Part Four

... "Alicia, its just you and Bud tonight until Mr. Merati gets home. Don't set a place for Brad or me." This was a surprise, it was rare that Sam and Brad did anything together. Alicia and Sam were drying themselves off from their shower after their swim. They stood naked on the patio. Alicia put her shampoo in the nearby cabinet.

... Alicia had made the shower after their swim, which was after their work out, her daily shower and her daily hair washing. For a while she'd washed her hair during a second shower in her bathroom before she went to bed but she didn't like leaving the chlorine in her hair that long and washing it twice had made it dry. It hadn't been a problem, the times she'd tried it, when she had washed her hair in the morning before school but shaving took too much time for the morning and she wasn't ready to do her shaving out here by the pool.

... Sam and Alicia had showered for awhile inside after their swim but they'd left wet trails through the house (and there'd still been the two shampoos problem) plus two hot showers in different parts of the house at the same time had put a strain on the water system. They had tried showering together, Alicia's bathroom was too small for two people to do more then stand still so they'd used Sam's shower in the master bath. Alicia had liked that solution best but it still left wet trails through the house, if they didn't dry off outside first which seemed a little ridiculous, to dry off before you took a shower. (And Sam hadn't mentioned the fact that she worried that the two of them sharing a shower in her private bath didn't look right. She hated Helen when she realized she was worried about appearances behind the walls of her own house.)

... It had been Alicia's suggestion that they shower outside by the pool. Alicia had been afraid Sam would settle on some answer that didn't involve them showering together and Alicia had come to enjoy their shower more then any other part of the day. She loved it when Sam washed her back and when she did the same for Sam. (It was in fact the only time they touched.) And it wasn't like they needed privacy.

... After their showers they usually went inside to see what the boys were up to. Alicia usually took their clothes and towels to the laundry room and started a wash while Sam reminded the boys it was time to start dinner. (If the women dressed, and how they dressed, depended on the weather.) Alicia was happier then she could ever remember being. (That is unless she let her worries about college and life after June 21st come to the surface.)

... It was in fact Bud's turn to set out the silverware, Brad's turn to cook and Alicia's turn to make salad and drinks. But Sam's announcement meant they would have to skip a day in the schedule, Alicia would cook. But if Brad and Sam left fast enough then she and Bud wouldn't bother with silverware, salads or anything more complicated then melting some frozen pizza bread.

... Sam went directly up to Brad's room. He was playing another in an infinite line of computer games. "Wrap it up, we're going out. Just you and me as soon as I'm ready."

... Brad looked up. He nodded but didn't smile. This probably meant she was mad at him and she was taking this opportunity to have a word with him alone, not something to smile about.

... That was until Sam tossed him the keys to the BMW. "Wow thanks. Where to?"

... "I don't know, I'm just your date tonight. Impress me, but if you get a ticket, you have to pay for it. And remember, if its bad, they'll probably pull your license because of your age. And if it's really bad, they'll pull mine too and I'll be mad. Other then that, you're in charge, I'll pay for dinner, gas, movie, what ever."

... Brad stared at her for a few moments. Something was up but the opportunity was too good to resist. Brad took the turn onto their residential street fast and though he saw Sam grab the armrest she didn't say anything. She didn't say anything when he sent the speedometer over eighty outside of town either.

... After letting it run on long stretches on the highway and on empty narrow two lane roads Brad brought the BMW back into a town and tried to find the evening's strip. He got honks and whistles but an equal number of them seemed to be for Sam as for the car. He looked over at Sam. He'd done his best in the last two years to forget how good she looked, and how young, but tonight ... He could almost believe he'd gotten extremely lucky and she was his date.

... They pulled into a burger joint and ate in the car where people could admire it. Then it was more driving. Sam didn't say anything about it getting late and maybe she was going to be a real date and see where he took her. She'd been talking to him about school, and sports, and computer games. All things he was interested in but he didn't really believe she was interested in.

... Some time around eleven the cruising streets started to cool off. Brad took them back out to the edges of towns and let the motor roar again. He'd seen a bunch of cops that evening but so far he'd been lucky, and careful. He'd slowed down just as they approached a large oak tree near the road as they entered one of the small towns along this stretch of ancient highway. As they passed the tree at thirty eight they saw the police car hidden behind it but either they weren't going fast enough or the cop was asleep.

... "Hey, could we pull in there?"

... Sam was pointing to a roadside tavern like they had in horror movies. Sure, why not? The parking lot was paved but there were no lines that Brad could see painted on the ground. He did his best to park, not too far and not too close to the other cars. Sam got out as he did but she waited for him to come around and then she took his arm as they went inside. This was a real bar and Brad had noticed the "No Minors" sign on the door as they came in.

... "You go pee, I'll get us some beers."

... Beers?! Brad stumbled to the filthy restroom in the back. He didn't have to go but he wasn't dumb either. He washed his hands and took a believable amount of time before he returned to the main room. He found Sam at a booth in the corner with two glasses of beer in front of her. Was she really going to let him drink one? Sam was too smart not to know the drinking age in Florida was twenty one.

... "Hi, everything come out all right?"

... "What?"

... "Drink up. You look like you could use it."

... Brad finished the first beer before Sam was halfway through hers and he signaled a waitress to bring him another one when Sam said it was okay. The waitress brought the beer and Brad was sweating as he paid, afraid she'd ask to see his ID but they already had two glasses on their table.

... When the waitress left Sam slid closer to Brad on the booth couch and leaned back. "Have another couple of swallows, you're going to need them."

... Oh great, here it came. Well at least she'd eased the blow in a way Brad could appreciate.

... Brad leaned back and found Sam's arm around his shoulders and her face near his. "What are your plans Brad?"

... "Plans?!!"

... "For next year, the next five years, the future? What are you thinking Brad? I want to know what you're thinking. You and I never talk. I think sometimes I talk too much to Alicia and Bud but I don't know what's up with you. So, what's on your mind Brad?"

... "Oh, God!" He really wished she was mad at him rather than this. Since Sam had moved in, after marrying his Dad three years ago, Brad's life had been in a constant turmoil. He didn't know anything anymore and he used to know it all.

... "You want something stronger then that?"

... "You trying to get me drunk?"

... "Maybe, if that's what it takes, yeah, sure. Its just you and me tonight Brad. Just Brad and Sam."

... He looked at her. Her face was lower then his, she was looking at him with those girlfriend eyes. The eyes that said, I love you and think you're wonderful and want to know everything about you. Eyes he'd been afraid of seeing on her. "Oh God." He finished the second beer and signaled for the waitress.

... Brad was drinking too fast. Sam was sure the first beer hadn't even hit him before he began on a vodka and coke. She didn't want to have to carry him out of here vomiting but Brad had built walls all around himself. Most of them against Sam and if that's what it took, well she would try to keep the worst of it from John. (Not that in Iran his father wouldn't have taken John out for this kind of talk but John didn't know how to be an American father so Sam did most of that.)

... She wasn't too surprised when he started in talking about how much he wanted her. She'd figured that part out a few years ago when he'd bought her the nightgown. The four of them had been sharing a pup tent in the yard while the house was being remodeled. The only nightgown she owned at the time was sheer and the nightgown he'd bought her was opaque. That pretty much said it all. The rudeness etc. etc. had only added to the conviction.

... But things had changed. She wasn't sure just when or why. Maybe it was the slap and separating him from Alicia. Alicia thought that was real important but Brad had still been mad at her, more so, after that. But just before Helen had caught them all horsing around the pool, naked, Brad had seemed to make peace with her. He'd asked if he could call her Sam, it wasn't going to be the relationship she had with Bud, Brad wasn't going to be her kid, or her little boy. Brad insisted on being seen as an adult. And somewhere along the line he'd realized that he had to act like one around her if he wanted her to treat him like one.

... Of course he wasn't an adult so there had been limits which Sam thought probably explained the cool nature of their relationship for the last two years. Except when they could find an excuse to be physical. When they were throwing each other around is when Brad seemed most relaxed around her. Sam might wish it was otherwise but then she'd thrown the first punch and she'd absolutely denied him any opportunity to treat her like he did his mother.

... So, taking her out tonight had been all of a piece. More adult treatment, and he'd drunk too fast just like a kid. Sam had managed to pour half his Vodka on the floor and had ordered bar grub to soak up the alcohol but it was going to take sometime to get him back onto the subjects she wanted to talk about.

... The fresh air seemed to do Brad some good and they stopped where they could overlook a channel. The top was down and Sam was behind the wheel. "So Brad, what are you going to do with yourself?"

... "I don't know. I don't know. You sure we can't screw?"

... "We absolutely can't screw. Besides your drunk. I don't screw drunks."

... "Ahhhh." It sounded like he wanted to say he wasn't drunk but didn't have the guts to lie. "Then I guess I'll go to college."

... "Sounds like a good idea. But is it just to get away from me?"

... "Hmm? Nah. I'd stay if you'd let me screw you but if not ..."

... "Might as well go to college?"

... "Yeah, why not?"

... "You know what you're going to study?"

... "Pre-med."

... "Hmm, want to be a doctor huh?"

... "I don't know. Just ... "

... "Yeah?"

... "Nothing else seems very important."

... "Sounds okay to me. Lots better then wanting to be a doctor for the money. I hate that kind."

... "Yeah!"

... "So, why are you still a virgin Brad?"

... "You!"

... "You're still a virgin because I won't fuck you?"

... "Nah. Because you'll be mad at me if I act like a jerk and none of the girls I know are worth being nice to."

... "Ah, well. That's one way of looking at it."

... Brad made a sound that sounded like flatulence but Sam was pretty sure it came from his mouth. (Which in truth was a good description of what she thought of his statement.)

... "So, does it bother you that you're a virgin?"

... Brad puffed his upper lip over his lower lip and shook his head.

... "How's that?"

... "I could if I wanted to but ... "

... "Yeah, you already explained that."

... "And I ain't homo."

... "Never thought you were."

... "There's this guy at school, Mike Larkin?"

... "Yeah, basketball team?"

... "Uh huh. He's homo."

... "He is?"

... "Yeah, but he's always feeling girls up and talking big and everything but if you knew him ... I don't think he knows. But I know."

... "Yeah, I understand."

... "Why'd you ask?"

... "Well, you're dad and I were a little worried, that you might be worried." Brad didn't seem to be able to grasp the reasoning. "You know you're dad was a virgin until he got married."

... "No way."

... "Yeah, he told me."

... Now Brad got very solicitous. "Sam, I'm his son. I know he wasn't a virgin when he married you."

... Sam burst into laughter. "Not me! When he married your mom, he was a virgin."

... "What?"

... "Yeah. In Iran it wouldn't have been a big deal but things are different in the US and he was worried that you might feel ... well strange."

... Brad made the farting sound again. (Sam was quickly coming to hate that sound.) "But he was, was ... he lived here for years before he married my mom."

... "Yeah well, maybe he didn't meet any girls before her he thought were worth being nice to."

... Another fart sound but this time Sam was pretty sure it was directed at her characterization of Helen as being worthy of being nice to.

... "Well if it doesn't bother you, it doesn't worry us."

... Brad looked at her. Then he seemed to pull himself together and moved towards Sam. "And no. There's not a chance I will fuck you."

... Brad shrugged and slipped back into his seat.

... Brad was sobering up in the parking lot outside the convenience store. He'd had five bottled waters and Sam was trying to get him to drink a sixth. "God, I'm sorry."

... "For what?"

... "For what I said, about ..."

... "It's okay Brad. I knew."

... "You did?"

... "Yeah, I'm a parent, I know most things about you and your brother, and Alicia."

... "Yeah, how'd you know I was a virgin?"

... Sam shook her head. "A good detective never reveals their sources."

... "So is that why you took me out, because you were worried, about-"

... "No Brad, I took you out because ... Because it was the only way I could think of to get you to open up." She looked at him while he considered this. She wished he'd argue the point but it didn't look like he would. "You know something Brad?"

... "Hmm?"

... "I love you very much. But if I have to get you drunk every time I want to know what's going on with you ... You do know what we did tonight is illegal and I could go to jail?"

... "I won't tell anyone."

... "I didn't think you would, I was just hoping we could find an easier way to talk, just the two of us."

... Brad looked at her but the fear had crept back into his eyes.

... Nope, they wouldn't be having any real good conversations for a while.

... John was asleep by the time Sam slipped into bed but he was awake a moment later. "Hmm, You are cold."

... "Oh? Then warm me up."

... John turned away for a moment to slip on a condom, apparently he'd not only been waiting but he'd been ready too. He slid his body over hers. Sam wrapped her legs around his waist. He tried to slip inside her but she was dry. "Sorry."

... "Don't talk." She was kissing him deeply. And a few minutes later Sam tilted her hips and John slipped into her.

... John set up a slow easy motion. "So where did you and Brad go?"

... "I'll talk afterwards."

... "Afterwards" didn't come for a long time.

... John was pleased that Brad was planning to go preMed, though John would have been almost equally pleased what ever Brad had chosen. He was mostly just pleased that Brad had a preference and wasn't completely aimless. He was also pleased Brad wasn't bothered by still being a virgin and like Sam, while he didn't like the attitude that went with his reasoning, they both approved of Brad's reasoning for not getting unvirginized. (Sam didn't tell John how close Brad's reasoning was to Alicia's. She also didn't tell John that she'd been making plans for Alicia.)

... Harry had been surprised to receive Sam's call. That was nothing, Sam was sure, to how he was going to feel when she told him why she'd looked him up.

... "Why me?"

... "Because." Sam had to look up at him instead of her salad. She'd driven over an hour to meet him for lunch. And that was part of the reason. As she looked at him she had to confess that he was attractive and it wasn't hard to see why her mother, and his two subsequent wives had been attracted to him. But of course she had no experience with in the area she was promoting him for. "I believe you to be a good man."

... This seemed to confuse him and Sam smiled. "This, while this girl isn't my daughter I do feel responsible for her and I want somebody I can trust. I want somebody who will ... be good to her and not make her regret it. And if it all goes well, I want somebody who wont come looking for her. Somebody mature enough to see its not in her best interest to pursue a relationship and is strong enough to let it go."

... "I'm not sure I'm all those things. And I don't think you believe I am. I think you just want some old guy who knows where the noses fit who can't resist a young girl."

... Sam smiled. "If all I needed was somebody who was horny I wouldn't have to drive half way across the state. She gets offers a plenty, in my hearing. What I truly need is someone I can- No, she can, trust."

... "Well, trustworthy has not appeared on my relationship resume for some time."

... "That's fine. I said I didn't want a relationship. Just a initiation she wouldn't regret."

... "What about you? Did you regret your first time?"

... "Most everyone does. My experience was no different."

... "I wish I'd been there."

... "You couldn't be. You couldn't do this for me and anything else ... that would have been out of the question too. I just wish ... "

... He took up her hand. Sam looked so lost and he wanted to bring her back. He felt a strong need to help her. Maybe a sense of responsibility had come with age. "Yes? What do you wish?"

... When she looked at him her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "That I had taken over my life years ago, long enough ago so that this wasn't the first time I'd talked to you since the divorce."

... He wanted to pull her into the shelter of his arms but the table was in the way, and of course they were still too much the strangers for him to do it anyway. "Oh dear. I wasn't worth talking to before."

... Sam looked up at him.

... "Really." And she could tell he believed it.

... Sam had one beer at lunch and plenty to eat with it. By the standards of Curtis Women she was a non-drinker, sober as a ... She couldn't think of what they would admire. But she wanted a drink, or three, on the way home. And she knew she wanted the drinks for the worst possible reason, so she would stop thinking what she was thinking. Just what kind of mother was she? She'd just pimped her ... her foster daughter to a man not only old enough to be her father, he was her father. And last week she'd taken her adopted sun out and gotten him drunk (after letting him break a dozen moving vehicle laws and parading her around like his arm candy).

... Just what was she doing?

... Her best.

... But she was certain that she was doing the wrong things. Every one would have told her they were the wrong things. And she couldn't ignore the fact that if Helen Merati ever got one word of any of this, she'd have Sam in court within the hour. And still her instinct told her she was doing the right thing.

... In the last two years she'd made something of a study of child rearing. So much of what she read was so incredibly obvious as to make her wonder about the intelligence of the writers and publishers. And some was just wrong headed. Logical perhaps but not realistic. And finally she'd applied math and it came down to simple instinct. The situation with child rearing was that there were too many variables to account for all of them and therefore it was impossible to follow any one-size-fits-all system. Which left a parent to follow their instincts and to filter that through logic and reason.

... Instinct was suspect Sam knew because too often our instinct is to do what was done to us. So you had to push youself a little farther and look at what you were doing and why. And, "because that's the way mom did it" was not an acceptable answer. There was one great panacea that Sam had found. It was something so obvious and so often ignored that getting around it meant that she could relax most of the time.

... Every where Sam looked it was clear that most parents didn't know didly squat about their kids and didn't really take child rearing seriously. If you paid attention, real attention, to your kids, gave them your time but listened twice as much as you spoke you were far ahead of most parents. After that, if you set down certain clear guidelines for which you had solid, defenseable, reasons you were almost there. And perhaps most important and most difficult, if you didn't expect your kids to be you. You had a very good chance of being a very good parent. No guarrantees, genetics, and environmental toxins could throw everything out of order. Social problems could batter and derail you but in the vast majority of cases these simple things weren't persued and kids (and parents) suffered accordingly.

... So maybe she didn't want that drink quite so much.

... The next problem of course was how to broach the subject with Alicia. She didn't think telling Alicia that she'd arranged for Sam's father to deflouer her was the right approach. Instinctively she wanted to keep it a secret, until ... Until it was too late?

... No!

... Sam didnt want to deceive Alicia or lie to her but, she didn't want Alicia building expectations or fear either. So maybe a little deception was in order, if she could avoid outright lies.

.

... Alicia found Sam in her room working out already when she got home. They said hi, Alicia started to undress and went to the restroom before she joined Sam on the equipment. "When do you think you can take another day off from school?"

... "Why?"

... "Because, I want to take you on another adventure."

... "Uhm, I've got a test in biology coming up. You know I had a better attendance record before I started living here."

... "Fine, you don't have to come." Sam was teasing because she knew Alicia enjoyed their girls-days-out as much as she did."

... "Would next week be okay?"

... Sam thought for a moment, she knew Alicia's cycle and reviewed it mentally to make sure she wouldn't be feeling unduly self conscious. "What day?"

... "Thursday?"

... "Sounds good."

... Harry made all of the reservations. Sam thought about advising Alicia on what she should wear but that not only would give things away, it wasn't really necessary. Harry was going to fuck her no matter what she looked like. But of course Alicia had her tiniest G string bikini on under he clothes. She didn't wear her sheer bandau top but that was about the only consideration she'd given Sam. And as their pattern had been to leave first thing in the morning if they didn't follow it today Alicia was sure to wonder why.

... They spent the morning at a beach near St Petersburg and by lunch time Sam was wet between the legs just in anticipation of what was to come for Alicia. (How would John react if she called him at work and told him he had to meet me in a hotel room in St. Pete's?) Instead of a burger joint Sam insisted they put on their clothes and go to the restaurant at a nearby resort. It was there that they ran into an old friend of Sam's. He was much older then Sam, maybe as old as Dad, maybe not. He exuseded confidence but with self depricating humor which made it amusing. He offered to buy their lunch and Alicia was a little surprised when Sam said yes.

... Alicia was more surprised when she saw that this man's charm seemed to be working on Sam. Not that Sam was doing anything she shouldn't, she just seemed to be laughing and having a good time. And Alicia soon felt the same way. Alicia wasn't entirely surprised when the man invited the two women up to his room but she was surprised when Sam said yes.

... Sam found Alicia's hand in the elevator and held it. Alicia was excited, but in doubt. What were they going to do? Was Sam really going to have that Manage e treo they'd spoken of months before? Was she going to go off with this man by herself and leave Alicia to watch cartoons? Or were they just going to check out his room and run away laughing when he invited them to take off their clothes?

... Harry opened the door to his suite and then excused himself to use the facilities. Sam turned Alicia to face her. "I think you should take this man up on his offer. I know him to be a good man and ... I don't think you'll ever get a better offer."

... Alicia couldn't believe it. Sam was suggesting that Alicia have sex with this man, alone?

... He was good looking. And she didn't think she wanted to have sex with a man and Sam, at least not yet. But did he really want her? "But-"

... "I'll be right here." Sam walked over to the TV and turned it on. She turned up the sound louder then Alicia knew Sam liked it and she gave Alicia a nod of the head.

... Alicia felt like she stumbled the few feet to the bedroom. Harry was waiting in a chair, still dressed, and thankfully not on the bed. He stood as Alicia entered and somehow the door closed behind her.

... Sam switched the TV to radio and found a classical music station. Not that she particularly liked classical music but she wanted to read instead of watch TV. She also knew that it would be best if Alicia thought Sam couldn't hear anything short of a scream for help. And Sam in truth didn't want to hear anything less then that.

... Eventually Sam had roomservice send up a bucket of ice and a leter of Pepsi. And later some coldcuts for dinner.

... The lovers ventured forth about sunset, both in terry cloth robes, and devoured the food. Sam thought Alicia actually glowed and Harry didn't look bad either. They sat there for a few minutes with Sam, both vasilating between nervous and excited. Sam caught Alicia sliding her hand on Harry's leg and sliding under his robe.

... "Why don't you two take the food into the bedroom?"

... The couple nervously looked at each other and then grabbed the food and drinks and dissappeared with them in the blink of an eye. Sam sighed and called room service for more.

... The pair finally emerged some hours later. Harry looked exhausted. He mumbled a few words of thanks, kissed them both and stumbled away. Alicia looked like she was full of news but also tired. In the lobby Sam paused by the bar, the only thing still open. "Do you want to have a drink and talk?"

... "I'd love to talk but ..."

... Sam nodded, she picked the key up again at the desk and informed the night clerk that they would be staying the night after all. Once in the room Sam called the house and this time she talked to John. She told him that she and Alicia were going to stay out but that she would have Alicia to school in the morning and that she would see John before he left for work.

... Once they were settled though it seemed Alicia still wasn't ready to talk.

... "You must be tired, you want to get some sleep and we can talk in the morning?"

... "Okay."

... There was only the one queen sized bed and Sam was thinking she should have asked for a different room. Alicia still seemed uneasy. "Is there something wrong?"

... "Uh, can I- can we, take a shower?" Sam looked at her. Alicia's hair was still wet under the surface. "I didn't wash my hair before."

... Yeah, it looked like it had just been wet and not washed. Sam imagined they were busy with other concerns. But it didn't take two people to wash Alicia's hair. Maybe Alicia was becoming dependant on- Then Sam realized that Alicia was scared and Sam quickly started getting undressed.

... They used the shampoo that the hotel provided. "I'm sorry I didn't-"

... "It's okay. I imagined that you had other things on your mind ... before."

... "Yeah, it was messier then I expected."

... "Didn't you use condoms?"

... "Oh yeah, but we ran out, but its okay, he's had a vascectomy."

... "Dear, you can't trust-"

... "He showed me the scars, two of them."

... "Oh, well okay. But condoms aren't only to prevent pregnancy."

... "I know." And here it was like Alicia had more to say but was too shy.

... "But ...?"

... "But ... I wanted to see it."

... "Oh. Okay. I think I wanted to too."

... Alicia gave a shy smile. Sam got behind her and worked on Alicia's hair. "Did you like it?"

... "Huh?"

... Sam had to yell over the sound of the water. "Did you like it when he came?"

... "Oh, yeah. I liked feeling it fill me up."

... Oh well, that was more then Sam wanted to know.

... "I liked it a lot. Thanks."

... "For what?"

... "Well, for letting me."

... Sam gave Alicia a kiss on the cheek. She didn't feel comfortable touching Alicia in anything other then a business like manner. And when Alicia turned towards her Sam turned away. "Could you do my hair and back now?"

... Alicia took up the shampoo. "I think if he hadn't run out of Viagra we'd still be at it."

... Of course they didn't have night clothes with them. Sam only had two gowns, neither of which had she worn in years. And ... well Sam wasn't sure what Alicia slept in. After all what was the point of having kids if you didn't make them do the heavy house work, like laundry and stuff? (Sam remembered training Brad and Bud to do laundry and how uncomfortable she'd been -and them too- at having them do her thongs and etc. She wondered if they did Alicia's? Of course worrying what they washed didn't really make sense if you realized first that they'd seen it being worn before it turned up in the laundry hamper.)

... They were both warm from the shower and they dropped on to opposite sides of the bed and pulled up the sheet. Sam said goodnight and turned off the light. They were facing away from each other.

... Sam woke up at two as usual. She was finding it hard to sleep with out being wrapped around John. If she was going to get something to eat she'd have to call room service or go all the way to the pool deck to find a vending machine (even the bar would be closed).

... She decided to go back to sleep. She wasn't really hungry. It was just force of habit.

... But sleep didn't come right away giving her the opportunity to sense that Alicia wasn't asleep behind her. Sam looked around, in the dark she could see Alicia sitting on the side of the bed, hunched in on herself.

... "Alicia? What's wrong?"

... Now she thought she could hear the girl crying. Sam's hand began to stroke the girl's naked back before she could double think. Alicia rolled over on the bed and curled up under the protection of Sam's arm.

... "What's wrong dear? What's wrong?"

... "Am I supposed to feel like this?"

... Sam couldn't help laughing and she managed to rock the girl a bit like a baby in a cradle. "You're supposed to feel like anything you want to feel like."

... "I don't want to feel like this."

... "And how do you feel?"

... "I don't know. Like I made a mistake."

... "A mistake? Why?"

... "I don't know. Because something's gone and I'll never get it back."

... "What's gone? Did you loose your hyman?"

... "I didn't have one."

... "Then what's gone? Nothing, nothing's gone. All that's happened is you've had an experience. An experience that most people have had and until yesterday you hadn't. Its kind of like trying a new food for the first time, or a new dance step."

... Here Alicia stopped letting Sam rock her. "Sam, you can't be serious. It was-"

... "Did you enjoy it? Was he good to you?"

... After a pause Alicia relaxed and then gave a tiny laugh. "He was very good to me. He even went down on me. .... I'm never letting my pussy hair grow in."

... Sam laughed and rocked Alicia some more.

... "What are you doing awake?"

... "Its two am. You know, I always wake up at this time and raid the refridgerator."

... "Ooh. I'm hungry."

... "I'm not surprised."

... "Is there any food left?"

... "No, I was thinking of room service or of the vending machines on two but I didn't want to get dressed."

... "I think room service is closed isn't it?"

... "Maybe. You want to give them a call?"

... "Yeah."

... Sam got up and found the hotel directory and yes room service closed at midnight. "Now what?"

... "Could we find a doughnut store?"

... "A doughnut store? We'd have to get dressed."

... Alicia shrugged. "Its not like we have much to put on."

... So at something like two thirty they appeared before the night clerk and asked about twentyfour hour doughnut stores and then went out into the cool night for a walk. And Alicia began to talk. Some of what Alicia said was a little too personal for Sam, especially because Harry was her father but she enjoyed Alicia's enthusiasm and the sharing.

... "You aranged this whole thing didn't you?"

... Sam didn't know what to say, she was caught.

... "Thank you." Then Alicia leaned over the plastic table and gave Sam a kiss. Before Sam could react Alicia was sitting down again, nervous. "Sorry!"

... "No, no reason to be sorry." But it was clear not only that Alicia was nervous but that Sam was uncomfortable. "Your welcome."

... Alicia brightened up.

... They arrived at Curtis early but not early enough to go home and get Alicia's books and things. She said she'd get by borrowing from friends for the day. When she got out Alicia told Sam to, "hold on a second." Alicia came around the outside of the car to Sam's window. Sam rolled down the window and Alicia set her elbow on the sill. "I just wanted to say thank you again and ..." Alicia grabbed Sam around the back of the neck and held her head while she gave Sam a long kiss. When she released Sam she whispered, "I love you." And then Alicia was bounding away.

... Sam was significantly confused by the time she got home. And she was also randy. She'd spent entirely too much time listening to other people have sex and then to Alicia relate her experiences. John was asleep when Sam entered the bedroom. She dropped her clothes on the floor and slid her naked body over his. Sam felt guilty and selfish, she tried to cram twelve hours of sex into three. John was very kind though and didn't complain.

... Work was difficult to concentrate on, even though it was going well. They would begin to construct the shade structure at Curtis over the Spring Break and Sam had two other jobs that Bill Williams had sent her way.

... She didn't hear from harry, which was just as well. She had a dozen things she wanted to ask him. And it was probably better that she never ask any of them. It had been more then two weeks but Alicia didn't appear to think the subject was getting old. It was clear to Sam that Alicia would like to see Harry again, a couple of times a week probably. But it seemed Alicia had not only guessed that Sam had aranged their meeting but that it was to be a one time only affair.

... Sam was about to tell Alicia to find a new subject when she thought she heard Bud, or maybe Brad, approaching. But then she heard a sharp, too loud, woman's voice in the kitchen. "Well aren't you a dear? Thank you."

... Alice Williams came clacking into the garage/Alicia's room/the gym with heavy hard soled sandals on her feet. Leather pants glued to her lower body and a tight yellow and black leather bikini top holding her breasts up where they couldn't be missed. (Alice and Sam had gotten together a few times since their first meeting but this was the first time Alice had been to the house.)

... "You never invited me over so I just invited myself. You must be Alicia." Alice stuck out her hand and crossed the carpet, still with dull clacks to where Alicia was imprisoned in the bench press machine. Alicia managed to wiggle free and return Alice's shake.

... Alice turned to give Sam a hug but Sam put up her hand to stop her. "You might want to think twice about the hug." Then Sam tried to peel some of her T shirt away from her skin but it was too heavy with perspiration.

... "I see what you mean dear." Alice looked around and sat down on a bench. "So this is how you keep that little hard body."

... "Oh no." It was Alicia who was attacking Alice's compliment. "She had an incredible body before. She bought this stuff for me."

... "Oh? And how did she convince you to commit this insanity?"

... Now it was Alicia who was uncomfortable. "She wouldn't let me wear a G string bikini unless I took some 'mass off my ass.'"

... Alice burst into peals of laughter. Now both Sam and Alicia were on the defensive. "I wish my moma had talked to me like that. But she was always trying to slow me down so I never listened to her anyway. I guess she figured with these attention getters I didn't need any other help.

... "So what have you girls been up to recently?"

... Alicia gave a quick look at Sam which Sam returned and then Sam shrugged. "You can tell her, I don't care if the guys know ... about your new experiences. I'd just appreciate it if they didn't know my part in it."

... It took Aliica a minute but soon she understood Sam's caution-the boys would be after her to set them up too. Then Alicia turned to this new woman. "Sam uh ..." Then Alicia raised her voice and looked at the open door to the rest of the house. "Hey Bud? We could use some drinks?"

... There was no response.

... "Well, I've had my first man."

... "What?"

... "And she won't stop talking about it."

... Alice had a hundred questions and Alicia got to tell the whole story over again. Sam watched her with a secret smile.

... An hour later, Alicia and Sam hadn't done much more work then what it took to keep them sweaty.

... "Sam, where did you ever find this man?"

... Sam didn't answer right away and Alicia assumed she was too shy. Sam didn't talk much about her personal experiences. It was always, "Girls" this and "Many people" that.

... "He was an old boyfriend of Sam's."

... "An old boyfriend? That's very generous of you, maybe you can introduce me. Think Bill would like him?"

... "He isn't an old boyfriend."

... The women were looking at her for the rest. "He's my father."

... "What?"

... "Harry's last name is Halloway, the same as mine. He's my father. That's how I knew he would be good, my mother wouldn't have put up with anything less. And his two subsequent wives had no complaints either."

... "Sam, why didn't you tell me?"

... "Why do you think I didn't tell you?"

... Alicia tried not to nod. "But ... the way I've been talking..."

... "It's okay. You've been very happy and I've been happy for you."

... Alicia did nod this time. "That's why he's never going to call me."

... "Uh huh."

... "That's really manipulative of you Sam." Alicia thought for a few moments. "I'm not sure I'm so grateful any more."

... There was a long silence that Alice tried to break. "Hey, what do you girls do for an encoure?" No response. "I mean, after the sweating?"

... Sam turned to her 'guest,' "We usually take a swim."

... "Now that's something I enjoy." And then Alice patted her chest. "Brought my own May West."

... Sam nodded. She and Alicia climbed out of their torture devices and began to disrobe as they walked across the room. Sam handed her sweaty clothes to Alicia who dissappeared into the laundry room. Sam picked up three bundles of terry cloth from a table near Alicia's door. She handed one bundle to Alice and lead the way through the house and across the back yard.

... Alice was a little surprised at the casual nudity, but then after all this was the woman who'd appeared topless at her house when she couldn't find a bikini that fit. But being naked around the girl, and being naked around "active" adults was different then wandering through the house and yard of a home with teenage boys. Wasn't it?

... The boys weren't in the lower part of the house as the women trooped through and they weren't in the back yard either but Alice felt sure that where ever they were they could probably see into the back yard. Alice knew that some of the "trophy wives" put on their show for the kids as well as the husband but Sam hadn't seemed the type and then there was Alicia following them outside to the pool. Alice thought that maybe Alicia was going to find a swimsuit in the laundry room but apparently not.

... Sam dropped the towels, Alice had thought for a moment that they might be robes, onto the chase lounges and then went over to the wall with the shower heads and began to adjust water temperature. When Alicia caught up she bent over, showing Alice more then she'd ever wanted to see of any woman, and retrieved some soap from a nearby cabinet. "Hold still dear." Then the women showered off and spread liquid soap on each other with such practiced, mechanical, movements that it was obviously just a part of their routine.

... Sam then dove into the pool while Alicia more judiciously climbed in by the ladder. And even though it didn't appear that either woman even remembered that Alice was still there, she was nervous. Alice had a little triangle bikini on under her leather pants. She was used to always having the tiniest, or at least the sexiest swimwear at the pool but it was clear no one was going to take notice of her today.

... Alice rinsed off under the shower, something she rarely did at home, and then she stopped at the side of the pool. "In for a penny, in for a pound." Alice dropped her bikini in a pile by the side of the pool before slowly walking in.

... Sam climbed out after her fifth set of laps and that's when she noticed Alice's bikini lieing on the patio. Sam looked up, finally noticing Alice in the pool. Alice was holding onto the edge of the pool, kicking up a great deal of turbulance.

... "I'm sorry Alice. You didn't have to do that." Sam picked up Alice's bikini and tossed it on her lounge before getting her own bikini bottom from under the mattress and stepping into them.

... "Oh, well. I figured, when in Rome ... "

... "Wear a toga?"

... "I like you, you're pretty smart for a teenager. Where did you find her Sam?"

... "I didn't, Brad did." Sam sat down on her lounge and positioned her thong straps to match her tan lines. Then she lay back, leaving her breasts exposed to the sun.

... "Brad?"

... "My older son."

... "Don't you believe her. Sam may not have found me, but she saved me."

... Alice looked at Sam for confirmation but Sam had her eyes closed behind sunglasses.

... "If it weren't for Sam, I'd be in the penitentuary for mudering my stepmother."

... "You too? Well you wouldn't have been alone."

... "And instead of boring you with stories about my first lover I'd be boring myself with my tenth or twentieth."

... Alice's eyebrows dissappeared under her hair. Alicia indicated Sam. "And as you can see, we don't have a 'not suits rule' we have suits."

... "Yeah, why'd you put them on now? Kind of late huh?"

... Sam spread her hands and was about to answer when Alicia cut her off. "Dr. Merati likes tan lines."

... "Oh?"

... " ' thinks they're cute.' "

... "Oh." Alice looked from Sam, reinforcing her tan lines to Alicia's all over tan. "And he doesn't require them of you?"

... "Me? I don't think Dr. Merati even knows I'm here. No, he only has eyes for Sam."

... "Uhm." Alice saw Bud come out of the livingroom doors and approach across the Grass. "And what about the boys?"

... Bud stopped by Sam and rested his hand on her shoulder while he kicked off his shoes. Sam looked up and then kissed his hand. "Bud, you've met Mrs. Williams?"

... "Alice, please."

... Bud nodded and pulled his shirt over his head.

... Alicia answered Alice's earlier question. "They guys? They're my bros. They only notice me when they're coming up with some evil plan to tease me."

... Bud stuck out his tongue at Alicia and kicked off his pants.

... Alice wondered how far he was going to go. His briefs didn't look like a swimsuit. "And I thought when you came out of our house, topless, that you had balls of steel and now I find-"

... Bud stripped off the last of his clothes. "Oh, she does have balls of steal." Now he pointed between Sam's legs. "Look, you can see them."

... Sam leapt off the lounge but Bud took a running dive over Alice's head into the pool.

... That's going to hurt. It wasn't right for Alice to have such thoughts about the boy, but then if he was going to ...

... "You don't know how fortunate you are Alice." Sam returned to her lounge but now she exposed her backside to the sun. "Children delight in nothing more then embarrassing their parents."

... "I've always thought, you can't be embarrassed unless you choose to be embarrassed."

... Sam pointed at Alice but spoke to Alicia, "You see why I can't stand her?"

... Alice laughed this off. "Now I see why you work out everyday. Its so you can-"

... "No, that's not the reason."

... Alice was looking a the girl beside her as Bud swam past behind her. "Not too close there boy."

... "Huh?"

... "I know all about 'accidental' bumps."

... From behind Alice Bud gives Sam an, "as if" look and Sam couldn't help laughing.

... "Sam will tell you she works out everyday to keep me from slacking off but that's not the reason either."

... Now they had Alice's attention. She looked from one to the other. "Well?"

... "Show her Sam."

... Sam only grunted from her lounge where she was working hard on looking like she was asleep.

... Bud leapt out of the pool and walked over to Sam where he dropped water on her ass. "Come on Mom."

... Sam only grunted and wiped the water off her rearend. Then Bud shook out his hair over her prone body like a dog.

... With a growl Sam exploded off the lounge and before Bud could turn her hands were around his waist. Then Bud was flying through the air to land in the pool behind Alice in the same position he had been in a second before when he was standing over Sam.

... "Holy shit."

... Bud was turning up the water as he swam to the ladder. Sam hooked an index finger in her monokini and flung it away. Bud was half way up the ladder when Sam grabbed him under one shoulder with her left hand and hauled him out of the pool. She grabbed his leg with her right hand and then flung him back into the pool. This time Bud managed to turn in mid air so he cut into the water with only the tinest splash.

... "Shit! That's fucking incredible."

... Alicia swam over to Alice. "They'll keep this up until Bud either lands awkwardly in the pool or Sam gets tired."

... Alice looked at the girl as if to ask, really?

... Alicia got a little closer to Alice and whispered. "Sam doesn't like for anyone to swear around us." Alice gives Alicia another disbelieving look. "Except for her, and when Sam swears its kind of cute."

... Alice was wondering just who this girl thought she was, to tell Alice how she should and should not speak. Then Bud went flying over them again and cut into the water like a knife.

... "We all do pretty much as Sam says."

... Now bud was swimming this way and that as Sam went that way and this around the edge of the pool.

... Alice turned back to Alicia. "Okay. I think I can see that. Do you ever go flying?"

... "No." Alicia shook her head and covered her breasts protectively with her hands.

... Bud and Sam were struggling beside the pool. Sam wasn't letting Bud get out when a blue streak came across the yard, smashed into the two of them resulting in three people spilling into the pool.

... "Besides," Alicia was saying, "Its girls against boys." And a moment later it was like Alicia had taken a jump off the bottom of the pool as she landed on Brad a moment after he came to the surface. And in another moment Bud's naked body burst from the water. He turned in midair to land on his hands and knees on the patio.

... Then Sam appeared on the far side of the pool from Bud. She was sliding out of the water in a fluid motion that must have started far under water. Bud was scrambling to his feet but before he could reach Sam she'd pulled a squirt bottle from somewhere.

... Alice's view of the water fight was obscured for a moment when a pair of blue jeans fley past her and into the bushes beyond the patio.

... "Hah!" Alicia was glaring at Brad who seemed to be trying to undress under water. Alice couldn't figure out the game as both Alicia and Brad seemed intent on him getting undressed but after a few attempts she saw Alicia grab Brad's shirt from him and toss it past the patio into the dirt she understood. If Brad got his clothes out of the pool they landed on the cement patio, if Alicia got her hands on them there was no telling where they landed.

... Alice was getting tired just watching this specticle.

... Brad and Bud stole the towels and used them to lie on the grass. Sam saw the puzzled expression on Alice's face as Sam pulled on her bikini again before lieing down. "If I don't make sure to take it off, it can get pulled apart."

... Alice knew her eyebrows were lost in her hair again but she couldn't help it. Sam and Alicia spread generous amounts of sunscreen on each other and then Alicia spread sunscreen on Alice. Her leather pants had gotten wet in all of the playing around so she hung them over a chair and put it in the sun.

... Big Bill wasn't much for suntan lines and Alice wasn't much for putting on wet swimsuits, she really should have taken it off before she showered. Alice wasn't so sure that the boys would ignore her as Alicia was sure they would ignore her. But they weren't paying attention to any of the women. Apparently Sam's theory about too much being too much had some validity. Alice found herself feeling a little annoyed. She was used to men trying to watch her while not being noticed. She was not used to being ignored completely.

... With those thoughts in mind she lay on her back, checking the sun and her position to make sure she wouldn't get some wierd shadow. She looked over and saw that Alicia was lieing on her stomach but had her legs parted, apparently there wasn't anywhere the sun didn't shine.

... Alice didn't realize she'd fallen asleep until she heard Sam and Alicia talking and the shower going. Alice wasn't a real blonde but still, falling asleep in the sun wasn't a good idea.

... "Hey Alice, come join us and shower off."

... Alice could feel her skin was tight as she got up.

... "Hey, where do you two think you're going?"

... Bud and brad had left their towels on the grass and were going inside when Sam's words stopped them. Brad responded in a whine, "It's 'licia's turn to clean the filters."

... "She didn't jump into the pool with her clothes on."

... Brad grumbled but he turned around, presumably going to check the filters and chlorine levels. Bud had just started to move shen Sam spoke again. "Bud_"

... "I know." Bud turned around and picked up the towels. Then he started picking up the other clothes, except for his brother's clothes in the bushes and etc. "Mrs.- Alice?"

... Alice looked up, Bud was standing by the chair where her pants were hanging. "You're pants are still wet, you want me to wash them?"

... "Oh god No. They're leather, well pleather but... " Then she turned to Sam. "Sam could I-"

... "Don't even ask me. You're much more Alicia's shape then mine."

... Alice turned to the girl. "I'm sure we'll find something."

... Alice smiled and turned back to Bud who was still waiting. "Thanks Bud, just leave them there."

... Bud nodded and walked to the house carrying everything else. Alice noticed that while he was trim he wasn't tight like Sam and Alicia.

... "Alice turn around."

... Alice looked around to see what was happening. Sam pointed for her to face along the wall. Alice turned that way and then she felt Sam's hands gather up her hair. Sam shampooed Alice's hair, giving her a marvelous scalp massage. Then Sam worked on Alice's shoulders and back.

... "Okay, flip." Alice turned at the sound of Alicia's voice. She saw that now Sam was preparing to wash the girl's hair. Sam handed the shampoo bottle to Alice when she was done and Alice began on Sam's hair. Alice wanted to know who was going to give her hair a second wash and the answer was nobody. Brad was in the bushes searching for his clothes and of course he hadn't washed Alicia's hair so this was Alicia's first washing and only Sam got double attention.

... Well, Alice knew from experience, it was nice to be queen.

... Alice had worked hard on Sam's hair and now was doing her best on her well muscled back. She ran her fingers down Sam's spine and into her cheeks. "That's fine Alice, I got that earlier." She had? When? Out here? Alice had forgotten they were in the yard by the pool and she had forgotten she was washing Sam's back, not some one she'd been intimite with. But that still left Alice wondering just how serious these girls got with their outdoor showers, they both had trimmed bushes and ...

... Alice had arrived in a bikini top and tight pants and it wasn't hard for Alicia to provide her with a similar ensamble. Alice watched Alicia pull on a G string and T shirt and the girl appeared to consider herself dressed. Definately can't introduce Mr. Williams to this one.

... "Alicia, do you mind if I ask you something personal?"

... The girl shrugged. "Do you and Sam shower outside everyday?"

... Alicia smiled, that wasn't personal. "Uh huh."

... "But when do you shave?"

... "Oh, I do my legs and pussy at night. I get up on the counter. I'm always worried though that I'm going to fall off and crack my head. And there I'll be for Sam to find me in the morning."

... "You like her a lot don't you."

... "No, I love her. She's like my mom and my best friend all in one. Come one, I've got to make dinner."

... "Oh no you don't. I'm taking you all out to dinner."

... "Have you told Sam?"

... Alice shook her head, no. Alicia went to the bottom of the steps and called up them. "Sam? Sam, you there?"

... Brad came out of the master bathroom, naked, drying his hair. "She's not up here."

... Then Sam came out from the laundry room, "You don't have to yell Alicia, a little run up the stairs will do you good."

... "I'm sorry. I was going to start dinner but Alice said she wanted to take us out to dinner."

... Sam turned to Alice. "Are you sure? There's a lot of 'us.' "

... "Hell I'm sure. And its not my money so lets live a little."

... Sam smiled, "Okay, that's very kind of you." Sam looked upstairs. "Brad, why are you in my bathroom?"

... "Because Bud was in ours."

... Bud came out of his room half dressed. "I'm not anymore."

... Brad shrugged and went to his room.

... "Okay everybody, put a little more clothes on, we're going out to dinner, courtesy of Mrs. Williams."

... "Make it Alice, please."

... Sam smiled and nodded, Alicia thought she was picking up Bud's habit. "If you'll excuse me. I have to be an example." And Sam went upstairs.

... Alicia turned to Alice. "Could I ask you a personal question?"

... "Sure, go a head." Alice followed Alicia back to her "room" where she finished dressing.

... "I noticed that you're bare between, do you shave?"

... "Nah, I go to a salon once a month and have it waxed and yanked."

... "Isn't that ... "

... "Embarrassing? Nah, I'm a display model. Everything about me is public." Then Alice whispered. "And just between you and me, it really turned Big Bill on to think that everyone in town sees me naked and wants me."

... Alicia gave an embarrassed laugh. "Well, what I really wanted to know, is, does it work?"

... "Does what work?"

... "Does being bare between make men go down on you more often?"

... "Make? No. Encourages? Maybe. More often? Well I couldn't really say for sure. If you want to know if the difference between a little and all is the key, I doubt it. I have all mine pulled off because I'm a bottle blonde."

... Alicia doesn't get it. "My pussy hair is black so I-"

... Alicia suddenly gets it and laughs.