smiling?  So maybe
she doesn't want to be with you when you're feeling sorry for yourself?"

Maria thought about this.  She knew Connie wasn't happy to see her this
morning even before she saw how bad the top looked.  Why?  Maria had tears
and a frown.  Maria then thought about when she and Connie were close. 
They would laugh, hug, share dreams.  Connie really was a good friend then. 
Maria felt tears welling up missing those feelings of closeness with
Connie.

Jack continued "Think the same thing when you think about boys.  Do you
want them frowning or concerned or snickering or with a mean smile or do
you want to see him look at you with a loving smile - a smile that says 'I
am glad to be with you'."

God!  I'd give anything for that! Maria realized.

Maria thought for a long time.  Jack let her think but then finally
suggested "How about a dip in the pool?  You've had a tough day and I feel
like getting wet."

Jack is so wonderful! Maria smiled and said "Sure, I'll go change."

"Ten thousand times better Maria!"

Maria was confused and then realized she had smiled and that's why Jack
thought she looked better.  Maria blushed and smiled again.  Jack said
"Yup, ten thousand times."

Maria felt herself get wet between her legs.  She felt so much better and
Jack wanted to spend time with her.  She thought, maybe I'll show him more
than my smile!

Chapter 2

Maria went home and got out a bikini swim suit she had bought during the
summer.  She never had the nerve to wear it but maybe Jack would like it. 
As she changed she thought maybe Jack would like to take it off of her! 
Maria would have to be careful with these thoughts because, if something
happened, you could easily see the pool from her bedroom window or from her
back yard if someone looked over the fence and she didn't want her mother
to catch her.  Fortunately tonight was night school so her mother wouldn't
be home for hours.  Hmmm, maybe her dream can come true after all.

Maria quickly went downstairs and was about to run over to Jack's when she
saw the message light on the answering machine.  She thought of Connie and
realized that maybe she wasn't so bad after all.  Maria played the
messages.

Connie's anguished voice came through the tinny speaker "Maria! Maria! I am
so sorry!  I didn't mean to leave you hanging like that!  Please forgive
me! Please call me!"  beep  "Maria Please call me back!  I know you're home
- God I hope you're home!  I don't want to lose you as a friend!  I don't
know what happened to me! Please call me!" beep.

Maria sighed and remembered the warm feeling she felt earlier when she
thought about her good times with Connie.  She dialed Connie's number.

"Hello?"  a meek voice answered.

"Connie?"

"Maria! Oh thank God you called me back!  I know I don't deserve it but can
you ever forgive me?" Connie cried out clearly on the edge of tears.

"Connie I was really hurt and really really mad at you but I think I
understand a little bit more now and I'm not mad at you any more."

"Oh God Maria! I can't tell you how awful I feel.  I was completely
paralyzed and didn't know what to do.  When you took off I just stood there
but when I finally went after you I couldn't find you.  I got really
worried when you weren't in your class.  I tried to get out to your bus but
I didn't see you get on and I had to catch my own bus.  Can you please
forgive me?"

"Yes Connie.  I know I didn't make it easy for you.  I looked pretty awful
and really was asking for what I got.  It wasn't fair of me to drag you
into the middle of it."

"Oh Maria!  You are such a good friend.  I don't deserve you."

"Of course you do silly!  You're a good friend to me too.  Can we get
together before school tomorrow?  I'll try not to look so silly and I guess
I'll be returning your clothes. I don't think they fit me very well." Maria
finished with a laugh.

"Maria!  You're amazing.  Of course, I'll wait for you at the bus lot.  I
need a hug from you."

"I think I need the hug more Connie.  See you tomorrow."  Maria hung up and
was happy she still had Connie for a friend.  She then remembered her
'date' with Jack and excitedly out the door and went over to Jack's.

Maria went through Jack's fence and he was already in the pool. She wasn't
sure if he liked her bikini but quickly climbed into the pool to hide her
large expanse of skin.

Jack swam around a bit so Maria joined in the casual swim around the pool. 
After a while Jack swam over to Maria and asked "Why were you crying when
the phone rang earlier?"

"Oh, I was pretty sure it was Connie calling and I didn't want to talk to
her."

"I see, but from our conversation earlier do you think maybe Connie was
just trying to avoid feeling your pain - but she still might be a friend?"

"Yeah, I thought that when we spoke so I called her when I went home to
change.  You were right, Connie felt really bad and apologized for leaving
me on my own.  I told her I didn't blame her - I had made it difficult for
her to avoid the same ridicule. We're getting together before school
tomorrow."

"That's great!  I'm glad you patched things up with Connie.  Maybe this day
will be a good turn-around day for you."

"I hope so.  You've made me feel better and I'm going to try your advice."
Jack had made her feel more than just 'better'! She thought as she
contemplated how this 'date' would turn out.

"Um, Maria, as a friend can I give you some more advice?"

"Yes please.  You've already made me feel better.  What is it?"  Maria had
hoped maybe Jack would have some more 'love' advice for her - maybe even
with 'laboratory' work Maria thought devilishly.

"OK, this might hurt your feelings and I do not want to do that but I
really want to help you.  OK?"

Maria's heart sank.  Maybe this wasn't going to turn out like she thought.
"Um, I guess so.  Are you going to tell me to lose weight?  I've tried that
and nothing seems to work."

"No Maria, I think you're the weight you are for several reasons and you
can't change your weight unless you change those reasons.  Dieting alone
isn't going to help unless we understand the reasons.  Make sense?"

Thank God!  Her mother was always yelling at her to lose weight but she
could never stick with a diet. "Sure, I guess so. So what do you want to
tell me.  I'll try not to be hurt." Maria was part concerned and part
hopeful.

"OK, so why did the mean old 'bitches' make fun of you?"

Maria loved when Jack called them the 'bitches'.  She laughed and said
"Well, they called me a fat pig."

"That wasn't nice but if you put yourself in their shoes and look through
their eyes what do you see?"

Maria knew what he meant but had to ask "You mean looking at me?"

"Yes, but specifically looking at you as you looked today."

She thought about it and then she blushed.  "Well, I did have on the halter
top that probably showed off my fat belly a little too much."

"Do you think those clothes help people see your smile?"

Maria hadn't thought about that.  I guess they wouldn't look at my face she
realized. "I guess not.  But what can I do?  Everybody wears those styles. 
Should I look like a nun?"

Jack laughed "No Maria, I don't think you want to attract someone who would
be attracted to a nun.  But I do think if you stop trying to be like the
skinny bitches you might have more success trying to be yourself."

Wow! Was I really trying to look like a skinny bitch? Maria was stunned. 
She thought about it for a while and realized that's exactly what she was
trying to do. She said "Maybe you're right.  I guess I got so caught up in
what people were wearing I kept worrying about figuring out how to make
those clothes look good on me.  Maybe I should try to figure out what looks
good on me - I can't imagine what would though." she said dejectedly.

"Maria, I have a friend coming over tonight and she knows a lot about
fashion.  She might be able to give you some tips."

Yeah right! Fashion tips for this fat body! "Is she fat like me?"  Jack
glared at her and Maria realized he wasn't going to tolerate her self-pity.
"OK, sorry.  I mean is she 'overweight' like me?"

"No, she isn't but she knows what looks good on different people and knows
the way to mix styles to compliment whatever figure you have.  She's a good
friend of mine and I'm sure she'll be able to help you."

I wonder how 'good' a friend she is Maria pondered. "Well, I would be
surprised but I'll talk to her.  Thanks.  It won't do much good though, I
couldn't afford to get new clothes anyway, I'm broke."

"Maria, don't worry about that.  If you're willing to do some work around
here I think I can come up with some projects that would earn you some
extra money for clothes.  What do you think?"

WOW! She couldn't believe how nice Jack was to her. She looked at Jack and
smiled and said "Really?" and she jumped over to Jack and hugged him.  She
caught Jack by surprise.  She enjoyed the closeness and was starting to
think she might 'suggest' a reward for his kindness when she heard a
woman's voice.

"Ahem! Sorry Jack, I didn't mean to interrupt.  You did say drop by any
time."

Maria let go and looked and saw a very attractive young woman.  She had
dark brown hair and had a beautiful figure.  She was dressed in a business
dress that looked both professional and seductive at the same time.  God
Maria thought as her heart sank.  She didn't stand a chance against this
woman!

Jack exclaimed "Tina!  Great to see you. You're not interrupting, I'm glad
you're here. Tina McDaniels, this is Maria Gonzales, Maria this is my
friend Tina, the one I just told you about."

Tina and Maria said hi to each other warily.

Jack looked at Tina and said "I'm surprised you got here so fast.  I didn't
expect you until this evening."

"Well, I guess I jumped the gun." she said coolly.  "Maybe I should have
waited. Should I come back later?"

Maria was surprised how cold Tina's voice sounded.  She had expected a more
friendly reception.  Maybe she wasn't such a 'good' friend after all as
Maria's hope escalated again.

"No, this is great timing.  I just told Maria about your offer to help. Do
you want to see what clothes Maria currently has and then you could advise
her on some changes and then we could swim?  Is that OK with you Maria?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Maria said warily thinking this cold woman probably
wasn't going to be very helpful and may even make fun of her.

Tina said "Well, OK, let's do that and then maybe I'll go do my laundry."

That seemed like a strange comment to Maria but let it pass.

Jack looked confused and said  "Um, Maria, why don't you go home and change
and Tina will be over shortly to see your clothes and help you."

"Oh, OK."  Maria got out of the pool and dried off.  She looked at Jack and
then Tina who seemed to want to talk about something and she was clearly
interfering so she just nodded and headed home.  As she was about to go in
the house she thought she heard Tina say, very coldly "What's going on
Jack?"

Maria went inside and changed out of her suit into jeans and a sweatshirt. 
She didn't want to wear the halter top again and she knew Tina wouldn't be
impressed with any of her other clothes.  Maybe she would just show Tina
the top and pretend it's hers without putting it on.  Maria waited in her
kitchen and soon heard a knock on her back door.

Maria let Tina in and was stunned at how Tina's demeanor had warmed
dramatically.  It almost looked like Tina's eyes were moist.  As Maria let
Tina into the house Tina hugged Maria and said "I've heard you've had a
tough day."

Maria blushed but Tina's comforting voice and hug completely removed the
hard shell Maria had felt earlier toward Tina and she felt comfortable
opening up to her. "Yes, I feel so stupid and ugly."

"Well join the club dear!  This cruel world does that to us poor women."

Maria was shocked to hear that.  How could this beautiful woman even think
she knew about how cruel the world was? The look on Maria's face was enough
to tell Tina what she had been thinking.

Tina smiled - she had such a pretty smile Maria thought.  "So Maria, do you
think you're the only one who's been made fun of because of her looks?"
Maria nodded not really thinking. "Well guess again sweety!  This whole
world is full of creeps who only want to tear the rest of us down.  Thank
God we have great guys like Jack around to keep us feeling beautiful eh?"

"Jack is wonderful.  I really felt like shit - sorry, I mean felt lousy
earlier and he's made me feel so wonderful."

"Hey, you want to say 'shit' it's OK with me.  I'm your bud, you can tell
me anything. I can't agree with you more about Jack." Tina was silent for a
bit and then continued "He continues to amaze me." 

Tina's voice had a dreamlike quality that told Maria more than she wanted
to hear but now felt warmly enough toward Tina that she had to ask "Um, are
you and Jack going out?"

Tina sighed and said "No, I'm afraid not.  We dated a year or so ago but
that's when we first knew each other and somehow we just didn't click.  It
seemed as if we had more fun as friends than as dates so we fell in
'friendship' with each other.  Jack means more to me than any guy I know
but because he's a good friend.  I'm not sure why we didn't 'click' now
that I think about it - I couldn't ask for a nicer guy.  But enough about
me, let's see what you have for clothes."

Maria's spirit lifted once again now that she knew that Tina was just a
friend and Jack wasn't attached.  Maria brought Tina upstairs and started
showing Tina her meager wardrobe. It didn't take very long - Maria didn't
have a very large selection of clothes.  The choices were either cover ups
like sweatshirts or 'show me offs' like the halter top she wore today.

Tina asked "What did you wear today that seemed to get everybody upset?"

Maria reluctantly pulled out Connie's halter top and shoes.

Tina nodded and, with a smile, said "Hmmm, these didn't work very well did
they?"

Maria was ashamed and shook her head no.

Tina piped up "Hey, don't feel sad.  You tried right?  You just need to
learn some secrets on how to flatter your figure.  I don't think this
flattered your figure did it?"

Maria shook her head. She thought about what Jack had told her earlier and
said "And pick something that will draw attention to my smile?"

"Yes, that would be good." Tina said surprised.  "I'm sort of surprised you
realized that."

"Well, Jack told me about that earlier. You know, about the sexiest part of
a woman's body."

Maria's comment startled Tina and she slowly said "Jack told you about the
sexiest part of the woman's body?"

"Yes!  He's so smart!  I didn't believe him but he proved it to me. 
Looking at you I know he's right."

"Oh really?" Tina was really intrigued now. "What did he tell you?"

"You know, how a woman's smile is the sexiest part of her body."

"Ahh, that does sound like Jack." Tina smiled warmly.

"See?  You are absolutely beautiful when you smile like that!"

"Well thank you Maria.  And I can see how, once we get you in the right
wardrobe, you will also feel the same way about yourself.  You will soon be
turning boys away."

"Do you think Jack will like me?"

Tina cocked an eyebrow but merely said "Jack already likes you Maria.  Yes,
he'll enjoy you more when you smile but he already likes you very much. 
And I like you too - Jack has told me a lot about you and I would like to
be your friend."

Maria hugged Tina and said "Thank you for helping me Tina, I do want to be
your friend.  Do you really think we can find the right wardrobe?"

"I'm sure of it Maria.  As long as you keep that pretty smile." Tina hugged
back.  "Can you go shopping tomorrow? I know some stores where we can find
some nice things.  I could be here around 5PM tomorrow, would that be OK?"

"Wow!  That would be excellent Tina!  Thanks!"

"OK, I'm going to go see Jack now but I'll see you at 5PM tomorrow.  And
don't let the kids at school get you down!  Remember - keep that smile!"

"I will.  Thanks and tell Jack that I'll never, ever, forget this." Maria
said dreamily.

Tina smiled and left shaking her head.

Maria lay down in her bed and day dreamed about looking beautiful and
turning away the boys chasing after her.  She didn't turn away to many of
them however.  She wondered if Jack was still in the pool and looked out
her window.

She saw Jack and Tina sitting on the deck on the two lounge chairs.  She
was about to look away when she saw Tina stand up and stand in front of
Jack's lounge.  Her jaw dropped when she saw Tina unbuttoning her blouse. 
What the hell is going on?

Maria was glued to her bedroom window as she saw Tina remove every piece of
clothing.  Jack sat in his chair and simply watched!  Maria was
dumbfounded.  Tina had said they were just friends.  Jack wasn't grabbing
her and kissing her so I guess that was true but why was she getting naked? 
Tina reached out for Jack's hand.  He stood up and Tina walked Jack to the
pool. Wow! Tina was acting like she did this every day!  Maria had never
seen anything like this and was amazed that Tina could nonchalantly undress
in front of Jack.  Is this something Jack liked his friends to do?  It made
sense to Maria in a strange sort of way.  Maria started thinking may be
Jack would like me to do that too.

Maria felt the wetness between her legs.  As she watched Tina and Jack in
the pool, they were now hugging, Maria quickly stripped off her jeans and
her sweatshirt.  She unsnapped her bra and enjoyed the freedom of her
breasts hanging free.  She especially liked the idea that she was almost
naked in front of the window looking down at Tina and Jack.  Oh God!  Is
that Jack bathing suit floating away from them?  Maria pulled off her
panties and opened the window.  She wanted nothing in between her and this
view of the pool.  She almost wished they would look up and, seeing her
naked, wave her down to the pool.

Tina and Jack were really close now and Maria sensed they were screwing. 
Their naked bodies were mostly underwater but the excitement was palpable
just the same. With one hand she massaged her breast but the other slid
through her downy tuft of rich black hair and, reaching further, her finger
parted her lips and slid over her engorged nub that had brought her so many
hours of delight.  Her finger probed further and she was surprised at how
dripping wet she was! Her finger coated with her oily slickness easily
slipped inside the folds of her pussy.  She sighed with the exquisite
feeling flowing to her core. She looked back at Tina and Jack and saw how
they were actively pumping each other and locked both in embrace and by
their mouths as they hungrily explored each other.  Maria stood up on the
bed with her legs spread wide hoping they would look - hoping Jack would
look as she plunged her fingers deep into her cunt. GOD! she groaned.  She
felt the wetness running down her fingers and dripping on to her bed but
she didn't care.  She just wanted this to be Jack's cock wantonly ramming
into her she used another finger to play with her clit and she could no
longer look at the pool as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and
she screamed "JACK! OH GOD YES FUCK ME JACK!"

She collapsed onto the bed out of breath and without energy but somehow
managed to pull herself up to the window sill to watch Tina and Jack.  She
watched spellbound, breathless, seeing the two lovers reaching their
climaxes in the pool.  The way he held her - Maria wanted it to be her. 
She wanted to be held this way - by Jack, by any man.  Even from this
distance Maria could see the love and reverence Jack held for Tina.  The
surprising thing was that Maria wasn't jealous.  For some reason Maria
couldn't dislike Tina. She could relate with Tina's obvious desire to
please Jack without feeling a competition with Tina.  It was very strange. 
Maybe Maria would feel different if it were she who was in Jack's arms and
she looked up to see Tina watching them.  That was too abstract for Maria,
especially in her breathless state, to comprehend.  Maria didn't think any
more about it and just watched as the two lovers embraced.  Maria was
content.  Not only due to the sexual satisfaction flowing through her but
also in the fact that she could be happy for the two close friends who
could share the love while Maria served as witness.

Maria enjoyed the scene unfolding below her.  The two lovers parted and
appeared like gossamer in the wind. Sometimes drifting apart, sometimes
together.  As they drifted together there seemed to be a magnetic
attraction that pulled them closer until contact.  Jack floated on his
back.  Maria was particularly interested in the dark patch covering his
groin but it was too far to see any detail.  Damn she wished she had some
binoculars.  Tina slowly swam laps with her beautiful sleek body gracefully
moving effortlessly through the water.

Maria watched until they got out of the pool, wrapped towels around
themselves and it looked like they were going to make dinner.  Maria
thought she should get something to eat so she put on her threadbare
bathrobe and quickly made some quesidillas and ran back upstairs to
continue her vigil.  She nodded off once when they were just sitting around
on the back deck eating their dinner and talking.  When they finished Maria
hoped that they would, once again, make love.  They were sitting on the
lounges, still wrapped in towels, drinking wine.  They seemed to have a
nice gentle conversation but suddenly Tina seemed to stop and looked
intensely at Jack.  She said a couple of words and then stood up next to
Jack.  She let the towel fall off of her and she was naked again.  She bent
over and unwrapped the towel from Jack and Maria could see that Jack's
penis was large and erect!  Maria breathing became labored and she shifted
her position on the bed.  She shifted not only to get a better view but to
open up her legs.  She watched completely mesmerized as Tina started
kissing Jack on his lips but soon moved to his neck, then chest.  Maria was
fondling her breast now and was moaning watching the love making unfold
below her.  Her hand went to her crotch but this time she slowly touched
herself.  She wanted to last and enjoy the lovers below.

She saw Tina shift and expected her to climb on top Jack but was surprised
and then shocked as she saw Tina kiss Jack lower and lower on his body.  Oh
my God!  She's going to take his cock in her mouth!  Maria was stunned but
felt herself incredibly lucky that she could witness this.  She had heard
about blowjobs but it was always the bitches talking about it and it always
sounded so disgusting.  As she watched Tina and saw Jack lean back in
obvious pleasure one absolute certainty hit her - no matter how unpalatable
she may have considered this before she could now think of no other thing
she wanted to do more than to be Tina!  She wanted to be so close to Jack's
cock that she could feel it with her tongue, taste him, feel his shivers as
she licked him, smell his smells, have him ram his hard rigid cock deep
within her throat while cumming and screaming her name and his love for
her.  What she would give to be Tina.  She watched, possessed to be the
woman who would bring Jack pleasure like this.  That Tina would do this was
an affirmation that it was the right thing to do.  Maria didn't feel
jealous.  She wanted to be next to Tina helping her delight Jack with the
happiness he deserved.  She knew that she could make Jack happy. She new
that she could give him the rising excitement she was now feeling as her
attentions to her heavenly folds were having their effect.  Maria couldn't
breathe and had to gasp for air but she wasn't moving and she wasn't
permitting herself to be satiated until Jack had reached his climax.  She
saw Jack reach behind Tina's ass and start rubbing between her legs.  Tina
was moving wildly now and Maria was moving in kind.  A kind of magical
telepathic link developed between her and Tina as Maria imagined she was
Tina.  She had Jack's cock deep in her throat and was sucking and licking
it with abandon while Jack probed her most personal spaces with a frenzied
hunger.  She saw and she felt Tina bucking wildly driving her ass to get
more and more of Jack into her while she consumed more and more of him into
her mouth.  Maria was symbiotically sharing Tina's experience and felt the
rising explosion within her until she could take no more and jammed herself
deep onto her fingers while watching Tina and Jack reach their crescendo
and the two neighbors' yard resounded and echoed with the screams of three
simultaneous orgasms.

Maria was totally drained.  She swallowed the cum she imagined she had
taken from her lover and collapsed back on to the bed. 

Chapter 3

"Maria!"  Jack moaned out her name as she took his cock into her mouth. 
She loved the feel of his rigid cock in her mouth and loved how he twitched
with each lick she gave him.  She sucked hard and he moaned some more. 
Maria felt the warm breezes flutter the hairs of her pussy as she bent over
her lover and worshipped his holy member.  Maria was bobbing her head up
and down on his pulsing shaft, twirling her tongue around the shaft with
each pull. She bobbed back down and felt him enter deep into her throat as
she swallowed his massively long manhood.  He was thrusting out of control
now and she felt the cock work its way up and down her throat.

"Maria!" She knew it would be soon now.  He was in ecstasy and he would
love her forever. She felt her slick wetness running down her thigh but
knew that she could wait.  This was for him.  She knew that it was her
devotion to him and her undying willingness to please him that would keep
him eternally hers.

"Maria! You've got to get up!" her mother yelled.  Maria wanted to cry as
she felt that magnificent cock withdraw from her throat and disappear into
the vapor.  Damn!  Maria rolled over and looked at the clock. Shit, no time
again! I want time to stand still.  Wait!  Today Tina is taking me
shopping!  Yes!  I'll meet Connie and tell her all about it.  And then! 
Then I'll have my own boy.  Then I'll have my own cock and it won't
disappear, at least until I've totally drained it Maria thought wickedly.

Maria jumped up and ran to the bathroom to shower.  She dressed quickly
just throwing on a sweatshirt and jeans.  She didn't care what she looked
like.  Tonight I'll get new clothes and tomorrow!  Just wait!  Tomorrow
will be a new day.

Maria climbed on the bus and was so absorbed in the excitement about
shopping tonight she didn't notice any comments anyone might have said -
she wasn't even aware if there was anyone else on the bus.  When the bus
arrived at school she jumped up and was one of the first ones off the bus
and quickly looked around to find Connie.  There!  Yes, there she is.  She
is looking bashful but we don't have time for that Maria thought as she ran
up to Connie, hugged her, and started telling her about today's shopping
trip.

Connie's eyes went wide when Maria said she was going shopping for new
clothes.  Then they narrowed and she said "You mean this guy next store is
going to buy you new clothes?"

"Yes!  Well, no, not like you make it sound. He's going to give me jobs and
I'm going to pay him back by doing the jobs."

"Oh yeah?  What kind of 'jobs' Maria?" Connie was concerned now.

"Oh I don't know.  It doesn't matter, you know taking his dog for a walk,
cleaning up his yard, stuff like that."

"Yeah sure.  Are you sure which 'dog' you're taking for a walk?  Does he
want you to 'clean his pipes' too?"

"Connie!  It's not like that!  Jack is nice and is just trying to help. 
Although, to be honest, I would be willing to 'clean his pipes'." Maria
giggled.

Connie was still concerned.  "How do you know he isn't going to force you
to do something you don't want to do?"

Maria thought about it and finally said "Three reasons.  One, he's too nice
a guy to do that.  Two, his girl friend - well she's not really his girl
friend, well maybe she is... Anyway, she is taking me shopping. and she is
nice. If Jack had any bad intentions I don't think she would go along with
it."

"And three?"

"Three, there isn't anything he could ask me to do that I wouldn't be
willing to do!"

"MARIA! Are you serious?" Connie was shocked.  Sure they talked dirty once
in a while but it was always joking.  Connie was certain that Maria was
serious this time.

Maria slowly shook her head yes. "Oh Connie.  He is so nice.  I really
would do anything for him. And I'm not the only one!  You wouldn't believe
what I saw last night!"  Maria had this excitement in her voice Connie had
never seen in her before.

"What?"

"Well, I watched Jack and Tina, his, um girl friend, make it in the pool
and then!"

"Really!  You've got to tell me all about it. Then what?  What could be
better than that?" Connie was all ears.

Maria was about to speak when the school bell rang and they turned to go
inside while Maria hurriedly told Connie about last night's escapades.

Maria fidgeted all through the school day.  She couldn't wait until she
could go home to go shopping with Tina.  Of course, once she got home she
would have to wait another hour and a half before Tina arrived but still it
was better than listening to this boring stuff.

Finally the bell rang and Maria took off for the bus.  She passed Connie on
the way but didn't stop but merely yelled "I'll see you first thing
tomorrow to tell you about it!"  Connie waved and wondered if she should be
concerned about her friend.  She shrugged and headed to her own bus.

When Maria arrived at home she threw her books in her bedroom.  She decided
to put on her white Sunday blouse.  It wasn't great but, at least, she
wouldn't turn off the store attendants like she would with a sweatshirt. 
She then went down to get a drink.  She paced around the kitchen a couple
of times but then decided to wait outside in the fresh air - the space felt
too closed in the house.

Maria went outside and eventually drifted over to Jack's fence.  Maybe she
would play with Sammy while she waited.  She was surprised to see Jack
there, on the deck by the pool.

"Hello Maria!  You look nice today.  How did your day go?"

"Well, some of the 'bitches' said something but it wasn't as bad as
yesterday.  I just ignored them and continued walking with Connie. I tried
real hard to keep a smile on my face and it mostly worked."

"It's going to be hard for a while but, trust me, it will improve over
time."

"Oh I 'do' trust you Jack!" Maria said with enthusiasm.  She wanted to let
him know she trusted him to do anything he wanted with her. 

Jack paused a bit and then asked "So how did it go with Connie?"

"That's really weird.  Connie was all concerned that I was upset with her
so when we met she was nervous.  I just gave her a big smile and a hug and
I told her I was glad to see her.  She gave me a big hug back and we were
talking non-stop since.  I think you were right, Connie just didn't feel
comfortable with my gloomy face.  I have a lot to thank you for Jack." 
Maria gushed.

"Nonsense.  I'm just a friend who's here to talk to you whenever you need a
pal." 

Maria wanted to let him know that she would be more than just a friend if
Jack wanted her. "I can be a 'friend' for you too Jack."

Jack looked at her and said "What do you mean Maria?"

Maria blushed.  She wasn't sure if she should tell Jack but she wanted to
let him know that she understood his needs and she could 'help' him. "Well,
I shouldn't tell you this.  I saw you yesterday."

"When? What do you mean?"

"You know, when you were in the pool with your friend and afterward.  I
could see you from my bedroom window."  Maria got hot just thinking about
it.

"Oh, geez, I'm sorry Maria.  I didn't mean to embarrass you like that. 
I'll try to be more careful in the future."

Embarrassed?  Christ I loved it she thought. "No, that isn't what I mean. 
I didn't mind.  I wanted to let you know that anytime your friend isn't
around I can, you know, take her place."  Maria saw Jack's face change. 
He's understood me!  Maria's heart raced!

"Maria, could you please sit down?  I really need to talk to you."

"Sure Jack." she sat down and was waiting for Jack's next move.  Would he
reach over and kiss her?  Would he start taking his - or for that matter
'her' clothes off?  Maria could barely breathe.

Jack spoke hesitantly "Maria, I like you very much." Oh YES!  He's going to
do it! "I think you are a very nice girl and,"  Nice?  Does he really know
what I'm offering?  "and, if I was 15 years old, I think we could be more
than friends.  Do you know what I mean?"

Jesus!  What a fucking idiot I am! Maria thought as her heart broke. 
Meekly she said "Yes, I think so."

"This isn't a question of me not liking you or not appreciating your
suggestion.  I am honored but you have to understand that there are laws. 
Even the suggestion of such a thing could get me thrown in jail for years. 
You don't want that do you?"

Jail! God I didn't want to get him in trouble!  I just wanted to love him!
"No, Jack, I'm sorry." and she started to cry.

"Maria, please don't cry.  I'm not upset with you.  You were very sweet to
offer and I know it was because you wanted to be my friend but we can't
even think about that.  There is a really good reason we have laws like
that - A man of my experience could really take advantage of a young girl
like you and that's not right.  Do you understand?"

He's going to hate me. "Yes, I feel like a fool."

"Maria, remember when I pointed out to you yesterday that I wasn't a dummy
for liking you?"

Maria looked up and whimpered but said "Yes?"

"Well this is the same thing.  You shouldn't feel like a fool.  You got
excited at the chance to 'be a woman' with me.  That's kind of nice but I
want you to think about 'being a woman' with your 'superman brain guy' OK? 
'He' is the guy you really want - remember?"

Oh yeah, that's why he's helping me get new clothes.  So I can find my
'superman brain guy'!  What a dumb shit. How could I forget?  Maybe I need
to keep thinking about this imaginary guy?  She smiled and realized Jack
was right "Yeah. I remember.  I guess I just thought about having a friend. 
Seeing you made me think about something more but I didn't think about my
'man'." They both cracked up when she said it.  Maria liked that concept of
'her man'.  It made her feel warm all over.

"Well now!  Isn't that a much better image.  Think about that when you're
trying on clothes tonight with Tina.  Think about what kind of 'man' you
want and visualize dressing in your new clothes for him.  OK?"

Jesus he's so good to me! "Yeah! Thanks Jack!"

"Hey, don't thank me.  You're going to have to work for those new clothes."

"Oh I haven't forgotten.  I guess I got distracted on what 'kind' of work I
could do for you."

"Maria, don't ever think in those terms.  Sex without love is rarely a good
idea. Sex isn't a payment.  It is a reward for being in love, promise me
you'll always keep this in mind?"

Man, I feel like I can talk about anything with Jack! "Yeah Jack, thanks. 
Um, you know my Mom doesn't want to talk about sex - I guess her life has
been pretty rough because of sex.  She told me about the stuff I had to
know - you know, my period and stuff.." she blushed "but she won't tell me
the good stuff - er - I mean, you know about boys and how things work.  I
was amazed when I saw you guys yesterday."

It was Jack's turn to blush. "Um, yes, well, I'm sorry about that.  Do you
need someone to explain how things work?  I think Tina or I can probably
explain the basics as long as you understand that we're only telling you so
that you don't make mistakes.  OK?"

Maria's heart leaped! Man, what luck!  She could get the inside scoop from
someone who really 'knows' and who will be honest with her. "Really?  You'd
do that?"

"Sure.  The first thing I want to tell you though is that you always want
to be safe.  When I was your age life was a lot simpler.  Now sex can kill
you.  Your mother knows first hand about how it can change your life but
there is no substitute for death - you understand?"

God yes! Maria remembered about AIDS and knew enough of the cases
throughout the neighborhood that it was something to be concerned about
"Yeah, they told us about that in school."

"OK, when opportunities come along you should always be prepared to protect
yourself.  The boy should always wear a condom.  And you shouldn't rely on
the boy either.  You should have a condom with you in case your 'friend'
conveniently forgets - better yet, have two. You never know when things get
too exciting."

Jesus!  Maria was getting wet thinking about this.

Jack continued "Can you get condoms at your school?"

"No, they used to give them out but some parents complained so they stopped
that."

"Stupid fucking idiots!" Jack said with vehemence.  "Sorry, I shouldn't
have said that in front of you but I can't believe how stupid these parents
are sometimes.  They would rather have their kid with AIDS or pregnant than
recognize that kids will experiment.  Better to make the experiment safe
than deadly I say.  Hold on, I'll be right back."

Maria sat there shocked at the reaction Jack had. His reaction sure drove
home the importance of protecting yourself.  Not that it mattered.  There
weren't exactly lots of opportunities to 'experiment' right now.  She did
wonder, however, how could she ever get any condoms if she really needed
them?

Jack came back and handed Maria two packs of condoms. Maria looked at them
and couldn't believe her eyes. Jack just gave them to her like it was the
most natural thing in the world.  She had seen dispensers in the restrooms
but had never seen them in real life.  Wow! These were precious to her.

"Maria, please don't tell anyone where you got these but please keep them
with you.  I care about you too much to have you destroy your life over a
little passion."

Maria's eye went wide.  Yesterday she was feeling like a fat pig and today
she's thinking about the possibility of sex - isn't life wonderful.  "Thank
you Jack!  I don't know how to thank you for what you've done for me!"

"Hey, no problem.  Let's talk about what kind of work you can do around
here."

Maria and Jack worked out a couple of chores like taking Sammy for walks,
cleaning the pool, and a few other odds and ends and then she went home to
do some homework before Tina picked her up to go shopping.  As she was
leaving Jack said "and I'll be more careful about what I do in the pool in
the future."

Maria turned and smiled the sweetest smile as she said "Oh that's OK Jack. 
I think I might enjoy the education..."  and Maria meant it.

Maria went home walking on clouds.  She wanted to call Connie and tell her
all about it but then she remembered the promise she gave Jack.  Tell no
one. 

Maria was doing her homework on her bed when she saw Tina arrive at Jack's. 
Maria watched hoping they would make love again.  They kissed but Tina just
sat next to Jack and they talked.  Maria continued to watch but there was
nothing but a parting kiss as Tina headed over to her house.  Oh well,
maybe next time...

Maria ran down the stairs to greet Tina at the door.  Tina smiled when she
saw Maria and was very surprised when Maria gave her a great big hug. 

"Wow, thanks Maria!  I guess you're excited about going out shopping?"

"Yes, but I'm mostly excited about going with you!" Maria said candidly.

Tina looked at her as they walked to Tina's car.  "You are? Why?"

"Well, lots of reasons.  I really like you.  You are nice to me, especially
helping me shop, but you're nice to Jack too."

Tina blushed and said "Well, um, Jack told me you saw us last night. I'm
sorry about that Maria."

"Oh I wasn't talking about that. Although that was really cool."

"You weren't?  What did you mean then?"

"Well, it seems that Jack's eyes really light up when he sees you. And he
asked you for a favor, and from what I figured, didn't give you any
details, but you came to help him anyway.  I just figure you must be a
special person to light up Jack that way."

"Well, you sure are grown up for a fifteen year old!  Maybe I need to hang
around you more often.  I think I could learn a lot from you."

Maria giggled.

They got in the car and Tina headed out.  She looked over at Maria and said
"Jack told me about his offer to 'explain' things to you Maria.  That offer
stands for me as well.  If there is anything you want to know please ask.
You might feel embarrassed to ask a man some things and you can call me any
time.  Grab that pencil and paper, let me give you my cellphone number. 
You can call me anytime.  Understand?  Call me especially if you think
you're in trouble.  There's no better way to stay in trouble than to try to
keep us from helping you.  OK?"

Maria was overwhelmed with Tina's generosity.  She wrote down Tina's number
and put it in her purse.  She was excited about shopping.  Tina's offer was
nagging her and she felt it unfair to test that offer so soon but she
couldn't help herself.

"Tina?"

"Yes Maria?"

"I have a million questions but I don't want to, you know, take advantage
of your offer."

"Hey, that's what friends are for.  Fire away!"

"Well, what does a cock taste like?"

"God Maria!  I should have told you not to be so bashful!" Tina said
stunned.

Maria cracked up and that broke the ice. Tina and Maria continued on their
way but were now chattering away about the most intimate details.  A couple
of times Tina said that she would only tell Maria the facts about sex
because she didn't want to encourage her but they both knew that Maria's
desert of sexual knowledge had received a nourishing rainfall and the
questions and anticipation were now blooming in glorious colors.

Maria learned how an erection happened.  Not just the physiology but what
it takes to make a man erect and what his penis looked like in four
dimensional detail. From the time it is a flaccid member through the
sequence of it filling, hardening, fully engorged with its protruding veins
and soft purple head.  The way it twitched when stroked just the right way,
the way it exploded with semen and how each spurt shot from it head with
such incredible force and then slowly diminishing with each subsequent
eruption.  And, yes, they did talk about how a cock tasted and how
delicious (whoops, Tina changed that topic), um, how the cock felt as it
entered the vagina.

They didn't have this in one conversation but in a series of conversations
that were intermixed with discussions about how different clothes would fit
her and how to make her chubby body look more voluptuous rather than fat. 
They went to store after store and saw a few things but they weren't quite
right, weren't the right size, or color. After the fifth store Maria was
really discouraged.  She turned to Tina and said "Maybe we ought to just
give up!  We can't seem to find the right clothes.  We got some nice
underwear and some earrings and stuff and I love them but I don't think
it's going to help me find a 'man'. Unless, I wear 'just' my underwear to
school!" Maria teased despite her frustration.

Tina laughed. "Well, I wouldn't recommend that approach.  I don't think
you'll find the 'super brain man' that way. Come on, I just remembered a
little boutique on the south side of town that may have something for you."

They walked arm and arm to the car and headed south.  Maria was physically
tired and emotionally drained, not finding the right clothes but she didn't
want the evening to end.  She was really getting to like Tina. Which
brought her to one more question.

"Tina?  Last night you said you and Jack were just friends but you looked
pretty hot from my bedroom window.  Is that how you usually are with 'just
friends'?"

Tina didn't react but looked over at Maria.  Maria felt bad that she asked
the question because she saw Tina's eyes start to water.  "Oh Tina I'm
sorry!  I shouldn't be so nosy.  You don't have to answer that question."

"No, it's OK Maria.  It's just that I don't know the answer to your
question.  I've liked Jack ever since I met him.  How could I not?  But
when we dated we never got to the point of making love.  We kissed and
petted but never went all the way.  I don't know why.  I wanted him.  I
think he wanted me.  I'd like to think that we cared so much about each
other that we didn't want to cheapen the relationship with casual sex - do
you know what I mean?"

Maria understood and nodded.

"But then we sort of fell into a routine of being friends.  Don't get me
wrong, I love being his friend.  It didn't seem to hurt when he saw other
women and I saw other men but it didn't bring us closer either.  Last night
was special.  I really understood why he had been distant and knew it
wasn't me.  It was a pain he needed to heal but we both realized that I
might be able to help him heal that pain."

Maria was wiping her eyes "Tina, that is so beautiful!  Oh I hope you two
get married and both of you can live next to me and I can baby sit and take
care of your kids when you go away on romantic weekends and..."

"Maria, hold on." Tina said laughing. "Maria will you let us play around a
little bit more before you marry us off?"

Maria laughed and then with a sly smile said "Sure, especially if you
'play' in the pool!"

"MARIA!  You are a naughty girl!  But I like you anyway." Tina squeezed her
hand. After a few seconds Tina said quietly, almost to herself "and maybe,
once in a while, I'll convince Jack to 'play' in the pool."

Maria smiled.

Tina drove a bit more and then pulled in front of a shop that seemed to
have Hispanic styled clothes.  The two ladies went into the store arm in
arm.  It was like walking into a fairy tale.  The dresses were ruffled with
bright colors and embroidery.  Tina spoke with one of the women and Maria
saw her eyes light up.  The woman shouted something to someone in the back. 
A second woman came out and the first whispered to her and they both
started chattering excitedly to each other.  They came up to Maria who,
feeling daunted, started to retreat slightly.  They overtook her and
practically dragged her into the back room.  She barely had time to take a
breath as they were ripping her blouse and jeans off of her.  She was very
self-conscious about just being in her bra and panties but they continued
chattering away and then one of the women went to a rack in the back and
started pulling out clothes.  There were dresses that looked like party
dresses, dresses that looked like business suits, conservative cut dresses,
dresses with a racy slit up the side, skirts, blouses, vests, all manner of
clothing.  When they finally left the store Maria had completely lost track
of what they bought but she knew they had bought plenty from the large pile
of boxes and bags they piled into Tina's trunk and rear seat.

When they got in the car Tina looked at Maria.  Maria was completely worn
but her energy returned somewhat when Tina smiled.

"Maria, I think the boys in your school should be warned before you go
there with any of these clothes!"

Maria cracked up and leaned over and hugged Tina.  "Oh Tina you've been so
good to me! but please do me a favor?"

Tina looked at Maria and it seemed as if she was steeling herself for a
request to go to another store "What would you like Maria?"

"Please don't warn them..."

Tina laughed so hard she had tears coming from her eyes.  She barely gasped
out "OK Maria but it just isn't fair!" and they both roared.

When they were finally under control and Tina pulled out to drive Maria
home Maria said "Tina?"

"Yes dear?"

"When you smiled at me a little while ago I know what Jack means.  You are
sexy when you smile!"

Tina's eyes welled up and she sniffled and mouthed "thank you." to Maria.

They pulled in the drive and Maria was secretly thankful her mother wasn't
home yet.  It was class night for her so she wasn't expected quite yet but
Maria was really afraid to let her mother see her clothes.  When they had
unloaded the last of the bags Tina said "Why don't you put on something
nice to show Jack?"

"Do you really think he'd want to see anything?" Maria asked meekly. "He
may want to ravish you instead."

Tina giggled "Well I'm pretty sure he'd like to see something you got.  He
can wait for the ravishing." she winked at Maria.

Maria winked back and asked "But can you?"

Tina smiled and said "Hmmm, maybe not..."  Her eyes twinkled but then she
said "I can wait Maria, I would like him to see the 'new' Maria."

"OK!  I know just the one!  I'll be down shortly.  Do you think I should
try on the new underwear too?"

"Oh yes Maria!  That is the woman's most important piece of clothing!  The
man may never see it but the woman sure knows what he's missing!"  The two
'girls' gave the wickedest laugh as Maria bounded up the stairs while Tina
headed over to Jack's.

After Maria was dressed she looked in the full length mirror and almost
thought someone else was in the room.  She felt so pretty.  She had on a
full skirt that was modest but did reveal some leg and a white blouse with
a ruffly fringe around the collar.  The waist portion was embroidered with
a pretty daisy pattern.  It really looked pretty and seemed a perfect dress
to go with Maria's Hispanic features.  The skirt was long enough to be
respectable but showed Maria's lower legs and ankles.  Something that Tina
and the store ladies thought she should feature.  The fullness of the skirt
and blouse hid her tummy fat while the fullness gave her a definite
appearance of a classic hourglass shape.  The blouse, while modest, allowed
her ample breasts to be shown as a positive feature with just a hint of
cleavage and a very promising fullness.  She couldn't wait to show Jack. 
She decided to check to see if Tina decided not to wait and was almost
disappointed that the two of them were showing some restraint.  She headed
downstairs.

"Are you guys decent?"  Maria called from behind the fence.

Jack said "Yes Maria, thank you for asking but we did 'know' you were
coming.  What did you expect?"

As Maria came around the fence she said "Well I figured you lovebirds might
get out of control with passion."

As Maria stepped through the fence she looked at Jack.  She saw Jack's jaw
drop. "Wow! Maria you look great!" 

Maria was beaming and did a little twirl showing off the back and maybe a
little too much leg as she twirled but she was clearly excited.  She was
radiant!

"Do you really like it?"

"Like it!  I love it!  Now I can't wait to see the rest of them.  Can you
come over to show me each day you have a new combination?"

"YES! Can I?  Oh I want to wear a new outfit every day just to show you!"
Maria sort of danced around the perimeter of the pool as if she was
attending a ball.     When Maria finished her tour of the pool she went
over to Jack and kissed him on my cheek and said "Thank you Jack.  This is
the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me."  She then went over
to Tina and thanked her and then whispered into her ear "Have fun tonight"
and then went skipping off to her own house waving to Jack with a huge
smile as she went past.

Maria got back to her house just in time to hear her mother's car door
close.  Maria ran upstairs and took off her dress and hid it with her other
new things.  She yelled down the stairs "Hi Mama"

"Hi Maria" came her mother's weary voice in return.  Maria went downstairs. 
Her mother looked completely wiped out.

"Can I get you something Mama?  Something to eat or drink?"

"No thanks sweety.  I'm dead tired and just want to go to bed.  Did you
have a good day?"

"Oh yes Mama!  I had a very good day."

"That's nice dear.  Good night." and her mother hobbled off to her bedroom
and closed the door.  Maria didn't mind.  She was so excited about today's
events and the possibilities tomorrow brings that, if her mother wasn't
half asleep she would have gotten suspicious.

Maria went up to her room to see if Jack and Tina were making out but was
disappointed when she saw there was no one on the back deck.  Hmmm, they're
probably inside making love Maria thought romantically.  This brought a
smile to her face and she turned her thoughts to tomorrow.

Tomorrow!  God I can't wait until tomorrow!

Chapter 4

Maria tossed and turned all night long trying to decide what she would wear
the next day.  She had been a passive bystander as the three women
collaborated on selections and she barely remembered what each item looked
like.  She did remember that each item struck her as beautiful and that it
couldn't possibly be her looking back from the mirror with the huge grin on
her face.

She considered wearing the skirt and blouse combination that she showed
Jack last night but was nervous about it being too much for the first
appearance of the 'new' Maria as Tina had described her.  Maria decided on
the pretty dress that Tina had chosen.  Maria was doubtful when Tina had
first pulled it off the rack because it looked so plain on the rack but, as
if some magical transformation took place when she put it on, Maria's
curves and fullness actually filled the dress in all the right places and
Maria looked stunning.  There was no question that she was a 'big' girl in
the dress but it was equally clear that she had curves that wouldn't quit
and this big 'girl' was quite a woman!

Maria was torn as she saw the first rays of sunlight peek over the horizon. 
She wanted to get up and put on the dress and make everything perfect -
even show it off to her mother but Maria knew her mother wouldn't like it
or the fact that Jack helped her get it and would never let her wear the
clothes.  This made Maria sad but she was determined to give this a try and
wasn't going to let her mother stand in her way.  Maria was just going to
have to be patient and wait until her mother leaves for work before she
goes downstairs in her new clothes.  It would mean rushing at the last
minute to get ready every morning but it was better than losing this
opportunity.

While she waited Maria thought about her mother.  On one hand her mother
infuriated Maria with all the restrictions she had imposed on Maria but
Maria did have to admit they were surviving pretty well considering her
mother has been a single mom since the day Maria was born.

Maria didn't know all the details because no one wanted to talk about it
but 15 years of innuendo made it pretty clear that Maria's mother,
Theressa, had created a family scandal when she became pregnant at 15.  Her
parents didn't even know Theressa was seeing a boy and from her mother's
demeanor around men Maria suspected that she hadn't really been 'seeing'
the boy.  Her mother ended up getting drawn into a situation that she
couldn't get out of and ended up pregnant after her one and only sexual
encounter.  No wonder Theressa hated and distrusted men.  No one ever told
Maria who the father is and, from what Maria has understood about the way
he treated Theressa, Maria had no desire to know who her father was - other
than, perhaps, to cut off his nuts.

In the end Theressa's parents dealt with the scandal and helped raise baby
Maria while Theressa worked and went to night school to get her high school
diploma.  Theressa then worked in a number of jobs steadily working her way
to be an executive secretary for a VP for a large computer company. 
Theressa was paid reasonably well but she wanted to move out of this
neighborhood so she could protect Maria.  Maria felt safe enough and liked
living next to Jack (now more than ever) but she understood her mother's
concern.  Maria thought Theressa was more frantic in the last few years as
Maria approached the age when Theressa had become pregnant.  In her culture
there is a celebration, quinceanera, a coming out as it were, where 15 year
old girls are presented as women to the community.  Theressa's mother had
pressed Theressa to have such a party for Maria's 15th birthday but
Theressa refused.  Maria was really angry and brokenhearted but had since
resolved herself to the conservative protection of her mother.  Maria
didn't like it and would try to find every way she could to get around it
but she knew it was pointless to fight it.  In one sense this new
excitement had an element of fear.  If Maria did meet a boy, she knew her
mother would never let her see him.  Maria was going to have to sneak out
on dates.  Maria didn't like it but she had seen enough to know she wasn't
going to fall into the same trap as her mother and therefor did not feel
she was doing anything wrong in sneaking.

Maria heard her mother stirring downstairs and was tempted to go down and
give her mother a hug but, in the end, didn't want to tempt fate and stayed
upstairs until her mother left.

As soon as Maria heard Theressa call up to her and heard the front door
close Maria was putting on the rest of her clothes.  She had already
showered and put on the nice new underwear they had bought last night. 
Tina was right.  Even under Maria's threadbare robe the underwear felt
silky and somehow arousing.  By the time she was pulling off her robe to
dress Maria could see her erect nipples and sensed a wetness in the center
of her skimpy panties. Her bra was a very lacy bra and the new panties was
a thong.  When Maria first saw the sparseness of the clothing she thought
she could never wear it - how could it cover her but Tina had explained how
it covered the essentials and looked really sexy because there was
absolutely no panty line.  Maria was amazed that it did cover her (Tina
explained how she would have to trim her pussy hair so her bush didn't hang
out the sides).

Hmmm, Maria was tempted to extend the excitement further but she wanted to
concentrate on making sure her whole appearance was right.  She carefully
donned the new dress and gently smoothed it out and zipped it up.  She was
afraid to look in the full-length mirror with the irrational fear that the
spell had broken over night and she was, once again, the dumpy child she
was yesterday.  Maria went into the bathroom and carefully put on the
makeup as Tina and the sales lady had advised.  When she backed away to
look at the whole effect her face showed the tension of her fear.  Maria
saw, however, that the coloring and the tips the women had provided had
created a clean wholesome looking beauty that highlighted her facial
features and coloring.  Maria liked the effect and smiled.  Her heart
skipped a beat when she realized, once again, that Jack had been right. 
The smile made all the difference.  She saw a radiant face in the mirror. 
A happy women who was excited about her future.  This sent a wave of thrill
through Maria as she now had the confidence to look at the whole effect. 
She ran to her room and slowly turned to look at the full-length mirror.

"My God!" she exclaimed.  The magic of the previous night had not
disappeared and Maria could see an attractive young woman, full of hope and
desire, looking back at her.  Maria turned to look at her appearance from
all angles and her excitement rose with every perspective.  She was getting
into it and tried different poses and was amazed at the effect that this
conservative look could have.  At once the look was that of a proper young
lady but, at the same time, the lines showed off her curves in the most
complimentary way and little things like the small slit in the side of the
dress, the swell of her breast as she moved her arm just so, the smooth
curve of her leg blending gracefully into the swell of her ass without a
hint of panty line suggested a much more sensual promise than one ever
would have expected at first glance.  Maria couldn't take her eyes away but
something told her she needed to move if she was ever going to test the
dress's effect on others.

Maria took a deep breath and headed out to the bus stop.  The kids who were
out at the stop, stopped talking, one by one, as she approached.  Each kid
would whisper something to someone else who would then turn around to look
at her.  Maria chose to stand by herself and look in the direction from
where the bus would arrive.  She felt her shortened breath but tried
desperately to stay calm.  To project an air of confidence.  The others
were quietly whispering until the bus arrived.  As the bus pulled up some
of the kids got on but a couple of the boys stepped aside to let Maria get
on the bus.  Maria thought this was really odd but kept her poise and
simply nodded a thank you with a smile as she climbed aboard the bus.  As
she was climbing the steps she realized WHY the boys had let her on first. 
There was a brief scuffle as the boys competed to be the one to follow her
up the steps presumably to get a view of her ass and legs.  Maria only
smiled and actually had the wherewithal to slow her pace a bit.  She
gracefully walked to a vacant seat and sat down imagining how Audrey
Hepburn would have done it.  The rest of the kids on the bus slowly became
aware of her presence as the realization spread around the bus.  Maria had
never known the bus to be so quiet and was acutely self-conscious about the
effect but continued to maintain her composure.

The bus slowly returned to a rancorous level but, to Maria's thinking,
never getting to its normal state.  Clearly something had changed and Maria
was certain it was her new 'self'.

The bus arrived at school and there was the usual shuffle to get off the
bus first but it seemed to subside as soon as Maria stood.  The boys next
to her pushed back and let her out of her seat and were rewarded with a
smile.  She heard excited whispers behind her as she moved forward and
finally stepped off the bus.  She looked around for Connie and then saw her
not too far away.  Connie was looking around for someone but, despite
looking directly at Maria twice, Connie continued her search.

Maria stepped toward Connie saying "Connie, what are you looking for?"

Connie turned and her jaw dropped "MARIA? JESUS YOU LOOK GOOD!"  Connie
realized she had been a little too loud and then came up to Maria, hugged
her and said quietly. "God!  I didn't even recognize you!  This dress is
absolutely beautiful - YOU are absolutely beautiful!  The bitches will be
so jealous!"

"God!  I feel so strange! I don't even care about the bitches any more. You
wouldn't believe what happened on the bus.  But I really need to tell you
all about last night!  It was incredible.  You wouldn't believe all the new
clothes I got and you REALLY wouldn't believe the conversation I had with
Tina about SEX!"

Connie's eyes went wide. "Isn't she the one you saw fooling around with
your neighbor?"

"Yes, she's the person who brought me shopping.  We spent the whole night
together and I can't believe what a good time I had with her!  She's
wonderful.  She taught me so much about clothes, make up, how things go
together, what things DON'T go together, and, yes, we talked about sex. 
I've got so much to tell you!"

"Wow!  Well don't hold back girl!"

The bell rang and the two girls continued their excited conversation as
they headed into the school.  As Maria was talking enthusiastically Connie
couldn't help noticing the groups of kids who kept pointing to them and
whispering among themselves as Connie and Maria passed.  Maria was totally
absorbed in her conversation with Connie but Connie was also drawn to the
effect Maria's new appearance was having on the school population.  Connie
was excited for her friend - and she was amazed at the miraculous overnight
transformation.  Maria had indeed found a 'fairy godmother'.

They split as they reached Maria's first class but agreed to continue at
lunch.  Maria entered the room partially flushed from her conversation with
Connie.  She walked to her seat and sat down, again visualizing how Audrey
Hepburn would do it.  The whispers around her confirmed her feeling that
others sensed a change - it was not clear to Maria if the change was good
but she was sure the change was obvious.  She wasn't sure if she should
bask in the attention or try to shrink out of the limelight.  She chose to
hold her ground and maintain a posture of confidence even though she was
sure she didn't really feel that way.

Her teacher, Mr. Reams, stood to begin class and he looked directly at her. 
"Um, Miss, that seat is taken by another student."  As Maria looked up at
him questioning he said "Oh Maria, I'm sorry.  I thought you were someone
else.  You look very nice today." Maria blushed deeply but smiled and tried
to say thank you.  Her lips made the motion but she didn't have the breath
to make the sounds.  More whispers around her.

Class proceeded as normal but Maria may as well been on the moon because
she didn't hear a word.  When the bell rang she was in a daze. She was on
auto-pilot as she stood and headed for her next class. The rest of the
morning was a series of moving through a cloud to each class.  Maria heard
whispers and even comments but she didn't hear the words.  When she saw
people she simply smiled and proceeded on.  She was in a role, she simply
drifted in the role, looking forward to intermission at lunch when she
could spend time with her anchor, Connie.

The lunch bell rang and Maria headed to meet Connie.  As she approached
their meeting spot Connie came running up behind her saying "Maria!  You
wouldn't believe what happened!"

Maria let out a sigh of relief feeling that she could finally relax now
that she had Connie to hold onto.  "Oh Connie, I'm glad you're here.  What
a morning!  You wouldn't believe how people have be acting!"

"Oh yes I would!  Listen to this.  Do you know Jose Martinez?"

Maria thought about it.  "Isn't he the geeky kid in Algebra that everyone
makes fun of?"

"Yes, that's the guy.  So he never talks to anybody right? He stays to
himself?"

"Yeah, but the way people treat him I'm not surprised about that."

"Well OK, but today, he saw me in the hallway and stopped me!  He asked me
who the new girl was.  I didn't know what he was talking about until he
mentioned your dress.  I laughed and said you weren't new and told him who
you were and how you were both in the same 5th period Algebra class.  He
seemed surprised and simply said 'really?' but walked away without saying
anything else.  Isn't that weird?  I wouldn't have known he could talk if I
hadn't heard him say anything in class."

Maria did think that was weird.  She thought about Jose.  He was scrawny
and everyone always picked on him because he was so geeky.  Of course, she
knew from her own experience the more people picked on you the more you
retreated into your own shell and this would make people pick on you even
more.  It was an awful degenerating spiral.  She had been on that path
until Jack and Tina helped her out.  Now she felt like she might be able to
break out of that spiral.  She wondered why Jose had broken his pattern and
said something to Connie - very weird.

The two girls spent the lunch period talking about the events of the last
two days.  Connie was torn between wanting to hear about her friend's new
experiences at school and hearing about the 'good stuff' in her
conversations about sex with Tina.  They kept flipping back and forth and
the lunch period ended way too soon to be satisfying.  They agreed to try
to get together over the weekend or at least talk on the phone.

Maria and Connie split up and headed off to their 4th period classes.  The
next class was a continuation of the earlier classes with one exception.  A
couple of kids who were also in Maria's earlier classes said hi to Maria
and commented how nice she looked today.  Maria was starting to relax and
feel comfortable with the 'new' her.  She actually managed to hear some of
the class discussion.  Although she did hesitate to participate even though
she knew the answers to one of the questions.  She just wasn't ready to be
the center of attention.

When the 5th period bell rang Maria headed for class and then remembered
that this was the class with Jose.  She came around the corner to go to
class and two things struck her.  The first was that she remembered this is
where she ran into the bitches two days ago.  The second was that she saw
Jose just entering the class when she came around the corner.  He saw her
and stopped in the doorway and was knocked out the way by student who was
following too closely and didn't expect Jose to stop.  Jose looked
embarrassed and entered the class.  Maria saw the bitches standing at the
end of the hallway.  She hesitated but then took a deep breath and started
toward the classroom.

"Juanita!  Look what we have here!  Miss Piggy is all dressed up!"

"Yeah, do you think she's going to a funeral or something?"

"Well, it'll probably be a cremation so then can have some fried bacon!" 
The girls were laughing but Maria focused on the classroom door and kept
her smile frozen on her face.  As she got near she was hoping they wouldn't
say anything more because she wasn't sure she could keep her resolve.  She
heard one of the girls quietly ask the others "Where do you think she got
those clothes?  I would have never believed it but they do look good on
her."

As Maria entered the classroom her smile was genuine and went from ear to
ear.  Maria's spirits soared.  The world was a perfect place and she was
happy!  She didn't even care that this was her worst class of the day. She
probably wouldn't hear the lesson anyway.  Maria sat in her normal seat and
sighed as she stared blankly at the chalk board.  At this point she only
had one thing on her mind.  She wanted to go home, kiss Jack, and tell him
all about this day.

Maria came down to earth about midway through the class as she grew
impatient to leave.  She looked up at the clock to see the time and was
disappointed to see the class was only half over.  As she moved her eyes
back toward the front of the room she noticed Jose looking at her.  He
quickly turned back to face the front.  Hmmm, Maria considered this and
would look in Jose's direction every once in a while to see if he looked at
her again.  She was surprised that she caught him three other times looking
at her.  It was particularly funny the third time because the teacher
called on Jose to answer a question.

"Jose, did you hear the question?"

"Um, oh, sorry.  Um, no, uh what did you ask?"

The class cracked up.  Jose was the teacher's pet because he ALWAYS knew
the answer.  That he didn't even know the question was totally out of
character.

The teacher looked at him strangely and repeated the question.  Jose seemed
flustered that the class had laughed at him and had trouble answering the
question.  The teacher moved on to another student but looked back at Jose
a couple of times with a concerned look on his face.

Maria wasn't thinking algebra but was thinking about Jose's actions.  His
current fluster was surprising but his behavior just before class and the
fact that he had asked Connie about her earlier made her wonder.  Maria
somehow felt a kindred spirit with Jose.  She wasn't a geek but they were
both targets of ridicule and had very few friends in school.  Maria was
feeling so good about herself and how the help from Jack and Tina had made
this difference in her life - yes it was too soon to tell whether this was
going to be a lasting thing but Maria had such a wonderful day it didn't
matter.  Maria just had this overwhelming sense of generosity that she had
never felt before.

When the class bell rang Maria stood up and waited for Jose to stand so she
could talk to him but he stayed sulking in his chair as if he just wanted
to shrink into it and disappear.  Maria decided to use a different approach
and waited outside the classroom.  As Jose finally came out of the
classroom he was looking at his feet and didn't notice Maria.  She pulled
up alongside him and said "Hi Jose."

Jose jumped when he heard her voice and stopped and looked at her.  She
smiled at him and he gave her an embarrassed smile back.  Maria waited
politely until he got his voice and said "Oh, um, hi Maria."

Maria resumed "I was thinking.  I'm really struggling in this class and
you're such a brain.  Do you think you would be willing to help me
understand some of this?"

Jose blushed when she called him a 'brain' but when she asked if he would
help her his eyes widened and he blurted out "Really?  You want me to help
you?"  He was embarrassed by his overly enthusiastic response and looked
like he wanted to disappear again.

"Yes if you would be willing to help a dummy like me.  I know I'm not as
smart as you but I think you could really help me."

"Um, gee, you're not dumb Maria.  You know some of this stuff."

"Well, yes, but it seems like I've missed something that is keeping me from
really understanding it.  If you could spend a couple of hours with me I
think it will really help.  If you want I could pay you for tutoring." 
Maria went out on a limb.  Without a job and now owing so much money to
Jack she wasn't sure if she could even afford an hour if she had to pay
Jose.

"Oh no Maria, I wouldn't want you to pay me.  I'm just surprised, you know,
that you would want 'me' to help you."  Maria was relieved.

"Are you kidding!  You're the smartest person I know!  Actually, that may
not be true.  You're the smartest student I know.  Why wouldn't I want you
to help me?"

"Well, you know, um, well.  I guess you'd want someone that, well, you
know, people don't laugh at." Jose admitted.

"Jose, I don't care if people laugh.  I know you are the best student in
this class and I would be honored if you would help me."

"Really? Well sure, I'd 'love' to help you."  Jose flinched when he
realized he probably over-stressed the word 'love' but Maria didn't react
and just kept her smile.

"That's great, thank you Jose.  I can't do it tonight but do you think we
could get together after class on Monday? I could take the late bus home."

"Sure, Monday is good.  It will give me time to collect some work so we can
find your weaknesses." and then Jose quickly added "You know, so we can
strengthen them I mean."

"Thank you again Jose.  I'll meet you in the library after school.  I
really appreciate this." she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Jose looked shocked but had a big smile on his face. As Maria turned to
leave Jose said "Maria?"

She stopped and turned hoping he hadn't changed his mind "Yes, Jose?"

"You look very nice today."

"Thank you Jose.  That means a lot to me.  I'm looking forward to Monday."

"Me too." Jose said weakly.

Maria floated to her next class. However, while there physically, mentally
she was somewhere else entirely.  Fortunately she didn't have a test, have
to answer any questions, or react in any way.  She was stuck in dreamland,
drifted through her class, and was surprised when she found herself
standing in front of her house.

Wow, she thought. What a day!  She quickly recovered when she realized
maybe Jack would be home and she could tell him about her day.  She ran to
Jack's backyard but was disappointed he wasn't there.  She went to the back
door and knocked but it was locked so he wasn't home. Oh well, she'd have
to wait until later. She guessed she might as well do some of the chores
for Jack pay him back for the clothes.  Maria mused that she would have to
work a long time to pay Jack back for today's wonderful experience.

She went home and changed into jeans, carefully folding and putting away
her new dress.

Maria headed over to Jack's and was surprised to hear a splash in the pool. 
She saw Jack and hollered "You're home early again?  You're not going to
lose your job are you?"

Jack looked at Maria and said "I thought you'd wear something new today."

"Oh I did!  I took it off so I could do some of your work.  I didn't want
to ruin it.  I guess I won't be doing the pool today."

"Oh sorry.  I'll leave it free tomorrow, is that OK?"

"Sure, I'll take Sammy for a walk."

"So how was your day with your new clothes?"

Maria ran over to the pool and said "You wouldn't believe it! I was really
nervous but met Connie on the way so she could support me. I walked up to
her and I had to say something before Connie knew it was even me!  She
screamed and jumped up and down saying she couldn't believe it.  She told
me how pretty I was and how the 'bitches' would be so jealous.  I didn't
want the bitches jealous." she said and then lustily "I wanted the boys
'interested'." she finished with a devilish smile.

"Wow, that's great!"

"Wait!  I haven't gotten to the best part!  Connie and I walked to school
and when we went across the school yard all these people turned to stare at
us.  I went to my first class and everyone went quiet when I walked in and
sat down.  I heard all these whispers but pretended I didn't.  I was so
nervous I couldn't say anything anyway!  Then Mr. Reams, the first period
teacher came into class.  When he saw me he started to say that the seat
belonged to another student when he realized it was me.  He then said, are
you ready for this? He said, 'Oh hi Maria.  You look very nice today.'"
Maria was jumping up and down excitedly! 

Jack tried to say something but Maria had just stopped to take a breath and
was off again. "That happened all day long and you know what happened at
lunch?"

Jack didn't have a chance to answer before Maria continued "Connie came
running up to me in the lunch line and asked me 'Do you know Jose
Martinez?' and I replied that I thought so but hadn't really spoken to him. 
I thought he was one of the weirdos in school who kept getting beat up by
the bullies.  Connie told me that Jose had seen us walk in that morning and
then saw me in the hallways and wondered if I was a new girl in school!"

"I saw him later in the day and remembered who he was.  He's the kid who
did well in the math class but everyone was always picking on.  I remember
feeling sorry for him one day when he was just walking down the hallway and
one of the seniors just jumped out when he wasn't looking and just knocked
him completely off his feet.  He didn't even know what hit him.  Everyone
in the hallway was laughing."

"I decided maybe he could help me with my math homework so I went up to him
to ask.  I NEVER do that!  I wouldn't dare talk to a boy until today! So I
walked toward him and when he saw me he hesitated and then he smiled at me. 
I think I was already smiling at him.  Anyway, I introduced myself and said
that I was struggling in math and would he be willing to help me after
school.  He said yes!  Do you believe it?"

"Wow Maria that is amazing progress in one day!  Do you think Jose has a
superman brain like me?" Jack asked smiling.

"Well, he's not as handsome as you but you may be right about the smile
being sexy on a boy too.  He had a very nice smile." Jack saw that she was
thinking about that smile and it was reflected in her face.  Jack seemed to
be pleased but then seemed to have this sense of sadness roll over him.  He
dunked under the water momentarily.  Maria thought this was odd.

Jack came to the surface, shook off the water, and apologized to Maria
saying he needed to cool off - her story was making him too excited.  She
laughed and said "Me too!"

She was about to go get Sammy when she turned and sheepishly asked "Jack?"

"Yes, Maria?"

"Um, if I, uh, we, I mean, if I use up those two condoms can I get more
from you?" she was really blushing.

Jack roared "Of course Maria!  You can have as many as you can use!"  Maria
was really embarrassed then and whispered thanks and walked away with a big
grin on her face.

Maria got Sammy and took him for a walk.  She felt so wired that she almost
jogged the entire trip.  Sammy loved it.  Usually Sammy would have to run
circles around Maria on their walks.  This time he could barely keep up
with her.  She thought about the day, about Jose, and about the promise of
a steady supply of condoms.  She couldn't recall ever feeling so alive.

Maria was surprised the walk was over so soon as she pulled into Jack's
yard.  She saw Jack was swimming laps as she went into his backyard. Maria
was out of breath but smiling.  She gave Sammy a good petting, a cookie
reward and put him in the house.  She then went bounding out to the pool.

"Jack, can I show you what I wore to school today?"

"Oh yes please.  I want to see it."

"OK, don't go away!  I'll be right back." she ran off to her house and ran
up the steps three at a time.  Maria quickly dressed and looked into the
mirror.  She decided to restore her makeup for the full effect.  She went
back to Jack's fence and called around the fence "Are you ready?"

"Yes, shall we have a drum roll?"

She jumped around the fence and said "Ta Da!" and did a pirouette. 

Jack whistled as she turned.  She was absolutely beaming.  Maria asked "Do
you like it?"

"Yes, Maria.  I like it very much. You look very beautiful in it."

Maria's heart was beating wildly.  She was so excited that Jack liked it. 
She felt a tingling in her tummy thinking that she could excite him.  She
thought about how she looked and sexy she felt.  She felt the silkiness of
her skimpy underwear and felt this urge to be 'bad'. She walked to the edge
of the pool to give Jack a closer look at her 'dress'.  She knew, from
where Jack was in the pool, he would be able to look completely up her
dress if he chose.   She slowly turned to show him everything.  She looked
at Jack's eyes and could see he was finding it difficult to concentrate on
her dress but she was not surprised to see that he restrained himself from
taking advantage of his viewpoint.  Maria sighed and stopped turning.

She said sheepishly "I was hoping for a lesson last night.  You guys went
inside though."

"Um, yeah, sorry Maria.  Tina and I sort of hit the hay early last night." 
Maria smiled at the thought.

"Will Tina be coming over tonight or this weekend?" Maria said hopefully
and then added "I don't mean so I can spy on you, although I probably
would..." she admitted. "I would just like to see her and say hello and
thank her again. I'd also like to tell her about my day - maybe some of the
stuff I wouldn't tell you.  You know, girl talk." She winked at Jack.

"I don't think so Maria.  I think Tina had something going on this weekend. 
We may not see her for a while." Jack said quietly.

"Oh, that's too bad.  Could you tell her I said hi when you talk to her?"

"Um, yes Maria I will."

Maria turned to leave and ran right into a handsome tall man as he was
coming through the fence.  The man grabbed Maria to keep her from falling
and they both apologized to each other.  Jack laughed and yelled over
"Since you both know each other intimately now I should introduce you. 
Joe, this lovely young lady is Maria Gonzales.  Maria, this is Joe Turner. 
Don't believe a thing he says and keep your eyes on his hands at all
times."

Maria laughed and put out her hand and said to Joe "I don't think he's
painting a very good picture of you."

Joe, rather than shaking Maria's hand took a very deep bow, kissed Maria's
hand, and said "Nonsense, my dear, you should believe everything he says. 
He is certainly right about you." he finished with a big smile. Maria felt
a flutter run throughout her.  This man was so handsome and here he was
complimenting her and kissing her hand!  God is he hot! She backed out the
gate, bumping into the door, and then slowly walked backward toward her
house.

Maria got back to her house and had to take a deep breath.  When she got to
her kitchen she realized she might be able to see Joe from her bedroom
window.  She ran up the stairs and looked out.  There he was!  He was
standing by the pool talking to Jack. She had been so worked up showing off
for Jack and now thinking about how hot Joe was she couldn't resist the
urge to start rubbing her breast and running a hand up her thigh.  The
feeling sent shivers through her body.  She didn't want to ruin her dress
so she quickly stripped it off and stood with just her bra and thong
panties looking out to the pool. She felt so naughty. Especially as she
hoped Joe would look up at her and see her practically naked. She was
breathing hard as she, once again began stroking her thigh.

Maria had masturbated before but always thinking about sex in the abstract
but when she saw Jack and Tina the other night and now had such lusty
thoughts about Joe and could watch him at the same time the sex was so
close to real that it hurt.  She hungrily wanted this man to maul her, to
kiss her passionately and freely explore her body.  The desire to wantonly
open up for him and her actions coincided as she spread her legs wide and
moved her hand up under her thong.  She was now rudely opened up, hungrily
fingering herself with her thong dangling. She didn't stop to think how
dripping wet she was or how she would discretely clean her underwear
afterward.  All she thought about was having this man have his way with
her.  She imagined his cock swelling as Tina had described it and she
imagined him placing that cock at her entrance and driving his thick, hot,
rod deep within her folds.  She was moaning loudly now and was completely
exposed for her neighbors to see if they chose.  She almost wanted to cry
out to them "LOOK! Look at what you do to me!"

Her eyes blurred as the bolts of her fiery orgasm charged through her very
soul. She fell backwards collapsing from the spent energy and was lucky
that she didn't fall off the bed but merely bounced on the mattress and
flopped her arms and legs outward drained but mysteriously charged at the
same time.  She thoughts were soaring but going nowhere.  Her body was
trying to recover and was gasping for air. 

"Maria?  Maria, I'm home." she heard her mother call from downstairs.

OH SHIT!  She must have fallen asleep.  Good thing her mother hadn't come
up the stairs and seen her sprawled like this.  Her crotch naked and a
thong, which wouldn't have been acceptable under ANY circumstances, down
around the ankle of one foot.  Maria quickly sat up and was about to pull
up her thong but it was soaking wet and surely smelling of her sex.  Maria
put on her bathrobe, grabbed some clean underwear, ran into the bathroom,
and cleaned herself with a washcloth.  If her mother hadn't been downstairs
the careful attention to her pussy might have aroused her to another
session but Maria just wanted to get dressed and appear to be completely
normal for her mother.

She donned her clean underwear and put on the jeans and sweatshirt she had
on earlier.  She looked in the mirror and decided to wash the rosiness from
her face - or, at least, use the excuse that she just washed her face to
explain her flush.

Satisfied that she was respectable Maria went downstairs to talk to her
mother.

"Hi Mama.  I guess I fell asleep upstairs.  How was your day?"

Maria's mother was in the kitchen putting away some groceries.  "OK, mi
amor, how was yours?"

Maria felt a strange desire to hug her mother so stepped behind her and
gave her a hug saying "Really good Mama, really good."

Her mother looked at her strangely and said "Oh?  It must have been good if
you're giving me a hug.  What happened?"

"Oh nothing in particular, it just seemed like everyone was friendly today,
that's all."  Maria realized she wasn't exactly being 'normal' and this
could arouse her mother's suspicion. 

"Well, do you think you feel up to taking care of your poor tired mother
tonight?  I am really tired.  I know you get stuck doing dinner for
yourself every weeknight so maybe you don't want to tonight."

"No mama, I'd be glad to make dinner tonight.  Why don't you rest?  How are
your classes going?"

Maria's mother sat at the kitchen table and Maria got her a drink of water
- Maria's mother rarely drank anything alcoholic.  "Oh, it's tiring but
just from all the work they want us to do.  It really isn't that hard
except that there is so much of it. I'll be glad when it's over. Only 6
more weeks to go. Then exams and then..."

"Graduation!" Maria shouted. Her mother joined in the cheer raising up her
arms and laughing.

"You should be very proud mama." Maria said with admiration.  Her mother
had been going to night school for ten years and expected to get a Bachelor
of Science degree in Business Administration.  It will be the first college
degree in her mother's family.

"We can both be proud Maria.  I couldn't have done this without you taking
care of yourself over these years.  I'm proud of you.  I feel bad that
you've had to suffer all these years." Theressa said with a tear in her
eyes.

Maria went over to her mother and gave her a full hug. "OK, mama, let's
both be proud.  I can't wait until you graduate and you can get a better
job and stay at home more often."

They held each other for a little while and then Maria said "Maybe once you
have some free time you can start dating."

Theressa stiffened.  She pulled away from Maria and her eyes were slits. 
Theressa was furious.  She screamed at Maria "I don't need a MAN!  We've
lived just fine for all these years without a man!  We don't need one now!"

Theressa turned and walked out of the kitchen but stopped right at the
entrance.  She slowly turned and asked "Why did you say that Maria? Are you
thinking about dating?" Theressa asked straining to keep from exploding.

"No Mama!  It's just that I thought you deserved to have someone take care
of you for a change." Maria said desperately.

"I don't need ANYONE to take care of me. Especially a MAN!  Haven't I told
you before?  Men only take care of themselves.  They only care about one
thing and it ISN'T taking care of you!  Do you understand?  Stay away from
men!  They are not good for you!  I'm not hungry anymore.  I'm going to
read in my bed. Good night."  Theressa left.

Maria sank to the kitchen chair, heartbroken, whispering "goodnight Mama."

Chapter 5

Maria didn't sleep very well that night.  Despite the great things that
happened that day she couldn't get over her mother's angry response to her
question about dating.  Jesus, she'd never be able to go out with guys if
her mother knew about it.  Maria thought of Jose and realized that she
would have to sneak out with him.  This would work all right until her
mother graduated then it would be much harder sneaking out.  She knew it
was silly thinking so far ahead but she couldn't help it.  She had no
choice but to be optimistic.  She didn't want to go back to the way things
were.

Maria slept late because it took so long to get to sleep, it was Saturday
so there was no reason to get up early.  She got up and decided she would
take Sammy for a walk.  She could earn some pay back to Jack and the walk
with Sammy would take her mind off things.  She dressed and went over to
Jack's.  She was surprised that Joe was out on the deck reading the
newspaper. "Good morning Joe. How are you this morning?"

"Oh hi Maria.  Well I'm a little under the weather if you know what I mean
but I think Jack is much worse off than me." Joe said with a smirk.

"Oh really?  You guys went a little overboard last night?"

"It probably would have been better if we did fall overboard."

Maria laughed.  "Is Jack around?"

"I think he's still in bed.  Do you want me to get him?"

"No, I'm just going to take Sammy for a walk.  I won't disturb Jack.  It's
good seeing you again."

"Likewise Maria."

Maria went inside and was about to get Sammy when she saw Jack coming down
the hallway.  He was in daze and his bathrobe was open.  He had nothing on
under the bathrobe!  Maria gasped and Jack looked up and quickly closed his
robe. There was a bit of a pause when they both looked at each other and
then Maria laughed and said "Geez Jack, you look like shit."

"Thanks Maria.  I'm glad I have you as a friend.  I'm not sure what you'd
say if we weren't friends."

Maria laughed loudly and Jack held his head and asked her to be quiet. 
"Have you seen Joe?"

"Yeah, he's out by the pool.  He doesn't look as bad as you."

"Oh, that's only because he's younger than me." Jack quipped.  Maria roared
again but then mouthed "sorry" when Jack grabbed my head again.  Maria
quietly got Sammy and walked him out the back door while Jack got some
coffee.  Maria waved to Joe as she left.  She leaned over and said "Jack is
up.  He doesn't look so good and I think his head may hurt a bit."

Joe smiled and said conspiratorially "I'll take care of that."  Maria shook
her head as she walked Sammy out the fence.

Maria and Sammy had another good walk and Maria was feeling much better
when she returned.  Jack and Joe were talking by the pool.  They seemed
pretty engrossed in their conversation so she didn't want to disturb them. 
She took Sammy inside and then went back home to do some chores at her
house.  She wanted to do some more work at Jack's to pay him back but
decided to leave the two friends in peace.

Maria noticed Joe leaving after lunch so she went over to clean Jack's
pool.

Jack sat in the backyard and watched Maria clean the pool. Maria was
vigorously moving the vacuum making sure she got every square inch of the
pool.  Maria was telling Jack all about Jose despite the fact that Maria
actually knew very little about him.  She kept talking about their meeting
on Monday so he could help her with the math class.

Jack smiled and was amazed at her energy level.  He was mostly quiet just
enjoying her exuberance but then he said "Hey Maria!"

Maria thought she did something wrong and said "What Jack? Am I doing
something wrong?"

"No, you're doing a great job.  No, I just realized that I won the bet you
made.  You need to pay up."

A chill ran through Maria.  The last thing she wanted to do was ask her
mother to go over Jack's!  In the best case her mother would get angry
about Maria asking her to have dinner with a man but the worst case is that
her mother would figure out about the dresses and take them all away!  She
finally said "Um, there must be something else we can bet."

"Nope, that's what you bet.  You need to pay up!  Please arrange to have
your mother join us for dinner tonight or tomorrow.  Let me know what time
works for you guys."

Maria panicked had to stall for time "Um, OK, I'll ask later."

"No, go ask now before she makes other plans.  The pool can wait."

OH GOD! I CAN'T DO THIS! But Jack was insisting so she reluctantly let go
of the pool vacuum and went home.  She knew she couldn't talk to her mother
but, for some reason, she couldn't tell Jack either.  She went up to her
room and cried on her bed.  She knew Jack would be mad at her and would
probably not want to be her friend anymore.

Maria heard a knock on the back door.  Oh God! That was probably Jack and
he was going to talk to her mother.  SHIT!

Maria heard some voices and then the door closed.  She took a breath and
then heard her mother's stern voice "Maria please come downstairs."

Maria's life was going down the toilet!  She resigned herself to lose
everything as she went downstairs.

Theressa was waiting at the bottom of the stairs and looked angry.  She let
Maria come all the way down before she said anything.

"Maria, what was Jack doing over here asking about dinner?"

Maria knew she wouldn't get away with lying.  "He wanted me to invite both
of us for dinner.  I told him that wouldn't be a good idea but he insisted
so I just came home and went upstairs.  I knew you wouldn't want to go over
there."

"No I don't and I don't want you going over there either!"

"But Mama I do chores over there.  It's the only way I can earn any money."

"I don't trust him and I don't want you over there any more.  You'll be
sixteen this summer and can get a job then."

"But what do I do about earning money now?"

"Well you have some babysitting jobs and you don't need any money anyway. 
Don't I take care of you?"

Maria realized this was a pointless conversation so simply agreed.  This
was another thing she'd have to sneak. "Yes Mama."

"Look, I know you like Jack and like taking care of Sammy but you don't
know what men are like.  You have to trust me, OK?"

"Yes Mama."  Maria thought Trust her about men?  Christ she's only been
with one boy her whole life and he was a creep.  OK so that didn't turn out
right but that doesn't mean all males are bad.  She just doesn't know Jack. 
God, just leave me alone.

"OK, I'll call you when dinner is ready."  Maria dejectedly went back
upstairs.  She lay on her bed thinking that no matter how excited she got
about the future she would always have this house and her mother pulling
her down.  Maybe she should run away.  She learned this week that she could
feel good about herself and that people - guys, could like her if she
dresses nicely and 'smiles' as Jack had convinced her.  Her mother would
always keep her looking dowdy. Her mother wanted to keep her 'protected'
and safe. 

She wanted to hate her mother but somehow couldn't.  She had seen how hard
her mother has worked all these years so she found it hard to trivialize
her mother's perspective.  If Maria ran away how would she live? Who would
help her?  Tina?

Maria considered calling Tina.  Tina did say to call if Maria needed help. 
Maria could call Tina and ask if she could stay with Tina.  As Maria
considered this she realized that she wasn't ready to take that big a step
yet. She wasn't sure how much help Tina would be willing to provide. Then
what about Jose?  Connie?  Would she lose contact with them?  Just when she
was, for the first time in her life, going to be alone with a boy who
actually WANTED to be with her.  She certainly didn't want to run away from
that!

Maria sighed and decided she would try to be patient and see if there was
something she could work out over the next week.  If she still felt the
same way at the end of the next week then she would talk to Tina.  Too bad
Tina wasn't around this weekend.  At least her mother would let her talk to
Tina.

Maria's mother called her to dinner.  When Maria sat at the dinner table
she was clearly unhappy and uncommunicative.  Theressa sighed and said "I'm
sorry Maria.  Maybe I overreacted earlier.  You've been taking care of
Jack's dog and house for over a year now and nothing has happened so it's
probably OK for you to work over there.  I would just feel much more
comfortable if you were by yourself - you know, if Jack wasn't around, like
when he goes on business trips and you take care of things.  Would that be
OK?"

Maria realized that this would, at least, let her pay Jack back for buying
the clothes so she was grateful for this and was, to some extent, happy
that her mother reconsidered her strict position.  "Thank you Mama."  Her
mother smiled back and patted her hand. Maybe there was hope after all.

Maria didn't go over to Jack's on Sunday for two reasons.  She didn't want
to push her luck with her mother and go over Jack's when her mother knew he
was home.  But Maria still felt bad that she had let Jack down by not
telling him that she couldn't ask her mother to dinner.  Maria should have
never agreed to the bet that Jack had offered.

Maria hung around the house doing homework and listening to her music.  She
was eagerly anticipating seeing Jose on Monday and didn't feel like doing
anything but think about the possibilities.  On one hand it was torture to
think about nothing else but she had no choice in the matter.  Her being
was completely consumed by this one event.  Maria planned to wear her
nicest dress on Monday.  She figured that this may be her only chance to
really impress Jose so she wasn't going to hold back.

She made sure everything was ready so she could dress quickly and put on
her makeup properly after her mother left for work.  It was a quiet evening
in the Gonzales house that night as Theressa studied her school work and
Maria prepared for her future.  One final preparation was for Maria to hide
the condoms that Jack had given her in her book bag.  Maria knew this was
silly and premature but she had a sense of excitement just knowing she
would have them and that, alone, was reason to do it.

Maria went to bed before Theressa, something Theressa thought odd. 
Theressa hoped that Maria wasn't getting sick.

Chapter 6

Monday morning Maria was awake at dawn and once again had to wait for her
mother to leave.  Maria took advantage of the time however by completing
the lovely dream she had been having.  She lay in bed thinking about how
Jose had been kissing her and touching her with a profound gentleness. She
closed her eyes and felt his touch.  She drifted into the sweetest orgasm
she had ever had.

As she was laying in bed content with her feeling she remembered how Tina
had explained that there were different kinds of love making and each had
their own special character. Feeling the warmth flowing through her she
knew exactly what Tina had meant.  Maria had been drawn up in the
bittersweet way Tina had described it and couldn't help but ask Tina how
she and Jack made love.  Tina had hesitated and Maria quickly apologized
for being nosy but Tina told her it was OK.  Tina said she was hesitating
because she had made love with Jack in her dreams much more often than she
did in reality so really couldn't give an honest perspective.  One thing
she could say, however, was that the reality was far better than the
dreams.  She didn't say it in a joking or lusty way - she said it with a
dreamy quality that made it very clear to Maria that Tina was ready to test
the reality much more often.

Maria's mother called up to her so Maria got up and took her shower.  She
double checked that her mother had left before getting dressed.  Just as on
Friday Maria got dressed and put on her makeup and brushed her hair before
finally looking in the full length mirror.  She was more stunned than
Friday.  On Friday she had the fresh memory of shopping the night before. 
On Monday she had her topsy-turvy weekend that left her doubting the
reality of Friday.  One look in the mirror dispelled all doubts.  She was
beautiful and that recognition brought on a radiant smile that completed
the equation.  She took one last look and said, as she headed downstairs,
"Watch out Jose 'cause here I come!"

Book bag in hand she headed to the bus and, as last week, was greeted by
surprise stares, this time accompanied with a "Wow!".  Time for my 'game
face' Maria remembered.  This time all the kids waited for Maria to climb
onto the bus as she clearly portrayed someone who was on a mission.

Maria sat near the front of the bus and had the seat to herself.  New kids
getting on the bus fell silent and looked at her as they got on at each new
stop.  Maria just looked out the window and tried not to listen to the
comments.  Her heart quickened as she saw the school up ahead.  She was the
first one off and Connie saw her immediately.

"MARIA! GOD YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! How much did this dress cost! You look like
a million bucks!" Connie said excitedly walking quickly around Maria before
she had a chance to turn and show it off.

"Oh my God Connie you just made me realize I never even checked the price! 
Tina just kept picking out things for me and I kept trying them on.  Tina
kept saying yes, we'll take that one, no, not that one. Man!  I may have to
work for Jack for the rest of my life.  Of course I wouldn't mind - if you
know what I mean!"

"MARIA!  You're being naughty again.  I thought you told me he wasn't like
that."

"Well HE may not be like that.  I didn't say anything about me!" Maria said
with a wicked smile.

"You're terrible.  You shouldn't pick on Jack like that."

"Actually, he had a friend over on Friday and Saturday.  WHAT A HUNK! AND
he was as nice as Jack!  God, I should see if HE is 'like that'." Maria
said devilishly.

"You're not serious are you." Connie was starting to get concerned.

"Of course not, it's just fun to think about.  I've got my sights set on
someone else." Maria beamed.

"Oh yeah! Your 'date' with Jose is today isn't it?"

"Well, I'd be lying calling it a date but, at least, it's the first time
I'll have ever spent time alone with a boy.  I'm actually pretty scared."
Maria admitted.

"Well, you've got nothing to worry about. The way you look Jose should be
the one who's scared." Connie cracked up bringing relief and laughter to
her friend.

The bell rang and they headed off to class.  The day was similar to Friday
except that the students and teachers who thought that Friday's appearance
was a fluke were now forced to think differently.  Maria was now not only
vastly better looking than she had the week before, she was vastly better
looking than a lot of the girls in the school! 

Maria was feeling pretty perky by lunch time.  She saw Connie as she came
running up to her.  "I saw Jose earlier."

Maria was waiting for more and was starting to worry when Connie didn't say
anything more. "Well?  Did you talk to him?"

"Well I tried."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU TRIED!" Maria was feeling desperate.

"Well, I saw him and said hello.  He said hi back but nothing else.  I
asked him if he had seen you today and he just barely nodded his head."

"Oh Christ!  He's going to change his mind!  I know it!" Maria worried.

"I don't think so.  I think he was looking shell-shocked."

"What do you mean?" Maria was confused.

"I think he was thinking that he had a date with the most beautiful girl in
the school and he didn't know what to do."

"CONNIE!  Stop that!"

"I'm not kidding Maria.  I think he really looked scared.  He may not show
up tonight simply because he's afraid to." Connie warned.

"Oh God.  I hope that doesn't happen.  I'll talk to him at 5th period."

"Yeah, if he shows up at that..." Connie offered.

"Jesus.  Did I over do it Connie?"

"Sweetheart no.  You can't dress or dumb down any more.  Not after seeing
you like this!  You are one gorgeous chick.  He's just gonna have to deal
with it." Connie said firmly.

"I hope so Connie, I hope so."

Maria went to 5th period class but Jose wasn't there.  She sat and waited
for class to begin and was getting worried that maybe Connie had been
right.  The teacher was just closing the classroom door when Jose appeared
and tried to get through the partially closed door.  In the process the
door hit Jose and he fell against the wall and dropped his books.  The rest
of the kids laughed and the teacher looked surprised.  He told Jose to pick
up his books and sit down so class could begin.  Maria felt bad for Jose
but was relieved that he was there.  At least she would get to speak to him
after class.

During class Jose was more distracted then he was on Friday and there was a
constant snickering throughout the class as Jose became more and more
flustered.  Maria kept watching him hoping he would look at her but she was
never able to catch him looking at her or make eye contact with him.  Maria
thought she had better act quickly in case he wanted to try to escape as
soon as the bell rang.  Maria was on her feet as soon as the first sound
arrived startling the teacher.  He was about to say something to her but,
as a high school teacher, knew the discussion was pointless so shrugged and
let the students go.  Maria, however, went directly to Jose's seat and
stood in front of Jose.  The other students had to climb around her but
were too confused and struck by her appearance to be upset by her actions.

Jose stayed in his seat and pretended to be busy with his school work.
"Jose?" Maria said with a forcefulness that belied her insecurity.

Jose looked up and barely squeaked out "yes?"

"Are we still getting together after school today?" Maria asked and then
held her breath.

"You mean you still want to?"  This surprised Maria and she exhaled "Of
course.  Why wouldn't I?"

"Well, you know, um, maybe, uh you changed your mind over the weekend."

"Oh no Jose. I've been looking forward to it all weekend." Maria said
frankly.

"YOU HAVE?" Jose said with too much surprise and was then embarrassed.

"Yes I have." Maria said plainly letting him know that there was no
uncertainty in her mind.  "Shall we meet at the library after 6th period?"

"Yeah, yeah sure.  That will be great!  Yeah, the library.  Um, after 6th
period. OK, I'll see you there." with that Jose quickly gathered his books
and left the class.

Maria smiled, inwardly and outwardly.  She also breathed a sigh of relief.

Sixth period class was a dream - just like last week.  Maria realized
halfway through that she had no idea what was being discussed and further
realized she didn't care.  She began to think she was going to need
tutoring help with sixth period class just to keep from flunking.  One step
at a time.

When the bell rang Maria fought the urge to rush.  Her heart was beating
wildly and she was out of breath.  She walked to the library slowly in a
vain attempt to catch her breath.  It didn't work.  her breathing became
more labored the closer she got.  She saw Jose standing outside the library
and her heart fluttered.  She took a deep breath so she would have enough
air to say hi and approached Jose. She barely squeaked out "Hi" but
realized Jose was in worse shape since he didn't make a sound.  His lips
moved and he waved but no sound came out. This made Maria realize they were
in the same boat and this somehow helped her relax.

"I'm glad that you're willing to do this Jose.  I really appreciate it."

"Um, it's OK.  I mean I want to do it." Jose said bashfully.

"OK, shall we find a study room?" Maria took Jose's arm and lead him into
the library.  The school had rooms in the library that could be used for
study groups.  Some administrative type or some naive parent's group
convinced the school system that student's would instantaneously develop an
interest in forming study groups if they put in these sound proof rooms
with comfortable chairs.  What the student's developed instantaneously was
that these rooms could be used as great make-out rooms during the school
day.  Rumor had it that there was more sex going on inside school than
outside since the rooms were built.  Fortunately neither Maria or Jose were
aware of this reputation and were sincerely thinking about studying.  Well,
Maria did have some other ideas but thought that she had been the first to
entertain such thoughts.

They easily found a room since the rooms, and the library for that matter,
were rarely used once the school day was over.  They had less than an hour
to work since Maria had to catch the late bus home.  Maria glanced at her
watch to verify the time. "Will you catch the late bus also Jose?"

"Um, no, I ride my bike to school." Jose said as he was getting some papers
out of his bag.

"Oh, OK, I have to leave in about 45 minutes to catch the late bus home.  I
can't miss it, there is no other bus after that." Maria said
apologetically.

"Um, that's OK.  Today I just want to see what your weak..., I mean,
strengths are so I know what we need to cover.  I don't think that will
take very long."

Maria giggled. Jose was confused until he realized the implications of what
he said "NO! I don't mean that!  I just mean, er, uh..."

Maria let him off the hook saying "It's OK, I know what you mean. I will
freely admit I've got very few strengths in Math." and then added as an
afterthought "And I want you to help me with all of my weaknesses."

Jose didn't get the innuendo but Maria was relieved he didn't.

They talked a bit about the different material they had covered so far in
Math.  Jose finally said "Oh this won't be too bad.  It looks like there
are just a few basic concepts you've missed but once you have those you'll
be in good shape."  Jose seemed much more relaxed now that he was talking
about the subject material.  Maria really liked the way he was organized
and comfortable with the subject.  He seemed so totally different than the
awkward kid he portrayed at other times.  She caught herself looking at him
with new respect during this conversation.

Jose said "I'll put together a work plan so you know what we'll cover each
day.  I won't give you any homework though" he said with a laugh.  Maria
liked his laugh and joined in.

"Oh that's good! But how will you know if I'm learning the material?" she
asked seriously.

"I'll know." he said with confidence. Maria was sort of startled by his
confidence. Wow!  That's a new look.

"I guess I'll have to figure on only 45 minutes each day?" Jose asked as if
hoping for another answer.

"Well, if we do it at school yes.  If you could come over my house then we
would have more time."  Maria said just as hopefully.

"Where do you live?"

Maria told him and Jose's eye brightened.  "That's not too far from my
house.  I could ride my bike over there and then it would be a short ride
home.  Should I plan on maybe an hour a day?" Jose asked optimistically.

"Gee Jose, as much as you'd be willing to spend.  I don't want to take up
all of your time." Maria said gratefully.

"I don't mind.  I'd just be doing homework otherwise." he said frankly.

"Well, let's plan on an hour but then play it by ear.  If we run out of
work we can do something else."

Jose looked at Maria and looked like he wanted to ask something but was
afraid.  Finally he said "I know you said that you wanted me to help you
with Math because I was smart but, from what I see here, there are at least
a half a dozen other kids in the class who could have helped you.  You
don't need the 'smartest' kid in the class to help you."  He paused, took a
breath and asked the question he was avoiding but had to ask "So why me?
Why do you want ME to help you?  Is this some kind of set up?  Are you and
the other kids playing some kind of trick on me?"  Jose had a look of
pending anger and fear in his eyes.

Maria was aghast!  She hadn't even considered that Jose would think such a
thing.  A tear formed in her eye and she chokingly said "NO JOSE! God
they've been awful to you too haven't they?" tears were streaming down her
cheeks but Maria resisted the urge to cry.  "Jose, I will tell you with all
honesty that I wanted you to help me because you asked Connie about me on
Friday.  It was the first time in my life that a boy even knew I existed! 
I wanted to know more about this boy.  When I realized it was you and that
kids picked on you too I thought that you would be willing to help me
because no one else would ask you.  I feel awful - I didn't realize I was
taking advantage of you!  I'm so sorry!"  Maria couldn't hold back any more
and started crying.

"Maria!  Hold on!  What do you mean take advantage of me?  You're not
playing a trick on me?  You really want me to help you?"

"YES! I don't know if I'm being honest about the Math.  I could use some
help but, as you say, I don't 'need' the smartest kid in the class.  I
guess I just thought I could trust you because you are also a victim.  You
wouldn't reject me.  I felt I could take a chance because you asked Connie
about me."

"Wow! I had hoped for this but wasn't expecting this!" Jose was
dumbfounded.

"What do you mean? You were hoping for this?" Maria asked confused.

"When I saw how nice you looked on Friday I was, um, surprised.  When you
spoke to me I, well, I uh wanted to think that you really wanted to talk to
me.  That it wasn't a trick.  When I saw how beautiful you were today I was
sure it was a trick. How could..."

"Wait!  What did you say?"

"Um, when?"

"When you saw me today?"

Jose smiled and blushed "Well you do look beautiful today." he said meekly.

Maria said "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me Jose." she
leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

Jose didn't know how to react but as Maria pulled back she saw a look of
surprise on his face and his eyes were wide open looking at her.

Maria smiled and said "You were saying?"

Jose finally took a breath. "Oh God!  Maria, you really aren't playing a
trick on me?"

"No Jose, I really want to be with you. Math is OK but that's just an
excuse." Maria said with disarming frankness.

"Why?"

Maria sighed "You see how the people who pick on us misfits have trained us
to be suspicious of everyone?"

Jose just nodded.

"I felt like shit last Wednesday when the 'bitches' picked on me."

"Oh yeah, I saw that.  I felt so bad for you."

"Well, I felt like dying and went home in tears.  My neighbor heard me and
we had a long talk." Maria told Jose about how Jack and Tina helped her
(leaving out the parts about sex and condoms) "So I came to school on
Friday with a new dress that Tina had picked out for me.  The effect on my
life was dramatic with the highlight being Connie telling me that you were
asking about me."

"REALLY?" Jose was shocked. 

Maria just nodded and continued "So I realized if a friend could help me
then I wanted to help someone else.  I knew people picked on you and I knew
you didn't deserve it.  I knew from my own experience a little attention
goes a long way so I asked you if you would help me with Math.  I guess I
was deceptive though wasn't I?" Maria felt bad.

"Well do you want help with Math or not?" Jose said bluntly.

"Yes I do but..."

"But nothing.  If you really want help with Math then it wasn't deceptive. 
That you might want something else is secondary.  You don't know me well
enough to be as open as you've been so I couldn't expect you to tell me
that you were also looking for a friend."

"Gosh I guess that's true." Maria felt better.

"I was really mad at those girls for picking you and calling you, um, you
know." Jose realized he was on thin ice.

"Fat?  Yeah I was mad too but I have to be honest and admit I'm, er,
overweight.  But my friends, Jack in particular, made me realize that
wasn't 'me'.  I am a person - OK I'm overweight but, more than that I have
feelings, thoughts, and a soul.  Jack taught me to smile again. The other
kids aren't worth worrying about.  We should spend time with the friends
who care about us rather than worrying about the mean people."

"Wow, what a great message!" Jose said clearly impressed. After a brief
pause Jose asked "Will you be my friend Maria?"

Maria smiled as an answer.  Jose smiled back and then leaned over and
kissed Maria on the lips.  Their first kiss was barely a brush of lips. 
This one conveyed meaning.  It wasn't passionate but it was most definitely
a message of affection.  Maria kissed Jose back and felt her pulse quicken.

They talked for a while about what being friends meant to them, what was
important, and how they wanted to stick together, especially when other
kids were picking on them.  Jose wanted to know more about Maria and asked
"What do you like Maria?"

Maria thought for a moment.  She knew what she was interested in but she
was pretty sure Jose would think it was boring so was trying to think of
something he would find exciting but then it struck her - that would be
lying.  She just made a new friend and she wasn't going to lie to him.

"Jose, I was about to lie to you.  I was going to tell you something you
would find exciting rather than being honest with you but I can't do that. 
I have to be honest with you even if you think it's boring. What I really
like is... What?"  Maria was looking at Jose because he had the strangest
look on his face. 

He seemed perplexed and then as the import of what Maria had just said to
him sunk in he smiled. Maria literally felt a wave of warmth overcome her. 
It started in her core and perceptibly flowed to every part of her body. My
god, she thought, he was smiling because he loved it that she would be
honest with him.  Her smile grew. Two beings. Millions of instantaneous
thoughts. One thought being transmitted by a simple smile. That one thought
being instantly received and, in milliseconds forced all other thoughts to
the background and now two smiles, two beings, one thought - all conveyed
wordlessly.

Maria felt her entire being dissolve and become one with the one thought -
the thought was "I am so glad I am with you."

Maria leaned over and kissed Jose and Jose was ready for he had the same
thought.  Their lips met and their souls became one.  This wasn't sexual
passion.  This was understanding.  Understanding to their very core of
existence.  It would be unfair to say that they were one, they had too much
to learn about each other, but it was absolutely true that they had one
desire - to spend time doing that learning about each other.

Maria felt really strange.  In her day dreams yesterday she quickly
escalated from the first kiss to sex but she was completely satiated with
this kiss.  It was enough that he wanted to kiss her back.

Some instinct broke her reverie and she looked at her watch and realized
she had to rush to catch the bus. "I've got to go.  Tomorrow?" nothing more
needed to be said.

Jose smiled and said "Yes!"

When Maria got home from school she immediately went over to see if Jack
was around and was excited that he was there.  She went up to the fence and
called "Do you want to see today's outfit?"

Jack replied "Sure!  Let me have it!"

Maria moved through the gate trying to be seductive and she heard Jack gasp
and say "Holy Shit!"

Maria felt a tingle run through her, laughed, and said "I guess you like
it?"

"Um, Maria, I'm just glad we worked out our understanding about older men
being a hazard because you're definitely 'unsafe' now!"

Maria cracked up and really liked the idea she could be 'unsafe' for an
older man.  She said "Jose liked it too."

"Christ Maria, he'd have to be dead not to like it!" Jack said emphatically
and then apologized "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.  Please forgive
me."

"It's OK Jack."  It warmed Maria that Jack was so emphatic.

"So tell me about Jose!  Did you guys get together today? To, er, study
Math."

"Yes Jack." Maria said blushing and then said "and we 'did' study Math
smarty pants."

"Oh yeah?  So he didn't try to kiss you?"

"Welllll, YES! He did kiss me - I mean try to, oh what the hell!  Yes he
kissed me and I kissed him back.  We spent a lot of time talking about how
the some of the school kids were really mean but when I told him it didn't
matter to me any more he asked why.  I just told him that they weren't
worth worrying about.  We should spend time with the friends who care about
us rather than worrying about the mean people."

"Wow, what a great message.  And what did he say?"

Christ that's exactly what Jose said! Maria looked at Jack strangely and
said "He said 'what a great message' just like you said it.  That's
amazing."

"Sounds like the superman brains are in agreement.  On a couple of
matters."

Maria blushed.  She felt her panties getting wet thinking that the two
'men' in her life thought she looked good.

"Do you like him Maria?"

"Yes I do." she said without hesitation. "At first I was drawn to him just
because he was interested in me and I thought that he would understand my
situation because people pick on him too.  But then, the more we talked,
the more we talked about stuff we liked and how we feel. And you know
what?"

"What?" Jack asked sincerely

"He asked me about what I liked and I thought maybe I should make something
up, something more interesting than what I like, but then thought, no, I
should be completely honest with him and told him exactly what I liked and
that he may think it's boring but I had to be honest with him. And then he
smiled."  She paused, dreamily thinking about that moment. "Jack, when he
smiled because I told him I wanted to be honest with him my heart felt like
it was melting.  My stomach felt really weird.  That's when I kissed him."

Jack had a bittersweet smile on his face. "Are you going to see him again?"

"Yes, he's going to help me with Math all week.  I think I'm really going
to improve."  Jack smirked.

Maria thought Jack wasn't giving her enough credit and was insulted.  She
said "No really Jack, we really do study and talk about Math."

"And?"

Maria blushed and said "Well, yeah, and other stuff too.  But we do study
Math." not letting go.

Chapter 7

The next day Maria got up early again but went downstairs to pick up the
house.  She knew Jose would be coming over later and she didn't want him
turned off by a messy house.  When she got downstairs she realized her
house wasn't really messy - there wasn't enough activity in the house to
make it messy.  Their house was plain but there was very little Maria could
do about that.  Maria went back up to her room and cleaned that up - just
in case.  Her room was messy.  Her 'cleaning' consisted of putting dirty
clothes in the hamper, clean clothes thrown in the closet, and
miscellaneous objects sort of put on shelves.  CDs went in plastic cases
but not necessarily the original.  Maria didn't care.  She just wanted to
make sure she didn't gross out Jose.  A thought struck her. She sat on her
bed and realized if it ever did come to sex, Jose would see her naked and
would be completely turned off.  Shit!  The clothes might get the man but
the body has to keep him.

She sighed and thought, oh well, she really liked Jose and being with him
was more important than satisfying some sexual urge.  She would have to
suppress her growing lust so she can keep and develop her friendship with
Jose.

She had a new skirt and blouse combination for today.  Not as striking as
yesterday but still attractive.  It continued to amaze Maria how these
relatively minor changes made her look so much better.  She thought back on
what Jack had told her and realized the clothes gave her confidence and it
was the confidence that made her smile and it was the smile that made her
beautiful.  Would she be beautiful without the clothes.  She didn't know
but that made her think the confidence was an important factor, at least,
at this point in her life.

She managed to get through the day without totally messing up.  This
surprised her because there was only one thing on her mind.  By the end of
the day Maria realized she didn't remember what had happened, even during
5th period.  She knew she had lunch with Connie but didn't remember what
they had talked about.  Maria would have been surprised if Connie hadn't
given her the third degree about her 'date' last night but she didn't
remember a thing.  All she knew was that it was the end of the school day
and Jose was going to meet her at her house.  She got on the bus in a daze,
got off at her stop, and walked to her house.  She was so out of it she
expected Jose to be at her house when she got there.

Maria went inside and sat on the sofa.  It couldn't be said that she was
waiting.  She was just sitting there until the doorbell rang.  It was only
then that she came alive.  She rushed to the door and knew it wasn't a
dream - Jose was there!

"Come in!  I was afraid you wouldn't be able to find me." Maria said
excitedly.

"I'd be able to find you." Jose said saying more than the words.  Maria's
pulse quickened. 

Maria brought Jose into the kitchen so they could spread out on the table. 
Jose was getting his papers out while Maria got him a drink.  She sat next
to him and he started going over the lesson.  Maria was still in her daze
and wasn't hearing a word.  Jose stopped realizing he wasn't getting
through and said "Are you OK?"

Maria nodded and leaned over and kissed Jose. Jose surprised at first but
then responded and kissed her back.

Maria broke the kiss and said "There!  I needed that before I could think
of anything else. I think I can focus now."

Jose took a deep breath and said "But now I can't!"

Maria laughed and said "Maybe another kiss will cure you?"

Jose smiled and said "I'm sure it will."

They kissed again this time without surprise. A friendly kiss - one that
says "I'm glad to be with you."

Jose smiled when they stopped the kiss and said "OK, I can focus now but I
have a feeling I may have relapses later."

Maria giggled and said "Well it's a good thing you have Nurse Gonzales here
to take care of you.  You may begin Professor."

"Ahem, thank you Nurse Gonzales."  They both cracked up and began to study.

Maria was amazed how easy it all was after Jose explained things.  Why
couldn't her teacher explain things this way?  By the end of an hour they
had gone through two lesson plans.  When they finished the second one Jose
said "I didn't prepare anything more.  I thought this would last through
tomorrow.  You are a fast learner."

"No, Professor, you are a great instructor."

Jose smiled when she said 'Professor' and when she was finished speaking he
gasped, crossed his eyes, and said "Nurse Gonzales! Help! I think I'm
having a relapse!"

Maria giggled again and this time stood up and walked over to his chair,
lifted his chin so he was looking directly into her eyes and she bent over
and gave him a strong kiss on his lips.  She had her hands on either side
of his head and she pulled him to her. He kissed her back and she heard his
breathing rate increase as he breathed through his nose. She felt the heat
move up his neck into her hands and she felt her own heat rising.  She
leaned into him and felt her bosom press against his shoulder.  He took in
more air as he felt her press against him and he put his arms around her.
He pulled himself up so he was now standing and their heads turned as he
rose. He pulled her body against him.  Maria felt her chest and belly press
against him and immediately felt self-conscious about being fat. 
Reluctantly she broke off the kiss.

He looked at her questioningly.  She averted her eyes.  She didn't want him
seeing her thoughts and self-doubts.

Jose began to understand and decided maybe it was too soon.  He decided to
lighten the mood by saying "Oh thank you Nurse Gonzales, once again you
have saved me."

Despite herself Maria cracked up. "Oh Jose, I like having you as a friend."
and she hugged him.

"And I like having you as a friend too Maria."

"Golly, Jose, I think you better go." Maria hesitated and then said "My
mother would be upset if she knew I had a boy here alone.  There is more to
the story than that but I don't have time to explain.  Can I explain it to
you tomorrow?  Will you come here tomorrow?"

"Yes to both questions with the second answer being HELL YES!" Jose said
with a smile.

They gathered up their notes and Maria walked Jose to the door.  After Jose
left Maria went over to see if Jack was home and she showed off her new
clothes.  She didn't tell Jack much about Jose's visit.  She was starting
to feel that the details of her time with Jose were private between her and
Jose.

The next day was similar except Maria saw Jose in the school yard before
the start of school. "Good morning Professor" Maria said with Connie
looking on questioning. 

"Oh good morning Nurse Gonzales, and how are you this fine day?  You look
very nice today Nurse Gonzales" Jose replied.

"I'm very well thank you and thank you for the compliment.  You know Connie
don't you?" Maria said knowing the answer but not knowing how else to get
Connie in the conversation.

"Yes, hi Connie."

"Um, hi Jose. Maria we'd better go in to class." Connie said trying to drag
Maria away.

"Oh sure, Connie.  I'll see you later Jose?  Do you want to join us for
lunch? We have 2nd lunch period."

"Darn!  Thanks for the invitation but I have 1st lunch period. Maybe I can
swap my study period and I can join you tomorrow?"

"Yeah that would be great.  OK I'll see you later." Maria wanted to stay
with Jose but Connie was dragging her away.

When they were out of earshot of Jose Maria said "Connie!  What are you
doing? We still have time."

"What's with the 'professor' and 'nurse' routine?"

Maria laughed "Is that why you pulled me away?" Connie nodded.

Maria explained how they gave each other nicknames and Connie shook her
head "Wow, so you guys have been kissing already? Is it weird kissing
Jose?"

"No, it's nice why would you think it's weird?"

"Well, he's so geeky."

"Yes, and I'm fat.  But we still like each other and we're both human and I
really like his kisses Connie."

"I'm sorry.  I guess that was rude of me wasn't it?  Can you forgive me?"

"Yes Connie because I know you're a good person.  You're just falling into
the same trap everyone else does.  It's just easier to laugh at the misfit
than to see beyond the strangeness and see they're human just like you."

"Boy Maria. You sure have changed since last week.  I always liked having
you as a friend but sometimes you would wear me down - you know what I
mean?" Maria just nodded. "But now, you inspire me.  Did you find a new
drug?" Connie asked jokingly.

"Maybe, it's called self-respect." Maria said pointedly. "It's interesting,
Jack boosted my self-respect and that attracted Jose and now his
self-respect is increasing which is making me feel better.  It's a good
spiral, not a bad one like the path I was on before.  Do you know what I
mean?"

"Yes, and I also know what you mean about Jose.  He seems a lot more
confident than he seemed before.  Maybe it's because I'm closer to him than
I was before because he's your friend but I don't think so.  I think you're
relationship is good for him.  I know it's good for you."  Connie hugged
Maria and she hugged back.

They went through the day and Jose's 'cure' from yesterday must have had a
lingering effect because Maria was able to focus on classes much better
today.  In fact, during 5th period the teacher asked a question and only
Maria and Jose raised their hands to answer.  The teacher was so surprised
that Maria raised her hand he called on her.  Jose hadn't noticed that she
had raised her hand and whipped around to see if it was really true.  Maria
answered the question with confidence and the teacher said "very good
Maria, that's right."  The teacher continued with the point but if anyone
in the class was paying attention they would have seen two students in the
class with huge beaming smiles. One belonging to a student, one belonging
to a 'Professor'.

When class ended Maria and Jose left the room together and Jose gave Maria
a big hug saying "Congratulations!".  The students around them were
dumbfounded.  Weren't these the two misfits in the class?  Here they are
hugging and laughing like 'normal' kids.

Maria was so pumped that she was actually looking for a chance to be called
on in 6th period.  Unfortunately the teacher didn't ask the class very many
questions and didn't call on her when she did.  Maria took the bus home and
had a drink and a cookie ready when Jose arrived.  When Maria opened the
door she greeted Jose with a hug and a kiss before bringing him into the
kitchen.  Jose thought someone else was there and began to sit at a
different spot than where the drink and cookie was already laid out.

Maria laughed and said "No, silly, these are for you."

Jose blushed and said "Thank you for thinking of me Maria"

"And thank you for being here to think about." Maria replied.

Jose gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek and then began the study session. 
Maria was really getting it after about 30 minutes. She said "Gosh Jose,
this is actually pretty easy.  Why didn't I see this before?"

"I guess you just needed a different perspective."

"Yeah, in more ways than one.  Hey, I have an idea.  Let's do something
else.  Want to go for a walk?"

Jose first reacted like that was a totally foreign idea but said "Sure,
where?"

"Well, I need to walk Sammy, the dog next door but I would really like it
if you would come to."

"Yeah, that sounds like fun."

They got Sammy from Jack's house and Sammy was jumping all over Jose.  They
headed out and had a vigorous walk to and around the park.  Maria was still
pumped from the Math class and how she now understood so much more.  She
felt like she had boundless energy.  Jose figured the energy was infectious
since he was as pumped as she.  They talked non-stop the entire way talking
about music, the classes at school, what they wanted to be after school. 
Jose had asked Maria where she wanted to go to college and she replied "Oh
I don't think I'll be going to college."

Jose was surprised and asked why not.

"Well,we don't have very much money.  My mother can't afford to send me to
school.  I'll have to work and then go to night school like she did."

"Don't be silly.  There are plenty of grants, scholarships, and loans that
you won't need to pay out of pocket while you're going to school."

"Oh sure.  Maybe for a smart guy like you but not a dummy like me."

"Maria, you're not a dummy.  Didn't you get the Math?  Weren't you only one
of TWO student who raised their hands when the most incredibly difficult
answer was asked in Math class today?" Maria was laughing. Jose continued
"And wasn't the other student an amazing genius?"

Maria laughed and said "Yes, the other student was a genius and he was
incredibly handsome too."

Jose looked at her surprised by that answer but decided to continue the
game.  "Hmmm, should I be jealous that you are noticing handsome men?"

"Never fear Professor, I only like handsome geniuses. In fact, it is my
biggest weakness."

"It seems to me I offered to help you with your weaknesses."

"Oh yes, Professor, please help me with this one!" Maria feigned
desperation.

Jose stopped and Maria stopped next to him.  He put his hands to her face
and pulled her toward him and gave her a kiss.  It was unlike all previous
kisses they had.  This was a hungry kiss, this kiss was not going to be
satisfied with merely lips on lips.  Maria understood this as Jose drew her
against him. She felt her whole body press against him and once again felt
embarrassed by her fat.  She pulled away and broke it off.  She couldn't
look at him and started off on a jog.  Jose stood still for a little while
watching her and then ran after her.

"Maria!"

Maria kept jogging.

"Maria! Am I going too fast?  Am I being too forward?  Just tell me and
I'll back off.  I'm sorry I didn't mean to be pushy but I wanted you close
to me."

Maria stopped.  She looked at Jose to see if he was serious. Tears formed
in her eyes and she said "Jose, why?  Doesn't my fat gross you out?"

"Oh God!  I didn't understand Maria.  I'm sorry!  I didn't realize that
pulling you close would make you think of that.  Maria, come over here,
let's sit down for a minute."  Jose brought her over to a park bench.

"Maria you know how you told me on Monday about being honest?"  Maria
nodded sniffling.

"Well, I have to be honest with you.  Your friendship means more to me than
anything.  Since I saw you last Friday my life has gone from drab to
ecstasy.  I never, ever, expected to laugh and feel on top of the world
like I did today when you answered the question in Math." Maria was
surprised.

"No, it wasn't the fact you answered the question. It was the connection
you and I had at that moment.  I KNEW, deep within my soul, what answering
that question meant to you. I KNEW the happiness you were feeling and was
so very happy feeling it with you! I KNEW 'I' had something to do with
helping you answer that question and bringing that happiness to you. I was
on cloud nine because YOU were there. I don't want to lose that."

Maria burst out crying and hugged Jose.  Sammy sat on the ground looking
concerned at his surrogate master. 

Jose rocked Maria for a little while and then continued "Maria, when you
ask if your fat grosses me out I don't know what you mean.  When I think of
you I don't see fat.  I see your pretty smile and I see the excitement you
have for life. And I'll tell you what I like the most."

Maria stopped sobbing and looked at Jose while Jose resumed "I like it most
of all the way you light up when you see me."

"OH GOD JOSE! What did I do to deserve you?" Maria was sobbing
uncontrollably now.  Jose comforted her as she lay in his lap bawling her
head off.  She regained control, sat up, and looked deep into Jose's eyes.
"Jose, can I hug you?  I mean really hug you?"

Jose nodded and they stood.  Maria put her arms around Jose and pulled him
tight against her body.  They were touching from their knees to their
cheeks.  Jose held her tight and rocked her.  Maria lifted her head and
kissed Jose.  It was a gentle loving kiss but Jose's fires were still
raging from earlier and his kiss grew hungrier. He pressed his lips hard
against hers.  Maria was catching the fever and felt the heat rise within
her. She pressed back and their lips naturally parted as the tongues began
their instinctive dance.  Maria had no idea what it was like to French kiss
until this moment and felt a rush of heat flow through her as she felt
Jose's ravenous probing deep into her mouth.  She was breathless and had
been conscious of her fat pressing against him but now had an entirely
different sensation as she felt something hard pressing back.  She gasped
as she realized the effect she was having on him and felt herself
responding in kind.  Their mouths were almost viciously consuming each
other and his hand started to slide around from her back, past her
underarms, and headed for the one destination she wanted desperately for
him to reach but knew this was the wrong place for it to complete its
journey.

She pulled her face away from Jose and held his face in her hands.  She
made a decision "Jose, we can't go any further here.  It's too late to go
back to my place.  Will you trust me to wait until tomorrow?"

Jose trying to regain his breath looked questioningly at her.  He could see
she was sincere and nodded gently.  She pulled him back to her and hugged
him for a minute longer.  Sammy was happy when they finally started walking
again.

On the walk back Jose said "You were going to tell me why your mother
didn't want boys visiting."

Maria sighed and nodded.  She told Jose about her mother and how Maria had
been illegitimate and how her mother raised her single handedly.  Maria was
surprised how objectively she could tell the story.  When she thought about
it yesterday she was afraid that she would have uncontrollable rants but,
somehow with Jose listening Maria felt very generous to her mother and, in
the process, realized that some of Maria's anger toward her mother was
undeserved.  When Maria finished Jose said "Wow, both you and your mother
have had it rough.  I can understand why your mother hates men and is
overprotective of you.  She's  done a marvelous job raising you especially
considering that you didn't have the normal advantages.  Maybe it was the
trials that helped bond you and instill your special qualities."

Maria looked at Jose with a new respect "Thank you Jose.  You really make
me feel good and proud of my mother."

"Um Maria, earlier when I was, er, getting out of control you said
something about tomorrow.  After hearing your story I would understand why
you would want to take it easy.  Really!  It's OK with me.  I can wait as
long as you need."

"Jose, after what you said about me and my mother I'm ready to jump you
now!" Maria said lustily and Jose was sure she meant it.  "No, I don't want
to wait.  Maybe I seem to fast for you so I want to let you know I am ready
whenever you are."  Maria kissed Jose on the cheek while they walked.

They changed the subject and continued their conversation about college. 
Maria learned that Jose's father worked at University of Texas in the
McCombs School of Business. His father taught some of the accounting
classes.  Maria said "That's where my mother is going to night school.  I
wonder if she knows your father."  Then she had a moment of fear "Jose! 
Please don't tell your father about me.  If he knows my mother he might say
something to her."

Jose understood and reluctantly agreed "Gee, I was kind of excited to tell
him that you were my girlfriend."

Maria smiled at that thought but asked "Please?  I know I'll lose you if my
mother finds out."

Jose smiled back and nodded.  They continued talking about careers and
things. Jose really encouraged Maria to think about college and her
confidence grew as he cheered her on.

They brought Sammy into Jack's house and then Jose went home.  Maria was
torn between changing and taking a relaxing bath to relieve the pent up
emotions and waiting until Jack got home to show him the clothes she wore
today.  She felt she owed Jack a look or, at least, owed it to him to keep
her promise.  Thankfully Jack came home a short time later and Maria gave
him a quick model of her new clothes.  Maria was concerned that Jack didn't
seem too happy and looked like he wasn't getting very much sleep.  She said
something but he just waved it off to stupid stuff at work.

Maria went home, carefully took off and put away her clothes, and then took
a nice hot bath.  In the bath she thought about the day's events and her
promise to Jose.  She had expected to be uncontrollably excited but had a
weird mix of emotions that ranged from fear, to lusty excitement, to the
most profound feeling of love.  It was this latter feeling that displaced
all others.

Chapter 8

Maria slept well that night dreaming about her and Jose simultaneously
raising their hands in class, laughing, completely naked.

The next day Connie and Jose were both waiting when Maria's bus arrived. 
Maria got off the bus and hugged them both at once.  "Good morning Connie,
good morning Professor."

They replied in unison "Good morning Nurse Gonzales."  The three of them
were roaring while all the other kids were wondering what had gotten into
these weirdos.

Jose joined them for lunch having successfully gotten out of study period. 
Normally this took an act of God and the answer was still no but the study
hall teacher was hard pressed to force someone who had straight A's to hang
around in study hall when all he wanted to do was eat lunch later in the
day.

The three of them had a fun lunch.  Connie had expected that lunch wouldn't
be fun anymore because Maria would spend all her time with Jose.  Connie
needn't have worried.  Jose brought some new subjects and a very dry wit to
their normal lunchtime conversations and Connie was actually enjoying
herself.  She was amazed at the transformation of both Jose and Maria and
had to admit they were good for each other, and as a surprising
consequence, good for her too.

Fifth period math class was relatively unexciting as the class was all dry
presentation from the teacher.  The best thing about it, Maria thought, was
that she understood what the teacher was saying and actually explained it
to another student on the way out of class.  Jose came up behind her and
whispered "Shall I start calling you Professor?"

Maria turned, smiled, and said "It doesn't matter what you call me as long
as you keep calling me..."

Jose smiled in return and said "You can count on it."

"Will you come over tonight?" Maria asked tonelessly lest she give away her
fear of rejection.

"I will be there Maria.  I didn't prepare any lessons though." Jose said
apologetically.

"That's OK, we'll be studying a different subject tonight." Maria said
without elaboration.

"Um, OK, I'll see you later." Jose said breathlessly.

Maria suffered through the next class that seemed to take years to finish
and jumped up when the bell rang.  The teacher glared at her but her glare
was lost as Maria was already out the door.

Maria was the first one on the bus and sat in the very first seat.  When
the bus arrived at her stop she was standing and on the steps of the bus
before the bus came to a halt.  The bus driver was yelling at her as she
disappeared into her house.

Jose rang the doorbell about 15 minutes later and Maria opened the door and
gave him a big kiss before inviting him in.  He automatically headed to the
kitchen but Maria stopped him and said "No, today's lesson is upstairs."

Jose swallowed and followed Maria up the stairs to her bedroom.  Maria had
her room in perfect condition, she had some soft Latin music playing on her
CD player, and had some candles burning. Jose was completely out of breath
by the time he reached the top of the stairs.  He gasped, "I'm sorry, I
think I need some water."  He was about to head back down when Maria smiled
and took his hand and lead him to her bed.  He sat down and noticed on her
dresser a carafe of water and two glasses.  God!  She thought of
everything.  She poured him a glass and one for her.  She handed him his
glass and clinked her against his and said "Salud"

"Um yeah, salud." Jose said nervously.

Maria sat next to Jose and saw his nervousness.  She said quietly "It's OK
Jose.  Anything is fine.  I just want to be alone with you and hold you."

Jose seemed to relax and looked at her.  She smiled back and he felt a
surge run through him.  "Maria, I care so much for you.  I don't want to
hurt you.  Are you sure you want this?"

"I want you more than anything in the world but I was serious when I said
earlier that anything is fine.  I will be happy as long as you hold me and
kiss me."

Jose leaned over and kissed her gently on her lips.  The coolness from the
water and the wetness of her lips sent a torrent of heat raging through his
body. Whatever hesitation he had before he kissed her was annihilated long
before the kiss ended. Maria sensed the passion rising in him and felt the
same in her.  She didn't want to push him no matter how desperately she
wanted him so she had resigned herself to go at his pace but as his fires
fanned hers she felt that restraint slipping away.  She heard her inner
voice screaming "NO! LET HIM MOVE!  DON'T FORCE HIM!".  Her battle was
between this voice, her maelstrom of desire, and her remaining uncertainty
about Jose's reaction to her obesity.

Jose on the other hand was torn by only one conflict.  His certainty that
he had ABSOLUTELY no idea what to do!  He broke the kiss so he could put
the glass down.  Thought better of it and drained the glass before he put
the glass down.  Maria took his lead and put her glass down.  She shifted
closer to him on the bed and pulled his face toward her as she kissed him.
The fires never faltered as he reached up and put his arm around her and
they fell back onto the bed.  Laying next to Maria, Jose pulled her close
and pressed his body into hers.  He felt her breasts resisting him and his
breathing became labored as the realization of what they were about to do
struck him. As yesterday his hand moved off her back and under her arm
toward her heavenly globes.  Unlike yesterday there was no resistance.
Maria shifted slightly to give him better access to her breast and she
gasped as his arm accidently brushed against her.  Jose could feel the
swell of the side of her breast as he brought his hand around and heard
Maria moan as his hand climbed her enormous mound. As he reached the peak
Maria was panting and he felt her hard, erect nipple poking through the
fabrics of her bra and blouse.  God it feels so wonderful they thought in
unison and they both pressed toward the union.

Maria's control evaporated altogether as she realized she could not wait
for their skin to meet and was quickly unbuttoning her blouse.  She pulled
the blouse out of her skirt and had the blouse completely open in the
front.  Jose still absorbed in the mystery of the initial contact with her
breast had to be guided to move his hand inside the blouse. Jose gasped as
he could now feel her breast and its volcanic heat through the thin
material of her silky bra. Having successfully negotiated Jose's hand to
her bra but, as a result, being even more driven to completion of the
contact Maria was busy with the latch on the front her bra.  She was
gasping hoping to hold on long enough and not lose Jose before she
completed her mission.  The latch finally released and the pressure of her
expanding desire and the loss of restraint of her massive breast caused the
bra to pop open and slip away from both breasts surprising Jose as he was
now holding Maria's breast in it natural state.  Maria, on the other hand,
was in a totally unnatural state as she went over the precipice as Jose's
hand encompassed her orb. Panting and screaming Jose's name she came wildly
thrashing her breast against his hand.

The newness and excitement notwithstanding Jose was totally stunned by the
effect this contact had on Maria.  He still had his hand on the initial
breast but Maria was flopped on her back trying to regain her breath. The
separation between them rewarded Jose with the mountainous scene before
him.  It was a landscape alive with heaving chest, sweaty alps, and hard
erect peaks. It was too tempting as he leaned over and took one of her
nipples into his mouth.  The hyper-sensitivity of the unrecovered Maria
caused her to gasp as the flood of billions of neurons fired all at once
throughout her body. "OH GOD NO!" she cried as Jose took more of her ample
breast into his mouth and started nibbling and suck on her breast. "OH GOD,
OH GOD, JESUS! JOSE OH YES!" Maria screamed as she came again. She lay back
and Jose continued his explorations of her globes but she was too spent to
do anything but occasionally twitch as Jose struck a particularly sensitive
spot.  She felt the bed shift as Jose raised himself over her and he kissed
her lips.  She kissed him back but passively accepting his kiss.  She felt
so wonderful.  Even after talking to Tina she didn't understand how this
alone would have been so exciting.  She slowly regained her energy and felt
a renewed lust in the process. 

Maria reached up and started unbuttoning Jose's shirt. When she reached the
bottom button she pulled his shirt out of his slacks and unbuttoned the
remaining buttons. She pulled his shirt open and then pulled him close to
her.  She wanted to feel his body against her. "Mmmm," she purred.  "You
feel good against me.  Can you take off your shirt?"

Jose sat up and complied.  While he was sitting Maria took off her blouse
and bra.  Jose rolled back to her and looked into her eyes.  As he pressed
against her the feeling was exquisite.  She was so soft but her nipples so
hard.  He on the other hand had the musculature of a healthy 15 year old
boy and Maria enjoyed the feeling of his hard body against her.  Jose
brushed the hair away from her face and started kissing her eyelids,
forehead, cheeks, ears, everywhere but her lips.  Maria was enjoying the
kissing and responding with murmurs but felt the wave of heat flowing
through her again and wanted his lips on hers.  As he moved she chased him
to catch his lips but he stayed ahead of her, frustrating her attempts to
seal the kiss.

Jose would back off and move slowly toward one part of her face, Maria
would respond and he would quickly plant a kiss somewhere else.  Finally he
back off and Maria concentrated on where he was going to move.  She looked
at him waiting.  Her breathing increasing with the wait. She hadn't noticed
his hand move until she felt it rest on her thigh.  Her eyes widened and
she gasped.  He moved his hand toward the inside of her thigh and she
whimpered spreading her legs wide.  Jose moved his hand back to the front
of her thigh and moved his hand in response to her eyes.  He could feel the
pleasure points in the twitching reactions her legs involuntarily conveyed. 
All the time he looked into her eyes.  She looked back at him. Questioning
- what are you going to do next?

He moved his hand upward.  He felt the hem of her skirt and continued
upward slowly drawing the skirt up with him.  Maria was panting as the
little charges fired off every inch that he moved.  The weight of the skirt
against her other leg and her pussy were firing off charges in random spots
there as well.  She could feel the whole skirt raising up knowing that soon
she would be fully exposed.  Still he kept his pace steady and looked
directly into her eyes as if she was steering his hand by remote control. 
She willed his hand to go higher, to go inside her thigh, to move to that
fiery haven of delights.  His hand was not complying!  He moved steadily
upward, past the top of her leg he kept drawing her skirt higher until her
legs were left bare and only the skimpy fabric of her silky thong kept her
from being exposed to him.  She realized she had been holding her breath
when he began to move his hand downward and she wanted to gasp but had no
more lung capacity.  She exhaled and whimpered "Please, please stop
torturing me."  Jose smiled.  She melted "Oh God Jose, Oh God please make
love to me now!"

He continued to look into her eyes and felt the top of her leg.  He paused
there as if waiting for direction.  Maria was panting "yes, yes, please
touch me, oh God, please"

He moved his hand a millimeter inward.  Millions of shocks flew up Maria's
leg into her soul and the bounced back all focused on her pussy.  Her pussy
was screaming to be set free from its constraints so its flood of juices
could run loose. One more millimeter and Maria was panting wildly.  Jose
knows me too well she could see. "Oh GOD!" one more millimeter. Now he's
following the curve of her thigh down toward her pussy. "Yes, Yes, please
Jose, don't do this to me anymore. God I want you."

"I feel your heat. Oh God you're beautiful Maria." Jose was now being drawn
into to the instinctive gravitational pull of womanhood.  His hand
accelerated with the overwhelming force and Maria cried out as Jose's
fingers probed the outline of the thong.  He was hungry now and quickly
moved the inadequate restraint out of the way.  "Jesus" he felt how
slippery she was.  He didn't have to spread her lips, her wanton swelling
took care of that.  His finger was naturally drawn into her home and Maria
was panting out of control. Jose moved his finger upward along the slit and
Maria cried out and pulled him toward her while violently trusting her
pussy toward his hand jamming a finger deep into her pussy and humping her
pussy along his finger.  Maria's screams were so loud Jose was sure the
neighborhood would hear.  His hand was painfully bent by the force of Maria
fucking herself against him.  The pain was acceptable as he felt a wave of
incredible happiness that he could give her this extreme pleasure. Maria
finally collapsed with her eyes closed.  She was breathing heavily and no
longer holding him, her arms flopped back on to the bed.  He rolled on to
his side so he could enjoy this view of her virtually naked.  He looked at
her and understood why she was concerned about her appearance.  Her belly
and bottom, in particular, had rolls of fat but her legs while thick were
nicely shaped and tapered nicely to surprisingly thin ankles.  He looked
back at her face and was surprised to see her looking at him.  He smiled at
her.

"Jose?"

"Yes Maria?"

"Can you overlook how fat I am?"

"Maria, you look beautiful to me.  I want to see you completely naked and I
want to make love to you."

"Oh Jose, will you?"

"I want to but I don't have any protection.  I tried to raid my father's
stash but I couldn't find where he hid it."

Maria smiled "We owe Jack more than a few dresses."  She reached under her
pillow and pulled out the two condoms Jack had given her.

"Maria!  You amaze me!"

"Hmmm, I want to amaze you even more."

She sat up and then standing, pulled off her skirt and panties. "Your wish
is my command." She said as she posed naked in front of him.  "Jose please
stand up."

Jose stood while Maria sat on the bed.  She undid his belt buckle and let
his pants fall to the floor.  Jose bent over and pulled off his shoes,
socks, and pants.  Maria, however, had her eyes focused on one thing - the
bulge in Jose's jockey shorts.  When Jose stood up she beckoned him closer
and ran her hand over the bulge. "Oh God!  If you do that again I'm not
going to last."

Maria bit her lip and took both hands and opened the waistband of his
shorts and pulled them over the bulge and let the shorts fall.  She gasped. 
It looked like Tina has described except this was real and this was Jose's. 
"Can I touch you?"

"Um, yes, but if you do I won't last."

"Oh God I really want you inside me.  Can I put the condom on?"

"Um yes."  Jose was taking deep breaths and looked like he was shivering.

Maria opened the foil package and slid the condom out of the foil.  Tina
had warned her about starting it upside down and how this could ruin it so
Maria carefully checkecd to see which way it rolled and placed it on the
tip of Jose's cock.  "OH GOD!" Jose shouted and Maria was shocked when a
gush of hot white liquid came shooting out of his cock, the cock shot again
and again with Jose bending and thrusting with each shot. He finally
stopped spurting and said "Oh damn, I'm sorry Maria! I couldn't help it!"

"Wow!  That's OK Jose. It just surprised me." Maria looked down and saw
semen all over the place, mostly on her belly, legs, she had some on one
breast, and a bunch on her bed and floor.  God I'm going to have to clean
this place well tonight Maria realized.  Then she saw the condom was
covered with semen on both sides.  Useless!  Maria just dropped it on the
floor.  Jose was looking pretty embarrassed especially now that his cock
had shrunk.  Maria said, "It's OK Jose.  I have another condom, besides
this will give me the chance to touch you.  Is it OK?"

"Yes Maria, what ever you want. I am yours."

"Mmmm, I like that idea."  Maria reached out and gently touched Jose's soft
cock.  Jose jumped at the touch.  "Did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm just super sensitive right now."

"Oh OK, I'll try to be careful."

She reached out again and lightly ran her finger over the cock's length. 
The cock twitched.  Maria squealed.  She reached under the cock to hold his
balls in her hand.  Jose moaned.  Maria looked to see if she was hurting
him but the look on his face told her it wasn't pain he was feeling.  She
felt the sac and the weight of the balls amazed at the construction but
movement caught her eye.  She saw in utter amazement that the cock was
beginning to inflate again.  She remembered Tina's comment how it was so
incredible to feel it grow in you hand.  She moved her hand and wrapped it
around his cock.  Jose groaned and involuntarily rolled his hips.  Maria's
eyes widened as she felt it grow in her hand.  She squeezed it to see if
she could restrain it only to find that with each squeeze it grew more. She
was squeezing much harder than she would have thought painful but Jose was
now rolling his hips continuously to develop a stroking motion in her hand. 
She got the message and began stroking his cock.  Jose moaned.

"Jose, will you make love to me now?"

"Oh God Yes!"

Maria got the second condom out if its pack and carefully rolled it onto
Jose's cock.  She pulled Jose toward her and kissed him.  He kissed her
back and she lay back on the bed and spread her legs.  Jose leaned over her
and kissed both breasts before kissing her lips.  The new attention to her
breasts along with the anticipation of what was to follow had Maria
breathing heavily again.  His lips touched hers just as they both felt
Jose's rigid member brush against Maria's dripping pussy.  He looked into
her eyes and she smiled at him and said "Be inside me love."

He moved slightly and, with her swollen pussy was ready to accept him, man
and woman were naturally aligned.  He felt her dripping folds slide around
his cock head and she felt the spreading of her entrance.  He pushed
slightly until he no longer slid in easily.  Maria felt a twinge as the
spreading was having its effect on her.  "Do it Jose, please do it now"
Jose needed no further encouragement and pushed forcefully into her.  She
cried out and he stopped despite the heavenly feeling of her tight pussy
around him. "Oh man! Be gentle for a little bit?" Maria pleaded.

Jose felt a wave of affection as the enormity of what she had given him
sank home.  He barely moved but the feeling was so exquisite he couldn't
keep his cock from twitching.  Maria looked at him and giggled.  She
squeezed her muscles and he could feel her cunt grab his cock.  He groaned
and Maria started moving her hips.  With the motion Jose was able to slide
fully into her. "OH GOD JOSE!  You fill me up!"

Maria felt happiness flow through her knowing that she was filled with
Jose's member.  She was content with the feeling until Jose moved slightly
and she felt his length rub within her while he brushed against her clit. 
"Oh God that feels good." Her motion encouraged Jose to withdraw and thrust
back in. On his next withdrawal Maria moved opposite so he was barely in
her and on his thrust she thrust back so he was filling her once again. 
"YES!  That's what I want!"  The two neophytes were soon in perfect rhythm
and the love making was reaching a different character.  They stared at
each other wide eyed amazed that anything could be this heavenly and with
each other's escalation the other was soon surpassing a new plateau in
pleasure.  The were soon wildly humping causing the bed to bounce and
squeak loudly.  They couldn't hear it however as the grunts and gasps for
air was drowning out any other sounds.  Maria reached up a squeezed one of
her breasts and Jose took the lead and grabbed the other.  That was enough
for Maria who went over the top and cried out while jamming her pussy hard
against the deeply thrusting Jose.  Jose felt the violent contractions of
Maria's cunt and he exploded inside her with the last few thrusts intended
on pumping his seed deep within her.  With the final spurt Jose collapsed
on top of Maria.  Their breathing synchronized, Jose felt the up and down
motion of their combined expansions and contractions.  Jose enjoyed the
feeling of intimacy.  He leaned over and kissed Maria gently on her lips. 

"Thank you for sharing this with me Maria"

"Thank you for being my friend Jose."

When they recovered Maria put on her bathrobe and Jose dressed.  They
cleaned up the mess that Jose's little accident had caused.  Jose was
really embarrassed but Maria kept joking about it until he understood that
it was a funny private joke they could share.  When the were joking about
it at some point Maria said "Whoops!" feigning the surprise she got when he
exploded.  The two of them cracked up and soon all they needed to say to
each other was "Whoops!" to get them both laughing and unproductive again. 
Jose kept rolling Maria onto the bed opening up her bathrobe to steal a
feel of her breast or thigh.  Maria probably could have avoided most of
those attacks if she hadn't enjoyed them so much.

Maria brought Jose downstairs and reluctantly kissed him goodbye and went
back to her room.  She sighed a sigh of contentment. She wanted to bask in
the warmth of the memory but a wave of panic came instead.  Oh God, I've
got to get more condoms from Jack! She realized.  She dressed and made
herself presentable.  She didn't need any makeup as she had a natural glow.
She knew Jack wasn't home yet but wanted to catch him as soon as he got
home so she wouldn't miss him if he went out for the evening. She didn't
want to miss him and not have any condoms for tomorrow's 'lesson'. She went
over to Jack's and played with Sammy while she waited.

Maria heard Jack come in the front door and jumped up yelling "Jack!" when
he was barely in the door.  Jack smiled when he saw how nice she looked but
it seemed like Maria didn't want to talk about that.

"What's up Maria?"

"Well, I'm kind of embarrassed to ask."

"Come on.  Spit it out."

"Um, could I have some more condoms?" she turned beet red!

"Ho ho!  You didn't lose them did you?" Jack asked with a wink.

"Jack!  You're awful!  NO!  I didn't LOSE them.  They came in quite handy
thank you!  I could have used three of them!" OH GOD!  Me and my big mouth
she thought as she covered her mouth.

Jack looked at her and said "Hmmm, three huh? Wow, I guess you have more
than a super 'brain' on your hands."

"Well, it wasn't like that.  The first one, well, it sort of got ruined
when we were putting it on..." she said sheepishly.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that age.  It's OK Maria.  That happens.  It just
means you really got him excited.  Are you OK?"  Jack asked with sincere
concern on his face and buried in the tone of the simple question.

Maria was relieved that Jack didn't think Jose's accident was strange. 
Maria hadn't been concerned about it but knew Jose was still embarrassed
about it.  Then she remembered their private joke sending a cascade of
happiness through her. She smiled.

"Yes." Maria said dreamily.

"And how is Jose.  Is he OK?"

"Yes, he is really great!" CHRIST! MY BIG MOUTH! covering her mouth again.

Jack shifted his tone.  He was no longer the concerned parent but was now
the close comforting friend. "That's good Maria.  No more third degree. 
I'm not trying to pry.  I'm just trying to make sure you're OK.  You'll let
me know if you need anything right?"

"Yes, but right now what I really need is..."

"I know, you need more condoms.  Look, I'll give you what I have.  It seems
I won't need them.  I'll buy some more so I have some on hand if you need
more. You just let me know.  In fact, I'll just show you where I keep them
and you don't have to be embarrassed by asking me.  How does that sound?"

Maria felt a swell of affection flow through her "Jack, you really are a
great guy.  Tina is very lucky to have you."

"Um, yes, well, you need to let me know when the supply runs out so I can
buy more.  OK?  How do you want to do that?"

Maria thought for a second and suggested "Gee, I guess I could leave a note
on your refrigerator."

"Yes, but let's use a code word in case someone else sees it.  I really
don't want to explain who I'm buying these for.  What code word should we
use?"

Maria couldn't think of a good code word - she was thinking too literally
"Gee, I don't know."

"How about 'Band-Aids'?  Dear Jack, please buy a gross of Band-Aids when
you're out.  This should last a week.  Thank you, Maria."

OH GOD! He's awful! Maria was laughing so hard she fell off the chair.

Jack gave Maria the rest of his 'Band-Aids' and put them on his shopping
list.  Jack showed Maria the list "Band-Aids, dozen"

Maria smiled and thanked him.  She held her treasure in her hand as she
went home to find a good hiding place.  Before she put them away she saw
there were eight remaining in the box. That should be enough for tomorrow
she thought continuing the joke Jack had started. She decided to discard
the box - putting it in the bottom of a trash bag that she, in turn, put in
the bottom of the trash can outside.

She would have liked to put the condoms in a convenient place but couldn't
risk her mother finding them so hid them behind some loose woodwork in her
room.  If her mother found them, Maria could claim that they must have been
left from the previous owner - she didn't know about date codes...

When she had gotten to her bedroom she realized she would need to wash her
bedding.  The smell of sex was much stronger than she had sensed earlier. 
She'd wait until Saturday because she probably would have to do them again
after tomorrow anyway - or so she hoped with a satisfied grin.

When Maria's mother came home Maria just said hello down the stairs.  She
felt too giddy to trust herself with her mother.  Maria stayed up in her
room and day dreamed about the day's events.  She relived the experience of
Jose's cock growing in her hand, the thrill of Jose putting his hand on her
pussy and rubbing it, and the exhilaration of Jose's cock deep inside her. 
The pain was more than she had hoped but it was mercifully brief and
literally opened up a door of a vast range of experiences that heretofore
were only possible in dreams.  She wished she could call Jose and say
nothing and say everything at once.  She couldn't wait until the morning to
see Jose again.  Too bad there wasn't some place they could make out during
the school day.  Oh well, tomorrow afternoon.  The only problem with Friday
afternoon was that Maria's mother didn't go to night school on Friday
nights so Jose couldn't stay for more than an hour (Hmmm, may not be able
to use all eight condoms tomorrow after all she snickered).  She also
thought she'd better check with Jose to see if he would be willing to bike
to her house if he could only stay for a hour.

She went to sleep dreaming of Jose's cock growing in her hand and heard
Jose's moans with each squeeze of her hand.

Chapter 9

Maria was awake early again and had to wait for her mother to leave. 

As yesterday Connie and Jose were waiting by her bus.  It warmed her heart
to have her two friends waiting for her when she arrived at school.  Maria
got off the bus waving to them as she came down the steps.  She ran over
and gave Connie a kiss on the cheek and then gave Jose a kiss on the lips. 
It wasn't a passionate kiss but it was more than a fleeting peck.  The kiss
had meaning, a hidden promise.

Jose blushed and Connie was smirking. "You're mighty perky today 'Nurse
Gonzales'!"

"Yes, I guess I am.  But why wouldn't I be? I have the two greatest friends
in the world waiting for me."

"Hmmm, methinks there is more to this story than merely waiting for you to
arrive." Connie sagely noted.  "What do you think Jose?"

"Um, gee, I don't know." Jose blushed and tried to shrink into the earth.

Connie looked at Maria and said pointedly "Gee Maria, something has boggled
the Professor's mind.  What do you suppose it is?"

"Gee, I don't know Connie." Maria said with feigned innocence.

"Man, it must be contagious - both of you are boggled!"

Maria piped in "Oh I definitely think it's contagious." and both Connie and
Maria giggled leaving poor Jose wondering if maybe he could invent a
machine to make himself disappear.

As they were walking into school Connie asked "How many new clothes did you
get anyway.  You've had something new on every day since last Friday.  You
look radiant again - maybe a little too radiant?" Connie suggested
knowingly.

"Thanks Connie.  No, I've already worn these pieces but in a different
combination. Tina did a good job explaining how to coordinate clothing so
that just a few items could create a week's worth of unique outfits. I'll
have to do laundry tomorrow so I can start fresh on Monday.  I'll have to
get it done before Mama gets up."

"Why don't you do it when you get home from school today?"

"Um, I've got some other plans for this afternoon." Maria blushed and
looked at Jose.

Connie smiled but mercifully let it lie.

The day went quickly mostly because Maria was having a good time in her
classes.  She was participating in the discussions more and other kids were
starting to talk to her between classes.  The bitches had pretty much left
her alone to go after other more interesting targets.

By 5th period Maria was having one of those days at school where everything
was just going right.  She stopped Jose before he went into the class and
pulled him aside to whisper to him "Jose, my mother doesn't have night
school tonight so we can only be together for about an hour tonight.  Do
you still want to bike all the way to my house?"

Jose looked at her and said "I would bike there for a minute with you."

Maria's eye misted and she wanted to kiss him but knew this would ask for
trouble so simply said "I owe you a big kiss for that.  Later..."

Jose replied "I'm counting on it."

They went into the class holding hands.  Since teenagers can sense grass
growing if it's something they're interested in all the kids in the class
had already picked up on the fact that Jose and Maria were an 'item'.  That
they were now openly holding hands was not news.   The students may have
been surprised, however, at the extent of their relationship.

The class was much more interactive than the day before with Jose and Maria
being the star students competing to answer every question.  The teacher
called Maria up to his desk at the end of the class. Jose waited outside
the door. "Maria, you have really improved in this last week.  What did you
do?"

"Jose has been helping me understand some of the concepts."

"Ah, that explains it.  Well keep up the good work.  And tell Jose he's
doing a good job."

"Oh I will." Maria said with a grin.

When she came out of the classroom Jose asked Maria "What did he want?"

"He wanted me to tell you that you're doing a good job but I won't know
that for sure until later."

Jose turned crimson red.  Why do these women torture us like this!

Maria caught the bus and rushed to get everything ready in her room like
yesterday.  She went downstairs to wait but Jose was taking longer than
usual.  Maria was starting to worry when the doorbell rang.  She opened the
door and when she was about to ask if anything was wrong Jose produced a
bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "For my love." he said simply.

"Oh Jose!  They're beautiful!  I love them.  Thank you!"  She went into the
kitchen and got a pitcher off the shelf (they didn't have a single vase in
the house) and put the flowers in water.  She said in a voice huskier than
usual "Let's bring them upstairs."

Maria led the way and put the flowers on her nightstand so they would be
next to the bed.  She poured them both a glass of water and sat next to
Jose.  She looked at her watch, between Jose being late and spending the
time with the flowers they had less than 45 minutes.  She said
apologetically to Jose "I'm sorry we only have a little bit of time."

Jose reached over and kissed her "It's OK Maria, I am satisfied just to be
with you."

Maria kissed him back and said "Jose there is something I'd like to try
that I saw Tina do but I don't want to gross you out."

"What is it?"

"Well, it's oral." she said bashfully.

"Oh," Jose responded knowingly.  "It's OK, I won't be grossed out, I would
like to try that.  Do you want to take off your skirt?"

"What?" Maria asked completely confused.

"Um, well I didn't think you would want to just lift your skirt while I,
um, you know, er tasted you."

"Oh My GOD!" Maria said realizing Jose had misunderstood.  She finally
giggled and whispered "I meant me 'tasting' you."

"REALLY?"  Maria nodded.

"Well YEAH! That would be great!" Jose said excitedly and then said
bashfully "Um, could I still 'taste' you too?"

"Well YEAH!" Maria said mimicking Jose's response.  They both giggled. 
Maria said "Let's take off everything but our underwear."

Jose responded by standing up and quickly removing his shirt, pants, shoes,
and socks.  He just threw them on the floor.  Maria, on the other hand
carefully removed her blouse and skirt and folded them over her chair.  She
pulled Jose toward her and they hugged passionately and kissed with open
mouths.  Maria then moved Jose next to the bed and knelt down in front of
him to pull down his undershorts. His cock was a rigid pole that flopped
tightly against his belly when the tip caught on the waistband.  Maria,
staring at Jose's turgid member motioned him to sit on the edge of the bed. 
He sat on the very edge and spread his legs wide.  Maria gently touched his
balls and marveled at the way he was built. Jose moaned and said "Maria,
I'll try to warn you when, you know, I'm about to cum."

"It's OK Jose, I think I'll know.  You just enjoy this." Jose moaned again.

She carefully ran her fingers over the pulsating veins swelling from his
shaft, she moved her touch up to the head and wondered at how is could be
so silky soft and hard at the same time.  She saw a drop of pre cum form on
the opening and she dipped her finger into it which made Jose jump when she
touched him.  She brought the drop to her lips and tasted it.  She smiled
and gather more dew, this time working the drop between her fingers feeling
the oily slickness. She cupped her hand behind his shaft to hold it and
licked the bottom of the shaft facing her.  Jose groaned loudly.  When her
tongue reached the tip of his cock she swirled her tongue around the tip
and Jose's hips rolled instinctively.  Maria stood a little bit and pushed
Jose on to his back.  As his head hit the bed Maria placed her mouth over
his cock head and closed her lips on it. "OH MY GOD!" Jose begged out.

Encouraged by Jose's reaction Maria slid her mouth over Jose's shaft and
sucked him into her hot, wet mouth.  She was salivating more than she ever
remembered and swished the hot liquid around her tongue and Jose's
pulsating member. "Oh, oh, oh, God Maria!  Oh." Jose was panting out of
control.  Maria was on fire now and wanted more!  She wanted all of his
cock deep into her mouth and she wanted to feel him thrust hungrily into
her and cum into her.  She started bobbing her head up and down taking more
and more of him with each swallow and then retreating so his smooth soft
head was just passing over her lips.  She felt Jose's pressure build with
the swelling of his cock and his deep thrusts from his hips and she knew
she was about to bring a massive explosion of pleasure to him and she
wanted it all!  Jose cried out and thrust with incredible force and drove
deep into her throat. His cock exploded and Maria felt hot fiery liquid
flow down her throat.  She fought off the urged to gag and sucked more on
his throbbing cock.  Jose was bucking wildly and fell out her mouth
momentarily but she hungrily dove after it and took him back into her just
as another spurt erupted.

Jose fell silent and was no longer spewing.  The only sounds were Jose's
deep gasps for breath.  Maria was now instinctively urged to clean Jose and
very gently cleaned all around his cock and where cum had leaked onto his
belly.  She giggled when her licks on his lower belly reactively made his
cock twitch.  She was enjoying the effect when Jose begged "Maria, don't!
Come here, let me hold you and kiss you."

Maria climbed up on to the bed and first kissed Jose's face, probably still
driven by the urge to clean him, and then planted her lips on his, once his
breathing became more regular.  The kissing started gently but soon became
passionate as both mouths opened and tongues explored each other.  Maria
gasped when she felt Jose put a hand on her breast and a bolt of lightning
ran through her.  Jose slid his hand to the center to try to feel how the
latch was designed but Maria knew she would have to show him.  She rolled
on her back and pulled him up over her and guided him to explore.  He had
both hands free and she let him look to see how the latch was designed and
how it unhooked.  Jose understood and unhooked her, releasing her from her
bindings.  Jose slid his hand under the cloth moving the bra aside while
sweeping over the soft skin of her breast.  The sensation was increasingly
exciting until his hand reached her nipple and a shockwave flowed from her
breast to her crotch. "OH GOD YES, JOSE!"

Jose pinched her nipple and Maria was now lost to this overpowering
sensation of sparks that flew with each pinch.  It was as if Jose's hand
was the flint and her hard, erect nipple was the steel.  Each touch sent
off sparks.  "OH God, suck me, take me in your mouth."

Jose thought he could take that two ways and decided he would start with
one interpretation and then end with the other.  He placed his lips over
her nipple and sucked her into his mouth.  He tightened the grip with his
lips while he flicked his tongue against the tip.  It was too much for
Maria. She reached up and crushed his head against her tit screaming his
name and her love for him. More of her breast jammed into his mouth and he
couldn't help but bite her as she forced herself into him more and more. 
Her heaving body was throwing him wildly like a rag doll but his mouth was
solidly affixed to her breast and his nose crushed against her ballooned
bosom.  Mercifully her hand fell away and he could get a breath before he
suffocated.

Jose gasped for air and looked down at his spent lover. Despite the torture
he just endured his mouth and tongue were insatiated. Jose was overwhelmed
by the added dimensions offered by oral exploration.  Not only could he
touch, with a probe that was significantly more sensitive than his fingers,
but he could see - UP CLOSE!, he could taste, and he could smell.  All of
these amplified the total experience and drove him to explore further.

Panting, Maria was oblivious to Jose gently licking the sweat off her
breast.  She drifted into a pleasant dream world where Jose's tongue was a
tropical breeze gently caressing her body. Her unconscious wanderings were
abruptly interrupted when she realized his tongue was now below her belly
button. She went from fog to razor sharp focus in milliseconds when his
tongue crossed that forbidden line formed by the side strap of her thong.
Momentarily she felt nothing but the weight shift in the bed told her that
Jose was sitting up.  As with the bra Jose needed to learn how to open the
gates to heaven.  It tickled as he explored but the tickles were sending
shock waves.  Maria was breathing rapidly and sensed a pause. Then -
freedom!  She was now free from all earthly bounds as she felt Jose gently
lift the fabric from her crotch.  She may have been panting - she may have
not been breathing at all.  Maria had no sensation other than all receptors
located around her crotch were set to maximum.  She actually jumped when
his tongue resumed from its last point of departure, just above her leg. 
Maria looked up at the ceiling and was filled with fear and wonder. She
couldn't take much more of what he was doing.  His tongue working a
wandering dance of exploration toward her prize! He was now at that magical
place between her leg and her pussy.  Maria was definitely panting - and
loudly.  She whimpered "God no no no."

The bed shifted again as Jose got off and Maria felt his hand gently spread
her legs. Maria was gasping for air between her clenched teeth. "oh god."
she exhaled in barely a whisper.

His tongue hit the side of her upper thigh like a surge of electricity. She
instinctively closed her legs but Jose was prepared and held her open.  His
tongue moved upward and he was pressing her legs wider.  Maria didn't want
to think about how rudely displayed she was to him but couldn't think of
anything else and she couldn't think of anything she wanted more.  She
tried to imagine his tongue as it now moved perilously close to killing her
- as she knew it would.  She knew no human could stand the explosion she
knew was about to take place.  Her pending death brought a peace to her and
she was no longer suffering and no longer out of breath.  A calm flowed
through her like she had never known before.  Ahhh.

"OH MY GOD! JESUS H CHRIST! JOSE!" she shouted as her world exploded and
all she saw was flashes of light and a crescendo of angels singing.  Jose's
tongue reached it's goal and he plunged it deep into her folds, he lapped
upwards, and licked her juices up her slit to the top of the hood which was
now retracted exposing Maria's throbbing engorged clit. Maria's legs were
trying to crush him but he used all the force he had within him to push her
legs open as wide as he could and drive her wild with his tongue.  He
hadn't 'known' what to do but some ancestral wisdom was guiding his actions
as he drove Maria off the precipice with his hungry aggressive lapping of
her pussy.  Maria didn't merely 'fall' off the cliff.  She was catapulted! 
She was screaming loudly and had to reach and pull poor Jose's head hard
against her pussy as she wantonly fucked his face.  For his part Jose was
as hungry as she and pressed his tongue harder and deeper into her.  Maria
alternated between trying to crush Jose with her legs to spreading them so
wide and driving her pussy into him so hard that her muscles hurt. In an
instant all resistance left her as she slumped bonelessly to the bed.

Jose knew she was finished so eased up. He felt the same urge she had
earlier and licked up the excess wetness around her legs and pussy.  He saw
a bath towel hanging on her wall and he got it to dry the rest of her off. 
Maria remained splayed open to him and he stood and looked down at her.  He
felt an immense sense of satisfaction from having pleased her. Maria
stirred and said weakly "Jose we just have a few more minutes but I want
you inside me.  Please make love to me."  She reached under her pillow and
feebly handed Jose a condom.  His cock had been savagely rigid while he was
eating Maria but it had relaxed a bit while he had been standing there. 
The request from Maria, though, stirred the embers and he was quickly ready
to don the sheath.  He rolled it on and then walked over to Maria.  She
hadn't moved so it was very easy to simply walk up to her and place his
cock at her entrance.  He leaned over her as he slowly entered.  Maria's
eyes widened as her pussy was spread with Jose's engorged cock.  He leaned
down to kiss her lips as he slid completely to the hilt.  He lifted his
head and looked in Maria's eyes.  She had so much love in her eyes.  It was
a bittersweet look that said "I don't deserve you." and he returned a smile
that said "Oh yes you do."

She pulled him to her and slowly rocked her hips.  He felt the motion and
responded.  It was a nice slow loving motion.  Each looking into their
lover's eyes conveying their feelings.  The motion continued like that for
a bit but human sexuality is not to be tamed and with each new sensation an
escalation of passion brought more.  Soon Jose could feel the contraction
of Maria's milking of his cock while he was working deeper to fill her and
then withdrawing to his extremity to thrill her. Maria still had her eyes
on Jose's but was now saying "ah ah ah" with each thrust and withdrawal. 
She swallowed hard and had a furtive look on her face as she started to
whisper something inaudible to Jose.  He tried to hear and she tried to
repeat it. and then one more time but this time "GOD JOSE I LOVE YOU!" as
she pulled him tight against her and wickedly thrust her pussy toward him. 
Her cry of love was more than he could take as he exploded and filled her
with himself.

Hugging the two lovers kissed each other's ears, necks, and faces.  Finally
Maria said "You've got to go Jose."

Jose knew this was not Maria's choice and bravely complied.  They dressed
in silence and Maria said "I wish there was some way I could see you this
weekend but my mother would never permit it."

"I know.  We'll have Monday won't we?"

"Oh yes Jose.  I want you every day!"

She walked him to the door and kissed him goodbye.  It seemed she had just
closed the door when she heard a car pull up.  OH DEAR GOD! Not Mama!

Maria looked out the window and saw it was her mother but saw that Jose was
already across the street.  He must have seen her signal to turn into the
driveway and pretended he was stopped to let her pass!  God is he smart! 
God was that close!

Maria ran upstairs to try to clean up.  Please don't let her come upstairs
God!  Maria quickly pulled on her sweatshirt and pulled on her jeans. 
That's weird!  The jeans slipped on easily.  Usually it was a struggle to
pull them on.  Hmmm.  She'll have to look into that.  She gathered up her
new clothes and hid them in the laundry bag she had hidden in her closet. 
Her mother will probably sleep in tomorrow morning and Maria can wash the
clothes then.

She looked around the room and noticed the flowers.  Oh god!  If she comes
up here I'm dead meat!  Maria decided she better meet her mother downstairs
rather than risk her coming up to her room.

She went downstairs and nonchalantly said "Hi Mama.  Did you have a good
week?"

"Yes, but I am glad it's a weekend!  I think I'm just going to sleep all
weekend.  Unfortunately I've got laundry to do."

Maria panicked.  She didn't want to compete for the washing machine and
have her mother find her clothes. "Hey, I'll get it.  Just leave it out in
the hallway and I'll do it.  I've got some to do to so it's no bother."

"Thanks Maria.  That's nice of you."

"Don't be silly.  You do so much for me and I've got to do some anyway."

"Well I still think it's sweet.  Come here, let me give you a hug."

Maria hugged her mother tentatively and was afraid she would smell the sex
on her but her mother didn't say anything.  Maria realized that she would
have to take showers after Jose left just to be safe.  That means no sex on
Fridays.  Maria momentarily thought about the Catholic restriction of no
meat on Fridays and giggled at the implications.

"What's funny Maria?" her mother asked.

"Oh nothing, just thinking about something silly at school."

"How is school?"

"Good, my Math teacher told me I was doing a good job today."

"Really? You were struggling in Math weren't you?"

"Yes, but someone explained how things worked and now it's easier to
understand."

"That's great.  Say, why don't we celebrate and go out for dinner.  Nothing
fancy but at least we'll get someone else to cook and do the dishes."

"That sounds great Mama.  I don't get to see very much of you.  Let's have
girl's night out!"

"OK, let me just wash up and then we'll go out."

Maria and her mother went out that night and had a wonderful time.  It
seemed so much easier to talk when they went out than when they were home. 
They didn't know why but they both noticed it.

At one point Theressa said to Maria "Have you lost weight?  You look like
you did.  You also look like you have more energy."

Maria thought about her jeans slipping on easily and how they didn't feel
tight now and said "Gee, maybe I did.  I noticed my jeans slipped on easier
tonight - I mean today.  Maybe its the walks I've been taking with Sammy. 
We've been walking faster than we normally do.  Hmmm, I'll have to check
when I get home."

"Well you look good Maria.  You also look like you've been happier this
past week than you've been in a long time.  I'm glad to see that."

"Thanks Mama.  That makes me feel good.  I guess feeling healthier makes me
happier." The two 'girls' smiled and held hands enjoying the rest of the
evening together.

When they got home Maria reminded her mother to put her laundry outside her
room so Maria didn't disturb her in the morning.  "You can sleep in Mama."

"Thanks again Maria."

The sight of the flowers made Maria think of Jose when she went to bed. 
She would have thought of Jose anyway but might have succumbed to earthly
wanton thoughts but the flowers gave her a loftier perspective that
inspired her to dream heavenly wanton thoughts...

Chapter 10

The flowers welcomed Maria to the new day.  Maria had no idea how to
explain the flowers to her mother so hoped her mother wouldn't come
upstairs.  Maria wasn't going to throw the flowers away even if it meant
getting caught.  The flowers meant too much to her.

Maria got up and stripped off her bedding. She took her new clothes down to
the washing machine which was in the kitchen.  She would do those first so
they would be done before her mother got up.  She would put her bedding in
the washing machine when her new clothes were in the dryer.  That way the
bedding may not be dry when her mother gets up but at least they will be
clean.

She looked to make sure her mother's bedroom door was closed and then took
her new clothes and quickly put them in the washing machine.  Technically
she probably should separate the articles into a couple of different loads
but she couldn't afford the risk.  She didn't think anything would get
ruined if she used a gentle cycle.  She started the wash and went upstairs
to listen to her music.

When she got upstairs she remembered last night's conversation about losing
weight and decided to check her weight.  She had gotten out of the habit of
checking because it was always so depressing. In fact, the last time she
checked her weight is the day the bitches called her a fat pig. She had
this irrational hope that they were wrong and she really weighed less than
she thought. She had been crushed when she saw she was heavier still. Her
weight always went up - never down.

When she stepped on the scale she couldn't believe her eyes. She had lost
seven pounds in the last week!  How did that happen?  She hadn't changed
her diet.  She still ate the same stuff.  Actually that wasn't true.  When
she was home alone she would nibble all evening, mostly out of loneliness
and frustration.  This week she didn't remember doing that - she had
'other' things on her mind. She smiled at the thought.  There was also the
fast walks with Sammy.  That probably helped but this made her wonder why
the pace of the walks increased.  She finally concluded that she had more
energy because she was happier and the more energy she had the more she
used.  She moved quicker, she was more excited about things, and, of
course, there was the sex!  Oh yeah, THAT took a LOT of energy!  Wow, the
changes this week were far greater than she would have ever expected.

She couldn't wait until she saw Jack to tell him about it.  She hoped Tina
would be around to.  She missed Tina.  She wanted to tell Tina about the
sex.

She went downstairs to check on the washing machine and the cycle had
completed so she put the clothes in the dryer and then put the bedding in
the washing machine.  Once the smells of sex were being washed out of her
bedding Maria relaxed.  She was now home free.

She went back upstairs to listen to her music.  Maria had been grooving to
her tunes for a while when some movement caught her eye.  She saw Jack and
Tina in the pool and Joe was there talking to them as well.  Oh boy!  I'm
going to go over and talk to them.

She quickly ran downstairs and out the back door.  She didn't notice her
mother making coffee in the kitchen.

Maria ran over to Jack's and ran through the fence saying "Hey Jack!  Oh
Hey Tina!  I'm glad you're back!  Hey Joe."

Joe roared.  "Hey Maria, welcome.  Pull up a chair.  We were just about to
have a nice little visit with Jack and Tina here."

Maria thought Joe's behavior seemed exaggerated and she looked at Jack and
Tina.  That's when she noticed that Jack and Tina were naked!

Maria was really surprised and then understood Joe's game.  She laughed and
pulled up a chair saying "Gee, thanks!  I don't mind if I do."

Maria said "Tina, why don't you come out.  I would like to tell you all
about this week."

Joe added "Yeah, Tina, you can sit right next to me." Maria thought this
was pretty funny and would have liked to see that scene.

After a long pause Jack said "Maria, as your employer I'm asking you to go
get a couple of towels for Tina and me."

Maria looked around and roared "Gee, you guys don't even have towels out
here?"  She looked at Joe and said with exaggerated surprise "Joe, they
don't even have towels out here.  That doesn't seem like very good planning
does it?" 

Joe slapped his leg loving how Maria was joining in the fun.

Joe replied "I don't know Maria.  It depends on what they were planning. 
If, for example, they were planning to entertain us then I'd say it was
excellent planning!"  Maria cracked up heartily agreeing with Joe's
assessment.

Maria added "Jack, I think you're not being a very good host.  Joe is
sitting here and you haven't offered him a drink."

Joe cracked up "Yeah Jack.  I think you should bring a round for all of
us."

Maria and Joe were laughing their asses off and slapping each other.  High
fiving on each jab they gave Jack and Tina and having a grand old time at
their expense. 

Maria stopped laughing when she saw Jack start walking to the shallow end
of the pool.  Was he really going to climb out of the pool naked?  God!  I
have to see this!

As Jack slowly walked to the shallow end of the pool Maria was completely
focused on the still submerged part of his anatomy when they all heard the
fence gate slam.  Jack dropped down into the water and they all turned and
saw Theressa standing at the entrance to the pool.

"OH CHRIST!" Maria panicked! She could see her mother was mad!  She knew
her mother was not going to be happy about her over at Jack's with him
naked in the pool. She ran into Jack's house.  As the door closed she heard
Jack say "Hi Theressa!  How are you?"

Maria didn't hear what went on after that but did hear the fence gate slam
closed.  She was physically shaking with fear.  All the good things that
happened this week would be gone.  She wanted to die!

Joe ran into the house.  Maria looked at him and he saw the fear in her
eyes.  "It will be all right Maria.  I'm going to bring some towels and
robes to Jack and Tina and then I'll come back inside. OK?"

Maria just nodded - too frightened to speak.

Joe disappeared into Jack's bedroom and then quickly flew through to drop
them off by the pool.  He then came back inside the house and immediately
headed for Maria and put his arms around her.

He gently rocked her and said "It will be all right.  Jack will smooth
things over with you mom."

"NO HE WON'T!  SHE HATES HIM!  SHE HATES ME!  SHE DOESN'T WANT ME TO BE
HAPPY!" Maria cried out and starting sobbing heavily. Joe was scared by the
physical reaction that Maria was having.  She was shivering uncontrollably. 
Christ she had to be frightened.  He just rocked her and gently rubbed her
back.

They stood like that for a while and Maria kept looking outside to see what
was happening.  Joe thought it would be OK if they waited with Tina. "Let's
go wait with Tina."  Maria nodded and they went outside.  Tina looked at
them and Joe mouthed "What's going on?"

Tina shrugged and whispered "I don't know but Theressa is really mad about
something.  She was screaming at Jack a little while ago.  I haven't heard
anything in a while.  I'm afraid to look."

Tina looked at Maria and gave her a kiss "Don't worry Maria, we'll make
sure your mother understands you haven't done anything wrong."  Tina rubbed
Maria's back as well but let Joe continue to hold her.  Joe looked like he
was doing a good job comforting her.

After a little while Jack and Theressa came to the gate and Jack said
"Tina, would you be willing to talk to Theressa about Maria?"

"Sure Jack, I'd love to." she said with a concerned smile.  She searched
Jack's face for clues as to what she should say but he had a poker face. 
Tina and Theressa went back into Theressa's yard and Jack joined Joe and
Maria.

Jack looked at Maria and saw she was completely petrified and was shaking. 
Joe was holding her and gently rubbing her back to comfort her.  Joe and
Maria looked at Jack expectantly.  He shrugged and simply said "Um, there
is a misunderstanding." He looked directly into Joe's eyes to tell him to
leave it at that for the moment. Joe understood Jack's reluctance to
discuss it in front of Maria so didn't press it.  Maria was too scared to
press it.

They waited for a long time and finally Joe hugged Maria and said to her
"Have you had breakfast?"  Maria meekly shook her head no and Joe said
"Well I make a mean flapjack.  Would you like some?"

Maria had no idea what a flapjack was but didn't want to let go of Joe.  He
was her anchor.  She would float away and would be forever lost without him
to hold on to.  She agreed to go just to be with him.

Joe brought Maria inside and said "First we're going to fix 'Uncle Jack' a
little wake up call.  How does that sound?" Maria wasn't quite sure what
Joe was suggesting but she could see the sparkle in his eyes and it was
infectious. She relaxed and wanted to share a joke with Joe - whatever it
was.  She nodded.

Joe made an elaborate production of getting tomato juice, pepper sauce -
the really hot one, spices, horse radish, vodka, and black pepper.  He
started mixing the concoction like he was a mad scientist making some kind
of secret formula.  It was silly but every once in a while Maria would
giggle despite her fears. 

She finally said "God, you don't like Jack very much do you." 

Joe laughed at the joke but then looked at Maria and said with complete
seriousness "I love Jack and I love his friends Maria."  The message wasn't
lost on her and it warmed her.  He changed his tone and said "This magic
elixir will turn man into beast - no, sorry, it's the other way around."
Maria giggled again.

She asked "Does this elixir have a name?"

"Some call it Bloody Mary but I prefer to think of it as simply 'wake up
potion'.  Wanna try it?"

"Um, no thank you. I saw how much hot sauce you put in there."

"Yeah!  Would you bring this to the beast?  I'll start gathering the
flapjack charms."

Maria nodded and took the drink out to Jack who was pacing by the pool.

She said "Joe thought you might need this."  "It's a Bloody Mary" she added
as an afterthought. 

Jack thanked her and took a sip "Christ almighty! That's spicy and potent." 

Jack looked at Maria who had a sly smile on her face and said "Um, sorry
Maria.  Please tell Joe that I thank him for removing all of my taste buds
in a single sip."

Maria cracked up and said "I like your friend Joe.  He's a good guy." and
she went back to the house to have flapjacks with Joe.

When she went back inside Joe asked "Did he like it?"

Maria said "I think he said something about murdering a friend."

"Ah, then I'm safe."

Maria cracked up again.  Joe was busy mixing up some batter.  He looked at
her when it was clear she was wondering what was in it.  "My secret
recipe."

"Um, you don't have any hot sauce in there do you?"

Joe grinned "Maria!  Don't you trust me?"

"With some things Joe."

He looked at her and nodded "That's good Maria.  It's a good attitude.  We
can trust all people to some extent.  We need to train ourselves to be able
to know what those extents are."

Maria understood and nodded.

"OK, so here's what we do.  We heat up this pan and pour some batter to
make a disk.  Then when one side is cooked we 'flip' the flapjack.  Got
it?"

"'flip'?"

"Yeah, that's the fun part. You'll see. OK, the pan is hot enough.  You
want to pour?  Just pour enough to make about a 4 inch circle."

Maria took the batter and poured a bit in and watched it spread out almost
perfectly round. Maria wasn't sure if it was four inches.

"Wow!  I thought you said you hadn't done this before.  Clearly you are a
professional from the world renowned International Institute of Flapjacks!"

"Joe!"

"Sorry, I get a little carried away when I'm with beautiful women."

Maria blushed.

"OK, it's ready to 'flip'  I'll show you the first one and you can do the
next one OK?"

Maria nodded. Joe extravagantly waved his hand around in preparation for
his 'flip' then grabbed the pan and in one fluid motion moved the pan
upwards and then flipped the pan and the disk came flying straight up
slowly turning over and over and then came back down and landed batter side
down in the pan.

Maria was amazed.  How did it land on the right side.  She applauded.  Joe
bowed. "Joe that's amazing! How did you do that?"

"It's all in the wrist." He winked at her.

They let it cook a couple of minutes and put it on a plate. Maria poured
another and watched carefully while it bubbled and she could see it turn
brown on the lower edges. 

"OK, it's the moment of truth! Are you ready?"

Maria grimaced but nodded.  She grabbed the handle and brought the pan
upward and flipped just like she saw Joe.  The circle rose upward turning
slowly just like Joe's and kept rising and turning slowly hit batter side
against the ceiling.  It stuck there.  Maria looked at Joe, he looked at
her. Finally he said "Whoops!"  Maria roared with laughter!  Not only
because this was so much fun but she was now conditioned by the private
joke that she and Jose had.  Joe was laughing too.  Suddenly the flap jack
released from the ceiling and fell straight down into the pan.

"Hmmm, maybe we need some more practice." Joe suggested.

Maria poured some more batter and when it was ready took a deep breath. 
She raised the pan, flipped her wrist, the flapjack rose, slowly turning
over and over.  Maria thought Oh no! It's going to hit the ceiling again
but it stopped rising just short of the ceiling and, still turning, fell
toward the pan. It landed with a smack perfectly centered and batter side
down.

Maria jumped up and down and was about to say something to Joe when she
heard applause and cheers from the door.  She looked over and saw Jack,
Tina, and her mother laughing and cheering.  OH GOD! An incredible wave of
relief flowed over her seeing her mother standing there with her friends
and SMILING!  Then another wave of emotion hit her as she looked up at the
ceiling and thought Jack was going to kill her for making a mess of the
ceiling.  Joe leaned over and whispered "Don't worry about it Maria.  Jack
has to remodel the kitchen anyway so the place can be fixed up when their
baby comes."

Maria was surprised and so happy for Jack and Tina. She looked at Joe and
said "Really?"  He nodded and she said in a dreamy voice "That's nice."

Joe and Maria made flapjacks for the others.  Not too many flapjacks
survived the whole process but they sure had a good time doing it.

Maria found out that her mother had found her new clothes in the dryer and
saw the flowers in her bedroom.  She didn't know all the conversations that
went on between Jack, Tina, and her mother but her mother hugged her and
told her she was sorry for how she had mistreated her.  Maria said "Mama,
you tried to be good for me.  I know you love me and I love you."

"So will you show me all your new clothes?"

"Oh yes Mama, they're so beautiful."

"Um, are you going to explain why your new underwear is so skimpy?"

Maria blushed but said "Well I wouldn't have picked them either but Tina
explained how they were comfortable and make the dresses look better."

"I'm sure." her mother said knowingly.

"And will you introduce me to the boy who gave you flowers?"

Maria was shocked her mother knew about Jose.  A look of panic spread
across her face.

Her mother looked her in the eyes and asked "Maria, is he a good boy?"

"Yes Mama.  He is a wonderful boy.  He is smart, he helped me with my Math,
and he is very nice to me."

"I think you like him?"

"Si, I like him very much."

"Then we should have him over for dinner one night next week." Theressa
said as a statement, not as a question.

"Yes Mama" Maria said with a big grin.

They had a backyard cookout that evening and there was non-stop laughing. 
Joe was on a roll. Maria heard Jack tell Tina that Joe must like Maria
because he was unusually entertaining that night.  Tina looked back at Jack
and shaking her head laughed "You men!  What makes you think he's
entertaining Maria?" she said knowingly.

Jack looked at Joe and then saw that Theressa was watching him intently and
laughing loudly.  They saw Joe turn to Theressa and say "Theressa, you have
such a sexy smile."

They had been listening to some music from a local radio station and a nice
salsa piece came on.  Joe reached his hand out to Theressa and asked her to
dance.  She tried to beg off but was forced to play along when everyone
else encouraged her.  Maria was thinking this was going to be pretty funny
since her mother didn't dance.

Joe started leading Theressa and it was immediately clear that Joe was an
excellent dancer. Maria was getting excited just watching him. What really
surprised Maria, however, was that although her mother was clumsy for the
first few steps she was soon swinging seductively with the music.  The
longer the dance went on the more her mother improved.  Maria realized that
her mother must have been a great dancer when she was Maria's age and just
hasn't danced since.  Maria felt a wave of sadness fill her thinking how
much of her mother's life had been lost due to the one tragedy in her life.
Maria was pulled out of her funk when she realized how much fun her mother
was finally having and soon they were all cheering and whistling Theressa
and Joe through their mesmerizing moves.  Everyone, including Theressa, was
disappointed when the music ended.

Joe was excited.  He said "You are a great dancer Theressa!  Do you want to
go dancing sometime?"

A look of fear flared on her face and everyone could see Theressa shrink
back into her shell.  Joe didn't yield and an idea came to him. "We could
bring Maria and her boyfriend so they can learn how to dance.  You know, a
double date."

Maria's heart leapt.  Theressa looked at Joe and then at Maria.  She knew
then that Joe was only asking her to dance.  This was not a trick.  She
also saw Maria's eyes light up and remembered how much fun Maria had with
Joe earlier.  Theressa had so much to learn.  She looked at Joe, smiled,
and said "Yes, Joe, we would love to go dancing with you."

LHD

  
spm_00