Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Sorcerer: The Inner Circle by BJohn
   Chapters 1 - 10 01/28/07
   ------
   *Author's note:* It's really okay if I seem to bad-mouth Akron, Ohio; I
went K-12 and 4 years of college at Kent State University.  Then again, it
was 30+ years ago.  KSU was fine then.  A reader has told me since that
Akron's now a pretty decent place.  Great!
   There's day and dates scattered throughout to help you keep the timeline
straight.  It's the 2005 - 2006 calendar so that's the story's time
setting. You won't find a lot of "current events" such as the Iraq war and
Hurricane Katrina; those really have no bearing on the story.
   Acknowledgements: Thank you to the many readers on SOL who gave me
constructive feedback and caught a lot of my typos.  Thank you to my
several editors and proofreaders for their sharp eyes.  Thank you to L. 
Ron Hubbard, whose philosophy forms the basis for many of the ideas you
find here.
   Relax and enjoy; may you ladies experience the Sorcerer's Grip!
   ------
   Chapter 1
   BOB REYNOLDS (Wednesday 9/7)
   Well, first day of school.  I was looking forward to seeing what I could
learn in the Senior classes.  Even in the most boring required classes, I
can pick up something useful.  Some viewpoint or some bit of information I
can put together with something else.
   "Hey, The Sherry!" She looked good after the summer.  Need to do some
catching up.
   She grinned at me.  "Sorcerer!  Righteous Bob!  High-Five!"
   "Yess!" We smacked our hands together.  The Sherry's really good people
- half-Spanish, shoulder-length shiny black hair, about 5' 6", very
nice-looking with a great figure -- and *smart.* We'd dated a couple times
last school year, but there hadn't been totally the right kind of chemistry
between us.
   We called her "The" Sherry because George and I believed she was truly
unique.  Of course, we frequently told her it was a Real Good Thing she
*was* unique -- the world couldn't handle more than one of her!
   Turned out we and George had all the Honors classes together, so we
hustled to our first period and snagged our usual seats in the front row.
   I saw someone I didn't recognize, which is unusual for me.  I nudged
Sherry.  "The girl by the windows -- you know her?"
   She whispered back, "Trust you to notice the girls first.  I don't know
her; she must be a..."
   "Newbie!" we whispered together.
   She looked alert and paid attention to everything.  Nice-looking neck.
Gloriously-long, glossy, jet-black hair in a pony tail.  When she turned
her head, I saw lovely white skin and freckles.  Black Irish!  She was
yummy!
   ------
   SHERRY STAPLEY
   Bob and I waylaid her outside the classroom.  Always subtle, I asked,
"Hello, we don't recognize you.  You new here?"
   She replied promptly, with a wide smile and a good amount of Irish
accent, "Oh, yea.  New kid on the block, in the school, in Burbank and in
California."
   Sticking my hand out, I told her, "Well, welcome to McCambridge High
School.  I'm Sherry."
   She took it promptly and said, "Natalie Shanahan." We looked each other
over.  She was tall, had glossy jet-black hair in the standard pony tail,
pleasant face, freckles and no makeup or jewelry.  But oh those clothes! 
Long, baggy, hide-it-all.  Hmm, might need some attention there.
   Turning towards Bob, I told her, "And this is..."
   He reached his hand out and told her, "Bob Reynolds." She readily
grasped his, and they stood there looking at each other.  Now I've known
Bob for years, and he always just does a quick shake and release with
someone new.  Not this time; they just stood gazing at each other.  What's
happening here?
   I smacked him with my elbow.  "You can let go, Bob.  She's not gonna
disappear right in front of you."
   "Oh." He blinked his eyes and shook his head a bit.  He dropped her
hand, almost reluctantly, and stepped back.
   Natalie got her hand back, pinked up and grinned a little.  She said
softly, "No, I'm here for the duration."
   I frowned at him a moment.  What's up with him?  Anyway, I had a new
person to handle.
   I told her, "Don't worry too much about him.  He's been a little slow
ever since his last girl friend smacked him in the head with a ball bat. 
We've had the hardest time trying to teach him how to hit on girls
politely."
   She looked at him as if she didn't care *how* he hit on her, just so he
*did*.
   I continued, "Anyway, our tradition is we escort newcomers to the
cafeteria for lunch so they don't get lost.  So, care to join us?"
   She gave us a devastatingly brilliant smile.  "I'd love to."
   I saw her glance over at Bob -- and a set of nipples popped up hard
under her shirt.  Uh, oh, Bob's in trouble!
   ------
   BOB
   Jaysus, I've never been this much out of it with anyone, even when I've
been (only once) drunk on my ass.  When I took her hand and looked into her
eyes, I felt as if I'd fallen into a pool of warm, sweet water.  We'd
spiritually merged together as if it were the most natural thing in the
world to do.  I couldn't move.
   ------
   NATALIE SHANAHAN
   Newbie, newbie, new.  Well, I'd visited Nana and Seanathair -- Mom's
parents -- in Glendale before, but California is definitely different from
Ohio.  I was born and raised in Akron, the "Prophylactic Capital of the
World." Yeh, it's a joke.  Akron is the "Rubber Capital of the World" where
most of the major tire manufacturers live.  We'd moved into our new house
in Burbank in time to do the first round of school-counselor interviews to
get my classes set up.
   My stepfather, Don, had gotten a teacher's position at McCambridge High
School in Burbank where I'd be going.  I certainly hoped Mom would do
better in a new place where she wouldn't be reminded all the time of what
had happened to her.
   Oh, God.  The first day of school, as a Senior.  I'd not had time to get
too nervous, but now it was happening.  Don and I walked in; he went
directly to his classroom while I moved onto my first class.  Fortunately,
I'd had time last week to roam the halls and find the classrooms after I'd
met with the Counselor, and we'd made up my schedule.
   The kids here looked pretty happy for the first day of school.  The
school was in good condition with the standard trophy display cases and
banners welcoming the students back.  Students!  That's me, too.
   The kids at the school I'd been at in Ohio had been pretty degraded. 
Don mentioned he'd seen the attitude getting poorer over the last several
years.  This school seemed different somehow, generally a lot more happy
and enthusiastic.  For right now, I could only hope.
   My first class went pretty well.  It was the routine first-day stuff
with the teacher telling us how she graded, passing out books, all the
routine stuff.
   Right after class, a couple walked up to me.  The girl asked if I was
new here.  Of course I said I was new to everything, even California.  She
didn't blink an eye, stuck out her hand and introduced herself.
   I took her hand.  She was a really cute Hispanic-looking young lady,
with a lot of self-confidence.  She was neatly dressed without overdoing
anything; I wished I could wear clothes like she had, but oh, well.  She
introduced the guy -- Bob Reynolds.
   He stepped forward and put out his hand.  As I put out my hand to his, I
saw he was a couple inches taller than me.  It's always nice to look up a
bit.  He had the Black Irish look like me.
   I took his hand, looked at his blue-green eyes and got totally lost.  I
just couldn't move.  It felt as if every warm-and-fuzzy feeling I'd ever
had filled me up.  I have no idea how long we just stood there holding
hands, looking at each other and joining our souls together.
   Sherry finally smacked him one with her elbow and said something.  Bob
shook his head as if he'd been dazed and we dropped back.  I knew I was
blushing but hoped I wasn't acting too dumb.  We said something and stepped
back.
   Sherry looked at him, kind of puzzled.  Uh, oh.  Did she think I was
trying to make a move on her boyfriend?
   Anyway, it was all a blur for a few minutes, and I found myself agreeing
to have lunch with them.  I glanced at Bob and...  Oh.  My.  God.  My
nipples had tightened up, and it really hadn't been sexual at all.
   It turned out Bob was in all my Honors classes in the morning, and
either Sherry or someone named George was in all my classes.  Looked as if
I had an escort.
   ------
   SHERRY
   Bob and I picked up Natalie after the last morning class and walked to
the cafeteria.  We normally brown-bagged it (no offense to the cafeteria
food, it was actually pretty decent), and I noticed Natalie did, too.
   We got to our normal foursome table.  I got Natalie seated across from
me and motioned Bob to sit beside her.  Being the good boy he was, he took
the hint and sat down in his "proper place." Well, if there was going to be
something going on between them, I was certainly willing to help it out.
   I'd known Bob for years.  We'd dated a couple times with a bit of
kissy-face, but we agreed we'd do great as friends.  There probably
wouldn't be any romantic relationship between us; in fact, I was a bit
cautious of him because of his strength.
   Natalie looked a little puzzled when Bob sat down beside her instead of
beside me.  Oh!  She though Bob and I were together!  I was about to
correct that impression when George came up with his lunch and plumped down
on the seat beside me.
   George was looking really good.  We'd gone out a couple times a week at
least over the summer and here he was now.  We three high-fived and got all
excited about being together again.  George and I eyeballed each other
pretty good, too.  I noticed Bob seeing it; he doesn't miss much.
   Bob took the lead in introducing Natalie to George as the "new resident
of our illustrious school" and said, "And you'd better make a good
impression on her, George."
   George put on his mock hurt-puppy look and joked, "Yes, boss.  Don't
beat me again, boss.  I'll be good, boss." He grinned at Natalie and said,
"Welcome to the best high school in California!"
   Bob mentioned they called me, "The Sherry," and why.  Natalie grinned up
a storm.
   While they were shaking hands, Bob waved his hand between George and me
while telling Natalie, "These two are 'doing a line together' like a couple
of courting peacocks."
   George and I did our letch acts and leered at each other.  I said, "Hmm,
together, eh?  I guess we'll have to try it out."
   George laughed and said, "Oh, yeh!" We eyeballed each other and slid our
shoulders and hips together on the seat.  We leaned our heads together and,
at the same time, sighed, "Mmmm," while laughing at Natalie.
   Bob just shook his head in mock-disbelief and told Natalie, "You've got
to keep an eye on these two."
   ------
   NATALIE
   Sherry really puzzled me when she sat across from me at the lunch table
and had Bob sit beside me.  What had I missed?  I'd been sure the two of
them were together.
   Then George showed up.  He and Sherry "fell in love" right there.  Well,
I guess it handled the question of whether or not Bob and Sherry were
together.
   While we ate our brown-bags, we chattered about the school, teachers,
what events were going on, who was going with whom and all the rest of the
high-school stuff.  I kept glancing over at Bob.  He felt really nice
besides being Black Irish like my family; he had just the right amount of
Irish accent.
   One thing I noticed right away was all the gossip was nice.  There
wasn't a hint of anything bad about anyone.  Now back at my Ohio school,
all the gossip would have been about how so-and-so dumped such-and-such,
which girls were whores, who was sleeping with who and all those nasty
tidbits.  Not with these people.  Such a relief!  In Ohio I usually ate
lunch alone because of the nasty gossip everywhere, but here...  I was
determined to stay with these guys if they'd let me.
   Bob and Sherry would rattle off at each other for a bit in Spanish every
once in a while; sounded like they were discussing her family.  I didn't
know much Spanish, but Spanish with an Irish accent?
   After we were all pretty much done eating, Bob rapped the table lightly
with his knuckles and said, "Okay, folks, the Inquisition is in session."
George and Sherry immediately stopped laughing and joking and looked
serious.  I felt three pairs of eyes looking at me intently.
   Bob said, "Natalie, we're going to put you to The Question."
   Oh shit, what's going on?  The Inquisition and The Question I knew about
from history.  Were we going to get into some kind of religious stuff?  I
got a sinking sensation in my stomach but tried to put on a good front.
   With a totally solemn face, Bob said, "Natalie, we need to know what to
do with you.  For one thing, we've noticed this morning you're in all our
Honors classes.  Are you a nerd and a brain, a socialite, or somewhere in
between?"
   Huh?  This sure wasn't a question about religion!  I just looked at all
of them for a bit.  I wasn't sure what they expected as an answer but
realized they weren't looking for any "correct" answer.  They just looked
interested and willing to accept anything I'd say.  I had the feeling my
answer would heavily influence my stay at McCambridge.
   I finally got out, "Well, I'm way towards the nerd end, but I can dance
a little bit?" kind of questioning at the end with a bit of a smile.
   They laughed at once and Bob said, "Great answer!" and beamed at me as
if I were his prize pupil acing the exams.  I immediately lost any sick
feeling I'd had and laughed with them.
   Smiling, Bob said to me, "Well then, how about you hang with us for a
few days.  We'll introduce you around to folks, see what and who you like,
and at least get you acclimated to this way station in the path to higher
education.  Okay with you?"
   Jaysus, *would* it be okay!  My first day here and someone -- no,
several very nice someones -- offering to help me get oriented?  No way
would I pass that up!
   I blurted out, "Definitely okay with me!" My face put on its best
ear-to-ear smile.
   Bob and I looked at each other again.  I got lost in the warm feeling,
and we just sat there looking at each other, feeling wrapped around and
through each other.
   After forever I heard George and Sherry laughing.  Sherry said, "Okay,
okay, OK!  Don't make me get out the water buckets!"
   Bob and I finally broke eye contact and I came out of my daze or
whatever it was.  We glanced at each other a few times, shrugged a little
and grinned.
   What was I feeling for this guy?  I barely knew him and I was getting
all mushy.  I knew I couldn't get into it too much with my family situation
the way it was, but God, the feeling was so strong!  Jaysus, I was even
crinkled up again, and it felt as if I'd wet my panties!
   Fortunately or unfortunately, lunch period was almost over.  I had to
duck into the bathroom to stuff TP in my panties so I wouldn't drip all
over and let everyone know how much I was in heat.
   ------
   SHERRY
   I managed to get Natalie off to the side just before the last period. 
We girl-talked about how the classes were and how the teachers came across.
   I asked her, "Could you use a bit of unsolicited advice?"
   She responded, "Well, I'll certainly listen.  Whether or not I'll take
it is another question."
   I said, "Okay, here's the deal.  Bob, George and I are part of the Brain
Trust -- the tutors -- around here.  We're all nerds, but some of us can
dance a little, too." I grinned at her and she laughed.
   "We try to match up people as close as possible.  If you'd been more
towards the socialite end, we'd get you introduced ASAP into that crowd. 
You'd still have been welcome around us; we're not some snobbish clique or
nerdy bunch of brats.  Yes, there are some of the snobbish types around,
but they're few and far between.
   "As you've probably guessed by now, Bob is pretty much our leader;
people often call him The Sorcerer because he always seems to come up with
some magic to make something go right.
   "The actual advice is that you find a girl-who-is-a-friend and a
boy-who-is-a-friend.  We're not trying to get you a boyfriend...  yet. 
With a girl friend and a boy friend, you've got pretty much everything
covered; you've got someone to talk with about pretty much anything.  Make
sense?"
   ------
   NATALIE
   I told her, "Makes total sense to me." I hesitated then asked, "Sherry,
would you be my girl-who-is-a-friend?"
   She laughed and said, "I'd be honored to be such a friend; a girl who
can rock Bob back on his heels like you have has *got* to have some class."
She held up her hand and we high-fived.  Had never gotten even one of those
back in Ohio!
   She continued, "With your personality, you'll get along fine.  You're
gonna have plenty of friends." Personality?  Shit, I'd better see if one
had fallen into my purse somewhere.  Back in Ohio I'd been just another
nerdy girl.
   I finally calmed down enough to ask, "Is Bob attached?  With what he's
got going for him, he's probably got 15 or 20 girls on a string."
   Sherry sobered up only a little.  "Bob's dated only a little bit.  I've
dated him before, but there doesn't seem to be the right kind of chemistry
between us -- you know what I mean.  You'll learn about the Bob Seal of
Approval sometime, but it has little to do with a serious relationship.  I
don't think Bob's ever been in a serious relationship since I've known him.
   "Don't get me wrong, Bob really appreciates women.  He's got the normal
guy's appreciation of T and A, but he's still looking for Miss Right and
isn't going to settle for anything else.  No, he's not attached."
   I asked, "Do you think Bob would want to be my boy-who-is-a-friend?"
   Sherry looked at me seriously now.  "I saw what happened between you two
twice now.  That's never happened to him before so far as I know.  Girls
have had crushes on him before, but he's never had an interest for someone.
He's *always* treated them with dignity and respect and has managed to
divert them to someone who fits their personality without offending them in
any way.
   "In this case, from what I've seen, it's probable he'll say yes.  In the
worst case, we'll introduce you to someone else who fits you as a friend,
and you won't get hurt.  All I can say right now is to ask him."
   ------
   DON MATTHEWS
   Ana Shanahan and I met about 6 years ago and got married a year after.
Ana was a great girl for me and we hit it off perfectly.
   Samuel Shanahan, her previous husband, died in a military accident about
10 years ago.  Of course she missed him, she's human after all, but it's
never been an issue between us.  Yes, I've held her while she cried out
more of her grief, but it's both my job and my privilege as a husband.
   Ana's daughter Natalie was a fine young lady.  She inherited Ana's Black
Irish looks and accent, and in a few years it'll be hard to tell who's the
mother and who's the daughter.
   Natalie called me Don, and when she felt particularly in need of a
father, Dad.  I couldn't have asked for a better relationship with any
offspring.
   Through my contacts and referrals in the Ohio school, I was able to get
a teaching job at McCambridge -- Chemistry and Physics.  It has an Honors
program, but I didn't have the seniority to get any of those classes yet.
   So, we were in a new state, new town, new school and hopefully a new
life.  After Ohio, the fresh start and environment would help.
   Ana, Natalie and I met with Rose Baer, the Women's Counselor, both all
together and individually.  Rose is definitely aware of Ana's problem, and
is tight-mouthed enough so it wouldn't get around.
   Natalie got into all the Honors classes available to her as a Senior. 
Her GPA was more than sufficient, but it didn't hurt I'd gotten
rave-recommendation letters from her Ohio teachers before we left.  Bless
our little nerdette, she's a sweetheart.
   Natalie, Ana and I all agreed on the policy that Natalie would be at
school and home only with no dating or extra-curricular activities.  Ana
cried over it, but her fear was still too great to be able to worry (as
mothers do) over her daughter, too.
   I know Natalie didn't care for the policy but agreed to follow it.  She
understood what was going on with her mother and supported her entirely. 
She's the kind of person who may not like an agreement, but once she
agrees, she supports it wholeheartedly both in letter and spirit.  She even
volunteered to wear her hide-all clothes and no makeup or jewelry so as not
to attract attention.
   I worried about Natalie, too, but not the same way Ana did.  We trusted
her intelligence, ethics and good sense not to hook up with a bad crowd,
but at almost-eighteen, I wanted her to have a boyfriend, have fun and be a
real teenager.
   She'd never had a boyfriend in Ohio.  She'd had a few dates while we
were there, but we agreed the entire school didn't have a single guy worth
looking at.  They (and the girls) had all been into cliques, nasty gossip
and peer-pressure stuff.  Being a teacher, I heard about most of them. 
"Days of Our Lives" has nothing on *that* school.
   Even before Ana had her problem, we'd discussed moving to California. 
Both of Ana's parent's lived in Glendale (mine are both gone), and we'd
visited them a few times so we decided the move from Ohio to California was
the best for all of us.
   Rose Baer told us they did have a few little snobby cliques here and
there, but they weren't really important in the "scheme of things." We'd
discussed the school climate with her and decided to give it our best shot.
   Ana and Natalie got the new house set up while I went to school and got
my classes, schedules and programs set up.  I was at the house when the
movers brought all the furniture in, so it wasn't any problem.  Ana had
locked the doors while I was gone so she'd felt safe enough.
   The first day of school, I walked Natalie in and wished her good luck.
She looked a little nervous, but then again, so was I.
   Standard first-day classes all day.  How the grading works, homework,
passing out the books; basic stuff.
   I was pleasantly surprised at the students, too.  They appeared happy,
attentive and enthusiastic.  I only saw one or two hard-metal types the
whole day.
   I mentioned this to Rose when we met in the teacher's lounge at lunch.
She just laughed and said, "Oh, we have a few secret weapons here," and
wouldn't say much more about it.
   ------
   When Natalie met me after school for the drive home, she was grinning
ear-to-ear.  I knew she was bursting to talk, but we just chatted until we
got home and could get Ana to share it, too.
   We got through all the locks on the front door, and Natalie flew in
shouting, "Mom, Mom, it's so nice!" and gave her a really happy hug.  Ana
gave us one of her rare smiles.
   Natalie just chattered away while I grinned.  "Right after my first
class this couple just *accosted* me," wiggling her eyebrows, "and welcomed
me and just *insisted* I have lunch with them."
   She giggled (and she doesn't do that much).  "Oh, my, they just put me
on the rack and made me confess.  They asked if I was a nerd or a
socialite. I finally told them I was a nerd, but I could dance a little
bit.
   "They laughed and Bob said -- Bob's sooo nice -- he said, 'Great
answer!' They told me no matter what kind I was, they'd get me hooked up
with the right people for *me*.
   "And Bob's friends with Sherry and George.  George came along right
after we got to the table -- he's a nerd too and funny.  I'd thought Bob
and Sherry were a couple, but Sherry sat me across from her next to Bob. 
George came and sat beside Sherry; they looked at each other for a bit and
Bob said, 'These two are doing a line'.  They just went into this hilarious
impression of a couple falling in love right then and there and going all
moony over it.  They're really nice.
   "Later Sherry told me they were the 'Brain Trust' and they were all
nerds, too.  She told me they always try to hook up someone new with a
girl-who-is-a-friend and a boy-who-is-a-friend; people who'd match my
personality and who I could talk with and get oriented.  I asked Sherry to
be my girl-who-is-a-friend, and she said she'd be honored, and we
high-fived and laughed and everything."
   Ana and I looked at each other and grinned...  and Ana with a grin
nowadays was a sight to cherish.  We'd not seen Natalie this happy? 
bouncy? perky?  -- all those good words -- in years.  Looked as if things
were off to a great start!
   We chatted away for another half hour or so and got dinner done.  I
contributed my few words (against lots of Natalie's) about the school's
atmosphere, the type of students I'd seen and even mentioned what Rose had
said about their "secret weapons."
   Chapter 2
   SHERRY (Thursday 9/8)
   Natalie looked really happy this morning.  George and I caught her going
to our first class so we chattered away.  Bob got in just under the bell,
but we still managed to sit together.
   Bob and I got Natalie between us so she couldn't escape (joke, just in
case you didn't notice).  She sure didn't look as if she wanted to escape.
Almost every time I glanced at them during class, they were paying
attention all right, but they were constantly touching.
   George and I do it; most couples do it without realizing.  Bob and
Natalie were doing it knowingly.  They would have their elbows together
then maybe a foot against one another's, or a shoulder.  All very light
touches, but I knew how nice those seemingly casual contacts could feel. 
The Touch Game was on!
   ------
   NATALIE
   First period was such fun!  The teacher was interesting, but Bob and I
got this little touching game going.  It was quiet and casual but nice. 
I'd ease my hand real slowly over towards him, and he'd slip his hand over
towards mine.  We'd inch towards each other for a minute then maybe the
ends of our little fingers would touch lightly; just enough to feel.
   We'd stay that way for several minutes, intently listening to the
teacher and apparently being absorbed in the lesson.  But at least on my
part, it was only about half on what the teacher was saying.
   It felt really comfortable, as if we were old friends who liked to be
close.  I'd flick a glance at him, and he'd have this little twitch in his
nostrils like he was trying not to laugh.
   Then we'd slowly draw apart and act really nonchalant for a while --
we'd glance at each other and play Mister and Miss Innocence.  Then he'd
start something like crossing his legs and slipping his foot slowly against
my leg.  After he felt my leg, he'd twitch his foot, like he was nudging
me.
   We played the game all period, alternating being the "aggressor" and
trying to come up with some other way of casually touching the other.  So
much fun!
   ------
   BOB
   It was the first time I'd played the Touch Game.  I guess the objective
was to be as seemingly unaware of doing it as possible, yet get the most
pleasure from it.  I'd seen other couples do it, but I think *we* did it
the best!
   I'm empathic; apparently I got it from Father.  I'm able to _feel_ or
_sense_ what people were experiencing emotionally and even pick up a stray
thought or image once in a while.  It's both a blessing and curse; I'm able
to control it fairly well, but the sense was always available.
   I guess it's like a stereo; you could have it on some background music
and seem to tune it out, but if one of your favorites or something unusual
came one, you'd become aware of it and turn the volume up for a while.
   I don't know if Natalie _felt_ my happiness, but I sure _felt_ hers.  If
she could purr like a contented kitten, she would have broken our eardrums
with the volume and rattled the room like an earthquake.
   I'd never gelled with anyone this quickly and closely.  It seemed we
were two different chords which came together, complemented and reinforced
each other until they filled the world with the sound of our joy.
   Corny?  Well, yes...  and so what if it was?  It was something totally
new to both of us, I'm sure.  We didn't get lost in each other like we did
yesterday, but it felt as if we were _touching_ mentally and in some ways
it was more intense since we were able to control the time, depth and pace.
   I decided not to analyze it to death; I'd think about it later during
one of my routine jobs like sanding or painting.  For now, I decided to
enjoy it as long as possible.
   ------
   SHERRY
   They were still going at it during lunch.  They were probably playing
footsies under the table while we ate.  Then, while we were all talking
away afterwards, they ended up shoulder-to-shoulder (and probably
hip-to-hip, too).  Just barely touching; it seemed as if they tried to do
it as lightly as possible but still feel the contact.
   George caught on quickly after I nudged him and flicked my eyes towards
their hands creeping towards one another's.  I slid my foot over towards
George's ankle, and we played the Touch Game, too.
   I thought Bob must be able to project his empathy, too.  I felt the
energy flowing back and forth between them like the gentle waves of the
tide coming in, going higher and higher.
   To someone outside, it probably looked as if we were doing our normal
lunch routine, discussing the chances of this year's football and
basketball teams, upcoming Drama Club events, dances, rallies and other fun
stuff.
   Bob, George and I had known each other for years and had become a really
effective team.  Natalie had appeared yesterday, today had slipped into our
group, and she fit perfectly.  She seemed to add the final piece to us,
like a finishing stroke to a painting turning it from merely pretty to
beautiful.
   I guess I was the lookout.  I usually flittered around the school,
talking and listening and bringing back information.  George was the First
Mate, in charge of keeping loose ends from getting too loose.
   Natalie, it seemed, added a layer of aesthetics with her sensuality,
grace and beauty (even if she dressed like a Goodwill-store reject) which
I'd never seen in someone who appeared so innocent, and an outside eye.
   Bob was the Captain and Navigator, who was our rock-solid foundation and
who orchestrated us (I'm mixed-race, so I'm allowed to mix my metaphors,
too).
   From then on, I noticed any two of us had a heightened energy when we
were together.  Add a third and it really increased.  When the fourth one
joined in, we felt complete.
   ------
   BOB
   Lunch was great.  Natalie and I played with towards-and-away from each
other; we'd see just how close it took to _feel_ or _touch_ the other.  The
physical touch was wonderful, but the bonding, energy or emotional and
spiritual contact was even better.
   Every time she spoke with her lilting Irish accent, we seemed to become
more and more aware of each other.  Is this what it was like to be in love?
   What I felt between Natalie and me was different from George and Sherry.
With George and Sherry, I got a feeling of pride, of belonging to something
which extended beyond me.  With Natalie, I felt whole, like I'd found
another part of me I'd never known I'd missed or even had existed, and we
wanted to push each other up as high as we could.
   ------
   NATALIE
   Lunch that day was the happiest I'd ever been.  I recognized the
feeling. Before Mom had her troubles, she and Dad and I used to sit around
the dining table, living room or den and just talk, laugh and enjoy being
together as a family.
   Well, some things must end.  The lunch warning bell clanged away, and we
dutifully trotted off to our classes like good proles.
   Bob and I played the Touch Game, both physically and mentally, in the
other classes where we were together.  We kept the volume down
considerably, though.  I guess we were learning to control what was
happening between us, and it was even more exciting than the first couple
of times.  We kept it down to a "dull roar" instead of a cheering crowd.
   While I was chatting with Sherry before our last class, I dug around in
my purse for a pen and touched something strange.  It was a CD in a paper
envelope.  I took it out; it was labeled, "Natalie" with today's date.
   I sure hadn't put it there.  I showed it to Sherry and asked, "Any idea
what this is?"
   She looked at it and said cautiously, as if it were a trick question, "A
CD-R.  Burned in a home computer."
   Jaysus, I knew that!  "Not what it is, just what was it doing in my
purse?  I didn't put it there and have no idea where it came from."
   She looked at it again.  She shrugged and turned her hands out in
mystery.  "All I can say is it looks like Bob's printing, but I won't
guarantee it." She got a mischievous look in her eyes and whispered, "Maybe
it's some pictures of nude Bob doing IT to a wall with a paint roller!  Or
some raunchy photos of the construction crew working with their...  tools."
   I just rolled my eyes and groaned.  On the other hand, nude Bob
pictures? Could be *very* interesting.
   She smirked with a lifted eyebrow, "Just shove it in your CD drive and
see what it is.  Do it in private, just in case."
   Sounds good to me.  A mystery can be fun.
   ------
   DON
   Natalie and I stopped for a few groceries on the way home.  We chatted a
bit like we usually do, but she didn't appear as bubbly as she was
yesterday.
   When I looked a little closer, she seemed more serene, more in control
and had a little smile suggesting all was right with the world.
   I asked her casually, "Have a good day?"
   She told me, "Not a good day at all.  It was a *wonderful* day!" Her
smile must have caused sunburn for several aisles.
   After we got home and had put the groceries away, she came over and gave
me a firm hug.  She whispered earnestly, "Dad, I love Mom and I love you. I
want us back together again like we were before." She frowned a bit then
said, "No, actually, I want us better than before.  I felt today what a
friendly and loving group could be and I want it for us.
   "I know we've just been letting Mom 'get over it' and giving her our
support.  We need to think of a way to be more -- I guess it would be
causative or proactive -- instead of reactive.  We need to find a way to
make her feel more her own person, more special, not just the effect or
reaction of what happened to her.  Can we get a plot going, a conspiracy,
to help her become more herself than she's ever been?"
   I gave her a hug back.  "You *are* her brilliant daughter.  I agree;
it's time we took some action instead of waiting around."
   She told me, "Well, even with all the work we've had moving here, I
think it was a great idea.  The people are more friendly, they're excited
and enthusiastic, the weather is great and Mom seems less, well, 'moody,' I
guess is the best way to put it."
   I agreed.  "It's a deal.  Although we're still getting settled here in
the house and at school, we need to start finding resources, ways of
getting her attention...  actually all our attentions, more outside of us.
It seems as if we've collapsed into 'us' with all our problems and 'them,'
who we view with some fear."
   I told her firmly, "We've got to change it somehow.  We used to visit
other couples a lot, have some fun parties, and, while still being a
family, be part of the rest of the world.  I want it, too, just as you do."
   ------
   NATALIE
   Homework and getting ready for bed.  While I was in my purse getting a
pen, I discovered the CD again.  Although I was very curious, I put it off
until I got my homework done.
   Okay, ready for bed.  The computer was already on, so I slid the CD in
the tray and closed it.  Windows hemmed and hawed a bit like it usually
does and popped up Media Player with an audio CD.  Hmm, Track 1 of 1 seemed
the best one to pick.  I clicked on Play and heard "Welcome to My World" in
a deep, rich voice.
   ------
   Welcome to my world Won't you come on in Miracles, I guess Still happen
now then.
   Step into my heart Leave your cares behind Welcome to my world Built
with you in mind.
   Knock and the door will open Seek and you will find Ask and you'll be
given The key to this world of mine.
   I'll be waiting here With my arms unfurled Waiting just for you Welcome
to my world.
   Waiting just for you Welcome to my world.
   ------
   I put it on infinite repeat.  I cried happy tears because Bob had asked
me to join him and sad tears because I could see no way it could happen.
   Finally, I turned it off and stumbled into bed.  I dreamed strange
dreams of joy and sorrow and didn't remember which won.
   ------
   BOB (Friday 9/9)
   Friday, Natalie and I played the Touch Game a bit.  She seemed a bit
preoccupied and _felt_ worried, so I didn't push it.  Even so, I felt
wonderful.
   At lunch, Sherry had ducked off somewhere, and George hadn't arrived
yet, so Natalie and I were alone at our foursome table.  We chatted and
_touched_ a bit, such a nice feel-good.
   After a couple minutes, I mentally focused in, took a breath, put my
hand over hers on the table and looked directly at her.  "Natalie, these
past few days I've felt...  no, experienced, a very nice connection between
us and I feel it's definitely worth following up.  Do you have any thoughts
on that?"
   She looked back at me and smiled.  "You were the one who gave me the CD,
aren't you?  Sherry said it looked like your printing."
   I confessed, "Yes, I felt the words were mine, but Jim Reeves could
deliver them better.  You *are* welcome to my world."
   She smiled, a bit painfully, it seemed.  "It seems I'm in there whether
or not I want to be," she said softly, "I'm ecstatic but at the same time
I'm afraid."
   "Oh, I know what you're going through," I responded, "I've never had
this intense a connection before.  I'm very empathic and can actually sense
what others feel at times.  Sometimes I can even step outside myself and
sense what I'm feeling, as if I were external to myself.
   "Even with couples who appear to be totally compatible and happy with
each other -- even adults -- I've never sensed the intenseness or the
completeness I've experienced with you.  *I* am cautious because I don't
know what's caused it.  I guess it's like having dessert before the main
course -- it's sweet, it's good but one can't survive on the dessert alone.
   "I want the full fifteen-course dinner, the whole enchilada; I want it
all, not just the desert.  I want to find out your favorite color... 
perhaps why your nose crinkles before you giggle, where the little scar
I've never seen comes from, why you seem to drift off and look sad for a
while, and how you've trained your freckles to be so adorable.
   "I need to *know* you, not just a great feel-wonderful but to find out
if we're compatible, to know if we are going in the same direction.
   "We've known each other for only two days now, but with what we've
experienced together, it seems like a long time.  Natalie, would you go out
with me for a Coke, coffee, dinner, whatever...  so we can get to know each
other better and to explore the chance we fit together?"
   She pulled her hand back a little and looked unhappy.  I didn't dare get
too close and look at her for fear I'd fall into her eyes again.  Fear? 
I'd love to get close to her, but it wouldn't help out right now.  So, I
edged back away a bit and put on my best "listen" face.  "Natalie, tell me
what's going on."
   She looked and _felt_ as if she were going to cry.  "I've got something
to tell you and ask you.  Is it all right?"
   I smiled a little, "Sure it's all right.  What's on your mind?" Out of
the corner of my eye, I saw George coming over, so I gave him our wave-off
signal.  He picked it up, set his brown bag down in his spot and went on
by.
   Natalie looked at me and said, "Yes, we've only known each other for two
days now, but I too have already experienced many times there's something
going on between us -- just like you said.  I don't know what it is, it
isn't just lust, it doesn't feel like infatuation, but I know it's
something intense."
   I nodded and kept my mouth shut.  Let her get out what she need to.
   She went on, "I've never felt this way about someone before, either."
She looked miserable.  "My heart tells me to grab onto it and run but..."
She definitely had tears rolling down now.  "I've got a major family
situation where I can't date anyone, go out with any groups or anything
like that.  It's school and home, that's it.  No extra-curricular stuff,
nada.  It's like I'm grounded for life.
   "It has nothing to do with whether or not my parents trust me or whether
or not it's because of something I did.  It's basically an external
influence on our family, but I have no idea when or even if it'll be
resolved.  I can't tell you what it is right now; the only thing I *can*
say -- and it probably won't help any -- is it's one of the reasons we came
to California."
   I just nodded again.  I saw more tears and _felt_ her despair coming off
in waves.  I kept my attention focused on what she was saying.
   She continued brokenly, "I don't know if I could stand even being around
you feeling this way, but I'd like to try.  If I can seal this off, it
should be okay.  Sherry's agreed to be my girl-who-is-a-friend.  If it
wouldn't be too much of a burden on you and we can keep things platonic
between us, would you be my boy-who-is-a-friend?"
   ------
   NATALIE
   I did manage to get it all out without totally breaking down and
bawling. All I could do then was wait.
   I saw him tighten up then slowly relax.  He took out his handkerchief
and wiped his eyes (yes, he had tears, too) then blew his nose.
   He finally said, "I gather if you could explain it to me, I would
understand.  But if you did explain it, you'd be violating your family's
privacy.  Am I correct in thinking that?"
   "You've got it exactly right," I whispered, "I'm sorry I can't say
more."
   "I think you've got the right priorities right now," he said.  "I know
when people are our age, we think we're so independent, but, to most of us,
our family and getting through school usually has the highest importance.
Things outside may seem more important but it's up to the person involved.
You seem to have the same priorities I do.  By the way, that's a sincere
compliment if you didn't get it."
   He finally looked over at me with no expression at all.  I _felt_ things
just going through his mind.  Finally he said, "I can understand the
problem for both of us.  However, I don't think we should deny our
feelings, but we can and must control them.  I say we don't suppress them
but acknowledge they *are* there and put them to the side.  More as an
investment we can nurture and make grow rather than a short-term pleasure.
   "I'd be the stupidest fool in the world to let this go by so long as
there's the faintest hope it could work out.  The potential upside seems
unlimited.  The alternative seems to be to be worse -- we could get you
hooked up with another friend, avoid each other and hope the feelings will
die away.  We'd probably never know what could have been, and I, for one,
would be wondering 'what if' for a long, long time.
   "We should try to grow into those feelings, not have them as just the
dessert.  Besides, we know the dessert is there now and most couples can
only hope it will *ever* be there.
   "Natalie, I would be delighted and privileged to be your
boy-who-is-a-friend.  If you can deal with these ideas, so can I," he said
with his big Bob smile I'd seen before.
   Said like the true nerds we were.  He stuck out his hand and we had the
best "friendly" shake we could -- with a warm _touch_.
   I hope I hadn't totally soaked my top with tears.  I dug out my tissues
from my purse and got the face mopped up and the nose blown.  I'd worn no
makeup anyway, so all I had to worry about was my red eyes.  That should be
the least of my worries!
   I saw Bob make a gesture to the rest of the cafeteria; George and Sherry
magically appeared and sat down, looking concerned.
   Bob told them, "I've agreed to be Natalie's boy-who-is-a-friend.  We've
got some issues, but we think it's worthwhile to handle them."
   He looked at me and said, "Natalie, if you wish, you may talk with
either of these guys about anything we've discussed.  I trust them both
totally without any reservations."
   George and Sherry gave me the warmest smiles I've ever gotten from
anyone except Bob.  They made me feel welcomed and loved.
   ------
   DON
   Ana got tired after dinner, so Natalie and I cleaned up and did the
dishes while she took a nap.  After we were done, Natalie asked, "Don, can
we have a 'Dad' talk?  I'm worried about some things."
   Of course I agreed, so we went into the den and shut the door.  She was
looking worried, so I asked gently, "What is it, Natalie?"
   She said, "Well, it's sorta 'girl stuff,' but I can't really talk with
Mom about this while she's feeling as she is, so can you bear with me?"
   "I'll do my best."
   "Well, it's about Brain-Trust Bob.  You know we laugh about going by
warm-and-fuzzy instead of thinking things out?  Well, on Wednesday when
Sherry introduced me to Bob, he took my hand and...  well ...  it just
seemed as if we _fell_ into each other.  Like all the warm-and-fuzzy
feelings and...  Jaysus, this is hard to say ...  not hard to tell you but
hard to put into words...  I felt complete?  totally happy?  content? 
wrapped around and through each other?  All of the above.
   "It happened again at lunch, too.  We didn't even touch each other and
it happened again.  Sherry threatened to take a bucket of water to us.  She
told me later she'd known him for years and that had never happened with
him before.
   "Yeh, there was a little bit of sex feeling there, too," she blushed a
little as she seemed to think of something, "I mean objectively he's
probably not all that good-looking...  he's not a 'hunk', you know?  But
still..."
   "Yesterday and this morning, Bob and I played the Touch Game...  ya
know, where you touch someone and look so innocent but feel so good inside?
Today, we talked about these feelings we seem to have about each other...
he said we *need* to get to know each other better besides having all these
wonderful feelings...  and he asked me out on a date."
   I groaned inside.  I'd wanted her to find a nice boy and have fun, but
under these circumstances with Ana, I knew Natalie was really in a bind.  I
knew about those warm-and-fuzzy feelings; Ana and I had them once, too.
   She said, "I told him basically I was grounded for life, but it really
wasn't anything to do with me -- it was an external influence on the
family.
   "Somehow, I don't know how, he managed to take everything and make me
feel good about keeping our family's privacy.  I told him I could probably
seal away these feelings and still be friends and asked him if he could be
my boy-who-is-a-friend."
   "Jeez," I said, "it's got to be tough for both of you."
   "Well, he said, 'No'."
   "God, Honey, I'm so sorry for you," I whispered.
   "Oh, no, Dad, he said 'No' to trying to deny or seal away the feelings
we have.  He got nerdy on me like I do sometimes and said it was a good
investment; we should put it to the side and keep it growing.  He said he'd
rather have a relationship based on knowing each other, rather than just
having the dessert.
   "He said he'd be 'delighted and privileged' to be my
boy-who-is-a-friend! And somehow it all turned out there's a chance of
having things even better than we have now!
   "Dad, we've really got to do something about Mom.  I think I've been
very supportive of her problem, but it's gotten really personal to me.  I
don't want to sound like a 'teenager in love' but these past few days I
discovered I really wanna be happy myself."
   Chapter 3
   NATALIE (Monday 9/12)
   Over the next several days, Bob, George and Sherry introduced me to just
about everyone in the school.  The Brain Trust was mainly a lot of tutors,
but the network went beyond.  They helped people, encouraged them, helped
handle situations and even did match-making!  Bob said that he, George and
Sherry had gotten more into people-matching than tutoring, since they knew
just about everyone -- and everyone knew them.
   Most of the students I talked with on my own called the three of them
the "Inner Circle." Apparently, they were among the most respected students
in the school; even the most rabid jocks had only good words to say about
them.  The Brain Trust had tutored or were tutoring most of them or had
gotten them fixed up in a great relationship!
   ------
   SHERRY (Tuesday 9/13)
   Lots of things happened during lunch period.  Around the second week of
school, Leone Zadok came strutting over to our foursome.  She's a
medium-height, gorgeous Jewish girl with long, straight black hair, a
barely legal-length skirt, a pink cashmere V-neck sweater and a perfect
chest.  She was a really nice, smart girl but can put on a great show.
   She smiled at us.  "The Sherry!  Hey, Sorcerer!"
   "Leone!" he replied with a big grin, "How was your summer?"
   She went straight into her routine.  She whined and pouted, "It was so
lonely." I could see Natalie was probably thinking something like, "Whoa,
boy!  What is this?"
   Leone bent over, set her elbows on the table and looked right into Bob's
eyes.  She arched her back, wiggled her butt and pouted, "Can you fix me
up?"
   Bob knew her routine, so he said, "I'll see what I can do."
   Leone wiggled her shoulders and chest and "managed" to let her sweater
fall away from her (very-nice) cleavage.  If the little strip of fabric I
saw was a bra, it sure wasn't doing its job in a supporting role.  If her
sweater waist had been much looser, Bob probably could've seen through to
the floor.
   "How about you, Sorcerer?  Are *you* available?" She pursed her lips,
made a kissy-kiss and batted her eyelashes at him.
   ------
   NATALIE
   What in the world was this girl doing?  I could see what she was doing,
but was she making a pass at Bob?  I could see her nipples were perked up
and I was four feet behind Bob.
   Bob hadn't taken his eyes off hers but just grinned at her.  "Sorry,
Leone," he replied and made a big backwards gesture with his head towards
me.  "I'm quite committed right now.  This is my *very* special friend,
Natalie Shanahan.  Natalie, Leone Zadok -- the Voice of Burbank."
   Oh, gushy stuff.  I felt my heart pick up speed in a hurry.  Leone moved
her head around Bob a bit and looked me right in the eyes.  She gave me a
bright, warm smile and told me, "Finally!  That's wonderful," and smiled
again.  No Princess act there!
   ------
   SHERRY
   When Bob said he was committed and Natalie was very special, I knew they
had something more going than just "friends." He'd usually say he wasn't in
the market right now or something similar.
   Leone told Bob, "Nice lady," very sincerely then went right back into
her Princess act, wiggled her butt and boobs again, and whined at him,
"Then fix me up with someone nice -- Billy and his family moved to Illinois
over the summer and I'm *lonely*."
   Bob deadpanned, "Male or female?"
   Although I hadn't thought it possible, Leone arched her back more and
stuck her boobs out more.  "What kind of girl do you think I am?" She
glared at him with her best Princess look.
   Bob just grinned a little and shrugged.  "*Chest* checking.  Can't be
sure in this modern age."
   Now Bob doesn't just glance at something, he *looks* at it.  He didn't
flick his eyes down her sweater; he overtly dropped his whole head and
stared down at her offerings.  He cocked his head back and forth a few
times, pursed his lips and nodded in admiration a few times.  From the
corner of my eye, I saw Natalie start to steam.
   He looked at her forearms and reached out towards one.  "Not to be
personal..." and squeezed one lightly a few times." Golf?  Tennis?" he
asked, looking back at her face.
   "Oh, golf.  I like to play with balls," she smirked.  "And make him
smart.  I need *lots* of intensive tutoring," with another wiggle.
   ------
   NATALIE
   I don't know many guys who'd have the guts to take up a girl offering
her charms the way Bob did, but he carried it off with aplomb.  He pulled
out his PDA and told her, "Well, Hon, scoot your cute fanny around here and
we'll get some data." She twitched her butt around until she was beside him
looking over his shoulder at the PDA.
   Bob flicked a look at me and I could see his nostrils flutter with his
suppressed laughter as we shared the language double-entendre; "fanny" is
the female genitals in Irish/British slang.
   He asked her, "You need a 'nice Jewish boy' or just someone with some
get-up-and-goy?" Ugh, bad pun.
   She grinned and smacked him with her hip.  "A goy guy is just fine."
   Now George was getting an eyeful or is it both eyes full?  He wasn't
quite as blatant as Bob had been, but he was definitely looking down her
sweater.
   Bob got her email address and phone number noted down and told her,
"I've got a few guys in mind.  How about I check a few things out and drop
you an email.  If you don't get one from me by tomorrow evening, nudge me.
I assume you want an introduction?"
   Leone said, "An intro would be nice.  Make sure he knows he has to
*tutor* me.  If I don't hear from you, I'll be back the next day and nudge
you." She swung her hips into him again.
   Bob acted like he'd been knocked half-way off his seat, raised his hands
in surrender and laughed, "Okay, I'll make sure I do it."
   Leone dropped her act for a bit, "Thanks, Bob.  You are the best." She
looked over at me and told me sincerely, "May you two find a world of
happiness and joy together." She strutted away like the models do -- with
one foot crossing in front of the other, making her ass sway.
   Bob and George watched appreciatively as she left.  About ten feet away,
Leone looked back over her shoulder and blew a kiss at them.  Bob called
out, "By the way, Leone, nice belly-button ring!" She gave him another
smile and blew a kiss.
   Bob shook his head and laughed.  He turned to George and said, "Never
let it be said I don't share goodies with my friends." He'd maneuvered
Leone around so George could get his share of the view, too.
   ------
   SHERRY
   I grinned to myself.  George could look all he wanted, but I had quality
boobs myself and they were *much* more available.  Leone was a tease but
was so up-front about it no one took offense.  If they did, tough darts.
   Natalie fell for Bob's comment, "How did you know she had a belly-button
ring?"
   George and I gave her our best dumb-question looks.  I asked her, "What
do you think Bob was looking at?" Bob looked around with the innocent look
he can put on so well -- but his nostrils were fluttering.
   She stuttered, "Well, her, ah...  she's so..."
   "Well-endowed?" I offered.
   Bob and George started in, "Tremendous Tahtahs"
   "Munchy Mammaries"
   "Honeyed Hooters"
   "Fine Fundament"
   Natalie tossed in, "Perfect Pudendum?"
   Bob and George immediately assumed terrified looks, threw their hands in
the air and said shakily, "I wouldn't know anything about *that*!"
   I gave George a good one on his arm and told him, "You'd better not."
   I saw Natalie beat Bob's shoulder a few times with her little fist. 
"You, either!" She flexed her hand a few times, shook it and exclaimed,
"You're hard as a rock!"
   Bob slowly swiveled his head to look right at her and whispered, "It's
because *you're* here."
   Natalie's eyes got really big and was so surprised she almost fell off
her seat.  Bob does have a way with words.
   Bob turned back to George and said, "Hard, huh?" He made a come-on,
your-turn gesture with his hand.
   My George is so good!  He "rose" to the occasion.
   "It's why they call us the Hardy Boys."
   Bob said, "But if you get a grip on yourself, you should be able to
stick it out."
   "Handle things right and you'll come through."
   "Let's get a few things straight..."
   "I still have an Erector Set."
   "I get pumped up about things."
   Ooo, I could imagine quite a few things, myself, the way they were
talking.  My nipples were crinkled up and my crotch was so wet I squirmed.
I saw Natalie squirming around, too.  I'll bet she was perked up too, even
through the industrial-strength bra she wore.  Bet she was wet after what
Bob had said to her; I sure would have been.
   ------
   NATALIE
   God, his muscles were hard as a rock.  I had to up my estimate of his
hunkiness quite a few notches.  And when he said he was hard because I was
there, my panties soaked themselves...  again.
   Then they went into the dick puns!  I had images of Bob running through
my head; him naked, hard and with me!
   Bob finally took a deep breath, raised his hands in a "stop" motion and
said, "Enough of the dick jokes."
   Sherry pretended to glare at them, "You guys are so lame!"
   Bob couldn't resist a last come-back, "Lame?  It *should* make me limp
then, right?"
   Okay, we laughed.  Bob got a puzzled look and took a big sniff through
his nose.  "No offense to our cooks, but I don't think the odor is the
cafeteria food."
   Between Sherry and me, I think there were enough female pheromones and
scent in the air to create a fog.  I saw George take a few sniffs, raise an
eyebrow and grin a little.
   Bob leaned forward towards him and asked, "George, what *is* that
smell?"
   George just opened his mouth and out it came, "It's wet puss..." then
stuttered a bit, "I don't know."
   Sherry was struggling to keep her mouth shut.  She was blushing too. 
Sherry blush at anything?  Yep, if they weren't "doing the deed" now, they
sure had been working up to it.
   Bob asked very solicitously, "George, is there something you need to
tell Natalie and me?"
   Now both were blushing and looking anywhere but at each other or at Bob
and me.  I had to put in my bid, "An Australian connection maybe?  Going
Down Under?  I double-dog dare you two to look at each other!"
   They finally glanced at each other and burst out laughing.  Sherry
laughed so hard she probably peed her panties to add to the other stuff in
them.
   Bob said, "Well, I guess there are some things which don't need to be
said and are best left to the imagination."
   I chimed in with, "Yes and we have quite a bit of imagination." I looked
them over with a big smirky leer while nodding my head wisely.
   George and The Sherry shook their heads in defeat and packed up their
lunch stuff.  Sherry told George, "That mouth of yours..."
   George shot back with a raised eyebrow, "I know it's good for at least
one thing." It got Sherry even redder.  They put on their "defeated" act
and slunk away.
   Bob and I looked at each other and did a big standing high-five.  "Yess!
The Irish win again!" I felt liquid dripping down my leg through my panty
liner.
   ------
   DON (Wednesday 9/14)
   I watched Natalie over the weekend and a of couple days the next school
week.  She went between happy, not-happy then back again.  Wednesday I
figured I had to bite the bullet (yes, I'd been in the Navy) and talk with
Rose Baer about this.  Natalie and I hadn't given Ana a clue about what was
going on with Bob beyond the "friends with the Brain Trust," but something
needed to be done.
   I cornered Rose in the teacher's lounge at lunch.  "Rose, you got a
minute?  I need to chat a bit."
   She said, "Sure, what's on your mind?"
   "It's about Natalie and Bob."
   "Bob?"
   "Yeh, the Brain Trust guy.  I know nothing about him and Natalie's told
me she'd gotten these intense feelings with, for, about, whatever
combination since the first moment she met him.  She's been hanging out
with the Brain Trust since the first day of school."
   Rose just looked at me.  "Hmm, what do you want to know?"
   "Well, to start with, is he an okay guy?  He's not one of my students,
so I've never met him myself."
   Rose looked at me with one of those grins which had "inside joke"
written all over it.  "Well, let's find out." She turned to the rest of the
teachers in the lounge, about a dozen, and said loudly, "Hey guys, this is
Don Matthews -- Chemistry and Physics.  He's got a concern about one of our
male students and his daughter Natalie.  How about a Vote of Confidence for
Bob Reynolds as A-Number-One Good Guy!"
   It was a shockingly fast reaction.  Every hand in the room, including
Rose's, shot up immediately with a thumbs-up salute.  Rose said, "Thank you
guys," and turned to me, "Is that a good start?"
   I couldn't do anything but look at her blankly.  She glanced at her
watch and said, "Well it's almost time for class.  You have a free period
this afternoon?"
   I said I had 6th period free.  Rose said, "Then drop by my office, and
we'll have a talk about the Bob Reynolds phenomenon and see if we can ease
your mind a little bit." I agreed.
   ------
   At the start of my free 6th period, I hot-footed it over to Rose's
office.  I dropped into her interview chair.  "I'm here."
   Rose asked, "Well, Don, what did you think of the Vote of Confidence?"
   "Enlightening.  What's the Brain Trust thing?"
   She informed me, "It's a wide-spread group of about fifty student
tutors, with lots of friends and networking going on inside and out.  Every
one of them has excellent grades, zero drugs, zero alcohol, zero discipline
problems and are a joy to be around.
   "There's an Inner Circle around Bob.  It's ranged from two, Bob and
George, to about six at one time.  It's a foursome right now; Bob, George,
Sherry and at least for right now, Natalie.  Don, for someone to last a
week in the Inner Circle is an achievement like getting a medal in the
Olympics."
   I told her, "Wow, I guess that is something.  I know Natalie talks about
him very enthusiastically.  I don't think she says anything to Ana about
him; you know why.
   "Even if I'm not a dirty old man with my daughter, when she talks about
him she gets all softy-eyed and I can see her, ah, yeh..."
   Rose laughed.  "Don, I've had lots of girls in here for interviews. 
There's lots of perky nipples whenever Bob gets mentioned, and I've had to
air out the office a few times, too."
   "I'd bet 95% of the nice girls in this school would jump Bob's bones in
a second if he even hinted at it.  Yet, he's a perfect gentleman.  He
doesn't lead any of them on or make them feel put down when he turns them
down.  He puts the burden on himself and somehow makes them feel good about
themselves when he does.  You had peer pressure back in Ohio?"
   I confirmed, "Yes, indeed.  Between peer pressure and the soap operas,
it was a nightmare."
   Rose nodded and said, "Well, let me tell you about another kind of peer
pressure.  There was this girl, Janine.  As a sophomore last year, she was
dowdy, had no self-esteem, was shy, didn't have a friend in the world
according to her and her grades were Cs and Ds.  Not a good start in the
world, wouldn't you say?
   "One day, Bob accidentally bumped into her and almost knocked her down.
You might find out some time how really solid his body is.  Anyway, he
picked her up and apologized profusely.  Then he looked at her and said,
'Janine, nice hair!' She was so surprised, she managed to smile.  He then
smiled at her and told her, 'Nice smile, too.' When Bob says something, you
know if he's poking fun or being sincere.  Well, he really meant it.
   "Several more times the same day, someone complimented her on something;
her hair, her smile, her hands, her eyes, just anything.  All sincere, all
totally unexpected.
   "You see, Don, Bob's our main Opinion Leader.  He's so respected his
opinion really counts.  It's like, 'Well, Bob said something good about it,
I think I'll check it out,' and they usually find something good.
   "Janine came to school the next day with neater clothes and a bit of
makeup.  Several of the Brain Trust girls chatted with her and everyone
kept pushing her up about her looks, her smile and her personality.
   "The nice guys started checking her out, too.  You know how some guys
undress a girl with their eyes?  Well, these guys were just looking,
admiring, and being appreciative.
   "About the third day, Sherry grabbed her and introduced her to Todd
Marks.  Todd was about the perfect stereotype of the nerd; he had glasses,
the pocket protector, weird hair, was shy and everything.  Sherry told
Janine, 'Todd's your study partner now.  He'll help you get your grades up,
and you can help him with his social skills.'
   "Every grading period after, her grades went up a level.  By the end of
last year, she was getting As and Bs, not Cs and Ds.  She's got lots of
friends, laughs a lot and has loads of fun.
   "Todd got a decent haircut, decent clothes and finally was able to carry
on an intelligible social conversation.  They started dating about the
second month and they've been an item since then.
   "Not bad for six words, eh, Don?"
   I agreed, "Yeh, not bad at all."
   "Don, Janine's my oldest daughter.  Do you think it makes me biased
towards Bob?"
   We wiped our eyes.  I agreed she was biased and for good reason.
   "Then there's 'Sally Smith.' Somehow her birth control got compromised
and she got pregnant.  She told only her best girlfriend but the girlfriend
knew Bob and called him.
   "He came over at one o'clock in the morning, cheered them up, got her to
the clinic and helped her get it handled.
   "That was two years ago when Bob was fifteen.  To my knowledge, the only
ones who know who the girl is and what happened are me, her girlfriend, Bob
and the doctor.  The only thing you know now is Bob had something to do
with handling it.  Do you know any other guy who has a tight lip like that?
   "Bob always finds something positive and pushes people up.  If there's
something negative, he won't say or do anything but will find a way to get
it handled without making the person feel wrong.
   "He always treats people individually, as someone special.  He has this
tremendous empathy and seems to know how they're feeling.  This includes
the teachers, parents and adults.  Everyone.
   "If I'm feeling a bit down, he might come by and say something like,
'Hey, Mrs.  B, nice shoes.  They sure do keep your feet off the ground.'
Totally banal one might say but very effective.
   "Every once in a while, Bob or one of the Brain Trust will drop me or
the Men's Counselor an email and suggest we talk to so-and-so about
such-and-such.  Invariably it's been a hot item and we've been able to help
out.
   "You know, Don, if you could somehow figure out a way to get Ana and Bob
together, it would probably help her out a lot.  He has that effect on
people."
   Chapter 4
   DON
   I told her, "Well, I think getting them together would be a great idea.
I guess 'how' is the sticking point.  If he and Natalie were dating, it
would be natural for him to come over, but it's kind of a Catch 22."
   Rose looked thoughtful for a bit then asked, "You own the house you
moved into?"
   I grinned at her.  "Yes, bought it free and clear."
   "Great!" she told me.  "There's another thing about Bob..." She smiled.
   I offered, "He's secretly SpongeBob SquarePants?"
   "Close but not quite.  His parents own the Reynolds Construction
company, and Bob's been working in construction since before he could walk.
   "Since you're a teacher here now, you're automatically part of his
Faculty Circuit.  He does part-time work with his family's crews and also
offers his services to the faculty at a big discount.
   "Leaky faucet, hole in the roof, plumbing, wiring, painting, you name
it. He's not an Arnold in looks, but I've seen him horse an old water
heater full of scale into the back of his truck without turning a hair --
and those things gotta weigh upwards of three hundred pounds.  Surely
you've got some fix-up you'd like to do around your place."
   "Hmm...  well, the dining room looks like it used to be a kid's playroom
-- crayon marks, a few dents, picture-hanger holes, stuff like that.  Ana
said it looks pretty..."
   Rose asked with a smile, "Scruffy?"
   "Yep, scruffy describes it perfectly.  Maybe getting it fixed up could
kill two birds with one stone -- get the dining room in good shape and get
Ana to know a real nice guy."
   Rose smirked a little and said, "Besides, you could check out how he and
Natalie act together -- maybe it'll soften up Ana a bit too."
   I laughed.  "Hell, when Natalie started puberty, I worried about keeping
her away from bad guys -- then she never found anyone in Ohio even remotely
interesting.  Now here in California she's found a guy she's told me
several times she's really interested in, and you and I are plotting how to
get them together!  That's a switch."
   Rose told me seriously, "Well I've talked with Bob a few times this
school year, and whenever I 'happen' to mention Natalie, he gets this silly
grin I've never seen on him before and starts staring off into space -- I
don't think you have to worry about him holding up his side of the bargain
he doesn't know he's getting into.
   "Okay, why don't you take some measurements of the dining room and
casually mention to Ana you've got a line on someone who'll fix it up
pretty cheaply.  As I recall, Ana didn't seem to have any difficulty with
the movers being there so long as you were there too, right?"
   "No, she didn't.  In fact, she got so into getting the stuff put in the
right places she pushed a couple of them in the right direction."
   "Great!" Rose said, "Activity is probably very good for her then.  Now,
what I would suggest is we keep this between you and me.  Don't mention
Bob's name or where he's from or anything to Natalie, and don't mention
Natalie's name to Bob.  With you and Natalie having different last names,
he may not know you two are related.  Maybe we can surprise them all a
little."
   I laughed at her.  "You really are a sly devil, aren't you, Rose?"
   "Yep!  I've had to handle lots of lovesick teenagers in my years here,
now I have to handle the opposite in an adult -- and at long range, too.
   "Okay, see if you can get your measurements and your womenfolk handled
tonight.  Bring your measurements with you to school and I'll drop a note
to Bob to come see you.  Sound like a plan?"
   I agreed, "It's a plan."
   In the evening, I casually mentioned to Ana about having found someone
to help us out with the dining room so it wouldn't be so "scruffy." She
didn't have any problem with it at all, since I'd be there.  In fact, she
said she wanted her hand in on it so it would be up to her standards.
   Chapter 5
   BOB (Thursday 9/15)
   Mrs.  Baer dropped me a note to see Mr.  Matthews, the new Chemistry and
Physics teacher, about some renovation work he was looking at doing and
suggested a time to see him.  Sixth period, I told the study hall teacher
where I was going and headed over to see him.
   I looked in the chemistry lab, saw a man I didn't know and assumed it
was him.  I rapped on the door jamb and called out, "Mr.  Matthews?  Bob
Reynolds."
   He looked up and said, "Yes, I'm Mr.  Matthews.  Come on in, Bob." He
stood up and offered his hand.
   We shook hands and he offered me the seat by his desk.  Sitting down, I
asked him, "Mrs.  Baer said you had some renovation work you're looking at
doing?"
   "Yes, we moved into a new-to-us house less than a month ago, and already
my wife wants some things done; you probably know how women are about that,
right?"
   I grinned at him and rolled my eyes a bit.  "Yeh, most of the renovation
projects my father's company gets are started by the women -- they seem to
want to make over the place their way."
   He laughed, too.  He was a nice-looking guy; probably mid-thirties,
looked in good physical shape and _felt_ very good.  I asked him, "So what
does she have in mind?"
   "To start with, she's complained a few times about the dinning room
being pretty scruffy -- looks as if it had been a kid's playroom or
something before -- some crayon marks, a few dents, picture-frame shadows,
ragged curtains, that sort of thing.  I happened to mention it to Mrs. 
Baer and she suggested you could help us out."
   I told him, "Not a problem.  The entire faculty gets our special rate
and I usually do the work unless it's really major.  The client supplies
the materials and I do the work.
   "If you and your wife are willing to help some, the work will go faster,
and it will cost you less for my labor.  Think she'd be interested?"
   "Sure, she already said she would, and we've got a teen-ager who's
willing to work, too."
   "Great!  Since it's a new-to-you house, there'll probably be other rooms
your wife will want fixed up too, especially when she sees how nice the
dining room turns out.  What I usually do in a case like this is
'apprentice' the family -- teach them how to do the work themselves,
show-and-tell the first job then help out only as needed on the rest.  Does
that sound like something your family would be interested in?"
   He said, "You know, I think it would work perfectly for us."
   "Excellent!  Now, how big is the room?" He had the dimensions with him,
so we made up a list of things he'd be supplying.  I recommended a local
hardware store we've been dealing with, gave him my Reynolds Construction
card and told him to give it to the cashier.
   I told him, "Also, I'd recommend you take your wife along so she has the
final say in the color, fixtures, curtains, all that sort of stuff.  White
paint comes in about fifty different shades and if we guys pick out the
'wrong' one, they tend to get all huffy about it.  If she's in on the
planning, it will be her creation too, and she'll be much happier."
   We arranged for me to come over to get started that evening then I went
back to study hall to see if I could get some _touching_ in with Natalie.
   ------
   DON
   I took Bob's suggestion and got Ana and Natalie involved in picking out
the paint color, designs for new curtains and all the stuff women seem to
love to do.  We spent over an hour in the hardware store Bob had
recommended getting paint, paint supplies and all that stuff.  When I
showed him Bob's card, the clerk immediately gave us a 15% courtesy
discount.  He does have some pull around town, it seems.
   The evening finally rolled around and the next step in our conspiracy
began.  I got the ladies off getting into their grungiest clothes just
before Bob was due to arrive so the coast was clear to smuggle him in.
   He knocked on the door exactly to the minute he was scheduled.  I let
him in and took him right to the dining room.  I'd told Natalie to hold
back just a bit and let her mom come in first; it might be easier on Ana if
just she and I were there to start with.
   When I got Bob into the dining room, he told me, "Since I don't really
know your family, I talked with Mrs.  Baer a bit about this.  She told me
to act like I always do -- but it can be a bit outrageous at times.  It
seems to help the clients have fun, though.
   "I 'sing and dance,' flirt a bit, and up to now, no one's had any
objections.  However, since I don't have any previous credibility with your
family, I'll keep an eye on you and if you give me the wave-off on
something, I'll stop it.  Is that okay?"
   I replied, "Perfect.  My wife can do with a bit of cheering up and my
daughter...  well, you'll find out for yourself.  Just do what you normally
do and we'll all probably have fun."
   I noticed Ana just outside the door and motioned her in.
   ------
   ANA
   It'll be really nice to get the dining room looking good.  While we
didn't have plans in the near future to entertain, we ate there, so having
it nice will benefit us, too.
   I saw Don in the dining room talking softly to someone I couldn't see --
must be the painter.  He noticed me and waved me on in.
   I went in and stared at the guy.  He had an old blue bandana over his
hair and wore a paint-streaked boiler suit with old tennis shoes.  (Surely
lots of construction people wear a bandana and a boiler suit!  That doesn't
mean anything, does it?)
   But sticking out under the bandana was some glossy jet-black hair; he
had piercing blue-green eyes and the Black Irish complexion.  He glowed
with life -- I love Don more than life itself, but this guy was *gorgeous!*
   He looked over at me with a great big smile and said, "Hello, you must
be the lovely daughter Mr.  Matthews has been bragging about." Be Jaysus!
He had the Irish accent and blarney to go along with his looks, too!
   Natalie came running into the room.  She looked at him, stopped dead in
her tracks then jumped up and down like a little girl.  She squealed,
"Bob!" -- and Natalie doesn't "squeal."
   He looked at her and his eyes bugged out.  Don had managed to get
Natalie into grungies which would be rejected from the Goodwill trash pile,
but he looked at her as if she were a goddess from heaven.
   He cried, "Natalie!" and he jumped up and down a few times, too.  Then
he raised his arms over his head, looked up at the ceiling and declaimed,
with a very broad accent, "There *is* a God and the Saints are smilin' at
me now!"
   He dropped his arms, looked sternly at Natalie and me and said, "Nat,
you never told me you had a younger sister." He glared at her a bit.
   Natalie said, "Silly, she's my mom!"
   I knew my jaw dropped and I looked over at Don.  "Where did you *get*
this guy?"
   Don put on his innocent act, "Oh, just picked him up in front of Home
Depot -- you know, where the day laborers hang out."
   Bob said, with a totally fake, nasal Spanish accent, "Si, Senor..."
   We laughed -- and I'd say if there had been any ice at all, it sure was
broken now.
   Bob and Natalie were just standing there grinning at each other so hard
their faces must have hurt.  Don finally got himself together long enough
to make introductions, "Ana, this is the Brain Trust Bob Reynolds Natalie
has been telling us about *every* evening and *every* morning for the past
week.  Bob, this is my wife, Ana Matthews and she's Natalie's mother, not
her younger sister, and I'm Natalie's step-father -- hmm, on the other
hand, since you mention it, she does look as if she could be Natalie's
sister..."
   I looked daggers at Don, "And his blarney is rubbing off on you now; I
thought all the Irish came from my family.  And I think I know exactly who
set this all up -- you and Rose Baer."
   Bob told me, "Well, in Mr.  Mathews defense, ma'am, Mrs.  Baer did drop
me a note to go see him.  I had no idea he was related to two stunningly
gorgeous young ladies."
   Don just looked around blandly, "I know NOTH-THINK, NOTH-THINK."
   ------
   BOB
   Lord.  God.  In.  Heaven.  Now this was a wonderful surprise.  Maybe
Mrs. Baer and Mr.  Matthews had a conspiracy of some sort going, but I was
all for it.  Spend time with Natalie outside of school?  Yes!  Go for it!
   Well, I'd better start earning my wages.  "Okay then.  I, for one, could
spend all night leering at these two sweet girls, but it doesn't get paint
on the walls."
   I looked over Natalie's and Mrs.  Matthews' clothes.  "Good.  Long
sleeves, long pants.  The bandanas are good -- old ones have a lot more
personality, and they've been washed so often they're soft enough to tie
easier and they cover better.  Good choice.
   "Now, I've been in the construction and renovation game for as long as I
remember.  We've got lots of women in the business.  Women's bones and
muscles usually aren't built heavy enough to do well in the heavy-labor
side, but in the less physically-strenuous side they do just fine.
   "We've got a lot of ladies on our painting crews, and they do great at
it.  It *is* physical work but well within the general female physical
makeup.  Actually, they're often better at it than the men -- they tend to
have a better aesthetic sense and they produce beautiful work.
   "I don't know if Mr.  Matthews told you..."
   Mr.  Matthews broke in, "Bob, here at home, I'm Don.  This is..." He
looked over at his wife questioningly, and she nodded.  "Ana.  And I'm sure
this other lady here is *not* Miss Shanahan."
   I got his point.  "Thank you, Don, I appreciate it.  But anyway, if Don
hasn't told you, if the client has a willing family, I usually apprentice
them in things like painting.  I teach them the ropes, get them started,
and usually they can take it from there.
   "It may take longer to get totally done, but it's a lot less expensive
and very often is much more satisfying to have done it themselves.  So, is
an apprentice deal the way you'd like to go?" They agreed it sounded great.
   "Now, painting has its hazards, especially to the ladies.  The dust from
sanding, the patching compound and the paint all tend to get spread over
one's body.  That's why your bandanas, long sleeves and long pants are
good; we might even put some masking tape around your wrists and ankles for
a better seal.
   "Since all this dust and stuff settles, it gets on the face and hands.
If you're not careful, your faces and hands could end up like mine." I
screwed up my face, pulled my hands into claws and gave out a tragic moan,
which got a good laugh.
   "So, not to be too personal..." I walked over to Natalie and ran the
back of my hand over the side of her face (she leaned into it, which got my
heart going faster).  "You ladies should get some of your inexpensive body
lotion or something and just slather it all over your faces and some on
your hands.  Don't try to rub it in too much.  That way, the dust and paint
will just settle on top and not get to the skin.  Then when you're done for
the day, some plain soap and water takes everything off with no problems.
Okay?  So, you two, scoot and get lotioned up." I shooed them out of the
room.
   I turned to Don and asked him, "You and Mrs.  Baer did set me up, didn't
you?"
   He looked at me seriously.  "Yes, we did," he said.  "Ana's been under
some tremendous pressures lately, and while Natalie and I have done our
best, she's still a long way from what she was before.  Rose says we can
trust you completely, and I believe it from what I've seen tonight.
   "She suggested if we could get you together with Ana, you could find a
way to get her cheered up, and help us get back together as a family much
faster.  Of course, we also saw it as a way to get you and Natalie together
outside of school without violating the 'no-dating' policy, too."
   I looked back at him and told him, "Ya know, you're like my father in
many ways.  The older I get, the smarter he seems to get.  You're pretty
clever yourself, for an 'old guy'".
   He got the joke.  I suggested, "Why don't we chat about this maybe
tomorrow or Monday sometime so we can all get in on this conspiracy to get
your wife back and your daughter happy.  I can only see the situation
getting better, with everyone winning and no one losing."
   ------
   DON
   Yes, he was right.  Anything we could come up with would help.  I was
sure, with an outsider's view and his interest in Natalie, we could find a
way it all could work.  I agreed we should meet again in private, and pull
Natalie and Rose in on it, too.
   Well, the ladies came back all lotion-faced, shiny and laughing.  Bob
inspected them, made appreciative noises and dressed us all out with latex
gloves, dust masks and safety goggles.
   He taught us how to spackle, patch, sand, tape and all those other
little things prep-work needs.
   Even with all the work, we had lots of fun.  Ana and I noticed Bob and
Natalie doing what we'd done when we were first dating -- the touchy-feely
game.  They'd "accidentally" back into each other, wiggle their butts
together a little bit then ease away.  The light touch on the shoulder to
"steady" themselves.  Yeh, Ana and I had played that game, too.  They
giggled, laughed and had a great time.  We felt the waves of happiness
coming off them.
   Bob was always enthusiastic about everything.  If he'd just patched
something, he might do a little Irish jig in front of it, "to get the air
circulating around and help it dry faster." He moved around like a big cat;
every motion was smooth and looked as if nothing could stop it.
   I saw Ana watching them too and could tell she was smiling.  When she
looked over at me, I wiggled my eyebrows at her.  She giggled herself and
wiggled her boobs at me.  Well, if the youngsters could play, so could we.
   So we did our own touch-feely game too.  Maybe we were a little more
overt about it than Bob and Natalie, but no one seemed to mind.  God, it
felt so good to do it again.
   After the prep work was done, Bob called a halt and we straightened
things up and got the dining room ready for painting the next day.
   We looked pretty funny when we took our dust masks, goggles and gloves
off.  Just as Bob had said, the dust had settled all over us, and we had
inverse raccoon-eyes from the goggles and clown-mouths from the masks.
   Bob went off home, we sent Natalie off to her room to get cleaned up, do
her homework and all that, and Ana and I got cleaned up ourselves.
   We took our first shower together in over six months.  Nothing really
sexual, but being close to each other and helping wash the naughty bits was
fun.
   We got into bed and Ana snuggled up to me.  She murmured, "Don, that was
tiring and fun, and I forgot to be afraid for the whole evening.  Let's
really make things get better and better from now on."
   I stroked her back and kissed her.  "We'll do just that," I promised as
we drifted off to sleep.
   ------
   SHERRY (Friday 9/16)
   At Friday lunch, George, Bob and I were in the cafeteria while Natalie
had ducked into the bathroom.  Bob was telling George and me about the job
he'd worked last night, "One of the new teachers, Don Matthews, needed a
room painted.  He said he had a wife and daughter who were willing to
learn, so I offered the usual 'apprentice' routine."
   I noticed Natalie had come up behind him, and I subtly motioned to her
to stay where she was.
   Bob told us, "Turned out I couldn't really tell which was the wife and
which was the daughter.  They're both drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as hell.
Good thing I was wearing my large boiler suit -- I was so 'up' all night
Mr. Matthews would have kicked me out on my ass if he'd noticed."
   I noticed Natalie getting pinker and pinker.  Was she getting jealous or
something?
   Bob went on, "The daughter's *really* something.  Smart as a whip, great
sense of humor, big blue eyes I could fall into forever, the cutest
freckles...  and Irish!  I've *gotta* find a way to *tutor* her..."
   Natalie let out a strangled gasp and smacked Bob with her shoulder. 
"You wanker!" she spit out.
   Bob turned to her and acted surprised.  "Oh, Natalie!  I didn't see you!
Sit down.  What's up?"
   "Tutor me, my ass!" she said indignantly.
   "Natalie, was it *you* last night?  Oh, my God, I apologize.  I was so
horny I didn't even recognize you.  Of course, I'll tutor your ass and
anything else I can."
   "In your dreams, buster!"
   "Yep, I dream every night."
   "I'll make them nightmares if you're not careful."
   "That would be a terrible thing to be saddled with," he grinned.
   I had to break in, "Well if you two are so hot for each other, why don't
you do something about it?"
   They both sobered up right away.  Bob looked at Natalie and nodded for
her to speak.
   "My family's got a major situation we're trying to handle," she told us,
"and until it's over, I'm basically grounded -- no dates, no
extra-curricular stuff, nothing."
   Bob broke in, "It has nothing to do with anything Natalie's done."
   "Right," Natalie continued.  "But in the meantime, Bob and I are stuck
with the situation.  We're trying to work something out with Dad --
actually my step-father, it's why our last names are different -- but until
then..." She shrugged and frowned.
   George and I both offered, "How can we help?"
   Bob said, "Don't know right now.  We've got to do some strategy
planning, but I've got an idea it will involve you two somehow.  I got a
note earlier to see Mrs.  Baer 6th period today."
   Natalie said, "I did, too.  Probably Dad will be there."
   ------
   DON
   Sixth period we got together in Rose's office.  Rose asked Bob, "How do
you think last night went with Mrs.  Matthews?"
   With a straight face, Bob said, "Well, I was my normal quiet and shy
self..."
   Rose laughed.  "Yeh, right.  The only day you've been shy was the day
before you were born!"
   We laughed.  Bob said, "Actually, I think it went well.  I molested
Natalie only a little bit, so they didn't get too mad at me."
   Natalie promptly smacked him on the shoulder.  "Better watch it, buddy!
Don was in the Shore Patrol in the Navy, so he knows how to handle rowdy
sailors."
   I smirked, "Yeh.  The usual way is to let them get on with it!  Anyway,
Ana volunteered to me last night she had a lot of fun, forgot to be afraid
the entire evening and really wanted to make things get better.  I haven't
explained to Bob what happened to her, and I don't think Natalie really
knows the whole story either."
   Bob said, "Hmm..." We looked at him.  "Between what Natalie and Don have
told me, it appears Ana is the issue here.  Now, I haven't pried too much.
It seems it's Ana's story to tell, not theirs -- and I can't find fault
with that.  However, I did notice Ana was getting around perfectly fine, so
I assume this isn't a chronic physical trauma or issue, right?" he asked.
   The rest of us shook our heads no.  "Okay then.  It's probably
emotional. I picked up a lot of fear and despair from her at times last
night -- which eased off a lot when Don, here, got closer to her.  Natalie
said there was an 'external influence' to the family, so am I correct in
thinking her issues really have little or nothing to do with either of you
two?" He waved at Natalie and me.
   I told him, "Nothing at all."
   He asked, "Natalie said it was one of the reasons your family came to
California, so whatever happened wasn't here?"
   We told him, "Yes.  Where we lived before."
   "Does she work?  Has she gotten out of the house much?"
   I told him, "She used to work at a hospital.  Since this happened, she's
not worked at all and only goes out when she's with me."
   He asked me, "How does she think of herself?"
   I told them, "She's mentioned several times she feels like an object, a
piece of nothing, a non-person."
   "Okay.  Has she had any counseling?"
   "Quite a bit at the beginning.  She still keeps in touch at least every
week.  The thing is, she seems to have reached a plateau.  Not getting
worse but not really getting better either."
   Rose said, "Well, I've been a student Counselor here for years and have
handled some things similar but never so, let us say, to as great a scale
as this.  Bob, from things you've told me and from what several other
students have told me, you actually have much more hands-on experience than
I do.  What would you recommend?"
   "Putting me right on the spot, eh?  Well, let me think a bit." His eyes
got a long-distance stare for a minute.
   "Okay, here's what we know are minus points.  Ana's had an emotional
trauma not involving her family.  She no longer works outside the house. 
She doesn't go out at all except with someone she trusts totally, like Don.
She feels herself to be an object, a nothing.  She's probably in pretty
much constant fear.  She's afraid or terrified of people, not the
environment as such.  The situation's not deteriorating, but it isn't
getting better.  Right so far?"
   We agreed.  "Now for the plus points.  It happened some time ago, at
least months, I presume.  Since then she's had a major change in
environment -- coming to California -- some education -- all good
counseling does that -- and some direct counseling.  She has a family which
loves her and wants to help, and she wants to help herself -- you just
don't know how.
   "In somewhat similar situations I've been 'involved' in, here's what
I've recommended and what has worked: First, start getting her in frequent
contact with people who treat her special, who can constantly push her up
and let her know *they* think she's special and worthwhile.
   "Next, or in addition to, get her around people who are happy, who
aren't afraid of life.  As teachers, you've already seen the people kids
hang out with help determine what they become.  Kids and adults who are
around criminals, druggies and such tend to become criminals and druggies.
   "On the other hand, being around happy, social, goal-oriented people
helps *them* become that way themselves.  We need to show her not all
people seek to injure her, and there are people worth knowing and being
with.
   "That's pretty much the general plan.  Now, as to specifics, Don here
doesn't seem to object to Natalie and I being together outside of
school..."
   I told them, "Not at all.  In fact, I approve -- it's mainly Ana's fear
spilling over onto her.  Natalie's been tremendously supportive, but from
what I've seen and from what she's told me, she's hurting herself from it.
Anything which helps Ana and helps Natalie would tend to get my approval."
   Natalie and Bob looked at each other and smiled widely.  Bob continued,
"Well, with that ulterior motive in mind, here's what I recommend.  We've
got the dining room to finish painting tonight.  I'll continue to treat Ana
as I did before -- as a *person* and push her up even more.
   "Next, I want to get George and Sherry involved.  Natalie's been hanging
out with us since the beginning of school, and I trust them completely. 
The four of us have several classes in common, so let's get a study group
together at the Matthews' house.  We've tried a study group before, and
it's worked out really well except meeting at any of our houses just hasn't
worked out for long -- It's been too noisy, too many kids, not enough room,
whatever.
   "Don, your house would be perfect for us.  You'll have a newly-renovated
dining room we can all praise Ana for and no other distracting influences.
It would help us out, and George and Sherry are experts at handling people,
pushing them up and making them feel really proud of themselves."
   Rose broke in, "I'll vouch for that.  I've seen them in action.  If
someone wants to change for the better and it seems Ana does, these guys
can do it."
   "Thanks, Mrs.  Baer," Bob responded.  "They've proven themselves many
times.  I'll clear it with George and Sherry.  I'll tell them to treat Ana
'special,' and they'll know what and how to do it -- they don't need to
know any more.
   "Don, I'll let you know later today if they agree.  If they do, over the
weekend or maybe at the beginning of next week, why don't you ask Ana if
Natalie and I can study together at your house and why your house.  I don't
think I'll have been so offensive to her that she wouldn't agree.  Of
course, you'd be there while I'm there, so she'll have that trust factor
working for her."
   I agreed, "It's a good plan."
   "Then, after a couple times, we could add Sherry then a few times
afterwards, George.  Make sense?"
   I exclaimed, "Totally."
   "Great.  Now, we also need to get her out of the house more.  She's
probably got too much time just to think and dwell on whatever happened. 
We need to get her into action, get her to experience more of life.  Get
her over to visit her parents.  I'll tell my folks Natalie's my new
girlfriend -- actually she's the only girlfriend I've ever had -- and I'll
get my mother to invite your family over to our place for a
'getting-to-know-the-parents' event."
   Rose said, "And Bob's parents are really good people, too."
   Bob smiled.  "Well, I think so, too.  We'll get Ana to meet more and
more good people.  For example, my folks have a Halloween party every year
for family and the construction crews as well as for Thanksgiving.  If we
can get Ana to those, she'll really meet some outstanding people.
   "I want her to get so she can live, so she can attack life and be in
control of it, not be the effect of it as she appears to be now.  Any other
ideas?"
   Rose raised her hand.  "Got my vote!" she stated.
   Natalie raised her hand, "Mine, too."
   I said, "I agree also.  We have formed the conspiracy!"
   Chapter 6
   ANA (Friday 9/16)
   I was really looking forward to having Bob back to finish the dining
room; I didn't think of him as a "male." He was lots of fun, and it doesn't
hurt an old lady's morale any to have such an Irish stud flirt with her,
either, especially since we know it's just a game.  Natalie was really
happy for him to be there last night too.
   We got back into our grubbies after dinner and were ready when Bob came
over around six.  He got us all in the dining room and we started.
   "You guys did *great* last night," he said.  "The prep work is almost
always the hardest, dirtiest and takes the longest, but you all did very
well.  Ana, a couple of your patches are just perfect, I can't see any
hills or valleys in them -- hills and valleys are for women's bodies, not
walls -- they'll paint over just right." Jaysus, bring on the blarney
again!
   "I see the ladies have their face armor on.  That's good.  Don and I,
being macho men, can't be bothered with stuff like that, right?" he
grinned.
   Don, of course, flexed his arms and said, "Ugh.  Me macho man."
   Bob told us, "We'll be using rollers to do the open areas of the wall,
but first we'll 'cut in' the corners, the ceiling and around the window and
door frames.  Ana, since you're used to the high altitudes of beauty, how
about you take one ladder and start around the ceilings and the tops of the
corners.  Don can help steady the ladder or anything else he can lay his
hands on.  Natalie and I will work on the trim for the windows and doors.
We shouldn't need dust masks at all tonight, and we'll use the goggles when
we roll.  Okay?  Great.  Let the painting party begin!"
   He showed us how to open the paint, stir it up then pour out some into
smaller paper buckets.  He demonstrated how to dip the brush ("No need to
shove it in all the way, just an inch or so at the end") and how to make
the short strokes (shit, Don does it to me that way sometimes, and it
drives me wild).
   Seemed simple enough.  Don and I grabbed a ladder and started on the
walls up at the ceiling.  Don "helped" me by grabbing my ass a few times to
"steady" me while I was on the ladder.  I dripped a little paint on him to
let him know how much I appreciated it.
   He even reached around and grabbed my boobs a few times as I was coming
down from the ladder.  "Wouldn't want you to fall, now would we," he leered
at me.  I got back at him by grabbing his crotch.
   Bob and Natalie didn't notice, or if they did, didn't say anything. 
They were playing their own touchy games while they were getting the paint
on the walls.
   Bob told me a couple times I was doing it "reeeal goood" and told Don to
make sure I didn't fall.
   ------
   DON
   Another fun night.  Ana appeared to be happy to have Bob over again, and
of course he laid the blarney on her right away.  Ana and I got assigned to
cut in the walls near the ceiling, so Ana would go up the ladder while I
steadied it and held the paint can.
   I managed to grab her ass a few times to help "steady" her -- she didn't
seem to mind, except I got a few more drips on me than usual from her paint
brush.  I got my hands on her tits a couple times too; she just leaned back
against me, wiggled them a bit then twitched her butt out of the way and
grabbed my crotch.  We were facing away from Bob and Natalie -- don't think
they'd mind, but you've got to keep up appearances.
   I heard Natalie laugh and say, "Oops." Bob growled at her.  When Ana and
I looked, Natalie had "accidentally" managed to swipe her paintbrush across
one side of Bob's face.  He said, "Watch it, Apprentice!  The Sorcerer may
have to chastise you severely!"
   A few minutes later I heard her giggle again.  Somehow, she'd managed to
get the other side of his face, too.  He mock-glared at her, ran a finger
through the paint on his face and collected a big glob on the end.  So fast
I couldn't see it, he reached out and deposited it right on the end of her
nose.  She didn't even get a chance to blink.
   "Don't make me get out my Rod of Chastisement, young lady," he growled.
   "Oh, please do, please..." Natalie giggled at him.  He just shook his
head and backed out of range.
   ------
   BOB
   "A good time was being had by all." I _felt_ "cheerful" from Ana and she
was doing a good job.  I could see Don was taking liberties with her and
she gave off a little flare of enjoyment every time.
   Natalie managed to paint my face a couple times, so I gave her a clown
nose.  We played our Touch Games, too.
   I saw an opening to get in another zinger while Ana was bending over
getting some paint on her brush.  "Don," I asked him, "How long have you
been out of the Navy?"
   "About 10 years.  Why?"
   I nodded towards Ana.  "Well, I see you haven't forgotten how to
'grab-ass'."
   ------
   NATALIE
   I heard Bob ask Don about the Navy and something about "grab-ass." They
were looking at Mom while she was bending over -- both her butt cheeks had
big dusty handprints on them!
   Don and Bob laughed, so of course, I had to join in.  Mom stood up,
turned around and said, "What!" She had handprints all over her boobs, too.
"Don," I told him, "you've got to brush up on your anatomy.  That doesn't
look like grab *ass* to me!"
   Mom looked down at her chest and actually blushed!  She turned her head
and glared at Don -- "You!"
   Don threw his hands in the air and tried to look innocent -- yeh, sure.
"It wasn't me!" he tried to assure her.
   I heard Bob gasp loudly.  "Ana," he said, "I do so totally apologize!"
He turned to me with a contrite look.  "Natalie, I'm so sorry -- I thought
she was you!"
   God, I felt my face burn -- everyone was looking at me now.  I knew he
was joking since he'd been next to me all evening, but all I could do was
stutter a bit -- while I thought of Bob grabbing *my* boobs!  My nipples
tightened up hard enough to poke holes through our newly-patched wall.
   "Bob, I think you need more practice in telling women apart..." Don
commented then Mom chimed in with, "Yes, lots of practice on the *right*
girl so you never get it wrong again."
   Don announced firmly, "Bob, I think Natalie needs to give *you* some
severe chastisement."
   Mom contributed, "At the very least a good tongue-lashing."
   Bob dropped to his knees in front of me and cowered down.  He kissed my
shoes and whimpered, "Please, Mistress, chastise me -- lash me with your
tongue -- please."
   Images and the feel of my tongue running over him -- all over him -- ran
through my head.  I know I had a full-body blush by now, even if no one
could see it -- and I felt my pussy drooling too.
   Of course, Mom and Don just stood there laughing at me.  There was no
doubt they hadn't caught the double meaning and my reaction.
   ------
   ANA
   God, they ganged up on me -- Don's handprints all over my ass and boobs
couldn't have been more incriminating.  Then Bob turned all the attention
onto Natalie.  I could tell what she was thinking right away -- she wanted
his hands on her boobs.  I didn't blame her in the least; when I was her
age, I wanted hands on my tits, too.
   Then he managed to turn our comments into another double meaning. 
Tongues...  I looked over at Don, and he just raised an eyebrow and leered
at me pleasantly.  We remembered a few "tongue-lashings" we'd each gotten
from each other.  Christ, I was getting turned on!  With all that stuff
going on the last few months, Don and I hadn't done a thing -- and now we
were both remembering -- and wanting.
   Natalie was standing there blushing.  I could see her look and knew she
was really turned on, too.  She tried to act all indignant and told Bob
firmly, "Away, varlet!  Remove your lowly hands from my person!"
   She jerked one foot away hard enough she knocked over one of the
unopened paint cans behind her -- it clattered to the floor and rolled
around.
   It startled her; she turned around and jumped back.  Conveniently, Bob
stood up and caught her by the elbows.  He called out, "Watch out!  The
Paint Monster's loose!"
   ------
   NATALIE
   Paint Monster?  Why not?  With Bob holding me, I wasn't afraid -- but I
could act like it.  "Ah!  Help!  Save me!  The Paint Monster will eat me!"
   Bob whispered in my ear, "No it won't, that's *my* job." Oh, my gushing
pussy.
   ------
   ANA
   The paint can hit the wall and rolled back towards them.  Bob orated,
"We can conquer the Paint Monster!" Don and I were both laughing hard.
   Bob put his foot out and stopped the paint can.  He told Natalie, "Put
your foot on it!" She did and they both pushed it away.  Bob announced
proudly, "The Paint Monster has been de-FEETed." Ugh, rotten pun.  My
stomach was really starting to hurt from laughing.
   Natalie laid her head back against Bob's shoulder and looked at him
adoringly.  She mocked up shaking and gushed, "Oh, my Hero!  Thank you,
thank you.  I was so scared."
   Bob held her closer with his hands on her elbows, laid his head on hers
and rocked her back and forth gently.  "'Sokay," he crooned.  "It's gone
away.  It can't hurt you now.  'Sokay." He said it over several times.
   Oh my God!  My heart pounded, and I felt all the blood drain from my
face.  Don and I looked at each other, and he held his arms open.  I ran to
his arms with my tears coming down.  He held me close and helped me out of
the room.
   ------
   BOB
   With Natalie backed up to me like she was, I got hard as a rock in an
instant.  While I rocked her back and forth, she pushed her butt into my
hard-on so firmly I had to put a foot back to keep my balance.  I felt our
breathing speed up and I know both our heart rates must have doubled.
   I think we could have stood there like that for a long time, but after a
few moments, I eased her forward and let her go.  She turned around and I
saw the same longing in her eyes as I had in mine.
   I told her sadly, "Too much for right now, I think."
   She said quietly, "Yeh, I know.  Later -- but hopefully not too much
later."
   I'd felt a sudden change in emotion behind us while we were rocking. 
When I turned around, both Don and Ana were gone.  I looked at Natalie with
a question.  She shrugged and said, bewildered, "I don't know."
   I put the fingertips of my hand on her cheek and just held them there. I
told her, "You're wonderful, Natalie," and let my admiration flow towards
her.
   She put her hand over mine for a moment and told me, "You're not too bad
yourself, Bob." I _felt_ her admiration towards me and it _felt_ just so
perfect.
   Finally we stepped back from each other.  I told her, "We've still got
plenty to do.  How about you finish the window and door trim just around
the edges by the wall.  I'll finish the cut-in around the ceiling then we
can roll." We got to work.
   We worked steadily away for another hour.  I don't know what had
happened with Ana and Don, but I hadn't picked up anything directed towards
me or Natalie, so I let it go for now.
   Natalie finished up her part just as I got done myself.  I looked things
over and told her, "You do good work, Nat.  Lines are nice and straight,
the spread is even and we're ready to rock and ROLL!" She looked pleased at
the praise, but she had earned it.
   I got out the rollers and coached her on what to do.  We got our goggles
and latex gloves on and rolled away.  We'd gotten almost all the first coat
finished when Don came back in, alone.
   I looked at him and said, "Don, I apologize.  I think we triggered
something, but we definitely didn't mean to."
   He looked back at us steadily.  "I know that.  It just so happened you
got one of her major triggers exactly right -- it's not your fault at all,
you couldn't have known."
   Don clapped his hands once, looked around and said, "Looks as if we're
almost done here."
   I agreed with him.  "Yes, your lovely daughter is a most excellent
apprentice.  She did this while I just goofed around."
   Natalie snickered and said, "Yeh, right."
   I indicated the walls.  "They actually look pretty crappy right now with
the paint drying.  Look at it again tomorrow or whenever and decide if it
needs a second coat.  If so, and Ana is feeling up to it, we can knock the
whole thing out in an hour or so, even with the final cleanup.
   "Now, I'm not going to say a thing to Ana about what happened -- as far
as we're concerned, it never happened.  If we put any attention on it, the
reaction will tend to stick, so we ignore it.  In my experience, it's
always worked out best that way.  Agreed?"
   ------
   DON
   Ana was okay, really just a minor shock.  She apologized to me, but I
told her not to concern herself about it; tomorrow was another day.
   The next day, I thought the walls did need a second coat.  Bob was not
at all surprised, he said it was usually how it happened.  We got together
Saturday afternoon and knocked out the second coat.
   Bob and Natalie acted as if nothing unusual had happened.  Ana gradually
brightened up again and was laughing with the rest of us by the time we'd
gotten the second coat on and everything cleaned up.
   ------
   (Sunday 9/18)
   Sunday, she and Natalie did girl stuff on the windows, re-hung the
pictures and got me to muscle the dining table and chairs around for a
couple hours.  Move the table an inch at a time, wait for them to discuss
it, move it again, wait again -- well, what the hell, she was smiling.
   Ana agreed to have Bob over for study.  I thought she had a soft spot
for him, especially since Natalie had been showing how much she liked him.
   The studying went great.  We agreed on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
schedule with any other time actually needed.
   Bob and Natalie would laugh and joke with Ana and me and in general,
light the place up.  They got a lot of studying done, too.
   The second week, they brought Sherry into the group.  She and Ana hit it
off right away, especially when she found out Ana was an R.N.  and had a
Management degree.
   "Hospital Administration!  WOW!  An Executive in our midst!"
   The three kids looked at each other and said simultaneously, "Brain
pick!"
   They'd keep asking Ana's opinion on things, and every time they'd subtly
pump her up about how helpful she was and how valuable it was to spend time
around her.
   We slipped George into the group a couple times later.  Between the four
of them, they got a lot of work done, and Ana seemed quite happy to have
them over.
   George was a computer whiz -- not that Bob wasn't, but George was a real
guru.
   He and Bob set up a wireless network in the house.  George set up some
small boxes, and Bob crawled around under the house and in the attic while
Natalie and Sherry "supervised."
   After all the hardware was in place, George sat down in front of
Natalie's computer, pushed up his sleeves and announced, "Observe!  My
fingers never leave my hands!"
   He typed away, clicked the mouse, consulted his notes and made screens
pop up and down like they were Jacks in a Box.  He did the same with my
laptop then continued his incantations with Bob's and Sherry's laptops.
   We ended up with an encrypted wireless network which was available
anywhere in the house, including the dining room where they studied.  They
could research on the Internet through our DSL, work up papers then print
them on Natalie's printer in her room.
   Geeser, the Irish-named cat, had a great time with them.  They liked
him, so he'd sprawl out on the table and go to sleep, usually right on top
the papers they needed most.
   If they disturbed him, he'd grumble then get up for a moment and walk
around on their computer keyboards.  Lots of their documents got cat tracks
in them.
   Most of the time, he'd just sleep in the middle.  The kids would pet him
lightly while they read, and he'd lie there asleep and purr so loudly I
think the table vibrated.
   Of course, they gave Ana credit for his being so nice.
   One evening while they were there, everything shook a little and the
chandelier swayed.  Earthquake!
   We (Ana, Natalie and I) looked around pretty nervously but the others...
Bob just reached out, petted Geeser a little bit to calm him down and said,
"Welcome to California!  Probably a 3-pointer.  We'll need to make a run
around the house sometime to ensure things are tied down for the next one.
They *do* get bigger."
   ------
   ANA
   Having the kids over for study was working out just great.  They were
all smart and happy, and we got along just fine.  It was pretty obvious
George and Sherry were a couple, and they treated Bob and Natalie as a
couple too.
   Don and I happened to be coming into the dining room when I heard Sherry
ask Natalie, "How do you two *do* that?  My folks can talk with each other
without saying anything, but they've been married for 20 years now."
   I motioned for Don to wait a moment, this was interesting.  Bob said,
"Well, you both know Natalie and I sorta fell into each other the first day
we met -- we hadn't the faintest idea what was going on but have since
found out a few things.
   "You know I've got a pretty reliable empathic sense of what other people
are feeling, and I occasionally pick up some thoughts and images, too. 
Since that first day, we've avoided _falling_ into each other again,
somehow, since although it felt great, we didn't seem to have any control
over it beyond an off or on.
   "We've done a little research, and Nat and I have been practicing. 
We've come up with a method which seems to work.  It may not be exactly
what's happening, but it works and maybe we can teach you guys too.  If we
can, we can assume it's not just some wild talent Natalie and I have.  You
up to it?" He looked over at Don and me, too.
   He coached us on how to "reach out and touch someone" with attention and
intention like the old telephone-company ads and how to send out spiritual
admiration.
   When Don did it to me, I exclaimed, "It was like he _kissed_ me!"
   "Yeh," Bob and Natalie both laughed.  "That's a lot of what love is
about, a lot of admiration -- and that's how Natalie and I get in a whole
lot of smooching at school without the teachers worrying about the Public
Displays of Affection," Bob grinned and cocked an eyebrow at Natalie.
   Natalie piped up, "And now since George and Sherry know how to do that,
they'll probably have some full-blown make-out sessions in school without
getting busted."
   George and Sherry looked at each other and I saw George's eyes go
distant for a moment.  Sherry gasped and said, "George!"
   Bob and Natalie both laughed.  Bob told George, "You need to keep your
attention and intention pretty tightly focused.  I know you think it
smells, tastes and feels great, but if you don't keep focused, anyone with
any sensitivity will know what you're thinking about.  Both Natalie and I
picked up what you were sending."
   They leered at Sherry who promptly smacked George a good one -- and
blushed again.
   Bob said, "Now that was between two people who have a lot of liking for
each other and who trust each other, so it was actually fairly easy.  With
practice, you can do the same with other people whom you don't know so well
-- you can _look_ and _listen_ to them and actually pick up what they're
thinking about -- sometimes it's emotions, other times its actual thoughts
or pictures.
   "An interesting thing...  it's not so much as we're learning to do it,
it's more like we're *remembering* how.  We seem to get quantum jumps in
the abilities which seem so familiar they're like, 'Of course, how silly of
me to forget.' Looks like another subject for research and discussion.
   "The distance between probably doesn't matter.  Natalie and I have
practiced, and we can _touch_ and _talk_ with each other anywhere we are in
school.  I fact, we've done it a few times when each of us was home, and
we're several blocks apart.  I don't really see any reason why the distance
can't be in miles, hundreds, thousands or even millions of miles.  The
physical constraints don't seem to be there.
   "Nat and I seem to keep an 'open line,' like being on the telephone
together.  We might not _say_ anything for a long time, but we know the
other is there -- and it's extremely comforting.
   "So it's practice, drill, practice, boys and girls.  It's a whole new
world for all of us.  Now, we've got homework to finish up -- and no
cheating!"
   Chapter 7
   BOB (Saturday 10/1)
   One Saturday morning, Don and I made a tour through the house and garage
looking for potential earthquake issues.  I spotted a few, mainly bookcases
and stuff which could fall over, so I dug out my cordless drill and
strapping and tagged them into the wall.
   I noticed a bookshelf over the head of their bed, full of books.  I told
him, "Unless you want to attempt to read them all at once in the middle of
the night, I'd recommend you replace them with those stuffed animals over
there.  We spend about a third of our time in bed, so there's a 30% chance
one will happen while you're there."
   Ana immediately delegated Don and me to removing the books while she and
Natalie spent the next twenty minutes getting the perfect arrangement of
the various stuffed bears, monkeys, cats, chipmunks, you name it.
   Being nosy, I looked everywhere; I even stuck my head up into the attic.
I was especially interested in Natalie's room; I did a thorough inspection,
but nothing unusual turned up -- it smelled wonderful, just like she did.
   I steered them to the Internet sites on earthquake preparedness and
recommended they make up a couple earthquake kits -- stuff like food,
water, lighting, that sort of stuff.
   In the garage, I saw three golf bags!  "Don, from the looks of those,
you all play, right?"
   "Yep.  We've all done it for years.  Haven't been out at all since May,
though."
   "Aha!  Withdrawal symptoms!  *That*'s Ana's problem!  We need to get you
guys out.  There's a decent driving range and course about five minutes
from here, and you get a Burbank resident discount."
   Don immediately called an emergency family conference and they decided
they'd go tomorrow.
   "Do you play...  golf?" Natalie grinned at me.
   "I don't know if you'd call it *play* yet.  I started this summer, and I
think I've learned you're supposed to hold the straight end of the stick in
your hands and hit the ball with the crooked end."
   Natalie got an evil look on her face.  "You are coming with us
tomorrow!"
   "You just want to beat the pants off me, huh?"
   She pinked up a little as she whispered, "I'd rather beat something else
off."
   "So would I.  Patience.  Our time will come."
   ------
   NATALIE (Sunday 10/2)
   We went golfing early Sunday morning.  Bob suggested we put the bags in
the back of his truck so we wouldn't have to pack them in our car trunk. 
Don liked the idea, since he was usually the one stuck with putting them
in.
   Bob picked up a bag in each hand and straight-armed them into the back
of his truck without hesitation.  Jaysus!  Don's bag alone probably weighed
fifty pounds!
   Just when I was about to climb in the back seat of our car, Mom said,
"Honey, why don't you ride with Bob." She nodded her head seriously,
grinned and flicked her head towards Bob's truck.
   Me turn that down?  No way, Jose!  I dashed for the truck, opened the
passenger door and slid right up next to Bob.  He looked at me with an
eyebrow question.
   "Hello, there," I said in my most sultry voice.  "Mom 'suggested' it."
   Big Bob-smile.  "And when Mom 'suggests' something, it usually behooves
the suggestee to comply with alacrity, right?"
   "Right." I sighed contentedly and laid my head on his shoulder for a few
seconds.  He smelled goood!
   It was about a five-minute run into the hills up to DeBell golf course.
Bob suggested we see if there happened to be a tee time available.  We
checked and there was!  About an hour away.
   Bob paid for us all.  "We get a residential discount.  The first time,
it's my treat."
   I'll go for it.  I stored the information away for a later, very
personal repayment with *lots* of interest.
   At the driving range, Bob got us each a small bucket of balls, probably
about 50 each, got in his stall and did his warm ups.  I did mine, ensuring
there was lots of bending and stretching.
   I'd claimed two adjacent stalls for Bob and me.  I took the right-hand
one so my back was towards him when I was hitting.  My evil plan began!
   I had on my baggies but even with those, I noticed my ass got outlined
when I bent over.  For you non-golfers out there, when a golfer gets in
position to do his shot, he sticks his butt out behind him -- men and
women.
   Each golfer has his own pre-shot ritual, such as waving the club,
shaking his shoulders, whatever he's developed to get in the mind-set to
take the shot.  Mine was about three seconds long and now I added an
additional move just before I started the take-away (backswing).
   I wiggled my ass side-to-side about three times then started my swing.
My first stroke was pretty much where I wanted it -- not bad for not having
picked up a club in almost six months!
   As I took my stance for my next stroke, I _felt_ Bob's attention go
exactly where I wanted it -- on my ass!  Then when I wiggled it, I heard
him groan.  Yes!  I decided the last wiggle was exactly what I needed to
add.
   After ten or fifteen balls, I casually turned around and watched Bob. 
He had a good grip and stance as far as I could tell, was relaxed and had
an excellent athletic swing (where the upper body "winds up" then the legs
drive the club through the ball).  No hooks (bad bend to the left) or
slices (bad bend to the right), but I did notice one problem.
   It's probably pretty hard for a guy to concentrate on the ball when he's
got a raging hard-on; probably something to do with the blood supply being
diverted from the brain.  Too bad.  I stared at his crotch while he made a
couple swings.
   When he glanced up at me, I was still staring.  I leered quickly and
licked my lips.  I _felt_ a mental groan from him.  He tried to concentrate
for a couple of strokes but kept spraying the balls all over.
   I remembered what George had done to Sherry when they were first
learning to spirit-talk, so at the top of Bob's next backswing (when all
the muscles are fully tightened up), I gave his dick a real light
_squeeze._ I saw his pants flatten out, and he literally collapsed in a
heap!  YES!
   He unwound his legs and arms, stood up and mock-glared at me.  "You are
*so* going to get it one of these days, Natalie!"
   "Bob, day *or* night, I'm ready!"
   "Groan." I _felt_ him get even harder.
   I turned around and continued hitting, making sure to keep in the last
wiggle.  In fact, I would occasionally wiggle my ass just as I took my
stance, too.
   Suddenly, as soon as I stuck my butt out, I felt a _caress_ over both
cheeks and must have jumped straight up at least a foot.  Now it was *my*
turn to glare!  Bob was giving me his best innocent look while I scowled at
him.
   He blinked his eyes and said, "What?"
   "You know what, buster."
   He shrugged nonchalantly.  "Turn-about is foreplay," he grinned.
   Foreplay.  Fuck the foreplay, I was ready right then!  However, I didn't
think the course manager would appreciate a couple of golfers screwing on
the driving range grass, so I let it pass and went back to hitting balls.
   I kept feeling his _caress_ every couple strokes then *I* started to
spray my shots.  I guess my blood supply was being diverted from my brain
into my nipples and pussy juice production.  Every swing I made, my sports
bra squeezed my boobs and nipples and shot a jolt of energy right down to
my clit!
   Finally I said, "Truce?"
   "Okay.  For a little while."
   It took me the rest of the bucket to steady out again and let my
headlights dim down.
   Our tee time was up, so we went over to the clubhouse and claimed our
carts.  Mom "suggested" Bob and I ride together.  Yes again!
   Bob let me drive.  I think it had something to do with the fact that I
climbed in behind the wheel and gave him a look which dared him to say
anything.
   "I like having a chauffeur," he grinned, so I drove the cart up the ten
feet to the first tee.
   Long hole, uphill.  I managed to get a fairly decent drive off, up the
left side.  Bob put one right up the middle, about 175 yards.  We applauded
him, and he bowed grandly.  We were off!
   Ride and hit.  Putt.  Ride to the next tee.  Fun!  Mom and I were
hitting from the front tees (women's), Don was using the back tees and Bob
used the middle ones.
   At the third hole, while Mom and I were setting up our balls, I told
her, "Mom, the guys are staring at our butts."
   She smiled gleefully.  "I know.  Male prerogative.  However, we might as
well make it interesting."
   We hitched up our pants snugly into our crotches, bent over with our
feet apart and knees straight and our asses pointed straight back then
planted our tees.  Of course we had to ensure the ball was placed just
right on top of them, which involved several good butt-wiggles.
   When we stood up and turned around, Don was flat on his back playing
dead.  Bob was on his knees with his right hand over his heart and his left
hand straight up, shaking like a leaf with his face contorted.  He slowly
fell forward on his face and lay still.
   Mom and I high-fived!  Got them!
   We'd all made good drives, so we had about a minute's ride.  Bob had
miraculously recovered and was just lazing on the seat.  He turned his head
and stared at my boobs.
   He _licked_ my nipples with a hot, very wet phantom tongue!  They popped
straight up even with my sports bra trying to hold them down, and I ran the
cart off the track!
   After I got the cart back on the track, I asked, "So the truce is over
then?"
   "Well, I think we'd better keep the truce while we're in motion or
you'll be a golf widow before we're even married."
   Married!  Jaysus, it sounded great.
   I said, "Okay.  Truce while anyone is in motion, getting ready or
hitting."
   "Truce."
   At the eleventh hole, we took a pee call.  Don and Mom took theirs
first; us younger folk have better bladder control, I guess.  I got in the
stall, yanked everything down, sat and let it flow.  After I patted dry, I
had a nasty idea!  We're not in motion!
   I _called_ him, _"Bo-ob!  Oh, Bo-ob?"_
   _"Yes, my precious, angelic sweetheart?"_
   I told him, _"Feel *this*!"_ I stroked my fingers from my pucker up to
Miss Clitty and _pushed_ the sensations at him.
   _"Holy shit!"_ I _felt_ him grab Little Bob and start his own stroking.
   Damn it was fun!  He was _feeling_ what I was feeling, and I _felt_ him
build up, too!  Yes!  In a couple of minutes, we shared a great mutual
orgasm!  I managed to keep it down to a loud moan, but my heels were really
bouncing on the floor!
   I had to mop up a lot -- there was pussy juice dripping off my butt.  I
put a thick wad of TP in my panties, just in case; we still had eight holes
to go!
   When we came out, Bob grinned at me, gave a big fake sigh of relief and
said, "Well, the tension is relieved for a little bit, at least."
   "The day is still young, so be warned!" I laughed back at him.
   We actually behaved ourselves the rest of the back nine.  We shared lots
of _kisses_ and _hugs_ but kept the rest off limits until we were done.
   Understandably, I had a score of 110 -- I usually hit in the low 90s. 
Bob was in last place with 120.  Well, he's a beginner, so it wasn't really
at all bad.
   Bob told us all, "Since I'm the low man, I guess it means I spring for
dinner, right?"
   Mom grinned at him.  "Since you offered..."
   ------
   BOB
   I took them over to Tony Roma's for dinner.  Relatively decent prices,
decent food and good service from a foxy-looking young lady.  Natalie gave
me an elbow in the ribs every time I looked at her.
   We had a very nice time.  Ana was laughing, cracking jokes, putting out
really bad (great!) puns and kept snuggling up to Don.  Nat and I _felt_
"happy!  happy!" from her all the time.
   I dropped their bags off about 7:00, _kissed_ Natalie and went home.  I
got my shower, practiced my cards, generally goofed off, and got to bed
around 10:00.
   I _reached_ out over the two blocks, gave Nat a nice _kiss and_ asked
her, "_What cha doing, sweetheart?"_
   _"Wondering whether or not I have enough energy left to play with
myself."_
   _"Oh, my.  Well, if my pretty lady needs some help..."_
   Sproing!  I _felt_ her nipples pop up and her pussy get slick.  She gave
me a, _"Hmm..."_
   _"Nat, before we start anything, let's find out something.  Was I too
rough today?  Did it hurt any time?  I had no idea how much pressure to
mock up, so I tried to be just over a tickle."_
   _"It was purrrrfect, Bob.  Any lighter would have tickled and much
harder might have hurt.  Did I squeeze you okay?"_
   _"*Very* okay."_
   _"Good."_
   _"Let's try something.  You're in bed right now?"_
   She _sent_ me a fake blush.  _"You peeked!"_
   _"Not yet but if you insist..."_
   _"In a little bit.  What perversion did you want to try?  Pant, pant!"_
   _"Later.  Let's see how much pressure one of these touches we're doing
can do -- on something which doesn't hurt.  How about you roll your sweet
bootie off the bed."_
   She rolled off the mattress and stood beside it.  _"Okay."_
   _"By the way, Nat, I love your nightie."_
   _"Oh, this old rag!  I've had it since I was born -- my birthday suit!"_
   _"YES!  The eye in the sky is going to watch you!"_
   _"I don't mind in the least.  I hope I'm attractive to you without
clothes."_
   _"Natalie, sweetheart, you'd be attractive to me if you were four feet
tall, weighed 250 pounds and were flat-chested."_
   _"Purrr.  Look away."_
   I _looked._ She was totally beautiful *all* over with her alabaster skin
and freckles -- especially those two big freckles in the middle of her
chest!
   _"Drool, pant, hubba hubba!"_
   _"You men!  Is that all you think of?"_
   _"No.  This one thinks of how wonderful is his lady, how sweet is her
laughter, how her eyes light up when she sees him and how brilliant she
is."_
   _"PRRRR!  Now, we were going to try something on the mattress before we
got perverted?"_
   _"Yeh, I'm going to try a light pressure in the middle."_
   We saw the cover flatten out a little bit.
   _"More pressure now."_
   The mattress got a dent in it a foot across and a half-inch deep.
   _"I'd call it a 'mild.' Now more pressure."_
   The dent was several inches deep.
   _"Nat, stand on it with one foot, and let's see how deep it goes."_
   She climbed on, bounced once or twice (her breasts vibrated
beautifully!) and stood on one foot.  The dent was about three inches deep.
   _"You're about 130, right?  That means my 'mild' was putting out around
150."_
   _"Ouch, it could hurt over a small area."_
   _"Okay, get off again and we'll try something stronger."_
   She got off and we practiced.  A "mild" was probably 150 pounds,
"medium" around 300 pounds, while a "strong" made the whole bed frame creak
under a dent which pushed the mattress all the way down to the under
springs.  It didn't matter which of us did it, the effect was still the
same.
   _"Honey, I think we'll need a lot of calibration work on this sort of
thing.  However, it could handle muggers in a hurry.  I won't even try to
think how even a 'mild' would feel around my nuts."_
   _"I don't have nuts and I still can feel the pain!"_
   _"Okay.  I'd still rather do this..."_ I gave her a _kiss_ and a _hug_.
   _"Yeh, those are almost entirely 'mental' I would say, even though I
felt a feather touch on my mouth and all over my body.  Now, I'm getting
back in bed, so hold off on the mattress experiments."_
   _"Yes, my love."_
   _"By the way, Bob, what perversion did you have in mind for tonight?  I
can think of a few other ways to abuse a mattress than what we were just
doing."_
   I ran a hot, wet phantom tongue up her slit.
   _"Woosh!  *That* was good!  Just what I'd like if you were here
physically!"_
   _"It was just over a 'feather.' However, there's no feedback, so I don't
know how it tastes, feels or smells."_
   _"We'll get there eventually, my love.  In the meantime..."_
   Between her fingers and hands and my "phantoms," we managed to drive her
through three very nice (by her reckoning) orgasms.  She learned how to
_squeeze_ Little Bob and move it up and down...  damned near better than I
could do myself!
   We shared a final, mutual climax which was intense enough she had to
take a big mouthful of pillow to keep from screaming.  Nice!
   ------
   NATALIE (Monday 10/3 and later)
   The next day was wonderful and miserable.  Wonderful because we played
the Touch Game but miserable because we couldn't do more.  Our last-night's
games seemed to make our physical restraint so much harder.  I could tell
we were aching with the desire to grab each other and hold each other close
-- and more.
   We _talked_ about it and decided doing it was really too much of a
strain on us, especially if we were going to be together the next day. 
Even with our horny-hormones running full flow, we decided to be "chaste"
and maybe "give in to our base desires" only on a Friday or Saturday night
-- and not too frequently.
   It worked out.  We'd "get together" and play every other week or so --
no particular schedule.  It was wonderful and frustrating both.
   During the weeknights, we might _share_ sensations very lightly as we
relieved our stresses but kept the sharing way down -- and NO TOUCHING!  It
didn't rule out the completely mental snogging (making out!), long fun
talks and serious discussions while we drifted off to sleep.
   Next year, Bob was going for an Associates Degree in Architecture at the
Glendale or Pasadena Community college.
   _"Natalie, I'm not looking to have a job.  That's J O B, Just Over
Broke. You never make what you're worth, you're usually treated like a
slave and as for advancement...  we'll let's say most corporations lie a
lot about your opportunities._
   _"There's really no such thing as a 'good job.' Most employment is 'at
will', which means if they don't like the color of your hair, you're out.
How many employees have an actual contract?  Don, for example, can be out
of work in a minute if the school district decides to close down or cut
back Mickey C for whatever unfathomable reason they might have._
   _"Anyway, I'm going to specialize in renovation work for a while.  I'm
good at it, and I can control my income to a great degree.  The more I
work, the more income I make -- and my time is my own to schedule.  I can
swim with the dolphins or get eaten by the sharks, but it's *my* decision.
End of lecture."_
   Over the next couple months, Bob coached me a lot in _inspecting_
someone -- _looking_ at them to see how they were feeling emotionally,
whether they were Boy Scouts or slime, what areas they were touchy about
and things like that.  It got so automatic I'd thoroughly _inspect_
everyone I met the first time then when we met the next time, scan them
quickly again to see how they were doing.
   I even matched up a few couples!  I'd notice someone was lonely and
looking, so I'd try to match their personalities up with someone else I
knew.  Fun!
   I started talking and walking to our lockers with a Junior girl after
our last class.  Lucia and her sister, Bellana, a Freshman, had transferred
in the same time I did, so I tried to get them introduced around as much as
I could.
   Lucia was really nice, but she had some real deep issues with men.  She
had stuff hidden real well but I could tell underneath she had some real
self-esteem issues going on.  It didn't make her less pleasant -- besides,
both she and her sister were pretty smart academically.
   Bob had told me to keep an eye out for underclassmen we could bring into
the Brain Trust -- when we graduated, the Inner Circle was no longer there
and we needed replacements.  Lucia and Bellana looked pretty good and I had
my eye on another Freshman girl -- a golden-haired girl with a gorgeous
smile and a really deep mind.
   All of them had been helping other students with their work, even if it
had been a few suggestions or to-the-point questions which got them back on
track.  Lookin' good!
   ------
   BOB
   I'd got Leone and Mark Healy hooked up.  Apparently they hit it off fine
because we saw them together quite a bit in school.
   Leone would smile and wave at us; Mark would wink.  Once Leone whispered
to me, "You did good!  He's a *great* tutor.  Turns out I can barely beat
him in golf, but we literally make beautiful music together.  He plays
piano really well and has this deep rich voice which makes me shiver every
time I hear it."
   "Yeh and I bet I know what happens when you shiver," I told her -- and
admired her perked-up nipples for a few seconds.
   She laughed, grabbed Mark's arm and they walked away with her butt
twitching.  With her, I bet it's totally natural.  I noticed Natalie's butt
twitching a lot, too, whether she knows it or not.
   ------
   NATALIE
   Don and I got Mom over to Nana and Seanathair's place several times. 
The second time, we brought Bob along and introduced him as "Natalie's
friend from school."
   They didn't hesitate a second but made him comfortable and welcome.  It
turned out his Father's company had done some work on their property and
Bob had been on the crew!
   They remembered him because he'd been so happy, had made them feel so
good about themselves and their home -- and had done an excellent job on a
complex renovation.
   We put on our Irish accents a little more, mixed in a bit more slang and
had a great time.  We discussed Black Irish and Red Irish.
   Bob said, "There seems to be a lot of interpretations of what 'Black'
Irish means.  When my family talks about Black and Red, we're talking hair
and eye color.  Black has very dark to really-black hair with blue or gray
eyes like Ana, Natalie and me, while Red has red hair with green eyes, like
my parents and my older brother.  Freckles or peaches and cream complexions
have no bearing on it."
   My grandparents were one of each and loved it.  Bob told us, "My family
is genetically pretty much all Irish.  We aren't hard-nosed Irish like the
New York and Chicago families are, but we seem to keep the accent going.
   "We actually only observe the Irish holidays because it gives us an
excuse to party, and that's about all the Irish culture besides the
language and slang we have.  Probably the New York and Chicago clans
consider us all Plastic Paddies."
   My grandparents loved him and insisted he come along on our
twice-a-month visits.  I doubt they were fooled for a second about his just
being a "friend from school." It didn't hurt that Bob rattled away with
them in Irish Gaelic, either.
   I asked him about it later; I knew some Irish Gaelic by osmosis from
them and Mom, but he seemed to speak it fluently.  He grinned and told me,
"I cheat.  I just _link_ with them a bit, pick out the words and grammar I
need to get the concept across and let it roll.  Same with Spanish.  My
accent's probably atrocious, but no one seems to mind.  When they talk, I
listen both physically and mentally.
   "You get the sound of the words, the concept, spelling (usually),
grammar, the whole bit.  Best way of learning a language I can think of. 
Then, when you speak yourself, you can _send_ the concepts over to them at
the same time, and they get the whole thing in their particular dialect.
   "We might try it some time with a Filipino for Tagalog, a Mid-Easterner
for Arabic, an Armenian in Glendale, that sort of thing.  Anyway, you try
it sometime."
   I did and found out I could even rattle quite a bit of Spanish with
Sherry -- she knew what was going on and helped me out.  I was even able to
match up a few Spanish couples, too!
   Lucia and Bellana were part Italian; her family spoke Italian, Spanish
(not Tex-Mex Mexican) and English pretty much all at once.  I practiced
with her and found I could spit out a fair amount of Italian at a moment's
notice.  Then I had to learn all the hand and arm gestures to go with it!
   Don, Mom, Bob and I all went out at least once a month for a round of
golf.  Bob and I avoided teasing each other quite so much, and he finally
broke 100 on a respectably-tough course!  Yes!
   Mom continued to "suggest" we ride together, so we actually got in some
sanctioned snuggle-time.
   ------
   DON (Friday 10/7)
   Near the start of October, Bob's parents invited us all over for dinner
since we were part of the study group and to meet Bob's girlfriend.
   Both David and Elizabeth were Red Irish about 40 years old.  Elizabeth
has flaming-red hair, while David and Bill (Bob's older brother) have
slightly darker hair.  The entire room looked like there were fires moving
around.
   The Reynolds made us feel totally at home.  Within a half hour, Ana was
laughing and joking with them like they were family -- and to a large
extent, they were, since Bob was a de facto part of our family.
   David was one of the solidest men I've ever seen.  He was about 6' 1"
and *big*.  He wasn't sloppy but every inch of his body was solid muscle.
His chest looked like a barrel, and his legs kept threatening to split his
pants.
   Elizabeth wasn't a little thing either, being about 5' 8" but was a nice
slender lady.  Looks like Bob was a mixture of the two but with the Black
Irish look.
   Elizabeth kept pushing Ana up all the time.  She'd comment, "Natalie's
such a lovely lady.  She's got impeccable manners, is really smart and Bob
really seems to like her a lot.  You did a fantastic job of raising her."
   I know of no mother who isn't flattered by someone praising her
children.
   We got invited back "any time" with a firm invitation to their Halloween
party the last Saturday of October.
   ------
   BOB
   We had a really good Halloween party.  Costumes weren't pushed but
gracefully permitted.  Of course, any kids coming could wear whatever
outlandish thing they could think of.
   Natalie and I borrowed a couple of Don's sailor hats and found a pair of
play handcuffs.  I wore one of Don's Shore Patrol arm bands and carried his
baton.  Natalie was supposed to be my prisoner and kept making frequent,
loud offers to "make it worth my while" if I let her go.
   I noticed Father looking at us intensely a couple of times.  I knew he
was picking up what our relationship really was, not what we were playing
it to be.
   We'd invited all our crew foremen and their families, along with Ana's
parents.  When we counted heads, there were about 40 people in the dining
room.  It was designed to hold 75 in a pinch, so we weren't crowded.
   We chatted quite a bit with Lucia and Bellana Sonora.  Their father was
a crew foreman and was really good people.  He and I had worked together
several times and he had a rich, deep spirit underneath.  Over the summer,
I'd helped them fix up the house Father had found them so it was livable.
   The Sonoras had some deep stuff going on -- something which kept eating
at them.  Nothing illegal or anything, just something to do with the girls
and men -- like a really *bad* relationship.
   Natalie and I simply avoided any issues which might remind them of it
and kept pushing them up.  It wasn't hard, really, they were all very
bright.
   Ana and Don looked as if they were having a great time.  They apparently
found the rest of the crowd to be very friendly and kept laughing, dancing
and having fun.
   Having Natalie handcuffed to me was fun.  We were able to get in a good
amount of snuggling and of course, some mental _touches_ and _kisses_,
silent snogging and making out.  We avoided any physical _touches_; we knew
where that led.
   Since she was my prisoner, Natalie insisted she had to be escorted
everywhere.  She even tried to claim I had to take her into the bathroom --
fat chance!  I knew the trick; get the guard alone, bop him over the head
and escape.  Not me!
   We laughed, played games and had a good old time.  The crew guys
insisted I dig out my cards and show them how they worked.
   So I did some of my card tricks.  I did several of the "find the lost
card" ones and pulled them out of Natalie's, Bellana's and Lucia's blouse
collars.  The only thing was, Natalie kept unbuttoning her buttons and
pushing my hand down lower each time until it was open to her bra.
   Then, she loudly accused me of improper guard conduct by trying to "take
advantage" of her status and warned the other two girls about my "magic
hands." I don't think anyone was fooled in the least -- in fact, we got
several pieces of advice on how I should take advantage of her, since I had
handcuffs.
   One of the foremen said, "Righteous Bob, you can actually get along with
just two restraints.  Put one on a wrist to the post and the other on the
opposite ankle.  That way they can't roll over very easily."
   At every suggestion, Natalie would cock an eyebrow at me, leer a little
and say loudly, "Write it down, Petty Officer Bob.  We need to remember
that one."
   The crew called me "Righteous Bob" and Father "Big Dave" all night long.
   Natalie kept on snuggling up to me.  "_After all, you have to keep close
tabs on your prisoner, right?"_ and "accidentally" kept pushing or rubbing
her breasts into my arm or back -- all with the Miss Innocent look she'd
been practicing so much, even if it felt like her nipples were made of
steel.
   By the time the evening was over and I could "release her into her
parents' custody" my balls were aching like I'd been kicked.  I had to
relieve the pressure three times before I could get to sleep.  Natalie and
I were _sharing_ our sensations lightly while she was at her place doing
the same thing -- now *that* is constructive feedback.
   Chapter 8
   BOB (Monday 11/21)
   The Monday of Thanksgiving week, I felt we had made enough progress with
Ana to give it a shot.  At study group, I managed to get George and Sherry
away long enough (_"Go smooch in the kitchen for a little bit, please. 
Take your time."_) to make my sales presentation to Natalie.
   As I'd done once before the first week of school, I put my hand over
hers.  "Natalie, if it were in any way possible, would you give me the
great honor of accompanying me to the Christmas Dance?"
   Her eyes got real blue-bright and I got a great Natalie smile.  "I'd
love to but..." then she shed a tear or two.
   "Yes, I know the no-dating policy is still in effect.  However, you and
your folks are coming to our Thanksgiving dinner party this Thursday. 
Maybe we can stuff them so full of turkey they'll be too sleepy to put up a
fight if we ask.  It's worth a try."
   She gave me a reluctant smile, "If we don't ask, it probably won't
happen."
   Mother and I started cooking on Tuesday night.  We made pumpkin pies,
pecan pies, mincemeat pies, key lime pies, everything we could prepare and
knew would keep a couple days.
   Bill, Father and I absconded with one of the pumpkin pies and covertly
feasted in the back yard.  We'd done it every year for the past fifteen
years, so of course Mother knew exactly what had happened.  She did her
customary moaning about "losing" or "miscounting" her baking while grinning
to herself.
   We did more Wednesday evening.  We prepped the turkeys, hams, chickens,
roast beef and all the vegetables.  We managed an early bedtime but got up
at 3:00 to cook some more.
   ------
   (Thursday 11/24)
   Ana, Don and Natalie came over about 8:00 to help out.  Between us, we
managed to get all the meat in the ovens and started getting the cooked
vegetables ready.  We guys put up the full dining room table and set up
three additional tables in the back yard.
   We'd invited literally everyone we knew.  The Matthews and their
grandparents of course but also all the construction crews and their
families, the McCambridge teachers (the single ones especially were happy),
George and Sherry with their families, Bill's current girlfriend and her
family -- dayum near all of Burbank.
   As each one of the construction crew arrived, the entire family called
me "Righteous Bob" and Father "Big Dave." I caught Natalie looking at me
with a little smirk once and snapped at her.
   She looked really shocked but with good reason.  It was the first time
either of us had shown the least signs of inappropriate emotion.  I
apologized almost immediately, but we'd had our "first fight."
   By the time 2:00 came around we were ready.  Natalie, Ana, Mother and I
were the main servers and made trip after trip from the kitchen to the
tables.  Somehow, I got cozened into carrying all the heavy stuff, like a
25-pound turkey in each hand.  The ladies had made some remarks like, "I'm
so delicate," so of course I had to take pity on them.
   ------
   NATALIE
   I wondered why they kept calling him "Righteous Bob." Once when a
three-year-old girl called him that, I smirked at him -- and he snapped at
me.  Shit!  It was just a little snap, but it was so sudden and had *never*
happened before.
   He apologized immediately, but I'd seen some deep emotion underneath it
all -- for dayum sure I never wanted to have him mad at me.
   I'd tried to make-nice by rubbing my tits on his arm and back and
grabbing his cute ass when he wasn't looking.  He'd groan, roll his eyes
and hide his crotch.  Wasn't fooling me a bit, he was as turned on as I
was.
   We kept on the run for over an hour getting the initial food load out
and the first refills available.  Finally we were able to settle down
ourselves and eat.  Of course, since we'd done all the arrangements, we got
to sit together.
   I promptly slipped off my shoes and ran my foot up and down his calf. 
He glanced at me then pretended to glare and growl.
   When I had my best manners in (you know, one hand on the lap), I kept
grabbing his leg beside me.  He'd jump each time and I _felt_ him get
aroused.
   He finally growled, _"Don't make me get out my Rod of Chastisement,
little girl."_
   I managed to look both innocent (I think) and (definitely) expectant at
the same time.  _"Please..."_
   Mom and Don kept glancing at us.  I know they _felt_ what was going on,
even if we'd kept it down pretty much.  I also kept feeling Dave's eye on
us, too.
   But despite all that, I could see Mom and Don were both having a great
time.  Maybe there was hope yet.
   ------
   NATALIE
   After Thanksgiving dinner, Mom and Dad were standing in the Reynolds'
back yard admiring the mountains and enjoying the California weather.  Bob
told me, "Let's go talk with them." We walked over and asked them, "Can we
talk a bit?" I led us over to a quiet area in the back with some chairs.
   Bob grinned at them, "Let's talk about the weather.  Did you get days
like this where you came from?"
   Mom and Dad glanced at each other.  "In the summer, it was fine.  We'd
get a spell of really good weather," Ana allowed.
   Bob looked around at the sky and the mountains.  "The air's clear, a few
nice clouds to break things up.  Nice temperature; the air fans your cheek
like a silk scarf." He paused a moment.  "The sun shines down.  It purifies
the air, makes the earth grow and lets us see as far as we can.
   "My dad's parents live in Ohio and I've visited several times.  It gets
pretty nice there, too but days like this are pretty common in Southern
California." He looked at them a bit, not really expecting any answer.
   My heart was going like a snare drum but I managed to keep my expression
pleasantly interested and my mouth shut.  Bob continued, "Natalie and I
have been hanging together with my crew at school and studying together at
your place for almost three months now," he said, looking directly at Mom.
She nodded and didn't say anything, just waited.
   "The second day of school, Natalie told my of your family's policy on no
dating or other activities, so we agreed to be just friends.  With any
other young lady, it would probably have worked out okay.  With Natalie,
however, it hasn't worked out that way.  My friends really like her, too
and their approval means a lot to me."
   Mom and Dad looked at each other again and looked back at us.  Bob
turned and looked at me and spoke to us all, "You light up my life and make
me happy just by being there.  When you smile, I feel so much joy I could
cry -- and I have several times.  You're the California Sunshine in my life
and make me want to be the best person I can be to be worthy of you."
   He looked at all of us, "Am I in love with her?  We're just coming up on
18, and I've never felt this way before about anyone.  I've nothing to
compare it to, but it sure seems to be love as I know it." He nodded at me
and gestured it was my turn.
   I felt my tears running, "Bob, you make me feel all I've been through
the last seventeen years was simply to get me up to the level to where I
had a chance to understand what being with someone could really mean.  Most
of the time I've been with you, I've had to hold off falling into your
heart and just grabbing you with *my* whole heart.  During the little time
we've been around each other, I've grown to feel we make each other whole,
complete.  I want to make you happy; not just physically but as the
wonderful person you are."
   ------
   BOB
   I wasn't really surprised at what she'd said; I'd been picking it up
from her for weeks now.  That she did have the guts to tell me in front of
her parents raised my appreciation of her to new levels.
   I turned to Don and Ana and told them, "Since the second day, we have
held to your policy; we haven't tried to get around it, find loopholes
somehow, or ignored it.  We haven't held hands, done any physical smooching
or tried to find places to get off to just to be alone together.  Yes,
we've touched each other a lot as you've seen, Don.  The most we've ever
done physically you've seen, either at your place, here or on the golf
course.  Now, it *doesn't* mean we haven't done a lot this way." I pointed
to my head.
   "And we rarely do even that; it more takes us too far down that path and
makes more pain for us.  In my opinion, you can be extremely proud of your
daughter for respecting your wishes and her agreement no matter what it has
cost her so far."
   I saw Natalie smiling through her tears.  Don and Anna weren't
particularly dry-eyed, either.  "What all this comes down to is that in
view of what I, at least, would call our demonstrated reliability, is to
ask you both this: What must happen and what must I do to get your
permission to take Natalie to our Christmas Dance in December?"
   I'd finally put The Question to them.  The answer was in their hands
now.
   ------
   DON
   I knew what I wanted but Ana was the key.  All I could do is look at her
and try to convey what I felt without putting the entire burden on her.
   Ana looked down at her hands for a minute then wiped her eyes and looked
at Natalie.  "You make me so proud of you.  You've not only kept your word,
you did that and more without a word or look of complaint despite all the
feelings you've been having.
   "When we made this agreement, I never realized how much I would hurt you
by letting my fears spill over onto you.  During the times I've seen you
and Bob studying and working together, I've seen both of you behave with
complete responsibility -- except for the same lapses I'd done when I was
your age."
   She looked from one of them to the other.  "On the other hand, I've also
seen the way you look at each other when you think no one else is watching.
I've seen both the longing and the pain, but so far I've done nothing to
help end it.  I've contributed to your pain by not doing anything about it.
That's my responsibility.
   "Thank you both for trusting us enough to tell us how much you mean to
each other.  I know few who would have the courage to do that."
   She looked at Bob respectfully and said, "You did well in choosing your
home ground to bring this up." Bob shrugged a little and raised his hands
slightly in agreement.
   She continued firmly, "However, this isn't easily resolved, even with
what you've both so willingly told us, and I don't really feel it's
appropriate to continue right now.
   "What we've gone over so far could be shared publicly with your family,
Bob, but I don't think this is the time, place or the audience to continue.
Can you come over to our house tomorrow afternoon?  I need to discuss this
a little with Don, but I think we can give you an answer then.  I do know
we must all make some major decisions and soon, before we cause more pain
than already has occurred."
   Bob asked, "One o'clock will be all right then?"
   I said it would be fine.  Then I looked at the ladies and said, "We
should pay our compliments to our host and hostess then be off.  I have a
feeling tomorrow will be a busy day."
   I helped Ana up from her chair.  She took my arm, and we went looking
for the Reynolds', leaving Bob and Natalie to say their goodbyes however
they wished.
   ------
   NATALIE
   I felt like laughing and crying at the same time, so all I could do was
stand there looking at Bob, wanting so much to feel his arms around me and
to have him comfort me.
   Bob told me sadly.  "I want so much to hold you and tell you how much I
care for you, but I don't dare.  I don't think I could let you go. 
Tomorrow, we'll probably be making decisions which could affect us for the
rest of our lives, so we'll have to wait until then.  But, no matter what
happens, I want you to know now I'll always love you, Sunshine." With a
_kiss_.
   I could only shake the tears off my face and tell him, "And I'll always
love you, Bob.  Whether or not we can work us out, you'll always be the
standard my man will have to meet."
   He gestured towards the house, and we walked out of the yard to meet up
with Mom and Dad.
   We got back home around seven o'clock.  In the living room, Mom looked
at me seriously and said, "Honey, please don't feel we're excluding you or
we're upset with you or angry with you in any way, but Don and I have to
talk this evening.  Can you bear with me a little longer?"
   What else could I do but hug her tightly and say, "I love you, Mom.  I
know you've been very upset these last few months and I can only hope I've
made them easier for you."
   She passed some of her tears to my hair and whispered, "I love you too,
Honey.  You *have* made it easier for me; I just wish I hadn't caused you
so much hurt.  You go to your room now and try to get some sleep tonight."
   I tried.  I played Bob's "Welcome to My World" over and over but really
couldn't see how it could happen.
   ------
   BOB
   I'd been close to my parents and brother all my life, but I hadn't
shared much of my feelings about Natalie with them, because while I'd
talked about her with them, it was mainly about our relationship as very
good friends.  Since Natalie couldn't get out, this Thanksgiving Thursday
was only the third time they'd even met her.
   I'd given it my best shot today with Ana and tomorrow would tell.  There
wasn't anything more I could do to prepare for it, so I had to put it aside
as best I could.
   I tried to read a bit and listen to some music but frequently something
in the book or the lyrics would remind me of Natalie's smile or the way her
blue eyes would light up when she saw me or the sound of her voice or her
laughter.  I kept putting it aside but wasn't really successful.  Natalie
and I _kissed_ goodnight and I finally went to bed; I didn't sleep very
well because I was so wired up.
   ------
   (Friday 11/25)
   Friday morning, I dragged myself out of bed and helped Mother and Father
with the final cleanup from Thanksgiving.  They'd thrown a good bash, like
they always do.  I cleared going out this afternoon with no problem; they
were used to my going off and trusted me.
   To keep my mind off things, I checked over the truck and gave it a full
inside and outside cleaning and a wax job.  The physical activity helped to
keep my mind off things.
   I showered and shaved then dressed in my best business-casual golf
shirt, dress slacks and my next-best shoes.  I decided to drive over so the
attention to driving would help keep me from going around and around in my
mind.
   I got to the Matthews, parked the truck and walked up to the door at
exactly one o'clock.  Show time!
   I knocked with my usual rata-tat and after a few moments, the door
opened.  There stood Natalie, smiling at me in welcome.  She'd never
answered the door before.
   I smiled happily at her.  "Hello, Sunshine!"
   "Hello, Righteous Bob.  Come on in," she laughed.  She shooed me into
the living room where I saw Don and Ana sitting together on the love seat.
They smiled and waved in greeting, but I saw Ana was tense and nervous. 
Did they expect a battle royal this afternoon?
   Natalie fixed me with her "I'm getting an answer look" and demanded,
"What is this 'Righteous Bob' we've heard so much of at your house?"
   Oh, crap!  This was the last thing I was expecting today, to have to
hide my deepest secret from the girl I adored and her parents.  Well, I'd
have to try to dance my way around it without actually lying.
   "Well, I have three initials, R, R and R.  The last name is Reynolds of
course and the middle is Robert, hence 'Bob'.  I don't use my first name at
all.  I mark all my construction tools with 'RRR' and when they ask what it
is, I tell them my first name is 'Righteous'.  They call me 'Righteous' Bob
or 'Triple-R'.  That pretty much covers it."
   Natalie looked over at Don with a raised eyebrow and a questioning look.
Don just shook his head, grinned and gave me the teacher gesture of "out
with it, son."
   Natalie turned to me triumphantly, "Yeh, right.  What's the first name?
After all, you're pretty intimately connected to my soul, so come on!"
   I backpedaled, "Well, I really don't like to say..."
   Natalie, of course, didn't take that answer.  "Haul out the ID, buster!
It's show-and-tell time.  You show me yours and I won't show you mine." She
giggled and grabbed at my wallet in my back pocket.
   I clapped my hand over the evidence and backed away.  She ran around me
in a circle trying to get at it.  She laughed, "Maybe you're not Bob
Reynolds after all!  Maybe you're Joe Smith or something."
   Of course I could turn faster than she could run.  She stopped and fixed
me with a glare.  "Don't make me get my daddy to help wrestle you to the
ground."
   Don, of course, said, "Do you need some help, Honey?"
   Arrgh.  I was busted so bad.  I very reluctantly surrendered and pulled
out my driver's license.  She grabbed it and looked at it closely.  She
smirked, giggled and put her hand over her mouth while her shoulders shook.
   "It's an *awful* picture, no wonder you don't show this to just anyone."
She handed my license back and sat down on the sofa, shaking her head and
laughing.
   I gave her my best snooty offended look.  "You should see my passport
photo.  That's even worse." Well, the secret was out.  I showed Don my
license and he solemnly inspected it.
   "You're right, Honey, it's an *awful* picture," he intoned while the
corners of his mouth twitched.
   I held out the license to Ana who grabbed my hand to hold it still. 
While she was looking at it, I groused at Natalie, "And I bet your middle
name is something like Babs, Babydoll, Sweetie or something."
   "Well, it's Lillian.  But, your first name...  well, 'Reginald'?  How
did you get that?" She was gasping for breath.
   "It's my maternal great-great-grandfather's name, and for some
unfathomable reason my parents decided it should surface again.  I've hated
it since day one and never used it.  I'll give you three guesses why not
and the first two don't count!
   "Hey, I've always been a nerd.  Can you imagine what the school bullies
would have done with that in grade school and middle school?" I sing-songed
in a high voice, "'Oh, Reginald, show us how smart you are.' Can you
imagine any self-respecting macho construction guy going by 'Reginald'? 
Gimme a break!"
   I turned to Ana to get my license back and realized she had grabbed one
of my fingers in what felt like a death grip.  She was staring at my
license and hand and was shaking.  Her face was white, and she looked like
she was going to lose all it any moment.  I'd never seen her like that.
   Don noticed it right away.  "Ana," he said gently, "Give Bob back his
license, please." She seemed to snap out of it and shook her head rapidly
as if to clear it.  She let go of my hand, slumped back on the love seat
and stared at me as if she'd never seen me before.
   Huh?  I didn't think my picture or name was *that* bad.  She finally
seemed to calm down a bit and pointed me over to the sofa next to Natalie.
I put on my best fake I-don't-care look, sauntered over to the sofa, and
sat down.  Of course, I sat as close as I dared to Natalie.
   I stuffed my license back in my wallet and put it away.  I gave Natalie
a "poor little me look" and blinked my eyes at her.
   She smacked me lightly on the side of the head and teased, "Okay,
Reginald, straighten up and fly right."
   I slumped over and sighed piteously.  "You're going to hold it over me
for a long time, aren't you," I asked.
   "Yep.  I've got the goods on you now, Righteous Bob," she said with a
satisfied grin.
   Don chimed in from the love seat, "You know, Honey, that's good for a
lot of blackmail.  Candy, nice presents, special consideration in the
scheme of things...  I'm sure you can come up with a lot of ideas."
   Great, just what I needed!  Then Natalie lost her smile and said
seriously, "Bob, I won't breathe a word of this to anyone else.  You have
my solemn promise.  Is that good enough?"
   "From you, that's more than enough," I replied with relief.
   "But, in private...  you'd better watch it, buster," she grinned.
   Don called over, "Bob, you have my word also.  After all, we guys have
to stick together on matters this important.  On the other hand, I might
just mention it to Rose Baer..."
   "Don't bother, she already knows.  I had to show her my birth
certificate to enroll in Mickey C.  She's been good; she hasn't tried to
blackmail me with it.  Yet."
   Everyone except Ana got a final smile in.  Ana finally took a breath and
asked Natalie, "Could you get us some bottles of water, please.  I for one
am going to need it."
   Chapter 9
   BOB (Friday 11/25)
   Natalie bustled around and delivered water bottles to everyone, then sat
back down beside me on my left side.  She sat down close enough to me so we
just touched; I felt the warmth from her shoulder, hip and leg and it felt
so good.  She glanced over at me, winked and _kissed_ me.  She knew exactly
what she was doing.
   Ana took a deep breath and told us, "All right, it's time to get down to
the business at hand.  Natalie and Bob, after what you told each other and
us yesterday, we have to consider Bob really to be part of this family.
   "As part of the family, Bob, you deserve and need to know what went on
and what's been going on.  Don and I discussed this last night; we have no
reservations about your being discreet or tight-lipped about family
business.  Don's only concern was if I could go through this again.
   "Don knows pretty much everything I'm going to say.  Natalie probably
knows only some, since she was away on a sleepover and you, Bob, might have
guessed a few things.  Some things I'm going to tell you I found out myself
only recently." She looked around at us for a moment, gave a big sigh and
started.
   ------
   DON
   Ana and I had discussed this last night.  She finally got me to agree
when she pointed out a) going over it again would help as her counselor had
said and b) she owed it to both Natalie and Bob for the continued pain and
discomfort her actions and inactions had caused.  So be it.  My job now was
to support her and offer my strength as best I could.
   Ana asked, "Oh, by the way, Bob, where in Ohio do your grandparents
live?"
   What does that have to do with it?  Bob told us, "Akron, on the east
side."
   Natalie, Ana and I exchanged glances but didn't say anything.
   Ana said, "I thought so.  Well anyway, you all need to meet Mr.  Pete
Simms of Akron, Ohio.  He's male, Caucasian, six foot three and weighs 275
pounds.  He's built like the guys you might see at Venice beach; not much
fat and all muscle.
   "Pete Simms likes girls a lot, like most guys.  He likes slender
dark-haired women, in fact.  Unlike most guys, however, he shows it in a
different way.  His way of showing it is to drag her off into the bushes,
rip off her clothes and strangle her.
   "He strangles her unconscious then lets her recover.  He does it
again... and again...  until finally he tires of his fun that way and
chokes her until she dies."
   Natalie grabbed Bob's hand and squeezed it so hard her hand went white.
Bob went still and lost every bit of expression on his face.
   Ana was panting; I put my hand on her arm until she slowed down.
   She said stiffly, "Then he gets to the good stuff.  He relieves his
sexual tension on the body.  At least three times, sometimes more.  Always
in every major orifice."
   Natalie collapsed against Bob's side.  He freed his left hand, put it
around her shoulders and held her gently.  He reached over with his right
hand and held both of hers.
   Ana told us slowly, "Over six months, the police found three bodies;
there may have been more.  All had the same bruise pattern, the same sexual
defilement and had the same DNA in and on them.
   "The public was aware of the murders but not necessarily how they were
done or that they were by the same person.  Women were encouraged to stay
in large groups or be constantly escorted and they did.  Emotions died down
a bit after the first one; after all, it was only one.  After the second
and third murder, though, we were terrified.
   "Don taught at one of the local high schools.  Every afternoon he drove
three of the women teachers to their homes and personally escorted each of
them inside until their doors were locked.  While he was escorting the
first two women, the others inside the car would lock the doors and keep
watch.  We took to carrying pepper spray and loud alarms and knew how to
use them.
   "I worked at the hospital on the evening shift.  My escort was one of my
colleagues, Steward Mays.  He was a big man, in good shape and very
concerned about my safety.  Every night after shift, we would walk to the
bus stop together and ride together.  We had one transfer to make at the
park.  He would ride with me all the way home and stay with me until I was
safely inside and had locked the door."
   Ana stopped and took a drink from the water bottle.  She was white and
trembling; still she nodded at me to show me she was okay.
   She _shared_ her emotions and sensations with us all as she spoke, "One
evening at the transfer stop, Steward and I were waiting for the next bus.
We were chatting quietly, just waiting.  Suddenly, I felt a hand over my
mouth, and my head was slammed backwards into something hard.  I was so
dazed by it I couldn't get my body to do anything.
   "I heard Steward groan and saw him slump backwards.  Later, the police
told me he'd been stabbed through the heart from the back.  That was *my*
introduction to Pete Simms."
   Ana's voice was even, as if she were telling how she'd gotten a flat
tire or something.  It was nearly as frightening as what she was
describing. Underneath it all, we _felt_ the terror she had experienced but
at a considerably lower volume.
   "Simms kept his hand over my mouth and picked me off my feet by my head.
He grabbed Steward's body with the other hand and dragged us both off into
the park.
   "He dropped Steward's body behind a bush, took my legs with his other
arm, and ran deeper into the park.  The police figured he'd scouted for
several days to get the right mixture of cover and light he wanted."
   We _felt_ the pain of Simms' holding her.  "He ran for several minutes.
I was kicking and struggling all I could, but it didn't affect him in the
least.  It was like being in a straitjacket, I guess.  I couldn't reach my
purse for my pepper spray or alarm and frankly, didn't even think of it.
   "He finally stopped, dropped my legs and grabbed my throat with his left
hand.  I could barely breathe and was so scared...  no, so *terrified* I
pissed and shit myself."
   Natalie buried her head on Bob's shoulder and sobbed quietly but still
watched her mother.  Bob's hands were clenching and loosening while his
body would go hard then relax a bit.  He had tears coming down his face,
but his attention was still on Ana and on Natalie.
   I wasn't in much better shape.  I'd heard bits and pieces from Ana
before but never the whole thing from the start.
   "I could see Simms just a bit in the dim light.  He acted like someone
enraged, with his mouth and jaw working and he *growled*.  He methodically
ripped my clothes off, one hard, rough pull after another, just as you
might tear paper off a package.
   "He ripped off everything above my waist then closed his hand tighter
around my throat so I couldn't breathe at all.  I kicked at his legs and
crotch as hard as I could, but he just moved around so I couldn't really do
much damage.  I dug into his arm with my fingernails as hard as I could,
but he'd just pull my hands off if they got buried too deep.
   "I saw things gray out and couldn't move my arms or legs any more --
then I went out.  No idea how long I was out."
   Ana took another long drink of water and rested until her breathing
slowed down a little.
   "When I had some awareness come back, I could breathe some again; his
hand was still around my throat, holding me up.  He grinned again and went
to work ripping off my skirt and stockings.  I think I lost my shoes some
time before.
   "When he ripped off my panties and found I'd soiled myself, he threw
them down and growled, "You filthy slut!" I still fought him all I could,
but it didn't seem to make a bit of difference to him.
   "I saw in his eyes what he was thinking.  It didn't matter I had a
loving husband, a lovely daughter and helped people every day at my work.
To him, I was something to be destroyed as painfully as he could.  There
was no Ana Matthews there, just something to kill, to punish just because
it was alive.
   "He gripped my throat tighter and again I went out.  Nothing I could do
seemed to make any difference.
   "I finally came back again and he'd put me on the ground on my back.  He
was between my legs with his left hand still on my throat.  His right hand
was at his crotch, pumping away.
   "I kicked as hard as I still could and buried my fingernails in his arms
as deep as possible.  He just shook his head and growled out, 'I'm going to
fuck you in the ass when you're dead, cunt!' He clamped down with his hand
and everything went gray again.  I felt my body lose its strength and all
went black."
   We _felt_ her lose consciousness, despairing of ever returning again. 
She was pale and shaking again.  I _felt_ her heart pounding, and she
fought for her breath as she lay back.  I held her gently and looked over
at the sofa.
   Bob had wrapped both arms around Natalie and was rocking her slowly back
and forth.  Every few seconds, he'd kiss the top of her head and say,
"'Sokay, I'm here.  Sokay.'" His face was set, and I could see his pulse
throbbing in his throat.
   Ana lurched herself upright and gasped out, "All right...  obviously I'm
still here, so something else happened."
   She took another drink and waited until everyone was looking at her
again.  "According to the police reports from the physical evidence around
the area, a 'person unknown' had intervened.  The tracks and scuff marks on
the ground showed a short fight, with blood on the ground.
   "The person unknown won, because I lived.  The person unknown had called
the police and medical services from a phone at the edge of the park; they
came and cared for me.
   "They didn't have much trouble locating Pete Simms.  When the person
unknown left for the phone, he'd dragged Simms bare-assed across several
hundred yards of park grass, dirt and gravel then across a cement sidewalk.
Simms' blood from his ass and legs was spread all the way there.
   "The person unknown made the phone call to the police then duct-taped
Simms arms behind him around the pole the phone was on.  He taped Simms'
ankles together then, according to the medical report, crushed his left
knee with his boot.  Simms was going nowhere even though he was alive.
   "Several perpetrators in the past have claimed to be innocent bystanders
who were attacked.  Simms tried that line but wasn't very successful even
from the start since the person unknown had used a permanent marker to
write "THE RAPIST" across his forehead.
   "They took Simms off to the police hospital and me to my own hospital.
Sometime during the night after Simms woke up and complained of pain, the
doctor gave him an injection -- a widely-used pain-killer.  Apparently he
had an allergic reaction to it.  He died in about an hour, very painfully."
   We felt Bob mutter, "Too bad," still without any emotion on his face. 
His eyes were blazing.
   Ana continued, "Simms' autopsy showed three major wounds besides the
crushed knee and the pain-killer reaction.  First was on his head.  It was
a blow to his face which had crushed his nose and cheek over a half-inch
deep.  The police said it was made by a steel-toed work boot.
   "The next wound was a bruise entirely around his right wrist.  The
medical examiner found several of the wrist bones cracked and said the
bruise was made by a hand being wrapped around it and squeezing.
   "They found prints from Simms' right hand on a long, large knife near
where Simms had taken me.  The knife had two types of blood on it; one was
DNA'd to Steward and was matched as the murder weapon.  The police
speculate the other blood was from the person unknown since its DNA was
neither mine nor Simms and for other reasons.
   "The last wound was a massive bruise over Simms' solar plexus.  The
medical examiner would have ordinarily found such a bruise had been made by
a blunt instrument.  He said it looked like Simms had been hit with a
20-pound sledge hammer; the sternum was splintered along with several
nearby ribs, and there was extensive internal damage.
   "However, the examiner found knuckle marks in the bruise and concluded
he'd been hit with a fist.  By measuring the marks, he theorized both the
wrist and the solar plexus bruises were made by the same size hands, one
left hand on the wrist and a right hand on the plexus.
   "The police never found this person unknown; he simply disappeared after
the paramedics and police arrived.  The police found some fingerprints on
the phone but couldn't match them to anyone.
   "And really, they didn't care.  They had Simms with DNA matches to three
other women, and I'd managed to leave two of my fingernails in his arm."
   Ana held out her hands with the fingers curled up.  "And I had Simms'
skin under the rest of my nails.  Rapist and murderer dead through no one's
fault, all evidence pointed at him.
   "The person unknown has never come forward.  There were no injuries
reported from the hospitals and doctors within several states around, even
though there was plenty of his blood left at the scene.  Since the police
didn't need him to wrap things up, they simply left it be."
   Ana took a deep breath and let it out.  "So from then on I've been
terrified or at the least afraid of any man but Don.  It has been so bad
for me I let the fear spill over onto Natalie, and I basically demanded she
be around men as little as possible so something like this might not happen
to her.
   "That's where the no-dating and no extra-curricular activities policy
came from.  She and I agreed to those awful baggy clothes she wears and her
plain hair so she might not appear so attractive."
   She smiled a little at Bob.  "It appears we weren't very successful,
right?"
   Bob got out, "That's right; she's beautiful no matter what she wears."
   He looked at Ana and said, "Ana, I can only hope someday I can
understand some of the pain and fear you've gone through.  I'll try to help
you in any way I can."
   He gave Natalie a good solid hug.  "You, too, Sunshine."
   Ana said, "Thank you, Bob, we appreciate what you've done." She clapped
her hands lightly and spoke firmly, "Break time.  Five minutes.  We've
still got things to decide."
   ------
   NATALIE
   We got settled again.  I still hadn't the faintest hope Bob and I could
be together, so I snuggled up to him as close as I could and grabbed his
hand.  I'd get whatever I could in the time left to us.
   Mom took a few deep breaths and started in.  "So the question on the
table is about the Christmas Dance, right?" We nodded.
   Looking at us seriously, she stated, "That means a date,
extra-curricular activities among a lot of male strangers and at night in
addition." Bob and I nodded reluctantly.
   She said, "This talk has made me feel better, actually, just like my
counselor said it would.  Nevertheless, I still can't bring myself to
cancel the policy."
   I could only nod and I felt the tears starting up.  I felt my stomach
knot up and squeezed Bob's hand.  He looked over at me and quietly said,
"'Sokay, Sunshine.  I'm still here."
   Then Mom said, "However..." The pause seemed to last forever, "I can
find it in me to amend it a bit, given the circumstances in which it was
made have changed."
   Okay, now what?  She definitely had gotten our attention.  She looked
back and forth between Bob and me a few times.
   Mom told us, "Natalie, when you have to go out to do things like
shopping or going to school you still need to be escorted, just as Don has
been doing up to now.  I'm not changing that yet.
   "As regards to school, Natalie, as long as you are with a group of at
least two other school friends of whom Bob has *personally* approved, and
you *stay* with them at all times, you may take part in any
extra-curricular activities you desire.  These activities must be approved
by your Dad and me *and* by Bob.  Do you understand?"
   Wow, now that was a radical change.  That meant I could spend time with
Bob, go to the school games and maybe get in the band if I wanted!  I told
her, "Yes, Mom, I certainly understand." Amazing!
   Mom wasn't finished yet.  "Now Natalie, so long as you stick close to
the Triple-R here," she nodded at Bob, "and by close, I mean as physically
close as you are now, pretty much, you two may go anywhere you wish at any
time subject to good behavior and good school work.
   "And by close I mean you will not leave him to go to the bathroom.  He
will go with you and wait directly outside.  I *do* mean close.  We ask you
schedule with us so we have some idea where you are; I still worry about my
little girl.  Is that workable for you?"
   I turned my head slowly to Bob with my mouth catching flies.  He smiled
happily.  "Sunshine, if I were you, I'd take her up on it.  I'll certainly
uphold my part of it -- just try to get very far away from me."
   Workable!  Was it a joke?  Bob and I could be together alone...  we
could talk, hold hands and other things we'd been dreaming about the last
several months.
   I laughed and said, "Oh, *yeh!* Definitely workable.  Thank you, Mom and
Dad." I just had to go over and give them each a big hug, while Bob sat
there grinning his head off.
   ------
   DON
   Ana looked at Bob and Natalie and smiled.  "Well, we could wrap things,
I suppose.  However, if you're interested, I could talk about some other
things which helped me instead of hurt me." They glanced at each other and
nodded eagerly.
   Ana looked at me, smiled then told us, "I pretty much left off where I
blacked out the final time.  The rest is based on what the police and
medics told me later.  We need to fill in what I went through when I woke
up."
   She smiled thinly.  "I guess you could say I was expecting to wake up
dead, as the saying goes.  You know how people waking up from a nightmare
sometimes jerk themselves upright?  Well, that's what I did.  When I was
coming back around the last time, I totally expected to feel Simms' hand on
my throat and him inside me somewhere.
   "I jerked up, totally panicked, disoriented, and straining around trying
to find something, anything to hold onto to keep my sanity.  I felt and
heard my breath wheezing in and out and my neck ached.  My chest hurt
badly, here." She put her fist over her sternum.  We _felt_ the pain.
   "I was terrified out of my mind.  I felt a fabric over my chest then an
arm came around my shoulders very gently and pulled me sideways into
someone.  I heard a man's voice, whispering to me very quietly and felt the
man rocking me like a baby.  It was probably this person unknown.
   "I could hear sirens getting louder and he laid me gently back down on
the ground.  He told me, 'I have to go bring them here.  You're safe now.'
I felt and heard him leave, and I guess I just dazed around; I don't
remember much.
   "Now an interesting part is the medical examiner told me later Simms'
injuries had to be done by someone very strong.  He estimated for someone
to have that kind of strength, he'd probably be well over six foot tall and
built like a professional weightlifter or wrestler.
   "However, the police and paramedics saw a man jumping up and down,
waving his hands and shouting, 'She's over here!  Hurry!' They described
him as tall but under six feet and with only a medium build.  He had a
bandana over his hair and was wearing a boiler suit, I guess you'd call it,
one of those one-piece coveralls like you wear, Bob.
   "He led them over to me.  The paramedics told me later if he hadn't been
there, I probably wouldn't have been found for at least another half hour.
   "He knelt beside me and touched my head.  He said, 'You'll be okay. 
Please live long and be happy.' I never really saw him at all myself and
that's the last anyone else remembers seeing him.
   "They got me on their gurney and hauled me out of the park to the
ambulance.  Just before they were ready to put me in, I saw some other
paramedics working on Simms.  Of course, I didn't know his name at the
time, but I sure knew who he was.
   "I made any noise I could through my throat and jerked my head as much
as I could towards him.  One of the paramedics asked me, 'You know him?' I
tried to look as scared as I could and nodded as hard as I could.  He
looked over at Simms and asked me, 'Did he do this to you?' I nodded again
as much as I could.
   "The paramedic called one of the police officers over and told him, 'The
lady says he's the perp.' I nodded again as much as I could.  The officer
went back to the rest of the police around Simms.  I heard him tell them,
'Lady says he's the one.  With the writing on his head, that's enough.  Put
him in full medical lockdown.'
   "I got my first ambulance ride, and I wasn't really thrilled about it if
you know what I mean.  They got me to the emergency room and did the usual
hospital stuff on me.
   "They'd found my purse with my ID and called Don in.  When he got there,
God I was so glad to see him." She leaned over and kissed me.
   "After a couple hours, the doctor came in and told me about my injuries.
I told him what I could remember about what happened, how Simms had
strangled me several times.  He told me I had a badly-bruised throat, a
sprained ankle, a cracked right wrist and several cracked ribs around my
sternum.  Plus assorted other scratches and small bruises.
   "I could see the ankle and wrist because I'd been trying to hit Simms
but told him Simms had never really hit me, and I had no idea how I got the
cracked ribs.  He looked at the x-rays again and examined the bruise.
   "He told me, 'Well, the bruise in that location and the ribs, along with
what you've told me about the strangulation lead me to believe your heart
stopped and someone gave you CPR.  Without it, another five minutes or so
and I would have been looking at you in the morgue instead of being here
with you and your husband.'"
   I knew this was a hard part for her.  She buried her face in her hands
for a minute while we watched and waited quietly.  She finally looked up
and was crying.
   She sobbed out, "He fought and conquered evil for me and brought life
back to me, and I never even saw him." She cried for a minute more.  All I
could do was hold her and rock her.  Natalie and Bob both had tears coming
down; they sat there, holding hands, just waiting.
   ------
   NATALIE
   Jeez it was hard.  I probably broke Bob's hand I was squeezing so hard,
but he didn't complain.  Mom finally looked up and told us, "I was really
torn up inside.  Pete Simms made me want to hate and fear all men because
of what he'd done to me, but this man and Don keep making me want to love
and admire them all for the good they've done.  You remember the knife with
two kinds of blood?
   "You see, I didn't know if this man I never saw was alive or dead. 
Simms made me afraid, but he and Don made me feel safe.  And I didn't know
if he was still out there or if he died protecting me."
   Mom reached down into a shopping bag she had at the end of the sofa and
pulled out an old, paint-dripped, blue work jacket.  She laid it across her
lap and asked me, "You've seen this before?"
   I had.  I told her, "I've seen it in your room.  I know it's a work
jacket but have no idea why you have it or what it means."
   She stroked the jacket.  "When I woke up, this was over me.  When he
comforted me, this was over me.  She grinned at us through her tears, "My
counselor and I managed to 'liberate' it from the police evidence locker.
It's the only direct evidence I have he ever existed.
   "It's obviously a painter's jacket.  It even smelled like paint.  The
medical examiner found paint specks in Simms' face where he was kicked with
the boot.  It's also my security blanket, but my counselor says I should
let it go."
   She turned to Dad, "Please show them what you do when I get so terrified
I think I'll never be normal again?"
   Dad draped the jacket over her front, put his arms around her and rocked
her like a baby.  "'Sokay, he can't hurt you any more.  He's gone.  You're
safe now.  'Sokay," he crooned over her several times.
   Mom opened her eyes and told us, "That's what the person unknown did for
me.  He comforted me and kept me sane.  Yes, it's been my security blanket
for months now.  It makes me feel protected and safe.  The smell of latex
paint brings the feeling back; if it dried out, we'd put a bit more on."
   ------
   NATALIE
   Mom took the jacket off from where Dad had draped it over her and laid
it on her lap again.  She smoothed it down with her hand several times
while we watched.
   She said, "My counselor tells me to get rid of it.  To depend on myself
and people who love me to heal myself, not an object." She looked at it for
another minute then nodded abruptly.
   She stood up, came over to me and handed me the jacket.  "It *is* time
to get rid of it," she said as she sat back down next to Dad.
   I looked it over.  It was old and worn, frayed around the cuffs and
collar.  It had paint drippings all over it.  I saw daubs of paint where
Mom probably had put more on.  It smelled just like the paint we'd put on
in the dining room.
   On the front, on the left side, there was a long vertical slit.  I
touched it and looked at Mom with my eyebrows raised.  She answered,
"Simms' knife.  They found fibers on it from there."
   I opened it to the other side of the slit.  There was a large brown
splotch around it, wider towards the bottom.  I touched it and asked,
"Blood?"
   Mom replied, "Yes, neither mine nor Simms' nor Steward's.  It matched
the second blood on the knife, so it must be his." There was so much of it.
I held it up against Bob's side and said, "It must have been a bad cut."
   Bob was looking at it too.  Mom asked him, "Bob, when did you visit your
grandparents in Akron?"
   I felt Bob tense up and start to tremble.  He said, "This May." His face
was set and I felt him start breathing more rapidly.
   Mom told me, "Natalie, look at the label on the inside." I looked and
saw the manufacturer's name and some faded marks.
   Mom said, "Just today, I remembered when the man who saved me spoke to
me for the last time, I grabbed his hand to try to hold him there with me.
I remember feeling the last joint of his middle finger on the right hand
was enlarged.  It's the only personal identification I have about him.
   "Natalie, look very closely at the label and tell me what you see.  I
know what I've seen."
   I held it up close and peered at it.  I could barely make out a faded
pen marking showing "RRR." That's Bob!  I repeated it aloud, "RRR," and
snapped my head around to Bob.  He was sitting there tensely, looking at
Mom.
   I looked at the jacket, seeing the long cut in it then back at him
again. I dropped the jacket and reached for the bottom of his shirt.
   Mom asked, "Did Pete Simms hurt you badly, Bob?"
   ------
   BOB
   Shit!  Natalie looked back and forth between the jacket and me and
reached for the bottom of my shirt.
   I stopped her hand and held it.  I leaned my head back against the sofa,
closed my eyes and took several deep breaths.
   I finally sat up and dropped her hand.  I reached down, hiked my shirt
up to my armpits and showed them the long vertical scar along the ribs on
my left side.
   I ran my fingers up and down it a few times and said, "It was long but
not deep.  No stitches required." I held up my right hand and put Natalie's
hand on the last joint of the middle finger.  "I smacked it with a
two-by-four last year.  It's bigger but still as flexible as ever." She
moved her fingers over it.
   I reached over and took the jacket from Natalie's lap where she'd
dropped it.  I looked at Ana and told her, "Thank you for bringing it back.
I thought I'd left it somewhere and I guess I was right."
   Chapter 10
   DON (Friday 11/25)
   Jeez, I never expected it!  Sure, Bob had fit some of the profile, but
that had been over 2,000 miles away.
   Ana stood up, walked over in front of Bob and motioned him up.  He stood
hesitantly and Natalie stood up shakily beside him.
   Ana put her arms around his neck, kissed his cheek and hugged him for a
long minute.  She finally let go, stepped back and looked at him.  She said
quietly, "Thank you for my life."
   He took her hand and said, "Ana, I honestly didn't know it was you until
you talked about Akron and a strangler.  I had no idea."
   She told him quietly, "I believe you.  Even if you had known before, I
believe you would never have brought it up or used it in any way to your
advantage.  In any case, thank you again."
   Natalie hugged him, too, as if she never wanted to let him go.  "God, I
never knew it was so bad and so good at the same time.  You brought my
mother back to us alive."
   Bob returned her hug and told us, "Well, it's all out now.  No matter
whether it was me or someone else, things will get better."
   Me, I just stood there in shock until I could put my hand on his
shoulder and whisper, "Thank you for her life."
   Ana grabbed Natalie's hand and told Bob, "You either come back in an
hour or do some guy stuff with Don.  We're getting some *happy* clothes on
Natalie.  Enough hiding and pretending to the world she isn't beautiful."
She dragged Natalie off towards her bedroom while Natalie looked at Bob as
if he were a god.  Well, right then he was.
   Bob stood there for a moment then sat down again.  I got back on the
love seat across from him, leaned back and told him, "Jeez, Righteous Bob,
Rose Baer said you were tight-lipped but this..."
   He shrugged and shook his head in apology.  "What good would it have
done for me to tell anyone?  Nana, my Grandmother, sent us a newspaper
clipping telling of Simms' death and that his last victim had been saved. I
knew she was probably going to be okay, and it *was* over 2,000 miles away.
I don't know if it would have helped anyone to have stayed.
   "Yes, Ana would have known sooner -- I have to apologize to her, I
didn't think it would have made so much difference as it apparently has."
   I asked him, "How in the world did you happen to be there?"
   "Well," he replied, "you already know my grandparents live there.  I was
out visiting them and was helping out on some renos on one of their
friend's houses.  After an evening's work, I'd cut back through the park to
their place where I was staying.  I'd heard of the murders but really
hadn't thought much about it.
   "Often before, when I was visiting them, I'd just walk through the park
at night to relax a bit.  It is different from California and I enjoyed the
difference." He grinned at me.  "I'd occasionally hear -- and _sense_ --
couples doing whatever couples do in the park at night.
   "But what I _sensed_ from *those* people were happy sounds and happy
thoughts, so I'd just detour around and let them be.  This time it was
different.  The sounds were more frantic and what I _sensed_ was rage... 
the compulsion to destroy...  feelings of pain, hopelessness and despair
fading away.  The volume from Ana and Simms was so high I _felt_ it as soon
as I entered the park that night.  I knew something wasn't right, so I ran
towards it as fast as I could."
   I said, "Obviously you did do something."
   "Yeh, I did." He asked me, "You ever play football or soccer?" I told
him I'd done both in high school and a bit in college.  "Well, you're not a
little guy...  how far could you kick one of those balls?"
   "Maybe eighty yards on a good day with the wind behind me.  Why?"
   Without a trace of modesty, he said, "I can kick either ball over 150
yards.  When I first saw them I was over 50 yards away...  I saw the lady's
legs kicking and her struggling but she was slowing down...  I _felt_ her
fading away and his decision to kill her.
   "I knew I didn't have time just to go for help, it wouldn't have gotten
there in time.  I felt her fade out totally, so I had to do something.  I
just imagined his head to be a soccer ball and kicked as hard as I could.
That's how he got the head injury, from my work boot."
   I stared at him.  "I'm just glad I'll never be on the receiving end of
one of those."
   He smiled briefly and said, "Don't worry about it."
   I asked him, "What about the rest of the stuff he had done to him?"
   Bob took a breath and sighed.  "He went down for a bit, but he was very
strong and in a rage, so it gave him quite a lot of resistance to pain.  He
came back up with the knife and managed to slice me.  I knew I had to end
it fast one way or another, because the lady was dead or dying, and I knew
he was more than willing to kill me.
   "Ana must have gotten in a few good kicks in some vital areas, because
his legs weren't functioning very well.  I grabbed the wrist with the
knife, squeezed as hard as I could so he couldn't get it away and gave it
everything I had to his solar plexus; I tried to ram my fist through his
backbone.
   "Now we're no longer talking pain here, we're talking paralysis.  The
nerve center controls breathing and other things, so he dropped like a
rock. I didn't want him getting up again and coming at us again, so I
jumped on one of his knees with my whole weight.  I knew he wasn't going
anywhere.
   "With him at least temporarily out of the way, I could check out the
lady.  She wasn't breathing and I couldn't find a pulse.  I knew it had
literally been less than a minute since I felt her go, so I thought we had
a good chance.
   "Boy Scouts taught me CPR -- I never thought I'd have to use it in those
circumstances.  I did it, let us say, with vigor.  That's how she got the
bruise and cracked ribs.  Sorry about that."
   I chuckled as best I could, "We've decided long ago we'd trade a bruise
and some cracked ribs for her life any day.  Our doctors also allowed as
how it was a good trade."
   "Yeh, I suppose it would be," he smiled back at me.  "Anyway, after
about five minutes, she started breathing on her own, and she had a strong
pulse, so I figured she'd be all right.
   "Now I didn't want the guy anywhere near her, and since I had to find a
phone to call for help, I put my jacket over Ana and dragged him along with
me.  I found the phone at the bus stop and called the police.  I figured
I'd just tape him to the pole so he wouldn't wander away.  I guess the
writing on his forehead was overkill a bit, but it apparently didn't hurt
either."
   "Yeh, it sure didn't hurt," I told him.  "Between that and Ana's
identification, the cops were on him like stink on shit.  By the way, how
did you get to be so strong?  The coroner said you'd be six-foot plus and
build like Arnold the Governator."
   He just grinned.  "Genetics, somehow.  My family has been blessed and
cursed with exceptionally strong bones, and somehow the muscles and
ligaments kept up.  I'm 5' 10" and weigh 250 pounds -- with no pot belly.
   "My father can pick up two 80-pound sacks of concrete and trot up a
construction ramp as easy as you please.  That's two sacks under each arm.
I guess you can do the math on that one.
   "I'm not quite there yet.  I can only manage three sacks.  My mother
says I'm still a growing boy," he laughed.
   I inquired, "You said it's a curse, too.  Why's that?"
   He grinned at me.  "Ever had a sticky drawer?  You know just how much
you need to jerk to open it?  Well, think of the couple of times it didn't
stick, and you used the same amount of force on it.  What happened to the
drawer?"
   "It ends up across the room with all the stuff on the floor.  I've had
it happen."
   "Yep.  I have to be knowingly gentle with just about everything.  I used
to get excited and pull doorknobs off, go through doors the wrong way and
literally tear them off the hinges.  Things like that.
   "Anyway, it's been going on for years, ever since I started puberty at
twelve.  I guess the spurt has eased off now, but it's only been the last
nine months or so since I've had reliable control.  I haven't broken
anything or hurt anyone accidentally for that long," he told me with some
pride.
   I allowed, "Yes, it could be quite inconvenient."
   "And it's one major reason I've not dated much or gotten involved with
anyone.  You'd know better than me, because I've had very little experience
-- and that one not too great -- but I'd guess in, em, 'moments of passion'
one would tend to lose a bit of control, wouldn't you say?"
   I laughed.  "Exactly.  Things do get a little hazy about then."
   "Yeh, I though so.  How would I explain to a date's parents how their
daughter ended up with bruises, some broken ribs or a broken arm?  Rather
difficult, I would say.
   "So, until I could get the control in like my father has, I avoided the
situations.  Now, it's not to say I didn't *want* relationships, but
between the control and not really getting the right, em, vibrations, from
someone, nothing's ever clicked before.  When Natalie popped up the first
day of school, that changed in a *big* hurry."
   "Yeh, Natalie's told me about it," I grinned at him.
   ------
   BOB
   Don and I shot the shit for a while.  We'd really not had much chance to
do it before; both of us had been more interested in getting Ana up and in
keeping our conspiracy going than any "male bonding." That had taken last
place.  But, it was nice -- a lot like talking with my father.
   Ana told us loudly, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" She walked out into
the living room and said, "May we present...  Miss Natalie Lillian
Shanahan!"
   Natalie walked out slowly.  She had her hair down, below her shoulder
blades, wonderfully shiny and smooth, held back from her face with a silver
band.  She had on a satin or silk blouse of some sort, just the blue to
match her shining, happy eyes.
   She had on snug but not tight pants and just a touch of makeup.  Ana had
her turn around once; she made a smooth pirouette and tossed her hair back
while she did it.
   She was delightfully slim but not skinny; curvy and deliciously
feminine. She had a tidy, heart-shaped butt, just like I adore, and I could
see her nipples popped up through the front of her blouse.  Totally and
utterly glorious!
   I couldn't say a thing; I just sat there with my eyes wide and my mouth
open.  She didn't walk over to me, she glided over with a touch of the
model's walk which made her hips and body move in a way to make my heart
flutter.
   I managed to stagger to my feet by the time she got to me.  She asked
shyly, "You like?"
   I couldn't say anything for a bit; all I could do is stare and hope I
didn't faint.  Ana giggled along side her.  "He likes!" She reached her
hand out, closed my mouth and patted my chin with a napkin.  "We can't have
you getting your nice shirt drooled on, can we?"
   I finally managed to get out, "You...  you're totally...  beautiful."
   Natalie smiled like the sunshine she was as she told me, "I'm so glad
you think so."
   Parents or not, I just took her in my arms (carefully), hugged her
against me and told her, _"It's you, your spirit, not just your lovely body
which makes you beautiful."_
   I think she liked it because she purred like Geeser, hugged me really
hard and we _kissed_.  When we finally let go, she had tears in her eyes. I
felt them in mine, too.
   Ana and Don stood beaming at us.  Ana said, "You two get out of here. 
Go do what teenagers do on a Friday night; I don't want you back any sooner
than midnight -- Don and I have things to discuss and do.  Now, out!" She
shoved us out the front door.
   ------
   NATALIE
   Bob and I stood for a moment outside the front door, holding hands.  I
told him, "Ya know, I think my mom just kicked us out of the house and told
us to get lost for a while."
   Bob grinned at me.  "Yep.  That's what happened all right.  Think we can
handle the emotional upset?"
   I smiled back.  "Well, it'll be tough but we may be able to survive it.
Now, what are we going to do on a Friday night in Burbank for five hours?
I've never been out here after dark before."
   He replied, "Well, I don't know about you but I'm hungry.  That little
discussion back there took a lot out of me.  You hungry?  How about I try
to get a reservation at the Black Angus."
   I told him enthusiastically, "God yes; I'm starving.  I need some
feeding up, too; I'm too skinny."
   He told me with a big smile, "I disagree.  I think you're *perfect* the
way you are.  Five or ten pounds more would be okay, but you're *really*
nice now." He patted my ass!
   It felt nice; a *lot* better than any mental _touch_.  I held his hand
hard against my ass and said, "Nasty boy!  I'll give you not less than one
hour to stop it!"
   He gave me a big Bob smile and said, "I'll take you up on that sometime,
Sunshine." He pulled out his cell phone, powered it up and looked up
something on its directory.  He obviously got the place he wanted and asked
for a reservation for two.  He told them, "Great!  We'll be there!" He
turned to me and said, "Forty-five minutes, that okay?" Of course it was
fine with me.
   He said, "Good!  Let's get going!" He took my hand and we dashed off the
front porch to the street, laughing like a couple of school kids out of
school for the summer.
   It felt so right to be with him where we could talk with just each
other, touch nicely, feel the love between us and be with each other.  We
were walking down the sidewalk towards his truck when he stopped me.
   He told me, "I've been waiting to do this since the first day I met
you." He took me, very gently, in his arms and held me against himself.  I
put my arms around his waist and pulled him more against me.  He whispered,
"Let's let it go just a little bit -- any more would be too much for me, I
think," and kissed me and _kissed_ me.
   It was heaven.  I let myself go into him just a small ways and we
_merged_ lightly.  Our bodies and lips were together, but I _felt_ him
against and through me.
   The rest of the world disappeared -- nothing else mattered right then.
Our kiss was soft and warm, not insistent or lustful.  It was a gentle
_*sharing*_ of our feelings and of ourselves, and it seemed to last
forever. I only wished it could.  Finally, we broke contact, stepped back a
bit and held our hands together.
   He said softly, "I just don't see how it could get any better." I could
see his eyes glistening with tears.  "But, believe it or not, it probably
will.  I love you, Sunshine.  I've loved you from the first day we looked
at each other and you do light up my life."
   I know I was crying some too, it felt so nice.  "I love you, Sorcerer.
You've shown me good, nice people exist in this world and happiness can be
mine if I believe it can -- and I do believe it now.  Thank you for being
who you are and allowing me in your world."
   He whispered, "Welcome to my world."
   Then he gripped my hands a little tighter.  "Just to make sure you know,
what I did for your mother back in Ohio is, to a great degree, between her
and me.  Yes, I glad I was able to save her.  Yes, I'm glad she's *your*
mother.  But I want you to know it in *no way* obligates *you*, your Mom or
Don to me.  I don't want you feel in any way, shape or form you owe me
anything, that I expect you to do anything to or with me just because it
happened.  Does that make sense to you?"
   God, he was so good!  I told him back, "Oh, I understand.  I'm so
terribly happy you feel that way," and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth.
"Now, since you've got me all worked up, let's go eat!"
   ------
   BOB
   Black Angus did itself proud.  When I told Natalie she could get
anything she wanted, she raised an eyebrow and with a gleam in her eye,
asked, "Anything?"
   I laughed at her.  "Okay, just stick to what's on the menu.  Anything
else comes later." She pouted at me and chose a steak.  Me, I got my usual
prime rib and we ate enthusiastically.
   We spent a nice hour there, just chatting and eating.  We talked about
anything which came up, except for "family business." I did a lot of
sitting there, admiring her and drinking in her happiness and beauty.
   We hit the restrooms before we left; I called home to let my folks know
I'd be out late.  They didn't really worry about me, but they appreciated
knowing where I was.
   We spent the next hour or so strolling along First Street and roaming
the Media City Center window shopping and checking out the stores.  Natalie
saw several stores she wanted to bring Ana to and got several ideas about
some clothes.  Nice girl stuff -- of course, I agreed with almost
everything.
   Around nine or nine-thirty, I suggested we find someplace else, "We've
got a couple hours until you're allowed back in the house.  I've got a big
back yard; think that would all go together?"
   She smiled and assured me, "I remember your back yard, and I think it
would be wonderful to be there with you."
   I told her, "Great!  We're off!  But if we keep quiet, maybe not too
many people will notice." That got a nice laugh.
   We picked up the truck and went to my place.  When we walked into the
kitchen, Mother saw Natalie and said to her with a big smile, "Sweet
Jaysus! Who are you and what did you do with Natalie Shanahan?"
   Natalie beamed back at her, "The Sorcerer figured it was time to
transform his Apprentice."
   "Well, it sure worked, because I see one fine lady."
   They grinned at each other a few seconds then I told Mother, "If it's
okay, we're going to the back yard to practice some spells."
   Natalie and I heard her think, _"Yeh, like making clothes vanish,"_ but
she said, "Off for a bit of snogging, right?"
   Natalie laughed, "You betcha!"
   Mother said, "Well, I'll put a note on the back door so your Father or
Bill don't wander out at an inopportune moment."
   We went out back and collected a couple of our yard blankets.  Way at
the back, under a small sun shelter, we had a wide, two-person lounge chair
with a good cushion.  I know Father and Mother had checked it out pretty
thoroughly over the years so I figured it would be comfortable.
   It was nicely dark, private and quiet.  I spread one of the blankets
over the cushions, assisted my sweetie on and lay back beside her.
   It was still warm, but I told Natalie it would probably get chilly
later; that's what the extra blanket was for.  We got things arranged and
settled down.
   ------
   NATALIE
   So nice.  Pleasantly stuffed with food with a great guy and a couple
hours ahead while we were "forced" to be with each other.
   We snuggled up against each other and schmoozed a lot.  We talked about
the school, what's coming up, what we would be doing later, everything
nice.
   Bob suddenly said, "Oh!  I'd really forgotten -- I need to make this
formal.  Natalie, would you do me the great honor of accompanying me to the
Christmas Dance?"
   I joshed him, "Of course, silly!  You didn't have to spend almost three
hours feeding me and sweet-talking me just to ask!"
   "Great!  I know it'll be wonderful, being there with you."
   We shared many slow, gentle kisses and nice hugs and slipped in a little
tongue too.  We _kissed_ each other each time, _snuggled and_ it felt
better and better.
   Bob said, "Sunshine, you're the governor in this relationship.  We'll go
only as fast as you wish in doing anything -- I just reserve the right to
slow things down if I think we're going too fast.  Is that okay with you?"
   I told him, "Bob, we've had almost three months of relationship
building, even if it was 'just' in school and studying at home.  Now since
we can be out together, we can build it up even more, for ourselves.
   "So, here's Natalie's ground rules: you can kiss me any time, anywhere
you wish.  You can touch me physically or mentally anywhere and anytime you
want -- and by anywhere I mean you can touch or kiss my face, my arms, my
boobs, my ass, my pussy...  anywhere on top of or beneath my clothes.
   "If you want to stick anything much larger than your finger up my butt,
give me some warning -- and if I want something larger up there, you might
not get much warning.
   "And I expect to be able to do the same with you.  I leave it up to your
good judgment as to when; I don't really expect to get goosed in the
hallway at school but you know that.  I expect this to be fun, not serious
and sober."
   I told him firmly, "All that said, I expect at *least* one good
tit-groping before we leave here tonight.  Understood?"
   ------
   BOB
   Did I understand?  Well, it took a whole lot of thinking to wrap my mind
around what she'd said.  I took my time and really thought about it -- for
about a microsecond; I can do a whole lot of thinking with that amount of
time.
   "Understood.  To hear you is to obey you, oh Mistress of My Heart," I
told her.
   I told her to grab the lever under the arm on her side; she lifted it
and the back of the lounge lay flat -- nice and comfy!  It was getting a
bit chilly now, so I spread the extra blanket over our legs, and we lay
down with her on her back and her arms lightly around my neck.
   I looked right into her eyes and stroked her face with my fingertips, as
lightly and carefully as I could.  Even with the calluses on my fingertips,
I felt the fine down on parts of her face.  I stroked her eyes, her nose,
her cheeks and her lovely mouth.  I ran my fingers lightly down her jaw
then her neck and shoulder and up one arm to her wrist.
   I could hear her moan a little and felt the goose bumps pop up on her
arm as I stroked back down.  I slowly moved my fingers down her shoulder,
across her chest then down between her lovely breasts towards her stomach.
She moaned again and arched her back, pushing her breasts up towards my
hand while keeping her eyes locked on mine.
   I just let my hand ride up so the pressure stayed the same and ran my
fingers down to her navel -- a nice little "innie" I felt through her
blouse -- down her hip and as far down the outside of her leg as I could
easily reach.  Then I let them run back up the same way, stroking her flat
tummy and up between her breasts to her chin.
   I told her, "I love you, Natalie.  Keep your eyes open as much as you
can and look at me.  Just relax and enjoy -- this is your time, Sunshine."
I kissed her lightly on the mouth then followed with kisses to her
forehead, her eyes and her cheeks.  And with every kiss, I _kissed_ her, so
each was a little _joining_ together.
   While I kissed her face and neck, I lightly stroked her sides (not too
hard but no tickling!) and stroked her where her breasts swell out from her
ribs.  Tops, outsides, bottoms, insides.  Not wishing to show any
discrimination, I stroked each breast the best I could through her blouse
and her bra.
   I gave her a final kiss on her sweet mouth and drew my head up a little
so I could watch her face and eyes.  I worked the strokes further and
further up each breast, in a figure eight around them, slowly climbing the
hills towards the peak.
   Each time my fingers got close to her nipples, she'd gasp a little and
try, just a little bit, to push herself towards them.  And each time we
would _kiss_, hug, and feel our love.
   She was almost panting by the time I finally stroked across the hard
nubbins at the top of the mountains, still as lightly as I could.  Each
time my fingers hit them and we would _kiss,_ her whole body would tense up
then relax.
   After about the fourth time I hit a nipple, she let out loud moan -- her
entire body tightened up momentarily then shook.  She kept her eyes locked
on mine while everything was quivering then she finally relaxed down on the
blanket.
   She reached up and kissed me firmly.  "Never has it felt so good.  Even
the *best* I've ever been able to do myself has been *half* so good.  Thank
you, thank you."
   I grinned at her.  "Your pleasure is my pleasure, Mistress."
   She smiled.  "And you better remember it, bud!  Now, how much time do we
have left before the witching hour?"
   I managed to get an eye on my watch.  "It's 11:00.  We should be headed
back by about fifteen 'til."
   She smiled broadly.  "Goody!  That leaves us forty-five minutes.  Let go
for a minute."
   We unlocked arms, untangled limbs and I sat up beside her.  Keeping her
eyes on mine with only an occasional flicker down, she swiftly undid all
the buttons on her blouse, pulled it out of her pants, spread it open as
wide as she could and lay back down.  She put her arms around my neck again
and pulled me down a little.
   "Get those Sorcerer's fingers working again and show us some more magic;
my bra unhooks in the front."
   I controlled the shaking in my hands long enough to unhook her bra and
tuck it down by her sides, freeing her breasts to the cool air.
   She arched her back, pushed them up towards me and whispered, "Sorcerer
of my Soul, help us create some more magical loving." She reached out and
_kissed_ and _hugged_ me hard.
   ------
   NATALIE
   Jaysus Christ, the Twelve Disciples and anyone else who wanted to come
along for the ride!  It had been so wonderful!  I'd never expected it to be
so sweet or so intense, especially through my blouse and bra.  Every time
and every place his fingers or lips had touched my body, it sent a little
shock through it, all the way down through my clit!
   And when he'd *finally* gotten to my nipples, they were so sensitive and
ready for *him* to touch them I came almost right away.  Awesome!
   Fortunately, I'd had the foresight to put in a new panty liner before
we'd left the restaurant -- and I bet it was well-saturated by then, too.
Oh well, the worst that could happen is I'd leave a wet spot somewhere, and
I'd bet Bob wouldn't worry about that.
   Bob finally got my bra unhooked and out of the way -- he's going to need
more practice, and I was going to make sure he got it, too.  Then he slid
those magic fingers so lightly and sweetly onto my chest and stroked my
boobs.
   "Sunshine, look at me as much as you can.  Relax...  and enjoy the
Sorcerer's Grip."
   He stroked the around the base of each boob then ran those magic fingers
up around my face for a few strokes.  I told him as firmly as I could, "Get
back down there!"
   With a knowing smile, he replied, "Yes, Mistress."
   He spread his fingers out over my right tit so the tips were just
touching the base (first time I was really thankful for only B-size boobs
-- his hand fit *perfectly*.) then slowly started up towards the top, his
fingertips stroking towards the target.  *Finally* he got to the top -- all
his fingers were together -- and ever so lightly stroked the nipple -- and
_kissed_ and _snuggled_ me with a tiny bump.
   Fire throughout my body!  *Everything* tingled -- and didn't stop!  I
begged him, "Again!"
   He did the same with my left tit.  Stroke and _kiss_!  The fire built
even higher.  "Yes!  Again!"
   He bent down and kissed my mouth lightly then stroked the right one
again with yet another _kiss_.  More fire!  I gasped to get air in.  Every
stroke tightened my body up, and my back arched, trying to drive my boobs
more into his hand.
   "Relax, Sunshine.  Just let it happen."
   I knew my arms were pulling on him as hard as I could, but he had his
left arm around my shoulders and wasn't letting me pull him down.  He
stroked back and forth between my boobs, with unpredictable speed and
pressure -- _kissing_ and _snuggling_ more each time.
   Finally, I just couldn't hold back any more.  I managed to pull his face
down, locked my mouth on his and shrieked into it.  I shook everywhere. 
Just as it eased off a little, Bob lightly squeezed the nipple on whichever
tit was available and set me off again.
   After a wonderful eternity of ecstacy, he took pity on me, let my boobs
go and ran his hand over my hair and face while whispering soft sounds to
me.
   I finally stopped shaking enough to catch my breath.  I managed to sit
up a bit and prop myself up with my hands behind me.  Bob got his arm
around me and offered me a water bottle.
   I grabbed it and drank probably half of it before I was coherent enough
to say anything.  "God, that was good!  I didn't know it was even
possible!"
   He smiled.  "I didn't either.  I guess you're a firecracker with a short
fuse, eh?"
   I confessed, "Very big firecracker and a very short fuse.  I don't think
I could take anything more."
   I felt cold around my butt and felt around a bit.  I told Bob, "Shit,
I've wet my pants and probably left a wet spot on the blanket....  I didn't
pee my pants, I *wet* them."
   He told me, "Not to worry, it will all dry out.  If it helps any, I've
filled my underwear twice tonight, so we'll both have cold crotches."
   "Well, at least we didn't leave you high and dry." I grinned at him. 
"We'll both squish on the way home."
   He grinned and told me, "The truck seats will wipe off fine -- and maybe
I'll smell you in the morning, too."
   "You probably will." I sat up and stretched -- my joints popped a little
and my muscles relaxed.  I leaned back on my hands, arched my back to push
my boobs at him and gave him a Leone whine, "Kiss them at least once,
pleeease."
   "With pleasure, Mistress." He grinned and gave each (still-hard) nipple
a soothing kiss with a tiny little _kiss_.  Felt *so* nice and relaxing.
   "Okay, up and at 'em," he ordered, "It's time to head back home."
   "Yes, oh Sorcerer of My Soul."
   He nodded at my chest.  "I'll let you handle the female accessories
tonight.  You'll do a lot better job." I agreed, set up and got off the
lounge to get things back in order.
   I stood there in the dim light with my tits out for him to see while I
got my bra fastened and my blouse buttoned.  Jaysus, even my bra tightened
up my nipples again.
   Yes!  My man does a *great* job.  I felt my crotch getting cold since it
was so wet and a cool breeze was whipping up.  Bob _felt_ what was
happening and without a word, wrapped a blanket around my waist, tucked it
in and draped the other one around my shoulders.
   He breathed, "That should help -- don't want it to catch cold."
   "I should hope not.  If I get a regular cold I can..." I snorted in
through my nose (very un-lady-like but I could give a shit about then), "I
don't know of any pussy that can do that."
   We went back to the truck.  I let him carry everything; after all, he's
the one with all those beautiful muscles.
   ------
   BOB
   She was magnificent!  So lady-like in public, so open and uninhibited in
private.  Exactly what tickled my fancy -- and she'd tickled it twice
tonight without either of us touching it!
   We didn't talk much on the way back home.  She snuggled up next to me
and was able to keep her left leg and foot out of my path for using the
accelerator and brakes.
   We got back into her house about ten after midnight.  I figured Don and
Ana wouldn't mind -- after all, she'd told us to stay at until *at least*
midnight.  Before Nat got out, she grinned evilly at me and rubbed her wet
crotch all over the seat.
   Neither Don nor Ana were out in the living spaces.  They'd probably gone
to bed already.  I _listened_ a little and grinned to myself.  They might
have gone to bed, but they sure weren't asleep.
   Natalie, I could see, was starting to sway a little on her feet.  We
heard a faint moan and a scream from the back of the house.
   Natalie came alert and asked me, "What was that?"
   I just raised an eyebrow at her.  "You've never heard it before?"
   "Nothing like that -- are they in trouble?"
   "Well, I wouldn't recommend interrupting them unless you're willing to
get more of an education than you might want to have right now."
   With a puzzled frown, she said, "Huh?"
   I asked her with my best evil grin, "Put it this way -- how often since
this May do you think they've gone 'at it'?"
   Still a puzzled look from her.  "Look, when someone has a brush with a
non-survival experience, especially death, the biological imperative says,
'Reproduce -- Now!' And they want to feel *alive* -- to reaffirm they have
passed through or by death and survived.  They tend get horny as hell and
screw like rabbits.  Your mom has had a recent near-death experience -- in
fact, she *did* die and in some way, she died again tonight -- and remember
she told us she and Don had things to discuss and *do*?"
   I think she finally got it.  She rolled her eyes and groaned.
   I persisted, "You think your mom has had sex only once -- when you were
conceived?"
   She finally grinned, "Well, duh, on me.  I guess I can figure out what
*they've* been doing since she kicked us out."
   I grinned at her.  "Yep -- 'old folks' and sex -- yeech, right?"
   "Well, they've been married for something like five years now, and I've
never heard it before."
   "Betcha back in Ohio your room was a long ways away from theirs, right?"
   "Now that I think of it, a different floor on the other side of the
house."
   I had to tease her and rub it in a bit more.  "Yep -- like mother, like
daughter -- you weren't exactly quiet as a mouse yourself tonight, you know
-- and, technically, we were just doing light petting above the waist."
   She finally said, "Well, okay, I guess,"
   "Hey, if it bothers you, talk with Sherry tomorrow.  She's got siblings
and they're in a very small house.  She's young and horny -- even if she's
got George to keep her happy -- ask her how she copes with it."
   She replied, "Yeh, I'll do that." Then she picked up an eyebrow and
said, "Besides, I've got some *other* things to talk to her about."
   She didn't get a bit of a rise out of me.  "Talk to her all you want
about anything except our family business.  I won't talk unless you talk
first."
   She laughed.  "Old zipper-lip Reynolds, right?"
   "You got it, Toyota.  You need help with a shower tonight?  he asked
with a leer." I gave her the leer.
   She rolled her eyes and moaned dramatically.  "I've had all the
happiness I can take for tonight, I'm afraid."
   Just then we heard a few more loud moans and shrieks.  She said
plaintively, "Jaysus, how can I sleep with that going on?"
   "Well from the actual sound of it, it's reverberating through the air
conditioning ducts.  It might help to shut your bathroom door."
   "I sure hope so -- if it keeps up, I'll get all horny again -- and you
won't be there."
   I told her earnestly, "Not to worry, if it happens, you've got two hands
and whatever other toys you have -- I'm sure you can find a way to calm
yourself down."
   She laughingly accused me, "You are a bit of a pervert, aren't you?"
   I tossed her back at her, "That's a fourth name which doesn't appear on
my driver's license.  I'm 'Righteous Bob 'Pervert' Reynolds'."
   She smiled.  "Yep, you're a pervert, all right, but you're *my*
pervert."
   We stood and grinned at each other for a few seconds.  Finally, I told
her, "I've got gigs going most of the day tomorrow -- after all, I've got
to have money to entertain my best and only girl -- how about we call each
other about one-ish and see if we can set something up for Sunday?"
   She smiled at me.  "Sounds like a plan, man." She got a little bit more
serious and snuggled up to me.  "Bob, thank you again for all you've done
for us, the family...  Thank you for a wonderful first date...  and thank
you for the wonderful Sorcerer's Grip you demonstrated." She purred at me.
   I teased, "Oh, yeh.  Well, I've been imagining doing it for the past
five years -- and you just happened to get caught in my trap."
   She whispered, "This is one girl who's really glad to be caught in your
trap," and leaned in to kiss me.
   We matched just perfectly.  The right height, the right body style, the
right everything.  We shared another of those sweet, gentle kisses with a
_kiss_ and _snuggle_ to make it complete.
   I told her, "I'll see you probably Sunday if we can arrange something."
We heard another moan and scream from the back of the house.
   I almost lost it totally.  "In the morning, the first time you and your
parents get together, look at your mom.  I'll bet she'll have the
'well-loved' look, like you probably will.  Then look at Don and call him,
'horn dog!' and see what reaction you get from them."
   She giggled.  "I bet I can get Mom to blush."
   "Possibly, there's no guarantee." I gave her a quick peck on the mouth
and told her, "Thank you for being who you are.  I just love you to
pieces."
   She whispered back, "And I love you," then kicked me out into the cold,
cruel night and locked the door behind me.
   I managed to drive home somehow, clean up and get into bed.
   And yes, the next day the truck cab did smell like aroused Natalie.  I
kept the windows rolled up and the ventilation off to keep the delectable
odor in as long as possible.
   
  
Sorcerer Inner Circle Ch 01-10