Author: Thinking Horndog
Title: Second Best
Part: 092
Universe: Second Best
Summary: A full-length novel that follows several young couples and their
families through the period immediately preceding their Senior Prom.
Keywords: MF

Keywords for full story:  F-solo, Ff-inc, M+F Ffm MF mf oral anal bd D/s Mg-
inc Fm-inc mm mmf rom MF-reluc

Chapter 92
Various preparations


      Friday dawned warm and wet, spring rains pelting everything with a
soothing rumble and making it difficult to countenance the prospect of
rising early.  Helen's alarm went off and her usual swipe at the clock
failed when her forearm impacted a muscular shoulder.  Still too logy to
realize the nature of the obstacle, she began blindly crawling across it,
swatting at the sleep switch on the alarm clock.  Success led to an
immediate collapse in relief across the still unidentified mound, which then
announced itself by rumbling, "I could'a got that - but then you wouldn't
have ended up on top..." and a beefy arm dropped across the small of her
back, pinning her.

      "Sorry!" she murmured apologetically.

      "Shaddap, Woman, and shove me some mouth!" Al adjusted himself to
assure the connection and latched on.  It was good, but... "Whew!  Is that
you, or me?"

      "Both, I think!" Helen exclaimed ruefully.  If morning breath could
kill, they'd have both been unconscious, at least!  "I'll go get some..."

      "Just turn your head a bit and we'll snuggle.  We can fix the other
soon enough."  A hand began wandering over her back, hips, and ass.  "How's
my woman this morning?"

      "My eyes don't want to open, and something nasty died in my mouth,"
Helen groaned, "Otherwise, I'm feeling pretty good!"

      "You feel pretty good to me, too!" came the reply, wrapped in a
chuckle.

      Helen freed a hand and began tracing Al's ribcage.  "You're not so
bad, yourself!"

      They enjoyed each other's touch until the snooze switch went off, and
Helen reluctantly disentangled herself so that she could awaken her daughter
and his son.  Al eyed her departure, wearing the signature open housecoat;
well, Bobby'd more than seen it...

      Denise was no more anxious to rise than Helen had been, but Bobby
popped right up - probably an indication of how (un)comfortable the couch
was.  "Yo, Auntie, can I beat Denise to the bathroom?"

      "You can if you hurry," Helen assured him.

      Bobby made tracks.  Ten minutes later, Denise was pounding on the
door.  "If you're just brushing your teeth, open up!  I've got makeup to
do!"

      "Well, I gotta shave.  Can you share a sink?" Bobby asked, opening the
door.

      "Yeah, I just gotta brush my teeth.

      "What about the makeup?"  Bobby frowned.

      "I do THAT in my room - but toothpaste ruins your lipstick!" Denise
grinned, and added "Big Brother!"

      Bobby blinked and looked the question.  Denise continued, "Your Dad
put some kinda hammerlock on Momma last night.  I don't think they're
engaged yet, but it's probably the end of the 'Who, me?' phase..."

      "Good!" Bobby grinned.  "Well, hurry up, Little Sister, I use hot
water to shave!"

      "Can't understand why you bother!" Denise quipped, grinning around a
foamy toothbrush, interrupting his pro-forma case of wounded dignity with,
"Duck out for a sec, willya? - I gotta pee!"  And Bobby found himself
outside the bathroom door after all.


      Big Al appeared at the breakfast table 'way too pleased with himself.
Helen was wandering around, collecting various items and moving them to the
table, and every time she came within reach, a hand went under her housecoat
- without protest.  Bobby and Denise shared a glance, and Denise began to
grin.  "So, what's on the agenda for today... Dad?"

      Al flicked a suspicious glance over Denise, but addressed Bobby,
pretending that HE had asked the question, "Gotta go to work - with your
brother on the disabled list, I got no backup.  Probably have to run the
truck tonight, too - Mario don't like too many nights on call."

      Bobby played along, initially. "Maybe it's time to hire another
employee, Dad, now that it's more than just your sleep that'll be disrupted
if you get a truck call."  Al froze, and Bobby, grinning, laid the second
torpedo in the water, "So, Mom, what have you got going?"

      Helen almost took the bait.  "What?"  Catching Al's quick headshake,
she employed his tactic, addressing a grinning Denise.  "I have the early
shift today, then there is quite a bit to do to get your sister ready for
the Prom."

      Al addressed Bobby, "Might be a good idea if you hit the tux shop
early.  Your suit is set aside, but you don't want last pick of the
accessories."

      The comment took Bobby's attention away from bear-baiting, and he
nodded.  "Yeah, good idea, Dad.  Tonight will probably be quiet because
everybody's getting ready for tomorrow."  Eyeing Denise, he continued,
"Well, almost everybody.  Too bad we couldn't fit in another dance lesson."

      "Hmmm.  Eddie and I aren't busy, and Mandi will be home.  Everybody's
going to be off to the beauty shop tomorrow morning... What about a slumber
party, Momma?  We could have the dance lesson, and run the boys out early -
well, 10 or so - and then everybody could go to the beauty shop together in
the morning..." Denise slowly warmed to the brainstorm.

      "Hmmm.  Puts all of you girls together the night before... I smell
nefarious plans!" Bobby grinned.

      "I don't have any..." Denise retorted, smiling, which did nothing to
allay Bobby's suspicions.

      "It seems like a good idea to me," Helen hazarded, "Why don't you
check with the other girls?  We could have kind of a 'hen's breakfast' here
tomorrow with their mothers before the mad rush begins..."

      "Okay," Denise replied.  "I'll flash it around, and see what happens.
If we bunk in, we can cover everybody.  It'll be a great opportunity for
'girl talk'."

      "Fine," Bobby dropped his silverware in the sink. "Ready to go, Little
Sister?" he grinned.

      "Just a minute, Big Brother!" Denise laughed, and ran out to collect
her books.

      Bobby sauntered out, smiling, having collected the look that passed
between Helen and Al.

      "You know," Al observed with a wry grin, "They get along well - as
long as they're baiting us!"


      At school, Bobby and Denise's ideas won almost universal approval.
Everyone knew that preparations for Saturday night would keep them from
doing anything too intense or too long lasting that night, and the
opportunity to gather and practice a little dancing was welcome.  In
addition, Denise's suggested sleepover would offer a much-needed opportunity
for 'girl talk'.  Rick was fine with it, having already resigned himself to
a night without Mandi in his bed.  Eddie was glad of the opportunity to
participate - he and Denise couldn't go to the Prom, being sophomores.  Tim
would benefit from the gathering being so public - Dolores wouldn't be able
to press him over losing her virginity a day early.  Terry and Jackie would
have an evening away from EITHER of their families, both of which were
apparently in odd straits.  Various phone calls over the next couple of
hours secured the necessary permissions - none of the adults involved felt
it necessary to interfere with such an obvious exercise in good sense.  In
fact, Mandi put a flea in Helen's ear, and the women made a pact to meet at
Helen's for breakfast on Saturday morning before the 'great beautification
excursion' as Paul Michaels jokingly characterized the mass exodus to the
beauty shop that was scheduled for that morning.  This dubious appellation
spread through the male population like wildfire; as it was certain to
irritate the females, it rapidly became the phrase of the day.

      That wasn't the only flurry of phone calls that occurred that morning,
however.  At about 11:00, Ann Newton appeared at Merry's desk at the law
firm.  "Hi, Marilyn.  Can I talk to you for a sec?"  She indicated her
office with her eyes.

      Merry schooled herself to unconcern.  "Certainly, Ann.  I'll meet you
in a couple of minutes, if that's all right.  Bert's waiting for this," she
replied, waving at the contract addendum on her desktop monitor.

      "Great," Ann agreed, "See you then."

      Merry finished and delivered the document, then reluctantly made her
way to Ann's office.  Was this where Ann let her go, based upon
'philosophical differences'?  Well, there was only one way to find out...
Merry tapped on Ann's open door.

      "Oh, hi Merry," Ann looked around to see if the conversation was being
monitored.  "Come on in!  Close the door, will you?"

      Merry did as she was asked, and settled gingerly on a chair facing
Ann.  Ann looked up, puzzled, then exclaimed, "Oh!  Sorry!  This is personal
stuff."  She came around and seated herself near Merry, engaging her eyes.
"I've thought about the other night."

      "Oh?" Merry was still leery.

      "Yeah." Ann looked at her hands.  "I, uh, have no problem with your
lifestyle.  I was just worried you were being abused."

      Merry grinned, "No more than I deserve!"

      "Yeah."  Ann swallowed, and continued, "I, uh, think I might take you
up on your offer to come back."

      "Okay," Merry replied breezily, as if she made such appointments
daily, "Do you know what you want to do?"

      "No," Ann frowned.  "It's like a box with a stuck lid - I'm afraid to
pry too hard.  I think we're gonna have to wing it."

      Merry nodded.  "That makes it tougher - on all of us!  We risk passing
a boundary without knowing it..." She grinned.  "I've got a great
icebreaker, though - photos of my first beating!"

      "My God!  Pictures?  How public was it?" Ann exclaimed.

      "Very.  You'll see.  You'll either be horrified, or aroused - or
both!" Merry laughed.

      "Both, I imagine," Ann admitted, blushing.

      "If so, you'll be right there with 100% of the test audience!" Merry
chucked again.  "I can't arrange this - you need to call Robert.  Here's his
work number."  She scrawled it on a business card fished out of Ann's
holder.  "See what he wants to do."

      "Okay.  Want to listen in?" Ann asked.

      "Sure!" Merry replied.  Ann put her phone on speaker and dialed.

      "Robert Nellis," the phone announced.

      "Robert, this is Ann Newton.  I'm in my office with Merry."

      "Okay," Robert replied, "Just a sec while I close the door."  A pause,
a thump, and line noise dropped.  "What can I do for you?"

      "Uh, I've decided to take you up on your offer," Ann announced
hesitantly.

      "I gather that this means that you've shelved your reservations about
our lifestyle," Robert murmured dryly.

      "Yeah, I'm okay with it.  Who knows?  Maybe I'm more than okay with
it?" Ann replied.

      "Do you have any idea what you expect to obtain?" Robert asked.

      Merry interjected, "Master, she can't seem to come to grips.  We're
going to have to feel our way.  I thought we'd start with the pictures."

      "Hmmm.  Good idea.  When?" Robert asked.

      "Soon?  Before I chicken out?" Ann already sounded timid.

      "Tonight isn't really that good... but tomorrow night is excellent.
Both of the kids will be at the Prom, and they are staying in a hotel
overnight.  How's that?" Robert asked.

      "Oh, perfect!" Ann cried.  Merry nodded, grinning.

      "Okay," Robert began directing, "We'll start around eight.  Wear loose
clothing - something that grants easy access.  It would be nice if they were
revealing, too, but... Pantyhose are out - unless you WANT them shredded -
because if things go that way, that's what will happen.  Plan to stay the
night, at least; might be a good idea to plan on Sunday, too, if things go
REALLY well... We'll lay out some toys, start with the pictures, and see
were things go.  You should realize this going in: I might not take 'No' for
an answer, if I think your mouth is out of synch with the rest of you.  I'm
going to want absolution in advance!"

      "O-okay," Ann replied hesitantly, "Uh, what if...?"

      "What if I misread the signals?"  Robert pondered for a moment.  "Tell
you what: Merry can arbitrate.  If you can't convince me, and you can't
convince her, you're not serious.  Deal?"

      "Deal!" Ann affirmed.

      "Okay, then I think we're all set.  See you then!" Robert said.

      "Bye!" Ann hung up.

      Merry watched her critically.  "So, how do you feel?"

      "I'm shaking like a leaf!" Ann cried.

      Merry summoned an evil grin.  "It should make for an interesting
evening," she teased.


      As Denise's plan began to display symptoms of universal acceptance,
Helen realized that she had a bit of work to do to support it.  When Al came
in for an early lunch with Mike, Helen took her break with them, letting
someone else serve.  They made plans for the impromptu party, deciding that
he and Mike would come to dinner, but leave when the boys did, something
that caused Al to pout visibly.  Mike raised an eyebrow.  "Sucks, doesn't
it?" he asked.

      "Yeah," Al admitted.  He leaned across the table and kissed Helen
gently.

      "Jennifer won't answer my calls," Mike grumbled.  "If I wasn't on
crutches..."

      Helen took pity on him. "We'll see Jackie tonight, and I'll see
Jennifer tomorrow.  I'll see if I can't defuse the situation, okay?"

      "Gee, thanks, Helen!" Mike enthused, "I'll take any help I can get!
I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything..."

      Helen shook her head. "No, the indications I'm getting are that we
messed things up, coming in to see what was going on when we did.  Fear and
embarrassment are probably keeping her away."

      "Fear?" Mike echoed, confused.

      "Mike, left alone, do you think the pair of you would have had sex the
other night?" Helen asked.

      "Yeah," Mike mumbled, drawing in the water rings on the table top with
his finger.

      "Who would have initiated it?" Helen prompted.

      "Um, I was planning on taking it easy, but Missy..." Mike began.

      "Exactly!" Helen interrupted, "Jennifer was MORE than ready!  Mike,
you opened the door, and Jennifer found she couldn't close it!  She scared
to death of you, because she can't say no to you!  She's got a backlog of
pent-up frustration that's turned her into a wild woman, and she can't
control it - and she's scared of what you'll think of her if she lets go!"

      "Oh!"  Mike looked glum.  "So, she's gonna hide from me then, right?"

      "Yeah.  Unless I can talk her out of it," Helen agreed.  "You keep
calling, and I'll try to calm her down and help her come to grips with the
whole thing.  We've got one other factor in our favor..."

      "What?" demanded Mike.

      "Her libido is out of the box she's been keeping it in!" Helen
replied.  "In time, she might stuff it back in there, but right now, it's
undoubtedly giving her fits!"

      Al grinned, "There's no sadder thing than the sight of a horny woman
unfulfilled!"

      "Al!" Helen reproved, automatically giving him the swat on the arm
that somehow women universally assume that they can use to correct bad
behavior in their man.

      Al grinned and raised an eyebrow at the familiarity.  "So now you're
trying to domesticate me?"

      Helen leaned across and kissed him.  "A long-term project, I'm sure!"
she chuckled.

      "You're welcome to try - it keeps you around!" Al laughed, "Let me
know if you become too frustrated, and I'll pretend it's working for a
while..."

      Mike grinned, watching the pair.


      Helen's prediction was right on the money.  Jennifer was a zombie at
work, totally wasted after 2 nights of tossing and turning in emotional
agony and sexual arousal.  She'd listened to his phone message a dozen times
before Jackie 'accidentally' erased it, and was totally torn by it.  In
addition, his unique position as both her haven from the storm and the
source of her arousal had her mentally chasing her tail.  Thoughts of Mike
brought her a feeling of comfort and protection - and incredible arousal.
She'd nearly shredded her sheets the night before, suspended between Heaven
and Hell.

      Hilda came around just after lunch to talk to her.  "What's wrong,
Honey?  You look like Hell!"

      Jennifer's shoulders slumped.  "I'm exhausted.  I can't sleep..."

      "Is this over your man?" Hilda asked gently.

      "Well, partly.  I can't get him out of my mind.  But worse is what
thoughts of him bring with them," Jennifer grimaced.

      Hilda raised an eyebrow. "What would that be?" she asked, certain of
the answer.

      "Sex," Jennifer grated.  "I had it pretty well in a box, but Mike had
the key!  I'm going insane!"

      "Honey," Hilda counseled, "if anyone deserves to have a good time,
it's you!  This guy seems nice enough - go see him and drop your pants!  You
two can work out the emotional fallout afterwards, when you have clear
heads!"

      "What!?" exclaimed Jennifer, "He'll think I'm a total slut!"

      "Honey, he already does, according to you!  So what's the difference?"
Hilda pointed out.  "Even if it does matter, you'll both be able to look at
the problem more clearly once your hormones calm down.  What have you got to
lose?"

      "Oh, I - I couldn't!" Jennifer wailed.

      "Then you'd better come up with an alternate means of handling the
problem - and I don't mean abstention!" Hilda declared.  "I can't see the
options, however - meaningless sex with a stranger is dangerous, and not as
satisfying.  And toys are - well, toys!"  She rubbed Jennifer's back for a
moment, shook her head, and stalked off.

      When Jackie called her about the night's plans, Jennifer was virtually
monosyllabic until the mention of the Saturday morning get-together.  Maybe
- if she got up the nerve - she could ask some questions...


      Jackie had long since recognized the problem that her mother had NOT
spoken to anyone about.  She got Terry to drive her and Mandi to Mandi's
house, and borrowed a toy from Mandi's legendary collection (which, by the
way, had fallen into disuse with the advent of the 'real thing') - a six
inch soft latex vibrator.  When Terry drove her home to collect her clothing
and other essentials for the overnight, she stole into her mother's bedroom
and placed the vibrator dead center of her bedspread, where it couldn't
possibly be missed.

      Terry detected her grin when she returned to the car with her
overnight bag. "What's up?"

      Jackie's grin broadened.  "Left Mama a present.  Something I borrowed
from Mandi.  Something that goes 'buzzzzz'..."

      Terry laughed. "Now, if she'll only use it..."