This is an actual tape reproduction of a conversation between two consenting switching partners taken at a switch party in the month of May 1969. The couple, a husband of about 30 and someone else's wife of about 25, did not know they were being taped.
MAN: I like you. I'm glad I got you. You turn me on. Pretty.
GIRL: Thanks. I like you too. Have you ever done one of these things before? MAN: Twice, but sometime ago. I never got a girl like you though.
GIRL: This is my first. I'm a little scared. No, not scared, afraid I won't do everything right. MAN: Oh, you'll be fine. Well, should we take off our clothes?
GIRL: Yes. But can I turn down the lights? I don't like glaring lights.
MAN: Yeah, sure. This bed feels soft. I like soft beds.
GIRL: So do I. Say would you unhook me here?
MAN: Yeah.
GIRL: Thanks.
MAN: (Whistle) What a figure. If I were your husband I'd lock you up and keep you for myself.
GIRL: You know husbands. They get sick of the same diet. You like?
MAN: Great. I sure drew the jackpot tonight.
GIRL: You look in good shape too. You have a nice tan. Is it from swimming?
MAN: Well I have a small boat....Come, lay down here.
GIRL: Wait, I have to go to the bathroom. (An interval of silence)
MAN: Right here.
GIRL: Oh, you're warm. I'm freezing.
MAN: My God, what a body. Those tits!
GIRL: I'm glad you like them.
MAN: I used to be an ass man-now I'm a tit man.
With you it would be easy to be both.
GIRL: I've been married five years. I stay on a diet all the time and exercise too.
MAN: It shows. Does that hurt?
GIRL: No. It feels good. Should we start so soon? The evening is young.
MAN: Show me a man who could resist making love to you with you lying nude next to him. Don't worry. I can go all night if necessary.
GIRL: Oh! You hit the spot that time
MAN: God, you're wonderful.
GIRL: Listen. Not too hard. I'm very .sensitive in there.
MAN: Okay.
GIRL: Can we try it with me sitting on you? It's easier for me to climax that way. MAN: Sure. My pleasure.
GIRL: Is this okay?
MAN: Go slow though. It's so thrilling I don't want to come too fast.
GIRL: All right. Put your hands on my breasts.
MAN: My pleasure.
GIRL: Oh that feels good. Just lie quiet. Let me do the work.
MAN: Yeah, that feels good. Are you ready? I don't know how long I can hold it
GIRL: I'll go slower. Very slow. Just be patient.
MAN: Yes, that's better. Oh, that's wonderful.
GIRL: Soon. Very soon.
MAN: Yes. Very soon.
GIRL: Can I go a little faster.
MAN: Yes.
GIRL: Ohh ... h ... h ... Now. Hold my breasts tight.
MAN: Can I come?
GIRL: Yes. Yes. Yes! MAN: God!
GIRL: I'm bursting! ... Together.
MAN: Fabulous. Oh, Jeez I love it.
GIRL: Thank you darling. Thank you. You held just long enough.
GIRL: I'm going to the bathroom. Can I get you a wet towel?
MAN: Yes. Thank you.
(silence)
GIRL: Here. That was the best. The best. Do you thing you can do it again? I can come all night.
MAN: Of course. Just let me smoke a cigarette. And listen this time can we try something else?
GIRL: Yes. Anything. You know my husband is very square. Rut I'd like to try something new.
MAN: Would you let me tie you to the bed?
GIRL: Of course. Then what?
MAN: That's a surprise!
CHAPTER ONE
In order to understand all the loving couples, you have to understand the San Fernando Valley, a suburb over the hill from Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
From the Hollywood Hills and Mulholland Drive when you look down on the San Fernando Valley you would think it was no different than any other suburb. You would be wrong to think that.
Most of the residents of the San Fernando Valley have their roots in the entertainment business. And those who work at Lockheed or Hughes or the General Motors Plant rub shoulders with the others and some of that glamour and excitement rubs off on them.
Homes range from $20,000 tract cottages to $250,000 palaces and cars range from four wheels and a motor to Isotas and Ghias. But the people have the stamp of sameness.
As it does in Los Angeles where an address in Beverly Hills is considered posh and a home across Doheny Drive ten feet away not so posh, it is the same in the Valley where homes in the hills south of Ventura Boulevard look down with disdain on homes north of the boulevard.
When the residents want action they drive over the various canyon roads to Hollywood and go to previews, premiers, the theatre, or to Chavez Ravine, Hollywood Race Track or the Music Center.
Or there is another alternative. They go to a party in the Valley. There are many of them every night and with them the humdrum of the routine is quickly broken. A party suggests a challenge-who needs Hollywood with its immorality, its fun and its lack of convention?
You can have the same thing at a party-or at least give it a try.
So that's what this is all about, a party in San Fernando Valley among what we call Valleyites. At this party there were just eight people, six of them bored people, one an ambitious person and one resigned to sinking into the abyss of immorality.
You might say this is a true adventure because the author lived through many such parties, with similar people and similar experiences. If belief that this party was a true story will help you enjoy it more, you have my word it happened with just minor variations.
* * *
Mitch pushed into his newly-washed convertible, shoving aside bags of pretzels and potato chips he had bought for the evening. He took a pair of dark glasses out of the dashboard compartment and squeezed them down on his nose. They didn't fit right.
He grimly made note that even his nose was gaining weight and he thought about going back on a diet again for the fifth time.
He drove up Broadway and onto the Hollywood Freeway, nimbly falling into the speeding traffic without a wait. "Damn it," he thought, "that's why you have to buy a good car. Not just for looks but for safety." He'd have to remember to tell Liz that. She was always criticizing him for spending so much.
He grinned thinking of Liz. He wondered how many other men could think their wife was the best damn piece of tail in Los Angeles after all these years. Then a dark thought passed his mind but he shrugged it off.
It was Friday night. Party night. He didn't want to think of any problems.
Traffic zoomed along. He turned on the news. Wars. The kind of wars that were undeclared and nobody won or lost. He likened them to baseball games that had no ending. Men were slaughtered but it was uninteresting to him.
He pressed a button and got KHJ, the rock music station. Liz had been fooling around with the buttons again. Why in hell couldn't she leave his goddamn buttons alone. He'd have to remember to tell her.
He jockeyed the car so he could speed into the Ventura Freeway. It was hot and even though it was late in the day and he drove a convertible he couldn't wait to get home and into the pool.
He liked to swim nude. Especially when Liz swam nude with him. But he doubted if he could get her into the pool this night. Party nights at their house she was too busy playing hostess.
"Keep the maid around," he'd tell Liz, but she thought their kind of parties were too rough for Marie. He didn't think so. Marie had a cute ass, even if it was a black one. He'd like to pack into that on a rainy night sometime.
Liz would have some crazy excuse why she couldn't swim with him. Well, a guy couldn't have everything. He had more than most and he was satisfied. For the things that weren't right, well, they weren't Liz's fault.
The Venutra Freeway was a mess. Traffic crawled along. The car in front of him never moved ahead enough to the car that was directly in front of it. Mitch cursed him but he didn't blow his horn. He hated horn-blowers. They were invariably unwashed fat men.
The last 20 minutes before he got to the Woodland Hills off-ramp bugged him more than ever. He amused himself by cursing the driver in front of him via a long string of cuss words to the tune of a rock tune on the radio.
When he finally got off the freeway he drove the car angrily. He was hot, impatient and bugged.
It was even hotter in the Valley but he liked it out here. There were green lawns, and long, ranch-style houses in the $50,000-and-up category-a dash of class to the neighborhood.
He checked his watch. Forty-five minutes for a drive he could make in twenty when there was no traffic. "Shit!" he said very loud and he felt better for saying it.
It pleased him as he passed neighboring homes to see Cadillacs, Continentals and neat foreign cars in driveways. Mitch knew he wasn't a snob, but he felt more comfortable among people who didn't have to be envious of him.
He rolled to what he believed was the nicest house on the block, his own. Every time he saw it, he appreciated it. It was just right for him-expensive, but homey. It had been a good investment.
He had to stop half way up the drive to pick up a three-wheel bicycle. It wasn't his own kids.' He was away at military school. It belonged to a neighbor. It didn't bother him. He liked his neighbors to have fun on his grounds.
Mitch climbed back into the car and drove it into the carport. "Jeez," he thought, "early thirties, I bend to pick up a bike and I'm breathing hard. I've got to swim more or exercise more. Or something."
He always said that to himself but he never altered his normal routine.
He got out of his car, arms full of crackling cellophane bags and tried to pat the station wagon he had parked next to. He examined a fender. Another scratch. When in hell would Liz learn to drive! He decided he wouldn't say anything. Christ, not a scratch on his and hers was newer.
He shifted his packages and activated the lawn sprinklers. That was another thing. If he didn't do it no one would until the gardener came, and he only came twice a week. The lawn needed more water than that.
But he decided he wouldn't bring that up either. It was Friday night, party night, and he wanted Liz in a good mood.
With packages back in his arms, he had to step nimbly like a broken field runner to avoid the sprays of water. He ran all the way to the entrance.
That was when he noticed Liz standing there in chartreuse lounging pajamas, frosted glass in hand, a smile of welcome on her pretty face.
He always got a thrill of pleasure when he saw Liz. God, he was glad he had married her and nobody else. There had been a lot of broads. A couple of times when he got boxed into a corner he almost got hooked but a kind fate didn't let him make that mistake.
The drink was for him like always. She just handed it to him and he drank it down fast, the gin searing his upset stomach. Then he gave her a husbandly kiss.
He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her tight but he thought that would look too emotional for a hot, late summer afternoon.
Instead he said casually, "Love you," like he always did. He handed her the glass. That's the only way he got a charge anymore out of liquor, drink it down fast. This one hit him hard. He felt lighter and for a moment he tried to collect his worries but he couldn't do it.
"One of those days?" Liz asked.
Mitch nodded. "Typical Friday. Always something at the last minute." He looked sombre. He liked Liz feeling sorry for him. He tried to think of what had happened at the last minute and he couldn't remember. Well, something bad must have happened. It always did.
She kissed him tenderly.
"Christ," he thought, "I'm a lucky bastard." Then he realized how hot it was. The air was heavy and the exertion of running from the carport had made him perspire.
He struggled with the knot in his tie and got it open. "I'm going to take a dip," he said.
Liz nodded approval. "Then I'll bring your dinner out."
He knew what kind of a dinner. Friday night, the maid was off and Liz had enough trouble preparing for the guests.
"TV dinner? Well done?"
"That's right. It's Friday."
Mitch grimaced. Well, he thought, he was getting too damn heavy anyway and he shouldn't be eating big meals. He added to his thoughts, "I'll have a couple of sandwiches after the party gets going."
As he thought, he peeled off his clothes while walking through the house and through the sliding glass doors that led to the pool.
As he dropped each garment, Liz picked them up. It was a ritual. When she dropped her clothes, he picked them up. They each got a kick out of it.
When he reached the eight-foot deep side of the pool he was naked. And Liz was standing there with an armful of clothes. She put them in a chair and walked to the edge of the pool as he dived in.
Swimming made him feel sexy. He wished she'd forget the damn party and jump in the pool with him. He echoed that thought out loud but Liz just stood there smiling, shaking her head.
"Stubborn bitch," he thought. "Just like all women, they develop a plan and never deviate." With men it was different. He'd often plan and then make changes according to the way the wind blew. That made more sense.
Mitch cut the water fast from end to end. It felt good. He could still slice through the water at high speed. He surfaced.
Liz was calling to him. His ears were full of water and he couldn't hear her so he moved right under her.
"What?" he asked.
She was laughing. "You took off everything except your watch."
He looked at his watch below the water with chagrin on his face.
"Son-of-a-bitch," he said. "What a way to find out if it's really waterproof." He unstrapped it and held it up to her.
When she ruffled his wet hair, he made a grab for her to pull her into the pool.
"Uh-uh," she said, "it's after seven and our guests will be arriving soon."
"Screw them," he said. "What's more important, me or our disreputable friends?"
"Furthermore you just paid $15 for this hair-do."
That reached him. No matter how successful Mitch became, no matter how much he earned, he never wasted money. Not that he was cheap, he mused, but it was too hard to earn to toss it away.
When he swam away from Liz obviously convinced, she laughed, "You're hopeless," she said. "I swear if it cost money to breathe, I'll bet you'd hold your breath." But she said it kindly, not critically.
Mitch well remembered their first year of marriage when money was tight. He never wanted to go through that again. He remembered them driving to Palm Springs for a vacation in an old Opel that broke down twice on the way.
And when they got to bed Liz had forgotten her diaphragm. It was before she started taking the pill. She cried in his arms and they both were naked and he couldn't stand it anymore and he raped her-that's what he did. She was struggling and screaming that they couldn't afford a child but he was a raving maniac he loved her so. And then when he managed to force his way inside and he was pounding crazily into her she was moaning out loud, "Please don't come into me." Everybody in the cheap motel must have heard them.
But he didn't care by this time. He was out of control. He did come into her and all the while he did she punched at him with her puny little fists until he was spent. And then she cried some more. My God how he loved her. And that's when the youngster was conceived. In passion.
They were broke but somehow they got through it. He swam back and forth counting as he went. He'd just do 20 laps tonight because it was late. Usually he did thirty.
"Liz, Liz," he repeated her name over and over. The things she went through and she never lost faith in him. That's what amazed him. When he was sure he'd always be a miserable failure, she was sure he'd make it.
What made her so strong? Hell, she was a Vassar graduate. Her parents were major stockholders in a famous soft drink company. She always had it plush when she was a girl. But with him she handled every kind of hardship without a complaint.
"Christ, what a wonderful woman," he thought.
CHAPTER TWO
Twenty minutes later, with dusk settling on the Burnett grounds, the first guests arrived. They were Dale and Kathy Osborne who had never been to Mitch's home before.
They were a handsome couple. Dale had the look of an eager fellow, taking women in his stride as he worked swiftly toward his goal-SUCCESS. Actually, though handsome and charming he had been faithful to Kathy during their three years of marriage, but it hadn't always been easy.
As for Kathy, beauty jockeyed with dignity for her outstanding characteristic. She loved Dale and had eyes for no one else. She was in a new pink summer mini-dress that brought out her youth. She looked younger than her 25 years. Actually Kathy had never realized her great potential. When men complimented her, she thought they were just being nice. She minimized her sex quotient but it was large and effective.
Dale opened the door of the car for her with a low bow. It was a secret ceremony between them dating back to Dale finally acceeding to Kathy's demand that he always open doors for her.
He kissed her hand and she alighted.
She breathed deeply of the lawn and flowers. "Nice, isn't it?" she stated. "But quiet. You sure the party was tonight?"
Dale frowned. "I don't see Irv's car but if it were called off he would have phoned."
They stood there undecided for a moment. Kathy hoped it was called off. She was uneasy about the party, though for no reason. But she loved the house. Someday she hoped Dale and she could have a home like that.
It was a struggle. Dale sold insurance and as yet he didn't sell enough of it.
Dale automatically held Kathy's hand as they walked up to the entrance. It was characteristic of Dale. He leaned on her. He needed her and she loved him very much.
"Too bad," thought Kathy. Friday nights they usually went to a drive-in theatre. Neither had to get up early the next day. They loved those summer evenings at the drive-in. They necked just like kids. It was exciting. More exciting than being intimate in bed. Sometimes Dale would let his hands roam all over her and she'd pretend to be annoyed or shocked because of the lack of privacy but she enjoyed it.
Just one night she regretted in a way. It was cool weather and there wern't many cars in the drive-in. The picture was dull and they became more interested in each other than in the movie. Dale, damn him, got her panties off no matter how she struggled at first and they made love right on the seat while "Woody The Woodpecker" was singing his crazy song.
She was ashamed of that and she told Dale. But he said if she really didn't want to-really-they wouldn't have. Secretly she admitted to herself it was true.
But when Dale brought it up jokingly from time to time she feigned anger. When she thought about it she was embarrassed. Yet deep down she realized it was thrilling.
Dale couldn't find the bell and used the knocker. He tapped it gently and then using more force, banged it hard several times. He was determined to be heard.
From the outside they heard a woman's voice say quite loudly, "They're here, Mitch."
Dale squeezed Kathy's hand. He hated to do this, he thought. He really did. But he just had to be a SUCCESS. Even if it was just for Kathy's sake. And he did want her to have everything good in life.
Liz opened the door. "Hi," she said. She looked at the couple puzzledly.
Dale took over, "You must be Liz. We're the Osbornes. This is Kathy. I'm Dale."
Liz smiled cordially, "Of course, you're the couple Irv invited. Come in. The others are late as usual."
They walked into a living room tastefully and expensively furnished. It wasn't easy for Liz but in time she got Mitch to move all his heavy, objectionable pieces to his den.
Kathy studied a piece of sculpture. It was modern, multi-colored and she didn't understand it. But she liked it. Dale appraised the furniture at $12,000 which included the grand piano. He was close.
"Sit down," Liz said. "Make yourself at home."
Liz casually looked at Kathy. Liz was always aware that every woman was competitive. She came up with a quick decision, Kathy had a sexual innocence that could drive men mad. She was perceptive enough to understand that a girl like Kathy wouldn't know her own power.
As for Dale, he was handsome, maybe brittle.
"Can I take your coat?" she asked Kathy. Kathy handed it to her. Liz thought to herself while holding the coat, "Forty dollars at the May Company."
"If you want to freshen up, it's through there, in the guest bedroom," Liz motioned to Kathy. But Kathy only shook her head vaguely.
Dale sat and Kathy stood uncertainly.
Mitch's voice bellowed from a hallway, "Where the hell are my shorts?" The voice startled Kathy and she sat down.
"Excuse me," Liz smiled. "Men." Then she called out, "Middle drawer. Next to your T-shirts."
"Are you like that, too?" she asked Dale. "Mitch should have his clothes classified in a filing cabinet like in an office."
Kathy answered for Dale. "Dale is unusual. He's very neat."
Liz shrugged as if it didn't matter one way or the other.
Mitch hollered out again, "I mean the new ones. The ones with the red hearts on them."
Liz, now a martyr, called back, "I said next to the T-shirts."
There was silence then Mitch hollered victoriously, "I got em."
Kathy liked this exchange. There was something homey and warm about it. She felt less fearful now. She felt more secure.
She loved Dale but he was apt to be impulsive, jumping in and out of things faster than she could ever contemplate. He was always a step ahead of her. He was too ambitious. That was it. No, just very ambitous, not too ambitious. She wanted all the luxuries out of life too. It's just that she wasn't that much in a hurry. That was where they were different.
She remembered after their third date he tried to get her into bed, first by sheer logic (to him) and then by trying to get her clothes off. When he failed, he looked at her soberly and summed it up-"Sooner or later we'll have an affair and get married or break up. Why not decide the whole thing right now. Which is it?"
Her answer was the only answer a girl like Kathy could give. "Why does that have to be decided right now? Right this moment? Sure I like you. Give it time. Please."
Soberly he shook her hand, then said, "Too bad. I really like you. Maybe love you. Well, goodbye." He walked out.
She cried all night. She never did know whether he was bluffing or not. Two days later he called her and casually, as if nothing had happened, asked if she'd go to a movie. She was happy to go.
That was Dale. Now he had brought her to this party. He had been mysterious about it, merely saying the people had money and would make excellent contacts for him. She always wanted to help. By the looks of this house Dale was right. There was money here.
Liz prompted her out of her reverie by suggesting she and Dale have a drink. Dale took a Scotch on the rocks and she took a plain ginger ale.
Dale elbowed the bar and drank his drink there. Kathy wandered to the fireplace eyeing the trophies. The largest one of bronze depicting a baseball pitcher tossing a ball was inscribed, 'To Mitch. A great coach. San Fernando Junior Sluggers 1968." She read the inscriptions of several smaller trophies all dealing with Little League activites.
She wondered what kind of man Mitch was. She admired men who gave their time to kids. Her father had been like that. In fact she always quietly believed her father wished she had been a boy. He had three daughters and she was the youngest. She knew both her father and mother prayed for a boy when number three came but along came Kathy. They always said they were happy anyway but Kathy wasn't certain.
Suddenly Kathy wondered why she was thinking of her parents. They lived in the East and she seldom thought of them.
Dale walked over to her with a bottle of Vodka in hand and said, "Let me sweeten it a little for you, honey." He poured until she said alarmedly, "Hey, stop." He laughed and kissed her on the cheek.
She sipped the drink and felt the warmth glow in her middle. "Dale," she thought, "he's always trying to make me high."
She wandered over to a coffee table. Magazines neatly lapped each other in three rows. They were titles she had never heard before, "Swingers Only,"
"Swinging Couples,"
"Switch Partners,"
"Wild Guys and Gals." Most had semi-nude figures on the covers. She wondered why such magazines should be displayed in such a dignified home.
She picked up one of the magazines. Mostly it was filled with personal ads. She read a few of them and she felt her face getting red. "My God," she thought, "do married people really do these things?"
She poked Dale and slipped him the magazine. She hoped surreptitiously. "Look at this," she whispered.
He glanced at it and said, "Swinging, isn't it?" He laughed, she thought nervously.
Liz had walked off to the guest room and now returned.
"Can I mix you a drink?" Dale offered. Something seemed to be bothering her. "Not now," she said.
The telephone rang. She said, "Hello" and then listened. "But can't you get someone else? There must be another babysitter. How many? Well, there's just us and the new couple and Irv and Natalie. Well, try. You know four couples is just right. Will you? Oh, good. Try. Call me." She hung up.
"It was Thelma," she said, explaining. "She and Mike are great kids. They always have babysitter problems. You know sometimes I have E.S.P. about these things. Oh, they were late all right but I just knew something was wrong."
"Yeah," Dale said. "It's like with me. Good things come upon me suddenly and surprise me but before something bad happens I feel depressed as if I know what's coming."
"Oh well," Liz said, "things will work out. They always do."
Mitch marched into the room. "You bet they do," he said with authority. "What do?" He laughed loudly. He was in sports shirt, checkered, red socks and red shorts with a Valentine heart pattern. He seemed totally unaware of Kathy and Dale. "Who in the hell were you talking to on the telephone? What's up?"
Liz frowned at him. "It was Thelma. Put your pants on." She looked at the Osbornes. "Jeez," she thought to herself, "why does he always add a touch of vulgarity to every gathering. I must really love him if I can take that and love him, too." She started to apologize to the Osbornes and then thought better of it.
For the first time Mitch noticed Dale and Kathy. "Well, well," he said heartily, "I'm Mitch." He shook Dale's hand. He looked at Kathy, liked what he saw and said, "Glad you could come."
"Put your pants on," Liz insisted.
Mitch looked down and grinned, "What for?"
Liz apologized to Dale and Kathy. "Sorry kids. My Mitch isn't very couth."
To ease what she thought was a strain, Kathy said, "Those are darling shorts. I've seen men on the beach like that."
"No," Mitch grinned. "Liz is right. I'm not couth. But you see in my business couth is a handicap."
Mitch meant that. Everything he had ever gotten from life he got the hard way from fighting, scratching and even brawling.
Liz now felt sorry for Mitch. "Darling, go put your pants on. That was Thelma. Her baby sitter didn't show but they're trying to get her sister."
"Son of a gun," Mitch said, annoyed, "a typical Friday. You plan all week and something always goes wrong." Then Mitch noticed Dale was holding one of his magazines. The grin returned to his face. "Did you read some of those ads? Wild, wild, I tell you."
Dale asked naively, "Are they on the level?"
"On the level," Mitch said. "I'll say. We just put one in. Want to see an answer we got? With pictures. Fantastic." Mitch dug an envelope from under a trophy stand and held it up. First he handed a photo to Dale, then hesitated. But Mitch was never one to be shy. He handed another photo to Kathy.
Kathy's heart was pounding even before she looked at it. She wanted to refuse to look but she didn't have the guts with Mitch looking at her like that.
She looked and saw two men making love to one woman. She was on her side sandwiched between the two men. It was obvious she was enjoying it. Her mouth was open and her head was thrown back. Each man had hold of one breast.
Mitch studied Kathy as she looked at the photo. "I guess the other woman is the one shooting the picture," he explained. He went on, "You see they say in the letter they are two couples who swing. I'll read you part of it. 'Joe and I are 32 and 28 respectively.
My husband is Scotch-Irish and I'm French and part Cherokee. The other couple are neighbors of ours. It's handy to have neighbors like that. Bill, the dark curly-haired one is powerfully built and I mean all over and I am petite and terribly sensitive. I have long dark hair. We both love music and dancing, bowling and photography. We have a fabulous collection of pictures showing ourselves and friends in action. I have a classic shot of Marjorie, our neighbor, being buggered-I'm sure you know what that is-by Bill. And brother when you get buggered by Bill in the butt with his thing, it hurts. You should see the look on her face."
Liz interrupted, "Mitch will you stop. It's so vulgar. Well, not vulgar but your timing is terrible."
Dale handed the photo he was looking at to Liz, "They really do things like this don't they?" The picture showed a mass of some four or five bodies so entwined it was hard to tell who was doing what to whom.
Liz put the photo on the table without comment and gently took the other picture out of Kathy's hand. Kathy was silent and obviously ill at ease.
CHAPTER THREE
Kathy was flustered. She didn't feel she was prudish but anything she had ever done with sex in the past had been private.
Where was she? What was happening? Why was there so much talk of sex? And why was it so openly discussed? Why had Mitch written to such an advertiser? What about those pictures?
She felt trapped. She glanced at Dale. He had a big grin on his face. It wasn't disturbing him.
And this all brought back one unpleasant memory. Even Dale didn't know. She tried not to think about it but she couldn't blot it out.
She was sixteen and a virgin. Her parents had bought her a lovely yellow lace dress with ribbon decorations. She desperately wanted to go somewhere to show off the dress.
So when Eddie Fale, her football-playing neighbor, asked her to go to a movie on a sunny Saturday afternoon she had consented. She had talked to him often but had never been out with him.
When he called to pick her up, he was with another fellow she knew as Porky. He was a high school football player, too, and very big and heavy. The three of them went to the movies and sat up in the balcony so the boys could smoke.
They met friends in the lobby of the theatre and as expected everyone loved the yellow dress. Eddie and Porky kept telling her how great she looked and while she didn't care for either of them she glowed with it all.
After a while in the dark Eddie got out a whiskey flask and he and Porky got louder and louder as they swigged it. Kathy wouldn't take a sip.
Then Porky kept talking about her yellow dress and how much better it would look off her. She began to get scared and asked Eddie to take her home. But all Eddie would do was to laugh uproariously.
She started to get up but the boys pulled her back. When she threatened to scream, Porky put his big ham-like hand over her mouth. She struggled and it made Porky angry. They carried her into a little "EXIT' vestibule outside the top of the balcony.
Porky said he'd take his hand away if she'd be quiet. She said she would. Then he asked her to just take her dress off. He swore he wouldn't touch her. Eddie just stood there and laughed.
She had on bra and panties and fearing if she didn't take it off Porky would get mad, she took it off slowly over her head.
It was a mistake. Eddie immediately stopped laughing and started pawing her. When she slapped him, Porky tossed her on the hard floor and ripped off her bra and panties. Then while she struggled and tried to scream, each raped her in turn while the other held her. The nice touch was they dressed her after that, all the while laughing about her pretty yellow dress.
She didn't care about the disgrace or any revenge. She told her parents who told the police. The boys each got a year in a detention house.
The experience had a lasting effect on her. She didn't date for a year after that. Two years after the attack, when a boy touched her breast-and she wanted him to-she fainted.
When she saw the two men and a girl in the photo she felt weak. She drank a long swallow of the vodka. Dale was still smiling.
"Put that away," Liz commanded, and Mitch was surprised by the sharpness of her tone. Liz could see that Kathy was upset.
Mitch put the pictures into the envelope and returned it to its hiding place. "The Good Lord knew what he was doing when he invented sex," he laughed.
Like a little boy, Liz thought. He'll never grow up. "Gosh,"-she thought, "I remember that first night. It's bad when something starts so good because nothing can top it after that. He was so handsome and so slim." She smiled at the recollection. He had sent her six dozen bundles of violets after their first date and it all came from borrowed money. And then they had their first affair on the violets strewn on her bedroom floor. She couldn't get the smell of violets off her for days. How wonderful it all was! Not that Mitch was a disappointment. Not at all. But those initial thrills were gone. The trouble was she got older. Mitch didn't. In business he grew up but with her he was the same happy-go-lucky, carefree Mitch.
She wondered if it all hadn't happened whether she'd marry him now. Yes, despite their sex problems, she would. She loved him and she wouldn't want anyone else.
Also she knew that he'd say the same thing. He loved her. She knew that instinctively. She also knew that the new young couple, Dale and Kathy-they loved each other. In a way she was sorry they were there.
Mitch's parties were for more sophisticated people. There was something young and untouched about Kathy-she wasn't right for their house.
Liz's thoughts were interrupted by the door chimes. Dale looked up. Why was it he could only find the door knocker?
Liz said, "The Sobermans" before she answered the door. She was right. It was Irv and Natalie. Irv was a friend of Dale's and that's how Dale and Kathy were invited to the party. Natalie was a tall, showy redhead, noisy, wearing a leopard coat trimmed with a mink collar. Irv in his mid-thirties, looked trim. Both were extroverted.
The thing Natalie said was, "Are we late? We're always late."
"Yeah," echoed Mitch.
Natalie tossed off her coat revealing a mini-length harlequin-hemmed dress and black mesh hose. She appeared all legs-sexy legs.
"Hi!" Irv said, and planted a kiss on Liz's cheek, meanwhile squeezing her rump. Kathy, noticing Irv's hand caressing Liz's behind, was startled. In her crowd no man ever touched another man's wife especially in front of him. She looked at Dale to see what he thought but Dale chose to ignore it.
Liz closed the door and had to take a step to do it but Irv never took his hand from Liz's behind.
She looked meaningfully at Irv as she closed the door and said, "We have neighbors you know." Irv squeezed her behind with his other hand too.
"Neighbors?" he grinned. "Ask them over."
Liz did a good-natured quick turn to get out of his grasp and took Natalie's coat.
Irv spotted Dale and shook his hand. "Glad you could make it, Dale."
Dale responded with his most charming smile, "We wouldn't have missed it. Would we, Kathy?"
Kathy responded with a noncommittal smile. But when Irv extended his hand to her, she took it graciously and returned the handshake. . Irv studied Kathy admiringly as any man would look at a pretty girl. "It's a pleasure to meet you. And what a pleasure." He turned to Dale. "You didn't exaggerate. She's better than you deserve."
Dale's response was, "That's what she keeps telling me."
It was all gay and light but Kathy didn't feel that way. She had the eerie feeling that she was on the block. She wondered if she could talk Dale into leaving. She was uncomfortable.
She watched Liz go off to the bedroom with Natalie's coat. She liked Liz-she was the only one she liked. Liz had a quiet dignity. To Kathy, Liz seemed above everything that was happening. But what was happening? Nothing. Kathy didn't like it anyway.
Natalie had come to Kathy's side, "Hi," she said.
Kathy smiled back. Irv joined them and with his arm around his wife's waist said, "This is my better half, Natalie. This is Dale, the young man I told you about and his beautiful Kathy."
Kathy didn't miss Dale's eyes travel down Natalie's long legs. When she caught him doing it, he grinned. Kathy didn't like it but she affected a polite smile. They stood there self-consciously until Liz re-entered the room.
Natalie asked, "Where's the beast?" referring to Mitch.
"Dressing," Liz tossed off.
"What for?" asked Natalie innocently.
Liz shrugged.
Natalie ran her hand up her legs, straightening her stockings. "Hey," she said complaining. "I need a drink. I want a fancy one. A Mai Tai." , Irving nodded and went to the bar to fix her a drink.
Natalie, not content with the action, looked mischievously down the hallway to the bedroom door where Mitch was dressing. "I'll be back in a minute," she said, and off she went down the hall.
Again Kathy followed Dale's eyes glimming Natalie's legs as she walked off. There was a rhythmic beat to the backside too that topped off the picture.
Kathy's comment was, "She doesn't hide much, does she?"
Dale without missing a beat of the legs answered, "With legs like that, why should she?"
Kathy said succinctly, "If the skirt was an inch higher, she'd be arrested for indecent exposure."
Dale said, "Meow" and Kathy gulped down the rest of her drink.
"Let's get another drink," she said.
They walked to the bar where Irving was mixing drinks. Kathy and Dale put in their orders as Irv looked more at Kathy than he did at the mixings.
Liz worked her way to the bar and asked for any tall drink. Irving mixed it and Liz sipped, "Perfect. You should have been a bartender."
Irv shook his head negatively. "I've got enough troubles without listening to other people's."
Suddenly a squeal echoed from Mitch's bedroom. It automatically turned everyone around.
Mitch was hollering, "Cut it out, Natalie. You'll tear them." Then silence. Then Mitch squealed again, "Hey, you long-legged sex maniac."
Kathy searched Dale's face for some explanation. He only shrugged. , Irv barely looked up from his bartending to shout, "Mitch, you molesting my wife in there?"
Mitch shouted back, "Hell, no!"
Liz caught Kathy's eye and smiled reassuringly.
Irv shouted back, "Well, what are you waiting for-a written invitation?"
Kathy blinked at the surprising exchange. She had never experienced such talk. She couldn't imagine ever indulging in it with Dale. What if another woman would tear at Dale's shorts. She might shoot her. She glanced around surreptitiously. No one seemed concerned or even interested. She felt a panic well up in her. She'd have to get out of this room. She knew if she didn't she might say or do something stupid.
"Excuse me," she said and walked to the bedroom opposite where Mitch and Natalie were carrying on. Mitch was shouting threats now and Natalie was laughing. For a brief moment Kathy felt faint. She was frightened but she didn't want to think of why she was.
In the bedroom she just stood there looking into the mirror that reflected the lush surroundings. The telephone was cradled in the arms of a pink doll and she couldn't help pet it for a moment as if suddenly she had become a little girl again.
Irv had finished his bartending and oblivious to the squeals that were still going on asked in a practical voice, "Are Mike and Thelma coming?"
Liz seemed preoccupied. She was worried about Kathy. Irv had to repeat the question. She then said, "They have babysitter problems. Thelma called. But they'll work it out."
Irv was philosophic about it. "The whole world has babysitter problems-the result of the population explosion."
As a period to his sentence Mitch let out the loudest, shrillest shriek of all. They were still in the bedroom.
This time Liz seemed annoyed. "The party's in here Mitch. Here."
Kathy heard all this but it was as if she were deaf. She continued to fondle the doll and didn't even look in the direction of the sound.
Meanwhile Natalie walked out of the bedroom with Mitch about four paces in back of her. Mitch shouted at her, "Damn it. Give me those, Natalie. Those are my fun shorts."
Natalie was obviously holding something behind her back and grinning.
Mitch made a grab for the shorts Natalie had but she eluded him. Natalie ran to the group leaving Mitch in the semi-darkness at the head of the hallway. "If you want them so badly, come and get them," she said. She waved the shorts back and forth like a flag.
Mitch hesitated and stood nude from the waist down but obscured by the darkness. "Damn it. Either give them back to me or put them on."
Natalie gave him a Bronx cheer and said, "You're not getting them back because they're going into my collection. And these I earned."
Mitch came up and dashed back into the bedroom with his bare butt just discernible as he ran.
Irving smiled, "So soon? The evening hasn't even begun yet."
Natalie moved to the bar with her trophy and waved it victoriously in front of Liz. "Why, pray tell, should men collect all the souvenirs?"
A couple of minutes later Mitch came out with his trousers on. He glared at Natalie.
"Didn't I tell you," Irv said to Mitch, "she's a barracuda. You don't believe me."
Natalie only laughed.
Mitch had a complete change of mood and seemed to forget the whole thing. "How's it going, Irv?" he said. "How's the old jungle? The lions still tearing the wolves apart or vice-versa?"
"No, everything's surprisingly good." He knocked on wood. "In fact I got that toothpaste account I was telling you about. Let Colgate be nature's little helper."
"Great," Mitch said. "You know I have a theory that if you work hard and have a little mozel, everything good will eventually happen. Like with you."
"And," said Irv affectionately putting his arm around Natalie, "if you also have a healthy barracuda at home."
"Right," said Mitch. "When I lose faith and wonder what the hell I'm breaking my balls for, I think about Liz and I try harder."
Liz mixed herself another drink and said, "Boys, all this sentimentality is driving me to tears. Let's talk about the weather or politics."
"See," Irv said, "when you criticize, they get furious and when you compliment they want to change the subject. Einstein could figure out the fourth dimension but he couldn't figure out women."
"Look," Liz said. "Everything is timing. Men do everything right but at the wrong time."
"Where's Kathy?" Mitch asked, finally aware of her absence.
"Potty," Liz explained.
Dale, worried now, said casually, "I better get her or she'll be there all night."
CHAPTER FOUR
Dale went to search for Kathy with some trepidation. He knew she was upset. But she'd have to learn that he needed help on the way to the top.
As Dale disappeared into the bedroom, Mitch said, "How well do you know him, Irv? You know this could be a ticklish situation. But that Kathy-wow!"
Irv poured himself another drink. "I've had lunch with him a few times. I never met her before. He's getting up a group policy for the office. I like him even though I don't know too much about him."
Liz laughed and said, "I wonder if he could write a policy for our little group? He's cute."
Mitch grimmaced. "Insurance men and accountants-in the Corps we called them pencil pushers. Nothings."
"You're jealous," Liz said. She repeated, "He's cute." She liked to talk honestly. She felt secure that her marriage was iron-tight. Both could say what they wanted. Neither ever became offended. Liz felt a warm glow about her good marriage.
Irv said to Liz and he meant it, "To you an IBM machine in pants would be cute."
Natalie backed up Liz, "I think he's darling."
To which Irv responded, "You too. If it's got pants, it's darling."
Natalie quickly retorted, "I'm a degenerate. I must be. I married you, didn't I?"
Irv smiled. "Yes, dear. We deserve each other." He turned to Mitch: "He was transferred here from Chicago about six months ago. A real hotshot. You know the type."
Mitch was frowning. "You clued him in didn't you? I mean he knows what kind of parties we throw? That wife of his. I don't know. She looks like a nun. You sure you told him everything?"
Irv looked hurt. "Would he be here if I didn't? Now would he?"
"It's this way," Mitch explained carefully. "I just want to be sure. No misunderstandings. She's just a kid."
Cynical Irv had his say. "There's no such thing. If she's a girl she screws just like every other girl-and anyone if the time and place is right."
"Oh shut up," Natalie said. "Nothing's sacred to you." She turned to Mitch, "But I'll tell you. Sometimes those innocent looking ones are tigers in the bedroom."
Mitch was still unconvinced. "What do you think, Liz?"
Liz stirred her drink with a pinkie. "I don't know. I don't think on Friday nights."
"Oh," Natalie said. "I'm a woman. I know women. They can be what they want to be. That goes for Kathy, too."
"That's what I tried to tell you. You don't listen to me," Irv told Natalie. "Now dummy up." He turned to the others. "Ten years of wisecracks and gimmee, gim-mee, gimmee."
"So gimmee a divorce. There's another gimmee for you," Natalie told Irv.
"Sorry," he answered. "Community property, you know. Damned if I'm going to give you a shot of half of all my possessions."
"Oh, you're a pain in the ass," she said.
"She's so refined," Irving got in the last word of the argument.
Mitch paced. "I hope this isn't going to be a bust tonight. It's starting off badly. First Thelma and the babysitter and then the worry about Kathy."
"There's always scrabble," Liz said matter-of-factly.
Mitch continued to pace, then he stopped and looked at the bedroom door. He said worriedly, "I wonder what they're doing in there."
Everyone looked toward the room But the door was closed and only silence came from it.
Inside the room Kathy faced Dale squarely. She was obviously angry. "Look," she said, "all I want to know is what's going on. I think a lot is happening that I'm not aware of. Who are these people? Is this just a party where we stand around sipping drinks, talk and then go home? Or what? I won't leave this room until I know."
"My God ... ," Dale responded.
It made Kathy more angry. "Stop treating me like a child. I'm your wife. What is it with these people?"
Dale lit a cigarette. "For crying out loud. It's just a party. That's all. A party."
There was silence for a few moments while Kathy reviewed the things that had made her suspicious. "A party. That's all," she mimicked him. "Then what about those dirty magazines? That letter, writing to swingers. The way Irv had his hand on Liz's butt so obviously and her husband not saying a word. Well, tell me Dale, what kind of a party is it? Where have you taken me?"
Dale was still not ready to divulge anything. He was frightened of Kathy now. He feared her anger and feared even more she wouldn't go along with it.
She was mad, very mad. He could tell by the pink flush on her face. That's the way she always got when she was angry. But they were in it now and there was no turning back. He said, "Aw Kathy, stop making a big deal out of it. They're friends. They've been friends a long time. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Kathy stared into Dale's eyes and he couldn't hold the gaze. "Stop being so upset."
"You know damn well what they are-what's going on. I'm not stupid, Dale. Maybe a little naive. But not stupid. I know what they are."
Dale decided to bluff it through. It had worked many times before. Maybe it would work again. He put out his cigarette as if he had an answer of finality. "Oh, cut it out. You just got a wild imagination. All because Irv pats Liz on the can. Christ, I see that everyday in the office. It's nothing." He smiled as if everything was all settled.
But Kathy was like a bloodhound who had gotten a scent. She was not to be fooled or dissuaded. She said it as if thinking back on the evening, "Now I remember. You were edgy all evening. I was silly that I didn't smell a rat. I thought something was amiss. I thought it was something at the office. But what bothers me is-why didn't you tell me? Why?"
Dale could feel it all coming to a head. He was on the defensive. Maybe he should have told her. He put out a feeler. "Supposing I did tell you? I mean if there was anything to tell. Would you have come?"
Kathy just stood there frowning, not saying anything.
That made Dale angry. He masked his guilt with a show of strength. "Damn right you wouldn't have. I certainly know you after three years. Look Kathy, I'm the breadwinner of this family and there are some things I have to do to make a living-to get somewhere. Mitch Burnett is a big man in the town. All I have to do is get along with him and his crowd. This is the opener. Tonight. This could mean a lot for us. Notice I didn't say me, I said us. In case you didn't know it I'm not the only guy selling insurance. So now I answered you. That's what it's all about." He felt a surge of righteous indignation. Women, they didn't know what a jungle men had to fight in. It wasn't all paychecks and vacations.
Kathy looked at Dale as if she was seeing him for the first time. Things were getting clearer by the minute. The nerve of him. The nerve of her husband. "I don't believe it," she said in measured tones. "I really don't believe it. I'm your wife, remember? If you need a whore to help you sell insurance, get one. I'll even lend her my wedding ring. What have I done to give you the impression I would do this?"
Dale had never seen Kathy so angry. Now he was frightened. "Would you please keep your voice down," he pleaded. "I don't want them to hear you. Just do me that little favor."
But Kathy was wound up now and she wasn't about to give ground. "I don't care if they do hear me. I hope they can hear me."
Dale tried another tack. He spoke softly as if doing so would bring her voice down a register. "Please try to be reasonable, Kathy. I beg you. Kathy, you know the insurance business. It's contacts. That's what it is. Make or break-contacts. Whether you like it or not. That's the reality. Without contacts I'm dead. All I'm asking you is to please play along with it. Play the game. The chances are nothing will happen."
Kathy was not to be pacified. No more camouflage. She wanted to know everything. No more deception. "I get it now. When in Rome you do as the Romans do. Is that the idea? How nice. How convenient for you to be married. Sorry, husband dear, I'm not going to be a tramp for you or any man."
The argument was now on solid ground. Not much hidden anymore. Dale felt the worst was over. Now he could talk. She knew and he didn't feel guilty anymore. "Boy, you're something." He put his hands on his hip and said slurringly, "What makes you think you're so much better than Liz or Natalie?"
"Oh, you get me mad," Kathy said. "I didn't say that. What they do is their business. I'm not condemning them."
Dale stepped on her explanation. "Jesus, stop acting like the Virgin Mary. I wasn't the first guy to get you between the sheets."
Kathy blanched. She felt destroyed. This was her husband speaking. The man she loved and who loved her. All she could say was, "That was childish, Dale."
Dale stuck to his guns. He was in it now and there was no retreating. "Maybe it was childish. But-it's the truth."
There were tears in Kathy's eyes. "Thank you."
Dale wouldn't relent. He needed to win at any cost-yes, at any cost. "You come on as if this whole deal is a big surprise. Do you remember how we talked about making it with other couples and how interested you were? There was no blushing that I remember."
Kathy was crying now. She felt humiliated. "That was in bed," she sobbed. "People say lots of things when they're making love. My God, we're married. We were just talking about maybe's and if's. But there's a big difference between talking and doing. All the difference in the world. Dale," she said softly, voice full of reconciliation, "you do understand that, don't you?"
He made no move toward her. There was no softening.
"Dale, I'll say anything you want. Do anything you want, with you. But this-just to help you sell someone an insurance policy. It makes me feel dirty. I can't help it. Filthy."
Dale felt he was in command now. This wife of his was just brushing off the making of a living. As if anyone could sell an insurance policy at any price. She would say and do for anything but not to sell an insurance policy. His jaw hardened. He nodded grimly. He reached into his pocket and brought out a ring of keys. "Okay, if that's the way it is, go. Take the car. I understand."
He tossed the keys to her. She looked at them as if she couldn't believe his actions. He strode to the door. He grabbed the knob and stern-faced turned to look at her. He was angry-very angry. He believed now he was right and Kathy was insulting his career. "Don't wait up for me," he said. "I'll check into a hotel."
They had never been apart a night since they married. Yet he was so cool about it all. As if it were nothing. Kathy was destroyed. "Dale," she begged, "it can't be that important. There will be a thousand opportunities, clean ones. You're exaggerating the importance of all this. Please listen to me."
Dale remained aloof and strong. "It is important. I've been a nothing long enough. I'm going to be something. You watch. I'm going to make something out of my life and now. I'm going to make it with you or without you. I mean it, Kathy. You decide."
Completely on the defensive and backed into a corner Kathy could only say, "I love you. You know how much I love you, Dale. Please try to understand. Please."
Dale's voice became even harder. "I understand all right. I had the damn fool idea a wife would help her husband. Go all the way for him. I mean no matter what. But I was wrong. I hate to admit it because I love you too. But I was wrong." He started to open the door and looked back at her.
Her look stopped him. "I've got to know one thing, Dale. It's terribly important. Is this what you want? Are you really sure this is what you want? Because you're going to have to live with it the rest of your life. In fact, we both are."
At this point Dale felt Kathy had capitulated. He couldn't believe it. Now he realized he hadn't believed Kathy would ever go for it. It was a wild stab. Amazing. Now she was ready. And he needed her desperately. He walked to her and held her in his arms. "Believe me, Kathy, I know what I'm doing. All I ask is that you trust me. Will you?"
Kathy wiped her eyes. "I'll try to be just what you want me to be. OK?"
"Good girl," Dale said and kissed her. "You won't be sorry." Then he worried a bit. "You mean it? You won't change your mind? I mean later on if something happens?"
Then Kathy hardened again. She looked Dale straight in the eye. "You just watch me. That's all I ask." It sounded like a warning.
Dale kissed her again but she gave nothing. She had consented to do something against her better judgment. Her body was taut, resisting.
Dale paid no attention to her starched backbone. As long as she played along, he really didn't care how she felt. He just needed her to be a woman. "That's my girl," he said. "You won't be sorry, honey."
Before he could start for the door, Kathy strode out, head erect before him. She was a person about to walk the plank. Dale frowned.
CHAPTER FIVE
Kathy, a different look to her, a sway to her hips and a gleam in her eye, emerged from the bedroom and back into the living room where Mitch especially looked curiously at her. His eye met hers and she didn't drop the exchange of looks as she had previously.
Dale followed right behind her. He had a slight smile on his face and he went straight to the bar.
Mitch looked Kathy up and down obviously, "Thought you got lost in there," he said "Almost came into the John to dig you out."
The new Kathy flipped, "You know women and mirrors. But frankly I didn't know I was missed or I would have come out sooner."
"I missed you," Mitch said simply.
Kathy turned to Dale at the bar, "Fix a drink for me, will you, hon?"
Dale went very professionally about fixing the drink. Kathy watched then said, "Stronger, please." Dale poured more liquor and Kathy smiled approval.
Mitch, now on the prowl, walked to Kathy's side and said, admiringly, "Turn around."
Kathy seemed bewildered. "What?"
Mitch made a horizontal circle with one finger to demonstrate the order. Kathy dutifully turned slowly.
"Very nice," Mitch said. "Lovely dress and what's underneath is even lovelier."
Liz warned, "Mitch!" She was more concerned with protecting Kathy than chastising Mitch.
"Do I really pass?" Kathy asked coyly.
Mitch made a wolf sound.
Liz announced, "If he could, he'd have half the women in the Valley pregnant."
Mitch kept looking at Kathy and wringing his hands. He was very impressed.
Dale handed Kathy her drink and in doing so got between her and Mitch. "Excuse me," he said.
Mitch bowed.
Kathy took a long swig of her drink while Mitch continued to eye her.
"I feel like a young filly," she giggled.
Irv stepped in for a rescue. "Don't mind Mitch," he recommended. "He just digs pretty chicks and you are a treat for him."
Liz added, "They don't have to be pretty. As long as it's not a man or an animal."
Natalie amended cynically, "All men are like that. Take Dale here-I'll bet he pants after half the women in the Valley. Right?"
"Well," Dale said hesitantly, not yet a swinger, "I love my wife but I look around. That I do."
"I'll bet he does," Liz said. "You know, Natalie, there are men who don't go the route though. You should see my hairdresser. Whoops!"
Natalie primped. "I consider every fag a personal insult. Everyone who is against fags, say aye."
She looked around the room and then raised her hand. The others all raised their hands too, except for Irv. He said, "Upon inspecting this group I would say us men are safe tonight."
"Not so, Irv," Mitch said. "I've always had some doubts about you, Irv." Then he did an imitation of a screaming swish walking across the room.
"Come on, Mitch. I can testify that Irv is a man-and quite a man." Liz smiled.
Irv tossed Liz a gallant bow. "Thanks, Liz, for the words of endorsement. And may I add that I have earned them. But I appreciate your vote of confidence."
Natalie, who looked a trifle drunk already, said, "I toast a real man. Anything a les can do, Irv can do better-but not much better."
Kathy said, "I'll drink to that," and drained her glass.
It was apparent now that the six people in the room had a new compatibility. It was obviously a prologue to an event. No one acted like this was the thing. This was only the preamble. It was small talk only designed to break the ice. Kathy was a different Kathy. Dale was eager. The others were only looking for thrills that had become less strong over the weeks. The new couple would help-but not much. Someone had to think of something else. Or the Friday night parties would end in boredom.
One thing was apparent. Mitch wanted to latch onto Kathy. He stared at her, toasted her and tried to stay by her side. Dale watched and liked that. It could mean big business if Mitch came through. Dale hoped Kathy would be real nice to Mitch.
"Have another drink," Mitch said, and he poured Kathy another. "There's nothing worse than being a deadhead at this kind of a party. And the sure antidote for dead-headedness is liquor. Right?" Kathy stole a glance at Dale. He smiled and she took the drink.
"Thanks," Kathy said to Mitch. "One more won't hurt, will it? Dale likes me to get plastered."
"Sure," Mitch said, and lifted his glass to Dale who toasted him. Dale walked over to Mitch and Kathy. Dale thought to himself that maybe he could further help this liaison. What a coup that would be. Mitch's friendship could mean his future.
"Great house for a party," Dale said. "Everything done with taste too. Plush."
Natalie hearing this comment put in her two cents, "Isn't it a perfect background for Candid Camera? Now wouldn't that be something? All of us on television. Stars!"
Irv added, "Yeah and the next day the Candid Camera would be getting us with a different background-a jail cell. So how would that look on television?"
"Tell you what," Natalie said, "Let's make it a test case. We're over twenty-one. We're not hurting anyone. Just having fun. Should we make it a test case?"
Irv said good naturedly, "Ah, shut up. This is a secret society. We don't want to make any test cases."
For a brief moment Mitch took his eyes off Kathy and paid attention to Dale. He seemed to be sizing him up. "Come on, tiger," he said "you're not drinking your quota. Gotta watch that."
A word from Mitch was enough. Dale went to the bar grinning all the way.
"Good work, Mitch," Natalie said, "you see that Dale gets his quota. Somebody's got to protect the little man. What am I saying, 'little man.' I should have such a little man."
That was Mitch's sensitive spot. He spoke up loudly, "You're right Natalie. Somebody's got to protect the little man's rights."
Irv had no interest in things outside of his small, tight world, but he liked people to think he was interested. "Say Mitch," he said, "what about the A.C.L.U.?" But he had picked the wrong organization.
Mitch scowled. "Say, that's one four-letter word I don't like. That damn American Civil Liberties Union is ruining America."
Mitch never scared Irv. When Mitch was serious he became good bait material for him. "Hey, Mitch," he said with coyness, "wasn't it the Supreme Court last week?"
But Mitch didn't get the sarcasm. His face was red. For a moment he had forgotten Kathy. "You bet your butt it was. It's gotten so goddamn bad now a cop has to consult a lawyer before he arrests some punk. The kids can't even say a little prayer in school anymore. What in hell are they trying to prove? You know what they all are-pinkos!"
Irv's reaction was a funny one. "Okay, Mitch, everything you say makes sense but why do you have to say it with your hand on my wife's ass?" Irv laughed.
Mitch wasn't even aware of it. He looked down, gave Natalie's behind one more squeeze, smiled and then took his hand away.
"Oh, don't stop," Natalie feigned a swoon.
"Now where was I?" Mitch asked seriously.
Kathy giggled and said, "I've never seen people like this before. You're all amazing." Kathy felt drunk. She found it hard to concentrate. "Let's see," she said to herself, "what am I angry about? And what am I supposed to do?" She couldn't remember but she felt good. She had a feeling Dale kept looking at her and she had no idea why. Was he worried about her? No, she felt fine. Nothing to worry about.
Liz decided to break Kathy in gradually. More subtly, more adeptly than the others could or would do it. She put her hand on Kathy's shoulder and said, "You know, we're not so different. It's just that we do what other people would like to do. That is, if they were honest enough to do it."
"Well put," said Natalie.
"Say," Kathy said, "that's pretty deep and I understand what you mean. You know I often want to do things but I don't. You know why? Because I'm too conventional."
"Do you still feel that way?" asked Natalie.
Kathy smiled. "Are you kidding? Of course not. If I want to do something, I'll do it. And you know what? I'd like to do things."
Irv sidled over to Mitch and whispered, "See. I told you there was nothing to worry about."
Through the buzz and the music in the room, Kathy overheard the aside. She had always been that way. Dale had often said it. She heard and saw everything. All the time.
She confronted them quizzically, as if sudden awareness had suddenly floated in on her like a cloud. "Say. What kind of a party is this?"
Irv took the ball. "Don't you know?"
Kathy shook her head negatively. Everyone looked at Dale and Kathy because Dale had taken her hand.
Dale felt the responsibility was his. He explained weakly to the others, "I explained that the party might get very wild." He smiled awkwardly at Kathy.
The drinks and the situation gave her courage. "An orgy?" she asked. There was only glee in her face.
It amused Liz. "That's just another name for group therapy."
Mitch tried to wrap it up so that everything was crystal clear.
"Now look," he said, "have you two ever swung before? Somehow you two have me puzzled. Dale here-well, I guess he'd do anything. But you, Kathy, you're the girl next door if you don't mind my saying so. Have you ever swung?"
Kathy looked at Dale as if she wanted him to answer. He didn't, so she answered, "Oh, lots of times. In fact we had a free love class at Berkeley."
Dale reacted to that. She had never told him anything about it. Well, women, they always puzzled him. Even Kathy still came up with surprises. Kathy was well aware that Dale was surprised. She shot him a crooked smile. "Well," she said, "that's something you didn't know about me. Right?"
"Oh, well," Dale stumbled, "I didn't know but I suspected." He was happy that she said that. They'd fit better into the crowd.
Natalie, a sophisticate, whistled and said, "Berkeley. Oh brother."
Dale felt as if he had to explain Kathy. He couldn't let them think she was wild. Just fun-loving enough to indulge in an occasional party like this. His explanation was, "Two drinks and Kathy becomes Elizabeth Taylor with a past."
Kathy wasn't sure she liked Dale explaining her away that way. She boasted, "You haven't seen anything yet!" She meant it.
But Dale reacted the wrong way for her. "Good. Wonderful!" He was all smiles.
Natalie looked at him and said, "Well, things are looking up. This handsome lad wants to play games. I'll toss you for him, Liz."
When Dale looked flustered, Liz said, "Take it easy Natalie. Slowly does it. Everything is going to be all right-Natalie appeared disturbed. "This is a party, isn't it? Isn't it true that I get my choice? Well, that handsome young man is my choice."
Because Natalie's voice had an undertone of unpleasantness, Mitch stepped in. He wanted nothing that would interfere with him and Kathy. She was delectable. He wasn't going to let this tired broad spoil things. "Listen, it's a party and everyone is to be happy. No problems. And the first one I want to be happy is Kathy." He took her hand "Come with me," he said. "There's a surprise waiting for you."
"I like surprises," Kathy said. If she had to play the game she preferred playing it with Mitch. He was vital and he was the kingpin and he didn't beat about the bush. When she thought of his hands roaming her body, she shuddered. But she thought maybe she'd get accustomed to it. She'd try. Somewhere under that blustering masculinity she sensed understanding and even sensitivity. That is where she had to dig.
She looked up at Mitch as they walked hand in hand. "You're beautiful," he said. "The kind of beauty that sticks in my gut. Christ, a guy can read anything into it."
Kathy liked that. She liked to be appreciated. Well, if it would help Dale....And then, too, Mitch liked her and she was drunk. There were reasons.
"Mitch," she said plaintively.
"Yes?"
Kathy went on. "I've never done anything like this before. You knew, didn't you?"
"I knew. Goddamn it, I knew!" They stopped in the hallway and kissed.
CHAPTER SIX
Dale looked after his wife and Mitch going off together hand in hand. It gave him a peculiar feeling. He wanted them to be friends but it disturbed him. He shook it off, not wanting to be disturbed. It was good that Mitch liked Kathy-very good.
As for Kathy she hadn't given Dale a thought. She was in it now and she'd see it through all the way. Mitch led her into a den. The first thing she noticed was that there was no bed or couch and she thought that was strange.
She realized she had said something stupid when she asked Mitch, "Are you going to surprise me?"
Mitch only said, "No. I want to know you better."
In the meantime when everyone had gotten over the surprise of Mitch and Kathy leaving the room so unceremoniously, Liz said to Dale, "Everybody's so damn formal tonight. Why don't you take off your jacket. Get comfortable. I assure you Kathy's going to be comfortable pretty quick."
"Yeah," Natalie added, "are you cold or something?"
She helped Dale off with his jacket. Liz kissed him on the cheek. Natalie put her hand in his shirt and scratched his chest.
"What a man," she sighed. "This should be a pretty good evening."
In the den Mitch pushed a button and a portable bar spun out of the wall. "First," he said, "I'm going to mix you my special little warmer-upper. It turns sweet kittens into man-eaters."
He mixed the drinks, measuring small amounts meticulously. "Ah," he said after sipping it, "this is just right." He handed it to her.
"Quite good," she said pleasantly, after a swallow.
Mitch thought, "I love Liz and we're in it for life. But if ever I were to marry again, this is the kind of girl I'd love."
To Kathy he said, "Did you notice how we shook them up out there? Pretty good."
Kathy pouted. "That makes us even." She thought of how upset she was an hour before when she felt she was being sold into slavery. Yet now it all seemed natural. Maybe it was the drinking. And maybe it was because she liked Mitch.
Mitch didn't understand the remark. "You mean you got something against sex?" He always came to the point.
Kathy thought about that "Not at all. I like sex. But there are some things people don't do. I can't explain it but sex has always been such a private thing. I think I react against some forms of sex."
"Like what?"
"Like ... well, I suppose anything in public." Mitch laughed. He was sophisticated but he under- stood. "You're okay people." He changed the subject. "The color of your drink is just a smidgeon too brown. So we add a dash of...." and he poured something else into the drink. "Now how is it?"
Kathy sipped it. "Mmmm. Sweet."
"It's called Mitch's sneak punch. It sneaks up on you."
Kathy responded boldly "Like you?"
"You bet," Mitch answered with enthusiasm.
Kathy was flirting now. Not with anything in mind. She was just being feminine. "Is that a promise?"
"You know," Mitch said with enthusiasm, "when I make love to you, the way I'll make love to you, there won't be anything left but your smile."
Kathy thought about that. "That might be very interesting," she said. "I think I'd like to take you up on that."
Mitch kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Let's see what happens, eh?"
In the living room Liz and Natalie continued to gang up on Dale.
Liz with both hands inside Dale's shirt was cooing, "You're bigger than you look, big boy. So big and so strong, too."
Dale couldn't help but be flattered. These were two attractive girls after him. He said, he thought modestly, "I try to keep in shape. I work out every morning."
"You must promise me," Natalie giggled, "not to hurt anything. Promise."
Dale was a little square. "I promise. I'm always careful."
"You're worrying about the wrong thing," Liz said. "I just hope everything is proportionate with this big boy." She laughed. They were having fun putting Dale on.
"Oh, I'm very muscular," Dale said. "You see I specialize in muscular tension exercises like this." He showed them a couple and they "oo'd" and "ah'd." He remembered what Liz had said. "I'm proportionate," he boasted.
Natalie felt his arm muscle and he flexed it.
"Wonderful," she said. "So hard." He smiled.
"Now wait a minute," Liz said firmly. "My prerogative as a hostess. I have firsties on him."
Natalie grimaced. Then she had a thought. "I can't have Irv-remember no husbands at parties so I automatically get Dale and you get Irv." She was gleeful.
Irv overheard it and said, "It's great to be appreciated."
Liz's answer was, "It's not your fault, Irv. You know I appreciate you. Remember last time? It's all Mike and Thelma's fault. You can't have a good party with just three couples."
Kathy and Mitch were walking back into the room. Mitch had his arm around Kathy's waist. Kathy balanced her drink. This time Kathy looked at Dale with his shirt unbuttoned and the girls all over him. She had no reaction at all. She was just happy.
Liz noticing Kathy's glance at her own husband insisted the men take off their jackets. She collected the jackets and took them into the bedroom.
Natalie kissed Dale hard and long and then said huskily, "Come, lover, let's dance."
They danced very close and Kathy acted oblivious to the tableau. Everyone in the room had a drink in his had and was belting it pretty good. The music was louder and so was the conversation.
Natalie pressed hard against Dale and her backside seemed to grind in a circle. Dale wasn't resisting.
Irv watched his wife dance with hypnotic interest. "Hell," he said, "if Arthur Murray gave lessons like that they'd close him up." Irv had long ago forgotten how to be jealous. He enjoyed Natalie now whether it was with another man or himself.
Mitch was looking searchingly at Kathy. "Well," he muttered, "there's no turning back now. We're off." He lifted his glass in a toast. "To fun and games," he said.
Kathy clicked her glass against his and giggled, "To fun and games-your fun and games." They drank.
Natalie and Dale just about as one, danced slowly past Kathy, close enough to touch her. Kathy watched them with keen interest.
She turned to Mitch. "That's my husband," she said drunkenly.
"Yeah, I know," Mitch answered. "If he isn't careful he'll get her pregnant right on the dance floor."
Kathy laughed hysterically. "Oh Mitch," she laughed, "you're so funny. So funny!"
But when Dale and Natalie passed a second time, Kathy cocked her head and asked Dale, "Having fun, you old wolf?"
"Are you?" Dale asked.
"Am I? I am having a marvelous time." Even though Dale danced out of hearing range, Kathy kept talking. "I expect to have even more fun than I'm having now. Mitch promised me I would. Right?"
"You never said such truth," Mitch said with fervor.
Kathy thought for a moment. "When is everything going to start?"
"Very soon," Mitch said huskily.
Kathy squeezed his hand. "Damn it, Mitch. You don't drink enough. That's what's wrong. If you want to have fun you gotta drink like I do." She drank her drink down and held out her glass, "Filler up," she commanded and Mitch poured for her.
She weaved a little. "Tell you what, Mitch, I gotta sit down on something comfortable." She pulled Mitch along to the divan where she rested her head on Mitch's shoulders.
She thought everything was so vague. She couldn't quite remember or understand everything. Let's see. Dale wanted her to sleep with some other men but she couldn't remember why. The thought frightened her but she thought if Dale was in the house, there'd be no cause for fright. She wondered when she had to do this. She wished it could all begin because she was getting sleepy.
"Hey Mitch," she said, "do you like me?"
Mitch kissed her daintily on the cheek and Kathy thought that didn't feel so bad. In fact it was comforting and warm. See, she was starting to get into the spirit of the whole thing.
Mitch was whispering to her. "Convention has a lot to do with time and place. Take the Eskimos. With them it is perfectly moral and friendly to exchange wives. Everyone approves of it. Yet when Americans do it, it is considered unusual and even immoral. I assure you it is moral and good. I mean good because it helps the marriage of all who try it. It makes you human and takes the jealousy out of marriage. That in itself is worth a lot. But more important, it's fun. We all look forward to Friday nights."
It sounded okay to Kathy. "I'm game," she said. "You know, like Dale says, I'd try anything once.' And if I like it a lot, more than once."
Mitch put his arm around Kathy. "Don't worry. You'll like it and you'll be happy."
Irv came over and sat on the other side of Kathy. "You're very beautiful," he said to her.
Kathy glowed.
"Go away," Mitch growled. "Kathy and I are trying to become friends. You're spoiling everything."
"You see," Irv said, "I'm charming, witty and attractive and yet I'm not wanted around here."
"Yes, you are," sympathized Kathy. "I want you." She kissed Irv on the cheek.
"You see, you boor," he gloated to Mitch.
Mitch got angry. "Damn it, Irv, go find someone else to bug. Go ahead!"
Mitch stood up but didn't move. Irving walked off.
As Irving turned around Mitch accidentally or on purpose he let his fingers slip from Kathy's shoulder to her breast just for a split second, then he excused himself. Kathy started at the contact. It was so sudden. It gave her a peculiar dizzying feeling. It was the first time since her marriage that any man except for her husband had touched her breast.
Kathy was particularly sensitive in her breasts. For one split second she had a fantasy of Mitch kissing a nipple. She shuddered, part in fright and part in thrill.
Kathy remembered back to her fifteenth birthday party. That was a first all right. She smiled to herself. The party was on the family's large lawn and when it got dark small lanterns were lit.
There were some more lanterns needed and Joey, her boyfriend at the time, and she went to the garage to get the lanterns. The garage was dark, tucked away from the gaiety going on. They fumbled their way to a storage bin with the help of one match. Once in the bin Joey kissed her and excited by the party and her birthday gifts she returned the kiss with gusto.
Joey's hand crept into her dress and bra and two fingers fondled her nipple. She said, "Don't" but she never wanted him to stop. It was wonderful. Joey moved his hand from one breast to another and she just folded into Irm.
She was weak with thrills. They sat on the bin floor, he undid her shoulder straps and bra and with two firm but small breasts staring him in the face he kissed and fondled her breasts until she had an orgasm. He never touched her below the waist. He didn't have to.
After that she made up some nonsense about how a girl must have her breasts massaged in order that they be firm. So Joey massaged her several times a week until he went off to college. What wonderful times they were. Never could she relive those thrills.
Then many years later she met Dale. She thought he was the handsomest man she had ever seen. At first she thought it would be hopeless to pursue him or lay out the bait for him. She met him at parties and he was always with a gorgeous girl.
Then one night while she was washing her hair, the phone rang and it was Dale. He was looking for a girl friend of Kathy's. Kathy didn't know where the girl friend was. It seemed her girl friend was going to talk to Dale about insurance. Kathy had never known what Dale did. Now she knew he sold insurance. They talked on the phone and he asked Kathy if she had enough insurance.
Kathy figured it was a small price to pay for getting closer to Dale. She invited him over to the house. Her parents were out and she met him with a bandana on her newly washed hair.
She stared into his serious brown eyes for an hour while he enumerated the advantages of twenty-year life insurance. She said yes to everything and signed everything he wanted.
She knew all she wanted was to lie next to him on a bed forever and ever.
They made a dinner date for the following Saturday night because she'd have to get her medical check-up and then see Dale again.
They had dinner and then went back to Kathy's house for some papers. It was late and that's when he kissed her the first time, a goodnight kiss. She held onto him and the kiss gained power as the seconds ticked off.
They were standing up, yet by mutual consent sat down to continue the kiss.
It was then for the first time he put his hand on her bare breast. Dale had a light touch. It was thrilling. She pressed into him so that the touch became heavier.
She knew she shouldn't be responding as she was but she was so passionate she couldn't stand it. He knew how he was affecting her and he took advantage of the situation.
Her passion had reached such heights and her breathing was so heavy that she was ashamed but beyond control.
What a night that was!
The passion had settled now. She didn't lose control of herself anymore with Dale. It had become a quiet love. She had always been faithful and now she was on the brink of her first infidelity. And with her husband's consent. It was all very strange. She waited and wondered.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Kathy suddenly felt Mitch would be aware of her silence. She didn't want him to think she wasn't trying. She lifted a silver-frame photograph from the table and studied it.
Mitch immediately took his hand off her shoulder and said proudly, "That's my son."
"He's a fine looking boy. I like him right from his photograph. How old is he?"
"He'll be sixteen next month."
Suddenly Kathy was hit by a terrifying thought. "What happens if everything is happening here and suddenly he walks in. My, that would be terrible."
Mitch smiled calmly. "He's away at military school in Oceanside."
Irv who had been sulking a few feet away overheard Mitch and said, "No plebian public-school for Mitch Burnett's pride and joy."
Mitch sparked to the challenge, "You're damn right. I'm not having my kid's mind poisoned by a bunch of left-wing pinko teachers." Mitch's face got red.
The music stopped and Mitch got up to put a new record on the turntable. He turned to Natalie and Dale who had stopped dancing but were still enfolded in each other's arms.
"Just play something slow and sexy," Natalie purred. "I think I'm beginning to turn this rooster on. I don't want to spoil the mood."
Irv looked disgusted. "I don't have a wife. I have a sex maniac. Pant for the folks, darling."
Natalie continued looking into Dale's eyes. "Pay no attention to him. I was once pure as the white driven snow, that is until that fiend led me into a life of sin."
Dale now fit comfortably into this new society. He only grinned and asked, "Are you sorry you're a sex maniac?"
Natalie's answer was done to a grind into his pelvic region, "I keep fighting it but what can I do?"
Dale's answer was obvious. "I like the way you fight."
Mitch found an album he liked and spun it. Natalie and Dale went back to dancing slowly about the floor. Mitch went back to Kathy, sat down and continued from where he had left off. "Just wait until your kids come home with this one-world integration crap. Public schools! You know what they are-public cesspools."
Kathy didn't like the turn of the conversation. She didn't follow politics very closely. She wished Mitch would go back to playing the boy-girl game with her. She had to say something. "I went to a public school. I think some of them are good."
Irv, watching them, could see Kathy was out of her element. He came in like a gladiator on horseback. "Save it, Kathy. Mitch is an ironclad reactionary. A typical Wasp."
Mitch took umbrage at the remark especially with Kathy paying rapt attention. He said, bitterly, "You forgot to add bigot."
"All right," Irv obliged, "bigot."
"Okay, okay," Mitch said," at least I'm not a fuzzy-headed social reformer blind to all facts."
Irv kept needling him, "Glad to see you're getting something out of those Birch meetings."
Mitch believed deeply in his theories. "You watch. People are fed up. One of these days the turn of events will startle you. There's going to be a real house-cleaning."
Irv, who wasn't taking any of it seriously, looked around the room and with a twinkle in his eyes said, "If there's going to be any housecleaning, they'll start with this one."
Liz was amused by this banter. She had heard it before. But now she felt it was out of place at a party where politics and religion didn't belong. "Oh, can it Mitch," she said. "Your pretty little companion doesn't want to hear those things. Why don't you whisper tender little words to her?"
Natalie chimed in, "Yeah, Mitch. You take everything too seriously. That is, everything but sex."
Mitch had to have the last word. "You all give me a pain. Only interested in your own little needs and problems. There'll be a day of awakening."
Liz tried to wrap it up for Kathy: "Mitch and Irv are always arguing. If they couldn't fight they'd be miserable."
Irv held out his arms. "Come here, Liz. I'll show you why I'm really here."
But Liz did a side-step and went right to the bar. She said to Natalie, "Well, I suppose if they were any smarter they wouldn't have married us. Right?"
Natalie laughed. "Right."
Kathy, getting Mitch's full attention again, asked him wide-eyed, "Are you really a member of the Birch Society? I heard someone say that." Kathy found all this so strange. She was warned there'd be a wild party. Well, when? She was starting to get sleepy from the booze. She reminisced. She had been to just one wild party in her life. Not like this-something planned. No, this was a wild party that just got that way.
It was a high school graduation party. Kathy had come without a date because her date had become sick at the last minute. That made her very popular because there were several stags. She was dancing steadily with no rest. It began to get tedious so when one of the boys asked her to sit one out in the gardens she was happy to.
She remembered perfectly. His name was William and he ran on the track team. He was slim and tall and quite good-looking. They sat on a bench and William kissed her several times which she found pleasant. Then a teammate of William's, Judd Bernard, came by and he joined them even though William complained about it.
The boys were very jealous of each other and when Judd kissed her, William punched him and it became a brawl. Kathy tried to separate them and got her dress torn and a bruise on her cheek for her trouble. When she started to sob, it stopped the fight and the boys said they were real sorry and would get the mother of the hostess to fix Kathy's dress.
She got into a little sewing room with the mother with the boys waiting outside the door. She had her dress off when the mother went to get another spool of thread. The boys boldly walked in. They were wrestling when the mother came back. She stopped them and said she was shocked and Kathy was crying again.
Then William took her in his arms and tried to pacify her. Judd got jealous and the fight started all over again. The mother tried to stop them and got her dress torn and before you knew it the four of them were rolling around on the carpeted sewing room floor.
Kathy discovered in the midst of it her panties were half torn off with everything showing.
When William's hands grabbed her there it made her very excited. He dragged her off into a large closet, while Judd and the older woman made love on the floor. Then Judd wanted Kathy and when she refused he forced her anyway. William then went to the mother. Soon they were all together in one white mass of bodies.
Kathy never forgot it. She was ashamed of it but she got a little thrill every time she thought of it. That was the only time she had ever made love in front of anyone. Now she wondered what would happen. The thought inspired many emotions.
She was shaken out of her reverie by Irv saying to her, "Are you kidding? Mitch is a joiner. The Elks, Monday; The Legion, Tuesday; Birchers, Wednesday; PTA, Thursday and the Little League on weekends. Friday is our night."
It made Mitch very angry. "Very funny! You just keep laughing. When the spooks and commies break loose you'll be the first one here to borrow a gun from me."
Irv continued to needle. "I hope you keep your guns loaded, Mitch."
Kathy sat in the middle of the exchange not understanding why Mitch would react so violently. He was right. All she was concerned with was Dale's need and her needs and their problems.
Mitch said heatedly, "You bleeding-heart-liberals make me sick. It's nothing to joke about, Soberman. When the great unwashed take over you'll be the first ones to get it in the neck. You damn Hebes are all alike. You can't leave well enough alone."
Irv had heard it all before and he was just ribbing Mitch for the fun of it. "Being a Hebe is an ethnic handicap, Mitch. It causes us to pull for the underdog."
Mitch reacted to that. "Underdog! Anybody with an ounce of guts and willing to work can make it in this country. Nobody handed me what I've got on a silver platter. I work damn hard for what I have."
"We can't all have Horatio Alger style," Irv answered.
Mitch held Kathy's hand and looked at her for support. He said to her, "How can you win? How can you reason with a Hebe?"
Kathy didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings and frankly didn't quite know what they were talking about anyway. "Why," she tried to placate, "don't you discuss other things?"
Irv answered, "Because Mitch has class. He likes to talk about the important things."
Liz echoed, "Yes, Mitch has class. I ought to know. I'm his wife."
Natalie warned her, "Don't get involved with those two. Let them fight it out between them."
Irv waved his arms grandiloquently, "It's all right. I can take care of myself with Mitch. Remember, I asked for it. What started him is when I called him a Wasp. Isn't that right, Mitch?"
Mitch said disgustedly, "What's the sense of talking?"
"Right," answered Irv. "So there's one way of settling this. Let's see what kind of men we are. When we retire to our separate rooms with our girls, let them tell honestly how good a lover we both were-how often, too! Let's prove superiority that way. Do you accept my challenge? Let's say for $100?"
"You have a deal," Mitch said. "The girls will have to swear to tell the truth. Right, girls?" They all nodded.
"Now the party's getting interesting," Irv said.
Natalie answered, "I'll drink to that."
Liz said, "Now I want you fellows to shake hands and no more bickering. Okay?"
Mitch and Irv shook hands while the others stood by grinning. Mitch said, "Finally we got a game I can beat you at and give you a handicap if need be."
"We'll see," Irv said smugly.
Liz said, "I'm in favor of such a contest. It's better than trying to solve the world's problems."
Natalie stopped dancing with Dale for a moment and said, "What is it with everyone tonight? It's depressing. I thought we were here to ball it up!"
That remark automatically riveted eyes on Kathy. She met the crisis head on, "All right, what time does the orgy start? I'm getting impatient."
When no one answered out of pure surprise, Kathy went on, "That is the diea, isn't it? A nice sociable sex orgy?"
Dale stopped dancing to say to Kathy in a modulated voice, "Take it easy, darling."
Kathy bridled, "Why? If we're going to have an orgy, let's have it. What's everyone waiting for? I want to get laid." She drank the rest of her drink down.
"You know," Irv said, "the lady has a point."
"I have a point and an empty glass." Kathy held it out and Mitch took it to the bar for a refill.
Dale eased his way over to Kathy and whispered, "Better go slow on those drinks, Kathy."
Kathy looked at him innocent-eyed. "Why? You said I should have fun and I'm having fun. Nothing wrong in that, is there?"
At the bar Natalie said to Mitch, with a gesture, "Look at those two-virgins!" She said it with disdain.
"Well," Liz answered, "I was one once."
Natalie's drunken answer was, "Me too, I mean I am too-someplace."
She latched on to Dale and pulled him away from Kathy. "I'm lonesome," she complained. "Why did you leave me?"
"Because," answered Dale, "I needed a drink."
"No," Natalie corrected, "because you're afraid your sweet little wife will disgrace you. Don't you worry. She's the hit of the party. These guys are drooling over her."
Dale liked that and he didn't like it. Why in hell did he get himself in such a situation. He should have left Kathy home, found another girl and come to the party. This way it was all mixed up and he was worried about Kathy. She couldn't handle herself, especially with drinks in her.
He held Natalie and danced with her.
"That's better," she said dreamily and rested her head on his chest.
He liked the smell of her perfume and he didn't mind giving her a good boff. This was just business. But if he had his choice it would be Kathy over any of them. He loved her.
And now his conscience hurt.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Irv got to talking with Kathy. "How long have you two been married?"
Kathy held up three fingers.
Irv dug deeper. "Ever any footsie?"
When Kathy didn't answer immediately, Dale moved over and prodded, "Answer the man's question, Kathy."
Irv broadened the area of discussion. "I'm asking both of you. What about it, Dale?"
Dale blustered it through, "I may be married, but I'm not dead."
Kathy for the first time in the hour was reached by the comment. She was shocked and hurt. What a terrible thing to say. Kathy thought it was worse for him to say it than to do it.
Dale knew he shouldn't have said it right after he spoke. He tried to speak kindly, "What about you, honey? Since we've been married, I mean?"
Kathy wanted to say she had been laid by a hundred men but she couldn't get her tongue to say it. Instead she said, "That's a secret. Maybe someday you'll know the secret."
Liz smiled, "That's right, my dear, don't ever reveal anything. Keep them guessing. Don't tell."
Dale said to Liz, "She'll answer me. She tells me everything. Don't you Kathy?"
Suddenly Kathy was furious. "You can go to hell," she shouted.
She spoke so loud, Mitch got alarmed. He said, "What kind of a party is this anyway? We need joviality, not quarreling. Now come, kids, we're all love children."
Irv stood between Kathy and Dale. He was relentless. "Kathy, I mean it. How many times have guys made a pass at you at a party? And how many times have you said yes? And Dale, what about you? How many times have you sneaked into another room at a party and made it with another girl?"
Dale answered first, "I don't know." He looked at Kathy to get an inkling of what she might say. She was stone-faced.
Irv touched her shoulder. "How many times?"
"I've lost count," Kathy said stubbornly.
Dale was surprised. He believed. "You never said anything."
Kathy had the floor now. Everyone was looking at her. "How could I," she lied. "Half the time it was some big-wig-the company-one of your bosses. I didn't know then how I could capitalize on it. Sorry I let you down. Dale."
Mitch could sense everything wasn't okay. He waxed philosophical to take the heat off the young couple. "With everyone sex makes the world go 'round. All this jazz about Hollywood orgies! You think it's any different in East Overcoat, Iowa? Or anywhere else? In a pig's eye! Everybody balls. Everybody."
Irv couldn't pass that up. "If Mitch says so then you can bet it's a Communist conspiracy. Sex was designed just to get married couples in trouble to foment trouble and revolution."
Mitch was practical this time. "Even though it does cause a revolution, it's still ass. A very important commodity."
Liz, who had been out of the room for a few moments, came back in wearing a sheer peignoir. She had a magnificent figure and always got whistles from the men. She did this time, too. Mitch said proudly, "That's my wife! Look at them boobs, and they're hard as rocks. Solid. Come on, kid, just touch them," he said to Dale. Dale touched them gingerly from the outside. "Firm," he said.
"Thank you," said Liz, "though I don't know how you could tell touching them like that."
Dale went back for a second grab. "Wonderful," he said. "Like rocks." He looked Kathy's way but she paid no attention to him.
Mitch addressed a speech to Dale. "Kathy's a terrific looking kid. Men are going to try and get her into the sack any way they can-just the way you'll try to score with someone else's wife. So you might as well get used to it. If you can erase jealousy from a marriage, you got it beat. Remember that."
"The thoughts of Chairman Mitch," Natalie said. "He can reduce Einstein's Theory of Relativity to one line. Everything is simple to him, even marriage."
"Mitch's right," Irv said. "Fidelity has broken up more marriages than poverty. It's too hard to live with."
Kathy and Dale exchanged glances.
Irv preached, "Live like the Europeans. They know two people can love each other and still find others attractive and they're not afraid to admit it. I like that."
Kathy frowned. She thought to herself, "Okay, I'm a swinger but I got to have my say." She said out loud, "If you really love someone-well, why would you want anyone else? I mean according to what you say we're not anything better than animals. Can that be?"
Irv took the ball. "If people could adjust to life as well as animals, this would be a lot better world to live in. Man is the only inhumane creature on earth."
Mitch didn't like anyone else being intellectual. He growled at Irv, "Give you an inch and you never shut up."
That didn't stop Irv. "What breaks up most marriages? Sexual boredom. One partner gets the itch and starts looking around. Next an affair, a romance, the adulterer's excuse for the basic urge. Swingers don't have that problem. If a gal wants to play she doesn't have to sneak off with the boy at the local supermarket to do it."
Natalie laughed and laughed. It probably hit home in some way because she giggled, "You should see the box boy."
Liz laughed at that too.
Kathy mused, almost as if talking to herself, "I've never thought of it like that."
Irv faced Kathy directly to make the point, "How many of your friends have been divorced?"
Kathy thought a moment and it came through like a revelation, "Seems like most of them."
"You see," Irv pronounced happily, "we've been swinging for five years and don't know one swinging couple who have split up. Right, Liz?"
Liz nodded.
Natalie wrapped it up with, "The family that plays together, stays together."
Irv explained further to Kathy, "You see, there are no emotional involvements, no jealousy."
"You left out the most important part," Mitch added. "You can trust a swinger. It's been proven over and over again. I've never been shafted by one yet. It's the squares who give you the shaft and every time."
Irv put his arm around Mitch's shoulder. "One of these days we ought to make a list Mitch. Cross index swingers by occupation. When you need a plumber, call a swinging plumber, a dentist ... a swinging dentist."
Dale had been looking for a chance to bring up the real reason he was present, "Don't forget, please, the swinging insurance man."
Kathy smiled. She remembered everything now and she felt everything was going swimmingly.
Liz had a comment too, "You know if you looked at our country club roster we'd find half are swingers. Even if most of them wouldn't admit it."
Natalie smiled knowingly, "Would you believe 99% of them?"
"She's right," Irving said. "You know if swinging catches on further, we could start a franchise operation-the Swingers of Kansas, the Swingers of Tennessee, etc."
Mitch was more serious about it. "No, I mean it. I'd rather do business anytime with a swinger. Wouldn't you, Irv?"
"You said it! And you can't beat the fringe benefits."
Kathy, the more conventional, practical one, introduced a new thought, "What happens if ... well, what happens if someone gets pregnant?"
Natalie had an answer as she had the answer for everything. "Kathy, dear, you have to remember the swinger motto, honey, don't be half safe, be cocksure. Take the pill."
The laugh was drowned out by the telephone. Liz answered the phone. "Oh, hi, Thelma ... good, make it quick, will you, hon. No nothing's started yet. We've been waiting for you two. By...." She hung up the phone. "They're on their way."
"Great," Irv said. "Now there are two swingers what am.
Kathy got up when Dale and Natalie began dancing again. She meandered outside to the pool, lit up in a green flare of light from its bottom. Music from the inside stereo could be heard over an outside speaker.
Mitch watched her go and then wandered outside after her.
Mitch could see that from Kathy's position at the pool she could see Dale minus tie, shirt open, lying on the sectional, head in Natalie's lap and her hand inside his shirt, making massage motions.
Mitch could see that Kathy was thoughtful. She looked at her reflection in the pool. Mitch thought back to the many nude swimming parties held at this pool and all the beautiful girls he had seen in it. Yet none as attractive as Kathy and none he wanted to see in the nude more than Kathy.
As he approached her, she was startled. She gave a little gasp.
"Why don't you go in?" Mitch asked. "You don't need a suit. In fact suits are barred around here. Right now, no one could see, only me. And that's the plot."
Kathy replied hesitantly, "No. I don't think so."
There was silence for a bit. Mitch reached out to touch her hair and said huskily, "You are very beautiful, the beauty given an added dimension by your shyness."
Kathy argued the point. "I'm not shy. Just quiet." She wanted to fit into all this for Dale's sake. She didn't want them to think she was shy.
"Don't be afraid of me," Mitch asked. "I like you. I would never do anything you didn't want me to do."
Kathy smiled. "I know. A woman senses those things. What worries me is that I must seem like an awful square to you."
"Because of your not wanting to swim bare-assed? No. You're sweet. I couldn't criticize you for anything you did. You should have seen Liz the first time. She had the idea we just walked in and ripped off our clothes and then we went wild."
Kathy said quietly. "Yes, I remember swimming naked myself with Dale and how excited and good I felt."
They walked slowly about the pool, hand in hand. Mitch thought, "I wonder how my life would have been changed had I married a girl like Kathy. I love Liz and she's fun but she's outgoing, uninhibited like me. I wonder if a more conventional girl like Kathy would have taken the rough edges off me."
"I know you think we're a strange lot," Mitch said. He felt they all needed some further explanation. "We're just sophisticated people. We talk, drink and think like everyone else. We're not freaks at all."
Kathy could feel a rapport building up toward Mitch. She had to ask him. "When it's over ... well, aren't there regrets? I understand the thrills. When you come out of it ... I mean after all it's your wife or husband and it's been drummed into you all these years. What about Liz? How does she feel? How can you let another man...? You know, I can't believe this is happening."
"I understand your doubts," Mitch said. "I do. But it happens and I'm glad it does. Liz feels the same way. I love Liz. She loves me. With that extra freedom we love each other all the more. There are no locks on us. We appreciate the freedom each gives the other. It brings us closer together and not further apart."
They walked until they reached the diving board. They leaned against it.
Kathy wasn't convinced. "But how do you know Liz feels that way? What if she does all that to please you? I know women and they don't always tell the truth-the facts."
Mitch could only chuckle at that. "You don't know Liz. She's a lot of woman. And we are always truthful with each other."
"That's what I don't understand. You love Liz. Well, isn't that enough for you? Why do you need other women?"
Mitch had to search for answers. "Well, let me ask you, why are you here tonight?"
Kathy didn't exactly know why. She felt she was doing it for Dale. But to be honest she had to admit to herself that she was curious too. She said to Mitch, "I'm not really sure." At least that was honest.
Mitch asked, "Do you love Dale?" He wasn't exactly sure why but he hoped she'd say no.
But she only h-edged a little. "I hope I do. I have always believed I did. Yes, I think so."
Mitch couldn't understand that. "I always thought all women knew all about love by instinct." He had to ask the other question. "Does Dale love you?" Again he hoped there'd be doubt in her answer.
But Kathy seemed to have no doubt about this one. "Yes, he does."
"Well," Mitch answered philosophically, "then that's all that matters. Certainly anything that happens here tonight will have nothing to do with tomorrow. It won't change anything."
Muted door chimes came from the house.
Mitch said, "Mike and Thelma. You'll get a kick out of them and more important the action now starts. Right now."
CHAPTER NINE
They walked into the house together while Liz went to the open door. When they entered the house, Kathy tossed a look at Dale who was just getting off the couch with Natalie.
Liz opened the door revealing a good-looking young girl. Thelma was covered by a beautiful floor-length mink coat. "Sorry we're late," Thelma said. She was a pert young blonde with a confection smile.
Natalie shrieked when she saw Thelma. "That coat," she screamed. "That coat." She jumped up and down with glee. "Thelma, it's beautiful. Where did you get it? What did you have to do to get it?"
"Mike gave it to me for being pure and good." She modeled the coat. "Mike's getting the projector out of the car."
Mitch said, "I'll go out and help him." He patted Thelma's butt as he passed her and she turned and tossed him a kiss.
Natalie patted the coat and inspected it from every angle. "Beautiful," she repeated.
Thelma walked up and back, modeling it with professionalism.
"My God," screamed Natalie, "what did it cost? Quick, tell me."
Irving tried to interfere, saying, "For goodness sake, that's none of your business."
Thelma paid no attention to Irv. "Mike paid twenty-two hundred. Practically wholesale."
"You see," Natalie glared at Irv, "some men appreciate their wives."
Irv's answer was, "Some men have wives they can appreciate!"
"Oh, Thelma, let me try it on, please."
"Of course," responded Thelma, "but can I show you the lining first!"
"Yes," Natalie said curiously. "Show us the lining."
Thelma opened the coat wide and let it fall to the floor. She was nude-not a stitch. And she had an awe inspiring figure with firm breasts and a small well-rounded stomach. She did a half turn to show a beautiful backside.
Kathy's eyes popped. Irv grinned. Natalie shrieked with laughter. Dale came closer. Mitch and Mike were still out of the room. Liz stood looking with a small smile of cynicism on her face.
"You know," Liz said-she was the first to speak-, "I've always wanted to do that. But it was you who did it."
"I love it," Thelma said. "I had to wear that beautiful coat on my naked body."
"I would do the same," Natalie said. "And promise me if you ever divorce Mike I want him. I want first crack."
Thelma was walking around the room nude and Kathy couldn't take her eyes off her. It was such a beautiful body and so nude-and with men and women in the room. She looked at Dale. He was mesmerized. As if he were in a trance, his eyes followed Thelma.
Mike and Mitch came in carrying the projector. "Hey," Mike said. "Pick up that coat. It cost me a fortune." He seemed oblivious to his wife's nudity. Mitch didn't even look her way.
Thelma picked up her coat and draped it on but it was still open in the front. Kathy couldn't take her eyes off Thelma. She thought that not in a hundred years could she do anything like that.
Liz introduced Dale and Kathy to Thelma and Mike. Thelma crossed the room to shake hands with Dale. He could think of only one thing-if he could have that body in bed, just once, he'd be willing to die, and happy.
For the first time Kathy had to admit to herself she was glad she had come.
Mitch mixed a drink for the two late arrivals."
Liz addressed the crowd. "Look, if we don't get this show on the road there isn't going to be one. It's getting late. Let's get started."
"Right," said Natalie, "after Thelma, everything will be an anti-climax. But let's get to the anti-climax, or is it the climax?" She laughed.
Mike set up the projection screen while Mitch threaded the machine.
Liz said to Kathy, "We always show a stag film before-hand. It turns us on. Mike knows where to buy them. I hope they don't offend you."
Kathy was now caught up in it. "No, I'm curious. I never saw a stag film."
Both Thelma and Mike poured themselves drinks. Mike said, "I think we're getting a good start. It feels like the last Wilson party and that was fun."
"Fun! It was wild. Irv lost five pounds. This should only be like that," Natalie said. "If we could only think of something new, different."
Liz said, "I have an idea. Remember what made the Wilson party such fun-those costumes. What if we wear something odd like that."
"Fine," Natalie agreed, "but the Wilson's rented theirs. How do we do it?"
"Improvise," Liz said. "Anything is better than going in cold turkey."
"You know," Mike said, "I think you're right because even the stag films don't cause the kick they used to."
"Well, I think I have just the clothes to do it. Now don't go away." Liz rounded up all the girls and they went back into her bedroom.
Just before leaving, Kathy looked at Dale. It was a glancing saying, "Is everything okay?"
Dale smiled his approval and Kathy tagged after the other girls.
Kathy went to the master bedroom. It was opulently furnished with a king-sized bed as the center of attraction. Its headboard and footboard were mirrored.
Liz walked in first and slid open the closet doors. "There are all sorts of things there-nurses uniforms, evening gowns, maid's costumes, even motorcycle garb."
"Great," Thelma said. "I prefer to go nude but I suppose that doesn't go."
Both Natalie and Thelma started to undress. "I'm a 10," Kathy said.
Liz told her, "I've got something just right for you. Mitch will love it."
Something was bothering Kathy. "Does everyone come into the main bedroom. I mean when it starts?"
Thelma and Natalie by this time were walking around nude looking for a proper costume.
Liz explained: "We have four bedrooms and there are four couples. Its a matter of choice."
"Tell you what," Liz said, "you go into the master bathroom and undress, I'll bring you in your clothes."
Kathy went into the bathroom and closed the door gently. There was no turning back now. She started to undress and took off everything but her slip and panties. She couldn't take them off-she just couldn't.
With Kathy in the bathroom with the door closed they couldn't help but talk about her.
Natalie said, "I'm dying to see her without clothes. She had such a cute figure covered up. No wonder your husband is so hot to trot. And plenty of wonder her husband is so hot to trot. You'd think a guy getting a girl like that would appreciate her." Natalie while talking was going through all sorts of clothes.
Liz looked unhappy with Natalie. "Why don't you lay off her. She's obviously a good kid and unspoiled."
Natalie slipped on a pair of full-length black opera hose. "Who needs unspoiled nice kids," she said. "She'll ruin the party and don't say I didn't warn you."
Thelma did some breast exercises with hands outstretched making her boobs snap to attention with each muscle pull. "You mean this is Kathy's first party? Well, what do you know. I wish I were young and naive again. Those were the days."
"Yes," Natalie advised her. "It's the kid's first party and I hate breaking in a beginner. It's hard work."
Thelma laughed. "Tell you what," she said, "you break in Kathy. I'll break in her husband."
Natalie reacted quickly. "Sorry honey. I'm afraid that's my job. I'm stuck with it. Oh well, you take the bad with the good."
Liz laughed. "Natalie, you're all heart. I feel sorry for Dale when you get started on him. He'll think he was caught in a barracuda net."
Liz found a garment she wanted and went into the bathroom where Kathy was staring at herself in the mirror. She said, "Yon won't find any answers in the mirror."
Kathy smiled, "In story books you can. I'm afraid that's not the way it is in real life."
"Please don't worry," Liz begged. "It's not bad. Maybe a little awkward at the beginning. No monsters. No ogres. The men are human even if they are out for thrills." Her tone changed and her hands moved gently down Kathy's back. "What a lovely back-such silky skin." She appeared hypnotized by her own fingers traversing Kathy's spine.
"Thank you," was all Kathy could say. She felt transfixed by the moment. The fingers on her back were pleasant.
"You're such a beautiful girl," Liz went on. "I don't want you to suffer at all ever. It isn't often a girl comes along so perfect in face and figure and yet so-well, so modest."
Kathy felt strange. She also felt like a dope because she could only say again, "Thank you." Liz's fingers on her back felt wonderful and yet she felt guilty. It wasn't right for another woman's touch to be able to give such a reaction.
"You know," Liz said, fingers falling lower each time they traversed Kathy's back until they included most of her backside, "Who's to say how to live a life. Life is short. Why shouldn't we enjoy all the pleasures we can." Her fingers slipped down into Kathy's panties and Kathy felt a warm glow between her legs-a glow she knew shouldn't be there.
"Don't," she said ever so softly. She thought to herself, "Can it be that this lovely lady, queen of a plush household, mother, wife, likes girls? Can it really be?"
"Please, don't," she begged.
But the fingers never stopped. Liz said, "You're a beautiful girl, Kathy. Your magnificent body was made for pleasure." Her hands went to Kathy's breasts from the back and she held Kathy's firm breasts in her two hands, meanwhile drawing her close.
Kathy was fascinated by what she saw in the mirror-Liz holding her like that. It felt good. She felt wanted. Yet she didn't want a woman. Right now she wanted Dale-and how she wanted him. She was awakened and in need.
Liz kissed her shoulder and then turned her around to her. Now she faced Liz. She thought, "Why did I take my clothes off? But at least I left my undies on."
Liz held her face in her hands and kissed her gently on the lips. "I love you," Liz said. "That's all. Now you know. I love you."
Kathy answered stupidly, "Don't say that. You love your husband, your child."
"Yes," Liz said, dreamily, "but in a different way. The love poets speak about-is-the love I have for you." With her mouth on Kathy's she let her hands slide up and Kathy's stomach and into her panties until her fingers gently rubbed into her pubic hair.
Kathy gasped. This was wrong. "Please don't," she said. "I like you. I really do. But I don't have that kind of feeling for girls. I never did. I can't help it. I'm strictly a man's girl."
Kathy wasn't in the least dissuading Liz. "You've never tried. The most satisfactory, most sensitive love in the world is between two women who care. They understand what pleases a woman, what gives her satisfaction." Her fingers rode into Kathy's crotch stealthily, into, but not far into, her love nest. "I love you," she repeated.
A wave of hot feeling engulfed Kathy. She had never experienced anything like this. But it was wrong. She couldn't let it happen. Her hand moved down on top of Liz's hand and she tugged weakly at it but it didn't give. Liz' fingers worked their way further into her wet vagina and thrilled her in waves down to her toes. "Don't" she begged, but she did nothing about it.
"Please hold my breasts," Liz begged huskily. Kathy like an automaton obeyed the order. If she didn't maybe that wonderful feeling in her insides would stop.
"Inside," Liz begged. She was aware she had put her hands on Liz's bra. She put her hands inside the bra. Liz felt good. Her nipples were hard and her palms pressed on the hardness.
"Oh God," Liz said, "Yes. Kiss them please." Meanwhile her fingers were searching Kathy's love hole and finding the proud, erect clit. Kathy gasped.
Liz sunk gently to her knees, spread Kathy's legs just a trifle and put her tongue where her fingers had been.
Kathy moaned and leaned back against the sink. She was aware her panties were now half-way down her legs. If she only had the will power to stop Liz. But she didn't.
Liz sucked at her and she thought nothing had ever been so wonderful as this. She was wet to bursting. Liz's hands clutched her backside, the fingers deep in the crack. Her hands were still on Liz's breasts, the nipples harder than ever.
Once more she had to say it. "Please Liz, don't. I'm not like that. Please."
Liz never stopped for a moment. Kathy could hear that rhythmic sucking sound from deep within herself. The thrill and the passion was growing in her middle. She had to help Liz. She spread her legs more and leaned further back so her crotch was thrown further forward.
Liz responded, greedily increasing the rhythm, her tongue going deeper with each suck.
Kathy whispered, "Mother of God I can't stand it." She thought she'd explode and burst. Liz cooperated by increasing the tempo. Her fingers dug deeper into Kathy's backside. Kathy felt Liz's hot saliva dripping down the inside of her legs. She held Liz's breasts tighter and when her downward glance found Liz's face buried deep in her, she bent and kissed Liz's neck.
Liz's muffled words pleaded, "Bite me. Please bite me." The feeling in her love bug was hot and a climax was near. Kathy knew when an orgasm was close. It was close now and she had to have release. She must do everything to please Liz.
She bit deep into Liz's neck.
Liz gasped. "Yes, that's good, good, good." She attacked Kathy with more power.
"Now," Kathy gasped and Liz forced her tongue higher than it had ever been. Then it happened. It was the best Kathy had ever experienced. Every muscle in her body tingled with pleasure. Her insides screamed satisfaction. Her sounds were that of a savage and she pulled at Liz's hair.
"Yes," said Liz with satisfaction. "Yes, tell your lover how good it is. Tell her again."
"It's wonderful," moaned Kathy.
Then there was gratifying silence. Liz stood up and kissed Kathy on the lips.
"I'm so ashamed," Kathy said. "I didn't mean to."
Liz only kissed and fondled her. "Now," she said, "just put on this costume. The others will wonder what has happened to us. Oh, please don't say anything. Nobody here knows."
"I won't," Kathy said.
CHAPTER TEN
The brief encounter with Liz in a bathroom brought back sharply a memory that had been blocked out for years. As Kathy dressed to go outside, it all came back to her.
She stole a glance at Liz who was primly rearranging wisps of hair that had been torn loose by passion. Kathy also noticed dim outlines of her teeth marks on Liz's neck, proof the sexual experience had been very real.
As Kathy dressed she remembered. She was fifteen and had gone shopping on a Saturday afternoon with Mary who was seventeen and had just separated from her husband after only three months of marriage. Actually Kathy had been friends with Mary's younger sister, Flo, but Flo was away at school and Mary and Kathy had become friendly.
They went shopping and Mary had told her the problems of her marriage-mostly it was that she couldn't stand the touch of her husband and he was at her all the time. They bought some little things and two attractive lacy negligees. Mary had insisted upon paying for Kathy's. She said she had lots of money saved up and she insisted upon the treat.
When they arrived back home late on a Saturday afternoon, no one was home at Mary's house and a note said no one would be home until the next day. The first thing they had to do was to try on their negligees.
Kathy thought Mary looked marvelous and Mary thought Kathy was so sexy with her see-through lace it was cause for rape.
Kathy supposed it was her fault. Because she was so curious about sex and marriage, she wanted to know why Mary was repulsed by her husband's advances. Kathy thought he was a very handsome man.
Mary tried to explain it while they sipped some wine in their negligees. "Men are so aggressive and rough and clumsy. They hurt. I've had other experiences with men before my husband. I just find that men want their thrills fast and to hell with the girl."
Kathy secretly thought she'd love to have a man make love to her under the right circumstances but she said, "But Mary, you're only seventeen. What happens now? If that's the way men are, why not make the best of it?"
"I know it's a problem," Mary mused. "I know I'm normal (that's what she thought then) and so I suppose some day I'll find a man who is tender, sensitive and gentle, like a girl. Have you ever just slept in the same bed with a girl and cuddled-how warm and sweet it is. That's what I mean."
Kathy had slept with girl friends and found it warm and satisfying.
"Tell you what," Mary said. "Why don't you ask your parents if you can stay with me tonight? Joe has gone and it's lonely without my folks."
So Kathy got permission on the telephone and the two girls talked, sipped some more wine and then went to bed in the baby doll nighties they had bought. Kathy was drowsy from the wine and just cuddled into Mary's arms and fell asleep. She awoke because Mary held her tightly and her hand was under Kathy's nightie and on Kathy's young breasts. She liked Mary and it was a nice feeling but she turned out of Mary's embrace and turned her back to her.
Mary whispered, "You see how nice this is? How warm and affectionate? Try to stay awake for just a little." She kissed Kathy on the back of the neck.
"I'm sleepy," Kathy said, and fell right off to sleep again.
Then came the shocker. She had this erotic dream that Mary's ex-husband was making love to her and it was thrilling. She couldn't understand why Mary didn't like it. And she woke up. She was very wet between her legs and Mary's hand was there. Mary was moaning with passion moving in a back and forth motion against Kathy's backside which was nude up against Mary's pubic area.
Kathy was panicky. She was torn between two things-whether to jump out of bed and run or just lie there as if she were asleep. She remembered she chose the latter because she didn't want to hurt Mary's feelings. Now she smiled at that.
So Kathy pretended sleep and Mary rocked back and forth, one hand on Kathy's breast and the other between her legs, all the while Mary was moaning and saying things like, "I need it. I need it. All this time."
Kathy didn't quite comprehend but let herself be used until she felt Mary tighten and then in release moan, "I love it! I love it!" Soon she relaxed her hold on Kathy and they both went to sleep.
Mary never brought it up afterward and Kathy just forgot it but vowed she'd never sleep with Mary again. She remembered Mary re-married again a year later. She hoped Mary was as happy as she was.
That was the only other homosexual experience she had ever had. And she was passive. This is the first one she ever had in which she was almost active. Kathy reviewed it and liked it but she knew it probably would never happen again. She was made for men and while she liked Liz she considered the incident child's play or a sickness. She thought all these people were sick. Yet it all had a strange fascination.
Meanwhile with Mitch mixing the drinks, the men were talking about their experiences. Mike reported on a switch party he had attended the past weekend. "Thirty couples. Wall to wall flesh-all over the floor. And some of the wives were beautiful and starved. A great combination. I was starting to make it with one broad, a trifle heavy but loaded tits, when this beautiful, sexy slim madonna put one foot on my back and said, "Stop. Don't waste it." I looked up into a northeast view of her twat and all the goodies above it. Meanwhile this bitch under me is panting because I'm about to put it in.
"Well, again she said, 'Don't waste it.' I guess she dug my tennis body and I just pulled at one leg and dumped her on the floor next to us. "Meanwhile the hot bitch under me is grabbing for me and by now all I want to do is screw this beauty, who is holding onto me from the side and sticking her wet tongue deep in my ear.
"I just reached over and latched on to one of my pals who was only talking to some broad and I practically put his bull pecker into this bitch who was under me. It didn't make any difference to me. So I rolled over on Susan, this marvelous beauty, and gave her a yentz like she'll never forget. Come was dripping out of her ears and it's a wonder the house wasn't raided what with her screams.
"You know what? Later I found out she's married to Judge Bascom. Remember that old bastard in Santa Monica? No wonder she needed a good one."
The other men laughed.
It was Dale who was most interested. He drank it all in. Sex was interesting, important, but most important was the names he heard. The men he was with. Just some appearances on the swinger's circuit could make him a big success. How better to know the famous than to have this kind of intimacy with them. He asked the question, "But isn't there a sameness about these parties-these orgies?"
Mitch answered. "The sameness part we like. The difference part we love. Like at the Brinkman's house a few weeks ago those two football greats were making it with each other. Now that was a surprise. They were drunk, of course, but when I saw that two hundred and fifty pounder shoving into that other guy's ass, I thought I'd have a hemorrhage from laugh-tog."
"No kidding," Dale said.
"Yeah, there are always surprises," Irv said. "Like tonight. Who knows what will happen? There's always something off-beat. Take Mitch here. He's always interesting to watch. He thinks he's a reactionary but he isn't. Mitch, this is a rebellion against society. Your rebellion too. That makes you a hippie. An overgrown hippie. All the same pattern. Hippies, riots, homos. This so-called moral reevaluation. It's a cycle as old as civilization."
Mitch looked stunned by it.
Dale tried to think of something so he could become even closer to this group-he needed something to share with them. He remembered. "I haven't swung like you guys but I've had a few wild experiences. After my final college prom, I took these twin beauties home. We went to their summer cottage in back of the main house and then in for a nude swim. After we dried off, I started to make it with one of them and the other was jealous and wouldn't let us finish. It was funny. They were fighting and all I was trying to do was get my nuts off.
"First thing you know they're loving it up and I found out they were les and dug each other. Now you must admit that is pretty damn handy." Dale laughed and everyone smiled.
There was a banging on a door and Natalie burst into the room. She was garbed in half-high spike heeled boots, hip length black mesh hose, brief belted leather jacket with upturned collar, a foot long cigarette holder, a monocle on her left eye and a whip in her right hand. She struck a pose, legs wide and snapped the whip imperiously.
She was the portrait of a beautiful Amazon. The men smiled with appreciation. "Wonderful," Dale said.
Continuing in character, Natalie strode heavily toward the men, snapped the whip and shouted, "Dogs, be still." She snapped the whip again. "Grovel, you swine! On your knees!"
Irv commented, "That's my wife, the Bitch of Buchenwald!"
Natalie shrieked, "Silence, dogs." Then Dale was her victim. She walked to him and commanded, "Down you. Down on your knees." She pointed the whip at him.
Dale looked around, uncertainty on his face.
Mike laughed and said, "With an invitation like that, he hesitates?"
As the others grinned, Dale sank to his knees and buried his head in Natalie's crotch.
"That feels good," Natalie said softly. Then she recovered her character and tapping Dale commanded, "Eat!"
Dale feigned chewing and Natalie laughed pushing him away. "Up," she commanded.
Dale got up and smiled self-consciously. Natalie dropped her pose and showed off the outfit. "Not bad, eh?"
Her husband said, "On you it looks natural." Mitch wanted to know where she had dug it up. "Very simple," Natalie explained, "In your wife's closet. And the whip was in Danny's room."
Mike was curious about the other girls. "What's going on back there?" He started for the back but Natalie raised the whip in warning. "No you don't. You'll spoil it. They'll be out when they're good and ready."
"You realize," Mike said, "if you all look this good we'll have a helluva job making a choice."
"Oh, didn't you hear?" Mitch asked. "We're going to spin a bottle tonight to pick partners. That's the new rule. Incidentally Natalie, go find a bottle, an empty one.
Mike wasn't happy. "I just want to make out. Let's not play games." No one paid any attention to him.
Natalie found a bottle and Mitch set up chairs around a round coffee table. Mitch gave it a trial spin. "Sit," he said, and the boys sat, leaving spaces for the women.
"You guys," said Mike, still disgusted, "are just like kids. Spin the bottle. You should grab your broad and carry her into a bedroom."
Mitch got a little annoyed. "All you can think of is screw. How do you know we aren't contributing to mankind? Ours is an experimentation. If it works, other groups will follow and maybe this will be the future. Do you know what's going on in the science laboratories of the world-just such experiments."
"That's a lot of crap," Mike grinned.
"No, it's not. I was just reading that a government scientist put four white rats in a two-foot square cage. Two males and two females. After a while with births the floor was covered with rats. Food wasn't a problem but they turned on each other. Some became cannibalistic. They hated each other. Others starved to death-the weak ones. The others took the food. And some turned homosexual."
"Interesting," Irv said. "And the same thing is happening to people. We're becoming anti-social, banding in small groups, nations, and turning our backs on the rest of the world."
Mike said, "What the hell has happened to you guys. All these beautiful girls and you talk of rats. I say, bring on the girls and let's get going."
Natalie jumped to her feet. "Right. Let's bring on the girls and let's get going. I'll find out what's happened to them."
She walked fast into the bedroom where the girls were.
Dale said to Irv, "She's really something. What a woman!"
Irv only shrugged and said with a shrug, "Better than nothing I guess."
Natalie shouted from inside, "Are all you sex maniacs ready?"
Someone said, "Ready," and all eyes went to the hallway.
Natalie shouted, "The big show is about to begin."
The men shifted their chairs to get a better view.
Natalie came in and announced, "First on the program is Frenchy la French, our French nurse. Are you ready? Come out, Frenchy, and give the boys a thrill." She held out one arm in welcome.
Thelma was Frenchy la French. She had on a mini-skirted nurse's uniform that zipped down the front, and a white nurse's cap. The zipper was open to the waist.
Everyone whistled and applauded like a burlesque audience.
Thelma bowed and moved over.
Natalie took her podium again. "Next we have a treat for the mama's boys and those boys who like a little masculine schmaltz in their love-making. Ta raaa-a. Liz the Magnificent."
Liz emerged into view in pinstripe trousers, white shirt, He and dark vest. She flipped a half-dollar like George Raft, the dude gambler and said, "Come and get it, fellows."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Liz got whistles, applause and a cry of "She's one of the boys." Liz bowed and stood next to Thelma.
"And now," Natalie announced, "for the piece de resistance. Wolf bait on the hoof for you dirty old men. She's more piece than resistance. I give you ... Loli-ta!"
Slowly Kathy came into view. She wore a little girl's dress, white knee sox, Mary Jane shoes, a wide brimmed sun hat and posed with finger coyly in her mouth.
The men applauded and stamped their feet noisily. Mitch sang out, "Yes sir, that's my baby."
But it was obvious Kathy was embarrassed. She had a flushed face and looked uncomfortable.
Mike shouted, "That's what I call jail bait or I call it lunch."
Everyone laughed. Dale smiled weakly. Mike hit him on the shoulder and said, "If I had that I'd bolt the door and never go out of the house."
Suddenly Irv said something that no one believed, it was so out of context with the moment. "Dale," he said, "take your child bride and go home. Do us a favor."
There was silence and then Irv just about repeated, "I mean it. Tell her to put her clothes on and get out of here."
Kathy looked bewildered, lost and undecided what to do or say. Natalie looked at Irv to see if he was kidding.
Mitch got to his feet scowling and growled at Irv, "What the hell's got into you all of a sudden. Are you nuts?"
"You're the one who's nuts. They're just kids. They don't belong here. Tell them to go before it's too late." Irv refused to back down.
"For Christ's sake," Mitch said, "you invited them here. Do you remember that?"
Irv said, "All right. I dick It was a bad mistake. Do I have to compound it? Do you have to compound it?" He turned to the others. "You know what we've turned into-a mutual pimping society."
Natalie turned to Liz helplessly. "What's he been drinking? Or has he gone nuts all of a sudden?"
Liz was of no help. But she did say, "None of our guests are going to leave unless we say so. And you can be sure we're not saying so." She strode to the bar and poured herself a drink. Irv followed to the bar and poured himself a stiffer drink.
Mitch was furious. "What a lousy way to put a damper on the party. What the hell-explain yourself."
Irv gulped his drink. "It's simple. Look at them, Mitch. They're kids. Why should it be us that starts them on something they might regret?"
Dale moved to Kathy's side. All looked to them for an answer.
They didn't say anything so Mitch spoke up again. "I don't get it. I'm bewildered. If you felt that way, why did you invite them?"
Irv said, "I guess you don't understand me. I'll do anything but I don't like the idea of breaking anyone else into these kinds of free-wheeling morals. I don't want them to be awfully sorry later for what they did tonight. Anyway not because of me."
"Well, I'll be damned," Mitch snarled. "Because of you. What did you do, twist their arms to make them come here?"
Irv didn't answer, turned his back to Mitch, sat down on the divan and just stared off into space.
Mitch fixed his gaze on Dale and Kathy. "Look, I don't know what this is all about but this is my house. If you want to stay you are welcome."
There was silence and Dale looked at Kathy and asked, "Kathy?"
Kathy looked at Mitch with her large dark eyes. A lot went through her mind. She was clear-headed now. She thought of her initial reluctance, Mitch, the scene in the bathroom with Liz and she decided there'd be no more hypocrisy. She said it clearly and directly, "I just want to get laid." After it came out she was shocked by her own words.
Mitch looked smug and happy. "Are you satisfied, Irv?" he asked.
Irv shrugged. You can't fight City Hall. He turned. "Okay," he said wearily, "ball yourselves silly. All of you. I just didn't want anyone to get hurt, that's all."
It was still silent so Irv went on, "Well, what are we waiting for? Up with the skirts and down with the pants and we'll all see what makes the world go round."
Natalie laughed nervously and then kissed Irv on the cheek. "You had me worried there for a while. Scared, too."
Irv said, "The trouble with you people is you can't take a joke." He grinned. "All right," he said, "let's get going. Before we show the stag reels, let's see who is paired with who for the night."
"Yeah," Mitch said, "everyone around the table for the bottle ceremony." Everyone sat around the table.
"Ready," Mitch said. "I'm the host so I'll spin for my partner." He spun the bottle and it came out to Liz. That didn't count since husbands and wives couldn't end up together. Mitch spun it again. It pointed to Kathy.
"Fix!" Mike shouted.
Mitch grinned. "I'm a lucky bastard," he said. "I get the cream."
Natalie said, "I hope you can make her happy. That's all I'm concerned with."
"I'll try," said Mitch, "and what fun trying."
They spun until everyone was coupled off. Liz went with Irv. Thelma with Dale. And Natalie with Mike. She was obviously disappointed. Natalie wanted Dale. So it was arranged that later in the evening these two couples would switch.
"Happy coat time," Mitch announced. All the men hied off to the bedrooms to take off their clothes and don happy coats.
Irv said to Dale, "Come on, swinger. Your education is about to begin."
When the men had left the room, Thelma said, "Men. I'll never understand them. They're retarded."
Because Kathy was just sitting and staring Thelma asked her, "Are you all right, Kathy? You look unhappy-"
Kathy said, "I was thinking about Irv and what he said about us. Maybe Dale and I aren't mature enough. I mean for this."
Liz had the answer. "Only you would know. No one else can help you."
Kathy spoke directly, "It's what Dale wants. He'd know. I think it's something he has to do and then I hope he gets it out of his system. Usually what Dale wants I do."
Thelma was cynical. "You listen to me. Don't count on a man just trying it and giving it up. Once you start you're stuck with it. It's too much fun to give up."
"Every wife," explained Liz, "who swings has gone through the same thing you're going through. The men talk us into it."
"Yeah," agreed Thelma, "they make our lives miserable until we do."
Thelma thought back on her first time. It was the days when Mike thought bridge games were exciting. They had been playing bridge with another couple who lived next door. It had become an every Wednesday event.
She had been piqued at Mike a few times because he told dirty jokes during the games and in fact was directing them at Eleanor rather than Dick. Thelma kept telling Mike how dull the games were and they should call a halt to them but Mike liked bridge and wanted to continue them. However, he promised he'd try to figure out something, to make the evenings more interesting.
So they finished an evening of bridge and Mike announced that he had borrowed a projector and stag film. Dick and Eleanor couldn't wait. Mike set up the projector and darkened the room and they settled down with drinks to watch a sailor seduce a chambermaid in a coal bin. Plenty of laughs and plenty of sex. The chick was built and running nude around a coal pile with the sailor, also nude now, it was pretty provocative.
After it was over Mike insisted on putting on an old sailor uniform and he chased Thelma around the room and everyone was laughing hysterically. To make it more realistic Thelma tossed off her dress and Mike got her on the couch and tried to get her bra off but couldn't so he got Dick to help.
With Thelma running around in just panties, Eleanor stripped to her panties and soon everyone was nude. Mike attacked Thelma on the floor and while he was doing it Eleanor was helping him.
It all fell into place and in time Mike was in a bedroom with Eleanor and Thelma on the floor of the living room with Dick.
So the bridge game became a weekly wife-swapping party and later they joined other parties.
Liz started in a different way. She and Natalie had been friends for years and would go shopping together once a week. One night Natalie was beat and decided to stay over.
Natalie couldn't sleep because Mitch's son who was a baby then kept crying. So Natalie got into the king-sized bed on Liz's side. There was a lot of talk and Mitch was feeling Natalie all over to her giggles and Liz was trying to quiet them. That's when Mitch suggested they call Irv over. He didn't need to be bribed.
So the four of them were in one bed. It just mutually happened that Mitch had an affair with Natalie and Irv had an affair with Liz. But that was quite a few years ago and Liz had done everything since then.
Both girls thought of that because Kathy looked so lost. She'd learn and she'd get hard to it all like they were. It was more or less fun and games for them now instead of thrills but they continued to do it.
Natalie was shouting, "When it comes to sex they're like kids in a candy store. The only trouble is their eyes are bigger than their tummies, if you know what I mean."
Liz laughed. "Everyone of them thinks he's the world's greatest stud. Yet any one of us could wear out the four of them without trying."
"But we don't tell them that," Natalie said. "The fact is we get more out of it than they do. Even the mar-rieds are fools in bed. They feel we're being nice when we cooperate in sex. And they appreciate it with gifts."
"You're so right," Thelma smiled. "It's the great conspiracy."
"You see," Natalie said to Kathy, "if they weren't giving presents to us they'd be giving them to some chippy. So why shouldn't we be nice?"
Kathy was bewildered. "But I enjoy sex as much as Dale does. If I didn't get it, I'd be heartbroken. Why should he give me gifts?"
"That's a mistake," Natalie said. "You got to make him think he's enjoying it a lot more than you are.
That's the only way you can make a marriage work for you."
Kathy frowned. "I want the marriage to work for us. I just want what Dale wants."
Natalie turned to Liz and said, "What can you do with her? She's so young. She'll learn but it will take time."
"Let me explain," Thelma said to Kathy. "If Dale gets the itch it's got to be scratched. If he doesn't go to orgies with you, he'll go with someone else. Which is better?"
"Yes," said Kathy, "but what if he likes one of the girls at one of those things. He could fall for her and then where would I be?"
Kathy looked bothered and worried.
Liz gave the honest answer, "That's a chance we all take, swingers and non-swingers alike. There's always some predatory broad around waiting to grab our guy. It's the gamble."
"If I could only be sure," Kathy responded.
Natalie said, "There are only three sure things in life: death, taxes and that your guy will look at other girls."
Mike and Mitch returned to the room in their happy coats. Natalie gave a wolf whistle. Mike struck a swishy pose. "Just ignore them Mitchy-poo," he swished. Mitch and Mike made eyes at each other then announced they'd stick to girls for the evening.
In the master bedroom Irv and Dale, business friends, were just completing dressing into their happy coats.
Dale was finished first and asked, "All set?" Irv said sarcastically, "You're a real eager beaver aren't you?"
Dale could hear the distaste in Irv's voice. He had led Irv to believe he and Kathy were swingers because for business reasons he wanted to meet the mob. The fact that he and Kathy weren't swingers had caused Irv embarrassment.
He tried to bluff it out. "There's nothing wrong with being eager is there? Frankly, I can't wait."
"It's like this," Irv said. "You're a liar and it's caused me embarrassment in front of my friends. I can't forgive lying."
"Why am I a liar?"
Irv got even more upset. "You know goddamn well why. Because of that big shot swinging masquerade."
Dale didn't want to get into a showdown. "Why worry about it?" He started for the door. "Before the end of the evening we'll be swingers."
Irv was angry. "You're wrong. Before the end of the evening you'll be a pimp. You're selling that sweet girl, Kathy, for business breaks. I know a panderer when I see one."
Dale reacted to that one. "Now wait a minute!" His face was flushed.
"I won't wait. I have it to say and I'll say it. You've made Kathy a whore."
Dale laughed nervously. "What a weird idea."
"Don't snow me. You're not the first guy I've seen ready to sell his wife to make points."
That riled Dale. He spoke up. "What about you? How many times did Natalie make it with Mitch before you got his account?"
Irv raised his hands. "I ought to slug you for that."
Dale, a perfect masculine specimen, said, "I'd think twice before trying it."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Dale always thought of himself as a lover and not a fighter. He didn't want to have any problems with Irv or anyone for that matter. He tried to placate Irv, "For crying out loud, Irv ... what are you getting all upset about? I didn't mean...."
"I know what you mean," Irv said. "And you're wrong. What goes on between you and Kathy is your business. I can't stop that. But I can stop you from using my friends."
Dale was only interested now in placating Irv. "Who's using anyone? I came here for a party, that's all. So maybe later I do some business with Mitch. Is that a crime?"
Irv was finally weary of it. "Maybe you're right. Who the hell am I to tell people what to do. But here's something I want you to know, insurance man. No matter what you think of swingers, there's one thing we don't do-sell ourselves." He smiled for the first time and said, "Come on. Let's give the girls a treat."
As Dale and Irv came into the living room, Kathy looked askance at Dale's happy coat. "You look silly," she giggled.
Irv said. "We can't all be Mister Americas." Natalie with her big eyes devoured Dale and said, "He'll do until something better comes along."
Now Mitch and Mike were fooling around with the projector, trying the switches and moving the screen around.
"I'm ready to roll," Mike said. "All right, girls, move a little. This is a big production. You don't want to miss anything."
Natalie said, "I'd like some popcorn. I don't like to watch stag films without popcorn."
"Drink instead," Mitch ordered.
The men were busy toting furniture around so the screen would be visible.
Natalie tapped her glass against Dale's and offered a toast. "Bottom to bottom, top to top. Once we get started we'll never stop."
"Okay," Mitch said. "On with the show. Someone get the lights."
Everyone scrambled for their seats. The lights went out and the movie flashed on the screen. Mitch sat next to Kathy and let his hand slide down the flimsy front to her soft breast. His eyes were on the screen. Kathy made no move to escape. She was trapped and she was in it now to the end.
Thelma said, "I never understand this whole scene. Here we have the real thing and we sit around looking at a silly movie about it."
Irv said, "Darling, it's a conditioning process. It's supposed to make us all raving sex maniacs."
Natalie clamped a tight embrace on Dale now that the lights were out.
The film came on. It was shoddy and grainy in quality. The main title was quite obviously of the home va- riety (the letters which are assembled on the title card come in a kit).
The first title card reads, "Tobasco Productions Presents." The second card jumped onto the screen reading "Connie & Blyde." A third card read: APPROVED BY THE LEGION OF INDECENCY.
There is a crude fade-in to the interior of a motor court bedroom. The furniture is shabby and the whole place gives off the unmistakable aura of the 1930's, with a faded photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the wall.
A door flies open and Connie enters. She is followed by a breathless Blyde, clutching a cardboard suitcase. Connie is wearing a white beret, jersey top and mid-calf suit with a vest. She had on a buttoned shirt without any necktie.
Connie is obviously a housewife and what is even more obvious is the fact that the couple have produced, directed and starred in this bedroom epic.
Connie takes off her beret, shakes out her hair and sits up on the bed, her head leaning against the headboard.
Blyde perches himself on the foot of the bed and opens the cardboard suitcase which is bulging with bundles of dollar bills.
In a slow slurring Oakie accent, Connie says, "Ah declare, Blyde, robbing banks shore makes me hot."
Blyde is totally unperturbed by her remark and starts to count the money he has spread out before him.
Connie fidgets and continues since she has been ignored by Blyde, "You can count that money later. Ah need some lovin' so bad I could dah."
If Connie has a bad accent, then Blyde's is the worst. He looks up momentarily at her. "Ah keep tell-in' you ah'm no good at thet stuff."
Connie has moved over to Blyde's side now and kicks the suitcase off the bed. She pulls him down onto the bed beside her, and attacks him with feverish kisses until he responds.
Connie begins to move down to Blyde's frontside and he tries to push her away. We see her head go down below the frameline of the picture screen. Suddenly Blyde jumps up from the bed and with his back to her and the camera, goes over and stands in front of the window even though the shades are down. He speaks as if to the blind, "Ah tol' you I'm no good. I just cain't help it."
A disheveled Connie is seen lying on the bed with a lot of thigh showing. She is irritated. "You're tellin' me! That's all you're good for. But I got to have it now. All that shootin' just drives me crazy."
Connie suddenly starts to writhe on the bed in a burlesque parody of a woman in heat. Blyde turns around and watches her, impotent excitement in his face. Connie grabs a pillow and begins making love to it as if clasping a man to her. Blyde just watches. Then with a sudden resolve he runs to the door and yanks it open He speaks to B.S. who is out of camera shot. "Hey, B.S. Git over here!"
B.S. appears in the doorway; a dazed expression of ferret-like stupidity exudes from his putty faced features. Blyde motions him toward the bed where Con- nie is doing delicious things to the pillow.
Blyde motions to him. "Git over there and do yore stuff, boy!"
B.S. has an agonized expression on his face "What?" he asks in pained expression 'Not again Ah quit.'
Blyde yanks his pistol from his shoulder holster. "You can't quit. We all got to do our share."
B.S. moves towards the bed, sits beside Connie. He slowly begins the ritual of removing his clothes. It is ludicrous. Under his windbreaker there is a mechanic's shirt and under that a kind of undershirt that used to be known as a singlet. He keeps that on. Connie is also undressing and turns to B.S.
"Hurry up, honey. Ah cain't wait." She is breathing heavily.
But B.S. has his own hang-up. He has some business with his ankle top shoes which he has to unlace and is experiencing considerable difficulty with a knotted lace.
Connie down to panties and bra draws B.S. onto the bed with her. She is in a hurry. Her urgency shows itself in comedic relief.
Blyde, seated on a hardback chair, has his hand still clutching the gun which he holds between his legs pointed at the floor. His face portrays a different sort of interest. We all now sense that the comedic aspects of our home movie are over and that the pornographic aspects are about to begin.
There is a series of shots indicating B.S. and Connie's frantic sexual activity. They go into a tight embrace with B.S. on top of Connie whose legs are wrapped around his waist. He is pumping into her in long rythmic strokes. He is obviously built for one thing. He has an erection like a stud horse. And that's exactly what Connie wants. She grunts and groans under his pressure and then manages to flip him over on his back, holding onto him in the process, so that she is now over him and she is doing the pumping.
Then Connie has another idea. She gets off top of him and tells him to sit up with his back against the headboard of the bed. The dumb B.S. does as he is told. He looks somewhat bored with it all but his erection is right where it is supposed to be. Standing up like a flagpole and almost as round.
Connie is like a maniac. She is tonguing his chest and stomach and when his large tool touches her cheek she greedily puts her mouth over the head and tries to see how much of it she can swallow. She has difficulty just getting the head in her mouth because of the size of the moronic B.S. who is totally unaware of his potential. As she works her mouth around, B.S. begins to get a good feeling and he leans forward, caressing her head like a lap dog licking someone's hand.
There is a close shot on Blyde who is now slack-jawed, drooling and glassy eyed. He watches but it is difficult to tell what he is getting from it all.
Once Connie realizes she has B.S. worked up into a real passion again she has him mount her dog-fashioned and he really gets with it now. Connie, too, is nearing climax and the camera closes in on her face. She grimaces in impending orgasm. Her breathing is loud and labored. Suddenly it changes into an accelerated succession of cries, which ultimately culminate in one long piercing shriek as she has her orgasm.
Connie's body jerks and wrenches and she now struggles to free herself of the monster on her back. But B.S. has been aroused and her movement only intensifies his own effort.
By the time B.S. reaches his own peak and unloads himself inside Connie she is beating the headboard with her fists with frustration at his inconsideration that her peak has passed and he should get off now.
B.S. has a twisted, crooked smile on his face as he has his orgasm and the ecstasy of the act makes him swoon. He releases his hold and Connie pulls away from him and allows him to just flop on the bed in exhaustion.
She moves away from him and begins to pick the money up from the floor and starts to count when the film fades out.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
In the master bedroom a low wattage lamp provided the only illumination. Mitch dropped off his happy coat and stood there strong and naked. Kathy was nude in just a second.
"May I use the bathroom?
It was right off the bedroom. It was so quiet Mitch could hear the tinkle of water in the bathroom and then the rumble of the toilet paper roll-next the flush.
Mitch got under the covers and waited. Kathy took some five minutes. He wondered what she was doing. She came out hesitantly and got under the covers. Mitch let his hand go smoothly down her neck, her breasts and her stomach, only barely touching the pubic hair and then down her thighs.
"Frightened?" he asked.
"Yes," she said honestly.
He kissed her and she returned the kiss. "Oh," she said, "I wish I wasn't such an inexperienced girl in these things."
"You'll learn," he said. "I'll teach you."
"With Dale," she said dreamily, "it just happens. I never really do anything. What do I have to do? Do I have to touch you?"
She put her hand on his chest, a hard stomach and then let it slip down to his penis. It was hard and erect. She handled it daintily as if it would break. Then she said, "Well, what do I do now?"
He said huskily, 'There's nothing much for you to do. I'll do it all."
He kissed her breasts, sucked on her nipples and cupped her pubic triangle with his hand.
"God," he said, "I'm so hot. So hot. What can I do for you? This?"
He slid down her body, kissing as he went. He let his tongue slip into her sex and licked with force.
She gasped, "Yes," she said, "that feels so good."
He licked at her hoping she'd have an orgasm. That would make him very happy if he could do that. He tried hard reaching up with both hands to her breasts as he did. He chomped on her until his jaws and his tongue hurt. Once she breathed hard and bridged her body but she didn't have a climax.
Then he decided to give that up. He lay beside her again. "I'm soft," he whispered. "Help me." She teased him gently.
"You want me to kiss it?" she asked.
No, he didn't want that. Somehow she was something special and that was humiliating, he felt. She played with him for a while but he didn't get as hard as he should.
"Let's try it," he suggested.
She was very wet from her own juices and his saliva so there was no question of tightness. But he wasn't hard enough. He couldn't tuck it in.
She moaned with anticipation but he couldn't fill her. He cursed.
"Wait a while," she suggested. "You're tired from kissing me-sucking me there," she corrected.
"Son-of-a-bitch, fuck" he cursed. "It isn't that. Lately, the last few months, I have trouble keeping a hard-on. Me, the all-around stud of the swinger parties. At 35! Wouldn't that give you a laugh." He cursed some more.
She mothered him. "Mitch, don't be impatient. It's because I'm new and different. Maybe you're afraid of my timidity. We have time."
He hit the pillow a whack with his fists. "Bastard," he shouted. "No, it's not that. I've been having trouble with Liz too. That's the rottenest part of it. She thinks it's her fault-that she doesn't turn me on anymore. I'm such a son-of-a-bitch I let her think it, to save my ego. Liz is the most exciting woman I know. I'd give anything to...."
Kathy remembered her scene with Liz in the bathroom. Yes, she was an exciting woman. She wondered if Mitch's failure in the bedroom had driven Liz to that scene.
"Don't give up," Kathy said. "I won't. I've read about men who have to have everything right, especially the time and place. Do you know with some men, it will just be a smell or an unusual sight that will turn them on?"
Mitch was desolate. He had tried everything with Liz lately and nothing had worked. But he asked, "What do you suggest?"
Kathy said, "I'm just an amateur but Dale says I have quite an imagination. Like do you want me to sit on you? You know what I mean."
Mitch said disgustedly, "There's nothing to sit on."
"But," said Kathy, "when we first started, it was hard, very hard."
"I know. That's the way it is. There's no accounting for it. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and it's as big as an axe handle and just as hard. Then I start with Liz and jelly-goddamn it, jelly."
Kathy tried hard to think back on all her experiences with Dale but nothing much had happened that paralleled this. Dale was always ready. Just once when he hurt his back surfing he had trouble but he was in pain then. Otherwise Dale could lay her all night.
"There's no reason you should suffer just because I have this problem," Mitch said. "I'm going to give you head and make you come even if it takes all night. And to hell with them out there, they can make their own fun and wait."
"But," said Kathy, "I want you to be happy. Let me try."
She felt terribly sorry for Mitch. She liked him. She wanted to help him. She kissed down his body until she came to his flabby penis. She kissed it and licked her tongue over it. No reaction.
Mitch groaned out of pure frustration.
"Stop worrying," Kathy said. "Just relax. Stop thinking. You say when you're sleep it happens. That shows your sub-conscious is okay."
She used both hands and her mouth for some time. Mitch cooperated with an up-and-down motion but it didn't help.
He was cursing again. "Here I am with the loveliest girl in the West and my stupid cock is dead. Stop." He pushed her head away, pulled her up to him and turned her over on her back. "Just relax," he said, "while the best head-man in town gives you a work-out."
He spread her legs a little more and buried his face in her crotch, determined this time to give Kathy the maximum pleasure. This time he didn't waste his hands on her breasts. He used his fingers in the two holes that meant the most.
Kathy squirmed. No one, but no one-even Dale-had ever touched her rectum before and this man had his finger in it. But she had to admit it felt good even though strange.
My God, Kathy wondered, what would happen if anyone ever walked into this room. They were on top of the covers now with enough light to see exactly what was going on. If it weren't that it felt so good she'd have gotten up to see if the door was locked. But Mitch was trying so hard, she couldn't disappoint him.
Soon he came up for air just when the tingling and the heat were concentrating in one spot and she thought something might be happening. He put a pillow under her behind which meant his face could meet her head on instead of him having to grovel into the covers.
He started again burrowing into her. She must admit Mitch had patience. Dale had tried it a few times but he gave up after a few minutes. Once she begged him to keep going but he had said his tongue hurt.
She tried to concentrate and realized Mitch wasn't hitting the exact right spot. She rolled a little to one side until he did. "Ah," she said out loud and Mitch redoubled his efforts.
He came up for air again. If he continued to do that she'd never come, she thought. But she couldn't criticize him. Poor man, he had enough troubles.
He asked her to turn over on her stomach. She did but wondered, "What is he going to do now?" She soon found out. He wangled his head in clumsily from the rear and sucked at her that way, meanwhile his fingers moved in and out of her.
She started with dismay when his tongue went into her rectum. It was warm and wonderful but how could he do it?
After a bit she asked if she could turn on her back again. She liked it better that way. "Are you tired?" she asked him. "Would you like to stop?"
"I love it," he said. His jaw was aching but if he made her climax at least there'd be some satisfaction. He blamed himself for what had happened.
He went into her with double the verve. She spread her legs further apart to give him greater access and once he was set and in there she closed her legs on his head. It felt better.
She tried to reach down to play with him but she couldn't get down that far. She resolved that if he brought her to climax she'd do the same for him no matter what.
Kathy shifted so that he'd hit that small spot, the spot she needed rubbed and toyed with. She felt a warm feeling in her groin and her heart was beating faster. Muscles in her thighs twitched. She felt a tightening in her vagina. "Yes, yes," she said.
Something was happening now for sure. "Oh, don't stop Mitch," she begged. She prayed he'd keep going. He did with increased tempo.
Her back was bridging so that she was squeezing the rim of the hole into his face. Wet smacking sounds were coming from the meeting point of him and her. "Yes, yes, Mitch," she mumbled. The most wonderful sensation was building up in her. Never had she ever felt anything like this. In the purple haze she was in she wondered why a tongue was so much more effective than a penis. It didn't seem fair.
The sensation was building until she felt if something didn't burst she would not be able to stand it anymore. If she didn't come right now she'd have to push him away. She couldn't bear it. "Oh Mitch, Dale," she moaned. "Do it. Do it." She screamed, "Do it!" And then she came in waves of great feeling.
Mitch shouted, "I've got a hard on." He jammed it into her and he started to pump but it faded into jelly with nothing happening.
Thelma heard Kathy's scream in the other room and said to Irv, "That son-of-a-bitch stud Mitch has done it again."
Mitch began to sob. Kathy rocked him in her arms like a baby. "Don't worry for a moment. You gave me the greatest thrill I ever had and I will do the same for you. You watch. Don't give up. I'll do it."
Kathy remembered something. She fumbled around the dressing table until she found some perfume and a handkerchief. She wet the handerchief with the perfume and came back to the bed.
She patted Mitch's testicles with the perfume and strong heat went into his genitals. It was almost painful.
"It'll work," she promised.
She lay on her back and made him roll over on top of her and tucked his penis into her pussy. Using her two fingers as splints she moved in and out of her pussy.
It was exciting to her.
"How does it feel?" she asked.
"I like it," he said, "but it's not getting hard."
She kept moving in and out, pulling on his penis until even in its softness it was large.
"Keep going," he whispered. "I think if you keep it up I'll come, hard or soft."
"Put your arms under me," she commanded. He held her in a tight grasp. She made him pump with his whole body while she drove his soft penis into her between her fingers.
"It's good," he whispered.
"Yes, Mitch," she said. "I love it. It's good." She went faster.
It was like masturbating, she thought, but not exactly because she had a soft penis between her fingers. Faster and faster she went and began rocking her body into him as he pumped furiously. Both were sopping wet and she was so hot. But it was so good.
"Please don't stop," he begged. "I think it's coming. Don't stop!"
"No darling, I won't," she said. She wouldn't for a different reason. She was near orgasm again. Faster she went. His penis was soft but long and she could feel it heating up. Her fingers were going a lot faster than their bodies were pumping.
He whispered in her ear, "Put your other hand-finger-in my asshole."
She'd never done that before in her life but she did it now and Mitch groaned. "Faster," he begged.
She felt an orgasm coming. It was unbearable. She'd have to come now-now! He screamed, "Oh-h-h-h."
And she screamed with him. They had come together. A soft penis and two fingers.
In the other room Thelma heard the screams again and said, "That S.O.B. is endless. He'd screw a snake and make it come."
Mitch sobbed again. "Nothing. But at least I came. I swear to Christ if this keeps up I'll slice it off with a knife for all the good it does."
"Now, now," Kathy tried to soothe him. "You see. You had an orgasm. That's the sign of life. Soon you'll have hard-ons again. I'm sopping wet. You came a trunkful. That's a good sign, too. If you need me, you can always come back to me."
"I'm a fake," Mitch said, but he had stopped crying. "A lousy fake. I'm a goddamn homosexual fag. Not a man."
"You can get shots," she suggested. "They work."
"Oh, shut up," he told her. And then he fell asleep. She was drowsy too so she slept.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Nattalie and Dale began their sexual foreplay in the pool, cavorting and caressing each other in the nude. Natalie, for a time, swam on her back with her formidable breasts floating like water wings on the surface. The sight of Natalie's voluptuous body sliding through the water excited Dale to a near frenzy. He grabbed her and attempted to mount her. As their bodies joined they sank to the bottom of the pool.
Almost a full minute passed before they rose to the surface, still joined together. The combination of the warm water in the heated pool and Natalie's obvious sexual needs excited Dale more than he had ever experienced.
Unable to contain himself any longer, he gathered her in his arms and carried her to a small bedroom in the house. "I love you, baby," he said. Using the word baby made him feel more like a swinger.
"There's something I want to tell you," she said.
"Let's not talk," he buried his head in her breasts. They were bigger than Kathy's. He liked them.
"We have to talk."
"All right," he said, a little annoyed. "Talk."
"It's been two years since I've been treated for nymphomania. Can't be satisfied. It might sound funny but it's not. I can get it all night. I'm never satisfied. Lately I hate to start. But I'm in it now. I'm not frigid-that's the opposite. I come but it doesn't do anything for me."
It didn't bother him. "So what?"
She went on, "Don't expect too much from me. I'm worked out. But I try. I dig you. I'll try."
He never stopped nibbling on her nipples. He didn't say anything.
She liked it that he didn't boast about how he'd cure her in one night. That's what they always did. Dale didn't say that.
He did ask, "You do that with Irv, too? I mean have this nymphomania?"
"With him most of all. He can screw me for hours and with Irv I can't have a climax. Almost. But not quite. You don't know what it's like. So Irv stays away from me. He hates to see me suffer."
"Then why," Dale asked the obvious question, "do you go to the swingers parties? I don't understand that part of it."
Natalie said, "For Irv. Why should I spoil his fun? He might think that I do better with other men. I don't know. We don't talk about it. He loves me, you know. And I wasn't always like this. I had attacks of it but for short spaces of time. Now it's different. It goes on and on."
"You've seen a doctor?"
"Three doctors-a hypnotist, psychologist, psychiatrist-and something called a therapist-analyst."
"They couldn't do anything?"
"Not really. A couple of times the psychology works on you and you think you're cured but it's very temporary. In one case I even had an affair with the doctor. That way he could watch every move, hear every moan, feel every twitch. But it did no good."
Dale was quietly just sucking on Natalie's nipples.
"I don't know how long I can go on like this. You don't know what it's like. You know I'm a very erotic girl. I respond easily to all kinds of sex stimuli. It's just at the climax that everything goes wrong."
Suddenly Natalie said, "Shit. To hell with talking about it. Let's do it. I never give up hope. I'm a glutton for punishment but I warn you it isn't a pleasant experience. You'll see."
"Why?"
"Well, let's see if I can explain what usually happens toward the conclusion of my sexual happenings-I mean lately. First, after much screaming and moaning the sounds become a gurgle from the back of my throat and spittle rolls down my chin from my open mouth. I don't know this but men have told me so. My face is contorted as if in terrible pain. My body is almost spastic. The muscles are so tight that my toes and fingers clutch dramatically at the air. My eyes roll back in my head. The juices from my pussy soak the bed. I pour juices and fluids. You'll swim in them. And worse, you'll get scratched and bitten before all this happens. That is if you last that long and if you don't protect yourself. That's a classic case of nymphomania.
"There are some 6,000 of us in the United States and we all react pretty much the same. If you give me an orgasm it's only a few seconds-partial and temporary. After that I'm worse than ever. Are you still game?"
"You know I really dig you. Maybe this time it will be different."
"I dig you too. Maybe it will."
Dale kissed Natalie in a circle around her stomach. "I hope I don't let you down."
"You're sweet," she said.
They held each other tight in an embrace that spelled sympathy and fear and sadness and love. And yet they had only just met. There was some kind of bond between them and they both knew it.
"You love Kathy?" Natalie asked.
"Yes."
"I knew that by the way you treat me. I can always tell. And she loves you?"
"Yes."
"And you're sure of it. How wonderful. Never let it change."
"I won't. I promise you. But...."
"Why the but?"
"I feel we have to make it big. I have to make money-big money. Right now Kathy thinks it's just me that wants it. But she's wong. She wants it and needs it."
Natalie still held desperately onto him. "There's nothing wrong in that. That's good for a marriage-wanting together. If someone were to ask me the ingredients of a happy marriage, I'd say good sex and wanting things together. Doesn't that sound simple?"
"It sounds right. I agree."
Natalie thought of how she had first met Irv and the first night they had had an affair. Natalie's family thought Irv was beneath her in class.
Irving's family had owned a butcher shop for years on the East Side of New York. Natalie's family were in the wholesale jewelry business. Irv had only graduated public school. Natalie was a Phi Beta Kappa.
Her family was so against him, she had to meet Irv in front of the Waldorf-Astoria in New York instead of at her home. They moved to California soon after they were married.
They went to a few movies and a party, she talked him into a concert at Carnegie Hall and he talked her into a ball game at the Yankee Stadium but at the end of the evening they had no place to go. He lived with his parents and she lived with hers. They had no car so a kiss goodnight was as far as they could go.
So one night when Natalie walked up to the front of the Waldorf-Astoria a bellboy handed her a note. It said, "Meet me in Suite 909." Signed, "Mysterious."
Irv had taken a suite for the evening. There were flowers, champagne and then an excellent six course dinner with perfect service. Natalie didn't find out until months later that the evening cost Irv $250. At the time his savings account totaled $300.
After dinner Irv said, "Would you like to go to a club and see a good show?" He had lost his nerve because his intentions, of course, were to seduce her but he said she seemed so formal he didn't dare try.
But the moment he asked if she'd like to go to a club, she said that she was pleasantly sleepy and she'd rather lie down and watch television. And it was she who turned the lights down low and patted the bed for him to lie down next to her.
The rest was history. They made love to each other for four hours and only stopped when Irv said his folks would ask questions. Natalie wanted to meet him at the Waldorf the following week but she didn't know how much it cost or how much Irv was worth.
He had a better solution. He asked her to marry him. And she accepted. From then on they at least had a bed to sleep in.
In the beginning sex was wonderful. She had always been a girl who had multiple orgasms. Sex with Irv was wonderful. She knew exactly when it went bad. That's why she first went to a psychiatrist. They wanted to have children and nothing happened. She went to the doctors and had an upturned uterus corrected and still no pregnancy.
Then Irv had an examination and it was found his sperm cells were quiescent. He took various treatments but they did no good. Why should that affect Natalie? And in the strange way it did? There were no answers forthcoming. Somehow it damaged a part of her psyche.
A short time after the news that they probably would never have a baby, Natalie had her first experience of the torture of being on the brink of an orgasm and not getting completion. After that it happened intermittently and now it was a rarity that she could have a natural love affair.
That's what she thought of as she lay in Dale's arms.
He was saying, "Have you tried everything in bed like a pillow under you, hot milk in the man's mouth, dildos, cocoa cream massage, all the rest?"
"Yes," she answered wearily.
"How about pot or lots of liquor?"
"Tried it."
"All the positions?"
"I think so."
Dale tried to think of some of his wilder love affairs, a girl near sexual hysteria when he tied a long cork in her rectum to his penis. As he went in and out of her vagina, the cork went in and out of her rectum. It must have been good because she became a screaming idiot until she came. He told Natalie about it and she went rummaging through kitchen drawers and found a rubber cork. They had great difficulty working out the logistics of the string and when they tried it, the cork hurt her. She said she was very sensitive there.
"Well," said Dale, "let's try it the good old-fashioned way and see what happens."
For ten minutes or so with her legs wrapped around his hips he pounded away at her. He was well hung and he counted on that to help. She grunted as he pounded home his point.
He held his hands under her backside and pulled her in to him with each stroke. "I love it," she said, and he was happy he appeared to be getting somewhere.
She was right about one thing, her juices were flowing like he had never experienced before. His whole belly was drenched and the sounds of the wet suction was disconcerting.
When he kissed her with his tongue in her mouth she bit him hard so he didn't try that again. He asked her if everything was all right but she only moaned in response.
He had to stop because he was to the point of orgasm. When he lay there quietly on her trying to forestall the climax, she reacted like a mad woman pulling him down and pushing him up with surprising strength.
He tried to explain with, "I just don't want to come. I won't be any good to you for an hour if I do."
Her answer was only to react violently pushing and pulling him again.
So he had to continue the up and down movement but now he went slower even though ramming her with more power.
She tried to speed him up but he wouldn't be hurried. He knew what he could stand. He really wanted to satisfy her-for his own ego.
He could feel all her muscles had tightened. It was almost like Kathy just before an orgasm. Apparently Natalie was on the brink but he had to push her over. How?
He liked her nipples so he licked them as he pumped and she writhed. One hand clawed his buttocks. He wouldn't try that again.
Dale pumped, trying no tricks, nothing extra, nothing fancy. In the semi-darkness he saw she was reacting exactly as she had predicted. Her face was contorted and thrown back to one side, saliva was dripping out of one side of her mouth down her chin. Tears, black tears from her mascara, streaked her face and her neck muscles stood out like cords.
A dull, uneven gurgle emanated from her throat. And still Dale wasn't repulsed. In fact it was stimulating for him. This was power-look what he had wrought. Also it was fascinating. He had never seen anything like this.
He wondered if he came would it bring on a satisfactory climax. But he dare not chance it. After that he was through.
He was almost afraid to try anything unusual now. Who knows what she'd do. He pumped as he thought. She was almost in a catatonic state except for the sounds in her throat. He hoped she was all right.
He wondered how long he had been making love to her. He was soaking wet from perspiration. It must have been a half hour. That's more than he had ever gone without an orgasm. He had never had to before.
He knew he couldn't go on much longer. The tickle in his groin was expanding. There was a limit to his self-control. He'd try one more thing. That's all he had left.
He went faster for a minute which made her gurgle louder, then he stopped completely and she hit at him with her feet though her body was rigid and she tried to start him going again with a pull and a push as she had done before but she couldn't do it now.
Then he started his up and down movement again but furiously now at high speed and he groaned and scratched at her though it was purely an act.
"Now," he shouted and he came into her and as he did he pounded more fiercely than ever. There was no sound from her. Even the gurgle had stopped. She felt soft under him. All the muscles had relaxed.
He looked at her face. She was smiling.
"Did you?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," she said, "but I feel wonderful. I think I was unconscious. I get that way. Oh, God, I'm so wet."
Dale felt unrewarded, unfulfilled. "I love you," he said and he meant it then.
She kissed him but didn't say anything. She just lay there and wondered.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mike carried his drink to bed with him. Liz sat up in bed nude to the waist. "Come on," she said, "I was just about to start without you."
He climbed into bed, balancing the drink nicely, "I'm a slow starter," he said, "but I finish fast."
"Speed is not a consideration," she commented. "And listen, I just took a shower and gave myself a double scrub. I tell you that because I might ask you to give me a special kind of service."
"Anything for a lady," he said.
Liz dreaded these beginnings. They always shook her. But you couldn't get to the end without a beginning. She knew that. She had never drawn Mike before. She wondered if she could trust him. She would have to trust him. Actually Liz was weary. She felt like she was tumbling toward a dark cavern where she would rather not be.
She wondered when it had happened. One minute she had been a good wife and mother, as normal as applie pie and prune juice.
The next minute she was in heat for every good-looking broad in the Valley. After the first les affair, men were just something she had to do. It was the broads she hankered for. That Kathy was a wonderful girl-and what an experience. Terrific! She'd have to have her again.
And Mitch. Well, somehow he had sensed something and it had turned him off. She felt bad about that. She loved Mitch, so they'd just have to have a sexless life. She'd never give him up. But she didn't think he'd ever give her up either.
She remembered the trigger that had set her off.
She went to a neighbor's house for a swim because her own pool was being painted. She had been friends with Clarisse for two years. They both had a child about the same age and both had similar type husbands. Liz had always thought Clarisse was the lazy type. She was always sleeping and the maid did all the work.
When she got to Clarisse's house, the maid was off, her child away at school and the place was a mess. Clarisse was sleeping and all the doors were open.
She told Clarisse she was going to swim and left Clarisse sleeping on the bed. While Liz was swimming she couldn't get the picture out of her mind of Clarisse lying face down nude on the bed. What fascinated her was a tuft of hair between her legs that came down as a curl and was easy to see against the white bedspread.
The more she thought about it the more she decided she had to look once more. She dried off in her tight bikini and went back into the house. Clarisse was still sleeping in the same position. Liz just stood there looking. What a beautiful sight it was and how exciting. Clarisse stirred suddenly and Liz pretended she was dressing.
"Did you swim?" Clarisse yawned. Liz nodded.
Clarisse must have sensed something because she sat up, stretched, and said "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Liz said honestly. "I was just admiring your figure. It's sensational."
"Oh, you like it?" Clarisse answered. She got up and did a modeling half-turn. "I keep in condition, don't I?" She was nude and her figure was tight and firm.
Liz swallowed. Her throat was dry. She said huskily, "May I just touch?"
"Help yourself," Clarisse laughed, and walked to Liz.
Almost in slow motion, Liz let her hand glide over Clarisse's breasts, her stomach and her behind. She was hypnotized by the feel of Clarisse.
"That feels good," Clarisse laughed, "do it again." She threw out her breasts so they pointed straight forward.
Liz cupped both Clarisse's breasts and then not being able to stop, she bent and kissed Clarisse daintily on one nipple. That's when Clarisse got the idea. She looked at Liz strangely.
She was the kind of girl who was direct and honest and she said what she wanted to. What she said was, "Jesus, Liz I never knew you were queer. I mean, dug girls."
"I don't," answered Liz and she really believed it, "I just dig your beautiful body."
Clarisse moved away from her and put on a robe. That was the first sign of something amiss.
It was only a short time later that Liz tossed a dinner party at her home. It was a formal, sit-down dinner and everyone had a good time. Too good a time. One of Liz's cousins drank too much and she passed out. Mitch carried her into the bedroom to sleep it off.
After a bit Liz said she should look in on Anne to see if she was all right. She had no ulterior motive other than to see if Anne was okay.
In the bedroom Anne had apparently wakened, took off all her clothes except for panties and lay back on the bed. When Liz came in she was lying there staring at the ceiling. Liz asked if she was okay and she started crying.
Her crying became wracking sobs and Liz sat on the bed trying to quiet her and find out what was wrong. She showed Liz marks on her back. Her boy friend was sadistic and hit her often. That's why she had gotten drunk, to forget her romantic troubles.
Liz took note of Anne for the first time. She was pretty, a little plump but sexy and big busted. Liz held Anne in her arms and her damp nudity stirred Liz. Her face was next to Liz and her scented hair drove her mad.
Liz kissed her, what was meant to be a cousinly kiss, and Anne returned the kiss. She said she appreciated such tenderness and held onto Liz.
Liz decided right then and there even if her reputation and future were on the line, there was nothing she could do about it. She got up methodically and locked the door. Then she lay back on the bed with Anne.
Anne said, "Why did you lock the door?" She was a trifle younger than Liz but she looked older.
"Because," said Liz, "you're good enough to eat." She then took Anne in her arms and kissed her on the mouth her tongue exploring as she kissed.
"Oh?" Anne said. That's all she said. She slipped off her panties and Liz got out of her clothes. Then began a half hour of violent, searching love making. They made love until there was a knock on the door. It was Mitch and he wanted to know if everything was all right. Liz said everything was all right and if anything had a double meaning, that did.
After that Anne and Liz met at least once a week for encores. They enjoyed each other. After that it was easy. Anne introduced her to Marjorie and Marjorie introduced her to Ting and so forth. Soon Liz had no problems in the femme department.
But men were another thing. Liz wasn't repulsed by them but it seemed such a waste of time. She got no thrill at all. With Mitch she tried to put on an act but she wasn't much good at it.
Then she found that if a man gave her head, i.e., used his tongue on her, then she could indulge in daydreaming fantasies to go with it and get a thrill. It wasn't nearly as good as a girl affair but it got her by and kept her image intact.
Now she was with Mike and she didn't want the evening to be a perfect bust. So somehow she'd have to get him to do what she wanted and then return the favor.
Mike was kissing her breasts. "Lovey," he said, "they're like milk and honey." He went back to kissing.
Liz thought, "Men are such boys. When did a man say anything original to me-anything inventive. And why do they always start at the breasts? It's like the same tune done over and over. Why doesn't one man start at my pussy and work up?"
Mike said, "Turn over, love. You have the reputation of having the greatest ass in the Valley."
"Oh, Mike," Liz said, "you say such sweet things. But I'll bet you say that to all the girls with asses. No, Mike, why don't you kiss me here." She pointed. "That's where I like it best."
Mike kissed down her stomach and then parted her pubic hair for the long kiss.
"You're too gentle," Liz corrected. "Attack it."
Mike worked harder. His tongue felt rough. After a bit she was getting more irritated than thrilled. Something else would have to be done. She pulled on his hair and imitating him, said "Come up here, Love." He slid up her body.
"We have to think of something that will keep both of us busy and happy," Liz said.
"That's easy. You're a girl and I'm a boy and all we have to do is fit a round peg into a round hole."
Liz was almost ready to give up. "All right," she said resignedly. "If we must, we must,"
"I got another suggestion, love," Mike said. "Turn over on your stomach."
"That again?" But Liz turned over.
"Now," Mike smiled, "close your eyes and hold your breath."
"What the hell," Liz thought. "Something might happen."
Mike straddled her and parted her legs.
In one hard stroke he rammed into her anus. It was painful and surprising and she shrieked.
"Why you dirty bastard," she said as he just lay there letting her get over the initial pain.
"Why didn't you warn me?" she asked.
"Because if I had, like all the girls you would have said no." Mike started an easy, slow up and down motion.
"Ohh, Jesus, that hurts," Liz said, "stop."
Mike didn't stop. "You'll get used to it. With some women after they have it once or twice they never do it any other way. This will help. He put his hand under and stuck one finger way up her vagina and pressed back so he could feel the outline of his own penis.
"Now doesn't that feel better?"
"No, it hurts," Liz said. "Take it easy."
"Relax," Mike said. "Your muscles are tight. That's why it hurts."
Liz tried to relax. "Men" she thought. "They are such animals. Women are so much more understanding."
"Now we're flying, love," Mike said, sweeping down into her with long, sure strokes.
It wasn't so bad now, Liz admitted. She had never had this done to her before. It was so degrading it was different. She wished Mike's fingers wouldn't stick up so high. There was another spot she wanted massaged.
As if he had read her thoughts, he moved his fingers down where they could do more good.
Liz thought Mike felt surprisingly light for a big man but his penis was still stabbing her like a spear.
"It hurts," she said again. "Why didn't you use some vaseline?"
"Because," Mike said, continuing his up and down motions, "I've found that when the pain stops and it will, the relief and the feeling brings on a powerful orgasm. That's why, love."
Liz thought, "If that were only true. But I must say I'm not bored."
Mike said, "Now love. If you'll stop twisting and moving and just lie there and open your legs a little more, we'll get where we're going faster."
"Listen, you bastard," Liz said, "you've practically torn open my ass. I'm surprised I'm not bleeding to death so shut up and get it over with."
Mike whammed into her with long, powerful strokes and his fingers beat a tattoo on her clitoris.
Liz liked it now. The pain had faded and Mike's quicker movement seemed to vibrate all the right parts. She was enjoying it and shifted just a little in order to get full benefit.
Now Mike was going under a full head of steam. He shifted one hand to her tit holding her from behind. He had to hold her or he would have bounced off he was going at such a furious pace.
Liz thought she actually didn't want to get a thrill out of this. It was humiliating-so different from the smooth pink tongue of a female. The one act was so gentle and this one was so animal-like.
"I'm going to split you in two," Mike panted, "but while I'm splitting you, you're going to have the best damn orgasm you ever had. So hold on, love, we're going to climax together." He increased the speed of his pumping.
Liz thought, "It feels good. It does feel good but even if I could come this way I wouldn't and even if I did I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing it."
Mike was now riding high, his fingers moving at a furious pace and the hand on her tit milking her. She was sopping wet. She could feel it. And the muscles of her belly were beginning to tighten. She knew what that meant. It meant she was going to have a climax and the feeling was building up so her vagina was burning. It was a new kind of climax, starting from the rear and working to the front. And there was no soft tongue to lick her pleasures. Only a club impaling her ass with each stroke.
"Close, love, close," panted Mike. "Hold on. We're going to all sweep into a purple sky."
"You son-of-a-bitch," Liz panted, "would you make me come and get it over with. Fuck me, you bastard. Harder. Harder."
He rammed into her, raising off her ass with each rise and pounding deep into her with each fall.
"Oh, God," she cried. "I hate you. I hate all men. Please fuck me. I can't stand it." She was sobbing and her ass responding to the tattoo on its surface burned with pleasure never felt before.
"Hate me, love," he shouted, "because I'm going to shoot a quart of sperm into your ass. Right now."
And he held her tightly in a bear hug and shot the hot fluid into her.
At the same time she reached a climax and her whole body twitched and trembled. "Oh, God," she shrieked, "I'm coming. I'm coming."
She hated Mike and all men and her ass hurt. Oh, how it hurt.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Irv and Thelma stayed in the den on the sofa after the stag movie ended. Irv was trying to analyze himself. Why was he angry at Dale? Why had he exploded about Dale and Kathy? Was it because he wanted Kathy? He had to admit that had something to do with it. He dug that youth scene. She was so fragile, yet so desirable. Thelma was just one of the girls even though he had never had her before. She was pretty and had a good figure but she lacked that look of innocence.
Thelma was thinking: "How do I tell him? Should I tell him?" She wondered how she had developed her sex quirk. It was easy to go back to where it started. It happened when she met Marie, an Oriental girl who was born in Taipan.
Thelma was probably seventeen then. It started with an innocent comment by Marie that in the Orient when a girl gives her favors to a man, he must give her a gift. If not a gift, then money.
Thelma thought that was a nice touch. So when she had her first affair, she hinted beforehand that she thought she should have a gift.
She got a string of artificial pearls. After that the gifts got more expensive and often, when there was a need, she suggested money. She didn't think this made her a prostitute. After all these were men she would have gone to bed with anyway.
She realized this was important. She had to stick to an affair whether she got a gift or not. That way she wasn't a whore.
When she got to be about twenty she noticed when she was going to get money or a gift her juices flowed freely and she was almost certain to have a climax. But if she wasn't to get a gift, it was unsatisfactory. Not that she didn't try. After all, she wasn't a whore. It was deep in her subconscious.
Then Mike came along. In the beginning he gave her gifts and she had a wonderful time in bed. But then he got too lazy to buy her something and he also rebelled against the whole business of gift-giving to one's wife. So Thelma's sex life was unsatisfactory. She began to cheat discreetly.
But now it had to be cash because Thelma's gifts could be found by Mike and she didn't want him to think she was cheating when he wasn't around.
When a man liked Thelma and she wanted to go to bed with him, she still went to bed with him, money or no money. She made herself do that. She wasn't a whore. But still, she got no thrill out of it if there was no promise of money.
Thelma even went to a psychiatrist with her problem but she came out of it with a lot of gobbledegook. Whatever he told her, she knew. It did her no good to know how it all came about. She wanted to be cured. She was told it would require long analysis and she wasn't prepared for that. Actually as Thelma got older the thrills came farther and farther apart. She had to admit she was frustrated, even sex-starved. This was all rotten luck.
Now she was going to bed with Irv. Mike called him, "Irv with the big cock." She was curious to see just how big. But she had enough experience to know that wasn't going to help. What would help would be if Irv suddenly gave her a thousand dollars. She'd have the most exciting orgasm in the history of sex. But that wasn't what was happening.
She wriggled out of her dress right on the sofa. Irv tossed off his coat. Mike was right. Irv was really hung. Well, that wouldn't be her immediate problem.
She wondered if she should just bare her soul. No, it was too dangerous. Irv might tell Mike. It could break up her marriage and she really cared for Mike.
Irv got into bed, lit a cigarette and said, "For a sex-pot, and the reputation of one, you seem preoccupied and this is a helluva time to be preoccupied."
"Sorry," Thelma said coolly, "but I have problems. But be my guest. Here's the body."
"And a beautiful one," Irv said.
"I hear you're something of a sex maniac-with that big whang."
Irv bowed, "I like good eating and good sex. That's not much different than anyone else. Now what are your problems? Obviously you wouldn't have brought it up if you didn't want to discuss it."
"How much money do you have in your pocket?" Thelma asked. She was even surprised when she said it.
Irv was doubly surprised.
But he said, "I suppose about forty dollars, maybe fifty."
Thelma thought for a moment. "Would you give it to me if I really needed it?"
The question puzzled Irv, "Yes," he said, "if you really needed it. But," he added practically, "my clothes are in another room."
"I don't mean this very moment. I mean, would you just give me the money if I needed it?" Thelma was talking plaintively.
Irv said, "What is this all about? I thought we were just going to make love. I didn't know we were going into some kind of business partnership."
Thelma said seriously, "Irv trust me. I know this sounds crazy but you won't regret it. Tell me that sometime after this affair you'll give me your money. I mean it."
"But," Irv said, "I don't understand."
"Trust me. Just tell me you'll give me the money."
"All right," Irv said, "if it will further our happy relationship for the evening, I'll give you the money."
"You promise?"
"Yes. I promise."
Thelma kissed him. "You won't regret it." She ran her hands over his body and then kissed him in circles from head to toe.
"Well," he said, pleased, "for fifty dollars I'm certainly getting my money's worth."
She pouted. "That's not a nice thing to say. I'm sweet to you because you were sweet to me. It isn't the money. That is just a symbol. Now lay back, don't move and I'll give you a treat."
Thelma played his penis like a flute. She was in fine spirits.
"That feels good," he said.
"Fine. Now you can make me feel good. And go slow. I haven't been laid in a long time and I want to enjoy it."
She rolled over on top of him.
Irv worked into her slowly, bringing her by steps to an orgasm so that they both came together, the last word in couple cooperation.
"That was marvelous," Thelma said after a while. "I enjoyed it so much. Thank you ever so much, Irv."
"My pleasure," Irv responded. "Now tell me what that money bit was all about. There must be some sense to it. What is it?"
Thelma lay there thinking. She wondered how much of it should she tell him? She was bursting at the seams to tell him the whole thing. She wondered if it would shock or surprise him.
She decided to approach the subject cagily. "Tell me," she said, "if I tell you what it's all about, could I trust you to keep it a secret. I mean to keep it from Mike? That's very important because it would destroy him."
Irv still didn't understand but he was getting more interested. "I swear, sure," Irv said.
Thelma let it all come out. She told him everything. The whole story from the beginning.
"So that's the way it is," she ended. "That's why I asked you for the money."
'It was worth a lot more than that. You should have asked me for a couple of hundred dollars."
Irv thought for a bit and then continued. "You know, you're crazy. There's only one way of handling this. Take my advice and tell Mike everything. He's doing fine now. He'll put some money in a special escrow screwing account and you can draw a few dollars every time you make it with him."
"You think so?" asked Thelma dubiously.
"I do. Do it. Take my advice. Mike will understand. Try it."
"All right," Thelma decided. "I'll do it. I can't go on like this forever. I'll do it."
Irv kissed her. "Now," he said, "let's see what $100 will do. I'll throw in another fifty if you make it with me again."
Thelma felt the warmth starting anew in her genitals. "Another $50? Fine," she said. "Stick it in."
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mitch woke up and stretched. And Kathy was still sleeping. He hesitated for a moment, then kissed her face which made her stir.
"It's getting late," he said, "and I wanted to tell you something."
She was still groggy with sleep. "Yes. I suppose we should get up. What did you want to tell me?"
"It's like this. I'm going to put Dale's name up for membership in the Los Angeles Country Club. He'll meet the best people there and do a lot of business. He's a personable fellow."
"Thank you," Kathy said simply.
"I'm doing it for you."
She squeezed his hand. "I know. But don't tell Dale that. He's so sensitive. I love you for it." She kissed him.
Mitch started to dress. "You won't say anything?" It continued to bother him.
"No, I won't. You can trust me."
She got up and started to dress.
Kathy thought, "I wonder if this can be construed as selling me for financial advantages. But after all, I get some good out of the sale. It isn't as if Dale alone benefits. At least I can always take credit for helping him.
And he'll love me even more. Now that it's over I'm happy I could do it."
Mitch fumbled with his tie. Then he said, "What in hell am I doing putting on a tie at four in the morning? I'm nuts." Then more seriously, "Kathy, the way we play this game is never to see any swinger outside of the parties. It's an unbreakable rule. So I'll never see you except at the parties. But I want you to know that while I love Liz and we'll be together forever, I care for you a lot. You're a wonderful girl. I hope Dale knows how lucky he is. I just wanted you to know that."
"I like you Mitch, too. I wish you only the best. I'm happy you told me that." Then Kathy said more seriously, "I'm hungry-starved."
"Good," Mitch said. "Let's get to the kitchen before those other maniacs and get some food."
"Is my face all right?" Kathy asked.
"Like a dream." Mitch kissed her.
They went to the kitchen.
Dale and Natalie had been lying quietly in bed but when they heard noises in the kitchen, Dale said, "Let's get something to eat."
Natalie got out of bed. She was nude. She stretched and her sexy body moved Dale again. He got out of bed and held her. "Can we meet once in a while outside?" He asked.
"No," Natalie said. "It's against the rules and I never break the rules. We swing only at parties."
"Please," Dale begged.
"Not a chance. No." Dale was kissing her breasts. "Come on." She broke away and started to dress.
"Let's eat ... you're sweet, Dale, but we play the game just one way."
They went into the kitchen and Kathy and Mitch were figuring out the making of bacon and eggs. No one could find the bacon.
Dale's eyes met Kathy's. "You feel okay?" Dale asked.
"Yes," she said. "Fine." She wondered if she would ever feel exactly the same towards Dale.
She said to Dale, "Mitch is going to help us. He's going to get you into his club."
"I'm going to put your name up for membership." Mitch corrected. "And anything else I can do."
Dale shook his hand and gave him a sincere look, "I certainly appreciate it. I can't tell you how much."
"I can't tell you how much I like Kathy. You're a lucky man."
Dale nodded. She did it and he was proud of it. What if she did have to play switch partners? It meant nothing.
Natalie had the eggs frying and she found the bacon.
Liz came in looking fresher than anyone. "Oh, Natalie," she said, "that's no way to make eggs. You have to fluff them."
She took the fork away from Natalie and pushed her aside. Liz fluffed the eggs.
Everyone was in the room now. All eight of them. No one mentioned the activities of the evening past. It was as if nothing had happened. Mike and Mitch got involved in an argument over how to get rid of crab grass.
Liz explained how she got her son in bed early and the girls listened with interest.
All appeared back to normalcy except one-Kathy. She was quiet. Once Dale said jovially to Kathy, "Hi ya, kid."
She smiled back but she put nothing into it. It was a weak smile.
Kathy felt numb. She had to think. It wasn't a question of right or wrong. That didn't bother Kathy. She just wondered what this would do to her marriage. It hadn't hurt the other couples or so it appeared. Would it hurt Dale and hers?
They both had cheated now. From now on it wouldn't matter as much. That is the theory. But would it?
Everyone seemed so normal and average. Look at them, she thought. Like a normal, average bunch out for a quiet party with punch and cookies at the end of the evening.
Yet what had Natalie done with Dale? Mike with Liz? Thelma with Irv? She knew what she had done with Mitch. How could he sit there like that talking about crab grass? She knew she couldn't do it. She felt sorry for all these people. Where would they go for greater thrills and then still greater thrills? A shiver went through her. She couldn't understand why.
My God, didn't their parents ever tell them that they should be faithful in marriage? Her parents constantly repeated that. She was sure her parents were faithful. Sure? She'd bet her last dime on it.
She thought about Mitch. Well, she wasn't ashamed of it. No, she tried to help him. Poor Mitch. He had said he was 200 pounds of eunuch.
It was hard for a man to live with impotency-a man like Mitch.
As she thought about what she had done, it was important to her to know that her parents had been faithful. Yes, she was sure of it.
Once she remembered her mother had cried for several days over a letter a girl had sent to her father, but that was many years before. She couldn't remember whether her parents were married before the letter or after. But that was the closest she could remember her parents ever came to infidelity.
Mike yawned. "Guess we should be going. Hate to pay a babysitter for sleeping."
Natalie yawned and said, "Yeah, Irv, you've fed your face long enough. Let's put it on the road."
She turned to Dale, "Thanks again, lad. Maybe it'll happen again some time."
Dale started to kiss her goodnight but his kiss landed on her cheek.
The others got up amid all sorts of goodbyes.
"Ready?" Dale asked Kathy.
She nodded.
They said their goodbyes and walked to the door, and to their car.
Dale held the car door open for Kathy and bowed. She kept a straight face. They drove out of the driveway and Dale waved goodbyes.
"Maybe this is it," he said to Kathy. "The beginning of our march up the ladder."
"I hope," said Kathy.
Dale leaned over and kissed Kathy. "And thanks!"
"Dale," Kathy said, "I see no possible way we can make love for a long time or ever. I thought about it. I just couldn't do it knowing what happened with you and Natalie, and worse, with Mitch and me."
Dale decided to humor her. "Honey, I know how you feel right now. But tomorrow you'll feel different. You saw all those couples. It hasn't affected them. Why should it affect us?"
"I can't answer that question. I can only guess at it. My guess is I prize some things that life has to offer above thrills. Like love, family, loyalty, decency. But I don't want to preach. I went into it with my eyes open. No one forced me to do it. But now the reaction has set in. I feel at this moment I could never make love to you again. It would be dirty, second hand. I couldn't."
Dale was dead tired and more important he was sexually drained. At this moment he didn't care if he never made love again. He just wanted to humor Kathy until he got home.
"Darling, you'll forget by tomorrow. I know it seems important right now but believe me all you need is a good night's sleep. I love you and you love me. Nothing that happened tonight can affect that."
"Yes it can, and did," Kathy said.
They drove home silently. In bed when Dale leaned over to kiss Kathy goodnight, she turned her cheek-just as Natlie had done.
It was Saturday morning late and Dale didn't go to the office on Saturday. He awakened late and Kathy wasn't at home.
He found a letter on the kitchen table. It read: "Dale, I am so shaken by what has happened that I am going away for a while. I do love you, but whether I can forgive you or myself I don't know. Kathy."
While Dale was deciding what to do" about the letter the phone rang.
It was Mike. "Hey, lover," he said, "we forgot to tell you our next meeting of the loving couples is at my house on Friday night. You and Kathy have passed the test and we're inviting you to come."
There was a grin in Mike's voice when he added, "Good for business."
Dale thanked him and then he hung up.
"Let's see," he thought to himself, "will Kathy come back in time and if she does will she go again. If she doesn't come back will they let me bring another girl or come alone? Goddam it," he thought, "Kathy has put me on a spot."
